A/N - Thank you to my loyal reviewer Lady Felton for reading my story.
Please, if you are reading this, tell me how I am doing. The reviews
motivate me to write. Sorry about no updating for a while. It's difficult
to do school and the story too. Oh well, enough of that. On with the
story.
Chapter 3
Harry awoke the next morning with thoughts of the previous night's encounter swimming in his head. Then he remembered that he was to be in McGonagall's office for the first class and turned his attention to getting ready. After he had showered and dressed, Harry headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. When he got there, Harry took his seat next to Hermione and Ron. As he piled his plate with bacon and eggs, the three began to talk.
"I can't wait to get started! It will be great to see what goes on behind the scenes of the classes we used to take." Hermione started the conversation as she poured herself a glass of pumpkin juice.
"Yeah, at least today won't be too bad. Today I am observing Hagrid. I hope he doesn't have some great surprise planed for the students like those skrewts he had in fourth year." Ron trembled at the thought.
"Well at least today I have McGonagall. I dread Wednesday and Friday. What was she thinking when she gave me two days with Snape!"
"She obviously thought you could learn something from him."
"Hermione! How can you say that? You know Snape hates me! How could I possibly learn anything from him!"
"Would you please stop shouting at me? Honestly Harry! When will you ever learn to control that temper of yours? I was only saying that there might be a reason your schedule was done the way it was. Snape knows a lot about the Dark Arts and he could probably help you more with your lessons than any other teacher here."
"He may know more, but he still hates Harry. He wouldn't help if his life depended on it."
"If you remember correctly, RON, it was Snape that helped Harry and saved his life first year."
"Yeah, but he has made his life a living hell since."
"Ron, watch your language! We are teachers now for heaven's sake. We must set a good example."
"Blimey, Hermione." "Okay you two, enough is enough. Geez, you'd think you two were married or something!"
With that statement, Hermione turned a very violent shade of pink. Looking at Ron, you couldn't tell where his face ended and his hair began.
"Is there something that I should know?"
"Well, Ron and I started dating over the summer."
"Why didn't you two tell me!"
"Ya see mate, you went on a holiday in Europe after we graduated. I guess when you got back, we forgot to tell you."
"How do you forget to tell someone something like that?"
"Well you had been gone almost the whole holiday. That and I thought for sure I had told you in a letter. Ron and I should have told you on the train, Harry. We're sorry."
"Yeah mate. Sorry."
"That's okay. Listen, I gotta run. I have to be in McGonagall's class in fifteen minutes. I'll meet you for lunch okay? I gotta tell you about my run in with little Miss. O'Rahilly last night."
"That's not fair! You can't keep Ron and me in suspense!"
Harry gave them both an evil/mischievous smile. "You keep your secrets, and I keep mine." With that, Harry got up from the table and walked quickly toward the transfiguration room leaving his two friends to stare at him open-mouthed.
Harry made it to the transfiguration room just in time. Professor McGonagall gave him an all to familiar glare. "Nice to see you could join us Professor Potter. Please take a seat beside my desk." Harry did as he was instructed and looked out to a class of third years. The next thing he knew, he was staring at Professor McGonagall's animagus form of a cat. Many of the students looked on with awe as she turned back into her human form. The class erupted with applause. With that, the lesson began.
After the class was over, there were fifteen minutes to spare before the next class. Professor McGonagall showed Harry how to prepare a lesson plan, and what sorts of topics were appropriate for certain age groups. Because of Harry's lack of competent professors, this was very helpful. Before Harry could have further instruction, or ask questions, the next class began to enter. This class was the first year Gryffindors and Slytherins.
"Good Morning class."
"Good Morning Professor."
"Today we will begin basic transfiguration. Now, because this is a double period, and this is your first class, we will begin by having you read the first chapter of your books. After you are finished with this, we will begin some easy spells. Now I will warn you that it is not typical for me to allow you to read during class time. In the future, class time will only be allotted for practical applications. After today, you will be expected to read on what we will be doing prior to coming to class. This will apply to the following years' classes as well. If this rule is not followed, points will be deducted and detentions will be assigned. Mr. Smith if you think I am joking then keep on laughing. Five points from Slytherin." With that, the entire class was silent.
"Now, as you finish reading the chapter, come up to my desk for your assignment. Begin."
Twenty-nine students then buried their heads in their books. One student approached Professor McGonagall's desk. Harry looked up and realized that it was Marion. He remembered that she had been reading her transfiguration book while on the train.
"Professor, I have finished my reading."
