Part Seven: Lessons
The next day I woke up in my bed fairly early. I looked at my watch, which read 6:00. I had nothing else to do so I read for about a half an hour. The at 6:30 I bathed and dressed. Hermione got up at 6:45 and did the same. There was still no one in the 3rd bed.
Dad was gone, so Hermione and I just went down into the common room. At 7:30 the boys came down, and we went to breakfast.
"So what do you have first?" Harry asked me after our schedules had been passed out.
"I think I'm with you. I have Herbology. Then I have, oh no! Potions."
"I feel sorry for you." Sympathized Ron. "I hope he doesn't hate you as much as he hated Sirius."
"What do you think the chances of that are?" asked Hermione. "What do you have after that?"
"Care Of Magical Creatures with you guys, Charms, lunch, Defense Against The Dark Arts, Illusions, and Transfiguration. I have History of magic at the times when I don't have Illusions."
"You'll just love Professor Binns." Said Harry grinning
Hermione looked up "look!" she pointed to my dad who was nosing his way into the Hall "I swear, he's going to get himself killed. He wasn't there this morning when we woke up."
"He's a dog Hermione." Said Ron lowering is voice to a whisper "no ones looking for a dog."
"I agree with her." I stated, "I was worried this morning."
We watched the dog being petted by every one he walked by. When he walked over to us Hermione gave him a half glare.
"Sense!" she muttered as he passed by.
After breakfast I walked with Harry, Hermione, and Ron to the green houses. I noticed that in the halls some people edged away from me.
"Ignore them," whispered Harry "I've had experience, just ignore them."
I nodded and pretended not to notice.
Herbiology was a fun lesson. It wasn't really challenging. We were pulling fibers from the throats of a meat eating plant. I was with Hermione and two other kids from Hufflepuff. They only spoke to me when necessary. That was fine with me though because I had Hermione to talk to.
After Herbology Harry, Hermione, and Ron had Transfiguration, and I had Potions. I descended down the stairs to the dungeon with an ultimate feeling of dread and gloom. When I entered the dungeon the Professor gave me another one of his murderous stares, but said nothing. I sat down by a cauldron and waited. I knew that I looked very out of place when the rest of the class filed in.
"This," started the professor "is potions. You are here to learn the art of brewing magical substances. I doubt any of you can do this properly no mater how much your parents might have taught you." I swear he put an emphasis on the word parents, and looked in my direction. "Today we will start with a simple sleeping draft. I will pair you up with another student."
I was paired up with a Slytherin. Goody. Her name was Sara Peterson. When we started I noticed that she too was quite afraid of me.
"What is it?" I asked impatiently when we were halfway done.
She raised her eyebrows, and twisted her mouth into a frown "you know what."
"Actualy I don't. Would you tell me." I of course did I just wanted someone to actualy say it to me.
"You know who your father is." She said sharply and turned back to the cauldron.
I sighed and shook my head. We continued to work for about twenty minutes until Snape came over.
"Runny." He said as he spooned up some of our potion. It really wasn't; it was quite thick.
"It wasn't my fault." Piped up Sara as soon as she thought she was going to get into trouble.
"No," said Snape "I suppose it wasn't. Miss. Black's father never could manage to get a potion right. I suppose she takes after him."
I counted to ten silently so I wouldn't blow up at him.
"Ten points from Gryffindor." He smiled a cruel smile.
I counted again and then continued on brewing the potion when he left. The Slytherin girl who I was pared with wore a smug look for the rest of the period.
I felt a sense of relief when I ran down to the grounds after potions to Care of Magical Creatures. When Harry, Ron, and Hermione caught up with me I was bombarded with questions.
"Did he hate you?"
"Has he changed?"
"Do you think he'll be in a worse mood when we have him later?"
So I quickly gave them a quick summery of my wonderful potions lesson.
When we got to the old cabin by the forest there was a very pretty girl with almost pure white hair waiting for us. I looked behind me and saw that I had this class with the Slytherins too.
"Good morning I am Fleur Declur. You may call me Professor Declur," she said. She had a French accent "I am you care of magical creatures teacher while 'agrid is gone. I 'ave just graduated from Beuxbatons and 'zis is my first teaching experience."
"Wrong thing to say." Said Harry grimly.
