Hello, I'm sorry please don't kill me. I'll give you cookies? Honestly guys I have been losing my enthusiasm for this story set recently, but I have also at the same time, been losing my enthusiasm for writing in general. I guess at the moment I have kinda been thinking that I need to do something with my life. I'm not giving up on this story, no way! I love where it's going, and I do have a story plan of how I'm going to continue, but I am having problems thinking of the storyline for the last story in my trilogy. Work isn't really helping, cause everything is so busy over the summer in retail (honestly how I have managed nearly 3 years at my job is a mystery to me), but in just over a month I will finally be able to have my 2 weeks holiday from work, and I am seriously needing a break, I think my last break from work was April! Oh the joys of being an adult! On a slightly better note, I have recently passed my driving test! Look out world I'm loose on the roads!
Anyway enough of my ramblings, just a quick question though, does anyone actually read the authors comments at the beginning of chapters? I know I read some, but if anyone is actually reading my ramblings (and I don't mean the story ramblings) please say something. I would be nice to know I'm not just writing this down for nothing.
Chapter 9
September the first came around quicker than Jenny expected. She had spent her time at Hogwarts with Professor Charity Burbage her Muggle Studies colleague, going over lesson plans, getting used to her classroom and being given some helpful pointers for her lessons. Since Jenny didn't possess any magic, and she couldn't have a teacher sitting in with her all the time, she had chosen to conduct her lessons in more Muggle fashion. Instead of writing with quill and ink, she had bought pens and notebooks for the students to use, her blackboard would be written on with actual chalk, instead of magically writing things, and her students would have a Muggle experience at learning Muggle Studies. Charity thought it was a wonderful idea, although she herself had been a muggle until she was 11, her lessons were more magical based, but the pair decided to try Jenny's idea and see how it worked out. Minerva had continued to show Jenny the various aspects of the castle, and she had been warned about the dangers of the Forbidden Forest, to which she gladly agreed never to enter. Albus had introduced her to all the current ghostly guests of the castle, and the house elves which both scared and interested Jenny. She had been formally and properly introduced to all the staff members and the children of the teachers. With Jenny's permission Minerva had also placed a protection charm over her, just in case any rouge spells came in her direction.
It was also during her time at Hogwarts that Jenny had set aside her confrontation with Lily and had tried to make friends with the Marauders. She seemed to get on well with Alice and Maddie straight off, as the girls treated her like a person and not just someone who could have possibly been from their past. The same could be said for Frank and Remus. Tonks was her normal self and something about her reminded Jenny of April, so they too had struck up a good friendship. Sirius had been apprehensive at first, but over the time he and Jenny had struck up a friendship and often the two could be found in her classroom playing exploding snap, which Jenny still flinched at no matter how many times they played. Lily however had still to apologise for her outburst, simply she was scared. James tried his hardest to be the middle man between his wife and this newcomer to the castle, but Jenny could tell he was as scared of her appearance as Lily was. She guessed it was because Lily had been searching for her sister for 8 years, her twin sister, which was someone you couldn't forget easily. Severus meanwhile was a mystery. Jenny couldn't help but be intrigued by the mystery that surrounded the man. He seemed too stared at her every time they met, and he had yet to even say a 'hello' to her. Minerva had warned her that in the last 8 years Severus had become increasingly distant from those he had once spent every waking minute with, all since Rachel's disappearance. Jenny meanwhile had been intrigued, determined almost to find out everything she could about the man.
That evening the new students had arrived on the train and boats had carried them to the castle. They were all chattering amongst themselves as they stared up at the floating candles adoring the ceiling, the sea of young 11 year olds dressed in their black robes, all eager to learn all the magic they could. Some of the older students stared at the staff table as they took their seats. They recognised all the older faces of their previous professors. Professor's Potter, Lupin and Flitwick all seated and smiling as they converse in hushed tones. Professor Snape sat on the end of the table as normal dressed all in black, with his signature scowl etched on his face. Next to the staff table was a smaller platform which was designated for the children of Hogwarts. Harry sat next to Neville, with Ava next to her brother; he was tasked with keeping an eye on her during dinner. Teddy Lupin was next to Neville, and Sarah and Hannah, took the remaining 2 seats, with Draco Malfoy sitting quietly next to Sarah. What was interesting for most of the students was the new young teacher sitting next to Professor Burbage. She had short black hair and a pair of bright blue eyes. She seemed to be engaged in a topical discussion with the Muggle Studies professor. Some of the students were wondering if she was the newest Defence against the Dark Arts professor.
Since He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had cursed the position the school had never been able to keep a professor for more than a year. The last professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, had left at the end of the last year after much speculation that the famous writer wasn't actually the prolific writer he claimed to be, and in actual fact was a complete fraud. Minerva was standing with the first years she had escorted into the hall. An old worn hat was sitting on a wooden stool, Jenny had been informed this was the sorting hat; an old magic object which would sort the new first year students into their houses. Dumbledore rose to address the chattering students.
"I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce." He began. The first years please note, that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also our caretaker Mr Flitch," He gestured to the back where an older man stood dressed in a long brown trench coat and the light simmered off his balding head. "Has asked me to remind you that the 3rd floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds, to anyone who does not wish to die a painful death. Thank you."
'Great way to inspire the children.' Jenny mumbled to herself.
The hat began to come to life, and as it did it began to sing a rather melancholic song.
Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!
Jenny joined the fellow students and teacher clapping to the hat as it finished its song. Minerva then began a roll call of all the new students and used the hat to sort them into their new houses. Once it had finished he rose again.
"Let the feast begin." Dumbledore stated.
After Jenny had fully stuffed herself silly, she turned to Charity.
"That was the most delicious meal I've ever had, just don't tell my mother." Charity chuckled.
"Trust me by the time you finish here next year you will have at least doubled your body weight." Both women chuckled. From her seat at the other end of the table Lily couldn't help but see Jenny and Charity's interactions with each other. Her heart felt sadness creeping in.
'That should be me.' She thought. 'That should be me and Rachel.'
Once the students had finished their meals and eyes began to grow sleepy, Dumbledore stood to make his final announcements for the evening.
"Before you all head off to your beds, I have 2 small announcements left to make. For those older students you will undoubtedly recognise the majority of our teaching staff, except for 2 new additions. Professor Andrew Castleford will be joining us as our newest Defence Against The Dark Arts professor." He gestured to the older man sitting next to Professor Flitwick, who stood to a small applause from the crowds of students. Dumbledore smiled at the man, and he took his seat again.
"And to Professor Jennifer Matthews, who will be joining Professor Burbage in teaching the third through to fifth year Muggle Studies students. I hope you will join me in wishing them both a warm welcome." Jenny stood at Albus's introduction, and the students could now see she was the black haired blue eyes woman they had all been wondering about. There was something about her that some of the students picked up on. She seemed nervous, maybe it was just down to her new job, or maybe there was something else. Jenny quickly sat down again.
"That is all for tonight," Albus continued "Prefects please escort your house members to their respective houses, lessons will begin tomorrow. Good night to you all."
Ok so another chapter done and posted. I'm not going to ramble on again this time, but please as normal read and review, and hopefully you will all hear from me again soon.
Beth xx