Acts of Retribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The castle was rather quiet as there were no students dashing through the halls. The term had not yet begun, but the teachers were already gathering and preparing their lesson plans. There was great discussion about the new professor who was set to arrive that very day.

“Professor Enquist?”

“Was she really the top student Hogwarts ever saw?”

“I heard she was raised by muggles, and of the worst sort: Americans!”

“This should prove to be an interesting term!”

“What intrigues will she bring, I wonder?”

Not even Hogwarts’ professors are above gossiping a bit now and again, it seems. It is true that a Professor Enquist is about to make her appearance on the scene, and, yes, she was raised in America and she did attend Hogwarts rather recently.

Professor Snape and the caretaker, Argus Filch, were idly discussing the new professor in the staff room.

“Aye, I remember the girl. I never caught her doing a thing against the rules. Quite the perfect student, she was. Surely, you remember her!” he practically spat it out, hatred obvious because she had escaped his punishments. When Snape made no move of recollection, Filch continued, “She was the one who skipped ahead four years in your own potions classes a few years back.”

A look of bitterness crossed Snape’s face, “Ah, I remember, yes, of course. She did quite well. Had quite a talent with potions.”

            Just then, Professor McGonagall entered the room.

            “Hello, Severus, Mr. Filch,” said McGonagall.

            “Good morning, Minerva. What do you know of our new colleague?”

            “Quite a bit Severus. She was in my Transfiguration class for seven years, after all. As I recall, she was quite a lovely girl and well deserving of the job. I’m glad Dumbledore asked her to come back and join us. Surely, you know as much as I, Severus. She was in your potions class as well.”

            “Yes, but only for three years. She had been given special permission to bypass her first four years with me, as Mr. Filch has just reminded me. I’m afraid I don’t recall much about her beyond her third year of attendance.”

            “Well, then you’ll have the perfect opportunity to start fresh with her. You’d do well to remember, Severus, she’s no longer your student, but your colleague. I do recall a few particularly messy run-ins you had with her,” McGonagall gave him a look that many Hogwarts students knew quite well.

            “Of course, Minerva, I believe I can handle it,” he said with a slight sneer.

            The door burst open and they saw Professor Flitwick beaming at them, “She’s here! Come everyone! She’s here!” And with that, Flitwick was gone and the door slammed shut.

            “I suppose we’ve been summoned,” Snape whispered under his breath, dreading the term ahead ever more.

            Every member of the Hogwarts staff had gathered in the Front Hall of the castle. The room was buzzing with conversation and anticipation. Dumbledore entered and the room went quiet.

“I see that everyone is quite anxious to meet our new professor. I don’t believe we’ve ever had such a turn out for the arrival of a new teacher. Ah, well, as I’m sure you all know, our new professor is arriving now. Her name is Eveline Enquist and she will be teaching both Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies. And, ah, yes, I need to speak to the following in my office as soon as possible: Professors Snape, McGonagall, Sprout, Flitwick, and Hooch. Thank you.”

And with that, Albus Dumbledore made his way through the crowd to the doors and stepped outside. The teachers he called to his office turned and headed directly there as those left behind tried to catch a glimpse of Professor Enquist through the front windows.

When the five of them arrived at Dumbledore’s office, they received quite a surprise, as inside already were Dumbledore and a stranger.

Even from the back, the stranger was quite stunning. Her long hair was honey-toned, blonde with infusions of red everywhere. Her body was stiff and rigid in the chair, but seemed tall and lithe. Every one of the five professors wore an expression of shock. Surely, this was the famed Professor Enquist.

As she turned, several jaws dropped. She was more than stunning, she was downright striking; absolutely the most astonishing-looking witch any of them had ever seen. Her eyes were… impossible. They were every color and no color at all. Her lips were small and colorless. Her cheeks were completely devoid of that pink shade of life. Her skin was pale and porcelain-like, nearly flawless. But none of these features caused her striking appearance.

