There You'll Be

Chapter One
Hogwarts Gets A New Teacher

"Delilah, it's time to leave," a male voice called up the stairs.

A door opened slightly, and another voice called out. "I'll be down in a second, Pappy."

A short time later the door opened further. Out walked a young woman, thirty years old. She was an attractive woman with long brown hair and piercing brown eyes, although not in the traditional sense. There was something about her that caused most people to step back and take another glance at her. It must have been her determination to make things happen in her life, or that she always tried to do the best she can. No one was completely sure. Going down the stairs, she reached the bottom where an older gentleman stood before her.

"Delilah James," he said, a slight tone of scolding in his voice. "We were supposed to leave for the dance center five minutes ago. I thought you were ready."

Smiling at him adoringly, she bent towards him to kiss him on his aged cheek. "Don't worry, Pappy. There's plenty of time. Besides, I was trying to finish up with my essay for class."

Pappy, whose real name was Joshua, sighed softly and gave his granddaughter a smile of affection. Although he tried to act stern, he wasn't able to keep up the pretense for too long. He loved her very much, and would do anything he could for her or Aaron. When Delilah had owled him at Hogwarts telling him of her divorce from her husband of fours years, he knew it was time to step down from his teaching in order to help her with three-year-old Aaron. From the time he'd left the school, he'd never had a moment of regret for making the decision.

Brushing a lock of his peppery gray hair out of his eyes, he looked at his watch and stated, "We should be going. Where's Aaron?"

"He should be in the backyard," she answered. With a gentle swish of her waist- length brown hair and another tug at her sleeve, she disappeared around him and into the kitchen.

Soon, a bouncy boy of eleven hurried into the room, obviously sweaty from playing in the hot afternoon sun. Aaron was a happy, well-adjusted boy who looked very similar to his mother, and acted like her for the most part.

"Wash up quickly. It's time to leave," Joshua said, still eyeing his watch.

"I know, Pappy," Aaron stated, trying to act like he was being told nothing new. Turning around as he walked towards a nearby room, "Mom's already told me that."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Finally after much fuss and muss, everyone was ready to go. Heading out the door, Delilah was the first to see the two guests standing on their front stoop.

"Dee!" she cried ecstatically as she wrapped her arms around the older gentleman before her. Ever since she was little bit of nothing, she'd called him Dee because she had trouble pronouncing his name. Even when she could say it, she still called him by her childhood nickname.

"Ah, child," he said as he pulled away and looked her over. "It's good to see you again. You look wonderful. It's been too long."

"It's good to see you, too," Delilah returned, squeezing his hands tightly before she let them go.

"Welcome, Albus," Joshua stated, holding his hand out towards his long time friend. Albus and Joshua shook hands. Then Joshua saw another face he knew. "Ah, Severus. How are you doing?"

"I'm doing well," Severus Snape answered, no emotion showing on his face.

"That's wonderful," Joshua said, smiling slightly. "Delilah, Aaron, this is an associate of mine from Hogwarts. Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master." The two both said their hellos, and Snape gave them a quick nod.

"What are you doing here, Dee?" Delilah asked him curiously. While she was glad that he was there, he wasn't able to come as often as she liked. Usually, when he appeared out of the blue it was for a reason, not a spur-of-the-moment trip.

"Did you forget? You asked me to come to your dance program," Dumbledore informed her and a happy grin followed. "I hope you don't mind that I brought Professor Snape along. I thought he might enjoy the show."

Dumbledore whispered to her, chuckling slightly, "And between you, me and the lamppost, I say he needs to get out more. He spends to much time in that dungeon of his."

Delilah said out loud, "I don't mind that he came. After all, the more the merrier."

When Joshua saw how late it was getting, he muttered something slightly off-color under his breath, and informed them, "I hate to break up this party, but we should really be going."

Joshua ushered them all out into the yard, and they walked over Delilah's white Geo Prism. When Severus saw Delilah's car, he stopped and asked, stunned, "We're going in that? I thought we were going by Flue Powder."

"Sorry, Professor Snape," Delilah apologized. Then chuckled out loud, "We can't go by Flour Power. There aren't any fireplaces at the dance center."

"Flour Power!" Severus repeated with a look of a mixture of disgust and exasperation.

"Besides, we would be appearing before too many Muggles to use magic," Joshua continued with the explanation. Even though he'd been away from the magic world for a while, he still considered non-magic folk Muggles. Some habits were just hard to break.

During Voldemont's reign of terror, Delilah's parents fled for the States to escape. From that time on, they lived Muggle lives, and Delilah was raised that way. It wasn't until she was eleven that learned about her heritage. Even though she had no powers, she enjoyed the magic world, especially her grandfather who let her visit him at Hogwarts every now and then.

