Character Analysis
Even though she won't put up with fanfiction, Professor Piper's a pretty lenient teacher when she recognizes talent in a student—which she totally does in Cath. This inspires her to give Cath an incomplete in Fiction-Writing rather than failing her for not turning in her final story. How could you not love a professor who sits you down and says to you:
Think about it, Cath. That's what makes a god—or a mother. There's nothing more intoxicating than creating something from nothing. Creating something from yourself. (23.41)
No, she's not talking about having kids—she's talking about writing, about building your own worlds and characters. She's pretty adamant about it, too, so when Nick cheats, turning in work partially written by Cath, and then has the piece accepted for publication, Professor Piper calls him on it, insisting he credit Cath. In other words, she's Cath's biggest supporter (okay, except maybe Levi). She's one of those tough teachers who make you realize that a firm yet supportive professor can make all the difference in the artist you become.
To stick with the Harry Potter analogies, Professor Piper is Cath's Dumbledore. Cath just takes a while to realize it.