THE TEACHER

Chapter 1

The halls of Hogwarts were filled with kids of every age, size, shape, and color. It was utter madness. A few hapless adults were trying to corral the kids into classrooms and corridors to get them on their way. Just by looking at the scene I could tell this would go on for a while. I put my suitcase down and waited. There was no way I was going to try to navigate with this going on.

"Professor Thornwood?" A commanding woman's voice from behind me was trying to be heard over the din.

"Yes. Please call me Lydia." I said turning.

Before me stood an older woman with grey hair and glasses, long black dress and green velvet coat. "You've arrived at last my dear." Her Scots accent was adorable.

"I have indeed, but it looks like it's at a very inopportune moment. You must be Headmistress McGonagall?" I didn't want to yell, but had no choice. She opened her mouth to respond, but thought better of it as if she were waiting for something.

The sudden quiet was more startling than the din. I quickly turned in a circle to find us alone. "What happened?"

"Call me Minerva. Classes have begun I think. Leave your things and follow me. The house elves will put them in your room."

I had been told the castle was large and impressive, but I never dreamed it would be like this. It would take a while to find my way around. We passed down several hallways, and a few flights of stairs, I was getting my exercise for the day. Minerva pointed out relevant classrooms and stairways as we went.

We finally reached a dead end with an imposing stone bird. Minerva looked at the bird and said, "Honeydukes." The bird began to turn and revealed a set of stairs. She lightly hopped on and gestured for me to do the same. Her office was apparently at the top. When we arrived, there was a strong wood door which she opened without touching.

"Please come in and be seated." I took the first seat in front of her massive desk as she settled behind it. "Now. I'm so glad you came on such short notice. I have a temporary teacher in the class now, and would be delighted if you could start tomorrow." She looked at me with hope in her eyes. "Of course I know you must need time to prepare a lesson plan and acquaint yourself with the school, but Professor Snape is really not suited to this subject. Who would have guessed Professor Trelawney had gotten married just before term!"

I was waiting for her to take a breath so I didn't interrupt. "Minerva, please don't distress yourself. I have a full lesson plan already made out, and as for finding my way, just point, I'll figure it out. All I really need right now is a bed to sleep on." I was smiling and being as calm as possible hoping she would be at ease. "I am honored to be at Hogwarts and I promise you I will do my best, even though I'm a bit of an outsider."

Minerva took a deep breath and sat back in her chair. "We do have certain standards at this school that I must enforce. Coming from America I'm sure you will be a breath of fresh air in these old halls. Do you have a copy of your lesson plan that I can peruse before you begin?"

I opened my satchel and gave her a copy. "I will be happy to alter it if truly necessary, but I would prefer to be allowed to run the classes in my own way. I think I made that clear before I took the position."

Minerva looked at me above her wire rims, "I'm sure we can come to a compromise on anything that comes up."

I nodded, "I have been teaching at the Salem school for five years, but I'm sure I will need to make adjustments. Kids are kids wherever you go. The details may change, but the souls are the same."

Minerva put the lesson plan on her desk and sighed. "Would you like a cup of tea?" "That would be great." Minerva snapped her fingers and a house elf appeared. "Paula, tea and biscuits for two please." The house elf bowed and disappeared. "From first glance I can't see that you would be stepping on any toes to do things your way." The tea arrived and we took a less combative approach. "There's nothing a good cup of tea can't settle." Minerva sighed as she took her first sip.

I smiled as I drank. "I like tea, but at home it's mostly a latte or soda. Well, when in Rome…"

We spent a pleasant hour or so getting to know each other and what the routine would be. There was a knock at the door. "Come in." Minerva replied. "Oh Hermione, I'm glad you came. This is Professor Thornwood, she'll be taking over the class. Lydia this is Professor Hermione Snape."

I stood and held my hand out to her. "Nice to meet you Hemione, please call me Lydia." She greeted me with kindness, but there was something in her manor that made me uneasy.

"Lydia is joining us from America and will be taking over for Trelawney tomorrow."

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Thank heaven. If I had to repeat that drivel one more time I would end up certifiable myself."

I coughed slightly, "Drivel, Hermione?"

She gave me a condescending look. "I'm sorry, Divination is not a subject I get along with. Too much…well, I mean…not enough substance for my taste."

