Chapter 7
Narnia now looked over the four house tables filling the Great Hall. Excitement flooded her as she watched students filing into their seats. The remaining members of the staff were taking their places and recalling her Uncle's statement, all the while smiling, she said, "Good evening, Professor," as Snape sat down next to her. Narnia turned her attention back towards the students coming in and began wondering which table belonged to which house. She noticed that many of the students' eyes rested upon her for a moment and she guessed that they were as curious about her as she was about them.
"My house, Slytherin, is the table to your right, "Snape suddenly said. Narnia turned to look at him, but he only looked out at the students. She could tell by his tone that the beginning of a new school year was the last thing to excite him. " The next two tables are Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Then, Gryffindor." At this last declaration, he seemed even more disgusted.
"Oh." Narnia glanced over the four tables. Her eyes stopped at the Slytherin table and she thought by the looks of them, they were very much suited to their head of house. She decided this observation was best kept to herself, not wanting to relinquish this momentary truce with Snape. By this time, the tables were almost full, with places left for the first year students to sit after they had been sorted. "Which house is Harry Potter in?" she asked him and noticed his scowl became more profound.
"Gryffindor," Snape replied. "Mr. Potter considers himself to be immune to the rules and boundaries here at Hogwarts. Due to his celebrity," Snape sneered, "his rule-breaking is disregarded. He does not concern himself with the measures others take to protect him."
Narnia turned from Snape and followed his glare over to the Gryffindor table. Her gaze fell upon a young boy with black, untidy hair and glasses. He was talking to the other students around him. "He is in his sixth year, I understand?"
"Yes," Snape responded.
Narnia's attention was then directed towards the doors of the Great Hall. The four house tables became silent and Professor McGonagall entered the room, followed by the first year students. The looks on their faces were a mix of nerves, fear, and excitement. They lined themselves up at the front of the Hall and waited for the Sorting to begin. Once everyone was settled, the Sorting Hat burst forth, offering its song for the year. Once the hat had finished and all had applauded, Professor McGonagall began calling out each name. ("Adams, Penelope" "Hufflepuff!") Some students were sorted right away and others took a bit longer. In the end, the first years seemed content with the house in which they had been placed.
After each student had been sorted, Professor Dumbledore stood up and everyone grew quiet again. "Welcome back to Hogwarts for those returning and welcome to the first years. I have a couple start of term notices." Dumbledore went through several new additions to Filch's list of hallway rules and reiterated that the Forbidden Forest was out of bounds to all students. He added, "As I'm sure you all have noticed, we have a new teacher this year." Narnia watched as all eyes turned on her. "Professor Fairling will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for this school year. An improvement upon last year, I daresay." There was applause and Narnia smiled and gave a slight bow. The Headmaster acknowledged her by bowing his head to her and then returned to his seat. No sooner had he seated himself, than food began appearing on every table indicating that the feast had begun.
"So, Professor, I assume you attended Hogwarts as a student?" Narnia asked Snape as she spooned potatoes onto her plate.
"Yes," he replied somewhat painstakingly. Narnia wondered if conversation without sarcasm or threat was possible for him. The civility was short lived. "I find that those who have attended a wizarding school in their youth are. better suited to teach at one."
"Perhaps you are right Professor." Narnia hadn't missed his insinuation and in all truth, he had touched on a source of her anxiety. Her first day at Hogwarts had been the very first day she had ever set foot in a school of witchcraft and wizardy. She was unsure of what to expect and if she was unsuccessful, there was more at stake than simply a failed end of the year exam. Every time these thoughts began to overwhelm her, she reminded herself that Dumbledore had asked her to come and that always seemed to drive her insecurity away. She looked out among the four tables and scanning over Gryffindor, caught Harry Potter's eye. She smiled and he returned it. Responsibility for his safety would be her biggest task and in light of that, teaching suddenly seemed simpler. Judging from Snape's description of Harry, he felt as warmly toward the Gryffindor as he did her and she wondered if he hadn't perhaps exaggerated his depiction of Harry. Nevertheless, Narnia guessed that there was some truth in what the professor had said.
