Disclaimer: Still don't own the Harry Potter series. Feel free to leave a review if you've liked the story so far! The next two chapters after this are going to be very fun~
Chapter 6
Winter had come and gone once again and spring flourished around the tall castle on a hill, and it was the time of year that the 7th years starting to become increasingly bored in their classes. They itched for the outdoors and graduation. Attention was slim even in the best of students and boy did Professor Evans notice. She remembered those days vividly, but being on the other end of it during her first year teaching was a whole new experience. A mildly nerve-racking experience. That hopefully builds character. Maybe. Not that she was freaking out that no one was answering her questions or even feigned paying attention or anything. Nah, she wasn't starting to listen to the dark thoughts in her head that maybe it was more than just spring fever and they weren't listening because she was a bad teacher and she should just stop trying. Nope. Not at all. That didn't scare her even a little. Well that's what she told herself at least. She resisted the urge to pull out her retractable cane from her pocket, a habit when she was under stress. Her outer demeanor didn't change from calm and collected, until one day in her Hufflepuff/Ravenclaw class she gave in.
"Okay, that's it" she mumbled tiredly. She went over to her desk and dropped the book she was holding, letting it slam. That got everyone's attention. Evans leaned on her desk and smiled a defeated smile. "G'Morning" she chuckled. Some students looked ashamed for not paying attention, but the whole class looked at the professor now. "Alright, listen. I know the last thing you want to do is work. But I have to do my job, which is to teach and give you said work. Now we've been going very fast in the curriculum as it is, in both classes, so I would really rather not slack off. But a classroom is a two way street. You need to hold your end of the line as well, and clearly that's not as easy as it sounds. And I fully understand why. I was in your robes at one point. … So what do you want? What can I do? What can I promise to all of you in order to recapture your attention and get through the remaining information with every 7th year on board?" She ran her right hand through her loose hair as she asked this. The exhaustion in her voice made it sound like she was a student herself, studying late at night for finals.
The students were quiet. No professor had given them this sort of ultimatum before. But they felt bad that they had given Professor Evans so much strain. They all had grown to like the new professor. She was understanding, kind yet firm, and seemed as battle-worn as they were. If this was a strict, unforgiving professor, the students would have had a bunch of mischievous ideas. But looking at the face of the drained brown woman, no ideas came to mind.
Professor Evans waited for a response. When none came, she titled her head back and faced the ceiling. Then she let out a long comedic groan that ended with her bobbing her head back to face the students, crossing her arms and putting on a childish pout. That got smiles and giggles out of the audience. She grinned. "Ah, so there is life in there after all!" she joked. "How about this. Tell the rest 7th years in the other two houses, not that you weren't going to do that regardless, and collectively think about it. Then either later on today or tomorrow in class someone come and tell me what you all decide. Alright?" A chorus of nods affirmed the plan and a tired Professor Evans dismissed the class early.
Word spread quickly and the 7th years gathered in the Room of Requirement to discuss the proposal and what actually would motivate them to work. (An idea that was doable, more specifically. Eating during class and doing nothing were quickly pitched and quickly shut down. "We don't want her to get in trouble she just got this job!" "It would be nice to have a DADA professor that stays for a while, you know.") Then a Gryffindor spoke up, "What about class outside?"
"And what exactly would we do outside?" asked a Ravenclaw.
"I don't know, nothing really. Just enjoying the warm air and relaxing. Gets us out of the classrooms at least", the Gryffindor responded.
"How about we do a question and answer session with Professor Evans, too?" suggested a Hufflepuff.
"I like that idea. After all, we don't get to have her too long, so none of us can get to know her too well in just a year. And it's her first year teaching too. She is still adjusting and learning herself. Getting to know her in a casual setting would be kind of nice" a Slytherin added.
"So the plan is a Q & A session outside with all the classes in exchange for getting through all the material and participating in class. Everyone agree?" asked another Ravenclaw. There was a chorus of "yes" and head nods. Becca and Julia volunteered to deliver the proposal to Professor Evans before dinner.
Professor Evans agreed to the proposal, promising to figure out some way to have all four houses at once. When the two students left, she headed to the open-air walkway that showed a view of all of Hogwarts. She leaned on the ledge, sipping her tea out of her thermos, and thought about what just transpired. After a while, a voice coming up behind her and said "Quite a contest you've got planned, Sarah". She was startled out of her thoughts and turned to see Headmistress McGonagall to her left.
She laughed, "That was quick. Who told you?"
McGonagall chuckled, "Ms. Lovegood. We have afternoon tea and sweets every other day. She just left my office, so I figured I would hear your side of the story."
"Well it's more like consented bribery, but the students have promised to pull through the rest of the material so I'll take it."
"So you've agreed to answer any personal questions they have. Quite daring."
"Oh please. Daring would be flying on a burning broomstick through moving hoops above skilled archers with poison arrows and a lightning storm above head. Or drinking handmade fireball whiskey in a uni dorm the night before final exams," she took a sip of her tea and smiled, "Daring would be answering any questions in front of Ms. Weasley."
"Dear, that's not daring. That's tempting fate."
"There's a difference?" she grinned.
McGonagall rolled her eyes, "Maybe that should be on your family crest instead."
Sarah laughed, "Perhaps it should. Extended family included." She smiled and looked out to the world. McGonagall smiled at her, but inside she frowned. She knows who Sarah meant, and rightly so, but her thoughts turned to another part of her family. One thought came up to her, as it had time and time again: How would they react if they knew?
