Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters –we all know who they do belong to. I have just borrowed them for a little while.

Chapter 1

The Private Diary of Claire Beckwith

July 20

I did something today that surprised even me. I applied for a new job – a teaching job. Can you believe it? Me – a teacher? I won't know for awhile if I am in fact a teacher. I sent in my Curriculum Vitae but I will have to wait and see if they call me in for an interview.

It all started last week. I was reading the Daily Prophet and one of the 'Help Wanted' adverts caught my eye. I really don't know why I was reading them; after all, I wasn't searching for a new job. They were looking for a new Herbology professor at Hogwarts. I certainly have the Herbology qualifications, but the teaching part, well, that I don't have. I pushed the thought out of my head and went back to my weeding. Somehow, the idea lingered.

Which brings me to today – Madam Wilburn was really on my case. I swear, she has never liked me from the day Mr. Wilburn hired me as groundskeeper and gardener. She doesn't like the way I do things, she says. She had that snooty tone she always gets. When I told her that that was the way we do it back home in Canada, she says "well, missy, you're not in Canada so you'll do things my way from now on." Silly cow! Perhaps she thinks I am after her husband. What would I want with an old codger like him? I have my Trevor and he is more than enough for me! She is the reason why I sent in my application – I can't stand working for the old bat anymore. She'd be right pissed off if she knew I borrowed her owl to send in my application. Ha! What she doesn't know won't hurt her. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed!

July 22

Today is my 22nd birthday. Mr. Wilburn gave me the day off, which was very nice of him. I'm sure she wasn't too pleased. Trevor and I had a lovely time together. We went to Diagon Alley and spent the day looking around the shops. He bought me a pretty necklace, one that I had admired in a shop window. It would have been nice if he had picked out something by himself and had surprised me with it, but I guess I shouldn't complain. He is very sweet. We had supper at a sidewalk café. Yes, it was a nice day.

July 26

I can't believe it! I am going for an interview at Hogwarts. I was down in the pumpkin patch when the owl arrived. Dropped the letter right in my lap, it did. When I saw the Hogwarts seal, I was sure it was a rejection letter, but it wasn't! I have to present myself at the school the day after tomorrow. I am a nervous wreck. I haven't told anyone but you, dear Diary, not even Trevor. I don't want to jinx my chances.

July 28

Well, I had my interview and to honest with you, I'm not really sure how it went. The Headmaster was really nice. He kept offering me lemon drops from a little paper bag. It seems that if I get the job, I would be replacing the current professor who has decided to retire. I think Professor Sprout (she's the one retiring) liked me. The first thing she did was look at my hands - I guess she wanted to see if I really did work in the gardens. Fortunately, my fingernails were suitably grubby. You can always tell a gardener by the state of their hands. I was also able to answer all of the questions she fired at me. I showed them both that I really know my stuff. Like I said before, my lack of teaching experience will be my downfall. I tried very hard to give the impression that I knew what I was talking about for that part of the interview as well. I don't know if Professor Dumbledore bought my act or not. Time will tell. I really do hope I get the job. I got a very good feeling while I was there.

This is the part I hate about going for interviews – the waiting.

August 4

Oh my gods! I did it! I got the job! I can't believe it!  The letter came by owl this afternoon. I was once again sure it was one of those thank -you -very -much -for -your- interest- but … kind of letters. It turns out they chose me. Imagine that, I Claire Beckwith, am going to be a teacher! I naturally sent the owl back with my reply – yes!

Headmaster Dumbledore said in his letter that I am the youngest person ever to hold a teaching position at Hogwarts. Wow! I can see the headline in the Daily Prophet now – "Claire Beckwith, 22, Youngest Teacher of All Time at Hogwarts". Ha, ha. If only Mum and Dad were still alive, they'd be proud for sure.

I have to report to the school the last week of August. Professor Sprout wants to personally train me. I can't wait to tell the old biddy I'm leaving.

August 6

I handed in my notice this morning. He was quite upset; she was not. She just looked down her nose at me, as if she had expected this all along. Mr. Wilburn tried his best to get me to change his mind, but I obviously did not. I would be loony to turn down this offer. Madam Wilburn looked quite relieved when I declined. Cow!

August 7

My boyfriend is a complete and utter wanker! He blew up when I told him my good news. He forbade me to go. Did you ever? Who in the name of Merlin does he think he is? Even my dear old dad would never have said such a thing. He would have said 'good on ya Claire'. It was all I could do to keep my hand off my wand. I wanted to curse his ass so badly. Perhaps he'll come around.

August 14

It is over. Trevor and I are no more. He still doesn't want me to go to Hogwarts. I tried everything to make him see reason but to no avail. I thought he loved me – it is quite clear he doesn't. We had a huge row. It ended when I told him to get stuffed and fuck off. He said 'same to you lady' and that was that. I have had it with men, especially young ones. Hmm, perhaps I should have gone after Mr. Wilburn after all…

August 20

The Wilburns have found a replacement for me. He is coming in tomorrow and I am going to show him the ropes. I am going to miss this place, if only for the gardens. They are spectacular. I have never seen a more beautiful private collection and I must say that I kept it up well in the year and a half that I have been here. I hope this wizard they have hired knows his stuff. I would hate to think of all the hard work I put in here going down the tubes.

August 21

The wizard does know his stuff. Alan Pennywise is his name and I must say that I am impressed. I don't have to worry about my babies; he will look after them as well as I did.