Her skin was flawless, but for the scars. One started just above her right eye, went right across that eye to her right cheekbone, just barely skimmed the edge of her lips, and lashed down to her chin. The other scar started most likely beneath her hair and appeared just behind her ear, crossed under her jaw and lashed across her throat, disappearing once more beneath her robes. Despite these marks, and though not what most would call beautiful, she had an air, a way of carriage that drew you entirely to her. She smiled at them all in a most amiable way, obviously unaware of her affect.

The five were dumbfounded until Dumbledore waved them in and spoke, “This is Professor Eveline Enquist. Eveline, I’m sure these are all familiar faces to you.”

“Yes, Headmaster, they are.” She grinned at five of her old professors, “Hello, it’s so good to see all of you again.”

Professor McGonagall smiled warmly, “Hello, my dear, I’m so glad you’ve come to teach at Hogwarts.”

Eveline nodded respectfully to McGonagall, but did not speak.

Instead, she leaned down immediately and gave her former Head of House, Professor Flitwick, a warm hug. “Professor!” she grinned.

He smiled happily at her, “Lovely to see you again, Eveline!” his voice squeaked just a bit.

Professor Sprout gave her a hug, “Oh, Eveline, I’m so glad to see you again! How did your mother like them?”

“She absolutely loved them! Thank you again.”

Madam Hooch patted her roughly on the back and grinned, “Good to see you again. Are you still practicing, young lady? You were one of the best beaters Hogwarts ever had!”

Eveline went red at this comment, but continued to smile.

Then, she turned to face Snape. Her smile faded, replaced by a cowed look, “Hello, Professor Snape.”

Before Snape replied, McGonagall caught his eye with a reproving look of warning. “Hello, Miss Enquist,” he said, coolly, with a glance at McGonagall.

“Now, on to business!” Professor Dumbledore said, “As you all know I have been unable to find a suitable Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for this year. Now, I’ve asked you all here to help me make arrangements so that none of the students may miss such a vital part of their schooling. The only thing I have been able to come up with is to have Eveline teach all of the classes, but in all fairness, I did hire her only with the responsibilities of Muggle Studies and Magical Creatures. If anyone has any ideas on this, please do share.”

“Professor Dumbledore, I must protest! I don’t think I’m the right person to teach the students Dark Arts! I confess, it was not one of my better subjects, and they need more teaching than I could ever provide!” Eveline Enquist looked terrified at the idea of the Defense job.

“Perhaps, Albus, if we shared our courses we could make arrangements for each of us to teach one or two of the Defense classes. Though not a permanent solution, it could give you more time to find a more suitable solution,” McGonagall said.

“Ah, a splendid idea, Minerva! But such a schedule would be quite complicated to devise.”

“Professor, I’m sorry about it, really, but I just… can’t… But I’m perfectly willing to help in any other way that I can.”

“Of course, Eveline, my dear! Alright, here is the class schedule as it stands,” Dumbledore waved his wand and a scroll appeared on his desk and unraveled itself before them. Displayed on the scroll was the class schedule for every professor in the school, “Now, let’s see, we only need to see the open Defense classes as well as each of yours…

“The first years need Defense here. Now who has these as open periods to teach the first years?”

“If it’s alright, Headmaster, I think I could teach first years without too much trouble. And it looks like I’m the only one available then. Perhaps that would make this less confusing,” Eveline said, looking worried but determined.

“A splendid idea!”

Professor Sprout took on the second years, while Madam Hooch took the third and fourth years; McGonagall and Flitwick split the sixth and seventh years, leaving Snape to teach the fifth years.

It took quite a bit of tedious and careful work from everyone crowded around Dumbledore’s desk, but finally it was done and all of the classes were covered, though it was necessary for Professor Dumbledore to fill in a few of the other teachers’ classes because they were, after all, a professor short.

The idea of a Time-Turner was breeched, briefly, but was quickly discarded because the students would quickly discover that one professor was teaching two classes at once, which was obviously not a wise idea.

“Well, professors, I do believe we’ve come to a solution, though I will have to find some one to fill in for me often with these classes. Ah, but that is something I can handle with very little difficulty. The important thing is this: all of the students will be able to take all of the classes necessary. Now, to celebrate this, as well as the arrival of our newest professor, I believe a banquet is about to begin in the Great Hall. And we mustn’t be late. After all, the person everyone is waiting to see is here with us,” he smiled at Eveline.

