America stared at as Russia left the room, his eyes narrowed and filled with suspicion.

"What are you looking at?" said a voice from beside him. America jumped.

"W-when did you get here?" he stuttered, whirling around to face the person behind him.

"I've been here the whole time - I'm Canada, remember?" Canada raised one eyebrow.

"Oh yeah - that guy!" America beamed. "I didn't know you came to meetings anymore!"

"Yes" Canada said, with a slight nod. "That's what you've been saying for the past few decades."

"So" America leaned back, once again eyeing the door. "Do you think the commie-bastard is up to something?"

"Russia?" Canada's brow furrowed. "No, why?"

"Well...you know. He's on the phone a lot nowadays and he hardly ever has that disturbing smile on his face anymore. He's always so...serious. Serious isn't good. The last time he was serious he was killing people during the Cold War. Plus I swear I heard him mention the word 'attack' tons of times on the phone! Don't tell me that's not suspicious?"

"Um..." Canada shrugged his shoulders. "I guess it's a little...strange. But America... really think you're looking into things too much."

America considered this for a moment. "No" he finally said. "The bastards up to something. Something bad. And when I find out he's planning another World War -"

"Wait, wait!" his brother cut him off. "Planning another World War? When did we get there?"

"Oh please, it's probably what he's planning" America said. "I mean, it's him. The idea's probably been tempting him for years. Plus, who else would be able to pull of something like that? He'd probably just have to flash that disturbing smile at someone and they'd come running onto his side, just so he wouldn't kill them! Well not me of course, because I'm the hero, but - hey Russia!"

America abruptly stopped his ramblings, his eyes growing wide as the nation in question walked back into the room.

"I'm going to be keeping my eye on him" America whispered to his brother, once Russia was out of earshot.

"Well, I'll give the guy this" Ron said as he, Harry and Hermione left the classroom. "He's a pretty good teacher."

"I know!" Hermione enthused. "The way he describes everything - it's simply amazing. It's almost as if he was there."

"Yeah I guess" Harry frowned. "Still, there's something not quite right about him."

"Oh Harry, you're being too paranoid" Hermione scolded. "In my opinion, Professor Kirkland is a wonderful teacher. We should have had someone like him teaching History of Magic all along."

"Yeah!" Ron agreed, grinning. "The bloke makes history interesting. I didn't think that was possible - and this was just the intro!"

Harry bit his lip and shrugged. Truth be told, he too thought that Professor Kirkland was a great teacher. The man may have been young but when he spoke he radiated that aura of wisdom and experience that he had only ever seen on Dumbledore.

Still. Despite all this he couldn't help but get the feeling that there was something wrong with the Professor. It put him slightly on edge. As much as he wanted to trust the new professor, he didn't want to make the same mistakes he had made in the past. He always seemed to put his trust in the wrong people.

This time he was going to be more cautious.

The day past rather quickly.

England had few classes to teach that day and so, spent the rest of his time holed up in his room, sorting out and arranging his things. By the time he was done dinner had already begun.

He made his way down to the Great Hall, taking in his surroundings as he walked. Hogwarts hadn't changed one bit; it was the same as ever. England smiled; as the world changed, Hogwarts stayed the same. He hoped it wouldn't be changing any time soon.

When England entered the Great Hall he was immediately assaulted by the sounds of loud voices. The long tables were filled with chattering students; yet another thing that hadn't changed.

He headed over to the staff table and slid into an empty seat next to the Potion's Master, Severus Snape.

Snape glanced up at him and scowled.

"Arthur!" Dumbledore glanced up and beamed. "How was your first day of teaching."

"Splendid" England replied. Beside him, Snape snorted. England shot him a glance.

"I'm surprised" the Potion's Master said in a silky, mocking tone. "That someone so...young is even qualified to teach."

"I'm not as young as I appear" England retorted. Snape's brow furrowed slightly; England inwardly smirked, awarding himself for confusing the other man. The nation was already starting to take a disliking to him.

"I've heard some good things about you traveling around the school" a plump woman who England regonised as Pomona Sprout said, beaming widely. "The students certainly seem to think you are a good teacher."

"Well, I'm certainly trying" England said.

Snape scoffed.

"Do you have something stuck in your throat?" England asked him, giving him a short glance.

Dumbledore chuckled.

Snape's scowl deepened.

"So" spat the Potion's Master. "How did you come across this job?"

"Dumbledore offered it to me" England replied.

"You expect me to believe that Dumbledore personally asked you to come teach here? Oh please. What favours did you need to pull to get a job here?"

"Severus!" snapped Professor McGonagall.

"Actually, Severus" Dumbledore said. "I did ask Arthur to come teach here."

England inwardly smirked; he felt even more smug as he caught the embarrassed look that crossed the other mans face.

'Take that, you git. Don't try to mess with your country.'

"Professor Kirkland's been talking to Professor Snape" Harry observed. "Snape looks annoyed."

"Mate" Ron said, his mouth full of food. "If you don't stop talking about him, I'm going to start thinking you fancy the guy."

AN:

Hope that chapter was alright. Any feedback would be great so, review please?

Also, to everyone who reviewed my previous chapters and who favourited and followed this story - thanks! You are all awesome :D