Harry Potter and the Dark Lord – Chapter 3
~The New Professors~
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns everything. It is all hers, and it rightfully should be, given her brilliant imagination.
A/N: When we last saw our hero, Harry had just realized his new DADA teacher was none other than his old babysitter, Mrs. Figg. I know Hermione dropped Muggle Studies, but it'll be explained in a later chapter. I forgot the first time I wrote this. Thanks to all for reading and reviewing. You guys are really great! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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"Harry, come off it. What do you mean your babysitter? Our new professor isn't a Muggle!" Ron was looking incredulously at his best friend, wondering if Harry had lost his mind.
"I'm serious, Ron. That's Mrs. Figg!" Harry insisted. "The Dursleys left me with her whenever they went anywhere so I wouldn't blow up their house. She lived right near us."
Hermione, who had been listening from the other side of Ron, broke in. "It is possible Ron, you know," she said matter-of-factly. "I can see Dumbledore planting someone he trusted nearby to keep an eye on Harry."
Harry didn't know what to think. All those times at Mrs. Figg's house, and she was a witch? Why hadn't she told him? The thought that she knew the truth about his parents and never let on all those years made him angry. "Well, if Dumbledore did plant her there, she could've at least told me the truth instead of letting me suffer with the Dursleys!" Harry said hotly. Before he could let his anger build, Hermione gasped.
"Harry, last year after, you know, the tournament…Dumbledore sent Sirius to find his old friends. Weren't Professors Fletcher and Figg part of the group he mentioned?"
Harry looked confused for a second, then his face brightened, "I think you're right!" He thought for a moment, and then said slowly, "Then she may know where Sirius is. We've got to talk to her, and to Fletcher. Anyway," he finally broke into a smile, "Snape is gone for a while at least!"
At this, a grin spread across Ron's face. "Maybe this year won't be so bad after all!"
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They didn't have Potions or Defense Against Dark Arts until midweek, so Harry had to wait to speak to the new professors. They had Herbology with Hufflepuff on the first day, and Neville already had won 25 points for Gryffindor due to his summer reading. After a grueling Divination class in the afternoon (Professor Trelawney was now very willing to take credit for predicting You-Know-Who's return, although she didn't remember doing it and had denied it when she was first told), Harry and Ron fell into the overstuffed chairs by the fire in the common room, exhausted and unwilling to move. Neville, Seamus Finnegan, and Dean Thomas were sitting nearby working on their Herbology homework.
Hermione came in a short while later carrying an armful of books and instructing some second years to stop running around, her prefect's badge pinned to her chest.
"Hi Ron, Harry," she said as she dropped her books between the boys and sat down with a sigh. "Advanced Muggle Studies is going to be a lot of work. I already have a 10-foot report due on Muggle Medicines. How was Divination?" she asked, frowning at Harry's spell book lying unopened on the floor. "Did that fraud predict your death again, Harry?"
Ron answered instead. "Both of us slept through half of it, so Professor Trelawney predicted that we would have a very difficult year ahead."
Harry wasn't listening to them anymore, but as they were engrossed in a debate with Ron defending himself for sleeping in class, they didn't notice his lack of attention. Harry was looking towards the portrait hole, where Ginny had just entered and started towards them. But when she noticed Neville, she quickly turned around and headed up the stairs to her dormitory. This reminded Harry that he wanted to chat with Neville, so he got up and walked over to the other fifth years.
"Hi Neville, you did great in class today!" Harry said enthusiastically. He figured flattery would be the best way to get Neville to talk, and he was right. Neville immediately left Seamus and Dean and turned to Harry, beaming.
"Did you notice how I remembered the difference between turnopus and burnopus? One will save you from most poisons, and the other will set you on fire. I read that in Advanced Medicinal Plants and Herbs." Neville continued on excitedly about how exactly to tell the difference between these two nearly identical-looking plants, as Harry kept a politely interested look on his face.
"So, Neville how was your summer? Do anything interesting?" Harry asked innocently. "It must've been hard to come back to school after all that time off. I mean, since you're from a wizard family, you must get to do lots of stuff during your holiday." Harry had started rambling. He wasn't quite sure how to bring Ginny up, nor was he sure why he was trying to bring her up. I'm just curious, he told himself, again remembering the curious exchange between Neville and his best friend's sister. Luckily, he didn't have to ask further, since Neville brought the topic up himself.
