Love is just a heartbeat away

A/N: Obviously, the only character I own in this story is Lierin Heartilly and only her character not even her name. Heartilly is the family name of the ff8 character Rinoa Heartilly. Everything that strikes you as familiar in the HP or FF universe belongs to J.K. Rowling and Square Soft. I must also explain that this is my first HP fic and that it's an alternate Prisoner of Azkaban story. I tried to set the same atmosphere from the book in my story, so a lot of descriptions about weather and surroundings are based on scenes from the HP universe. This story wasn't written for money but for fun only. Also keep in mind that English isn't my main language, I'm Dutch so please bear with me.

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Dear Professor Dumbledore,

A change in the circumstances of my profession has compelled me to write you this letter.

Since my graduation eight years ago I've been travelling all over the world, specialising in ancient magical artefacts and financing my journeys by writing books about my discoveries.

Over the past few years these books became more and more popular and at Beauxbatons they have decided to teach 'Ancient Magical Artefacts' and they approached me to teach it. I have to be honest, I'm thrilled at the prospect of becoming a teacher but I'd rather be a teacher at my old school than being a teacher at a strange school in Europe. So, before accepting the job at Beauxbatons, I find myself obligated to ask you first if you might be interested in me becoming a Magical Artefacts teacher at Hogwarts. I entreat you, as my old headmaster and a reliable friend, that you will answer this letter the minute it reaches you, so I can (hopefully) decline or else accept their invitation.

I hope this letter finds you well.

I remain, affectionately yours,

Lierin Heartilly

The headmaster of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry folded the letter neatly and laid it on his desk, faintly smiling at the thought of a young and rash Lierin becoming a sophisticated teacher. How many times had he read that letter after he had first received it?

Of course he had immediately accepted her as a new teacher at Hogwarts and the news had hit the existing staff like a Dungbomb. Madame Hooch was thrilled. Of course, Lierin had been 'bloody brilliant' on a broomstick, as her best friend Charlie Weasley had so eloquently put it.

Professor Flitwick was also excited about it. After all, Lierin had been his best student ever. Even young Miss Granger couldn't match Lierin's unique talent in Charms. Professor McGonagall was less excited, even though she'd had a week spot for young Miss Heartilly she wasn't sure about her teaching abilities, obviously remembering Lierin as rash and bold as the Weasley twins.

Professor Trelawney nearly had a fit upon hearing the news, which had caused Professor Sprout to giggle. Professor Trelawney and Lierin Heartilly had always been in each other's hair, causing Professor Trewlawney to deduct House points from Gryffindor at any given opportunity. Professor Snape had said nothing at all, but Dumbledore had seen his jaw go rigid with anger. Of course no one in his right mind could ever forget the grudge between those two. Ah yes, the loathing Snape and Heartilly had felt for one another made Snape and Harry Potter look like old friends. Dumbledore could understand the antipathy between Snape and Harry to some degree because he knew Snape's history with Harry's father. But, he had never quite understood the animosity between Snape and Heartilly. This animosity had grown from one very unfortunate incident, the day a Professor at Hogwarts had accidentally cursed a student, inflicting a grave injury to her leg. Snape and Heartilly both could have been expelled from school. Heartilly for provoking and insulting a teacher and Snape for injuring a student, but after they had reluctantly acknowledged the fact they had both been guilty to the entire incident, Dumbledore had allowed them both to stay at school.

This would certainly prove to be a very interesting year, thought Dumbledore to himself, his eyes twinkling.