Chapter 6
Lessons Return
Harry walked slowly towards the portrait hole. He was having problems digesting all the things that he had just heard. In some ways it was worst than being expelled. Why couldn't Voldemort just leave him alone? Why was he so important? The halls were very dark and the candles flickered spookily, clumped at intervals along the stone walls. He reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, and suddenly realised he didn't know the new password. He tried pleading with the Fat Lady, but she wouldn't let anyone in without the password. Harry couldn't believe his luck. He sat down on the floor facing the portrait. He suddenly felt cold, and very lonely. The floor and walls were very cold and hard, and the corridor looked dark and threatening. Harry didn't know how long he sat there listening to the muffled sounds of the people enjoying themselves in the common room. Eventually two older Gryffindor girls came along the corridor. Harry jumped up and asked them for the password. They looked scathingly at him as if he was stupid enough to have forgotten it after only being there for a few hours. "Super whale," they said before walking off sniggering about something. Harry told the Fat Lady the password and climbed thankfully into common room. Inside, the warmth and noise greeted him like a wave. He saw Ron and Hermione rushing over towards him. "What happened?" "What's the matter Harry?" Harry just looked at them, before saying, "Is there anywhere we can go that's private?" "Yeah, Let's go up to our dormitory. No one will be up there at the moment, come on Harry." Harry followed them up the stairs numbly. They all sat on the beds and stared at Harry. He told them as briefly as he could what Dumbledore had told him. Hermione's eyes were wide with concern, while Ron's mouth was half open in shock. No one spoke for a whole minute while they digested the news. Eventually Hermione broke the deadly silence, "Harry, Dumbledore will do his best to help you. He won't be able to get you in Hogwarts. You're as safe here as you'll be anywhere." She tried to reassure him. "Look You Know Who has tried to kill you before, but you escaped. Who says he's going to get you now." "It's." But she broke off as the door to the room opened, and Neville entered. "Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt but is Trevor up here?" "No" said Hermione crossly. Neville's face fell, and he fled from the room. Hermione looked sorry at once, and then followed him down the stairs to apologize. Harry was still looking very pale, and was feeling rather queasy. Hermione appeared again at the doorway, told them that she was going to bed, and left quickly. Ron and Harry suddenly felt very tired, and although it was still quite early they got ready for bed, and then tried to get to sleep. But sleep didn't come. Harry heard Seamus and Dean and Neville come to bed, but he felt too tired to speak to them and pretended to be asleep. However he didn't get to sleep, until late the next morning, and then it seemed like only minutes that he was asleep before everyone around him was getting up for the first day back at school. Harry sat up feeling exhausted. He got dressed, and went down to the common room realising that he didn't have his timetable or know who the prefects were out of his year. On the large notice board he found a list, with the chosen prefect for the year. To his surprise he found Hermione as the Gryffindor prefect. She hadn't told him. He supposed that he hadn't really given her the chance yesterday. Still he was a little disappointed that she hadn't told him. Next to it, he found his timetable pinned to the board with a golden lion pin. It gave a small squeaky roar as he pulled it out to read his timetable. To his great disappointment he found that first lesson was double potions with his most hated teacher, Professor Snape. Just then Ron came down the stairs rubbing his eyes and looking as tired as Harry felt. "Why didn't you wake me?" Ron complained. "Sorry, I just needed to be alone a bit, you didn't tell me that Hermione's a prefect." Ron suddenly grinned, "Well who else would you expect to be out of Gryffindor, she's delighted," He put on a high squeaky voice, "Oh I can't believe they chose me, oh I'm so happy". Harry suddenly noticed Hermione coming down the stairs, and kicked Ron sharply on the shins, "Ow!" yelled Ron, but stopped anyway. "Good morning, I can't believe that we've got Snape first- great way to start the year." Hermione said brightly, as they followed her out of the common room and down to the great hall for breakfast.
The last thing I need is a morning with Snape, thought Harry as he shivered in the dungeons waiting for the lesson to start. Ron and Hermione were looking equally unhappy, but to their immense surprise the wizard that let them into the dungeon was not Snape. In fact it wasn't even a wizard. A witch with short cut mousy brown hair, and small round glasses stood at the door. "Good morning fifth years, it's nice to meet you. My name is Professor Nosbod and I will be taking over from Professor Snape." "Where's Snape?" whispered Ron to no one in particular, but no one had an answer for him. For the first time in all his time at Hogwarts Harry enjoyed his potions lesson. "Right," began Professor Nosbod," You are well under way with your potions course, so today we will concentrate on transforming potions. Potions have been used for many centuries to change people in magical ways. As you may imagine this can be dangerous, so you are not taught any of these until this year. For this reason I will expect you to act your age and there is to be no messing about. If you are not concentrating there can be some disastrous consequences." Harry could see Malfoy grinning at Goyle and Crabb. Harry didn't like it at all, but forced himself to listen to Professor Nosbod, "For this reason I need you to put your bags under the table and keep your aisles clear." The class looked at her rather scathingly, but complied. "Today," she continued, "We will be making weightlessness potions. These are often used instead of broomsticks. However the effect will only last for a few minutes, so be warned," The next hour was spent gently distilling bubbling cauldrons, carefully adding lion tail roots and a hair of unicorn. The fumes from the cauldrons accumulated and swirled around in a purple and blue fine mist. After adding the final ingredient (tail feather of a cloud bird), the potion was poured into large glass bottles and became a brilliant sky blue. Professor Nosbod went around all the bottles before she would let anyone take any. Eventually she passed all the potions, even Neville's which was a rather vivid, electric blue. She gave out silver thimbles and Harry and his friends rather cautiously dipped their thimbles in the swirling potion. Harry looked at Ron, who was looking equally apprehensive, before closing his eyes and swallowing the potion in one gulp. It tasted of coconut, but nothing felt any different. Harry opened his eyes and his first thought was it's all gone purple. He could only see blue and purple swirling before his eyes. Then strangely Ron's head appeared out of the mist, "Check this out," he said. "This is cool, look" and he suddenly dived. Harry suddenly realised, he was standing in the air. "Come on, just pretend you're swimming." Harry made weak arm movements, he suddenly found himself moving forwards, he pushed harder with his arms and began moving across the room. His arms brushed against something soft, and Neville passed him ghost- like in the purple mist. Harry headed downwards and came out of the cloud and saw the tables below him. Above him the purple cloud seemed to have many body parts that appeared and then disappeared again