Chapter 4

The next morning Lucy woke up to an empty room. Even Dora had left. At breakfast she was thankful to see that Professor Slughorn wasn't there and she took the empty seat next to Professor McGonagall. "Good morning, Professor."

"Good morning to you as well. You know, Miss Ketteridge as you're no longer a student you don't have to call me Professor. My name is Minerva."

Lucy grinned, "I'll call you Minerva if you call me Lucy."

"Tell me Lucy," Minerva said, putting some eggs on her plate, "do you by chance own a large, black dog in addition to your cat?"

"No, why?"

"Because I saw one running towards the womping willow this morning. None of the other professors own such an animal and it certainly didn't arrive with the students. I suppose I'll have to inform Dumbledore that we have a stray running about the grounds."

"Oh, please don't do that. I told him not to come back."

"So, you do own the animal then?"

"No, I don't own Snuffles. Own is a relative term. One really can't own another creature, especially one capable of higher thought. You can care and provide for them but you don't own another being like you would own a lamp, do you?"

"Hmm perhaps you should talk with Hermione Granger about that. I'm sure she would enjoy discussing that topic with you." The pair sat in silence for a few moments. "He really should register with the Ministry, you know."

Lucy nodded, "I know. I've told him that, but he says he likes the freedom of running around without others knowing who he is. Besides it's not as if I can really argue the point too hard."

"What do you mean by that?"

Lucy realized she had said too much, "Oh, nothing. I should be going; my first students should be arriving soon." She stood and hurried away before Minerva could ask her anymore questions.

Walking past the Muggle Studies room, Lucy saw Professor Snape sitting in the back of the class. He seemed to be observing Professor Samson teaching. She hoped this was not some new policy she hadn't heard about. Lucy wasn't sure if she'd be able to calmly teach her class with Snape watching her every move, ready to pounce on anything he perceived to be wrong.

Outside her classroom there was a small cluster of fifth years milling around the door. "Please go in and take a seat. We'll be starting in a minute." Following the students inside, she walked up to her desk and sat down to wait a few more moments for any stragglers to arrive. When she was satisfied everyone was seated, Lucy stood and began her first class.

"Welcome to Wizarding Literature. I'm Professor Ketteridge. If all goes well today you may be getting out early. I just want to go over a few basics before assigning your homework and letting you go. First of all I want you to know that I understand that this is your O.W.L. year and this is the class I want you least worried about. That might not make much sense as some professors tend to think that their class is the most important, but honestly this class isn't likely to influence your future careers. Neither does that mean that that gives you permission to slack off in my class. I expect you all to try your best, not everyone can excel at everything they do and I understand that.

"In this class we are going to be reading through two books I've assigned, Arthur and I and the first book of the Enchanted Encounters series by Fifi LaFolle. Both are works of fiction, though the former is historical fiction and thus there are some parts of it that did actually happen. Historical fiction is generally considered to be a work of fiction based on an historical event, person, or time period; in this case it happens to be all three. The latter of the two is completely fiction and is not based on any people, living or dead.

"We will be starting with Arthur and I. The reason I've only assigned two books for the year is that I want to take as much time as we need too in order to discuss anything we might wish too. If we happen to get through these two books faster then I have planned I do have another book in mind. I'd like you to read chapter one of Arthur and I for next class. Are there any questions?"

A few of the students leafed through the book, before one raised his hand, "Professor Ketteridge?"

"Yes?"

"Are you sure you only want us to read chapter one? It's only ten pages."

Lucy smiled and nodded, "Yes, I'm sure. The first chapter might only be ten pages, but it has a lot more content then you might think. It will take you longer to read it than you're imagining and so I suggest you don't leave it until the last minute. Any other questions?" Lucy waited a few moments in case a student needed to gather their courage before asking a question. When no one's hand rose into the air she said, "Now I'd like to hear some of your thoughts on what literature is. What makes one book better than another? Who determines what books are 'bad' and which are 'good'? What makes a book a classic? And who," Lucy said, walking around her desk to stand in front of the students, "determines which books are appropriate to be made available and taught to students of varying ages?"

The class discussed the questions for a little more than an hour, some of the questions had definitive answers, and others had more philosophical ones that reflected the opinions of the person answering. True to her word, Lucy dismissed the class a few minutes early. Following her students out of the room, she saw that Professor Samson's class was exiting as well, just a few doors down. She wondered if it was safe to go introduce herself or if Snape was still lurking around the other professor's classroom.

