Chapter 5. DADA
The next morning was the start of classes and when the schedules were being handed out.
When Harry and Hermione came down, Ron was no where to be seen. Harry assumed Ron was still talking to Professor Mcgonagall. When the two sat down to breakfast, they got their schedules which were the same since Hermione got to drop Arithmacy and Ancient Runes.
"Hmm.. Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts, double period, first thing in the morning. And it's the same thing after lunch on Friday." Hermione said, looking at her schedule. "Doesn't say who we have it with.."
"We have Advanced Double Potions after lunch.. right after lunch. Then I'll hurl all over Snape.." Harry groaned and Hermione rolled her eyes. "Then we have it again on Thursday, first thing in the morning.."
Most of their classes, since they had dropped the extra classes (except Care of Magical Creatures) and only had History of Magic once a week, most of the classes were all double periods, except Herbology and Astronomy, which were the normal times.
As they looked over the schedules, Ron came rushing over to them, bumping into a few second and third years, waving a white piece of parchment around which had to be his schedule.
"I talked to Mcgonagall for about an hour and she was telling me about the Auror thing and about my grades. I do have advanced Transfiguration with you guys now and Potions, too. But I will have to do a little extra work, for Snape especially." Ron looked more excited then mad, his cheeks had a little pink in them from the excitement and from running.
"We have DADA right after breakfast." Hermione said after congratulating him and promising to help them. They had cereal for breakfast because it was a bit light and no one was really hungry from the previous night's feast.
"Uh oh. Here comes Malfoy." Harry heard Neville say to them as Draco Malfoy and his sidekicks, Crabbe and Goyle came marching up to Harry.
Draco sneered down at Harry with the usual cold glint in his eye. "Well Potter, I hear you made Quidditch captain. I don't really know why, they could use Weasel's broom and make a better captain out of it then you."
Ron was about to stand up but Harry and Hermione held him down. "At least he didn't have to buy his way up to captain, Malfoy." Ron said through gritted teeth. "Your just jealous because you didn't have your Daddy there to dangle seven new firebolt's in front of the Slytherin teams' faces."
"You shut your mouth about my father, Weasel. At least he could-can afford a good quality broom. Seven in fact."
"Money isn't everything, Malfoy. It can't buy you any skills." Harry said.
"Wouldn't matter anyway, Harry would still be able to kick Malfoy's behind." Hermione said, boldly, preparing for the usual Mudblood remark.
"What would you know about money or Quidditch, Mudblood? All you know is who wrote what in the Encyclopedia of Teacher's pets." Malfoy shot and laughed. Strangely enough, Harry laughed, too. But for a different reason.
"You know, Malfoy, you are sounding /so/ childish." Harry snorted and shook his head. "Grow up, Ferret Boy."
"Come on, Harry, Ron. Let's get to class. The last thing I need to do is hurl my breakfast before second period." Hermione said, standing up and dragged her two friends out of there before they could cause havoc on Draco.
They twisted their way around students who were slowly milling around, talking in clumps in the hallways, and others running about.
They climbed up the stairs to different floors and down the halls toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts, but the halls were abandoned, everyone was still at breakfast.
When they got in the classroom, Professor Sombra wasn't there. On her desk were some papers, a grade book, some quills, books, and an unopened box, stilling waiting to be put away.
Along the shelves were already books lined against one another, and another box or two, most likely filled with even more books.
In the back of the room was a large cabinet, roughly the size of a wardrobe or something like that. The shiny wooden cabinet looked out of place with the old, dusty desks and tables and cold walls.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron were the first ones there. They took seats somewhere in the middle and pulled out their DADA books and waited for the teacher. Hermione glanced at the clock.
"We still have fifteen minutes till breakfast is over.." She said, rather surprised. It had been a good idea, or Ron and Harry would have gotten riled up right before class, which was not a good idea.
