With thanks to the Harry Potter Lexicon and Rhymnezone.com. I love writing poetry, but rhyming couplets is evil.

Once again, me no own.

Great thanks to my wonderful friend and Beta, Emily. I am determined to get her to love this coupling, silly girl, reading fics with all shag and no plot. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk.

Special thanks go to the WIKTT list for lively conversation and a couple of helpful reviews.

Miserere

Grind away, moisten and mash up thy paste,
Pound at thy powder,--I am not in haste!
Better sit thus and observe thy strange things,
Than go where men wait me and dance at the King's.
–From The Laboratory, Robert Browning

The Professors Dare

1st year

September 1st

The air inside the Great Hall was tense. To Ellen, there seemed to be a vast number of people at the other tables, with many more waiting anxiously to be 'sorted'. She wasn't quite sure what that meant. Her father had briefly noted the speech the hat had made, and how proud he was to be a Hufflepuff…Whatever that meant. First of all, how could a hat sing? She mentally chided herself - this wasn't the Muggle world anymore, and she had to accept new things.

On the other side of the room, Hermione perused the four dining tables, one assigned to each of the school's houses. There were not as many students as she remembered there being, especially among the first years. She was used to big, more than a hundred people per class, yet the first years hardly reached fifty. The tables seemed emptier than before, as if the students have been picked clean. Hermione sadly noticed that the Gryffindor table reflected this more than the others.

The door opened once again and three professors stepped in, rushing towards their spots at the staff table with somber looks. Professors Snape and Malfoy took their seats beside Hermione. She waited patiently for the traditional words that she had heard so often to be spoken, and smiled slightly when Dumbledore stood and began making an announcement.

"I would like to begin with a moment of silence, for those who are no longer with us and those that never will be."

The hall went silent, save for a few dashed sobs here and there. Ellen's father had told her very little about what happened in recent history, and she could only liken this Dark Wizard to another very nasty man from Muggle history who held power during the 30's and 40's. It still boggled her mind at how anyone's conscience could rot like that. But to target children?! King Herod had nothing on this Voldemort fellow.

The moment of silence ended and in-between the seconds, conversations began brewing between the first years flew regarding the new teachers. Apparently, they were famous.

"Look, there's Granger! She helped Potter!" exclaimed a girl.

"Wasn't his father a Death Eater…?" a short, dirty-blond pointed out Malfoy.

"So was Snape!" a chubby girl hissed.

"…still evil, at least that's what my brother says."

"Your brother wasn't very good at potions."

Ellen was so entranced by the conversation that she didn't even hear the speech that the Headmaster made about the old, decrepit-looking hat that Professor McGonagall had set on a wooden stool. Ellen was startled to hear it sing.

"Though the years are long ahead
Certain aspects must be laid to rest.
Whether your heart is sugar or lead
I will know, for I do not guess.
Many obstacles you must have faced
In order to be placed this new home
In fact, I'll place you in good taste
In the House where you will roam.
For seven long years as you grow
Strong and stately in your power
In what you have and will know.
And even from our highest tower
Cheers with cover every corner
As I tell you each your certain place.
Give no tales like a somber mourner
As I start your first year of Grace.
Will you be a brave-minded Gryffindor?
Who honor and boldness move.
Or perhaps as a Hufflepuff you'll soar
Where patient loyalty you'll prove.
Maybe a Ravenclaw's wit is your delight
If you have a natural ready mind at all.
Slytherins take cunning to a new height
Be careful of ambitions, they enthrall.
Now here I am, just a lonely cap
With all the thinking inside the brim
But smart am I, myself a cunning chap.
I know where you belong from my trim.
Now sit down and let me listen to your heart
I have many people today to hear
I'll find where you and others first start.
But now, there's no reason to fear."

The school burst into excited applause, as Hermione expected. She gazed at the students, who were obviously discussing the high- and low-points of each house; which one was best (Why, Gryffindor of course!), and which you definitely did not want to be in.

As the students began to be sorted, Hermione stole a glance at Draco. If she hadn't known him before, she would have taken him for a younger, blonder version of the other Professor sitting beside her.

