Chapter 2
Krista awoke early the next day and headed down to breakfast. She wanted to go over her lesson plans for the day before classes actually started. Upon entering the Great Hall, she noticed several other teachers and students had already arrived. She sat down and noticed Professor Snape hadn't gotten there yet.
"Nervous?" asked Professor Flitwick who was sitting in the other seat beside her. Krista nodded with a small smile on her face. "Oh don't be! I'm sure you will do an excellent job." He said merrily.
Krista nodded again. "I do hope so," she said. Flitwick gave her a reassuring smile then returned to his toast.
When she started to leave, the Great Hall doors slammed open and Professor Snape trudged into the room. Krista felt her heart leap into her throat. He still gave her shivers sometimes but she forced these silly feelings away. She wasn't sure why she was behaving so foolishly around him. She stood up just as he was reaching his seat. He raised his eyebrows slightly but whispered, "Good luck today," into her ear.
She smiled and replied, "Thanks, I'll need it." She strolled out of the hall and headed back down to the dungeons.
When she got there she noticed there was a schedule of today's classes on her desk. It appeared to be that her first class would be fifth year Gryffindors. She laid the list back down and moved it to a corner of her desk where she could keep an eye on it. She pulled out the book she had chosen for the fifth years, Dark Arts Over the Centuries, and placed it on her desk. She opened the book to where their lesson would take place that day, a study of Banshees. After taking notes that she wanted to mention for quite some time, the bell rang and the Gryffindors slowly filled the classroom.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione took seats near the back of the class. Harry looked up to the teacher's desk to see Professor Trebaxus hastily writing on a piece of parchment. She looked as if she didn't even know the students were arriving. Finally, she placed her quill on her desk and looked up at them all. "Welcome class," she said with a brief smile. They all greeted her back courteously. She called roll, pausing at each name to learn their face. Upon reaching Harry's name, she said, "Ahh, Mr. Potter. It's great to be in your presence," with a faint smile. Harry smiled back and began to blush. After roll, she began again.
"Now, if you'll all take out your books and turn to page 187, we'll get started," she said patiently. The ones who hadn't already taken out their books rushed to get them out. "Right, well as you can see from the text, we'll be studying the banshee today." She said with another short smile. Several of the students looked around apprehensively. Taking in the sense of fear that had suddenly emerged, she quickly added, "Yes, horrible creatures Banshees but nevertheless a large subject in the Dark Arts," she said. Professor Trebaxus sat down on the edge of her desk, cleared her throat, and began.
"The banshee in Irish Gælic is called 'bean sidhe', which means 'supernatural woman'. She is envisioned with a sunken nose, scraggy hair and huge hollow eye sockets. Her eyes are fiery red from continuous weeping. She wears a tattered white sheet flapping around her." Professor Trebaxus glanced at the picture and beckoned the others to look as well. Many looked away quickly. "She wails outside the door of someone who is about to die. I'll reassure you, it's a terrible sound," she said with a small shudder. Dean Thomas raised his hand into the air.
"Question?" she asked Dean.
"Have you ever had to face a Banshee?" he asked in an excited voice.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, twice. They're awfully hard to get rid of, there's nothing you can do usually," Said Trebaxus in a quiet tone. Hermione had a look of respect and approval on her face. Many of the boys were waiting, eager for her to go on. "Now, as I said, creatures like this are usually unavoidable, they come and go. As for Banshees, their really horrible things but they usually cause no harm."
For a brief moment, her teaching reminded Harry of Professor Lupin, the Dark Arts teacher they'd had in his third year. "Any questions?" Professor Trebaxus asked.
Hermione's hand shot into the air. "Yes?" Trebaxus said.
"Can you tell us how you got rid of the Banshee?" Hermione asked eagerly. Krista looked around the classroom at the avid faces.
"Sure," she said. The students leaned forward in their desks as if to hear her better. "Well, in a small country village, where exactly I'm not sure, there was a family who indeed had a deathly ill relative. They summoned me, reporting a Banshee. I have to admit I was a little bit uncertain that I could do them any good but nevertheless, I investigated the situation. I came prepared with only my wand so upon meeting the Banshee, I cast a driving spell to drive it away. Fortunately the spell worked and the family was finally rid of the thing." She told them. Krista smiled at their admiring faces.
"Can you teach us the spell?" Hermione asked, on the edge of her seat.
Trebaxus chuckled. "Maybe another day, I think that time is running short." She took another glance at the paper she had been writing on at the beginning of class. "Now, I wouldn't want to give you all too much homework on your first day back but I'd like you to read over the chapter on Banshees," she said, looking at each of her students carefully. "Thank you all, you've been a lovely class. You're dismissed." She got up from her desk and sat down behind it, shuffling some papers into a drawer.
As Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked out, they began discussing class. "See, I told you she was intelligent," Hermione said happily.
Ron and Harry shook their heads in agreement. "Yeah but I still don't see her business with Snape," said Harry stiffly.
"You don't suppose she's really not who she pretends to be?" asked Ron.
"What do you mean?" Hermione said stubbornly.
"I mean, no one really knows anything about her. For all we know she could have been on sides with You Know Who," Ron said.
Hermione scoffed. "Do you think Dumbledore would hire her if he didn't know she was ok?" she scowled.
"Not that I doubt Dumbledore but we have had a couple of screwball Defense teachers," Harry said quietly.
"Yeah, take that Lockhart for instance," Ron said.
Hermione flashed an angry look at Ron then sighed. "Well, whatever her matter with Snape it's none of our business," She said firmly.
"Nevertheless, that was a pretty amazing class," Ron finally admitted. With that, they walked into their next class.
After the first few weeks, Krista had learned most of her students' names and was finally getting used to the teaching routine at Hogwarts. Word was getting around that the students were enjoying her lessons and that was what thrilled her the most. As September faded into October, the weather outside grew colder and the first Quidditch game of the season was drawing nearer. This caused most of the students to become excited and rather restless.
Krista waited at her desk for Thursday afternoon's class, which was fifth year Slytherins. The students slowly filled the classroom, a couple stopping to greet her. Finally, when all the students were seated and the bell had rung she began the day's lesson, which was on Pucks. "Alright class, lets open our books to page 215 and we'll begin our lesson today." She said, picking up her own book.
The sound of books opening and paper shuffling filled the room and then finally quieted down. "As you can see we'll be talking about Pucks today. Pucks are pixie-like creatures that reside in the southern counties of England. Pucks, unlike pixies are on good terms with the faeries. Having no interest in domesticated animals, pucks are beneficial to all plants and wild animals. Mischievous like many spirits, pucks like to play harmless tricks on humans," Krista explained. She paused while the class silently scribbled down notes.
Just as she was going to begin again, a student raised his hand. He was a pale boy with silver-blonde hair and she identified him immediately as Draco Malfoy. "Question Draco?" Krista asked politely.
"Professor, can we possibly change subjects? We've been over Pucks before," he drawled.
"Oh have you? Well what do you have in mind Mr. Malfoy?" she asked imploringly.
"Have you ever run into a really strange creature?" he asked. Krista pondered his question and thought of just the right thing.
"Well, there is something I might discuss, that is if you're interested," she said looking around at the class. They all nodded eagerly, setting down their quills. She smiled. She always enjoyed teaching the Slytherins. They seemed to know she had also been a Slytherin once and accepted her for it. She got up from her usual seat on the edge of her desk and began to walk around the room.
"I ran across a person once who had been possessed by a creature called a Wendigo. Has anyone ever heard of them?" she asked, looking around. The class looked around at each other but no one seemed to know. "I didn't suppose so. Wendigos are really nasty things. It's a friendless creature that lives alone in the forest. It's 6 to 9 meters tall and has a lipless mouth and jagged teeth. Its footprints in the snow are full of blood and you can hear its hissing breath for miles. It eats people but that's the good news. Just hope that one doesn't possess you," she said. Draco had a look of amazement on his face. The captivated class was waiting anxiously for her to continue. She walked back to her desk and began again.
"These things live in sub-arctic forests. Its usually freezing cold at all times and very few people inhabit these places. The bad news is, if a Wendigo catches you alone in the forest, it can possess you. Then you turn into a Wendigo yourself--a mindless cannibal. I was called when one had in fact possessed a person. It ended in death for the poor person, there's not much you can do when you become one; they take over you completely," she said. Most of the students' mouths were hanging open in awe. She quickly added, "But you're not to worry, these things live far away from here."
Krista focused on Draco again. "So, is that a little more fulfilling Mr. Malfoy?" she asked in a humored tone. He nodded his head with a satisfied smile. The bell rang just as she finished. "You're dismissed. I will see you all next Thursday!" she said merrily. The students burst into conversation about their lesson as they exited the room.
Krista sat down at her desk and began to tidy it up a bit. "Interesting, you've held their feeble attention span once again," said a voice from the hall. Krista looked up startled. Professor Snape was standing in her doorway with a faint smile.
"Oh, Professor Snape, nice to see you," she said standing up. He walked into the classroom slowly.
"I suppose you know that the first Quidditch game will be this Saturday," he said looking into her eyes.
"Yes, I've been informed," she said, trying to hold onto his stare.
"Excellent. You should join us then, providing you have not already planned seating arrangements."
