Chapter 4: Changes in the Curriculum
Author's Note: I have been trying to post every Friday, but that isn't really happening. Therefore, if you wish to receive notice when I post, send me an email, and I will be sure to put you on a mailing list. Thank you for your time.
Both Harry and Hermione sprinted through the dungeon doors right on time, panting with the exertion of their run. Professor Snape looked up at the two under lowered eyebrows. "Everyone, it seems that Ms. Granger and Mr. Potter have decided to join us at last." Having learned from past experiences, Harry did not respond, despite the time on the clock, but rather took a spot at an empty table.
"Welcome to my N.E.W.T level Potions class. As you all know, this is a much longer class than usual: three hours, and will also be continued next year. Please note: if you do not pass the class this year, you will be unable to attend next year's segment and you will take an automatic F on your N.E.W.T.. This should be all the warning I ever have to give you." Already Snape was resorting to his arrogance and intimidation tactics.
"As you all know, those of you who didn't get teachers to bribe your way into the class," he threw a bloodcurdling glare at Harry, "received O's on your O.W.L.s. You should be commended on your excellent scores. Hermione, who had taken her place next to Harry, smiled proudly and settled back into her seat. "However, you should be warned that the potions we will be making are extremely dangerous. If you don't think you can handle them, let me know, and I'm sure there's another class you can take." He stopped in front of Harry's desk. "Mr. Potter, while you seem very self assured, I think you should reconsider you ability to attempt these potions." Despite Harry's growing anger, he kept his temper in check and did not respond to the teacher.
"Mr. Potter, you should answer an adult when he talks to you. Or do you think you're above common courtesy?"
"I think I am, sir."
"You think you're above common courtesy?"
"No, I think I'm capable of taking and passing this class."
Snape, who had begun to walk away stopped and leaned over the dark haired boy. "I will make sure you are not, Mr. Potter," he sneered.
Something inside Harry snapped, but just as he opened his mouth to tell the professor off, another voice chimed in. "Professor Snape?"
Everyone turned toward the girl, and Harry inwardly groaned. "Miss Kinter, this is neither the time nor the place for your interferences."
As Snape returned to continue reprimanding him, A.M. stood. 'What is she thinking? Snape's going to kill her.'
"Uh, Professor Snape, considering we are living in a democracy at the moment, and that everyone here is entitled to a quality education, it is bias, illegal, and overall unfair to raise such high standards against Mr. Potter. After all, no matter how he gained access to this class, he chose to take it competently, and considers himself fully capable. Also, his fellow teachers obviously agree that he is a sober individual, or they would not have recommended him." The class was so silent they could hear the birds outside. No one moved.
Taking advantage of the moment, A.M. continued, 'Furthermore, it has been proven that a student is seven times more likely to achieve a better-than-passing grade when the professor offers both academic and mental support. Your intimidation could very well cost Harry his grade in this class. It's wrong to place such barriers in front of any student." Suddenly it seemed as if she realized where she was and blood rushed to her cheeks. She looked from one student's bulging eyes to another. "Um… umm…" she stuttered. Still, everyone stayed petrified. "Well, I'm done," she said, and sat down in her seat. All eyes shifted from her to Professor Snape.
Snape just continued to gawk at the blonde. The students, fearing he would kill them instead of A.M. simply waited for his reaction. Harry didn't expect the teacher to pull out his wand and curse her; he figured he was too angry for that. It was more likely he would grab the large chopping knife from his work station and end A.M.'s life.
Instead Snape's face broke into something Harry thought he would never see: a cheeky smile. "Ms. Kinter, thank you for making your platform perfectly clear. However, please keep your political speeches until the end of class." The students broke into scattered giggles, mostly from nervousness.
Harry didn't know what was more shocking: A.M.'s speech or Snape's reaction. Anyone else would have received detention or worse. No one could possibly get away with reprimanding a teacher, especially the potions professor. "Did I just dream all that?" Hermione asked him under her breath.
"How did she survive?" he questioned back.
The entire class broke into scattered whispers, despite Snape's glares. "To return to potions," the teacher lectured, "we will be making a Confusious Draught today. It's a fairly simple recipe, but we haven't had the time in our shorter classes to finish it, so it's a good start. It's used to confound your enemies and to give yourself an upper hand during duels. Also-" He stopped when he saw a hand waving in the air. "Yes, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Well, I'm already confounded, because it looks like Harry Potter's girlfriend is the man in that relationship." The entire class burst into laughter and both of the accused party flushed crimson. Harry, who had, until moments ago, appreciated A.M.'s efforts, felt the jealousy and annoyance return. 'Who does she think she is?' He didn't understand why she could get away with so much and to have all his classmates laugh was appalling. He could tell the girl was meddlesome and disliked her for the fact that she gave Malfoy ammo against him. Also, he had been looking forward to the fight with Snape, but she had obviously ruined that as well.
The class continued without distraction, although Harry sensed a noticeable difference in Snape's behavior. Despite his lab partner, Hermione, watching his every move, he had the misfortune of missing the trichi syrum. However, instead of failing him, Snape just reached for a bottle from the wall rack. "Have you added the Schnotizt flower extract yet?
