Before school began, she was able to acquaint herself with the other teachers. Some of them were new, others weren't. She hoped her disguise would fool them. Hagrid was the main cause to her concern. He was a natural friendly person and was sure to come welcome a new teacher to the halls of Hogwarts.
Hagrid, the big teddy bear he is, came to visit Clare at her classroom, since she spent most of her time there. He knocked on her door, but with his meaty fists, it sounded like the roof was collapsing in. She immediately knew who it was and came to the door.
Her legs were shaking from apprehension. She forced them to be still then opened the door. "Come in Hagrid!"
Hagrid ducked down and walked through the door. A large bouquet of peculiar flowers obstructed her view of his face. "'ello, Miss Jessica. I just wanted to welcome you to 'ogwarts. I know you're a long way from 'ome and I'm sure it's 'ard to be away from your family."
He handed her the flowers, she had a vase in her office that would be perfect for them. "That's very sweet of you to think of me. It's very nice to officially meet you. I've heard a lot about you! Accio vase."
The vase flew into her hands. She put the flowers in the vase and rested them against her hip.
"These will brighten up my dull room."
They exchanged a smile.
"So any advice for the new teacher on the block?" She went to place the vase on her desk.
He chuckled. "Don't let the kids get to you, especially the Slytherins. Some of them have an unnatural propensity for 'arassment."
She forced a light-hearted chuckle. "I'll give them all a fair chance. But whoever abuses it will find my detention is not for the faint hearted."
"Well I 'ave to prepare for classes next week, but if you need any 'elp or advice, I live in the shack closest to the Dark Forest."
"Ooo, Ominous." She teased.
He laughed. "It's not too bad once you get used to it."
When he left her classroom, she sighed out of relief. He didn't even mention her looking familiar. He was more trusting than some of the other teachers.
The time that she had to prepare for the year flew by quickly. When the students arrived for the sorting and the feast in the Great Hall, she felt a bit of nostalgia climb from her heart into her eyes. The children looked like they had shrunk from the time when she was there. She could have sworn she was a taller than that as a child.
At the table of teachers, she was sitting next to Hagrid who felt the need to explain every aspect of the night: The Sorting, The Four Houses, The Hogwarts Express, What happens afterwards, and The First Day of School. It was quite considerate of him to do that for the new "American" professor.
The Headmistress introduced her to the students. "Professor Jessica Johnson will be taking over the Defense Against the Dark Arts position for Professor Gotchalks."
Everyone clapped and she went on with her greeting. As soon as dinner was served, everyone jumped into conversation.
By the time the children were sent off, Clare was exhausted from all the conversation. She immediately climbed into bed to sleep. She had a class with fourth years in the morning at 9, so she had to be prepared.
Clare got up in the morning and went to eat breakfast before she started her class.
When the students were piling into her room, she was standing by her chalkboard. She took roll and waved her wand. The chalk picked itself off the stand and wrote "Professor Johnson" on the board.
She addressed the class. "Hello and welcome to my class. Before you ask, yes I am from America. I did not go to Hogwarts for school. I attended the Salem Witch Institute. I may not be from Europe, but I do know my wizardry. If you have any questions about me or my life, I'd be more than happy to answer them for you before or after class."
She continued on. "This course will challenge you physically, mentally, and magically. I expect much from you since you're fourth years. I won't ask you to do anything I can't do myself, or anything you are incapable of doing. Understood?"
The group nodded and a couple people said quiet yeses.
"I would appreciate you all answering aloud and having class discussions. I don't want to dominate the class with my own thoughts. This class is going to be mostly hands on. We will be working with boggarts, gnomes, dueling, and many other things. I have to investigate into our exploration of the Black Lake. I hope that we can have a good time this year together. I do not tolerate any disrespect in my classroom, whether it be directed toward me or other students. Understood?"
The class answered louder this time. "Yes Professor."
Clare smiled. "Thank you. Now who in here can demonstrate an expelliarmus spell?"
The class looked around at each other to see who would be brave enough to volunteer.
Clare decided to give them a good reason to show off. "Okay, first person to perform the spell successfully in front of the class will not have to participate in the two page essay that I am assigning to you all that is due Wednesday."
With that incentive, almost every hand in the class flew up in the air. She had them write their names down on a piece of paper and put them in a bowl. She randomly selected one.
"Frankfort Bisselton. Please come to the front of the class."
A blonde Hufflepuff stood up from the back corner. His smile was big; he obviously did not want to write that essay.
"It's Franky."
"Okay Franky, I'm going to hold an apple in my hand and you have to knock it out of it my hand without taking my arm off."
The "arm off" comment gave him concern, but he fired off the spell and sent the apple to the chalk board. The other Hufflepuffs in the room clapped along with a few people from other houses.
"Good job Franky. You may go sit down. Now the rest of you can start on your essay. Please elaborate on what you would like to learn or experience this year, and what you already know. Two pages are a minimum but you are welcome to write more than that. Also please read the first chapter of your required text."
She gave them fifteen minutes to write, then she dismissed the class.