lizbee: A sketch of myself (Default)
[personal profile] lizbee
So [livejournal.com profile] ladyvivien and I were discussing the awesomeness of the Gallifrey audios, and Romana/Braxiatel and ... stuff. And she happened to mention Romana/Hermione and how that would be a pairing of win. So I started writing. Only I forgot to add slash and have thus once again produced gen.

This is set during ... you know, that time when they needed a new DADA teacher and stuff was happening at Hogwarts but no one was dead or anything... that time.

Summary: Hermione doesn't care for the new DADA teacher. Harry has his own theories.
Rated: PG-13





Sufficiently Advanced Magic
by LizBee




While everyone else settled down to enjoy the feast, Hermione was staring at the Staff Table.

"I suppose that's our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher," she said with a disdainful sniff. "Well, I must say, she doesn't look up to much."

Harry was surprised; it wasn't like Hermione to be so hostile to a new teacher. But he had to agree that the stranger wasn't very impressive at first look: she was small and blonde, with no chin to speak of, and was wearing a mismatched assortment of robes that made Professor Trelawney seem positively sedate. She looked, in fact, like Luna Lovegood grown up.

Still, he couldn't see what Hermione objected to. The new teacher would be dead before the end of the year anyway. Or crazy. Or in prison.

After the feast, Dumbledore rose to his feet. He gave out the usual notices -- Filch had prohibited a whole new range of novelty charms, including some that Harry had never heard of, although he was sure Ginny would be able to tell him -- and then said, "Once again, we have found ourselves with a new teacher. Here to fill the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts -- and I'm sure she'll be teaching *everyone* a few things--" Severus Snape suddenly looked like he'd swallowed something the wrong way -- "Romanadvora..." Dumbledore trailed off. The new teacher leaned over and whispered in his ear and he beamed. "Professor Romana," he said.

There was lukewarm applause. Hogwarts students knew better than to get their hopes up about a new teacher. Hermione narrowed her eyes.

"Something's not right about that woman," she said.

But she was still watching Professor Romana as they left the Great Hall, and for just a moment, Harry thought she was smiling.

*

Three weeks into term, and Hermione was still obsessed with Professor Romana. And she was spending more time than ever in the library.

"If she stays in here much longer," said Ron as they watched Hermione pull books from the shelves, "Madame Pince'll have to start paying her."

Since the embarrassing incident with the charmed spitballs, Hermione had started ignoring Ron and Harry whenever they ventured into the library. But as they wandered past her desk, Harry heard her mumbling, "Vampires, vampires ... no, it's just not right. It's not in any of the books."

He and Ron shared a significant glance.

"Mental," Ron said sadly. "It happens, you know. Too many books. Or that's what Grandma's old copies of Witch Weekly said."

"My Uncle Vernon says much the same thing."

"Then it's probably wrong. But she's still mental."

"It's quite wrong," said a new voice behind them. Harry and Ron jumped, turned, and found them face to face with Professor Romana herself.

From the other side of the room, Harry saw Hermione look up.

"Still," the Professor continued, "at least you two are in the library. Judging by your essays on the Inferi, I was beginning to doubt you were literate."

Harry blushed and Ron looked at his feet -- they had been far too busy speculating about Hermione's latest bout of insanity to pay attention to their studies -- but the Professor just gave them a wide smile and walked away.

Ron glanced at Harry. "What was that homework about again?"

"No idea."

"Vampires," said Hermione distinctly.

"Vampires, I think," said Harry.

"Right," said Ron. "Vampires it is."

They sat at the table next to Hermione's, and she even went so far as to let them use some of her books. She even paused in her own work long enough to criticise Ron's spelling. It was almost like everything was back to normal.

*

Harry had perfectly legitimate reasons to be wandering around Hogwarts under his invisibility cloak at night, but he didn't care to explain them to Professor Snape. So he ducked behind a statue of Magdalene the Marvellous, intending to hide until Snape had moved on, and he had no idea that Professor Romana was also in the area, and he had no intention of eavesdropping on their conversation.

