A/N - JKR owns all of these people and the original idea, I only own this
particular spin of the idea.
Chapter 4
Combining Classes
The Gryffindor fifth years wanted to stay and discuss these new classes with some of the older students but it was time to go to their first class and everyone knew better than to be late on their first day.
As they all entered the Charms classroom they realized that all the desks had once again been pushed aside and all the Hufflepuffs were standing on one side of the room. The Gryffindors went to stand on the other side. Tiny little Professor Flitwick followed the Gryffindors inside.
"Today class," he began, "we're going to learn some basic healing spells. This is the time in your studies when you're going to start combining what you've learned in your different classes. For example, healing is really a combination of charms, transfiguration and potions --- "
"Oh No!" Neville gasped. The rest of the class turned to look at Neville. He had fallen off of his chair but was making no effort to get up. He just sat there, practically petrified at the news.
Neville's trouble with potions was infamous throughout the school. He would have had trouble enough anyway but the Potions Master, Professor Severus Snape, seemed to have it in for Neville from day one. The rest of the Gryffindors and even the Hufflepuffs knew what terrible news this was for him that Potions knowledge would be required to succeed in some of his other lessons this year.
"Please, let me finish." Professor Flitwick was trying to regain the class's attention as Neville finally clambered into his seat.
"Now as I was saying, healing is really a combination of Charms, Transfiguration, and Potions..." Neville whimpered albeit much quieter this time. "... as well as Herbology." The change in Neville's expression was so quick that many people watching him missed it simply because they blinked.
"Surely you all didn't think that you would study subjects for seven years and not have them relate to each other. Here at Hogwarts we try our best to provide you with a basic competency at all the core concepts of magic. However many fields require advanced study at one of the wizarding universities to truly become a master in a particular area of study."
Harry was looking around the classroom. He obviously wasn't the only one to be completely floored by the thought that he might have to voluntarily enroll in another school after he left Hogwarts. Ron looked like he had just lain down on a bed of spiders. Of course, Hermione looked nonplussed.
"For example, you all must know that to teach Potions at Hogwarts you have to be qualified in other areas besides Potions. Can anyone guess what some of those areas might be?"
Hermione didn't even wait to be called on before beginning. "Well we've seen Professor Snape use Charms and Transfigurations to undo some things that some students accidentally did with their assignments. He also must be extremely knowledgeable in Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures to know the precise reactions of the ingredients to one another."
Hermione was looking thoughtful while the rest of the class was looking aghast. Professor Flitwick was beaming though. "Very good Miss Granger. Fifteen points to Gryffindor." Flitwick took a minute to gaze out over his class. He chuckled lightly at the looks of horror on some of the faces looking back at him.
"Now," he continued, "this isn't the cause for worry that many of you seem to think it is. For example, if you're particularly weak in one area such as Potions," Professor Flitwick smiled at Neville before continuing, "you can still succeed if you're strong another one of the other areas such as Herbology so I don't want anyone to worry."
The students still seemed worried. Harry knew he was. As he listened to Professor Flitwick it made sense that the subjects would need to be woven together. But he had never considered it before. He had never really considered life after Hogwarts before much less school after Hogwarts. He found he couldn't even imagine life after Hogwarts. What would he do? Where would he live?
Professor Flitwick continued talking and brought his thoughts back to the present. "Let's begin. I want everyone to break up into groups of four. These groups must be people all from your own house so that you can be in the same group from class to class as well as be able to study together in the evenings."
Of course Ron, Harry, and Hermione were going to make up most of one group; they only needed a fourth. After a few seconds of students milling around Professor Flitwick asked who still wasn't in a group. As Neville's hand went up into the air, Ron groaned. Harry was secretly thinking along the same lines as Ron was but he was glad he kept the feelings to himself because Hermione had elbowed Ron in the stomach causing him to groan once again.
Neville joined their group and Professor Flitwick began the lesson. "The simplest spell is the bandaging spell. Bande Gauze. Watch me perform it on Mr Longbottom here."
Only Harry and his group heard Neville whimper but the spell went off without a hitch. Neville's left arm was bandaged from elbow to wrist. After performing the counterspell, he made the class practice the wand movements a couple of times before setting them loose.
"Now go ahead and practice bandaging each other's non wand arm."
With lightning speed, Ron and Harry paired up and moved off to one side leaving Hermione to deal with Neville. She shot them a look that conveyed her message precisely. Without a doubt, Ron and Harry would pay and pay dearly for their lack of chivalry.
