Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and everything in it.
The school was the only place where the students felt safe. Protected by powerful spells and great teachers, (although some might disagree about a certain potions master being great) no one had ever dared to attack the school.
The halls were bursting with happy faces and cheers enough to reach every dementor in the area. But the students did not worry. They are safe within the walls of the school.
But lurking within the shadows of the forbidden forest were creatures that will try to prove them wrong.
** ** ** **
"A class together with the sixth years? Are you pulling my leg Ron?" Harry asked as he placed another toast in his mouth.
"No," Ron said sincerely. "I think it's great! Don't you think so Harry?" Harry almost choked on his food as his friend's tone suggested something sinister. Of course it was great. He was going to have a class with Ginny, meaning more time with her together. But he will NOT openly admit it to her brother.
"But why does he have to join the two?" Hermione asked them. Harry looked to Ron for an answer but he received a shrug instead.
"Maybe we could ask him?" Ginny suggested as she playfully fed Carbuncle, who was enjoying her teasing.
"Straight to the point," Hermione sighed.
"Just like Professor Hart," Ron agreed.
"Nevermind," Harry said as he stood up. Gathering his things he started for the door. He paused and took Ginny's bag from her side. Ginny barely noticed the gesture and picked up Carbuncle, who was gnawing at a carrot. She followed Harry out leaving Ron and Hermione gaping after them.
"What was that about?" Ron asked, not believing the scene.
"Let it go Ron," Hermione said softly as she sighed. "I wish SOMEONE would carry my bags." Ron cringed.
"Mione," he said as he stood. "With the amount of stuff in YOUR bag, that someone will get hernia." Hermione glared at the redhead. Nevertheless, he took her bag with a grunt and headed out. "Better ask Madam Pomfrey if she knows a cure," he whispered to himself.
** ** ** **
"Good morning my lords and my ladies!" Professor Hart's greeting was filled with joy and happiness. It was almost contagious as the other students smiled and greeted him in the same way. They were outside the school, sitting in the courtyard with expecting faces. He was wearing the same clothes he had in the compartment in the train to Hogwarts. His brim was slightly pulled down to his eyes. He didn't wear the jacket though.
"You may be wondering why I had the sixth years join with the seventh years. One reason comes to mind is the more the merrier. But those who insists in the logic of it," he smiled at Hermoine who blushed. Ron was sitting beside her looked at her in disbelief. She had the same eyes when Gildroy Lockheart came to teach. But Ron knew he knows something that git pretended to know.
"Anyway, the real reason is that I find that defense against the dark arts are usually done in groups. Especially when faced with a great opponent," Harry noticed that Professor Hart gave him a sad smile. He knew he was right, but when the time comes to face his greatest enemy can he risk the lives of his friends?
"Can anyone tell me the best defense against any dangerous situation?" Looking at his class, he smiled. Ron was surprised. Hermoine was not raising her hand. She was baffled by the question. Tentatively, she raised her hand. "Lady Granger?"
"Um. . . Not to get into a dangerous situation?" she was unsure of herself. Smiling, Professor Hart clapped his hands.
"Ten points to Griffindor. You are correct. Basically a situation can be dangerous if you are unprepared. How many are there? What kind of wizards are they? Do they have creatures in their powers? A few questions that if answered can lessen the danger. It is still there, but you can easily control the situation." Professor Hart said. "And that why I'm here. To protect. I mean to prepare you."
Ginny didn't miss his slip. He said protect. Was there something wrong? This was done before, sending an auror to teach and prepare. At the same time protect. Unfortunately, he was an impostor.
"Who is he supposed to protect?" she asked quietly to Harry, who was close to her.
"Ginny school!" Carbuncle said. She forgot that she was in her arms and the whole class looked at her. She sulked in embarrassment but Professor Hart simply smiled. The lecture continued and for the first time, Ron was listening.
After class, the quartet stayed behind to talk to the professor. He was fixing his things when the approached.
"Professor?" Harry called as Professor Hart looked at him.
"Yes lord Potter," he waited for him to continue. What the man called him made cringe. The title lord wasn't for him.
"Please professor, could you stop calling me lord?" he pleaded. Professor Hart shrugged.
"So, master Potter, what can I do for you?" he smiled. "Didn't loose your lunch yet, have you?" Harry blushed. He saw Ginny frowning in confusion from the corner of his eye.