Dinner passed by, with Narnia having made several more attempts at normal conversation with Snape. If she had to face sitting next to him at every meal for the rest of the year, she was going to have to make an effort of being polite. It had proved hard work, with no success, as she would ask a question and he would reply with some sort of biting remark. He made quite an effort at trying to back her into a corner and when she didn't retaliate, he directed his attention elsewhere. She, however, was simply trying to treat him as though he were anyone else at the table.
Exhausted from the task, Narnia struck up conversations with other professors at the table and if a topic arose dealing with the subject she would be teaching, Snape, waiting to pounce on his prey, would interrogate her tirelessly, as if in some hope of catching her off guard. When this strategy proved ineffective, he aborted it and looked, if possible, even more unpleasant. Narnia's spirits rose, however, when she was able to entertain each challenge he had placed before her. She knew Snape would be even more disgusted to know that the exercise had only sharpened her, instead of unnerving her, the opposite of what he had wished for.
With the conclusion of dinner, the prefects began to herd their house's first years together and all other students made their way to their respective dormitories. Narnia again found herself in discussion with Professor Sprout and by the time they had reached the corridor leading to the staff's quarters, she had made plans to visit the greenhouses the coming weekend. Arriving at her own room a few moments later, she gave the password to enter ("frog freckles"). Waiting for the door to open, she looked down the corridor and at the far end, she noticed Snape talking with McGonagall. Stepping inside, she wondered if their discussion pertained to the Order. She doubted, however, that they would speak of such things in such a public place.
There was still a great deal about the Order that Narnia was unaware of and she hoped she could sit down with her uncle or another member soon and gather some more information. The thought of committing to something so life threatening without much knowledge of it left her feeling quite uneasy. Not quite ready for bed, she sat down at her desk to write to Gran. Again, she found herself at a bit of loss for where to begin. As she pondered what to include in her letter, her thoughts turned towards the conversations from dinner. As tiring as it had been to be nice to Snape, the volleying of opinions between them had been quite refreshing. He seemed unmoved by her in depth understanding of DADA, but she had been impressed by him, because aside from his disagreeable approach, his intellect intrigued her and if he proved this adept in DADA, she was curious to see his skills in potion making. If tonight's dealings with Snape were any sign of what the rest of the year might be like, Narnia couldn't help but think that it may not be that bad after all.
Narnia now looked over the four house tables filling the Great Hall. Excitement flooded her as she watched students filing into their seats. The remaining members of the staff were taking their places and recalling her Uncle's statement, all the while smiling, she said, "Good evening, Professor," as Snape sat down next to her. Narnia turned her attention back towards the students coming in and began wondering which table belonged to which house. She noticed that many of the students' eyes rested upon her for a moment and she guessed that they were as curious about her as she was about them.
"My house, Slytherin, is the table to your right, "Snape suddenly said. Narnia turned to look at him, but he only looked out at the students. She could tell by his tone that the beginning of a new school year was the last thing to excite him. " The next two tables are Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Then, Gryffindor." At this last declaration, he seemed even more disgusted.
"Oh." Narnia glanced over the four tables. Her eyes stopped at the Slytherin table and she thought by the looks of them, they were very much suited to their head of house. She decided this observation was best kept to herself, not wanting to relinquish this momentary truce with Snape. By this time, the tables were almost full, with places left for the first year students to sit after they had been sorted. "Which house is Harry Potter in?" she asked him and noticed his scowl became more profound.
"Gryffindor," Snape replied. "Mr. Potter considers himself to be immune to the rules and boundaries here at Hogwarts. Due to his celebrity," Snape sneered, "his rule-breaking is disregarded. He does not concern himself with the measures others take to protect him."
Narnia turned from Snape and followed his glare over to the Gryffindor table. Her gaze fell upon a young boy with black, untidy hair and glasses. He was talking to the other students around him. "He is in his sixth year, I understand?"
"Yes," Snape responded.
Narnia's attention was then directed towards the doors of the Great Hall. The four house tables became silent and Professor McGonagall entered the room, followed by the first year students. The looks on their faces were a mix of nerves, fear, and excitement. They lined themselves up at the front of the Hall and waited for the Sorting to begin. Once everyone was settled, the Sorting Hat burst forth, offering its song for the year. Once the hat had finished and all had applauded, Professor McGonagall began calling out each name. ("Adams, Penelope" "Hufflepuff!") Some students were sorted right away and others took a bit longer. In the end, the first years seemed content with the house in which they had been placed.