randomly. Professor Nosbod was sitting at her desk making large colourful bubbles out of her wand that shimmered and floated up towards the writhing cloud. She smiled and waved to Harry. He waved back and then swam back to join the others. After diving and doing several summersaults he heard Professor Nosbod ringing a silver bell. Harry and the class gently floated down and landed at their desks. Dean couldn't resist doing one last summersault. Harry looked around and couldn't see Malfoy or Crabb. Goyle was standing looking shifty by his desk. Harry nudged Ron. "Where do you think those two are?" "Dunno, they still up there?" But before Harry could answer Madame Nosbod was counting down seconds on a large silver clock she was holding in her hands. When she had finished Harry suddenly felt an overwhelming sinking feeling. He felt his whole body was made of lead. His knees buckled and he fell to the floor, around him most of the class were in the same position. Harry rolled over and was just in time to see Malfoy and Crabb fall from the remainder of the purple mist. Malfoy landed on the edge of a desk with a heavy crack and then fell onto the floor. Goyle landed into Seamus and Dean's cauldron bottom first and was stuck there. Around Harry most of the Gryffindors were rolling about laughing, and even some of the Slytherins were managing small smiles. Malfoy stood up, and slunk to the back of the crowd of Slytherins. Goyle however was frantically trying to pull himself out of the cauldron but was only succeeding in getting stuck further into it. His face was bright red with effort and embarrassment. Professor Nosbod hurried over and whispered a few words. The cauldron immediately became as flat as a pancake, and Goyle fell out, rolling over on to the floor at Professor Nosbod's feet. "I suppose you think it's funny hiding up there," she shouted. "Well that's ten points from Slytherin" Then she turned around to face the rest of the class smiling. "Now I expect you are all feeling a little heavy, the feeling will wear off I promise. Now for homework please write up exactly the formula for this potion and research possible applications for everyday use. Also I would like you to research the history of shrinking potions for next lesson. I want 80 inches in total." The class looked shocked. Even Hermione thought that this was a bit much, but before anyone could complain Professor Nosbod announced that the class was dismissed. In the afternoon was History of Magic, which was unanimously, voted the most boring of lessons. However Harry had been mildly looking forward to this lesson ever since buying the book that he couldn't read. There must be something interesting in it if you couldn't read it on your own. Harry was not to be disappointed. The class lined up outside their usual classroom. The ghost that was their history of magic teacher ushered them in. The mysterious books were placed on the table. A lot of the class looked at them warily, obviously aware of the consequences of opening them. "Today" began Professor Binns, "you will begin to learn about modern history. Some wizards of history disagree about when precisely modern history begins, but for us this term it will begin with the rise to power of He Who Must Not Be Named. He is of a dark wizard kind that has not been seen in the United Kingdom since the reign of Hitcek in the thirteenth century." Harry looked around his class. He didn't think he'd ever seen the class so attentive. Even Neville was sitting straight in his chair, his eyes wide open. "The rise of Hitcek and the crimes he committed will be studied more fully when you take your NEWTs in the next two years. However some of the detail when we will be studying You Know Who may be distressing for some of us amongst us." When he said this he seemed to be staring at Harry in particular. Harry stared back uncomfortably. "Professor Dumbledore believes in the light of recent events it is best for you to know the history of our time even though it may cause some distress. Firstly I would like you to look at the first chapter" The class hesitated. "It is all right, you have my permission to do so," he said in a slightly louder voice, and Harry had the feeling that the books were listening, and then on everyone's desk the books suddenly bloomed and opened at Chapter 1. "Right please could you read the introduction to Dark magic and it's brief history." The rest of the lesson was spent in a deathly quiet as the class read with horror about the history of Dark Magic. Harry could immediately see why this was a restricted book. The first chapter was called The Chair of Seolfar. "The struggle between dark and good magic has been continuing since Lord Faulmoyrt and Lord Nightenbon, the first wizards and constantly battling. In the famous battle of Grainstooth, Lord Faulmoyrt was defeated, but instead of allowing himself to be killed he transfigured himself into what is now known as the Chair of Seolfar. Only a direct heir of Lord Faulmoryt could sit on this chair, of a free will, and be transformed into a Dark Lord who could take Lord Faulmoyrt's place in the struggle for control. Once a Dark Lord had been appointed by the chair, the chair became a tool of the Dark Force. Victims could be forced into the chair. The chair grows over the victim, forcing the hapless victim to reveal any secrets, and perform many types of torture, and can kill a wizard. However the most well-known and feared power of the Chair of Seolfar was the Kallish Curse. This meant that a person's soul was sucked out, similar to the Dementor's kiss, but was replaced with a desire to serve the Dark Lord. He was subject to the Dark Lord's wishes even if it was to slay his own family or thrust a knife into his own chest. This was feared worst than even the impervius curse, as the victim could never recover and would eventually disintegrate.. Harry looked around the class. It was absolutely silent, and Harry felt cold despite the warm sunlight filtering through the thick windows and making sunbeams dance. Harry slowly read to the end of the chapter, which listed the ways that the Chair of Seolfar had been used to the Dark Lord's advantage throughout history. The Chair of Seolfar and the castle of Lord Voldemort were kept open as a museum. At the time there was a great debate as to whether the Chair of Seolfar should be destroyed or whether it should be kept as a museum piece. They were both saved and opened as the Museum of Dark Arts, on the Island of Céláre, however closed through lack of visitors eight years after it opened. The castle was now deserted and five years ago an inspector had discovered that the silver chair was missing. The action had been attributed to collectors of dark wizard memorabilia. Eventually Professor Binns, told the books to shut which they did obediently. " Your homework tonight is a parchment on the history of the Chair of Seolfar, and the ways it can be used. Please include a section on whether you believe the chair should have been destroyed, and your thoughts on the future. Your books will allow you to look over this chapter again, however it will not let anyone else but its owner read the text, and the book will not allow you to read any other chapter." Again Harry got the feeling that he was saying this to the books as well as the class. The Gryffindors were quieter than usual and weren't even amused at one of Fred and George's Canary Creams accidentally left in the common room and eaten by Dennis Creavy. Many of them were considering the lesson and wondering if Lord Voldemort would be bringing the Chair of Seolfar back into service, if the rumors were to be believed. The following morning however the Gryffindors had forgotten about the previous day, or at least pushed it to