"That was not why we were here," Hermione said sensing Harry's discomfort. "But..."
"Danger lurks in every corner, lady Granger. It is best to be prepared," he smiled.
"For what? The end of the world?" Ron joked. But when Harry saw Professor Hart's expression, he knew.
"HE'S coming here, isn't he?" Harry asked sullenly. Professor Hart smirked and picked up his bag.
"Hope flares when one's courage is tested," he smiled. Harry was about to ask more when they heard a terrible scream. Dropping his bag Professor Hart ran towards its source. Harry and the rest followed him, their wands drawn anticipating danger.
As they approached, they felt despair and sorrow like happiness was being sucked from them. Harry immediate knew what they were against: Dementors.
Sure enough, three dementors were trying to kiss a group of students. Professor Hart took out his whip and flicked it on the nearest dementor. The dementors looked at him as if irritated but they hesitated. Why would they? He didn't have a wand and he was alone. The others were still stiff with fear that they were no help.
"Hey hot lips!" Professor Hart sneered at the creatures. "Aren't you too old for them?" The dementors screamed in anger as the lunged towards the professor. Harry heard the crack of the whip and suddenly saw that one of the dementors was already on the ground with the whip tied around its throat.
Harry couldn't believe it. He was fighting the dementors with only his bare hands. The students, who were already gone to a safe distance, joined the others as they cheered the professor on.
Carbuncle struggled from Ginny's arms, trying to get free. But with a warning look from the professor made her stop. Ignoring this, Ginny wished she could do something.
/Maybe you can,/ Phoenix said. Ginny waited for an answer but before she could, one of the dementors had gotten free and was charging towards them.
"Oh, no!" Harry saw the dementor coming and was heading straight towards Ginny. He immediately shielded her and readied his wand for a patronus. But doing this all of a sudden was hard but he must try.
/HELP US!/ Ginny screamed in her mind. Harry was about to cast the spell but suddenly the dementor was knocked aside by a blue and white blur. Harry followed it with his eyes and saw the dementor struggling with... was that a... Harry couldn't believe it. It was a large wolf. Its fur was blue and white and its fangs were trying to rip the dementor apart.
Harry turned and held Ginny in his arms, putting himself in the path of danger. He held her head against his shoulder, shielding her eyes from the vicious sight. Ginny was relieved that she once again felt safe. The only place she felt safe now was with his arms around her. She sighed and melted into them, wishing it would never end.
But all good things must come to an end.
"Fenrir!" Professor Hart called out and the wolf hesitantly backed away from the dementor. Looking at the wolf, Professor Hart sighed and held up his arm. "You did good," he said and the wolf came to him and the professor scratched it behind its ears. The wolf looked at Ginny as if judging her. It smiled when it saw her in the arm of a boy who it knew would protect her in every way. Hermione looked behind them and found that the two other dementors were on the ground, unconscious or dead she couldn't know. How did he do it?
Before she could think of an answer, Fenrir walked towards the two, silently but the murmurs and gasps of the students made Harry look around. He turned and shielded Ginny from a possible attack. But it never came. Instead, the wolf bowed down and looked expectantly at the witch.
Ginny, with carbuncle in her arms, looked confusingly at the wolf then to the professor who was gesturing her to remove the wolf's collar.
Swallowing, Ginny touched the wolf's neck and felt a leather ring around it. With Harry beside her, she could face fear in the eye. She removed the collar and a bright flash enveloped the whole courtyard. When the light faded, the wolf was gone.
"Where is it?" Ron asked looking around. But Harry knew that Ginny knew where it was. Ginny smiled as she looked up to the sky, feeling a bit safer than before.
*** *** ***
"This is serious, Albus," Professor McGonagall paced the headmaster's office while Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione looked at her. Carbuncle was looking at Fawkes with great interest not noticing the confused look given to her by the transfigurations teacher.
"I know Minerva," the old wizard looked at her in his calm old way. "Fortunately we had our defense against the dark arts teacher to save those students."
"How can you say that so calmly?" Snape said curtly as he entered Dumbledore's office. "I knew he was trouble the minute he stepped foot in this school."
"That is enough, Severus," the headmaster calmly told him, he stood up and walked towards Carbuncle. Her ears twitched and she suddenly looked at him warily. Dumbledore smiled and walked away from the little green creature. "Leon's has my complete trust and it would be wise not to provoke him."