"Very well, Miss. O'Rahilly. Take these matches and turn them to needles for me."
Before she even left the desk, Marion had transformed the entire box of matches into perfect sowing needles. Professor McGonagall looked at them with amazement.
"Miss. O'Rahilly, that is very good work. I had not expected you to be this advanced. You may start on your second assignment then of turning these beetles to buttons."
With another wave of her wand, Marion had completed this task as well.
Professor McGonagall smiled at her success. "Miss. O'Rahilly, again that is good work. I have never seen a student this advanced. It is not my wish for you to be too far ahead in your lessons. For the rest of the class, write me twelve inches on the basic properties and incantations for transfiguration. The essay will be due by the end of the class.
Marion nodded, and took her seat. Immediately she pulled out a roll of parchment and began her work. Harry looked at her with an amazed expression. Even Hermione, the smartest student Hogwarts had seen in ten years, was not able to master transfiguration that quickly.
"Close your mouth, Potter. It was impressive, but it's not like she just changed into an animal on her first day." Harry had not even realized that his mouth was hanging open. Wait until he told the others about this turn of events. The next class of second year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws was unremarkable. Harry found himself becoming bored. He had seen all of this before. Why did he have to sit and observe the entire day? Harry found himself staring longingly out the window at the Quidditch Pitch. He would give anything to be able to go out on his broomstick. Professor McGonagall's voice awoke him from his daydream of playing Quidditch.
"Perhaps, Potter, you already know everything there is to know about teaching and do not feel the need to pay attention."
"Sorry, Professor."
"Let' go over these lesson plans and outlines one last time. I have a free period now. After that, it will be lunchtime, and you will be free for an hour. And, Harry."
Harry's head snapped up. She had never called him by his first name before. "Yes, Professor?"
Professor McGonagall smiled at him. "It's Minerva. Professors address each other by their first names."
The two went over lesson plans for the next hour. Harry's head was buzzing by the time they were finished. He knew that being a teacher was hard, but he never dreamed that there would be so much paperwork involved. The DA was one thing. Teaching was definitely a whole knew ball game. By the time lunch came around, his head was throbbing.
Harry sat at the head table and waited for Ron and Hermione. He had just started tucking in to his steak and kidney pie when the pair walked through the door, bickering as usual. They came up to the head table and took their seats.
"What are you two arguing about now?"
"Nothing. Ron just is doing his usual disagreeing with everything I say."
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"ENOUGH!"
With that, the entire Great Hall went silent, and all heads turned towards Harry. Harry blushed a deep shade of crimson and offered his apologies. After receiving about a hundred strange looks, the students turned back to their lunch. Harry caught Professor Dumbledore looking at him with a most amused expression.
"Anyways, Harry what did you want to tell us about that first year girl this morning"
Harry then went on to tell Hermione and Ron about how he had met her on his way to his dormitory. He then told them that when he had asked about her meeting with Dumbledore, she had avoided the question and then practically raced into the Gryffindor common room.
"I'll give you that it is strange, Harry. But, you did ask her an awful personal question. I mean really, although it is curious, it is none of your business what had been discussed in that meeting. Had Ron or you asked me, and I didn't know you, I probably wouldn't have told you either."
"But Hermione, Harry is a Hogwarts Professor, she should have felt obligated to tell us."
"Well maybe she was told not to discuss it with anyone."
"Why would Dumbledore have told her not to discuss the meeting with anyone? And Harry always told us what was happening in Dumbledore's office without us around. Well, everything but about Neville's parents anyway."
"Maybe Marion actually honors that bond of trust. Now don't go getting offended again, Harry." Harry's face had begun to flush with that comment. "Honestly, you take things way too personally. Maybe she was afraid to break one of Dumbledore's rules."
"Maybe, Hermione. Something else I didn't tell you though. She is a fantastically powerful witch. Today in transfiguration she was able to do the entire lesson without being instructed. She transfigured everything perfectly within the first five minutes of class. And she was able to write an essay on the basic transfiguration methods in no time at all. Professor McGonagall let me read the essay. It was perfect, Hermione, you couldn't have wrote it better. She is catching on faster than you, and I didn't think that was possible!" "I don't think that just because she mastered the basics makes her an all powerful witch, Harry. But, she did have first hour in Charms. The same thing happened. She was able to perform the levitation charm on the first try. Even before she was instructed on how to do it. It is curious, but maybe she is just overzealous and studied before she came. That would explain it."