the back of their minds. Their first lesson was Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Ron and Harry were especially looking forward to seeing the Dark Arts Teacher closer up, "I don't see what you are so excited about," Hermione said loftily, "Looks aren't everything you know." Ron made a little snigger and whispered "Lockhart" rather loudly. Hermione glared at him. As they gathered outside their classroom the door gently creaked open. Sitting on one of the tables her legs crossed, and wearing tight green shorts was their new teacher. She smiled seductively as the class made their way to their usual desks. "Good morning," she began, "My name is Professor Jenai, and it is my privilege to teach you in this demanding year up to your OWLS. I hope you are prepared for a hard year." She stared at them all with piercing green eyes before continuing, "Your previous teachers have left me something to go on. This year however we will be looking at the ways which in you are most likely to come into contact with the Dark Arts as Lord Voldemort regains his power." At this the class gasped. This was the first time that they had heard a teacher say You Know Who's name, apart from Dumbledore. It was a great taboo to speak Lord Voldemort's name. Some of the class looked impressed, others like Neville shrank back in their seats and looked around as if they expected him to appear in their classroom. Professor Jenai spoke quietly, but every ear was straining to catch her words, "If you are afraid of just a name, then I have indeed a lot to teach you. Fear of the name will not help you. Fear of the Dark Lord maybe justified, it is many years since the Dark forces have been so concentrated into one individual, but if you can't even hear his name, then you better leave now." Her eyes swept the room, daring anyone to move. They all stayed glued to their seats. "Well done, you have passed the first lesson." She said after a pause, " Today we will be looking at the curses that are commonly used by the Dark Lord and his servants. I know that Professor Moody," she said this with some contempt. Harry knew she was referring to Barty Crouch who had pretended to be their teacher last year, but not all the class knew the full story, "taught you the three unforgivable curses. Only one of these can be resisted fully, can you remember which one it was," Hermione's hand was straight in the air, other cautiously followed. Professor Jenai indicated Hermione with her wand, "The impervius curse Professor" "Correct girl. What's your name?" "Hermione, Professor." "Well Hermione, I believe Professor Moody demonstrated the power of some of these curses to you, did he not," "Yes Professor." "And was there any of you that could resist it?" "Only Harry Potter". Professor Jenai's green eyes raked at Harry. "Interesting. Would you demonstrate this, but please if you do not want to, I understand." Harry felt conflicting voices inside him. He didn't think he could face it after his ordeal with Lord Voldemort, just a few months earlier. However he couldn't refuse in front of the class, they would think he'd lost his nerve, so he reluctantly nodded. "Good," she said sharply, "You can still face up to your fear. No I won't put you through that humiliation again. It is not the time or the place." Harry had the feeling he had just been tested and felt slightly angry. However Professor Jenai was continuing, "Today we will investigate how to tell if someone is under the influence of the Kallish curse, or the Impervius Curse. Will anyone volunteer to have the Impervius Curse placed on them." Hermione turned to Harry and whispered, "The ministry really aren't going to like this." Harry raised his eyebrows but said nothing. There were several volunteers, Professor Jenai picked Parvati, and instructed her to come to the front of the class where she performed the unforgivable curse. Parvati however appeared as if nothing happened, "It's not worked" Parvati said incredulously, and walked back to her seat. Professor Jenai however remained quiet, her eyes appeared to be unfocused. There was a long silence, when no one seemed to know what to do. Ron stared at Professor Jenai in amazement, eventually whispering to Harry and Hermione, "Do you think we better see if she's alright or anything." Harry shrugged. Eventually Hermione leapt to her feet, and went over to Parvati, and looked closely at her, "What are you doing?" hissed Ron. Hermione then leant over and pulled Parvati's hair. "What are you doing?' yelled Lavender who had leapt up, and was on the verge of hitting Hermione who suddenly turned to the class, "She's still under the curse" she said simply. Professor Jenai, sat up and smiled. "Yes, you're right Hermione." Parvati now looked round at the class, looking a little shocked that no-one had realised that it wasn't her that was sitting in her seat. "I hope I have demonstrated to you the power of the Impervius Curse. You are not likely to recognize anyone under the spell of a powerful wizard. A powerful dark wizard would be able to control up to ten wizards while still being able to seem outwardly normal. I however am not that strong in the dark wizardry, and I would like to stay that way too," she added. "However I was able to keep Parvati under the curse. You will have noticed that it took all my power to keep her under my control. What else did you notice?" Hermione's arm shot straight up, "She wasn't blinking, and didn't respond to me pulling her hair." "Correct Hermione, a less strong wizard will not be able to have the concentration to maintain normal bodily functions such as blinking and reflex actions. However please remember that a strong dark wizard will be able to control even these, and so it will be impossible to tell whether they are under the curse or not. The other type of total control is the Kallish curse. This relies on the Chair of Seolfar, and so I cannot demonstrate it even if I wanted. Please open your books and read about it."
In the evening Harry found himself surrounded by Fred and George Weasley who marched him to a quiet corner. "Hi Harry. This may come as a bit of a shock, but we're the joint Quidditch captains now Wood's left" began Fred. "McGonegall thought it would do us good to have a responsibility," grinned George. "We've been told about your special circumstances, you can't practice, but you are so good you don't need to practice, this year we are going to win, OK." "We'll still be practicing of course, but without all those squiggly little diagrams of Woods!" finished George. Harry looked a little gobsmacked, the Weasley twins as Quidditch captains, what was Professor McGonegall thinking of? Eventually he spoke, "Who's replacing Wood as keeper then?" "Oh we've found just the person, name's Elizabeth, well Lizzy Ferkell, she's a year below you, but she's good." "Not as good as Wood," interrupted Fred. "She's the one over there" he said pointing at a pink faced, bushy haired girl chattering loudly with a group of Gryffindors. Harry only knew her vaguely, she, he remembered was quite noisy, but alright really. "Anyway" George was saying, " Our first match is next month against Slytherin, and we're going to win!" Harry grinned weakly. "I'm really sorry I can't practice, Dumbledore said I couldn't." "'S'all right we understand" and then the twins were gone. Harry found his way over to Hermione and Ron and quickly filled them in. "I can't believe they didn't tell me" fumed Ron. "I expect they only just heard," soothed Hermione, "Huh" grunted Ron but he looked a little happier. "Who's replacing Wood?" "Lizzy Ferkell, she's a year younger than us, she doesn't look like a Quidditch player, but Fred and George say she's good. Anyway are we going to get on with that work Professor Jenai set us?"
