A/N: JKR owns all of these characters, I own the plot only.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews so far. They're why I'm still writing
A/N: This is longer than any others b/c I wanted to get all the way through
the new classes - hope it's worth it.
Chapter 10 Difficult DADA
When Harry returned to the Gryffindor common room that evening he found Ron and Hermione sitting at a table working on their homework. Dumbledore's comments reminded Harry how much homework they had been getting lately. Harry knew that everyone was trying to get them ready for their OWLs but he couldn't help but think it was more than just that. He just didn't know quite what yet.
After telling his friends about his "time with Sirius" he found out that they had spent most of day practicing the stuff McGonagall was trying to teach them in their independent study class with her. Although Hermione could render Ron's wand useless about half of the time by turning it into a stick of licorice, Ron apparently was more likely to cause Hermione's wand to spew fire back at him then he was to do anything even remotely productive. Harry was glad to be able to find out why Ron didn't have any eyebrows without having to ask.
Remarkably, it only took them a couple of hours to finish all their homework. They spent the rest of the night talking in the corner. Whenever Ron or Hermione would ask about Harry's summer, he would gently steer the conversation elsewhere. Although Ron never noticed this Hermione, the smartest witch in their class, did and the two of them working together were able to steer Ron off the topic. Although Harry would eventually tell them, he enjoyed having this one positive memory that only he and his godfather shared.
Before long they were yawning and decided to call it a night.
They met for breakfast for the next morning. Professor McGonagall had come over to the table to ask which elective her 5th years would be dropping. Harry, Ron and the rest of the Gryffindor boys wasted no time in telling her they were dropping divination (that way they could keep Care of Magical Creatures.) Hermione was overheard trying to convince the head of her house to let her keep both her electives since she couldn't possibly choose between them.
"Don't be silly Granger!"
Ron and Harry privately thought Hermione must really be desperate to be arguing with old McGonagall.
"But professor.." she was cut off.
"Enough! You will pick one right now. If you ask me you should stick with Care of Magical Creatures."
Hermione was torn between her two electives but she decided to take her professor's advice and drop arithmency.
The rest of the morning meal was less eventful. They passed it talking about this week's schedule. Today was their first day of their DADA class and they still didn't know who was going to teach it. Also tomorrow was their first class in advanced magic.
Their first class this morning was charms. Hermione was secretly beginning to think that if Neville kept trying to heal her, she would be spending a lot of time in the Hospital Wing this year.
However today she was granted a reprieve. They spent the entire class taking lessons in the different ways to apply a splint for the different breaks and fractures. The Gryffindor boys were whispering back and forth about what a relief it was to be done with Divination.
"psst Harry, what are you going to do without someone predicting your death every week?" Dean whispered.
Ron sniggered, "yeah but at least she knew we were going to drop the class."
At last it was time to head to DADA. The students were all seated when the bell rang anxiously waiting to see who their first professor would be.
"OH NO" Ron groaned just a little too loudly.
"Good morning class. Since I've know for ages that I would be called upon to teach this class for the first month, I'm well prepared for this," Professor Trelawney said in her annoying know-it-all voice.
"I've found out that some of you have dropped my class this year."
Harry whispered, "She didn't see that coming ages ago?"
She threw a quick glace his way before continuing. "You are going to be privileged enough to spend the next month learning how to defend yourselves against dark visions. Since not everyone is here has taken divination classes and others do not possess any natural gifts of special sight" at this she looked to Hermione. All the Gryffindors knew that Hermione had stormed out of her Divination class back in the third year. "Because some are more advanced that others we're going to start at the beginning, reading tea leaves."
With this last statement more students besides Ron could be heard groaning. Neither Ron or most other students in the class needed to read tea leaves to know that the next month in this class would be miserable.
The rest of the day was less dreadful. They again spent their Transfiguration class taking notes. About half the class seemed to be daydreaming until Neville knocked his bottle of ink off his desk which shattered getting ink all over himself and the unfortunate student sitting next to him.
Since they would be starting their Advanced Magic class tomorrow, Harry decided to hold an impromptu quidditch practice. He figured quidditch would be the only thing that could make him forget about the horror of spending the next month taking DADA from Professor Trelawney.
