A/N:Hey everyone! I decided I would release two chapters at a time for now. I'm sorry I couldn't update through my trip. A storm blew out the local telephone lines so I couldn't upload anything. I'm actually finishing up chapter 7 right now, and 7 and 8 will be released when I'm getting done with ten, okay?
Thanks to everyone who reads, even if they don't review!
Chapter 7: The Trouble of First Days
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As they began to walk toward the hospital wing where the special "Healing Magic and Potions" course would be held, the three couldn't help feeling slightly nervous. All three knew Madam Pomfrey's attitude, and personally couldn't imagine her teaching a class. However, with the war now about to break, Hermione, Ron, and Harry decided it would be a good idea to know healing methods for helping on the battlefield, as well as for .... different reasons.
Sitting down in the front row, Harry in the middle and the other two on either side, Madam Pomfrey strode in followed by the rest of the class which included Dean, Seamus, Lavender, and what seemed like a few Ravenclaw's and Draco Malfoy. Madam Pomfrey waited until everyone found seats and began immediately, her voice demanding silence from the class.
"Before we begin learning the important art of healing magic and potions, we will discuss what this class will be about and why you were selected to attend this course. The latter question will be answered by this: all of you were specially selected for some reason. Whether you care for a family member that needs magical care (she glanced a look at a ebony-haired Ravenclaw girl) , friends that seem to get into the middle of everything (with a glance at Hermione and Ron), or for more personal reasons."
At this last line, she looked purposefully at Harry which caused the rest of the class to look at him, too. Harry glared at the matron for making all this attention, and she continued with discussing the art of healing injuries and illnesses.
"I will admit to you right now," she continued," that this branch of magic is difficult if you do not throw yourself into it and practice everyday." At this last note, she began passing out books entitled 'Modern Healing' and put notes on the board for them to copy. She took the opportunty to explain how the class would work while the scratching of quills filled the infirmary. "Every week, we will start class by showing the spell we learned last week in which points will be given on how effective it is. After everyone has gone, notes will be put up, and we shall practice the next spell. This is a highly independent class, requiring as I mentioned earlier, a good deal of work outside in your own time. Does anyone have any questions before we begin with our first spell?"
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"Man," grimaced Ron, walking out with the rest of the class after an hour of practicing a simple spell to heal small cuts and bruises." I thought this would be an easy class, didn't you?"
"Of course not!" said Hermione. "Magic of the healing kind is always very complex! Why do you think a Healer has to be so good in all the other forms of magic?"
"I just thought that they didn't want a bunch of stupid people applying for the job... Well, anyway, what have we got next?"
Harry finally entered into the conversation with a grin on his face. "Defence Against the Dark Arts!"
Once again taking seats in the front row ("Has Hermione rubbed off on us this much, Harry?" asked Ron) they began getting out supplies, talking quietly and excitedly like the rest of the class. But wait...
"Hello everyone!" exclaimed Remus Lupin, looking a good deal happier than Harry had ever seen him. "As some of you noticed by now, this is a rather mixed class. Can anyone tell me what this class is?"
"It 's everyone from D.A.," replied a misty voice a few rows back. Harry looked around and gasped. It was the entire D.A. class, excluding Fred and George of course. The speaker had been Luna Lovegood, still looking as strange as ever.
"Quite right! Five points to Ravenclaw! Yes, Dumbledore has learned everything you have all been taught last year and is quite impressed. Many of you are now more competent than many adult witches and wizards in Defence Against the Dark Arts and the Headmaster and I thought we could set up this specially advanced class for you here." He smiled even more broadly at everyone, as though he was brimming over with pride, and continued.
"For first term, I thought we could learn a bit of the myths and history behind the Dark Arts, starting at the beginning of Hogwarts. Now, as most of you all know, Salazar Slytherin, founder of Slytherin House, is classified as a 'Dark wizard'. What is a main reason for this?"
Hermione shot her hand in the air and answered," Well, Professor, one main reason is because he was a Parselmouth."
"Five points to Gryffindor! Now, being able to speak snake language, or Parseltongue, has always been considered a Dark Art. However, this isn't always the case, is it, Harry?"
Harry, who had been listening raptly, said,"No sir, unless people consider me a Dark wizard." Much of the class chuckled, and Lupin was beaming.
