Chapter 7
Ms. Evans' Class
But Harriet's teacher, Ms. Lillian Evans, a beautiful green eyed red headed woman, was nothing like the headmistress at all. She was one of those remarkable, kind, and caring people who appreciated every single child she taught for who they were.
Ms. Evans was a great teacher and a friend to nearly everyone at Hogwarts Hall. However, her life was not as simple and wonderful as it seemed. Ms. Evans had a dark, foreboding secret. And although it caused her great pain, she did not let it interfere with her job.
As Harriet put away her backpack in her assigned cubby, she saw Ms. Evans helping Lavender unbraid her pigtails. When she was finished, Lavender offered her the flowers she took with her to class. "I brought them from the field, Ms. Evans. I thought you'd like them."
"Oh, they're lovely, Lavender, thank you very much!", Ms. Evans said gently. She placed them in a glass jar filled with water and a few other wildflowers, then turned to her class. "Alright, class, listen up, please. We have a new student joining us today." Ms. Evans gestured to Harriet, who was standing by the desks. "This is Harriet Dursley. Harriet, your seat is with Hermione, Ronald, and Neville."
Ms. Evans continued as Harriet sat at her desk, which were all in groups of four. "Now all of you remember how you felt on your own first days of school, so I'd like you all to be especially nice to Harriet and make sure she feels welcome here."
When Harriet looked around her group, she recognized Ron and Hermione from outside, and Neville from when Ms. Lestrange dressed him down because of his clothes. She smiled and waved to the three of them, then turned her focus to her teacher.
"Well, Harriet, you've come on a very good day', said Ms. Evans, 'because we're going to review everything we've learned so far. Now, it's alright if you don't know how to do what we've learned because you're new here, but if you do know an answer, just raise your hand, ok?"
Harriet smiled and nodded.
"Alright, then.", She turned to the rest of her students. "Since we've recently been working on our two times tables, would anyone like to demonstrate?"
Immediately, almost all the children raised their hands. Ms. Evans smiled. "Okay, how about we do some together?" Everyone nodded eagerly.
Ms. Evans began. "Two times four is...?"
All the children (including Harriet.) responded. "Eight!"
"Two times six is...?"
"Twelve!"
"Two times nine is...?"
"Eighteen!"
"Excellent job! You've all been practicing!", praised Ms. Evans. "And someday, when you're older, you'll learn how to do any sort of multiplication, such as two times seven...?", She gestured for them to answer.
"Fourteen!", the children chorused once again.
"That's right! Or even with bigger numbers like, say, eighteen times one hundred and eleven!"
The children laughed at that, but to everyone's shock, Harriet responded. "One thousand nine hundred and ninety eight."
Ms. Evans looked at her in surprise and curiosity. "I beg your pardon?"
Harriet felt a bit self-conscious for a moment, then spoke. "Well...I think that's the right answer... 18 x 111 = 1-9-9-8."
Ms. Evans looked thoughtful for a moment, then got a piece of paper and her pencil to check Harriet's math. When she finished, she looked over at Harriet in surprise. "Yes...it is."
The rest of the children were in awe. To them, multiplying with a number bigger than double digits was an incredible feat.
"Harriet", Ms. Evans said, "do you know how to multiply most big numbers?"
"I think so," said Harriet. "I read an interesting book on mathematics last month in the library."
Ms. Evans smiled. "Oh, so you like to read?"
"Oh, yes, Ms. Evans, I love reading pretty much anything I find interesting. Lately, though, I've been reading books with a fantasy theme. I could read King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table all day."
Ms. Evans beamed. "So could I." She then turned to the rest of her class. "Alright everyone, I'd like you to take out your workbooks and start on section three. I'll be back in a minute."
As she walked out of her classroom, Ms. Evans looked back at Harriet, who was having no trouble whatsoever with completing section three in her workbook.
This girl is definitely something else... she thought.
