Thump. Thump. Thump.
Harry was currently in his office, banging his head against the desk. The cause? He apparently had to come up with at least a basic outline for years one through seven of DADA curriculum before school started. Which was in, oh, about three weeks. Buggered. He was so buggered. Not to mention that his education had been...spotty to say the least.
Let's see. In first year we had Quirrel and we learned. Uh. We learned... Never mind - what spells did Hermione use again? Petrificus Totalus, Alohomora, Lacarnum Inflamarae - isn't that Charms though?
Harry scribbled the spells down onto a piece of parchment. He tapped his chin with the quill.
Second year. Lockhart. Yeah, no. Dueling Club, now that was more useful than a whole year with that twit. Expelliarmus, Finite Incantatem, Tarantallegra, Rictusempra...
Third year. Moony taught us a lot on dark creatures, oh, and the Patronus charm, I should put that in.
Fourth year was the Triwizard Tournament...
Harry's mind briefly went blank as he remembered all the spells he had to learn for the tasks. And after listing all he could recall from his school days, he would only be half-way done. Plus, Harry still had to write a supply list for the kids!
Thump. Thump. Thump. Knock, knock.
Harry hastily lifted his head and brushed his hair with his fingers - not that it helped. "Come in," he called out to the door.
"Are you alright?" asked Albus with concern. "I heard noises."
Harry refused to blush. He was most definitely going to put up some privacy wards. "Er, yes. I was..simply keeping the beat," Harry lied poorly as he pounded his fist on the table energetically.
"I see," said Albus amused, "perhaps we can indulge in a respite and meet our colleagues?"
Harry was out the room and down the hallway before Albus finished his sentence.
"Not everyone is here, you must understand. Ogg the gameskeeper, Apollyon Pringle the caretaker, and Eben Etoile the Astronomy professor are unfortunately absent. However, I believe most of the teachers are present," Albus chatted as they walked to the staff lounge.
A murmured password and the door swung open.
"Friends, this is the new Defense Against Dark Arts professor - Harry."
A lot of the faces were familiar. He saw Professor Slughorn, Professor Bathseda Babbling, and Professor Binns, all looking much younger than the last time he had seen them (well, not Binns, of course.) He vaguely recognized another man, who had a wooden stump for a leg and was missing an arm to boot. The other two teachers must have retired before Harry had attended Hogwarts.
"Awfully young to be teaching, isn't he?" said the man Harry did not know.
Slughorn said slyly, "But surely that speaks greatly about his skills."
"Why," marveled Bathseda Babbling vacantly, "he could be one of our students!"
Binns mumbled to himself in the corner; Harry could hear a little about Goblin Rebellion number 12. The mystery lady looked knowingly at him with cat-like hazel eyes and a smirk on her pink lips. As expected (Harry just knew Albus would play the position of mediator), Albus clapped once and smiled.
"Now, now, might we introduce ourselves first?" he suggested mildly but firmly.
Slughorn grabbed Harry's hand and started shaking it with both hands. "I am Horace, Horace Slughorn - Potions professor. My dear fellow, if I may inquire, where were you educated-"
Luckily, Harry was saved from answering by the unknown man. "Herbert Beery, at your service. I teach Herbology, but my true passion is acting," Herbert said dramatically, leaning in close at the end as if he were divulging a secret.
The wizard with missing limbs introduced himself as "Silvanus Kettleburn, Care of Magical Creatures teacher." Suddenly, Harry remembered where he had seen him. Silvanus Kettleburn was the predecessor of Hagrid! He had retired to "spend more time with his remaining limbs."
"I am Bathsheda Babbling, and I am a professor of Ancient Runes," the young witch informed him.
Huh. For someone who reminds me so much of Luna, she teaches an awfully complex subject.
Professor Binns spared him a bemused glance. "I am Cuthbert...Binns," he said slowly and floated away again.
The mysterious dark-haired lady reached out for his hand. However, instead of shaking it, she flipped it so his palm faced up. Harry fought the urge to jump back.
She traced a line on his hand, staring intently.
"Hnn, you come from far away, and your journey has been difficult. A bird can only fly so long, and I hope that you will find a time to rest your wings."
"Ahem," coughed Albus politely.
"Ah yes. Forgive me," she let him withdraw his hand semi-casually. "I am Yuuko Unmei. I teach...Divination, as you Westerners call it."
Uh, yeah, I kind of guessed when you took my palm and predicted my future.
"It's nice to meet you all. I'm Harry. And -" he probably shouldn't admit this "- it's my first time teaching, so I'll probably make mistakes. I'm looking forward to a pleasant year with you all."
And then he ran.
Author's Note: Yeah, school sucks, what else is new? Um. I actually think I updated faster than I thought I would. That's not very encouraging, is it.
Can you guess who Yuuko's based off of (pretty damn obvious)? Anyway, she and the Astronomy teacher are OCs; I couldn't find any canon teachers. Also, since I know next to nothing about all the professors, my characterization may be off.
REVIEW. Make me feel better about skipping my HW to write. XD