A/N - Thank you to my two reviewers. Your reviews were much appreciated.
Please, if you are reading this story, write me a review and let me know
what you think. These reviews are my motivation. Sorry for the late
update. I will try to update more often in the future.
Chapter Two
Hermione, Ron, and Harry entered Professor McGonagall's office. She was already there sitting behind her desk waiting for them. She offered each of them a chair, which the graciously accepted, and sat waiting for the reason they were called to her office.
"First, I wanted to say how proud I am of the three of you. I also wanted to thank you for taking the positions you were offered. I have every confidence that you will do well. With that said, I'm sure you are wondering why I asked you three to meet me."
All three of the new professors began to nod their heads at this comment. Harry suddenly began to feel nervous. The full extent of the responsibility he was undertaking finally set in. He began to feel slightly nauseous. "Can I really do this?" he began to think. He then looked over at Ron who was looking slightly green. Hermione was sitting on the edge of her chair as usual.
"I'm sure that you all have had second thoughts about taking this position. That is why I have not scheduled any classes for you during the first week. Instead, you three will each observe a different teacher everyday this week. I have written out schedules for each of you. By observing a veteran teacher, hopefully you will be able to gain some pointers and gain confidence in you teaching abilities."
Professor McGonagall then reached onto her desk and picked up three pieces of parchment. She then gave one to each of them. Harry looked at his schedule,
Monday - Transfiguration - McGonagall
Tuesday - Divinitation - Firenze
Wednesday - Potions - Snape
Thursday - Astronomy - Sinstra
Friday - Potions - Snape
"Oh no!" Harry shouted. "Why did I get stuck with that greasy git Snape for two days!"
Three heads suddenly turned towards Harry. He had not realized that he just made this statement aloud. Slowly he looked up. His face reddened until it was the color of Ron's hair.
First, he looked at Hermione who had a look of horrified shock on her face. Ron kept looking back and forth between Harry and Professor McGonagall. Finally, Harry looked at Professor McGonagall. He had never seen her mouth go so thin. Not even when he and Ron flew an enchanted car to school back in second year. "Professor, I am so sorry. I did not mean to criticize, but you know how Snape hates me. He won't help me at all."
"Potter, I didn't stand for your criticism when you are a student, and I won't stand for it now. You will complete this observation with no further complaints. Professor Snape has been teaching here for sixteen years and you will treat him with respect. As Deputy Headmistress I will not tolerate any teacher disrespecting another in private or in front of the students. Is that understood, Mr. Potter?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Now that is settled, you will need to know where your quarters are. Your studies are in the rooms adjacent to your classrooms. Your sleeping quarters, private studies, bathrooms, and living areas are in other areas of the castle. Each of you will have to set a password, as each of the rooms is guarded. Mr. Weasley, your quarters are on the third floor by the bronze suit of armor. Touch the guards left arm and you will be able to set the password. Miss Granger, your quarters are two doors down from the charms classroom. Touch the pink flower in the portrait to change your password. Mr. Potter, your quarters are two doors down from the common room entrance in Gryffindor tower. Tickle the doorknob to set your password. Do any of you have any questions?"
All three of them said no. Professor McGonagall then bid them a good night and they left the tower.
"Bit of fire in her tonight, wasn't there?" said Ron as they left.
"Well can you blame her? I'm sure she spent a lot of time making up them schedules, and then Harry shouts like that."
"Can you blame me? Two whole days with Snape! What can I possibly learn from him? You know he won't help me at all!"
"Maybe things have changed, Harry. You know, now that you are a member and all."
Hermione was of course referring to the Order of the Phoenix, which they were all allowed to join just last year.
"Doubtful. You know Snape has always had it in for Harry!"
"That's true. But maybe this will be different."
Both Harry and Ron looked at each other, and then looked at Hermione as if she had three heads. By this time, they had reached the marble staircase that would take each of them to their respective rooms. All three of them bid each other goodnight. Harry then began to climb the marble staircase toward Gryffindor tower.
Much to Harry's surprise, Marion was also on her way to Gryffindor Tower at that same moment. She had the same lost expression on her face that she had when she was looking for platform 9 ¾. He decided since he was heading the same way, he would help her if he could.
"Hello, Marion."
"Hello, Professor Potter. Nice to see you again."
"You look a little lost."
