Chapter 8
The sunlight invading the hallways of Hogwarts, warming all that passed through them, gave Narnia the impression that today would start off on the right foot. She preferred this type of day, the one that only the onset of autumn could bring, with its crisp cool air, warm sunlight, cloudless blue sky, and the feeling of a fresh start. The fact that she had to remain inside for a good portion of it disappointed her, but she hoped that she could scrape a few minutes together in the afternoon and escape outside to breathe the fresh air and let the sun warm her face.
On her way from the Great Hall that morning, to her classroom, she passed many students. Most seemed rather friendly and even went as far as to speak. The first years were fairly easy to detect. Panic-stricken faces stuck out like neon lights and on one occasion Narnia had approached two Hufflepuffs who were in need of direction.
"Where are you off to? I'll try to be of assistance," Narnia stated.
"Transfiguration," one of the students squeaked.
"Ah. I do believe Professor McGonagall's classroom is in that direction. Second door on your left." Narnia ushered them along, and proceeded to make her way to her own room. Outside her door, sixth year Gryffindors stood waiting for her arrival. She had wondered when she would have the opportunity to meet Mr. Potter and when she had received her teaching assignments the previous week, she was delighted to see that their introduction would not be delayed.
"Good morning, class. Please, come in and be seated." Narnia instructed, walking to her desk and putting down the books she had been carrying. "For future reference, you may come in and be seated before my arrival. I trust, being older students, that you will not ransack my room in my absence." A few of the students chuckled and Narnia found this comforting, as she had been working hard to not let her nerves display themselves across her face. She laughed, as well, and leaning back against the front of her desk, she began to address them. "As your new DADA teacher, I am aware that since your first year at Hogwarts, you have had no continuity in this class. As I have been told, there are some considerable gaps in your knowledge in this discipline of magic and my job is to fill those holes and help you surpass what you already know. It has also been made known to me some of the challenges that many of you have already faced, and I look forward to learning from you, as well. This classroom is our classroom, not mine. We will work together and help one another. Therefore, throughout the year, each of you will have the opportunity to instruct this class." At this, Narnia noticed a few of the students had shifted in their seats and traded nervous glances. She had expected this though. She continued. "This will all be with my assistance of course. I will work through the entire process with you and I'm confident that you will find the task rewarding. You will have adequate preparation time and the topic will not be anything that cannot be researched thoroughly in the library." In the front row, a hand shot up.
"Professor, when can we expect this to begin?"
"Miss Granger, is it?" Narnia asked. From what she had been told of Hermione Granger, her inquiry came as no surprise. Upon hearing about the young witch and her talents, Narnia had found herself looking forward to having her in class.
"Yes, Professor," Hermione replied.
"I would like to start at the beginning of October, which should give us all a little more time to become better acquainted with one another. I will assign you topics before that time, however, as I'm sure some of you will be anxious to begin your research." Narnia smiled, knowingly, at Hermione.
"Now, we need to gauge where exactly all of us stand on our knowledge of DADA." The remainder of the class time was spent in evaluating exactly what the Gryffindors knew and what they did not. Narnia discovered many extremes among the students' understanding. She was able to quickly identify which students her uncle had alluded to and Narnia knew their guidance in the class would be detrimental.
Narnia dismissed the Gryffindors for their next class and as they were leaving, she took the opportunity to speak with Harry.
"Mr. Potter, may I have a word?" Narnia asked. Two of his classmates, one being Miss Granger, offered to wait for him outside. "Miss Granger and I presume, Mr. Weasley, you may stay. What I have to say to Mr. Potter will apply to you as well." Harry, Ron, and Hermione approached Narnia's desk.
"I have heard a great deal about the three of you and I will say that I'm looking forward to working with you this year. I, along with your classmates, will depend upon your leadership, in and out of class. Let's hope that I can teach this class well enough so that any secret DADA groups will be unnecessary." Narnia smiled at them and the three students seemed to loosen up a bit. She continued. "My door is always open to you. If you need me for anything, please don't hesitate, even if it seems trivial. These days, nothing can be taken for granted."
"Thanks, Professor," the three Gryffindors replied.
"You may go now. I'll see the three of you at dinner." Narnia watched as they left the classroom. So much maturity had shown on Harry, Ron, and Hermione's faces. Some of their innocence lost. Most adults would never experience in a lifetime what these three sixteen year olds had faced already. Their involvement in the war against Voldemort didn't offer them the carefree pleasures that others their age had.
Narnia was soon shaken from her thoughts when she noticed an antsy first year student standing outside her door. She had one more class before breaking for lunch and after that, she would head outside to clear her mind.
