Author's note: I'm so sorry, Caution! I'll try to update more frequently . . . lol. I'm actually still in the process of writing this story, so please be patient; I know you have been, lol. I've done an outline and there will be 12 chapters I still have to upload and one chapter of end credits and thanks, so I'm really working super hard, here! Just relax! Okay, here goes chapter 8!
Harry was already very tiresome during the second week of school. Between a month's worth of detentions with Professor McGonagall, managing a quidditch team, (for which he still had no beater) patching differences between Ron and Scipio, completing three parchment's worth on an essay for Snape and the threat of Voldemort still at hand, he had all the reason in the world to be tiresome. Ron and Scipio had agreed to some extent of friendliness, but Harry and Hermione could feel their cold and hostile glares that they exchanged during any class they had together. Harry felt it would continue until one of them got the position of Keeper on paper. Since Harry did not want to become involved in their affairs, he turned to Hermione for comfort. Hermione was a great friend, but fun times were often cut short for trips to the library. Harry suddenly looked forward to his Defense Against the Dark Arts class, even though nobody had met the teacher yet.
Unlike Snape's Potion's class, Defense Against the Dark arts was full, everyone who had taken the class in previous years was here now, even the Slytherins, who were rumored to not be afraid of any dark magic that would come their way. Every single desk in the room was full with the exception of the professor's seat, which had not been sat in yet by the professor himself.
It was rumored that the new professor was badly sickened with an illness and wouldn't start classes until late October. Whatever the reasons for his/her absence, the students were left with a substitute for an hour, where they did nothing but read from the textbook . . .until that fateful Thursday morning.
Scipio, Hermione, Harry and Ron (in that order) sat down in their usual seats and opened their textbooks, expecting another dreary day of taking notes and reading text. Then, after a period of fifteen minutes alone in the room, the air was filled with whispers, joking and eventually loud talking.
"I wonder what's taking Professor Vector so long . . . he's usually always on time." Hermione announced, flipping though her textbook as if to find some interesting reading.
"Yeah, it is a bit odd . . .maybe he's caught whatever the new teacher caught." Harry suggested, helpfully.
"Perhaps, but it isn't likely. If he's sick, he's sick of teaching this class." Scipio said, peering over from Malfoy to Ron.
"I'd be sick too, having to see Scipio everyday." Ron said, looking Scipio dead in the eyes.
"Watch it, Weasel!" Scipio said, standing, pulling his wand out of his robes. Harry and Hermione stood up as well, trying to calm the two boys down.
"Bring it on, thief-lord!" Ron said, now pulling his own wand out of his robes.
"Yes, please do, but can it wait until after class is over Mr. Weasley and Mr. Black?"
Ron, Scipio, Harry and Hermione spun on their heels at the sound of the unannounced visitor, but he didn't much need an introduction to them:
It was Lupin!
"Lupin?"
"Professor Lupin, Harry. Now, kindly take your seats so I can begin today's lesson."
The four sat in their seats flabbergasted and spoke no more.
"Now, where to begin . . . ah yes, an introduction. Well, I'm sure you all have had me before as your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher before in your er, third year. But for those of you- "Lupin paused to smile at Scipio "–who weren't here to meet me, allow me to introduce myself as Professor Lupin."
Pansy Parkinson squirmed in her seat, clearly very uncomfortable at the mention of the Professor's name.
"But aren't you a-"
"Yes, Pansy, I am a professor at Hogwarts."
The room was filled with giggles and murmurs from the Slytherin half of the classroom, but if this seemed to disturb Professor Lupin in the slightest, he didn't show it.
"I've been performing various tasks for the Ministry of Magic this past week, which is why I've been absent. But you can rest assure we are going to start this year in full throttle. Harry, Scipio, if you two don't mind, why don't you uncover that large box in the back of the room. I'm sure you all are dying to see what's inside."
Indeed they were, and had been ever since they saw the large covered crate with big bold letter reading "Do Not Touch." Harry and Scipio rose from their seats and pulled off the covering sheet. The class was filled with great gasps of terror and awe immediately.
Inside the crate were creatures, at least nine feet tall with razor sharp claws and dagger-like teeth that they bared at all students close enough to the crate. Long matted stringy fur poured into the creature's face, hiding more of its distinct features. Each was a pale green color and had long black noses and black slit-like eyes that could move individually. Ron toppled backwards in his seat and fainted, but nobody noticed, everyone seemed to be staring at these strange beasts in the rear of the classroom.
"Thank you kindly Scipio and Harry. Does anyone know what these things are?"
Instinctively, Hermione raised her hand.
"Yes Hermione?"
"It's an Orc, professor, though I thought these creatures have been extinct for ages! They look rather-young."
"Yes, Hermione, it is rather young. These Rocs are only a few months old. I fear to say that they've been bred over the past month or so. Bred to be used as killing machines. The sad part is that they aren't being bred by us, but rather for Lord Voldemort's war upon all that is good in our magical world."
Gasps of fear were exchanged among the students and looks of utter fear were clearly shown. Professor Lupin looked at the floor in sorrow. It was clear that Dumbledore had given him the orders to talk about these dangerous creatures that were being bred as a precaution. Harry could only imagine the things that had to be racing through Professor Lupin's mind.
"Though this is very unfortunate, we must learn to cope and deal with the inevitable as best we can. This year, you will be faced with new terrifying creatures and newly released spells that the ministry has come across in the past years. It is an effort that both the Ministry and Hogwarts feel strongly about. It is my duty to teach you how these curses and creatures work, are avoided and to teach you any mechanism of self-defense that I can. It will be a frightening experience that many of your will never forget but never regret if you should ever be thrown in the pits of peril. Today, we'll start with the Orcs and gradually we will move up to even more dangerous creatures and curses. I only ask you to forgive me for what you will have to see and go through."
The class sat in absolute silence as Professor Lupin taught them about the Orcs, their destructive nature and way of life and what a person should do if they were to ever encounter one. In pairs of eight, everyone had a chance to face the Orcs, though no group truly stood a chance. When the bell rung, the students slowly picked up their belongings and headed towards the door. Harry turned his back to look at Lupin one last time. He was covering the Orc crate and shook his head, slowly shedding tear after tear. If Lupin was worried, Harry knew that none of them would stand a chance against such horrible creatures. He was certain.
And afraid.
Sorely afraid.
Author's note: That's one down twelve to go! Thanks for the reviews and suggestions!