The Importance of Being Different

Anne woke up one morning in early May, they were going to be taking Olivia on a nature walk and take a picnic with them.

“Would you look at that,” muttered Irwin looking out the window from their bedroom.

It was chucking it down with rain and it didn’t look like it was going to be letting off any time soon.

“Oh dear,” sighed Anne as she walked over to the window to stand next to him.

It was freezing and Anne wasn’t wearing her dressing gown, Irwin pulled her in close for warmth.

“Bang goes our walk,” said Irwin shaking his head.

Anne got dressed in a warm jumper and a pair of jeans, and then pulled her hair into a ponytail.

“I’ll go tell Livi,” said Anne as she finished doing her hair.

Anne walked to Olivia’s room to wake her up

Anne opened the door and found that she was already awake. She was not only awake, but she was dressed in a top and skirt and rushing around her room.

“Good morning Livi.”

“Are we going on our nature walk today?”

“I’m afraid not sweetheart,” said Anne gently, “its raining too heavily, we can go another day.”

“But you promised,” she sulked.

“Tell you what, why don’t we watch some princess films?”

Olivia seemed to think about this for a minute.

“All day?”

“All day,” Anne beamed.

“I’m sorry my little fairy princess,” said Irwin picking her up, “we’ll go for our walk another time yeah?”

“Can we wear dress up?”

“Fairy wings, sparkly tiaras the lot,” nodded Irwin.

They all headed down to the kitchen to have breakfast. Kreacher had made boiled eggs and sausages with toast.

Anne has halfway through cutting the top off her egg when they noticed a number of owls flying towards the kitchen window.

Irwin went over to the window and four owls came flying in through the window.

“Hello,” said Olivia stroking one of the owls gently as Irwin took the letters off of the owl’s legs.

“Be careful Livi,” said Anne, “they can bite.”

“This one can’t,” said Olivia, “he’s gorgeous.”

As Irwin took the letters off of the legs, the owls flew back out the window, the owl that Olivia had been stoking gave her a light nip before flying away.

“Two each, they’re all from the Ministry,” said Irwin passing her, her letters.

“I’ve got a bad feeling I know what’s in here,” muttered Anne as she looked at the letters.

Irwin nodded at her over the table.

Anne bit her lip nervously as Irwin began to open his first letter.

“It’s the results,” sighed Irwin as he read the top piece of parchment, “Merlin these were fast, we weren’t even supposed to sit these till next month.”

“How’d you do?” she asked not even daring to open her own letters.

“Five O’s and two E’s, I got an E in Charms and Astronomy.”

“Well done Master Irwin,” said Kreacher, “you are a very bright young man.”

“Thank you Kreacher,” said Irwin, “but I feel like Anne’s even brighter.”

Anne nodded as she nervously opened the first envelope.

The first piece of parchment showed the pass and fail grades.

NASTILY EXHAUSTING WIZARDING TEST RESULTS

Pass Grades:

Outstanding (O)

Exceeds Expectations (E)

Acceptable (A)

Fail Grades:

Poor (P)

Dreadful (D)

Troll (T)

The second piece of paper had her results.

ANNE LILY SCAMANDER HAS ACHIEVED

Astronomy: O

Care of Magical Creatures: O

Charms: O

Defence Against the Dark Arts: O

Divination: O

Herbology: O

History of Magic: O

Potions: O

Transfiguration: O

“How’d you do?” asked Irwin.

Anne handed Irwin the piece of paper.

“Olivia,” said Irwin beaming, “your parents are geniuses!”

“What’s in the other letters?” asked Olivia excitedly.

“I don’t know,” said Irwin, “let’s find out, shall we?”

Anne took a deep breath and opened the second letter.

Dear Anne,

Congratulations! You have done exceptionally well especially under the unusual circumstances.

As we discussed back in December, if you got four Outstanding’s on your NEWTs then you would be employed in the Department of Education at the Ministry of Magic. As you have got eight Outstanding’s I am thrilled to inform you that you are more than qualified for the job.

As we are trying to get Hogwarts reopened within the next few months in September, and there are several vacancies that need filling, we need you to start as soon as possible.

If it is convenient to you, I would like to try to meet with you this morning at your house as there is a lot that needs to be discussed. If it is convenient could me meet at your house at ten o’clock this morning, please write back with confirmation.

I hope that both you and Irwin are well, Grizelda Marchbanks.

“When do you start?” asked Irwin.

“This morning,” she sighed, “you?”

“1st of June, so I’ve still got three weeks,” said Irwin.

“I need to write back to Professor Marchbanks,” said Anne fetching a piece of parchment, and Irwin’s owl Scardi.

