Chapter 7: The two new unexpected teachers
The hat broke into song:
Befuddled between left and right?
Do you toss and turn all night?
Ravenclaw or Gryffindor?
Hufflepuff or Slytherin?
Each house is different though
you may belong in one
and want the other
as one is each other's brother.
I see the wires in your brain
and shift you either way
You will find your schoolhouse today!!
I looked at the shabby hat sitting on the stool. What was that for?
A Professor started calling names, and the kids before me got up and tried the hat on.
After about 40 people tried the hat on, the Professor got closer and closer to my name.
"SLYTHERIN!!" The hat shouted.
"Kipperling, Jamal."
"RAVENCLAW!!"
"MacDonald, Elizabeth."
"HUFFLEPUFF!!"
"McKinnon, MoonaLuna."
I walked up to the stool lifted up the hat, placed it on my head and sat down.
I heard a little voice on top of my head say,
"Confusing, Confusing, I see Slytherin would help you with your greatness, Gryffindor can help you with the trouble in your life and it's in your blood, along with Ravenclaw. Though, I see the future in your head, and it seems promising so you belong in........ GRYFFINDOR!!"
I ambled over to the Gryffindor table and sat next to Hermione.
"Can you believe that the hat wanted to put me in Slytherin?!" I said looking at the three of them.
***
Harry stared back.
"Slytherin?" he said looking befuddled.
"Yes, why?"
"No reason."
As they watched the rest of the first years being sorted, Ron complaining all the way that he was hungry and that he couldn't wait till it was over. When after sorting Tibalt Xavier the ceremony was over, but food did not cascade onto their plates just yet, as Albus Dumbledore stepped up from the teacher's table.
The hall went completely silent.
"Welcome to another wonderful year at Hogwarts!" He cried "There are a few new appointments that we have to attend to. The first one would be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Ron, Harry and Hermione stared at each other, it completely slipped their mind that there was to be a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. They looked up to the teacher's table and saw no one new there.
"I am proud to introduce, Professor Zimmer!"
The whole Great Hall looked around for the slightest sign of indication of acknowledgment, there was none. Then out of nowhere came a shrill voice piped,
"I'm here! I'm here Uncle Albus! Hold up!"
And out from behind a hanging tapestry came a young woman of about 21 sliding into the great hall hands outstretched feet slightly turned inward, she slid in with her socks on, for she was not wearing any shoes.
She had long straight blonde hair, large green eyes, very pale skin, and was thin. She was wearing a pale pink robe that was cut at about an inch above the knee, like a skirt and a blue hat. She had a pair of horned-rimmed glasses hanging from her neck by a string that were a light purple. Her socks were orange.
She looked forward to reveal the 1000 somewhat students staring at her, and turned slightly pink.
She turned to Dumbledore, straightened up giving Dumbledore the petrified look to take the cake, and motioned her hands to the students, talking to Dumbledore. Though you could hear her voice carrying over the silent crowd.
"Why didn't you tell me they were here?"
"I thought you knew, it's your responsibility remember."
"Great uncle Alby, I'm not twelve anymore I know what I am responsible for, just that you know what's going on and I was just a little busy."
She looked back at the crowd and waved.
"Hi, I'm um.... er... professor Zimmer." she laughed tensely.
She walked over to the table and sat down, she was quite red.
"Now, all of you must have noticed the strange books that were on your booklist. These are for a new class, more than magic class. This is to be taught to you from a student's perspective. And that student is Miss MoonaLuna McKinnon!" Harry, Hermione and Ron gaped at Dumbledore and Moona.
***
I walked up to the stage, after I worked up enough courage. I still was a bit embarrassed, and observed my shoes, they were a bit dirty.
I saw Dumbledore beaming at me, and he whispered to me, "Good Luck." And he smiled.
"Um...... hello my name is MoonaLuna, you can call me Moona. And, I'm going to be teaching this kinda..... different class than you usually take. We will be going further than Care of Magical Creatures and sillier than Charms. So be prepared for some......... strange homework assignments." I said, not looking up from my feet.
Then I walked back down to the table, so red that my face burnt.
***
Moona had her face in her hands, and when her name was called, she peered through her fingers. Then she waved at the surrounding crowd, embarrassed.
"Moona?" Ron stated curiously, looking at her.
She got up, and walked over to the stage, looking at her feet. Once she was up their Dumbledore waved his wand and her voice was as loud as his.