"Provoke!" Snape almost spat if it weren't for the fact that he was in front of his superior. "Who wants to provoke someone who single handedly subdued three dementors without the use of a wand?"
"Two," Ginny corrected, her voice was defiant. "The other one was..."
Snape glared at her but she didn't flinch. Dumbledore finished for her.
"The other one was subdued by a friend," he smiled, his eyes twinkling when he saw his students.
"Whatever," Snape said crossly. "He IS dangerous," he told the headmaster.
"How can a CHILD, be dangerous, Severus?" he smiled. Huffing, the potions master turned and left the office. "And now Ms. Weasley," he smiled at her. "I suppose you wanted your question answered."
/Tell him no/ Phoenix said in her mind. Ginny smirked to hear her voice. In reality she wanted to know and the large bird was preventing her to do so. /He is not the person qualified to answer./ But who is? Phoenix didn't answer but she trusted her, this time.
"No, Professor Dumbledore," she said to the surprise of her friends. "Maybe later when I have cleared a few things." Smiling, Dumbledore looked at Professor McGonagall and nodded.
"I shall wait," he said and sat behind his desk. Being dismissed the four friends headed for their tower, but Ginny couldn't notice that Hermione and Ron were looking at her confusingly.
"Why didn't you ask him?" Hermione asked naturally curious.
"He won't answer everything," Harry said almost in certainty. Ron and Hermione looked to and from the two, confused that they would say such things.
"You guys are starting to freak me out," Ron said as he entered the portrait door. Hermione gave them one last look and sighed.
"I'm going to have a migraine from the two of you," she entered the door, leaving Harry and Ginny alone in the corridor.
"We'll figure this out," Harry promised to her. His smile made her confident and safe. She knew she could do anything if he was with her. Smiling, Ginny gave him a peck on his cheek and rested her forehead on his chest.
"Thank you, Harry," she softly said and entered the common room.
Harry's pulse was stopped with her kiss. He would faint again if he didn't get it started. His mind raced as the blood seemed to settle in his cheeks. It would be moments before he would collapse if he couldn't get moving.
"Ginny Harry!" Carbuncle suddenly exclaimed. Harry blinked and saw the little creature looking at him from the ground. Harry sighed in thanks and entered the common room.
"I need to do something before I get a nervous breakdown," he said, and silently, Carbuncle agree.
*** *** ***
It was the dead of the night but Harry couldn't sleep. He kept thinking about what had happened earlier. Had the dark lord finally come for him? Or was it just a coincidence. Ever since Voldermort was revived using his blood, he never felt his presence since he was hiding it from him.
The other thing he was worried about was Ginny. She will be drawn into this fight whether they liked it or not. At least if she was by his side he would protect her better. But what about the others? Could he afford to be selfish at a time like this?
The more important thing was... what was that wolf? It had seemed to come from nowhere and had disappeared when Ginny removed its collar. Frustrated, Harry got up from his bed and went down to the common room.
It was late so he didn't expect anyone to be there. But he felt someone WAS there. The fire crackled as a lone figure sat before it. Harry saw his leaning towards the fire, clutching the necklace that he had while it hung from his neck. It was like it held great value to him and the figure felt secure by holding it. Harry tried to get closer to see who it was.
"Good morning master Potter," he said making Harry jump from his place. The young wizard's heart beat faster as he was surprised by his voice. It was familiar but the tone was out of place. There was sadness and sorrow in it that Harry felt it sear his own heart.
"Good morning," Harry greeted softly and walked toward him. He sat by the chair adjacent to the figure and he sat still gazing into the flames. He was silent for almost half an hour before he spoke again.
"Do you have any regrets, Harry Potter?" his voice was filled with sorrow and a touch of ice. It took a while before Harry thought of an answer, but he spoke before the young wizard did.
"Try not to have any," he stood and looked at him. "It shall cause pain in the future." Finally he smiled and ruffled Harry's hair.
"Professor Hart," Harry started but the man smirked.
"Harry," he smiled. "I may not look like it but I have more experiences in life than you." he walked towards the portrait portal and paused. "It's better to do things and regret it than not do it and regret that. Harry Potter, you'll never know if you won't make an effort." At that point in time, Professor Hart seemed old to Harry. Before he stepped out of the door, he turned and gave him his usual smile.
"And GIVE her the gift, master Potter," he smiled and walked out. The door closed and Harry was left alone with his thoughts.
