Disclaimer: This is the last time I write it – I've said enough times that I do not own any HP characters, so everybody should be aware of this by now.

A/N: I know, I know, it took a lot of time and you all hate me for that. I know how annoying it is when authors update slowly, but I don't have enough time…. However, your reviews make me do it a little bit faster (HINT: REVIEW if you want me to update sooner). This chapter is a little bit longer, is that good enough? (I know it isn't, you don't have to look at me like that – especially you, chiliz *grins*)

Chapter 12: New teacher, New(T) classes

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"Pass me the butter," said Ron. It was the first day back, and Harry and his friends only now arrived to the Great Hall for breakfast.

"You should say 'Please'," noted Hermione.

"Oh, come on, don't start lecturing me about manners," answered Ron, annoyed.

"I'm not lecturing, Ron!" she said angrily.

"Are they ever going to stop fighting?" said Harry with a sigh to Ginny, who came to sit near them.

"I don't think so… Oh, look, the new timetables!" said Ginny brightly. Ron and Hermione both stopped arguing, and turned to her. She passed the timetables, and Harry took his, interested.

"Oh, no," he groaned. "Double Potions – first lesson of the week! What a nightmare…"

"You should have dropped it, like I did, shouldn't you? Lucky me," said Ron, "I don't have to listen to Snape anymore. And, I have these two periods free – I can do whatever I like!"

"Well, I couldn't drop it - I want to be an Auror," said Harry. "Besides, I have the first two lessons tomorrow free – what've you got there?"

"Care of Magical Creatures first, and then a free period. I don't get why you dropped Care of Magical Creatures – it's easy, and Hagrid'll be disappointed."

"Don't worry, he'll understand. Oh, wait, does it mean the three of us have a free period all together?" asked Harry.

"No," said Hermione, sounding delighted, "I have Arithmancy. But I have Potions with you and Care of Magical Creatures with Ron, so we'll be together in the lessons."

"At least I'm not alone with Snape and the Slytherins," said Harry, relieved.

"You wouldn't be alone anyway," replied Hermione, "in most of the N.E.W.T classes the four houses are together. We only have Transfiguration with the Ravenclaws, and Charms – alone."

"We've never had a lesson with the Ravenclaws before, I wonder how it'll be," said Ron thoughtfully.

"You'll find out tomorrow, we have Transfiguration just before lunch," said Harry, looking at his timetable again. "Hey, we have our first Defence lesson today! We'll be able to see how the new teacher is – what's her name, again?"

"Athena Ostir," said Hermione in a voice that suggested she was shocked by the fact he didn't remember her name.

"Are you ever going to pass me that butter?" interrupted Ron.

~*~*~*~

"See you later," said Ron, walking in the direction of the Griffindor common room. Harry and Hermione turned towards the dungeons. When they arrived to the Potions classroom, a few Ravenclaws were standing there, chatting.

"Is there any chance that Malfoy isn't here?" said Harry hopefully.

"You wish, Potter," said a drawling voice behind him. Draco Malfoy was coming down the corridor, accompanied, as always, by Crabbe and Goyle. More students were coming after them. "But what are you doing here, exactly? Don't tell me you passed your Potions O.W.L," said Malfoy.

"It can't be," whispered Hermione, ignoring Malfoy, "Surely Goyle couldn't get an 'O' in Potions – we sat the practical exam together, and his potion was brown, instead of blue, and he spilled half of it on the examiner."

"Maybe, but he's in Snape's house, and he's Malfoy's friend," muttered Harry quietly.

"But it's so unfair!"

"Yeah, well, since when Snape's been fair?" said Harry sarcastically. Hermione was about to say something, but just then, Snape opened the door to his dungeon, looking as sour as always. Everybody sat down quickly – nobody wanted to mess with Snape. Ernie McMillan, the only Hufflepuff in this class, joined Harry and Hermione.

"All of you have chosen to study Potions as one of your N.E.W.T classes," said Snape coldly. "I warn you now – if you do not intend to put all possible efforts in this class, you'd better leave it now. I have no intentions to teaching idiots who are not going to succeed here," he looked directly at Harry. Malfoy sniggered.

"Oh, right, and Goyle is going to succeed wonderfully," muttered Harry under his breath when Snape turned around. Ernie stifled a laugh.

"Today we are making a relatively simple Memory Potion. Potter, what is the most important ingredient in Memory Potions?"

But if Snape thought that he could catch Harry off his guard, this time he was wrong. Since he had to do well in Potions this year, in order to continue studying it, Harry prepared himself beforehand – during the summer, he read parts of his Potions book, encouraged by Hermione ("Personally, I think you're crazy," said Ron, but Harry didn't mind). And so, he knew the answer to Snape's question.

"Jobberknoll feathers, sir."

Snape was taken aback – he obviously didn't expect Harry to know it. Within a fleeting second, however, he regained his composure, and turned to Malfoy, instead.

"Draco, why are the Jobberknoll feathers so important?"

Harry hoped that Malfoy wouldn't know the answer, but his hopes, once again, didn't come true.

