p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"3. Welcome to Hogwarts/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The train to Hogwarts comes in with a rush, and though I have already been at Hogwarts for the past few weeks, preparing classes, it seems customary for new professors to ride in on the train with the children. On one hand it's a stupid tradition, borne from a time when the Magical community was small and simple, and the position of Hogwarts professor was as open as anyone willing to teach for the sake of teaching. The new teacher would ride along with all his belongings, preparing classes on the fly, interacting with his pupils and learning along the way./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Nowadays, with the shrinking job market and a slowing economy, Hogwarts professors have to report in early to the Headmistress, and then go all the way back to King's crossing and then take the train back with the children./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"My family saw me off from the platform. It was like when I was little. All twenty three Patils, cousins, uncles, Nana, mom and Padma and Roger and their three adorable angels all came to see me off. Nana was adamant that we all come./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Professor of Hogwarts!" Nana is squealing and clapping her hands and shouting out loud lest some of the children miss that small detail, to which everyone naturally seemed either oblivious or ignoring because they were saying their own goodbyes. I really want to smoke somewhere, alone and private. Perhaps I can find an empty stall on the Hogwarts express./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Roger Davies works for the Weasleys. Not necessarily George and Ron's WWW, but for the Patriarch Mister Weasley, Mister Weasley's Modified Muggle Appliances. After the wizarding war there was a soar in interest for all things Muggle. Mister Weasley's experiments on charming Muggle objects hit it big, and not before long, every Wizard and Witch wanted something Muggle. The Ministry also lent a hand, opening up Muggle-Magical relations, allowing a steady but watchful trade and commerce. The Weasley name was gold, these days, with daughter in law who practically ran the Ministry on her own and a son in law who was the Boy-Who-Lived. The Patils themselves rode to King's crossing in a one of his vehicles, dressing up as one of the Muggles, something old grandpa Patil would never have deigned to do. Roger was a Vice President at the Weasley International and worked directly for Bill, and ran occasional errands to George and Ron's little business. Right now he was on the phone with George's secretary./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Padma came over and amicably pinched my cheek./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Smile for the family, idiot," Padma hisses through gritted teeth./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She is my twin, and she is the furthest thing from me in the world./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I smile. I kiss Nana and Mom and Dad and my nephews and niece. And I even try to make an effort to kiss Padma, but she holds me at arm's length./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Let's not push it," Padma smiles sweetly./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"They say that the Albus Potter and Rose Weasley would be attending Hogwarts in a couple of years. It was the gossip of the world, and no one would stop shutting up about it. But knowing Harry, he'd probably conjure up a refined and retracted way to not come into the spotlight./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""If you get chased out of school after your first year, I'll kill you," Padma adds./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I would like to retort, but my will to get away from her is greater./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Yeah, sure, fine," I mutter, fumbling for the cigarettes in my pocket. Roger is still on the phone with the Weasley secretary. "Bye, Roger."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He doesn't hear me, or is ignoring me. No one's supposed to intrude Roger when he's doing important things. I feel rebellious; I walk up to Roger and wave at him in front of his face. He offers a curt smile and turns away let my waving would interfere with his Enchanted Muggle Phone./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I said, 'Bye, Roger'," I shout at him. Roger shoots an annoyed look at Padma, as if to say 'do you mind putting down your rabid sister?'./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Padma rushes forward and drags me away. A few more steps and she's shoved me onto the train. The family is ashamed of me and Dad tries to apologise to Roger, but Padma shoos Dad away as well./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Disgusted, I board the train./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"No, this wasn't the Hogwarts of my youth. This was Hogwarts grown up with me, where the children of Goblins dream to attend sometimes, and where Centaurs are no longer 'Magical Creatures', but works as patrolmen and foresters. The Trolley now has sweets with familiar names, but with odd Runes beside them that represents not much magic but more of things like 'Limited', 'Incorporated', and 'Trademark'. Chocolate Frogs now have nutrition information, and recommended daily helpings, but the Frogs themselves don't jump about as they used to, and rather limp once in a while./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I find an empty stall and place my small bag on my lap, pulling my cowl about my head and hoping to sleep. But, alas, the children are inquisitive, and at first a shy girl enters, and then her friend, and then a flock. Soon, I am surrounded by bustling children./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Are you a teacher?" one of the girls ask./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I wan't to say 'no', so they'd leave me alone, so I can find an empty stall and smoke, and then the stench of my cigarettes wouldn't matter. But then I can't lie to them. I'm not much of a 'moral' person, but since I'm now a "professor of Hogwarts" I want to do something about my life. Maybe I should stop smoking./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The thought is ludicrous, so I laugh out loud. But the girl asked a question, and it comes off as though I am utterly pleased and fascinated by children when I reply, "Oh, yes, I am."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What do you teach?" another one asks./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You'll see," I smile. I read somewhere that children like mysteries./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"But their face droops a little./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Are you a DADA teacher?" one of them asks, looking slightly enthusiastic. "DADA teachers are cursed!