Hey guys! I'm looking forward to this chapter. I'm warning you that Snape might be a little OOC at the end. But you know, he always acts differently around Darcy.

So sorry that it's taken so long to get this chapter up, I've been super-duper busy this past week. Plus, my mom has been annoying be about cleaning my room and I don't want to and all that jazz.

Enjoy!

Chapter Fifty-Three: Year Five

Theoretical Magic and Snape

A few days later, we were having our first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. I can't say I was exactly looking forward to it.

I sat beside Fay behind Seamus and Dean. Umbridge hadn't entered the classroom yet so we were free to joke around. Parvati, who was sitting at the front of the room with her sister, Padme, folded a piece of parchment into a bird and enchanted it to flit around the room.

The boys were having a stupid but amusing competition as to who could swat the bird the hardest. Draco was able to produce a slingshot and pebble to hit the poor thing with. It flew to the ceiling, as high as it could, but before it could dive back into Parvati's hand, it burst into flames, shooting back down to her desk. We watched as the embers flared and then ceased to exist.

"Good morning children." Umbridge said cheerily. We all turned to face her as she walked to the front of the room. She held out her wand and used it to write on the chalkboard, "Ordinary..Wizarding...Level...Examinations. O...W...Ls, more commonly known as O.W.L.s."

I chuckled at her annoyingly cheerful and high-pitched voice. I nudged Fay playfully and smirked. She smiled and kicked Dean's shin under the desk. He turned around and frowned.

"Study hard and you will be rewarded, fail to do so, and consequences may be..." she giggled, "severe."

She flicked her wand and the stack of books sitting on her desk started towards us, passing themselves out to us. As one landed on my desk, I made a choking sound in my throat. The cover of the book had two very young-looking children holding a book in their hands with animals surrounding them. The cover read, "Dark Arts Defense : Basics for Beginners".

"Your previous instruction in this subject has been disturbingly uneven. But you will be pleased to know from now on, you will be following a carefully structured, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic. Yes?" Umbridge said as Hermione raised her hand.

Hermione licked her lips, "There's nothing in here about using defensive spells..."

"Using spells?" She giggled again, "Well I can't imagine why you would need to use spells in my classroom."

Ron cleared his throat and said, "We're not going to use magic?"

"You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way." Umbridge said, smiling broadly.

Harry's head perked up, "Well, what use is that? If we're gonna be attacked it won't be risk-free."

Umbridge pursed her lips, "Students will raise their hands when they speak in my class." She pause d as her hawk-eyes scanned the room, "It is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be sufficient enough to get you through your examinations, which after all, is what school is all about."

Harry interrupted, "And how is theory supposed to prepare us for what's out there?"

"there is nothing out there, dear!" She said louder, "Who do you imagine would want to attack children like yourself?"

"I don't know, maybe, Lord Voldemort!" Harry said, rather bluntly.

there was a horrible, sickening silence as everyone took in what he said. Seamus angrily shook his head. I didn't openly express my feelings like this, instead I held my head low.

Umbridge, after many moments, "Let me make this quite plain. You have been told that a certain Dark Wizard is at large once again. This...is...a...lie."

"It's not a lie!" Harry cried, "I saw him I fought him!?"

"Detention Mr. Potter!" Umbridge cried.

"So according to you, Cedric Diggory dropped dead of his own accord?" Harry replied, ignoring the fact that he had just been given detention."

"Cedric Diggory's death was a tragic accident."

"It was murder! Voldemort killed him, you must know that!"

"No, enough!" She yelled, "Enough! You would do well to go to Professor McGonagall's office. You should inform her of your behavior in my class. Is that clear?"

Harry angrily picked up his things and left the room without answering her. We watched in awed silence.

"Well," Umbridge said, clearing her throat. "Let's get down to business, shall we? Open your books to page 17, please. Read through the first chapter and write me a three page essay on the fundamentals of the spells mentioned. There should be no talking, thank you." She giggled again which made me scowl.

I turned to page 17 and stared down at the agonizingly simple enchantments introduced on the page. Reading through the list, I realized that all of the spells were from our first and second years of Defense Against the Dark Arts.

