"Urgent letter from the Ministry? Preposterous! More than a hundred years old, yet acting like an eleven years old child..."
Sylvian listened to the poor overworked deputy with awkward grins and a few nods. Professor McGonagall finally calmed down a little, offering a weary smile.
"Forget it, he cannot be fixed. So, you will be working with us, Mr. Scamander? Do understand I don't doubt your skills, it's just you are too young. As you mentioned in your letter, there has been no such thing since the founding of Hogwarts.
And the irony of this situation, professor of History is the youngest teacher at the whole school."
Professor shook her head in amusement and sipped her bitter tea.
"When would you like to move to school?"
"Should I move in earlier or closer to the start of the new semester?"
"New teachers usually move in when the semester starts. You see, we provide food and lodging, but your contract will start in September. Next year you may stay here for the holidays as well."
"That's wonderful. I had another inquiry, Professor. A few of my friends mentioned you visited them when they got their acceptance letters. Can I help you with that?
It would also be a nice start before I start formally teaching."
Professor McGonagall's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Is there any problem?" Sylvian asked.
"No, dear, it's just a little... unusual proposal."
She fixed her spectacles and continued
"For many years, I have been the only one delivering the acceptance letters to the muggleborns. It's not the right or responsibility of the deputy headmistress, mind you. It's just other professors are either... unsuitable or they don't want to do it.
I certainly will appreciate your help."
She took a few letters from her drawer and passed them to Sylvian.
"Here are acceptance letters for 4 students. Their addresses are on the letter. You can take your time, as long as they're notified till 15th July.
First visit one of them. Let me know how it went with a letter. Then you can continue with others."
She went on explaining how to break the news, questions most parents and students ask, and how to handle some common situations. They even had a little roleplay: first Sylvian as a parent, then as a professor visiting the family.
After thanking her for the opportunity and bidding farewell, Sylvian used the fireplace in her office to get to Diagon Alley. He moved quickly through the crowded street and reached his destination.
"Good afternoon. One vanilla sundae with some chocolate sauce, please. Thank you."
He chose a seat by the window and took out a book to pass the time till his friend arrived.
"Shall I call you Professor Scamander now?"
"Five points to Slytherin, Mr. Rosier."
"Gryffindors will be in despair hearing another Snape has come to torment them."
Sylvian didn't deny it. Although both of them knew it was impossible for him to be as partial as Professor Snape, they could at least annoy their friends about it later.
"How are you doing in the Ministry? Anyone troubling our Lord Rosier with their petty troubles?"
"Those peasants don't even dare enter my room." Saying so, Caius gave an exaggerated sneer. Sylvian nearly burst out laughing.
"My Lord, you need to have silky long hair to imitate Malfoy. Your attempt fell short."
"Hmph. I simply find it a chore to maintain ridiculously long hair. Seriously, I'm baffled how girls found yours attractive. Are they actually attracted to girls?"
Sylvian mock-punched him in shoulders.
"This is aesthetic beauty, okay? Your cold pragmatism has no place here.
Jokes aside, how's it going with your job?"
"I'm just an assistant diplomat who got in with his father's connections. There's some paperwork every day, not much trouble. The real job starts when I become an ambassador.
So, it went well with Dumbledore?"
"He's a pretty chill guy as long as you are not a homicidal maniac."
He shrugged and took a spoonful of sundae. One of the perks of eating sundae here was it melted a lot slower than ordinary ones.
"Still, you are probably the youngest professor in history. Convincing him must have taken some effort."
"I just told him I wanted to unite the younger generation."
"That makes sense. One problem he can't solve with force is repairing ties between Slytherin and other Houses. If you promised that, he would believe it."
"Cai, why do you make it sound like I'm drawing a lie in the air to get a job? I'm not a blackhearted politician, okay? For me, educating children is the ultimate goal, not a tool.
