Right-o people! How are you all doing today? Hope good... Anyways, on with the story!
...Professor Paul Covey smiling at her. She forced an awkward grin. What else could she do?
'May I sit down?' he asked.
'Sure' Hermione blurted, budging aside and placing her bag on the floor instead of on the bench. After an awkward pause Professor Paul carried on the conversation himself.
'It's remarkable how magical nature can be' he said, gazing at the hills far away.
'Hmm' said Hermione, smiling. She couldn't be too frank with him, he was new and she didn't even know him.
'It's the first weekend back, how come you are, unlike your classmates, out here... clearly, working?' he said uncertainly, turning to face her.
'I...' Hermione started. 'I think a student should keep up with his/her studies, oblivious to the teaching schedule of the teachers. After all, we are the ones sitting our N.E.W.T.S next year, are we not?' she said, a bit more confidently.
Professor Covey's expression seemed impressed. This seemed to cheer Hermione up slightly. 'I am glad students like you still...exist!' he said good-naturedly. Hermione smiled more broadly. Curious to find out more about her new teacher she abruptly said:
'Professor... er...since when did you start teaching?' she asked.
'Just this year' he said truthfully. Hermione arched an eyebrow at him.
'But you seem really professional' she said, awed at the fact she had just discovered.
'I'm an educationist. This is a learning experience for me. Since Professor Dumbledore was my previous teacher and an old friend of my father's he offered me this position which I was only too glad to accept. It's not everyday you get a job at a school this good' he said. 'I am still in training, and have taken a year off for this special favor for Dumbledore-' here he was interrupted by Hermione.
'You're just staying for one year?' she asked, unable to stop herself.
'Doesn't everyone? I will return, but only after I've finished my studies. DADA has always been my best subject and I was offered the position of Head Auror in the Ministry. I couldn't of course accept it, as I had no degree. I think everything should be done in a proper manner. Here, Dumbledore didn't care whether I had a degree or not, he knows me and he has known my father, he believes I should teach the O.W.L batch this year. He has complete trust in me, he was the one who took my demo class in fact.' he said grimly.
'Oh' said Hermione softly, now feeling a lot less uncomfortable talking to him. 'If you don't mind...' she started cautiously. 'May I ask how old you are, since you're still studying?' she asked curiously. Professor Covey smiled. 'I knew you'd ask that... like everyone else over here' he said. 'I'm turning 21 at the end of this year' he said finally. 'Wow!' said Hermione, she had never heard of a teacher this young.
'Yeah... wow' he said, chuckling softly. 'That's what everyone says. But, Miss Granger I don't think a profession should have an age limit. If a person can do it then that person should go ahead with it' he said. Then after a moment's pause: 'Don't you think so?' he asked.
'I...of course, you're right' she replied, thinking along his lines and finally realizing how true they were.
Professor Covey smiled. 'You're clever, and I can say that after taking only one class of yours. Of course I have been informed by your teachers that you are an extraordinary student. I totally respect that' he complimented.
Hermione chose to remain silent and tried not to look too pleased with herself.
'Miss Granger! If you don't mind' Professor Covey started off importantly.
'Yes?' said Hermione almost abruptly.
'Er...you... know Mr. Potter very well, don't you?' he asked.
'Well, yes. At least I think I do. I've known Harry since the first year. But...' she said, puzzled at the sudden change of topic.
'Very well. And I expect Mr. Weasley is another close acquaintance of Mr. Potter?' he interrogated again.
'Yeah, Ron is very close to Harry as well. He – Harry that is to say – hardly keeps anything from us' she answered truthfully. 'But why are you asking that?' she asked immediately.
'Miss Granger...Young Mr. Potter has been through quite a lot since his childhood. I want to do whatever is possible to keep him as happy as possible. Of course he has to be trained in DADA, but I would really like to help him other than that as well. I've known he's already very good at it, is he not?' Professor Covey inquired.
'Yes he truly is!' said Hermione honestly. 'He gave us DADA classes last year, since Professor Umbridge... well, as she wasn't a very appropriate teacher' she added.
'I'm impressed' he said. 'I will surely take it upon myself to safeguard Mr. Potter against Dark Arts at least, since that is my department. Other than that... we can never be sure. But since He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back, young Mr. Potter must be very disturbed nowadays' he said grimly.
'That's true' Hermione agreed.
Professor Covey simply nodded gravely. 'I must be going now. Was just out here to get a fresh breath of air, you know! I have... well, my lessons to prepare for' he said finally as he got up sophisticatedly from the bench and sauntered towards the castle. Hermione looked at her Professor's receding back until he entered the castle and was thus out of her sight. She looked down at her work, a strand of her bushy brown hair falling lightly on her face flitting away with the wind. Professor Paul Covey was only 20 years old?!?!? Obviously, that was what she had guessed, but hearing it from him was quite different. She liked him more than ever now. New found respect had bloomed in her for him when he had mentioned his concern for Harry.
There! See... it wasn't Malfoy after all. I knew you people might think that, but we can all be wrong sometimes, right? Is this chapter still short? Or is it ok? Hope its ok coz I want the next chapter to be separate from this one otherwise I get confused and stuff. Since all of you seem to like the idea of a Draco POV, I think I will add it in... but later!
Ah! Now the best part... my reviewers!!
Christi-Lynn: It's ok if the review is late, at least you did review it! And you're my regular reviewer... so doesn't matter! Keep reviewing, Love ya! Me and inspiration!?!? Woah! Now that's a big compliment. You're a fabulous writer yourself. And you're right, its just like Hermione to get up early on a holiday!Thanks!!!
C.E. Hobbit: Thanks! I did review your story, hope you read it.
Lynn-50670: Thanks a bunch!
Littleorangeneko: Hey, there's no such think as 'too much enthusiasm'! You can be as enthusiastic as possible, at least for my story! Keep reviewing!!
Puppy-girl714: Do you really? Wow... I'm flattered! Neways, I agree with you on the Hermy and Ron part, they do seem like a married couple. I love their squabbling too!
Chaos Dragon: It SO wasn't the end of the story, you might've got that hint from the latest chapter. Thanks for reviewing anyway!
Yokai: You're wrong! The mystery person wasn't Malfoy after all! ;) Thanks for reviewing dear!
Kathryn Black: I know the chapter was small, but whatever! Now that I've uploaded the next one... Enjoy and keep reviewing.
Lightning Bird: HAH! Predictable? Neways, thanks for your review!!
I love reading all your reviews, if it weren't for you guys, I'd probably stop writing. Review for the next chapter!!