Chapter 5
Once again the students attended their classes, and in return were laden down with a rather heavy workload. Every teacher seemed to want to make sure that the students would be ready for graduation by the end of this year, even though they didn't graduate until after 7th year.
Professor McGonogal had given them an exam the very first day; the 6th years were expected to at least be able to transform part of themselves into semi animagnus. Hermione had managed to grow herself a busy brown cat tail within the first few tries. Harry had started to achieve a bit of what appeared to be antlers. And Ron. well he ended up turning his left hand into a paw of some sort, looked rather close to that of a dog (An Irish Setter to be specific). It had taken Professor McGonogal quite some time to try and undo the paw, Ron was grinning sheepishly all the while saying things such as "At least I got close, right?"
In Potions class, Professor Snape was once again his usual sour self, expecting the class to brew up a Caustic Potion and then be able to bottle the extremely explosive potion. Nevertheless, a lot of explosions occurred in that class, but it seemed only Slytherin got off easy. Snape as usual also enjoyed picking on poor Neville. Neville was a sheepish heavyset boy who was always eager to please, but he was terrified of Professor Snape, who seemed to sense this and continued to harass his student even more.
Once again, in Divinations class, Professor Trewalny had made 'predictions' of Harry going to fall to his doom. She did it every year, and by now Harry had just learned to ignore her rants of how he would horribly die. Ron couldn't help but burst out laughing during this 'prediction' and she stated that he would follow the same fate if he did not take the art of psyche seriously. This class they were working with Tarot cards, and guess who received the skull, the grim reaper, the fallen tower, and the flaming stake? None other than Harry himself, but he had seen Professor Trewalny slip the cards on top just before she handed the stack to him, asking him to draw 5 cards that would predict his future. Trewalny had made quite a scene insisting that the cards did not lie, that Harry's doom was fated within the stars. Harry had to elbow Ron roughly to keep the redhead from bursting out into peals of laughter again.
At the end of the day, Defense Against the Dark Arts was combined with Charms class, so that students could get a taste of what the duels would be like. A new faculty member, Professor Finch, who was a rather morose looking fellow, taught Defense Against the Dark Arts. He had dark brown hair and pale blue eyes; he usually didn't look too happy, probably because of the reputation that teachers in his area had built up. None ever lasted more than a year. But the teacher was quite talented in his field, and tried to make the class interesting. And Professor Flitwick, the very tiny dwarf with a white beard and bright blue eyes, who also resembled a typical muggle garden gnome, taught Charms. Flitwick, back in his days, was a champion in Wizards' Duels. Even though that was a long time ago, he had still retained some of his skills, and he giddily taught the students everything he could.
Finally after the last classes ended, the students went to the Great Hall to dine again. There were no spectacular news or announcements, just Headmaster Dumbledore's carefree singing. Harry, Ron and Hermione couldn't wait for the meal to be over though. Tonight was when they'd begin the work in the Dueling Club. So far, no details had been spilled on the competition besides the age requirements and that the club would eliminate down to a select few for the competition.
"I wonder how many are actually going to try for the competition." Ron mused after he took a gulp of his Pumpkin juice.
"There was a lot at the club before," Hermione said with a shrug, "But not all of them are in their 5th, 6th, or 7th year."
"So our chances of getting in are pretty good, I wonder what the requirements are, Fliwick or Finch are not giving any details." Harry said, pushing the remainder of his food around his plate.
"Alright, everyone, go do as you will in your dormitories," Dumbledore said pleasantly, giving a brief wave. "Oh and a quick note to the Dueling Club members from Professor Flitwick, please head to the Quidditch fields."
Harry and Ron jumped up; quickly heading off towards the stadium like field that Quidditch games were played above. Ron let out a joyous whoop noise throwing a fist into the air and Hermione trotted after the two muttering something about "overenthusiastic boys".
Once again the students attended their classes, and in return were laden down with a rather heavy workload. Every teacher seemed to want to make sure that the students would be ready for graduation by the end of this year, even though they didn't graduate until after 7th year.
Professor McGonogal had given them an exam the very first day; the 6th years were expected to at least be able to transform part of themselves into semi animagnus. Hermione had managed to grow herself a busy brown cat tail within the first few tries. Harry had started to achieve a bit of what appeared to be antlers. And Ron. well he ended up turning his left hand into a paw of some sort, looked rather close to that of a dog (An Irish Setter to be specific). It had taken Professor McGonogal quite some time to try and undo the paw, Ron was grinning sheepishly all the while saying things such as "At least I got close, right?"
In Potions class, Professor Snape was once again his usual sour self, expecting the class to brew up a Caustic Potion and then be able to bottle the extremely explosive potion. Nevertheless, a lot of explosions occurred in that class, but it seemed only Slytherin got off easy. Snape as usual also enjoyed picking on poor Neville. Neville was a sheepish heavyset boy who was always eager to please, but he was terrified of Professor Snape, who seemed to sense this and continued to harass his student even more.
Once again, in Divinations class, Professor Trewalny had made 'predictions' of Harry going to fall to his doom. She did it every year, and by now Harry had just learned to ignore her rants of how he would horribly die. Ron couldn't help but burst out laughing during this 'prediction' and she stated that he would follow the same fate if he did not take the art of psyche seriously. This class they were working with Tarot cards, and guess who received the skull, the grim reaper, the fallen tower, and the flaming stake? None other than Harry himself, but he had seen Professor Trewalny slip the cards on top just before she handed the stack to him, asking him to draw 5 cards that would predict his future. Trewalny had made quite a scene insisting that the cards did not lie, that Harry's doom was fated within the stars. Harry had to elbow Ron roughly to keep the redhead from bursting out into peals of laughter again.
At the end of the day, Defense Against the Dark Arts was combined with Charms class, so that students could get a taste of what the duels would be like. A new faculty member, Professor Finch, who was a rather morose looking fellow, taught Defense Against the Dark Arts. He had dark brown hair and pale blue eyes; he usually didn't look too happy, probably because of the reputation that teachers in his area had built up. None ever lasted more than a year. But the teacher was quite talented in his field, and tried to make the class interesting. And Professor Flitwick, the very tiny dwarf with a white beard and bright blue eyes, who also resembled a typical muggle garden gnome, taught Charms. Flitwick, back in his days, was a champion in Wizards' Duels. Even though that was a long time ago, he had still retained some of his skills, and he giddily taught the students everything he could.
Finally after the last classes ended, the students went to the Great Hall to dine again. There were no spectacular news or announcements, just Headmaster Dumbledore's carefree singing. Harry, Ron and Hermione couldn't wait for the meal to be over though. Tonight was when they'd begin the work in the Dueling Club. So far, no details had been spilled on the competition besides the age requirements and that the club would eliminate down to a select few for the competition.
"I wonder how many are actually going to try for the competition." Ron mused after he took a gulp of his Pumpkin juice.
"There was a lot at the club before," Hermione said with a shrug, "But not all of them are in their 5th, 6th, or 7th year."
"So our chances of getting in are pretty good, I wonder what the requirements are, Fliwick or Finch are not giving any details." Harry said, pushing the remainder of his food around his plate.
"Alright, everyone, go do as you will in your dormitories," Dumbledore said pleasantly, giving a brief wave. "Oh and a quick note to the Dueling Club members from Professor Flitwick, please head to the Quidditch fields."
Harry and Ron jumped up; quickly heading off towards the stadium like field that Quidditch games were played above. Ron let out a joyous whoop noise throwing a fist into the air and Hermione trotted after the two muttering something about "overenthusiastic boys".