Chapter Three - Lessons and Hogsmeade
August 1993
"As you know, there are four School Houses, Gryffindor which I am Head of, Hufflepuff whose head is Professor Sprout, Ravenclaw with Professor Flitwick and Slytherin which belongs to Professor Snape. As a teacher, you are able to award points for good behaviour and detract them for the alternative."
Professor Minerva McGonagall was an intimidating woman. High tight bun on her head, lips set as straight as a line and a strong gaze which had Liz listening to her every word.
"Okay," Liz nodded, taking notes in a small notebook she had found amongst her things as she had done for the last couple of hours.
Minerva - she insisted Liz call her such - stood at the front of the Muggle studies classroom alongside Lizzy, talking through the ins and outs of what she deemed to be good schooling. She had given her a quick tour around areas she believed were important for Liz to be aware of including the entrances of each common room, the different classrooms and who taught what, as well as the staff room. Liz wrote meticulous notes on each.
"Detention," She continued, "is also a punishment we use here at Hogwarts, but the when and where is up to the discretion of the teacher. Within reason of course."
"Of course, yes." Liz nodded along. She felt like she was doing that a lot today.
Most of the teachers had now returned though Liz hadn't seen them all yet. She discovered that the strange bug-eyed woman was Professor Sybil Trelawny who was the teacher of Divination. Minerva did not seem impressed by her abilities.
She had also met Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick both of whom she liked and who were most welcoming. Then there was Professor Binns who taught history. Liz near jumped out of her skin as the ghost came floating through the walls one day. Liz also had an unpleasant meeting with Argus Filch a rather cross-looking man who had a cat and took an instant dislike to Liz. Probably didn't help that Biscuit chased the cat about the place.
"You will want to have your class schedules sorted before Classes start on the second." Minerva held out a stack of parchments to her, "These are assignments and teachings from the last few years to help you figure out the curriculum."
"Oh great thank you." Liz smiled genuinely and was pleased to see Minerva's lips upturned as she nodded in return.
"The place is looking much fresher now," the professor said in approval, "And I saw that you have replaced a lot of the muggle objects in the showroom?"
"Oh yes. Albus said I could do what I liked with it so I popped down to London a few days back and got some things I thought would be interesting. Though I suppose it's difficult for me to judge that. Hagrid was a lot of help. Got a lot of looks in the shops though..."
Minerva was amused, "I could imagine."
"Thank you for giving me your time Minerva. I feel a lot calmer than I did last night."
"Don't thank me, Liz, we're colleagues."
Liz smiled.
Minerva watched her carefully, "How are you? Really?" She asked.
There was a lot that went unsaid but it didn't need to be. Liz knew what she was referring to.
"Good, honestly. It feels safe here at Hogwarts and I've plenty to keep me distracted, even more so once the school year begins. As much as I panic… I think this will be good for me."
"Are you… thinking of speaking to Mr Potter?"
Liz twiddled her thumbs, "I honestly haven't thought too much about it. I'm not sure it would be a good idea… given everything."
Minerva hummed but said no more.
Liz hurried the conversation on, "I was thinking of heading down to Hogsmeade today, do you think that'd be alright."
"Of course, I don't see any reason why not. You're free to come and go, Liz, you don't need to ask my permission."
"I know, it just feels so strange wandering around amongst a bunch of wizards. Feel a bit out of place."
"I hope no one is making you feel like such. I want you to tell me immediately if anyone is giving you grief-"
"Oh no!" Liz shook her hands, almost amused at the stern tone of voice coming from the older woman, "It's just my own overthinking don't worry. Not used to so many people is all."
"You must gain some confidence in yourself, Liz. Professor Dumbledore would not have asked you if he did not believe you were capable."
Liz nodded. "You're right. I know you're right."
"I usually am."
Small bag draped over her shoulder, Liz walked with Hagrid, Biscuit and Fang down to Hogsmeade, Hagrid discussing the scenery and route to and from. It was a relatively easy route to and from the school, but Hagrid seemed to be enjoying himself so Liz didn't want to interrupt.
The grounds surrounding them were beautiful in the Summer sun, a light breeze blowing through the air, cooling her cheeks against the warmth.