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Really?" I smile. Michael Corner's been teaching DADA for years without incident. Padma had been a close friend of Michael and said that the Ministry of Magical Education was cutting his funds and decreasing his classes until last year they decided to combine his curriculum with History of Magic./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""They say that an ancient Slytherin curse is on the DADA class," the first girl chirps./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Don't be silly," an older girl snaps. She's a second year student, wearing Green. "There's no such curse. DADA is just boring and there's simply nothing to learn."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I think I'll kill myself if I get sorted into Slytherin."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm going to cut off all my hair if I get sorted into Slytherin."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""They say that Slytherins live in a dungeon!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I want to be sorted into Gryffindor, just like Ginny Weasley!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Where did you get sorted, ma'am?" the first girl asks./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Where do you think?" I am trying to do this new thing; being a responsible adult. It's a bit difficult but the train hasn't even pulled out of London, yet. Merlin, I want to smoke./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I think you're-" but the girl is cut short./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""She's obviously Slytherin," another girl giggles. "she would have said otherwise."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The older Slytherin girl looks angry, but keeps silent. Another round of anti-Slytherin sentiment erupts./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I look about the children and there is a weird feeling that stirs in me. I see my childhood self there, it could be this one or that, chatting with Lavender, talking badly about someone or another without much thought. No, I was not the Slytherin girl. I was not the shy one next to me./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"hr style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Malgun Gothic'; font-size: medium;" noshade="noshade" size="1" /p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Hagrid is out to greet us, as he has been doing all his life. He still lives in the hut, and despite his hero status, he is one of the few people who has always been a down to earth person. Compared to him, even the saintly Potter seems fickle. Hagrid opens his arms to each and every one of the children. I spot Neville Longbottom up among the throng of children. Hagrid opens his arms, and Neville embraces him in return, as if he was still a shy boy./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I had never been particularly friendly with Hagrid. He had always been a confidante of the Trio. Hagrid opens his arms, and I stare up at the half-giant./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I was never one for hugging. "Hey, Hagrid."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Hagrid winks back at me. "Hey, Parvati. Welcome back."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Hagrid closes his arms and I walk with him at the rear./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You don't have to walk me to the Carriage, Hagrid," I shrug, "Neville looks anxious to talk with you."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Hagrid spots Neville, but not without putting on a pair of glasses. "Heh, looks like he does. But I'd rather talk with you, Parvati."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Always one for the underdog, Hagrid?" The night is cold./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Sorry about Lavender," Hagrid mumbles./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Yeah, Lavender pokes in my mind once in a while. Sometimes as the hyperactive young girl with an infectious taste for gossip, sometimes as the hyperactive woman with an infectious taste for fashion. She embodied the Young Witch of this generation, and with her death I feel more than just empty about a lost friend. Sometimes I feel that what little optimism I had about those like myself left behind hung on my own personal hero./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Who could have killed her?/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Seamus, despite his promise, avoided me since the incidence. I'm not sure it's because he has nothing, or because there's something else about./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"hr style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Malgun Gothic'; font-size: medium;" noshade="noshade" size="1" /p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""This year we have two new professors joining the faculty," Madame Sprout had been the headmistress since McGonnagal stepped down last year to retire to the countryside. I hear that her star pupil, Hermione, goes out of her way to visit her on her birthdays and Christmas. To fill in for Hufflepuff's head of house, Sybil stepped in. Sybil clasps my hand warmly and smiles at me through her thick spectacles that have grown thicker. At least I have one good friend left in the world./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Professor Neville Longbottom," Sprout beams at her favourite as Neville stands up from his seat, greeted with rancorous applause./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The children all know Neville. There's a statue of Neville in his home town, holding the sword of Gryffindor over Nagini. There was a play written about Neville slaying a Dragon. I don't think the Association on Magical Animal Rights looked kindly on that play./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""He is a famous Auror," Sprout continues Neville's introduction, forcing him to stand up again with a shy smile, "and a brave warrior who slew You-Know-Who's demon snake. He's returned to Hogwarts for his great love of Herbology! Everyone give a hand to our handsome proud son!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"For a moment Neville was probably more revered than even Harry./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""And for Charms," I stand up, "Professor Flitwick will not be returning this year."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I hang there for a moment, wondering how my own introduction would go./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""He's come down with a dreadful cold," Sprout continues, and I hang there, not being able to stand up or sit down. "I hope that all of us could join in wishing our dear Professor Flitwick to return to health."