Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ The Assistant ❯ Journey to Hogwarts ( Chapter 1 )

“Today's the big day.” Charly whispered to herself as she packed a few last minute things. She was going to Hogwarts for the first time, but she wasn't a student. She was going to be a teaching assistant, and this was her first time in England. She had excelled in potions and transfiguration, but the potions professor was the one who requested an assistant. Charly had gone through a lot of screening in order to get the job. The staff had asked many questions about her past and whether or not she was associated with the Death Eaters. She finished packing and then apparated to Platform nine and three-quarters. She was 15 minutes early and found an empty compartment in the back of the train. Charly made herself comfortable and noticed a bunch of students as the horn tooted. While she was staring out of her window two boys (Harry and Neville) knocked on the compartment door.

“Excuse me? Do you mind if we sit here?” Harry asked and when he saw Charly's face he was taken aback by her appearance. (I meant that as if he thought she was fairly attractive.)

“Not at all.” Charly replied and the two boys sat down, “My name is Charly Chip.”

“My name is Harry Potter, and this is Neville Longbottom.” He said and Charly merely smiled.

“What year are you in?” Neville asked curiously and Charly stared blankly at him.

“Are you in your 7th year?” Harry added and then Charly started laughing.

“My dears, I'm an assistant professor!” she stated and the boy's jaws dropped.

“What are you going to be teaching?” Neville asked when he came out of the shock. Harry was hoping she would be helping him in transfiguration and Neville hoped she would be in herbology.

“Potions with, I think it's Professor Snape.” She said and Harry groaned.

“Snape is the worst teacher at Hogwarts.” He mumbled and Neville nodded.

“Aw, he can't be that bad!” Charly said and Harry nodded his head.

“Yes he can. He doesn't like anyone who isn't in Slytherin, and he doesn't give us a chance for effort.” Harry explained and Charly's stomach churned.

“Could he really be that bad?” she thought to herself then said, “Well, I'll do my best to help you then.” And with that, the two boys smiled. The trolley eventually made it to their compartment and they each bought their own candy. “You two'd best change into your robes.”

“Alright, we'll see you at the feast.” Harry said.

“You'll love it.” Neville commented and they left. Charly looked at she was wearing herself, and saw a pair of blue jeans and a small black shirt. She put a spell on the door to lock it, and another to make sure no one could see inside. As fast as she could, she changed into her best black robes and by the time she finished the train was slowing down. Charly took the charms off the door and bolted to the closest exit. She was the first one off the train and since she was a professor (in a sense) she was transported into the castle before any student stepped foot on campus. Charly walked through the rather large door into the entry hall and was greeted by Professor McGonagall.

“May I help you?” she asked and Charly was a bit surprised that she didn't already know her.

“Um…hello, my name is Charly Chip. I'm the assistant for potions.” She said, and in return received an awkward smile.

“Welcome to Hogwarts…erm…if you'll follow me, I'll introduce you to Severus.” McGonagall said and, of course, Charly obeyed. The pair strolled into the Great Hall and Charly was in awe as she looked around. At the front of the room was a long table, and they stopped in front of it.

“Ahem…Severus, this is your assistant.” She said and Charly looked at the man that stood before her. He was taller than her with jet back (somewhat greasy) hair and very pale skin.

“Hello,” Charlie squeaked putting her hand out, but Snape just looked at her skeptically.

“I thought `Charlie' was a male name.” he said coldly.

“My real name is Charlotte, but I've been called Charly throughout my whole life.” She said calmly, but then students started coming into the castles. Snape pointed too the seat next to him, and Charly sat down graciously. She watched as the students sat down at their tables and noticed a few taking notice of her and pointing with their friends. After everyone was sitting, a group of very short students followed Professor McGonagall to the front of the staff table. They were each sorted into their houses and then the feast started when Dumbledore clapped his hands twice. Food appeared in front of Charly, and her heart leapt. She made sure everyone else around her had food on their plates before she took some for herself.

“Are you skilled at potions?” Snape asked and Charly nodded.

“I received top marks in America.” She replied, but there was silence in return. Once everyone had finished eating, Dumbledore stood up and nobody spoke.

“Now that we have had another wonderful feast I think it wise to give a few announcements. First years will recognize that the dark forest is out of bounds.” He announced and continued with a list from Argus Filch. “You will also notice there is a new face upon us, here, at the staff table. Ms. Chip - please stand up - will be assisting Professor Snape in potions.” All the students clapped and a few cat calls could be heard, but mostly people clapping. Harry and Neville waved at her and she gave a quick wave of acknowledgment before sitting back down. The students started going back to their dormitories, but Charly was too busy looking at Snape. To her he was quite attractive in an odd way, yet he seemed too dark and sinister for her liking.

“Ms. Chip please follow me.” He said with no emotion. Charly followed him down into the dungeons and then into a spacious dormitory. It was quite empty with only a few books on the shelves and two dressers on either side of it. There were also two beds, each at one side of the room. “I was expecting a man, but if you would like I could conjure up a wall around your bed.” Charly took this almost as if it were a challenge to see what she could handle.

“No, no need for a wall. I can handle it.” She said and then added, “Unless you need a wall.” Snape was a bit taken aback at this comment, but just scoffed.

“I assure you, I can handle much more than you.” His lips curled into a (in Charly's opinion) cynical smile, but she was not intimidated. (OMG! I know this has nothing to do with the story, but I was running to get the phone and I tripped over a giant stuffed dog! I fell flat on my face!!!! HA! Okay…ahem…) She started unpacking her clothes into one of the dressers and continued talking to Snape.

“So, what do you plan on teaching for the first lesson?” she asked as she closed her suitcase.

“I usually do a short review to see what they remember from the previous year, but for the first years I just make them take notes.” Snape explained and eyed Charly. She nodded and then sat down on her bed.

“And how do you grade the students?” she asked remembering Harry's comment earlier.

“Are you the new Rita Skeeter, Ms. Chip?” he snapped.

“No need to snap. Just a question.” (WILLY WONKA!) Charly mumbled and then went into the bathroom to change. She looked around and saw a dark, dreary room with a sink, toilet, a rather large tub, and a rather large shower. Charly changed into her normal American pajamas (a pair of shorts and a long t-shirt) and walked out of the bathroom. Snape was no where to be found, but she just put her dirty garments into the hamper. “I wonder where he is…” she mumbled to herself as she crawled into bed. She yawned the idea away until Snape came in and went into the bathroom. A few minutes later he emerged from the bathroom in a black two piece pajama set. (Regular kind) He crept into bed thinking Charly was asleep and then blew out the candle.

“Goodnight Professor.” She said loudly breaking the silence, and laughed quietly.

“Goodnight Ms. Chip.” He replied and eventually the two of them fell asleep.