Disclaimer: All characters, with exception of Setha Stuart, are not my
invention but J.K. Rowling's. I'm not writing to make any profit but for
writing's sake, and because I love the HP books.
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A Love Lost - and Refound?
Chapter 5 - A New Ally
Gryffindor 5th years woke to the worst thing imaginable ... two hours of Potion were the first thing on their timetables. But at least they would have Defence Against the Dark Arts afterwards as Ron announced excitedly while everyone was sitting in the Great Hall, making long faces at the prospect of enduring not only the remaining Slytherins but also Master Slytherin which was the new "nickname" Gryffindors had made up for Snape.
Snape himself was sitting at the staff table, looking as sour as always, but as Professor Stuart swept into the hall he became grimmer than ever. Neville was about to faint when he saw this. Even though Hermione had studied a bit with him, it was only a question of minutes down in the dungeons until he'd loose his house some points.
And sure enough, after five minutes into Potions, and constant questioning of Neville, who, to Snape's anger, knew all answers, Neville took a second too long to reply to yet another question. Snape apparently thought that he didn't know the correct answer and took 5 points from Gryffindor. Harry, seeing Snape's unfairness tried to protest ... 10 additional points of Gryffindor.
Potions couldn't have been more miserable. Seamus, once again confusing the ingredients, blew up half of his cauldron. Unfortunately Snape was within the explosions range and lost a bit of his hair. Yet another 10 points off Gryffindor. Malfoy on the other side managed to produce his potion as the first of the class ... thanks to the help of Snape and won 10 points for Slytherin.
By the end of the lesson Gryffindor had lost 50 points whereas Slytherin had won 20 ... for nothing. Ron, hardly being able to hide his anger, had to be pushed out of the dungeon by Hermione and Harry. "You know, all this has a bright side as well, we don't have to worry about Snape again until Friday", Hermione tried to calm down her friend.
However the trouble wasn't over yet. Just as they wanted to enter the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, Harry, Ron and Hermione were stopped by Malfoy and his two cronies.
"Well Potter, had a bit of bad luck in Potions didn't you? Too bad, 50 points lost ... in the first class on the first day of the new year. Really bad isn't it?" He turned to Crabbe and Goyle who looked as dumb as ever and giggled foolishly now. "Seems Gryffindor is not such a prestigious house anymore, if you allow squibs like Longbottom to enter it."
Harry had to be held back or he would have jumped at Malfoy to throttle him. "Just tell me when and where and we shall see if Slytherin is as great as you think ... why are you still here anyway? I thought Voldemort had taken over Durmstrang, isn't your father with him anymore?"
Malfoy took out his wand and shouted, "Let's make it here and now shall ..."
But he couldn't finish anymore as at that very moment ... "What's going on here gentlemen?" Professor Stuart had arrived at the nick of time and snapped Malfoy's wand out of his hand. "The use of wands is forbidden between classes." Of course she had just made up this rule, but Malfoy was too shocked to protest. "Five points will be taken from Slytherin. Now, who started this ..." Malfoy started to speak but Professor Stuart held up her hand to stop him. "Miss Granger, it is Miss Granger, right?" She asked Hermione who turned purple.
"Yes Professor. Well, we were just about to enter the classroom when Draco ...", she pointed at Malfoy, "... cut us off."
Harry wasn't sure of it, but it seemed to him that Professor Stuart smiled slightly. "As I thought. Mister Malfoy apparently thinks that Voldemort's return allows all Slytherin's to do as they please. Well, let me assure you that you're utterly mistaken. Another 10 points from Slytherin. And I'm warning you now, Mister Malfoy. If I should find you in such trouble again, you won't be able to sleep save and sound in your dormitory ever again. And now off you go, or your next teacher will take more points of your fine house."
Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle almost fled from the scene. All Gryffindors who had witnessed everything burst out laughing. At long last someone had given Malfoy just what he deserved.
"Well, Ladies and Gentlemen ... be seated", Professor Stuart said with a smile and beckoned everyone inside.
Harry, Ron and Hermione took their usual seats at the front of the classroom. After the incident at the door everyone was looking forward to Professor Stuart's class. As always at the beginning of a new year, she started by reading out everyone's name, nodding in approval once or twice. When she reached Neville she looked up and gave him an encouraging smile. But to everyone's surprise she passed Harry without any ado. Only when she came to the end of her list, to Ron's name she looked up again.