The morning had passed by rather quickly and even though she had been rather anxious to teach, she found it satisfying and comfortable. Walking out onto the grounds, she noticed that many students had the same desire that she did and finding a patch of grass where she could be alone and free of distraction was going to take some searching out. When she found a suitable place, she sat down, legs stretched in front of her, propped up by her arms, leaning back to let the sun hit her face. It always amazed her how the sunlight seemed to warm her right down to her very soul. Despite all the happenings of the day, it was a lazy afternoon and she wished she could waste the day away enjoying the Hogwarts' grounds. She loved days like this when she could let every thought drift away and she could lose herself in thinking of absolutely nothing. Just as she let out a sigh, a grumble resounded inside her stomach and she knew she would have to grab a bite to eat before finishing out the day's classes. She stood up from her place on the ground, picked up her things and headed back into the castle.
Before making her way to the Great Hall, Narnia remembered that she had wanted to stop by the library to check on a book. Her interaction with Snape last night at dinner had left her feeling confident in her knowledge of DADA, but it had occurred to her this morning that if he had asked her one thing about potion making, the tone of the conversation between them would have quickly turned to his favor. She doubted her skills in potions were better than most second year students and she knew she had to do something to remedy this. She knew what most potions were used for, but what they consisted of and how to make them was unknown to her. She wanted to improve herself, above anything, but also didn't want to give Snape any open doors to humiliate her. If he kept interrogating her, it would only be a matter of time before he discovered her weakness in potions. She knew that there wasn't any possible way to learn everything she would need to know to contend with Snape on the subject, but she had to better prepare herself. She had seen a first year carrying her potions book into class that morning and she decided that would be a good starting point.
Madam Pince gave Narnia a speculating look when she brought Magical Drafts and Potions to the desk to be checked out. Narnia simply said, "Just wanting to check on something," and left, continuing on her way to lunch. She thought it best to drop off her things in her room before going to eat, and realizing that she was running short on time, she quickened her pace. Turning the corner, leading to the staff quarters, she stopped abruptly, dropping everything she had been carrying. She almost lost her balance when the person she had ran into reached out and steadied her, latching onto her upper arms.
"Do be more careful, Professor," Snape stated, looking slightly annoyed. He let go of his grip on her and admonishing her with his glare, bent down to help collect her things.
Remembering that she had just left the library, Narnia quickly stooped down and hurriedly began to pick up her belongings.
"Thank you, Professor, I do believe I can clean up the rest of this," she replied, in an effort to keep Snape from discovering the first year potions' book. "I do apologize for." Dread overcame her. She had looked up and in his hand, Snape was holding the very thing she least wanted him to. He looked up at her and instantly his expression changed from bewilderment to revelation. The pleasure that he was taking in this sudden understanding only sickened Narnia more. Snape stood up, Narnia along with him, grasping onto the clutter in her arms.
"Enlighten me, Professor. Can you give me just three of the ingredients in the Polyjuice Potion?" he asked of her, his voice triumphant and cruel.
Narnia knew she couldn't answer and in this situation it wouldn't be prudent to try. She would not shrink back into a corner, though, like a wounded animal. It would only give him more reason to degrade her. Excuses would not do, she would have to be honest with him. She took the book from him. "I will not deny that I lack in my knowledge of potions and do wish to improve myself in that area. I do hope, you being the Potions Master of this school, that you will not hinder me, but help me."
For a moment, they stood in silence. Down the corridor, a bell rang ending lunch and sounding out the beginning of the afternoon periods.
"We will continue this discussion later," Snape replied and turned the corner, striding out of sight.
Narnia stood there momentarily, then shaking herself from a stupor, walked to her classroom. Snape knew her weakness and there was nothing she could do about it now, but face it head on. She fully expected him to exploit this new information at dinner and her only defense would be to suffer his remarks. Worst of all, she had asked for his assistance. She wasn't sure why she had done so, but wondered if he took her seriously. The opportunity to belittle her even more would be too enticing and she wished she hadn't requested his help. She shrugged the thought off, knowing that there were more important things to give her attention to.
The last two periods of the day trickled by unceremoniously and Narnia returned to her chambers to prepare for dinner. Tidying her hair and looking back at her reflection in the mirror, she thought again of her afternoon encounter with Snape. Given the opportunity, she was sure that he would turn this new insight against her, making every effort to embarrass her in front of the other teachers. As she tried to picture the looks on their faces, she found herself unconcerned with their reactions. Glancing away from the mirror, she realized what was bothering her the most.