Marion began to turn a deep shade of red. Then she giggled. "Yes, I am. I'm afraid that my sense of direction is non-existent. I really do get lost quite easily. Would it be too much trouble to ask if you could point me in the right direction?"
"I am going the same way as you. Why don't I just take you there myself?"
"That would be lovely. Thank you very much."
While they walked, Harry and Marion talked about nothing in particular. Then Harry remembered the strange meeting that Marion had just come from with Dumbledore. It really was none of his business, but he decided to ask her about it anyway.
"What are you doing out this late anyway, Marion."
"Professor Dumbledore had asked to speak with me in his office. He wanted to make sure that I was comfortable in this school."
"That was very nice of him. You must be very special. He doesn't do that with every student."
"It was very kind of him. We did have other matters to discuss, but I don't want to bore you with those details."
As she said this, they arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Well we made it. Thank you very much for all your help, Professor Potter. I look forward to being in your class."
With that, Marion gave the password and disappeared into the portrait hole leaving Harry on the other side.
"That was close," Marion thought. "I almost slipped. Dumbledore told me that I could do horrible things if I told Harry what we discussed tonight. He gave me explicit instructions to only discuss it with him, Snape, or McGonagall. I have got to learn to watch what I say. Thank god we got to the common room before he asked more questions."
Marion then walked past the common room and to the dormitory that said, "First Years," on the sign. She walked in and found she was the only one in that dormitory and it had been decorated just for her. Marion smiled thinking what pains Dumbledore must have gone through to ensure she was the only female Gryffindor.
Outside of the portrait hole, Harry looked dumbfounded at the fat lady. He could not believe that Marion ran away so quickly. It just added to the mounting evidence in he head that she was odd. He shook his head all the way to his own quarters. He tickled the doorknob and went inside.
The room was completely decorated in Gryffindor colors. Posters of Harry's favorite Quidditch teams were also on the walls. Pictures of his family and friends were put up tastefully on the walls. He quickly showered and changed into his pajamas. As he crawled into bed, he began to think about the strange little Gryffindor. "What is it about her," he thought. "I know there is something more, but why? She looks like any other eleven year-old girl? And why would Dumbledore want to see her? He never asks the first years to see them on the first day. He didn't ask to see me. Something isn't right. I'm going to figure out what it is." With that thought, Harry drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Two
Hermione, Ron, and Harry entered Professor McGonagall's office. She was already there sitting behind her desk waiting for them. She offered each of them a chair, which the graciously accepted, and sat waiting for the reason they were called to her office.
"First, I wanted to say how proud I am of the three of you. I also wanted to thank you for taking the positions you were offered. I have every confidence that you will do well. With that said, I'm sure you are wondering why I asked you three to meet me."
All three of the new professors began to nod their heads at this comment. Harry suddenly began to feel nervous. The full extent of the responsibility he was undertaking finally set in. He began to feel slightly nauseous. "Can I really do this?" he began to think. He then looked over at Ron who was looking slightly green. Hermione was sitting on the edge of her chair as usual.
"I'm sure that you all have had second thoughts about taking this position. That is why I have not scheduled any classes for you during the first week. Instead, you three will each observe a different teacher everyday this week. I have written out schedules for each of you. By observing a veteran teacher, hopefully you will be able to gain some pointers and gain confidence in you teaching abilities."
Professor McGonagall then reached onto her desk and picked up three pieces of parchment. She then gave one to each of them. Harry looked at his schedule,
Monday - Transfiguration - McGonagall
Tuesday - Divinitation - Firenze
Wednesday - Potions - Snape
Thursday - Astronomy - Sinstra
Friday - Potions - Snape
"Oh no!" Harry shouted. "Why did I get stuck with that greasy git Snape for two days!"
Three heads suddenly turned towards Harry. He had not realized that he just made this statement aloud. Slowly he looked up. His face reddened until it was the color of Ron's hair.
First, he looked at Hermione who had a look of horrified shock on her face. Ron kept looking back and forth between Harry and Professor McGonagall. Finally, Harry looked at Professor McGonagall. He had never seen her mouth go so thin. Not even when he and Ron flew an enchanted car to school back in second year. "Professor, I am so sorry. I did not mean to criticize, but you know how Snape hates me. He won't help me at all."