It was several days before they had their first Care of Magical Creatures. Hagrid told Harry confidentially that he was going to keep away from dangerous creatures. Harry commiserated, but secretly he was very glad that they wouldn't be in any danger from some of Hagrid's pets like the Blast Ended Skrewts. The class gathered on the lawn in front of Hagrid's hut and waited for Hagrid to appear. There was some discussion about which creatures they were going to deal with this year. Nearly everyone in the class had been hurt by one of Hagrid's creatures at one time or another. The Slytherins came to join them. Malfoy said loudly, "I wonder where that half giant is now, too busy eating someone for breakfast." Harry turned to face Malfoy's sneering drawl. "What did you say?" Harry demanded. "This is the last lesson I'm going to spend with that overgrown goof. My father doesn't want me associated with such company." Malfoy looked triumphant. Harry was just about to reply that he didn't think anyone would miss a slug like Malfoy, when Hagrid appeared loaded down with a huge pile of boxes. The boxes were clear, and inside Harry could see an arrangement of odd-looking leaves. The class looked at these glass cases with interest. There was some movement under the leaves, but there was no sign of any creatures. Hagrid gave each student one of the boxes. Hagrid stood in front of the Gryffindors and Slytherins and beamed at them. "Today," he began rather gruffly, "We're gonna look at fairies." There was a little hiss that ran round the students. "Has anyone seen a fairy?" Seamus was the only person to put up his hand, "I think I saw one on a holiday to Ireland." He said rather hesitantly. Hagrid grinned, "They are a bit shy, so it's no wonder you've not seen them. Now fairies is generally found in woodland glens or glades. Do yer know what fairies start as?" he asked. A few people put up their hands. As usual Hermione was first. Hagrid pointed to her happily, "They start as larvae, which then build themselves a cocoon." Hagrid beamed at Hermione. "Yeah that's right. Then after a month they emerge as adult fairies. Now what yer got 'ere is the cocoons. They should be ready for 'atching 'bout now." The class stared at the glass cases in fascination. "Now fairies are, as I said, fairies are a bit shy, but they are also very vain.and quarrelsome. If you annoy a fairy be very careful, they may hurt you." Seamus asked incredulously "How can a fairy hurt us, they're only a couple of inches tall." Hagrid looked at him seriously, "Don't underestimate them, they're more likely to pull your hair than anything, but fairies have been known to scratch a person's eyes out, and poison their enemies, so be careful not to offend them. "So to keep them sweet you'll need to give them a little present as they emerge, a knut will do, or I've got some flowers here. You'll need to talk nicely to 'em as well, compliment them, say they've got a nice dress or something." Hagrid was interrupted by a squeal from Lavendar, "It's coming out, it's hatching." The class gathered around Lavendar's glass case. From under the pile of exotic looking leaves a tiny little girl was standing. She had wings that stretched upwards and shimmered a beautiful pink. She was wearing a simple pink dress, and her golden hair cascaded onto her shoulders in bouncy curls. Around her head was a circle of miniature pink roses. She would have looked beautiful if it hadn't been for her cross, angry face. She stamped her feet, enraged, and made a high- pitched buzzing. Hagrid bent down and picked a daisy that was by his enormous foot. He opened the lid of the glass box, and gave it to the fairy saying at the same time, "You've got a lovely dress on dear, and pink really suits you," Hagrid looked so funny talking to a fairy only a three inches tall in such a soft voice that Harry wanted to laugh. But to everyone's surprise the fairy's scrunched up face turned into a smile. She took the daisy and rubbed her face with it making softer buzzes. Hagrid spoke quietly to the class, "See that's how you do it, if you want Lavendar, you can have my fairy, I'll keep this one. Once they're 'atched they'll be your friend for a few days until they completely reach adulthood when they'll want to find a mate." By this time the other piles of leaves were rustling and Hagrid left them to sweet talk their fairies. Harry's was one of the last to hatch so he had the pleasure of watching the rest of the class looking extremely foolish trying to compliment the fairies on anything they could think of. Eventually Harry's leaves stirred and out came a fairy in a shimmering green dress. Her wings were an exquisite turquoise and she was nearly the size of Harry's hand. She had a crown of bluebells. Like all the others she emerged buzzing crossly and flew about the glass box in a fury. Harry, however was prepared. He'd got a daisy on the palm of his hand along with a bronze knut. The fairy softly landed on Harry's hand and picked up the flower and the money. Then to Harry's surprise she flew up to Harry's face and gave what Harry thought was a kiss on his nose. Harry blushed, and at his side Ron laughed. Hagrid returned from his hut bearing a large tray. The students now had a little fairy buzzing round his or her head, or sitting on the ground next to them. Hagrid spoke, "Now as I said fairies 'll stay with yer for a little bit, but only if yer give them food, otherwise they'll go off lookin' for food and won't come back. I've got here crumb cakes, blossom seeds and leaf biscuits, there's also dew juice if you want to give them a drink. Now as I said if you want them to stay with you feed them or they'll go." Most of the boys weren't as impressed with the fairies as the girls, and decided that their fairies could go and find their own food. Most of the girls however took some of the tiny biscuits, seeds and cakes and gave them to their respective fairies. They were interrupted by muffled squeals coming from Malfoy's direction. Malfoy's fairy, a small boy in a sky blue shorts and shirt, was screaming shrilly and pulling Malfoy's hair and scratching madly at his face. There was a blur of blue wings and Malfoy was running towards the castle waving his arms trying to fend off the angry fairy. The fairy then, to avoid being hit by Malfoy's flaying arms, had picked up some stones from by the lake and pelted Malfoy with them as he ascended the steps to Hogwarts. The Gryfindors rolled around in the grass, tears in their eyes. Even Hagrid let out a small smile. Just then the faint ring of the bell echoed across from the school. "All those who want to keep their fairy help yourself to food. Come back if yer need anymore" Hagrid told them. When the rest of the class had gone Hagrid invited Harry, Ron and Hermione into his hut. "That was a great lesson" Hermione told him. Hagrid beamed at her again. "I've enrolled to do TOADS," Hagrid told them proudly. "What's toads?" Harry asked puzzled, "Teaching Older And Dumber Students" Hermione told him quickly. "Yeah, and I can do the course from here" Hagrid said looking very pleased with himself. "It'll help me teach yer all. I've got it all written down here, the course is called Teaching Care of Magical Animals. It's already helped me. I've written down all the stuff we're going to do this year." He showed them a carefully written out parchment with each of their lessons written in golden ink. Ron, Hermione and Harry looked at each other in amazement. Hagrid was acting like a real teacher. Hermione was pouring over the lesson plan, her fairy was perched on her shoulder. "So we're doing Jenkins Birds next week?" she asked. "Yer" Hagrid told her happily, " That's if they arrive on time, I've 'ad to order them specially. Would yer all like a cup of tea?"
