An American Professor

Her heart was pounding so loudly that she could scare hear anything else. Erin stared nervously at the spot where she'd heard the rustling readying her wand for whatever jumped out of the forest.

A large black furry dog emerged.

"Oh!" she gasped and stumbled on her robes and fell on her butt. The dog began growling at her and before she could stop herself she said, "Oh, stop laughing at me and take some of this damn roll!" and she held out a half of a roll to him. To her surprise the dog decided not to maul her, but stepped forward to sniff her hand and take the roll.

As he gulped down the roll, Erin realized that the dog was slightly bigger than Fang, and was pitifully underfed. Looking at the dog apologetically she gave him the rest of the rolls and said, "If you'll be here later, I'll bring you more after dinner." Deciding that it was ridiculous to think that the dog had understood her, she laughed at herself. However, much to her surprise the dog lay down and looked at her expectantly. Well, I'll be damned, she mused, maybe he does understand.

Returning to Hagrid's hut, he appeared to be disappointed to see her so soon. Erin suggested that his visitation be an extended one. He agreed happily, and Erin promised to return in the evening to collect Violet.

As she hurried to the castle, Erin decided that she didn't want to wait until dinner time to bring the dog some food. Returning to the Great Hall she saw that all f the students were gone from the Hall, and it was cleared of all food as well. Turning on her heel, she sped off towards the library.

Finding Hermione in the library, she asked the girl about getting some food from the kitchens, but failed to tell her why she needed it. Hermione told her to find Harry or the Weasley twins, as they could help her find the kitchens. Erin then took off in the direction of the Gryffindor Common Room.

Upon arriving at the Gryffindor Common Room she found that the password had been changed. For the next few minutes she tried different passwords. Each time the Fat Lady would smile and say, "No entry." Erin was getting very frustrated, and began to how she could climb up the portrait to kick the Fat Lady's ass, when the portrait swung open and Ron stood in the hole looking very surprised to see her.

"Erin? What's going on?"

"Are your brothers in there?"

Ron's smile faded a little, but he answered, "Uh yeah, what do you need them for?"

"I need to talk to them, can I come in?"

"Are they in trouble?"

"No, Ron, can I please just come in?" Erin held back the edge she felt creeping into her voice. He moved and she hurried into the common room. "Fred?" she guessed. The twin looked up startled, and Erin knew she'd gotten the right one.

"Yes?" he said with a blush.

"I need to get into the kitchens."

"What makes you think I'd know how to do that?"

"Just a suspicion." He looked rather reluctant. "Oh, come on! I'm not going to run and tell McGonagall on you. You know better than that!" she protested.

"Ok, OK, I'll take you," he agreed.

"Great!" she smiled, and he blushed again.

Fred led her back down the stairs and stopped after awhile in front of a portrait of fruit. "OK, here's where I leave you. Remember, I never told you this, now, tickle the pear." With that he turned and walked off.

When it registered what he said, Erin turned and asked, "Tickle the pear?" He didn't answer, but began whistling before turning a corner and disappearing from her sight. This is ridiculous, she thought, tickle a pear, indeed! But, she reasoned, it was worth a shot. Reaching out she touched the pear gently. Nothing happened. She tried again, and this time muttered, "tickle, tickle," and the pear giggled and an entrance appeared.

Entering the kitchens, she was amazed by the number of house elves bustling around. Dobby appeared in front of her. "How'se can I help you, miss?"

"Uh, I, um, need some food, maybe some meat, without any bones, and some bread." Ten different house elves came rushing forward to help. She left with about a pound of meat and a loaf of bread. Erin headed back to the trees where she'd left the dog and was pleased to see him there. His tail actually began to wag as Erin approached, making her feel very relieved.

Smiling in spite of herself, she laid the food out and sat down a distance away watching him devour it. "I didn't want to wait until dinner time. I hope that I brought enough for you." Erin felt silly speaking to the dog like her understood her, but felt even sillier when the dog appeared to wink at her. You're really slipping, Worhli, dogs don't wink.

After he finished his meal, the dog walked over to Erin and laid beside her with is head on her leg. They sat like this for several minutes, with Erin scratching the dog's ears contentedly, until she saw Hagrid leave his hut for the Great Hall. "I have to go," she told the dog. "I'll bring you more food tomorrow after dinner." She left the dog reluctantly and walked back to the castle.

