I don't own Harry Potter.

The Professor

Olivia glanced at her watch for the fourth time in as many minutes. It wasn't like Dana to be late. No, that wasn't quite right – Dana had taken to always coming late in the weeks since her marriage to Aidan. What had marriage done to her?

Even as the thought went through Olivia's head, Dana appeared, hurrying around the corner. Her face was flushed when she finally reached her friend.

"Sorry," she panted. "I got held up in class. Unfortunately, the Healers don't think of mealtimes as set events. I ran all the way here."

"You should have Apparated," Olivia offered.

Dana rolled her eyes. "Into a Muggle neighborhood? Are you trying to get me expelled from the wizarding world, or just Healer training?"

Olivia laughed. "Sometimes I forget where we are."

"Sometimes I worry about you," Dana replied. "Come on, let's find a place for lunch. I'm starving! And we both need to be back in time for our afternoon classes."

They quickly found a café that had tables open. They studied their menus in silence for several moments; it wasn't until after their order was taken that they began their conversation in earnest.

"So, how are you?" Dana asked.

"I should be asking you!" Olivia replied. "How's married life?"

Dana looked at her closely, watching the shadow that fell across her friend's eyes. "It's great," she said carefully. "Aidan's a sweetheart. You know, it's odd – how many people can honestly say they married the person they fell in love with at the age of fifteen?"

"It seems to be a trend among our friends."

Dana folded her hands on the table. "Olivia, answer me this time. How are you?"

Olivia sighed. "I'm ashamed to even say how I feel."

"Liv, we've been friends since we were little girls. There isn't shame between us anymore. You, Lily and I know each other better than sisters. We don't judge one another. You know that. Just say what's on your mind."

Olivia drew a deep breath. "I miss having you around at home. When Lily left, it was all right because you were there, but now I'm all alone."

Dana frowned. "That's nothing to be ashamed of, and we both know it. You would never be afraid to admit that to me, or to anyone else. I would think that you would value our friendship enough to be honest with me, and to tell me what really has you so upset."

Olivia smiled sheepishly. "Well, I do miss you. That isn't a lie. It just isn't the whole truth."

"And what is the whole truth?"

Her smile faded. "I'm jealous of you, Dana."

Dana's eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"Yes, I really said that. Not just of you. Of Lily, too, and of Laura. I'm jealous because you're all getting married and starting lives with the men you love. What I said before about when it was just Lily leaving was true. When Lily and James got married, I was fine with it. Everyone had always known that they would get married. Even when we were little girls and Lily proclaimed that she hated James on a daily basis, we knew that she loved him – you, Kathleen and I."

Dana's eyes momentarily clouded. "Yes, we knew. But what has changed now, Liv?"

"Everything! Remus and Laura are within weeks of their wedding, and you and Aidan just got married . . . Everyone is growing up except for Sirius and I."

"Have you spoken to Sirius about this?"

"I've tried, but he just says that we're too young."

"But you don't agree?"

"Clearly we aren't," Olivia replied in annoyance. "Look at the three couples I just listed – you and Aidan included! Do you think we're too young?"

"That's a tough question, Liv," Dana said slowly. "I don't think it has anything to do with age. It's all about being ready for the responsibility."

"Well, I am."

"Yes, I can see that you are – but is Sirius?"

"He should be."

"You can't make him be ready if he isn't."

"Why not?"

"Liv," Dana sighed, "don't push him on this. You might end up pushing him away."

"He should realize that he's going to push me away if he won't consider this."

Dana's eyes widened again. "Liv, are you saying . . . Do you love Sirius?"

"Yes, of course I do."

Dana leaned forward, her eyes bright. "Then hold on to that love. Don't let it go, and don't forget it. Don't throw what you have with Sirius away because you two can't get yourselves together to talk about this. And you do need to talk about it. Sit him down and make him listen."

Olivia shook her head. "I'm through trying to talk to him about it. He's the man. It's his job to propose to me."

"Liv . . ."

"No, Dana. He needs to figure this out on his own."

James's feet shook slightly as he climbed the stone steps to the massive front doors of Hogwarts. He grasped the banister to steady himself, and continued his journey.

He walked through the front doors, into the silent entrance hall. It was no longer odd to see it completely devoid of students. During his evening sessions with Professor Prewett over the summer, he had become accustomed to the emptiness. But he was still nervous. This wasn't a session with Professor Prewett. Those had ended. Today was different. Today would set the pattern for all the days to come. He glanced around warily, wondering what to do and where to go.

"Potter, you're here early."

