Author's Note: I do not own the Harry Potter world or the characters created to live in that world, they belong to J.K. Rowling. I will, however, try to portray them to the best of my abilities.

Please review, it helps me know how I'm doing.

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As I walked away from Snape I reminded myself not to be upset. I'm an adult after all; there is no way I was going to slip into acting like a child… at least not at the moment.

I saw Professor Flitwick at the table and smiled, he's a nice old man. "Hello Professor Flitwick!" I said with a smile.

He smiled at me and said, "Hello Professor Tingstrom, how are you this evening?"

"Oh, I'm alright I suppose. Keeping busy?" I asked as I poured myself some punch, hoping to all that's good and holy that the Weasley Twins or one of their impersonators got a hole of it first.

He nodded, "Oh yes, the children seem quite active tonight."

I nodded as I sipped my punch.

He looked over at me, "I saw you arguing with Professor Snape, is everything alright?"

"Yes, of course. Professor Snape and I just have a healthy… critiquing relationship. Nothing to be worried about." I said, not really wanting to go into it.

He tilted his head and looked at me, "You know Professor Tingstrom… you're one of the few people I've ever met that is willing to confront Professor Snape in such a way."

I raised an eyebrow and shrugged, "What can I say… I'm not afraid of him. As far as I'm concerned, he may be a git but he's still trustworthy."

Professor Flitwick went somewhat wide eyed but merely said, "How… interesting."

I don't have to defend myself to anyone if I don't choose to. I took another sip of punch.

Just then there was a noise from a corridor and I was more than happy to go check it out. I excused myself from Professor Flitwick and went to see what was going on.

I found Draco Malfoy snogging some girl in the corridor, his hands rising up beneath her skirt. Oh, that was wrong on so many levels! "Mr. Malfoy, what on earth are you doing?!?" The girl turned, it was Melba Truax; a snotty little girl that paired up with Draco was going to be guaranteed hell for me. "Miss Truax, really…"

She sniffed and said, "There is nothing wrong with a little sexual exploration Professor Tingstrom… though I doubt if you'd know that."

… There is no possible way I was getting chided on my sexual adventurism by a thirteen year old… Seriously, there had to be a law. "Miss Truax, as a minor an one of my students I think it is highly unseemly for you to be lecturing me on sexual exploration. And you, Mr. Malfoy…" I looked at him.

Draco just smirked like a little asshole.

I rolled my eyes, "Whatever happened to pulling a girl's hair? Now come along, both of you. This ball is over for you both; I'm also taking away ten house points and giving you both detention."

They both looked at me in shock and Draco wailed, "You can't do that?!?"

I blinked at them, "Since when? I'm a Professor; I can do whatever the hell I want to punish you for a clear violation of school code."

Draco stiffened up, "But I'm a Malfoy!"

I rolled my eyes, "Yes I know, any other objections?"

He narrowed his eyes, "No…"

"My father will hear about this!" Melba screamed, "A stupid mud blood like you should know their place!"

Ok, how on earth did she come to decide I was a mud blood? Anyway, I grabbed both of their necks and said, "Well, until that time comes I'm going to show you your place." I dragged them both to their house and made them go in. I know I'll have hell to pay tomorrow, but right now I don't really give a shit.

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The next day, bright and early, I was summoned to Albus' office. I went in and saw a tall, blonde man and a fat guy with black hair. When Albus smiled at me and said, "Ahhh… Professor Tingstrom…" They both turned to look at me.

The tall, blonde man was obviously Lucius Malfoy. He sneered at me and said, "Ahh the growingly infamous Professor Tingstrom… I had heard that you were beautiful… Pity."

"And you must be the infamous Lucius Malfoy; I had heard that you were charming… Pity."

He stiffened and glared at me, "For one who is already on very thin ice, I would think that you would try to watch your tongue."

I shrugged, "I can't exactly watch it, it's inside my mouth and my eyes are in front of my face. It makes for hard viewing."

He snarled and said, "You are the most idiotic woman I've ever had the pure displeasure of meeting!"

I smiled and said sweetly, "So sorry."

The fat man, whom I assume was Mr. Truax, screamed, "Headmaster Dumbledore, how could you hire such a woman?"

He looked sympathetic and said, "Professor Tingstrom was only trying to carry out the orders I gave her for our students not to wander off and… procreate. As for her conduct in this office, I'm quite certain that her apology was genuine." He looked at me seriously, "Wasn't it?"

