Numero dos!

hope it's all you expect and more (although I doubt it)

Don't miss me too much :D

Chapter 3- the face I knew so well

the next day the castle was in chaos, rushing around making sure everything was ready for the student's arrivals. I changed into my most formal robes, a deep ebony colour with tiny silver stars floating over them. I brushed my jet-black hair down over my shoulders. Fortunately being a girl my hair was longer and had some weight in it, which stopped it from sticking up in all directions. Finally I slipped my reading glasses over my hazel eyes. I didn't need them for everyday life, just reading and long distances. Cutting hair with out them wasn't a problem, but now I would have to be marking parchment I would need them more. I wanted to be able to see harry today.

I entered the great hall to see the first pupils settling noisily in their seats. A boy entered with bright red hair. He seemed vaguely familiar, and he was arguing it seemed with a girl who had bushy brown hair. They reminded me of Sirius and Andi when they were younger. Then a girl with matching red hair to the boy entered looking at them and shaking her head. Suddenly she turned round in the doorway looking behind her. Her smile was devilish and reminded me of Lily when she teased my brother. The red haired girl grabbed hold of someone's hand and pulled him in the door.

Hell, I would have sworn it was James if no one had told me of his and Harry's close resemblance. They looked so alike, only seeing was believing.

As Harry and the girl realised that they were still holding hands, even now they had reached Gryffindor table. They sharply let go and both blushed crimson, looking away from each other's eyes.

I realised that I had been staring allot (Which was quite understandable) when I met the girl with the bushy hair's eyes. I smiled at her warmly and she returned it. Then she turned back to her friends and said something to them. The boy with red hair said something with a grin. Harry immediately burst out laughing and the bushy haired girl scowled at him. The other girl just covered her mouth to conceal a grin.

I turned back to the door where Minerva entered carrying the three-legged stool and the old sorting hat. I smiled at the terrified looks on the new first years faces. It was good to hear the sorting hat's song once more. And once that was over Albus stood up smiling. "Welcome back to Hogwarts." He started. "It's good to see all your familiar faces once more and it's just as good to see all these new faces of those of you who will be starting you magical education. I'm sure this year is going to be just as... interesting as our previous years. May I introduce to you your new head students, Miss Hermione Granger," The bushy haired girl stood up smirking. "And Mr Harry Potter. "Harry followed suit. And everyone including myself applauded. "We also have one new member of staff this year." He paused and turned to me smiling encouragingly. "Professor Potter will be filling the position of Defence against the dark arts teacher." I stood up and Dumbledore and the rest of the staff began clapping. Hagrid's booming hands being heard over the rest. The students however all stared at me. I had always looked remarkably like James and Harry was no different. I chanced a glance at him and he was just looking at me in awe. Slowly whispers began to fill the hall, I retook my seat and Dumbledore carried on. "I hope you make her feel welcome. Now, I say on with the feast." The food appeared but I didn't feel like eating anymore, I was nervous, tomorrow was my big debut and to top it off I knew I would be teaching Harry.

It went swiftly. The next morning, first I had a group of first years. I explained to them what I would be teaching them to do- some simple curses and how to block them.

Then in my next class I had a group of 4th years. They seemed to be suprised by the room change, but settled in once I gave a brief explanation of how my course would go.

Finally the last class of the day was the NEWT level defence against the dark arts students. The red haired boy, who I found out, was Ronald Weasly, the head girl Hermione Granger and Harry all entered. Harry seemed to be watching the other two bicker and ended up seperating them by sitting in between them. He sat on the desk opposite mine. This class was small and only had a total of 10 students in.

"Good afternoon. I am Professor Potter. I'd like to start by talking you through what I expect of you and how the course of the year will go. Now like most teachers I expect you in here on time and homework in when assigned. Other then that you will get on nicely and work well, then I will treat you well. As you can see I have set the desks in a circle, that is because I believe you will work better experiencing things first hand and writing it up for homework. This year will be tough, you will have a big work load. Any questions? Miss Granger?"

"Professor, if we finish the assignments early will you give us extra?"

