Chapter 3

The class was divided into two groups. Each group was practicing a new spell. They just spent the last lesson going through the theory and some readings in the textbook. But now they were conducting the practicals.

One group was practicing the reductor curse. The other was practicing the smokescreen spell. And after half of the class time passed the groups would switch spells. Harry, Ron and Hermione were in the group practicing the smokescreen spell. The charm was used to create a defensive cloud of smoke that created visibility. This spell was quite useful in duelling; the smoke created a cover not only for the castor but as a deflection. It didn't take long for their group to master the spell. The wand movement was simple, just an inward spiral.

The reductor curse when used properly was able to blast solid objects to pieces. It took a little bit longer to learn and required more focus and intent in order to produce blue light. The professor had set up a bunch of wooden dummies for the students to practice on. At first when the students practiced they were only able to knock the dummy back and make it splinter but by the end of the class, everyone was able to destroy one.

Everyone was abuzz with chatter and excitement as they left the classroom. Defence Against the Dark Arts quickly became everyone's favourite subject again. And Professor Granger was on her way to becoming the most popular teacher.

She had made a lot of changes throughout the school. Well, Dumbledore had but it was clear that it was due to the suggestion of the new Professor.

New clubs were created by the end of the first month. Harry was aware that there were clubs around the school like gobstones and the choir but he spent most of his time with Quidditch. He never really gave any thought to any other extracurriculars. More of the formal clubs were run by the teachers such as the health and healing club, debate and politics and the chess club. But most of the new clubs were made by students and run by students. Each club had to have at least 5 members and only needed to meet up once a week. These club meetings only ran for a couple of hours. It was an easy way to engage with other students without making a huge commitment. The Creevy brothers started a yearbook club. Documenting all of the changes that were occurring this year. It put their camera to good use.

Ron joined the chess club after much persuasion from both Harry and Hermione. It was nice to see Ron gain some confidence. It was much more satisfying to hear about him playing and winning against someone who actually knew what they were doing and enjoyed playing chess. It gave Harry and Hermione a much-needed break. And when Ron lost a game, it gave him a new determination to do better.

Hermione ended up joining a Latin and book club. The book club was mixed with students from all of the houses and they read one book a month. The books alternated from muggle to wizard novels. The Latin club was a spontaneous decision on her part and was mainly made up of two Slytherins and two Ravenclaws but she said it was thrilling. Harry and Ron didn't see the point of learning a dead language but were quickly assured that she wasn't wasting her time. Apparently, learning Latin helped with the development and creation of new spells.

Harry couldn't decide on whether or not he was going to join one himself. He saw the usefulness in them and the fun they could offer but none held much appeal to him. But after spending a Sunday afternoon talking with Luna Lovegood he ended up joining her and the zoology club run by Hagrid. It was relaxing and comforting being surrounded by all of the animals. It wasn't always about discussing magical creatures such as it was during class. Sometimes they would just sit around with mundane animals and take comfort from the animals' presence and talk. They would talk about everything that was bothering them; parents, school, other classmates. It was funny though Hermione didn't join this club, her cat did seem to make a presence from time to time. One meeting they were surrounded by a bunch of goats. Zabini; the only Slytherin in the group, was hugging a goat and seemed to be using the goat for therapy. The club made him think of Sirius and how during the summer sometimes when he would be having a nightmare he would turn into Padfoot and comfort him. He didn't start to open up until one of the other students asked him about Cedric and Voldemort. And he told them the truth, even Zabini. To his surprise, none of them called him a liar. They all sat silently and let him speak. It was freeing to let it all out in the open. Though it was different talking to his friends and a bunch of classmates he never talked with. After the meeting was over Zabini patted him on the back and said he could borrow his goat whenever he liked. He needed it more than him.

Walking back to the castle gave Harry a new sense of clarity. When he met up with Hermione and Ron he couldn't help but break down and cry. The three of them just held each other in a three-way hug and by the time they separated they were all crying. Then just started laughing at the absurdness of it all. But at that moment he knew he was not alone. That night he didn't dream of Voldemort or Cedric but of his friends.