"Oh, here already? Well that's three students I won't have to worry about being late." Professor Sombra said, carrying a box from the open door and placing it on one of the shelves. She had a nice voice, that made her seem young, unlike the other teachers, whose voices sounded old from talking and yelling and lecturing all day long.
"Would you mind helping me with a few more boxes? I got to the school a little late and all my supplies were lost. Knew I shouldn't have spilled that temporary invisibility potion all over.." She mumbled. "I just need to get them from the closet to my office, care to help?"
The three students trailed behind Sombra as she led them to one of the doors in the middle of the hall. They each took a box and Harry led them to her office, which he had been in on many occasions with the different teachers.
Inside the office, it looked much like a living room more then anything else. There was a small couch, a chair or two, along with another usual desk, some candle holders and a filing cabinet.
"Oh, thanks for the help." Professor Sombra said, taking the boxes from them and placing them on the chair or desk. "I have a break today, I'll have to unload everything." She said, but more to herself them to them.
Harry took a better look at her, now that she wasn't at the table, or carrying any boxes. She was tall and had blue glasses that matched dark blue robes she was wearing. Harry could see, as they followed her back to the classroom, that she was wearing white sneakers. He smirked.
When they entered her classroom again, a few more students were seated in different areas, some were Hufflepuffs, and others were Ravenclaws.. including Cho Chang.
"Isn't Cho in a year ahead of us?" Ron asked Harry as they sat down. Cho and Lisa Turpin were in the back, along with about six other Ravenclaws. Harry looked around and spotted Hannah Abbott and Ernie Macmillan, two Hufflepuffs in Harry's year. There was also Wayne Hopkins and about four other Hufflepuffs Harry didn't recognize.
Padma and Parvati Patil came in together, followed by two more Hufflepuffs and another Ravenclaw or so.
About two minutes before class would begin, a group of Slytherins came in, one of which was Draco Malfoy.
Hermione groaned out loud and slumped back in her seat, making it clear she did not want that stupid git. There was Blaise Zabini, Tracey Davis, Theodore Nott, and a few others that were in seventh year.
Soon a few more people came in of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
About the second the last person sat down, Professor Sombra began, sitting on her desk. People whispered to each other because of her strange behavior, no teacher would normally do that.
She took roll, like some of the other teachers did, and then she put down the grading book and looked around at them.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Professor Sombra, I used to go, here to Hogwarts. Professor Snape, you know him? He was two years older then I was, so he has memories of me." She couldn't help but grin. "I know the hallways around here are long and tend to be misleading, so if your late by a minute or two, that's all right. But anything more then five minutes I want a good reason.
"After Hogwarts, I went to be a Defense Against the Dark Arts trainer, as for Aurors and Ministry. I have a degree in that yes, but in my time, they needed more Aurors then they did trainers. I like to teach, I like to learn. When You-Know-Who was said to have disappeared, I was able to get a job as a DADA teacher in Auror training." Professor Sombra looked at the students who seemed to be a little nervous, (other then the Slytherins) who were afraid of another Umbridge. "Don't worry, I don't work for the Ministry." She smiled, a bit lopsided.
"When Dumbledore advertised he needed a position, I applied for it. It's true, there are plenty of Auror trainers without me." She said, taking a breath then looked at everyone slowly, as if counting them, or taking them all in.
"Thirty students. I suppose the new comers are wondering why the two years are combined and while all four houses are together. There aren't many of you who had an E or an O, but a surprising high number of new students. The past years, that I have looked up, there were only about ten students per year. Since the rest of the sixth and seventh years will also be taking Defense Against the Dark Arts, I had to combine the Advanced 6/7 years." She said, a little softly.
"I have rules, here. If any of you have ever had muggle schooling, or take Muggle Studies, you will find that my grading and rules are a lot like them. My parents loved muggle inventions and muggle tools, so I went to a muggle school from five till I was eleven. I kind of picked up the way of my old teachers grading systems and rules.
