Penny Dredfule Part Two
The Reading List

Penny looked at the list of books that the students were supposed to use for the course. She was sitting in her office, the minutes ticking away to the start of term. As she watched students pass by her open door, she realized how nervous she was. It wasn't every day that a Muggle taught a course in a school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In fact, it was never. 'Oh well', thought Penny, 'leave it to me to start a trend.

A tall, greasy looking man with black hair, pale skin and long flowing black robes entered the room. He looked Penny up and down. "Oh, I see they sent a woman to take up the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts…" he paused, "and a Muggle at that. How delightful!"

"Um, hi." Penny said, "Can I help you?"

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Professor Snape. I am the Potions Master at this school."

"Ah. Okay. And you want what?"

"I'm sorry?" Snape was not used to being addressed in such a way.

"What did you want?" Penny was beginning to loose her patience. She couldn't stand ignorant men.

"I have come to see how you are fitting in…being the only Muggle professor can bring a person down."

"I'm doing fine." Penny wanted him to go away. Now.

"May I see your reading list? Perhaps I could offer a few suggestions?"

"No. I don't want your help, thank you." Penny sighed, why doesn't he go away? And can't he bathe, honestly!

Snape looked at Penny again But this time in a new light. This one was feisty. Snape liked feisty.

"Well, I must be going…call if you need anything, Miss Dredfule." He purred, "What a wonderful name. Can I call you Penny?"

"No, you may not."

"As you wish. Until later, Miss Dredfule." And he slipped out of the room, his black robes flowing behind him.

Penny watched the door close and shuddered. "That's all I need," she said, "a gross man with a crush. Let alone a man that doesn't bathe! Ugh!" she shuddered again. She seemed to be doing a lot of that lately.

She glanced down at the reading list.

"Werewolves and Their Habits."
"Gnomes and Children, Why The Two Shouldn't Mix."
"Blenders and Other Weird Muggle Things."
"The Special Books of Curses, Why They're Bad, and Why You Shouldn't Use Them."

Penny blinked. She didn't know anything about this kind of stuff. She thought she had a better idea of what she would need for the course. Now where was that want?

She looked around. The office was full of wood. Wood desk, chairs, floors, and bookshelves. It was all a glorious shade of scarlet, Cherry Oak being the main ingredient of wood in here. It even smelt like cherries, and a little bit like apple blossoms.

She finally saw the want underneath her desk. She would have to keep an eye on that. She picked it up and waved it around. Nothing happened.

"You have to think of what you want." Said a voice at the door.

Penny looked up. This was the woman who must be Professor McGonagall. She looked strict, in a sexy kind of way. She had her black hair pulled into a severe bun that accentuated her facial features. Very nice.

"I'm sorry?"

"You have to concentrate on what need, Professor Dredfule. How are you getting along?"

"Fine, I think, Professor McGonnagall."

"Call me Minerva."

"I'll call you anything you want.." Penny said under your breath.

"Sorry?"

"Oh! Nothing, I was just saying 'Can I think of anything I want?"

"Yes, that's the general idea. Whatever books or supplies you need, just wave it around thinking of what you want, and it should appear post haste. Must be running along, have to get the first years to the Sorting Ceremony."

"Sorting Ceremony?"

"Oh! Yes, I quite forgot, you'll be wanting to see that. Meet Professor Dumbledore at your quarters in half an hour, he'll take you to the feast. Perhaps afterwards, I can show you around Hogwarts?"

"That would be wonderful. I'm sure you know all the most…special places?"

Professor McGonnagalls thin mouth curved up in a small smile. "Yes, you could say I do. See you soon, Penny."

And Professor McGonnagall swept out in a whirl of green robes.

"Well," Penny said to herself, "this is certainly shaping up to be an interesting job." She looked down at her cherry wood desk. Think, think, what would I teach? What would I deem to be something to defend yourself against?

She waved the wand, and concentrated. This time gold glittery sparkles fluttered down, and on her desk popped a book. "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus."

"Hm, close, but no. To gender biased." She tried again.

"Get In Touch With Your Uterus." Penny squealed. She tried again.

"Muggles, and the Mind Games They Play." Ah! Thought Penny, now we're getting somewhere!