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.

Chapter 12

After her shower, Jolicia dressed and sat down to the breakfast that Dobby had brought for her. The coffee was wonderful; it seemed to be the best she ever had. The table was laid with orange juice, toast, marmalade, bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs, fried tomatoes, fresh grapes and melon wedges. There was even ketchup for her eggs!

"I'll have to be careful or I'll be gaining weight pretty soon if I keep eating like this," she thought to herself with a chuckle. She set to it and ate with a hearty appetite, in spite of what she had just said to herself.  She deserved it, after yesterday, she reasoned. 

When she had finished, she took up a quill and notepad and set off to Dumbledore's office. She easily found her way, having memorized the route. There was no door before her, only a statue of a rather hideous gargoyle.

Reasoning that the door must be hidden by the statue, she called, in a loud voice, "peppermint humbug."

Sure enough, the statue slid aside and the wall opened to reveal a moving spiral staircase. She climbed on and found herself at the entrance to Dumbledore's sanctuary. She timidly entered and looked around. She was met by the most amazing assortment of things. All of the portraits on the walls looked at her with curiosity. She felt as if she was being scrutinized.

"Headmaster?" called Jolicia.

Dumbledore appeared on the upper level and exclaimed, "Jolicia, how are you, my child?"

"Just fine, sir. Thank you for your concern. I'm afraid I have been quite the nuisance since I have arrived here. My apologies," Jo said humbly.

"Pish tosh, don't give it another thought. You didn't cause yourself to have an accident, did you? No, of course not. So, there you go, enough said," he replied, offering her a toffee from a little paper sack.

"No thank you, Headmaster. Dobby supplied me with a huge breakfast and I'm afraid I made a little bit of a pig of myself," Jolicia laughed.

"Very well then," smiled Dumbledore. "Shall we get started?"

Jo nodded in agreement and he bade her to sit. She suddenly remembered something.

"Headmaster, before I forget again, I have a message for you from Madame Baguette," Jo said.

He chuckled and said, "Let me brace myself first." He grabbed the edge of the desk. "All right, let's hear it."

"Madame Aldine said to tell you that you are a thief, but that she forgives you," grinned Jolicia.

Albus was highly amused by this and continued laughing for some time.

"I guess this thief will have to send her a little token of my appreciation, especially since all is forgiven," he mused.

 He laughed one last time, sighed, and got down to business.  He gave her a course outline for each level. She glanced at them. They were very well done, so there would be no doubt about what she was to teach. Albus also informed her of last year's events at Hogwarts, focusing what went on with Umbridge, as she was her predecessor. He supplied her with the list of students who had participated in Harry Potter's private DADA classes. Jolicia had to admire Harry – it took guts to take matters into your own hands, especially with someone as dangerous as Umbridge. She requested access to the sixth year students' files so she would be able to teach each one on an individual basis since they were obviously at different levels. Dumbledore pondered this for a moment and then determined that this would be a good approach for her and the students in question.

"My goal for the sixth years is that they should be all on equal footing when the school year comes to an end, Headmaster," she added. Dumbledore nodded, admiring her determination.

"This brings us to the matter of Mr. Potter, Jolicia," Albus said seriously. "For you to successfully teach Occlumency to Harry, I believe that you should know of his life as it has unfolded so far."

 He began to tell her Harry's tale, sparing no details. He talked of how he came to be an orphan, his life with the Dursleys and why he had to return there each summer, his encounters with Voldemort in all of his incarnations, Harry's strengths, as well as his weaknesses, the loss of his beloved godfather, Sirius, and how Harry blamed himself for this death. Jolicia listened raptly, feeling like she was listening to a work of fiction rather than the life story of a real boy. How could someone so young have endured so much hardship? To be brought up with no love at all? To be treated like a slave? To know that some evil monster was out to get you, never knowing when he could re-appear? She felt her heart break for him over and over. She knew she loved this child who was almost a man without even having met him.

Finally, Dumbledore said, "And that is the life story of our young Harry." He obviously had a great deal of affection for the boy. She could see how shaken up he was, just by telling the tale.

Jolicia cleared her throat and took a solemn vow, "Headmaster, I swear to Merlin and to you, that I will do everything in my power to see that Harry learns the skills that he needs to help defend himself against this monster or I will die trying."

"That is precisely why I brought you here, Jolicia. I know you will succeed," Albus replied confidently. "Also, please remember that this must, I repeat must, remain a secret. I fear you would be in grave danger if Voldemort found out that you were assisting Harry in his fight against him. Only Professors McGonagall and Snape know."

Jolicia shook her head in agreement. She seemed to be far away. It had never really occurred to her that she, herself, might become a target of Voldemort's wrath. She was not afraid of what was to come. It was just she just felt a little foolish for being so naïve, for not seeing the big picture. Her brow was furrowed.

 The Headmaster saw this and said, "I think a spot of tea is called for, don't you?" in an attempt to break the tension. She agreed, looking forward to a change of topic. A tray appeared with a silver tea service. She held out her cup to the teapot as it poured itself.

"Do try one of the tea cakes, they are delicious," suggested Albus, helping himself to four of them. She complied.

"Now do tell, how do you like our little school, so far?" inquired Dumbledore.

Jo answered, "It is amazing and so different from my old school. Here, there always seems to be so much going on."

He laughed," Wait until Monday when the students arrive, then you'll see some action."

"I was wondering, Headmaster. Would you know why Professor Snape seems to hate me?"

"Goodness, child, Severus doesn't hate you. What ever gave you that idea?" Albus wanted to know.

"He was so cold to me when I first arrived. He barely spoke two words and I got the strangest feeling when I shook hands with him. Are you familiar with the Muggle expression 'like someone was walking on your grave'? Yes, well, that was how I felt, all shivery and tingly and unsettled. I don't know what to make of it"

Dumbledore smiled and said, "That is just his way, I'm afraid. Severus is not a warm person. He has had a hard life. Also, I think he is angry because I gave the job to you and not to him."

"I don't understand. He is the Potions Master, why would he want the DADA position?"

"I don't really understand it myself, but it is something Severus has wanted for many years. I see fit to keep him where he is, where he teaches what he knows best – Potions. He is one of the best in the world, you know," answered Albus honestly.

"So, that explains it - he's a little jealous and angry," Jo said with a nod. "Does he ever smile?"

"Alas, I'm afraid not. I don't remember the last time I saw Severus smile. He is very joyless soul," sighed Albus.

Jo felt a tug at her heartstrings for the second time this day, for Professor Snape. So many sad people in the world - it made her appreciate her life all the more. She had been blessed.

"I guess I should be going now, Headmaster. Thank you for your time. It was most informative." She stood and walked to the door.

"One more thing I think you should know, Jolicia," called Dumbledore. "Harry's last Occlumency teacher – it was Severus."