Lessons Return
Harry walked slowly towards the portrait hole. He was having problems digesting all the things that he had just heard. In some ways it was worst than being expelled. Why couldn't Voldemort just leave him alone? Why was he so important? The halls were very dark and the candles flickered spookily, clumped at intervals along the stone walls. He reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, and suddenly realised he didn't know the new password. He tried pleading with the Fat Lady, but she wouldn't let anyone in without the password. Harry couldn't believe his luck. He sat down on the floor facing the portrait. He suddenly felt cold, and very lonely. The floor and walls were very cold and hard, and the corridor looked dark and threatening. Harry didn't know how long he sat there listening to the muffled sounds of the people enjoying themselves in the common room. Eventually two older Gryffindor girls came along the corridor. Harry jumped up and asked them for the password. They looked scathingly at him as if he was stupid enough to have forgotten it after only being there for a few hours. "Super whale," they said before walking off sniggering about something. Harry told the Fat Lady the password and climbed thankfully into common room. Inside, the warmth and noise greeted him like a wave. He saw Ron and Hermione rushing over towards him. "What happened?" "What's the matter Harry?" Harry just looked at them, before saying, "Is there anywhere we can go that's private?" "Yeah, Let's go up to our dormitory. No one will be up there at the moment, come on Harry." Harry followed them up the stairs numbly. They all sat on the beds and stared at Harry. He told them as briefly as he could what Dumbledore had told him. Hermione's eyes were wide with concern, while Ron's mouth was half open in shock. No one spoke for a whole minute while they digested the news. Eventually Hermione broke the deadly silence, "Harry, Dumbledore will do his best to help you. He won't be able to get you in Hogwarts. You're as safe here as you'll be anywhere." She tried to reassure him. "Look You Know Who has tried to kill you before, but you escaped. Who says he's going to get you now." "It's." But she broke off as the door to the room opened, and Neville entered. "Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt but is Trevor up here?" "No" said Hermione crossly. Neville's face fell, and he fled from the room. Hermione looked sorry at once, and then followed him down the stairs to apologize. Harry was still looking very pale, and was feeling rather queasy. Hermione appeared again at the doorway, told them that she was going to bed, and left quickly. Ron and Harry suddenly felt very tired, and although it was still quite early they got ready for bed, and then tried to get to sleep. But sleep didn't come. Harry heard Seamus and Dean and Neville come to bed, but he felt too tired to speak to them and pretended to be asleep. However he didn't get to sleep, until late the next morning, and then it seemed like only minutes that he was asleep before everyone around him was getting up for the first day back at school. Harry sat up feeling exhausted. He got dressed, and went down to the common room realising that he didn't have his timetable or know who the prefects were out of his year. On the large notice board he found a list, with the chosen prefect for the year. To his surprise he found Hermione as the Gryffindor prefect. She hadn't told him. He supposed that he hadn't really given her the chance yesterday. Still he was a little disappointed that she hadn't told him. Next to it, he found his timetable pinned to the board with a golden lion pin. It gave a small squeaky roar as he pulled it out to read his timetable. To his great disappointment he found that first lesson was double potions with his most hated teacher, Professor Snape. Just then Ron came down the stairs rubbing his eyes and looking as tired as Harry felt. "Why didn't you wake me?" Ron complained. "Sorry, I just needed to be alone a bit, you didn't tell me that Hermione's a prefect." Ron suddenly grinned, "Well who else would you expect to be out of Gryffindor, she's delighted," He put on a high squeaky voice, "Oh I can't believe they chose me, oh I'm so happy". Harry suddenly noticed Hermione coming down the stairs, and kicked Ron sharply on the shins, "Ow!" yelled Ron, but stopped anyway. "Good morning, I can't believe that we've got Snape first- great way to start the year." Hermione said brightly, as they followed her out of the common room and down to the great hall for breakfast.
The last thing I need is a morning with Snape, thought Harry as he shivered in the dungeons waiting for the lesson to start. Ron and Hermione were looking equally unhappy, but to their immense surprise the wizard that let them into the dungeon was not Snape. In fact it wasn't even a wizard. A witch with short cut mousy brown hair, and small round glasses stood at the door. "Good morning fifth years, it's nice to meet you. My name is Professor Nosbod and I will be taking over from Professor Snape." "Where's Snape?" whispered Ron to no one in particular, but no one had an answer for him. For the first time in all his time at Hogwarts Harry enjoyed his potions lesson. "Right," began Professor Nosbod," You are well under way with your potions course, so today we will concentrate on transforming potions. Potions have been used for many centuries to change people in magical ways. As you may imagine this can be dangerous, so you are not taught any of these until this year. For this reason I will expect you to act your age and there is to be no messing about. If you are not concentrating there can be some disastrous consequences." Harry could see Malfoy grinning at Goyle and Crabb. Harry didn't like it at all, but forced himself to listen to Professor Nosbod, "For this reason I need you to put your bags under the table and keep your aisles clear." The class looked at her rather scathingly, but complied. "Today," she continued, "We will be making weightlessness potions. These are often used instead of broomsticks. However the effect will only last for a few minutes, so be warned," The next hour was spent gently distilling bubbling cauldrons, carefully adding lion tail roots and a hair of unicorn. The fumes from the cauldrons accumulated and swirled around in a purple and blue fine mist. After adding the final ingredient (tail feather of a cloud bird), the potion was poured into large glass bottles and became a brilliant sky blue. Professor Nosbod went around all the bottles before she would let anyone take any. Eventually she passed all the potions, even Neville's which was a rather vivid, electric blue. She gave out silver thimbles and Harry and his friends rather cautiously dipped their thimbles in the swirling potion. Harry looked at Ron, who was looking equally apprehensive, before closing his eyes and swallowing the potion in one gulp. It tasted of coconut, but nothing felt any different. Harry opened his eyes and his first thought was it's all gone purple. He could only see blue and purple swirling before his eyes. Then strangely Ron's head appeared out of the mist, "Check this out," he said. "This is cool, look" and he suddenly dived. Harry suddenly realised, he was standing in the air. "Come on, just pretend you're swimming." Harry made weak arm movements, he suddenly found himself moving forwards, he pushed harder with his arms and began moving across the room. His arms brushed against something soft, and Neville passed him ghost- like in the purple mist. Harry headed downwards and came out of the cloud and saw the tables below him. Above him the purple cloud seemed to have many body parts that appeared and then disappeared again