Hestia Jones and the DA

(Chapter 11)

Hermione woke up the next morning with a terrible headache and dark circles under her eyes. This was not the way she wanted to start the first day of school, let alone any day of school. It was all Ron's fault. Hermione's mother always told her when she was younger that, 'girls always did better in school than boys until they reached about fifteen, and then girls start to study boys and that's all they worry about'. Hermione frowned at the thought. She wasn't going to be one of those girls, school had to come first, and Ron was a lost cause.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny all meet up for breakfast and reviewed their new course schedules. The trio was happy to see that they would be starting off their Monday with Defense against the dark arts. Their journey from the Great Hall to the class room was filled with conversation of what the new and seemingly hip and attractive teacher would be like. Ron was most expectant.

They entered the class room for the defense against the dark arts and were amazed at what they saw. It was much different then the previous teachers they had had. The walls were decorated with famous wizards who had thwarted the dark arts and diagrams and charts of statistics and spells and strategic attacks littered the counters and desks. It was like walking into an auror training class room.

Hermione was overjoyed with all the information around her and immediately started wandering around the room soaking it all in. Even Harry and Ron seemed very interested as they read through an old report of how the dark wizard, Malombre was captured.

"Wicked!" Ron muttered excitedly. Harry smiled back at him, "I think I'm going to like this class."

Just then, a tall, slim witch walked through the door and made her way to the front of the class room. Her hair was shinny and black and reached down to the small of her back. She was wearing robes with colors that gave one the impression that they were made out of the skin and feathers of a peacock. As she walked, the light reflected on her robes giving off hints of deep purples, greens, and blues.

The witch turned around and kindly smiled, showing off her rosy cheeks.

"Good morning class. If I could have you take a seat I would like to get started," She said in a sweet yet professional tone. Every single student obeyed. Ron, Harry, Hermione and Neville all took seats next to each other as they waited in anticipation for class to begin.

The Witch waited for the room to settle down before she spoke once more.

"My name is Hestia Jones, but I will have to ask you to address me as Professor Jones," She said coolly.

Hermione could only image how nervous Professor Jones was. Looking into the eyes of about fifteen students, all judging you, seeing how you rack up against the other five defense teachers they have had. But as she continued to speak, no sign of lack of nerves was showing. Hermione admired the woman's confidence.

"I understand you had a dope of a teacher last year-"

The class erupted in quiet giggles at the terrible memory of Dolores Umbridge and now their new teacher making fun of her. Jones just smiled and raised a hand asking for silence, and she continued, "And I hope that my lessons will well enough make up for it."

She was silent as the class waited for her to say more. She began to pace around the room, as if she was trying to learn every students face.

"I should probably let you know a little bit about myself…I have been an auror for about three years and have worked on many cases including some recent ones in tracking down death eaters. This year however, Dumbledore was very keen on getting a member of the Or- of the…Auror association to be a teacher at Hogwarts, someone who knows a lot about the defensive arts who isn't possessed, arrogant, or plain evil."

The class erupted in laughter again. Harry, Ron, and Hermione however were still focused on the slip that Hestia Jones almost made. They still weren't talking about the Order out in the open yet. The trio knew, unlike the rest of the class that Dumbledore not only wanted a trained auror, but a member of the Order of the Phoenix on school grounds.

Hermione leaned over to Ron and Harry. "Dumbledore probably wants her to look for Voldemort's spy," She whispered. Harry didn't seem interested. Hermione knew that was because Harry was set on finding out who the spy was himself, not Jones finding out. Lately Hermione was growing worried that Harry was going to try and go through with everything himself. True it is his battle, but there was no way Hermione was going to sit it out and let Harry get hurt, or worse killed, and she knew Ron felt the same way.

"We will be working a lot with defensive spells, first studying them and then using them."

Professor Jones made her way back to the front of the class room and smiled. "Today I would just like you to take out your text book I assigned and flip through it, get familiar with what's in it and feel free to ask any questions. I will be making my way around the room and getting to know each of you a little better."

