A/N: As always, a ton of thanks to LB Domingo who graciously beta reads my chapters and puts up with me and my screwy computer, and of course thank you very much to all that have reviewed. It helps me write when I get feedback about what you like or what you don't like, or just that you like the story in general. :) I got so many reviews from the last chapter that I'm going to press this next chapter for ahead of my usual schedule! :) Enjoy.
Harry strolled into the Great Hall amidst many uncomfortable looks from his fellow students. He sat down next to Ginny. "Where's Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked her.
Ginny looked up from a copy of the Daily Prophet. "Hermione said that she needed to check out a book from the library and Ron offered to go with her. They were both done with breakfast."
Harry frowned. "Ron offered to go to the library with Hermione?"
Ginny shrugged, "Yes, I know. Maybe he wanted to make sure that Viktor Krum wasn't around." Ginny snickered at Ron's behavior as she finished reading the paper.
"Anything interesting in the newspaper today?" Harry asked as he reached for a plate of toast.
"Someone robbed a museum in Camelot," Ginny answered, handing Harry the Daily Prophet so that he could read it.
Harry frowned as he read the article and said some of the parts out loud. "disappeared. . . several pre-Arthurian manuscripts. . . artifacts. . . thieves at large. . ." Who would be interested in pre-Arthurian history at this point of time? Harry came to a quick and logical deduction. Voldemort. Supposedly Lord Seilftrist had ruled long before King Arthur, therefore Seilftrist was pre-Arthurian. "Seilftrist," Harry muttered, "Voldemort is definitely going for it now."
"Sorry?" Ginny said curiously.
Harry glanced up. He hadn't realized that Ginny had still been paying attention to him. "It's what Voldemort is plotting," Harry replied. "Remind me and I'll tell you, Ron, and Hermione later."
"I'll be sure to do that," Ginny said giving Harry an odd look.
Professor McGonagall came by distributing schedules. Harry picked his up, glanced at it and groaned. "I've got NEWT Preparation Potions first thing. Not only that, it's a double class!" Harry grabbed Ron and Hermione's schedules and left to go find them. It looked like they had NEWT Potions as well.
"Have a good day Harry!" Ginny called from behind him.
Harry waved and rushed to the library. He entered quietly so as not to disturb Madam Pince. He walked over to where Hermione was studying a book and Ron was sitting. Harry gave them their schedules. "Look, we have NEWT Potions first thing." Harry told them.
Ron took one look at his schedule and groaned. "Why? Why does it always have to be first?"
"Oh relax," Hermione said, looking up, "Snape will be more unhappy than you. He was hoping that he'd be able to unload us all from his class."
That seemed to give Ron little comfort. "Maybe you could just give back all the points he takes away!" he suggested to Harry.
"That wouldn't be fair," Harry said. "I'd be invading on his turf, I think it says something against that in my teacher handbook."
Ron sighed dejectedly. "It was worth a try."
"Don't worry," Harry said comfortingly, "that doesn't stop me from being generous in my own classes. It's not my fault that only one Slytherin bothered to sign up. Besides, Gryffindor has always won the House Cup, so why worry?"
"What's next on the schedules?" asked Hermione.
Harry glanced at the schedules and then handed them to Ron and Hermione. "We're all in different classes. I'm teaching one of my classes. Ron is in Divination, and you're in Arithmancy."
Ron sighed again. "Who with? The old bat or the centaur?"
"You should have dropped Divination and taken something sensible like Arithmancy." Hermione pointed out."
"Looks like you have it with the centaur," Harry said. "He's not bad… and
his name is Firenze. I happen to like the chap."
Ron shrugged, "Oh well. Let's get down there. We don't need Snape's
snide remarks because we happen to arrive later and miss his grand entrance
or something."
As the trio approached the dungeons they could hear Malfoy and his usual gang waiting outside the door. It seemed that Malfoy had done well in potion OWL's as well. They rounded the corner and came face to face with Malfoy.
"I bet you're feeling important now Potter," Malfoy jeered.
Ron glared at Malfoy but Harry ignored him and walked past with Ron and Hermione.
"Why didn't you do or say anything?" Ron whispered.
"What's the point?" Harry replied quietly. "Until he breaks a rule or crosses a line I can't do anything but bluster and threaten. I'd look foolish for that and since I'm the youngest member of staff I can't really afford that."
"Harry is right," Hermione told Ron.
Ron sighed, "Oh well. I hoped that Malfoy would at least show some respect but I doubt it."
"Don't worry," Harry said smiling, "the instant he crosses a line I'll have his prefect badge taken away for good and I'll add a nice detention as well."
"That's the spirit!" Ron said excitedly.
Just then Snape arrived and they all followed him into the classroom. He stood in front of the class and waited for everyone to take a seat. As soon as everyone was ready and the class had quieted down he began.
"If it has not registered with your so-called brains by this time, this
is your first day of NEWT Potions and for the next two years I expect you
all to study and work very hard so that you may be able to pass your NEWT
exams, both written and practical." He paused for good measure and
stared at each and every Gryffindor student, resting on Neville Longbottom
who visibly squirmed.
