Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related characters are copyright of J. K. Rowling and Warner Bros. This story has no intention of making money and all credit goes to J. K. Rowling's hard work and ideals. I'm just a fan that wants to write about other Defense Against the Dark Arts Teachers who taught at Hogwarts.
Chapter 3 - Staff Meeting
Late that night Clara awoke to crashing noises coming from her office. She quickly grabbed her wand and glasses from her nightstand and saw that the clock read just after 3. She dashed over to her office to see a little man floating near the ceiling and throwing all of Clara's books across the room. He was dressed in bizarre clothes with an orange bow tie and a blue bell-covered hat. "Ha haaa! Crazy Clara doesn't need these anyways."
Clara tilted her head and realized that this solid creature could take flight, was capable of moving objects, and by his behavior suggested that he loved to cause chaos. Clara was able to identify him as a poltergeist and was trying to think of a way to get rid of him and prevent him from destroying the rest of her office. She spoke politely and said "Excuse me, but what do you think you are trying to accomplish? You know I'm just going to put those books back anyways. But I will thank you for helping me out, they needed to be reorganized nonetheless."
"Ooooh, cracked up Clara seems to be cranky wanky. Ha haaa! You'll have to be even nicer than that for me to even consider stopping!" Peeves retorted while he continued to throw all of Clara's décor across her office.
Clara had a wicked smile on her face and with a simple snap of her finger and a flick of her wand, Peeves seemed suddenly freightened and he quickly flew out of her office door. Clara waved her wand again and all her objects on the floor seemed to reassemble themselves and moved back to their proper place. Clara sighed and then proceeded to take off her glasses and rub the bridge of her nose. She went back to her kitchen and decided to make a nice warm cup of coffee. She grabbed one of her physics textbooks, The Quantum World, and proceeded to read for any information that could lead to new magical innovations.
"Everyone I would like to introduce you to Clara Cummins, who will be fulfilling the role as our new defense against the dark arts teacher this year." Albus began speaking at the staff meeting later that evening. "And for those of you who are not aware, Clara graduated from WWIT's school in Cambridge. After completing her magical studies, she was part of a team of witches and wizards who stopped several dark wizards in Salem. She was even awarded for her services for saving the country. After the war, she decided to pursue muggle studies in physics. Two years later she received her Bachelor's degree in science and attended graduate school at MIT. She received her Doctorate of Philosophy after four years of addition studies in physics. Last year after finishing her degree she returned to WWIT's school to teach Strategies of Defending Dark Arts. Clara has graciously agreed to take a sabbatical from WWIT to help serve our school for this coming year. So will you all please help me in giving a warm welcome to Professor Clara Cummins." The faculty all clapped their hands. Professor Pomona Sprout, the Herbology teacher, even gave Clara a welcoming pat on her back, impressed with her accomplishments.
Albus continued on with other reminders about what the faculty should be doing before the start of term. Then he finally said, "And with that, I have nothing else more to discuss. Good night to you all." With that, several faculty members got up and immediately left the staffroom. Clara got up and walked towards the window of the staffroom and gazed outside, lost in her own thoughts.
During the faculty meeting she was able to read Pomona's mind and realized that Severus wanted the job for Defense Against the Dark Arts, but he was denied. Why would Albus do this? Was it because her position was cursed? It also seemed that Pomona's thoughts on the man were that he was untrustworthy. Why she had those thoughts, Clara did not know. Clara knew however it would only be a matter of time before she would find the out the answer. Just then her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone approaching. She turned around and was surprised to be facing Albus. "I hope you are enjoying your stay."
Clara smiled and said, "Why yes I am; however, that poltergeist seems to enjoy wreaking havoc in my office."
Albus smiled and responded, "Ah yes, you must have met Peeves. He does seem to enjoy teasing the new blood that comes to our school. If you see him again, just let him know that either I or the Bloody Baron are on our way."
Clara giggled "Well I think our recent encounter ensured that there would not be many others in the near future. I have quite a few tricks up my sleeve to get rid of a poltergeist." Clara shrugged her shoulders like it was no big deal.
Albus tilted his down so that his brilliant blue eyes were piercing into Clara's. Albus said slowly, "I see…"
Clara looked around the staffroom to see that it was only her and Albus left when she decided to continue their conversation. "Albus may I ask you a question?"
"Yes my dear, ask away." Albus replied and removed his gaze from the small witch in her white robes towards a paintng of two cats fighting over a saucer of milk.
"Albus, why is Severus the potions master here? It seems to me that he wanted my position more than I did." Clara tilted her head slightly to one side and tried to catch Albus's eyes to try to read his mind, but his skill was vastly superior to her own.
"Severus originally applied for the Defense Against the Dark Arts job in 1981, but I believe that Severus was also quite talented in his potion classes when he was a student here so many years ago. At the time I also needed a new potions master as the other, Horace Slughorn, desperately wanted to retire." Albus responded but his piercing blue eyes seemed to say more than what he was revealing.
"I…I see, thank you Albus. I'll see you tomorrow evening then." Clara said as she walked gracefully out of the staffroom. Albus watched at the young witch leave the room and his face smiled after she disappeared.
