Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything in his world.
Summary: (Chp.1) Dumbledore announces a field trip and a new class to prepare for the trip. Fifth year Gr/Sly are to be grouped together.
Chapter 2: The New Professor
Hermione eagerly marched to her Advanced Arithmancy class on Thursday. At least the new class could be forgotten until Friday evening. She was ready to throw herself into her favorite subject once again. Nodding to a fellow Gryffindor she took her seat, preparing her supplies quickly. Then, they waited.
"Good afternoon," Professor Vector chimed, entering from a side door. "It is so wonderful to see you all again. As you know, this is the Advanced Arithmancy class, and will, therefore, be quite a bit more challenging than your previous years.
"You may have also heard that this year you will be having a guest instructor. That information is correct. Though I enjoy teaching Arithmancy, the opportunity to have this particular instructor is not something to pass up.
"Before I introduce your instructor, let me tell you a bit about him. He has worked for the last thirty years for the Ministry of Magic. When he first began at the Ministry, the subject of Arithmancy was considered, by most, unnecessary. However, his work in the area brought about a paradigm shift in the way that the public viewed Arithmancy. He has proven, through much sweat and hard work, just how vital Arithmancy is to the everyday lives of all.
"After ten years of hard work, he completed a paper entitled, ::The Shifting Sands of Arithmancy::. In this work, he explained, in simplistic terms, the importance of Arithmancy and proved that many theories, both his and his predecessors, were, in fact, valid.
"He won the prestigious Jonas Wizard Award, and was given a promotion and a new job title, Minister of Arithmantic Theories. He has been working steadily at his job these last number of years, but has grown weary of the daily grind. He called Dumbledore; Dumbledore contacted me; and now you are privileged to have Dr. Gavin Branefeld for your instructor this year," Professor Vector concluded.
"Dr. Branefeld, you may come forward."
"Why thank you so much for your introduction," he replied in a warm voice, as he moved his way down the aisle. "Arithmancy," he began, adjusting his wire rimmed glasses, through which he peered with deep blue eyes, "is a subject worthy of your full devotion. Through a proper and deep involvement of the subject, you will find your life to be enhanced," he paused, ran a hand through his still thick mane of dark blond hair, and looked each student in the eye.
Hermione grinned at him when his eyes met hers. Here was a person who understood exactly how she felt about Arithmancy.
"Well, I don't know what we are waiting for," he chuckled. "Shall we begin?" With that he dove into the most exciting and challenging lesson Hermione had yet had.
"How was your new class?" Harry asked Hermione, ducking as one of the Weasley twins' new Weasley's Wizard Wheezes invention buzzed over his head, only to explode with a loud snapping sound as it hit the wall. Harry glared at Fred, who gave an innocent shrug before turning back to whisper conspiratorially with George.
"Oh, it was incredible," Hermione breathed, her face lighting up as she thought about the wonderful things she had learned today.
"Who is the guest instructor?"
"Dr. Gavin Branefeld. I should have guessed," she said, turning to grab both of Harry's hands. "I read his work in the library two years ago. I found it simply amazing!," she exclaimed, practically jumping with excitement. "I find him simply amazing! The way he is able to bring alive the subject is simply amazing! This year, Arithmancy is going to be."
"Simply amazing?" teased Harry.
She grinned sheepishly at him. "Yeah," she giggled, letting go of Harry. "Sorry for being a little excited, it's just, I couldn't have asked for a better year."
"Sorry to burst your bubble," Ron chimed in, side-stepping a large, flying ball of liquid that burst into a cloud of glitter over a first year, causing her to shriek. Peals of laughter could be heard from the corner of the room as two red heads prepared another onslaught.
"I mean, how could this be a good year when we have to have another class with Slytherin?" he groaned.
"Oh, Ron," an exasperated Hermione sighed. "It won't be that bad. It's only for two hours a week."
"TWO HOURS!?" he yelled, his facing turning red in anger. Everyone turned to look at him, the room instantly quiet, his face now red from embarrassment. A loud squawking from the Weasley twins' corner turned the attention off him. To the amusement of all, Fred had sprouted a beak.
"Serves him right," muttered a student, several nodding heads silently agreeing.
"Two hours?" he questioned again, quietly.
Hermione shook her brown head in amusement. "Didn't you even check your new schedule?" she questioned, pulling hers out of her robe and handing it to Ron. "We have class every Monday, 6:00-8:00 A.M."
Staring at the offensive schedule, Ron grumbled something about six in the morning being too early to have to put up with a Slytherin.