"Um...... hello my name is MoonaLuna, you can call me Moona. And, I'm going to be teaching this kinda..... different class than you usually take. We will be going further than Care of Magical Creatures and sillier than Charms. So be prepared for some......... strange homework assignments."
She walked off of the stage and sat down back at the table, very red.
"Moona, you told us that you were a student." Hermione said suspiciously
"I am, but I'm also a teacher."
Ron, who was staring, open-mouthed at Moona, looked down finally at the food that had cascaded onto his plate.
They all ate in silence, until Hermione spoke up, "So when do we have your class?"
Moona looked uncomfortable, "I don't know… really."
"What do ya mean? How can you not know?"
"I know the same time you do… when you get your schedules."
"Really?"
"Yup."
"Huh, I thought they would at least tell teachers what classes they had." Ron said as he forked individual peas.
"I'm not a teacher." Moona said.
"That's another thing," Hermione said looking at Moona questioningly, "Why are you teaching a class, and in fifth year?"
"I'm only" she paused and thought, "Fifteen, and I am superior in the subject, I guess."
Hermione looked suspicious.
"Cummopfh Erminemome." Ron said though a mouthful of mashed potatoes, "You're the smartest witch in the year, you should know the feeling!"
She looked at Harry, who shrugged, and then she said, "I guess you're right."
Once the plates cleared, and the clatter died down to yawns and murmurs, Dumbledore walked up to the stage.
"Before you all skid addle off to your common rooms, I want to say a few words." He cleared his throat, and then spoke, "You can eat a hard boiled egg, but it takes mayonnaise to stick a French cow to a wall. Thank you, and goodnight!"
Ron and Harry were laughing, Hermione was talking to Moona about the common room and Moona was to busy shaking her head admirably up at Dumbledore to pay attention.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, catching sight of her shaking her head.
"He forgot SPAM."
"What?"
"SPAM."
Hermione just stared at her, then continued to walk toward the common room.
As they neared the portrait hole, all the first years fell down. Everyone jumped, but Moona just glared at a spot some five meters away from the fallen first years. Right where she was scowling, Peeves appeared, looking frightened.
"That wasn't very nice Patrick Allen Peeveswaddle!" Moona said shaking a finger at Peeves.
Peeves, was still staring at Moona, "How could you've known that?!"
"Don't ask questions Pap, now help all these first years up!"
Peeves suddenly looked as if comprehension had dawned upon him.
"You're-!" He stared, but Moona silenced him with a look.
Ron, Hermione, and Harry were staring at her all with scared inferior looks.
"What?!" she asked looking confused.
"Nothing." Ron said looking at the portrait hole.
"Hey Hermione, what's the new password?" Harry asked.
"Toadswaddle." Hermione said to the fat lady in the picture.
"Yes indeed dear!" She said enthusiastically.
They walked into a welcoming looking room, about the size of a rugby field, with comfy looking armchairs, four crackling fireplaces, and long tables, with candles on them. In the middle of the back wall was a picture of Godric Gryffindor, with a lion for the frame.
Hermione and Moona said bye to Ron and Harry and began to walk up to their dormitory. Pavati Patil and Lavender Brown welcomed her in a giggling fit.
"Well, hi, I'm like Pavati Patil, and I hope you like Hogwarts!" She was drying her nails, and reading a magazine, Teen Witch.
Lavender welcomed her in a more subtle tone, but you could still tell that she was as dippy as the other one.
Pavati later told us that Lavender recently broke up with her girlfriend and she was taking it way to personally.
***
As we walked around this scarlet carpet, in this chilly castle, we stopped because all the first years fell down. I saw a poltergeist laughing right next to the tumbled children. I recognized him. "That wasn't very nice Patrick Allen Peevesmarblin!" I said shaking a finger at Pat.
Pat, was still staring at me, "How could you've known that?!" he said.
"Don't ask questions Pap, now help all these first years up!" I demanded, pointing.
Pap suddenly looked as if comprehension had dawned upon him.
"You're-!" He stared, but I silenced him with a look.
Ron, Hermione, and Harry were staring at me all with scared inferior looks.
"What?!" I asked confused.
"Nothing." Ron said looking at the portrait hole.
"Hey Hermione, what's the new password?" Harry asked.
"Toadswaddle." Hermione said to the fat lady in the picture.