With that, they made their way to the Great Hall. Eveline walked in the lead with Professors Flitwick and Sprout chatting excitedly beside her. Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall followed closely behind them, speaking in hushed whispers together. And Professor Snape lagged along behind, engrossed in his own thoughts.

Everyone seated themselves at their usual places around the staff table, leaving only one empty chair for Eveline. It was beside Snape, who did not look particularly pleased with the idea himself. She took a deep breath and took the open chair, and as she did so, claimed it as her own for the rest of the year.

Dumbledore rose and a silence fell quickly. He gave his usual beginning-year speech, injecting into it the introduction of Eveline Enquist.

When his speech was completed, the food appeared before them and everyone began chatting and eating amiably: everyone except Professors Snape and Enquist. She looked utterly terrified that he might speak to her and he looked positively determined to do no such thing.

That is, until someone called for Snape to pass the dinner rolls. In doing so, he had to pass them to Enquist first. He brushed her hand as he did so, and their eyes met for the first time.

“Thank you,” she whispered, both of them still holding the breadbasket. She smiled uncomfortably, trying to press the moment quickly forward.

But he was lost in thought and did not release the basket. He’d neither seen a creature more marvelous to look at, nor more terrified of him. He felt a sudden pang to have caused her such fear. It surprised him, as he’d always expected his students to fear him. He never thought he would come to regret it. And so, he decided, he would not begin now.

“You’re welcome, Miss Enquist,” he said in automatic response, releasing the basket.

She passed the basket on, but continued to speak to him, with another obvious automatic response, “Please, my name is Eveline, Professor Snape.”

“Yes. Well, then you must call me Severus,” the slightest of smiles played on his lips, the idea was rather fitting somehow, he thought, rather sardonically.

She smiled weakly, “All right, Severus.”

He was amazed at the emotion she evoked in him just by speaking his name. A strange feeling ran up his spine and he was quite unsure of whether it was welcome or not. Either way, the shock it gave him was wholly obvious in his eyes.

“Severus? Are you all right?” she sounded only mildly concerned.

He nodded, “Yes, yes, of course. It was nothing.” The shock dissipated.

“I—“ She stopped.

“Yes?”

“Well, I—I… I mean to say, well, I’m sorry.” She looked again like an apprehensive schoolgirl.

“For what?”

“Well, I, well, when I was a student, I… I suppose it caused you some humiliation when you had a first year in your fifth year potions class.”

“Well, I suppose so, yes, but I must admit now that you belonged there. You had quite a talent in my class, Eveline.” The name was new on his lips and felt strange, and it sent a shiver through him, which was not welcome at all. Though his words were merely formal, he had to begrudgingly admit to himself that she’d never made a mistake in his class.

Her smile was a bit stronger this time, “Truly? Thank you. You don’t know how much that means to me, coming from you.”

“I wouldn’t think much at all,” he snapped, clearly wanting to end the conversation.

She caught his meaning and did not answer.

They sat silently finishing their meal, both retreating into their own deep musings.

Meanwhile, farther along the table, Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall were discussing the situation.

“Albus, we can’t carry this on for very long. It’s rather confusing. Surely you can find someone!?”

“Minerva, I should like nothing better, but it seems our luck has run out. There is no one willing to take the job. It seems to be rumored that the position is cursed and no suitable candidate wishes to fall victim to it. I’m afraid we have no choice. It looks like the options have run out. I think its time that—”

“Albus! Surely you aren’t suggesting—”

“I am, Minerva, I am. He is the only person willing to—”

“But, Albus… I thought you had decided he was not… qualified.”

“Oh, he’s more than qualified, I just would rather… not. But if I cannot find someone this year, I will have no other choice. And I already have a replacement for his position in mind as well, so that can be no excuse.”

“Are you quite sure about this, Albus?”

“Yes, Minerva. I also can’t seem to help noticing the effect she has already had on him. This year may bring quite a few surprises, not the least of which she will draw from him, with any luck.”