SO she was one of those. I fired back. "Minerva told me you weren't suited to the class. I'd guess you're one who…needs everything to be tangible, testable, boring." I was trying to be polite. There was a spark of irritation in my eyes. But I didn't need to be fired on my first day. "I understand completely. The metaphysical arts are difficult for most people, even magical folk, to understand. It takes an open mind and a willingness to let go of the physical world we cling to. That can frighten some."

"Or it could all be nonsense," she returned.

This time I did laugh. "Oh, I can see we are going to be great friends Hermione. There'll be so much for us to challenge each other with. I hope your game."

She looked at me like she was going to eat me for dinner, "Game on."

Minerva looked at the two of us and shook her head. It was a good thing our classrooms were so far apart. We wouldn't have occasion to really see each other except at meals. "Hermione I wonder if you would do me the great service of seeing Lydia to her rooms?" "Of course Minerva."

I stood and held out my hand to the Headmistress, "Thank you for this opportunity Minerva."

She took it and smiled. "I know you'll be a great addition to our staff. Let me know if you need anything."

Hermione and I left the office and headed to another tower. She stopped at a door and opened it. "This is your room, I hope you like it." It was really more of a suite. A living room with a fireplace and bookshelves. Two windows let plenty of sunlight in. It was decorated modestly, but comfortable. A half kitchen with space for a table and chairs. The bedroom and bath were spacious. I was glad to see my suitcase had arrived.

"Yes, I can be very comfortable here, though I may need to add some bookshelves." I turned to face her. Hermione had an odd, surprised look. "Thank you Hermione. I really do hope we can be friends. I need someone to challenge me, who I can challenge in return."

She grinned at me. "I'm rather good in a challenge, and you'll find I have a tough enough skin for whatever you want to throw at me. I'll warn you, the last Divination teacher I delt with folded. See you at dinner."

oopOqoo

My first class the next day was for 5th and 6th years. I could see by their faces they had been exposed to questionable curriculum. Certainly nothing that inspired. Either they were just talking with each other or doing homework.

Time to wake them up.

I began with a large bell ringing as loudly as I could. When I had their attention I stopped and put it down and began to pace in front of them. "I can see by all your enthusiastic faces that your experiences with Divination have been unsatisfying. I'm sorry for that. As old as you are, your minds are generally already made up. You're coming late to this subject and that means it will require dedication and focus to pass this class." I crossed my arms and tried to look severe. "This is not a subject I take lightly so if you're here to do homework or paint your fingernails I want you to leave. If you want to learn the metaphysical arts than stay. I'm not going to waste my time with a load of closedminded kids who aren't interested in the secrets of the universe."

The stunned looks on their faces made me smile inside, but I stood tall and dead serious speaking in a low tone so they had to listen carefully. "I can teach them to you. It's so much more than tea leaves and crystal balls. You will see into your very soul, and the souls of others. You will learn to speak with the dead. You will be able to see your life's path and all the choices therein.

I raised my voice for emphasis and to put goosebumps on their arms. "This is not a class for the faint hearted, you will learn the meaning of fear in this class. You will also find bliss that you never knew you could experience. If you choose to stay, be warned. This class is not a joke. Whatever it was before is over. I expect you to study for tests and do your best on essays, slackers will not be tolerated. Those who make it through to the end will be rewarded with a small amount of enlightenment to guide their way."

Their eyes were wide as they listened, not sure if I was crazy or not. "Choose now! If you want to leave I will grant passes for you to return to your common rooms for the length of the class. You will need to make arrangements with the headmistress for transfer to another class after that, but don't come back."

A very few students stood up and walked out as I handed them slips. Others were smiling as if I had just offered them Hershey bars. And some were a bit unsure what to do. "Alright, now that's taken care of. I see a few of you are undecided. That's acceptable. All I ask is that you try. We'll begin by taking your robes and shoes off." The sounds of disbelief and confusion were music to me. "Come on, stand up and take them off." I removed my robe to reveal a purple jogging suit. I ignored the gasps and tittering.

When I saw the uniforms underneath their robes I cringed. "I see you have all been pressed into cookie cutters. Well that's going to change as well. NO MORE TIES. From now on when you come to this class you will dress in whatever pleases you under your robes. When you get here you will remove your robes and shoes before you come to your desk. I prefer you wear something comfortable underneath, because we will begin with stretches and you may be sitting on the floor. Sweats and hoodies would be great. If you have to wear your pajamas that's fine as well, just keep it decent. Come to this class in short shorts or tank tops and you will receive detention."

