loves to dance: OMG, you're totally right, I hadn't even realized I was doing that. It is definitely Lily, not Lilly, which I totally knew. oops: -) sorry!... More detail, ok, I can do that, but where. Do you mean, when people are talking, should I describe what they're doing more? or something else? Last thing, Ginny is no longer at Hogwarts (school wise) because she skipped a year. I was going to bring that up a little later, by being friends with Harry, the people closest to him were put in a lot of danger, so the order trained them, a lot. Enough so that Ginny was advanced (skipped 6th year), so that she could continue her lessons more easily, as she had already learned the 6th year curriculum. Few kinks to work out, but I'm getting there. I don't really know, I am quite literally making this up as I go along. No plan what so ever. Thanks for the review!
horseluvr4evr: really? Thanks! I'm glad! Thanks for the review
ryota is evil: Yeah, ok I don't know what to do about them. I keep getting mixed signals. Some people are dead set against them getting together, others want them together right away, and still other want them to get together at the very end. I just don't know what to do! ahhh! Thanks for the review!
DarkPhoenix2500: I know they're short, and I'm trying to write more, but I kinda like 'em this way. But I shall try my very best! Thanks for the review!
Thank you to everyone else who reviewed! You guys are awesome!
Chapter 9: Saturday Afternoons
Albus Dumbledore sat at his desk pondering the mystery of his Defense professors. He had watched Harry Carter carefully from the moment he stepped foot in the castle. Something bothered him about the youngest professor; just little things, things that if he said aloud, would've sounded foolish. Things like how Harry seemed to know his way perfectly around the castle, something Albus hadn't completely mastered until his 3rd year at Hogwarts, and how he seemed to completely understand the little quirks of the staff. Harry had smirked very knowingly at Minerva's scowl, knowing exactly when to interfere on behalf of a very confused looking first year, and when to simply let her fume. He had never seen anyone under 7th years know when to speak and when to not around her. His eyes shown with amusement when Albus' eyes twinkled, he laughed at Hagrid's love of dangerous animals, something most people found very odd if not freighting. He knew exactly what to say to Peeves to get him to fly off in the opposite direction and he seemed Mr. Filch's cat in the same regard as most of the students, disgust and a barely contained longing to give her a swift kick.
Albus was pulled out of his thoughts as a loud knock sounded on his door. "Enter" he said, sitting up slightly straighter, and folding his hands on his desk.
Professors Carter and Westly entered his office looking ever so slightly smug.
"Ahh, Professor Carter, Professor Westly, what brings you to my office this evening?"
"Harry, please, sir" Carter said
"Ginny" agreed Westly
He nodded. He carefully studied the pair in front of him carefully. They looked oddly excited. Ginny stepped forward. "Professor, Harry and I wanted to ask you permission to form an Advanced Defense class."
"An Advanced Defense Class?" he said quizzically
"Yes, Sir." Harry said "A group of advanced 7th year students who are interested in learning advanced magics."
Albus looked thoughtful, "And what sorts of advanced magics would you be teaching."
Ginny grinned "Nonverbal spells"
"Nonverbal spells?" Albus said trying hard not to let his surprise show, "Yes, I heard about your incredible skill at performing nonverbal spells. However, I hardly think that any 7th years will have the time, commitment, or skill to perform such complex and powerful magic."
"Well, sir that's what we wanted to talk about" Harry replied. "Ginny and I very strongly believe that nonverbal spells, would be infinitely helpful in the future, and would very much increase the student's dueling abilities, and they would be much more likely to come out on top of a duel. Nonverbal spells are very difficult to block, as your opponent doesn't know what spell you have used. Unless of course he his a Legilimens."
"Yes I agree, in a duel nonverbal spells could mean victory," He said not even bothering to be surprised that someone so young knew about Legilimency "however to ask a 17 year old to perform nonverbal spells is ludicrous. I can't even begin to fathom how you can perform such spells at your age."
"Well sir, that's the other reason we came to talk to you." piped up Ginny "About 2 years ago, we had a Defense Master, and he taught us how to perform nonverbal spells at a fraction of the power and skill. He said he had been working on this method for years, and in a few years time his technique will be refined enough to present to the general public."
"The way we learned requires about an eighth of the power, and is more a matter of concentration and determination then anything else." added Harry.
