(A/N: Guess I better explain why Malfoy isn't in Azkaban. I think that since was not with the Death Eaters, but was forced to do their bidding, it would get him off the hook. He didn't want to do anything that happened, Voldemort made him do it. And on top of that, he lost both of his parents. And as Dumbledore said, he caused no real harm since no one was killed. And he betrayed Voldemort and killed Nagini. Of course he would be charged with a very big fine, but I think he would just barely get out of being sent to Azkaban. Let's not forget, it was believed that Snape betrayed Voldemort, and he was welcomed into the Order with open arms.)

Disclaimer: And now, on with the story, that I own nothing of.

Chapter 4: New Teachers

The next morning everyone got their class schedules. Ron wasn't too happy about his.

"Look at this!" he cried. "It's ridiculous! I mean, during our sixth year we had several breaks and we were still overrun with homework. This year we hardly have any breaks."

"It's our final year Ron." said Hermione. "Of course it's going to be harder. We've got our N.E.W.T.s this year."

Ron merely grunted and put his schedule away.

"Cheer up." said Harry. "This year we don't need to worry about Snape."

Ron perked up a little. "Too bad we couldn't get rid of Malfoy too."

They looked over at the Slytherin table. Malfoy was sitting there picking at his food. Everyone else ignored him. He looked very depressed.

"He looks like he's seen better days." said Ron. "He hasn't said one thing to us since we've seen him."

Harry and Ginny looked at each other. Ginny looked like she felt a little guilty.

"Well, he did say something to us on the train." said Harry. "Ginny put him in his place. It was a bit harsh though, even for him."

"Really." said Ron eagerly. "What happened?"

Ginny sank a little in her seat. "Well, he questioned Harry's and my relationship. He said that the only reason I was with Harry was for his fame and fortune."

Ron looked outraged. "That son-of-a-"

"Ron!" Hermione said sharply, but she looked angry too.

"He's got some nerve!" said Ron.

"Yeah well, I sort of told him that I love Harry and the only reason he couldn't see that was because he's never had any love in his life." said Ginny.

Ron smirked but Hermione seemed a little concerned.

"That was rather harsh." she said. "Even for him."

Ginny turned red with embarrassment as Ron rounded on Hermione. "Are you insane! That was brilliant. After everything he's done to us it's about time he had his feelings hurt. Merlin knows he's done it to us enough times."

"So you want to stoop to his level?" asked Hermione seriously.

Ron opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it looking a little ashamed.

"He has done terrible things." said Hermione. "But he has been through a lot too."

"Are you actually feeling sorry for him?" asked Ron amazed.

"Yes, actually I am!" said Hermione angrily.

"Why?"

"Because I care about other people; even if they are total snobs."

Hermione finished her breakfast very quickly and stormed off. Ron turned to Harry and Ginny looking confused.

"What did I do?" he asked.

"You were being insensitive." said Ginny.

"It's Malfoy!"

"I know, but you were still being insensitive."

Harry laughed and shook his head. "How come you and Hermione always fight? No matter what you do, you always find something to bicker about."

"What are you talking about?" exclaimed Ron. "Arguing is fun. And making up is even better. In fact, I'm going to go make up right now."

Ron took one last bite of his toast and ran after Hermione. Harry turned to Ginny looking confused.

"They like fighting?" he asked.

Ginny snickered. "Apparently. They fight just as much as Mum and Dad."

Harry was still confused. "That's really strange. I don't think I'd enjoy fighting with you, Gin."

"Would you like to find out?"

Harry shook his head. "No thank you. I don't want to ever face your temper."

Ginny laughed and leaned against his shoulder. "Smart move."

"Hem, hem."

Harry and Ginny jumped. McGonagall was standing over them trying to hide a smile on her face.

"Mr. Potter, please stop by my office after your first class." she said, and a walked away.

Ginny looked at Harry with a questioning look. "What did you do now?"

Harry was equally confused. "I have no idea."

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"Greetings class!" said Professor Stroder. "Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts, year 7."

