DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything that looks familiar, this all belongs to J.K. Rowling. The character of Jane Groenhorst is mine though.
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Chapter Five: Of surprises and potions
JPO
After having a quick bite to eat in the Great Hall, where everyone was enjoying luncheon, I spent the rest of my day in my chambers casting spells with my newly acquired wand. I must admit that it is easier than doing wandless magic, but I'm still doing it silently, thank you very much. After two hours of waving my wand around I summoned my favourite book from my bookshelf and started reading. The love story of the innocent character of Jane Eyre and the dark brooding Mr Rochester always made me feel happy. The only thing I am unable to understand is how Jane cannot forgive Rochester's past sins at first. I think if it had been me, I would have forgiven him in a heartbeat, everyone has a past in which they did things that might not have been their choice and therefore regret, haven't they?
SPOV
After my ridiculously honest reply to Miss Jane's uttering of gratitude, I stormed off to my chambers. How could I have said such a thing? She must be horrified to know that I found it a pleasure to be in her company! I tried to brew some potions for Poppy to get my mind of the young woman, but I could not concentrate. So I settled in my favourite chair in front if the fireplace and continued in my book. It was a Christmas present from Albus some years ago. He told me that one of the characters in the book reminded him of me. So far I see no likenesses, except for the fact that Jane left Rochester once she learned of his past sins, and so would every woman who would know about mine…
My stomach rumbled. I looked at the clock at saw that it was six-thirty, time for dinner. I would rather not face Miss Jane just yet, but on the other hand I would rather not vex Albus either by not joining everyone in the Great Hall. For breakfast and lunch I am excused, but during dinner I have to show myself in the Great Hall. Once I entered the Hall, the first thing that catches my eye is a speck of Slytherin green at the Ravenclaw table. Her hair is no longer down, but up in a sophisticated bun, her wand sticking out from it. Hoping no one noticed my wandering gaze, I put up my usual sneer and sit myself down at the high table. Dinner went by as usual, some of my fellow colleagues were chatting, while I ate my meal in silence.
After everyone had finished, Albus suddenly spoke: "Dear ladies and gentlemen. You might have noticed that Miss Jane has not attended any classes as of yet. Fortunately she is now the proud owner of a wand and can join the rest of her classmates in their studies. We have decided to place Miss Jane in the sixth year, with a trial period of one month. After this month we will decide whether she will remain in sixth year or if she is ready for seventh year. After discussing with our esteemed Potions professor…" I looked at Albus in shock, we did not discuss anything! What is that meddling old coot up to. "We have decided that Miss Jane will need some extra tutoring in Potions. She will therefore have two private classes after school hours on Wednesdays and Fridays provided by Professor Snape, who was so kind to make some extra time for her in his already busy schedule. That was all good evening."
JPOV
Someone was watching me. While I was eating my dinner I kept feeling someone's eyes on me, but every time I looked around I could not discover who it was. Maybe I was just becoming paranoid, new environments can do that to a person. After dinner the Headmaster started speaking. Nothing new, they're placing me in sixth year. "After discussing with our esteemed Potions professor and concluding that Miss Jane might have been able to learn the theory of brewing she needs some practice putting her knowledge into practice. So we have decided that Miss Jane will need some extra tutoring in Potions. She will therefore have two private classes after school hours on Wednesdays and Fridays provided by Professor Snape, who was so kind to make some extra time for her in his already busy schedule." I need private tutoring? I've successfully brewed dozens of different potions! Not that I mind private tutoring, I can learn a lot from Professor Snape, but the nerve to tell the entire school that my brewing skills are lacking! I shall speak with the Headmaster after dinner. Professor Snape doesn't seem too happy with this arrangement either, if looks could kill, then Headmaster Dumbledore should be in his grave already.
Determined to speak to the Headmaster I walked up to the High Table. "Excuse me Professor Dumbledore, could I have a word with you about your announcement?" "But of course Miss Jane, why don't we go to my office and discuss it?" I nodded my head in approval and followed him out the Great Hall. After a walk of a few minutes, we were standing in front of a gargoyle. "Cotton candy," he said to the statue, which began to move. He winked at me, "I have a sweet tooth and I happen to love muggle candy." I had to agree with him that cotton candy was one of the most delicious muggle sweets. Behind the gargoyle was a winding staircase, which started to move like one of those moving staircases you find in malls or subway stations, only this one wasn't straight. On the top of the staircase, behind a heavy oak door, was Dumbledore's office. "Now Miss Jane,what can I do for you?" Well Professor, like I said I wanted to talk to you about your announcement just now, about me needing private tutoring. I don't know if you are aware of the fact that I have successfully brewed several potions at home." "No I was not, however, I already guessed that you had." "But if you already thought that I was capable of brewing potions, then why do you and Professor Snape think that I need private tutoring?" "Well to be honest with you my dear, neither Professor Snape nor I believe that you need private tutoring. In fact Professor Snape did not know anything about the private tutoring until I announced." "I'm sorry sir, but I'm confused. Why do I get private tutoring while no one thinks I need it. And why was the person who is to tutor me unaware of this?" "Well Miss Jane this is all part of one of my more brilliant ideas. I thought that with your mind you might like some extra class. Also I noticed that Professor Snape respects you and treats you somewhat different than other students. He is quite a lonely boy and needs some company and I was hoping that you would both enjoy these tutoring sessions, intellectual conversation and such. However, I could not say this to the rest of the school, so the only reason I could think of to justify these private tutoring sessions without raising suspicion was by claiming that you needed some extra classes." "I see. But this still hasn't explained why you haven't told
Professor Snape." "Well you see Miss Jane, he would have declined to go through with this plan, because he believes, or at least I think that he believes that no one in their right minds would want to spent any time with him. He spends all of his time by himself, except for dinner and staff meetings." "Well I don't mind at all, I found him quite a pleasant companion this morning, but I see just one problem with this plan of yours. During the regular Potions classes it will become clear that my brewing skills are above average, unless you want me to pretend that they are not?" "Miss Jane you have read my thoughts! I think it would be wise if you made small errors. Small errors that do not result in exploding cauldrons, injured classmates and Professor Snape yelling at you. I'm very certain that he does not want to yell at you, but on the other hand he does want to keep his reputation of being the nasty greasy old bat of the dungeons." "I understand sir. One final question. Shall I inform Professor Snape of all this?" "I leave that completely up to you my dear. Here is your timetable, oh dear." There they were again, those Christmas tree lights that were his eyes. "What is it Professor?" He handed me my timetable and the first two hours were marked 'Potions'….