I leaned over to Fay, "What the 'ell is happening?"

"How should I know? I'm pretty sure she's insane."

"No talking." Umbridge said sharply.

We quieted down, not wanting to be sent to McGonagall's office too. The rest of class was spent in silence. Everyone, even Crabbe and Goyle finished early. When we asked Umbridge what the hell we were supposed to do for the rest of class, she told us to review everything again.

"What I don't understand," I said to the group after class ended. "is why Dumbledore decided to 'ire 'er in the first place."

Fay sighed, "You honestly think Dumbledore had anything to do with it?"

Dean laughed and said, "I can agree with that. Looks like we'll be failing our Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.s this year."

I grinned, "Oh I hope so."

Seamus growled, "Why did Harry even have to say those things? Was it really necessary to just yell at her like that?"

"Are you saying you feel bad for her?" I asked.

He scoffed, "For that old bat, course not. I'm only saying that Harry didn't have to freak out like he did. I mean, way to make it awkward, Potter." We all laughed at him, though I was not as enthusiastic.

Even though the facts didn't quite add up,I still felt like the Ministry's involvement at the school was getting a little out of hand. I mean, I desperately wanted to pretend that You-Know-Who wasn't back and that everything was still the same, but everything changed last year.

I shook my head. If Seamus of Mum heard me thinking like this, they'd probably rip my head off. Why did they both have to be so bloody stubborn?


Later, we were in the Great Hall, enjoying a glorious lunch. I was just about to pop a sandwich into my mouth, when I heard a soft giggle. Fred, who was sitting across from me choked on his food and started coughing.

I turned and saw Umbridge standing over us. "Hello, Miss Finnigan. I was hoping to have a word with you about something."

I nodded, "Of course, Madame Umbridge." I turned to George and everyone else, "I'll be back."

She led me out of the Great Hall and into an empty corner. "It has come to my attention that you are very involved in this school."

I scoffed, "Not really..."

"Oh you are merely being modest. You are a Prefect, on the Quidditch team, you have very high marks, and you are one of the few students in the school that Professor Snape favors. I've also heard that you tutor fellow students in a few classes. This is very admirable. I just wanted to personally thank you for being a leader for the young people of the school to look up to."

I blushed, "Well thank you. I mean, really."

"Don't mention it, dear. Now for the real reason I called you over. I have put together a little club of elite individuals who will lead this school into success and I was wondering if you'd like to come to one of our meetings."

"I-I'd love you." I said, though I really didn't. It sounded dreadful.

"Excellent. I will speak to you soon." She smiled and sauntered away, her body bobbing on her thick legs.

I winced and went back into the Great Hall where my friends were still waiting.

"What did the toad want with you?" George asked.

I smiled, "She wanted to," I cleared my throat and said in a stuffy voice, "invite me to an elite group of individuals who will lead this school into success."

George made a face, "Sounds horrific...you're not going are you?"

"I don't know, maybe." I said, "I don't exactly want to make her upset."

"Well obviously." Seamus said in a teasing tone, "What's she gonna do? Theorize you to death?"

This earned a laugh from everyone at the table. It was true, by herself Umbridge wasn't exactly a threat.

George kissed my cheek before standing up with Fred. "We've got to go, love."

"Where are you going? I thought you had a free period." I said.

He smirked and ruffled my hair, "It's our products, we've started selling them."

"Selling them?" I asked, "Are you testing them on students again? Because if you are-"

"Nope, we're not!"" Fred said, "No need to worry your pretty little head."

I glared at him, "If I find out that you two are testing those products on innocent students, I swear that I will chuck the two of you into detention faster than you can say-"

"Yeah, yeah." George said, "Faster than you can say Merlin's underpants. That's great, we'll see you later."

I stood up and started after them, "I'll come along."

"No." They said together.

I smirked, "Why not?"

"Because!" They said again.

"You wouldn't mind right? I mean, unless you really are testing on students."

Fred and George glared at each other and then at me, "Fine."

"We are testing on students." George said.

"But you have to understand-"

I sighed, "I'm sorry boys, but I 'ave to give you detention."