Professor Stroder was rather tall. She had very long black hair and pale skin. Her dark eyes scanned the students. She had a face that reflected a certain amount of authority. On her shoulder was a large gray owl.

"This year you will be pushed to your limits. I will have no horseplay. I run a very strict course. If I feel you are unworthy of being in my class, so help me I will have you thrown out."

Ron leaned over and whispered to Harry. "She sounds like a combination of Snape, Filch, and McGonagall in a bad mood."

Stroder pulled out her wand. "WEASLEY! Front of the class!"

With a wave of her wand Ron soared to the front of the class. He looked up into Stroder's face, which was a cold mask.

"Mr. Weasley, it seems that you apparently know everything I'm going to go over this year since you don't feel the need to pay attention." she said coldly. "I guess being a war hero must really pay off. Lets see how good you are. Try and immobilize Wicker."

"Who?"

The gray owl on Stroder's shoulder hooted in response to Ron's question.

"You have thirty seconds." said Stroder. "Begin!"

The owl took flight and began soaring around the classroom.

"Immobulus!" cried Ron.

"Nonverbally!" snapped Stroder.

Ron scowled but began casting the spells nonverbally. He was better at it, but was still having trouble. Wicker easily dodged the spells Ron cast.

"Time's up!" cried Stroder. "Looks like you don't know everything. So instead of talking, you should listen. Detention and five points from Gryffindor. Now return to your seat."

Ron grudgingly sat back down while Stroder rounded on Harry.

"Potter! You seemed very interested in what Mr. Weasley had to say. Lets see how well you do against Wicker. Begin!"

Harry nonverbally fired spells at the owl. He hit it on his third attempt. He turned to Stroder, unsure of what to expect. He was surprised to find her smiling.

"Excellent work, Potter. At least you seem to know what you're doing. Ten points to Gryffindor. You may return to your seat."

Harry did as he was told. Ron was looking a little annoyed. Harry gave him an apologetic look.

"Now, if there are to be no more interruptions, we can begin today's lesson." said Stroder. "I am well aware that you know a verity of curses and hexes, but I will be teaching you the most powerful of all curses. Yes, this does include the Unforgivable Curses."

"But they're illegal!" exclaimed Hermione.

"They are illegal if used on another human." Stroder corrected her. "But you will need to know how to use these curses if the situations shall arise. We will begin with the Imperious Curse, then move onto the Cruciatus, and finally the Killing. Mr. Malfoy, pay attention!"

Malfoy jumped in his seat. Several people laughed and Malfoy looked ashamed of himself.

"I have heard about what you've done." Stroder said to Malfoy. "I know you're capable of performing all three Unforgivable Curses, but that is no excuse to laze about. Miss Granger!"

Hermione winced. "Yes!"

"I hear you have an 'O' average. Is this true?"

Hermione blushed and nodded.

"Then tell me. What creature is the land relative of a Leviathon?"

"A Behemoth." replied Hermione quickly.

"How long do dementors live?"

"Up to 500 years."

"What is the spell to repel them?"

"Expecto Patronum."

"What is the difference between a ghost and a poltergeist?"

"Ghost are wizards that remain in this life after they die, and poltergeists are natural born ghosts that have color and are capable of touching solid objects."

"What is the spell that allows a wizard to come back as a ghost, and when must it be used?"

"The spell must be used within an hour before the person's death, but I don't know the spell."

Hermione blushed again, this time in embarrassment. Stroder's cold eyes studied her before she smiled.

"Very few people do. But that was excellent work. Now Mr. Malfoy, if you would focus like you're supposed to, then perhaps you will know as much as Miss Granger here. Detention and five points from Slytherin. And take twenty points for Gryffindor Miss Granger. And now if there are no more problems, let us begin the lesson."

(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)

"I'm telling you, she's mental." said Ron as they left Stroder's class with a mountain of homework to do.

"She's not mental Ron." said Hermione. "She's just really tough. It's like she says, our N.E.W.T. year is our toughest year. She's trying to get us prepared."

"Well can't she prepare us without killing us?" said Ron. "I hope our new Herbology teacher isn't as tough."