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I hear a couple of giggles from the girls who sat with me on the train, now sitting up front./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""To fill in, Professor Padma Patil has joined us," Sprout proclaims. I think she did that on purpose./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The train to Hogwarts comes in with a rush, and though I have already been at Hogwarts for the past few weeks, preparing classes, it seems customary for new professors to ride in on the train with the children. On one hand it's a stupid tradition, borne from a time when the Magical community was small and simple, and the position of Hogwarts professor was as open as anyone willing to teach for the sake of teaching. The new teacher would ride along with all his belongings, preparing classes on the fly, interacting with his pupils and learning along the way./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Nowadays, with the shrinking job market and a slowing economy, Hogwarts professors have to report in early to the Headmistress, and then go all the way back to King's crossing and then take the train back with the children./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"My family saw me off from the platform. It was like when I was little. All twenty three Patils, cousins, uncles, Nana, mom and Padma and Roger and their three adorable angels all came to see me off. Nana was adamant that we all come./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Professor of Hogwarts!" Nana is squealing and clapping her hands and shouting out loud lest some of the children miss that small detail, to which everyone naturally seemed either oblivious or ignoring because they were saying their own goodbyes. I really want to smoke somewhere, alone and private. Perhaps I can find an empty stall on the Hogwarts express./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Roger Davies works for the Weasleys. Not necessarily George and Ron's WWW, but for the Patriarch Mister Weasley, Mister Weasley's Modified Muggle Appliances. After the wizarding war there was a soar in interest for all things Muggle. Mister Weasley's experiments on charming Muggle objects hit it big, and not before long, every Wizard and Witch wanted something Muggle. The Ministry also lent a hand, opening up Muggle-Magical relations, allowing a steady but watchful trade and commerce. The Weasley name was gold, these days, with daughter in law who practically ran the Ministry on her own and a son in law who was the Boy-Who-Lived. The Patils themselves rode to King's crossing in a one of his vehicles, dressing up as one of the Muggles, something old grandpa Patil would never have deigned to do. Roger was a Vice President at the Weasley International and worked directly for Bill, and ran occasional errands to George and Ron's little business. Right now he was on the phone with George's secretary./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Padma came over and amicably pinched my cheek./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Smile for the family, idiot," Padma hisses through gritted teeth./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"She is my twin, and she is the furthest thing from me in the world./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I smile. I kiss Nana and Mom and Dad and my nephews and niece. And I even try to make an effort to kiss Padma, but she holds me at arm's length./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Let's not push it," Padma smiles sweetly./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"They say that the Albus Potter and Rose Weasley would be attending Hogwarts in a couple of years. It was the gossip of the world, and no one would stop shutting up about it. But knowing Harry, he'd probably conjure up a refined and retracted way to not come into the spotlight./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""If you get chased out of school after your first year, I'll kill you," Padma adds./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I would like to retort, but my will to get away from her is greater./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Yeah, sure, fine," I mutter, fumbling for the cigarettes in my pocket. Roger is still on the phone with the Weasley secretary. "Bye, Roger."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"He doesn't hear me, or is ignoring me. No one's supposed to intrude Roger when he's doing important things. I feel rebellious; I walk up to Roger and wave at him in front of his face. He offers a curt smile and turns away let my waving would interfere with his Enchanted Muggle Phone./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I said, 'Bye, Roger'," I shout at him. Roger shoots an annoyed look at Padma, as if to say 'do you mind putting down your rabid sister?'./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Padma rushes forward and drags me away. A few more steps and she's shoved me onto the train. The family is ashamed of me and Dad tries to apologise to Roger, but Padma shoos Dad away as well./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Disgusted, I board the train./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"No, this wasn't the Hogwarts of my youth. This was Hogwarts grown up with me, where the children of Goblins dream to attend sometimes, and where Centaurs are no longer 'Magical Creatures', but works as patrolmen and foresters. The Trolley now has sweets with familiar names, but with odd Runes beside them that represents not much magic but more of things like 'Limited', 'Incorporated', and 'Trademark'. Chocolate Frogs now have nutrition information, and recommended daily helpings, but the Frogs themselves don't jump about as they used to, and rather limp once in a while./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I find an empty stall and place my small bag on my lap, pulling my cowl about my head and hoping to sleep. But, alas, the children are inquisitive, and at first a shy girl enters, and then her friend, and then a flock. Soon, I am surrounded by bustling children./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Are you a teacher?" one of the girls ask./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I wan't to say 'no', so they'd leave me alone, so I can find an empty stall and smoke, and then the stench of my cigarettes wouldn't matter. But then I can't lie to them. I'm not much of a 'moral' person, but since I'm now a "professor of Hogwarts" I want to do something about my life. Maybe I should stop smoking./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The thought is ludicrous, so I laugh out loud. But the girl asked a question, and it comes off as though I am utterly pleased and fascinated by children when I reply, "Oh, yes, I am."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""What do you teach?" another one asks./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You'll see," I smile. I read somewhere that children like mysteries./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"But their face droops a little./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Are you a DADA teacher?" one of them asks, looking slightly enthusiastic. "DADA teachers are cursed!