Dueling for Salem

Jared stood in front of his first class of the day, adjusting his robes as the students came in and sat down. He had bought a completely new wardrobe for his job, but it didn't make him feel any more confident in front of the room, especially since his first period was seniors, only six years younger than him.

"Welcome everyone. This is International Magical Relations, and I'm Professor McFarland. Here's the syllabus." He passed around a stack of papers. "And here.." he waved his wand. "Are the textbooks. Please note that the reading for this class is substantial. I have been advised to warn you that taking this class along with either Potions 7 Advanced or Transfiguration 7 is discouraged, since all of these classes require extreme dedication."

Everything seemed to be going smoothly. The students were watching him and weren't talking amongst themselves. "As I said, I'm Professor McFarland. It's my first year teaching at Salem, but I did go through school here myself. I've spent the time since I graduated studying history and working for the office of the Magical Records Department. I'm very excited to be back. History is a fascinating subject, and in this course, we'll see how international magical history shapes relations even today." Jared stopped to breathe and note that students should begin to take notes. "To get started, we'll go back to 234 BC..."

By the end of the two hours, Jared was sweating, and his voice was shaking. The seniors simply sat in their desk and took down the notes, not offering any form of feedback. He was grateful when the bell sounded and the students gathered their things to move to their next class. "Thank you, Professor," one of the girls said. Jared thought she was a friend of Myra's, but couldn't remember her name.

His next class was sixth grade, Introduction to Magical History. They were a completely different experience from his last class. "Come in, sit wherever you like."

The students were a combination of nervous and misbehaved. All of them talked at once about everything they had seen so far at Salem. Apparently, most of them had come from Transfiguration or Potions, where, if Jared remembered from his own school days, the teachers usually started the year by lighting themselves on fire while using an anti-burning potion. There was no way he could compete with that.

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Myra stirred the potion at her lab station, which was beginning to simmer slowly. "When it turns a light lime green color, add the horn of unicorn," Professor Nelson called from the front.

"How was Arithmency?" Jackson asked her.

"Good."

Abby unscrewed the jar of unicorn horn. "I just had history."

"Yeah?"

"With your brother. He looked good."

"Gross. He's my brother."

"I know. He said not to take his class with this class or Transfiguration 7. Oh well. I'm taking them all, and I'm sure it will be fine. What are you taking?"

Myra stirred again, watching the potion boil almost to the top of the cauldron. "Turn the heat down, Beatrice...I'm taking this and Spells, obviously."

"And?"

"Some other stuff."

"What?"

"Defense, Arithmency, and Runes."

"Okay. Those aren't too hard."

"No, I guess not." They actually seemed very hard, but she didn't want to tell Abby.

"Who's teaching runes now? Didn't the prof retire?"

"Yeah, I have Strauss."

"Oh my god, really? You're taking a class with Strauss your senior year? You are so brave. I couldn't do that to my g.p.a."

"She's not that bad."

Abby gave up and turned to Jackson. "What about you?"

By the time the potion was finished and bottled for grading, she had interrogated everyone at the table about their schedules. "No one's taking Muggle Studies, I guess."

"Non-magical, and no," Jackson said.

"It's such a blow off. What good is that going to do anyone?"

"I don't know. It could be helpful," Myra whispered, though she couldn't muster as much courage as she would have liked.

"But you're not taking it."

"Well, I'm half Muggle, so no. That would be stupid."

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JP sat forward in her seat. "Welcome to Non-Magical Studies: Arts and Entertainment," Professor Armistead said. She was a small, blond woman who spoke quietly and shyly. Like Jared, she was also a first year professor. "In this class, we'll be studying non-magic forms of the arts and the methods that non-magic peoples have invented to entertain themselves. We will start with the visual arts and move on to film and television."

Most students in the class, from wizarding families and unfamiliar with anything Armistead was saying, looked amazed. JP was simply having a great time. She was still looking at the syllabus as she sat down in her next class, Introduction to Non-Human Languages. After a minute, the paper flew out of her hands. "Non-magical studies. I don't believe this is the right class."

JP looked up. When she had signed up for the class, the schedule had said "Staff, to be determined." Everyone in the room seemed to have the same reaction, sitting back in their chairs. "This is Introduction to Non-Human Languages," Professor Strauss said. "We focus on Mermish and Goblin in this course, with a look at the language families of magical non-humans." Syllabi and textbooks flew around the room, landing on each student's desk. "Attendance every day is absolutely necessary, as is participation. This is a language class. We will be taking notes and doing exercises, but actual speaking is the best way to learn. Alright, let's get started..."