Harry kept watching Hermione and Neville out of the corner of his eye while taking turns with Ron casting the bandaging spell. He watched Hermione demonstrate the wand movement over and over again. He watched her steel herself knowing what was coming next. Sure enough, in under a minute Hermione was bandaged from head to toe and eerily resembled a mummy.
Professor Flitwick managed to undo Neville's charm just in time. Hermione was on her knees gasping for breath.
Neville's face was bright red when he next spoke. The whole class was watching him as he said, "I'm very sorry Hermione but I think I know what went wrong. Please, let me try again."
"NO!" several students exclaimed at the same time.
"Neville," Hermione began after taking a few deep breaths enjoying being able to inhale oxygen once more, "perhaps you shouldn't try this again yet until you watch me for a little while. Deal?"
Neville blushed but nodded his agreement. Right before the bell was to ring, the group decided it was time to let Neville try it once again. Knowing that if he didn't take a turn now that he would pay later, Harry stepped up.
"Neville," Harry began, "I'll be your vict --- er --- partner."
"Bande Gauze" Neville cast the spell before Harry had time to prepare himself or think about what he was doing. He realized though that it was probably for the best. He didn't have time to second guess himself.
Neville didn't have to open his eyes to realize that the same fate befell Harry. The groans told him all he needed to know. Harry knew he looked just like Hermione had earlier. He was on his hands and knees gulping in the air as fast as he could. He made a mental note, as Hermione had earlier, that Ron would be taking his turn next or suffer the consequences.
Ron did indeed take his turn. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville were all starting to pack up their belongings slowly preparing for the end of class. They were hoping to be able to get away without any more potential incidents but Professor Flitwick would have none of that. He insisted that Neville try the spell again while quoting some old saying about falling off a broomstick and getting right back on.
Ron looked like a prisoner on death row. He hung his head and slowly went to stand in front of Neville.
"Bande Gauze"
Harry didn't know whether to laugh or to be mortified. Ron was bandaged only from the crook of his elbow to his wrist, which was exactly what Neville had been trying to do. However Neville hadn't been trying to use banana peels like he had done.
"UUUGGGHHH! Get this slimy thing off of me." Ron was holding his left arm so far away from his body that Harry thought he might have sprained his shoulder or elbow to do it.
Hermione cleaned up a disgruntled Ron's arm and began demonstrating the proper wand movement to Neville again. Ron wasn't mollified at all when Professor Flitwick gave him ten points for bravery (for volunteering to partner Neville despite the obvious consequences).
The bell rang and a group of disgruntled Gryffindors headed to Professor Binn's History of Magic class as the Hufflepuffs went to Transfiguration.
As they expected, the class dragged on with only Hermione paying attention. Neville was thinking about how he was going to get through this year. Although he was extremely talented at Herbology, he couldn't be worse at Potions. And he had to face the fact that he wasn't strong in neither Charms nor Transfigurations.
Ron and Harry had long since enchanted their parchment so that one of them read what the other one wrote. This way they didn't have to both passing parchments back and forth. They used this particular class period to argue over the most effective Wronski Feint in the history of Quidditch.
After the bell rang, they headed for lunch in the Great Hall.
After talk of the incident in Charms wore off as a favorite topic, the discussion once again turned to the new classes the 5th years would be taking and why they didn't yet know what those classes would be. None of the older students at the table would give anything up about what was in store for them. Harry realized the twins weren't at the table and made a mental note to ask them later about the new classes.
After lunch Ron, Harry and Hermione joined the rest of their class heading for Transfiguration. The entire period was a lecture about mending bones. The lesson was extremely boring but Professor McGonagall, as always, had their full attention. Halfway through the class, Dean raised his hand.
"Yes Thomas, what is it?"
"Professor, I was just wondering if you would tell us about our new classes that we're taking this year," Dean asked.
"Thomas, that is not what we were discussing at all. Need I remind you that you have to take your OWL's later this year? And no one in this class except Miss Granger should expect anything except embarrassment unless there is some serious studying in the Gryffindor common room this year. You for example Thomas, still seem to think that it's all right if your cushions are afraid to be sat upon."
She turned her attention to the rest of the class. "Does anyone else need a reminder of how far they need to progress to pass their OWLs at the end of this year?" No one said anything and everyone seemed to shrink down into their seat. Harry knew that look that the head of his house was sporting. A decree from the Minister of Magic couldn't make him answer Professor McGonagall's question.
Dean Thomas studied his shoes as Professor McGonnagall continued her tirade. He remained very still and quiet for the remainder of the lesson. No one else dared bring up the subject with any of his or her other professors.