"I don't know, Hermione. I mean, reading is good and all, but you need practice too. Harry's right. Not even you got everything on the first try. And you did loads of research!"
"Harry, if you think something is up with her, why don't you just go to Dumbledore? He won't lie to you, and he would probably set you straight."
"That's true, Hermione, but maybe he won't tell me. And maybe I am just overreacting because I am looking for Voldemort to be popping out from every corner."
"Harry, she wouldn't be here mate if Dumbledore didn't think she belonged here"
"He let Tom Riddle stay."
"Harry, Ron's right. Yes, he let Riddle stay, but he wasn't headmaster then. There was nothing he could do."
"Maybe you're right. We'll see what happens by the end of the week. Maybe I am just paranoid. If I don't see anything else by the end of the week, I'll forget about it. Otherwise, I'll see Dumbledore on Saturday."
"Good, glad that is settled then. Lunch is almost over, and we should be getting back."
"Okay, see you at dinner."
Harry finished the rest of his day in the transfiguration room. The sixth and seventh year classes proved to be more interesting than the earlier lessons. He had learned several pointers on how to conduct his classes. After the final class was over, Harry gathered his belongings and headed to dinner. He then saw something that made him drop his bag. Marion was talking to Professor Snape! To top it off, Snape was smiling at her!
It was no secret as to Snape's extreme dislike of Gryffindor students. Why on earth would he be sitting here holding a casual conversation with one! As the sound of his bag hitting the stone floor reached their ears, both of them turned and stared at Harry.
"It's not nice to eavesdrop on other people's conversations, Potter."
"That's Professor Potter, Severus. And since when do you socialize with Gryffindor students. As I recall, you were quite prejudiced toward the lot of us."
"That is none of your business, Potter. Miss. O'Rahilly, you are free to go to dinner now."
"Thank you, Professor Snape. Good Evening to you, Professor Potter." With a small curtsy, Marion picked up her bag, and walked into the Great Hall.
"I'm warning you now, Potter. Your meddling has gotten you into trouble before. Has even cost you a godfather if I remember correctly. I suggest you listen to everyone for the first time in your life, if that arrogant ego permits you to, and stay out of issues that do not concern you." With a swish of his black robes, Snape disappeared into the Great Hall.
'Warn me all you want, Snivellus. I will find out what is going on.'
Please tell me what you think. Use that little button below. ( Thanks again to Lady Felton and ssj_burnout for your reviews. Hope you like the new chapter!
Chapter 3
Harry awoke the next morning with thoughts of the previous night's encounter swimming in his head. Then he remembered that he was to be in McGonagall's office for the first class and turned his attention to getting ready. After he had showered and dressed, Harry headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. When he got there, Harry took his seat next to Hermione and Ron. As he piled his plate with bacon and eggs, the three began to talk.
"I can't wait to get started! It will be great to see what goes on behind the scenes of the classes we used to take." Hermione started the conversation as she poured herself a glass of pumpkin juice.
"Yeah, at least today won't be too bad. Today I am observing Hagrid. I hope he doesn't have some great surprise planed for the students like those skrewts he had in fourth year." Ron trembled at the thought.
"Well at least today I have McGonagall. I dread Wednesday and Friday. What was she thinking when she gave me two days with Snape!"
"She obviously thought you could learn something from him."
"Hermione! How can you say that? You know Snape hates me! How could I possibly learn anything from him!"
"Would you please stop shouting at me? Honestly Harry! When will you ever learn to control that temper of yours? I was only saying that there might be a reason your schedule was done the way it was. Snape knows a lot about the Dark Arts and he could probably help you more with your lessons than any other teacher here."
"He may know more, but he still hates Harry. He wouldn't help if his life depended on it."
"If you remember correctly, RON, it was Snape that helped Harry and saved his life first year."
"Yeah, but he has made his life a living hell since."
"Ron, watch your language! We are teachers now for heaven's sake. We must set a good example."
"Blimey, Hermione." "Okay you two, enough is enough. Geez, you'd think you two were married or something!"
With that statement, Hermione turned a very violent shade of pink. Looking at Ron, you couldn't tell where his face ended and his hair began.
"Is there something that I should know?"
"Well, Ron and I started dating over the summer."
"Why didn't you two tell me!"
"Ya see mate, you went on a holiday in Europe after we graduated. I guess when you got back, we forgot to tell you."
"How do you forget to tell someone something like that?"
"Well you had been gone almost the whole holiday. That and I thought for sure I had told you in a letter. Ron and I should have told you on the train, Harry. We're sorry."
