We encounter ourselves time and again
in a thousand disguises on the path of life.
Carl Jung
I love the Sorting each year. From the Sorting Hat's song to the reactions of the First Years as they first step into the Great Hall it restores my sense of wonder of the world. For a brief period of time, I forget the antics and chaos that these fresh young faces will inevitable bring to my class. This year was to prove a source of great amusement, I think especially to Minerva, though the children will never learn that bit of information.
Somewhere around the twentieth student to have the hat placed on their head, a small, incredibly tiny girl came forward. She was so petite, with long, dirty blonde hair and huge glasses. Apparently her name was Miranda Hart. The hat took a brief moment before shouting out, "Gryffindor!" She seemed unsure of whether this was a good thing or not, as did the table of Gryffindors who were hoping for some more noteworthy members. I applauded loudly and gave her an encouraging smile.
A few more were sorted before Anthony Lewis was called forth. A skill many teachers quickly acquire is the ability to spot troublemakers from thirty paces. Lewis appeared to be the sort of troublemaker who would be able to charm his way out of any sort of repercussions. With curly brown hair and warm eyes, he already had attracted quite a bit of attention from the girls who were just of the age to notice that boys did not have cooties. The Sorting Hat quickly placed him in Gryffindor. He took a seat next to Miss Hart.
When Nicholas Ravel was called, he managed to trip over the final step and knock over the stool. As the laughter died down his face was flaming red and the Hat even chuckled as it went over his ears. This blonde haired boy was also destined to join my house. He took a seat across from Hart and stared at his hands.
One of the joys of the Professors' Table is that you see all that occurs in the Hall if you pay close enough attention. I like to take note of the First Years to ensure that they are adjusting without major difficulties and finding new friends. My own first year taught me how difficult being friendless could be. I was a bit worried this year. There were so many First Years and in particular the incredibly shy Miss Hart and that Ravel might just be clumsier than Ron was.
I carried on short conversations with those sitting near me, but kept my eyes on the Gryffindor table. I was pleased to see that those three noteworthy first years were chatting with each other. It did seem that Mr. Lewis was the one asking the questions and pulling the other two into conversation. Miss Hart would barely move her mouth in response and that Mr. Ravel would drop a utensil or roll each time he tried to talk. When the students were dismissed by Minerva, the three ended up walking out together. They would need to have an eye kept on them.
"Now Professor Granger, who are you worrying about?" came a voice from my right elbow.
"Well, Professor Potter, it seems there are three new Gryffindors that have caught my attention this year."
"Might a lowly DADA professor inquire why?" Harry asked as we left to walk towards the wing with the professors' chambers.
"Not sure yet. But I have a feeling you'll be watching them too before the year is out."
While I was never one for the so-called art of Divination, my words were going to prove to be a bit truer for the two of us young professors than I would like.
"Oh, Professor Granger, might I have a word with you?" Minerva called from down the hallway. I followed her to her rooms. She motioned to my usual chair by her hearth.
"Are you quite ready for the new year?" she asked as she sat down.
"Of, course. I had my lessons planned out and materials purchased long before returning last month," I stated. She should know by now that I am always ready long before the term starts.
"Are any of the changes on staff going to cause a disruption? Any thing at all that might be problematic?" she continued.
I was not sure what she was driving at, though I know she was trying to make a point. "Obviously I get along quite well with Harry, so that is no problem. The new Divination professor seems pleasant, and you of all people know that I plan on staying far away from her tower. I do not foresee any problems, Minerva," I surmised.
"Alright, just wanted to make sure that everything was in order," she said, "you should go check on your house now."
I trekked to Gryffindor Tower and climbed through the portrait. The students were all quite busy chatting and catching up with each other. I paused for a moment before announcing my presence, I learned a great deal about the students when they were unaware of my presence. Apparently there were several new couples amongst the tower and a few inter-House relationships. That is always useful to know for when I partner students up in class. Then there were the boys who were already discussing the Quidditch team. I noticed Mr. Ravel closely following that discussion as he sat on the sofa next to Miss Hart and Mr. Lewis. Hart, Lewis, and a few other first years were listening to Melissa Thatcher, the Gryffindor prefect, explain who I was.
"Our head of house is that really young professor you saw tonight. She has the long brown hair, it used to always be up in a braid, but something must have changed over the summer. Plus she usually wore really dark, high collared, robes, but that royal blue robe she had on tonight was smashing. Anyway, when she started she was the youngest professor ever at Hogwarts. She's a great Transfiguration professor and really fair to those in her house. If you have a problem, you can really go to her; she'll listen and try to help you. Plus, since she was one of the Golden Trio, you know there's nothing she can't do."
At that point I decided to step in. I do not need to have some sort of mythic stature among the students. Plus, I did not want the students speculating on my wardrobe. I am their teacher, not a fashion plate.
"May I have you attention!" I slightly raised my voice. Courtesy of my past and a bit of well placed authority, I can usually command the attention of a busy common room without resorting to yelling. Yet again, the room silenced immediately.