Hogwarts developed a new studying system that wasn't created or instructed by the Professors. The students just started helping one another on their own all because they wanted to. It wasn't always older students tutoring the younger ones, it was simply classmates helping out their classmates. The students were from different houses. Harry noticed a few times while he was roaming the halls that Neville and a Hufflepuff were studying together. Neville was helping her with Herbology and she was helping him with his charms. Even Crabbe and Goyle were working alongside some Ravenclaws. Until this year Harry had never seen such inter of the four houses. Even the Slytherins were conversing more with the other houses. Though Malfoy and Parkinson tended to stick with their own. That may have something to do with the new school common room that was opened. A common ground where members from all four of the houses could simply hang out with their friends without the restriction of one's own house and the quietness of the library. Many of the clubs met up there during the weekdays but the weekends were filled with a sea of students without a designated colour. Each wall was decorated in one of the four houses' colours. Courtesy of the art club. The first time Harry walked in he noticed the work of his roommate, Dean, on the wall.

All of these changes came about because of Professor Granger. She started a change reaction and Hogwarts never felt more like home for the majority of the students. Despite all that she had done and is continuing to do with her mere presence in their dimension, she was still somewhat of a mystery.

No one knew what studies she was conducting here but she was often seen coming out of the Restricted Section of the library. She was also seen seated next to Snape during meals. And the two would often converse with one another. It was strange from Harry's seat in the Great hall it almost looked as though Professor Granger and Snape were actually getting along. Which was impossible since Snape didn't like anyone.

Since today was only Monday, Harry had the evening off. He only had quidditch practice on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday morning. Sunday afternoon Harry was with the Zoology club. Harry had chess practise after dinner so it was just him and Hermione. Though Hermione has a book club on Sunday afternoon it doesn't take her long to read a new book and still has most evenings free. Which she spends reading anyways.

Harry was caught up in all of his homework and was trying to figure out what to do for the next couple of hours.

He mentioned his plight during dinner and Hermione had an idea. She was meeting up with Professor Granger for tea and suggested that he come with her. He tried to refuse but she insisted. "Please Harry I would feel more comfortable if I wasn't alone with her."

So here he was with Hermione on a Monday night knocking on Professor Granger's door. She didn't seem surprised to see him. And let them in quickly without any fuss. Her office was to no surprise covered in bookshelves. Her desk had two chairs on the opposite side of hers. The office lacked any personal ideas but was covered in knickknacks. There were no pictures on the minimal bare walls nor on the bookshelves. She did have an assortment of framed plants, bottled ingredients and miniature statues. Her desk was pristine and organized, not even a quill was out of place. But the space was messy and covered in notes most likely for her research.

"I hope you don't mind me bringing Harry. I figured that this would be awkward." Hermione said hesitantly after tea was served to the pair of them. The chairs in her office were quite comfortable and were plush compared to the wooden ones in the classroom. And yet Harry couldn't lean back and relax; he was too inquisitive.

"Isn't it always?" Harry imputed

.

"It is weird talking to someone with the same name. It's like looking in a mirror and my reflection isn't matching who I am. And yet I found myself not knowing what to say. To even myself. Hence why it took me so long to try and talk to you." She leaned back into her chair and blew on the steam emitting from her cup. Normally she had her hair pulled back but now it was down and her curls flowed freely around her. "How are you guys handling Voldemort's return?"

"You know about that?" Harry. He wasn't surprised that she knew about that but he was shocked that she was the only one bringing it up. He figured he would have to do it.

"I am a different version of her. You won't become me. But that doesn't mean that I wasn't you. Everything about our lives are the exact same until the 1st of September this year. I wouldn't be an alternative to yourself if I didn't come here and teach instead of a different teacher.

Harry wasn't the greatest when it came to magical theory but he was able to read between the lines. "So technically it could be said that you went back in time and changed the past."

She gave a small smile. "Some would argue that side. But I am sure you won't rat me out."

"So you know what happens to Voldemort and this war?" Harry didn't come right out and say it but deep down he knew that he and Voldemort would face one another again. He wasn't afraid of facing him again but he worried that Voldemort would continue his reign of terror

"Things are different now. How things played out with me and my timeline won't be how it goes for you. It can't be."

