Time seemed to fly away with the amount of schoolwork they had to do. Barely two months had passed and they were already suffering from sleepless nights.

With regards to school, easily, the students' most preferred subject was Transfiguration and their least favored was Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Professor Cross's class was part lecture, part practical and part story telling. She often chats to the class about her experiences after Hogwarts. She recalled the times when she was still a Healer in training and the different witches and wizards, both average and known, she met in the wards with their own stories to share. She even talks to the class about her husband who is a Healer and her boy toddler.

"Professor, if you don't mind me asking, why did you decide to become a teacher? And why Beauxbatons?" Hermione asked randomly one time in class when Professor Cross was once again sharing her stories.

"I decided to become a teacher simply because I want to share my knowledge. Why Beauxbatons you asked? Well, I did opt for Hogwarts, this school is my alma mater after all but I was needed at home so I settled." She gave a smile that didn't quite reach her sparkling green eyes.

On the other hand, Professor Gadrev's class was not as sunny. She was quite quick with her lessons and merciless with her homework. Half of their class hours were spent outside the castle or in one of the spacious and roofless rooms for practice purposes. Sometimes during the practical sessions she would join in which made most of the students anxious.

Although Harry's performance in Professor Gadrev's class was highly satisfactory he had trouble executing the spells. The first time they practiced, which was with the blocking spells, he either stood frozen or overdid his spell that he almost sent some chairs crashing to the wall if not for Professor Gadrev's quick counter. Harry cost Gryffindor twenty points that day. After that session he asked Ron to be his sparring partner instead of Ginny.

However there were still some things that helped Harry go on. First, he relished the company of his beautiful girlfriend. Everyday, an hour before curfew they would walk the grounds of Hogwarts talking about anything or just hold hands in silence, visiting the memorial or sit by the lake and do some other things Ron would rather not know. Second, Harry was glad to be surrounded by the people he cared about. Ron was back to cracking jokes and swearing. Harry also noticed that his best friends stay out late past their rounds and always came back happier than usual, which he of course knew the reason why. And as he predicted, Hermione found a buddy in Anastasia, who ironically did not approve of Hermione's unnaturally excessive stay in the library since the Ravenclaw herself did not enjoy the place.

"But you're smart! How can you not visit the library?" Hermione interjected.

"Don't be silly. Sure, I go there to borrow books but I don't stay there," Anastasia reasoned out. "It's dusty, damp, dark and, depressing."

Ron chuckled at Hermione's dumbfounded face.

Another thing that Harry looked forward to were the letters from Mrs. Tonks. She often wrote about Teddy and the milestones of his infant life and never misses to attach a photo of him. Harry was most proud of the picture of Teddy rolling over and sitting up on his own. The pleased godfather practically advertised the photo to half of the Gryffindors that some first years were starting to look at him oddly at him.

And lastly, there was Quidditch. A few days after term started Professor McGonagall unfailingly reminded Harry of the tryouts.

"This is your last year, Potter. Ending with a Quidditch Cup and maybe altogether the House Cup for Gryffindor would be very much appreciated," the Headmistress suggested.

Tryouts was exhausting but worth it. Harry started with the clean slate for the Gryffindor team, asking politely for the old members (even Ginny and Ron) to re-audition which they responded to willingly.

When the day of the tryouts arrived, the pitch seemed to be filled with all the Gryffindors. It was like the tryouts on his sixth year only there weren't any strays from the other Houses or goggling girls. In the end most of the old members were back in the team. Peakes and Coote were reinstated as Beaters. Ron did excellent Keeping with the help of Hermione's visible and loud cheering of "Weasley is our King" from the benches, which the rest of the Gryffindors joined in. Ginny of course was the quickest and highest scoring Chaser.

The new addition to the team was a small and tanned third year girl named Megan Faraday who impressed Harry with her quick light flying. The last addition was another girl, Pauliana Luck, who was a fifth year. She was graced with beautiful fair looks and a talent for guarding and passing around the Quaffle.

"Alright, team! Practice schedule will be posted in the common room within next week so keep posted." Harry said after a very long day.


"Today we will learning and practicing the Patronus Charm," Professor Gadrev announced to the class. "As I have heard from some people from the staff that some of you are familiar with this spell and have even performed it successfully. Who are familiar? Raise your hands."

Members from Dumbledore's Army raised their hands. The only who wasn't from the D.A. who raised their hand was Malfoy.

