lightning strikes twice

Sam hadn’t known what to expect when he’d accepted the job at Hogwarts - as a Divination professor, no less! His father had loads to say about it, cursing the job, and going on about how Divination wasn’t a worthy subject, how it was useless and had no real merit. Sam hadn’t cared, though; he’d still been proud as hell that he’d gotten the job, even more so when he’d found out his brother would be working at Hogwarts as well. Despite their many differences, they took pride in being who they were, and Sam wanted to really show every student that, no matter where they came from or what their status, they deserved to be proud as well. By now, he’d already introduced himself and had informed the students what they’d be working on for the term before he’d gotten down to business to start class, though he had noticed that one student was missing from class already: Lucy Jordan.

Mari knew she was running late, of course she did, but it hadn’t exactly been avoidable. A student had gotten injured in Potions and she’d volunteered to take them to the Hospital Wing, and, because the student had been worried about being alone, she hadn’t left until the student was fast asleep. Walking briskly through the corridors, the girl picked up her pace to a run, because she hadn’t wanted to be late to any of her classes just yet, not when the term had only just begun recently. She was careful not to trip over her robes, of course, and she spoke quick “Pardon me” and “Coming through” to anybody she passed. By the time she got to her Defense Against the Dark Arts class, she found herself panting, her hair a mess from the run, and she tried to catch her breath. “Sorry I’m late, Professor,” she called out quietly before she quickly moved to her seat in hopes of not getting in trouble.

Once Lucy had reached the top of the Divination tower, she paused to catch her breath. When she had realised she was late for lesson, she had sprinted through the grounds of Hogwarts, and that was no easy task. The place was bloody massive. Although she felt as though she had a good reason to be late, she was helping that oaf, Hagrid, sort out a rot in the pumpkin patch. Neatening out her robes, and straightening her green and silver tie, Lucy knocked the door twice before allowing herself to enter. “Professor,” she greeted with a nod, offering an apologetic smile. “Sorry I’m late.” And although she didn’t offer much more of an explanation, Lucy took her seat, looking at the crystal ball in the center of the table with a sort of curiosity. Divination was something that Lucy was, surprisingly, talented with, even when she tried not to be.

When Dean Winchester attended Hogwarts, he told himself he’d never be a Professor. At age fifteen, he could think of a million better ways to spend his time than confined in a classroom, teaching a bunch of snot nosed mud bloods and half bloods. But Dean was proud to say he’d come a long way since then, and his thinking had matured – and as a result, he had been accepted for the newest teacher in Defence Against the Dark Arts. It was three weeks into term, and Dean couldn’t deny that he was enjoying the role so far. However, as his seventh year class began to arrive, Dean counted heads and noticed that a particular student was missing: Mari Finley. The girl was attractive, certainly. She’d caught Dean’s attention in a way he couldn’t explain. And when that thought crossed his mind, Dean heard the classroom door open and he lifted his gaze to see Mari, finally arriving, slightly breathless and dishevelled. “Try not to be late again, Mari. Take a seat.”

Sam peered up when he heard the knocks and, seeing Lucy entering, he offered a small smile in return. Lucy, as usual, was a vision, and he couldn’t help but to take her in when he got the chances to - though, of course, he did so as discreetly as possible. As gorgeous as she was and as easily as she caught his attention, the last thing he wanted was for anybody to notice it and to assume he was some creep. “Don’t worry about it, Lucy,” he assured her with a small nod, “Try not to let it happen again, though, or you might miss some of the best parts of classes.” He grinned slightly before focusing on the class. “Alright, class, as you can see, we’ll be dealing with crystal balls today - nothing too extreme, just seeing if anything comes to you while focusing on them.”

Mari offered a small smile when she heard the Professor’s words and she offered a small nod. “Of course, I’ll try my best,” she promised as she took her seat, straightening out her clothes and smoothing out her hair as much as she could, a part of her almost embarrassed that she was so disorderly in front of the Professor. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, she’d formed a sort of crush on him - and she knew nothing would come of it, of course, but she could still daydream about it. Chewing on her lip with the thought, she tried not to do exactly that and instead tried to focus on the lesson as she pulled out her book. “I’m sorry, Professor, but what page are we on?” she asked, blinking as she peered at the front of the classroom at him.