He just ... listened. And tried very hard not to get caught.

"I was surprised," said Snape in his low, oily voice, "to hear of your appointment. I'd have thought, after the last time..."

"'Last time'?" Professor Romana sounded like she was going to laugh. "You weren't even born last time, Severus." She was moving around the Entrance Hall, tapping at stones and pillars with a small, silver tool.

It occured to Harry for the first time that he'd never seen Romana use a wand.

"The stories," said Snape ominously, "are still told." He leaned back against Magdalene the Marvellous -- for an awful moment, his boots were on the edge of Harry's cloak -- and said, rather petulantly, "I don't understand why the Headmaster made you a teacher."

"I have a gift," said Romana. "How long has this statue of Horatio the Hideous been there?"

"Three hundred years," said Snape. "It was a donation from the artist."

"Oh, good. I wouldn't want to think anyone had paid for it. Do you think I'm a bad teacher?"

"You haven't taught an ounce of magic all year."

"But I taught Ginny Weasley to make a flamethrower out of everyday household objects." Romana was examining the Horatio statue. "Magic doesn't work against everything."

With a malicious little twist to his lips, Snape said, "And how is Miss Granger?"

Harry froze.

Romana laughed. "Challenging," she said. "I've met great minds on more planets than you can imagine, but Hermione is ... extraordinary."

This was evidently not what Snape wanted to hear. He muttered something under his breath, and walked away without another word.

Harry stood up silently, hoping Romana wouldn't hear the whisper of fabric as he moved. He stretched, closed his eyes for a moment, and decided to go back to bed.

When he opened his eyes again, Romana was looking straight at him.

"Take off the cloak, Harry," she said. Suddenly she sounded weary, and old. Impossibly old, Harry thought, and for a moment he simply watched her without moving. Older than Dumbledore, even.

He pulled the cloak off.

"What are you doing at Hogwarts?" he asked.

"Saving the world," she snapped. "And trying to teach you lot something about the world."

"What did you mean," said Harry slowly, "about ... planets?"

The Professor smiled, but it seemed slightly false. "Go to bed, Harry," she said gently. "We can take care of this one."

She was walking away.

"What about Hermione?" he asked.

She snorted with laughter, but didn't answer.

*

Harry waited in the common room until Hermione came downstairs.

"Professor Romana is an alien," he said.

Hermione blinked.

"Harry," she said gently, "have you been revising for Potions on your own again? You know some ingredients have mind-altering effects if you're not careful. Professor Romana may not know as much as I think she should about some things, but she's still human. Or mostly, anyway. Probably."

*

Harry caught Ron on his way to the bathroom.

"Professor Romana's an alien," he said.

Ron blinked. "Yeah," he said. "That makes sense. Thanks."

*

Harry tried again at breakfast. Hermione ignored him, and spent the meal explaining to Lavender how Witch Weekly conveyed stereotypes as facts, thus reinforcing gender roles and the artificial divisions between witch and wizard.

*

In Potions, Harry scribbled, alien!!!!! in his textbook and passed it to Hermione under the desk.

At that moment, a shadow loomed over him, and he looked up into the sneering face of Professor Snape.

"Well," said Snape, "what does Potter have to say that's so fascinating it can't wait until lunch?" He plucked the book out of Harry's hands, preparing to share Harry's note with the class -- then he blanched and slammed the book shut.

"Rubbish," he said. Malfoy could barely contain his laughter. "Fifty points from Gryffindor, Potter, and try to remember that the Mad Muggle comics are for children."

Pansy Parkinson was giggling so hard she nearly fell out of her chair, but Hermione just sighed, shook her head and went back to measuring horned slugs.