The rest of the week passed similar to this first day. At last the students woke up on Friday morning, anxious as ever to learn about their new classes. However, they still had to get through double Potions in the morning with the Slytherins and the head of their house --- Snape.
At breakfast no one could miss the different moods at the different tables. Malfoy, his two goons Crabbe and Goyle, and the rest of the 5th year Slytherins couldn't be happier about their upcoming lesson, even if it was with the Gryffindors. (Knowing how unfair Snape would be to anyone except the Slytherins probably made Malfoy and his goons glad that they shared class with the Gryffindors.) In contrast, Harry and the rest of his class looked like they were about to walk to their executions.
And, at least in Neville's case, they weren't too far off.
Potions, as usually was the case, cost the Gryffindors many house points. Neville was grudgingly sent to the Hospital Wing when the calming potion he was trying to brew exploded after he added too much lynx fur. Three quarters of his body instantly fell asleep and it took him almost an hour to make his way there. Of course, Professor Snape wouldn't let anyone go with him. To top it all off, Snape laughed at the crude jokes Malfoy was making about Neville.
"Now that his body's asleep it'll match his brain," Malfoy wise cracked.
When Ron retorted, "At least he has a brain," Snape couldn't have looked more pleased with himself while he took ten points away. None of the Gryffindor's could believe how unfair he was except Harry --- he already knew the man had no heart but he didn't care. What he did care about was where Dumbledore had sent him at the end of last year. Snape didn't look any the worse for wear. His hair was greasy. His skin was sallow and pale. His eyes were sunken and empty. The only problem was --- he always looked that way.
"POTTER!" Snape bellowed.
"Yes professor?" Harry answered calmly.
"Why are you looking at me? Do you like me? Is there something I should know about you?" All of the Slytherins guffawed at this last question.
"I'm looking at you because you're my Potions Professor and I'm trying to pay attention in case you have anything to teach us."
Ron whooped as best as he could under his breath.
"Twenty points from Gryffindor for your insolence."
Harry continued to watch Snape but didn't say anything else. Finally the bell rang and they all went to lunch at the Great Hall knowing that they would finally learn the mystery behind their new classes.
A/N: Please R/R – I know where I'm going with this but any suggestions would be appreciated. I'd hate to leave Ron and Harry in suspense too long about what's going to happen to them.
Chapter 4
Combining Classes
The Gryffindor fifth years wanted to stay and discuss these new classes with some of the older students but it was time to go to their first class and everyone knew better than to be late on their first day.
As they all entered the Charms classroom they realized that all the desks had once again been pushed aside and all the Hufflepuffs were standing on one side of the room. The Gryffindors went to stand on the other side. Tiny little Professor Flitwick followed the Gryffindors inside.
"Today class," he began, "we're going to learn some basic healing spells. This is the time in your studies when you're going to start combining what you've learned in your different classes. For example, healing is really a combination of charms, transfiguration and potions --- "
"Oh No!" Neville gasped. The rest of the class turned to look at Neville. He had fallen off of his chair but was making no effort to get up. He just sat there, practically petrified at the news.
Neville's trouble with potions was infamous throughout the school. He would have had trouble enough anyway but the Potions Master, Professor Severus Snape, seemed to have it in for Neville from day one. The rest of the Gryffindors and even the Hufflepuffs knew what terrible news this was for him that Potions knowledge would be required to succeed in some of his other lessons this year.
"Please, let me finish." Professor Flitwick was trying to regain the class's attention as Neville finally clambered into his seat.
"Now as I was saying, healing is really a combination of Charms, Transfiguration, and Potions..." Neville whimpered albeit much quieter this time. "... as well as Herbology." The change in Neville's expression was so quick that many people watching him missed it simply because they blinked.
"Surely you all didn't think that you would study subjects for seven years and not have them relate to each other. Here at Hogwarts we try our best to provide you with a basic competency at all the core concepts of magic. However many fields require advanced study at one of the wizarding universities to truly become a master in a particular area of study."
Harry was looking around the classroom. He obviously wasn't the only one to be completely floored by the thought that he might have to voluntarily enroll in another school after he left Hogwarts. Ron looked like he had just lain down on a bed of spiders. Of course, Hermione looked nonplussed.
"For example, you all must know that to teach Potions at Hogwarts you have to be qualified in other areas besides Potions. Can anyone guess what some of those areas might be?"
Hermione didn't even wait to be called on before beginning. "Well we've seen Professor Snape use Charms and Transfigurations to undo some things that some students accidentally did with their assignments. He also must be extremely knowledgeable in Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures to know the precise reactions of the ingredients to one another."