August 22

I took the afternoon off to go shopping. I went to Diagon Alley to by some suitable teaching clothes. I also needed to get some robes since it seems that they are mandatory. I found some at Madam Malkin's that weren't too expensive. It was funny to see my reflection in the mirror. It didn't look like me. I still can't believe it. I am the Herbology professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I can't wait to start.

August 24

Today was my last day with the Wilburns. I said goodbye to them both. The old biddy was just as cold as she ever was. I don't know why I thought she might act otherwise. He did look sad to see me go. I collected my things and left. I was quite surprised to find an extra ten Galleons in my last pay packet. I am sure that it was Mr. Wilburn's doing. She would have been ripping mad if she had known. Thanks Mr. Wilburn, the extra dosh will come in handy.

I arrived at Hogwarts and was greeted by Dobby the house-elf. Curious creatures they are. We were never rich enough to have one when I was growing up. He seemed to be a likable little sort, always eager to please. He showed me to my rooms and then took me to meet the Headmaster in his office.

Professor Dumbledore did make me feel very welcome. He introduced me to his assistant, Professor McGonagall. She seems nice enough, if not a little severe. I am sure we'll warm up to one another. I was given the course outlines to study, one for each level. I glanced quickly through them and found them to be easy. Nothing there I can't handle. Whew!

At supper, the Headmaster introduced me to the other teachers and staff members. Everyone seems to be friendly enough, except for one rather sinister looking fellow. Professor Snape, I believe is his name and he teaches Potions. He doesn't seem to be the welcoming type at all. I'll try to give him a wide berth.

August 25

It felt so good to sleep in my own quarters last night. I have my own space. I even have my own office. Well, it will soon be my office, once Professor Sprout leaves. We spent the whole day going through all of her specimens. It is quite an impressive collection. I am anxious to share my knowledge with the students. They will be arriving soon, on September first.

August 31

It has been quite the week. Professor Sprout left today, satisfied she had shown me all there was to show. She gave me a very nice complement – she said she could retire in peace knowing that she was leaving her life's work in good hands. She seemed both happy and sad to leave. I guess that is natural after you have given so many years of your life to a job such as this. Who knows, maybe I'll be in the same position many years from now, taking my leave from the young whippersnapper replacing me.

The students arrive tomorrow. I am scared shitless.

September 1

What a day! I had never experienced school life such as it is here at Hogwarts. The little school I went to back home pales by comparison. There are so many students. I was very nervous as I made my way to the head table in the Great Hall. Most of then older students were already seated. Needless to say I received many stares from them as I walked by. I know what they are thinking- who is this kid at the teachers' table? I have to admit that I don't look older than a lot of them. It is kind of freaky. A kid teaching kids; I'm not a kid though. I have to make sure that they know that as well.

Headmaster Dumbledore introduced me to the whole school. I have mixed feelings about what he said. He told them about me being the youngest teacher and I'm not sure that was wise. Am I going to be able to control them? Will they respect me as they respect the older teachers? I'll have to make sure they know I am in charge, even if I am young. Classes start tomorrow. My first session is with the first years. I think they are a good way to start since they'll be too scared to cause any trouble. I saw them today as they were sorted into their Houses. They look as scared as I feel.

September 2

My first day went very well, thank Merlin. The little kiddies were no problem at all, just as I expected. This afternoon I had second years in for a lesson on Mandrakes. That went well too, even though they were a little nervous about the chubby little blighters. I have always found Mandrakes to be rather amusing. Tomorrow I have my first class with the seventh years. I hope I don't have any trouble makers in the bunch.

September 3

An unusual day to say the least! I was waiting for the students to arrive, standing next to the Ruglia Vines when I lost my earring. I didn't have my wand with me so I dropped down to my knees and started routing through the vines trying to find the missing earring. There I was with my ass sticking up in the air when I saw a pair of feet standing next to me. I looked up into the greenest pair of eyes I have ever seen in my life! The boy asked if he could help me, so I told him what I was looking for. He got right down on his knees beside me and actually found my earring. I thanked him and asked him his name. It was Harry Potter. The Harry Potter I had read about so many times in the Daily Prophet except he was different. He had grown, and quite nicely I might add. He helped me to my feet just as the rest of the students arrived. Such a nice lad!

In contrast to Harry, there is another student who is not so nice and polite. His name is Draco Malfoy. He kept making snide comments all through my lecture so I finally tossed him out, gave him detention and deducted 10 points from Slytherin on his behalf. I had been warned by Professor Sprout to watch out for the Slytherin students. It seems they are the rotten apples of the bunch. Based on my first encounter with them, I tend to agree with her assessment. Gotta keep my eye on them.

September 25

Things have been going very well. Sorry I haven't written anything in quite awhile, dear Diary, for I have been too busy. I am really enjoying teaching. I think this was the best move I ever made. The students seem to like me. Maybe they feel comfortable with me because I am not that much older than they are. Who knows what the reason may be, I am just glad we are getting along so well.

Surprisingly, I am enjoying the older students more than I thought I would. As long as I keep my eye on Malfoy, the classes go along wonderfully. Harry Potter has two close friends; Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The three of them are always together. I find myself looking forward to spending time with the trio. Hermione is a very intelligent young woman and I love to get into discussions with her on all kinds of topics. Ron is a very pleasant chap and always seems to be in a good mood. And Harry, well… I shouldn't say what I think about him!