*

Hermione may not have supported Harry's alien hypothesis, but she certainly had no love for Romana either. The Professor could barely speak a word without Hermione putting her hand up to offer a correction.

By the end of the lesson, Hermione had stopped putting her hand up and started interrupting, and Romana had stopped smiling. As they packed up their books, the Professor said, "Miss Granger? May I have a word please?"

Harry tried to send Hermione an urgent telepathic message to be careful, but Hermione's jaw was set and she looked almost pleased.

As soon as they were out of the room, Ron said, "This is bad."

"Very bad."

"Do you think she's the person-eating kind of alien?"

"No," said Harry, who had given the matter a lot of thought during Divination. "Otherwise she'd be going for Crabbe or Goyle."

"Right."

Harry was pulling his invisiblity cloak out of his bag. "Wait here," he said. "I'll save Hermione."

"Why can't I do it?"

"You're too tall. Everyone'll see your shoes."

"Oh." Ron instinctively hunched. "Right."

*

Of course, Romana could see through the invisibility cloak. Harry remembered that just in time, and ducked as he entered the classroom, hiding behind the desks. It was probably one of her alien powers. It was quite unfair.

What was also unfair was that he'd come in to rescue Hermione, and wound up barging in on a discussion about vampires.

"All the books agree," Hermione was saying, "that garlic is significant--"

"Then maybe they're talking about the wrong vampires," Professor Romana snapped.

"Eastern Hydrophobes, Faith-feeders," and was Hermione listing off every variety of bloodsucker short of a mosquito. It was all Harry could do to keep awake. As long as he knew the charms, he'd be fine.

Then Hermione started listing the charms. Harry smothered a yawn. All this nocturnal creeping around was exhausting.

Romana waited until Hermione was finished before she said gently, "But have you considered the ones that can't be destroyed by magic?"

Hermione choked. Harry opened his eyes. This sounded more interesting.

"A stake through the heart is effective, of course," Romana was continuing. "But it's rather delicate. You have to have the timing just right."

There was a knock at the door, and Snape entered.

"Now?" Romana asked.

"I suppose you could wait around," said Snape, "let chaos reign for a while ... by the way, I found Weasley lurking outside. I expect Potter is close by."

"Oh dear," said Romana. Harry tried to make himself very small beneath the desk, but Romana just said, "third desk from the back, Professor, if you don't mind."

"Stupefy," said Snape.

The last thing Harry heard before he blacked out was Snape saying, "Can't tell you how satisfying that was."

And Romana answered, "He seems like a nice boy, really ... come on, Hermione, I'll give you a proper lesson."

*

Harry woke up in his dorm. His invisibility cloak was neatly folded beside him, and there was a small pile of packages heaped next to his bed. And on each side, looking down at him, were Hermione and Ron.

"I can't believe we missed it," said Ron.

"Missed what?" asked Harry.

"Vampires," said Hermione. She was pink with excitement.

"Hermione saved the school," said Ron.

"It was Professor Romana, really," said Hermione. "And Professor Snape. They were living beneath the school, a whole nest of them. Vampires, I mean, not teachers."

"Magic didn't work on them," said Ron. "I mean, that's what everyone's saying."

Hermione nodded. "But Romana had tools -- proper technology, I mean, that worked in spite of Hogwarts -- and a crossbow, which wasn't very advanced but quite effective -- and Snape ... well, he did his part," she added grudgingly. Ron snorted.

Harry sat up and looked over the small array of gifts. Nothing really extraordinary there, a couple of boxes of chocolates from girls in lower years, a tin of Ice Mice from Dumbledore, nothing at all from Snape, and a small wrapped package whose card said it was from Romana.

"She's gone," said Hermione. She sounded unexpectedly sad. "She was only here to save the school."

Harry picked up the parcel.

"She gave me this," Hermione added. 'This' was an old fashioned pocket-watch on a chain at her waist, but instead of numbers, it had curious round symbols. "Don't stare at it too long," Hermione added. "It's a bit ... strange."