"Yeah mate. Sorry."
"That's okay. Listen, I gotta run. I have to be in McGonagall's class in fifteen minutes. I'll meet you for lunch okay? I gotta tell you about my run in with little Miss. O'Rahilly last night."
"That's not fair! You can't keep Ron and me in suspense!"
Harry gave them both an evil/mischievous smile. "You keep your secrets, and I keep mine." With that, Harry got up from the table and walked quickly toward the transfiguration room leaving his two friends to stare at him open-mouthed.
Harry made it to the transfiguration room just in time. Professor McGonagall gave him an all to familiar glare. "Nice to see you could join us Professor Potter. Please take a seat beside my desk." Harry did as he was instructed and looked out to a class of third years. The next thing he knew, he was staring at Professor McGonagall's animagus form of a cat. Many of the students looked on with awe as she turned back into her human form. The class erupted with applause. With that, the lesson began.
After the class was over, there were fifteen minutes to spare before the next class. Professor McGonagall showed Harry how to prepare a lesson plan, and what sorts of topics were appropriate for certain age groups. Because of Harry's lack of competent professors, this was very helpful. Before Harry could have further instruction, or ask questions, the next class began to enter. This class was the first year Gryffindors and Slytherins.
"Good Morning class."
"Good Morning Professor."
"Today we will begin basic transfiguration. Now, because this is a double period, and this is your first class, we will begin by having you read the first chapter of your books. After you are finished with this, we will begin some easy spells. Now I will warn you that it is not typical for me to allow you to read during class time. In the future, class time will only be allotted for practical applications. After today, you will be expected to read on what we will be doing prior to coming to class. This will apply to the following years' classes as well. If this rule is not followed, points will be deducted and detentions will be assigned. Mr. Smith if you think I am joking then keep on laughing. Five points from Slytherin." With that, the entire class was silent.
"Now, as you finish reading the chapter, come up to my desk for your assignment. Begin."
Twenty-nine students then buried their heads in their books. One student approached Professor McGonagall's desk. Harry looked up and realized that it was Marion. He remembered that she had been reading her transfiguration book while on the train.
"Professor, I have finished my reading."
"Very well, Miss. O'Rahilly. Take these matches and turn them to needles for me."
Before she even left the desk, Marion had transformed the entire box of matches into perfect sowing needles. Professor McGonagall looked at them with amazement.
"Miss. O'Rahilly, that is very good work. I had not expected you to be this advanced. You may start on your second assignment then of turning these beetles to buttons."
With another wave of her wand, Marion had completed this task as well.
Professor McGonagall smiled at her success. "Miss. O'Rahilly, again that is good work. I have never seen a student this advanced. It is not my wish for you to be too far ahead in your lessons. For the rest of the class, write me twelve inches on the basic properties and incantations for transfiguration. The essay will be due by the end of the class.
Marion nodded, and took her seat. Immediately she pulled out a roll of parchment and began her work. Harry looked at her with an amazed expression. Even Hermione, the smartest student Hogwarts had seen in ten years, was not able to master transfiguration that quickly.
"Close your mouth, Potter. It was impressive, but it's not like she just changed into an animal on her first day." Harry had not even realized that his mouth was hanging open. Wait until he told the others about this turn of events. The next class of second year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws was unremarkable. Harry found himself becoming bored. He had seen all of this before. Why did he have to sit and observe the entire day? Harry found himself staring longingly out the window at the Quidditch Pitch. He would give anything to be able to go out on his broomstick. Professor McGonagall's voice awoke him from his daydream of playing Quidditch.
"Perhaps, Potter, you already know everything there is to know about teaching and do not feel the need to pay attention."
"Sorry, Professor."
"Let' go over these lesson plans and outlines one last time. I have a free period now. After that, it will be lunchtime, and you will be free for an hour. And, Harry."
Harry's head snapped up. She had never called him by his first name before. "Yes, Professor?"
Professor McGonagall smiled at him. "It's Minerva. Professors address each other by their first names."
The two went over lesson plans for the next hour. Harry's head was buzzing by the time they were finished. He knew that being a teacher was hard, but he never dreamed that there would be so much paperwork involved. The DA was one thing. Teaching was definitely a whole knew ball game. By the time lunch came around, his head was throbbing.
Harry sat at the head table and waited for Ron and Hermione. He had just started tucking in to his steak and kidney pie when the pair walked through the door, bickering as usual. They came up to the head table and took their seats.
"What are you two arguing about now?"
"Nothing. Ron just is doing his usual disagreeing with everything I say."