randomly. Professor Nosbod was sitting at her desk making large colourful bubbles out of her wand that shimmered and floated up towards the writhing cloud. She smiled and waved to Harry. He waved back and then swam back to join the others. After diving and doing several summersaults he heard Professor Nosbod ringing a silver bell. Harry and the class gently floated down and landed at their desks. Dean couldn't resist doing one last summersault. Harry looked around and couldn't see Malfoy or Crabb. Goyle was standing looking shifty by his desk. Harry nudged Ron. "Where do you think those two are?" "Dunno, they still up there?" But before Harry could answer Madame Nosbod was counting down seconds on a large silver clock she was holding in her hands. When she had finished Harry suddenly felt an overwhelming sinking feeling. He felt his whole body was made of lead. His knees buckled and he fell to the floor, around him most of the class were in the same position. Harry rolled over and was just in time to see Malfoy and Crabb fall from the remainder of the purple mist. Malfoy landed on the edge of a desk with a heavy crack and then fell onto the floor. Goyle landed into Seamus and Dean's cauldron bottom first and was stuck there. Around Harry most of the Gryffindors were rolling about laughing, and even some of the Slytherins were managing small smiles. Malfoy stood up, and slunk to the back of the crowd of Slytherins. Goyle however was frantically trying to pull himself out of the cauldron but was only succeeding in getting stuck further into it. His face was bright red with effort and embarrassment. Professor Nosbod hurried over and whispered a few words. The cauldron immediately became as flat as a pancake, and Goyle fell out, rolling over on to the floor at Professor Nosbod's feet. "I suppose you think it's funny hiding up there," she shouted. "Well that's ten points from Slytherin" Then she turned around to face the rest of the class smiling. "Now I expect you are all feeling a little heavy, the feeling will wear off I promise. Now for homework please write up exactly the formula for this potion and research possible applications for everyday use. Also I would like you to research the history of shrinking potions for next lesson. I want 80 inches in total." The class looked shocked. Even Hermione thought that this was a bit much, but before anyone could complain Professor Nosbod announced that the class was dismissed. In the afternoon was History of Magic, which was unanimously, voted the most boring of lessons. However Harry had been mildly looking forward to this lesson ever since buying the book that he couldn't read. There must be something interesting in it if you couldn't read it on your own. Harry was not to be disappointed. The class lined up outside their usual classroom. The ghost that was their history of magic teacher ushered them in. The mysterious books were placed on the table. A lot of the class looked at them warily, obviously aware of the consequences of opening them. "Today" began Professor Binns, "you will begin to learn about modern history. Some wizards of history disagree about when precisely modern history begins, but for us this term it will begin with the rise to power of He Who Must Not Be Named. He is of a dark wizard kind that has not been seen in the United Kingdom since the reign of Hitcek in the thirteenth century." Harry looked around his class. He didn't think he'd ever seen the class so attentive. Even Neville was sitting straight in his chair, his eyes wide open. "The rise of Hitcek and the crimes he committed will be studied more fully when you take your NEWTs in the next two years. However some of the detail when we will be studying You Know Who may be distressing for some of us amongst us." When he said this he seemed to be staring at Harry in particular. Harry stared back uncomfortably. "Professor Dumbledore believes in the light of recent events it is best for you to know the history of our time even though it may cause some distress. Firstly I would like you to look at the first chapter" The class hesitated. "It is all right, you have my permission to do so," he said in a slightly louder voice, and Harry had the feeling that the books were listening, and then on everyone's desk the books suddenly bloomed and opened at Chapter 1. "Right please could you read the introduction to Dark magic and it's brief history." The rest of the lesson was spent in a deathly quiet as the class read with horror about the history of Dark Magic. Harry could immediately see why this was a restricted book. The first chapter was called The Chair of Seolfar. "The struggle between dark and good magic has been continuing since Lord Faulmoyrt and Lord Nightenbon, the first wizards and constantly battling. In the famous battle of Grainstooth, Lord Faulmoyrt was defeated, but instead of allowing himself to be killed he transfigured himself into what is now known as the Chair of Seolfar. Only a direct heir of Lord Faulmoryt could sit on this chair, of a free will, and be transformed into a Dark Lord who could take Lord Faulmoyrt's place in the struggle for control. Once a Dark Lord had been appointed by the chair, the chair became a tool of the Dark Force. Victims could be forced into the chair. The chair grows over the victim, forcing the hapless victim to reveal any secrets, and perform many types of torture, and can kill a wizard. However the most well-known and feared power of the Chair of Seolfar was the Kallish Curse. This meant that a person's soul was sucked out, similar to the Dementor's kiss, but was replaced with a desire to serve the Dark Lord. He was subject to the Dark Lord's wishes even if it was to slay his own family or thrust a knife into his own chest. This was feared worst than even the impervius curse, as the victim could never recover and would eventually disintegrate.. Harry looked around the class. It was absolutely silent, and Harry felt cold despite the warm sunlight filtering through the thick windows and making sunbeams dance. Harry slowly read to the end of the chapter, which listed the ways that the Chair of Seolfar had been used to the Dark Lord's advantage throughout history. The Chair of Seolfar and the castle of Lord Voldemort were kept open as a museum. At the time there was a great debate as to whether the Chair of Seolfar should be destroyed or whether it should be kept as a museum piece. They were both saved and opened as the Museum of Dark Arts, on the Island of Céláre, however closed through lack of visitors eight years after it opened. The castle was now deserted and five years ago an inspector had discovered that the silver chair was missing. The action had been attributed to collectors of dark wizard memorabilia. Eventually Professor Binns, told the books to shut which they did obediently. " Your homework tonight is a parchment on the history of the Chair of Seolfar, and the ways it can be used. Please include a section on whether you believe the chair should have been destroyed, and your thoughts on the future. Your books will allow you to look over this chapter again, however it will not let anyone else but its owner read the text, and the book will not allow you to read any other chapter." Again Harry got the feeling that he was saying this to the books as well as the class. The Gryffindors were quieter than usual and weren't even amused at one of Fred and George's Canary Creams accidentally left in the common room and eaten by Dennis Creavy. Many of them were considering the lesson and wondering if Lord Voldemort would be bringing the Chair of Seolfar back into service, if the rumors were to be believed. The following morning however the Gryffindors had forgotten about the previous day, or at least pushed it to the