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 15

The first day of school had arrived at last. Jolicia could hardly contain her excitement. Actual classes only began tomorrow, but today she would get to see the students, including one Mr. Harry Potter. The Hogwarts Express would pull into Hogsmeade later that afternoon, so Jo had the better part of the day to further prepare her lesson plans.

Jolicia stood in her classroom, gazing out the window. She was trying to decide on the best approach for the sixth year students. This could be a little tricky. It came to her in a flash – she would conduct personal interviews with each of them. She had completed reading all of their files yesterday, but what was in the files and what was the truth could be quite different. By speaking on a personal and private level with each student, she would be able to gain real insight into what each child required. She wanted to get to know them all very well. Yes, interviews would be just the ticket.

She became so engrossed in preparing her questionnaire that she lost track of time.  Jolicia suddenly became aware of a sound. What was that?

"Oh, no! It's the whistle of the Hogwarts Express. The students are here and I'm not changed yet. Crap," cried Jo and ran full speed to her room to change.

She finally emerged, dressed in her teaching garb. It was quite different from anything she had worn so far. She wore tight black pants, knee-high black leather boots, a white, long sleeved blouse with a high neck that had a ruffle both at the   cuffs and neck. Over her blouse she wore a black, silk brocade vest that accentuated her curves very nicely. However, these generous curves, while highlighted by one of her garments, were actually hidden by another – her black robes.

She arrived at the Entrance Hall and was relieved to see that the first years were still there. Professor McGonagall was trying to get them in line so they could enter. As she walked by, Professor McGonagall shot Jo a look, not quite a dirty look, but one that said 'you're late'.

Jolicia just smiled and said, "Good afternoon, Professor McGonagall." Jo quickly continued on to the Great Hall.

She was amazed by the sight within. So many students! The décor was astounding; even the ceiling was enchanted. She found herself walking to the head table by going between the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables, instead of walking down one of the side aisles. She was met by whispers of 'who is she?' As she walked further into the room, she came upon a face. She had never seen him before, but she knew who it was – Harry Potter. As she walked by him, she reached out and touched his shoulder. They smiled at one another and she kept right on walking, never missing a beat.

"Who's she, Harry? Do you know her?" queried Ron, looking a little dumbstruck.

"I haven't got the foggiest idea who she is, mate," answered Harry truthfully. They watched her stride up to the head table.

"I don't know who she is, but I'm in love," grinned Ron. "Did you see those long legs, those eyes?"

Hermione scoffed and said, "Oh for heaven's sake, Ron. Get a grip. She is obviously out new DADA teacher. Who else could she be?"

Jolicia greeted her fellow teachers and spied someone she hadn't met.

"You must be Professor Hagrid. Pleased to meet you. I'm Jolicia Medwin," said Jo, extending her hand.

Hagrid blushed and said, "It's jus' Hagrid, Perfesser. Pleased ter make yer acquaintance as well." Hagrid shook her hand, trying to be as gentle as possible.

"Please call me Jolicia. I'm looking forward to seeing what weird and wonderful creatures you have for the students this year, Hagrid. I'm sure it will be fascinating," offered Jo.

"I'd be right chuffed ter show yeh, Jolicia," said Hagrid, puffing out his chest with pride.

Jo smiled and took her seat next to Snape. He nodded to her in greeting. She was about to say something to him, when the doors opened and the parade of first years began. One by one all were sorted into their houses and Professor Flitwick removed the stool and Sorting Hat. He and Professor McGonagall returned to their spots at the head table.

Headmaster Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat.

"Welcome, welcome all to another year at Hogwarts. Special greetings to all those who are here for the first time, as well as to those returning. I know that this is going to be a banner year for all our students. You have a lot of hard work ahead of you, that is true, but there is also a lot of fun to be had as well. Good luck to all those students who will be writing their OWLS and NEWTS. I wish to remind you all, as I do every year, that the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students, and I do mean all. Also, Caretaker Filch wants me to remind you that the school rules are posted on the bulletin board and he expects each and every one of you to adhere to them."  Not surprisingly, Dumbledore looked in the direction of Harry, Hermione, and Ron. They just tried to look nonchalant.