"Your father's Arthur Weasley, right?" Ron nodded. "Yes, he's doing a great job at the ministry." Ron blushed and stuttered an almost inaudible "Thanks."
"Well, I have received notices from Professor Lupin and Professor Dumbledore. You studied magical creatures with Professor Lupin, right?" Everyone smiled remembering their third year and the Defence Against the Dark Arts classes back then. Some burst out laughing thinking of the boggart that had turned into Professor Snape when Neville had a go with it.
"I see. And Professor Dumbledore wrote that you started on curses last year. The Unforgivable Curses, right?" Hermione nodded. "Fine, we will come back to that later this year. So, let me first introduce myself. I'm Professor Setha Stuart; I've been working as an auror for several years and have been asked by your headmaster to come to Hogwarts. And in the light of recent events this is a very good idea indeed. Now, this year this subject is going to be a rather active one. I'm here to train you up a bit. Hopefully you'll never be in this situation, but you may have to defend yourself against a Death Eater one day. I will help you there."
She looked around. "I might step on a few people's feet, but I will also teach you how to make a few poisons and antidotes."
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other in disbelieve. This would mean that she's openly questioning Snape's qualities as Potions Master.
"But at first we are going to have another look at curses, jinxes, etc. Can any of you tell me a curse to slow down or stop and attacker?"
Perhaps even to his own surprise Neville raised his hand. "Petrificus totales." Hermione buried her head in her hands. She had used this spell against Neville in their first year at Hogwarts.
"Ah, very good Mister Longbottom. The complete stunning spell. Of course you have to be very powerful to use this spell against a trained Death Eater, but anyway ... 5 points to Gryffindor."
At the end of the class they had come up with more spells like the Jelly Leg Curse and the Leg Locker Curse. Gryffindor had won back all points it had lost in Potions plus 10 additional points. Professor Stuart made no secret of her past as a Gryffindor.
"Before you leave please note that I would like you all to write two scrolls about the curses we have been discussing plus five additional ones. To be handed in on Friday. Have a nice week." Their best ever Defence Against the Dark Arts was over, and even their homework seemed to be a treat.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were about to leave when they where stopped by Professor Stuart. "I need a word with the three of you", she said, pointing at her office door ...
-----------------------------------------------
A Love Lost - and Refound?
Chapter 5 - A New Ally
Gryffindor 5th years woke to the worst thing imaginable ... two hours of Potion were the first thing on their timetables. But at least they would have Defence Against the Dark Arts afterwards as Ron announced excitedly while everyone was sitting in the Great Hall, making long faces at the prospect of enduring not only the remaining Slytherins but also Master Slytherin which was the new "nickname" Gryffindors had made up for Snape.
Snape himself was sitting at the staff table, looking as sour as always, but as Professor Stuart swept into the hall he became grimmer than ever. Neville was about to faint when he saw this. Even though Hermione had studied a bit with him, it was only a question of minutes down in the dungeons until he'd loose his house some points.
And sure enough, after five minutes into Potions, and constant questioning of Neville, who, to Snape's anger, knew all answers, Neville took a second too long to reply to yet another question. Snape apparently thought that he didn't know the correct answer and took 5 points from Gryffindor. Harry, seeing Snape's unfairness tried to protest ... 10 additional points of Gryffindor.
Potions couldn't have been more miserable. Seamus, once again confusing the ingredients, blew up half of his cauldron. Unfortunately Snape was within the explosions range and lost a bit of his hair. Yet another 10 points off Gryffindor. Malfoy on the other side managed to produce his potion as the first of the class ... thanks to the help of Snape and won 10 points for Slytherin.
By the end of the lesson Gryffindor had lost 50 points whereas Slytherin had won 20 ... for nothing. Ron, hardly being able to hide his anger, had to be pushed out of the dungeon by Hermione and Harry. "You know, all this has a bright side as well, we don't have to worry about Snape again until Friday", Hermione tried to calm down her friend.
However the trouble wasn't over yet. Just as they wanted to enter the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, Harry, Ron and Hermione were stopped by Malfoy and his two cronies.
"Well Potter, had a bit of bad luck in Potions didn't you? Too bad, 50 points lost ... in the first class on the first day of the new year. Really bad isn't it?" He turned to Crabbe and Goyle who looked as dumb as ever and giggled foolishly now. "Seems Gryffindor is not such a prestigious house anymore, if you allow squibs like Longbottom to enter it."