Morning classes passed quickly on Friday, too quickly, in Ron's opinion.
"Only seven more hours before we have to deal with the Slytherin's," he groaned, as the three Gryffindors sat in their usual spots at their table.
"Actually, you forgot that we have Double Potions after lunch on Friday's," Harry interjected.
"Thanks for reminding me. Now my lunch is completely ruined," he claimed, pushing his plate away from him.
"Seriously, Ron, get over it. There is nothing we can do about the whole thing," an exasperated Hermione chimed in. "I'm not any happier about the whole thing than you are, but really, you have to deal with it."
Ron glared across the table at Hermione. "Harry, how about we ditch Double Potions today?" he asked, half-jokingly.
"Yeah, sure Ron, whatever you want to do. How about if we go and see if Filch wants to hang out? We could do something really fun, like a tea party," Harry's eyes twinkled, and he grinned over at a laughing Hermione.
"Ha, ha, very funny!"
Throughout the rest of lunch, Ron kept his mouth shut while Harry and Hermione discussed Charms. The bell rang and students began exiting the Great Hall and moving towards their afternoon double classes.
Double Potions went rather well, with the exception of Neville accidentally adding ground wolfbane to his potion. The effect caused a rather noxious gas to permeate the room. Snape took 30 points from Gryffindor and gave Neville 0 points on his potion.
Hermione engrossed herself in her Arithmancy class. They studied the effects of Arithmantic theories on the probability of determining who would when the next Quidditch World Cup. It turned out that Dr. Branefeld had a passion for Quidditch.
Dinner was served and the students all threw themselves into the delicious roast beef meal. Dumbledore waited until he saw that most students were done eating, then he stood; the room became silent.
"I hope you have all enjoyed the delicious meal we have had this evening. I would like to give you a bit of information about tonight. After dinner, you will have one hour of free time. At 7:30, please meet back here. We will then divide you into your new classes," he smiled in anticipation. "You should have all received your new schedule. If you have not, please don't hesitate to ask for it.
"I am pleased to announce that the primary teacher for this class will be none other than Dr. Branefeld," he paused for the scattered applause, and nodded at Dr. Branefeld who was sitting next to Professor Vector. "Those of you taking the Advanced Arithmancy class have met him already. His love of all things sailing is second only to his passion for Arithmancy.
"I am sure that you will all enjoy your class, even if some of you must get up a few hours early once a week," his eyes twinkled as groans filled the air. "Well, that is it. You may be dismissed to your common rooms, please."
"Oh my gosh, I am so excited!" squealed Hermione, as the trio got up from the table. "You guys are gonna love Dr. Branefeld. He is amazing. If he knows sailing half as well as he knows Arithmancy then this will be a real treat."
"Have you ever been sailing, Harry?" Ron asked.
"No. The Dursley's went once, but Dudley threw up and they never went again."
"Really? Why did he throw up?" Ron quizzed, as the group waited patiently for a set of stairs to move their way.
"Probably he became seasick. Some people get seasick when they are on water," Hermione stated. "It happens because the inner ear, the body and the eyes are all sending different signals to the brain."
"Really? Does it happen to lots of people?"
"Yeah, most people," Hermione answered. "However, I don't get seasick. I've been on my Grandpa's sailboat often. I used to get seasick at first, but I haven't in the last five summers or so."
"You never told us that you had a Grandpa," Harry said, stepping onto the newly arrived staircase closely followed by the others.
Hermione blushed. "Yeah, well, I just didn't feel that it was all that important. I just like to keep some things private."
"Oh, so you can keep things private, but not me?" Ron interjected, remembering Hermione's anger the other night.
"Okay, that's fair. But still, it's different. I don't know everything about your home lives, but I like to think that we can share everything about our lives here at Hogwarts. I would never keep anything secret from you guys about here. Especially if it involved someone of the opposite sex," she said, glancing at a red-faced Ron.
"Well, that may be good for you, but I think a guy is entitled to a little privacy, right Harry?"
"Don't look at me. I have no desire to get involved."
"That certainly didn't stop you the other day," Ron fumed.
"Look, I don't see what the big deal is Ron. Why can't you tell me who you like?" Hermione questioned.
"I just don't feel like it, yet," he answered.
"Okay. Just so long as you know I would never keep a secret from you guys about my love life."
"Well, that's you," Ron stated.
"Fairy rings," Harry recited, stepping through the opening with the other two.
Harry and Ron played Wizard's Chess while Hermione pulled out her Arithmancy text to continue studying, much to Ron's amusement. Harry was on his third loss when Dean entered, telling the students that it was time to head to the Great Hall to be put into their classes.