Besides, I'm quite capable and full of passion for History. That promise and ideals was just to reassure Headmaster that I'm coming with good intentions. If he had no trust in my ability, he would choose other person.
After all, this isn't a cursed position like Defense against the dark arts. There must be quite a few applicants.
Caius stopped his ravenous attack on ice cream. He asked curiously,
"Do you really believe this position is cursed?"
"I don't believe, I know.
Before Dark Lord became an open enemy to the public, it's said that he applied to be a professor of Defense. Headmaster refused.
After that incident, no other professor could last more than a year in this position."
"So that's why you had to banish Binns to empty a position for yourself?"
"What do you mean, "banished"? I helped him to realize his desire and move on peacefully!" Sylvian replied indignantly.
"Mate, can you teach me how to do that?You know how annoying that ghost in our Manor is. If you do this favor, all generations of Rosier family will be grateful to you!"
"Audacity! The future of House Rosier rests on such despicable descendants." He shook his head in mock indignation. "Ghost of Lord James will be so disappointed when he hears of what you said."
Caius's face twitched, "You are an insufferable brat, do you know that, Sylvanus Ezer Fido Scamander?"
"Wow, you really remember my full name? Sometimes even I forget it." Saying so, he dipped his head to avoid the punch.
"Stop mocking traditions, you oaf! One day someone will brand you a blood traitor and I won't say anything."
"That would actually give us another reason to ally with Weasleys. Imagine two most prolific families forming a proper alliance. We could start a revolution or something."
Noticing the increasingly red face of his friend, he quickly said his goodbye.
"See you at the Summer Solstice. Don't forget the Moonwort Custard tart."
"All you think about is taking advantage of us over food. Did they starve you or something?" His complaints fell on air as Sylvian walked out without looking back.
Back home, Newt and Tina were probably taking their afternoon nap. So he went straight to his office.
Dean Thomas, Wayne Hopkins, Hermione Granger . Bingo. I'll visit her first and then others. Justin Finch-Fletchley, Megan Jones.
It would certainly be a lie to say he had no ulterior motives of recruiting her to his club, that could wait till the start of the school. Sylvian already met his top two favorite characters from his past life, so he was looking forward to meeting the third one.
And what he told Professor McGonagall was indeed true. He had little experience being a teacher. In the club, they were more like friends exchanging information and helping each other. Even with the younger students. He wanted to try and act like a true teacher with these students first while introducing wizarding world. He could then maintain this persona at Hogwarts when the term started.
___________________
Hermione just finished helping her Mum do the dishes after breakfast when she heard the doorbell ring.
"I'll get the door, Mum."
"Good morning, how can I... help you?"
Latter half of her sentence became a whisper.
In front of her stood a young boy with long wavy hair and a face that could only be described as beautiful. He had a thin cream turtleneck with a black trenchcoat.
"Good day, you must be Miss Granger? May I talk to your parents?"
"And you are?"
"I'm from a school admission."
"Okay, please, wait a moment." She closed the door and went to fetch her Dad from the living room.
"Dad, there is someone at the door. He said he's from school admission and wanted to talk to you guys."
"Is that so? Did you ask which school?"
Mr Granger put down the newspaper and fixed his clothes a bit while walking to the door.
"No, I didn't."
"Oh, it's alright. You can go and tell your Mum. I'll invite him in."
Hermione ran back to the kitchen and let Mrs Granger know about it. She put a few biscuits on a plate and they went to the living room.
Meanwhile, her Dad led the young man in. He gave a polite nod to Mrs Granger.
"You must be Mrs Granger? Good day, ma'am. I hope I haven't disturbed your day."
"Not at all, sir. You are?"
"My name is Sylvian Scamander, professor at Hogwarts school. I have been tasked with delivery of this letter, " he passed an envelope to Hermione, "and explain everything to you. I'm sure you will have many questions. You may take a look at the letter after Miss Granger."
They were a bit puzzled by this, but her Mum didn't show it in her face and calmly asked if Mr. Scamander would like tea or coffee.
