Chapter 18 - Guest Professor of DADA

Of course there had been a new DADA professor. Harry had had a new one every year he'd been at Hogwarts. This year it was a former auror, Audra Domran. She was tall with smooth black hair and bright blue eyes. She had a pronounced limp, she never explained what happened but Harry figured it had something to do with why she wasn't an auror anymore. One Thursday in early October she informed the class that she had had a family emergency and would be gone the next week. A former colleague of hers would be coming to take her classes. She announced the name casually: Cassius Malfoy. Harry, Ron and Hermione were shocked.

"Harry, did you know about this?" Hermione hissed at him.

"No! Papa would have mentioned it – he writes every day" He hissed back.

"He probably forgot to tell Papa." Hermione answered back under her breath. Harry nodded. That was probably a fair assessment.

The rest of the class had turned and were looking curiously at Draco. Gryffindor and Slytherin had DADA together this year, much to Harry's chagrin.

"My uncle." Draco answered. "He's one of the best aurors ever." He said it with characteristic Malfoy pride, daring anyone to make a comment that Malfoys were not known for being against the dark arts.

Harry thought that it was probably - no, make that definitely - the first time that Draco had ever said anything he agreed with.

Harry rushed to the owlery after class to write Papa for details. The reply came the next day accompanied by a tin of cookies.

Dear Harry,

It's true, Dad will be there Monday. Sorry I didn't tell you sooner, I only heard about it (from Dumbledore) this morning. Dad is currently on assignment and will be coming directly to Hogwarts after that. Audra got a hold of him last week and he agreed to teach her class. He must have been tired, I can't imagine him agreeing otherwise.

Remember you need to act like you do not know him. I can't remember which guideline that is but you know what I mean. I know it will be hard but please remember he loves you.

Tabby sent the cookies. She and I both send our love.

Papa.

Harry showed the letter to Ron and Hermione. They both looked as disappointed as Harry felt. It had been hard to see Cassius with Draco at the bookstore before school had begun. It would be even harder to interact with him for a whole class – or more, depending on how long Professor Domran was gone.

"Well, it's understandable, I guess, isn't it?" Ron said after a moment.

"I wonder how mean he'll be…if he'll pretend to be a…you know what." Hermione looked thoughtful.

"He is a Mal - you know what." Ron looked at Hermione as if she was balmy.

"I know he's a you know what, but he's not really a you know what. Right, Harry?" Hermione turned to Harry.

"Right." Harry agreed, Hermione was right. Ron nodded after a moment.

"You are right."

"Of course I am, Ron." Hermione sounded huffy.

"I'm sorry I ever doubted it." Ron looked over at Harry and rolled his eyes. Harry just smiled.

Harry, Ron and Hermione entered the DADA classroom somewhat nervously on Monday. Cassius was already in the room. He was reading a scroll and glanced up as they came in. His eyes showed no sign that he recognized any of them. Harry swallowed hard. He reminded himself that this was just pretend. They found their seats and sat down. Hermione gave Harry a supportive smile.

Soon the class was all seated, Lavender and Pavarti whispered and giggled in the row in front of them. Harry could hear them remarking on how handsome Cassius was. Pansy Parkinson had a glazed look, he supposed that meant she was love struck as well. If only they knew they had no chance. He smiled to himself.

Cassius stood. There was immediate silence in the room. Cassius' hands were hidden in the folds of his black robe. Harry was momentarily taken aback – he'd never seen Cassius in a wizard's robe ever.

"My name is Cassius Malfoy. I am an auror. Until recently Professor Domran and I worked together, and I am here as a favor to her. Please do not address me as Professor, Auror Malfoy will suffice." The voice was pure Malfoy, cold and sleek. Harry felt a lurch in his stomach. Cassius hadn't sounded like that to him for a long time. The icy green eyes raked across the room. "Professor Domran would like me to address some aspects of Defense against the Dark Arts that are relevant in these troubled times. A few years ago, Dementors were here on the grounds of Hogwarts. Who can tell me the charm that you would use if confronted by a Dementor."