Talking excitedly, the students made their way to the Great Hall. Dumbledore waited patiently as they all filed in. The long tables had been moved, so the students simply gathered in the front of the room. As soon as they quieted down, Dumbledore began.
"Well, we begin," he smiled. "Your prefects should have told you with which house you will each be grouped, however, I will repeat it. This time, however, I will also tell you the name of your secondary instructor. This instructor will attend all your classes and aid Dr. Branefeld in your course work. I will call the name of the professor, then I call your year and house, please follow your professor. Let the grouping begin."
"Professor McGonagall, first years Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs," Dumbledore began, as the first years watched for Professor McGonagall and moved towards the exit of the Great Hall.
"Professor Snape, first year Ravenclaws and Slytherins."
Dumbledore continued to call out the names of professors and students as those called made their ways out of the Great Hall.
"Professor Sinistra, fifth year Gryffindors and Slytherins."
Ron made a face and moved with the rest of his year towards the back of the Great Hall. They followed Professor Sinistra through the halls and entered a classroom. The Slytherins and Gryffindors sat down on opposite sides of the room.
"Good evening, class," Professor Sinistra said. "As you should all know by now, our class will meet first thing every Monday morning. That would be 6:00 AM -8:00 AM. You are expected to be on time. A small breakfast will be provided for you in our class," she continued.
"Our first few classes will be held in this room, with subsequent classes meeting outside at the lake. Homework will be given and collected each week." A few groans interrupted her speech.
"I am sorry if some feel that homework is a hardship, however, it is a necessity. At the end of the class, we will be out on the high seas without our wands. These next few months are extremely important. Now, I will be putting you into pairs. This individual will be the person with whom you will work in and out of class. You will be responsible to watch for each other's safety when our class moves on to the more active portion of our class," she concluded, pulling out a list.
"Lavender Brown and Vincent Crabbe."
"Seamus Finnigan and Tracey Davis."
"Harry Potter and Blaise Zabini."
"Ron Weasley and Pansy Parkinson." Ron rolled his eyes as he moved across the room.
"Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy."
Hermione's eyes widened as her name was paired with Draco. From across the room, Harry and Ron shared a sympathetic look with Hermione, while Professor Sinistra continued to pair up the students.
Summary: (Chp.1) Dumbledore announces a field trip and a new class to prepare for the trip. Fifth year Gr/Sly are to be grouped together.
Chapter 2: The New Professor
Hermione eagerly marched to her Advanced Arithmancy class on Thursday. At least the new class could be forgotten until Friday evening. She was ready to throw herself into her favorite subject once again. Nodding to a fellow Gryffindor she took her seat, preparing her supplies quickly. Then, they waited.
"Good afternoon," Professor Vector chimed, entering from a side door. "It is so wonderful to see you all again. As you know, this is the Advanced Arithmancy class, and will, therefore, be quite a bit more challenging than your previous years.
"You may have also heard that this year you will be having a guest instructor. That information is correct. Though I enjoy teaching Arithmancy, the opportunity to have this particular instructor is not something to pass up.
"Before I introduce your instructor, let me tell you a bit about him. He has worked for the last thirty years for the Ministry of Magic. When he first began at the Ministry, the subject of Arithmancy was considered, by most, unnecessary. However, his work in the area brought about a paradigm shift in the way that the public viewed Arithmancy. He has proven, through much sweat and hard work, just how vital Arithmancy is to the everyday lives of all.
"After ten years of hard work, he completed a paper entitled, ::The Shifting Sands of Arithmancy::. In this work, he explained, in simplistic terms, the importance of Arithmancy and proved that many theories, both his and his predecessors, were, in fact, valid.
"He won the prestigious Jonas Wizard Award, and was given a promotion and a new job title, Minister of Arithmantic Theories. He has been working steadily at his job these last number of years, but has grown weary of the daily grind. He called Dumbledore; Dumbledore contacted me; and now you are privileged to have Dr. Gavin Branefeld for your instructor this year," Professor Vector concluded.
"Dr. Branefeld, you may come forward."
"Why thank you so much for your introduction," he replied in a warm voice, as he moved his way down the aisle. "Arithmancy," he began, adjusting his wire rimmed glasses, through which he peered with deep blue eyes, "is a subject worthy of your full devotion. Through a proper and deep involvement of the subject, you will find your life to be enhanced," he paused, ran a hand through his still thick mane of dark blond hair, and looked each student in the eye.
Hermione grinned at him when his eyes met hers. Here was a person who understood exactly how she felt about Arithmancy.
