Chapter 4
"Narnia. At last we meet," Albus Dumbledore stated, extending his arms for a welcoming hug.
"Uncle, it's about time, too, I must say," Narnia replied, embracing Dumbledore. "Please come in," Narnia offered and directed him towards an overstuffed chair next to the window.
"I trust that you have found everything suitable, thus far? Professor McGonagall assured me that your trip went well and that all of your belongings have been brought up."
"I find Hogwarts to be very suitable," she stated, taking a seat opposite him, and trying to control her enthusiasm for the castle. "The stories from Gran pale in comparison to actually being here. It is very generous of you to have me."
"I assure you it is out of complete selfishness that I have asked you to come," Dumbledore replied with a twinkle in his eye and a slight grin stamped upon his face. The Headmaster then took a more serious tone. "We seem to have trouble keeping our Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers and unless I find a suitable replacement in time for the new term to start, the Ministry will appoint a professor. In most recent history, that has proved not to work to anyone's advantage." His thought seemed distracted for a moment and looking back at Narnia, continued on. "Training our students in Dark Arts Defense has never been more crucial. Alberta has told me of your abilities. Your talents need to be put to good use and I know that you will do well here. I believe Hogwarts will benefit greatly from having you on the staff."
"Thank you, uncle. I appreciate your confidence. I will give it my best," Narnia replied with a smile. "So much of this is new to me, but I can't remember a time when I've anticipated anything more."
"Good, and I would like to discuss some other things with you, perhaps after you've had some time to get adjusted." Dumbledore rose to his feet. "And, I would be honored if you would accompany me to dinner."
"Of course," Narnia replied.
As she accompanied her uncle to the evening meal, they talked of her Gran and he delighted her with a few humorous stories from their youth. Narnia's grandmother was the youngest sibling and had been well looked after by all of her older brothers and sisters. However, the occasional prank was played at her expense. "She always took it well, I must say and always found a way to even the score," Dumbledore told her, as they walked through the doors, entering into the largest room Narnia had ever seen.
Looking around the Great Hall, Narnia wondered about the years of tradition that had taken place here. The four house tables that she had heard of in Gran's stories were nowhere to be seen, but two large, round tables sat to one end of the room. Some of the staff had already taken their seats. Professor Dumbledore led Narnia to her place at the table and then proceeded to take his own. Professors Sprout and Flitwick introduced themselves right away, along with Madam Pince and Madam Pomfrey. Narnia was pleased to make their aquaintance and was quickly engaged into a discussion on Herbology. Just as she was telling Professor Sprout that she'd love to see her greenhouses, Dumbledore rose to speak.
"It is nice to see that all of you have returned safely. I hope that the summer holidays have been adequate. We have a new teacher this year and I'm pleased to say that she is my niece, Miss Narnia Fairling." With this introduction, Narnia found herself returning many smiles. Dumbledore continued. "She will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. My request is that you make her feel welcome, as I'm sure you will. Now, without further ramblings, let us feast."
Narnia had never seen so much food in her life, or variety of it either. As she piled food on her plate, she looked around the table at her colleagues discussing the upcoming school year and the lessons they had been planning. She smiled to herself and thought, "I could get used to this." With the conclusion of dinner, she had pretty much given her life's story and had been asked her opinion on several issues.
"Would yer like t'be show'd 'round the castle, Professor?" Hagrid had asked of her as they rose from the table. "It's a pretty big place. Even I get turn'd 'round 'times."
"I'd love to be, Hagrid and please, call me Narnia," she replied. After saying good night to her uncle and the others, Narnia set off with Hagrid to explore the castle. As they walked along the corridors, Hagrid pointed out several classrooms, hallways that led to the dormitories, and points of interest, such as paintings, statues, and so on. "This is th' Defense Against th' Dark Arts classroom and yer office is just up th' stairs there," Hagrid stated.