"The rules are pretty simple. One is to /never/ and I mean /never/ talk, move around, or distract anyone when they are practicing or reading something. Some of the spells you'll learn are dangerous and the last thing the caster needs is to be distracted. Anyone disobeying this rule will be punished. My next rule is fairness and respect. By no means and I mean no means, are you allowed to criticize anyone in my classroom or near it. When I say fairness, no House will get a better treatment. You are equal, each and everyone one of you. Mr. Malfoy is no better then Miss. Patil, Miss. Patil is no better then Mr. Malfoy. Anyone who disrespects anyone or acts out rudely, will be punished.
"That's about it. I think your pretty capable of following two or three rules around here, especially if you got into an advanced class, don't you think? If you ever need help with a question or anything, feel free to ask." Sombra took a breath to end her speech and rubbed her jaw as if she talked a lot.
"Today, we won't be doing much. I really need a day to unload anything, so the last thing I want to do on top of that is plan for grading papers."
"So.. we won't be having homework?" Hannah asked, looking very hopeful. When Professor Sombra said yes, there was a strong cry of cheers and clapping. When it settled down, Professor Sombra chuckled and pulled out a notebook with parchment in it. While she talked, she flipped through it.
"You have learned quite a lot. In your first year, Quirrell taught you some basic spells that were appropriate for your age. Lochart taught you.. well I'm sure you did learn some things. Lupin did teach you some very good things about Dark creatures and other things, which is very useful, except to me, it ties into Care of Magical Creatures more. Kettleburn used to teach us things from flubberworms to dragons back in my day.
That Moody there, seemed to teach things way beyond your level at the time. Though I do say, Mr. Potter, you and the others did an extraordinary job that year. Though the Unforgivable were something that was usually taught for the sixth and seventh years. Last year, well last year the teacher was basically full of it."
There was much laughing from all the Houses, except Slytherin, though a few chuckles did escape.
"That D.A. thing, Dumbledore's Army? Without it, I don't know how many of you would be here. I do say, Mr. Potter here did a great job at teaching, he did." Professor Sombra praised Harry.
"Though, Mr. Potter, the Patronus was something /I/ would have been teaching this year, but for those of you who weren't in the D.A., we will go over it briefly. Yes... Miss..?"
"Patil.." Padma said. "I know the Patronus defends from Dementers. But if Dementers are so dark, why do they guard the Azkaban prison?"
"That's a good question, I'm pretty sure Professor Lupin told you about Dementers and that you all experienced them in your third year, correct?" Most of the students nodded to this. "Well then, you all know that a Dementor sucks the happiness out of a person, the people in Azkaban tend to go crazy after a few weeks or months. I was there once, to visit someone. I wasn't even in there as a prisoner, yet I felt I would never escape. It's a horrible, horrible place. That's why it's perfect for You-Know-Who to control the Dementers. He is so much like them. Horrible, scary, and takes the happiness out of so many people, even when he is not there." Professor Sombra said softly. "Yes Miss. Patil?"
"Yes, but if he tries to control the Dementers, wouldn't they affect him?" Parvati asked.
"Another good question. You all know that You-Know-Who is said to be the most evil wizard of all times? That's what he is. Evil. When Mr. Potter here, reflected the /Avada Kedavra/ spell, some people believe You-Know-Who was killed, but of course he isn't. Some say he was hurt terribly, since he didn't die from it, which is probably true. But by the time he had attacked the Potters, he was already so evil, death couldn't stop him." She narrowed her eyes. "It makes him pleased to do Dark things and to kill people. This is not a good thing, a Dark Thing. Since a Dementor is a Dark Creature.. why would he not be as affected?"
Everyone was quiet, Harry especially, his cheeks burned red. But why.. Voldemort was a Dark person.. A Dementor is a Dark creature.. so if two and two are put together...
"Yes, Mr. Potter?"
"Since Voldemort (Half the classroom flinched) is a Dark and Evil thing and Dementers are Dark and Evil things, it's kind of like they cancel each other out. Kind of like the 'Opposites attract thing.'"