“I do hope you’re right as usual this time, Albus. This is not the time to start making mistakes. From what I know of her, she hardly seems capable of—”

“Ah, people can often surprise you, Minerva. She is not all she seems. I do believe he will find his match in her,” he paused for a moment, “Yes. She is just what is needed now.”

A few days later, the Hogwarts Express arrived and the students began to fill the school.

Snape was dreading it as he always did. More stares of shock from the first years and the usual disdain from the other students would be enough to make any other teacher resign, but not Severus Snape. He had his reasons for staying, for forcing fear into the hearts of his students. He was, simply put, not the type to back down from a challenge so small as loathing from children.

Eveline Enquist was a bit anxious about it all, as it was her first year teaching and she wanted to do well, but she was not completely without confidence. She knew her duties and she was sure that teaching would not prove a difficult task. Children naturally wanted to please her; children loved her. Her nerves were more from a need to be respected by her colleagues. While children flocked to her and doted upon her, her peers usually disdained her. Perhaps they pitied her, or perhaps she was below them, but whatever the reason, she never felt equal to them, never felt that they respected her. And, as is human nature, she only wanted to fit in and be part of the group.

Her peers did not look down on her; they didn’t look at her at all. She was as meek as a mouse and never spoke up in conversation. Most often, people simply didn’t know where she stood and so had nothing to challenge or agree to. They all longed to know what she thought, where she stood, because she was fascinating, but she never spoke, never involved herself. She was just so quiet, like a silent observer taking in everything around her, but not needing to participate.

She did not recognize this. Though she was full of passion and strong-minded, she had merely learned that a lady did not speak her mind; a lady was demure and sweet and kept her deepest desires to herself.

As the sorting began, a murmur arose in the crowd as the students saw the new teacher beside Professor Snape. Apparently, the students were not expecting anything quite like her. Somehow, it seemed impossible that she could be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. And Professor Snape was not looking at her with his usual loathing of new Dark Arts teachers, either.

Harry Potter and his friends were quite astonished by this in particular. “Wow, Snape actually seems to find her tolerable. Should we be worried?”

“Nah. Least, I hope not…”

“Shhh! Dumbledore’s bound to explain as soon as the sorting is finished.”

And sure enough, when the last first year was sorted, Dumbledore stood and raised his arms to quiet the crowd. A hush fell and Dumbledore began to speak.

“Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I would like to make a quick reminder to everyone that the forest is strictly forbidden to all students, and Hogsmeade is forbidden to any students below third year.

“And I have the great pleasure of introducing you to our newest teacher, Professor Eveline Enquist!” he paused for the usual applause, which was uproarious. Snape flinched at the round of applause and looked rather sour, but surprisingly, he actually clapped for a few moments.

When the noise died down a bit, Dumbledore raised his arms again, “Professor Enquist will be teaching Muggle Studies, co-teaching Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid and will, perhaps, be filling in wherever else she may be needed. One way or another, most all of you will have at least one class with her.

“Now, let’s enjoy the feast!”

“Muggle Studies? Oh, damn! Wish we were taking that instead of Divination. I bet she’s a million times better than Professor Trelawney!”

“Oh, shut it, Ron! You’re only saying that because you think she’s pretty,” said Hermione, rather hotly.

“Am not!” Ron said, turning beet-red. “I mean, look at her… those… scars… she’s not pretty at all!” He was only making an excuse.

But Hermione was too busy musing to herself to answer him properly, “I wonder where she got such vicious scars…”

Harry, meanwhile, was busy watching Professors Enquist and Snape. Professor Enquist whispered something to Snape, and to Harry’s great surprise, Snape not only answered, he was being positively civil to the new professor. Odd, thought Harry, very odd indeed.

The next morning, Professor Enquist greeted her students happily. Her beliefs in her abilities as a teacher were correct. The students instantly gravitated towards her. She smiled and they fell all over themselves to please her.

