A/N: LES - welcome and thank you. To answer your question - the kiss does not have to be romantic. Happy writing! BTW - my guess would be Lily Evans Snape, am I close?
Mandemi - Hello! Go for it, chica!
About the challenge - It must be the full name "Harry Potter" and there is no deadline. It's not a contest, just a bit of fun! E-mail me if you have any other questions.
Professor Perkins ~*~
Lorien looked up at the door across the room when she heard someone come in and was surprise to see a woman with a small boy. The little boy couldn't have been more that six, and the attractive woman dressed in khaki slacks and robe appeared to be about her age. Lorien noted the deep red wavy hair tucked up under the Aussie style hat the woman wore as she started across the room to talk to her. She knew that this must be the new teacher, Professor Perkins.
After meeting Lupin and Black at the Quidditch pitch, Marlina decided that it would be a good idea to stop by the hospital ward to talk to Madame Pomfrey. She wanted to make her aware of the occasional problems that Noah had with asthma so that she could keep the correct potions on hand, and she walked into the infirmary.
Madame Pomfrey was not it her office, but Marlina saw another witch coming toward her from across the large ward. The woman was blonde and attractive and appeared to be close to Marlina's own age. Perhaps a few years older. She smiled at the woman, but Noah got to her first.
"Hello," he cheerfully said to the woman.
The woman in blue robes smiled at the little boy. "Hello to you too."
"I'm Noah." He held out his hand.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Mistress Lorien." She shook the small hand he offered her.
Marlina laughed. "I'm Marlina Perkins, his mother."
"Lorien Desjardins." They shook hands. "So nice to meet you Professor."
"Is Madame Pomfrey about?" Marlina asked.
"Somewhere. I think she may have gone to the greenhouses," Lorien replied, knowing that Poppy was probably off exchanging new gossip with Forsythia. "I work with her. Is there something that maybe I can help you with?"
Marlina explained the situation with Noah.
"Well, let's get a file started on him ahead of time, just in case we need it," Lorien replied.
Marlina followed her to the office while Noah looked around at all the medical supplies in the locked cabinets.
"Please, sit." Lorien offered her a chair where she could see out the door, and picked up a quill and parchment. She struck up a conversation between writing Marlina's answers to her medical question.
"You're son is adorable. How old is he, five, six?" Lorien asked.
"Thank you," replied Marlina with a smile. "He's six."
"Quite a little gentleman," the medical witch commented. "So is this your first time teaching?"
"Yes, I've never instructed before, but I'm looking forward to it," Marlina admitted.
Lorien continued to ask questions. "Did you go to Hogwarts?"
"Yes, quite some years ago," Marlina joked. "Did you?"
"No, Oakwood in Boston," Lorien told her. "Also quite a while ago."
Marlina found she had a nice smile. "Really? Did you like it there?"
"Very much. But this is home for me," replied Lorien.
"I know," agreed Marlina, "I've traveled all over in the past, but I always look forward to coming home."
"Where did you travel?" asked the blonde woman.
"All over the country and large parts of Europe. I spent a year in Romania," answered Marlina.
Lorien looked up from the parchment. "Romania?"
"Yes. I did an internship with Theseus Pepperidge studying dragons," said Marlina.
She saw the Hogwarts healer look at her carefully and she thought she caught a hint of amusement in the woman's voice. "Do you like dragons, Marlina?"
Marlina nodded enthusiastically. "They're fascinating."
"I couldn't agree more. So what did you do during the rest of your travels?" Lorien asked her.
"My husband and I both worked for the Ministry. DRCMC," she answered.
"Oh, how interesting! Beast Division or Being Division?" Lorien asked as she wrote a little more information in Noah's chart.
Marlina seemed a little hesitant. "Beast Division. We both worked in the WCU."
"Sorry?" The medical witch looked up at her again.
"Werewolf Capture Unit." Marlina saw something odd in the woman's expression for a moment and then it was gone.
"So what does your husband do now?" Lorien asked, quickly changing the subject.