"Well said, Mr. Potter. Five points to Gryffindor." Professor Sombra said, the Gryffindors cheered. "Since You-Know-Who is Dark and so are Dementers, when they combine, nothing happens." Still, some people looked a little confused. Professor Sombra flicked her wand. Two goblets of water and a small pot appeared in a line on her desk and she went around to stand behind it.
"If I put this glass of water in," She poured the first glass of water into the pot. "And this one in." She poured the last one in. "What happens?" It didn't seem rhetorical at all. She looked at them as if waiting for an answer. "Yes Miss. Chang?"
"Nothing?"
"Correct! 5 points to Ravenclaw." The Ravenclaws cheered. "Now then, Mr. Malfoy, What happened to the amount of water in the pot?"
"It got bigger.."
"And what happens, if I say, threw the water on you?" Students were grinning now. Harry thought, maybe Malfoy will melt. "What would be bigger then a large, heavy pot of water, then a small, weak cup of water?" She emphasized the large, small, heavy, and weak words.
"The force?" He answered.
"Yes! 5 points to Slytherin." Professor Sombra said. "Now, Miss... Abbott is it? The water was an example. What would happen if the Dementers and You-Know-Who combined?"
"Their Dark forces would be stronger." Hannah said.
"Exactly! A 5 points to Hufflepuff. The forces would be stronger." The bell rang. "Next class we'll be going what would or will happen if they use those forces! Have a good day!" Professor Sombra waved to them merrily.
"For a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, discussing You-Know-Who and all, she sure is happy..." Ron said.
"Well do you expect her to shuffle around all day glum and depressed?" Harry asked him.
"Well.. no. But the cup of water?"
"I think she wanted us to grasp the concept, that putting two and two together make forces stronger. Don't you think if the houses combined, the good forces of us would be stronger?" Hermione said.
"Slytherin is not good. They're a bunch of Death Eaters just waiting to be born." Ron muttered bitterly, glaring at Draco Malfoy who was ahead of them. "We have Charms next, right?"
The three trailed up the next floor or so to their Charms class, where they saw the rest of the Gryffindors in their year and Ravenclaws.
As they sat down, Professor Flitwick started the class by giving his usual speech. When he was done, he began the next lesson.
"Today we will be studing the /Colloportus/ Charm. It's a very good spell for sealing doors, walls, and even can close tiny chasms. This is a very hard spell. You will each be given a small chest to unlock and then reopen it with the /Alohomora/ Spell. Continue practicing until I say stop."
Hermione had no trouble in completing the spell the first time, awarding ten points to Gryffindor.
Ron couldn't get it at all the first few times, but opened it instead. Then, on his third attempt, it wouldn't shut until he held it down for a minute or two. Finally, when he did get it, it wouldn't unlock.
On Harry's second attempt, he did manage to get the down, but it flew back up before he could unlock it.
Harry and Ron both did have homework that night, but since Hermione was the first to get it done, she had none.
After Charms, it was lunch time and Harry and Ron were both extremely hungry.
The three friends headed through the now crowded halls toward the Great Hall and everyone was excited to get down to tell their friends about their first day in glasses and all about the teachers they had encountered.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione ate toasted cheese sandwiches and tomato soup while listening to the other students around them. The first years were very amusing to listen to, seeing as they had never met the teachers before. One of the first year boys in Gryffindor, Zack Culps, was saying what a rude jerk Snape was and how he had class with the Slytherins to a Ravenclaw friend.
"Hey Harry, when are you going to have Quidditch sign ups?" Dennis, Colin Creevy's younger brother asked him.
"On Friday and I think I'll make a poster to put on the notice board in the common room." Harry said, with a small mouthful of cheese and toast.
"I'll make one! I don't have any classes now!" Before Harry could say anything, Dennis was out of the Great Hall with one of his friends. Harry shook his head and turned back to his friends. Hermione was the first to say anything, and she and Ron both had amused looks on their faces.