At practice, Harry was glad he decided on recruiting extra players this year. Besides making it easier for next year, he was able to run better drills like having all five chasers trying to score on Ron at the same time.
When it got too dark to play anymore (they realized this after Dean Thomas took a bludger in the back that no one saw coming) they went back to the common room.
Hermione was studying in the corner and after saying goodnight to her, Ron and Harry went straight up to their dorm. Even though it was a little earlier than they usually turned in, Ron wanted to read a quidditch book and Harry wanted to practice clearing his mind. Harry had his work cut out for him because Neville was already asleep and snoring louder than ever.
At breakfast a notice was passed out to all Gryffindor 5th year students. After their first class this morning, they were to report back to the Great Hall.
At least they had something to think about during Professor Binns' lecture. Any other professor would have noticed the class working themselves into a stir the closer it got to the end of the class, but not Professor Binns. He was infamous for not letting anything disrupt his lectures. The bell signifying the end of the class had hardly finishing ringing before everyone was out the door heading for the Great Hall.
It was here that all Hogwarts' fifth years were told that they would be taking this class from the head of their house. They were told to pick up one of the boxes from the staff table and follow the head of their house.
It only took a couple of minutes for the Gryffindor's to realize they were heading to Hogsmeade.
"Wicked" Ron remarked, "on a school day and everything."
Apparently Professor McGonagall heard him. "Weasley I assure you that you're going there to work today."
Ron and most of the others didn't care. This was the closest thing they had ever had to a field trip and they were glad for the change of scenery.
Only Hermione wasn't wondering why they were going to Hogsmeade.
"Maybe she wants to see something besides a classroom for a change." Dean offered.
"Maybe she doesn't want the rest of the school to see how bad I am at this" Neville said. " I haven't even learned basic magic right much less anything advanced."
"I know!" Ron exclaimed. "She wants to buy us all butterbeers."
More than one person laughed at this which unfortunately attracted their professor's attention. "Do none of you realize why we're going to Hogsmeade?"
"I do." No one was surprised to see Hermione raise her hand into the air as they continued walking.
"Very well Miss Granger, please enlighten your class."
"It's simple really. We're going to begin learning to apparate and everyone knows that you can't apparate nor disapparate on the school grounds." Hermione couldn't understand why no one else knew this.
"Very good Miss Granger, 10 points."
Hermione was beaming the rest of the way there.
Afterwards the discussion turned into how difficult it would be to learn how to apparate.
"It won't be that difficult," Hermione began. "I've read all about it."
"Shut up Hermione." Ron said starting to worry about what he would face.
Although she glared at him, she didn't say anything else.
When they finally arrived at Hogsmeade they followed Professor McGonagall to a small park at the outskirsts of town. There was nothing there but a drinking fountain and a few benches.
After muttering something they couldn't hear and waving her wand toward the students she spoke to them.
"I've put a spell on you so that nothing permanent will happen to you now matter how badly any of you mess this up." No one was surprised to see her look at Neville after saying this. "Now all that you're going to try to do today is apparate a few inches. Now to do this you'll have to clear your minds, picture yourself clearly standing a few inches away from where you are now and in your minds picture yourself pointing your wand at your own heart while mentally saying 'Porletel'"
After surveying all of her students she asked "Does anyone have any questions at all before we begin?" No one said anything. Directing her gaze straight at Neville she repeated, "Any at all?"
When no one said anything she told them all they could begin and that they should take frequent breaks between attempts because this was such a difficult task.
Harry watched a couple of people trying it before he mustered up the courage. He wished he wouldn't have watched anyone. He realized Hermione hadn't been able to do it yet, Dean had set his own robes on fire and Neville had managed to teleport only his clothes to a neat pile a few inches away and stood their naked before Professor McGonagall could reverse his particular error.
Harry was glad that the Slytherin's weren't around to see any of this. He decided to give it a go.
Clear my mind.
Imagine pointing my wand at my heart and say 'Porletel'
He heard a soft pop, felt a new sensation throughout his body and knew he had done it!