Marlina paused for a moment and she knew that the healer picked up on her hesitation. "My husband passed away a few years ago," she said quietly.
"I'm sorry to hear that. It must have been difficult for you and Noah." Lorien sounded sincerely concerned.
"Noah never really knew his father. He was killed in the field not long after Noah was born." Marlina wasn't really sure why she was telling this woman so much about her life, but it felt good to talk to another woman her age. She could see the look of concern on her face as she spoke again.
"Marlina...was it...?"
"Yes. He was killed by a werewolf. I could never go back to the Ministry after that." Her voice was very quiet as she spoke. "We always knew there would be risks. I just never thought....." Marlina trailed off.
Lorien touched her arm briefly. "I'm so sorry."
"No need to be. It's not like it's your fault. You're not one of 'them'." The new professor sounded a little bitter.
"They aren't always dangerous, Marlina," Lorien said kindly.
"Tell that to my husband." Marlina regretted her last comment as soon as she saw the look on the woman's face. "Lorien, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to go on about my past like that, I guess I haven't put it as far behind me as I'd like to think."
"It's fine, really. Don't even worry about it." The healer smiled at her warmly again. "You know, Marlina. I think it's good that you came back to Hogwarts."
"Why is that?" Marlina asked.
Lorien shrugged a little. "Oh, I just have a feeling that working with the staff here will be good for you."
"You think so?" Marlina laughed. "Well the ones I've met so far seem very nice, including you."
Lorien smiled at her. "And who else have you met ?"
"I just met Sirius Black," Marlina whispered.
"Not what you expected?" The blonde woman looked amused.
"No," Marlina admitted.
"One of the nicest men I know," Lorien informed her.
"Good to hear. He was with Remus Lupin when I met him. I never really got to know them at school. I was several years behind them," replied Marlina.
"Sirius knows Harry Potter!" Noah chimed in from the doorway.
Both women smiled at the boy.
"Remus is another," Lorien continued, "and he's an excellent teacher. The students and the staff all adore him and I'm sure you will too once you get to know him."
"Remus knows Harry Potter, too," Noah contributed.
Marlina laughed. " As you can see, Sirius and Remus know Noah as well."
Lorien watched as Marlina and Noah left the hospital ward and frowned slightly when the door had closed. Marlina didn't know. Obviously she never knew when she was at school, and she hadn't been back at Hogwarts long enough to find out.
Professor Perkins obviously hated werewolves, and Lorien knew it was going to get even more interesting around here when the woman eventually found out about him. She only hoped that by the time she did, she knew what a kind and gentle person Remus Lupin was.
Sunday Lorien was surprised when she was summoned to see Dumbledore. When she walked into his office she noted Severus was already there, and he was leaning with his back against the wall and arms folded across his chest.
"Good morning, Lorien," he said quietly, and she noted the strained look he appeared to be trying to control.
She greeted both of the men and then looked up in mild surprise as Sirius and Remus also entered the office behind her.
Remus gave a curt nod to Snape. "Severus."
Snape looked at him steadily. "Lupin," he acknowledged.
Remus turned to Lorien. "Good morning," he said as he lightly touched her arm before sitting.
She smiled at him and returned the greeting, then looked as Sirius spoke to her.
"Treehugger," he greeted her quietly with a mischievous smile.
"Mutt." She smiled back as she sat down beside the two friends. Snape remained where he was.
The headmaster spoke. "Thank you all for coming. I'm afraid I have something of the utmost urgency to tell you all."
Dumbledore looked as serious as Lorien had ever seen him. "What is it?" she asked nervously.
"I'm afraid that there has been a break in at Azkaban," he replied solemnly.
"A break IN?" asked Sirius.
"Yes." Dumbledore looked around gravely. "Voldemort freed all of the Death Eaters sent there after Halloween. I've only just found out. All of the guards were killed so there was a delay in word reaching the mainland."
"And the other prisoners?" Sirius asked.
"A few were found dead, most of them were just missing," answered Dumbledore.
