Author's Note: I do not own Little Women.

Chapter 9

Ms. Evans Visits Privet Drive

That night, the Dursley family were going about their business. Dudley was watching his favorite wrestling program on their new T.V. while Harriet was completing her homework. Mr. Dursley was dying his hair back to its normal color while Mrs. Dursley was doing dishes.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Mr. Dursley looked confused. "Parcels at this hour?"

He combed back his still-drying hair and answered the door. Seeing Ms. Evans, and thinking she was some kind of saleswoman, he said, "Sorry ma'am, we're not interested in anything you're selling."

Ms. Evans looked taken aback for a second, but replied before he could close the door. "Mr. Dursley, my name is Lillian Evans, and I'm Harriet's teacher. I've come to speak to you about -"

Before she could finish, Mr. Dursley interrupted. "Oh, really? What did she do now?" He turned to the chair where Harriet was sitting and snapped, "You! Go to your room! Right now, you hear?"

Harriet got up off the chair and went up the stairs, but stayed near the top to listen in. She had seen Ms. Evans at the door, and knew this was a good thing.

Mr. Dursley turned back to the doorway. "I'm afraid whatever problem you have with her will have to wait for now. No need to worry, I'll deal with her later!"

Ms. Evans quickly blocked the door before he could close it again. "What? No, there is no problem. I came here because -"

But once again, she was rudely interrupted."Well, what are you doing here, then? We're busy!"

"Mr. Dursley, if you think some old T.V. show is more important than your own daughter, then maybe you're not fit to raise her! Now I would appreciate it if you would turn that off and listen to me, please."

Mr. Dursley groaned. "Alright, alright, come in. But I should warn you that my son isn't going to like this."

Dudley, who was imitating the wrestlers on the T.V., turned to face his father. "Who is it, Dad? Mum, I think there's someone at the door!"

"It's just some teacher from your sister's school.", Mr. Dursley responded. He took the remote and switched off the screen.

"Hey!", Dudley objected. "What was that for?! He had Jonesy on the ropes!"

By now, Mrs. Dursley had entered the living room as well. "What's going on?", she questioned.

"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley", Ms. Evans began, "I'm sure you're aware by now that Harriet has a brilliant mind." At this, both Dursleys looked at her in disbelief. Ms. Evans continued, "Her math and reading skills are just exemplary! Most of the material she's been reading is the type I didn't see until my second year of college."

Harriet snuck halfway downstairs to listen closer.

"I really feel that with private instruction that she may even be ready for college in just a few short years or so", Ms. Evans finished.

For a moment or two, the room was silent. Then, Mrs. Dursley spoke up. "Look, Ms...Ellen, was it?" Before Ms. Evans could correct her, she kept talking. "I'm afraid we'll have to disagree with your... interesting opinion. After all, not all girls and women can get everywhere by acting intelligently. I mean, take a look at you and me. You chose books, and I chose looks. And as you can see, I've gotten quite far in life." Although Mrs. Dursley didn't say, "Can you say the same for yourself?", it was definitely implied.

Ms. Evans was quite shocked at the Dursley's laissez faire attitude toward their daughter's genius. It was like they couldn't even see how intellectually talented Harriet could be. If they were this neglectful every time she was brought up...

"I do hope neither of you are trying to degrade educated people", she finally spoke up. "After all, many jobs require a college education. If one of you became ill or injured, heaven forbid, your doctor would've been a college graduate. And of course, even jobs like selling cars requires -"

"Hold it, hold it, back up!", Mr. Dursley interrupted (again!). "What are you talking about, selling cars? Who've you been talking to?!"

Considering the fact that Ms. Evans had brought up Mr. Dursley's very same job (by coincidence, of course.), it made him suspicious on why she had come in the first place. It was as if he had barely listened to her true reason.

"Um…Nobody. I don't understand what…." Ms. Evans was now confused as to why he had jumped to such a conclusion. By now, however, she had realized when it came to nurturing Harriet's amazing intelligence, she would have to take matters in her own hands. "...I suppose we're not going to agree on this, are we?", she finally said. "I apologize for bursting in like this."

As she left, she noticed Harriet still halfway down the stairs, still unnoticed by her parents. Making sure they were focused back on their television, Ms. Evans quietly placed a copy of Little Women on the step closest to the young girl. Harriet picked it up, mouthing Thank You to the fiery-haired woman, who smiled back at her.

As Harriet watched Ms. Evans walk past the driveway, she knew at that moment that she finally had someone who saw and admired her intellect. Someone who was truly on her side. School will definitely be something else…., she thought.