This story is going to be about 7-10 chapters and it's just a little something to do for fun. It's been a long while since I've had an urge to write, so let me know anything that can be done to make it better.

This story is incredibly AU. Basically, Harry is 4 years older than everyone else, who is in their 7th year. Harry saved the world, but did so with the help of his only really good friend, one Nymphadora Tonks. I know I'm messing with the ages, but all you need to know is that Harry and Tonks are the same age, and everyone else is a 7th year.

Also, Hermione is in Ravenclaw and I made Luna the same age as everyone else. Regardless of the fact that she's jailbait as shit.

This story could be good, or it could suck. I ask you all just be honest and I'll do the best I can.

RFP

The war had been over for 4 years. On that day, she had only been 13 years of age, with only three years of magical education. But she, like many who were too young to fight, to defend, wished they had the capacity to have done so.

This was the reason why Defense Against the Dark Arts swiftly became the most sought after class. While the curse of the position still remained, each new professors since the war had taught them more than even Professors Moody or Lupin ever had. NEWT-level Defense, commonly referred to as Advanced Defense, or AD, helped train future healers to protect, and future Aurors to defend.

In a magical world where war had torn it apart twice in two decades by the same man, a stronger and more confident generation built on the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

It is here our story begins.

"Luna, I refuse to wait any longer! You are going to make us late for AD!" The wispy blonde girl finished putting in her radish earrings and bounced down the stairs with an enthusiasm that was reserved for first years, not seventh.

"No need to shout, Hermione. The class is only a floor above us." Luna slung her bag around her back and dashed out of the portrait hole.

Hermione Granger simply shook her head. 'That girl will be the death of me,' she mused, before remembering the time and taking off at a dash.

When she arrived in the classroom, Hermione realized that she approved greatly of its layout. Several large wooden tables were in the middle of the room, with great expanses of bookshelves framing the walls. Scattered haphazardly were various Dark Detectors, many of which were recognizable from Moody's curriculum. However, what caught her eye and most of the class's was a small set of steps that led to a raised platform. It was unmistakably a dueling area.

"Any of you know who the professor is?" Hermione heard the curious whisper of Neville Longbottom. She thought fondly of how the Gryffindor boy had become so much more confident and skilled throughout the years. He was no longer a stuttering boy with no self worth.

"I'll say it had better be someone good. This class is supposed to the crown jewel of Hogwarts," drawled Draco Malfoy. He was a distasteful boy, though not as much as he used to be. He no longer harbored any of the outright hostility his father had bred into him. She did not know what else to make of him, however.

"Who gives a damn if he's good? I just hope he makes me stronger." Hermione rolled her eyes and didn't even need to look for who the boy was. Ron Weasley was the definition of inferiority complex. Too young to help in the war, he had to listen to stories of how his brothers saved countless lives. They had already been prefects, Quidditch champions, entrepreneurs, Head Boys, or curse breakers. Now being war heroes made Ron feel as if the shadow that they cast was even larger than before.

Luna had brought up an interesting point one night several years ago. Ron Weasley, self-proclaimed king of Gryffindor, had the same reckless ambition and desire for power as the former Lord Voldemort. She had laughed it off, Ron was not evil. But nonetheless, there were similarities...

The door to the class opened with a bang, ending all conversation and breaking a certain Ravenclaw of her musings. A man in a tailored dress shirt and jeans walked in, moving with such speed that all they could see was a nest of untidy black hair.

Hermione watched the man move. He moved with confidence and purpose, nothing out of place or unnecessary, and yet somehow he made it look natural. It was as if he was strong and determined, but it was just the way he naturally held himself.

She also noticed he was above average height, meaning he probably would tower over her 5 foot 5 frame. He was also in very good shape, judging by the firm but not cumbersome muscle his body had. Hermione stared at the other girls, who had been thinking the same thing, if only a little more devious.

Then he placed a book on his desk, and turned around. Deep green eyes, a strong and handsome face, and a beautiful smile full of white teeth. 'Not that fake white like Lockhart had either. Oh yeah, he'll be a heartbreaker,' she thought with a knowing smile.