"We better get to Potions.."
The next morning was the start of classes and when the schedules were being handed out.
When Harry and Hermione came down, Ron was no where to be seen. Harry assumed Ron was still talking to Professor Mcgonagall. When the two sat down to breakfast, they got their schedules which were the same since Hermione got to drop Arithmacy and Ancient Runes.
"Hmm.. Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts, double period, first thing in the morning. And it's the same thing after lunch on Friday." Hermione said, looking at her schedule. "Doesn't say who we have it with.."
"We have Advanced Double Potions after lunch.. right after lunch. Then I'll hurl all over Snape.." Harry groaned and Hermione rolled her eyes. "Then we have it again on Thursday, first thing in the morning.."
Most of their classes, since they had dropped the extra classes (except Care of Magical Creatures) and only had History of Magic once a week, most of the classes were all double periods, except Herbology and Astronomy, which were the normal times.
As they looked over the schedules, Ron came rushing over to them, bumping into a few second and third years, waving a white piece of parchment around which had to be his schedule.
"I talked to Mcgonagall for about an hour and she was telling me about the Auror thing and about my grades. I do have advanced Transfiguration with you guys now and Potions, too. But I will have to do a little extra work, for Snape especially." Ron looked more excited then mad, his cheeks had a little pink in them from the excitement and from running.
"We have DADA right after breakfast." Hermione said after congratulating him and promising to help them. They had cereal for breakfast because it was a bit light and no one was really hungry from the previous night's feast.
"Uh oh. Here comes Malfoy." Harry heard Neville say to them as Draco Malfoy and his sidekicks, Crabbe and Goyle came marching up to Harry.
Draco sneered down at Harry with the usual cold glint in his eye. "Well Potter, I hear you made Quidditch captain. I don't really know why, they could use Weasel's broom and make a better captain out of it then you."
Ron was about to stand up but Harry and Hermione held him down. "At least he didn't have to buy his way up to captain, Malfoy." Ron said through gritted teeth. "Your just jealous because you didn't have your Daddy there to dangle seven new firebolt's in front of the Slytherin teams' faces."
"You shut your mouth about my father, Weasel. At least he could-can afford a good quality broom. Seven in fact."
"Money isn't everything, Malfoy. It can't buy you any skills." Harry said.
"Wouldn't matter anyway, Harry would still be able to kick Malfoy's behind." Hermione said, boldly, preparing for the usual Mudblood remark.
"What would you know about money or Quidditch, Mudblood? All you know is who wrote what in the Encyclopedia of Teacher's pets." Malfoy shot and laughed. Strangely enough, Harry laughed, too. But for a different reason.
"You know, Malfoy, you are sounding /so/ childish." Harry snorted and shook his head. "Grow up, Ferret Boy."
"Come on, Harry, Ron. Let's get to class. The last thing I need to do is hurl my breakfast before second period." Hermione said, standing up and dragged her two friends out of there before they could cause havoc on Draco.
They twisted their way around students who were slowly milling around, talking in clumps in the hallways, and others running about.
They climbed up the stairs to different floors and down the halls toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts, but the halls were abandoned, everyone was still at breakfast.
When they got in the classroom, Professor Sombra wasn't there. On her desk were some papers, a grade book, some quills, books, and an unopened box, stilling waiting to be put away.
Along the shelves were already books lined against one another, and another box or two, most likely filled with even more books.
In the back of the room was a large cabinet, roughly the size of a wardrobe or something like that. The shiny wooden cabinet looked out of place with the old, dusty desks and tables and cold walls.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron were the first ones there. They took seats somewhere in the middle and pulled out their DADA books and waited for the teacher. Hermione glanced at the clock.
"We still have fifteen minutes till breakfast is over.." She said, rather surprised. It had been a good idea, or Ron and Harry would have gotten riled up right before class, which was not a good idea.
