Chapter 3
First Day Jitters
Sarah woke up at five the next morning. She walked over to the closet. Inside was her duffle, on the floor, unpacked. Hanging on the rack were a few sets of teaching robes. She took one out, tried it on, and looked in the mirror. She shook her head, "no way," she said.
She went over to her duffle and put on a pair of sweatpants and a tight tank top. She put her hair in a messy bun while she shoved her feet into a pair of tennis shoes. She walked to the class room that Dumbledore had given her, and earned several strange glances from students in the hallway.
It wasn't very roomy, and she needed to change that. She transfigured the stone floor into off white carpet. She waved her wand and the walls turned baby blue. She waved her wand again and instantly the desks and chairs vanished. She smiled, feeling satisfied with her work. She walked over to the only piece of furniture left in the room. On her desk lay a roll of parchment and a sticky note attached.
Professor Bern,
I informed you that you would teach only 6th and 7th years, but a few 5th years seemed strangely eager to participate, hope you don't mind,
Albus Dumbledore
Sarah skimmed the list of students that had signed up. Her eyes drifted across a few familiar names. 'Ginny Weasley, Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger' and strangely enough, they had made it, or Harry had made it, very clear that they weren't signing up. It was even stranger that Harry's name was written in the exact same beautiful, neat, curvy manuscript as Ginny's. Sarah smiled to herself.
Noticing that there was no chair at her desk (and she could hardly find the need to conjure one), she hoisted herself on top of it and crossed her legs. She was about to get her sketch book when a woman opened the door. She was wearing emerald green robes and she was towering Sarah, which was no great accomplishment considering Sarah's height but it frightened her just the same, and the woman's hair was pulled into a very tight bun. Sarah smiled at her.
"Good evening. I'm Sarah-"
"I know who you are Professor Bern, and your behavior is atrocious!"
"Why is that?" Sarah asked calmly, as if they were having a civil conversation.
"First," the woman held up one finger, "you abandoned the dress code, dressing in your own…whatever you would call that. Second," she held up a second finger, "you transfigured the class room to fit your own luxuries. Third," she held up 3 fingers, "you neglected to turn up at breakfast this morning!"
Sarah gave an accidental yawn and she realized, a second too late, that it hadn't helped the matters. The woman's eyes narrowed, her nostrils flared, and her lips were near invisible. Sarah smiled pleasantly and that was the final straw. She had shouted, "I'm telling Albus!"
"You do that," Sarah said happily, as the woman stormed out looking furious. So far, Sarah hadn't made very good first impressions, and she knew it. She figured she'd go see Remus to kill time. She walked into the DADA classroom expecting to see Remus in there preparing his lesson. Sure enough, he stood there, planning lessons and arranging books on shelves. Sarah smiled. She noticed only one side of the room was filled with foe glasses and dangerous creatures in tanks. She walked over to the plain side.
"I take it I get to decorate this side of the room?" she asked.
Remus jumped, having not heard her enter. "Yes. Aren't I nice?"
Sarah laughed. "Yes, so generous to give me the pleasure of decorating another classroom."
"It's only one wall."
Sarah smiled again, but her expression turned serious. "You know Harry Potter? What's the deal with him?"
Remus's expression became one of pity. "You've…You've never heard of the boy who lived?" he asked.
Sarah shook her head. "No, why does it matter?"
"I suppose he's only famous in Europe."
"Who?" Sarah asked.
"Harry."
"Harry is famous?"
"Indeed. Have you ever heard of Voldemort?"
"No. Should I have?" Sarah asked. Remus began to explain to her all of the horrors of the past and Harry Potter's life.
"And then in his forth year Voldemort was reborn, and it didn't help matters that he had just watched his friend being murdered."
"Is that why he is such a grouch all the time? Well that's understandable but that doesn't explain why he was so revolted by my class."
"Well you see in his fifth year-" but Remus was cut off by the door slamming. The same crazy woman that had criticized Sarah in her classroom earlier entered, followed by Dumbledore.
Remus inclined his head. "Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall."
"Albus, that child that you hired-"
"I am not a child thank you very much-"
"She irresponsibly over slept and forgot breakfast, she neglected the pay any attention at all the dress code, and she had sabotaged her classroom!"
"First of all, there was nothing in the rules that said I was required to attend breakfast-"
"It's common etiquette-"
"Second," Sarah said even louder, "If you want me to stay here you won't force me to wear robes-"
"It's the dress code and you must set an example for the students-"
"I am setting an example. But you didn't specify what kind of example you wanted me to set!"
"You set a civilized example! That doesn't include wearing grungy muggle clothing!"
