An American Professor

The week before Easter vacation excitement filled the castle. Many of the students planned to go home for the holiday. Even Ron was leaving his counterparts for the week. Erin overheard him in the library telling Harry and Hermione that the whole family was getting together, so he simply had to go home. He sounded awfully guilty about leaving them, but Erin didn’t have time to worry herself with his teenage angst, she had her own problems to deal with. She was taking her year three exams all week, and she was trying not to panic. She hadn’t been as studious with this coursework as she’d been in the past, and she was thoroughly regretting slacking off.

Despite her concerns, Erin received word by the end of the day Friday that she’d passed all of her exams. She left the castle and had taken a walk down to the lake to clear her head. Feeling relief and elation at passing the tests she sat down at the lake’s edge and began lazily tossing rocks into the glittering water.

“At that rate, you’re going to fill it up.”

Erin whirled around at the sound of the deep, rich voice. “Charlie!” she squealed and then felt stupid for acting so excited.

“Well, don’t just sit there, don’t I at least get a ‘hello’ hug?”

Laughing, Erin got to her feet and to her surprise, he pulled her into a warm, tight hug. He held her at arms length, and Erin’s breath caught in her chest. She’d forgotten how handsome he was. “Erin, no offense, but you look really tired. What’s wrong?”

Erin pulled away and began walking back to the castle, but she wasn’t upset by his comment. “Charlie, never tell a woman she looks tired. That translates into, ‘Damn woman, you look like hell.’ But, I’m sure I do look tired, I am tired, I'm tired to the point of exhaustion, and now I'm babbling. I finished up my third year exams today.”

Charlie was still laughing at her translation after she’d finished talking. “Well, congratulations. Last time I saw you, you’d just started the second year coursework. Well, no wonder you’re still in a splendid mood, even after I unknowingly insulted you!”

Erin gave him a big smile and hugged him again briefly, “Thanks again for your ‘This is-not-a-valentine’ valentine. So, what’d you get Hildy?”

Charlie chuckled, “I didn’t get her anything and she wouldn’t be my valentine.”

“Uh, oh. A pissed off dragon is not a good thing. So, what are you doing here?”

“Always right to the point, huh? I’m here to see you.”

Erin stopped short to stare at him, “But I thought your family was celebrating Easter together?”

“We are, but I’ve come to invite you to join us in celebrating.”

Erin felt the blush rise in her face as she protested. “But Charlie, I couldn’t come, I mean, that’s a family thing. I’d be intruding.” Besides, we’re just friends, she added silently.

“Nonsense, mum and dad told me to specifically ask you and not to take no for an answer. Besides, there are so many of us, mum can’t remember who’s who half the time anyway.”

“That’s ridiculous of course she knows her family, every single one of you has that brilliant red hair.”

“Well, if that’s your hold up I can fix it, hold still,” he smirked pulling out his wand and aiming it at her golden locks.

“Don’t even think about it,” she said with mock seriousness, and then laughed as she pushed his hand down, “Oh, Charlie, I don’t know.”

“Please, Erin? It’d mean so much to dad if he could pick your brain for an entire week.”

Erin was torn. She didn’t know what to do. Would it look like she was chasing Charlie if she went? Then again, he seemed rather anxious for her to come, so he must not think of it as her pursing him. What if Sirius sent word while she was away? What do you care if he sends word, you haven’t heard so much as a peep from him. Charlie’s eyes were pleading with her. I need to learn how to say no without feeling guilty. I also need to learn not to have arguments with myself in my head.

“Ok, I’ll come,” she agreed.

He picked her up and twirled her around. “Good! Great! Go pack, the train leaves in less than two hours. I’ll see you at the station.” He pecked her left cheek before walking away swiftly in the direction leading towards Hogsmeade. Erin watched his retreating back for a few moments before turning back towards the castle wondering what she’d gotten herself into.

Running back to her room to pack she threw many of her clothes into a suitcase when it suddenly dawned on her that she’d have to tell Dumbledore about the unscheduled trip. Erin checked her watch as she finished packing, and ran with her suitcase and carry-on to the owlery. Using the parchment available she scrawled a note to Dumbledore, attached it to a tawny barn owl, and watched the owl take off with a sense of purpose.

She was about to leave when it occurred to her that she needed a cat-sitter for Violet. Picking up another piece of parchment, she scribbled a note to Hagrid, pleading with him to take care of Violet in her absence, and sent it off with another owl.