James turned to his right, and saw Professor McGonagall striding toward him. "Good morning, Professor."

She nodded. "We have a staff meeting at nine. Until then, I'm sure you have some work to do."

James nodded, trying to pull together his scrambled thoughts. "I do. Where will the meeting be?"

"In the staffroom."

James nodded again, and smiled. "I'll see you at nine, then." He turned to walk down the hall to his classroom.

"Don't be late," Professor McGonagall cautioned.

James turned to face her again, feeling once again every inch her student. "I won't be."

He walked briskly through the corridors to his classroom. He opened the door and walked inside, closing it behind him. He leaned against the cool wood of the door for a moment, and exhaled deeply. He closed his eyes, and gave himself a mental shake. He had to get his nerves under control He couldn't very well teach a class in defense if he was afraid of his very job.

"Come on, James," he whispered to himself. "You're a Gryffindor. Start acting like it."

He opened his eyes, and surveyed his classroom. It was dark and imposing, as it had always been during his own schooldays. It was still Professor Prewett's classroom.

As Prewett himself had said, it was time for change. James waved his wand, and the shutters over the windows banged open. At once, the room was flooded with sunlight. James nodded. Things were already improving.

After an hour and a half, the classroom was beginning to feel more like "his" room. He had removed most of Professor Prewett's dark creature artifacts, replacing them with cases full of books about defensive spells and dark magic. He had cleaned out a cupboard and filled it with cushions, which would be useful when his students were practicing spells that resulted in their partner tumbling to the floor. He had rearranged the desks in a semicircle, which would make demonstrations and practice sessions easier. James looked around the room and nodded. He was ready to meet his students. He was ready to be a teacher.

"Welcome back to all of you."

The noise in the staffroom died down as Dumbledore greeted them. All the teachers turned to him with smiles. They looked as eager as he did to begin the new school year.

"Our first order of business is to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," Dumbledore smiled. "As I'm sure you will recall, William Prewett decided to end his teaching days at the end of last year. James Potter will be stepping into his position. Please, James, stand up, and remind us all of who you are."

Flushing slightly, James stood while the other teachers clapped. When he took his seat again, Professor Sprout gave him a wink. He smiled at her. Looking around the room, he realized that the entire staff was smiling at him. He smiled as well, remembering Professor Prewett's words. This staff worked together, and would be there to help him.

"Now," Dumbledore smiled, "on to our opening procedures. All teachers are to be here on the first at three o'clock to assist with the student arrival. Our students will arrive at the school on six in the evening, as usual. Hagrid will bring in our first years, and Minerva will handle the Sorting. All other teachers will assist the Head Boy and Girl and the prefects as they bring the upperclassmen into the Great Hall. Once the students have been seated, you will take your places at the staff table." He glanced up from his notes with a smile. "As you can see, nothing has changed.

"Minerva has your class schedules and rosters ready for you. Remember, attendance must be taken every day, in every class. Minerva will take your weekly attendance and lesson plans on Fridays. Remember, those are your plans for the upcoming week, not the week you just finished – and your plans should change every week." His eyes twinkled as they scanned the room, and he didn't quite manage to hide his smile.

James nodded. Professor Prewett had told him all of this, and had taught him how to record attendance and write lesson plans He had been a bit surprised that Professor McGonagall was in charge of so much, but Prewett had shrugged off the question.

"When Dumbledore was Deputy Headmaster, he did the same," he had said. "If he ever leaves and McGonagall takes his job, she can shove those tasks onto her Deputy. The Deputy Headmaster – or Headmistress – works harder than anyone in this school, James. They know it when they take the job."

"I trust that you have your curricula and syllabi in place for the year," Dumbledore said. "Copies of each will need to be submitted to me by Friday."

Again, James nodded. Prewett had made him duplicate everything they had written in anticipation of Dumbledore's request.

"I believe that's all I have for you right now. Lunch will be served at noon in the Great Hall. Heads of House, I will need you to stay for a moment. Everyone else, I will see you at noon."

James took one last careful look around the staffroom as he stood to leave. Sirius would be sure to want a complete description. He smiled, thinking of the hours he and his friends had spent speculating about what might be in the teachers' staffroom. It was somehow ironic that he was now invited into the room as an equal.

I would never have imagined myself to be a teacher, he thought to himself as he walked back to his classroom. Never.

"Zeller, Audra!"

A trembling little girl – the last in a long line of students – made her way to the stool in the front of the Great Hall. She sat down, and McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head. There was a moment's silence, and then –

"GRYFFINDOR!"

