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Chapter 13

After munching their way through breakfast, Ron and Hermione gathered up their books, while Harry had only quill and parchment to carry. As they walked to their first class, Harry fought an internal battle. Fortunately, Hermione question about Gray decided the matter for him. He interrupted.

'Ron, Hermione. Just to warn you. Unless you want to die an early death don't annoy Gray.'

Again, Ron and Hermione looked at each other, confused. It was Ron who took the plunge.

'I wasn't planning to, why?'

'Just don't. He's a master.'

'And?'

Ron's voice was even more confused. When he replied, Harry sounded slightly desperate.

'He's got a mean streak, you don't want to see him angry.'

'Harold James Potter, what are you not telling us?'

Harry winced, wondering just how Hermione managed to sound exactly like McGonagall when she was angry.

'Nothing!'

Hermione glared, and Harry felt his resolve crumble.

'Fine. Look, come here.'

Harry walked round the corner, away from the crowd milling in front of the DADA classroom. If possible, this just confused Ron and Hermione further.

'Harry, what is it?'

Instead of answering, Harry turned around, closing his eyes with a muttered prayer. Handing Ron his belt, he slowly lifted the hem of his shirt. Hearing a gasp, he let it go, knowing he had made his point. Taking back his belt and putting it on, he saw Ron's face was pale.

'Professor Gray did that to you?' Hermione voice shook.

'Yes.'

'Why, I mean.'

Harry shook his head.

'It doesn't matter. Just don't annoy him. He can't do this to anyone else, but.'

Harry knew there was no need to finish the sentence. The door to the classroom opening left Hermione no time to argue, something for which Harry was eternally grateful.

As his classmates took their seats, Harry walked over to the desk that Gray was seated at, and bowed shortly.

'Master Gray.'

As Gray stared beadily up at him, Harry was disturbed to see satisfaction, even pleasure in his eyes.

'You may be seated.

Harry bowed again, and took his place between Ron and Hermione, ignoring the strange looks his classmates were giving him. As the class waited nervously, Gray stood up.

'My name is Gray. You are now my students. This term you will be studying the counteractions required to break dark magic, and also the basic behind making your own spells. By the end of the term you will all have a passable knowledge in these areas.'

Gray turned towards his desk, scooping up a wooden pointer, which he began to twirl idly between his fingers. Harry shifted in his seat, wincing as the wounds on his back stretched painfully.

'Boy!'

Gray's voice cracked round the room like a whip. As the rest of the class looked uneasily at one another, Harry stood, knowing exactly who it was Gray meant.

'Yes, Master Gray?'

Harry stayed shook still as Gray walked down the isle between the desks until he was alongside where he stood. He fought a flinch as Gray rested the pointer lightly on Harry's shoulder.

'You seem to be in a significant amount of pain. Why might that be?'

While Ron and Hermione glared daggers at Gray, knowing full well the cruelty behind this question, Harry managed to keep his face impassive.

'I recently received a punishment, Master Gray.'

Gary raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.

'Really? And was this punishment well deserved?'

Harry refused to rise to the bait.

'It was, Master Gray.'

Gary nodded, seemingly satisfied. As he walked on towards the back of the room, Harry relaxed slightly. However, it was a moment to soon, as Gray flicked his wrist and sent the end of the pointer firmly down across Harry back.

Harry ground his teeth in agony as his shoulder blades jerked back in a reflex as pain lanced across his back. Gray ignored this, and went once more to the front of the room, facing the class, who were looking on with fear in their eyes.

Would you have any advice for your fellow students, taking into account your recent punishment?'

Sweating slightly, Harry replied, his voice still even

'I would advise them against disobedience, Master Gray.'

'Indeed.' Gray's gaze was piercing. 'Sit.'

Harry bowed stiffly before sitting down gratefully, as Gray spoke once more.

'I hope you will all take that advice to heart. You will find I have a short temper with anyone who disobeys me, shows any sign of insolence, or who does not put an acceptable effort into their studies.'

Gray's gaze swept the room, and those it settled on shifted nervously.

'But let us begin.'

By the end of the lesson several of Harry's classmates looked to be near collapse. The rest of the lesson has consisted of short answer questions directed at individuals. Those who were unlucky enough not to know the answer came under the sharp edge of Gray's tongue.

Though Gray had largely ignored Harry for the rest of the lesson, Ron and Hermione had both been faced with difficult questions, though thankfully both answered correctly.

As the rest of Harry's class headed to the Great Hall to get some lunch, Harry jogged down to the dungeons, where Snape was waiting to give him a lesson. Though Harry did his best to concentrate on the Necromancy theory he was supposed to be studying, his mind kept wandering. In the end, Snape let him go ten minutes early, unable to cope with his bad attention any longer. Before heading off to meet Ron and Hermione, Harry quickly changed into his training clothes, so he would be ready for his class with Fletcher later on.

Harry caught up with his friend just as they were going into Transfiguration. About to take his usual place, McGonagall sent him to the back of the room. After giving the other their task for the day, she came over to him and started to talk about animagus transformations.

After a long lecture, she permitted Harry top try the most basic of self- transformations, a simple darkening of skin color. After a few attempts Harry managed it easily, much to McGonagall's pleasure.

After giving him instructions to practice as much as he could, she dismissed the class, and they walked together to the Training Hall, where they had been instructed to meet.



Okay. Just as promised, here is the next chapter. Yes, I'm very sorry for the 'blackmail' used to get reviews, but boy did it have a big impact. Please note, I was doing it mainly to see what the reaction was, so I'm not all that evil. However, getting lots of reviews does make me feel more like putting up more chapters and writing more. So, scrap the 'I have to get ten reviews' line, but it would still be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to everybody who did review - Pose