I made my usual speech of welcome, expectations for the new year, and so forth. A few students had questions about everything from the Quidditch team tryouts to the first Hogsmeade weekend to when they would have their first exam. Questions answered or else relayed to the relevant person and then I left.
When I got back to my chamber, I found Harry in the sitting room with some tea ready. He was reading a book on rare curses and chewing thoughtfully on a biscuit. Since returning to Hogwarts together, my sitting room is our common room. After our work day was through, we would often sit here reading, preparing for the next day or just talking. It was not unlike the endless hours we spent in front of the Gryffindor fireplace throughout our years as students. At the usual hour, Harry closed his book, said good night and went to his chambers. I continued reading for a bit more before I went to sleep.
The next few weeks flew by very quickly. It was nearing Halloween suddenly and the students were all settled into the rhythm of Hogwarts. This was true for those in the first year class. No longer falling for the older students' attempts to scare them with legends, myths, and other rubbish, the first year students were finding their own voices to add to the cacophony in the hallways between classes.
Unlike some of the other professors, I like to keep my classroom door open and often will work at my classroom desk instead of in my office during my free periods. This allows me to be more accessible and less intimidating to the students. One day, probably a week before Halloween, I heard those three Gryffindor first years talking just outside my office.
"So class is done, what should we do now?" Nicholas asked his companions.
"We all know you want to go watch whatever team is practicing Quidditch," replied Anthony.
There was a soft giggle from Miranda. "Why don't we go exploring, there's so much in the castle to see?" she softly suggested. I was glad to hear Miranda speaking so openly. In class it was apparent she was intelligent and she was receiving good marks, but she rarely would raise her hand or offer any sort of verbal response.
"You know, I think that's a great idea. My mum was telling me that it is tradition that Gryffindor have a famous set of friends. I propose it is us. She was telling me stories that when my aunt Aggie was here there were these four guys who were always getting into trouble and were the coolest guys in school. Then there were obviously, the Golden Trio. I propose we take up the tradition and become the inseparable new group," Anthony excitedly said.
"But we can't get into trouble!" Miranda quickly replied.
"I'm all for it. Lots of those guys were great at Quidditch, so maybe there's hope I'll make the team next year!" Nicholas quickly acquiesced to the plan.
"We need to do research. Those guys all knew the castle, the people who lived here, and every other relevant detail. So we'll start with Miranda's idea of exploring. Then we need to pay attention to everything and everyone," Anthony concluded as the three walked off down the hall.
I was still shaking my head when Harry walked into my classroom. "I still feel like a student when I come in here. There was something that intimidating about Professor McGonagall."
"Did you happen to hear any of the conversation of those three Gryffindor first years, Anthony, Miranda, and Nicholas?" I asked him.
"No, would that explain the look of fear and amusement you had on your face when I came in?"
"Yes, they were talking in the hall just before you came in and were near enough the open door that I heard all they said."
"'Mione, you should know better than to eavesdrop," Harry mockingly reproved me.
"Honestly, it was unintentional. Besides, I learn very useful information that helps me to be a better teacher."
Harry laughed, "You do realize that as you said that you sat up straighter and got the know-it-all voice started?"
I rolled my eyes. "Apparently, those three have decided to follow in the illustrious footsteps of the Marauders and the Golden Trio as Gryffindor's famous group of friends. They have begun researching and trying to get information on everyone and everything, as they put it."
"This should prove interesting," Harry comments as he begins following his own train of thought. Suddenly, there's that flash in his eyes.
"Oh, no, whatever you're thinking of no. No!"
"Now, 'Mione, if they are really going to attempt to live up to the Marauders and us, they need a bit of help," Harry replied in his new found 'professor' voice.
"No, Harry, whatever you want to do, no!"
"I was merely going to give them a tool. Not our most valuable one, but my dad found it quite handy," Harry said.
"I certainly hope it's not what I am thinking of, Harry," I reproved him.
"Remember how we made copies of the Marauder's Map so we could keep track of each other when things really got messy towards the end of school?"
"Yes," I curtly replied.
"I think one of those copies may end up mysteriously in their possession. I think I even know what to put on the card…" he faded out into a combination of memory and mischief. A dangerous combination for anyone, but especially dangerous when it was Harry.
Imagine my lack of surprise when a week later I came around a corner in an otherwise deserted hallway and heard Anthony quickly say, "Mischief managed," as he tapped a piece of parchment. I will have to speak to Ron about encouraging Harry's antics and providing materials to corrupt innocent students.
"Good evening, Professor Granger," the three chorused as I walked by.
"You may not want to leave the map out in your hand when a professor walks by children. Even a piece of blank parchment can draw suspicion," I said as I kept walking.
I could hear their jaws drop as I turned the next corner. Yes, mischief managed indeed.
A/N: As this is going to keep going for some time, I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions! Please take a moment to review. Thanks!
