Begin Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen: A New, If Temporary, Teacher

 The next three months passed mostly quietly, with interesting things happening here and there. Priscilla's secret was still secret, much to Ron's chagrin. He began to haunt her classroom after classes to let her know he still remembered. She was also beginning to grow although it was not noticeable thanks to the Concealing Charm on her robes. Harry and Ava's relationship was budding slowly, but surely. They were not officially back together so no one really knew what to categorize them as. Baby Algernon was now a happy, bouncing infant the size of a baby whale (and cute to boot). Hagrid and Madame Maxine could be seen, in warmer weather, walking him in a baby carriage obviously made by Hagrid. The winter weather was warming up gradually, and it made everyone grateful to get past the biting cold days and move into comfortable weather. No trace had been found of Professor Richardson so far but Sirius and a small band of Auror's seemed to be finding vague clues as to where he was. Dark Magic seemed to be happening in small, obscure villages where people were mysteriously getting hit by the Caracorpsia Curse. Sirius was following that trail, hoping to find Professor Richardson but to no avail.

********

"She still hasn't told anyone yet," Ron told Harry incredulously. He savagely ground his moonstone into powder for a complex version of the Draught of Peace that they were making in Potions class. Hermione and Ava were busy assisting Neville who was beside himself at the complexity of the potion even though they performed it the year before for the O.W.L exams. He lowered his voice as Snape walked by, sneering down his bulbous nose at them. Harry sneered right back and Snape made a mark that looked remarkably like a zero into his grade book. "She-is-going-to-tell-him-tomorrow-or-I-will," Ron said fiercely with each pound into the bowl.

  "Ron, if you keep on grinding that moonstone, it will disintegrate," Harry said yanking the bowl away from Ron. "Take it easy, I'm sure she's trying." Ron blanched.

  "Harry, she's not trying! She would have told him by now then!" Ron lowered his voice when he realized that some people had begun to stare, including Snape, who looked at them suspiciously. Hermione shot a venomous look at Ron and he quieted for a moment. She leaned over the table quickly, making both Ron and Harry flinch at the sudden movement.

  "What is wrong with you?" she hissed. "Be quiet or you'll blow her cover. And in front of Snape no less!" She then focused her attention back over to Neville and Ava, who looked down into the cauldron uncomfortably. Malfoy began to snigger while Crabbe and Goyle guffawed stupidly.

  "Look at Weasley! He's panty-whipped!" Ron clenched his fist and turned beet red. Snape smirked as the Slytherins laughed.

  "Settle down class, settle down." Snape looked one last time over at Harry and Ron, a look of suspicion on his face. "Now, everyone bring his or her dismal potions over for testing."

  A couple of minutes later, they emerged from the potions room, Ron peacefully calm as Harry had tested his potion on him. Hermione and Ava joined them after a couple of minutes. As they headed down to the Great Hall for lunch, Malfoy made another comment towards Ron, who only smiled in return. Hermione looked pleased with this change, as temporary as it was. Malfoy, becoming disenchanted at the fact Ron wouldn't fight back, stalked off. As they neared the Great Hall, they ran into Professor Dean who was holding a stack of essays to be graded. Ron's face got flushed.

  "Tell him by tomorrow, or I will," he said quietly before walking off to the Great Hall. Professor Dean looked at his retreating figure before turning to a rather nonplussed Harry, Hermione and Ava.

  "The Draught of Peace?" she asked smoothly. They nodded and she smiled. "He should take it more often. Has a temper to match that hair," she said coolly before walking off towards the dungeons, flipping through the stack of parchment.

  "Well now, why don't we just join Ron in the Great Hall then?" said Ava cheerfully.

****

  Priscilla looked through the stack of dismal essays from Third Years on how to block unfriendly spells. She saw a lengthy pop quiz in their near future when all of a sudden, she collided into something- rather, someone.

  "Priscilla! Oh my goodness, are you alright?" Professor McGonagall lifted her to her feet with surprising strength.

  "Yes, Minerva. I'm quite fine, thank you," Priscilla said retrieving her tests with a simple flick of her wand and exchanging a wan smile with McGonagall. "Why the rush?"

  "I will be gone on Ministry business for a few weeks. Which reminds me, I was looking for you to meet the substitute for my class. He will arrive at noon and be waiting in your office so that his lesson plan may be approved." Priscilla blanched.

  "Minerva, this is too short notice! You've only given me 15 minutes! I have papers to grade not to mention a class to whom a test must be administered. Is there anyone else who can do this?" McGonagall smiled as Priscilla's panic rose.

  "Priscilla, I only trust you with this person. Now I'm sure the test can wait. Good day Priscilla." McGonagall walked briskly off, a tartan travelling bag swinging at her side, leaving a very disgruntled woman in her wake.

End Chapter Sixteen