The ruckus that created lasted too long and I clapped my hands. "Okay settle down. For now just take your ties off and undo the top two buttons" The murmuring stopped and they were watching me intently. "For today we will start with the basics. You can not get in touch with the universe if you are not in touch with yourself. The first exorcise I will give you is breathing. Your magical power comes from the electrical energy of your body. Your body needs to be in tune, and the way to tune it, is through oxygen. When you stop breathing, you die, it's as simple as that. If you are not breathing as you should, you begin to die."

I flourished my wand at the windows, opening them. "Everybody stand." The students were getting rowdy again. "QUIET! When I ask you to do something I don't expect it to be discussed in committee. You will do it as quickly and silently as possible so that we can continue the class. Is that understood?" They all looked sufficiently chastised.

"Position your feet shoulder length apart and raise your arms above your head. Bend your knees slightly. Don't strain, we are not catching dragons." I displayed the correct position. When they had all reached the target I continued. "Close your eyes. Now breath in through your nose as deep as you can and hold it to the count of three. One, Two Three. Now release out your mouth like you are blowing out a candle." Everyone was in sync. "Again, in through the nose, hold and out through the mouth. Do this ten times. Slowly, relaxed, I don't need you passing out or hyperventilating." As I wandered around the room everyone seemed to be getting into the spirit of the thing.

"Okay, when your done put your arms down." Everyone was done and had opened their eyes. "How do you feel? A little dizzy, maybe a little energized? Good, That's normal." A wave of my wand and I transfigured all the benches and tables into soft cushions. "Sit down." They sat down quietly and looked a little more focused.

"How many of you have heard of meditation?" A few hands went up. "I will get to know your names, but for now when I call on you say your first name and then answer. Okay, in the back. What is it?"

"I'm Emily, Meditation is a method of calming the mind."

"Good Emily, Quite right. But it does so much more. As magical beings it allows us to channel and focus our energies. Observe."

Sitting in the lotus position I took a few deep breaths and held my hands together as if cupping water. Closing my eyes I concentrated on them until a ball of white light began to form. It twisted and rolled as if it were alive, changing color from purple to blue to green then yellow. Out of the ball yellow butterflies began to emerge and fly about the room. The kids gasped as they began to change colors. As the charm was broken they flickered out like candles.

When I opened my eyes they were fixed on what I would do next. "Your turn now. I don't expect butterflies, but let's see how far you can get with your hands. Close your eyes. Calm your mind, focus on your palms. Imagine reaching into your core for the light and let it flow down your arms and pool into your hands. Remember to breathe like I showed you. Relax, Don't try to force it. Know that there is a magical core in all of you that is the essence of who you are. You don't need to light up the room, just your hands."

I made note of the few of the students were able to get a bit of light, but as expected, most did not. I had them try for about thirty minutes before I called it off. "Okay, stop." There was a murmur of disappointment in the air. "You all did very well. This sort of thing takes time, practice and discipline. Don't worry, we will attempt it every day until you can. How many of you could at least feel the light of your core?" about half raised their hands. "How many of you couldn't?" All the rest but one student raised their hands. I went to him and sat on the floor in front of him smiling. "What's your name?"

"William."

"Well William, what did you feel?"

"I'm not sure, nothing really."

I smiled at him. "That's okay. Hold out your hands and close your eyes. Don't be afraid, nothing bad can happen to you. Think about your hands and try again."

He tried hard but was frustrated, "I can't feel anything."

I took his hands in mine. "Start at the basics, breathe... Again... Focus on your core. Now…Open your eyes William." He looked down at his hands in mine now glowing and gasped. "You know how, you just don't know you know, yet." William gazed at the light until it flickered out. He looked up at me astonished as I stood and addressed the class.

"Like all the subjects you're taught at Hogwarts, in some you will be brilliant, and in some you will not. There's nothing wrong with that and there's nothing wrong with you. I hope to teach you to merely harvest your potential. That's enough for your first day. As homework I want you all to spend half an hour a day breathing and testing for your core. Remember to dress comfortably for next class. I'll see you then." The students stood and dressed quietly, leaving.