"Oh, here already? Well that's three students I won't have to worry about being late." Professor Sombra said, carrying a box from the open door and placing it on one of the shelves. She had a nice voice, that made her seem young, unlike the other teachers, whose voices sounded old from talking and yelling and lecturing all day long.
"Would you mind helping me with a few more boxes? I got to the school a little late and all my supplies were lost. Knew I shouldn't have spilled that temporary invisibility potion all over.." She mumbled. "I just need to get them from the closet to my office, care to help?"
The three students trailed behind Sombra as she led them to one of the doors in the middle of the hall. They each took a box and Harry led them to her office, which he had been in on many occasions with the different teachers.
Inside the office, it looked much like a living room more then anything else. There was a small couch, a chair or two, along with another usual desk, some candle holders and a filing cabinet.
"Oh, thanks for the help." Professor Sombra said, taking the boxes from them and placing them on the chair or desk. "I have a break today, I'll have to unload everything." She said, but more to herself them to them.
Harry took a better look at her, now that she wasn't at the table, or carrying any boxes. She was tall and had blue glasses that matched dark blue robes she was wearing. Harry could see, as they followed her back to the classroom, that she was wearing white sneakers. He smirked.
When they entered her classroom again, a few more students were seated in different areas, some were Hufflepuffs, and others were Ravenclaws.. including Cho Chang.
"Isn't Cho in a year ahead of us?" Ron asked Harry as they sat down. Cho and Lisa Turpin were in the back, along with about six other Ravenclaws. Harry looked around and spotted Hannah Abbott and Ernie Macmillan, two Hufflepuffs in Harry's year. There was also Wayne Hopkins and about four other Hufflepuffs Harry didn't recognize.
Padma and Parvati Patil came in together, followed by two more Hufflepuffs and another Ravenclaw or so.
About two minutes before class would begin, a group of Slytherins came in, one of which was Draco Malfoy.
Hermione groaned out loud and slumped back in her seat, making it clear she did not want that stupid git. There was Blaise Zabini, Tracey Davis, Theodore Nott, and a few others that were in seventh year.
Soon a few more people came in of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
About the second the last person sat down, Professor Sombra began, sitting on her desk. People whispered to each other because of her strange behavior, no teacher would normally do that.
She took roll, like some of the other teachers did, and then she put down the grading book and looked around at them.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Professor Sombra, I used to go, here to Hogwarts. Professor Snape, you know him? He was two years older then I was, so he has memories of me." She couldn't help but grin. "I know the hallways around here are long and tend to be misleading, so if your late by a minute or two, that's all right. But anything more then five minutes I want a good reason.
"After Hogwarts, I went to be a Defense Against the Dark Arts trainer, as for Aurors and Ministry. I have a degree in that yes, but in my time, they needed more Aurors then they did trainers. I like to teach, I like to learn. When You-Know-Who was said to have disappeared, I was able to get a job as a DADA teacher in Auror training." Professor Sombra looked at the students who seemed to be a little nervous, (other then the Slytherins) who were afraid of another Umbridge. "Don't worry, I don't work for the Ministry." She smiled, a bit lopsided.
"When Dumbledore advertised he needed a position, I applied for it. It's true, there are plenty of Auror trainers without me." She said, taking a breath then looked at everyone slowly, as if counting them, or taking them all in.
"Thirty students. I suppose the new comers are wondering why the two years are combined and while all four houses are together. There aren't many of you who had an E or an O, but a surprising high number of new students. The past years, that I have looked up, there were only about ten students per year. Since the rest of the sixth and seventh years will also be taking Defense Against the Dark Arts, I had to combine the Advanced 6/7 years." She said, a little softly.
"I have rules, here. If any of you have ever had muggle schooling, or take Muggle Studies, you will find that my grading and rules are a lot like them. My parents loved muggle inventions and muggle tools, so I went to a muggle school from five till I was eleven. I kind of picked up the way of my old teachers grading systems and rules.