"I'd venture to say that they're with Voldemort now," Snape added from where he stood. "I'm sure he offered them an ultimatum."
Dumbledore nodded. "That's my feeling as well."
"This is terrible news," Remus said. "My guess would be that they'll be less than understanding about spending two months in Azkaban, and that the Nemorosi witches aren't the only ones in trouble."
Snape spoke up again. "There is no doubt, Lupin, that they'll seek retaliation against the Ministry and the aurors. I believe the four of us will make their top ten list as well."
"But that means that Hogwarts might be threatened if all of us are here," Lorien said with great concern.
"Indeed," said Snape as his eyes met hers.
Dumbledore spoke up again. "I believe that you are all safest while you are here at the school, and likewise that Hogwarts will be best protected with all of you here as well." He looked at Sirius. "I believe it's time that we pursue some of your recommendations."
"I think it is, too," Black said solemnly.
The others looked at the headmaster questioningly.
"Sirius has recommended that at least for the time being we cancel the student outings to Hogsmeade, and that we indefinitely postpone the school quidditch matches."
"It doesn't make sense to give them large groups as targets," Sirius added.
"Will they still be allowed around the grounds?" Remus asked.
Dumbledore answered him. "Yes, but as usual only during daylight hours. I'm going to ask all the staff to be extra vigilant in monitoring the grounds."
"That's still a lot to monitor," returned Lupin.
"That's why we're bringing in reinforcements," Dumbledore said, and then looked at Sirius.
"Reinforcements?" asked Snape.
Black looked at him coolly. "Yes. I thought it would be wise to have extra help. The headmaster has agreed that having aurors on the grounds would probably be a good idea at this point."
Dumbledore smiled. "Cornelius has assured me that anything we ask for will be provided for in all haste. He's sending the six aurors Sirius has requested within the next day or so."
"So you mean..." Lorien started to ask with a smile at Sirius.
"You got it. I don't know about you, but I would definitely want the Moody clan covering our backs. They certainly proved themselves at Halloween," replied Sirius.
'I think it's an excellent idea," she replied.
Lupin concurred. "So do I."
They all looked at Snape who merely nodded in agreement.
"Good," replied Dumbledore. "I may be asking for input from all of you again."
Marlina was walking past the large stone gargoyle with Noah when Lupin, Black, Desjardins, and Snape all emerged from the headmaster's office.
"Sirius!" Noah was excited to see the person that had introduced him to Harry Potter.
"Hi, Noah." Sirius and Remus turned to speak to the small boy.
"Hi Lorien!" Noah called to the blonde witch standing a short way away talking to a tall dark robed wizard, and then he hung back with the two Gryffindors as Marlina approached Lorien.
Lorien smiled and turned to say good morning. "Hi Noah. Good morning, Marlina."
"Good morning, Lorien." Marlina could see the black haired wizard was looking at her the same way she was looking at him.
"Marlina, have you met our potions master?" Lorien asked. "This is Severus Snape. Severus, this is Marlina Perkins."
"I believe we've met." Snape eyed the khaki clad professor coolly.
Marlina saw Lorien look a little surprised. "Severus and I went to Hogwarts together," she explained.
"Oh, of course," the medical witch said.
Noah strode into the middle of the group to face Snape. "I haven't met you yet."
"My son, Noah," Marlina explained.
"I see," said Snape as he was noticing the stern look that Lorien was giving him, and then she jerked her head slightly in the boy's direction. He reluctantly took the hint. "Master Noah, it is an honor to make your acquaintance," he said a bit stiffly.
"This is Professor Snape," Lorien said to the boy. Noah gave her a meaningful look and she laughed a little and leaned down to whisper to him. "Severus."
Noah nodded, satisfied that he was now on a first name basis with everyone present.
"Well, if you'll all excuse me?" Snape looked around the group briefly. "Lorien." He acknowledged the blonde witch and swept quickly down the hall.
Marlina stood with her son, Lorien, Sirius and Remus and looked at the other woman as she spoke.
