Jennifer Potter and the marauders (Book 3) The New World

Settled

As the weeks flew by, Jenny became really comfortable in her role as teacher. She prefered teaching the older students, as she felt like she could be herself, more with them.
Hermione and Ginny told her that she was popular with their classmates, and one of the best teachers at Hogwarts. This made Jenny feel happy, as she felt as if she was doing something right for once.
Alec and Jenny even became close friends, once Alec tuned down the flirting. Jenny found it nice to have a friend while at school, someone she could share all her teaching troubles with.
The two of them often talked about students, and other staff members, while in the safety of their own rooms. They spoke about troublemakers, and favourite students, as well as house points and homework.

With Ginny as Quidditch Captain, Griffindor won the first game of the season, due to the amount of talent Ginny had discovered. Griffindor was also in 1st place in the house cup, which pleased Jenny greatly.
She had given out quite a lot of house points to Griffindor, and had to start scalling down, when she realised how far ahead they were.
Jenny was respected by the students, so she hardly ever gave detentions. The only time she did give them, was if a student failed to do their homework consistently.
Due to her friends that were students, Jenny also found out that Alec was a well liked teacher as well, but not as much as her.

Despite loving her new job, Jenny enjoyed being in her cottage with the people she loved the most. Even though Jenny had missed most of Sky's milestones. She was there when Sky said her first word, 'mum'.
Jenny thought she would never hear those words, but when she did, she thought her heart would burst.
It was hard for Jenny to go without seeing her daughter all day. She missed Charlie as well, but was content with only seeing him in the evenings.

Although Jenny would miss teaching the year 8's, she was looking forward to getting more free afternoons, so that she could come home earlier. She was sure that all of her students would pass their NEWTS, not just thanks to her, but thanks to Harry. Who had taught a lot of them in Dumbledore's Army.
In her last class with the year 8's, before their exams, they threw her a surprise party, and wrote her one big thank you card. Jenny had cried at their affection, and was thrilled by the amount of love her students had for her.

"I still can't believe they did that" Jenny admitted to Alec, later that evening.
"Your students respect you, why is that so surprising?" Alec questioned.
"I was only doing my job"
"You did a whole lot more than that. You even gave up some of your free evenings to teach the students that were struggling"
"That was only because their NEWTS were coming up, and I wanted them to be ready".
Alec chuckled to himself and Jenny raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
"What?" She quizzed.
"I was just imagining what you are going to be like, when the 1st years leave in 7 years time. If you cried when saying goodbye to people you've only known a few months, what are you going to be like when people you know very well, leave?" replied Alec.

"I didn't cry because they were leaving. I cried because of the effort they went to, to make our last lesson together special" explained Jenny.
"Even so, I bet you are going to be a mess, when every year leaves" Alec replied.
"Alright, I may have some attatchment issues. But with my past, can you blame me?"
"I guess not. You do have a history of being left by those you care about"
"Well, I haven't lost anyone close to me, in months. I just pray that Charlie is careful at work, I couldn't bare to loose him to".
Alec shuffled uncomfortably, as he always did when Jenny mentioned her fiancè.

"About that. I still haven't recieved a wedding invitation" announced Alec.
"And what makes you think that you are getting one?" Jenny questioned.
"Well, I thought that since I'm am your favourite work colleague, I might be allowed to come and see you during the holidays"
"You can come and see me Alec, just not at my wedding"
"I thought maybe you weren't inviting staff, but Minerva got an invite, I asked her"
"Minerva is a family friend, who I've known for years, so of course I'd invite her to ny wedding. You, on the other hand, have been flirting with me, since we first met, so you are not someone I really want at my wedding".
Alec frowned sadly, as if this news deeply upset him.

"Besides, the only people you would know at the wedding, would be me, and Minerva. So I thought it might be awkward for you, being surrounded by strangers. I know what that's like. I hardly knew anyone at Bill and Fleurs wedding" continued Jenny, trying to make Alec feel better.
"So the real reason you aren't inviting me, is because you don't want me to be lonely" replied Alec.
"Exactly"
"You're not worried about your fiancè thinking that there is something going on between us?"
"But there is nothing going on between us"
"He doesn't know that"
"Merlin's beard Alec, you really are impossible sometimes".

Jenny stood up, and headed towards the door.
"Now, if you don't mind Alec, I have some homework to mark before we break up for Christmas next week" Jenny announced.
"You gave out homework in the last week of term, you really are evil" Alec replied frowning.
"Giving out homework over the holidays is part of the job"
"I didn't give my students any work in the last week. I'm a much nicer teacher than you".
Jenny sighed and shook her head, as she left Alec's office, and headed back home to her family.