A/N: I know, I haven't updated in FOREVER! BUT, I recieved a laptop for Christmas, and have just discovered that one of my neighbors (I haven't figured out which one yet...) has wireless internet that if I'm in the right room, I can mooch off of. So, as usual, enjoy, and if ya feel like it, R&R!

Chapter 3: The Evaluation

When Minerva and Celia finally got into the castle, Minerva noticed the look of awe on the American witch's face.

"I'm assuming that this is very different from the American Academy?"

Celia nodded.

"Very. The American Academy is newer, more… high tech I guess? This is old and full of history, and I love it!"

Minerva smiled.

"I'm glad you like it. Now, here is my classroom," she said as she pushed a heavy door open. Minerva walked to the front of the room and sat down at her desk. Celia stood in front of her desk, looking around at the room. Minerva gave the girl a moment to absorb her surroundings before speaking.

"First of all, I would like to take a look at your wand.

Celia handed Minerva her wand.

"Now, I'm not very familiar with American wand makers, so please tell me, who made your wand?"

"His name is Bargie Filligus. Very nice man. Been in the business for 60 years, as was his father, and his grandfather, and his great-grandfather before him. Apparently this was one of the wands his great grandfather made. Took us forever to find the right one. But I like it a lot. Cost a pretty penny. Or should I say pence? Or Knut? Oh, never mind, that was lame."

Minerva chuckled a little at Celia's attempt at a joke.

"This is a very unusual wand. Rosewood, am I correct?" Minerva glanced at Celia who nodded.

"What is the core?"

"A tail hair from a Sphinx," replied Celia. Minerva raised her eyebrows.

"Also very unusual… eleven inches, yes?" Again, Celia nodded.

"Very well then. Your wand seems to be in excellent condition. We will start with Charms, then Transfiguration, which is what I teach, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, Astronomy, Herbology, and finally History of Magic. Are there any other courses you are taking?"

"Yes, Ancient Ruins."

"We will test that too then. I hate to do this, but we must start from first year, and work our way up. Are we clear?"

"Yes ma'am," replied Celia.

"First things first then."

Minerva flicked her wand at the door and it locked with an audible 'click'.

"Open it."

Celia smiled. "Alohomora," she said briskly, pointing her wand at the door, which swung open.

"Disarm me."

"Expelliarmus!"

Celia handed Minerva her wand.

"Thank you. Now kindly summon a jar of ink."

"Accio ink!"

"Drop it."

Celia gave Minerva a puzzled look before she let go of the jar.

"Repair it."

The young witch smiled with the dawn of realization.

"Reparo!"

Minerva sighed. She really didn't want to do this, but it had to be done.

"Stun me and then kindly revive me."

Celia hesitated.

"Do you not know how, or do you just not want to stun a professor?" asked Minerva kindly.

"The latter," said Celia, almost timidly.

Minerva smiled.

"It's alright. Go ahead."

The older witch mentally and physically braced herself.

"Stupefy!"

Celia quickly grabbed the professor before she fell to the floor, and sat her upright in her chair.

"Ennervate."

Minerva woke and nodded in approval.

"One more Charm. Seal the door."

"Colloportus!"

Minerva went to the door and gave it a tug. It didn't budge.

"Very good. Now, onto Transfiguration."

Minerva continued to test the American witch. The professor was impressed by Celia's Transformation and Potions skills, and her Defense Against the Dark Arts and Astronomy skills were just fine, but Celia started having trouble when they got to Herbology.

"They all friggin' look alike!" exclaimed a very frustrated Celia after she successfully misidentified the fourth plant in a row. Minerva noticed a bit of a southern accent.

" 'Friggin''?" she asked, being unfamiliar with the term.

"It's actually supposed to be 'freaking', but we're lazy in the south, so we say 'friggin''," said Celia absentmindedly, examining a plant. Minerva mentally rolled her eyes. Celia's response didn't really answer her question. Teenagers.

"Please tell me this is Devil's Snare…" Celia said pleadingly.

"Yes."

"Finally!" cried Celia, punching the air.

"But any first year student could have told you that."

Celia mock glared at Minerva.

"You know that's not helping the 'self-esteem-issue-in-Herbology' issue, right?

The professor chuckled.

"It's alright, I'm sure Neville Longbottom would be glad to help you with Herbology if you help him with Potions or Transfiguration.

"So I guess this Neville kid is as bad at Potions and Transfig as I am in Herbology?" asked Celia, grinning.

Minerva sighed.

"He's such a sweet boy, and he tries hard, but he's a disaster waiting to happen."

Celia laughed.

"Aww, poor kid. I'd be glad to help him if he can help me. Heck, I could use all the help I can get!"

Minerva and Celia returned to the castle.

"Well, everything seems just fine. Let me just get your list of books and potions ingrediants list, and you'll be all set. Except-" she turned to Celia, "You don't know where the wizarding shops are, do you?"

Celia shook her head.

"No matter, I'll take you. I assume you have had your bank account transferred already?"

Celia nodded.

"Very good then." Minerva headed towards the fireplace in her office and took a pinch of Floo powder out of a box on the mantle.

"We are heading to Diagon Alley, alright?"

Celia nodded again.

"Very well." Minerva threw her Floo powder into the flames, stepped in, and called out, "Diagon Alley!" and disappeared. Celia quickly followed suit, and found herself in a colorful street.

"Wow," was all she could say.

A/N: After rereading this again ( I wrote this about two months ago, and just was able to get it on a computer) I realized two things: 1. Minerva seems to say "Very well/good" a lot... 2. Celia seems to be a bobble head doll, because she nods and shakes her head a lot... I had this problem with one of my CATS fanfictions... help?