All of her classes went fantastically, and by contrast, Professor Snape’s had never been worse. The students were all so excited about Professor Enquist’s classes, that they were chattering all through all of his classes, no matter how he roared or how many points he took or detentions he gave. Even the Slytherins were impossible. It put him in an even darker mood than usual by dinner.

He took his seat at the staff table and half hoped that Eveline wouldn’t be there. But, to his dismay, she joined him a few moments later. And to make it worse, she was absolutely glowing. How he wished he could bring himself to hate her for it, but he couldn’t do it. She was too… pure, too innocent, and too good; She was everything he wasn’t, everything he wished he could be. He strived to be such a good person, but no one knew, no one but Dumbledore. And no one else seemed to care anyhow.

“Hello, Severus,” she said, full of excitement and joy. She was so content that she was truly kind to him. It only poured salt on his wounds. “What a great day!”

He couldn’t answer. He merely nodded and refused to look at her.

She took this to mean he wanted her to leave him alone. Her good mood vanished. Here, this… this was what she had dreaded: a colleague shunning her. And why, of all of them, did it have to be him? She felt like such a child around him! She always felt as though she was still an eleven-year-old girl sitting in his fifth year potions class, bravely trying to stare him down, and failing every time.

As she sat, not touching her dinner, she saw a scene open before her. She was in Diagon Alley with her mother.

“But, Mum, I feel awful! Are you sure I can’t start with the other first years? I don’t want the potions master to hate me!” A tall, slight girl with wild locks and intense eyes said. She was rather plain-looking overall. There were no scars marring the porcelain skin. This was Eveline at age eleven.

“He won’t, dear. Your talent will impress upon him your need to spend more time on other subjects. It will be fine, Eva, don’t worry so much!” Her mother’s face was an older version of her own, but where Eveline was tall and thin, her mother was short and plump.

“But Mum! What will the other students think? I’ll never make friends if I can’t complain about the same classes and teachers! Why can’t I just be like the other students?”

“Because, Eva, you’re not like them. You’re going to have to understand this. You’re,” her mother paused, as though grappling for a plausible answer, “…an American and you know more about… certain things than the others do. And you’ve spent so much time in the shop with me that you’ve far surpassed their knowledge of potions and herbs. And there’s your father…”

“What’s Daddy got to do with it, Mum? And so what if I spent half my life in America? I spent the other half here with you! Doesn’t that make me British too?”

“My sweet Eva,” her mother sighed and looked the girl directly in the eyes, “You are different and you always will be. You must understand this!”

Eveline hung her head, “Yes, Mum. I do understand. I just—I just want to have friends, Mum, that’s all.”

“And you will dear, you will! Your house will be your family, remember that. They will come to love you. You do know that you are quite loveable when you let people in, don’t you?”

“Mum!” Eveline said, sounding like a terribly annoyed and very normal teenage girl, “Please!”

The scene flashed forward to her first day in potions.

Professor Snape quickly caught sight of her and swooped down upon her, “Who are you?” he said silkily.

“I—I—I’m Eveline Enquist, P—P—Professor,” she said, trying desperately to not be intimidated.

“And what are you doing in the wrong class, Miss Enquist?”

“I—I—I’m s—s—supposed to be here, sir. I—I have special permission fro—from Professor Dumbledore, sir. I have a—a note here, s—sir.” She held out a note to him, trying to stop her hand from shaking.

He snatched the note and quickly read it. The look on his face only became darker, “Very well, Miss Enquist. I will assume you were informed of the summer reading and are completely caught up with your classmates. I do not have time to waste making sure you really belong here,” he said icily.

Professor Enquist shook her head to rid herself of the memory and return herself to the present. She looked down absent-mindedly at the full plate before her. She wasn’t all that hungry any longer. She decided to return to her office and work on her lesson plans, or perhaps she would go down to visit Hagrid. Yes, that would cheer her up, she was sure of it.

As she was heading out of the Great Hall towards the door, she was surprised to hear Snape call her name, “Eveline, if I might have a word?”

She turned, a look of shock on her face, “Er—I suppose so, Severus…”

He glanced around, “Outside, if you please,” he said, motioning to the students.

