The castle was even more impressive than then she imagined. For the second time today, Anna was dumbstruck, mouth open, gaping at the school. She could hardly believe that she would be living here. To the left she saw the lake and to the right, she could see pennants waving over some type of large sports field.
"Come along, dear" Minerva urged her. She led the new professor into the courtyard and up the stairs into the castle. Anna's head swiveled from side to side, trying to take it all in as she followed her aunt up a set of stairs and down a corridor. She stopped in front of a portrait of a beautiful blonde woman wearing some kind of toga grooming a pure white unicorn. "Snoggle Blossoms" Minerva said.
"Welcome Professor McGonagall, Professor Jacobs" the woman said and the portrait swung away from the wall.
"The paintings really do move and talk!" Anna exclaimed.
"Of course they do" said Aunt Minerva as they entered Anna's chambers. They entered a large living area. There were bookshelves along the walls, two floral patterned couches and two overstuffed rose-colored arm chairs arranged in front of a fireplace to the right. To the left was a large desk with a leather office chair behind it.
"Through that door," Aunt Minerva pointed to a door past the fireplace area "is your bedroom and bathroom. These chambers have had magical wards placed around them. Since you are defenseless against any spells, no magic can be performed in here. The same protection has been given to your classroom. There are some robes in your closet. You should wear them to formal school functions, but since you are a Muggle, they are not required for day-to-day attire."
"Ok, thank you" Anna said.
"Now, dear, I will leave you to get settled in. If you need anything, pull this cord" she indicated a thick silken braid hanging from the ceiling, "and a house elf will assist you."
"What is a house elf?" Anna asked
"Finish Philosophers' Stone and start Chamber of Secrets" Aunt Minerva told her, with a slight twinkle in her eye, "you'll learn all about them! I'll come back in a few hours and take you to supper and you can meet some of the staff. The others will be arriving later."
Aunt Minerva left and Anna looked around her chambers and went into her bedroom. There were a variety of robes already hanging in the closet, just as Aunt Minerva had said. Anna busied herself hanging the rest of her clothes and arranging her belongings in her rooms. When she had finished, Aunt Minerva still hadn't come to take her to dinner, so she sat and continued reading the Philosophers Stone.
After a time, there was a knock at her portrait and she said, "Come in!" Aunt Minerva had arrived to take her to dinner. They walked to the Great Hall, where a single table was set in the center of the room. There were ten places set, and the professors were all taking their seats. Minerva introduced Anna to the other professors.
"Anna Jacobs everyone, this is Annalise Erickson, Defense Against the Dark Arts; Elias Hograth, Transfigurationand head of Hufflepuff House; Filius Flitwick, Charms; Neville Longbottom, Herbology and head of Gryffindor House; Luna Lovegood, Care of Magical Creatures and head of Ravenclaw House; Bathsheda Babbling; Runes; and Septima Vector, Arithmancy."
Anna recognized Flitwick and Vector as professors. The others were either new or introduced in books she hadn't read yet. She was relieved that she wouldn't have to deal with Snape, but maybe he was no longer the Potions professor. Professor Lovegood looked very young, and she was surprised to see Neville Longbottom teaching. What she had read about him so far made him seem hopeless at magic. It must have shown on her face, because as she sat, Neville spoke to her, "Thought you'd never see me as a professor?"
"Well, actually," she hesitated, not wanting to offend her new colleague.
" 'S Alright!" Neville said jovially, "I was a bit of a tosser for a while. How far did you get in the books?"
"I am just past half way in Philosophers Stone" she told him.
"That explains it!" he said with a grin. Then he leaned over and whispered to her, "Don't worry, I turn out to be the hero in the end."
Professor Lovegood gently scolded him, "Neville, don't spoil the end for her. That's rude. And you are bragging again." Neville looked at Luna and a smile lit up his face. So, they are in love, Anna thought. She enjoyed the rest of dinner getting to know her new colleagues.
The next day, Minerva showed Anna her classroom. She now had two weeks to prepare before the students arrived. She was busy, but still found time to read the Harry Potter books. By the day the students arrived, she had managed to get almost through The Goblet of Fire. At breakfast the morning of 1 September, Minerva told her, "I have much to do today to prepare for the arrival of the students. I am going to send someone to escort you to the Great Hall this evening for the start of term feast."
"Anything I can help with?" Anna asked.
"I'm sorry, Anna, it's all magical tasks" Minerva said.
"Oh, ok" Anna said. So she spent the day in her chambers finishing her book. In the early evening there was a knock on her portrait door. She closed her book and said, "Come in!"
The portrait swung open and a very handsome man came into her chamber. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with white blonde hair. He was wearing a black suit with a black collared shirt under his robes. His silk tie was also black with a poison green pattern. Having taught at an exclusive private school for six years, she could spot the look of money on people, and this man had the aristocratic looks of someone who had loads of it. He introduced himself and his voice was deep and confident.
"Draco Malfoy, Potions professor, head of Slytherin" he said. "Professor McGonagall asked me to escort you to the feast."
"Oh! Malfoy" she said, her eyes narrowing slightly. Malfoy read the look in an instant. He surveyed the room and found what he was looking for.
"So, you're reading that tripe?" he asked, indicating the book on the table beside the armchair.
"Professor McGonagall recommended them" she shot back defensively. She was finding the books very good, not a bit of tripe in sight.
"You taught history to the Muggles, yes?" he inquired. She nodded her head.
"Then you should know not to believe everything you read. Remember, history is written by the victors" he said. "We need to go."
She pulled on the robe she had chosen over her clothes and followed him out into the hallway. He grasped her elbow and moved her in front of him. "Professor McGonagall wants me to place protective charms on you to prevent any magic from affecting you. Stand still."
She did as he said and he pulled his wand from inside his robes. He waved it over her in different patterns, mumbling words Anna didn't understand under his breath. Finally he said "Done. Let's go" and strode off towards the Great Hall, leaving her jogging to catch up.
When they entered the Great Hall, Anna was stunned again. All the large house tables were in place and the house banners appeared to be suspended in mid-air over the tables. There were thousands of candles floating in the air and the ceiling of the hall appeared to be transparent and she saw the full moon shining down on them.
"It's beautiful!" she breathed.
"Yes, of course" Malfoy said brusquely. "Now we need to take our seats, the students are arriving." She and Malfoy proceeded to the head table. He pointed at a chair for her to sit in and stalked off to the opposite end of the table.
"Nice guy" she muttered under her breath as she sat down.