A/N: My muse finally gets her butt in gear! Must be because of how beautiful the weather is outside. *sigh* Anyway, sorry many times over for the long wait. College is a little better now, but we have less than 4 weeks until semester ends. My pharmacy tech 2 class is almost done and Intro to Computers is easy enough now that I don't have to study so often. So, now that my news is complete, here is the new chapter! Thanks again for all the support! I'm glad that you understand how hard working and studying is.
Chapter Thirty-Two: New Potions Professor
The train ride to the castle passed uneventfully, much to Harry's relief. He had thought, after what had passed a couple months ago when Voldemort revealed himself, that the snake-like man would openly attack both worlds. And lately, the small teen had no visions or feeling Voldemort's emotions. Although Harry was happy to be rid of the nightmares, it made him feel vulnerable; especially now, when Voldemort was quiet except for the mishap at the bridge in London.
"Finally," Ron said as the carriage they sat in pulled up toward the castle, rubbing his stomach. "I'm hungry."
"When aren't you hungry?" Hermione asked, shaking her head, but Harry could see a small smile grace her lips.
Harry and Ginny exchanged knowing looks and followed the two onto the path that led straight up to the Hogwarts' main doors. Four Aurors, dressed in standard crimson red robes, stood at the doors, holding weird instruments in their hands as they stopped each student.
"New procedures," Ginny whispered. "Dad was talking about it. Those things they are holding help detect dark objects, like those wand things at Muggle airports."
"You are taking Muggle Studies?" Harry asked, surprised.
The redhead grinned. "Yep. I want to be a teacher and I figured it would help to learn more about the Muggle world."
As they drew closer to the Aurors, Harry recognized Tonks as one of the red-robed figures. She winked at him when he stopped in front of her. "Wotcher Harry! Staying out of trouble?"
The other Auror standing next to her snorted. "He's James' son. Trouble follows him around like a magnet."
The pink-haired woman chuckled. "True, though I wouldn't know. James was 13 years older than me." She turned back to the Boy-Who-Lived. "Arms at your side, kid."
"I'm no kid," Harry mumbled as he kept still so Tonks could scan him. The instrument reminded him of a windshield wiper off of a car, though it clearly wasn't made of plastic. After she pulled the instrument away, she tapped the stick with her wand. A piece of parchment appeared in her hand.
"You're clean," she said, grinning. "Go ahead and advance, young one."
Harry waited for the rest of his friends to pass through before the four of them walked into the Great Hall. They picked the middle of Gryffindor table to sit. Harry watched the rest of the Hall fill up while Ginny talked with her friends and Ron and Hermione remained silent. What caught Harry's eye, especially, was the silence of Draco Malfoy, his arch nemesis. The blonde Slytherin sat alone and he had his chin propped up by a fist, gray eyes distant. What could have happened this summer to cause the teen to become so quiet and to lose his lackeys?
"What are you looking at?" Ron asked suddenly.
"Do you notice how quiet Malfoy is? It's unnatural."
The tall teen shrugged. "I would take it as a good sign, mate. Maybe he finally matured over the past few months. He wasn't looking to smug after the train attack. In fact, he was shaken up."
Harry whipped his head to stare at his best friend. "And you never told me this?"
"Mate, you were distraught with the loss of a father." Ron's blue eyes held sadness. "No one thinks clearly when they are grieving. Besides, there was no guarantee that you would have believed me unless you saw it with your own eyes."
Before Harry could say anything, Professor McGonagall threw open the doors to the Great Hall, a small group of first years behind her. Harry noticed that the group this year was extremely small, probably due to parents not letting their children out of their sight while war raged.
The Sorting Ceremony flew by and the feast began. Harry and his friends chatted with their fellow Gryffindors while they ate (well, Harry, Ginny, and Hermione talked while Ron stuffed his face). Once all the students finished eating, Professor Dumbledore stood up gingerly. Harry noticed that he was favoring one hand more than the other.
"Good evening students," he called, smiling. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! On behalf of the staff, we are thankful many of you have chosen to come back to finish your education in these dark times. I have a few announcements to make before I send you to bed to dream. First, I would like to welcome our new Potions professor Horace Slughorn…"
Harry was confused. New Potions professor? But Snape was still…
"… while our own Professor Snape will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Harry and the rest of the Gryffindors shared horrified glances. Snape was teaching DADA? They were all doomed. The rest of the announcements went unheard as every House but Slytherin slowly digested that Snape was going to be teaching DADA this year.
"He got what he wanted in the end, didn't he?" Ron muttered as they stood up to leave. "I'll see you in the dorm room, then?"
Harry nodded and left with Ginny and Neville to head toward the Gryffindor common rooms on the seventh floor.
"Should we continue the DA this year?" Neville asked, still looking pale.
"We should see what Snape will be teaching us first before we think about continuing the group," the dark-haired teen replied. "I don't want to start the group up and realize that he is actually teaching us something important."
Ginny smiled. "You've grown up a lot, Harry."
"War forced me to grow up, Gin. Plus, Snape's with the Order," this he said quietly so no one else would overhear, "so he can't be that bad if he's on our side. Besides, Snape knows his dark arts. He could be a great Professor."
"If you say so," Neville replied, shuddering.
Harry's first class was a free period, but McGonagall had found him wandering the halls.
"Aren't you supposed to be in Potions, Potter?" she questioned, her heels of her boots clicking on the floor.
"I'm not assigned to that class, remember? I didn't get an O on my O.W.L."
McGonagall smiled. "That was when Professor Snape was teaching Potions. Professor Slughorn is just as happy to accept students that passed with an E on their exam, which is the score you scooped. Don't you still want to be an Auror?"
Harry turned away. "That or a Healer."
"Well, head toward the dungeons, Potter. I'll send a message to Professor Slughorn to let him know that you are coming."
He turned away and hurried down the stairs toward the dungeons. Maybe, this time, Harry thought Potions would be enjoyable now that Snape wasn't there to teach this class.
"Ah, there you are Mr. Potter!"
Harry entered the room, his eyes scanning the room. Less than half of last year's class remained in the room, with various Houses.
"Well, open your book and let's get started!" Professor Slughorn, a plump man, called.
"Uh, Professor, I don't have a book for this class," Harry replied.
"Oh. There are some copies in a cupboard near you. Pick one, dear boy."
Harry turned and saw two battered copies of Advanced Potions. He picked the one on top, as it looked in better condition than the other one, and joined his classmates in front of several cauldrons.
Harry and Hermione exited Potions, both teens smiling. Slughorn seemed to be a better teacher than Snape, explaining how the Potions worked before they brewed them. Not only that, but Harry managed to brew a potion that wasn't dumped down the drain.
"Maybe all I needed was another teacher," Harry said.
"It's possible, Harry." The brunette glanced down at her timetable. "I've got DADA next."
"Me too. We should pick up Ron from the common room and head to class before Snape finds a way to dock points off for being late."
End of chapter.
Sorry for the shortness, but I wanted to do DADA next chapter. Not only that, but I wanted to give you something to read before I submit the next chapter. Don't worry, I'll have it finished soon. Thanks again for all of your support!