Chapter 3: First Time

As July turned into August, I began to actually socialize with my fellow professors. I now eat meals in the Great Hall, instead of in my office.

Now that I was spending more time with the other professors, I noticed Jason was no longer staring at me. In fact, things were exactly the opposite. Jason sat at the opposite end of the Great Hall from me. He only spoke to me when necessary. I wondered if I had hurt his feelings when I said he was afraid to admit them. I was beginning to regret my words, but didn't know how to go about fixing them.

August passed much faster than expected. On my last night without students, I began to grow anxious, so I read a book. Reading always helps calm my nerves. Around nine o'clock at night, there was a timid knock on my door. Expecting Minerva, I opened the door. However, the person outside the door was not Minerva after all; it was Jason. Jason just stood there awkwardly for a moment before he asked, "Um… may I come in?"

"Sure…." I said slowly.

I told Jason to sit in my armchair while I sat on my bed. As usual, Jason seemed to be nervous.

"So, are you nervous for tomorrow?" Jason asked.

"A little." I answered truthfully. "You?"

"I am extremely nervous." Jason admitted.

"Really? Why?" I asked.

"Well, I am the D.A.D.A teacher after all, and Hogwarts always needs a new one every year."

I frowned. "But that was only because of Vol—you-know-who. Now that he's gone, I'm sure the position's safe."

Jason sighed. "I know. But I'm still nervous."

"Well, don't be." I reassured him. "You're a Gryffindor! Act like it."

Jason smiled. His smile was dazzling. "I'll try." He said.

"Why are you here anyway?" I asked suddenly.

Jason's face turned red. "Oh, I almost forgot! Here, these are for you." He said, handing me a box full of chocolates.

It was mine turn to blush. "Thanks, but… why me?"

Jason smiled. "I owe you an apology. I wasn't very friendly towards you in the past few weeks, and I'm sorry for that. It wasn't very kind of me."

"You're sorry?" I asked in amazement. "I'm the one that should be sorry. I was rude to you when I said you were afraid to show your feelings. I probably hurt your feelings and embarrassed you. I guess that's the Slytherin in me."

Jason frowned. "No, it's true. I do have trouble admitting my feelings. And for a good reason, too."

Before I got a chance to ask him what he had meant, Jason checked his watch and said, "I should be going. Good luck tomorrow."

I smiled. "Thanks. You, too."

The following morning, Minerva called a last-minute meeting to discuss the schedule. Afterwards, Minerva went over what I would do to welcome the first years. "It's simple really." Minerva assured me. "All you have to do is introduce yourself and explain the sorting process. First years, as you know, are very timid, even the Gryffindors-to-be. So try not to frighten them."

When it was time for the students to come, the entire castle was buzzing with excitement. Peeves flew all around the castle, singing as loud as he could, while Filch chased him cursing all the while. Hagrid led the scared first years to me right on time, and I took a deep breath before beginning my speech.

"Welcome first years!" I began. "My name is Professor Pasen, and I am your deputy headmistress, Potions master, and head of Slytherin House. Once you enter these doors, you will enter the Great Hall, where you will be sorted into your appropriate houses. The four houses are Slytherin, for the cunning, Gryffindor, for the brave, Ravenclaw, for the intelligent, and Hufflepuff, for the kind. Does anyone have any questions?"

When no one replied, I led the first years into the Great Hall. After Minerva said a few words, I called the first student's name.

"Andrews, Robert." I called loud and clear.

I kept reading off names until finally I came to "Zachary, Krista." Once Krista was sorted into Hufflepuff, Minerva took the lead. She cleared her throat loudly and tapped a gavel on the table three times, which quieted everyone down.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts everyone!" Minerva said. All of the students cheered and applauded. "We're in for a wonderful year! First off, I'd like to welcome back Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, the biggest heroes of the war!"

There was more cheering and applauding as the Golden Trio looked down at their plates in embarrassment.

"Now, knowing I would just embarrass them even further, I am not going to make them say any speeches." Minerva continued. The students laughed. "Secondly, I would like to introduce to you three new Hogwarts Professors: Professor Pasen, our new Potions Master, deputy headmistress, and head of Slytherin, Professor Clearton, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and Professor Sniderson, our new Transfiguration teacher."

After each teacher was announced, the students applauded. Then, each new professor gave a short speech. After we were finished, Minerva spoke again, "Also, I'd like to announce that Professor Hagrid is replacing me as head of Gryffindor!" Minerva waited for the applause to end before continuing. "Because we are a year behind the times, both the amount of first years and seventh years has doubled. Classes for these years will be quite crowded, but we can make do with the space we have. Also, the staff of Hogwarts, along with the help of many volunteers, has worked long and hard to rebuild the school, so I believe we are in for a fabulous year. Because of this, I expect everyone to try their hardest in order to succeed. And, now, without further hesitation, let the feast begin!"

To the amazement of all of the first years, food magically appeared on each of their plates, and they all began to eat. My plate was filled with food as well, and I sat down to eat the best meal of the year. Overall, I thought my first day as deputy headmistress went well. I hoped the rest of the year would go just as well.