"Potter, I didn't stand for your criticism when you are a student, and I won't stand for it now. You will complete this observation with no further complaints. Professor Snape has been teaching here for sixteen years and you will treat him with respect. As Deputy Headmistress I will not tolerate any teacher disrespecting another in private or in front of the students. Is that understood, Mr. Potter?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Now that is settled, you will need to know where your quarters are. Your studies are in the rooms adjacent to your classrooms. Your sleeping quarters, private studies, bathrooms, and living areas are in other areas of the castle. Each of you will have to set a password, as each of the rooms is guarded. Mr. Weasley, your quarters are on the third floor by the bronze suit of armor. Touch the guards left arm and you will be able to set the password. Miss Granger, your quarters are two doors down from the charms classroom. Touch the pink flower in the portrait to change your password. Mr. Potter, your quarters are two doors down from the common room entrance in Gryffindor tower. Tickle the doorknob to set your password. Do any of you have any questions?"
All three of them said no. Professor McGonagall then bid them a good night and they left the tower.
"Bit of fire in her tonight, wasn't there?" said Ron as they left.
"Well can you blame her? I'm sure she spent a lot of time making up them schedules, and then Harry shouts like that."
"Can you blame me? Two whole days with Snape! What can I possibly learn from him? You know he won't help me at all!"
"Maybe things have changed, Harry. You know, now that you are a member and all."
Hermione was of course referring to the Order of the Phoenix, which they were all allowed to join just last year.
"Doubtful. You know Snape has always had it in for Harry!"
"That's true. But maybe this will be different."
Both Harry and Ron looked at each other, and then looked at Hermione as if she had three heads. By this time, they had reached the marble staircase that would take each of them to their respective rooms. All three of them bid each other goodnight. Harry then began to climb the marble staircase toward Gryffindor tower.
Much to Harry's surprise, Marion was also on her way to Gryffindor Tower at that same moment. She had the same lost expression on her face that she had when she was looking for platform 9 ¾. He decided since he was heading the same way, he would help her if he could.
"Hello, Marion."
"Hello, Professor Potter. Nice to see you again."
"You look a little lost."
Marion began to turn a deep shade of red. Then she giggled. "Yes, I am. I'm afraid that my sense of direction is non-existent. I really do get lost quite easily. Would it be too much trouble to ask if you could point me in the right direction?"
"I am going the same way as you. Why don't I just take you there myself?"
"That would be lovely. Thank you very much."
While they walked, Harry and Marion talked about nothing in particular. Then Harry remembered the strange meeting that Marion had just come from with Dumbledore. It really was none of his business, but he decided to ask her about it anyway.
"What are you doing out this late anyway, Marion."
"Professor Dumbledore had asked to speak with me in his office. He wanted to make sure that I was comfortable in this school."
"That was very nice of him. You must be very special. He doesn't do that with every student."
"It was very kind of him. We did have other matters to discuss, but I don't want to bore you with those details."
As she said this, they arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Well we made it. Thank you very much for all your help, Professor Potter. I look forward to being in your class."
With that, Marion gave the password and disappeared into the portrait hole leaving Harry on the other side.
"That was close," Marion thought. "I almost slipped. Dumbledore told me that I could do horrible things if I told Harry what we discussed tonight. He gave me explicit instructions to only discuss it with him, Snape, or McGonagall. I have got to learn to watch what I say. Thank god we got to the common room before he asked more questions."
Marion then walked past the common room and to the dormitory that said, "First Years," on the sign. She walked in and found she was the only one in that dormitory and it had been decorated just for her. Marion smiled thinking what pains Dumbledore must have gone through to ensure she was the only female Gryffindor.
Outside of the portrait hole, Harry looked dumbfounded at the fat lady. He could not believe that Marion ran away so quickly. It just added to the mounting evidence in he head that she was odd. He shook his head all the way to his own quarters. He tickled the doorknob and went inside.
The room was completely decorated in Gryffindor colors. Posters of Harry's favorite Quidditch teams were also on the walls. Pictures of his family and friends were put up tastefully on the walls. He quickly showered and changed into his pajamas. As he crawled into bed, he began to think about the strange little Gryffindor. "What is it about her," he thought. "I know there is something more, but why? She looks like any other eleven year-old girl? And why would Dumbledore want to see her? He never asks the first years to see them on the first day. He didn't ask to see me. Something isn't right. I'm going to figure out what it is." With that thought, Harry drifted off to sleep.