Hogsmeade was picturesque. Thatched cottages and shops littered the high street and beyond, with the train station for the Hogwarts Express not far from the main village area. The only thing that soured the view was the face of Sirius Black plastered everywhere, his haggard face screaming under the words 'HAVE YOU SEEN THIS WIZARD?'
Liz's heart sank, finding it hard to tear her eyes from the poster. She felt Hagrid awkwardly shift and clear his throat and she turned her away forcing a smile.
Once they arrived, Liz and Hagrid went their separate ways for the moment, and Liz was excited to explore the shops, ready to spend some of her newly acquired wizarding money. She was not totally unfamiliar with the coins but was by no means an expert. She just hoped the shopkeepers would be forgiving of her muggle ways.
It was slightly unnerving, outside of the walls of Hogwarts, with no one to hold her hand.
Liz took a breath deciding where to go, watching the wizards and witches going about their days around the village. As she moved she tried to ignore the posters which seemed to follow her every move, haunting her.
Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop seemed the most logical first step. After a meek hello to the shopkeeper, Liz took her time looking around the shelves, lifting quills and ink, parchment and other such stationary. It was a rather straightforward trip, no one batting an eyelid or questioning who or what she was, not even when she took a minute to work out how many coins she needed to pay.
She had the same experience at The Magic Neep greengrocers where she picked up a number of fruits, snacks and tea bags.
In Dominic Maestro's she gave herself away. It was inevitable that she would need help trying to pick out a wizard wireless (She couldn't reach any muggle radio stations in Hogwarts, even with her classroom blocking interference with muggle things.) She got a few interesting looks, curious, but not malicious, and the man behind the counter was happy to talk her through the ins and outs of wizarding music.
Liz thanked him and moved on to the Tomes and Scrolls bookshop. She was very interested to see how similar (or perhaps different?) Wizarding novels and stories were compared to muggle ones. She grabbed a few with interesting covers, as well as non-fiction books about muggles from a wizard's perspective.
She met Hagrid in Honeydukes, both purveying the shop and gathering a few sweet treats. Once they reached the till, Hagrid loudly introduced Liz, proclaiming her the first Muggle teacher at Hogwarts with a proud grin on his face. Liz shrunk away from the turning heads and staring eyes.
"Hagrid," She said as they sat at a large circular table in The Three Broomsticks soon after, "I know you mean well, but I think it would be best if you don't mention well… that I'm a muggle to people."
Biscuit and Fang curled up beside each other on the floor, settling into the peaceful atmosphere.
"Eh?" Hagrid looked at her confused, "Why not? You've nothing to be ashamed of!"
"Oh, I know," Liz clutched her Butterbear bottle, "It's just well… I'm not one for attention, and I know how… unusual my circumstances are. I think it's best for me to just get on with it and not make a fuss, you know?"
Liz looked up at Hagrid and smiled.
"Ah…" He said, refusing to make eye contact. "Ah well-"
"Hagrid?" Liz furrowed her brows, just as a new voice squeaked as it approached the table.
"There you are!" Filius Flitwick climbed up on one of the seats resting his hands together atop the table, "Am I the first to arrive?"
"Oh!" Liz looked at him wide-eyed, "Uh, hello professor!"
"Please just call me Filius. What are we drinking?"
"Just some Butterbeer, Professor," Hagrid confirmed, titling his bottle toward the small man.
"Oh nonsense, we're celebrating!"
"We are?" Liz asked.
"Madam Rosmerta!" Flitwick called across to the bar, getting the attention of the landlady, "As many Firewhiskey's as you can carry!"
"Uh…" Liz knew all too well how strong fire whisky was.
"Professor! Too kind, too kind." Hagrid beamed.
The door of the pub opened once more and a few more bodies flooded in.
Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout, Madam Pomfrey, and Madam Hootch were deep in happy conversation as they approached the table, beginning to pile around.
"Hagrid." Liz murmured, "What's happening?"
"Well, I may 'ave thought it'd be nice if we had a little, welcomin' celebration for ye'. Help you get to know everyone." Hagrid looked firmly ahead, refusing to meet her eyes.
"You what-?" Liz squeaked, before being cut off by the sudden surrounding of bodies.