Harry stared, of course, and for a moment he thought he could feel the world turning beneath them -- but then he blinked, and everything was normal, and he felt a bit foolish.

"Go on," said Ron. "I got stunned by Snape, and I didn't get a present. What is it?"

Harry removed the wrapping paper, and they all stared at the little cardboard box in his hand. Hermione frowned, Ron looked confused, and Harry ... Harry didn't know quite what to say.

"Jellybabies?"

The others shrugged.

"I don't get it," Harry said.



end

Date: 2007-02-06 12:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ladyvivien.livejournal.com
Romana saved the world from vampires!! Fabulous! Now I want a sequel where Hermione is the Doctor's companion. *looks eagerly* No? Oh, well.

Date: 2007-02-06 01:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rj-anderson.livejournal.com
*loves fic and pets it*

Date: 2007-02-06 01:53 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] xondra.livejournal.com
Erm, wow.

Date: 2007-02-06 02:04 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hedda62.livejournal.com
I love it, and I don't even know Romana except through you. I love best the contrast between Hermione and Ron's reactions to "Professor Romana is an alien." And Snape's, too.

Date: 2007-02-06 03:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] peacockharpy.livejournal.com
Hurrah! Now I want more Romana-and-Hermione-save-the-world fic!

also, I love the jelly babies. That spins off a whole world of speculation on Four and Romana and how they worked together...

(...hmmm, Four and Snape. That would be a pairing. Not romantic, I mean, but in the saving-the-world sense...)

Date: 2007-02-06 04:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] significantowl.livejournal.com
*grins* So fun. I love how Harry does exactly zero, and gets piles of gifties for it.

Love to see it up at [livejournal.com profile] crossing_who, if you're interested. :) < /plug>

Date: 2007-02-06 05:12 pm (UTC)
gelliaclodiana: (Default)
From: [personal profile] gelliaclodiana
This is extremely amusing -- even though I have only the vaguest idea of who Romana is.

Date: 2007-02-06 05:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tattythistle.livejournal.com
Hee, that was marvellous! The jellybabies were such a nice twist, brilliant story. :3

I love you LJ layout btw, been meaning to say that for ages.

Date: 2007-02-06 05:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lizvogel.livejournal.com
Oh, marvelous! I think I've hurt my throat, laughing.

Loved the not getting worked up about DADA teachers. And Dumbledore trying to pronounce her name. And

"Then it's probably wrong. But she's still mental."

And Harry not eavesdropping, just listening. And

"Harry," she said gently, "have you been revising for Potions on your own again?

And the whole "Professor Romana's an alien" sequence was just... perfect.

Um. Will stop quoting your story back at you now. But really, that was grand, and just what I needed today.

Date: 2007-02-06 08:22 pm (UTC)
infiniteviking: A bird with wings raised in excitement. (Default)
From: [personal profile] infiniteviking
Aliens!!!! XD

If this isn't canon, it SHOULD BE. Snape and Romana fighting vampires... so, so brilliant. Your Trio voice is quirky and wonderful, as are the frequent details: charmed spitballs, Divination, the inevitable fate of all DADA teachers, etc. (And I love how Harry's presents include SPECIFICALLY nothing at all from Snape.)

I hereby fangirl this story, because it is the WIN. ^_^

Date: 2007-02-06 09:24 pm (UTC)
tree_and_leaf: Watercolour of barn owl perched on post. (Default)
From: [personal profile] tree_and_leaf
Oh, fantastic! I love the Ron-Harry interaction, which is spot on, and also Snape reacting to Romana...

"Mental," Ron said sadly. "It happens, you know. Too many books. Or that's what Grandma's old copies of Witch Weekly said."

"My Uncle Vernon says much the same thing."

"Then it's probably wrong. But she's still mental."


That alone is made of win. Also, this is the first Who/ HP corssover I have read that hasn;t been dreadful...