Albus leaned back in his chair, "Tell me more."
"Shush!" Remus said effectively cutting off Sirius' long tirade about the indignities of homework. "Dumbledore's going to say something.
Dumbledore stood, "Just a few announcements before you're off to bed. Professors Carter and Westly will be holding an Advanced Defense class for any 7th year that would like to attend. The class will teach advance magic that may be used in duels. Classes will be held on Saturday afternoons, anyone wishing to participate please inform Professor Carter or Westly, thank you" He sat down.
"Professor" called a voice from the Ravenclaw table.
"Yes, Mr. Bones?" Dumbledore asked.
"What kind of advanced magic?"
"Nonverbal spells" said Carter.
"Saturday afternoons?" scoffed Sirius, "like anyone's going to give up their Saturdays to be in more classes. Well maybe the Ravenclaws" he added sniggering as Bones questioned Dumbledore.
James' head whipped up as Carter said "Nonverbal spells"
"Nonverbal spells?" cried Remus, everyone turned to stare at him "But that's Master's Level"
"I can assure you, Mr. Lupin, that I would not offer this class if I did not think you able to do it." replied Carter standing up "However, if you don't believe me, you'll just have to see for yourself, first lesson is this Saturday at 2pm. I welcome any and all 7th years to join us"
Remus spun around "We have to go to that!" he said fervently to Sirius.
"Yeah, I agree" said James
"Definitely" said Sirius
"Yeah" squeaked Peter
"Well, ready to try to explain simple magic, in the most complicated way we could come up with?" asked Ginny turning to Harry.
"Yup," he replied happily
They walked into their classroom, Harry thought that every single 7th year was present, checking the roster he learned that every 7th year was indeed present. "Well, welcome to advanced Defense. I must warn you this class will be very difficult, so difficult and time consuming that I'm afraid, unless you can prove you can handle this class, you will not be allowed in it. This first lesson will be a test, you will each in turn come to the front of the class and perform the spells we ask of you, if you do well, you will be accepted, if not, not to worry as this is a most complex art, results will be posted this evening. Miss. Abbot, please step forward."
A rather green looking, blonde girl stood up. Ginny asked him to transfigure the desk into a pig, she did so easily, Harry and Ginny took turns shooting requests at her, she performed each admirably. "Thank you Miss. Abbot" said Harry checking a yes next to the girl's name.
"Miss B. Black" Ginny called, she looked meaningfully at Harry as the future Death Eater walked to the front of the class. They had decided the day before that they would not all any future Death Eater, excepting Severus, to learn nonverbal spells. They didn't want the dark side to have any advantage over the light, if they could help it. Ginny would ask her to transfigure something, or hex something or other, and Harry would silently counter her spell. After 5 failed attempts Ginny said "Thank you, Miss Black"
2 hours later Harry and Ginny had seen each person transfigure, hex, curse, and jinx, till the professor called for them to stop. "Thank you for coming to day, you all did well. A list of those who will be asked to return will be posted after dinner tonight."
James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter stuffed themselves as quickly as possible that night. And ran to the defense classroom, as soon as the last piece of pie was shoved into Sirius' mouth. They joined the crowd around their Professors' door. It seemed that it wasn't just the 7th years that were eager to see who was going to join Professors Carter and Westly's advanced class. James pushed himself to the front and gazed at a small piece of paper.
Thank you all for participating, unfortunately this class is not for everyone. Below is a list of the students we feel would be able to keep up with this rigorous workload.
Slytherin:
Mr. Severus Snape
Miss. Linda Caperson
Ravenclaw:
Mr. Adam Bones
Hufflepuff:
Miss Sara Abbot
Gryfindor:
Mr. James Potter
Mr. Sirius Black
Mr. Remus Lupin
Miss Lily Evans
Once again, thank you all coming out, we apologize to those who did not make it, but our decisions are final.
-Professor H.J. Carter, Professor G.M. Westly
"Yes!" cried Sirius "We made it!"
James grinned and jumped up and down in a small circle. "I'm sorry, Pete, it a bummer you didn't get in" he said softly to Peter.
"Its ok, I wasn't really expecting to" mumbled Peter
"Well, we're still sorry" said Remus
"Yeah" agreed Sirius "We'll teach you some stuff we learn, alright?"
