Hello to all my readers. I am so very sorry that this took so long to get up. But, I promise, I will try to be better about posting more often.
This chapter will be about Harry's first lesson with the the 7th years. Also, like in many other stories I've read, students who were seventh years and didn't get to finish their year the previous year will be part of the 7th year class.
Alright. Let's get going.
Chapter 10- Harry's First Lesson
Well, today will be an interesting day.
That was the thought that ran through Harry's head as he shifted through some papers on his desk. He was preparing for his first day of lessons as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. His first lesson would be with the seventh years. He had lessons with the first years and fourth years later that day.
He had been considering all through the night what he should teach. He had decided to do things a little differently.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of the door opening. He looked up to see the Patil twins walking into the room. The seventh years this year comprised those that were sixth years the previous year, or were seventh years that hadn't gotten to finish their last year because of what had happened at Hogwarts. The latter group were called the Repeat Seventh Years. The Patils were among those repeating their seventh year to get a proper education for their last year.
"Hey, Parvarti. Padme," he greeted them. " Hello, Professor," they said simultaneously. Harry smiled. "We've been friends for years. You can call me by my name," he said. The twins smiled at that, then took their seats.
About a minute later, more students started filing in. Neville. Susan. Hannah. Seamus. Dean. Luna. Lavender, who was badly scarred from her encounter with Greyback. There were also a lot of students who he didn't know.
Then, as the room was filling up, the two students he was most excited for entered. Hermione and Ginny came in, chatting with each other. But, as soon as they entered the room, they both looked at Harry, Ginny flashing him a smile. He smiled back. They took their seats near the front of the room.
Harry waited for about another minute, then stood up.
"Hello, everyone. Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts. I am Professor Harry Potter. I'll be your teacher for this year."
After pausing for a second, he said, "Now, I know about half of you. However, the rest of you, I'm going to do a quick roll call so I can learn your names."
After doing a roll call to learn the names of those students he didn't know, Harry stepped up in front of his desk and faced the class.
"Now, I don't know how much you were taught last year. So, for now, instead of going off of a set lesson plan, I'm going to ask you all if you have anything specific you would like me to teach you."
He looked around at everyone. For a few moments there was silence. Most of the students who'd been in Dumbledore's Army were just smiling. Then, a Slytherin seventh year slowly raised his hand. Harry gestured to him and said, "Yes?"
"Umm, I have something. I've always wanted to learn how to do the Patronus Charm. And, I've heard you're kind of an expert on it. Could you teach us that?"
Harry smiled. "That is an excellent topic to start on."
He paused for a moment, then said, "As all of you should know, the main purpose of the Patronus Charm is provide protection against Dementors, since it is the only thing that works on them. However, the Patronus has two other uses. Do any of you know those other uses?"
Hermione raised her hand immediately. "Yes, Hermione," he said. "One of the other two uses of a Patronus Charm is to repel Lethifolds, a creature resembling a cloak that only lives in the tropics, and preys on people while they're asleep," Hermione said.
"Very good," Harry said, "And what is the last use of the Patronus Charm?"
Dean was the one to raise his hand. "It can also be used to send messages."
"Yes," said Harry, "You're right. With the right amount of practice, one can use their Patronus to send messages."
"Now, the Patronus can be one of the most difficult spells in the world to master," Harry said, "Also it requires personal effort. In order for a Patronus to work, you must call up a memory that brings you real joy. You must allow it to fill you up, focus on it, then, and only then, will the charm work."
He stopped speaking, raised his wand, summoned the memory of when Ginny agreed to marry him, and said, "Expecto Patronum!" The silver stag erupted from the end of his wand and cantered around the room before it dissipated. Those who hadn't seen him conjure a Patronus before watched it in awe. When it dissipated, they looked back to him.
"What you just saw was a corporeal Patronus. That means that it had a clear form. An incorporeal Patronus is one that is just silver mist, without a clearly defined form."