"Yes indeed dear!" She said enthusiastically.
We walked into a welcoming looking room, about the size of a rugby field, with comfy looking armchairs, four crackling fireplaces, and long tables, with candles on them. In the middle of the back wall was a picture of Godric Gryffindor, with a lion for the frame.
Hermione and I said bye to Ron and Harry and began to walk up to their dormitory. These two girls bobbed up to me, giggling non-stop.
"Well, hi, I'm like Pavati Patil, and I hope you like Hogwarts!" She was drying her nails, and reading a magazine, Teen Witch.
Lavender welcomed me in a more subtle tone, but I could still tell that she was as dippy as the other one.
Pavati later told us that Lavender recently broke up with her girlfriend and she was taking it way to personally.
'Great' I thought, I'm rooming with a complete spas and a lesbian.
***
Ron and Harry were having a much more successful time with their old roommates.
Dean Thomas was busy tacking up the infamous soccer poster next to his four-poster, Neville was looking for something (as usual) and Seamus Finnegan was sitting on his bed, deeply interested in a book entitled: "Irish International's extensive biography" By: Sir Collin McKinney of Irish International.
Ron and Harry made their way down to their own beds, and started to unpack. As soon as Ron lifted the cover of his trunk, Pigwidgeon flew out, chirping away.
"Ron, you put him in your trunk? Don't tell me that you don't find that a little on the mean side?"
Ron just shrugged and tried to grab his twittering owl from above his head.
"No," Ron said off-hand, "PIG!! WILL YOU CALM DOWN?!?!?"
Pigwidgeon was really going crazy (more than usual), and was desperately trying to escape. He kept ramming himself against the window, trying to break it. Seeming as he was no bigger than a tennis ball, this was not working.
"Hey Harry!" Hermione's voice shouted from the door, as she peered in, eyes closed. "Is everyone dressed? Can I open my eyes?"
"Of course Hermione," Ron said sarcastically, "We change clothes every time we get a chance."
"Ya… anyway, I wanted to show Moona where your dormitory is."
Moona's head popped into the room, and then ran to the glass doors and ran out to the balcony.
"NO FAIR!!" She screamed, pouting, "You have a much better view of the lake!"
The hat broke into song:
Befuddled between left and right?
Do you toss and turn all night?
Ravenclaw or Gryffindor?
Hufflepuff or Slytherin?
Each house is different though
you may belong in one
and want the other
as one is each other's brother.
I see the wires in your brain
and shift you either way
You will find your schoolhouse today!!
I looked at the shabby hat sitting on the stool. What was that for?
A Professor started calling names, and the kids before me got up and tried the hat on.
After about 40 people tried the hat on, the Professor got closer and closer to my name.
"SLYTHERIN!!" The hat shouted.
"Kipperling, Jamal."
"RAVENCLAW!!"
"MacDonald, Elizabeth."
"HUFFLEPUFF!!"
"McKinnon, MoonaLuna."
I walked up to the stool lifted up the hat, placed it on my head and sat down.
I heard a little voice on top of my head say,
"Confusing, Confusing, I see Slytherin would help you with your greatness, Gryffindor can help you with the trouble in your life and it's in your blood, along with Ravenclaw. Though, I see the future in your head, and it seems promising so you belong in........ GRYFFINDOR!!"
I ambled over to the Gryffindor table and sat next to Hermione.
"Can you believe that the hat wanted to put me in Slytherin?!" I said looking at the three of them.
***
Harry stared back.
"Slytherin?" he said looking befuddled.
"Yes, why?"
"No reason."
As they watched the rest of the first years being sorted, Ron complaining all the way that he was hungry and that he couldn't wait till it was over. When after sorting Tibalt Xavier the ceremony was over, but food did not cascade onto their plates just yet, as Albus Dumbledore stepped up from the teacher's table.
The hall went completely silent.
"Welcome to another wonderful year at Hogwarts!" He cried "There are a few new appointments that we have to attend to. The first one would be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Ron, Harry and Hermione stared at each other, it completely slipped their mind that there was to be a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. They looked up to the teacher's table and saw no one new there.
"I am proud to introduce, Professor Zimmer!"
The whole Great Hall looked around for the slightest sign of indication of acknowledgment, there was none. Then out of nowhere came a shrill voice piped,
"I'm here! I'm here Uncle Albus! Hold up!"
