Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.

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Chapter 7

All of the way to Hogwarts, Jolicia tried desperately to figure out who had tried to stop her from arriving at the school. None of it made any sense. She had no known enemies. Could it be one of her former students? She tried to think of any that she had not gotten along with over the years. There had been one or two difficult children, but there had been no one who could be so angry with her. A former boyfriend, perhaps? No, it couldn't be- they had all been amicable separations.  As she walked up the steps, she pushed those thoughts from her mind. Her 'investigation' would have to wait until later. She now had more pressing matters before her. She wasn't looking forward to walking into that staff room thirty minutes late.

"You're starting out on the wrong foot here, girl", she thought to herself, hoping Dumbledore was the forgiving kind.

She pushed open the door and peered in, wondering how she was going to find her way around.

"How may Dobby help you, Miss?"

Jolicia nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Dobby is so sorry to have startled you, Miss."

Jolicia replied, "It's okay, Dobby. I am Jolicia Medwin, the new DADA professor. I was supposed to be in a staff meeting half an hour ago. Do you think you could show me the way?"

Dobby bowed and said, "Dobby would be most honored to take you there. Professor Dumbledore told me you would be arriving today. Dobby is pleased to make your acquaintance. Please follow me, Professor. Dobby will take your belongings to your quarters, if you like."

"Thank you, Dobby. That would be wonderful. I am pleased to meet you as well," smiled Jolicia.

Meanwhile, things were not going well in the staff room…

"Honestly, Albus, how long do you expect me to stay here and waste my valuable time?" sneered Snape.  "Professor Medwin is certainly not making a good impression by arriving so late, is she?"

"Now, now, Severus," Albus said in a calming tone. "I am sure that Professor Medwin has a perfectly good explanation for her tardiness."

"Yes, I am sure she does," seconded Minerva McGonagall.

"I don't understand why you two are making excuses for her," seethed Severus. "We don't even know her yet. I am telling you both right now, if she isn't here in five minutes, I am leaving. Do I make myself clear?"

"Clear as crystal, Severus. I fail to see why you have your knickers in a twist over this. It isn't that big of a problem," quipped Dumbledore. "As you just said, we don't know her yet, so we should give her the benefit of the doubt, don't you think?"

Severus stood up indignantly and bent down over the table, glaring at Albus. "Headmaster, my knickers are not in a twist, as you so eloquently put it," he said with a clenched jaw. "I am upset at the lack of respect this woman is showing; a lack of respect to this school and to you. I don't think…"

Snape never got to finish his last statement. There was a knock at the door and   Dobby popped in his head.

"Dobby is sorry for the intrusion. I believe you have been waiting for Professor Medwin? She has just arrived," Dobby said, bowing his head.

"Wonderful! Please show her in, Dobby," replied Albus.

The door swung open and in walked Jolicia, trying very hard to hide her nervousness. All in the room looked towards the door and saw a tall blonde woman with the bluest eyes any of them had every seen striding towards them. She was dressed in Muggle jeans, a tee shirt and trainers, which they all found a little unusual. As she walked further into the room, her blue eyes were immediately drawn to another pair; a pair of black, piercing eyes. His head had actually snapped around to gaze at her. She felt herself shiver.

"Strange," she thought.  "It's still summer. There shouldn't be any cold drafts in this castle. I hate to think about what it'll be like in winter."

Dumbledore stood up and extended his hands. "Jolicia, at last," he exclaimed.

He took her hands in his and gave her a welcoming smile.

Jolicia began, "Professor Dumbledore, everyone, please forgive me for my lateness. I had a most frustrating morning. I had two mishaps with Portkeys. When I left Montreal, I was sent to Hogsmine, South Carolina in the USA. When I finally managed to leave there, imagine my horror to see that I had still not arrived in Hogsmeade, but Hogmany, Ireland. I was obliged to apparate here. I have an awful feeling that someone put a hex on me. I have no idea who, but that can be the only explanation. Oh, please also excuse my appearance. I didn't want to further delay my arrival by stopping to change. Once again, please accept my deepest apologies."

"We knew there had to be an explanation, didn't we?" said Albus, looking over at Snape. Snape just rolled his eyes and looked up at the ceiling.

Albus continued, "Let me introduce you to everyone."

He made his way around the table and told her a little bit about each of her new colleagues. She was enthusiastically greeted by all, well almost all.

"Last, but not least, this is Severus Snape, our most highly esteemed Potions Master," said Albus. 

"Pleased to meet you, Professor Medwin," Severus replied coldly.

She extended her hand with a smile. He took it reluctantly. As soon as he touched her, she felt a shiver again. Oddly enough, she saw that he, too, shivered.

"Hogwarts seems to be a little on the drafty side. I'll have to remember to dress accordingly," she joked.

"Quite," Snape replied through tight lips.

With the introductions finished, Jolicia took a seat at the table and then the meeting began. After an hour and a half, Albus adjourned the meeting, saying that was enough for the first time. Snape was almost out the door in a flash, but Albus caught him.

"Severus, my boy, I wonder if I could impose on you and ask you to show Jolicia to her quarters? She will be right down the hall from you, so it is on your way," asked Dumbledore.

Snape stopped in his tracks, turned and said, "Of course, Albus. This way please, Professor."

As the two left, Albus turned to Minerva, and gave his head a little shake "yes". She smiled back at him. His eyes twinkled.