March 23rd, 1890 — Astronomy Tower

Noelle Trembley was heading up to the Astronomy Tower to see if she could locate some of her missing homework assignments. She had a couple students turn in some homework late due to being in the hospital wing and so she was willing to grade them by the morning. The problem is that the assignments seem to have gone missing.

When she reached the spiral staircase going to the tower, she ran into a bit of a problem. There was a man wearing unkempt clothing blocking the staircase.

"Excuse me, sir?" She shook his shoulder to see if she could rouse him in order for him to move. "I'm sorry to wake you but there are better places to take a nap then the middle of the corridor you know?"

  

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Atticus woke with a start, jumping in place and rubbing his eyes with short, aggressive movements. He observed his surroundings with wide, bloodshot eyes. He appeared to be sitting on the steps of a spiral staircase. There was a cold draft coming from the top of the stairs and a pretty young woman in teacher's robes staring at him curiously.

He shook himself slightly and ran a had through his short hair.

"I'm sorry," he began. "Where am I?"

  

Noelle gave the man a confused look. It was a little odd that he didn't know where he was. Maybe he sleepwalked?

"You're on the spiral staircase leading to the astronomy tower."

  

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Atticus turned to the woman quizzically. She was very pretty, a fact he'd noticed but hadn't been fully struck by until that moment. Her long blond hair was tucked into a knot at the back of her head and her cloak was made from a thick velvet that shimmered as she moved.

"The astronomy tower?" he asked.

  

Noelle looked at him in confusion. How was he still confused? He might take some time to wake up fully.

"Yes the astronomy tower. It's the highest tower here at Hogwarts. Would you mind moving so I can go past, please, sir? I need to locate some assignments for my students."

  

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Atticus blinked at the woman, her words moving slowly through his brain like cool honey. Then he realized she'd asked him to move.

"Of course!" he exclaimed, jumping to his feet. He teetered, slightly dizzy from the sudden action. He held up a hand, signaling that he was fine. "I suppose I should be on my way," he said eventually. "You said Hogwarts, yes?"

  

Noelle looked at the man in again. He had no idea he was in Hogwarts? Just how does one do that?

"I did say Hogwarts. Thank you, sir. Now if you'll excuse me, I must go locate those assignments for my students. Have a good evening."

  

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Atticus moved aside, watching the woman ascend the stairs at a rapid pace. He couldn't help but notice how elegant she was. Like a moving painting.

He shook himself yet again and started back down the staircase. He smiled to himself in relief. His mother could no longer blackmail him with the possession of his cat. He had a job. He was the new Divination Professor at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

And he worked with a woman he most certainly wouldn't mind seeing on a daily basis.