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
"ENOUGH!"
With that, the entire Great Hall went silent, and all heads turned towards Harry. Harry blushed a deep shade of crimson and offered his apologies. After receiving about a hundred strange looks, the students turned back to their lunch. Harry caught Professor Dumbledore looking at him with a most amused expression.
"Anyways, Harry what did you want to tell us about that first year girl this morning"
Harry then went on to tell Hermione and Ron about how he had met her on his way to his dormitory. He then told them that when he had asked about her meeting with Dumbledore, she had avoided the question and then practically raced into the Gryffindor common room.
"I'll give you that it is strange, Harry. But, you did ask her an awful personal question. I mean really, although it is curious, it is none of your business what had been discussed in that meeting. Had Ron or you asked me, and I didn't know you, I probably wouldn't have told you either."
"But Hermione, Harry is a Hogwarts Professor, she should have felt obligated to tell us."
"Well maybe she was told not to discuss it with anyone."
"Why would Dumbledore have told her not to discuss the meeting with anyone? And Harry always told us what was happening in Dumbledore's office without us around. Well, everything but about Neville's parents anyway."
"Maybe Marion actually honors that bond of trust. Now don't go getting offended again, Harry." Harry's face had begun to flush with that comment. "Honestly, you take things way too personally. Maybe she was afraid to break one of Dumbledore's rules."
"Maybe, Hermione. Something else I didn't tell you though. She is a fantastically powerful witch. Today in transfiguration she was able to do the entire lesson without being instructed. She transfigured everything perfectly within the first five minutes of class. And she was able to write an essay on the basic transfiguration methods in no time at all. Professor McGonagall let me read the essay. It was perfect, Hermione, you couldn't have wrote it better. She is catching on faster than you, and I didn't think that was possible!" "I don't think that just because she mastered the basics makes her an all powerful witch, Harry. But, she did have first hour in Charms. The same thing happened. She was able to perform the levitation charm on the first try. Even before she was instructed on how to do it. It is curious, but maybe she is just overzealous and studied before she came. That would explain it."
"I don't know, Hermione. I mean, reading is good and all, but you need practice too. Harry's right. Not even you got everything on the first try. And you did loads of research!"
"Harry, if you think something is up with her, why don't you just go to Dumbledore? He won't lie to you, and he would probably set you straight."
"That's true, Hermione, but maybe he won't tell me. And maybe I am just overreacting because I am looking for Voldemort to be popping out from every corner."
"Harry, she wouldn't be here mate if Dumbledore didn't think she belonged here"
"He let Tom Riddle stay."
"Harry, Ron's right. Yes, he let Riddle stay, but he wasn't headmaster then. There was nothing he could do."
"Maybe you're right. We'll see what happens by the end of the week. Maybe I am just paranoid. If I don't see anything else by the end of the week, I'll forget about it. Otherwise, I'll see Dumbledore on Saturday."
"Good, glad that is settled then. Lunch is almost over, and we should be getting back."
"Okay, see you at dinner."
Harry finished the rest of his day in the transfiguration room. The sixth and seventh year classes proved to be more interesting than the earlier lessons. He had learned several pointers on how to conduct his classes. After the final class was over, Harry gathered his belongings and headed to dinner. He then saw something that made him drop his bag. Marion was talking to Professor Snape! To top it off, Snape was smiling at her!
It was no secret as to Snape's extreme dislike of Gryffindor students. Why on earth would he be sitting here holding a casual conversation with one! As the sound of his bag hitting the stone floor reached their ears, both of them turned and stared at Harry.
"It's not nice to eavesdrop on other people's conversations, Potter."
"That's Professor Potter, Severus. And since when do you socialize with Gryffindor students. As I recall, you were quite prejudiced toward the lot of us."
"That is none of your business, Potter. Miss. O'Rahilly, you are free to go to dinner now."
"Thank you, Professor Snape. Good Evening to you, Professor Potter." With a small curtsy, Marion picked up her bag, and walked into the Great Hall.
"I'm warning you now, Potter. Your meddling has gotten you into trouble before. Has even cost you a godfather if I remember correctly. I suggest you listen to everyone for the first time in your life, if that arrogant ego permits you to, and stay out of issues that do not concern you." With a swish of his black robes, Snape disappeared into the Great Hall.
'Warn me all you want, Snivellus. I will find out what is going on.'
Please tell me what you think. Use that little button below. ( Thanks again to Lady Felton and ssj_burnout for your reviews. Hope you like the new chapter!