As she turned to leave the owlery again she was struck by the thought that she hadn’t told Severus she was leaving. Why should you tell him? Are you checking in with him? No, I’m not checking in, it’s a courtesy. He’s a good friend. It’s just going to piss him off if you tell him. But it’ll scare the shit out of him if you’ve just disappeared, and not told him. In the end, Erin snatched up another piece of parchment.

Her note turned out to be much more difficult to write. Maybe I should just go find him. Glancing at her watch, no, I just don’t have the time because I've wasted it arguing with myself. She wadded up several pieces of parchment before writing: Severus, The Weasley family has invited me to spend the Easter holiday with them. In what you’ll probably deem a lapse in judgment, I’ve agreed to go. I’ll be careful, so don’t worry. I’ll see you when I get back. Hope you have an excellent holiday. Take care, Erin. Feeling somewhat satisfied with the note, she attached it to another barn owl, this one speckled, and watched him soar from her sight before turning and racing from the owlery.

Erin made it to the train station just in time; the conductor was making his last call. Darting onto the train, Erin began searching the compartments for any of the Weasleys. She found Ginny in a full compartment with her friends, and the twins in a similar situation. Ron, however, had his compartment to himself. Erin knocked slightly before peeking in, “Hey there, handsome. There are other places to sit, but I’d rather sit with you.”

He blushed furiously, but smiled, “What are you doing here?”

“It’s nice to see you, too, Ron,” she answered plopping down into the seat across from him.

“That’s not what I meant. I mean, where are you going for the holidays?” Ron’s face darkened, “Going to meet ole Snape for a bit of fun, are you?”

Erin gaped at him before snapping back, “First of all, it’s Professor Snape, and he’s my friend, get over it. Sheesh! And, for your information,” she whispered, “I’m going home with you.”

“You are?” he shouted.

“Shhh! For safety’s sake let’s keep it quiet, ok?”

“Oh, right. Why didn’t mum tell me?”

“Probably because Charlie just asked me this afternoon.”

“Charlie asked you? He was at Hogwarts? Wicked.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty excited to see a wizarding household.”

“Too bad Harry and Hermione couldn’t come, too.”

“Hmmm, I wonder what Ron’s real reason for wishing Hermione was here is?” Erin said teasingly and Ron blushed again.

Their train had departed at 5 PM, and Erin knew they had a while before they arrived in London, and after that she didn’t know how long it would be to get to the Weasley’s house. Her lack of sleep from the night before catching up with her, she suggested a nap. Ron agreed with the idea and Erin placed an entry alarm charm on their compartment, just in case someone should try to disturb their slumber.

The alarm went off after what felt like ten minutes, but as Erin waved her wand to silence the alarm, she realized the train was stopped. Ginny was standing in their compartment looking confused, “What the heck was that?”

“An entry alarm, just in case,” Erin explained.

“Erin, where are you going for the holiday?”

Erin stood with a smile to Ginny, and grabbed her bags, “Ron explain it to her, and then please find the twins and tell them. Also, whatever I say on the Platform, just go along with it, just in case, ok?”

Erin left Ron to explain to Ginny and exited the train. She saw that Draco Malfoy was indeed watching her intensely. When she saw Fred and George, she murmured discreetly into George’s ear, “Do you guys know?” He nodded slightly and the three walked through the barrier together.

Erin’s eyes searched for Charlie, but spotted Mr. Weasley first as he was a bit taller. Nearby she noticed Draco conferring with his father and felt their far too familiar cold gray eyes on her. Stifling a shudder she focused her attention on the Weasleys and turned her back completely to the Malfoys. She knew that Ron and Ginny had joined them, and noticed a little uncomfortably that Charlie was beaming at her.

Plastering a smile to her face, Erin reached Mr. Weasley and gave him a big hug, which surprised him, and used the opportunity to whisper in his ear, “Just go along with what I say.” His smile flickered briefly, but stayed in place as Erin moved to hug Charlie hello, and whispered the same to him. Stepping back she grinned and in a sickly sweet voice that was a touch louder than her normal octave she gushed, “Thank-you so much for dropping me off at the airport, Mr. Weasley. I can’t begin to tell you how anxious I am to see my old friends in the States.”

Mr. Weasley nodded catching on quickly, “Ah, it’s my pleasure my dear. Charlie take her bags.” With that the Weasleys and Erin marched right past the gaping Malfoys.