When she approached the classroom door, Snape stalked out of it, nearly knocking her over. He didn't say anything, just glared at her and he seemed to try and catch her eye. Lucy wasn't sure if he was glaring at her for something she did, if that was just his face, or if it was because he knew about her and Sirius. They hadn't hid their relationship when they were last at Hogwarts or back in the Order days but Lucy didn't think they had been flaunting it either. As far as she knew neither her nor Sirius had had much contact with Snape, so there didn't seem to be any reason for him to be nasty to her.

She shrugged to herself, figuring that there wasn't much she could do about Snape's attitude towards her. It wasn't his business who she was dating, nor did he have the right to be concerned about it. Entering the classroom, Lucy saw Professor Samson tidying the room. She hadn't seen Lucy enter. "Hello?" Lucy said tentatively, not wanting to scare the new professor.

The other professor turned, smiling warmly, "Oh, hello! Professor Ketteridge, right?"

"You can call me Lucy," she said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "I just wanted to introduce myself and see if you needed anything. My class is just a couple doors down and I thought, both of us being new and all, we could band together, maybe become friends," Lucy paused to take a breath. "I'm sorry. I'm babbling. I'm not real good with meeting new people. Kind of ironic since I'm a professor now and I suppose I'll be meeting new people every year, but I-I don't know that's different somehow. I'm going to shut up now before I scare you anymore then I probably already have."

"Umm…okay," Dinah laughed. Well, at least she hadn't run away and hid under her bed. "Don't worry about it. Starting over in a new place is making me kind of jumpy, too. At least you didn't have to teach class with Professor Snape staring at you the whole time."

Lucy laughed, "That's true. I had him when I was a student here though. You get used to the staring after awhile," she considered that for a moment. "He did glare at me when he left though. He has no reason to glare at me. I didn't do anything to him. He just hates my boyfriend and so he glares at me," she said, walking father into the room.

"I'm wondering if he ever does anything but glare at people." Dinah stepped off the stage and met Lucy half way, putting them on equal footing. "It seems I've caught his eye due to some differences in opinion we have on Muggle and wizard societies. Not that I'm complaining. I like a healthy debate. But I admit Professor Snape is proving hard for me to figure out," she laughed, "So why does he hate your boyfriend? Maybe knowing will help me to dig deeper into his mysterious psyche."

Lucy shook her head, sitting at one of the desks. "I wish I knew. The only thing I do know is that something happened during their school days and that it involved Sirius, James Potter, and Remus Lupin, maybe Peter Pettigrew too, it's hard to tell. But I think it's safe to say Sirius hates Snape just as much as Snape hates Sirius."

"Sirius? You don't mean Sirius Black, the Prisoner of Azkaban do you?"

Nodding, Lucy was startled at Dinah's reaction. She had thought everyone knew by now that Sirius hadn't committed those awful crimes and that he wasn't really a madman. "Why, yes I do mean Sirius Black. It was in the papers over the summer. About how he had been falsely accused and imprisoned," she may have sounded a touch defensive but Lucy didn't much care. Sirius wasn't a murderer and she didn't want to feel as if she were being judged for her choice of partner.

"Oh," Dinah said, looking apologetic, "I'm sorry; it was just an automatic reaction. I do remember hearing something about that now, yes. It's just…well, you see I've been a bit far removed from wizarding society for the last few years. I was living as a Muggle and finishing up a Muggle degree. That's why I was chosen for this position. I have experience in both worlds and I did my Muggle research on human interactions in different cultures."

"Oh," Lucy rushed to apologize. She knew better than to jump to conclusions. "I'm sorry too. I've just had to listen to a lot of reactions like yours this summer. Someone even called the authorities, convinced Sirius had kidnapped me and was holding me hostage," Lucy shook her head. "Anyway, I do recall Dumbledore saying that you were well qualified for this position. He didn't say why though. Perhaps I'll sit in on one of your classes sometime, if that's all right with you of course. I've always had a bit of a fascination with Muggles. It's something Uncle Arthur and I share. Though my fascination is more focused on Muggle writers, while Uncle Arthur's is for Muggles in general."

"That would be fine," Dinah replied, then laughed, "I didn't expect to be this popular already. You'll be the second person sitting in on one of my classes. You'll probably frighten the students less than Professor Snape, though."

Lucy giggled, "I should hope so. You've probably figured this out already but that man intimidates more than just the students. I'm just grateful he doesn't find my subject so…interesting. How did your class go with him here?"