The following week passed quickly. Every night she fed the dog before her run. Oftentimes, the dog would finish his meal and run with her. She continued her regime of study following her run. Erin felt that she was doing quite well with them, and the following week was Halloween. Dumbledore had spoken with her and told her that she could take her end of the 1st year tests the first week of November. Erin was very relieved to be almost done with the first year.

On Saturday Ron and Harry approached her in particularly good spirits, and persuaded her to come to Hogsmeade with them. Erin agreed to meet them at one o'clock at the Three Broomsticks, and then they were going to show her around the little town, as she'd only been to Mr. Wickley's shop.

Erin found herself looking forward to the outing and arrived in Hogsmeade about twenty minutes early. She walked to the Three Broomsticks and ordered a Butterbeer. It tasted wonderful, and made her so warm that her toes tingled. She was finishing it up when Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny came into the pub. A very handsome and rugged looking red-haired man accompanied them. Erin remembered him from the train platform fiasco, but his name was a mystery. Think, Erin, think, is this Bill or is it Charlie?

"Hey Erin, you're early! This is my brother Charlie."

Ah, that's right, Bill is the taller one with the earring. Erin's stomach dropped, but she managed to smile calmly. "We've met. Nice to see you again, Charlie."

He blurted out, "You remember?!" Hermione and Ginny snickered and he blushed. "I mean, it's good to see you, too." Erin was glad to see that she wasn't the only one feeling nervous, and was elated that she'd done a much better job of covering it up than Charlie.

Erin sized him up quickly, as they shook hands in greeting. She liked the way his large, rough hand seemed to swallow her smaller, softer one. She only had to look up slightly to gaze into his warm brown eyes. He had the same smattering of freckles Fred, George and Ron, but stature-wise looked more like Fred and George. Erin couldn't help but notice, however, when he blushed he bore an uncanny resemblance to Ron. Giving him an easy smile she asked, "Are you joining us today, Charlie?"

"Yes, he is, isn't that great?" Ginny answered for him, beaming.

"Yes, great," Erin echoed quietly, and noticed that Charlie had heard her and blushed again.

They left the Three Broomsticks and spent the afternoon going in and out of the little shops. Erin bought a few used wizard novels in Mr. Wickley's store. The others seemed to enjoy his shop as well, considering that they had to practically pry Hermione from the shop. As the afternoon wore on Erin began to enjoy Charlie's company more and more. She discovered that he was more than just a pretty face. He talked incessantly about the dragons he was studying. He was so passionate about them that Erin couldn't help but find them fascinating as well. Erin began to wonder if he might feel the same about her.

As they were getting ready to say good-bye to go back to Hogwarts, Charlie caught her hand. "Erin, I just wanted you to know that I had a lot of fun with you today."

"Me too, Charlie," she said smiling broadly.

"Maybe we could do it again sometime?"

"Definitely."

"Good, what about tomorrow?"

"What about it? Oh! You mean you want to meet up again tomorrow?"

"Yes," he said with an amused smile.

"OK, sounds good to me. Where do you want to meet?"

"How about the Three Broomsticks at one?"

"Sounds good to me." She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. And as she moved away, she looked deep into his eyes murmuring, "See you tomorrow." She turned and took long strides in order to catch up with the others. Glancing behind her nonchalantly, she saw Charlie staring after her with his hand on his cheek. He seemed to be rooted to the spot. She giggled to herself. "I've still got it."

Erin woke up the next morning feeling excited beyond belief. She really liked Charlie, and she couldn't wait to spend the afternoon with him. They had had so much fun together, and had had such great conversation, it was all she could do to keep herself from jumping up and down on her bed like a three year old.

Dressing carefully, Erin decided she wanted to look excellent, but not as if she'd tried to look excellent. Pulling on a pair of tight black flares, she looked around for the perfect blouse to go with them. She settled for a deep blue velvet button-up long-sleeved blouse. Her heeled black boots completed the look, and she scrutinized her appearance. Not too bad, she decided, and pulled on her sapphire robes as the finishing touch. The blue in the robes made her eyes seem bluer. I'm looking good, if I do say so myself.