And out from behind a hanging tapestry came a young woman of about 21 sliding into the great hall hands outstretched feet slightly turned inward, she slid in with her socks on, for she was not wearing any shoes.
She had long straight blonde hair, large green eyes, very pale skin, and was thin. She was wearing a pale pink robe that was cut at about an inch above the knee, like a skirt and a blue hat. She had a pair of horned-rimmed glasses hanging from her neck by a string that were a light purple. Her socks were orange.
She looked forward to reveal the 1000 somewhat students staring at her, and turned slightly pink.
She turned to Dumbledore, straightened up giving Dumbledore the petrified look to take the cake, and motioned her hands to the students, talking to Dumbledore. Though you could hear her voice carrying over the silent crowd.
"Why didn't you tell me they were here?"
"I thought you knew, it's your responsibility remember."
"Great uncle Alby, I'm not twelve anymore I know what I am responsible for, just that you know what's going on and I was just a little busy."
She looked back at the crowd and waved.
"Hi, I'm um.... er... professor Zimmer." she laughed tensely.
She walked over to the table and sat down, she was quite red.
"Now, all of you must have noticed the strange books that were on your booklist. These are for a new class, more than magic class. This is to be taught to you from a student's perspective. And that student is Miss MoonaLuna McKinnon!" Harry, Hermione and Ron gaped at Dumbledore and Moona.
***
I walked up to the stage, after I worked up enough courage. I still was a bit embarrassed, and observed my shoes, they were a bit dirty.
I saw Dumbledore beaming at me, and he whispered to me, "Good Luck." And he smiled.
"Um...... hello my name is MoonaLuna, you can call me Moona. And, I'm going to be teaching this kinda..... different class than you usually take. We will be going further than Care of Magical Creatures and sillier than Charms. So be prepared for some......... strange homework assignments." I said, not looking up from my feet.
Then I walked back down to the table, so red that my face burnt.
***
Moona had her face in her hands, and when her name was called, she peered through her fingers. Then she waved at the surrounding crowd, embarrassed.
"Moona?" Ron stated curiously, looking at her.
She got up, and walked over to the stage, looking at her feet. Once she was up their Dumbledore waved his wand and her voice was as loud as his.
"Um...... hello my name is MoonaLuna, you can call me Moona. And, I'm going to be teaching this kinda..... different class than you usually take. We will be going further than Care of Magical Creatures and sillier than Charms. So be prepared for some......... strange homework assignments."
She walked off of the stage and sat down back at the table, very red.
"Moona, you told us that you were a student." Hermione said suspiciously
"I am, but I'm also a teacher."
Ron, who was staring, open-mouthed at Moona, looked down finally at the food that had cascaded onto his plate.
They all ate in silence, until Hermione spoke up, "So when do we have your class?"
Moona looked uncomfortable, "I don't know… really."
"What do ya mean? How can you not know?"
"I know the same time you do… when you get your schedules."
"Really?"
"Yup."
"Huh, I thought they would at least tell teachers what classes they had." Ron said as he forked individual peas.
"I'm not a teacher." Moona said.
"That's another thing," Hermione said looking at Moona questioningly, "Why are you teaching a class, and in fifth year?"
"I'm only" she paused and thought, "Fifteen, and I am superior in the subject, I guess."
Hermione looked suspicious.
"Cummopfh Erminemome." Ron said though a mouthful of mashed potatoes, "You're the smartest witch in the year, you should know the feeling!"
She looked at Harry, who shrugged, and then she said, "I guess you're right."
Once the plates cleared, and the clatter died down to yawns and murmurs, Dumbledore walked up to the stage.
"Before you all skid addle off to your common rooms, I want to say a few words." He cleared his throat, and then spoke, "You can eat a hard boiled egg, but it takes mayonnaise to stick a French cow to a wall. Thank you, and goodnight!"
Ron and Harry were laughing, Hermione was talking to Moona about the common room and Moona was to busy shaking her head admirably up at Dumbledore to pay attention.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, catching sight of her shaking her head.
"He forgot SPAM."
"What?"
"SPAM."
Hermione just stared at her, then continued to walk toward the common room.
As they neared the portrait hole, all the first years fell down. Everyone jumped, but Moona just glared at a spot some five meters away from the fallen first years. Right where she was scowling, Peeves appeared, looking frightened.