Dinah couldn't help but laugh, "Oh, fine. He takes a rather abusive nature with his students, though. It was all I could do not to laugh when he swatted some of the Slytherins over the head with a rolled-up piece of parchment."

Lucy laughed, rubbing the back of her head. She remembered him doing that to a few students in her year.

"But yeah, I can see why he seems intimidating. I'd probably feel a little more intimidated myself if I didn't have my position to defend. As soon as someone makes comments like the ones he did about Muggles, I go on the defensive. There's no reason to be intimidated by somebody with such warped values. It's easy for me to feel empowered around people like that, when I know that my position is right. Er," she flushed, "Not to sound like a snob or anything."

Lucy waved her off, "Don't worry. You sound far from snobbish. I just hope I can be that firm in my opinions if he decided to poke his head into my class. Which I should probably get back to before the seventh years show up. I'm looking forward to teaching them. It's easier to have mature discussions with them then with the fifth years I just had."

"Yeah, probably," Dinah agreed, "I've only had a first year class so far. But they were pretty bright. I guess the thing with fifth years is that they're all fifteen, sixteen years old and convinced that there are better things to do with their time than school."

"Well, that and every time someone says something like penis, they all giggle. But that's the age I guess. Hormones raging and all that. I honestly don't remember being like that. Of course I was that kid who actually liked school, always had her nose in a book, and was a bit short on friends. Luckily some of my cousins were here at the same time so I wasn't totally a loner and I did make a really good friend that I still talk to. Still none of them are here now, so it seems a bit lonely. Actually I can't say none of them are here. Ginny's in her last year but she'll be busy studying for her N.E.W.T.S and I doubt she'd want to hang out with a professor much anyway."

Dinah raised an eyebrow. Lucy thought she must be babbling again. Then the other professor smiled, "Well, I can relate. I was a bit of a loner when I was here, too. My magic wasn't discovered until I was sixteen, which is completely unheard of, so I was sort of treated differently from everybody else. And I still had to take all seven years of study, so I was always the oddball old person in my class group."

Lucy was shocked, that was unheard of. She had assumed Professor Samson was her age. "That must have been difficult. I had assumed we were the same age. It's amazing how much we've changed since our school days, isn't it? I mean I never thought I'd be in a relationship at all, let alone one with someone like Sirius. And yet in some ways we're still the same. I'm still that girl who'd rather read then socialize."

Dinah nodded, "It's true. We change but we stay the same. I've always thought that each of us has a basic 'ground personality' that we build upon as we go, sometimes realizing we made a mistake and tearing down some of our work and rebuilding, but the basic ground level always stays," she smiled, "I sound like an old lady, don't I? Maybe if I was in a nice, healthy relationship like you are I wouldn't think so much all the time."

Lucy smiled, "I think it's a good philosophy. But I don't know that I'd call my relationship a nice, healthy one. We met about…wow, three years ago now. We flirted back and forth for the summer and when I was in town, not on an assignment. At the end of that school year, he was killed by Bellatrix Lestrange. I was pretty depressed after that. My aunt was really worried about me. She blamed Sirius for what I was going through. Then after the Battle at Hogwarts…well I'm sure you heard all about that. It was rather remarkable. We lived together the whole summer, up until I came here to start teaching. I think we're still in that obsessed with each other stage."

"Sounds like fun," Dinah grinned. She looked thoughtful, as if she was trying to figure something out. "You keep mentioning your relatives… and it seems like you were pretty deeply involved in the last wizarding war. The name Ginny sounds familiar, too," she laughed, "Can you tell me if I'm on the track of something, because it's eluding me."

Lucy laughed, usually people didn't have a hard time figuring out her connection to the Weasleys, but she supposed if you didn't know them well and with the different last names it might be difficult. "Oh, I'm sure you are. Most people I've come across put it together fairly quick, but I suppose you might not be familiar with the family seeing as you've been living in the Muggle world. Anyway, I'm related to the Weasleys. My mother was Mrs. Weasley's sister. And yes we were pretty involved in the wizarding war. Aunt Molly, Uncle Arthur, the two oldest children and I were members of the Order of the Phoenix."

"The Weasleys!" Dinah exclaimed, "That's what was familiar. Wasn't one of Harry Potter's best friends Ronald Weasley? And if I'm correct he's in a relationship with his friend's younger sister… wait! The head Gryffindor girl-" she cut herself off with a gasp as she seemed to finally make the connection.