He looked older - But I suppose we all do, she thought - His face seemed longer, and his eyes dulled as he looked down at his empty plate. Her attention turned back to watching the sorting.

"Fairview, Abbey!" McGonagall called, consulting a long strip of parchment.
"RAVENCLAW!" the Sorting Hat roared.

It was getting closer and closer to Ellen's turn, and she shook like a leaf as she waited for her own name to be called. She had no idea which house she wanted to be in. They all seemed like decent places to live. All I know, is that I want to do the best I can! She thought.

"Harrington, Julian!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Jenning, Bradley!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"

The girl next to Ellen turned to her and grinned. "I suppose I'll be in Gryffindor, too, then. They say it runs in the family."

"Jenning, Carla!"

"SYLTHERIN!" The girl stood up, shell-shocked, as her housemates cheered.

"Knightford, Ellen." Ellen stood, making her way to the dais. The walk seemed to go on forever, but she quickly pulled the hat on when she reached the stool, closing her eyes tightly.

"An interesting mind..." the hat murmured softly into her ear. "Full of dreams you've just realized you had. But do you have the guts to grasp them? You better be careful…I think the best place for you is…SLYTHERIN!"

Carla looked up, slightly happier, as Ellen made her way over to the Slytherin table. She grinned. "I think we'll have a good time here, Carla."

Only a few more students joined them at the table, as if no real Slytherin family had wanted their children to join Hogwarts. After questioning the five or so other new members, it was revealed that none of them had a Slytherin member in their blood.

"Must be wanting a new start to the house." A boy, Ellen recalled that his name was Devin Weaver, spoke up, and just before Dumbledore began his next announcement of what areas of the castle were forbidden. The headmaster then began introducing the new teachers.

"My dear children, due to the battle here at this school last year, we've had to institute new teachers. I am proud to announce that two of them are recent graduates of Hogwarts. I'd ask that they'd please rise when I call their names. Professor Hermione Granger, teaching Muggle Studies and upper levels of Arithmancy." Hermione stood. "Professor Draco Malfoy, Defense Against the Dark Arts. And our new Divination teacher, Ingrid Olsson."

Hermione finally caught a glance at the only teacher she was not familiar with. The first thing she noticed was that she was strikingly beautiful - soft blonde hair, falling to her shoulders in curls. Even from halfway across the table, her clear blue eyes spoke with a knowledge that went farther than the sun. She did not smile, but kept a neutral expression. There was a sense of true power about her and was no Professor Trelawney, by any means.

"We had to search far and wide to find a suitable replacement for Divination," Dumbledore said proudly. "And we believe we have found her. Students, welcome your new Professors. " Dumbledore smiled as the students cheered, and the food for the Start of Term Feast appeared.

A boy at Ellen's table stuck out his hand. "I'm Ian. Ian Beck." With his other hand he stuffed a roll into his mouth. She took his hand with an amused smile.

"Ellen Knightford."

"Knightford, huh? Woulda had you figured for Hufflepuff. After all, your entire wizarding family's been in there."

"How would you know?"

"My family is one of the oldest Wizarding families there is! We study everyone's family line."

"Ian, you'd do better if you concentrated more on your studies than everyone else's family." Carla said curtly.

"Yeah well, yours is a new family. Of course you'd say that!"

"Hermione?" Hermione turned to face Draco.

"Yes?"

She couldn't help but to noticed that he finally looked up from the table to talk to her, a far cry from the confident Malfoy she was used too.

"Nervous much?" he said, trying to lighten his voice.

Hermione smiled back, "Just a little. It's a bit different view from here, isn't it?"

"Quite a bit. Did you see the girls sorted into Slytherin? Jennings looked appalled."

"I would be." Hermione said slyly. "They now have to deal with Severus over there."

Draco brightened, looking over at his callous colleague. "Oh, he's not that bad, once you get past the temper… and the solitude… and the hair."

"I will not tolerate this, Draco." Snape snapped. "Nor you, Miss Granger."

"Are you going to call us by our last names, just as you did when we were students?" Hermione asked.

"You still have much to learn."

"Right, like about how to scare students. If you think that gives you respect, you are wrong, Severus. It only makes them fear you." The dark, distraught Professor only shook his head.