back of their minds. Their first lesson was Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Ron and Harry were especially looking forward to seeing the Dark Arts Teacher closer up, "I don't see what you are so excited about," Hermione said loftily, "Looks aren't everything you know." Ron made a little snigger and whispered "Lockhart" rather loudly. Hermione glared at him. As they gathered outside their classroom the door gently creaked open. Sitting on one of the tables her legs crossed, and wearing tight green shorts was their new teacher. She smiled seductively as the class made their way to their usual desks. "Good morning," she began, "My name is Professor Jenai, and it is my privilege to teach you in this demanding year up to your OWLS. I hope you are prepared for a hard year." She stared at them all with piercing green eyes before continuing, "Your previous teachers have left me something to go on. This year however we will be looking at the ways which in you are most likely to come into contact with the Dark Arts as Lord Voldemort regains his power." At this the class gasped. This was the first time that they had heard a teacher say You Know Who's name, apart from Dumbledore. It was a great taboo to speak Lord Voldemort's name. Some of the class looked impressed, others like Neville shrank back in their seats and looked around as if they expected him to appear in their classroom. Professor Jenai spoke quietly, but every ear was straining to catch her words, "If you are afraid of just a name, then I have indeed a lot to teach you. Fear of the name will not help you. Fear of the Dark Lord maybe justified, it is many years since the Dark forces have been so concentrated into one individual, but if you can't even hear his name, then you better leave now." Her eyes swept the room, daring anyone to move. They all stayed glued to their seats. "Well done, you have passed the first lesson." She said after a pause, " Today we will be looking at the curses that are commonly used by the Dark Lord and his servants. I know that Professor Moody," she said this with some contempt. Harry knew she was referring to Barty Crouch who had pretended to be their teacher last year, but not all the class knew the full story, "taught you the three unforgivable curses. Only one of these can be resisted fully, can you remember which one it was," Hermione's hand was straight in the air, other cautiously followed. Professor Jenai indicated Hermione with her wand, "The impervius curse Professor" "Correct girl. What's your name?" "Hermione, Professor." "Well Hermione, I believe Professor Moody demonstrated the power of some of these curses to you, did he not," "Yes Professor." "And was there any of you that could resist it?" "Only Harry Potter". Professor Jenai's green eyes raked at Harry. "Interesting. Would you demonstrate this, but please if you do not want to, I understand." Harry felt conflicting voices inside him. He didn't think he could face it after his ordeal with Lord Voldemort, just a few months earlier. However he couldn't refuse in front of the class, they would think he'd lost his nerve, so he reluctantly nodded. "Good," she said sharply, "You can still face up to your fear. No I won't put you through that humiliation again. It is not the time or the place." Harry had the feeling he had just been tested and felt slightly angry. However Professor Jenai was continuing, "Today we will investigate how to tell if someone is under the influence of the Kallish curse, or the Impervius Curse. Will anyone volunteer to have the Impervius Curse placed on them." Hermione turned to Harry and whispered, "The ministry really aren't going to like this." Harry raised his eyebrows but said nothing. There were several volunteers, Professor Jenai picked Parvati, and instructed her to come to the front of the class where she performed the unforgivable curse. Parvati however appeared as if nothing happened, "It's not worked" Parvati said incredulously, and walked back to her seat. Professor Jenai however remained quiet, her eyes appeared to be unfocused. There was a long silence, when no one seemed to know what to do. Ron stared at Professor Jenai in amazement, eventually whispering to Harry and Hermione, "Do you think we better see if she's alright or anything." Harry shrugged. Eventually Hermione leapt to her feet, and went over to Parvati, and looked closely at her, "What are you doing?" hissed Ron. Hermione then leant over and pulled Parvati's hair. "What are you doing?' yelled Lavender who had leapt up, and was on the verge of hitting Hermione who suddenly turned to the class, "She's still under the curse" she said simply. Professor Jenai, sat up and smiled. "Yes, you're right Hermione." Parvati now looked round at the class, looking a little shocked that no-one had realised that it wasn't her that was sitting in her seat. "I hope I have demonstrated to you the power of the Impervius Curse. You are not likely to recognize anyone under the spell of a powerful wizard. A powerful dark wizard would be able to control up to ten wizards while still being able to seem outwardly normal. I however am not that strong in the dark wizardry, and I would like to stay that way too," she added. "However I was able to keep Parvati under the curse. You will have noticed that it took all my power to keep her under my control. What else did you notice?" Hermione's arm shot straight up, "She wasn't blinking, and didn't respond to me pulling her hair." "Correct Hermione, a less strong wizard will not be able to have the concentration to maintain normal bodily functions such as blinking and reflex actions. However please remember that a strong dark wizard will be able to control even these, and so it will be impossible to tell whether they are under the curse or not. The other type of total control is the Kallish curse. This relies on the Chair of Seolfar, and so I cannot demonstrate it even if I wanted. Please open your books and read about it."
In the evening Harry found himself surrounded by Fred and George Weasley who marched him to a quiet corner. "Hi Harry. This may come as a bit of a shock, but we're the joint Quidditch captains now Wood's left" began Fred. "McGonegall thought it would do us good to have a responsibility," grinned George. "We've been told about your special circumstances, you can't practice, but you are so good you don't need to practice, this year we are going to win, OK." "We'll still be practicing of course, but without all those squiggly little diagrams of Woods!" finished George. Harry looked a little gobsmacked, the Weasley twins as Quidditch captains, what was Professor McGonegall thinking of? Eventually he spoke, "Who's replacing Wood as keeper then?" "Oh we've found just the person, name's Elizabeth, well Lizzy Ferkell, she's a year below you, but she's good." "Not as good as Wood," interrupted Fred. "She's the one over there" he said pointing at a pink faced, bushy haired girl chattering loudly with a group of Gryffindors. Harry only knew her vaguely, she, he remembered was quite noisy, but alright really. "Anyway" George was saying, " Our first match is next month against Slytherin, and we're going to win!" Harry grinned weakly. "I'm really sorry I can't practice, Dumbledore said I couldn't." "'S'all right we understand" and then the twins were gone. Harry found his way over to Hermione and Ron and quickly filled them in. "I can't believe they didn't tell me" fumed Ron. "I expect they only just heard," soothed Hermione, "Huh" grunted Ron but he looked a little happier. "Who's replacing Wood?" "Lizzy Ferkell, she's a year younger than us, she doesn't look like a Quidditch player, but Fred and George say she's good. Anyway are we going to get on with that work Professor Jenai set us?"