Narnia walked in, imagining her classroom full of students, picturing herself lecturing on the day's lesson. "Can you give me just a moment, Hagrid?" she asked. He nodded and she climbed the steps to her office. Inside she found numerous shelves littered with several books, most of which she had read, but some she didn't recognize. She walked over to her desk and ran her hand along the top. She looked out of her window, but what view she had, she didn't know as dark had already fallen on the grounds. She would come back tomorrow and settle her things.
"Okay, I'm ready." Stepping back out into the hallway, Hagrid pointed out the most direct way to her quarters.
"I'll leave yer t'it then. I could spend all evenin' showin' yer 'round and never git t'half of th' place. Most of it yer have to figure fer yerself. It's always changin'. Just watch th' staircases. They like t'move." As if Hagrid could read the expression on her face, he added, " Probably be bes' ter wait 'til mornin' though, when other folks are out an' about. G'night then."
"Good night, Hagrid. Thanks again." Narnia watched Hagrid round the corner and disappear. She then returned to her chambers and prepared for bed. She had been waiting for the chance to write Gran and tell her of her first night at Hogwarts. She didn't know where to begin or even how to describe it all. After laboring for a short while, she glanced over what she had written.
Gran,
I've just settled in for the evening and can't believe what I've encountered after just one evening spent here. The trip was fine and I've been receiving such a warm welcome from everyone. Hogwarts is everything you said it would be and so much more.
Uncle Albus is wonderful. I was able to spend a little time with him this evening. He reminds me so much of you.
I will write again soon. I'm sure I will be very busy over the next few weeks and will have much to tell. Please take care and let me know how you are doing.
Miss you, Narnia
"That will have to do for now," Narnia thought to herself. She sealed the letter and laid it down upon her desk. She looked at it for a moment, knowing she would much rather send it now than wait until morning. Hagrid had shown her the way to the owlery, but they never actually went and she was unsure she could find her way there. She doubted that anyone would still be up at this hour, so asking someone was out of the question. She could just wait until morning, but she desperately wanted her Gran to know that she had arrived safely and that she was fine. She grabbed her cloak and stepped out into the corridor. She was the DADA teacher after all and if she couldn't handle finding her way to the owlery what business would she have teaching students.
"Narnia. At last we meet," Albus Dumbledore stated, extending his arms for a welcoming hug.
"Uncle, it's about time, too, I must say," Narnia replied, embracing Dumbledore. "Please come in," Narnia offered and directed him towards an overstuffed chair next to the window.
"I trust that you have found everything suitable, thus far? Professor McGonagall assured me that your trip went well and that all of your belongings have been brought up."
"I find Hogwarts to be very suitable," she stated, taking a seat opposite him, and trying to control her enthusiasm for the castle. "The stories from Gran pale in comparison to actually being here. It is very generous of you to have me."
"I assure you it is out of complete selfishness that I have asked you to come," Dumbledore replied with a twinkle in his eye and a slight grin stamped upon his face. The Headmaster then took a more serious tone. "We seem to have trouble keeping our Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers and unless I find a suitable replacement in time for the new term to start, the Ministry will appoint a professor. In most recent history, that has proved not to work to anyone's advantage." His thought seemed distracted for a moment and looking back at Narnia, continued on. "Training our students in Dark Arts Defense has never been more crucial. Alberta has told me of your abilities. Your talents need to be put to good use and I know that you will do well here. I believe Hogwarts will benefit greatly from having you on the staff."
"Thank you, uncle. I appreciate your confidence. I will give it my best," Narnia replied with a smile. "So much of this is new to me, but I can't remember a time when I've anticipated anything more."
"Good, and I would like to discuss some other things with you, perhaps after you've had some time to get adjusted." Dumbledore rose to his feet. "And, I would be honored if you would accompany me to dinner."
"Of course," Narnia replied.
As she accompanied her uncle to the evening meal, they talked of her Gran and he delighted her with a few humorous stories from their youth. Narnia's grandmother was the youngest sibling and had been well looked after by all of her older brothers and sisters. However, the occasional prank was played at her expense. "She always took it well, I must say and always found a way to even the score," Dumbledore told her, as they walked through the doors, entering into the largest room Narnia had ever seen.
