A/N: J.K. Rowling is the creator of the Harry Potter universe and Jane Austen is the author behind Sense and Sensibility. They have graciously allowed me to play with their characters and their worlds, but all the credit goes to them!
Prolouge
Professor Dumbledore heard the knock from his desk as he was sifting through his paperwork which included notes and requests from his professors. "Come in," he called jovially. In response, a dirty blonde headed woman with grey-blue eyes entered the headmaster's study. "How may I help you?" he asked the woman. "Albus, I need to talk to you about Ms. Granger's concern about my class." she replied. "You know that she's Muggleborn?" she asked. Professor Dumbledore just nodded his head in response. "Of course," she continued "She loves Jane Austen's books and is appalled that it wasn't on the syllabus. However, the majority of Hogwarts students aren't familiar with Jane Austen's works and I want them to be engaged and not be bored."
As Professor Burbage was talking, a familiar twinkle appeared in his eye. "Charity, I might just have an idea," he mused "If this goes well, this syllabus addition could extend to the younger years who take your class as well." Professor Burbage just looked at the sage headmaster in shock before she narrowed her eyes in thoughtfulness. "Say on, Albus," she coaxed him. "My idea is that I will have Professor McGonagall request that the seventh years stay behind after the Welcoming Feast and then you will outline the nature of this assignment," he replied. "They will go through the Hogwarts Founders' Pensieve that has been passed from Headmaster to Headmaster into Miss Austen's memories of her final draft of Sense and Sensibility along with some professors and parents I will also ask to partake in the assignment as well. Is there anything else you would like to add?" he suggested kindly. "Why, yes, Albus," she ejaculated, "Is there a way also for you, I, and the professors not participating can watch?" "Of course there is," he replied smoothly "We shall have the Pensieve projected onto a screen." "Thank you, Albus," she said as she left his study.
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Meanwhile, Severus Snape was working on finalizing his lesson plans for this term when the fire in his fireplace suddenly turned green with the addition of Floo powder and Professor Dumbledore stepped through the Floo. "Albus," he inclined his head in politeness as he greeted the headmaster. "Severus, my boy," he responded in kind "Do you want some sherbet lemon?" "No thank you, Albus," Professor Snape declined with a scowl. "I presume this is not just a courtesey call to see how your favorite Potions professor is doing on his lesson planning," he sarcastically added.
"You're correct, Severus," Professor Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye. Professor Snape raised his eyebrow at Professor Dumbledore's twinkle. 'Nothing good comes from that damned twinkle!' He thought to himself with dread. The last time Albus had that twinkle, he had been coerced into looking after Harry Potter who looked awfully a lot like his former bully-James. "Hopefully this won't be an extension to my duties as Potions Master/Professor and babysitting the Potter spawn?" he snarkily asked. This time though Professor Dumbledore ignored the snarky comment and went right into his request. "Severus, hasn't anyone told you that you would make an excellent Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility?" he asked his snarky colleague. "Why, no because the dunderheads are too frightened to make Jane Austen references," he retorted after being taken aback by the compliment. Professor Dumbledore knew that Severus never had been complimented much before and this was just his Occlumency shields going up and tightening in response. "Severus, do you want to be Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility for a seventh year-wide assignment," Professor Dumbledore asked. "Obviously not unless you deign to explain why?" Professor Snape asked with his eyebrows raised. "Your precious insufferable know-it-all has asked Charity if Jane Austen could be added to the syllabus and I decided to include all the seventh years because they are mature enough for this assignment," Professor Dumbledore cheekily responded. In response Professor Snape glared at him and stiffly replied "Get. Out." "Thank you so much for this lovely chat, Severus," Professor Dumbledore cheerily responded before Flooing to ask the other Professors, Arthur and Molly Weasley, and Walburga and Orion Black to be part of Sense and Sensibility.
The others were much more amenable and willing to help the Headmaster. Even Walburga and Orion, though their passion for Jane Austen's works were hidden behind their Slytherin demeanor of haughtiness, coolly agreed to the project. "Make sure to arrive at Hogwarts in time for the Welcoming Feast on September 1st," he added.