"The rules are pretty simple. One is to /never/ and I mean /never/ talk, move around, or distract anyone when they are practicing or reading something. Some of the spells you'll learn are dangerous and the last thing the caster needs is to be distracted. Anyone disobeying this rule will be punished. My next rule is fairness and respect. By no means and I mean no means, are you allowed to criticize anyone in my classroom or near it. When I say fairness, no House will get a better treatment. You are equal, each and everyone one of you. Mr. Malfoy is no better then Miss. Patil, Miss. Patil is no better then Mr. Malfoy. Anyone who disrespects anyone or acts out rudely, will be punished.
"That's about it. I think your pretty capable of following two or three rules around here, especially if you got into an advanced class, don't you think? If you ever need help with a question or anything, feel free to ask." Sombra took a breath to end her speech and rubbed her jaw as if she talked a lot.
"Today, we won't be doing much. I really need a day to unload anything, so the last thing I want to do on top of that is plan for grading papers."
"So.. we won't be having homework?" Hannah asked, looking very hopeful. When Professor Sombra said yes, there was a strong cry of cheers and clapping. When it settled down, Professor Sombra chuckled and pulled out a notebook with parchment in it. While she talked, she flipped through it.
"You have learned quite a lot. In your first year, Quirrell taught you some basic spells that were appropriate for your age. Lochart taught you.. well I'm sure you did learn some things. Lupin did teach you some very good things about Dark creatures and other things, which is very useful, except to me, it ties into Care of Magical Creatures more. Kettleburn used to teach us things from flubberworms to dragons back in my day.
That Moody there, seemed to teach things way beyond your level at the time. Though I do say, Mr. Potter, you and the others did an extraordinary job that year. Though the Unforgivable were something that was usually taught for the sixth and seventh years. Last year, well last year the teacher was basically full of it."
There was much laughing from all the Houses, except Slytherin, though a few chuckles did escape.
"That D.A. thing, Dumbledore's Army? Without it, I don't know how many of you would be here. I do say, Mr. Potter here did a great job at teaching, he did." Professor Sombra praised Harry.
"Though, Mr. Potter, the Patronus was something /I/ would have been teaching this year, but for those of you who weren't in the D.A., we will go over it briefly. Yes... Miss..?"
"Patil.." Padma said. "I know the Patronus defends from Dementers. But if Dementers are so dark, why do they guard the Azkaban prison?"
"That's a good question, I'm pretty sure Professor Lupin told you about Dementers and that you all experienced them in your third year, correct?" Most of the students nodded to this. "Well then, you all know that a Dementor sucks the happiness out of a person, the people in Azkaban tend to go crazy after a few weeks or months. I was there once, to visit someone. I wasn't even in there as a prisoner, yet I felt I would never escape. It's a horrible, horrible place. That's why it's perfect for You-Know-Who to control the Dementers. He is so much like them. Horrible, scary, and takes the happiness out of so many people, even when he is not there." Professor Sombra said softly. "Yes Miss. Patil?"
"Yes, but if he tries to control the Dementers, wouldn't they affect him?" Parvati asked.
"Another good question. You all know that You-Know-Who is said to be the most evil wizard of all times? That's what he is. Evil. When Mr. Potter here, reflected the /Avada Kedavra/ spell, some people believe You-Know-Who was killed, but of course he isn't. Some say he was hurt terribly, since he didn't die from it, which is probably true. But by the time he had attacked the Potters, he was already so evil, death couldn't stop him." She narrowed her eyes. "It makes him pleased to do Dark things and to kill people. This is not a good thing, a Dark Thing. Since a Dementor is a Dark Creature.. why would he not be as affected?"
Everyone was quiet, Harry especially, his cheeks burned red. But why.. Voldemort was a Dark person.. A Dementor is a Dark creature.. so if two and two are put together...
"Yes, Mr. Potter?"
"Since Voldemort (Half the classroom flinched) is a Dark and Evil thing and Dementers are Dark and Evil things, it's kind of like they cancel each other out. Kind of like the 'Opposites attract thing.'"