"This grungy muggle clothing is not muggle! Muggles might wear something similar yes, but this is American wizarding attire. Notice the word in big bold letters on my ass that says 'Penn Forest'. I'm exposing the students the different cultures so that they don't become as narrow minded as someone like you," Sarah said boldly. She could tell that getting on the bad side of this woman. "And third, I am arranging my classroom as I see fit because Occlumency can not be learned out of a text book so 99 of the lessons well be practical. What the hell is the use of desks when you're trying the clear your mind?"
McGonagall's nostrils flared and her lips became invisible. Sarah heard a chuckle from her left, and she turned to see Albus, clearly amused by this argument. "Minerva," Dumbledore said smiling, "Sarah can arrange her class room however she wants, and there isn't anything in the rules that says that she has to attend breakfast."
McGonagall very obviously did not approve of Sarah's smug look, "but she should at least wear suitable clothing-"
"Professor Bern is American in blood and in spirit Minerva. That is how wizards dress there. It is their culture. She is a legal adult and is at liberty to dress however she likes."
McGonagall gave a disapproving sniff and stalked out the room. Dumbledore bid them good bye and walked out shortly after. "I think Minerva likes me, don't you Remus?" Remus snorted and shook his head, but he was grinning. They chatted for a while as Sarah hung posters on the walls of the classroom, put up bulletins and photographs and paintings.
"Hey Sarah?" Remus said after a while.
"Hmm?" Sarah responded distracted with a poster that refused to stick
"Your first class is before mine isn't it? It's in like 15 minutes."
"Ok, hold your horses! RETARDED POSTER!" Sarah shouted agitated.
"Sarah, don't use scotch tape on stone walls. It doesn't work, especially with the magic radiating off these walls. You have to use spellotape," Remus explained, throwing her a roll of spellotape from his desk.
Sarah sighed, "Fine." She taped up the poster and looked at her watch. "I better go," she said, "I'll see you later Remus." When Sarah reached her classroom, she noticed that Hermione and Ginny were already there. "Hello girls," she greeted enthusiastically.
"Morning Professor," Ginny said, smiling.
"I'm not that old. You can just call me Sarah if you want."
"But isn't that degrading? I mean, that's your title, and we're under age (or I am at least) and your like Professor Lupin's age right?" Ginny said, looking up from her bag, which she was searching frantically.
"I'm not technically a Professor. This is my first day ever teaching, on less you count a little tutoring I did on weekends in my 5th year."
"5th year? Did you attend Hogwarts? You must have gone to school with Harry's parents then right?" Ginny asked quickly.
"Obviously not!" Hermione snapped, "Can't you tell by her accent? She must be from the east or something."
Sarah nodded. "Yes, I was born and raised in Cockeysville, Maryland."
Ginny and Hermione burst into giggles. "Cockeysville?"
Sarah rolled her eyes. "Yes, Cockeysville. It's a little outside Baltimore, it's not really a city, more of a suburb really."
The door opened and the pretty 7th year Sarah had seen run through the platform, the one with long dark hair and dark eyes. "Er…This is Occlumency…Right?" she asked nervously.
"Yes," Sarah said, "Come in. I'm Sarah."
"I'm Parvati. Where's the teacher?"
"You're looking at her." Sarah said, grinning.
Parvati gasped. "Oh! Right, are we the only ones in the class?" she asked.
"No, class starts in 10 minutes, so people won't start arriving for another five minutes I think. Judging by the list on my desk, Harry Potter changed his mind about my class," Sarah laughed, raising her perfectly shaped and arched eyebrows at Ginny.
Ginny turned red. "Oh, u-um. R-really?" she stuttered.
Sarah laughed again as the door opened as a 7th year with blonde hair and gray eyes walked in. He looked around. "How many Slytherins are in this class?"
"2, Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson. Why?" Sarah answered.
"Because he's a prejudice cow who only likes Slytherins," Hermione commented. Ginny kicked her.
"Then I assume you are Draco right?" Sarah said. The blonde boy nodded. Sarah walked over and sat on her desk (cross legged as before).
Several minutes later Hannah Abbott, Padma Patil, and Cho Chang entered followed shortly after by Colin Creevy, Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Lavender Brown, and Pansy Parkinson. "Alright, is everyone here? I'm going to do attendance to make sure, since I don't know anyone," Sarah said. Once she had called out everyone's names, she realized that Harry and Ron were missing. "Has anyone seen Harry Potter and Ron Weasley?" Sarah asked.
"I'll get them," Ginny volunteered, "Last I saw them they were in the common room. Ron was trying to get Harry to come." Sarah nodded and Ginny sprinted out the door.