"The art of potion brewing is delicate. It is an art, not a science.
Some of you may have managed to pull a decent grade on OWLS but that doesn't
mean that you're up to the standard." After that sentence Snape gave Harry
a distasteful look.
With that, Snape began the lesson and kept the whole class working very
hard with a rather complicated potion that would boost the drinker's senses.
* * * * * * *
Harry hurried up to his new classroom shortly after lunch. He hoped to beat his first students there so that he could be sure that everything was ready. His first class would be composed of first, second, third, and fourth years.
He arrived at the former D.A. classroom opened the door and strode in. Since last year the room had become slightly bigger. This time there were not as many books. Probably moved to my office, Harry assumed.
Harry sat down at the plain desk that now sat at the front of the room. He leaned back and pulled out a roll from one of the drawers and scanned it. Most of the first years had older brothers or sisters that he knew. Probably why they even signed up in the first place, Harry concluded. Others had names that he recognized and others he could make no connections with.
As the lunch hour ended students began to trickle into the class and take seats on the cushions that lay on the floor. First years came first, afraid that they would be late and they were soon followed by the second, third, and fourth years. As soon as it seemed that everyone was there Harry stood up.
"Welcome to your first day of HADADA," Harry began. "This for the most part is an advanced Defense class that will concentrate more on the practical sides of things. You will actually perform many defense spells that most do not learn until their fifth or sixth year in a normal Defense class. I hate to disappoint you, but unfortunately I will not be assigning any book work."
The latter announcement was followed by a chorus of small cheers.
"That doesn't mean this class will be easy though," Harry continued as it
quieted down. "There will be two tests, the first will be right before Christmas
break, the second will be your final. The rest of your grade will depend
on participation and ability to perform to the expected standard. If you
exceed the standard for this class and work hard and find yourself well ahead
you will be moved to one of my more advanced classes. Any questions?"
"Is it true that you've faced You-Know-Who?" piped a small first-year Hufflepuff boy.
Harry nodded. "Yes I have, several times. I do not like to talk about it though."
"How much work will it take to get into a more advanced class?" asked a rather mature sounding and attractive fourth-year Ravenclaw girl.
Harry looked down at the desk at his roll and found her name. Elizabeth Fawcett. "You would have to be able to catch up with the advanced class you're aiming for and then demonstrate that you would be able to keep up with them. Then you would have to come and see me about moving up."
Elizabeth smiled. "My older brother is an auror and I convinced him to give me a little tutoring last summer on Defense. I think I may be up to the challenge."
"Then meet me after class in my office," Harry instructed, wondering if she was really that good.
"Thank you!" she replied smiling happily.
"Any other questions?" Harry asked.
Another first year boy raised his hand, "When do we actually start learning Defense spells?"
"Right now if you're all ready," Harry answered.
The whole class leaned forward eagerly. They had obviously not expected him to get down into the exciting stuff so quickly. Harry prayed that he wasn't bungling up. He pulled out his wand from his robe. "The first spell I'm going to teach you is the Disarming Spell. It is a spell that I've found extremely useful since learning it myself. When properly cast it disarms your opponent of his or her wand or whatever they may be holding. Would anyone like to volunteer to have me demonstrate it on them?"
Elizabeth Fawcett raised her hand eagerly, a few scattered others raised theirs hesitantly. "Miss Fawcett then," Harry said.
She stood up and came to the front of the class holding her wand.
"Okay, hold it out as if you're going to hit me with a spell and I'll demonstrate," Harry instructed. She followed his directions and he calmly said, "Expelliarmus." Elizabeth's wand flew out of her hand. Harry caught it and passed it back to her. "That's what a proper Disarming Charm looks like. Now you take a shot at me."
Elizabeth nervously held her wand out and yelled "Expelliarmus!" a little too loud. However, she succeeded in disarming Harry.
Harry motioned for her to sit down. "Very good," he said. "Now I want you to form pairs and take turns practicing the spell on each other. I'll come around and assist you all."
Harry watched everyone excitedly form pairs across from each other. At their first try, the older students gave a decent performance. Most of the first years were too nervous or lacked the confidence. Harry sighed. For the majority of the first years, this class was the first time they had probably ever seriously used magic.
Harry walked around giving assistance to everyone that needed it. The time passed rather quickly Even though it wasn't the easiest thing to do Harry rather enjoyed it. Before he knew it the class had ended and every student was able to cast a half-way decent Disarming Spell. With a little practice they would have it perfect.
As soon as everyone left Elizabeth followed to his office. Harry showed her in and took a seat at his desk. "Show me what you can do Miss Fawcett," Harry said.
Elizabeth nervously drew out her wand and demonstrated several minor Defense spells to near perfection despite her uncomfortable state.
Harry quietly considered her. She obviously didn't know as much as the people who had been in D.A. last year but she also seemed to be eager to learn the spells and seemed able to. Harry would deny no one the right to learn Defense if they had the will and capability. "Very nice," Harry said. "Do you think that if another student helped, you would be able to catch up on other spells?"