James applauded with the other teachers, wishing that he could cheer with the Gryffindors. Audra grinned as she took her seat at her new House table; James knew he had a matching grin on his own face. Professor Flitwick leaned closer to him.

"Don't favor them, James."

James turned to him in confusion. "What?"

"The Gryffindors – don't favor them because it's your House. All the students will notice, and it certainly won't make them respect you." Flitwick smiled, and patted James's hand. "That's the best advice I can give you, Professor Potter. Treat them all equally."

"Thanks," James smiled.

Dumbledore stood, ending all conversations. James and Flitwick both straightened up in their chairs. McGonagall appeared, taking her position next to the Headmaster.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Dumbledore beamed. "Before we begin the serious business of eating, I'd like to inform you of our staff changes. Professor Prewett left us at the end of last year after a long run as our professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. He will be replaced by Professor Potter. Welcome to Hogwarts, Professor!"

James smiled as he stood to be recognized. The students applauded; several cheered. He grinned again, and sat down. At once, Flitwick leaned closer to him again.

"Be firm with the upperclassmen," he whispered. "They're the ones who cheered. They know you, and they think you'll be more their friend than their teacher. You have to show them that you're in charge."

James swallowed, and nodded. For some reason, he was beginning to dread the first day of class.

It was the first day of school. James walked into his first class – Gryffindor seventh years – with a smile. He could handle this. He knew these students. He had given them orders during his tenure as Head Boy. How much harder could teaching be?

The students were lounging around the classroom when James walked in. Four girls were reading magazines and talking. A group in the back was playing Exploding Snap. One girl was chewing Drooble's Best Blowing Gum and blowing bubble after bubble. A boy had wireless, and was blaring his music.

"Can I have your attention?" James called.

"You're not Head Boy anymore, Potter," a boy called. "We don't have to listen to you!"

"I'm your teacher," James replied. A bubble from the girl's gum popped on his shoulder, covering his robes with gum. "Stop it!"

"You're our friend, James," a girl giggled. She flipped a page of her magazine. "You're the cool teacher."

"No," James said, panicking. "No, I'm not your friend."

Professor Flitwick flew in on a broomstick. "Don't be their friend, James. Make them respect you."

James woke up with a gasp. He lay still in bed for a moment, trying to slow his racing heart. The sense of panic gradually left him. He was still at home, in his bed. School hadn't started yet. He didn't have the Gryffindor seventh years until his NEWT class on Tuesday. His first class would be the Hufflepuff third years.

He rolled over to look at the clock. It was only ten after six. Even so, he didn't want to sleep again. He didn't want to chance another nightmare. Trying to be quiet, he climbed out of bed.

"James?"

He turned to see Lily blinking her sleep-heavy eyes. "I'm right here, love."

"What time is it?"

"A little after six."

Lily frowned. "What are you doing up so early? You don't have to be at school until eight."

"After the dream I just had, I think I'm going to need the extra time to prepare for my classes."

"What dream?" Lily propped herself up on her elbow. Now fully awake, she pushed her hair out of her face.

"It was silly. Don't worry about it." James glanced at the clock. "Why don't you get some more sleep? There's no reason for you to be up this early."

"There's every reason," Lily replied, sitting up straight. "This dream obviously has you upset. Tell me about it."

James sighed, and sat down on the bed. "The general idea is that I was teaching the Gryffindor seventh years, who were being horribly disrespectful. They wouldn't listen to me, they kept saying that I was their friend, that I was the cool teacher . . ." He trailed off. "Dumbledore trusted me enough to offer me this job, Lil. I don't want to let him down."

"You won't let him down, James," Lily said, taking his hand in hers. "It was just a dream. You were Head Boy; you know how to command respect. You're going to be a fantastic teacher. Dumbledore believes in you, and I believe in you, too."

James smiled, and leaned in to kiss her. "Thank you," he whispered against her lips.

Her lips stretched into a smile against his. "I love you, James."

"I love you."

"You don't like the food as much now as you did when you were a student?"

James looked up from picking at his breakfast to smile at his former Divination professor. "I had breakfast at home with Lily. I'm not really hungry anymore."

Professor Turner nodded. "It's good that you decided to sit down here. It'll help the students get to know your face."

"A lot of them already know it."

"You'll do fine, James." She gave him the same mysterious smile he remembered from his days as a student. "I can say without a doubt that you'll be a good teacher."

"Thanks, Professor," James smiled, thinking that if she kept being so nice, he might have to forgive her for being the Head of Slytherin House. "Are you excited for the first day?"