She nodded and followed him into the foyer, “Yes, what is it, Severus?”

“I just—I wanted to say, I—I’m sorry, I was rather rude to you, just now.”

Her smile was an odd mix of surprise and confusion, “Severus… why… why would you need to apologize? You didn’t do a thing wrong.”

“No, I… Yes, I did. I should have answered you. You were only being polite, and I… well, I’m afraid I’ve had a rather bad day, and well, I suppose, I took it out on you, and I… I’m sorry.” What the hell am I doing?! He thought to himself, Surely, I’ve lost my mind! I’m acting like an awkward schoolboy!

She smiled, “That’s alright, Severus. No harm done.”

“Well, is… can I… I mean to say, is there any way I could make it up to you?” My God! How pathetic! I am acting absolutely ridiculously!

“There’s no need, Severus. I understand. You had a bad day and I waltzed in acting as though everyone had been as happy as I. Anyone would have reacted as you did in that situation. Personally, I would have done much worse, I’m sure.”

He felt as though he’d lost all his senses and complete control of his own body. It was as though he was under the Imperius Curse, but he knew damn well he was under no such influence.

He shook himself loose and snapped, “I doubt that. Now excuse me. I’ve had quite enough of… this. Good day.” Then he thought triumphantly to himself, That’s better. Sounding like your old self again at last. He turned and stormed away.

Bloody hell! That man is incorrigible! I really need a friendly face now! Hagrid, I do hope you’ve had a better day, old friend.

She turned away and headed out the door, holding her head high, but still feeling rather jilted. She made her way briskly to the gamekeeper’s cabin nestled so close to the Dark Forest.

She knocked on the door and called out, “Hagrid? Rubeus Hagrid? Are you here, you great lump of a—”

Before she finished, the door swung open and she was suddenly engulfed in a mighty embrace “Evie! I was wonderin’ when you’d be comin’ to see me! I was getting’ a mite worried that you weren’t acomin’ at all!”

“Well, here I am, Hagrid. But if you don’t mind, could you maybe let go? I’m having a bit of a problem breathing…”

He laughed but set her back down, “Course, dear girl. Now, come in! Come in! Fang! Look who’s come ter see us!”

A large boarhound assaulted her and began to lick her face furiously.

She laughed, “Yes, yes, Fang. Love you too. Now get off!” She shoved the dog aside and made her way into the hut.

“Well, I see you haven’t changed a thing around here, halfling.” She smiled up at the half-giant friend of hers. “Still have the pink umbrella?”

“O’ course I do. You ready ter help me teach ‘em ‘bout the beasties?”

“Well sure, Hagrid. But I must insist that you don’t get too carried away. We can’t start them off with dragons, manticores, or griffins and the like, you know. I believe that you’ve had a bit of trouble… Now, how about we do something simple and pleasant? Unicorns or fey, perhaps?”

The large man blushed, “A’ right, Evie. I guess that’d be a good idea.”

“Good. I’ve brought a few—Please tell me you changed the required texts. Those biting books were simply ridiculous. You can’t expect the students to understand those, dear. I heard awful stories about events in Flourish and Blotts as well. Not good, dear.”

“Yeah, I changed it. These kids just don’t understand animals at all.”

“Now, Hagrid, its not that. You can’t expect them to know anything about them. Not even children raised in the wizarding world have had much experience with truly magical beasts.”

“A’ right, then what do ye suggest?”

“Well, I have some fairies that have graciously agreed to bring their dranflies. I thought those would be a nice start, and still interesting, of course.”

His eyes shone with excitement, “Ah! I ain’t never seen a dranfli! I heard them fairies use ‘em for flying ‘bout and collectin’ the fey dust from flowers.”

“That’s right. You know enough to start the lecture without me tomorrow, then? I’m afraid I may be a bit late. My first class is Defense with the first year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs.” She looked nervous.

“Ah, don’ be nervous, girl. You’ll do fine. Ye always do.”

“Thanks, Hagrid. I needed that.”

“Have a run in wit someone, did ye? Need to talk ‘bout it?”