JP swallowed and took out her notebook. Behind her, Anne and Tom, the latest freshman couple, were talking quietly while copying down information on merpeople. "Did I forget to mention that those who do not listen will be given detentions?"

She continued to speak about underwater life while the chalk moved along side her, writing notes on the blackboard. Anne and Tom leaned toward each other, smiling, but making sure not to speak. JP tried to gesture to them to stop, but they looked smug that they were getting around the teacher's orders. Professor Strauss never turned around, but pink detention slips appeared on Anne's and Tom's desks. They looked down at the papers and gasped. Strauss gave them a minute to become angry before whipping her wand over her shoulder and throwing them both back into their seats, sitting up straight and facing the front. "Any questions?"

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"So then she was like, 'Those who don't listen will be given detentions and Anne and Tom were all 'well, we won't talk, we'll just stare at each other.'"

"Oh my god, what did she do?"

"Pushed them back into their seats."

The whole table laughed. "You have to admit that's good," Asia said. "Even though Strauss is a crazy psycho."

"Yeah, I don't really like Anne and Tom either." Everyone added their assent to that:

"They make me puke. They're all 'in love.'"

"This week."

After their first day of class, everyone just wanted to eat before going back to their dorms or to spend time on campus. Since it was the first night, homework wasn't a top priority. JP's friends all stared at the center of the table, but instead of the food appearing, Professor Exeter stood up in the front. "Attention please. I hope that your first day of classes went well. I have heard good reports overall, though a few of you need to remember that this is no longer summer vacation. Please note that this week should be spent settling into your class routine and determining the amount of free time you are going to have this year. All clubs, athletics, and organizations will begin next week. Booths will be up in student services immediately after dinner for new students to learn about these opportunities. Other students may sign up in the lobbies of their dormitories. Enjoy your dinner. Mail will be arriving throughout the meal."

Dinner appeared and everyone dove into the barbeque chicken. "What clubs are you guys doing?" Hari asked.

"I want to do intramural Quodpot," Aaron said, to everyone's laughter. "But I'll probably end up in the quiz bowl again."

"I'm doing Quodpot," Asia said.

"Dueling," JP said definitely.

"Gobstones."

"Muggle entertainment."

Mail arrived with much fanfare, owls swooping into the hall with the first day of notes from home. Every sixth grader had an owl sitting next to him on the table, and JP was excited to see her own fly right to her arm. "Ace! What's up?"

The brown barn owl handed her two small letters. "Mail for me."

Joan,

I hope you had a good first day of class. Your dad started class today also, and he's not home yet. He'll write to you tomorrow.

I just wanted to remind you to sign up for Apparating Lessons and to get involved with a few clubs, but please don't sign up for Dueling Club. Joan, this is serious. Do not sign up for Dueling. I know every professor in that school. I will find out.

Have a good night and say hi to Asia for me.

Mom

"Okay, so not dueling," JP said.

The other letter read:

Dear Joan,

I am so happy my little niece is a fifth year! Your mother said your first day was today. I have a few weeks left, and I am enjoying the weather here in Ireland. I even saw a leprechaun yesterday. I sent you a shamrock and some good Irish candy. Your little owl is darling. I will see you soon.

Love, Uncle Filius.

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Myra,

I hope your first day was good and that your residents are behaving for you. Remember not to sign up for too much. You're already so busy. If you could also make sure that Joan does not attempt to sign up for Dueling Club, that would be great. It's all she ever talks about, but she knows how I feel about dueling.

Your dad started classes today, but I haven't been able to ask him about them yet. I'll have him owl you tomorrow. I'll be on campus next week to talk about the program with the seniors, so I will see you then.

Mom

Myra folded the letter carefully and tucked it into her pocket.

"Who is it?" Blake, sitting next to her, asked.

"My mom."

Myra looked down at her plate while Sadie and Wesley discussed the clubs they were involved in, and everyone talked about the tables they would have to staff at the fair for sixth graders. Since Myra wasn't a member of the leadership of any clubs, unlike everyone else at her table, she didn't have much to add to the discussion.

As dinner ended, she and Sadie lagged behind the rest of the group. "Want to wander the grounds?" Sadie asked.