Hermione's hand shot up, predictably, as did Ron's and Harry's. There were a few other hands as well. Cassius seemed to consult a paper before calling on Hermione. "Granger, is it?"

"Yes, Auror Malfoy. It's a Patronus Charm."

"And who can successfully perform this charm?"

Harry looked around the room, no one was raising their hand. Ron and Hermione elbowed him at the same time. He slowly raised his hand. He hated to bring attention to himself in any class, and especially didn't want to have to deal with Auror Malfoy.

"Potter?" Cassius' voice was so icy, Harry almost shivered. Harry reminded himself that his Dad was acting, so Harry decided to act as well.

"Yes." He said, making his tone defiant. He could see Draco sneering out of the corner of his eye.

"Demonstrate for the class." Cassius gestured for Harry to come to the front.

Harry got up from his seat and walked up to the front of the classroom, wand in hand. He knew he could do it. He thought of Windy Corner and laughing with The Guardians at dinner. "Expecto Patronum!" He shouted. A white stag erupted out of his wand and charged down the aisle of the classroom before disappearing.

"Not bad, Potter." The cold voice showed no emotion. "Of course, there were no Dementors, that made it easier."

Harry returned to his seat, resisting the urge to kick Auror Malfoy. The rest of the class seemed much more impressed, at least all the Gryffindors did.

"It is rare for a 6th year student to be able to produce a corporeal Patronus. The spell is very complicated, reserved for 7th year. I wonder, where did you learn it, Potter?" Cassius seemed to imply Harry shouldn't have known the spell.

"I learned it 3rd year from Professor Lupin." Harry said proudly.

"Ah, the werewolf." Cassius' eyebrow arched and a distinct sneer was added to his tone.

"He was a great professor!" Ron exclaimed, apparently before he had thought about it, and his ears slowly turned red.

"Really?" Cassius' voice dripped with scorn. "A favorable opinion of a dark creature doesn't surprise me, coming from a Weasley." Ron's face turned red. Harry felt his jaw drop at the venom in Cassius' voice. It was unreal. He hoped Professor Domran hurried back to school.

"All of you will be learning how to perform a Patronus charm. Dementors are not loyal to the Ministry. They stayed at Azkaban because they could feed off the emotions of the prisoners. Voldemort easily enticed them to join him. Therefore, it is imperative that you learn how to fend them off."

Draco's face clouded over at the mention of the wizard prison. His father had just been released from at Azkaban after 4 months. Harry suspected large amounts of Malfoy money had bought his release. He didn't deserve to be out.

"The steps of the Patronus charm seem easy. One thinks of a happy memory and says 'Expecto Patronum' while pointing the wand towards the Dementor. Unlike other charms, this one doesn't require any ridiculous wand twirling, you simply point and say the words of the spell. You must concentrate hard on the thoughts and intentions behind the spell in order for them to work, again, unlike other charms." Cassius' voice was disdainful.

Harry ducked his head to hid the smile that was forcing its way onto his face. Cassius thought most charms were ridiculous, mainly, Remus and Tabby declared, because he could rarely do them properly. Cassius had tried a simple cheering charm on Harry and himself one afternoon (after being dared to by Harry) while Remus and Tabby were out getting groceries. When Remus and Tabby got home from the market, they were convinced Harry and Cassius were drunk. Tabby had started lecturing Cassius on letting Harry drink. "At his age! Cassius Julian Aurelius Malfoy Lupin!!" Harry could always gage how angry Tabby was at Cassius by how many of his names she used – this was the first time he'd heard her use all five. "I can't believe you! You should know better! What did you give him!!" Harry and Cassius couldn't stop laughing long enough or speak clearly enough to convince them otherwise, until Remus had noticed the spell book lying open on the table and performed the counter-spell.