"Ah, James," she sighed. "No, I'm not. I think it may be time for me to retire. When you aren't nervous and excited for the first day of class, you shouldn't be teaching anymore." She shook her head. "Don't say anything just yet. I haven't made my final decision."

Resisting the urge to make a smart comment about her lack of divination skills, James nodded. "I won't," he promised as the bell rang, commanding everyone to their first class.

Professor Turner smiled her mysterious smile again. "I know you won't. That's why I told you."

Maybe she could See some things. James gave her one last half smile, and rose from his chair. He was sure he would never understand her.

Professor Turner was the farthest thing from his mind as he walked into his classroom. His students were already there, seated at the desks he had arranged. They all stared at him as he walked to the front of the room. Shoving aside his nerves, he smiled at them.

"Good morning," he said. "I'm Professor Potter, and this is Defense Against the Dark Arts. I want to explain the class to you, but first I want to know who you are – so I'll know who I'm talking to." He pointed his wand at his desk. "Accio Hufflepuff third year roster!"

Several students' eyes widened as the parchment zoomed toward him. He smiled slightly, sure that those students were his Muggle-borns. All wizarding children had seen a Summoning Charm before, even if they didn't learn it until fourth year. It was a favorite of all mothers.

James went down the roster, trying to match the students' names with their faces. He hoped to learn their names quickly. Once he was done with the class attendance, he placed the list on his desk again.

"Right. Now, we're here to learn defense. From what I understand, you've learned quite a bit about dark creatures, correct?"

The students' heads bobbed up and down in agreement. James nodded with them.

"That's great. I'm glad to know that you have a strong base in defense against dark creatures. However, this year, we're going to go a slightly different route. We're going to learn about dark magic."

Several students gasped. James smiled.

"I think I said that wrong. We're going to learn how to fight dark magic – defensive spells and so on. Understand?"

The students nodded again. Some faces showed excitement, some showed relief, and a few looked nervous. James nodded.

"Good. Now, let's start by brainstorming. Everyone find a partner."

Slight chaos ensued as the students all scrambled to work with their friends. One group had three people, due to the uneven number of students in the class. They all chatted as they sat down again and pulled their desks together. James frowned as he watched. There had to be a better way of doing this.

"Right. I need your attention again."

The students gradually stopped talking and shifted their attention back to James. He frowned slightly at the continued delay.

"We are going to look at four questions. You will discuss them with your partner. There is no wrong answer right now, but everyone needs an answer – we will discuss each group's answers as a class. For your first question: What is dark magic? Talk with your partner for five minutes, then we'll look at your answers."

After five minutes had passed, James requested the groups' answers. They ranged from brilliant to absurd, but James wrote each of them on the board. He then asked them to discuss the curses they knew, the defensive spells they knew and the point of learning defensive magic.

"Now," he said at last, "what is the reason for studying defense? Why are we all here? Who can tell me?"

A timid hand went up in the middle of the room. James smiled encouragingly.

"Yes, Miss Davies?"

"We're learning to fight You-Know-Who," she said in a voice just above a whisper.

James flicked his wand at the board. Cara Davies's words appeared their, shimmering slightly. She flushed at the look of pride that James gave her.

"You are absolutely right. That is the reason we're here, everyone. Because Voldemort doesn't discriminate." He sighed as many students flinched at the sound of the Dark Lord's name. "He has killed many people, and destroyed many lives. He has killed some of my own friends and family members. But we're going to learn to fight him, because someday, somehow, Voldemort must be stopped." He paused. "And I'm going to call him by his name, so get used to hearing it right now." He glanced at his watch.

"We still have some time left today. Let's start with the Disarming Spell. Notebooks out, please. We'll start with the theory, the practice the spell itself." He gave them a smile. "By the end of the week, I want you to be able to disarm one another. By the end of the term, I want you to be able to disarm me."

Lily took her best knife out of the chopping block, and began rapidly slicing carrots. Every once in awhile, she liked to make dinner the Muggle way – the ways her mother had taught her when she was a little girl. She hummed to herself as she worked, remembering afternoons spent in the kitchen with her mother.

A crack spilt the air, shattering her from her dream-world. The knife fell from her hand with a clatter.

"Sirius!" she exclaimed.

"How did you know it was me?" Sirius laughed as he walked into the kitchen.

Lily gave him an exasperated smile. "Who else makes that sound when they Apparate?"

"You know my Apparition sound? I'm touched." Sirius took a piece of carrot from the cutting board, and tossed it in his mouth.

"Touched in the head," Lily laughed. "Stop eating my carrots, or I won't have enough food to invite you to stay for dinner.'