"Rolanda Hootch," The woman who sat beside her stuck her hand out to Liz, who took it meekly, "Good to meet you. Also nice to have some fresh blood around here. Keeps things interesting. And I do believe you will make things interesting."
Her yellow hawk-like eyes seemed to see right through Liz, "Um, nice to meet you."
"A muggle!" Poppy Pomfrey exclaimed, taking a drink from Rosmerta, "Teaching at Hogwarts. I never thought I'd see the day. This all must be very overwhelming for you Elizabeth."
She knows my name. Liz felt the sweat building on her palms. "Quite." She accepted one of the Fire Whiskeys and drank deeply, the burning in her throat momentarily distracting from the overwhelming feeling growing in her stomach.
"Do tell me," Poppy continued, "How long does it take for a broken bone to heal the muggle way?"
Liz blinked, "Oh well, depends on what it is and how badly it's broken I suppose. Maybe a couple of months?"
"A couple of months!" The healer was astounded, "Merlin's beard, how do muggles survive!"
"We're a sturdy bunch I suppose." Liz played with the bottle in her hand, laughing awkwardly.
"How about regrowing bones?" Poppy leaned forward, a serious expression on her face.
Liz breathed out a laugh, only to stop short when she saw that everyone was awaiting her answer, not a hint of a joke in their expressions.
"Oh uh-"
"I mean it must take at least a year if it takes months to simply mend a bone!"
"Oh Poppy!" Minerva interrupted, saving Liz from stuttering over a response, "Leave the poor girl alone."
Liz looked up from under her fringe and smiled gratefully at the older woman who gave the smallest smile and tilt of her head, followed by a scowl at the taste of the burning liquid.
"Who ordered this?" Minerva demanded, watching the drink with disapproval.
"How are you settling in then Liz?" Pomona Sprout asked, the woman radiating a warm comforting feeling, and the smell of earth and nature radiating from her, "You'll have to come to the greenhouses and get a few plants to brighten up the place. Nothing dangerous I promise."
Choosing to ignore that last part Liz said, "Thank you, that would be lovely. And I'm settling in well. Hagrid has been a great help and you've all made me feel so welcome."
"You're no different from the rest of us!" Flitwick squeaked, pointing his bottle at her, "Muggle or not, you're a teacher at one of the greatest schools in the world! So if anyone questions you, you make sure they know it!"
"Here, here!" Hagrid said raising his drink in the air and taking a deep gulp.
Liz couldn't help it as the others joined in with the cheering. Her cheeks grew red, a genuine sheepish smile graced her face and she beamed with pride.
Christmas Eve 1975
Bundled up warm, scarf over her face, Lizzy hurried through the thick snow that littered the streets, hands full of shopping bags. It was dark out, but not quiet. The final rush before Christmas was in full swing and Lizzy had never been so glad to have gotten her Christmas presents sorted back in November. The cold was nipping at her nose and she couldn't wait to get into the house, a roaring fire and fluffy blanket waiting for her in the living room.
Her parents always found it difficult this time of year, the constant reminder of families being whole and together was like salt in the wound, hence why Lizzy knew she would have the house to herself until late that night when they arrived back from a few drinks with family friends.
They finally conceded to letting Lizzy stay alone for a couple of hours by herself.
After all… what's the worst that could happen?
Lizzy held the bags tighter to her in a hug, turning a street corner.
"Oh!" Lizzy went straight into someone's back, falling firmly onto her backside.
"Oh shit! I'm sorry-"
"I'm sorry-"
"Oh." Sirius and Liz said at once. He held a hand out to her to help her up and she sheepishly accepted, looking anywhere but at him.
"I'm sorry-" She started again but he cut her off.
"Don't be. I probably shouldn't be standing on street corners like a weirdo." Sirius grinned when he got a smile out of her, "Sorry about that. You okay? Didn't hit the ground too hard I hope."
"No broken bones as far as I can tell." Liz readjusted her bags, "Don't know if you remember me-"
"Of course I do, you're the mugg-." Sirius hurried, causing Lizzy's eyes to widen. He cleared his throat, "Lizzy. That was your name right?"
She nodded.
"And I'm Sirius."
"Yeah, I remember."
"You did?"
