Harry Potter and the Missing Piece Part 15
You could tell something was
different at Hogwarts. The corridors were never as cheerful as they had in
previous years. That is, when Fred and George weren't there. They were trying
to make the best out of their 7th year. But there was a sense of tension at Hogwarts, one that no one had
ever felt before...one that scared a lot of people. One that just was not
right. One that could change the world forever.
Even the classes were different.
In transfiguration, Professor McGonagall taught rather quietly and was always
looking from the door to the window, then from Harry to Natalie, as if
something was about to happen. In Potions, Professor Snape didn't bother taking
points off of Gryffindor. He always looked tired, like Lupin did when he
taught, and he always looked nervous, and any sudden movements or sounds would
startle him, sort of like Quirrel.
When Harry, Ron, Natalie, and
Hermione went to Defense Against the Dark Arts, Ron stepped ahead of them and
cautiously looked into the room to see who was teaching.
"I have to make sure it isn't
Lockhart," he said, as he did this. "The coast is clear," he said, although, he
said it very quickly, before bursting into the room and sitting in the front
seat.
"Did he just say the ghost is
clear?" asked Neville, who came up behind them.
"No, he said the coast is clear,"
said Harry, before walking into the room with Natalie and Hermione.
"Oh no," said Hermione, "she must
be part veela." Harry looked up to the front and saw the Gryffindor boys on the
edge of their seats in the front row. The teacher was a woman with long blonde
hair, and she was tall, but that was all he could see, because she was talking
to Dumbledore, and her back was turned. Harry walked to the back of the room
and sat down between Natalie and Hermione. He didn't see why he should sit up
front with Ron, who seemed to be lost somewhere. He had a glazed look on his
face, and that's what Neville, Seamus, and Dean looked like, too. Harry saw
Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown scowling at the teacher, as if she had just
insulted them.
"I hope it isn't like this
everyday," said Natalie. "They won't learn anything, and this class is really
important, especially right now with Voldemort and everything."
"Yeah, at least Harry has some
sense," said Hermione scowling particularly at Ron. Just then, the veela-lady
walked to the front and cleared her throat. Dumbledore left, shaking his head. He
looked at Harry, Hermione, and Natalie and gave them a sorry-but-you're-going-to-have-to-put-up-with-this
look before leaving the room.
"Hello students, my name is
Professor Dancaburn. I will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this
year. I won't be taking role call at all this year, because it will take up
some valuable class time which is needed to prepare you guys for anything that
may be coming." As she said this, she was looking at Natalie and Harry. "Now,
Mr. Lupin has informed me that you guys have learned about dangerous creatures,
and Professor Dumbledore said that you guys spent all last year learning about
the Unforgivable Curses. I think It would be a good idea to start this year at
learning how to defend yourself against the dark arts," and she went on right
up to the bell explaining how important it is to defend yourself and how
surprised she was to find out that none of the teachers had gone over this. When
class was over, Harry and Hermione had to literally drag Ron out of the room,
leaving Natalie doubled up with laughter.