Life After Death - An Erica Black Continuation (4)

Fourty Eight

"Now, before we eat, I just have a few announcements. Firstly I saddens me to inform you that professor Malfoy has decided to leave us. However, I'm sure our new DADA professor; Professor Zabini. At the same time, Professor Black, will be adopting the role of Slytherin Head of house," Erica stood and lowered her hood to smile at the students "As well as her usual position of our History of Magic professor, thank you professor Black." the Headmistress nodded at the woman as she returned to her seat.
"And our final staffing change of the year is to welcome Mr. Lupin into a brand new position here at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry; our very first, councillor." Erica looked up, startled, and to her surprise, there stood Teddy Lupin with his bright blue hair, waving at the students briefly before taking his seat at the staff table.
"And on that note," Continued the Headmistress, "Let's eat." As she sat down, the familiar trays of food appeared on the tables, the first years sat in stunned silence whilst the older years dove straight in, without hesitation. After only a few moments, the silence had completely dissolved into a round of merry chatter. Erica had always enjoyed this time, the first night of the school year was always a celebration. Reaching out, she took a couple of slices of roast chicken, carrots, broccoli and green beans as well as mashed potatoes and began to slowly eat in between chatter with the Headmistress and the other professors. Before long, the main meal disappeared and was replaced by piles of sugary sweet desserts. Having always had a sweet tooth and with her appetite returned along side her pregnancy, Erica couldn't quite help herself, she took a cauldron cake - a treat she had always enjoyed.

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"Lestrange, you carry out your duties as prefect. I'll take the first years."
"But Professor.. Professor Malfoy always told us t-" He protested but the teacher interrupted.
"Well I am not Professor Malfoy, now am I?" she asked sternly, raising her eyebrow at the boy.
"No Professor Black" he responded, looking down for a brief moment at her tone.
"Very good. Now take the other years down to the common room, the password is 'Tradition'. Then you may continue on with your other duties. Oh, and one more thing, Mr Lestrange"
"Yes Professor?" The boy looked up, curiously. She smiled at him,
"You don't need to call me professor" He paused for a moment, seemingly processing her words.
"Sorry Prof- Miss Black" He mumbled as he hurried off to shepherd the other students.

"First year Slytherins over here! I repeat; First year Slytherins to me!" She yelled out clearly. After only a minute or two, there was a group of approximately eight children gathered around her.
"Very good. My name is Professor Black, you may refer to me as either that or Miss Black. I am your new Head of house and I will be seeing each of you in my History of Magic classes. Now, follow me, quickly please." She smiled brightly at the children and pulled her cloak from her shoulders, exposing her bump under her elegant, dark green dress and started walking
"Um.. Miss Black?" piped up a small, blonde girl at the front of the group, Erica hummed for her to continue, the girl hesitated but eventually spoke up;
"Where are your shoes?" a chorus of quiet laughter followed the girl's question, Erica herself laughed
"Yes, I suppose that s rather funny, isn't it?" she asked, smiling widely at the nods she saw from their smiling faces. They didn't look anxious anymore which she could only consider an improvement, "I was wearing heels all day and was running late, as you all saw. It's hard enough to run at all for me right now let alone in heels. So I left them..." she paused for a moment in thought as they walked, "I left them..." she reiterated, her brow furrowing until she stopped suddenly, the little blonde girl walking straight into her and beginning to apologise profusely. Erica merely shushed the little girl with a kind smile before exclaiming; "Here!" as she stepped to the side where her shoes lay forgotten under a portrait.

Once she had slipped her heels back on, they rounded the corner to the entrance to the common room
"This is the Slytherin common room, to gain access, you must whisper the password to this wall. The password changes every fortnight, right now the password is 'tradition'. You all got that?" she asked, turning to look at them, all nodding. "Good. Tradition." She spoke clearly, to the wall this time. All the children gasped as it opened, Erica grinned to herself, she could remember her first time seeing the wall slide open, it was wonderful to watch.
"This is the common room, our communal space. Through that door, is the boys dormitories. You five go through that door and into the first door you see, that'll be the first year boy's room. Your things will already be in there. Girls, the same thing, through the door on the right and into the first room you see. Now, boys cannot enter the girls dorms and vice versa. If you feel as if you would be more comfortable in different living accommodations, you can come and see me on the second floor, in my classroom, office or quarters at any time and I will see what I can do for you. That said, any other issues, come and find me or your prefects who are identifiable via a badge on their uniforms. Today is a Friday so you will have the next two days to settle yourselves into Hogwarts life before your classes start. I will hand out schedules on Monday morning and I will be around over the next few days to help you settle in. That said, it's late. Off you go now."
She smiled, ushering them away and turning to leave when a small voice piped up;
"Excuse me, Professor Black?"
"Yes?" she sighed, turning to look at the small, dark haired boy who had reached out to stop her.
"May I speak with you alone please?" he asked her, avoiding eye contact timidly.
"Can it wait until the morning or is it important tonight?" the professor asked.
"Um.. I think it's important but-" Erica cut him off with a kind smile, placing a hand on the child's shoulder.
"Never mind lovely, if you have to think about it, it's likely urgent, shall we go to my office?"
"Yes please Miss" He smiled weakly.