A Mystery in Watercolor

professor potter

 She actually hadn't been to Hogsmeade yet. Simon squawked indignantly at her when she admitted that and absolutely went off, to their amusement.

"If you didn't have a very important meeting I'd be dragging you straight to the Three Broomsticks," he grumbled, arms crossed, glaring at her across the carriage as it rumbled its way down to the village. "You better not spend all day in there!"

Edward elbowed him in the side. "You spend as much time as you need to get answers," he said. "Forget Simon."

"Who's Simon?" she asked.

"Exactly, well done."

Professor Potter had owled her to meet with him at 11, and they'd gotten a bit of a late start that morning, having stayed up reviewing what might be useful to know and how to avoid questions like a proper politician. She said a hasty goodbye as the carriage stopped and ran for it.

He seemed to have understood that she wasn't familiar with the layout of Hogsmeade, since his invitation also had directions to his house (she assumed it was his house; the streets she'd stumbled onto certainly weren't lined with shops). She skidded to a halt outside the gate, pausing to catch her breath. She almost reached for her phone to check the time, but she didn't have it. Old habits truly died hard.

Straightening her robes, she made her way up the walk.

The professor opened the door on her first knock, smiling. "You made it! Just in time, too. Come on in."

She left her shoes on the mat and trailed behind him, marvelling. This-- this was weird. It was like seeing your teacher at a grocery store except times two. Professor Potter wasn't exactly the epitome of professional dress on any day, but seeing him dressed so casual-- lord it was unsettling and wrong. What do you mean teachers exist outside of class?

"This is my wife, Ginny," Professor Potter introduced. The tall ginger woman at the stove smiled at her.

"Pleasure," she said.

"Nice to meet you," Leah stammered (WOW).

"Ron's running late," the woman said, rolling her eyes with a bit of a fond smile. "How very like my brother. You're free to make yourself at home while we wait."

He'd married his best friend's sister? How awkward must that have been? Not that she blamed him for falling for her, though; she'd met the woman twelve seconds ago and already just. Wow.

"Don't be too hard on him; he must've just gotten caught up at the shop." Professor Potter continued through another door into what appeared to be a living room (was that a 'sitting room' in British? she didn't know). "It is a Hogsmeade weekend."

"Yes, I'm aware," Mrs. Potter said.

Leah trailed behind him like a lost puppy, shoving her hands in her pockets and shifting awkwardly in place. Professor Potter settled himself into an armchair by the fireplace, lighting it with a flick of his wand (she heard the muttered incantation, though, and hid a smile. Oh, Brits; they were supposed to go nonverbal in their sixth year but not even the professors could do it).

"Go ahead and sit anywhere," he invited. She cast about and finally settled on a rocking chair across from him. She couldn't help sitting close to the edge, like she was ready to run. In a way, she kind of was.

A knock at the door nearly sent her six inches in the air. As it was, she narrowly managed to conceal a flinch (that would be so embarrassing). "I'll get it!" Mrs. Potter called. The door opened and Leah heard her cluck her tongue. "You're late, Ronald."