I straightened up and gave them an earnest look, "I am genuinely sorry if I have offended either of you in any way." You noxious gits.

Lucius smirked and said, "Very well then."

Mr. Truax still frowned at me.

Lucius stepped towards me and said, "I would suggest that from now on, you watch your actions more closely…"

I looked up at him, "I will do my best Mr. Malfoy. Do take care." And break your neck.

He nodded curtly at me, so did Mr. Truax, and they left.

After they'd gone Albus looked at me critically, "Did you have to do that?"

I realized that maybe upsetting two powerful death eaters was probably not my best idea ever. I nodded my head in shame and said, "I'm sorry, I just…"

"Was foolish and careless with your words," He shook his head, "I realize that you're young Katherine, but you are no longer in a position where that is an acceptable excuse."

I looked up at him, "I'm sorry, I'll try better."

He nodded, "I hope so. I see great potential in you Katherine, but you must realize that in a position of authority one must be very careful where one steps."

"I understand," I said shamefully.

"You should probably go back to your room; you still have a full class schedule." He said, sitting down.

I nodded, "Alright, have a good day Headmaster."

He smiled at me, "It's Albus, remember?"

"Yes Headmaster," I started out the door.

I heard him sigh as the door closed behind me.

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"They didn't hurt you, did they Professor? If they did my father will write an article in his paper all about how he…" Luna started.

I smiled slightly at her and said, "No, no, of course not Miss Lovegood. Everything is fine, just fine. I'm just tired, really. Go on to lunch, I'll see you tomorrow."

She didn't seem satisfied, but nodded and started towards the door. But before she left she turned and said, "If you change your mind, just let me know! It could go right next to the article he's doing about wooly slugs being used for fur coats."

I had to stifle a snort, "I'll keep that in mind, thank you."

She grinned and said, "No problem! I'll see you later Professor!" Then she skipped out the door.

I smiled and shook my head, got to love that girl. I sighed then and stood up, pacing the room back and forth. I suddenly realized full on where I was and what it meant. I was a teacher at Hogwarts and with that came certain responsibilities other than watching and teaching the children. I had to have certain… finesse. The problem is that when they were handing out finesse and charm I was in the back of the line, I'd been too busy running at the 'miscellaneous' line… how was I supposed to know that nobody else was as excited about it as I was?

Just then someone knocked curtly on my office door.

"Come in!" I said, leaning against my desk.

Snape came stomping in and glared at me, "Has anyone told you what an idiotic, loud mouthed woman you are?!?!?!"

I gave a condescending smile and said, "Yes, you tell me that on a regular basis. Was there anything else that you wanted to add?"

He scowled and said, "First you harass the members of my house, and then their parents! Was there anyone else you wanted to infuriate today or are you satisfied with this level of stupidity?"

I frowned and said, "First of all, I see absolutely no reason why I should kiss the ass of every member of the Slytherin house just because their Mummies and Daddies have fat pockets! Second of all… I'm sorry about that."

He opened his mouth and was obviously going to shout some more when he stopped, "Wait… you're sorry?"

"You're not honestly expecting me to repeat that, are you?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

He smirked smugly, "So… you admit you did something stupid… again?"

I clenched my teeth but said, "Yes, I'm admitting that. Bad Katherine, no acting like a smart ass to parents."

He practically smiled… practically… "Oh, this is too lovely. Professor Katherine Tingstrom admitting she did something wrong without argument or yelling. It should go down on record."

"You really are a snide bastard aren't you?" I hissed.

He smirked, "No need to act childish."

I frowned deeply and shouted, "I am not a child!"

He frowned, "Then stop acting like one!"

I scowled and turned, crossing my arms, "I would like it very much if you left now."

He huffed, "No need to throw a temper tantrum."

Temper tantrum? I'd show him a temper tantrum! I grabbed a nearby book and turned, throwing it by his head, "GET OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" You know, throwing a book by someone's head isn't very satisfying since it doesn't break or anything. I'll have to remember that.

He seemed shocked but growled out, "FINE!!!!! Stupid, childish woman!"

"Get the fuck out Snape!" I yelled as he went out the door, throwing another book.

When he left I huffed and sat on the desk. I knew now that he was officially right, I really am a stupid and childish woman. But damn… that felt good. Stupid, fucking Snape… why can't he just leave me alone like he does with everyone else?