Something Wicked This Way Comes

CHAPTER TWO

 It took us only a few minutes to collectively gather ourselves and get off the steaming train. Professor Lupin waved to the conductor who waved back and spoke, "Oi, thank you for your help!" Professor Lupin ducked his head with a pensive smile, "It's not a problem at all..." I gazed up at him. Ah, he was being bashful.

The conductor shook his head, "No really, if you don't come and help us then we would have been late getting here!"

The professor gazed down at his feet then held out a hand for the conductor, "It was my pleasure to be of service!" The kids continued walking forward and I almost did so myself, but I stopped out of respect and politeness. My grandmama taught me better than that to leave someone behind. Not that any of the kids were wrong for it, but Grandmama would be rolling in her grave if I left someone behind. I turned and waited for the professor patiently, holding my suitcase in front of me while patiently waiting.

He turned and saw me waiting, gave the conductor one more firm handshake, and stalked over to me, towering over me. He spoke with a shiver, "Let's get inside! It's terribly cold, out here," I smiled and nodded, "Yes, let's!"

We walk down the gravel road beside each other, and the silence wafts over us, an awkward exchange in the air. He was an adult and I was barely there yet, and the only interactions I had ever had with adults were bad ones. I cleared my throat, "So you're a new teacher..."

I don't exactly watch him, but out of the corner of my eye I see him turn his head, "Yes I am," There is another beat of silence before I ask, "Defense Against the Dark Arts?" This time I took a moment and looked over at him. His face turned shocked, "How did you know?"

"Well seeing as how Gilderoy Lockheart worked out last year, I would have been surprised if he came back. Besides, for the last two years the DADA teacher has been replaced every new year," I state matter of factly. It was true, it seemed that would be the new curse of the school. Professor Lupin chuckled, "I forgot you all had to deal with him, and honestly I feel bad...I'm surprised though, you seem very perceptive"

I chuckled back for a moment, "He was horrendous!" I took a moment realizing he complimented me and I shook my head, "I wouldn't say that, I'm about as perceptive as a goldfish in a fogged tank..." He hummed and nodded, "I for one have a hard time believing that, especially with you figuring out that I'm the new DADA teacher so quickly, and we're not even in the school yet."

I scoff, "That's not very hard..."

"Firstly, that proves my point, second, I could have been another teacher, but you figured that out based on something that isn't even a statistic yet, and I'm guessing none of you were outright told he was fired?"

Dammit, he had a point, "No technically not," I smirk lightly, "But I did read his book 'Who Am I?'" The professor gave a bellied chuckle, "You actually read it?"

I raised my hands in defense, "Hey, I had heard rumors of how dismal it was but I needed to confirm! Research is always important!"

He nodded, "You aren't wrong," Within a few minutes we had reached the doors of Hogwarts, I hadn't even realized it. It was so elegant and towered so high above. I stopped in my tracks, it never got old. The professor stopped and saw that I was staring up at the wondrous castle. He hummed, "It is quite beautiful isn't it?"

I nodded slowly, "I will never get used to it..."