The sunlight invading the hallways of Hogwarts, warming all that passed through them, gave Narnia the impression that today would start off on the right foot. She preferred this type of day, the one that only the onset of autumn could bring, with its crisp cool air, warm sunlight, cloudless blue sky, and the feeling of a fresh start. The fact that she had to remain inside for a good portion of it disappointed her, but she hoped that she could scrape a few minutes together in the afternoon and escape outside to breathe the fresh air and let the sun warm her face.
On her way from the Great Hall that morning, to her classroom, she passed many students. Most seemed rather friendly and even went as far as to speak. The first years were fairly easy to detect. Panic-stricken faces stuck out like neon lights and on one occasion Narnia had approached two Hufflepuffs who were in need of direction.
"Where are you off to? I'll try to be of assistance," Narnia stated.
"Transfiguration," one of the students squeaked.
"Ah. I do believe Professor McGonagall's classroom is in that direction. Second door on your left." Narnia ushered them along, and proceeded to make her way to her own room. Outside her door, sixth year Gryffindors stood waiting for her arrival. She had wondered when she would have the opportunity to meet Mr. Potter and when she had received her teaching assignments the previous week, she was delighted to see that their introduction would not be delayed.
"Good morning, class. Please, come in and be seated." Narnia instructed, walking to her desk and putting down the books she had been carrying. "For future reference, you may come in and be seated before my arrival. I trust, being older students, that you will not ransack my room in my absence." A few of the students chuckled and Narnia found this comforting, as she had been working hard to not let her nerves display themselves across her face. She laughed, as well, and leaning back against the front of her desk, she began to address them. "As your new DADA teacher, I am aware that since your first year at Hogwarts, you have had no continuity in this class. As I have been told, there are some considerable gaps in your knowledge in this discipline of magic and my job is to fill those holes and help you surpass what you already know. It has also been made known to me some of the challenges that many of you have already faced, and I look forward to learning from you, as well. This classroom is our classroom, not mine. We will work together and help one another. Therefore, throughout the year, each of you will have the opportunity to instruct this class." At this, Narnia noticed a few of the students had shifted in their seats and traded nervous glances. She had expected this though. She continued. "This will all be with my assistance of course. I will work through the entire process with you and I'm confident that you will find the task rewarding. You will have adequate preparation time and the topic will not be anything that cannot be researched thoroughly in the library." In the front row, a hand shot up.
"Professor, when can we expect this to begin?"
"Miss Granger, is it?" Narnia asked. From what she had been told of Hermione Granger, her inquiry came as no surprise. Upon hearing about the young witch and her talents, Narnia had found herself looking forward to having her in class.
"Yes, Professor," Hermione replied.
"I would like to start at the beginning of October, which should give us all a little more time to become better acquainted with one another. I will assign you topics before that time, however, as I'm sure some of you will be anxious to begin your research." Narnia smiled, knowingly, at Hermione.
"Now, we need to gauge where exactly all of us stand on our knowledge of DADA." The remainder of the class time was spent in evaluating exactly what the Gryffindors knew and what they did not. Narnia discovered many extremes among the students' understanding. She was able to quickly identify which students her uncle had alluded to and Narnia knew their guidance in the class would be detrimental.
Narnia dismissed the Gryffindors for their next class and as they were leaving, she took the opportunity to speak with Harry.
"Mr. Potter, may I have a word?" Narnia asked. Two of his classmates, one being Miss Granger, offered to wait for him outside. "Miss Granger and I presume, Mr. Weasley, you may stay. What I have to say to Mr. Potter will apply to you as well." Harry, Ron, and Hermione approached Narnia's desk.
"I have heard a great deal about the three of you and I will say that I'm looking forward to working with you this year. I, along with your classmates, will depend upon your leadership, in and out of class. Let's hope that I can teach this class well enough so that any secret DADA groups will be unnecessary." Narnia smiled at them and the three students seemed to loosen up a bit. She continued. "My door is always open to you. If you need me for anything, please don't hesitate, even if it seems trivial. These days, nothing can be taken for granted."
"Thanks, Professor," the three Gryffindors replied.
"You may go now. I'll see the three of you at dinner." Narnia watched as they left the classroom. So much maturity had shown on Harry, Ron, and Hermione's faces. Some of their innocence lost. Most adults would never experience in a lifetime what these three sixteen year olds had faced already. Their involvement in the war against Voldemort didn't offer them the carefree pleasures that others their age had.
Narnia was soon shaken from her thoughts when she noticed an antsy first year student standing outside her door. She had one more class before breaking for lunch and after that, she would head outside to clear her mind.