"How can you be sure?"

"Because I won't let it. Me being here has set everything into a different string of motions. One I won't be able to predict."

"How can you be sure things will be better for us than it was for you?"

"I can't." She admitted with a sigh. "But already things are looking so much more in your favour. My fifth-year defence teacher was horrible to put it lightly. And none of us knew how to defend ourselves. And when we did learn it was just child play in comparison to what is truly out there. We survived. Barely. But I am hoping that you will do more than survive. You will thrive."

Putting her now finished tea back on the table. She specifically addressed Harry not giving much notice to Hermione. Perhaps because she knew Harry needed to hear this more than her. "Despite things being different for you guys now that I am here. My knowledge of how things played in my timeline could possibly assist the people in this world. It's not a guarantee though and shouldn't be taken as exact instructions. So no, I will not tell you what happened in my life. I did inform some of the members of the order and they are looking into things."

"But we could help," Harry said indignantly.

Professor Granger held back a sigh as she had a knowing look in her eyes. "I know you hate to hear this but you are children."

Harry had to restrain himself from rolling his eyes. If he had a gallon for every time an adult said that he would have a lot of money on hand. He was aware that he was 15 but he hasn't had a normal life of a 15-year-old. He was about to interrupt her with a comeback. When she raised her hand to stop in his tracks. She seemed to be aware that she was tempting his growing temper.

"Let me finish before you start misunderstanding me. I think that you should be informed of what the order and Voldemort are doing. This is the reality of your world and you should be aware of the dangers that surround you. That being said. I don't think that any of you should be joining the order until you are of age. I believe that you should be aware of the problem but not be involved in it or the solution. No child should have to fight a war. No parent should have to bury a child. This war is started by adults and therefore can be found by adults." She gave a huff of disdain but tried to control the anger and frustration in her voice. "However, I think that certain order members should stop hiding their heads in the sand and stop pretending that you aren't already involved in this war." She smirked as she teased him. "Danger has a way of finding you and you lot are more experienced in life-threatening situations than some of the adults. I think that you should be trained to be able to protect yourself. Just not go out on missions like order members do until you are 17. Though you are children you are quickly reaching adulthood and should be prepared for that reality."

"But not everyone agrees with me." She didn't have to name names but it was obvious that she meant Mrs. Weasley and Dumbledore. "Luckily they don't really have a say on certain matters since I am your defence teacher and I will prepare you to defend ourselves for what is out there."

"Thank you. For doing this."

"I assure you that it is just for my benefit as it is for yours." Harry gave her a curious look.

"You know that feeling where you wish you could go back in time to change things even though it wasn't your fault." She didn't have to ask or wait for the nod of his head. She was already aware that he was experiencing it. "It's called survivor's guilt. And though being here won't change anything for my life or future it might be for yours. And that is enough for me."

"What about the clubs?" Harry asked.

The professor was vague in her answer. "I don't want any student feeling like they don't have a choice because they feel like they are excluded from their peers.

Though Harry was satisfied with her answer. He continued with his questions. He was mildly aware that he seemed as though he was interrogating her but his curiosity got the best of him. "What research are you doing?

"The topic of my research is blood artifacts. I have complete unrestricted access to the restricted section in the library in this dimension and my own. But travelling to alternate dimensions doesn't exactly follow the same time schedule. I've spent over a month here and if I returned right now I would have only been gone for 1 week." Well, that definitely sounded like Hermione.

"What's your favourite book?" Hermione asked, speaking up for the first time. She let Harry take the lead in the conversation despite it was her who was originally supposed to be talking to the professor.

"I'm sorry?"

"Call it curiously and asking what your favourite colour seems cliche."

"I don't have a favourite book. I have many books that I enjoyed and reread. But my current favourite reread is the Brothers Karamazov. And my favourite colour is blue."

"I see that some things don't change," Harry said, nudging his friend. He couldn't help but tease her.

Professor Granger watched the friendship in front of her unfold and couldn't help but smile thinking about her own friends in her dimension. "I hope that some never will."