He was smiling as he opened his eyes and started to tell everyone he had done it. Only. there was no one there. He was alone.
A/N - Please R/R - tell me what you think.
Chapter 10 Difficult DADA
When Harry returned to the Gryffindor common room that evening he found Ron and Hermione sitting at a table working on their homework. Dumbledore's comments reminded Harry how much homework they had been getting lately. Harry knew that everyone was trying to get them ready for their OWLs but he couldn't help but think it was more than just that. He just didn't know quite what yet.
After telling his friends about his "time with Sirius" he found out that they had spent most of day practicing the stuff McGonagall was trying to teach them in their independent study class with her. Although Hermione could render Ron's wand useless about half of the time by turning it into a stick of licorice, Ron apparently was more likely to cause Hermione's wand to spew fire back at him then he was to do anything even remotely productive. Harry was glad to be able to find out why Ron didn't have any eyebrows without having to ask.
Remarkably, it only took them a couple of hours to finish all their homework. They spent the rest of the night talking in the corner. Whenever Ron or Hermione would ask about Harry's summer, he would gently steer the conversation elsewhere. Although Ron never noticed this Hermione, the smartest witch in their class, did and the two of them working together were able to steer Ron off the topic. Although Harry would eventually tell them, he enjoyed having this one positive memory that only he and his godfather shared.
Before long they were yawning and decided to call it a night.
They met for breakfast for the next morning. Professor McGonagall had come over to the table to ask which elective her 5th years would be dropping. Harry, Ron and the rest of the Gryffindor boys wasted no time in telling her they were dropping divination (that way they could keep Care of Magical Creatures.) Hermione was overheard trying to convince the head of her house to let her keep both her electives since she couldn't possibly choose between them.
"Don't be silly Granger!"
Ron and Harry privately thought Hermione must really be desperate to be arguing with old McGonagall.
"But professor.." she was cut off.
"Enough! You will pick one right now. If you ask me you should stick with Care of Magical Creatures."
Hermione was torn between her two electives but she decided to take her professor's advice and drop arithmency.
The rest of the morning meal was less eventful. They passed it talking about this week's schedule. Today was their first day of their DADA class and they still didn't know who was going to teach it. Also tomorrow was their first class in advanced magic.
Their first class this morning was charms. Hermione was secretly beginning to think that if Neville kept trying to heal her, she would be spending a lot of time in the Hospital Wing this year.
However today she was granted a reprieve. They spent the entire class taking lessons in the different ways to apply a splint for the different breaks and fractures. The Gryffindor boys were whispering back and forth about what a relief it was to be done with Divination.
"psst Harry, what are you going to do without someone predicting your death every week?" Dean whispered.
Ron sniggered, "yeah but at least she knew we were going to drop the class."
At last it was time to head to DADA. The students were all seated when the bell rang anxiously waiting to see who their first professor would be.
"OH NO" Ron groaned just a little too loudly.
"Good morning class. Since I've know for ages that I would be called upon to teach this class for the first month, I'm well prepared for this," Professor Trelawney said in her annoying know-it-all voice.
"I've found out that some of you have dropped my class this year."
Harry whispered, "She didn't see that coming ages ago?"
She threw a quick glace his way before continuing. "You are going to be privileged enough to spend the next month learning how to defend yourselves against dark visions. Since not everyone is here has taken divination classes and others do not possess any natural gifts of special sight" at this she looked to Hermione. All the Gryffindors knew that Hermione had stormed out of her Divination class back in the third year. "Because some are more advanced that others we're going to start at the beginning, reading tea leaves."
With this last statement more students besides Ron could be heard groaning. Neither Ron or most other students in the class needed to read tea leaves to know that the next month in this class would be miserable.
The rest of the day was less dreadful. They again spent their Transfiguration class taking notes. About half the class seemed to be daydreaming until Neville knocked his bottle of ink off his desk which shattered getting ink all over himself and the unfortunate student sitting next to him.
Since they would be starting their Advanced Magic class tomorrow, Harry decided to hold an impromptu quidditch practice. He figured quidditch would be the only thing that could make him forget about the horror of spending the next month taking DADA from Professor Trelawney.