"No."
"Well, as long as you haven't added the catalyst, you can use this reversal powder to remove ingredients. Just add a spoonful for each ingredient you need to take out."
"Oh... thanks." Harry was unsure as to how to respond to the professor's geniality. He looked over at A.M., who had the unfortunate luck of last pick for partner and was currently working with Malfoy. An understanding smile showed that she had seen the change as well.
As he walked out at the end of class he felt a tug on his sleeve. He spun to find himself inches from A.M.'s cornflower eyes and rosy lips. Her breath tickled his cheeks. "Harry, I'm really sorry that things... got out of control with Draco. I was just trying to help."
Her grin was so disarming he could not help but return it. "I guess it's all right," he lied. He wished that she was not so pretty; perhaps that would help calm his warring emotions. She seemed so nice, but something about her rubbed him, some abrasive part of her personality.
"I told Ron that I was busy this evening, so you're free to play chess." If Harry even leaned forward an inch, her lips would be against his. He willed himself to practice restraint.
"Thanks. So…" he looked around, but Hermione was talking to Dean Thomas. No using her for an excuse. "I have to get to lunch."
"Oh… okay. I guess we'll talk later?"
"Yeah, whatever." He caught Hermione's eye and motioned for her to join him.
"I'll see you, Harry." A.M. wiggled her fingers in the air in a nonchalant wave. Harry merely raised his hand then walked away.
Hermione stopped him further down the hall. "So?"
"So what?"
"So, did you ask her out? She's really great, and it's pretty obvious she likes you too."
"What do you mean, 'likes me too?!'" Other students turned at Harry's outburst, so he was sure to lower his volume. He hated having people stare at him. "I'm not interested in her. At all." 'Liar,' his traitorous brain whispered. A.M. was attractive, smart, strong-willed, and certainly was considered the newest status symbol here at Hogwart's. And it was becoming more and more frustrating that Harry could find no trace of the girl he saw the night before. But for some unexplainable reason, he had an instinctive dislike of A.M.
Hermione frowned. "Are you mad that she tried to help you with Snape? Because believe me, that took guts. She must really like you to stand up to that man." She shuddered at the thought of him.
"Yeah, and everyone laughed at me. She made me look like an idiot." Hermione shook her head and did not reply, but began walking back down the hall.
***
Professor Kenchi's N.E.W.T. Defense Against the Dark Arts class had reached it's student limit and still allowances had to be made for students desperate to take it. While past Defense classes had proved disappointing, and at times dangerous, the curriculum drew people. After Voldemort's return became public, people felt it was increasingly important to learn how to fight him. Many students who tried to avoid the N.E.W.T. were forced in by their parents.
The classroom was alive with commotion. Because of the overflow, the back wall of the room had been knocked out, combining two rooms. The noise echoed in the long study and Harry wanted to cover his ears, but didn't want to attract any extra attention. Ron came over, glowering, and shouted something incomprehensible.
"What?!" Harry yelled back. The redhead motioned toward the open door and he followed.
"Wizard chess is back on tonight." Harry did his best to contain his excitement, but instead tried to look concerned.
"Did something happen?"
"Yeah, A.M. told me she was busy. She's only been here a day! How can she already be busy?"
"Maybe she has to go talk to Dumbledore or something."
"Or maybe she heard what a loser everyone thinks I am and doesn't want to be seen with me." He kicked the wall, but was too melancholy to put any force behind it. "Man, she's the first girl to actually like me, and I really like her, and now she thinks I'm a git."
Harry felt the guilt creep into the back of his mind. Not only was he the reason A.M. rejected Ron, it was also apparent that her romantic inclinations were aimed toward him as well. "Ron, I bet she really is busy. She just transferred here and she has to catch up and everything." Suddenly a brilliant idea occurred. "She's already in there," he said, pointing to the open door. "As soon as she sits down, take the seat next to her."
"But we've always sat next to each other."
"I'll share a table with Hermione, one near where you sit. Hopefully my grade will improve."
"Good plan." Ron disappeared into the noisy crowd. Harry watched from the door as his friend staked out A.M. 'Hopefully she'll leave me alone,' he thought to himself, but grudgingly realized this was untrue. He knew what a crush felt like and there was definitely one forming for the vivacious girl. But Ron had already stated his feelings, so Harry had missed his chance. To try anything with her would be betrayal.
He didn't understand this conflict of emotions. He disliked A.M. and her nosiness and sickening sweet personality. She also intrigued him and he felt, underneath that sugary exterior, there was a person he would very much like to know.
As A.M. took her seat, Lavender Brown, whom she'd been speaking to circled around to other chair. However, Ron sprinted and leaped to the empty spot next to her. A.M.'s face scrunched, but she quickly hid her disapproval behind her large grin. She said something to Ron and, while it seemed her smile was extremely contagious, Harry's friend did not respond. Nervousness threatened to cave his genial exterior.