"That wasn't very nice Patrick Allen Peeveswaddle!" Moona said shaking a finger at Peeves.
Peeves, was still staring at Moona, "How could you've known that?!"
"Don't ask questions Pap, now help all these first years up!"
Peeves suddenly looked as if comprehension had dawned upon him.
"You're-!" He stared, but Moona silenced him with a look.
Ron, Hermione, and Harry were staring at her all with scared inferior looks.
"What?!" she asked looking confused.
"Nothing." Ron said looking at the portrait hole.
"Hey Hermione, what's the new password?" Harry asked.
"Toadswaddle." Hermione said to the fat lady in the picture.
"Yes indeed dear!" She said enthusiastically.
They walked into a welcoming looking room, about the size of a rugby field, with comfy looking armchairs, four crackling fireplaces, and long tables, with candles on them. In the middle of the back wall was a picture of Godric Gryffindor, with a lion for the frame.
Hermione and Moona said bye to Ron and Harry and began to walk up to their dormitory. Pavati Patil and Lavender Brown welcomed her in a giggling fit.
"Well, hi, I'm like Pavati Patil, and I hope you like Hogwarts!" She was drying her nails, and reading a magazine, Teen Witch.
Lavender welcomed her in a more subtle tone, but you could still tell that she was as dippy as the other one.
Pavati later told us that Lavender recently broke up with her girlfriend and she was taking it way to personally.
***
As we walked around this scarlet carpet, in this chilly castle, we stopped because all the first years fell down. I saw a poltergeist laughing right next to the tumbled children. I recognized him. "That wasn't very nice Patrick Allen Peevesmarblin!" I said shaking a finger at Pat.
Pat, was still staring at me, "How could you've known that?!" he said.
"Don't ask questions Pap, now help all these first years up!" I demanded, pointing.
Pap suddenly looked as if comprehension had dawned upon him.
"You're-!" He stared, but I silenced him with a look.
Ron, Hermione, and Harry were staring at me all with scared inferior looks.
"What?!" I asked confused.
"Nothing." Ron said looking at the portrait hole.
"Hey Hermione, what's the new password?" Harry asked.
"Toadswaddle." Hermione said to the fat lady in the picture.
"Yes indeed dear!" She said enthusiastically.
We walked into a welcoming looking room, about the size of a rugby field, with comfy looking armchairs, four crackling fireplaces, and long tables, with candles on them. In the middle of the back wall was a picture of Godric Gryffindor, with a lion for the frame.
Hermione and I said bye to Ron and Harry and began to walk up to their dormitory. These two girls bobbed up to me, giggling non-stop.
"Well, hi, I'm like Pavati Patil, and I hope you like Hogwarts!" She was drying her nails, and reading a magazine, Teen Witch.
Lavender welcomed me in a more subtle tone, but I could still tell that she was as dippy as the other one.
Pavati later told us that Lavender recently broke up with her girlfriend and she was taking it way to personally.
'Great' I thought, I'm rooming with a complete spas and a lesbian.
***
Ron and Harry were having a much more successful time with their old roommates.
Dean Thomas was busy tacking up the infamous soccer poster next to his four-poster, Neville was looking for something (as usual) and Seamus Finnegan was sitting on his bed, deeply interested in a book entitled: "Irish International's extensive biography" By: Sir Collin McKinney of Irish International.
Ron and Harry made their way down to their own beds, and started to unpack. As soon as Ron lifted the cover of his trunk, Pigwidgeon flew out, chirping away.
"Ron, you put him in your trunk? Don't tell me that you don't find that a little on the mean side?"
Ron just shrugged and tried to grab his twittering owl from above his head.
"No," Ron said off-hand, "PIG!! WILL YOU CALM DOWN?!?!?"
Pigwidgeon was really going crazy (more than usual), and was desperately trying to escape. He kept ramming himself against the window, trying to break it. Seeming as he was no bigger than a tennis ball, this was not working.
"Hey Harry!" Hermione's voice shouted from the door, as she peered in, eyes closed. "Is everyone dressed? Can I open my eyes?"
"Of course Hermione," Ron said sarcastically, "We change clothes every time we get a chance."
"Ya… anyway, I wanted to show Moona where your dormitory is."
Moona's head popped into the room, and then ran to the glass doors and ran out to the balcony.
"NO FAIR!!" She screamed, pouting, "You have a much better view of the lake!"