Peter seemed to brighten at this "Alright"
"Well, I'm please with our class list." said Harry softly to Ginny on Sunday afternoon "My father, godfather, mother, and my best and worst professors"
Ginny laughed "Harry our lives are so screwed up."
"Tell me about it"
They were interrupted by an angry knock on their common room door. "Enter" called Ginny. Samuel Nott and Lucius Malfoy entered followed closely by a tall blond man, who had to have been his father, and a tall black haired man that neither Harry not Ginny recognized, but they assumed must be Nott's father.
"How may we help you?" asked Harry pleasantly
"You can let our sons into your retched class." roared the black haired man
"I can assure you, Mr. Malfoy, Mr..."
"Nott" hissed Mr. Nott
"...Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Nott, that if we felt your sons able to participate we would invite them." finished Harry
"My son is able!" yelled Mr. Malfoy
"He failed to pass the necessary test to enter our class" said Ginny calmly "You shouldn't feel poorly about it," she continued turning to Lucius "only 8 students passed." she ignored his angry splutter.
"I don't care, you will allow my son into your class!" demanded Mr. Nott
"My son is a Malfoy! You will not treat a Malfoy such"
"Mr. Nott, Mr. Malfoy, our decisions are final. Your sons did not perform up to par, therefore they will not be allowed to join our class. End of discussion" hissed Ginny.
Tiberius Malfoy's next words were cut off by the appearance of Professor Dumbledore "I trust everything is well" he said peering around his half moon spectacles
"Quite well" said Harry evenly "Messrs Nott and Malfoy were simply expressing their displeasure at out class roster."
"Really?" Dumbledore said, a familiar twinkle in his eye.
"My son..." shouted both fathers
"Will not be joining our class" interjected Ginny in a 'and that's final' voice
"Yes, it is my deepest regret to inform you that I gave Professors Carter and Westly full responsibility of the class, including which students they would teach."
"Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Nott I'm afraid I must ask you to leave, the answer is no. You can nothing further to add that would make even the least bit of difference, so please allow Harry and I to get back to our riveting conversation, which you very rudely interrupted."
The Notts and Malfoys stalked from the room, slamming the door behind them. Harry turned to Dumbledore "Thank you, sir."
Ginny nodded "Was there something you wanted needed, sir, or have come to simply have a chat with your most favorite under twenty professors." she asked cheekily.
"I do believe you are my only under twenty professors" said Dumbledore as a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Well then we must be your favorite!" she exclaimed happily "Harry, Harry, guess what Dumbledore said I was his favorite"
Dumbledore chuckled. "While I do enjoy these little conversations, I did have a reason for calling on you." Ginny stopped bouncing and turned to the headmaster. "I was coming to ask you if one of you would please handle a weeks worth of detention for Mr. Filch."
"What do you think, Harry? Think our classroom could use a good scrub?" Ginny laughed
"Yes, I think we can find something for the poor souls to do."
"Very well, thank you professors" Dumbledore said turning to leave.
"Oh Professor," called Ginny "Who will be cleaning our room?"
"Messrs Snape, Black and Potter"
AN: Hey sorry guys, I know I promised I'd be better with the whole updating thing and then I go and wait 2 weeks before I update again! I'm sorry, but I have a really good excuse….kinda… I went a small excursion with a friend of mine! it was fun, we went camping and to San Francisco, and to Oakland, and then Berkeley. And well we were only gone for like 2 days, I had to recover! a headache of large proportions! lol…
Ok so I've been getting reviews asking about Harry and Ginny's relationship…some people want them to remain friends and have a brother/sister relationship. Some people want them to flirt and you know witty banter and all that stuff, but never actually get together. Some people want them together right now. and still others want them to get together at the very end. So I'm going to do a poll (something I swore I would never do) you have 3 options
Harry and Ginny, are just good friends, never get together
Harry and Ginny, flirt constantly but never actually have a romantic relationship
Harry and Ginny flirt and such, and get together at the very end, right before they leave…
Please vote! you have two chapters to do so…meaning by the time I start writing chapter 12, all votes must be in…. (hmmm…maybe chapter 13? yeah! chapter 13 not 12)
Please review! I'll try to update soon!
