You Can\'t Go Home Again

Perspectives

As Mary entered the great hall she could not help but notice the slightly noisy, familiar bustle of students finding their seats, yawning, chatting and eating. The room was so familiar and yet so different. Was it just a trick of her imagination that the great hall seemed somehow smaller? Mary had so many memories of this place some wonderful , some not so but all pouring back into her like old friends unseen yet recognized instantly. As she found her chair on the dais and began serving herself , Albus rose and said in a voice that carried throughout the room.

"I have a few things I would like to say. First you will no doubt have noticed that there is a new professor seated with us. I would like to introduce to you professor Schiaparrelli who will be teaching Advanced Magics and Muggle Studies for the rest of this year. I have every confidence that you will make her most welcome. Also Mr filch would like me to remind you that any contraband items found will be confiscated and sent home to your parents. It seems there is also a missing frog who answers to the name of Gilbert . Anyone finding Gilbert will please notify professor McGonagal. That is all. Enjoy your breakfast!"

Mary blushed a little as Albus introduced her to the students. While most of the faculty knew her from when she had been a student, not one of them seemed to have recognized her until Dumbledore's introduction . Now the looks up and down the table from those she recognized were a mixture of shock and question. So Mary steeled herself for the inevitable. Minerva leaned over and whispered quietly

" I'm so pleased that you survived, If you ever need someone to talk to..."

Mary nervously interrupted " Thanks Minerva, I appreciate that"

The tone in her words had the desired effect and Minerva let the subject drop. The rest of the meal went by in relative peace at the head table until Professor Snape entered . He immediately saw Mary and knew he should know who this was but he could not seem to place her in his mind and that annoyed him. So he spent the majority of the meal glaring at her and wracking his brain .

Meanwhile, at the Griffendor table Harry , Hermione , and Ron were discussing their first impressions of the new professor.

"What do you think she'll be like?" said Ron .

"Well professor Dumbledore would not have invited her here as a teacher if there was anything wrong with her" said Hermione

"I don't know about that " added Ron " after all he lets Snape teach"

"Oh , I doubt if shes anything like professor Snape ", said Harry " Look at the way he's glaring at her"

"Well" said Ron " Maybe she won't be half bad, on the other hand does Snape like anyone?"

"Professor McGonagle seems to like her "added Hermione " And Dumbledore brought her here himself"

Ron looked up at the new teacher " She doesn't smile much , does she?"

"Hey Ron", jibbed Harry " You wouldn't smile either if Snape were sitting there glaring at you!"

Ron Answered" I'm just glad he's not glaring at us for a change"

To which they all agreed.