“I hope they don’t follow us,” Erin worried out loud to Mr. Weasley.

“Don’t you worry, I’ll take care of that.”

It was dark outside the station, reminding Erin how late it was and that she should feel exhausted, but her adrenaline was pumping knowing that the Malfoys had been watching her so closely. She'd have to be sure and tell Severus when she got back to the school.

They arrived at two taxis parked by the curb and seemed to be waiting for them specifically. Erin watched in amazement as Muggles would walk near the taxis and suddenly turn to find another one. Charlie put Erin’s bags in the second car’s trunk and she climbed inside. He followed, and then there was quite a scuffle for the two remaining seats.

Mr. Weasley resigned himself to riding in the first cab as whomever it would be transporting needed adult supervision. The twins were trying to get the seats in the second cab, and were stating their case to Ron. Ron was protesting loudly and Mr. Weasley had actually starting yelling for them to just get into the cars. Ginny settled the fight by sneaking by Fred into the seat next to Charlie. The twins, reluctant to be split up, joined Mr. Weasley, and Ron triumphantly took the remaining seat next to the driver.

“Is it always like this around your family?” Erin asked with a laugh.

“Yes,” the three Weasleys agreed, “Only worse,” Ginny added with a giggle.

That cabs sped from sight and when Erin turned back to look at the station she glimpsed the Malfoys only just exiting the station. She wondered briefly if Mr. Weasley had done something to delay their progress, so that they would be unable to follow the cabs. She didn’t have a chance to question the others as Charlie began an animated story about his job. Erin tried to shush him and looked pointedly at the driver when he mentioned dragons, but Charlie whispered, “He’s a wizard cab driver. These aren’t ordinary taxis.”

“I thought they might be ‘special’ when the Muggles kept avoiding them.” Erin had also noticed that the cab seemed to be able to fit into spots an ordinary taxi would not. Her thoughts were brought back to Charlie and he kept them entertained with stories for the next hour or so, making it impossible for Erin to nap during the trip.

Erin was exhausted by the time they’d reached the Burrow. She couldn’t help but yawn every other second. The house wasn’t very well lit, or it may have been because she was so tired, but she couldn’t even begin to figure out it’s outline from the night sky.

“Ah, home sweet home,” Charlie murmured in her ear sending shivers down her spine. He seemed not to notice and took her arm and steered her inside. Erin barely had time to take in the cozy looking living room and could only imagine where the kitchen must be. Charlie steered her up the staircase before Erin could protest about not finding Mrs. Weasley to thank her for her hospitality. She trudged up the rickety staircase after Charlie aware that Ginny was hot on her heels. Charlie stopped on the third landing and Ginny hurried past them to a door on the right.

“This is my room,” she twittered, “I’m so happy you’re staying with me, Erin!”

Despite her fatigue, Erin managed a smile, “I’m glad too, Ginny.” Erin and Charlie followed her into the room.

The walls were pink, the bedspread was pink, the floor had a fuzzy pink rug, and even the wardrobe had pink trim. It looked like a bottle of calamine lotion had thrown up in her room. “Mom was a little excited about finally having a girl, so she got a little carried away.” Ginny was blushing and staring at the floor.

Erin smiled reassuringly, “It’s lovely, Ginny, really.” Erin placed her carry-on bag on the bed with the blue blanket, assuming it was hers, as it didn’t go with the room’s décor. Charlie smiled as he set her suitcase by the bed and taking her hand pulled her into the hallway.

He shut the door behind them and then gesturing to the other side of the hallway said, “The bathroom’s there, and I’m down the hall in Fred and George’s room, if you need anything.” Her eyes drooping, Erin nodded slightly. “Get to bed before you fall asleep standing up. How much sleep did you get last night?”

“Mmm, I don’t remember, I was studying, so, uh, a couple of hours, maybe, but I slept on the train.”

“Uh huh, good night, sleep well.”

“Good night Charlie, thanks for inviting me.” And she went back into Ginny’s room. Ginny was smiling broadly. I hope she doesn’t expect ‘girl talk’ tonight. Erin smiled back weakly, and gathered her toothbrush and pajamas and left the room again. Changing quickly she went back into Ginny’s room. Smiling slightly at the red head, Erin jumped into bed and murmured, “good night.”

She was vaguely aware of Ginny’s exasperated sigh as she flopped into her own bed. Erin didn’t give it much thought as she drifted off to much needed sleep.