"This was meant to be an example. We must not classify everything and everyone in the wizarding world 'Light' or 'Dark'. There are many shades in between to fill. I thought next lesson, Harry, if he wishes to, could teach us a bit of Parseltongue to ward off unfriendly snakes." The entire class began whispering excitedly at this, looking longingly at Harry, who couldn't help but grin.
"Well, as class is going to end in ten mintues, I might as well tell you. Everyone in here has heard by now that I'm a werewolf, so I thought I would tell you that Snape won't fill in for my absences anymore"- he paused for the whoops of joy- "My substitute will be a Nymphodora Tonks, a highly skilled Auror who has kindly consented to give up some of her precious time in helping me."
Harry, Hermione, and Ron then discussed this informmation until the bell rang signaling lunch. Before they could leave, however, Lupin asked the trio to his desk. Whatever he was going to tell them was private, and they waited until the last student had left the room. Lupin the spoke, grinning, if possible, wider than ever.
"I was wondering if you three would like to take special classes with me." He looked as though he was swelling with some secret he wanted to tell them.
"What would you be teaching us? All of us have already learned how to produce Patronuses in D.A., and-"
Lupin silenced Harry by putting a finger to his lips. "I thought you three could learn from the last of the Marauders to become Animagus."
"Seriously?!" shouted Ron, and they all started looking as happy as Moony himself.
"You three, whether you know it or not, are more impressive than the Marauders were. You may not have done as many pranks, but you certainly have done many impressive things that the rest of the students have not by yourselves. Besides, we can't have the last of the Marauding blood die out without knowing how to become an Animagus, and you three could help eachother when I'm not teaching you."
Hermione suddenly had a frown. "Professor, when you were in school, it took the Marauders 3 years to become Animagus, how-"
Lupin had started laughing." I knew you would find that problem, Hermione. However, the reason it took us so long to do it was we didn't have anyone who knew how to help. While I still cannot become one, for reasons you will find out if you're up for it, the other three had me record everything we did to become one in a small journal. Therefore, we have the steps written down, and once you get past the first step, it's very easy from there. So, are you three up for it?"
"Do you really have to ask that question? When do we start?" exclaimed Harry, and they all ended up having lunch in the classroom, discussing when and where to begin.
Thanks to everyone who reads, even if they don't review!
Chapter 7: The Trouble of First Days
----------------------------------------
As they began to walk toward the hospital wing where the special "Healing Magic and Potions" course would be held, the three couldn't help feeling slightly nervous. All three knew Madam Pomfrey's attitude, and personally couldn't imagine her teaching a class. However, with the war now about to break, Hermione, Ron, and Harry decided it would be a good idea to know healing methods for helping on the battlefield, as well as for .... different reasons.
Sitting down in the front row, Harry in the middle and the other two on either side, Madam Pomfrey strode in followed by the rest of the class which included Dean, Seamus, Lavender, and what seemed like a few Ravenclaw's and Draco Malfoy. Madam Pomfrey waited until everyone found seats and began immediately, her voice demanding silence from the class.
"Before we begin learning the important art of healing magic and potions, we will discuss what this class will be about and why you were selected to attend this course. The latter question will be answered by this: all of you were specially selected for some reason. Whether you care for a family member that needs magical care (she glanced a look at a ebony-haired Ravenclaw girl) , friends that seem to get into the middle of everything (with a glance at Hermione and Ron), or for more personal reasons."
At this last line, she looked purposefully at Harry which caused the rest of the class to look at him, too. Harry glared at the matron for making all this attention, and she continued with discussing the art of healing injuries and illnesses.
"I will admit to you right now," she continued," that this branch of magic is difficult if you do not throw yourself into it and practice everyday." At this last note, she began passing out books entitled 'Modern Healing' and put notes on the board for them to copy. She took the opportunty to explain how the class would work while the scratching of quills filled the infirmary. "Every week, we will start class by showing the spell we learned last week in which points will be given on how effective it is. After everyone has gone, notes will be put up, and we shall practice the next spell. This is a highly independent class, requiring as I mentioned earlier, a good deal of work outside in your own time. Does anyone have any questions before we begin with our first spell?"