"Yup. Right about all of it. Ginny is head girl of Gryffindor this year. Aunt Molly was so proud when she got that. I'm closest with Bill and Charlie, but Charlie's my age and Bill's only a little bit older. Percy's right behind me in age but we never got along too well seeing as up until recently he was really pompous. Fred and George are a riot. They might not seem all that substantial when you first meet them, but they're good people. So are Ron and Ginny, all the Weasleys are really."

"I thought Ginny looked familiar. I'd seen her picture in the paper this summer. It's amazing how much celebrity everyone associated with Harry Potter has been getting. Although, lately you don't hear that much about what Harry himself is doing."

"Well, he's out catching any left over Death Eaters. He's an Auror now, both him and Ron."

"Ah, I see," Dinah nodded. She seemed to be thinking about something for a moment before saying, "You say your uncle is interested in Muggles?"

Lucy laughed, "Yeah, that's a bit of an understatement. He collects as many Muggle things as he can get his hands on, and keep Aunt Molly from seeing, and tries to learn everything he can about them. He even had an enchanted car for awhile, until Ron lost it that is, even though he didn't know how to drive."

Dinah chuckled, "I'd like to meet him some time. But in the meantime, please feel free to drop in on one of my classes whenever you like. Now that you mention it, I was wondering if I might do the same with one of your classes? I've taken a few classes on Muggle literature in the past and I like to read when I have the time. I'm curious to see how you approach it."

"Oh, I'm sure he'd love to meet you too. You having experience with Muggles after all," Lucy changed topics to answer Dinah's other question, "You can stop by my class anytime. As I said I have seventh years next so the stuff they're doing is going to be closer to the level we're used to reading and I'm hoping to be able to at least talk with them more about theory then my other classes. If you'd rather come to any of the younger years that's fine too. I just might have to see if I can borrow some books off of you at some point. I've read a few Muggle books, but not many. It can be hard for me to get my hands on their literature."

"Sure," Dinah laughed, "Although I don't know how much of what I have could be called 'literature'. But I have a few of the classics – and some stuff that's just kind of fun. You can drop by sometime and look at my collection."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry too much about the term literature. That's actually something I plan on talking about in class. But my taste in books has a wide range. I happen to be currently reading Wizard Prince, Muggle Bride and I just finished The Salem Letters. You'd be welcome to raid my collection too. I don't have half of my books here but there's still plenty to choose from. That was one good thing about living in that big, old house of Sirius's, lots of room for my books with just the two of us there."

Dinah giggled, "Wizard Prince, Muggle Bride sounds like one of those cheesy Muggle romance novels."

Lucy chuckled, "Well, it is a cheesy romance novel, just of the wizard variety. Sirius thinks they're ridiculous. I tell him they're research materials," she blushed.

Dinah laughed, "Well, I won't ask what he thinks of their quality as research materials. Me, I'm partial to mystery myself. I like romance more as a part of a larger story than as the main focus of a story. But hey, what you like is what you like."

"I enjoy a mystery every now and again too. Romances are just easy reads that I can pick up and put down when ever without worrying about losing the plot. I absolutely love historical fiction but that tends to make me hop from book to book looking up events and people."

She nodded, "I can see that. Well, I hate to cut our conversation short but the break is going to be over soon so we'd better get ready for our next classes. I'm sure I'll see you around soon. We'll have to figure out our schedules so we can find times to visit each other's classes."

Lucy stood, preparing to leave, "I should be going I suppose. It was nice getting to know each other a bit. You'll have to tell me more about your school days later. If we don't get a chance to talk at one of the meal times you can feel free to stop by my room. Being here by myself tends to leave my evenings wide open."

"Sure, I'll do that," Dinah smiled, "It was nice chatting with you. Enjoy the rest of your classes."

"Oh, I will. As long as Professor Snape doesn't see fit to sit in on one," Lucy said, heading towards the door. "I'll see you later Professor Samson."

Dinah chuckled, "We'll see if he chooses to sit in on one of mine again. Oh, by the way, feel free to call me Dinah as well."

"I'll cross my fingers that he doesn't. See you later, Dinah."

"Thanks, you too, Lucy," Dinah waved as Lucy left the room.

Lucy hoped Dinah would take her up on at least one of her offers. She seemed like a nice person and they had gotten along so well. She hadn't expected to have such a long conversation, but she was glad they had. Stepping into her classroom, Lucy began to get ready for her next class.