Hermione was looking thoughtful while the rest of the class was looking aghast. Professor Flitwick was beaming though. "Very good Miss Granger. Fifteen points to Gryffindor." Flitwick took a minute to gaze out over his class. He chuckled lightly at the looks of horror on some of the faces looking back at him.
"Now," he continued, "this isn't the cause for worry that many of you seem to think it is. For example, if you're particularly weak in one area such as Potions," Professor Flitwick smiled at Neville before continuing, "you can still succeed if you're strong another one of the other areas such as Herbology so I don't want anyone to worry."
The students still seemed worried. Harry knew he was. As he listened to Professor Flitwick it made sense that the subjects would need to be woven together. But he had never considered it before. He had never really considered life after Hogwarts before much less school after Hogwarts. He found he couldn't even imagine life after Hogwarts. What would he do? Where would he live?
Professor Flitwick continued talking and brought his thoughts back to the present. "Let's begin. I want everyone to break up into groups of four. These groups must be people all from your own house so that you can be in the same group from class to class as well as be able to study together in the evenings."
Of course Ron, Harry, and Hermione were going to make up most of one group; they only needed a fourth. After a few seconds of students milling around Professor Flitwick asked who still wasn't in a group. As Neville's hand went up into the air, Ron groaned. Harry was secretly thinking along the same lines as Ron was but he was glad he kept the feelings to himself because Hermione had elbowed Ron in the stomach causing him to groan once again.
Neville joined their group and Professor Flitwick began the lesson. "The simplest spell is the bandaging spell. Bande Gauze. Watch me perform it on Mr Longbottom here."
Only Harry and his group heard Neville whimper but the spell went off without a hitch. Neville's left arm was bandaged from elbow to wrist. After performing the counterspell, he made the class practice the wand movements a couple of times before setting them loose.
"Now go ahead and practice bandaging each other's non wand arm."
With lightning speed, Ron and Harry paired up and moved off to one side leaving Hermione to deal with Neville. She shot them a look that conveyed her message precisely. Without a doubt, Ron and Harry would pay and pay dearly for their lack of chivalry.
Harry kept watching Hermione and Neville out of the corner of his eye while taking turns with Ron casting the bandaging spell. He watched Hermione demonstrate the wand movement over and over again. He watched her steel herself knowing what was coming next. Sure enough, in under a minute Hermione was bandaged from head to toe and eerily resembled a mummy.
Professor Flitwick managed to undo Neville's charm just in time. Hermione was on her knees gasping for breath.
Neville's face was bright red when he next spoke. The whole class was watching him as he said, "I'm very sorry Hermione but I think I know what went wrong. Please, let me try again."
"NO!" several students exclaimed at the same time.
"Neville," Hermione began after taking a few deep breaths enjoying being able to inhale oxygen once more, "perhaps you shouldn't try this again yet until you watch me for a little while. Deal?"
Neville blushed but nodded his agreement. Right before the bell was to ring, the group decided it was time to let Neville try it once again. Knowing that if he didn't take a turn now that he would pay later, Harry stepped up.
"Neville," Harry began, "I'll be your vict --- er --- partner."
"Bande Gauze" Neville cast the spell before Harry had time to prepare himself or think about what he was doing. He realized though that it was probably for the best. He didn't have time to second guess himself.
Neville didn't have to open his eyes to realize that the same fate befell Harry. The groans told him all he needed to know. Harry knew he looked just like Hermione had earlier. He was on his hands and knees gulping in the air as fast as he could. He made a mental note, as Hermione had earlier, that Ron would be taking his turn next or suffer the consequences.
Ron did indeed take his turn. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville were all starting to pack up their belongings slowly preparing for the end of class. They were hoping to be able to get away without any more potential incidents but Professor Flitwick would have none of that. He insisted that Neville try the spell again while quoting some old saying about falling off a broomstick and getting right back on.
Ron looked like a prisoner on death row. He hung his head and slowly went to stand in front of Neville.
"Bande Gauze"
Harry didn't know whether to laugh or to be mortified. Ron was bandaged only from the crook of his elbow to his wrist, which was exactly what Neville had been trying to do. However Neville hadn't been trying to use banana peels like he had done.
"UUUGGGHHH! Get this slimy thing off of me." Ron was holding his left arm so far away from his body that Harry thought he might have sprained his shoulder or elbow to do it.