"Actually Harry, I was kind of looking forward to coming back to Hogwarts this year. I don't know if you noticed, but I've been spending a lot more time around Ginny Weasley since we went to the Yule Ball together last year." He glanced nervously to make sure Ron wasn't listening, and continued with his voice lowered. "Harry, I think I kind of like Ginny. I asked her if she would meet me at The Three Broomsticks when we go to Hogsmeade next month and I think she said yes!"
Harry looked dumbfounded. "What do you mean you think she said yes?"
"Well, I owled her a couple of weeks ago and didn't hear back. So I was kind of nervous she'd say no. But I found her on the Hogwarts Express and asked if she was going to Hogsmeade and she said yes, and I said I would meet her there. That's the same thing, right?" His voice lowered to a whisper, "Do you think she likes me Harry? I mean, since you know her 'cause of Ron and all." Neville's round face had gone very red.
Harry realized he didn't know the answer to Neville's question because he didn't really know Ginny very well. He'd always treated her as Ron's little sister and never even really spoke to her.
"I don't know Neville. Maybe…" Harry answered truthfully. "You know what, though, I'll try to talk to her and see what I can find out."
Neville looked relieved that Harry hadn't laughed when he asked if Ginny liked him. "Would you do that for me, Harry, really??"
"Sure," Harry responded, "anything for a friend."
"Wow, thanks," Neville said, his face glowing with happiness. "But don't mention this to Ron, will you? I don't know how he feels about one of his friends liking his sister." Harry thought that Ron wouldn't mind Neville. After all, he didn't care much at the Yule Ball. But what if it was his best friend? Harry quickly brushed this thought out of his mind, wondering where it had come from, and assured Neville he would keep his secret safe.
Harry rejoined Hermione and Ron, who by now were reading their books silently and occasionally glaring at each other. Harry sat there telling himself that he would get to know Ginny better for Neville's sake. There wasn't any other reason for wanting to talk to her, he thought, I'm just helping Neville out. Still, something deep inside didn't let Harry believe this was entirely true.
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Harry, Ron, and Hermione anxiously began their first Potions class without Snape. They still shared the class with Slytherin, though, so they couldn't get very excited. Malfoy, apparently recovered from Harry's clucking spell, took a spot near the four Gryffindors (Neville had joined them – he was especially happy they had a substitute for Snape). Ron and Hermione automatically sat next to each other, leaving Harry and Neville to pair up.
Glancing over at Ron and Hermione, Malfoy said loudly to Crabbe and Goyle, "Look, mates, it's just like I told you. The Weasel and Granger are paired up together again. Famous Potter is becoming a third wheel among his own friends. It's such a pity he didn't find some real friends."
Ron turned bright red. "You don't know what you're talking about, Malfoy! You only wish you had friends like us, instead of a couple of lobotomized dummies." Ron's tirade was interrupted by the arrival of the teacher, but apparently Malfoy's words had an effect on Hermione, because, with her face beet red, she switched partners and joined Neville instead of Ron for the lesson.
The substitute Potions master stood at the front of the class, nervously playing with his wand as his eyes darted back and forth, taking in everything. He was rather nondescript, with what was left of his graying hair flying about wildly.
"My name is Mundungus Fletcher. I will be taking over your Potions lessons while Professor Snape is away." At this, the Gryffindor half of the class cheered, and the Slytherins hissed and booed. "Now, now," Professor Fletcher said calmly, "I'm sure Professor Snape has taught you all well, and he will return as soon as he has completed his, er, task. I'll take attendance today so I can learn your names."
As he went through the list, Ron muttered to Harry, "I think my dad knows him. Didn't someone mention him last year at the World Cup?" Before Harry could answer, his name was called. Harry raised his hand to indicate his presence, and Professor Fletcher peered at him carefully with those sharp eyes, pausing momentarily before he continued.
The lesson turned out to be the best they'd ever had, at least in terms of fair treatment between the houses. Snape was very good at potions, but he was known for favoring his own house, Slytherin, and unfairly taking points away from the other houses, particularly Gryffindor. Fletcher had no favorites, and even took ten points from Slytherin when Malfoy tried to sabotage Ron and Harry's potion by switching their ingredients. Fletcher noticed this right away – he didn't seem to miss much. The class went by quickly, and even Neville managed to complete his potion correctly when he wasn't petrified of the teacher. Unfortunately, though, the busy lesson meant Harry never got a chance to speak to Fletcher before the bell rang and it was time for Defense Against Dark Arts.