"Hmm. Quite a number. But nevertheless, we will not rush through this topic," she said with the smallest hint of a smile. "This spell is quite advanced, as most of you already know. It's usually just introduced as a theory to seventh years and only practiced and specialized in certain wizardry professions. So this goes without saying that I expect a lot from those who already performed this magic." Her knowing gray gaze fell on Harry. "Open your books to the chapter of Defensive Spells section nine."

The class was introduced to the Patronus Charm. As his classmates were scribbling away with additional notes, Harry sat stiffly in chair trying to listen attentively but could not help but feel apprehensive of the coming practical.

"I don't think Hermione's lending her notes to you this time, mate. I suggest you start writing. She's brilliant but also competitive and we all know you're still topping this class." Ron who was sitting beside him whispered. "Harry, are you okay?"

"What's wrong?" Ginny and Hermione who were sitting in front of the two boys asked. They slightly turned from their seats, hoping Professor Gadrev didn't notice.

"Nothing, honestly," Harry replied to them, hoping he convinced them.

"I'm sure you are now familiar with the process of conjuring. Let's begin with the practical. Those who are familiar of the spells stay at the right side of the room and the rest stay on the left."

Once the class stood up Professor Gadrev vanished the tables and chairs. Everyone started to move in their respective side and practice with their partners. Professor Gadrev was assisting the students on the left side of the room. Harry could barely make out her criticisms.

"This seems harder than the last I remember," Ron said, looking sadly at the silver wisps the end of his wand was coughing up.

"Let's just concentrate more on it," said Harry who wasn't doing any better than his best friend. He was still thinking of an effective happy memory.

"Good for you, Luna!" Neville praised as Luna's hare patronus skipped around her.

A few minutes passed and from the group on the right only Luna, Anastasia, Hermione and Neville were able to perform a corporeal patronus. Professor Gadrev proceeded to their group and assessed each of them.

"I thought you've done this before. What are you so afraid of?" The beautiful woman said to Ginny who was looking quite passive.

"She's trying," Hermione defended her friend as politely as possible.

"I hope she is." She moved towards Harry and Ron. She instructed Ron to cast the spell first and then Harry. "You're no better than your sister, Mr. Wesley. Five points from Gryffindor." She continued to the next pair of student's, leaving Ron red on the face and surprisingly saying nothing to Harry's equally bad performance.

"She's not only irrational. She's tactless! I mean, come on, we just came from fighting a war. She can't possibly expect us to remember something happy so easily!" Hermione fumed.

"You did well, Hermione. Don't feel sorry for us." Ginny said quietly.

"It's not that. It's the truth!"

"We just need some time and practice, that's all." Ron said comfortingly.

That night they headed to the Room of Requirement to practice with some members of the D.A. Most were able to perform a corporeal patronus before curfew with the exemption of Ginny, Parvati, Seamus and Hufflepuff girl in Ginny's year. After having successfully conjured a corporeal patronus, Harry decided to turn in early. As he walked alone on his way back to the Gryffindor Tower he conjured again and out came a silver figure of a stag.

"I thought I'd never see you again, buddy," Harry said smiling as he walked with his guardian.


"You are not even trying! Are you doing this on purpose?" Professor Gadrev accused Ginny. They were still on the subject of the Patronus Charm. Most of the class had at least produced a non-corporeal patronus while Ginny's wand did nothing.

"Hey, she's trying her best!" Ron said indignantly before Harry could even have a say.

"Trying? And how would you know?" The instructor said coolly.

"We've been practicing," Harry replied for Ron who was still trying to calm himself.

"Well, it's not working. And that's five points from Gryffindor, Mr. Weasley."

"What is your problem?" Harry asked before she could turn to the next pair. He didn't mean for the question to come off insulting or harsh because in truth he meant no quarrel. But his classmates thought otherwise. Everyone in the room was eyeing them.

Her gray eyes turned cold and hard and Harry thought she's clean off Gryffindor's rubies from the hourglass. She was giving him that look again, like she was reading him.

"Professor, Harry meant no disrespect," Luna interjected quietly.

"I know, Ms. Lovegood. Mr. Potter, in my office after class. Continue practicing." She left the room for the connecting door of her office, her face unreadable.

No one quite knew what do after she left so the students took their time chatting about than practicing, waiting for the bell to ring.

"Oh, Harry! Why did you do that?" Hermione exclaimed.

"She had it coming!" Seamus said coldly.

"I wasn't thinking. It just slipped out," Harry replied. He didn't regret asking despite the trouble it will surely cost him.

When the bell rang, signaling the last class of the day was over; Harry took his time to face the consequences of his actions. He knocked on the door thrice and opened.