"Good afternoon class, I'd introduce myself but let's see if anyone knows who I am already." Hermione looked at his face. She could recognize him; she had seen him a million times before. He was in newspapers, magazines, everywhere for the last four years. But why was his name not coming to her?

'Think Granger, think!' She wanted to impress this new professor greatly and this was the perfect way. She looked around the room and to her relief she saw no other hands up. The observant Ravenclaw in her picked up the looks of confusion and frustration on everyone's faces.

'How can nobody know this and why is everyone confused?' Then it clicked. She pulled her wand out so fast that only the professor could tell. "Finite Incantatem!"

The professor's eyes scanned the class manifest. "Nicely done, Ms. Granger. Care to explain to everyone what happened?"

She straightened up. "You placed a Confundus Charm on the class the moment you walked in the door. Everyone looked frustrated, as if they knew the answer but could not remember it, a telltale sign of the charm."

"And what information did I attempt to conceal from all of you, Ms. Granger," he said with a grinning smile. She loved the playful but challenging look in his eyes. This professor would truly make her work. She almost shuddered at the thought of how much she could learn.

"That you are Harry Potter." The entire class gasped.

Harry looked at her and nodded. "Nicely done, twenty points to Ravenclaw."

Before the class could explode into questions, he raised a hand to silence them. "Now is the time for you to listen, not to speak. Yes, I am Harry Potter. You know who I am, and we are not going to go into my past. There is nothing relevant to this class. If you feel compelled to ask me something, my office is always open."

Hermione noticed the dreamy looks on all of the girls. Well, Luna shouldn't count because she always had a dreamy expression on her face. 'Girls,' she growled inside her mind.

"Welcome to NEWT-level Defense Against the Dark Arts, also known as Advanced Defense or AD. You will learn how to fight, defend, detect, and think. By the end of this class, any one of you would be well on your way to being an Auror. But more than likely, you will only ever use this information to protect yourselves and your family. Now, Mr. Weasley, would you care to tell us what you know?"

Ron grinned confidently. "Absolutely, sir."

Harry smiled back. "Excellent. Tell me the most dangerous curse or spell you know of, and also the most dangerous one you could cast reliably."

He puffed himself up a little. "Avada Kedavra, on both counts, sir." A few gasps went out from around him. Harry, however, did not seem to mind.

"You are wrong about it being the most dangerous spell. Yes, it causes death, but so can many other spells. An overpowered Stunner, Sectumsempra, the Reductor Curse, these are just a few that can kill. It is a matter of personal opinion, but the most dangerous spell is the Imperius Curse."

"Being controlled in not worse than death," came Ron's offended reply. He was on his feet and gripping his wand tightly below the table. So much so that his knuckles were white.

Their professor was not smiling this time. "Tell me, would you rather die, or be forced to watch from your own eyes as you do horrible things that you could not prevent? You could be forced to kill, torture, or rape, and you would see it all through your own eyes without any control to stop it. But it was a good answer Mr. Weasley, anyone else in this room would have said the same thing." This seemed to placate the redhead.

"Now, before questions, I want you all to know what you're getting into. In this class, you will get injured, I promise. Do not wear anything you would regret losing. There will be many classes where I will teach you, and there will also be practical lessons. You will learn to duel with decent skill, but you will do so in your own style. I am here not to turn you into a replaceable, uniform soldier. I am here to take your talents and allow them to flourish. Ok, question time."

A grin came to his lips as hands rocketed to the sky. This would take a while.

When the class had asked everything from what spells they would learn to if he had a girlfriend, Harry felt they were ready. Unfortunately, there was not much time left in the class, about enough time for 3 duels.

"Who wants to be a volunteer," he said, clapping his hands together. A few hands rose. He laughed. "Ok, now who wants to still volunteer knowing they have to duel me?" A significant number of hands lowered.

In fact, the only two hands remaining were Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

"Ladies first, Ms. Granger." She stood up and followed him up to the dueling platform. "I want you all to pay attention. Watch our form, our movements, and our spells. I've set up precautions so no stray spells will leave this area."

"Professor, what spells am I authorized to use," Hermione asked. She had an arsenal of potential spells inside her mind, and though few had been used by her, she knew how to do them all.