"I wasn't sure if you knew Severus at school, since he was the same year as these two." Lorien indicated the two men standing with them and smiled.
"I didn't know a lot of people that far ahead, but you pretty much remember everyone in your own house, don't you?" Marlina commented.
Lorien looked mildly surprised and then amused as she saw the expressions that Remus and Sirius wore. Evidently they hadn't remembered the red haired woman was a Slytherin.
Noah piped up again. "Mom, I'm hungry. Can we get breakfast now?"
"Hey, a man after my own heart." Sirius smiled. "Remus and I are going. Noah, perhaps you and the ladies will join us?" He smiled at Marlina and then looked meaningfully at Lorien, who pretended not to notice.
"You three go along with Noah, I've got loads to help Poppy with." Lorien excused herself.
Marlina and Noah sat with Sirius and Remus at the end of the Gryffindor table now that most of the students were straggling out.
"Bet it's the first time you ever sat at this table," Sirius teased her.
She shot him a look and then finally smiled. "I agreed only because you two couldn't handle sitting at my table."
Noah asked Remus which table was his.
"Well, you really can sit anywhere you want now, Noah, but you won't know which your house table is for a few more years," said Remus.
"I want to be in Harry Potter's house," Noah decided.
"Well, and who wouldn't?" Sirius quipped.
Marlina rolled her eyes. She took her hat off and set in down on the table next to her.
Sirius turned to make a comment to Remus but kept quiet when he saw the odd expression on his friend's face, and then Lupin spoke to Marlina. "So, are you ready for classes tomorrow?"
Marlina shook her head. "Hardly. I've barely got us settled, never mind getting ready for class. I've got plenty of lecture material but my first set of murtlaps were supposed to be here today and now they aren't arriving until Wednesday. Next week should be a lot better, but I must say I'm disappointed."
"Why is that?" Lupin asked.
"Well, I just wanted something for my first lectures that was, well..."
"Cool?" he asked with a mischievous grin.
She smiled slowly. "Yes, I guess so."
"That's understandable. I don't blame you for being a little disappointed." Lupin looked at Sirius and Noah who were obviously enjoying breakfast together.
Sirius spoke again thoughtfully as he gestured at Marlina with his fork. "Hmmm. I wonder... Marlina what do you know about dragons?"
"Quite a bit. I spent a year in Romania with Pepperidge studying them," she answered.
"Really? Would you ever do a segment on dragon care and handling in your class?" Remus asked, casually interested.
"I'd love to," she said.
"What about this week?" Sirius asked.
"Be a bit dull without a dragon though, wouldn't it?" Remus asked between bites.
"Who said she'd have to do it without a dragon?" Sirius looked meaningfully at Remus.
"No, Remus is right. I'd never be able to get one that fast, and besides, I'm sure that I shouldn't be bringing a dragon in for students to handle," Marlina said with a chuckle.
"What about a small one? Say a turquoise?" Sirius asked.
"Now, that would be ideal. They're small and pretty docile. There's no way to arrange to bring one in so quickly, though," Marlina said.
Remus stopped with a fork half way to his mouth and looked at Sirius with wide eyes. "You can't possibly...."
Sirius cut him off. "Remus and I just might know where to get you a dragon for class tomorrow, Marlina."
Remus looked horrified. "Sirius, I think that's asking an awful lot of her."
"Her?" Marlina questioned.
Sirius stepped on Remus's foot under the table on purpose to quiet him. "The dragon's...keeper. I'm sure she'd be willing to help us for education's sake." He looked at Remus as he spoke.
Marlina now looked excited. "Do you really think you can do it? That would be wonderful. A turquoise would be just the right size for demonstration purposes."
Sirius stood up and elbowed Remus to get him to follow. "We'll see what we can do." He winked at Marlina.
Remus reluctantly dragged himself from the remains of his breakfast and followed Sirius shaking his head. When Sirius got an idea like this in his head, there was no changing his mind.
.