"You will spend the rest of the class thinking of your happiest memory. By the next class, you will have written three feet of scroll, detailing this memory, how it looked, how it sounded, how it smelled, how it tasted, how it felt. The scroll will be due next class. You will hand them to me so I know everyone has completed the assignment. Please do not put your name on the scroll, I will place a charm on them so they will be returned to you when I am done reading them. Memories are personal - I have no wish to get to know any of you better." Cassius sounded contemptuous and there was a pause as Cassius looked frostily at the class. "I simply wish to make sure the memory has enough detail to be effective when you perform it against a Dementor."

Harry, Hermione and Ron looked at one another in bewilderment – would an actual Dementor come to class?

"Malfoy?" Harry turned, as Cassius called on Draco.

"How will we be performing the spell against a Dementor?" Draco asked, sounding cold and sleek like his uncle.

"I have bewitched a boggart to act as a Dementor. It will seem real enough. Any other questions?"

The class was silent.

"Start thinking of a memory." Cassius turned and sat down at the desk. "You may discuss it with your classmates if you think that would help." His tone made it clear he didn't think it would help.

Immediately there was a buzz in the class as everyone tried to think of their happiest memory. At the end of class, Harry was gathering his notes when a message in scrawling writing appeared across one of his scrolls. He had to concentrate hard to decipher the words. 8 pm, Painting of Anne Boleyn, bring H and R if you want. The writing faded. Harry realized he had never seen Cassius' writing before. Papa was the one who always wrote the letters. Draco walked to the front of the room to talk to Cassius.

They left the room, Ron stopped right outside the door but Harry kept walking, he didn't want to hear what Draco said. He felt a surge of anger that Draco got to talk to Cassius out in the open but he had to sneak around.

"So?" Ron asked as they sat down for lunch. No one was sitting by them yet.

"We're going to go visit at 8." Harry said quickly before anyone could join them.

"I'll have some words to say to him!" Ron said. "I thought Snape was horrid! Snape seems almost nice – or at least, Snape doesn't seem as scary."

"He was really …you know what." Hermione said as she started to eat.

"Yeah." Harry agreed and started to eat. He didn't want to talk about it – it had been unreal to see his dad being so cold and hateful and he was still upset about Draco getting to speak him.

"Do you want to go by yourself, Harry?" Hermione asked gently, as if sensing Harry's emotions.

"No, that's ok." Harry kept eating.

At 8, they were outside his rooms, Cassius walked up the corridor, his robe billowing behind him. He spoke the password and the portrait swung open. They hurried inside after him.

Once the portrait had swung closed, they threw off the cloak.

"Papa!" Harry cried out with surprise, running over to give Remus a hug. He was sitting on the couch in front of the fire reading a book. Cassius took off his robe and dropped it on the floor.

"So how was your guest professor?" Remus asked with a twinkle in his amber eyes, putting his book down and hugging Harry tightly.

Harry, Ron and Hermione started speaking at once. "Horrid!" "Very Malfoy." "Said my Patronus was 'not bad'" "You should have heard him when he talked about you!" "Called me a 'Weasley.'"

Cassius was now struggling with his tie. Remus laughed as Cassius walked over to the couch. "But you are a Weasley, Ron."

"Well, you should have heard his voice when he said it. He made it sound so…horrible" Ron huffed.

Cassius tugged futilely at the tie once more. Remus motioned him closer, reached up, undid Cassius's tie and pulled it off.

"However did you get it on this morning?" Remus asked curiously.

"Dumbedore did it. He dared me to wear the tie and the robe." Cassius sounded like himself again as he started unbuttoning his shirt. "I have to change, these clothes are driving me mad." He walked quickly out of the room. Remus laughed again.

"So he was very Malfoy, as you so succinctly put it, Hermione?" Remus pulled Harry closer to him. Harry started to feel better, as he sat next to Papa, he'd had a knot in his stomach ever since DADA class. Hermione sat down in a chair opposite. Ron sat down in the other chair.