"Alright, everyone get in a circle but leave a break for Harry Ron and Ginny. Hurry up, just sit on the floor, don't be silly Lavender it's perfectly clean. Draco stop shoving Hermione! Lavender sit down! Harry, Ron, nice of you to join us. Hermione, Draco, separate. Lavender if I ask you again…"
"Ok then are we ready to start? My name is Sarah Bern; you can just call me Sarah. I don't want any of that 'professor' business. This class will be different then any other class you have ever taken or will take in the future. Some of you may have previous experience in occlumency," she glanced at Harry, "some of you may have read a book on it," she looked at Hermione, "And some of you might not even know what it is. For those of you who don't, can someone tell us what it is?" Sarah asked looking around the room. Ginny and Hermione had raised their hands. "Yes Ginny?"
"It is the defense of the mind against external penetration."
"Correct! 5 points to Gryffindor." Sarah said, smiling. "Now, earlier I was introduced to some bloke, the potions master I think, is his name…wait don't tell me…starts with an 'S' right? Professor Snap?"
Everyone laughed. Including, Sarah was pleased to see, was Harry, though it was more of a stifled chuckle than a real laugh. "It's Professor Snape," Ron said through laughter. "That's what I'm going to call him the next time I see him!"
Sarah laughed. "Ok, sorry. Professor Dumbledore informed me that Professor Snape was quite skilled in Occlumency, and he has given lessons to a few select students. I was informed of his style of teaching and I do not at all support it. He cast 'Legilimens' on the candidate without any real and true preparation or instruction. He told them to clear there mind of all emotion. Well that doesn't do much good does it? Now, it sounds very easy but clearing your mind is a very tricky thing. You cannot think or feel. You have to be completely calm. It's hard to shield your mind when you're angry. You feel if you relax then you are giving in to the person or thing that made you angry. It's not a good idea to practice when you're angry. Now, who in here lives with muggles, or is in close proximity with muggles?" Several people raised their hands. "How many of you go out to muggle stores?" More people raised their hands, "And how many of you know the following terms: Yoga, Pilates, and Meditation."
"What does that have to do with Occlumency?" Padma asked.
"Good question. What do they have to do with Occlumency? Now for your homework I want 7 scrolls of parchment on the questions I write on the board." Sarah got up and sauntered over to the dusty chalk board and gingerly wrote: What are the definitions of Yoga, Pilates, and Meditation? Why do muggles practice them? How are they connected? Do wizards use them? What do they have to do with occlumency?
Several people groaned. "And because I'm so nice," Sarah added, "You can just use dictionary definitions for number one, you don't have to put them in you own words, but you do for 2-4."
"When is it due?" Colin asked.
"Next class period. But that's next month, so you have plenty of time."
"Next month! But we have occlumency scheduled every other day at 5:00!"
"I know. You do. But things got screwed this month. I have to do DADA more this month because Remus is sick and then he's going to some ministry sponsor thing that supports werewolf rights. But after that we're back on schedule. Unless of course Remus or I have to go somewhere important on short notice. So I'll see you in DADA and probably in the hallway. Class dismissed!" Sarah finished. She was starting to feel sick. Her jaw felt tired from talking, and it didn't help matters that she DADA in a few days. She was shaking and she felt weak. She supposed it was because she hadn't eaten anything since the night before. Was there always food in the great hall, or was there a scheduled breakfast, lunch, and dinner? What would she do then? Well, the last student had only closed the door moments before; if Sarah hurried she might catch them and ask them. She stood and ran to the door and opened it. She saw someone's robes just whish around the corner. "Wait!" Sarah shouted and she ran around the corner. Lucky her, Harry stood glaring daggers at her.
"Yes?" he answered numbly.
"Um, well…" this was more awkward than she had anticipated, "You see, I didn't eat breakfast this morning and well…I just wanted to know if the great hall served food all the time or…"
"It's scheduled. You can only get food there when the time is right," Harry said, clearing his throat. He can't have talked very much recently.
"Oh. Alright, thanks. I just wondered. I guess I ought to eat breakfast from now on. McGonagall was right. I suppose I'll have to wait for lunch," Sarah said, disappointed. She turned and began to walk back to her classroom.