"Today," she continued, "I 'ave bought in sphinx's."
Some people gasped, I think Harry groaned. She proceeded to walk behind the stables and come back out with 5 half lion half human things.
" 'Zis is a sphinx. They live mostly in Egypt but can be found in 'ze forbidden forest just over 'zere." She gestured toward the forest. "We will be grooming 'zem and feeding 'zem for one month. If your groups sphinx is alive and 'ealthy at the end of one month 'zen you well get a good grade. If it is not, 'zen your grade will reflect it. Please pair up in groups of four."
Harry, Hermione, Ron and I stood together.
"Good, good." She said, she walked passed every one; her long white hair flowing behind. She then led a sphinx over to every one. Malfoy and his three friends purposely moved next to us.
"Now," said the Professor "you will feed it vegetables and meat. That is what you will start with today."
Trays of food appeared before us. Other people started feeding their sphinxes but before we could feed ours it said,
"I'm hungry." I jumped back in surprise.
"Oh, I forgot they talked." Said Harry.
I could hear other peoples talking too. We fed ours for a while and then it said that it wasn't hungry any more. Most of them started to say this after a half and hour. The one next to us was saying it too. Malfoy's. But they kept feeding it until,
"Ugh!" I cried along with Hermione and, another girl named Lavender. The sphinx had decided to leave us a little present on our shoes. In other words it barfed.
"You know," said Harry to Malfoy "when some thing says I'm not hungry it usually means it's not hungry."
"Just what the little murderers daughter deserves." He said coldly.
"I wouldn't be talking." Said Ron "I know for sure your dad was wearing a hood last summer at the cup trying to kill someone."
"Don't put your nose in things you don't understand weasel."
"Malfoy the white bouncing ferret." he retorted.
Malfoy shut up pretty quickly.
"Why does that scare him?" I asked
"Last year the imposter teacher turned him in to a ferret to teach him a lesson." Explained Hermione
"Well then," I said "he couldn't have been that bad."
The charms teacher was miniature as I discovered next. I actualy had to look down at him. We were working on starting charms. They were charms that would help a wizard start something if it wouldn't start alone, like a car battery or a light bulb. They really hard to do because electricity didn't work very well around Hogwarts. Professor Flitwick had to get Dumbledore to turn down some of the safety mechanisms so electricity could actualy flow. I barely got my light bulb to make a dim glow. When that class was let out we made our was back down to the great hall. We sat down and started eating, and talking. I gave them a more descriptive story about my potions class.
"He's on a rampage already then?" sighed Ron.
"Yeah, and it's not like I've ever done any thing to him. I just want to know what his problem is."
"At least we won't have him all the time." Said Harry.
"What? You mean I'll be free from his torment?" I asked
"Last year after Dumbledore made him and Sirius shake hands Dumbledore asked Snape if he's willing to take up his old for the League Against Voldemort, and he said yes. I think he's going to be spying for our side. Which means he won't be here for every class, which means he won't be here to loathe us all year."
Both Ron and I smiled, but Hermione looked kind of sad.
"You should respect him for that you know. If he's going where we think he's going. Takes guts. It's probably why he's so bitter. Underneath it he's probably a well… a good person."
"Doesn't mean he has to try to make our lives miserable or as Miss. Johnson put it a living hell." Said Ron.
"Still…" the bell rang and we ran from the great hall.
I was very happy to be having Defense Against the Dark Arts next. In fact it looked as if every one felt that way because there was a mad rush to get to the D.A.D.A door. We were there first though and grabbed seats in the front. Professor Lupin walked through the door after everyone was in the room. He smiled at us and then began.
"To get right into the lesson, today we'll be learning about Sand Wraiths. Does any one know what that is?"
Ron raised his hand just beating Hermione.
"Yes?"
"They live in the sand and I think attack humans. When they attack they turn quickly pushing sand up behind them. That's also how they jump. The sand gives them momentum. No one knows why. And no one knows what they really look like because all you can see is sand."
"That's exactly right." Said Remus "10 points to Gryffindor. Today we'll be tackling one. We'll have to go out side so follow me."
We jumped out of our seats and followed. Us four walked up front to keep up with Remus.
"So, how's your first day been?" he asked as we walked down the hall.