End of 9
The school was the only place where the students felt safe. Protected by powerful spells and great teachers, (although some might disagree about a certain potions master being great) no one had ever dared to attack the school.
The halls were bursting with happy faces and cheers enough to reach every dementor in the area. But the students did not worry. They are safe within the walls of the school.
But lurking within the shadows of the forbidden forest were creatures that will try to prove them wrong.
** ** ** **
"A class together with the sixth years? Are you pulling my leg Ron?" Harry asked as he placed another toast in his mouth.
"No," Ron said sincerely. "I think it's great! Don't you think so Harry?" Harry almost choked on his food as his friend's tone suggested something sinister. Of course it was great. He was going to have a class with Ginny, meaning more time with her together. But he will NOT openly admit it to her brother.
"But why does he have to join the two?" Hermione asked them. Harry looked to Ron for an answer but he received a shrug instead.
"Maybe we could ask him?" Ginny suggested as she playfully fed Carbuncle, who was enjoying her teasing.
"Straight to the point," Hermione sighed.
"Just like Professor Hart," Ron agreed.
"Nevermind," Harry said as he stood up. Gathering his things he started for the door. He paused and took Ginny's bag from her side. Ginny barely noticed the gesture and picked up Carbuncle, who was gnawing at a carrot. She followed Harry out leaving Ron and Hermione gaping after them.
"What was that about?" Ron asked, not believing the scene.
"Let it go Ron," Hermione said softly as she sighed. "I wish SOMEONE would carry my bags." Ron cringed.
"Mione," he said as he stood. "With the amount of stuff in YOUR bag, that someone will get hernia." Hermione glared at the redhead. Nevertheless, he took her bag with a grunt and headed out. "Better ask Madam Pomfrey if she knows a cure," he whispered to himself.
** ** ** **
"Good morning my lords and my ladies!" Professor Hart's greeting was filled with joy and happiness. It was almost contagious as the other students smiled and greeted him in the same way. They were outside the school, sitting in the courtyard with expecting faces. He was wearing the same clothes he had in the compartment in the train to Hogwarts. His brim was slightly pulled down to his eyes. He didn't wear the jacket though.
"You may be wondering why I had the sixth years join with the seventh years. One reason comes to mind is the more the merrier. But those who insists in the logic of it," he smiled at Hermoine who blushed. Ron was sitting beside her looked at her in disbelief. She had the same eyes when Gildroy Lockheart came to teach. But Ron knew he knows something that git pretended to know.
"Anyway, the real reason is that I find that defense against the dark arts are usually done in groups. Especially when faced with a great opponent," Harry noticed that Professor Hart gave him a sad smile. He knew he was right, but when the time comes to face his greatest enemy can he risk the lives of his friends?
"Can anyone tell me the best defense against any dangerous situation?" Looking at his class, he smiled. Ron was surprised. Hermoine was not raising her hand. She was baffled by the question. Tentatively, she raised her hand. "Lady Granger?"
"Um. . . Not to get into a dangerous situation?" she was unsure of herself. Smiling, Professor Hart clapped his hands.
"Ten points to Griffindor. You are correct. Basically a situation can be dangerous if you are unprepared. How many are there? What kind of wizards are they? Do they have creatures in their powers? A few questions that if answered can lessen the danger. It is still there, but you can easily control the situation." Professor Hart said. "And that why I'm here. To protect. I mean to prepare you."
Ginny didn't miss his slip. He said protect. Was there something wrong? This was done before, sending an auror to teach and prepare. At the same time protect. Unfortunately, he was an impostor.
"Who is he supposed to protect?" she asked quietly to Harry, who was close to her.
"Ginny school!" Carbuncle said. She forgot that she was in her arms and the whole class looked at her. She sulked in embarrassment but Professor Hart simply smiled. The lecture continued and for the first time, Ron was listening.
After class, the quartet stayed behind to talk to the professor. He was fixing his things when the approached.
"Professor?" Harry called as Professor Hart looked at him.
"Yes lord Potter," he waited for him to continue. What the man called him made cringe. The title lord wasn't for him.
"Please professor, could you stop calling me lord?" he pleaded. Professor Hart shrugged.
"So, master Potter, what can I do for you?" he smiled. "Didn't loose your lunch yet, have you?" Harry blushed. He saw Ginny frowning in confusion from the corner of his eye.