-----------------------------------------------------------
"Man," grimaced Ron, walking out with the rest of the class after an hour of practicing a simple spell to heal small cuts and bruises." I thought this would be an easy class, didn't you?"
"Of course not!" said Hermione. "Magic of the healing kind is always very complex! Why do you think a Healer has to be so good in all the other forms of magic?"
"I just thought that they didn't want a bunch of stupid people applying for the job... Well, anyway, what have we got next?"
Harry finally entered into the conversation with a grin on his face. "Defence Against the Dark Arts!"
Once again taking seats in the front row ("Has Hermione rubbed off on us this much, Harry?" asked Ron) they began getting out supplies, talking quietly and excitedly like the rest of the class. But wait...
"Hello everyone!" exclaimed Remus Lupin, looking a good deal happier than Harry had ever seen him. "As some of you noticed by now, this is a rather mixed class. Can anyone tell me what this class is?"
"It 's everyone from D.A.," replied a misty voice a few rows back. Harry looked around and gasped. It was the entire D.A. class, excluding Fred and George of course. The speaker had been Luna Lovegood, still looking as strange as ever.
"Quite right! Five points to Ravenclaw! Yes, Dumbledore has learned everything you have all been taught last year and is quite impressed. Many of you are now more competent than many adult witches and wizards in Defence Against the Dark Arts and the Headmaster and I thought we could set up this specially advanced class for you here." He smiled even more broadly at everyone, as though he was brimming over with pride, and continued.
"For first term, I thought we could learn a bit of the myths and history behind the Dark Arts, starting at the beginning of Hogwarts. Now, as most of you all know, Salazar Slytherin, founder of Slytherin House, is classified as a 'Dark wizard'. What is a main reason for this?"
Hermione shot her hand in the air and answered," Well, Professor, one main reason is because he was a Parselmouth."
"Five points to Gryffindor! Now, being able to speak snake language, or Parseltongue, has always been considered a Dark Art. However, this isn't always the case, is it, Harry?"
Harry, who had been listening raptly, said,"No sir, unless people consider me a Dark wizard." Much of the class chuckled, and Lupin was beaming.
"This was meant to be an example. We must not classify everything and everyone in the wizarding world 'Light' or 'Dark'. There are many shades in between to fill. I thought next lesson, Harry, if he wishes to, could teach us a bit of Parseltongue to ward off unfriendly snakes." The entire class began whispering excitedly at this, looking longingly at Harry, who couldn't help but grin.
"Well, as class is going to end in ten mintues, I might as well tell you. Everyone in here has heard by now that I'm a werewolf, so I thought I would tell you that Snape won't fill in for my absences anymore"- he paused for the whoops of joy- "My substitute will be a Nymphodora Tonks, a highly skilled Auror who has kindly consented to give up some of her precious time in helping me."
Harry, Hermione, and Ron then discussed this informmation until the bell rang signaling lunch. Before they could leave, however, Lupin asked the trio to his desk. Whatever he was going to tell them was private, and they waited until the last student had left the room. Lupin the spoke, grinning, if possible, wider than ever.
"I was wondering if you three would like to take special classes with me." He looked as though he was swelling with some secret he wanted to tell them.
"What would you be teaching us? All of us have already learned how to produce Patronuses in D.A., and-"
Lupin silenced Harry by putting a finger to his lips. "I thought you three could learn from the last of the Marauders to become Animagus."
"Seriously?!" shouted Ron, and they all started looking as happy as Moony himself.
"You three, whether you know it or not, are more impressive than the Marauders were. You may not have done as many pranks, but you certainly have done many impressive things that the rest of the students have not by yourselves. Besides, we can't have the last of the Marauding blood die out without knowing how to become an Animagus, and you three could help eachother when I'm not teaching you."
Hermione suddenly had a frown. "Professor, when you were in school, it took the Marauders 3 years to become Animagus, how-"
Lupin had started laughing." I knew you would find that problem, Hermione. However, the reason it took us so long to do it was we didn't have anyone who knew how to help. While I still cannot become one, for reasons you will find out if you're up for it, the other three had me record everything we did to become one in a small journal. Therefore, we have the steps written down, and once you get past the first step, it's very easy from there. So, are you three up for it?"
"Do you really have to ask that question? When do we start?" exclaimed Harry, and they all ended up having lunch in the classroom, discussing when and where to begin.