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Really?" I smile. Michael Corner's been teaching DADA for years without incident. Padma had been a close friend of Michael and said that the Ministry of Magical Education was cutting his funds and decreasing his classes until last year they decided to combine his curriculum with History of Magic./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""They say that an ancient Slytherin curse is on the DADA class," the first girl chirps./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Don't be silly," an older girl snaps. She's a second year student, wearing Green. "There's no such curse. DADA is just boring and there's simply nothing to learn."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I think I'll kill myself if I get sorted into Slytherin."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I'm going to cut off all my hair if I get sorted into Slytherin."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""They say that Slytherins live in a dungeon!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I want to be sorted into Gryffindor, just like Ginny Weasley!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Where did you get sorted, ma'am?" the first girl asks./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Where do you think?" I am trying to do this new thing; being a responsible adult. It's a bit difficult but the train hasn't even pulled out of London, yet. Merlin, I want to smoke./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""I think you're-" but the girl is cut short./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""She's obviously Slytherin," another girl giggles. "she would have said otherwise."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The older Slytherin girl looks angry, but keeps silent. Another round of anti-Slytherin sentiment erupts./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I look about the children and there is a weird feeling that stirs in me. I see my childhood self there, it could be this one or that, chatting with Lavender, talking badly about someone or another without much thought. No, I was not the Slytherin girl. I was not the shy one next to me./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"hr style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Malgun Gothic'; font-size: medium;" noshade="noshade" size="1" /p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Hagrid is out to greet us, as he has been doing all his life. He still lives in the hut, and despite his hero status, he is one of the few people who has always been a down to earth person. Compared to him, even the saintly Potter seems fickle. Hagrid opens his arms to each and every one of the children. I spot Neville Longbottom up among the throng of children. Hagrid opens his arms, and Neville embraces him in return, as if he was still a shy boy./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I had never been particularly friendly with Hagrid. He had always been a confidante of the Trio. Hagrid opens his arms, and I stare up at the half-giant./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I was never one for hugging. "Hey, Hagrid."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Hagrid winks back at me. "Hey, Parvati. Welcome back."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Hagrid closes his arms and I walk with him at the rear./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""You don't have to walk me to the Carriage, Hagrid," I shrug, "Neville looks anxious to talk with you."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Hagrid spots Neville, but not without putting on a pair of glasses. "Heh, looks like he does. But I'd rather talk with you, Parvati."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Always one for the underdog, Hagrid?" The night is cold./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Sorry about Lavender," Hagrid mumbles./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Yeah, Lavender pokes in my mind once in a while. Sometimes as the hyperactive young girl with an infectious taste for gossip, sometimes as the hyperactive woman with an infectious taste for fashion. She embodied the Young Witch of this generation, and with her death I feel more than just empty about a lost friend. Sometimes I feel that what little optimism I had about those like myself left behind hung on my own personal hero./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Who could have killed her?/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"Seamus, despite his promise, avoided me since the incidence. I'm not sure it's because he has nothing, or because there's something else about./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"hr style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Malgun Gothic'; font-size: medium;" noshade="noshade" size="1" /p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""This year we have two new professors joining the faculty," Madame Sprout had been the headmistress since McGonnagal stepped down last year to retire to the countryside. I hear that her star pupil, Hermione, goes out of her way to visit her on her birthdays and Christmas. To fill in for Hufflepuff's head of house, Sybil stepped in. Sybil clasps my hand warmly and smiles at me through her thick spectacles that have grown thicker. At least I have one good friend left in the world./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""Professor Neville Longbottom," Sprout beams at her favourite as Neville stands up from his seat, greeted with rancorous applause./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"The children all know Neville. There's a statue of Neville in his home town, holding the sword of Gryffindor over Nagini. There was a play written about Neville slaying a Dragon. I don't think the Association on Magical Animal Rights looked kindly on that play./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""He is a famous Auror," Sprout continues Neville's introduction, forcing him to stand up again with a shy smile, "and a brave warrior who slew You-Know-Who's demon snake. He's returned to Hogwarts for his great love of Herbology! Everyone give a hand to our handsome proud son!"/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"For a moment Neville was probably more revered than even Harry./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""And for Charms," I stand up, "Professor Flitwick will not be returning this year."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I hang there for a moment, wondering how my own introduction would go./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""He's come down with a dreadful cold," Sprout continues, and I hang there, not being able to stand up or sit down. "I hope that all of us could join in wishing our dear Professor Flitwick to return to health."/p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"I hear a couple of giggles from the girls who sat with me on the train, now sitting up front./p
p style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;""To fill in, Professor Padma Patil has joined us," Sprout proclaims. I think she did that on purpose./p