Harry was about to say something, but he suddenly was knocked over by something slamming into him.

"Harry Potter, sir!"

"Hello Dobby." Harry moaned as the elf hugged him tightly.

Dobby was burying his face into Harry's chest, shedding tears of joy. Harry felt his face heat up with embarrassment. Several people stared and Ron and Hermione smirked before leaving alone with the overjoyed house elf.

"Er, Dobby, not that I'm not happy to see you, but why are you trying to squeeze me to death?"

Dobby looked up at Harry apologetically. "Dobby is sorry, sir. Dobby hasn't seen Harry Potter in months and months. Not since he went to face He-Who-Must-Not-be-Named. Dobby was so worried, sir."

Harry smiled at him. "Thanks for your concern, but I'm just fine. How have you been?"

"Dobby has been good, sir." replied the elf. "He has done everything he could to help Headmistress McGonagall."

"And how's Winky?"

Dobby smiled more broadly. "Winky is doing much better, sir. She has stopped drinking and has begun working. But she still gets depressed a lot. She still misses her old master."

"It's been four years." said Harry. He was glad to hear that Winky was doing better, but was still surprised that she was still sulking.

"T'is hard for some house elves to adjust when they can't have the master they want." Dobby explained. "They's sometimes sulk for many years. But Dobby is glad he doesn't have his old masters. He is happy to be here at Hogwarts where he can help Harry Potter and his friends. Dobby wants nothing more than to be able to aid Harry Potter."

Dobby looked up at Harry hopefully. Harry had an idea he knew what Dobby wanted.

Harry approached the stone gargoyle to McGonagall's office. He suddenly realized that he didn't know the password.

"Er, I'm here to see McGonagall, but I don't know the password." he said. "Do you think you could let me in?"

To his great surprise the gargoyle leaped aside.

"Uh, thanks!"

Harry walked up the spiral staircase and knocked on the door.

"Enter."

Harry opened the door.

"Mr. Potter, come in."

"Hello Professor. Er, the gargoyle let me in without the password."

McGonagal nodded. "Yes, I told it to let you in when you came. But that is not important. I was wondering, how would you like to once again be in charge of the D.A. It would be a school activity."

Harry didn't need to think twice. "Of course! I loved the D.A."

McGonagall smiled. "I thought as much. But remember, this is an activity. I still expect you to get all your homework done and everything."

"Yes Professor."

"Very good. And now I have something for you."

She got up and took Gryffindor's sword.

"This rightfully belongs to you now, Potter." she said, handing it to him.

Harry gaped at her as he took the sword.

"Are you serious?"

McGonagall nodded. "As the last of the Gryffindor family, it is yours now. Albus insisted on it."

She looked up at Dumbledore's portrait, who was snoozing away. McGonagall's eyes shinned with tears for a moment.

"I'm sure if he were awake he would have a nice long speech to give you." she said smiling slightly. "But that might cut into your class time. Make sure to put that in your dormitory before you go to class."

Harry smiled. "There is something I would like to talk to you about before I go to class. You know Dobby?"

"Of course. He's the only house elf we pay." said McGonagall.

Harry laughed. "Yeah, that's the one. We had a bit of a talk earlier. He wanted me to ask you a favor."

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"Oh Harry you didn't." said Hermione.

"Yes, I did." said Harry. "It's what Dobby wanted."

"But he's better off here." said Hermione.

"Hermione, he was practically begging me if I would be his master. McGonagall's fine with it."

"But… but." Hermione didn't seem to have a response. "Oh fine. But you'll treat him fairly, right?"

"Of course!" said Harry. He couldn't believe Hermione would expect anything else from him. "He's my friend first, servant second."

"OW! Bloody hell!" Ron cried suddenly.

They were in Herbology class and they were replanting actual man-eating plants. One just bit Ron nearly taking his finger off.

"I said to keep away from their mouths." said Professor Turner.

"I don't even know why we're doing this." said Ron angrily. "I mean, who actually keeps these?"

"So how did Dobby react to the news?" asked Hermione, ignoring Ron.