Elizabeth nodded eagerly, "I could,"
"All right then," Harry replied. "I'll move you up to my highest class and have someone get your schedule properly changed. I'll also assign a few students to give you a hand."
Elizabeth beamed brightly. "Thank you! I'm going to go and write my mum immediately. She'll be so proud!" With that Elizabeth darted from Harry's office.
Gee, Harry mused, is my class all that renowned?
* * * * * * *
The next afternoon Harry found himself in Professor Dumbledore's office waiting to begin his first Occulmency session with Dumbledore. Dumbledore had yet to arrive, however, Harry had Fawkes to keep him company.
"Hello Fawkes," Harry said as he watched the magnificent bird.
The phoenix trilled a few notes of the phoenix song that Harry had came to recognize. He smiled. The song always gave him hope.
Dumbledore then arrived. "Hello Harry, we'll begin in a moment."
"Did you see the Daily Prophet yesterday?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore sat down in the chair across from Harry. "You mean the part about the museum in Camelot?"
Harry nodded, "Yes, the article worries me."
"I see that you've discovered other uses of the ring," Dumbledore noted with a smile. "I know as much as you do Harry, and I am doing my best to see that Voldemort may be foiled. Now, let us begin with our lesson. Last year Professor Snape only attempted to teach you the bare facts and uses of Occulmency. There's more to it than merely keeping someone out of your mind. After you've completed the course for Occulmency you will find that not only may you block others from your mind, but you will be able to let them in and control them in that manner instead of vice-versa. Unfortunately Voldemort is too strong to attempt that on him. You will be able to feed him false information though. Most importantly you will be able to tell if what you see through your link to Voldemort is true or not."
Harry felt a sudden wave of guilt as he was reminded about how he had let Voldemort trick him into going to the Ministry the year before. He nodded, "I see, what do I need to do first?"
"Snape assigned you several exercises to do daily last year," Dumbledore responded. "Until we meet again for a lesson I'd like you to practice them. Do you remember what they were?"
"Yes, I do," Harry said.
"Good, I'll see you later then Harry," Dumbledore said.
"Is that all?" Harry asked in a surprised voice.
Dumbledore smiled, "You're intelligent Harry, I don't think that I need to spend hours drilling the same thing into your brain. Just be sure to be prepared for our next lesson."
"I will," Harry said as he left the office. He stopped at the head of the moving staircase. Why bother with going all the way to his office? He held up his hand and concentrated on the crest thinking about his office. When he looked up he found himself standing in it.
Harry frowned and walked over to one of the built-in bookshelves and scanned for a history book on magic. Finally he found one that might have something he needed to know. "Anatomy of Ancient Magic."
He sat down at his desk and began to thumb through the book looking for anything of interest that might have a connection with Lord Seilftrist. Finally a page caught his eye.
In the dawn of time, the source of magical power for witches and wizards has
evolved from magical artifacts passed through the families of pure blood with
power to a point where power came from a family's bloodline. Over a thousand
years ago the source of power for a family was usually a magical artifact.
The power of artifacts vary widely depending on the artifact.
One such phenomenon is that of King Arthur. It is believed that King
Arthur's magical power came from his sword, Excalibur. Others believe that
it came from an artifact known as the Holy Grail.
The tradition of pure-blood and making good matches for marriages evolved
from this order of things. When a power-rich man and a power-rich lady married
their power was combined for they both inherited the artifacts of the other
family and was connected to it for as long as they lived.
Over time however, the magical race of people began to dwindle and they
were forced to marry Muggles. The mixture of Muggle blood slowly began to
change the result of having arranged marriages between pure bloods. Consequently,
the source of wizarding power began to dwindle. Eventually, this resulted
in power coming from the family bloodline instead of artifacts. This ended
the way things had worked and many artifacts fell into unsavoury hands and
were destroyed by the ravages of time. The power of family blood however,
was still connected to the magical artifact.
Every once in a while, a child is born with magical connections to ancient
artifacts instead of magic from blood. These special children were known
as sorcerers instead of wizards. While sorcerers are in existence, it is
almost impossible to pick them out and they end up trained as wizards which
doesn't hurt them, but may rob them of power they could have.
Even rarer than sorcerers were the warlocks. Depending upon culture, these
were also known as mages. These magic folk have both extremely strong power
coming from blood as well as from tremendously strong ancient artifacts. Mages
are easier to detect than sorcerers because often their magic seems to stretch
past the generally accepted limit and into the realm of impossibility.
They may be classified as whatever they wish: wizard, warlock, sorcerer, or
mage. The official title, however, is mage or warlock.
The clock on Harry's desk chimed the hour. It was time for supper. Harry stood up and put the book away as he speculated idly. Perhaps Lord Seilftrist had been a warlock, or mage. If Voldemort sought that type of power then perhaps it would be impossible for him to use it unless he was born to it.
As Harry left another thought occurred to him. Chances were that a normal sorcerer or warlock could tap into the magical artifact power without having to be anywhere near the artifact itself. What if the artifact fell into Voldemort's hands? Would Voldemort be able to make it use it's power? Who knew what Dark magic could do. It's time to talk this whole thing over with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, Harry noted as he walked towards the Great Hall.