"Well said, Mr. Potter. Five points to Gryffindor." Professor Sombra said, the Gryffindors cheered. "Since You-Know-Who is Dark and so are Dementers, when they combine, nothing happens." Still, some people looked a little confused. Professor Sombra flicked her wand. Two goblets of water and a small pot appeared in a line on her desk and she went around to stand behind it.
"If I put this glass of water in," She poured the first glass of water into the pot. "And this one in." She poured the last one in. "What happens?" It didn't seem rhetorical at all. She looked at them as if waiting for an answer. "Yes Miss. Chang?"
"Nothing?"
"Correct! 5 points to Ravenclaw." The Ravenclaws cheered. "Now then, Mr. Malfoy, What happened to the amount of water in the pot?"
"It got bigger.."
"And what happens, if I say, threw the water on you?" Students were grinning now. Harry thought, maybe Malfoy will melt. "What would be bigger then a large, heavy pot of water, then a small, weak cup of water?" She emphasized the large, small, heavy, and weak words.
"The force?" He answered.
"Yes! 5 points to Slytherin." Professor Sombra said. "Now, Miss... Abbott is it? The water was an example. What would happen if the Dementers and You-Know-Who combined?"
"Their Dark forces would be stronger." Hannah said.
"Exactly! A 5 points to Hufflepuff. The forces would be stronger." The bell rang. "Next class we'll be going what would or will happen if they use those forces! Have a good day!" Professor Sombra waved to them merrily.
"For a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, discussing You-Know-Who and all, she sure is happy..." Ron said.
"Well do you expect her to shuffle around all day glum and depressed?" Harry asked him.
"Well.. no. But the cup of water?"
"I think she wanted us to grasp the concept, that putting two and two together make forces stronger. Don't you think if the houses combined, the good forces of us would be stronger?" Hermione said.
"Slytherin is not good. They're a bunch of Death Eaters just waiting to be born." Ron muttered bitterly, glaring at Draco Malfoy who was ahead of them. "We have Charms next, right?"
The three trailed up the next floor or so to their Charms class, where they saw the rest of the Gryffindors in their year and Ravenclaws.
As they sat down, Professor Flitwick started the class by giving his usual speech. When he was done, he began the next lesson.
"Today we will be studing the /Colloportus/ Charm. It's a very good spell for sealing doors, walls, and even can close tiny chasms. This is a very hard spell. You will each be given a small chest to unlock and then reopen it with the /Alohomora/ Spell. Continue practicing until I say stop."
Hermione had no trouble in completing the spell the first time, awarding ten points to Gryffindor.
Ron couldn't get it at all the first few times, but opened it instead. Then, on his third attempt, it wouldn't shut until he held it down for a minute or two. Finally, when he did get it, it wouldn't unlock.
On Harry's second attempt, he did manage to get the down, but it flew back up before he could unlock it.
Harry and Ron both did have homework that night, but since Hermione was the first to get it done, she had none.
After Charms, it was lunch time and Harry and Ron were both extremely hungry.
The three friends headed through the now crowded halls toward the Great Hall and everyone was excited to get down to tell their friends about their first day in glasses and all about the teachers they had encountered.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione ate toasted cheese sandwiches and tomato soup while listening to the other students around them. The first years were very amusing to listen to, seeing as they had never met the teachers before. One of the first year boys in Gryffindor, Zack Culps, was saying what a rude jerk Snape was and how he had class with the Slytherins to a Ravenclaw friend.
"Hey Harry, when are you going to have Quidditch sign ups?" Dennis, Colin Creevy's younger brother asked him.
"On Friday and I think I'll make a poster to put on the notice board in the common room." Harry said, with a small mouthful of cheese and toast.
"I'll make one! I don't have any classes now!" Before Harry could say anything, Dennis was out of the Great Hall with one of his friends. Harry shook his head and turned back to his friends. Hermione was the first to say anything, and she and Ron both had amused looks on their faces.
"We better get to Potions.."