After each student had been sorted, Professor Dumbledore stood up and everyone grew quiet again. "Welcome back to Hogwarts for those returning and welcome to the first years. I have a couple start of term notices." Dumbledore went through several new additions to Filch's list of hallway rules and reiterated that the Forbidden Forest was out of bounds to all students. He added, "As I'm sure you all have noticed, we have a new teacher this year." Narnia watched as all eyes turned on her. "Professor Fairling will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for this school year. An improvement upon last year, I daresay." There was applause and Narnia smiled and gave a slight bow. The Headmaster acknowledged her by bowing his head to her and then returned to his seat. No sooner had he seated himself, than food began appearing on every table indicating that the feast had begun.
"So, Professor, I assume you attended Hogwarts as a student?" Narnia asked Snape as she spooned potatoes onto her plate.
"Yes," he replied somewhat painstakingly. Narnia wondered if conversation without sarcasm or threat was possible for him. The civility was short lived. "I find that those who have attended a wizarding school in their youth are. better suited to teach at one."
"Perhaps you are right Professor." Narnia hadn't missed his insinuation and in all truth, he had touched on a source of her anxiety. Her first day at Hogwarts had been the very first day she had ever set foot in a school of witchcraft and wizardy. She was unsure of what to expect and if she was unsuccessful, there was more at stake than simply a failed end of the year exam. Every time these thoughts began to overwhelm her, she reminded herself that Dumbledore had asked her to come and that always seemed to drive her insecurity away. She looked out among the four tables and scanning over Gryffindor, caught Harry Potter's eye. She smiled and he returned it. Responsibility for his safety would be her biggest task and in light of that, teaching suddenly seemed simpler. Judging from Snape's description of Harry, he felt as warmly toward the Gryffindor as he did her and she wondered if he hadn't perhaps exaggerated his depiction of Harry. Nevertheless, Narnia guessed that there was some truth in what the professor had said.
Dinner passed by, with Narnia having made several more attempts at normal conversation with Snape. If she had to face sitting next to him at every meal for the rest of the year, she was going to have to make an effort of being polite. It had proved hard work, with no success, as she would ask a question and he would reply with some sort of biting remark. He made quite an effort at trying to back her into a corner and when she didn't retaliate, he directed his attention elsewhere. She, however, was simply trying to treat him as though he were anyone else at the table.
Exhausted from the task, Narnia struck up conversations with other professors at the table and if a topic arose dealing with the subject she would be teaching, Snape, waiting to pounce on his prey, would interrogate her tirelessly, as if in some hope of catching her off guard. When this strategy proved ineffective, he aborted it and looked, if possible, even more unpleasant. Narnia's spirits rose, however, when she was able to entertain each challenge he had placed before her. She knew Snape would be even more disgusted to know that the exercise had only sharpened her, instead of unnerving her, the opposite of what he had wished for.
With the conclusion of dinner, the prefects began to herd their house's first years together and all other students made their way to their respective dormitories. Narnia again found herself in discussion with Professor Sprout and by the time they had reached the corridor leading to the staff's quarters, she had made plans to visit the greenhouses the coming weekend. Arriving at her own room a few moments later, she gave the password to enter ("frog freckles"). Waiting for the door to open, she looked down the corridor and at the far end, she noticed Snape talking with McGonagall. Stepping inside, she wondered if their discussion pertained to the Order. She doubted, however, that they would speak of such things in such a public place.
There was still a great deal about the Order that Narnia was unaware of and she hoped she could sit down with her uncle or another member soon and gather some more information. The thought of committing to something so life threatening without much knowledge of it left her feeling quite uneasy. Not quite ready for bed, she sat down at her desk to write to Gran. Again, she found herself at a bit of loss for where to begin. As she pondered what to include in her letter, her thoughts turned towards the conversations from dinner. As tiring as it had been to be nice to Snape, the volleying of opinions between them had been quite refreshing. He seemed unmoved by her in depth understanding of DADA, but she had been impressed by him, because aside from his disagreeable approach, his intellect intrigued her and if he proved this adept in DADA, she was curious to see his skills in potion making. If tonight's dealings with Snape were any sign of what the rest of the year might be like, Narnia couldn't help but think that it may not be that bad after all.