Harry's opinion that Arabella Figg was none other than Mrs. Figg was confirmed as soon as he saw her again. She smiled at Harry and patted him on the head as he entered the classroom. Ron had to hold back his laughter at this, but never got a chance to tease Harry as class was about to begin. Professor Figg was very friendly, but deadly serious about the subject. She was lecturing on different ways to detect Dark Arts, when Harry decided to raise his hand.
"Professor Figg," Harry spoke quickly before his courage failed him, "what about curse scars? Are they normally a good detector of Dark Arts? I mean, are they accurate? If it doesn't hurt, does that mean everything is fine?" He was hoping that Sirius would be okay since his scar hadn't hurt since he last encountered Voldemort.
The whole class fell totally silent and every head had turned to stare at Harry's scar. Professor Figg looked surprised at the question, but took a deep breath and spoke. "Well Harry, I'm afraid your scar is rather unique. No one knows for sure what to make of the pain, or lack thereof." With this, she changed the subject and the class returned to normal soon after.
Harry was embarrassed. He hadn't learned anything about Sirius and on top of that, he could feel the entire class still staring at him. He thought he had blown his chance to find out anything, but as he left, Harry felt the Professor grab his arm. "Harry, if you would come to my office at 6 o'clock today." Harry just nodded, and as Professor Figg turned back to her desk, he followed Ron and Hermione to the Great Hall for lunch. While eating, Fred and George Weasley approached Harry looking very excited.
"Harry, we've just spoken to McGonagall. Quidditch is back on and guess who've been made co-captains?" Harry didn't have to guess by the looks on the twins' faces, so he congratulated them sincerely.
"Did you get a new Keeper?" Ron wondered. The old Keeper, Oliver Wood had graduated at the end of their third year, and as no Quidditch was played last year due to the Triwizard Tournament, they hadn't gotten a replacement. "Can I try out if you haven't got one yet?"
"Our little brother, wanting to follow in his brothers' footsteps," Fred said, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye.
"Ickle Ronniekins is all grown up now," George added. Ron threw a roll at him, but they ducked and walked away laughing.
Hermione looked disapprovingly at Ron. "I hope you weren't serious. You know how much time Harry spends at practices! You'll never get a chance to study for the O.W.L.s if you join the Quidditch team."
Ron's face turned angry, "Oh, so Harry can handle it, but I can't. You don't think I can play Quidditch and not get fail all my classes? It seems some people can do it, but apparently I'm not that talented. Thanks a lot for your vote of confidence!"
"I didn't mean…"Hermione began, her face full of confusion and worry. But Ron didn't give her a chance to explain.
"Honestly, Hermione, I don't know how I could have ever thought you were my friend!" Ron grabbed his books and stormed out of the Great Hall. Hermione immediately burst into tears and ran out in the opposite direction, leaving Harry sitting alone wondering what on earth had just happened.
"Hi Harry, why are you all alone? Mind if I sit here for a minute?" Harry looked up and saw Cho Chang smiling at him. He stammered, as he always seemed to do around her, but somehow mumbled his consent. He hadn't really thought about her since he was back at the Dursleys, and had forgotten about his crush on her. But now that she was here, Harry was nervous as ever. He actually felt somewhat relieved when Neville showed up and sat with them.
"Harry, how's it going?" Neville asked brightly. Harry introduced him to Cho and sat silently. Cho also was silent, apparently unwilling to say what she had wanted to in front of Neville.
"So Harry," Neville continued, "have you thought about what we talked about?"
Cho, very curious, asked, "So, what exactly were you guys talking about?"
Harry, remembering the conversation about Ginny, turned red and laughed uncomfortably.
"Nothing, really, we were, er, just discussing the next Hogsmeade trip," Harry said, growing increasingly uncomfortable at the thought of discussing Ginny with Cho.
"Oh, are you definitely going? Maybe we'll meet up there," Cho answered.
"Er, I guess so," Harry couldn't believe what was happening.
"Great, I'll see you there!" Cho got up and left the table to rejoin the Ravenclaws.
Neville looked very happy, "That's great Harry, maybe we can go together. I think I'd be a little nervous meeting with just Ginny, but if you and Cho are there, it'll be much better!"
Harry nodded mutely. He didn't understand why he wasn't bursting with joy at the thought of being with Cho. This could be his chance to clear things up between them, after what had happened last year, and maybe…well, she was very pretty. Instead, his stomach twisted as he imagined sitting with Cho at the Three Broomsticks while Neville was sitting with Ginny. Harry suddenly felt ill and went up to his room to rest.
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A/N: And the story continues. Tune in next time to hear about Harry's meeting with Figg. And will Ron and Hermione ever get along? Will Harry help Neville get Ginny?