"Good." Said Harry
"Fine," I said "except for Potions."
"Sirius said that Dumbledore made Snape and him shake hands, said they'd be civil."
"Well it sure didn't apply to being civil to me."
"He's bitter Aphi." He answered, "Sirius did try to get him killed."
"Would've done the world a favor." I muttered stepping into the bright sunlight.
Remus led the class into the back of the school where there was a large piece of sandy land blacked of.
"There's a simple spell to help you to get away from them. It's 'Luco Rasio' when you do it you will see a bright light coming out of your wand and the Wraith will be thrown back ward about fifty feet. Try it."
We all did and there were plenty flashes of bright lights.
"Ok. Now, Thomas you're first."
Dean stepped forward and as soon as his foot stepped on to the sand a sudden swirling started. I couldn't see a body just sand, and it was heading towards Dean. He raised his wand and shouted 'Luco Rasio'." The Wraith was shot back a good forty feet.
"Next!" said Remus.
A small boy stepped forward. When the Wraith sensed his presence it started swirling to him in attack position.
"Luco Rasio." He shouted.
It was shot back but as hardly. We all got to go, and when I got to go it was shot back as far as it was supposed to go.
My next lesson was Illusions. Hermione walked to this while Harry and Ron walked grumbling in the other direction to Divination. Illusions was in a top tower even higher that the Divination tower. There was a trap door to go through and several more flights of stairs to climb up. When we finally got to the room it was just four white walls. When we walked in Hermione tripped over something, but passed it over as clumsiness, since there was nothing there. More people walked in and also tripped over things. We were very confused.
"I made it easy too." Said a voice
Hermione and I knew who it was but the others didn't. All of the sudden the white walls turned wooden brown, desks appeared, and Miss. Johnson.
"Take a seat." She said briskly.
She waved her wand and chairs appeared. We sat and took our books out (except for Hermione who was still waiting for hers.)
"Put them away." She said almost like she was bored "we will almost never use books in this class. That's just a school governors rule I had to follow. Just take out your wands."
We did so, and sat waiting.
"ok. I'm new at this teaching thing, but that does not mean I'll be taken advantage of. My name is Maxine Johnson. To you Professor Johnson. Now while you only have me once a week I still expect this class to be in top shape by the end of the year, yes?"
She looked at a girl who'd raised her hand.
"I have two questions. One, why won't you be here the rest of the week, and two are you the Maxine Johnson?"
"That is confidential. Some times I might be here some times I won't. It doesn't matter you will still only have me once a week. Some of you might have me in potions or Defense Against The Dark Arts once and a while too. While those teachers are gone. And yes I am the Maxine Johnson if you mean the Maxine Johnson that takes pleasure in causing the ministry trouble. Here I am at your service, but I don't talk about one job while on another. Is this clear?"
We nodded.
"Good. Today we will be starting with a simple duplicating spell. I taught it to myself when I was 11. It should be easy. The spell is Illusionus speratus we will be starting with one duplicate of our selves. That means while you are doing this spell you must think one in your head. I'll show you now."
She muttered the spell to her self and suddenly there were two of her.
"The one on your left is the real me but I can make the other one walk and talk like the real me watch."
The illusion started walking around, shaking peoples hands, and greeting them. Then she muttered the spell again and there were ten of her. I couldn't tell which one was her any more, and the room was getting crowded. Then all of the figures came together into the real Professor.
"I want you to try to try now. Think the number one, and it should work. Stand up, and spread out."
Hermione and I walked to a far corner, and started to try. It took about 4 tries for us to get it, and when we did it took us 5 more to get them to move and talk.
"Good job." Said loudly as she walked by. Then more quietly "D.A.D.A room. 7:30 right after dinner. Be there. Tell Ron and Harry."
We nodded slightly and she walked away to examine the next persons work.
The first year Gryffindors didn't have transfiguration that day, so I didn't either. But Professor Mcgonagall pulled me into her classroom as I was walking back up to the Gryffindor tower.
"Just to see what you can do, and if you really belong in a first year class. I doubt you do. Transfiguration runs in your family."
"What do you want me to do?"
"I take it you've looked at your books, so you know how to transfigure the basic toothpick into a needle?"