Harry had to be held back or he would have jumped at Malfoy to throttle him. "Just tell me when and where and we shall see if Slytherin is as great as you think ... why are you still here anyway? I thought Voldemort had taken over Durmstrang, isn't your father with him anymore?"
Malfoy took out his wand and shouted, "Let's make it here and now shall ..."
But he couldn't finish anymore as at that very moment ... "What's going on here gentlemen?" Professor Stuart had arrived at the nick of time and snapped Malfoy's wand out of his hand. "The use of wands is forbidden between classes." Of course she had just made up this rule, but Malfoy was too shocked to protest. "Five points will be taken from Slytherin. Now, who started this ..." Malfoy started to speak but Professor Stuart held up her hand to stop him. "Miss Granger, it is Miss Granger, right?" She asked Hermione who turned purple.
"Yes Professor. Well, we were just about to enter the classroom when Draco ...", she pointed at Malfoy, "... cut us off."
Harry wasn't sure of it, but it seemed to him that Professor Stuart smiled slightly. "As I thought. Mister Malfoy apparently thinks that Voldemort's return allows all Slytherin's to do as they please. Well, let me assure you that you're utterly mistaken. Another 10 points from Slytherin. And I'm warning you now, Mister Malfoy. If I should find you in such trouble again, you won't be able to sleep save and sound in your dormitory ever again. And now off you go, or your next teacher will take more points of your fine house."
Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle almost fled from the scene. All Gryffindors who had witnessed everything burst out laughing. At long last someone had given Malfoy just what he deserved.
"Well, Ladies and Gentlemen ... be seated", Professor Stuart said with a smile and beckoned everyone inside.
Harry, Ron and Hermione took their usual seats at the front of the classroom. After the incident at the door everyone was looking forward to Professor Stuart's class. As always at the beginning of a new year, she started by reading out everyone's name, nodding in approval once or twice. When she reached Neville she looked up and gave him an encouraging smile. But to everyone's surprise she passed Harry without any ado. Only when she came to the end of her list, to Ron's name she looked up again.
"Your father's Arthur Weasley, right?" Ron nodded. "Yes, he's doing a great job at the ministry." Ron blushed and stuttered an almost inaudible "Thanks."
"Well, I have received notices from Professor Lupin and Professor Dumbledore. You studied magical creatures with Professor Lupin, right?" Everyone smiled remembering their third year and the Defence Against the Dark Arts classes back then. Some burst out laughing thinking of the boggart that had turned into Professor Snape when Neville had a go with it.
"I see. And Professor Dumbledore wrote that you started on curses last year. The Unforgivable Curses, right?" Hermione nodded. "Fine, we will come back to that later this year. So, let me first introduce myself. I'm Professor Setha Stuart; I've been working as an auror for several years and have been asked by your headmaster to come to Hogwarts. And in the light of recent events this is a very good idea indeed. Now, this year this subject is going to be a rather active one. I'm here to train you up a bit. Hopefully you'll never be in this situation, but you may have to defend yourself against a Death Eater one day. I will help you there."
She looked around. "I might step on a few people's feet, but I will also teach you how to make a few poisons and antidotes."
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each other in disbelieve. This would mean that she's openly questioning Snape's qualities as Potions Master.
"But at first we are going to have another look at curses, jinxes, etc. Can any of you tell me a curse to slow down or stop and attacker?"
Perhaps even to his own surprise Neville raised his hand. "Petrificus totales." Hermione buried her head in her hands. She had used this spell against Neville in their first year at Hogwarts.
"Ah, very good Mister Longbottom. The complete stunning spell. Of course you have to be very powerful to use this spell against a trained Death Eater, but anyway ... 5 points to Gryffindor."
At the end of the class they had come up with more spells like the Jelly Leg Curse and the Leg Locker Curse. Gryffindor had won back all points it had lost in Potions plus 10 additional points. Professor Stuart made no secret of her past as a Gryffindor.
"Before you leave please note that I would like you all to write two scrolls about the curses we have been discussing plus five additional ones. To be handed in on Friday. Have a nice week." Their best ever Defence Against the Dark Arts was over, and even their homework seemed to be a treat.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were about to leave when they where stopped by Professor Stuart. "I need a word with the three of you", she said, pointing at her office door ...