"That is precisely what I want. I am not here to be their friend. I am here to try and impart some knowledge on their unreceptive brains."

Hermione turned back to Draco, who had returned to staring at the table.

"And here I thought I was stuck between a rock and a hard place," a very gentle voice sounded.

"Ahh, Ingrid." Hermione smiled, looking up. "What brings you over to the gloomy side of the table?"

"A simple bet, ja?" The blonde, perfect to the student's eyes, put plainly. "To my dear, grumpy Potions Master."

"I do not make bets with people who claim they can see the future in the bottom of a teacup." Said grumpy Potions Master responded beneath hooded eyes.

"I will promise you that I have not seen into the future on this one." She laid her hands on the table. "I overheard your conversation about teaching styles."

"And…?" Draco looked up at the Swede.

"My bet - if you accept - is to befriend one student." She flipped her hair "Even if it's one of your own House."

"I will not participate in this silly affair." Snape snapped.

"Of course not. That would completely interfere with his reputation." Draco grinned.

"I'll go in on the bet." Hermione piped up. "Terms to be named later."

Severus glanced at his former student in interest. "Choose the student."

Ingrid smiled. "One of your own. Right there." She pointed to Ellen. "Make her trust you." She walked away before Snape could object, back to her place beside Dumbledore.

---

"Why did the blonde just point at me?" Ellen asked warily.

"No clue. Don't even know the family," Ian said through a mouthful of mashed potatoes.

"She's Swedish, that's why." Carla laughed. "You can't memorize EVERY family in the world."

"I can certainly try," Ian retorted. "That's my goal, then! By Seventh year, I will know every major wizarding family in the world."

---

Ingrid leaned over to Dumbledore, whispering, "Mission accomplished. Let's hope this works."

---

September 2nd

First Years DADA

"This class is dangerous, just as the Dark Arts are. You may be hurt; you may see things you never thought possible. But you will learn, and this is important. This class isn't just learning how to defend yourself - it is a warning. If you think that the defense is hard, then I suggest you try your hand at the actual Dark Arts. I assure you, they're much more complicated.

"I will not kid you here. Your first year will be a healthy mix of what you should already know, and what you need to know to stay safe. Eventually, you will learn more and become more advanced. It is my hope that you take this class seriously.

"The Dark Arts are enthralling, which is probably why so many of us have fallen victim to their temptation. They take your soul and you have no recourse of action but to follow them once you get in too deep. There is virtually no way out, and it isn't very pretty to look yourself in the mirror, knowing what you have done."

Draco looked out at his students. They seemed to be at just the right mix of fear and interest that Snape couldn't achieve…except with someone like Hermione, who fed off of that sort of challenge. In fact he was seeing it right now in the eyes of a few of the Slytherins, an "I'll-prove-you-wrong-the-Dark-Arts-can't-be-that-bad" look. People would never change. He decided to move on just a little longer with the lecture, deciding that they would begin a little of the practical bit next time.

"We have defeated Voldemort, without question. But that doesn't mean we have defeated evil. In retrospect, we will never defeat evil; it is simply needed so that we can decide what is good. What we can do, however, is keep it from overpowering us, and that, my students, is the true meaning behind Defense Against the Dark Arts. Open your books to page 26 there you will find a picture of past Dark Lords…"

Muggle Studies-2rd Years

"This class could become the easiest class you ever take. To excel, all that is necessary is to think without your wands. Think without the magic you possess. What would you do when faced with a dilemma? I think you will find it interesting. First, we'll talk about the thoroughly modern Muggle, their technology, and then in the second half of the year we'll start with an overview of Muggle History. I'll try to make it more interesting than the Goblin Wars that Professor Binns drones on about. Muggles have a very sordid history." Hermione put on her best teacher voice. The students were not very rapt at her attention. She toyed with the idea of setting off something from Weasley twins store, but decided she didn't have the time.