"Well, yeah. Hard to forget."
Sirius raised an eyebrow grinning wider.
Lizzy spluttered, "Well- No… not you! Not that you're forgettable- it's just your name is so-"
Sirius couldn't help it. He let out a rich bark of a laugh, blue eyes twinkling as he shook his head.
Lizzy blushed at the sound and clutched her bags. She was unable to look away, despite her desperate need to hide.
"I have been told once or twice that I'm irresistible it's true." He ran a hand through his hair and winked at her, quite pleased with himself.
…He wasn't quite sure why he was pleased… Or why he felt a slight warmth during these random encounters.
Lizzy rolled her eyes, trying desperately to keep the smile from her face. "You're definitely friends with James."
Lizzy began to walk past him when Sirius reached out and pulled her to a stop.
Both of them looked at his hand on her arm and blushed, stepping quickly away.
"Um… yes?" Lizzy looked at her feet.
Sirius rubbed the back of his neck, "I was just… well I suppose I wanted to ask you a question is all."
"...Okay?" her brows furrowed.
He almost looked embarrassed.
"I'm sure you remember the first time we met. Well, I was fighting the grass while you watched."
She nodded once, watching him curiously.
"You gave me this… pastry thing. What is it called." He watched her with complete seriousness.
Lizzy blinked, "Do you mean the custard tart."
"Oh! A custard tart. Is that what it's called?"
"Yeah… why? Did you like it?"
He nodded furiously. Lizzy bit her cheek at his seriousness…
"You should ask James about the bakery that makes them. It's not far from here, I'm sure he'll know."
"Brilliant. A custard tart." He said it so childlike.
Lizzy smiled and began to walk away.
Sirius snapped from his pastry-filled daydream and quickly followed her. Lizzy looked up surprised.
"You're not planning on walking home alone are you?" He asked, matching her steps, "It's very dark."
"Well it's not that late, and it's just around the corner," She pointed ahead to the street before them.
"Can I walk you home?"
"Uh… you really don't have to do that!" She shook her head. No one had ever asked to walk her home before.
"Well, it's only around the corner right?" He echoed her, "I want to make sure you get back okay."
"Okay then…"
They walked awkwardly side by side, snow falling softly on their coats, neither of them was sure how they managed to get into this situation and not quite sure how to deal with it.
"Have you moved here then?" Lizzy asked, desperate to fill the silence.
"Hm? Oh no, well… sort of yeah." Noticing her confused look Sirius continued "I've moved in with James for a while, so I suppose during the holidays I do."
"Oh I see. You're not spending Christmas with your parents?" She asked.
He tensed slightly and laughed humorlessly, "Oh no, we aren't that kind of family."
Lizzy buzzed with nerves realising she made a mistake, "I'm sorry- I put my foot in it didn't I!"
"Nah, don't worry," He smiled reassuringly, a slightly sad look on his face, "If I'm being honest, you were the one to cheer me up when I first got here."
"I was?"
"Yeah, that day I was a bit of a dick, well I had gotten into a fight, and I left… And you gave me a …. Custard tart… and well, it definitely made me feel better. People aren't usually so nice to strangers in my experience."
"Oh. Well, I'm glad I could help. Honestly, I thought I just annoyed you more."
He shook his head smiling, "If you met my mother you'd know there is no one more annoying in the universe than that woman."
She giggled at his cheeky grin and shook her head. They came to a stop in front of her home, the white Christmas lights hung on the building, shining like stars.
She looked at him carefully from under her fringe, "I'm sorry to hear about your family… I'm glad you have a friend like James to turn to."
"Yeah, he's my best friend. I'd do anything for him."
Lizzy twiddled her thumbs, hesitating, "Would you… like to come in for some hot chocolate?"
Sirius's eyes widened, "Uh… what do you- want your parents-"
"They're not home at the moment, they'll be back later. Unless you have somewhere to be of course!" She added hastily, cursing herself for speaking. What was she doing?!
"No! I- Well I'd love to… I suppose I'm just confused as to why you would do that?"
She gave him a small smile, "Let's just say I know a thing or two about family problems."
Sirius blinked, then returned the smile and the two entered the house, the wreath on the door swinging as it closed behind them.