Hermione whipped out her text book and immediately stated to devour it. It was one of the most interesting books she had ever read. It contained so much information and it wasn't dulled down because they were too young to read it. It listed detailed explanations of spells and jinx's and important wizards who defeated the dark arts.

"Miss. Granger."

Hermione heard her name called, but didn't react; she was too concerned with a statistics chart of the effectiveness of the expelliarmus charm.

"Miss. Granger," the voice said with more force and this time she looked up. It was Hesita Jones. She stood right in front of Hermione, in her gorgeous robes, smiling.

"Book is good, eh?"

Hermione nodded.

"I knew you'd like it, and if you have the time, I would like to speak with you after class."

"Sure," Hermione replied quietly. Jones nodded and moved to the seat next to her where Ron sat and Harry next to him.

"Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, also known as double trouble so I've heard. I've meet with all three of you only briefly before," she said indicating Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "So, hopefully we'll get to know each other a bit better this year…I expect hard work from you guys," she said warningly and moved on to speak to the students next to them. Harry and Ron smiled after her and Hermione rolled her eyes and went back to her reading, wondering why Professor Jones wanted to speak to her. Maybe she thought Hermione was the spy and she was going to jinx her, or maybe her test results were wrong and she was going to get kicked out.

Her thoughts wandered and before she knew it the class was dismissed. Hermione told Ron and Harry she would meet up with them at lunch in the Great Hall and Hermione lingered behind until all the students had left the room and she made her way up to Hestia Jones's desk. Hermione was very nervous and she swallowed hard. Jones however just smiled and motioned for Hermione to take a seat across from her.

"Don't be scarred Hun, it's nothing bad. I only wanted to know how you were holding up, the Order was in a right state over what happened between you and you-know-you."

Hermione felt slightly relieved and blushed; Jones was being very familiar with her. Hermione couldn't decide if this made her feel happy to have a friend, or uncomfortable because she barley knew the woman.

"I'm fine, I feel very safe here," Hermione answered shyly.

"I'm glad you do, that's how we want to keep it."

Hermione nodded in agreement, and Jones suddenly rose from her chair and walked over to Hermione's side.

Jones was looking down at her and Hermione thought it looked as if Jones was going to share a secret with her.

"Look, Dumbledore told me that last year you had organized a club of some sort, a club for defense against the dark arts."

Hermione eyes grew wide, she was in trouble! Hestia Jones seemed to recognize Hermione's fear.

"You're not in trouble; in fact it's quite the opposite. Dumbledore and myself feel that it would be a good idea to keep the club going, From what I heard, Harry taught the lessons, but I know you're the one who does the organization so I'll let you talk to Harry about it and see if he is still up to it."

Hermione nodded "Sure."

"Of course, I will have to be present at the meetings, just because of school safety rules you know."

"That's fine, I'll talk to Harry about it," Hermione said happily. She loved organizing things just as much as reading.

"And Hermione," Jones said bending her knees and squatting down so she was now level with Hermione where she sat. "I don't want you to be frightened, but you should know this club isn't continuing just for fun. Dumbledore wants as many students, regardless of age to be trained to defend themselves. Things are going to get worse with this war and its best if everyone feel more confident about their abilities. It's a chance for us to teach the younger students advanced spells that could save their lives since it's out of the teaching curriculum of their grade levels."

Hermione nodded in response.

"Again, I don't want you to feel unsafe here at school, but just in case…" Hestia finished grimly. Hermione understood. As powerful as Hogwarts security was, Voldemort was powerful as well and if he really wanted to get inside to do some damage he probably could.

"I understand," Hermione said truthfully. "I'll talk to Harry and let you know, and then we can start with recruiting members and arranging meetings," Hermione finished. Jones smiled and offered Hermione a friendly stroke on the back and dismissed her.

Hermione left Hestia Jones's office feeling both proud and miserable. It was an honor to know that the headmaster and one of the greatest wizards ever not only liked her idea but wanted her to continue, expand, and organize the DA Club. On the other hand however, it also pretty much meant that they were preparing for a possible attack on the school.

By the time Hermione had gotten to the Great Hall for lunch she had lost her appetite, and after she had informed Harry and Ron, so did they. Well, Harry did at least.

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