Getting the hang of it

by kleineanna

So, here's 30 short conversations between different characters, set in the Hogwarts and post-Hogwarts era, exploring things I've wondered about. The stories were written to celebrate my little brother's 30th birthday (happy birthday bro!) and each chapter title describes him somehow. Whether the stories themselves reflect on him, I'll leave up to you...

26. Teach

"Hey, Neville! Oh, sorry, professor Longbottom, I mean. How are you? Ready for another schoolyear?"

"Hey, Harry! Don't call me professor, please, not you. But yeah, I'm doing ok. How 'bout you? It's Lily's first year at Hogwarts this year, right?"

"Sure is, we haven't heard anything but her counting down the days these last weeks. She was especially enthusiastic about getting into your class, so you might get the first Potter who's any good at Herbology soon."

"Don't say that. You were never that bad, and your boys aren't bad either. You're all just not that interested in it. Which is ok."

"You're right about lack of interest, sorry Neville. I really do admire your knowledge in your field, not to mention your patience with unruly students."

"Ha! Is that what your boys told you? I'm not actually known for my patience when it comes to students behaving badly. I won't tolerate anything that'll harm the plants or would put other students in danger."

"Of course!"

"But, I suppose, when it comes to actually teaching, explaining to my students, showing them the work I love… yeah, I guess I can be patient then."

"Yeah, I'm sure. Funny, I'd have never thought you'd become a teacher when we were at Hogwarts."

"Because I'm not all that intelligent, and didn't get good grades?"

"No! Not at all, and that's not true. Just… you often seemed miserable in class, even if it wasn't Potions. And even with professor Sprout, you never really seemed… eager. I mean, you were hardly jumping up and down to share your knowledge."

"Ha! That would've been such a Hermione thing to do! She often did, actually, beat me to the punch. But yeah, there weren't many teachers that would've inspired me to teach. Did you know what changed that?"

"No?"

"You, actually. Do you remember our practice sessions with the DA? When I was having trouble with Disarming, you were patient with me, never gave up on me. That was a first. You took me seriously, you know, did not make me think I was stupid for not getting it in the first try. Or the hundredth. And that made all the difference, gave me the confidence I could do it, you know? That's what inspired me to teach. That's the kind of teacher I try to be now."

It had been a long time since Harry had been this unsure about how to react.