"Yes."

The night was still and the sun was beginning to set as they sat under a large oak tree on campus. "Lot of homework?" Sadie asked.

"Not too bad. You?"

"Not yet. I could probably do a little reading."

"Me too. Just not yet."

Sadie laid back on the grass. "I talked Wes into covering the Intramural table for the first hour. I can't deal with the little kids right now."

Myra was silent.

"You know who's making me crazy this year?"

"Who?"

"Abby. She just needs to shut up. She thinks she's so wonderful all of a sudden." She put on an imitating voice. "With my RA activities and history training, I'll be a perfect law enforcement official." Myra laughed. "Oh Professor McFarland, you're so hot."

"Gross."

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Jared,

How was your first day as a professor? I know you're probably nervous, but you'll get used to it all. The Department is going well, and I'll be coming to the school next week to talk with the seniors. Talk me up to all of your students. I need to get at least five of them enrolled this year to keep my funding.

Keep an eye on Myra and Joan for me, will you? I'd love it if Myra didn't overwork herself and Joan actually focused on one of her classes. And do not let her duel, Jared. She will beg and plead, but do not allow it.

Mom

Jared read his letter away from the dining hall, in the teachers' living room of their quarters. He had to check the boys' dorm at eight, but had a few minutes of peace to reflect on his day. He was still shaking from his first day in front of students. No one seemed to be too excited about history, except Myra's friend Abby, who was actually beginning to worry him with her enthusiasm.

He didn't really think he had to worry about his sisters, and he was especially glad that neither one of them had made it into one of his classes. However, his mother seemed to think that they needed to be looked after, but he trusted that her friendship with Aurelius Exeter and the fact that she used to be the principal of Salem would keep her well informed.

Jared sat quietly on the sofa, looking around the living room, watching the professors interact with each other. He could not believe that he was in the same league with some of his own former teachers, close enough to see them outside of the classroom. Clarence Nelson, from Potions, sat down beside him, a drink in his hands. "Best way to end the first day," he said, his voice a low growl.

Jared nodded.

"How are you doing, son?"

"Alright."

"It'll get easier. Trust me. After about twenty years, you won't even hear what you're saying anymore. I don't even know what potions we mixed today. It could have been Love Potion, could have been Draught of the Living Death. Beats me. Want a drink son?"

"That's okay."

"Take it." Clytemnestra Strauss sat on his other side. "Thanks, Clarence," she said, taking his offering of fire whiskey.

Jared took the glass when she handed it to him.

"You survive?"

"Yeah."

"Good. Your first day's over. That has to be some comfort, though I can't promise it gets better."

"How were your classes?"

"If one more couple attempts to make out in my class, I will freeze their lips together."

Jared laughed, relaxing with the alcohol. He had spent several weeks with these people, and he had found them very different than Joan's stories. For five years, he had heard how evil Professor Strauss was, but Clytemnestra wasn't really pure evil - just overly stern and imposing. And changed out of her dress robes into loose, gray house clothes and with her hair down, she was much less frightening. Jared imagined JP's face looking at her.

He was pulled out of his drunken discussion by Constance Armistead, who said, "Rounds, Jared." He gave her his hand, and she pulled him off the sofa. "Are you drunk?"

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Clive McFarland opened the door of his Cambridge, Massachusetts house. "Clive, you're back. I was just owling the kids."

"Hi, Thea."

He sat down at the kitchen table next to her. She was reading the evening wizard's paper. The house was much quieter than it had been over the summer, when Myra and Joan, and usually Asia, were constantly talking.

"I made dinner," she said without looking up from the paper.

"It's my night to do it."

"That's alright. It's your first day. And we weren't too busy at the office." Thea waved her wand to bring the food to the table. Clive sighed but ate dinner without complaint.

"What's new at the office?"

"With the schools in session, not too much. All four have the same curriculum now, so we had to hire new people, but they seem to all be working out. In a month, we have to evaluate them, but until then, I'm working on the Placement Program. You?"

"My classes were fine. I don't know why I took a 101, but all graduate stuff can get old. I think I scared a few freshmen, though. Maybe they'll drop."

"That's good. I'm going to Salem next week to recruit. Do you want to come?"

"Why?"

They looked at each other for a minute. "To visit the kids. To see Jared as a professor."

"I don't know."

"You can wear wizard's robes."

Clive smiled weakly, looking pointedly away from her. "Sure."