"Oh, I'm getting an invitation, then?"

"As if you'd be anywhere else the night of James's first day of school!"

"As if you'd try to keep me away," Sirius replied with a grin.

Lily smiled. "I know how much it means to James to have you here. It means a lot to me, too. The bond that you two share is amazing."

"He's my brother," Sirius said simply. "I'd do anything for him – and I'd do anything for you, Little Flower."

Lily smiled again. "I'm glad you're on our side, Sirius."

Sirius dripped into a chair at the table, his cocky smile back in place. Obviously, the conversation had gotten a bit too heavy for him. "So, when will the man of the hour be home?"

"It's the first day, so I'm not sure yet." Lily eyed the amount of carrots she had chopped. "Is Olivia coming over as well?"

"Got me."

Lily frowned, and looked straight at Sirius. "What's that supposed to mean?"

His face darkened, his features nearly a scowl. "It means that I don't know her every move. She doesn't report back to me every hour."

Lily's frown deepened. She crossed the room, and sat down at the table across from Sirius. "All right. Out with it. Tell me what the problem is."

"Lils, I don't know what the problem is! Everything was fine, and now . . ."

"And now?" Lily prompted.

Sirius shrugged. "Something's different. I don't understand it, and I don't know how to fix it. How can I even try to fix it when I don't know what's wrong?"

"Did you have a fight?"

"No! I think that's part of the problem." He grinned sheepishly. "You know how we are. We were famous for our rows at Hogwarts. But for the past two weeks, we haven't fought over anything. Olivia's been upset, though. I just don't know why."

"Did you ask her?"

"Yes, of course. She just gave me this look, and said she didn't want to talk about it. But we haven't talked about anything!" He ran his hands over his face. When he lowered them, he gave Lily a hopeful look. "Do you know what's going on with her? Has she said anything to you?"

"She hasn't said a word to me," Lily answered honestly. "I wish I could help you, Sirius, but this is the first I've heard of it."

"It's not your fault," Sirius sighed. "I'll just have to try to talk to her again, that's all."

A pop sounded, and Lily gave Sirius a beaming smile.

"That's James!" She jumped up, eager to greet her husband.

"Indeed it is," James said as he came into the kitchen. He pulled Lily close and kissed her. He pulled his head away, but kept his arms around her. "Well, Padfoot, what brings you over?"

"I came to see the professor, of course," Sirius grinned. "I think I could use some extra help with my defensive spells."

"You need some help, all right," James grinned. "I'm just not sure that it's within my area of expertise."

Sirius laughed. "How was your first day of school?"

"Sit in here to talk," Lily said, stepping away from James. "I want to hear everything, but I need to finish cooking."

"It was stressful," James said as he took the seat that Lily had vacated. "I never realized how hard just learning the students' names would be! But I liked it – teaching. I think it got a little easier with each class."

"Do you have Slytherins?" Sirius asked.

"Of course," James laughed. "Who else would teach them? I only had the Slytherin first years today. They didn't seem too awful – but they're fist years, so they're still afraid of everything. I have my seventh year NEWT class tomorrow morning, though, which will have Slytherins in it. That's one of the ones I'm worried about."

"It'll have Gryffindors, too, right?" Sirius asked.

"Right," James replied, exchanging a glance with Lily.

Sirius looked from one of them to the other. "All right, what am I missing?"

James sighed. "I'm just worried about teaching the seventh years, that's all. They're the ones who will remember me as a student."

"So?" Sirius frowned slightly. "They'll remember you as Head Boy. They'll know they have to respect you."

"I wish I could be so sure."

"What makes you so sure they won't respect you?"

James smiled, flushing slightly. "I had this dream last night about teaching the Gryffindor seventh years. It was basically awful. They wouldn't listen . . . they were just disrespectful."

"James, it was just a dream!" Sirius said bracingly. "I'm sure actually teaching them will be completely different."

James shook his head. "Dreams are a powerful thing. They can tell you quite a bit. Don't you remember Divination?"

"I remember the awful marks I got in it. Are you telling me you actually believe in that rubbish now?"

"I'm just saying that my dream could have meant something."

"Or it could have meant nothing."

"Can you two suspend the debate?" Lily asked. "Dinner's ready."

"Yeah, I need to save my debate skills for tomorrow," Sirius said.

"What's tomorrow?" Lily asked.

"Liv and I are going shopping for a wedding present for Remus and Laura."

James looked up sharply at his friend's tone. "Are you and Liv having problems?"

Sirius sighed. "Do you want the full story or the abridged version?"