"This is the easiest way for us to travel. Anyway, we're not asking you to drive," Joshua informed Severus.

"I wouldn't want to drive this thing anyway," Severus stated, gritting his jaw tightly.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Twenty minutes later, the group of five arrived at the dance center and was immediately immersed in the mass of people. After they arrived, Delilah left them so she could get ready for the show. The others would be getting their tickets, and then their seats.

As they walked into the auditorium, they were assaulted with the noise of what seemed like a million people talking at once. There were kids screaming with impatience, and some adults grumbling with irritation. Finding their seats proved to be a little bit more difficult than they'd expected.

Once they were settled, Joshua and Aaron looked at their programs so they could see what else was going on during the show. They were so wrapped up in their reading that they didn't notice the little conversation going on between Dumbledore and Severus.

"I don't see why I had to come along," Severus grumbled as he shifted in his seat, trying to get comfortable. "I could be back at Hogwarts working on next year's lesson plans."

"You came because I asked you to," Dumbledore said as he thumbed through his own program. "Besides, there's no reason you can't get out once in a while. You spend too much time working, and not enough time enjoying life. There's plenty of time to get those plans together before the students return to school, and you know it. It won't hurt you to breathe the fresh air instead of locking yourself away in that dank, musty dungeon."

Severus was going to make some kind of retort, but the lights flickered slightly and went out, indicating that the show was about to begin. Severus was just going to have to sit back and watch the show like a good little boy. Muttering to himself, he hunched his shoulders and reluctantly kept his eyes on the stage.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Half an hour later, it was time for Delilah's performance. It was simple dance routine done with a group of her friends at the dance center. This was a fun song for them to do, and they loved doing it.

As the group entered the stage, the lights lowered to dim as they got situated. Then a soft voice broke through them dim as the performance started.

Well she seemed all right by dawns early light
Though she looked a little worried and weak
She tried to pretend he wasn't drinkin' again
But daddy left the proof on her cheek
And I was only eight years old that summer
And I always seemed to be in the way
So I took myself down to the fair in town
On Independence Day

Well word gets around in a small, small town
They said he was a dangerous man
But mama was proud and she stood her ground
She knew she was on the losin' end
Some folks whispered and some folks talked
But everybody looked the other way
And when time ran out there was no one about
On Independence Day

Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing
Let the whole world know that today is a day of reckoning
Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong
Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay it's Independence Day

Well she lit up the sky that fourth of July
By the time that the firemen come
They just put out the flames, and took down some names
And sent me to the county home
Now I ain't sayin' it's right or it's wrong
But maybe its the only way
Talk about your revolution
It's Independence Day

Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing
Let the whole world know that today is a day of reckoning
Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong
Roll the stone away, let the guilty pay it's Independence Day
Roll the stone away
It's Independence day

As the performance finished, the lights flooded the auditorium. The audience applauded as the performers bowed in return. It looked like everyone liked the show, but it was difficult to tell sometimes. Waving to the people as they turned, the performers left the stage, disappearing behind the stage curtain

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A short time later, Delilah appeared outside the dressing room to find Joshua, Aaron, Dumbledore and Severus waiting for her. As she approached them, everyone applauded and telling her their opinions, except for Severus. He just stood there watching everything.

"So you really liked it?" Delilah asked as she grinned broadly.

"It was the best, Delilah," Dumbledore stated. Then he went on to say, "It was much better than your Christmas show last year."

Delilah blushed with embarrassment because during that show she'd misjudged her distance and fell off the stage. This caused her to break her leg and had to sit out of dance class for quite a while until it healed. Now she was more careful during her performances.

She got the same kind of answers from Aaron and Joshua. They thought this was her best show ever. Even though these praises were nothing new, it was still nice to hear that she was doing a good job. It just made her work all the harder on her next project.

Looking around, she'd noticed that she hadn't heard from Severus. "Professor Snape?" She asked, drawing his reluctant attention. "What did you think of the show?"

There was a pause before he looked up to answer it. With a slightly clenched jaw, he muttered, "It was acceptable."

Looking perplexed, Delilah just stared at him when she received his answer. Not quite sure what to say, she said, "Thanks, I think."

"Why don't we go celebrate?" Joshua announced before anything more could happen.

"Joshua, how about later?" Dumbledore suggested as he placed his hand on Joshua's shoulder. "I have something important I need to talk with Delilah about."

Joshua looked at his old friend, and it was as if he could read his mind. Nodding, Joshua said, "Ok. We'll do Elixir's later. Maybe after you're finished."

"Good."

Delilah's gaze switched between Dumbledore and Joshua. 'What could be so important for Dee to come and see me personally? I wonder if Pappy knows about it.' she wondered.