"Yeah." I answered
"Well please do that."
She waved her wand and set up a toothpick on her desk. I concentrated and waved my wand. On my first try the toothpick turned into a full needle."
"Like I thought." She said, "You belong in the 5th year class. You'll report here during your original potions time. You'll switch to the 5th year Potions class I suppose."
I grinned. "Thanks."
"You're welcome, now go on to where ever you were going."
I walked out of the room towards the tower and then decided to turn and go out side. When I got out I walked over to the Whomping Willow where Hermione's cat Crookshanks was lurking. He didn't seem interested in me so I turned and started walking down towards the Care Of Magical Creatures cabin. As I approached I could hear the Professor humming, and as I got even closer I could see her grooming a bright white horse. At first I thought it was a unicorn, but there was no horn.
"Oi!" she said when she saw me "you gave me a fright."
"Sorry." I apologized. "I was just walking around."
" 'Zat is ok. You were in my class earlier?"
"Yup."
"Sirius's daughter?"
I jumped taken by surprise.
"I am in 'ze League." She offered as an explanation. "Sirius 'as been 'ere all 'ze day. 'E left a minute ago."
"Oh." I was at loss for words. I looked back at the horse "do ride?"
"A bit. 'Zis is my personal stallion. I bought him from France."
"What's his name?"
"Marius."
"He's very pretty."
" 'Zank you."
"I'm sorry I bothered you I'd better get up to the castle. I don't have a class now that's the only reason I was wondering around."
She smiled "your are welcome any time."
"Well bye." I smiled shyly and walked back up to the castle.
At precisely 7:30 Ron, Harry, Hermione and I made our way up to the D.A.D.A room. We got there at 7:37 because Peeves kept shooting gumballs at us. When we got to the room a very flustered looking Remus was waiting for us.
"Come on." He said urgently as soon as we got in. he pulled on a candlestick in the back of the room and part of the chalkboard opened reviling a staircase. We walked up it and then got to a small room filled with straw, where Professor Johnson, Saraan, and Dad were waiting for us.
"Why didn't you come by us during Magical Creatures!" yelled Hermione to dad.
"Well for one thing that puke smelled awful." He joked.
"That was not funny." I groaned walking over. "I think I still smell like it. I swear I'm going to kill Malfoy"
They laughed.
"Why are we here?" asked Ron being very blunt.
The adults raised their eyebrows. "So subtle." Said Saraan "why you're here, well we just wanted to see you, after your first day."
"Maybe give you some pointers." Said dad.
"Of what?" asked Remus dryly "how to get five detentions in one day, and manage to get out of all of them."
"No," he said, " Fleur, told me Aphi was having problems with Snape."
"He knows that you are the big black dog." Said Saraan "you can't exactly do anything to him and get away with it."
"Maxis can."
"But, I'm a teacher. I have to set a good example." She said with false Seriousness.
By this time Harry, Ron, Hermione and I were giggling and laughing uncontrollably. When we calmed down Harry asked a question,
"Professor Johnson…"
"Do not call me that." She said shuddering "oh god I hate it. Call me Maxis please."
"Ok, but any way. If you were a marauder where was your name on the map?"
"Harry, you shouldn't have bought that up." moaned Saraan
"I'm still mad at you two for that!" Maxis yelled fiercely "you, James and Peter went off and did it in secret. Wouldn't let Less or me in on it when you know perfectly well we could've helped you. Certainly more so the Peter"
"It was our project." Said Remus.
"We were marauders too." She said, "I noticed the map was called the Marauders Map."
"Drop it." Said dad. "Just drop it."
Maxis glared at him, and then took a breath. "I'd best go to bed. I'm covering Potions tomorrow."
"Aren't you lucky?" Ron mumbled
"No you are. Snape's leaving on League business for two months. I leave when he comes back, or sooner if the situation worsens, then poor Remus here has to cover it."
"We see you twice in a row then on the days when we have Illusions." Said Hermione.
"Right." She said, " Sirius are you going out on Friday?"
"What?" he asked confused.
"He shouldn't." said Remus "he's an escaped criminal."
"So. I'm a dog. And I'll be with you." He said Catching on.
Then it clicked for the rest of us too.
"I get it." Said Ron "it's a reunion of the Marauders."