Checking her watch, Erin saw that she'd completely missed breakfast, and she still had a half hour until they started serving lunch. She made her way to the Great Hall and found Ginny sitting in the Hall reading. Erin went and sat down next to her and asked, "What're you reading?"

"Oh!" Ginny gasped. "I didn't hear you come in. Um, it's just Herbology." She gave Erin the once over. "Why are you so dressed up?"

"I'm not that dressed up." She glanced at Ginny, and saw the girl looking at her suspiciously. "OK, OK, I uh, well, I sort of have a date." Ginny's eyebrows shot up, so Erin finished the statement. "With your brother."

Ginny actually smiled. "That's great!"

Erin sighed with relief. "You really think so? I was hoping you would be alright with it."

"Of course I'm OK with it. Do you want me to watch Violet while you're gone?"

"I had thought about bringing her with me, but I guess letting her stay with you would probably be better." Erin extracted the sleeping kitten from her pocket.

The kitten opened an eye and said, "Meowr?" to Ginny.

"Yep, it's me Violet. I feel like her second mother!"

"You pretty much are," Erin laughed. "And Hagrid is her godfather."

Ginny giggled. "Well, maybe some day I'll be her aunt."

Erin blanched. "Whoa! Hold your horses, Ginny, it's just a first date. Let's not marry us off!"

"I was just teasing."

"Who's getting married?" Ron asked joining them at the table.

"No one," Ginny giggled.

"I'd better get to my seat." Erin excused herself went to her seat at the head table. Neither Flitwick nor Snape had arrived, yet, so Erin shoveled some food into her stomach and left the Great Hall before either could arrive to quiz her about her appearance. She gave Ginny a wave and a wink before exiting the Great Hall.

Erin made her way to Hogsmeade and arrived at the Three Broomsticks about five minutes early. Fifteen minutes later Charlie had not arrived. Erin rationalized that ten minutes late wasn't so terrible, but she'd never been stood up for a date, and was starting to get nervous that her perfect record would be tainted. Five minutes more and she was beginning to get really angry. Who does Charlie Weasley think he is, standing me up? I am not by any means desperate, and I resent the fact that he's late, but if he doesn't show up, so help me... She didn't get to finish the thought as she looked up as the door to the Three Broomsticks opened and Charlie appeared.

"Sorry I'm late," he said with an easy smile. "I was a little tied up."

"That's OK," Erin said tersely, and smiled lightly, but didn't let her smile reach her eyes.

He didn't appear to notice, as he asked, "Can I buy you a butterbeer, or something stronger?"

"Butterbeer is fine, thanks." Erin felt relieved that she hadn't been stood up, but something about Charlie's mannerisms didn't seem quite right. She supposed if she knew him better she would be able to put her finger on it. Charlie suggested they move to a table with their drinks.

Erin made every attempt at conversation, but for some reason, she seemed to be the only one talking today. He wasn't the passionate individual she'd spent the day before with. Finally, she came out and asked him what was wrong. He told her he was a little distracted by an owl he'd received from work. Erin wasn't sure she really believed him, but made another effort to keep the conversation going, but after a while, she became exhausted from the effort.

Beginning to wish she'd never agreed to this date, Erin began searching her mind for excuses to get out of the date gracefully. She couldn't come up with anything; her mind seemed to have gone blank. Charlie must have sensed her uneasiness because he suggested they take a walk. Erin agreed hoping that he might regain some of his previous charm.

They walked in silence for quite a while. Erin noticed that Charlie kept checking his watch, and wondered if he was having as lousy of a time as she was. "Do you have somewhere else you have to be?" she snapped finally.

"No," he said flatly. "But I do have something I want to give you." He took a used book out of his pocket. "Here," he said.

"Is that a book from Mr. Wickley's shop?"

He checked his watch again, and smiled at her feebly. "Uh, yeah, sure it is, here, just take it."

"Well, geez if it means that much to you." Erin reached out to take the book. As her fingers touched the cup she felt as if a hook grabbed at her navel and yanked her upwards. She desperately tried to let go of the book, but it seemed attached to her hand, she opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out. She kept trying to scream and was startled when she actually heard her voice. She fell with a thud onto a stone floor, but didn't cease screaming as she realized she was bathed in total darkness.