The five left the center, and returned to the house.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When the group had returned to the house and was sitting in the living room, it was time to hear what Dumbledore had to say.

"What is it, Dee? What did you have to talk to me about?" Delilah asked, sitting anxiously in her seat, looking at Dumbledore, only quieting when he held up his hand so he could speak.

"I'm asking you to consider the position of Muggle Studies professor at Hogwarts," Dumbledore told her.

"Really? I would love to. Thank you," she accepted, clasping her hands together happily. She's always wanted to do something there, but Joshua had told her that only wizard folk were offered jobs there. That thought reminded her that she wasn't a witch. "But I thought only witches or wizards were allowed to teacher at Hogwarts?"

"That's how it's supposed to be," Severus muttered, just loud enough for only her to hear.

That comment came close to getting her angry. She didn't like it when people made fun of her or any of her family. Before she could say a word to Severus, Dumbledore distracted her by saying, "Usually they are, but I want to try a different approach this year with the Muggle Studies students. Instead of just learning about the society here, they should experience it."

"What do you mean?" Delilah asked as Dumbledore paused for a brief moment.

"Although not too many of the witches and wizards leave the wizarding world, those who do should be prepared. If they know the lay of the land, so to speak, then they'll be able to take care of themselves and not be perceived as different."

"Sounds like it could work," Delilah murmured quietly, rubbing her jaw with her hand. Then she asked, "I'll take the job. I would just like to know, why me?"

"Because I trust you, and know that you'd teach these students as best as you can. Besides, can you see me doing a search for teachers here? If they heard what they'd be doing, they'd think I was off my rocker," Dumbledore clarified to her.

"They would think you were on the peculiar side," Delilah agreed, giving him an infectious smile. Dumbledore grinned back at her.

A thought dawned on Delilah as she remembered something. "Wait, Dee. What about Aaron? I can't leave him here by himself. He still has school."

"I won't be by myself," Aaron informed her. "I'll be with Pappy. He can take care of me."

"No, you won't," Dumbledore disagreed with Aaron. "You'll be going with your mother if she agrees."

"What do you mean 'if I agree?'" Delilah asked, confused.

"Here, read this first. This will explain everything," Dumbledore suggested as he pulled an envelope from his coat pocket and handed it to Aaron.

Aaron gripped the letter and looked at it tentatively. It was addressed to him. Opening the envelope, he pulled out the parchment and started to read:

Dear Mr. James

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

"Mom, what does this mean?" Aaron asked her, handing her the letter.

"This means that you've been accepted at Hogwarts. That's where Pappy taught before he retired," she explained as she skimmed over the letter herself.

"Hogwarts? Really?" Aaron asked, excitement twinkling in his eyes. "Can I go? Please?"

Aaron had heard stories about Hogwarts from as far back as he could remember. He enjoyed hearing the stories, even if he'd heard them a hundred times over. They seemed like it got better each time. Now he would get a chance to experience it himself. This was a chance of a lifetime.

"What do you think, Pappy?" Delilah asked him. She was more than willing to let him go since she'd be there to keep an eye on him. She just wanted his opinion before she gave Aaron an answer.

"I think it would be a great opportunity for him. He should take this chance, and it sounds like he wants to go," he smiled at Aaron. "Besides, you're going to be around to make sure he doesn't get into too much trouble."

"That's what I was thinking," Delilah agreed. Smiling at her son, she stated, "Yes, you can attend Hogwarts."

"All right!" Aaron cried happily as he hugged her tightly.

"Now that that's all settled," Dumbledore muttered as he patted down his cloak as if searching for something. Then, he held up his finger as if a light bulb had gone off in his head. Pulling open his cloak, he reached inside and pulled out another envelope, somewhat bigger than the one he'd given Aaron. "This will tell you everything you need to know about Hogwarts, and such."

"Thank you," Delilah said as she took the envelope in hand. It was thick, and somewhat heavy.

"We should be going," Dumbledore informed them. He held up his hand to stop Delilah's protests about staying for supper. "I'm sorry we can't stay. We should get back to the castle before nightfall."

"I understand," Delilah murmured reluctantly. It wasn't often that she got to see her Dee so she didn't want to see him leave so soon. However, there was one consolation. She'd get to see more of him now that she'd be teaching at Hogwarts.

Dumbledore just nodded to show he understood her reluctance. He hated leaving so soon, but it was not wise to travel after nightfall especially since it was not safe during some areas of their journey. "Don't worry," he said, trying to make her feel better. "We'll be seeing each other again. In just a couple short months, you and Aaron will be arriving at Hogwarts." Delilah nodded her agreement, and she smiled at him.

With that, Dumbledore and Severus had to leave. Delilah, Aaron and Joshua walked them to the door and watched as they disappeared in the early dusk hours.