THOMAS DURSLEY IV
I didn't sleep much the night of the welcoming feast. I was swamped with work for the upcoming school year even though I spent plenty of time on all of this already there was still more to go over. I guess my studies for high school took up more time than I had thought. Balancing the two was difficult, to say the least.
But luckily one Professor McGonnogal must have sensed my struggle because she opened up my classroom door and strode in before stopping in front of me. I worked at my classroom desk as I preferred to be available to others than held up in my quarters. "Professor, how may I help you?"
The woman only gave me a look before gesturing to the strewn-out papers scattered on my desk. "Do I need to say more?" My blank look must have shown that I indeed did. "Sigh… Mr. Dursley, you are a young boy and without the ability of magic to assist you with certain matters I felt that you would appreciate some assistance from myself." She quirked her eyebrow challengingly. "Or was I wrong to give you such thoughts?" I shook my head at the woman and she gave one back. "Good now show me where you're at."
I did as she told and soon enough she was helping where she felt was needed. Though it seemed she was surprised at the progress and how far I was along in the curriculum and with her extra help and very large amount of magic use we finished earlier than I thought possible and got to sleep the night away.
-Next Morning-
Then the next morning rolled around and I knew today I will be seeing my first ever classes and I felt that feeling of nervousness build in my gut. I never taught before and trying to teach magicals about mundane things was for sure to be a chore unlike any other I faced. Hell, raising Harry was wonderful if I were, to be honest.
With my thoughts wandering to Harry though I immediately lost my normal train of thought and moved on to how he was doing in Slytherin. I hope he's being treated well and has been accepted even with all the things around him. But I'm sure Draco will be assisting where he can. I wonder what all the house common rooms look like?
But again I had extra classes today due to me having to teach two subjects and I wanted to get introductions done and out of the way. Professor McGonagall was happy to allow such a schedule change. Lucky enough I will be having my favorite first years today in DADA and will only be having Slytherin and Ravenclaw in Muggle Studies. The twins were to be introduced to the subject the day after. I was just glad to see them and was currently on my way to the great hall to just that.
Sitting down in the Great Hall I can see and very easily hear the excitement of those around me. They spoke of what their first day of Hogwarts may like and the things they will be taught. My own students that I will be seeing which consisted of all first through third years for DADA and a scattering of upper years for Muggle Studies from those that I could see were eyeing me very obviously. I just waved at those that made eye contact with me. Greeting those that gave a greeting. I was a teacher, not a friend… at least for right now… besides the twins and Harry… and Draco… okay there were a few friends and Draco isn't really one but in time I feel we will become allies.
I decided to move my attention to the piece of parchment I was handed when I was making my way to my seat. It consisted of all the names and wands of first through the third year, along with their qualities. Sadly it seemed some had forgotten which was written down in brackets beside their name but luckily a very bookish Ravenclaw knew a scanning spell that helped when such an event occurred. I easily gave all houses fifteen points along with giving the Ravenclaw prefect another 10 for using his knowledge to assist other houses and myself. The boy beamed at the praise he received from his house.
The list wasn't too long, truly merely being around one hundred and fifty names… which for a school as big as Hogwarts was meager in number but I could guess as to why it was the way it was. I will be getting a book to teach me what each wand would be best at and I would compare it to its wielder and make my way from there in how and what I will teach them. And yes having a personalized curriculum for each student is mad and I can't fault you for thinking that as it was but I didn't care. I would have my students be the best of any before them. Hell, I may just have the next Dumbledore on my hands and not even know it… although I can't really teach magic to those that I don't trust, there are other things that are possible to teach and I will see it done.
As I was scanning the list the Heads of House were passing out the schedules to the students for the year. And by the looks on the twins' faces, they were slightly upset at not getting me twice today but I couldn't do anything. Time is a factor in scheduling after all, as Ms. McGonogal put it. "Sorry guys." I mouthed to them only to get a smile from Hermione and a sniff from Romeo which I knew to be good fun. I rolled my eyes at the boy.
Soon enough I finished my meal and waved at the children that were watching me and made my way down the center walkway to the doors. On the way without even showing any outward action I spelled the rear of Ronald Weasley making the boy grow a pig nose and start oinking when he tried to speak. I gave a show of acting when I turned and showed a face of surprise at the loud pig student before gesturing for someone 'with' magic to deal with it as it was 'out of my league' of expertise before walking away no one the wiser… besides Harry. But if I did get caught I knew the boy deserved it. No one messes with the people I care for and from what McGonagall told me the redhead had been a bother to the Harry Squad… the names work in progress no judging.
With a wink towards each side of the hall to the Harry Squad, I finally left the sight of everyone and started making my way to my classroom I needed to practice my intro after all. Though I can't do that when there is a little blonde first year blocking my path holding an envelope out to me. Now I don't know much about cliche moments in television but this seemed like one of those moments. And she didn't speak which just made me have to say. "Young miss I don't think it's appropriate… I barely even know you and I'm a professor… it just won't work I apologize." I felt like laughing at the face and general reaction the girl gave as she first seemed confused than surprised before she became embarrassed and agitated.
"It's not a love letter you buffoon!" Oooh, buffoon is a nice one. "This is a letter from my father. He sent it to me with another telling me to give it to you and ask that you respond at your earliest convenience." She stopped and sighed. "Father said it must be kept secret." I was kind of lost before I remembered exactly who I was looking at.
"Of course Ms. Greengrass thank you very much." I reach out and take the letter before putting it in my inner suit vest pocket where my wand sat as well. I allowed a finger to softly press into my want making it do a scan similar to what the Ravenclaw did earlier. After all, all I needed was intent. I felt a feeling of secureness or just content from it and knew it was safe. "Just please tell your father to write me directly. You are not an owl or falcon or any kind of messenger bird from what I can see and should not be treated as such. If he must have a more secure way of doing so than birds then tell him house-elves work just fine." The girl looked at me for a moment before sticking her hand out.
"My father wrote me of our relationship. It's a pleasure to meet you cousin. I am as you know Daphne Lenora Greengrass current Heiress of House Greengrass." I smiled and chuckled at the formality but never the less shook her smaller hand. It was rather cold to the touch.
"It's a pleasure as well Ms. Daphne Greengrass, please call me Thomas and don't be a stranger if you need anything, okay?" She just nodded and we separated. "See you in class and please don't call me Thomas during… it would be odd." I didn't look back while saying it but I could feel her eyes on me as I walked around a corner.
Without any more distractions, I sat in my comfy desk chair in my DADA classroom planning out how to do this class's greeting. And while I was thinking soon enough they began to trickle in.
AN: Sorry for the wait. As I spoke about I got bad news and had to deal while getting back to working after COVID issues and such. Hope you enjoy and please review I love hearing from everyone.