"That was not why we were here," Hermione said sensing Harry's discomfort. "But..."
"Danger lurks in every corner, lady Granger. It is best to be prepared," he smiled.
"For what? The end of the world?" Ron joked. But when Harry saw Professor Hart's expression, he knew.
"HE'S coming here, isn't he?" Harry asked sullenly. Professor Hart smirked and picked up his bag.
"Hope flares when one's courage is tested," he smiled. Harry was about to ask more when they heard a terrible scream. Dropping his bag Professor Hart ran towards its source. Harry and the rest followed him, their wands drawn anticipating danger.
As they approached, they felt despair and sorrow like happiness was being sucked from them. Harry immediate knew what they were against: Dementors.
Sure enough, three dementors were trying to kiss a group of students. Professor Hart took out his whip and flicked it on the nearest dementor. The dementors looked at him as if irritated but they hesitated. Why would they? He didn't have a wand and he was alone. The others were still stiff with fear that they were no help.
"Hey hot lips!" Professor Hart sneered at the creatures. "Aren't you too old for them?" The dementors screamed in anger as the lunged towards the professor. Harry heard the crack of the whip and suddenly saw that one of the dementors was already on the ground with the whip tied around its throat.
Harry couldn't believe it. He was fighting the dementors with only his bare hands. The students, who were already gone to a safe distance, joined the others as they cheered the professor on.
Carbuncle struggled from Ginny's arms, trying to get free. But with a warning look from the professor made her stop. Ignoring this, Ginny wished she could do something.
/Maybe you can,/ Phoenix said. Ginny waited for an answer but before she could, one of the dementors had gotten free and was charging towards them.
"Oh, no!" Harry saw the dementor coming and was heading straight towards Ginny. He immediately shielded her and readied his wand for a patronus. But doing this all of a sudden was hard but he must try.
/HELP US!/ Ginny screamed in her mind. Harry was about to cast the spell but suddenly the dementor was knocked aside by a blue and white blur. Harry followed it with his eyes and saw the dementor struggling with... was that a... Harry couldn't believe it. It was a large wolf. Its fur was blue and white and its fangs were trying to rip the dementor apart.
Harry turned and held Ginny in his arms, putting himself in the path of danger. He held her head against his shoulder, shielding her eyes from the vicious sight. Ginny was relieved that she once again felt safe. The only place she felt safe now was with his arms around her. She sighed and melted into them, wishing it would never end.
But all good things must come to an end.
"Fenrir!" Professor Hart called out and the wolf hesitantly backed away from the dementor. Looking at the wolf, Professor Hart sighed and held up his arm. "You did good," he said and the wolf came to him and the professor scratched it behind its ears. The wolf looked at Ginny as if judging her. It smiled when it saw her in the arm of a boy who it knew would protect her in every way. Hermione looked behind them and found that the two other dementors were on the ground, unconscious or dead she couldn't know. How did he do it?
Before she could think of an answer, Fenrir walked towards the two, silently but the murmurs and gasps of the students made Harry look around. He turned and shielded Ginny from a possible attack. But it never came. Instead, the wolf bowed down and looked expectantly at the witch.
Ginny, with carbuncle in her arms, looked confusingly at the wolf then to the professor who was gesturing her to remove the wolf's collar.
Swallowing, Ginny touched the wolf's neck and felt a leather ring around it. With Harry beside her, she could face fear in the eye. She removed the collar and a bright flash enveloped the whole courtyard. When the light faded, the wolf was gone.
"Where is it?" Ron asked looking around. But Harry knew that Ginny knew where it was. Ginny smiled as she looked up to the sky, feeling a bit safer than before.
*** *** ***
"This is serious, Albus," Professor McGonagall paced the headmaster's office while Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione looked at her. Carbuncle was looking at Fawkes with great interest not noticing the confused look given to her by the transfigurations teacher.
"I know Minerva," the old wizard looked at her in his calm old way. "Fortunately we had our defense against the dark arts teacher to save those students."
"How can you say that so calmly?" Snape said curtly as he entered Dumbledore's office. "I knew he was trouble the minute he stepped foot in this school."
"That is enough, Severus," the headmaster calmly told him, he stood up and walked towards Carbuncle. Her ears twitched and she suddenly looked at him warily. Dumbledore smiled and walked away from the little green creature. "Leon's has my complete trust and it would be wise not to provoke him."