"You may use any spells or curses, save for the Killing Curse. You may also not attempt a fatal blow through another curse or spell. Other than that, anything is legal."

Hermione protested. "That's incredibly dangerous! You could seriously get hurt!" She blushed a little when she realized she had chastised a teacher.

Harry looked down and began unbuttoning his shirt. "I'm flattered you are so concerned about my well being, but if I can handle Voldemort I do believe I can handle a seventh year student, no offense to you."

She watched with a little more interest that she should have when his dress shirt came off, exposing a tight white undershirt beneath it. She had to admit the fit musculature he had was impressive.

"I usually wait for the second date to try to get a lady to take her clothes off, but for the sake of your school uniform I would recommend you losing the robe and sweater." When their eyes met, he winked and Hermione could feel the blush on her face.

There were a couple sniggers from the crowd. She did see the sense in his advice, and tossed aside her robe.

"Sorry professor, but I also wait for the second date to take my clothes off." If he was going to push her, she would push him back.

"I would expect nothing less of Hogwarts's finest witch." He bowed deeply to her and his student followed suit. "As I said before, ladies first."

'The man is grinning at me! Oh the arrogance of him.' "Expelliarmus!"

Harry threw his wand up and formed a silent shield. 'Ten percent Potter. No need to dress down the Head Girl.' The spell bounced off the shield and he lazily sent back a stunner.

To his surprise, the girl began to move around. She ducked the spell with ease, sending back a flurry of simple spells and jinxes.

"Swatzsky's Defense, nicely done Ms. Granger. You see class, Expluso, there are several dozen dueling stances or defenses. This one, Protego, used by my partner, emphasizes dodging and moving. It is best used by someone with great flexibility and balance."

"You," Hermione said with a determined glare, "are just standing there like a statue. If you were anyone else you'd be dead! Furnunculus! Defodio!"

Harry side-stepped the Gouging Curse with ease. "I'm not here to win, only to teach. You are doing marvelously, however."

"Don't patronize me, Potter. Stupefy! Impedimenta!" Harry moved out of the way of the stunner, but Hermione had sent the second spell at the spot he would move to in order to dodge.

He put his shoulder into the spell, letting it paralyze his left arm. "Nice! Keep it up, Ms. Granger!"

Spurred on by his words, the flurry of spells between the two began to pick up. The duel became less and less about teaching and more of a competition. Flashes of light and the cracks of spells echoed every second.

Finally, Harry decided to end it. He stepped around one spell while pointing his wand to his left arm. "Finite," he mumbled, and feeling came back to his arm. He spun and dropped to his knees to dodge a Cutting Curse.

"Aguamenti!" Hermione threw her wand up to form a shield but Harry used his off hand to use a bit of wandless magic. Her wand sailed out of her and into his.

"AAAAH," she yelled as a large blast of water soaked her from head to toe. To make matters worse, the magical bell rang.

"That's all for today! I'll see you all Wednesday. For homework, simply prepare to duel next class." He turned towards Hermione. "Ms. Granger, if you'll meet me in my office please."

As he walked away, he grabbed his shirt and flicked his wand, causing the soaking girl to go dry in an instant. She grabbed her bag and skulked up to his office.

"Yes," she all but growled. He waved a hand at a chair and she sat. She noticed his shirt had returned.

"Would you like a butterbeer," Harry asked politely.

"First you tell me to strip and then you're trying to get me drunk," she glared. The man sighed.

"That's why I told you to come up here. I may have gotten a little carried away in class, and I'd like to talk about it." He placed her wand and a muggle beer in front of her.

"I said-"

"You said no to a butterbeer, I thought maybe you'd like a taste of home. I'll be the first to admit muggle beer is a great deal better."

She let her resolve waver and with a flick of her wand, the cap popped off. She took a large swig of the cool beer. Hermione admitted to herself it did taste like home.

"Allow me to apologize to you. From the minute you broke my Confundus, I treated you less like a student and more like an equal." She quirked an eyebrow. "Wait, that came out wrong. What I meant was that I'm supposed to teach and all of that bloody business, but I put a lot of power into that charm. When you broke it, I guess I saw you less as a student who I need to teach, and more like an equal who I need to help get better."

