disclaimer: I'm not making any money from this. I'm just having fun. Thanks to JKR for creating this wonderful world.

chapter 9

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Our visit to Hogsmeade was cut short by another rain storm. I'd only gotten to see a small part of the village, I knew that I'd be back, though. I decided to use my free afternoon to set up my classroom for the students that would be arriving tomorrow night. I'd brought a few supplies for my students from America. I'd asked Macgonagle for her permission to do things a bit different than tradition called for, and after hearing my ideas she'd agreed.

"Miss Glinda," I heard Colin's voice behind me, I was pretty sure that I had something that would make the ghost quite happy.

"Well hello, Colin," I greeted him, and I went to my desk. "I found out some of the information you wanted... about your family."

"You have?!"

"Yes, before the rain hit this morning I spent some time in Hogsmeade, and I spoke to Professor Longbottom. I explained that I'd made some new friends at Hogwarts and one of them needed some information. I asked him about your family." I paused for a second, wanting to make sure he really wanted to hear what I had to say.

"And?" he asked anxiously.

"Your brother graduated from Hogwarts, and went into business. At the age of twenty-one he went to work for George Weasley in his joke shop, two years later, he was helping George and Ron with research and design. A year later he met Nanette Garant while in Paris on business. They were married two years later. They have a fifteen month old son: Colin Claude Creevey. Right now, Dennis is living in Hogsmeade, managing that branch of Wizard Wheezes. I met him this morning." I pulled a photograph out of my desk drawer and showed it to Colin. It showed and grown-up version of Colin's brother, with a beautiful chestnut haired woman, they held a happy apple-cheeked toddler between them, all three were happily waving at the camera. I took a push pin out of the bowl on my desk, and tacked the picture up onto the cork board that was hung next to the black board. For several minutes he just stared at the picture, with tears in his eyes.

"I'd told him that everything would be all right," Colin finally said. He Turned to me and smiled sadly. "Thank you, Miss Glinda." He disappeared. I never saw the ghost of Colin Creevey again. I left the picture up in the cork board.

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The students arrives at 7:00 pm on Thursday evening. As I was the newest addition to the Hogwarts staff I wasn't given any extra responsibilities as other professors were. Because, I'd never been to Hogwarts as a student I would not be the head of any of the houses. I sat at the head table in the great hall watching the youngsters file in. Returning students were escorted in first by their house prefects, the Neville led the first years in. I sat between Professor Flitwick and Hagrid watching the sorting as Flitwick explained the process to me. "The hat chooses the House for each student," he said.

"It was originally the property of Godric Gryffindor. Watch as Longbottom calls each name."

"Adams, Erica!"

A small girl with glossy brown curls and bright brown eyes walked up to the stool and shyly sat on it, Neville gently put the hat on the girls head, and the hat shouted "Ravenclaw!" There were great applause from the Ravenclaw table as the young miss was led off to her new scholastic family.

"Bowers, Travis."

"Gryffindor!"

The next two children were sorted into Hufflepuff, and Slytherin respectively. None of the names were familiar to me, I figured that I'd learn their names as time went on. Towards the then of the Alphabet, I finally heard a last name I recognized. "Weasley, Victoire." Charlie had told me about his goddaughter, his older brother Bill's first child. I'd seen some beautiful children in my time, but little Victoire looked like a tiny angel, with strawberry blond hair and luminous dark eyes. She had a face like a little doll. She sat on the stool tentatively, and the hat wasted no time. "GRYFFINDOR!" Her face broke into a huge grin, she ran to the appropriate table and immediately sat down next to a tallish boy with blue hair, he looked to be a couple years older than Victoire.

Flitwick noticed me watching them, "the older boy is Teddy Lupin, he's a third year. He's a metamorphmagus. The only thing he's really learned to change, though, is his hair. His skills will get stronger as he ages. Your predecessor, Professor Monk, thought he was one of his brightest students in his year, considering who his parents are, it's not surprising." It wasn't hard to come to the conclusion of who the boys parents were. Tonks and Remus were standing in the shadows watching their son with his obviously best friend. "The war left too many orphans," Flitwick commented. "Teddy's parents were Remus and Nymphadora Lupin, two of the most valiant people I'd ever met. They were both killed in the battle of Hogwarts. Lupin was one of the best DADA professors we'd ever had."

"I guess I have some big shoes to fill then, don't I Filius? I hope I can do his memory justice."

"I'm sure you will, Glinda dear, I'm sure you will."

"Now that the sorting is finished," Macgonagle rapped her wand on the table to get everyones attention. She stood up. "First of all," she said "We welcome all the returning and new students. Before we start our feast I have a few announcements to make. First let me remind you that

Hogsmeade village is off limits to unauthorized students. Students are not allowed to enter the forbidden forest unescorted. A list of banned Weasley products is posted outside Caretaker Goyle's office. Also, I would like to introduce you to our newest staff member: Professor Glinda Goode comes to us from Boston Massachusetts, USA. She will be taking over your Defense Against the Dark Arts instruction." Macgonalge motioned to me, I stood up quickly and waved to the students. One of the older students from the Gryffindor table let out a wholf whistle.

"Quite a welcome there, professor," Hagrid remarked to me, quietly.

"I guess they're happy to see me." I shrugged. Pitch chose just that moment to poke his nose out from the hood of my robes. He climbed up onto my shoulder.

"And, who's this wee fellow?" Hagrid asked as he gave my rat a gentle pat.

"This is Pitch," I said. "He was a gift from a friend."

"Ain't he cunnin."

"I know that I probably shouldn't have him at the table but he's still a baby."

"Don't you worry none, I won't tell."

Macgonagle finished her speech and the feast appeared on the table. The food was delicious, although I did have to discourage Flitwick and Hagrid from giving Pitch tidbits from the table.