AN- Like I promised, second half of the chapter. Hope you like it, thanks for the support and loyalty, feel free to review or PM me or my partner. -cowriter

Chapter 4B- POV Jo

"I can't say I regret my choice, Jo. You were brilliant today."

Oliver's words are still ringing in my ears, days later. If I think about them too much, I turn bright red all over again. Cas keeps pushing me to tell her what he said and why I got so flustered over it, but this is one secret I think I'll keep. It's odd, this is the first time I have something I don't share with Cas, but there's no way in hell she'd understand Quidditch. She keeps saying to me that I should be trying to challenge or even injure Peakes, but he's my teammate- I can't betray him. I'll get the spot, but it's worth waiting for. It's not worth ruining the team.

Quidditch is slowing but surely becoming the center of my Hogwarts life. Me and George are spending more time with all the other players on and off the pitch. Being able to just let loose at practice, it takes the edge off schoolwork.

Classes are well into being started, but I'm not exactly in learning mode. It's not like me, Cas, and the twins are sneaking out anymore, but that doesn't mean I'm actually focussed. I'm very much not focussed. George can say that he's at least into some of his classes- for some reason Herbology comes real easy to him, and he's tried explaining the lessons to me, but its just not my thing. Cas is still completely convinced Potions is fun, but she doesn't make any more effort trying to explain her reasoning to me than I try to understand what were supposed to be learning.

Me and Fred are getting kinda closer though- he likes charms class, and I find it interesting enough. Last year I was only really friends with George, but he and Cas are both so close with Fred that I figured I should make an effort. It's easier than I thought. I tried convincing Cas to make the same type of effort with George, but she keeps complaining that he calls her "Cassidy" instead of "Cas". I try to tell her that that's her name, but apparently that's irrelevant to her. She's complicated.

Not as complicated as Defense against the Dark Arts though. Last year it was my best and favorite class, but I don't think it'll go the same way this year. Like- last year, Quirrel was my teacher, and he was pretty cool. Not too hard on tests or anything. And also I had Cas in my class, and she was like a genius with it and would help. But this year Quirrel is gone and DaDA is a Gryffindor/Hufflepuff class, so obviously Cas isn't here. So, so far the class is not my favorite, to say the least. The new Professor is alright, but a little old and stuffy. So far the lessons as manageable enough, which is lucky for me since I'm not about to go asking Cas for help. Yes, she owes me, for the whole humiliating hug thing and probably a ton of other reasons, that much is very obvious to me. But I don't want to give her the satisfaction of knowing I need help (let alone her help) in a class. So for now, I'll struggle on.

I'm on my way towards DaDA when I see Cas coming out. She's late, I think, but she's looks happy. Excited, even. I wouldn't go so far to say she's not a nerd, but this is excessive, even for her. She's pushing through the crowd of gold and red, and when she sees me, she signals me to stop.

"You won't believe it!" she pants, obviously feeling rushed.

"What?!" I'm curious, and a little panicked. The last time she was this excited was my party, and I'm still wrestling with myself about how I feel about that surprise.

"I can't actually say- I gotta go- but, hey! Hey! Pay attention in class. Like, real close attention. Understand?" She looks at me expectantly. I don't know what she's expecting, and I certainly don't understand. I nod my head and she runs off to whatever class she has next.

I see George with an open seat next to him, so I take the liberty of occupying it. He smiles over, and I ask if he knows what the lesson today is going to cover. He shakes his head and laughs, saying it's funny how I'm all of the sudden a nerd. I shove him, call him a nerd, and repeat Cas's cryptic message. He waves it off, saying that Cassidy is the nerd and that I shouldn't pay her any attention.

The class isn't started yet but Professor Knight starts walking around the room, taking attendance I think. But then she stops next to me and George and looks at us. I look over and say good morning, waiting for her to move on or start class or something, but she just keeps looking at me. Something's different about her, but I can't put my finger on it.

"'Morning, Jo. George." She smiles at us, but I feel like it's really aimed at me. I nod and say good morning again, trying but failing not to make a confused face. She just keeps looking, that same kind of expectation I saw in Cas's face. I don't get why people are being so weird today.

It's time for class to start, and Professor Knight moves to the front of the room. The lesson is pretty boring- we just discuss different kind of magical creatures. Cornish Pixies. I pay more attention than usual, but I really don't see why Cas found it so interesting. I'll have to find her later and ask her about it.

All through class, Professor Knight keeps walking over and stopping near me and George, and calling on me to read and answer questions way more then usual. And she keeps calling me Jo, instead of Jolene. I ask George if he remembers her ever doing it before, and he shakes his head. He also calls me paranoid, and I stick my tongue out at him.

The rest of class is pretty boring. At the end everyone gets up to go, but Professor Knight tells me to stay back. I just stand by the door and tell George to wait for me. She makes her way over to me, and I really don't know what to expect.

"So, Jo, what do you think of class this year?"

"It's...real good, Professor."

"I'm glad, Jo. I want you to like this class. To like me, as your profesor. Do you?" At this point, I'm getting a real weird vibe from her, and I'm glad I asked George to stay close by.

"Yeah...is that all?"

"Jo, you're not very perceptive, are you?"

"Look Professor, I've got another class, and I really don't-"

"Jo!"

I just look at her. Her mousy hair and brown eyes and pointy nose. And I know I'm supposed to see something, but I just don't. At this point I don't even care about being rude, and I turn to leave.

"Jolene Zocchi, just look at me!" I whip around, hearing her yell. But it's not Professor Knight. It's..."Tonks?"

"Yes! Finally, Jo, yes! I've been dropping hints all day- my eyes weren't the same colour as usual, how did you not see that?!"

"Ohhhhhhh...sorry. But, um, what're you doing here?" She laughs.

"I'm your professor- I really am. It's that program, didn't Cas tell you? Dumbledore's got a deal going, teaching Defense classes will help me with becoming an auror after I graduate." I don't actually know what that means, but I nod anyway.

"So, like, are you just going to be "Professor Knight" all year?"

"Yes, Jo. And you still have to come to classes. I expect a lot from you- you said you love this class."

I don't really know what she expects me to say- I'm shocked and all, but I don't feel like it's some insane, groundbreaking realization. Tonks is my teacher. She's also Cas's nanny. That's just how it is. I get now what Cas had been trying to say earlier, about me paying attention.

Im probably going to be late for class at this point, so I finally leave, after I promise Tonks not to tell anyone about her being a teacher and student in disguise all at once. I see George as I leave, and he asks what all that was about, and I tell him I can't say. Of course, he broke down and spilled my surprise party secret in three days. I'll last longer than that no doubt, but how much longer? I can't say.