The Transfer: Year of Change (Harry Potter)

It was the time of year where balmy breezes crept through open windows and the students would rather be outdoors then stuck inside finishing the last bit of studying. As the summer holidays drew closer talk turned to summer plans and what each student plan to do until the next term began.

This was still a heavy topic of conversation when Victoria, Jeremiah, Laura and Pansy entered Defense Against the Dark Arts on a Wednesday in late May.

"I think we're staying home this summer," Laura commented, "but my aunt, you know the one that works at the Ministry; said she would come and visit."

Pansy nodded.

"Yeah, I think after Christmas, my family is staying home too although mom did mention something about going to the coast in July."

Victoria and Jeremiah listened quietly. They didn't have much to add to the conversation at the moment as their minds were preoccupied with other matters.

When they entered the classroom and found their seats Professor Quinn was waiting for them. He seemed a little bit less exuberant than usual and studied each of them with an unusually somber expression.

As soon as everyone was seated, Professor Quinn cleared his throat and raised his hands to quiet the room.

"Excuse me, excuse me, but before we begin the lesson I have been an announcement to make."

The class got quiet unusually quickly, maybe it was his tone of voice but Victoria sensed they all knew something was amiss.

"Next year I will not be teaching you."

There was an instant uproar from the students.

"Have you been sacked?" A Gryffindor boy yelled from the front.

As soon as the room quieted Professor Quinn spoke again, his voice calm and quiet.

"To answer your question, no, I have not been sacked. I am simply taking a leave of absence for the next school year. In the next coming weeks I will be speaking to the headmistress about finding me a temporary replacement; although I have a few in mind. That is all I will say at this time."

Professor Quinn cleared his throat his tone instantly shifting to be more upbeat.

"Right then. Please turn in your books to page 407. Very important lesson today, so take notes!"

They spent the rest of the hour taking notes on vampires and werewolves. Professor Quinn even assigned a roll in a half parchment on the tensions between vampires and werewolves that had been going on for centuries, and Professor Quinn normally didn't assign such extensive homework.

The class was still buzzing about Professor Quinn's announcement when they were heading to their next class.

"What do you suppose he's leaving for?" Pansy asked.

Victoria shrugged.

"Don't know, but kind of odd isn't it? Him leaving out of the blue like this. I mean, he is a good teacher."

The rest of them all nodded in agreement, even Laura.

Later that afternoon they all strolled around the lake, but after a while Victoria pulled her friends aside and murmured in an undertone.

"Can you guys excuse us?" She glanced at Jeremiah over her shoulder, "but we need to talk, in private."

"Snog, is more like it." Laura muttered, in a barely disguised whisper.

"Come on Laura," Pansy muttered, "let's give them some time . Besides, we have to start on that essay for Quinn."

Victoria was sighed in relief as she watched her two friends walked away.

As soon as Pansy and Laura had returned to the castle she and Jeremiah strolled in companionable silence, until finally Victoria spoke.

"So… How's Jason doing?"

"He's doing okay," Jeremiah answered, " still in the hospital but he's out of critical condition. I think the Healers want to make sure he is all right in the head before they clear him for work."

Victoria nodded and they continued in silence for several more minutes.

"What you want to do then, when you return to the States?" Victoria asked.

"Victoria, we've already talked about this. We'll do what we always do."

"But, you weren't my boyfriend then."

Jeremiah smiled faintly.

"True."

Jeremiah considered.

"I could take a portkey over with Jason until he finishes work on some weekends, but other than that I can't do much. I will try to come over the holidays though."

"Until then?" Victoria whispered.

"Until then I think Laura was right. I am going to spend a fair amount of time snogging you, or kiss as we normally say in the States."

Victoria laughed.

"I know that."

Jeremiah ran his thumb over her bottom lip looking at her with such a tender expression she could feel her insides turning to goo. Then he leaned down and did exactly what he said he would and kissed her.

They stayed like that for quite some time until the sky was darkening and Jeremiah suggested they should go in for dinner. By then, Victoria had managed to forget everything important, even the departures of people that truly mattered to her.