“Can we still watch princess films?” asked Olivia.

“Anne’s going to be busy today, but I on the other hand a, going to be available to watch as many Disney films as you like.”

Irwin and Olivia got out the fancy-dress box. Irwin helped Olivia into a Sleeping Beauty costume and tiara. Olivia also manged to attach a pair of fairy wings onto the cat Diana whilst Irwin set the first film up.

Irwin closed the curtains and shut out the miserable rain outside. As Professor Marchbanks arrived Irwin had just finished rewinding the tape for Sleeping Beauty.

“Good morning Professor Marchbanks,” said Anne opening the door, “sorry about the weather.”

“That is not your fault,” said Professor Marchbanks as she took off her damp cloak, “I hope you are both well?”

“We’re very good thank you, Irwin is watching some video’s with Olivia today.”

“What are video’s?” asked Professor Marchbanks as she sat down at the kitchen table.

“They are a form of muggle entertainment,” explained Anne, “you watch them on the television.”

“Do you have a lot of muggle technology.”

“Washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, electric lights and a television with a video player,” said Anne, “it makes our lives easier.”

“Fascinating,” muttered Professor Marchbanks, “do you mind I take a look at some of those later?”

“Of course,” chuckled Anne as Kreacher brought over a pot of tea and some biscuits.

“Kreacher has made shortbread.”

“Thank you Kreacher, it looks wonderful,” beamed Anne.

“So, how can I help you today Professor Marchbanks?”

“Firstly, please call me Griselda, we are going to be working together every day.”

“Anne,” said Griselda as she stirred her tea, “do you know how many people work in the department?”

Anne shook her head.

“Apart from you and me, there is only Reginald Fawcett, Professor Tofty has just retired.”

“There’s only three people in the department?”

“Department of Education is not the most popular in the Ministry,” chuckled Griselda, “which is why it is so important to get new blood in the department.”

“You said there was several vacancies that needed filling?”

“Yes, there are,” said Griselda, “one of them has already been filled by Arthur Weasley, but there are still several more that need filling, we need a Transfiguration teacher as Professor McGonagall is going to be headmistress, we also need a Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.”

“No surprises there,” muttered Anne. There had been a new Defence teacher every single year for the last fifty years.

“As well as this, Professor Sprout and Professor Slughorn are both hoping to retire, if replacements can be found that is.”

“I thought that the Ministry wasn’t supposed to get involved with the hiring and firing of staff unless in emergencies.”

“That is true,” nodded Griselda, “but Professor McGonagall has asked us to help as there are quite so many positions to be filled.”

“Are there any others?”

“Just Professor Binns,” said Griselda, “he has been trying to retire for the last ten years but has been waiting until a suitable candidate has been found who could teach the subject.”

“That’s a lot of vacancies,” said Anne as she wrote them all down.

“Also as you have already noted the curriculums need updating, so however is chosen needs to be enthusiastic about their subjects.”

“The reason I have come to you is because Professor McGonagall thinks that the Hogwarts teaching staff could use some young blood. People with enthusiasm for the subject, I was wondering if you knew anyone?”

Anne had to think for a moment.

“There’s Neville,” said Anne thinking it over for a moment, “he’s really talented at Herbology.”

“He has just got an Outstanding on his NEWT, I’ll write to him this afternoon and ask if he is interested in the job.”

“As for the History of Magic position,” said Anne as she chose a piece of shortbread, “I may have someone in mind, but I’ll have to go talk to them.”

“If you could try to contact your friend today, the sooner the better because we have a lot to get through.”

“Of course,” said Anne nodding

“As today is a Friday, you’ll start properly on Monday,” said Griselda as she finished her tea, “hope you have a good weekend.”

“Thank you for coming today, and thank you again for the job,” said Anne getting up to find Griselda’s cloak.

“The one who I should be thanking Anne is you,” said Griselda as she headed for the door, “I’ll see you on Monday.”

“What have I missed?” asked Anne as she headed into the sitting room.

Diana was still wearing the fairy wings and was sat on Irwin’s lap; Olivia was sat next to him on the sofa.

“Aroura has just pricked her finger on the needle,” said Olivia, “every one’s going to sleep.”

“Prince Philip’s going to save her though it’s alright,” said Irwin.

“Why does a prince always have to save the princess?” asked Olivia.

“Not in Pocahontas,” Anne pointed out, “in that one, she saves John Smith rather than the other way around.”

“Can we watch that one next?”

“Of course, princess,” said Irwin giving her a cuddle.

“I’m afraid I’ve got to go out after lunch, I have to visit someone.”

“Is everything alright Annie?” asked Irwin slightly nervous.