Tying her shoulder length hair into a ponytail, Lucy laughed with Sam's words, nodding. As much as Lucy didn't really admit it, she'd began to harbour a crush towards the handsome man, and his kindness. There was something so comforting about his presence, his whole existence giving off a sort of radiance nobody could match up to. Shifting closer to the table with Sam's words, Lucy rested her chin in her hand, looking to the crystal ball as if it would give her all the answers to life's mysteries, but then, her eyes always seemed to focus back on Sam. Shaking the habit from her head, Lucy looked to the ball once more, and through the frosted crystal, Lucy was sure she saw the Hogwarts grounds, snow littering the rolling hills and rooftops, resembling a snow globe. And she swore, for a moment, she saw herself, holding hands with someone. Furrowing her eyebrows, Lucy wrote down her findings quickly.

Dean smiled in return to Mari, knowing he could never be too harsh with her. He was sure, if it was any other student that was late, Dean already would of handed out a detention, but the thought of being alone with Mari for an hour was almost too tempting. Dean had some sort of crush on Mari, and he knew, as a Professor in one of the most respected magical schools, having a crush on a student was highly unprofessional and would surely be frowned upon, but there was something so incredible about Mari that he couldn't ignore. "Trying your best is all I ask," Dean reassured, finding that Mari's voice was like music to his ears. "This week, we'll be studying animagi, and as interesting as that is, I ask none of you try your chances to become one. Did you know one of the steps to successfully having an animagus is holding a mandrake leaf in your mouth for a whole month?" Dean raised his eyebrows, chuckling as the class laughed at the bizarre piece of information. "To answer your question, Miss Finley, the page you are looking for is 486." Dean arched an amused brow at her. "I expect an essay due by Monday morning. If you need help, I'll be happy to do what I can." Dean sat at his desk.

Sam smiled to himself as he watched Lucy, unable to really tear his gaze from her for too long. Her laugh filled his senses in the best way, easily being the best sound he’d ever heard, and he couldn’t help but to enjoy the way she made the world around him brighten. When he finally forced his gaze away from her and focused on the class. “Now, I want those of you who see something in your crystal balls to describe it on a parchment, as I’m sure most of you are already doing, and to include what your hopes are for whatever particular sight you see in the crystal ball - or, if you feel comfortable enough speaking about it, you’re welcome to share now,” he told the class as he began making his way around the class. “In our next class, we’ll be seeing if any of you can manage to see any prophecies within the crystal balls - but, if you’re not able to, it’s quite alright. Prophecies themselves are rather difficult. If you want tips to practice with prior to that class, though, I’m always available to help.”

Mari smiled slightly with hearing the Professor’s reassurances, and she nodded slightly as she listened. “Professor,” she called after a moment, raising her hand, “Don’t animagi have to register once they complete the process?” She arched a brow as she examined him. “It’s a little ridiculous that, after going through all of that trouble to become an animagi, you have to put yourself on a list for others to know you’re capable of it. I think that would steer me away from the idea more than having to hold a mandrake leaf in your mouth for a month.” She watched him for a few moments, but shifted, flipping through the pages of the book to get to the correct page. “Do we get to choose the topic, so long as it’s focused on animagi? Say pros versus cons or an essay regarding the process as a whole or even an essay on known animagi and their accomplishments?”

Lucy watched herself in the crystal ball, holding hands with the mystery person, but when Professor Winchester spoke once more, Lucy lifted her gaze. "Well," Lucy spoke, grinning at a few of her friends from Slytherin. "Looks like I'm gonna get a boyfriend then." Lucy shrugged her shoulders lightly, her grin turning into a smile as she tucked a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear, peering back to the crystal ball and seeing herself grip onto the jacket of someone, leaning into kiss them, their face distorted. Frowning, Lucy blinked and she looked to Professor Winchester, only wanting something like that with him, but understanding that there were boundaries, and even then, he'd never see her in the way she saw him. "I'd love to practice, sir." Lucy smiled, looking for an excuse to spend some time with him between classes.

Dean looked to Mari as she raised her hand, and he smiled slightly with her question. Mari was an exceptionally bright student, and Dean knew there was potential that Mari lived up to every day, inside of his classroom and outside of it, too. "That's right, Mari." Dean nodded, closing his own book as he stood to his feet, leaning against his desk so he was in front of the class, ensuring his students were paying attention. "However, some people - illegally - choose not to register themselves as animagi." Dean explained easily, turning on the projector with his wand to start a slideshow on the animagi process. "As for the essay, I will give you all free reign to choose the topic of your choice. I would be curious, however, to see who can give me an essay with all three topics Miss Finley has just listed. I'll be holding a study session tonight in the library for whoever wants to come, animagi is certainly, as simple as it sounds, quite difficult to achieve, and even difficult to understand without having tried or succeeded to become one yourself." Dean explained, not expecting anyone to turn up.