Date: 2007-02-06 09:24 pm (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com
*files idea away for future use*

Date: 2007-02-06 09:25 pm (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com
Fic: *purrs*

Date: 2007-02-06 09:26 pm (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com
I have decided to take that as a good thing. *grin*

Date: 2007-02-06 09:27 pm (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com
Snape wasn't meant to be in this fic at all, for the record. He just kind of ... inserted himself.

Date: 2007-02-06 09:30 pm (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com
Four and Snape. Hmmm, Four and Snape...

Snape couldn't decide if the Doctor was a wizard trying to pass for a Muggle, or a Muggle trying to pass for a wizard. He was fairly sure the Doctor was insane, though. He decided to cling to that certainty.

Yes. Yes. *strokes imaginary beard*

Date: 2007-02-06 09:31 pm (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com
*grins* So fun. I love how Harry does exactly zero, and gets piles of gifties for it.

Isn't it great? Although you'll notice that his gifts were a lot more ephemeral than Hermione's...

Date: 2007-02-06 09:32 pm (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com
Thanks!

...Your icon is so beautiful...

Date: 2007-02-06 09:38 pm (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com
Thanks! On both counts. The words on the layout are from an Australian song called "Let's Replace the Cityscapes", that always reminds me of season 17 Four/Romana. You can download it from their site here (http://thetriangles.net/music.html) if you're interested.

Date: 2007-02-06 09:39 pm (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com
Oh, I quite like having my story quoted back at me. It helps to know what really worked. *preens*

Thanks. I'm glad it improved your day.

Date: 2007-02-06 09:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] peacockharpy.livejournal.com
*offers the plot bunny a couple of carrots* sic 'em, killer!

Date: 2007-02-06 09:40 pm (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com
YAY FANGIRLING!

I'm quite relieved it works, actually, since I wrote it long after my bedtime, and it's been a while since I read or wrote HP. It was a bit tricky, at first, to remember how Snape spoke.

(And I love how Harry's presents include SPECIFICALLY nothing at all from Snape.)

I was hoping someone would notice!

Date: 2007-02-06 09:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mist-shadow.livejournal.com
Poor silly Harry. It's nice to see him missing out on all the heroism for once. After reading this story, I'll be looking for Snape/Romana fics. Now there's a pairing one doesn't see everyday.

And the best line of them all: "But I taught Ginny Weasley to make a flamethrower out of everyday household objects." Haha, brilliant!

Date: 2007-02-06 09:57 pm (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com

That alone is made of win. Also, this is the first Who/ HP corssover I have read that hasn;t been dreadful...


So you read that Romana/Harry I wrote with [livejournal.com profile] cesario, with the zombie Snapes?

*eyedart*

Sorry about that.

Date: 2007-02-06 09:59 pm (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com
It's a skill that will no doubt serve Ginny well for the rest of her life, yes.

*is immensely pleased you like it*

Date: 2007-02-06 10:29 pm (UTC)
fyrdrakken: (Default)
From: [personal profile] fyrdrakken
Oh, so brilliant. I think my favorite part was the throwaway line about making a flamethrower from common household objects, though Harry attempting to spread the news about the "alien!!!!! was damned good, too, and I'm left wondering about Romana's prior involvement with Hogwarts.

Ooops

Date: 2007-02-06 11:16 pm (UTC)
tree_and_leaf: Watercolour of barn owl perched on post. (Default)
From: [personal profile] tree_and_leaf
I can't believe I forgot that!

In my defence, I was mentally traumatized by some God-awful thing at (I think) the pit of voles where Harry and Ron were thick as trolls, and the Doctor turned out to be a wizard - and, later, so did Rose because of her OMG!!!11!!!speschul connection to the Doctor, and she was better than Hermione at everything and Ron and Harry both fancied her rotten....