At practice, Harry was glad he decided on recruiting extra players this year. Besides making it easier for next year, he was able to run better drills like having all five chasers trying to score on Ron at the same time.
When it got too dark to play anymore (they realized this after Dean Thomas took a bludger in the back that no one saw coming) they went back to the common room.
Hermione was studying in the corner and after saying goodnight to her, Ron and Harry went straight up to their dorm. Even though it was a little earlier than they usually turned in, Ron wanted to read a quidditch book and Harry wanted to practice clearing his mind. Harry had his work cut out for him because Neville was already asleep and snoring louder than ever.
At breakfast a notice was passed out to all Gryffindor 5th year students. After their first class this morning, they were to report back to the Great Hall.
At least they had something to think about during Professor Binns' lecture. Any other professor would have noticed the class working themselves into a stir the closer it got to the end of the class, but not Professor Binns. He was infamous for not letting anything disrupt his lectures. The bell signifying the end of the class had hardly finishing ringing before everyone was out the door heading for the Great Hall.
It was here that all Hogwarts' fifth years were told that they would be taking this class from the head of their house. They were told to pick up one of the boxes from the staff table and follow the head of their house.
It only took a couple of minutes for the Gryffindor's to realize they were heading to Hogsmeade.
"Wicked" Ron remarked, "on a school day and everything."
Apparently Professor McGonagall heard him. "Weasley I assure you that you're going there to work today."
Ron and most of the others didn't care. This was the closest thing they had ever had to a field trip and they were glad for the change of scenery.
Only Hermione wasn't wondering why they were going to Hogsmeade.
"Maybe she wants to see something besides a classroom for a change." Dean offered.
"Maybe she doesn't want the rest of the school to see how bad I am at this" Neville said. " I haven't even learned basic magic right much less anything advanced."
"I know!" Ron exclaimed. "She wants to buy us all butterbeers."
More than one person laughed at this which unfortunately attracted their professor's attention. "Do none of you realize why we're going to Hogsmeade?"
"I do." No one was surprised to see Hermione raise her hand into the air as they continued walking.
"Very well Miss Granger, please enlighten your class."
"It's simple really. We're going to begin learning to apparate and everyone knows that you can't apparate nor disapparate on the school grounds." Hermione couldn't understand why no one else knew this.
"Very good Miss Granger, 10 points."
Hermione was beaming the rest of the way there.
Afterwards the discussion turned into how difficult it would be to learn how to apparate.
"It won't be that difficult," Hermione began. "I've read all about it."
"Shut up Hermione." Ron said starting to worry about what he would face.
Although she glared at him, she didn't say anything else.
When they finally arrived at Hogsmeade they followed Professor McGonagall to a small park at the outskirsts of town. There was nothing there but a drinking fountain and a few benches.
After muttering something they couldn't hear and waving her wand toward the students she spoke to them.
"I've put a spell on you so that nothing permanent will happen to you now matter how badly any of you mess this up." No one was surprised to see her look at Neville after saying this. "Now all that you're going to try to do today is apparate a few inches. Now to do this you'll have to clear your minds, picture yourself clearly standing a few inches away from where you are now and in your minds picture yourself pointing your wand at your own heart while mentally saying 'Porletel'"
After surveying all of her students she asked "Does anyone have any questions at all before we begin?" No one said anything. Directing her gaze straight at Neville she repeated, "Any at all?"
When no one said anything she told them all they could begin and that they should take frequent breaks between attempts because this was such a difficult task.
Harry watched a couple of people trying it before he mustered up the courage. He wished he wouldn't have watched anyone. He realized Hermione hadn't been able to do it yet, Dean had set his own robes on fire and Neville had managed to teleport only his clothes to a neat pile a few inches away and stood their naked before Professor McGonagall could reverse his particular error.
Harry was glad that the Slytherin's weren't around to see any of this. He decided to give it a go.
Clear my mind.
Imagine pointing my wand at my heart and say 'Porletel'
He heard a soft pop, felt a new sensation throughout his body and knew he had done it!
He was smiling as he opened his eyes and started to tell everyone he had done it. Only. there was no one there. He was alone.
A/N - Please R/R - tell me what you think.