"A Muggle, as you know, is someone without our specific magical gift. Occasionally, they do learn magic, but they never come in contact with our world. Moreover, they typically deny the idea of magic, while still wanting to believe. There are many movies and stories that believe in fairy tales and magic…"

Divination 4th Years

"I want you to throw away everything you were taught about Divination. It is not something you can learn from a book, and you will be sorely disappointed in this class if you think you can just think up new ways to kill yourself and receive a good score. I understand that not everybody will have a feeling for this magic. Therefore, you will be scored on memorization and not on results, those who I think have a talent, I will speak with in private to discuss other assignments."

Ingrid focused herself for a second and saw two distinct reactions to her speech. One, all the boys in the class were looking at her as if she were one step away from becoming a veela. The other reaction was from the girls, who were relieved that she wouldn't be asking for results.

"Now, to begin this year, I'll be instructing on the Tarot." She opened a cabinet. "These are for you… a gift to set us on the right foot. And highly useful in the art of Divination, not to mention they make for a right game of cards. "

Potions 6th Years

Severus entered the room with a quick step. "Alright then, welcome to another year, let's get to work. Today you will be preparing ingredients for the Volvallego Potion, which is meant to help clear the mind of troubles. If it is of sufficient placidness, you will receive a good score. You will find instructions on your desk."

October 20th

"Ellen, may I see you after class?" Snape said in his normal fashion. Hermione had reminded him of the bet early in the morning, and he did want to know what her terms were.

Ellen looked terrified for a moment. "Of course, Professor" Did I do something wrong already? I'm in his house; he's been favorable to us before!

The rest of the class was excused, and Ian and Carla walked by giving her a quick, semi-comforting glance.

"You wanted to see me, Professor?"

Her sly Professor looked up. "I wanted to congratulate you. You were the only one to brew today's assignment correctly."

"Oh…Thank you. Is…is that all?"

"And…I hope you can continue to show up to the others in the class. It's refreshing to see one person with a slight talent. I must warn you, do not waste whatever talent you have."

"Don't worry, Professor, I plan on being the best." She began to turn, but smiled instead, "And Potions is where I'll clearly be top." She left the classroom, a little puzzled and perplexed.

Snape closed his eyes as she left. She was starting to remind him of himself, without the already memorized knowledge of curses. And in other ways of a certain other student he once had, with that fiery determination.

Dear Harry,

I'm sure that if you don't read this, someone will. I hope you are doing better, my friend. I know you have your hands full with staying alive and awake, so I'll keep this brief.

I love teaching. There are a lot of students now that are like us, back when we were in school. Many of them have broken up into their own little cliques. Thankfully, there are no Weasley Twin wannabe's, otherwise I'd go completely nuts. Working with the teachers that only ceased to teach me a few years ago is awkward, but even more so is the odd relationship I'm keeping with Draco. You probably haven't heard, but he's the DADA teacher, and a fairly decent one at that. We have a lot in common now for what we have done…we all have our burdens to bear. His reason is a lot worthier.

There are so few students this year. Far less than usual, in fact, the least amount in over a hundred years. I even looked it up in Hogwarts: A History (Yes, I still memorize the book monthly). It's troubling, but there is something different in the type of students we have welcomed this year. Even the Slytherins are more…not evil?

The new Divination teacher is a very interesting girl. Swedish, and even trained at a proper Divination School. The Tower school of Tea Leaves or something like that. You'd like her. She's not blasting "You will die" at the end of every class.

Oh, Harry, I do wish you'd hurry up and deal with your demons. I promise, I'll do the same. The world is better because of what we did, right? I wish I could tell myself that, but it doesn't work for me.

Hermione

Next time on Miserere: Where does the time fly? Halloween Feast, and the buildup of trust. Hermione receives a few letters and a mishap of the Tarot…(Time period Halloween Feast-New Years)

To Starlight: it's been 6 years since Hermione's graduation, putting this roughly at 2004 (greatly testing my psychic powers) this is eventually a SS/HG romance. I have plans for Draco….

I base the banter of the teachers, on listening to my own teachers talk. I love being very close to my teachers, they let me find out about all sorts of stuff. Plus the fact that I'm going to be a summer school teachers aide gives me a head-up on all the weird conversations, the teachers seem to trust me, for some strange reason.

Ingrids looks are completely based on a friend in Choir, who just happens to be from Iceland. I said, close enough, and that she looked perfect.