"Tea will be fine, thank you."
Mr Granger invited him to sit on the armchair. Father and daughter settled on the sofa.
Hermione examined the envelope. It was thick cream colored parchment sealed with red wax. It looked like a letter H surrounded by lion, snake, badger and some kind of bird. She discreetly looked up. Mr Scamander gave a small, encouraging grin and a nod.
She broke the seal and took out the letter. It was written in a beautiful script. The moment she read the first line, she became bewildered.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc.,
Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump,
International Confed. Of Wizards)
Dear Miss Granger,
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"Mr Scamander, I don't understand. Witchcraft? Is this some trickster school? I don't think I'm suitable for that."
Hermione passed the letter to her father. Mr Granger also skimmed through the letter and burst out laughing.
"That is quite an interesting invitation. Though Hermione here is the smartest student of her school. We are planning to let her study in the finest institutions this country can offer.
Since you came here all the way, you must have a reason. I wouldn't say no to a little demonstration as well."
"Sure then. What do you say for a tarot reading? I've got high grade from Divination."
Mr Scamander took a little ornate box. Inside there were tarot cards. They looked as if thin threads of metal were woven to create different images, but he handled them with ease. So they couldn't be heavy metal.
Then he started shuffling the cards. He made them come alive in his hands. Cards were moving in strange and impossible patterns as if flying. Even those people on TV weren't as masterful as him.
"Here, now you shuffle it." Mr Granger took the cards and clumsily mixed them a bit.
"You are quite proficient in it, sir."
"You flatter me. Let's do a quick classic spread: past, present, and future."
He took the cards back and slowly laid the topmost card to his left. The second one in the middle and the third on the right. Then he turned the first card.
"Past. Eight of pentacles. Diligence and hard work. You have built your life not through inheritance or luck, but through long years of work. You became proficient in your field.
Present. The Wheel of Fortune. Change, inevitable fate. A big change is coming your way that will reshape your perceived fate. You can either adapt and benefit, or refuse to see it and continue living your life just the same.
Future. Two of Pentacles. Balancing desicions, adapting. You will build your future based on the desicion you make after the change of fate."
While Mr Scamander turned the cards and explained in a low and magnetic voice, Hermione felt change in the air. There was something... Something she could perceive, but not explain was happening.
"Can you read for me, Mr Scamander?"
He gave a nod and started shuffling the cards in his masterful way. Mr Granger seemed to be looking at the table, yet not seeing anything. Hermione didn't notice. Her whole focus was on those cards.
Mr Scamander passed the deck to her. She started shuffle slowly with care. At that moment she could feel every curve in the strange cards. They were so satisfying to slide your fingers... She also felt the cards were different from one another. Some were warm, others colder; some seemed somehow happy, others sad; some made her feel close, others repulsive. She decided to ask her father if he felt the same sensation afterwards.
When she gave the cards back, Mrs Granger also came in with tea. She didn't disturb the quiet and settled in another armchair.
The cards were put in place. Hermione felt as if everything came to standstill. There were only she and the boy opposite her and three cards between them. He slowly turned the first card.
"Two of Swords. Difficult choices. You had to give up certain things in order to achieve your ideals. Your gain came with equal loss. Past often shapes our future, Miss Granger. Do you regret your choices? Will you make similar sacrifice in the future or not?"
Second card.
"Judgement. Reflection, reckoning, awakening. Your destiny has arrived. Will you answer it? This is the turning point of your life. Whether you choose to face it or run away from it, it's your decision. Only yours."
Third card.
"Queen of Wands." His face suddenly lit up with a smile. As if he found what he was looking for.
"Courage, determination, joy. You are a born leader, my Queen. When others feel afraid of change, you live for it. Where others see perfection, you see ways to make it better. Whether your journey will bring joy to those around is a question for now. Choose your path wisely, for many will follow your lead on that road."