Looking around the Great Hall, Narnia wondered about the years of tradition that had taken place here. The four house tables that she had heard of in Gran's stories were nowhere to be seen, but two large, round tables sat to one end of the room. Some of the staff had already taken their seats. Professor Dumbledore led Narnia to her place at the table and then proceeded to take his own. Professors Sprout and Flitwick introduced themselves right away, along with Madam Pince and Madam Pomfrey. Narnia was pleased to make their aquaintance and was quickly engaged into a discussion on Herbology. Just as she was telling Professor Sprout that she'd love to see her greenhouses, Dumbledore rose to speak.
"It is nice to see that all of you have returned safely. I hope that the summer holidays have been adequate. We have a new teacher this year and I'm pleased to say that she is my niece, Miss Narnia Fairling." With this introduction, Narnia found herself returning many smiles. Dumbledore continued. "She will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. My request is that you make her feel welcome, as I'm sure you will. Now, without further ramblings, let us feast."
Narnia had never seen so much food in her life, or variety of it either. As she piled food on her plate, she looked around the table at her colleagues discussing the upcoming school year and the lessons they had been planning. She smiled to herself and thought, "I could get used to this." With the conclusion of dinner, she had pretty much given her life's story and had been asked her opinion on several issues.
"Would yer like t'be show'd 'round the castle, Professor?" Hagrid had asked of her as they rose from the table. "It's a pretty big place. Even I get turn'd 'round 'times."
"I'd love to be, Hagrid and please, call me Narnia," she replied. After saying good night to her uncle and the others, Narnia set off with Hagrid to explore the castle. As they walked along the corridors, Hagrid pointed out several classrooms, hallways that led to the dormitories, and points of interest, such as paintings, statues, and so on. "This is th' Defense Against th' Dark Arts classroom and yer office is just up th' stairs there," Hagrid stated.
Narnia walked in, imagining her classroom full of students, picturing herself lecturing on the day's lesson. "Can you give me just a moment, Hagrid?" she asked. He nodded and she climbed the steps to her office. Inside she found numerous shelves littered with several books, most of which she had read, but some she didn't recognize. She walked over to her desk and ran her hand along the top. She looked out of her window, but what view she had, she didn't know as dark had already fallen on the grounds. She would come back tomorrow and settle her things.
"Okay, I'm ready." Stepping back out into the hallway, Hagrid pointed out the most direct way to her quarters.
"I'll leave yer t'it then. I could spend all evenin' showin' yer 'round and never git t'half of th' place. Most of it yer have to figure fer yerself. It's always changin'. Just watch th' staircases. They like t'move." As if Hagrid could read the expression on her face, he added, " Probably be bes' ter wait 'til mornin' though, when other folks are out an' about. G'night then."
"Good night, Hagrid. Thanks again." Narnia watched Hagrid round the corner and disappear. She then returned to her chambers and prepared for bed. She had been waiting for the chance to write Gran and tell her of her first night at Hogwarts. She didn't know where to begin or even how to describe it all. After laboring for a short while, she glanced over what she had written.
Gran,
I've just settled in for the evening and can't believe what I've encountered after just one evening spent here. The trip was fine and I've been receiving such a warm welcome from everyone. Hogwarts is everything you said it would be and so much more.
Uncle Albus is wonderful. I was able to spend a little time with him this evening. He reminds me so much of you.
I will write again soon. I'm sure I will be very busy over the next few weeks and will have much to tell. Please take care and let me know how you are doing.
Miss you, Narnia
"That will have to do for now," Narnia thought to herself. She sealed the letter and laid it down upon her desk. She looked at it for a moment, knowing she would much rather send it now than wait until morning. Hagrid had shown her the way to the owlery, but they never actually went and she was unsure she could find her way there. She doubted that anyone would still be up at this hour, so asking someone was out of the question. She could just wait until morning, but she desperately wanted her Gran to know that she had arrived safely and that she was fine. She grabbed her cloak and stepped out into the corridor. She was the DADA teacher after all and if she couldn't handle finding her way to the owlery what business would she have teaching students.