"Well, I don't know what we are waiting for," he chuckled. "Shall we begin?" With that he dove into the most exciting and challenging lesson Hermione had yet had.
"How was your new class?" Harry asked Hermione, ducking as one of the Weasley twins' new Weasley's Wizard Wheezes invention buzzed over his head, only to explode with a loud snapping sound as it hit the wall. Harry glared at Fred, who gave an innocent shrug before turning back to whisper conspiratorially with George.
"Oh, it was incredible," Hermione breathed, her face lighting up as she thought about the wonderful things she had learned today.
"Who is the guest instructor?"
"Dr. Gavin Branefeld. I should have guessed," she said, turning to grab both of Harry's hands. "I read his work in the library two years ago. I found it simply amazing!," she exclaimed, practically jumping with excitement. "I find him simply amazing! The way he is able to bring alive the subject is simply amazing! This year, Arithmancy is going to be."
"Simply amazing?" teased Harry.
She grinned sheepishly at him. "Yeah," she giggled, letting go of Harry. "Sorry for being a little excited, it's just, I couldn't have asked for a better year."
"Sorry to burst your bubble," Ron chimed in, side-stepping a large, flying ball of liquid that burst into a cloud of glitter over a first year, causing her to shriek. Peals of laughter could be heard from the corner of the room as two red heads prepared another onslaught.
"I mean, how could this be a good year when we have to have another class with Slytherin?" he groaned.
"Oh, Ron," an exasperated Hermione sighed. "It won't be that bad. It's only for two hours a week."
"TWO HOURS!?" he yelled, his facing turning red in anger. Everyone turned to look at him, the room instantly quiet, his face now red from embarrassment. A loud squawking from the Weasley twins' corner turned the attention off him. To the amusement of all, Fred had sprouted a beak.
"Serves him right," muttered a student, several nodding heads silently agreeing.
"Two hours?" he questioned again, quietly.
Hermione shook her brown head in amusement. "Didn't you even check your new schedule?" she questioned, pulling hers out of her robe and handing it to Ron. "We have class every Monday, 6:00-8:00 A.M."
Staring at the offensive schedule, Ron grumbled something about six in the morning being too early to have to put up with a Slytherin.
Morning classes passed quickly on Friday, too quickly, in Ron's opinion.
"Only seven more hours before we have to deal with the Slytherin's," he groaned, as the three Gryffindors sat in their usual spots at their table.
"Actually, you forgot that we have Double Potions after lunch on Friday's," Harry interjected.
"Thanks for reminding me. Now my lunch is completely ruined," he claimed, pushing his plate away from him.
"Seriously, Ron, get over it. There is nothing we can do about the whole thing," an exasperated Hermione chimed in. "I'm not any happier about the whole thing than you are, but really, you have to deal with it."
Ron glared across the table at Hermione. "Harry, how about we ditch Double Potions today?" he asked, half-jokingly.
"Yeah, sure Ron, whatever you want to do. How about if we go and see if Filch wants to hang out? We could do something really fun, like a tea party," Harry's eyes twinkled, and he grinned over at a laughing Hermione.
"Ha, ha, very funny!"
Throughout the rest of lunch, Ron kept his mouth shut while Harry and Hermione discussed Charms. The bell rang and students began exiting the Great Hall and moving towards their afternoon double classes.
Double Potions went rather well, with the exception of Neville accidentally adding ground wolfbane to his potion. The effect caused a rather noxious gas to permeate the room. Snape took 30 points from Gryffindor and gave Neville 0 points on his potion.
Hermione engrossed herself in her Arithmancy class. They studied the effects of Arithmantic theories on the probability of determining who would when the next Quidditch World Cup. It turned out that Dr. Branefeld had a passion for Quidditch.
Dinner was served and the students all threw themselves into the delicious roast beef meal. Dumbledore waited until he saw that most students were done eating, then he stood; the room became silent.
"I hope you have all enjoyed the delicious meal we have had this evening. I would like to give you a bit of information about tonight. After dinner, you will have one hour of free time. At 7:30, please meet back here. We will then divide you into your new classes," he smiled in anticipation. "You should have all received your new schedule. If you have not, please don't hesitate to ask for it.
"I am pleased to announce that the primary teacher for this class will be none other than Dr. Branefeld," he paused for the scattered applause, and nodded at Dr. Branefeld who was sitting next to Professor Vector. "Those of you taking the Advanced Arithmancy class have met him already. His love of all things sailing is second only to his passion for Arithmancy.