"It was like a different person." Hermione answered.

Cassius came back into the room. He was wearing a white short-sleeved t-shirt and dark blue jeans. His feet were bare. "Much better." He sighed as he sank onto the couch on the other side of Remus. "I'm so sorry, you three. I…That Patronus of yours is really impressive, Harry!" Cassius said suddenly, reaching around Remus to pat Harry's knee.

"Yeah, it's 'not bad'." Harry said, with a sneer.

"That's a good start, but you need more practice to really sound like a Malfoy." Remus laughed as Cassius flushed.

"I thought "Wow, that was brilliant!" might blow my cover. But I did think it. I couldn't do a Patronus until I was…um…how old was I?" Cassius turned to Remus. There was a moment's pause as Remus thought about it.

"23." He answered, smoothing Harry's hair down, it was a lost cause, but Remus always gave it a try.

"Is that right?" Cassius seemed surprised, "I thought I was older."

"No, it was when you were in Ireland tracking down that banshee, remember? Right after my 27th birthday." Sounding like a DADA professor again, Remus continued "The Patronus charm can be used to protect against Banshees as well as Dementors."

"Oh…well, I'm sure you're right." Cassius rubbed his forehead, like he always did when he was tired and forgetful.

"So if we can't do one, that's ok then?" Ron asked hopefully.

"Well, yes, it's ok. It is a very hard spell to do. That's why it's remarkable that Harry could do one his third year. But, Ron, I would think you would be able to do one. When I was in school – I didn't have a memory that was happy enough to produce a Patronus."

"What's the memory you use now?" Harry asked.

"Uh…" Cassius' face started to flush again. "I was really hoping you wouldn't ask."

"I bet it has something to do with Remus." suggested Hermione.

"It does and let's just leave it at that." Cassius said, sitting up straighter and moving away from Remus.

"So what's the memory you'll be using, Hermione?" Ron asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Wouldn't you like to know, Ronald Weasley." Hermione answered with a blush.

Harry looked at Hermione and smiled, he wondered what it was…maybe he'd ask Hermione later, he was sure she'd tell him. Cassius yawned loudly.

"Sorry to cut the visit short, but Dad needs to sleep." Remus said as he stood up.

"No, I'm fine." Cassius protested.

"When's Moody's birthday?"

"What?"

"You can prove to me you don't need sleep if you can remember Moody's birthday."

"That's not fair."

"When is it then?"

"Uh…..May….9th?"

"Nice try. It's January 21st." Turning to Harry, Remus said "If you want, you can come by every day at 8, just use your cloak and the map to make sure the coast is clear. And we'll make sure you're back in your dorm before curfew." Harry nodded gladly.

"You'll be staying here too, Papa?" Harry hugged Remus, he'd really missed him.

"Just at night." Remus answered, squeezing Harry tightly. "You've grown a bit, haven't you?" Harry had, just a couple inches.

Remus grabbed Cassius' hand and pulled him up off the couch. They all walked over to the portrait door. "Goodnight, Remus, it was lovely to see you." Hermione said as she hugged him. "Goodnight, Hermione."

"Good night, Auror Malfoy." Hermione said with a smile. "Goodnight, Granger."

"Good night, then" Ron nodded at both of them as he picked up the invisibility cloak from where they had dropped it on the floor.

"Good night, Ron. No hard feelings, right? I was a little nervous, I think I started channeling my father." Cassius smiled at Ron..

"He must have been a lovely guy. Just don't do it again." Ron grinned back, Cassius nodded.

"I love you, Harry." Cassius wrapped his arms tightly around Harry. Harry couldn't respond. "You know that, right?" Harry nodded, his head still against Cassius' chest, he could feel the ring press against his jaw.

"Bye Dad, Papa. We're off then" Harry pulled out the marauder's map to check if the coast was clear. The corridor was empty, Harry ducked under the cloak and the three friends exited the room.