Hermione cleaned up a disgruntled Ron's arm and began demonstrating the proper wand movement to Neville again. Ron wasn't mollified at all when Professor Flitwick gave him ten points for bravery (for volunteering to partner Neville despite the obvious consequences).
The bell rang and a group of disgruntled Gryffindors headed to Professor Binn's History of Magic class as the Hufflepuffs went to Transfiguration.
As they expected, the class dragged on with only Hermione paying attention. Neville was thinking about how he was going to get through this year. Although he was extremely talented at Herbology, he couldn't be worse at Potions. And he had to face the fact that he wasn't strong in neither Charms nor Transfigurations.
Ron and Harry had long since enchanted their parchment so that one of them read what the other one wrote. This way they didn't have to both passing parchments back and forth. They used this particular class period to argue over the most effective Wronski Feint in the history of Quidditch.
After the bell rang, they headed for lunch in the Great Hall.
After talk of the incident in Charms wore off as a favorite topic, the discussion once again turned to the new classes the 5th years would be taking and why they didn't yet know what those classes would be. None of the older students at the table would give anything up about what was in store for them. Harry realized the twins weren't at the table and made a mental note to ask them later about the new classes.
After lunch Ron, Harry and Hermione joined the rest of their class heading for Transfiguration. The entire period was a lecture about mending bones. The lesson was extremely boring but Professor McGonagall, as always, had their full attention. Halfway through the class, Dean raised his hand.
"Yes Thomas, what is it?"
"Professor, I was just wondering if you would tell us about our new classes that we're taking this year," Dean asked.
"Thomas, that is not what we were discussing at all. Need I remind you that you have to take your OWL's later this year? And no one in this class except Miss Granger should expect anything except embarrassment unless there is some serious studying in the Gryffindor common room this year. You for example Thomas, still seem to think that it's all right if your cushions are afraid to be sat upon."
She turned her attention to the rest of the class. "Does anyone else need a reminder of how far they need to progress to pass their OWLs at the end of this year?" No one said anything and everyone seemed to shrink down into their seat. Harry knew that look that the head of his house was sporting. A decree from the Minister of Magic couldn't make him answer Professor McGonagall's question.
Dean Thomas studied his shoes as Professor McGonnagall continued her tirade. He remained very still and quiet for the remainder of the lesson. No one else dared bring up the subject with any of his or her other professors.
The rest of the week passed similar to this first day. At last the students woke up on Friday morning, anxious as ever to learn about their new classes. However, they still had to get through double Potions in the morning with the Slytherins and the head of their house --- Snape.
At breakfast no one could miss the different moods at the different tables. Malfoy, his two goons Crabbe and Goyle, and the rest of the 5th year Slytherins couldn't be happier about their upcoming lesson, even if it was with the Gryffindors. (Knowing how unfair Snape would be to anyone except the Slytherins probably made Malfoy and his goons glad that they shared class with the Gryffindors.) In contrast, Harry and the rest of his class looked like they were about to walk to their executions.
And, at least in Neville's case, they weren't too far off.
Potions, as usually was the case, cost the Gryffindors many house points. Neville was grudgingly sent to the Hospital Wing when the calming potion he was trying to brew exploded after he added too much lynx fur. Three quarters of his body instantly fell asleep and it took him almost an hour to make his way there. Of course, Professor Snape wouldn't let anyone go with him. To top it all off, Snape laughed at the crude jokes Malfoy was making about Neville.
"Now that his body's asleep it'll match his brain," Malfoy wise cracked.
When Ron retorted, "At least he has a brain," Snape couldn't have looked more pleased with himself while he took ten points away. None of the Gryffindor's could believe how unfair he was except Harry --- he already knew the man had no heart but he didn't care. What he did care about was where Dumbledore had sent him at the end of last year. Snape didn't look any the worse for wear. His hair was greasy. His skin was sallow and pale. His eyes were sunken and empty. The only problem was --- he always looked that way.
"POTTER!" Snape bellowed.
"Yes professor?" Harry answered calmly.
"Why are you looking at me? Do you like me? Is there something I should know about you?" All of the Slytherins guffawed at this last question.
"I'm looking at you because you're my Potions Professor and I'm trying to pay attention in case you have anything to teach us."
Ron whooped as best as he could under his breath.
"Twenty points from Gryffindor for your insolence."
Harry continued to watch Snape but didn't say anything else. Finally the bell rang and they all went to lunch at the Great Hall knowing that they would finally learn the mystery behind their new classes.
A/N: Please R/R – I know where I'm going with this but any suggestions would be appreciated. I'd hate to leave Ron and Harry in suspense too long about what's going to happen to them.