"Because the Jobberknoll has a unique memory – it remembers every sound it has ever heard in its life," said Malfoy smugly.

"Very good, ten points to Slytherin. Potter, don't look at me that way – five points from Griffindor."

Now, Harry was stunned. He wasn't surprised much by the fact that Snape gave Malfoy points, but he didn't do anything at all – there was no reason at all to duck points from Gryffindor, he wasn't even looking at Snape. In his head, he heard the same words he said to Hermione earlier: Yeah, well, since when Snape's been fair. Yet, he spent the rest of the lesson in a bad mood, and almost ruined his potion by adding a peacock's feather instead of the Joberknoll's. However, the colour of his potion was close enough to that of Hermione's potion, and that cheered him up a bit.

He was still sulky when they met up with Ron, and started walking to the DADA class. Ron was in a good mood. "I spent those hours flying in the pitch, I was all alone, and I could do whatever I want, and –"

"Ron! Dumbledore told us that it's not safe, what if a Death Eater managed to get inside the school, you could've been killed!" said Hermione.

"You always have to spoil everything, don't you? It's not like the school's not protected or anything… Besides, most of the Death Eaters are in Azkaban anyway, and nothing has happened for two months," answered Ron.

"Your friend is quite right, Mr. … Weasley, perhaps?" said a feminine voice behind them. Professor Ostir was behind them, half-smiling. Ron muttered something like 'Sure', while Hermione was blushing. "Well, into the class," said Prof. Ostir, opening the door. They went inside, and sat together in the second row. In the next minutes, the class filled in, and Harry was surprised to see how many students chose to study the subject. Even most of the Slytherins were here, which surprised Harry even more.

"Why is he studying Defence against the Dark Arts? He's the one who's using them," said Ron quietly, indicating Malfoy. Harry didn't have a chance to answer, because Prof. Ostir started speaking.

"Welcome to advanced Defence! In this times, it is especially important to study this subject, in order to be able to protect yourself against attacks of the Lord Voldemort and his supporters." There was a collective shudder when she mentioned Voldemort's name. Harry was surprised (once again) that she did it – he only heard members of the Order saying his name out loud, and even then, not all of them did it. Harry also could have sworn that when she said "his supporters", her eyes flickered towards Malfoy.

"I know that last year most of you didn't have any practical lessons," (The DA members who were present, smiled), "so this year we'll be emphasizing practical Defence. Today, we'll start with some basic review of important spells."

The first lesson was somewhat similar to the first DA sessions. Obviously, everybody who was in DA had no problems at all, while the others weren't so successful. Unfortunately, Malfoy managed to do everything he was asked. ("His father probably taught him everything before going to Azkaban," muttered Ron darkly, while disarming Harry and Hermione with a single spell). However, it was Harry who got fifteen points for Gryffindor, for "Excellent work," as Prof. Ostir said.

As the bell rang, everybody started to move towards the exit. Prof. Ostir called, "No homework for today, but be prepared for a lot of practical work next time. Mr. Potter, if you could come here, please." Wondering what was it all about, Harry approached her nervously.

"I have been told that you were giving practical Defence lessons last year," said the teacher. Harry nodded. "It is obvious that you have an ability for this subject. Could you please tell me the names of the students who studied with you?"

Harry hesitated. Professor Ostir seemed a good teacher and everything, but how safe is it to tell her what she wanted? However, he didn't have to think about it much.

"It is quite alright," said a familiar voice behind him. Harry turned and saw Dumbledore standing in the doors. "You can tell Prof. Ostir, it will be safe, I assure you," he said, smiling, and turned to leave. That was weird, thought Harry.

~*~*~*~

Ten minutes later, he joined his friends in the Great Hall.

"What'd she want?" asked Ron.

"The names of the DA members. Dumbledore appeared out of nowhere and told me to tell her, so I did," shrugged Harry, piling food on his plate. He didn't even begin eating, when he heard someone calling his name.

"What is it with them today? Everyone wants something from me," he said indignantly, turning around and seeing Prof. McGonagall calling him.

After returning, however, he was in a completely different mood. "She said that the tryouts for the Gryffindor team would be on Friday, and that a notice is already on the board in the common room! We're going to pick our new players!" said Harry happily, talking to Ron. "You'll help me with it, won't you? 'Cause I can't do it alone…"

"Yeah, sure," Ron looked happy about it. "Are you coming?" he stood up, as he has already finished eating.

"But I'm starving…"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: Poor Harry – he can't even eat properly…. *grins*

Next chapter – the Quidditch tryouts. I wish I could promise that it'll be posted soon, but I can't promise anything… :-(  I'm sorry….  But I do promise that some action will start very soon (As soon as I start posting more chapters, anyway).

Also, lots of thanks to those who reviewed – Chiliz (of course), Remus J Lupin, Carmel March, Iniysa, Dada-wild, Sasinak, Lily Skylo, Elf, Fresh-AngelBabe. Thank you!!

Bla bla, review!! (Remember my hint? Good!)