George groaned, "Don't we get a pass because he's your friend and I'm your boyfriend."

I shook my head, "I can't. I'm sorry. I promise I'll give you detention with a teacher who will give you an easy time."

They both growled at me and turned around, ignoring me. I laughed as George tripped over a first year, toppling into the Great Hall's door. That's what he got for testing his things on innocents.


Later that day in Potions, Fay and I were hard at work on a simple Sleeping Draught. At least, it was simple for me. Fay was having a ridiculously hard time cutting up the lizard tails.

"'ere," I said, taking the knife from her, "like this." I chopped the tail into pieces as evenly as I could. Then I passed the knife back to her, "Try it again."

Fay licked her lips and began cutting another tail. She didn't do it completely correctly, so I showed her again. She was actually able to cut it correctly this time, so I moved onto measuring out the herbs. We worked in synched for a few more minutes until I heard a strained cough behind me.

"Miss Finnigan." An emotionless voice said. I turned around and saw it was Professor Snape. "See me after class."

"Yes, sir." I said quickly as he walked away.

Fay hit my arm, "What do you think he wants to talk to you about?"

"Don' know." I replied. " I 'ope it's nothing 'orrible."

An hour later, our Draughts had been completed and the bell rang, signalling the end of class. I packed my things and said goodbye to Seamus, Fay, and Dean as they left for the Common Room.

I went up to Snape's desk and stood there quietly until everyone had left the room.

"So," he said turning towards me, "I believe congratulations are in order." I stared at him blankly until he elaborated. "You were made Gryffindor Prefect..." He said, pointing at my badge. "I wasn't completely surprised though, considering I gave you a glowing recommendation."

I gaped, "Wh-what?"

He pursed his lips, "I gave Professor Dumbledore a letter of recommendation explaining how gifted you are in Potion making. That seemed to have...sealed the deal. I believe Miss Granger would have been given the position otherwise."

I licked my lips, "Well thank you, sir. I very much appreciate it."

"Yes well," Snape said, looking uncomfortable, "onto what I really had you stay behind for. I'm not sure if you are aware of this, but every year I select a group of fifth year and above students who I find to be excelled in my class. They're removed from my regular class and offered a place in the...advanced class. I was wondering if you would like to join that group this year."

I stood in silence for a moment. Was Snape actually... "Why are you inviting me?" I asked.

He sighed, "You are one of the few students I have who does not melt every cauldron you touch. Also..." he shifted in his seat, "I believe you have the makings of being a professor yourself. I saw how you were around Miss Dunbar today during class. A good teacher has the patience to do what you did today."

I smirked, "Then you must not be a very good teacher." My smile instantly dropped, terrified that I had said the wrong thing. Instead, Snape gave me a small smile. "I would love to join the class." I said, answering his offer.

He nodded abruptly, "Well then, I shall speak to Professor McGonagall about getting your timetable changed. You're dismissed."

"Thank you, sir." I said one final time before heading out. I walked slowly back to the Common Room. What was it with these teachers? Suddenly I become a Prefect and they swarm around me.

Snape's invitation really confused me. I mean, I had never had a real problem with Snape. In fact, factoring our McGonagall and Dumbledore, he was my favorite teacher in the school. It had never occurred to me that he might return the favor. At least, not enough to write me a letter of recommendation and invite me to his class of advanced potion makers.

I turned a corner and leaned against a wall. I thought about what he said about being a teacher. It had never, ever come to my attention that I would be a good teacher. But after thinking about it, I realized I would be very happy to have a job like that.

I glanced up when I saw Ron coming towards me. "Come on, Darcy. We've got a Prefect's meeting." He said.

I nodded and sighed, "Do you think I'd be a good teacher?"

He grinned, "Are you kidding? Everyone's thought that for ages."

See what I mean? Totally OOC. But I thought it was kind of cute and ironic that Snape is Darcy's favorite teacher.

I'm not sure when the next chapter will be posted. The earliest would be Tuesday (April 22) night and the latest probably Thursday (April 24). So be on the look out for one between then.

Have a very nice Easter holiday!

xxx

rosslynchandbeyond