Recovery

Muggle Studies

Chapter five

"Welcome to Muggle Studies. My name is Isobel McGonagall. You may hear me being referred as Persephone as well." Hermione watched with mild distaste as the woman walked down the center of the room in the free space between the desk. She wasn't one to disregard authority figures, especially Head Mistress McGonagall, but she highly doubted that someone like the woman in front of her could teach her anything about muggles.

Hermione couldn't tell much about the woman. Besides her perfectly styled curls and how intact her makeup looked, Hermione couldn't see anything beyond the floor length navy blue robes. Hermione gave a quick look around the room. She spotted Ron with his hand under his chin staring directly into their professors face with a look of admiration. Hermione's foot collided with his leg underneath table firmly.

"Oi!" Ron groaned turning to look at his friend sharply.

"Everything alright?" Persephone asked. Her eyes were trained on Hermione Granger who was trying her best to look innocent.

"Yes," Persephone nodded slightly. It had taken her only thirty minutes to get through her planned introduction and she had a designated two hour time block.

"Excellent," Persephone gave a swift flick of her wrist bringing a chalkboard over to where she was standing. "You can questions about myself, the class or you can give me topics that you're interested in learning this year. Although I must warn all personal questions are subjected to not be answered."

The first hand, of course, belonged to Hermione Granger. The teen eagerly held her hand above her head, wiggling her fingers every second or so. Another brief glance told Persephone that no one would attempt to ask a question until Hermione's had been answered.

"Ms. Granger?"

"What are your qualifications to teach this class?"

"You don't have to be qualified to teach at Hogwarts!" Draco Malfoy scoffed. "Look at Hagrid, he never even finished Hogwarts."

"Hagrid is an expert in his field!" Hermione defends. Persephone knew the bickering would continue if she didn't stop it now. The woman simply held up her hand.

"Thank you Draco, but I do believe the question was for me," Persephone gave him a pointed glance.

"I have two Muggle University degrees, both in History. A bachelors in Modern History, and a Masters in European History. I've lived in the muggle world, both English and American, for the last five years. I venture back and forth frequently...I do believe that more than enough experience to teach anyone," Another hand raised across the room thankfully. Persephone crossed the room to stand next to a table with two girls who were identical down to the way their hair was styled, only only difference was the color in house robes. One royal blue and the other a crisp red.

"Yes...Padma?" Persephone posed the name as a question not quite familiar with the twins.

"Yes!" The Ravenclaw student answered with a sharp nod. "You said America. Have you been to New York City?"

"I have," Persephone nodded. "City wise I would say London is better, but they have a very diverse magical culture. So many types of magic in one place." Persephone nodded to the siblings as she moved on. There was a snicker from the back right corner of the classroom, the area where the Slytherins had chosen to spread themselves out. A dark haired girl, was trying, and failing immensely to cover her laughs.