Krista shook her head. "No, I'll be glad to join you," she said smiling weakly. He paused for a moment then nodded his head and finally released her from his stare. "I guess I will see you at dinner then," she said. He nodded again and then walked out of the room. She sighed when he had left. There was something about him that almost unnerved her. He seemed very intimidating and had complete control over her. Yet she still admired him.
After breakfast Saturday morning, the entire school exited the castle and headed out for the Quidditch pitch. Krista walked out alone, getting a few greetings from students and fellow teachers along the way. When she had nearly reached the field she spotted Professor Snape up ahead. She followed him up into one of the sets of raised stands. As she sat down, he noticed her.
"Ah, Professor Trebaxus, pleasant to see you here." He said in his quiet voice.
Krista smiled. "As well you," she said.
The weather was perfect for a Quidditch match. Although the air was slightly chilling the sun shone brightly and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. Severus looked at Krista and saw her nose and cheeks were already turning pink, which showed brilliantly on her pale skin. Her eyes were darting around the field excitedly.
"I trust you had an interesting first few weeks?" he asked.
She took her eyes off the field and turned them to him. "Yes, when I took this job I never thought it would be as great as it's been. The students have all been spectacular as well," she said.
"Hmm," he replied in a rather discordant tone. She wondered why he'd disagreed.
Professor McGonagall came over the loudspeaker. As Krista understood, their usual commentator, Lee Jordan, had graduated last year and they were still in search of a new one. "Welcome to Quidditch everyone. Today's match will be between Slytherin and Gryffindor," she said in what must have been the most excited voice Krista had ever heard her speak with. Krista looked down onto the field and watched as the players zoomed out onto the field. The crowd cheered merrily.
Madam Hooch said a quick word to the players and then threw the quaffle in the air. Immediately the players rocketed into action. Krista recalled watching her first Quidditch match in her first year as she watched the teams battling over the quaffle. Krista took a closer look at the players on the field. She noticed Draco Malfoy was the Slytherin team's seeker. On the other side of the field, Harry Potter was looking around for the snitch. "Slytherin scores ten points," said McGonagall over the loudspeaker in a slightly let down voice. Krista cheered them on a noticed Professor Snape was also clapping.
The game continued on as Gryffindor scored twenty points and then Slytherin ten more, tying the game. Slytherin got possession of the quaffle again when McGonagall burst out excitedly, "Harry Potter has seen the snitch!" Krista looked the field over until she saw Harry chasing the snitch with Draco right behind him. Professor Snape was watching Malfoy anxiously. Harry and Draco raced faster and faster after the golden ball that was zipping up and down, speeding faster itself. They flew high above the field and then came flying down in a dive.
They were pursuing the ball faster and faster, all the while coming closer to the ground. Then, a Gryffindor beater hit a bludger and it came flying towards Draco. He barely dodged the ball as Harry flew ahead and grabbed the snitch. The whole Gryffindor team flew happily down to the field and began congratulating Harry. "Gryffindor wins the game!" McGonagall shouted over the loudspeaker. Snape let out a sound of disgust.
"That Potter," he said hatefully. Krista had seen no reason to hate Mr. Potter. He was an exceptional student and he was always polite. She had been cheering for Slytherin to win though, despite the fact teachers weren't supposed to take sides with teams. As the risers began to empty, Professor Snape stood up and so did Krista.
"Quick game that one," Krista said.
"Yes, Potter caught it quicker than usual." He replied, emphasizing Potter in a manner of disgust. Krista followed him down the stairs and back onto the school grounds.
He stopped in the school yard, not very far from the large steps that led into the main corridor. She stopped as well and stood beside him. There were many things he wanted to ask her but didn't know how to put them without sounding nosy. "Well Professor Trebaxus, I guess I should be going," he said finally.
She stared back into his cold black eyes. "Yes," she said in a trancelike voice.
"Lunch is soon, perhaps I will see you there," he said, his stare never wavering. She nodded and gave him a short smile.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were walking back to the school when Harry saw them. He stopped and Ron and Hermione stopped with him.
"Harry what is it?" Hermione asked.
Harry pointed to Snape and Professor Trebaxus. Trebaxus was staring into Snape's eyes as if she were in a trance. Finally, he said something and they walked away, taking separate paths. "What do you think they're up to?" asked Harry.
"Do you suppose Snape has some sort of trance over her? I've never seen anyone stare at him like that before. We know he wants the Defense job, maybe he's trying to get rid of her," Ron said.
Hermione scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous! They were probably just saying goodbye to each other. They are colleagues, you know!"
Harry shrugged. "Snape can't be that desperate can he? He wouldn't harm another teacher?" Harry said, still watching the school's door.
"I don't know. Snape hasn't always been the nicest person," Ron said.
"Oh come on you two, let's go. There's no sense in even suspecting something like that," Hermione said. They nodded and followed Hermione into the school.