"I am sure that you will all enjoy your class, even if some of you must get up a few hours early once a week," his eyes twinkled as groans filled the air. "Well, that is it. You may be dismissed to your common rooms, please."
"Oh my gosh, I am so excited!" squealed Hermione, as the trio got up from the table. "You guys are gonna love Dr. Branefeld. He is amazing. If he knows sailing half as well as he knows Arithmancy then this will be a real treat."
"Have you ever been sailing, Harry?" Ron asked.
"No. The Dursley's went once, but Dudley threw up and they never went again."
"Really? Why did he throw up?" Ron quizzed, as the group waited patiently for a set of stairs to move their way.
"Probably he became seasick. Some people get seasick when they are on water," Hermione stated. "It happens because the inner ear, the body and the eyes are all sending different signals to the brain."
"Really? Does it happen to lots of people?"
"Yeah, most people," Hermione answered. "However, I don't get seasick. I've been on my Grandpa's sailboat often. I used to get seasick at first, but I haven't in the last five summers or so."
"You never told us that you had a Grandpa," Harry said, stepping onto the newly arrived staircase closely followed by the others.
Hermione blushed. "Yeah, well, I just didn't feel that it was all that important. I just like to keep some things private."
"Oh, so you can keep things private, but not me?" Ron interjected, remembering Hermione's anger the other night.
"Okay, that's fair. But still, it's different. I don't know everything about your home lives, but I like to think that we can share everything about our lives here at Hogwarts. I would never keep anything secret from you guys about here. Especially if it involved someone of the opposite sex," she said, glancing at a red-faced Ron.
"Well, that may be good for you, but I think a guy is entitled to a little privacy, right Harry?"
"Don't look at me. I have no desire to get involved."
"That certainly didn't stop you the other day," Ron fumed.
"Look, I don't see what the big deal is Ron. Why can't you tell me who you like?" Hermione questioned.
"I just don't feel like it, yet," he answered.
"Okay. Just so long as you know I would never keep a secret from you guys about my love life."
"Well, that's you," Ron stated.
"Fairy rings," Harry recited, stepping through the opening with the other two.
Harry and Ron played Wizard's Chess while Hermione pulled out her Arithmancy text to continue studying, much to Ron's amusement. Harry was on his third loss when Dean entered, telling the students that it was time to head to the Great Hall to be put into their classes.
Talking excitedly, the students made their way to the Great Hall. Dumbledore waited patiently as they all filed in. The long tables had been moved, so the students simply gathered in the front of the room. As soon as they quieted down, Dumbledore began.
"Well, we begin," he smiled. "Your prefects should have told you with which house you will each be grouped, however, I will repeat it. This time, however, I will also tell you the name of your secondary instructor. This instructor will attend all your classes and aid Dr. Branefeld in your course work. I will call the name of the professor, then I call your year and house, please follow your professor. Let the grouping begin."
"Professor McGonagall, first years Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs," Dumbledore began, as the first years watched for Professor McGonagall and moved towards the exit of the Great Hall.
"Professor Snape, first year Ravenclaws and Slytherins."
Dumbledore continued to call out the names of professors and students as those called made their ways out of the Great Hall.
"Professor Sinistra, fifth year Gryffindors and Slytherins."
Ron made a face and moved with the rest of his year towards the back of the Great Hall. They followed Professor Sinistra through the halls and entered a classroom. The Slytherins and Gryffindors sat down on opposite sides of the room.
"Good evening, class," Professor Sinistra said. "As you should all know by now, our class will meet first thing every Monday morning. That would be 6:00 AM -8:00 AM. You are expected to be on time. A small breakfast will be provided for you in our class," she continued.
"Our first few classes will be held in this room, with subsequent classes meeting outside at the lake. Homework will be given and collected each week." A few groans interrupted her speech.
"I am sorry if some feel that homework is a hardship, however, it is a necessity. At the end of the class, we will be out on the high seas without our wands. These next few months are extremely important. Now, I will be putting you into pairs. This individual will be the person with whom you will work in and out of class. You will be responsible to watch for each other's safety when our class moves on to the more active portion of our class," she concluded, pulling out a list.
"Lavender Brown and Vincent Crabbe."
"Seamus Finnigan and Tracey Davis."
"Harry Potter and Blaise Zabini."
"Ron Weasley and Pansy Parkinson." Ron rolled his eyes as he moved across the room.
"Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy."
Hermione's eyes widened as her name was paired with Draco. From across the room, Harry and Ron shared a sympathetic look with Hermione, while Professor Sinistra continued to pair up the students.