Harry took the seat near Ron and Hermione joined him soon after, even without an invitation. "I take it Ron's going to make his move?" she asked. He could tell she was slightly agitated about something: she was swinging her leg back and forth, and tapping her nails on the desk.
"I don't think Ron has moved since he sat down. He's petrified. I don't know how he set up a study date with her."
"I think it was more like she set the date up. He just kind of nodded." She laughed, but it was tinged with irritation. She was hiding something, but Harry was not intuitive enough to discern what. He went to ask her, but the ethereal Asian teacher chose that moment to come in.
Unlike most educators, he did not turn to write his name on the board. He just waited until the talking slowed, then finally halted. "I am Professor Kenchi. I taught at Ga Mor Tonns in Mongolia, but recent events have led me to Hogwarts. I hope all of you will consider me a worthy teacher." His soothing voice had the slightest accent, but not enough to make understanding him difficult. He exuded calm and peacefulness as he stood at the front of the room.
"I understand that you've had some difficulty finding qualified Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers in the past, but I assure you, I will gladly take insight from all of you to ensure you receive the most relevant education possible."
"Then how do you kill Voldemort?" someone yelled, a disembodied voice in the echoing room.
The new professor just smiled. "I follow the teachings of Dang Ta, a lesser known philosophy. Dang Ta says that whenever a person is faced with a great challenge or difficulty, they know how to defeat it. No matter what, you have had access to the information that could help you. Either you've heard it, or it has been in a book that you've possessed, or there is someone you know that you could have asked. Now, if you were not listening, or not diligent or brave enough to absorb that information, you will not have the weapons you need. That is why one must practice constant awareness."
"Mad Eye Moody used to say that," Seamus blurted. "'Constant vigilance!'" he mimicked in a perfect impression of the Auror.
"Awareness and vigilance are two different things," Kenchi explained. "One should not always be on the lookout for an evil or an enemy. That is how one dons paranoia. However, one should try to obtain all he can, so that when that evil faces him, he can reach into his well of knowledge and find what he needs."
"If I memorized everything I ever heard or read, I'd just have a library of useless information," complained a Hufflepuff.
"Dang Ta teaches that everything you learn will eventually be used. You do not know how or when, but you will need it someday. It is fate. Therefore you will have the ability to defeat Voldemort, if the need arises." Kenchi looked at the blank faces of the class. "Mayhap I should site an example." He studied his name chart. "Could Mr. Potter please come up here?"
Harry inwardly groaned. He'd never been good at these on-the-spot kind of things. He took his place by the teacher. "Bronchialine!" Kenchi shouted and something seized Harry by the throat. He tried to speak, but racking coughs sent him to the floor. However, they quickly subsided, leaving him gasping for breath.
"Mr. Potter, why did you not ward off the spell?"
"What? I wouldn't know how! I've never even heard that spell before!"
"It was in your spell book for this class two years ago. You've had the knowledge, but you have never accessed it. Practicing awareness means taking advantage of what is offered to you." He sent Harry, scowling back at the teacher, to his seat, then looked at the chart again. "Miss Kinter?" he called. A.M. rose and walked to the front of the class.
Kenchi asked, "Now Miss Kinter, how would you expect me to attack right now?"
A.M. began to explain, but did not take her eyes off the professor. "Well, you'll probably use a-" Kenchi swung an arm towards her clavicle, but with moves quick as lightning she grabbed his elbow and armpit, pulled him off balance, and threw him over her back. Few of the students saw what happened, but rather saw A.M. and Kenchi talking, then A.M. panting, in defense position, and Kenchi on the floor.
"Excellent Miss Kinter!" the teacher praised. "Miss Kinter not only has studied physical defense, but also practices constant awareness. She identified me as a threat, and used knowledge to contain that threat. 25 points for Gryffindor!" A.M. smiled and walked down the aisle between the desks.
"Showoff," Harry muttered as she walked by. If she heard, she didn't respond. Jealousy sat thick in his belly, coiled like a black snake.
Ron just grinned moonily. "That was so cool," he told her. She shrugged, but smiled back.
Kenchi continued teaching and soon after they began wand work. However, it became quite apparent that A.M. was not nearly as skilled magically as she was in other areas. She only once properly performed the bronchialine ward they learned. Others around her snickered and Ron tried desperately to help her out, but he ended up talking in a pinched nasal tone after being hit by her one success.
"Was A.M. just nervous?" Hermione asked Ron after class.
"I think she was bamboozled by my wily charm," he retorted cockily.
"I think you were bamboozled by… well, by everything." Hermione looked rather smug.
"Do you two ever stop arguing?" Harry asked, annoyed, and headed to dinner, leaving the two bickering, unaware that their friend had even left.
Author's Note: I'm sorry, I know you're tired of hearing from me (I can hear what you're thinking: "Why won't this dumb %@!# just shut up already?!"). However, I felt need to make it known that, unfortunately, my keyboard is broken. Therefore, the next chapter will probably not be posted next week. After all, O is a very important letter when writing, and unfortunately, I can't use it at the time. However, write me an email, and I will be sure to send notice when I do post. Thanks for your time.