Chapter Four

An hour later a nervous Valerie straightened her robes for the tenth time and walked to the door to admit Professor Dumbledore. Well my dear, are you ready to go?

I suppose so, Albus. He grinned at her use of his given name.

I am pleased to discover that it did not take you as much time as most of the other professors to be less than formal with me. To be honest, I hate to feel so intimidating. Ah, here's my office now. Time to get you sorted. He spoke the password Gum drops and entered his private room, motioning for her to have a seat in the chair facing his desk. He turned and picked up the worn old hat that had named the destiny of wizards and witches for generations. Now, I'm going to put the Sorting Hat on your head. There's no need to be nervous. Think of it this way. At least you don't have the entire student body staring at you through this process!

Valerie laughed at his joke and allowed him to place the hat on her head. the hat said as it settled onto her hair, another Weasley relative has come to Hogwart's. Not surprising at all, I've been seeing them for many years. This one is no different than the rest of her family. Her courage and outgoing nature places her in Gryffindor!

Valerie smiled and even Dumbledore looked pleased at the hat's decision. He took the hat off her head and set it to the side, then handed her a cup of tea. After he had sat down and picked up his own cup he looked at her and said, I must confess, I was hoping for exactly this outcome. I will be retiring in a couple years, and Minerva McGonagall will take my position and become Headmistress of Hogwarts. I don't suppose that you will have any objections to eventually becoming a Head of House?

I would be honored sir, to take such a trusted position. After they had finished tea and Dumbledore had told her some of the history of the school it was time for the staff meeting.

They moved to the faculty room and waited for the rest of the professors to arrive. The first one to enter the room was Professor McGonagall, followed by the other new professor. The young man sat down next to Valerie and introduced himself. Hello, my name is Oliver Wood, and I'm the new Defense against the Dark Arts professor.

I'm pleased to meet you. My name is Valerie Shorelake, and I'm the new Charms professor.

Ah, I can tell you're American. Did you attend the Academy there?

Yes, and the University. How about you?

Well, I graduated from Hogwart's a few years ago, then got my teaching credentials at the wizarding university in London.

Valerie was suddenly curious. What house did you belong to when you went here? she asked Oliver.

I was, and will always be, a Gryffindor. What house did the Hat put you in? he replied.

She smiled. We're housemates then, for I just got sorted into Gryffindor as well.

Wonderful! I was hoping to make friends with someone on the staff. I can already tell that we'll get along famously.

I would be pleased to be your friend, as long as we agree on one thing. No titles. Just call me Val, okay? And would you mind if I call you Oliver?

Agreed, Val. And I don't mind at all..... Oliver was cut short as the rest of the staff entered and filled the other seats at the table, ending their personal conversation.

Dumbledore called the meeting to order. Valerie tried to pay attention while scrutinizing her new colleagues. Before I begin to address other matters, I would like to begin by introducing our new faculty. Most of you remember Oliver Wood from his time here as a student. He will be joining our staff as the new DADA professor. The dark haired man sitting a few seats down from Valerie scowled as this announcement was made, leaving her to wonder what his problem was with the appointment. Did he have something against Oliver? She had no time to ponder this question, for her introduction was next.

I would also like to introduce Valerie Shorelake, our new Charms professor. She will taking over Professor Flitwick's classes since he has chosen retirement. Professor Shorelake comes to us from America and is a very talented witch, I would say on par with our new Head Girl. She also is related to a well known British wizarding family, the Weasleys. As Dumbledore made this statement Valerie could swear she saw the dark haired man's sneer grow even wider, as if he was amused at her family heritage. She vowed that her goal this year would be not only to discover the reason for his apparent bitterness, but to make him a friend as well.

Now I would like to briefly introduce you all to Valerie so that she can make your acquaintance later. First there is Professor Sprout, who teaches Herbology, and Professor Trelawney, who teaches Divination. Professor Vector teaches Arithmancy and Professor Sinistra teaches Astronomy. Professor Binn is in charge of the History of Magic classes. Madam Hooch is our flying instructor as well as the referee of all our Quidditch matches. Madam Pince and Madam Pomfrey are not here for this meeting, but they are the school librarian and nurse. Our deputy headmistress, Professor McGonagall, oversees the learning of Transfiguration. Then there's Hagrid, who is groundskeeper as well as the Professor of Care of Magical Creatures. You've already met Professor Wood, our new DADA teacher. And finally, our Potions master is Professor Snape, Dumbledore finished with a gesture at the dark haired man Valerie had been watching since the meeting began.

Now that the introductions are done, we can continue with our normal staff meeting Dumbledore continued and Valerie listened carefully, all the while thinking, Now my mission has a name to put to that face.