"Provoke!" Snape almost spat if it weren't for the fact that he was in front of his superior. "Who wants to provoke someone who single handedly subdued three dementors without the use of a wand?"
"Two," Ginny corrected, her voice was defiant. "The other one was..."
Snape glared at her but she didn't flinch. Dumbledore finished for her.
"The other one was subdued by a friend," he smiled, his eyes twinkling when he saw his students.
"Whatever," Snape said crossly. "He IS dangerous," he told the headmaster.
"How can a CHILD, be dangerous, Severus?" he smiled. Huffing, the potions master turned and left the office. "And now Ms. Weasley," he smiled at her. "I suppose you wanted your question answered."
/Tell him no/ Phoenix said in her mind. Ginny smirked to hear her voice. In reality she wanted to know and the large bird was preventing her to do so. /He is not the person qualified to answer./ But who is? Phoenix didn't answer but she trusted her, this time.
"No, Professor Dumbledore," she said to the surprise of her friends. "Maybe later when I have cleared a few things." Smiling, Dumbledore looked at Professor McGonagall and nodded.
"I shall wait," he said and sat behind his desk. Being dismissed the four friends headed for their tower, but Ginny couldn't notice that Hermione and Ron were looking at her confusingly.
"Why didn't you ask him?" Hermione asked naturally curious.
"He won't answer everything," Harry said almost in certainty. Ron and Hermione looked to and from the two, confused that they would say such things.
"You guys are starting to freak me out," Ron said as he entered the portrait door. Hermione gave them one last look and sighed.
"I'm going to have a migraine from the two of you," she entered the door, leaving Harry and Ginny alone in the corridor.
"We'll figure this out," Harry promised to her. His smile made her confident and safe. She knew she could do anything if he was with her. Smiling, Ginny gave him a peck on his cheek and rested her forehead on his chest.
"Thank you, Harry," she softly said and entered the common room.
Harry's pulse was stopped with her kiss. He would faint again if he didn't get it started. His mind raced as the blood seemed to settle in his cheeks. It would be moments before he would collapse if he couldn't get moving.
"Ginny Harry!" Carbuncle suddenly exclaimed. Harry blinked and saw the little creature looking at him from the ground. Harry sighed in thanks and entered the common room.
"I need to do something before I get a nervous breakdown," he said, and silently, Carbuncle agree.
*** *** ***
It was the dead of the night but Harry couldn't sleep. He kept thinking about what had happened earlier. Had the dark lord finally come for him? Or was it just a coincidence. Ever since Voldermort was revived using his blood, he never felt his presence since he was hiding it from him.
The other thing he was worried about was Ginny. She will be drawn into this fight whether they liked it or not. At least if she was by his side he would protect her better. But what about the others? Could he afford to be selfish at a time like this?
The more important thing was... what was that wolf? It had seemed to come from nowhere and had disappeared when Ginny removed its collar. Frustrated, Harry got up from his bed and went down to the common room.
It was late so he didn't expect anyone to be there. But he felt someone WAS there. The fire crackled as a lone figure sat before it. Harry saw his leaning towards the fire, clutching the necklace that he had while it hung from his neck. It was like it held great value to him and the figure felt secure by holding it. Harry tried to get closer to see who it was.
"Good morning master Potter," he said making Harry jump from his place. The young wizard's heart beat faster as he was surprised by his voice. It was familiar but the tone was out of place. There was sadness and sorrow in it that Harry felt it sear his own heart.
"Good morning," Harry greeted softly and walked toward him. He sat by the chair adjacent to the figure and he sat still gazing into the flames. He was silent for almost half an hour before he spoke again.
"Do you have any regrets, Harry Potter?" his voice was filled with sorrow and a touch of ice. It took a while before Harry thought of an answer, but he spoke before the young wizard did.
"Try not to have any," he stood and looked at him. "It shall cause pain in the future." Finally he smiled and ruffled Harry's hair.
"Professor Hart," Harry started but the man smirked.
"Harry," he smiled. "I may not look like it but I have more experiences in life than you." he walked towards the portrait portal and paused. "It's better to do things and regret it than not do it and regret that. Harry Potter, you'll never know if you won't make an effort." At that point in time, Professor Hart seemed old to Harry. Before he stepped out of the door, he turned and gave him his usual smile.
"And GIVE her the gift, master Potter," he smiled and walked out. The door closed and Harry was left alone with his thoughts.
End of 9