“Thanks, Hagrid, I do. That man! He’s… just… impossible! I spent my first three years in school trying to please him and then I spent the last four doing anything possible to avoid him, and it never worked! And now! ARGH! I can’t stand him!”

“Snape.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes. He’s horrid. What have I ever done to him?”

“Nothin’, but you don’ need to ter be on his bad side. He’s the same to poor ‘Arry and his friends.”

“Harry? You mean…? Potter? He really is here?”

“O’ course! And Professor Snape hates him more than he ever hated you.”

“Well, that doesn’t offer much comfort. Poor child. That man! What is it about him that convinces Dumbledore to keep him here? Bloody bastard.”

“Now, Evie, don’ be sayin’ such things. You know Dumbledore’s got the best sense of people. Whatever Snape’s done, he’s earned Dumbledore’s respect. He’s on our side, even if he is a bitter, sour, old coot.”

“That he is. I know, and I trust Dumbledore, I do. You know I do, but Snape… well, he makes it very difficult for anyone to get along with him, doesn’t he?”

“Yeah, that he does, but I s’ ‘pose he’s got his reasons.”

“Hmm. I guess you’re right, halfling. Nothing we can do about it in any case, I only wish he’d just… leave me alone. Ah, well… Let’s get back to the dranflies.”

 

“Harry! Hermione! We’ve got Care of Magical Creatures now! Come on!” Ron cried.

“Oh, Ron, shut it.”

“Ron, why are you in such a hurry? You usually hate Care—”

“Remember the new professor, Harry? That’s why.”

“Oh, yeah. Let’s go!”

Hermione rolled her eyes as her two best friends ran ahead of her. Then she trudged along behind them, grumbling to herself about boys.

 

“Ho there, Evie! I thought you were goin’ to be late…”

“Well, the lesson finished sooner than I thought it would.”

“Really? How’d it go?”

“Well enough, but I’m not looking forward to a whole year of it. Not that I have a choice. I’d just rather not talk about it. At least now I can teach something I know I’m capable of.”

Hagrid grinned at her, “A’ right, then let’s get to it.” He turned and spotted Harry, Ron, and Hermione coming across the field. He waved and bellowed “’Ello! Ron! ‘Arry! Hermione!”

“Hi, Hagrid.”

“Hello.”

“What are we doing today, Hagrid?”

“Dranflies, Hermione. You’ll like ‘em, I’m sure,” he smiled and then turned to face the class. “Hello, everyone. Welcome to the new school year. Today, Professor Enquist is going to be teaching most of this one today, so I suppose I ought to introduce you all to her. Ev—I mean, Professor Enquist?”

“Thank you, Hagrid. Hello, everyone.” She paused, and looked at them all expectantly.

“Hello, Professor.” A few students chimed in.

“Oh, brother! Look at her! She’s probably gonna release something even worse than the half-giant! The headmaster really has gone too far. I think I need to send an owl to Father. I mean, look at those sc—”

“Malfoy! Ten points from Slytherin! And if you have a problem with my scars, I suggest you come to my office sometime and ask me personally before you go spreading lies. And as for an owl to your father, you will do no such thing. No rules have been broken, and you have not been injured… yet. Now, be quiet and pay attention, or it will be fifty points and a detention.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Now, everyone, I’d like you to meet some friends of mine…”

The students looked around, but saw no one. Until someone shouted, “Look! Fairies!”

“Yes, fairies. Grendia, Thelian, and Srenikka.” As she spoke each name, the fairy would fly forward on their dranfli steed and make a great show for the students. They all applauded with joy.

“They have been so kind as to bring us some of their very special creatures to share with us. Dranflies!” She turned to Hagrid, who took his cue.

“Dranflies are an unusual breed of animal. They’re like wyvern mixed with dragonflies and they are quite good at detecting pollen and fey dust.”

“Fairies breed them for that exact purpose, and also as companions and transport animals. Fey dust is very important because it is what gives fairies their incredible color.”

“Now, you will each have a chance to see these creatures up close and ask the fairies any questions you may have.”

“But keep your questions on topic, please.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Fan Fiction                                                                             Home