"Now, all of you that have been in the organization Dumbledore's Army that I ran in my fifth year should know how to cast a Patronus. Is there anyone else who knows how to cast a Patronus?" Only one hand went up.
"Okay. So, let's begin. Henry, come on up," he said. Henry, the Slytherin boy who asked to learn about the Patronus, came up to the front.
"Now, think of a happy memory," Harry said. Henry closed his eyes, concentrating. After a minute, he opened his eyes, and said, "Got it."
"Allow it to fill your mind. Concentrate on it. Then, when you're ready, say the incantation," Harry said, taking a step back. Henry stood there for a few seconds, concentrating. Then he raised his wand and said, "Expecto Patronum."
A small stream of silver vapor came out of his wand, forming a small shield in front of him. It kept up for a few seconds before it disappeared.
"Outstanding!" Harry said enthusiastically, "That's one of the best first tries I've seen so far." After pausing a moment, he asked, "What was the memory you chose?"
"When I got my Hogwarts letter," Henry said. "A nice choice. But do you have a happier memory? One that might produce better results?"
Henry thought for a second, then nodded. "Yeah, I do."
"Okay, then. When you're ready," Harry said.
Henry stood there for a few seconds, then raised his wand again and said, "Expecto Patronum!" After a split second, a silver dolphin erupted from his wand, swimming gracefully through the air. It did one lap of the room before it dissipated.
"Incredible!" Harry said in a slightly raised voice, "Amazing! Don't think I've seen anyone master the Patronus so quickly."
Henry smiled at the praise. "Thanks."
"Just out of curiosity, what was the new memory you chose?" Harry asked. "When my little brother was born," Henry said. There was a chorus of soft "Aww"s from some of the girls in the class.
"Okay, you can return to your seat," Harry said to Henry. When Henry sat down, Harry said, "Okay. It's time for everyone to start working on it. Everyone spread out. Start practicing the Patronus. For those of you who don't already know how to do it, if you need some help, go to one of the former members of Dumbledore's Army for help."
For the rest of the class, Harry walked around the class, watching everyone practicing. For those that hadn't been in the DA, they were doing fairly well. Most were only able to produce incorporeal Patronuses. However, two were able to produce corporeal Patronuses: a Repeat Seventh Year from Hufflepuff he didn't know who produced a labrador Patronus, and a seventh year from Ravenclaw, who produced a panther Patronus.
At the end of the class, Harry dismissed his students, saying they would follow the same pattern the next class, and cover what the class wanted to.
All the students filed out, except for Ginny and Hermione, who hung back to talk to Harry real quick.
"That was a great first lesson, sweetheart," Ginny said. "Sweetheart? That's a new one," Harry said.
Ginny grinned. "Well, you're my fiancee now. I think I can start using more affectionate terms for you," she responded. Harry blushed a little.
"What are you going to do for your other classes?" Hermione asked. "For my fourth year class, I'm gonna start them on the Patronus Charm. As for the first years, I'm undecided yet."
"Well, I'm sure you'll do fine," Ginny said with smile. Harry smiled back.
"Well, you two better get going. You don't want to be late for your next class, and I need to prepare for mine," Harry said. Ginny looked a little sad to have to leave him again, but she and Hermione left the classroom.
Harry had an enjoyable rest of his first day. His lesson with the fourth years on the Patronus went well. Two students were able to produce corporeal Patronuses near the end of the lesson, after a lot of practicing: a Ravenclaw who produced one in the form of a monkey, and a Gryffindor who produced one in the shape of a cheetah.
His lesson with the first years was a simple one. He started teaching the Disarming charm, as well as conjuring sparks from their wands.
When he went to bed that day, he felt exhausted from all the work he had put in, and wondered what he would teach the next day.
And that's it. I hope it wasn't disappointing.
You might see Henry show up a few more times in story. I'm not yet sure if I want to make him a recurring character.
I'm not sure what else to say, except to ask you to review. Please.
Raptor2216 out.