Her beautiful figure was standing beside the window her back to him. The office looked quite neat and feminine with the walls draped with silky white and blue drapes. The room was adorned with white wooden furniture and a shelf filled with books written in what could only be magical foreign tongue covered one wall. There was also a large empty birdcage and colorful potted plants around room.

"Sit, Mr. Potter." She said turning to him, gesturing at one of the white wooden chairs in front of her table.

Harry sat and he noticed that on the desk were some white wooden picture frames. One was of a group of young people dressed in Durmstrang uniform. There was another one with a different and a slightly older group of people dressed in dark gray. There was a photo of Professor Cross and Gadrev in their middle teens. The last image was of a handsome dark haired man carrying a boy toddler, dressed in all white, on his should, both were smiling happily.

"Would you like a drink? Tea? Coffee? Juice?" Professor Gadrev offered. She had been watching at him while he glanced at the portraits. Harry felt embarrassed.

"Tea, I think. Thanks."

She prepared tea for both of them. Harry couldn't help but reminisce when Umbridge once offered him tea spiked with Veritaserum in this the same office.

"It's okay. It's just lemon tea. No Veritaserum." She sat down and handed him the tea, almost smiling. Harry couldn't hide his surprise. "I thought you would have known by now, Mr. Potter. I am quite skilled in Legilimancy however I vow never to use it to reconstruct people's thoughts so you do not have to worry. Now shall we go down as to why I called you in here? Yes?"

"Okay."

"Do you know why you're here, Mr. Potter?"

"Because I was being rude?"

"No. I don't care for snide remarks. I'm too old for that," She said casually. "I called you here because you have the potential of becoming the best student in class but your performance in practices is appalling. If you haven't had a clue yet I think you ought to know that Defense N.E.W.T.s practical composes seventy percent of your final grade. Are you deliberately ruining your future of becoming an Auror? Because last time I heard you defeated the most evil wizard of all time to have a future."

Harry was speechless. This was the last thing he expected to come from Professor Gadrev.

"I know what you kids think of me, especially your dear friend Ms. Granger. You think I do not understand why most of you are having a hard time executing the spells. You think I'm insensitive towards the things that you have gone through when this institution was marked by evil. But you think wrongly."

"And why is that?" Harry asked calmly.

"Because you do not understand. I too was affected by the war. I lost my family." Her gaze fell towards the photo of the handsome man with the little boy on his shoulders.

"What happened?" This time Harry regretted the words once they were out of his mouth. Her eyes turned shiny from unshed tears but she remained composed.

"I was a Hit Witch. Much like an Auror really but less elite. Once you help get a dozen of dark wizards and witches in prison your name goes out there and everyone knows you. And people you care about get threatened and many other worse things." She looked quite vulnerable with her usually proud pose bent, her face pale.

"I'm sorry." Was all Harry managed to say.

"But everything is better now. Having Marinella had made it easier. She is quite the sweetheart, as the whole school already knows. But my point here is, Mr. Potter, having gone through what most of you had, I also know what it feels like. And I know that the last thing that you need in someone to lick your wounds for you. And I know too, like your friends, are trying their best to be strong. However, we have to recognize that some are not as strong as we are. Some people need a little push, even a severe one, for them to realize that they can go beyond what they thought they could only do. Do you understand me now, Mr. Potter?"

"I think so." Harry understood perfectly well.

"Very well. You may now go. And just to add, this conversation will not change how I will treat you in class, understood?" She said genuinely smiling now.

"Yes, ma'am." Harry grinned back.


"What did she want?" Ginny asked as soon as Harry sat with them.

"Nothing. We just talked." Harry knew he was being vague. He wasn't sure if he should repeat his conversation with Professor Gadrev.

"About what?"

"I can't really say."

"C'mon, Harry," Ron pried.

"Okay, let's just say she's not as bad as we think she is, okay?"

"Fine. But mind you, you'll have to explain to us some time," Hermione said.

"I will just not now." Harry promised.

"That's good enough for me. Pass the soup." Ginny asked.


AN: Really sorry this was late. From all the creative juices last week I just had none of that this week but hey, I got it all together in the end. Anyway, I know Harry lost his Firebolt but I'd like to think he still has it. So yes, his Firebolt is still alive in this story! (I mean c'mon, it was a gift from Sirius! Yes, I'm sentimental that way) Oh, and the new Gryffindor Quidditch members Megan Faraday and Pauliana Luck are based on some amazingly sporty schoolmates I had back in high school. Here's to wishing you a superb day! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and reviews are very much appreciated! Thanks! ~ E