Sam blinked with mild surprise, watching Lucy after hearing her words, and he couldn’t help the small pit of disappointment and jealousy that filled his gut with the thought of somebody else being able to call Lucy theirs. Still, he smiled slightly, and nodded. “An interesting prediction,” he commented easily, “In that case, I hope you do find happiness like that, Lucy.” And, as he watched her, he acknowledged that his words were genuine, despite his disappointment that she might end up with somebody, anybody, who wasn’t him. Regardless, he felt a small grin form on his features, and he nodded slightly, taking her in for a moment. “I look forward to helping you with extra practice, truly.”

Mari perked up when she heard the professor confirmed the answer to her question and she couldn’t help but to feel a little proud of herself, solely because of the professor. Still, she listened to his words, taking in the information about the essay and, at that point, she decided she’d try to incorporate the topics she’d offered. Hearing him mention a study session, she chewed on her lip, easily decided that she definitely wanted to be there, and she raised her hand once more. “Professor, what time will the study session start?” she asked with curiosity, wanting to make sure not to be late.

Lucy looked to Sam with a smile. "So, when do we start?" And she was eager, because extra practice meant she could further her skills and spend time with the handsome man, and if no other students stepped up to volunteer for practice sessions, Lucy would be by herself with him, and just the thought alone made her heart flutter with excitement. Turning her attention away from Sam, Lucy looked back into the crystal ball, the image of her with someone having disappeared now, and she wondered who that person could of been - and she wondered if she'd fall for anyone but Sam easily.

Dean had been about to tap his wand against the projector to start the slideshow, and when he noticed that Mari's hand was raised, he couldn't help but feel accomplished. Of course, Dean was confident in his teaching abilities, but Mari really did bring out something within him that Dean didn't even know he'd had in the first place - the fact she was interested in his study session lit passion in his chest, and having her as a student reminded him exactly why he became a professor - and although he knew the attraction he felt towards her was strictly forbidden, he was sure they could build up something platonic. "It'll be starting at seven, for whoever wants to join." Dean smiled, tapping his wand against the projector, as he'd originally intended. "Make sure you take notes, guys."

Sam smiled slightly when he heard Lucy’s question. “Well, for anybody who’s interested, we can start tonight, say around 7. It can run until 8 so that whoever shows up can have a little time to finish up other assignments,” he explained with a nod before he began wandering around the classroom to listen to the other students explain what they saw. When he came to Lucy, he smiled slightly. “Anything new show up yet?” He arched a brow, curious, wanting to know what Lucy’s future held, a huge part of him wishing, hoping, that he was a part of it.

Mari grinned slightly with the news, making a note of it so that she could make sure to go to the study session, eager to see her professor outside of a classic classroom setting. She was eager to learn, too, of course she was, but when it came to Dean, she couldn’t help but hope for more, even though she knew it would likely never come to pass - not while she was a student, at least. Dropping her attention to her scroll, she focused on taking notes.

Lucy made a quick mental note of the times Sam provided, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear as she peered into the crystal ball once more, blinking as a vision came from within the haze; brows furrowing as she shared a kiss with Sam in the clock tower - surely that wasn't right... Jumping as she heard his voice, however, Lucy's cheeks heated up into a blush. "Um, no... not yet." She lied, clearly lying.

Dean leaned against his desk, his eyes quickly sweeping the classroom, easily landing on Mari. Chastising himself for appreciating the beauty of a student didn't seem to work, and he bit his lip, ducking his head slightly as he twirled his wand between his fingers in a way that was almost impatient; something to distract the hands that wanted to reach out and touch something so deliciously forbidden. "You know, you guys are my favourite class." He teased. "Nice and quiet."

Sam arched a brow as he listened to Lucy, curious, because he could tell she was lying. “Are you sure?” he asked, though he crouched down beside her chair and offered a smile, “If you saw something, you don’t have to tell me - but you don’t have to lie, either, Lucy.” He kept his voice calm, careful, gentle, so that his words didn’t bother her; he just wanted her to know that she didn’t have to tell him, but she didn’t have to lie, that it wouldn’t be a problem.

Mari grinned slightly as she watched him for a long moment, but she ducked her head, chewing on her lip, not wanting to make it obvious that she was admiring the professor in a way that she certainly shouldn’t have been. “Well, we’ve got a good professor,” she hummed out when she heard him speak.