"Crikey, I don't know why he always looks at us when he says that," exclaimed Ron. "You'd think we were the only ones who got into, into…a little mischief."

Harry laughed. "You know full well we get into a little more than mischief. Our reputation precedes us, Ron. "

Hermione said, "Shhh! The Headmaster is about to introduce us to the new teacher."

Dumbledore continued. "The returning students have probably noticed a new face here at the head table. I have the great pleasure to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Jolicia Medwin."

Jo stood up, bowed slightly to the students and gave them one of her smiles. She stood there with her hands clasped in front of her while the Headmaster continued to speak.

"She comes to us from far away. Until recently, the good professor held the same position at L'Académie de Sorcellerie de Montréal in Canada. Please forgive my pronunciation. I know you all are going to learn a lot from her expertise. Please join me in welcoming her." He started to applaud, and soon all were joining in. Jolicia blushed, acknowledged the applause, and sat back down.

"Now, let the feast begin!" exclaimed Dumbledore. Vast quantities of food suddenly appeared, much to the joy of students and teachers alike.

Jolicia thanked the Headmaster for the warm welcome he had given her. She had never expected to receive applause; after all, she hadn't done anything at the school yet. The feast continued and Jo was glad to see that she and Snape could keep up a conversation.  Meals would be interminably long otherwise. She figured that her accident must have taken the edge of his dislike for her. She hadn't won him over, though. That was going to take time and effort.

At last, when nobody could eat so much more as a crumb, Headmaster Dumbledore declared that the feast was over, and that all students should retire for the evening.

"Please follow the prefects to your dormitories. Pleasant dreams all," called Dumbledore.

All of the students stood up and waited their turn to file out of the room. Harry turned his attention to the teachers' table. Jo had risen and was searching the crowd. Their eyes met.

"She's coming this way," choked Ron, giving Harry a nudge with his elbow. Ron and Hermione were prefects and should have been escorting the students to the dorms. Ron purposely stayed back to meet the new teacher, in spite of Hermione's urgings that they leave. She was a little curious herself and stayed as well.

"Mr. Potter, I presume," said Jolicia, shaking his hand.

Harry replied, "Yes Professor, have we met before?"

"No, never. Why do you ask, Harry?" inquired Jo.

"I was just wondering, how did you know it was me? Did you see my scar? When you came in, you touched me as you walked by, just like we were old friends."

"No, I didn't notice the scar. I honestly don't know the answer to that. Some how, I just knew that you were Harry Potter," stated Jolicia. She became aware of someone clearing their throat over and over again.

"Oh, sorry guys. Professor Medwin, these are my two best friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley," said Harry. She shook hands with both of them, Ron turning as red as his hair in the process.

"I'm looking forward to seeing all of you in class. You'd better go, everyone has almost gone. Goodnight," smiled Jo.

Ron and Hermione ran ahead to try to catch up to the others and at least have some semblance of doing their jobs as prefects.

A little later on, Ron came to the Gryffindor common room to join his friends. He had a goofy, love struck look on his face. His feet barely touched the floor, or so it seemed.

Hermione was saying, "I definitely like her. She seems very nice. Imagine her coming all the way from Canada to teach us."

"I definitely like her too," Ron interjected, almost drooling.

Hermione rolled her eyes and Harry said, "Gee Ron, we never noticed." The two friends burst into fits of laughter. They couldn't help but tease Ron; he was so obvious.

Ron got huffy and stormed up to bed muttering, "Just wait 'til one of you falls in love."

Harry and Hermione just cracked up even more.

Jolicia returned to her quarters, very satisfied with her day.

As she climbed into bed, she thought, "Yes, I'm home," and drifted off to sleep.