The Silver Cauldron

1. The Hogwart's Express

" George. if I get one more owl about you and Fred transfiguring Filch's polish into ice cream again I swear I shall"..."Neville? Neville! You've forgotten your"..."Have you seen Draco's new Quidditch robes? They're awesome!"..."Of course, I'm looking forward to divination; Professor Trelawney said we were going to start reading dice this year and they're supposed to be one of the most accurate methods of prediction aren't they?"

Amongst the heaving throng of chattering people rose the steam engine itself, like a great fire - breathing dragon. I stepped aboard, unsure of where I should sit. I'd have rather traveled to the school the day before, but apparition had never been my strong point and I didn't relish the prospect of dragging a heavy trunk for miles because I'd got it wrong. In the end I found an empty carriage at the end of the train and sank down on the plush seat. I'd done it. I'd achieved my dearest ambition. I was going to work at Hogwarts! Hardly able to contain my elation I pulled the green - embossed envelope from my pocket and re - read my letter of acceptance for what must have been the fifteenth time;

Thank you for applying for the job as classroom assistant at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am delighted to tell you that your application has been successful. You will be working in the potions department under the Professor S. Snape.

The term begins on September the first. Staff wishing to Apparate may arrive the day before (please note that apparition should only take place OUTSIDE the school grounds as any attempted apparition inside the grounds activates an expulsion charm). If you do not wish to Apparate, the Hogwarts express leaves at 11.00 from Kings Cross Station, platform nine and three quarters. I look forward to meeting you.

Yours Sincerely, Professor A. Dumbledore.

Glowing with excitement, I was just pushing the envelope back into my robes when the compartment door slid open and a rather pale - faced boy stepped inside. He stared at me in a rather hostile way.

"Oh. I didn't realise this compartment was taken. Who are you?"

" I am the new potions assistant."

"An assistant? We do not need an assistant. Professor Snape is quite capable of managing on his own. What would he need you for?"

Biting back my irritation, I explained that I was to help with preparation and teaching during the lessons as part of my training to become a fully qualified Potions Professor. The Boy gave me a long, insolent stare. Then he turned on his heel and left.

My encounter with this student dampened my spirits and triggered off a new set of worries. What if all the pupils were like that? What if the other staff felt I wasn't needed? Would they make my life miserable? Frustrated, I dug a book out of my case and tried to absorb myself in 'Advanced Invincibility Potions: elixirs to deflect the stronger curses'. I was beginning to feel that I needed a lot more than knowledge to be a successful teacher.

The carriage door opened suddenly for the second time and a round faced boy fell inside, saying in a breathless voice;

"Sorry, but have you seen Trevor?"

I said I had just met a thin blonde boy but I had no idea whether his name was Trevor or not. The boy blinked and looked rather embarrassed.

"Oh, no, sorry, er, professor, I didn't know this was a teacher's compartment. I was just looking for my toad, Trevor. You see, he likes to get lost and"...his voice trailed off.

"No, I haven't seen any toads I'm afraid, although the boy that just left had the manners of one. And I'm not a professor, just an assistant".

The boy's face relaxed a little and he gave a kind of nervous grin.

"Met Draco Malfoy have you? He scares me. Well, not as much as Professor Snape; he's really scary. Can't seem to do anything right in his lessons...Oh, I am sorry" He'd just noticed the potions book I'd been reading.

"I haven't met the Professor yet, so I'm not offended Mr..?"

"Longbottom. Neville."

"Well, Mr. Longbottom, I hope you learn to enjoy potions a bit more this year. You'll be studying Weakening potions and they're fascinating."

"Oh dear" sighed Neville miserably. "I still haven't understood the theory of the Strengthening potions we did last year. Professor Snape said that if I was any slower I'd be going backwards"... a sudden burst off laughter erupted in the carriage next to mine. Neville looked around, squeaked "Trevor" and ran to save his toad.

It transpired that some of the other boys had bewitched the hapless Trevor with an Inflatio charm, causing him to expand and hang in the air like a green balloon. As Neville tried to catch him someone performed the counter charm. This made the toad deflate so quickly he ricocheted all over the room before landing with a dismal 'flump' at Neville's feet. I slid the door shut behind me, echoes of mirth still ringing in my ears. It looked as if my year at Hogwarts was going to be an interesting one.