The morning had passed by rather quickly and even though she had been rather anxious to teach, she found it satisfying and comfortable. Walking out onto the grounds, she noticed that many students had the same desire that she did and finding a patch of grass where she could be alone and free of distraction was going to take some searching out. When she found a suitable place, she sat down, legs stretched in front of her, propped up by her arms, leaning back to let the sun hit her face. It always amazed her how the sunlight seemed to warm her right down to her very soul. Despite all the happenings of the day, it was a lazy afternoon and she wished she could waste the day away enjoying the Hogwarts' grounds. She loved days like this when she could let every thought drift away and she could lose herself in thinking of absolutely nothing. Just as she let out a sigh, a grumble resounded inside her stomach and she knew she would have to grab a bite to eat before finishing out the day's classes. She stood up from her place on the ground, picked up her things and headed back into the castle.
Before making her way to the Great Hall, Narnia remembered that she had wanted to stop by the library to check on a book. Her interaction with Snape last night at dinner had left her feeling confident in her knowledge of DADA, but it had occurred to her this morning that if he had asked her one thing about potion making, the tone of the conversation between them would have quickly turned to his favor. She doubted her skills in potions were better than most second year students and she knew she had to do something to remedy this. She knew what most potions were used for, but what they consisted of and how to make them was unknown to her. She wanted to improve herself, above anything, but also didn't want to give Snape any open doors to humiliate her. If he kept interrogating her, it would only be a matter of time before he discovered her weakness in potions. She knew that there wasn't any possible way to learn everything she would need to know to contend with Snape on the subject, but she had to better prepare herself. She had seen a first year carrying her potions book into class that morning and she decided that would be a good starting point.
Madam Pince gave Narnia a speculating look when she brought Magical Drafts and Potions to the desk to be checked out. Narnia simply said, "Just wanting to check on something," and left, continuing on her way to lunch. She thought it best to drop off her things in her room before going to eat, and realizing that she was running short on time, she quickened her pace. Turning the corner, leading to the staff quarters, she stopped abruptly, dropping everything she had been carrying. She almost lost her balance when the person she had ran into reached out and steadied her, latching onto her upper arms.
"Do be more careful, Professor," Snape stated, looking slightly annoyed. He let go of his grip on her and admonishing her with his glare, bent down to help collect her things.
Remembering that she had just left the library, Narnia quickly stooped down and hurriedly began to pick up her belongings.
"Thank you, Professor, I do believe I can clean up the rest of this," she replied, in an effort to keep Snape from discovering the first year potions' book. "I do apologize for." Dread overcame her. She had looked up and in his hand, Snape was holding the very thing she least wanted him to. He looked up at her and instantly his expression changed from bewilderment to revelation. The pleasure that he was taking in this sudden understanding only sickened Narnia more. Snape stood up, Narnia along with him, grasping onto the clutter in her arms.
"Enlighten me, Professor. Can you give me just three of the ingredients in the Polyjuice Potion?" he asked of her, his voice triumphant and cruel.
Narnia knew she couldn't answer and in this situation it wouldn't be prudent to try. She would not shrink back into a corner, though, like a wounded animal. It would only give him more reason to degrade her. Excuses would not do, she would have to be honest with him. She took the book from him. "I will not deny that I lack in my knowledge of potions and do wish to improve myself in that area. I do hope, you being the Potions Master of this school, that you will not hinder me, but help me."
For a moment, they stood in silence. Down the corridor, a bell rang ending lunch and sounding out the beginning of the afternoon periods.
"We will continue this discussion later," Snape replied and turned the corner, striding out of sight.
Narnia stood there momentarily, then shaking herself from a stupor, walked to her classroom. Snape knew her weakness and there was nothing she could do about it now, but face it head on. She fully expected him to exploit this new information at dinner and her only defense would be to suffer his remarks. Worst of all, she had asked for his assistance. She wasn't sure why she had done so, but wondered if he took her seriously. The opportunity to belittle her even more would be too enticing and she wished she hadn't requested his help. She shrugged the thought off, knowing that there were more important things to give her attention to.
The last two periods of the day trickled by unceremoniously and Narnia returned to her chambers to prepare for dinner. Tidying her hair and looking back at her reflection in the mirror, she thought again of her afternoon encounter with Snape. Given the opportunity, she was sure that he would turn this new insight against her, making every effort to embarrass her in front of the other teachers. As she tried to picture the looks on their faces, she found herself unconcerned with their reactions. Glancing away from the mirror, she realized what was bothering her the most.