“Yeah, everything’s fine, I just need to see someone.”

“About the job?”

“Yeah, I won’t be long.”

After the film ended, they had lunch.

“Kreacher has manged to work out the laundry machine,” he said proudly as he brought out some sandwiches.

“Well done Kreacher,” said Anne “that’s great news.”

“It is much easier than washing them by magic.”

“I’ve always wondered how muggles got by without magic,” said Irwin, “but now I can tell that they are actually much more advanced in some ways.”

“Your dads had a car for as long as you can remember, and you’ve been listening to my records and watching my videos for years and you’re only just realising this?”

“Well yeah but that’s just fun stuff, entertainment, they’ve got other stuff that’s really useful, washing machines and dishwashers. Merlin even the lighting’s better its certainly safer to have lightbulbs than lanterns and candles around small kids.”

“It does make Kreachers life easier,” nodded Kreacher.

Anne finished off her sandwich and then pulled on a cloak over her jeans and jumper. She would have worn a muggle coat, but she knew how some people felt about muggle dress.

“I’ll see you when I get back,” said Anne as Irwin did up the clasp on her cloak.

“I’ll miss you,” said Irwin giving her a kiss on the lips.

“Do you really have to go?” asked Olivia.

“I won’t be long,” said Anne.

“We can watch Pocahontas yeah?” offered Irwin as they headed back through to the sitting room to set up the tape.

Anne walked out of the house into the rain so that she could apparate. She hoped she had the right address; she had never visited here before.

She found herself standing outside a large house in the middle of nowhere. There was a couple of broomsticks leaning against the wall by the front door which made it clear that it was at least a wizarding household.

It was just as rainy here as it had been at Carreg Lwyd. Anne went through the gate and walked up to the front door and knocked firmly.

A very nervous woman opened the front door.

“Can I help you?” she asked looking around frantically.

“Are you Mrs Selwyn?”

“If this has got anything to do with Fabian, please leave me and my children alone, we had nothing to do with it!”

“No, its nothing to do with that,” said Anne, “I’m Anne Scamander, you came to my wedding last month.”

“Oh yes so I did,” said Mrs Selwyn standing away from the door, “please come in.”

“I’m so sorry,” she said as Anne came in, “it’s just so many people are coming to the door complaining about my husband.”

“They’re trying to take it out on me and the children, it’s been horrible, death threats, cursed letters, if it wasn’t because of Julian I don’t know what I’d do.”

“I’ve actually come to talk to Julian,” said Anne, “there might be a job available for him.”

“Julian!” she called up the stairs, “Anne’s here!”

“Hi Anne,” said Morgana coming out of the sitting room, “you ok?”

“Yeah I’m great thanks Morgana,” said Anne giving her a hug.

“Did somebody say something about Anne?” yelled Julian over the bannisters.

Julian came running down the stairs followed by two small boys, one looked about four and the other was six and they both had bright blonde hair like their fathers.

“Hi Anne,” said Julian giving her a hug, “how’s married life treating you?”

“Great,” she chuckled, “Irwin and Livi are having a Disney princess day.”

“These are my little brothers Tristan and Uther, if you stay long enough Guinevere and Igraine should show up.”

“It’s lovely to meet you Tristan and Uther,” said Anne.

“Can we talk Julian?”

“Sure,” said Julian as they went through to the sitting room.

“So, what can I help you with Mrs Scamander?”

“Well I just got hired by the Department of Education at the Ministry.”

“Well done Anne,” he beamed.

“The thing is Hogwarts has got a bit of a staff shortage.”

“Staff shortage?”

“A combination between, the death of Professor Snape, the Carrows being deatheaters and several of the others wanting to retire.”

“And you are here why?” asked Julian suspiciously.

“One of the teachers who is trying to retire is Professor Binns,” said Anne, “in fact he’s been trying to retire for about ten years.”

“I’m honoured Anne, I really am, but why me?”

“You’re a great teacher, you did an excellent job with Averett and Aislynn, and I know you’ve always had an interest in History of Magic.”

“I do enjoy the subject,” shrugged Julian, “but I don’t know if I’d really qualify.”

“Firstly Julian, you got an Outstanding in your NEWT which is the only qualification they’re really looking for, as well as that you’ve spent the last four years teaching.”

“I always enjoyed it at school, if you really think I can manage, I’d love to take the job.”

“You do know,” said Anne, “all that I can do is recommend you for the job, you’d still have to be interviewed by McGonagall and be approved by the school governors.”

“Do you know what the weirdest part would be though,” chuckled Julian, “I’m going to have to stand up in front of my little brothers and sisters and teach, Morgie is never going to let me live this down!”