Date: 2007-02-07 12:22 am (UTC)
kerravonsen: (Default)
From: [personal profile] kerravonsen
Yes! Whee! The Great Vampires of Gallifreyan history!

Date: 2007-02-07 04:57 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gunderpants.livejournal.com
Harry tried again at breakfast. Hermione ignored him, and spent the meal explaining to Lavender how Witch Weekly conveyed stereotypes as facts, thus reinforcing gender roles and the artificial divisions between witch and wizard.

&hearts

I don't understand much in the way of the Who!universe, but I really enjoyed this, and especially Snape's little moments of victory. Well done.

Date: 2007-02-07 05:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] livii.livejournal.com
I LOVE YOU TO BITS.

"My Uncle Vernon says much the same thing."
"Then it's probably wrong. But she's still mental."


"Still," the Professor continued, "at least you two are in the library. Judging by your essays on the Inferi, I was beginning to doubt you were literate."

In Potions, Harry scribbled, alien!!!!! in his textbook and passed it to Hermione under the desk.

"No," said Harry, who had given the matter a lot of thought during Divination. "Otherwise she'd be going for Crabbe or Goyle."

These are all lines of sheer and beautiful awesomeness. You have nailed each and every character and given wonderful bits to Harry and Ron and Hermione and everyone. And Romana saved the school from vampires. SO MUCH WIN.

(I would very much like to see more of this. With or without femslash though I believe my preferences on this are well known. I cannot comment on Romana/Braxiatel because I've only heard almost-three of the audios and am shipping Romana/Leela hardcore. Yes, bias).

Date: 2007-02-07 05:21 am (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com
The thing about the Gallifrey audios is that sooner or later, you can ship everyone with Romana. It's eerie. And awesome.

And thanks, btw! I'm pleased you enjoyed it. *dances*

Date: 2007-02-07 05:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] livii.livejournal.com
That sounds entirely marvellous. There is a Thing with Narvin already to be sure...

I didn't just enjoy the fic, I loved it to teeny tiny bits. It has been recorded in my recs file to be written up for the next time I update the Cloister Bell (which hopefully will be soon. I think I have...five ready. Erm. Possibly need some more).

Date: 2007-02-07 05:26 am (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com
YAY RECCAGE!

I find such wonderful fics through the Cloister Bell. It makes me happy.

Date: 2007-02-07 06:00 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] livii.livejournal.com
And now you have made my day with that comment and I will actually feel inspired to go work on it. :)

Date: 2007-02-07 10:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] purple-smurf.livejournal.com
Bah. LJ just ate my comment. I loved this -- I love crackfic and this is the crackiest of them all. It is brilliant and awesome and I can't decide on my favourite line but She looked, in fact, like Luna Lovegood grown up is possibly the best call on Romana yet. So. much. love.

Date: 2007-02-07 05:13 pm (UTC)
my_daroga: Mucha's "Dance" (Default)
From: [personal profile] my_daroga
"But I taught Ginny Weasley to make a flamethrower out of everyday household objects."=win

Hehe. I think you could go lots further with this; one of the things that annoys me about HP world is that it denies the advances of science outright, which is rather short-sighted. The whole world seems hide-bound and archaic, and not in a pleasant way (to my mind). So anything that would bring up that oddity is welcome.

Date: 2007-02-07 11:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kismeteve.livejournal.com
This is completely marvelous. I'd quote the bits I like, but that would end up being the whole thing. :D

Date: 2007-02-10 07:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] prof-pangaea.livejournal.com
this was so freaking awesome it was ridiculous.

i want to learn to make a flamethrower from everyday household objects.

Date: 2007-02-10 11:21 pm (UTC)
ext_6531: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lizbee.livejournal.com
*eyedart*

You need an aerosol can and some form of cigarette lighter.

Date: 2007-05-31 08:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wondersheep.livejournal.com
Found this on a rec list and it's just flat-out brilliant.

AND I get to use this icon! GLEE!

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