"That makes some sense. But usually a new teacher doesn't flirt with his students, sir."

He laughed and took a drink from his beer. "I'm sorry to disappoint, but you're confusing ribbing you with flirting, Ms. Granger. I was having a bit of fun."

Hermione blushed, and somewhere deep down she felt a twinge of disappointment. "If you just called me here to apologize, it's alright. I'll manage."

"I actually called you here for a completely different reason."

"And that would be?"

He sighed and took another drink. "Where to begin? This class is 17 and in some cases will be 18 by the time I'm done teaching. Hell, I used to see all of you in the halls before I graduated. And I must say I'm glad to see you step out from the guise of a mousy bookworm, if you don't mind the compliment."

She didn't. Hermione recalled the new uniform and clothes she had bought, clothes that were fashionable and accentuated her body. She stopped hiding under baggy clothes. Her bushy hair had been tamed by magical shampoo and conditioner. In a little over 2 months in her fifth year, she had gone from bookworm to well…hottie.

"Thank you, sir."

"My pleasure. Now, try to see my position. I'm supposed to mentor over one thousand students, many of whom are not much younger than myself. The staff, while there is nothing wrong with them, is hard to relate to when you are young. This is where you come in."

"Me, sir? I'm not sure I understand."

"I'm looking for a friend; someone to talk to, hang out in my office, talk magic and muggle, that kind of thing. I was taking the mickey out on you earlier and you were giving it right back. So was hoping you wouldn't mind spending a little time here and there with your lonely excuse of a professor."

She felt a bit taken back. He was a nice guy and if he was in her year, she was certain that they would have become friends. But this was a professor, and it felt a little weird. She would need to discuss this with Luna.

"Would it be alright if I thought about it?" She could see a flicker of hurt in his eyes before it disappeared.

"Absolutely. As it stands, I'm still looking forward to challenging you. Something tells me that, given your intelligence, you've never had a class that really made you work." A small gleam could be seen in his eyes.

Then she did something completely out of the ordinary. She finished the rest of her beer and leaned over the desk. "I'm looking forward to seeing how much you can challenge me, Professor."

She almost giggled at the dumbstruck expression on his face, cause from the sound of her husky voice. Hermione grabbed her bag and left the room with an almost unnoticeable sway to her hips.

After she left, Harry had but one thought. 'Let's see how good she can become.'

Here's some info on my characters:

Harry Potter: most skilled duelist in world, mass amounts of defense/dark arts/spell/fighting knowledge. He knows how to fight and defend, and is determined to make his students the best he can. He's a one-man crusade against the apathy that gripped the wizarding world. He still prefers certain muggle things, such as technology, clothing, and food. Feels rather alone, values friends and friendship a great deal.

Hermione Granger: 7th year Ravenclaw. She is much the same as the books, except more confident. She is not afraid to stand up for what is right. In school she has never truly had anything that she could not understand within the class or a day. She is dying for a chance to test her brilliance as a way to prove herself and feel accomplished. Had a makeover, is rather attractive.

Ron Weasley: 7th year Gryffindor. Having never known Harry Potter, he grew up in the shadow of all of his brothers. Bill is a curse breaker/prefect/head boy, Charlie works with dragons and was a famed seeker for Gryffindor, Percy works for the ministy similar to the books and was a prefect and head boy. All this makes Ron have a world class inferiority complex and he will do a great deal to get stronger and outshine his brothers. He isn't evil, just looking for acceptance and notoriety.

Neville Longbottom: 7th year Gryffindor. Doesn't have a problem standing up to himself.

Draco Malfoy: 7th year Slytherin. Not so much of a pureblood propaganda spewing dochebag. Still thinks he's better cause he's rich, but he's tolerable.

Luna Lovegood: 7th year Ravenclaw. Same as in the books.

Nymphadora Tonks: Age 21, Auror. Not nearly as clumsy, and Harry's best friend. They both miss each other a lot. Spends most of her time looking like a cute as hell scene girl.