"I've never seen him so excited." said Harry. "He's leaving for the Burrow as soon as he's packed. I wrote a letter explaining why he'll be there."

"Mum always wanted a house elf." said Ron.

"You don't need to talk to replant." said Turner.

Ron glared at her. "Well, she's nicer than Stroder, but the assignments are just as annoying."

(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)

They met up with Ginny shortly after Herbology.

"Hello, love." said Ginny kissing Harry.

"Can you two please stop doing that around me?" moaned Ron.

"Grow up." snapped Ginny.

"Want to go see Hagrid?" Hermione said loudly, hoping to avoid an argument.

They made their way down to Hagrid's hut. There were surprised to see phoenixes of all colors resting on the hut. A large gold one landed on Ron's shoulder and let out a musical cry.

"I think it wants your finger." said Harry.

Ron held up the finger that the man-eating plant had bit. The phoenix let a few drops of tears fall and heal the wound.

"I like phoenixes." said Ron happily.

"So do I." said a loud voice.

Hagrid came over to them. A phoenix that must have been made up of every color known was on his shoulder.

"Hagrid, is that a rainbow phoenix?" asked Hermione.

"Wow Hermione, did all its colors give t away?" asked Ron sarcastically.

Hagrid smiled at them. "Yes it is. They're really rare. And this one's my favorite. Name's Gloria. I'm showin' phoenixes for my firs' lesson."

"Would you like me to call Fawks? You can borrow him for today." asked Harry.

Harry concentrated on calling Fawks. A second later their was a flash of flame and Fawks appeared.

"Thanks Harry." said Hagrid. "So, how've yer classes been goin' so far?"

"Pretty good." said Ron. "But that Stroder teacher is really tough."

Hagrid nodded. "Yeah, but her intentions are good. Have yeh had Professor Turner, or Tonks?"

"We've had Turner, but not Tonks." said Harry. "Oh, Hagrid, Ginny guess what. McGonagall wants me to reopen the D.A. again."

Ginny squealed and hugged him. "Harry that's great. I loved the D.A. You were a great teacher."

"Can' argue with that." said Hagrid. "If being an Auror don' work out for yeh, yeh could always try teachin'."

"Actually, I don't think I want to be an Auror anymore." said Harry. "After facing Voldemort," Hagrid shivered at the name, "I don't think I want to be doing something like that for a career."

"Well then, what do yeh want ter do?" asked Hagrid.

Harry shrugged. "Not sure. Maybe I will try teaching."

Hagrid patted Harry n the back, nearly knocking him over. "Well yeh would be great at it. What would yeh teach?"

Harry smirked. "If you can't figure that out, I'm not going to tell you."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I think I might enjoy teaching too."

"That's great!" boomed Hagrid. "As smart as yeh are, yeh would make an excellent teacher. What do yeh want ter teach?"

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"Transfiguration, year seven." said Tonks. "Welcome everyone. "I am Professor Nymphadora Tonks. Any of you call me by my first name and I'll throw you in detention."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione snickered. They all knew Tonks hated to be called by her first name.

"Now, this year you will how to do some of the most difficult of spells. You will learn how to create and change objects and animals. You will learn how to change your appearance and others' appearance as well. By the end of this year, you will be able to turn a quill into an eagle, a rat into a tiger, a chair into a bed. But for today, we'll just have a little fun."

Tonks then proceeded in turning every student into their favorite animal. By the end of the class, the room was filled with dogs, cats, birds, and several other animals. Once class was over Tonks changed everyone back and dismissed them.

"I hope you all enjoyed today's lesson." she said. "Tomorrow we will begin the real lesson. Dismissed."

"So Hermione, you think you'll be able to live up to McGonagall's and Tonks's reputation?" teased Ron. "They are really good teachers."

"Hmm, let me answer that in the following way." said Hermione. She whipped out her wand and turned his hair blue and his skin pink. Harry roared with laughter and Hermione smirked.

"Yes, Ron I believe she can." laughed Harry.

(A/N: Reviews, I love reviews. So please review.)