"If you want, then of course. But I suggest you don't overtax yourself as you will be receiving a lot this year." Weasley nudged Harry and they smirked at each other.

"Miss Parkinson?" I continued.

"Professor..." She said in a tone of voice telling me she wasn't too keen on me. Almost as though she was looking down on me. "Don't you work at 'Claire's fancy cut's' In Diagon alley?"

"May I ask what significance that has in my lesson?" I asked stonily. A blonde haired boy who was sitting next to the last girl raised his hand slightly smirking. "Yes Mr Malfoy?" I asked my other nephew.

"What does a hairdresser know about defence against the dark arts?" He drawled, a malicious spark lighting up in his eyes. He reminded me a hell of a lot of my father. "Actually, I own the shop as well as seven more of them at different places around the world. I am teaching you to defend yourselves against the dark arts for specific reasons, one of them being that it is a very strong power in my family line. Which I expect you would know, had your parents decided it was necessary to tell you." My eyes looked at both nephews after the other. Both looked confused, both had their friends looking at me. "However I do not believe this is a relevant subject at the moment. I would wish to teach. So Mr Malfoy, Miss Parkinson if you want to discuss my appointment then please take it up with the headmaster. He has his reasons for employing me. Otherwise it will be detention." I stood up for myself, Malfoy may have been a lot younger then myself but her reminded me dearly of my father and brought me back down to my childhood days, the ones which James used to protect me. The only problem was- he wasn't here. "So now we are quite finished shall we continue with the lesson? Good. Now, the world we are currently living in is full of dark magic. Today I'm going to start you on a nice and easy blocking spell. It is powerful enough, if used well, to block most spells. The only spells it can't block are the unforgivables..." I carried on teaching from the centre of my classroom. I felt comfortable, almost at home there. Once my explanation was over I gave them an example. Then I had them each come up and practice against me. I felt the lesson progressed well.

And as Harry left, I heard him say; "Wow, this year they have given us someone who can actually teach! Much better then the last 2." My heart soared. They thought I was a good teacher.

I continued teaching on a high after that. I honestly felt so uplifted- more so then I ever had in my entire life. When I taught I wasn't just teaching a subject, in my mind I was preparing these children to defend themselves from the dangers which awaited them outside of Hogwarts safe walls. And in every lesson I made sure I taught James' lesson. I always emphasised, how if we loved and trusted each other we would succeed.

Of course idiots like my nephew- Draco Malfoy, would not listen. But as long as I got through to some. The ones who could change everything. It's funny how I could have two nephews in the same class both completely opposite, both able to change the world significantly in their own ways.

One day a childish 5th yeah asked me the question which I had been dreading, yet I knew it was to come.

"Professor, are you related to Harry Potter?"

"That is not relevant to this subject." I replied coolly. I knew the answer would be obvious- how I dodged the question and shared so many looks with Harry. But nothing more had been said about it.

In my classes, Harry was the top student. He seemed to share my knack for the subject. I heard about the defence against the dark arts class he had taught in his fifth yeah. It was miraculous. I knew I should confirm my identity with him soon, no doubt he must be suspicious, but everytime I tried I chickened out.

One day after class I called him over. I was in quite high spirits, as I was looking foreword to the Halloween feast later that night.

"Mr Potter, it seems you have a talent for this subject. I think if you feel up to it, that I would like to take you through a higher course of defence against the dark arts. Much of it would be the sort of methods taught in the first level of Aurour training." Harry looked at her thoughtfully.

"Well I do want to become an Aurour." He started. I was encouraged by his enthusiasm.

"I thought you might have." I smiled at him knowingly. He was so much like James. "That would be a yes then?" I asked, with out really needing to. He smiled and nodded. "Ok shall we say 7.30 this room on Tuesday?"

"Sounds great." Harry gave me a piercing gaze smiling all the while. I think he was searching for something, I didn't have my glasses on yet I knew I still appeared so familiar to him. His smile brightened, and although I had only known Harry as a baby, I knew that smile. It was James' smile- the one from the face I knew so well.