Before she reached the door Harry's hoarse voice stopped her, "Not necessarily," he said, "Come with me." He turned around, not looking to see if Sarah was coming, he began to walk. Sarah followed she tried to memorize the turns he made for future reference, but alas, she did not have her father's amazing memory. Her brother had gotten that trait. She had, unfortunately or fortunately, gotten her mother's magic. Sarah became lost in thought, no longer trying to memorize which corridors Harry was taking. She was now unconsciously following him, drowning in memories. It was only when Harry came to an abrupt halt did Sarah snap back to reality. "You tickle the pear on the canvas, see?" Sarah realized how absurd it was for Harry to be tickling a pear in a painting, but no sooner had the thought entered her mind did the painting swing open, revealing a sparkling kitchen, with elves scurrying around washing pans and cooking stew.
"Oh my word," Sarah gasped as she looked at the elves. "What are they?"
Harry gave her a funny look, "Don't you know what house elves are?" Sarah shook her head. "They're elves, obviously, who work for humans. Hermione is very against the whole thing. The elves are obsessed. Their life goal is to be the world's best cookie maker,"
Sarah laughed, though she was not sure if Harry was kidding. "I was never exposed to much magic myself. I've never liked it; I inherited that from my mom."
"I'm not either. I live with muggles, but I visit my friends sometimes in the summer. We all go to Ron and Ginny's place. But recently…" Harry did not want to seem to pursue the topic, so Sarah didn't push him.
"Harry Potter sir!" someone squeaked. Sarah looked around and saw an elf tugging on Harry's robes. "You have come to visit Dobby hasn't you?"
Sarah saw Harry (for the first time) smile. "Yeah, and I brought one of my professors. She didn't eat breakfast and she was wondering if you could get her something to eat to hold her over until lunch."
Sarah had never seen anyone ever look so pleased. The elf, 'Dobby', had given a jump of mirth and its eyes became as round as tennis balls and they filled with tears of joy. "Of course, Harry Potter sir! Does Mister Harry Potter want Dobby to get him anything?"
"No Dobby, I'm fine. I ate breakfast." The elf looked thoroughly disappointed. His ears drooped and he dragged himself around. Harry looked guilty. "Dobby, perhaps I could use a glass of water?" He said softly. The Elf gave another happy jump and a wide smile was etched on its face. He skipped away flamboyantly to serve them.
Sarah could not resist. She began to giggle. "Are they always like that?"
"Yes. That's why I would never get one. If you say you're not hungry then they look so sad and make you feel really guilty. I would become really fat."
Sarah gave another giggle. "Are all the elves that fond of you?"
"They're all fond of everyone. Dobby's just particularly obsessed with me."
"How come?" Sarah asked. She realized how much she sounded like a child.
"He used to work for the Malfoys."
"That kid in my class?"
"Yes. His dad's in Azkaban for being a death eater."
"What's a death eater? Sounds a bit violent if you ask me."
"Did Voldemort not take over America?"
"I didn't even know who Voldemort was until Remus explained it to me this morning."
"I'm not famous there?"
"Not any more than me." Sarah answered truthfully.
"Wow. Anyway, Dobby worked for the Malfoys and to make a very long story short, I tricked Luscious Malfoy into freeing Dobby."
"How do you trick someone into freeing their elf?" Sarah questioned curiously.
"The only thing that can free a house elf is if its master gives it clothes. I put one of my socks in a book and gave it to Mr. Malfoy. He took out the sock and gave it to Dobby to dispose of. But he had given him clothes, so dobby was free."
"Wow, the clever one aren't you?"
"Nah, that's Hermione,"
"What does that make you?"
Harry shrugged and opened his mouth to say something, but Dobby interrupted by shoving a glass of water into his hands. "Thanks, Dobby," he said and have a very deep bow, so that his nose touched his ankles. Another elf handed Sarah a tray with a bowl of soup and a fruit salad on it.
"Thank you so much," she said, giving the elf a gentle smile. "Harry, when is your next class?"
"I have potions with Professor Snape," Harry answered.
"Judging by your tone, I'd say that that's just about your favorite class. Next to mine, of course."
"Are all Americans as sarcastic as you are?"
Sarah grinned, "Only the cool ones." She winked at him.
Harry snorted disbelievingly. "Right. Listen I have class in 15 minutes so I really do have to get going,"
Sarah nodded, "Thanks so much. Do you have anything fun to do around this castle?"
"Um, well it's nice to walk on the grounds I guess. You could talk to Madam Hooch about borrowing a broom for a day. The Forbidden Forest always provides some kind of adventure," Harry gave a little cough, "Not that I've ever been in there or anything."
Sarah laughed. "Ok, thanks. Maybe I'll just visit Diagon Ally. I haven't flown in ages so I don't think riding a broomstick would be a good idea."
"Suit yourself. See you, Professor," Harry said as he walked out the door.
As the door slammed shut, Sarah yelled after him, "My name's Sarah!"