It was several days before they had their first Care of Magical Creatures. Hagrid told Harry confidentially that he was going to keep away from dangerous creatures. Harry commiserated, but secretly he was very glad that they wouldn't be in any danger from some of Hagrid's pets like the Blast Ended Skrewts. The class gathered on the lawn in front of Hagrid's hut and waited for Hagrid to appear. There was some discussion about which creatures they were going to deal with this year. Nearly everyone in the class had been hurt by one of Hagrid's creatures at one time or another. The Slytherins came to join them. Malfoy said loudly, "I wonder where that half giant is now, too busy eating someone for breakfast." Harry turned to face Malfoy's sneering drawl. "What did you say?" Harry demanded. "This is the last lesson I'm going to spend with that overgrown goof. My father doesn't want me associated with such company." Malfoy looked triumphant. Harry was just about to reply that he didn't think anyone would miss a slug like Malfoy, when Hagrid appeared loaded down with a huge pile of boxes. The boxes were clear, and inside Harry could see an arrangement of odd-looking leaves. The class looked at these glass cases with interest. There was some movement under the leaves, but there was no sign of any creatures. Hagrid gave each student one of the boxes. Hagrid stood in front of the Gryffindors and Slytherins and beamed at them. "Today," he began rather gruffly, "We're gonna look at fairies." There was a little hiss that ran round the students. "Has anyone seen a fairy?" Seamus was the only person to put up his hand, "I think I saw one on a holiday to Ireland." He said rather hesitantly. Hagrid grinned, "They are a bit shy, so it's no wonder you've not seen them. Now fairies is generally found in woodland glens or glades. Do yer know what fairies start as?" he asked. A few people put up their hands. As usual Hermione was first. Hagrid pointed to her happily, "They start as larvae, which then build themselves a cocoon." Hagrid beamed at Hermione. "Yeah that's right. Then after a month they emerge as adult fairies. Now what yer got 'ere is the cocoons. They should be ready for 'atching 'bout now." The class stared at the glass cases in fascination. "Now fairies are, as I said, fairies are a bit shy, but they are also very vain.and quarrelsome. If you annoy a fairy be very careful, they may hurt you." Seamus asked incredulously "How can a fairy hurt us, they're only a couple of inches tall." Hagrid looked at him seriously, "Don't underestimate them, they're more likely to pull your hair than anything, but fairies have been known to scratch a person's eyes out, and poison their enemies, so be careful not to offend them. "So to keep them sweet you'll need to give them a little present as they emerge, a knut will do, or I've got some flowers here. You'll need to talk nicely to 'em as well, compliment them, say they've got a nice dress or something." Hagrid was interrupted by a squeal from Lavendar, "It's coming out, it's hatching." The class gathered around Lavendar's glass case. From under the pile of exotic looking leaves a tiny little girl was standing. She had wings that stretched upwards and shimmered a beautiful pink. She was wearing a simple pink dress, and her golden hair cascaded onto her shoulders in bouncy curls. Around her head was a circle of miniature pink roses. She would have looked beautiful if it hadn't been for her cross, angry face. She stamped her feet, enraged, and made a high- pitched buzzing. Hagrid bent down and picked a daisy that was by his enormous foot. He opened the lid of the glass box, and gave it to the fairy saying at the same time, "You've got a lovely dress on dear, and pink really suits you," Hagrid looked so funny talking to a fairy only a three inches tall in such a soft voice that Harry wanted to laugh. But to everyone's surprise the fairy's scrunched up face turned into a smile. She took the daisy and rubbed her face with it making softer buzzes. Hagrid spoke quietly to the class, "See that's how you do it, if you want Lavendar, you can have my fairy, I'll keep this one. Once they're 'atched they'll be your friend for a few days until they completely reach adulthood when they'll want to find a mate." By this time the other piles of leaves were rustling and Hagrid left them to sweet talk their fairies. Harry's was one of the last to hatch so he had the pleasure of watching the rest of the class looking extremely foolish trying to compliment the fairies on anything they could think of. Eventually Harry's leaves stirred and out came a fairy in a shimmering green dress. Her wings were an exquisite turquoise and she was nearly the size of Harry's hand. She had a crown of bluebells. Like all the others she emerged buzzing crossly and flew about the glass box in a fury. Harry, however was prepared. He'd got a daisy on the palm of his hand along with a bronze knut. The fairy softly landed on Harry's hand and picked up the flower and the money. Then to Harry's surprise she flew up to Harry's face and gave what Harry thought was a kiss on his nose. Harry blushed, and at his side Ron laughed. Hagrid returned from his hut bearing a large tray. The students now had a little fairy buzzing round his or her head, or sitting on the ground next to them. Hagrid spoke, "Now as I said fairies 'll stay with yer for a little bit, but only if yer give them food, otherwise they'll go off lookin' for food and won't come back. I've got here crumb cakes, blossom seeds and leaf biscuits, there's also dew juice if you want to give them a drink. Now as I said if you want them to stay with you feed them or they'll go." Most of the boys weren't as impressed with the fairies as the girls, and decided that their fairies could go and find their own food. Most of the girls however took some of the tiny biscuits, seeds and cakes and gave them to their respective fairies. They were interrupted by muffled squeals coming from Malfoy's direction. Malfoy's fairy, a small boy in a sky blue shorts and shirt, was screaming shrilly and pulling Malfoy's hair and scratching madly at his face. There was a blur of blue wings and Malfoy was running towards the castle waving his arms trying to fend off the angry fairy. The fairy then, to avoid being hit by Malfoy's flaying arms, had picked up some stones from by the lake and pelted Malfoy with them as he ascended the steps to Hogwarts. The Gryfindors rolled around in the grass, tears in their eyes. Even Hagrid let out a small smile. Just then the faint ring of the bell echoed across from the school. "All those who want to keep their fairy help yourself to food. Come back if yer need anymore" Hagrid told them. When the rest of the class had gone Hagrid invited Harry, Ron and Hermione into his hut. "That was a great lesson" Hermione told him. Hagrid beamed at her again. "I've enrolled to do TOADS," Hagrid told them proudly. "What's toads?" Harry asked puzzled, "Teaching Older And Dumber Students" Hermione told him quickly. "Yeah, and I can do the course from here" Hagrid said looking very pleased with himself. "It'll help me teach yer all. I've got it all written down here, the course is called Teaching Care of Magical Animals. It's already helped me. I've written down all the stuff we're going to do this year." He showed them a carefully written out parchment with each of their lessons written in golden ink. Ron, Hermione and Harry looked at each other in amazement. Hagrid was acting like a real teacher. Hermione was pouring over the lesson plan, her fairy was perched on her shoulder. "So we're doing Jenkins Birds next week?" she asked. "Yer" Hagrid told her happily, " That's if they arrive on time, I've 'ad to order them specially. Would yer all like a cup of tea?"