Chapter 10 - Some Lesson...

Author's Notes:

Heylo! Review, for me troubles? Guess not :( Enjoy

As Maddie looked up at the ceiling of the Hall that morning, pure joy swept over her, just looking at the beautiful owls make their way to the recipients, soaring in and dropping letters, it looked utterly...magical. A particular snowy owl, made its way towards the Gryffindor table, landing on the cloth beside Harry.

"Who's this?" Maddie asked.

"This is Hedwig." Harry said, as he untied the letter attached to his pet.

Hedwig made her way across the table to her and gave out a welcoming hoot.

"Aaw, hello there." Maddie crooned, stroking her new feather friend.

"Who's the letter from?" Ron asked, through a mouthful of toast. "You don't really have any one to write to you apart from us now..."

"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed.

"What?" Ron said.

Harry opened the envelope and started to read.

Dear Mr. Potter,

As a result of your age, we have been told to inform you, that your guardians, from henceforth, have no responsibility of you, or your belongings. A copy of this letter has been sent to your guardians to inform them and they should contact you shortly.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr H. Agius

Department of Education, Ministry of Magic

Harry grinned.

"What is it?" Ron asked.

"I don't have to live with the Dursleys anymore."

"Are you serious?" Maddie asked, taking her attention off Hedwig.

"Yeah."

"Oh my- well done!" Maddie exclaimed, hugging him, she always got over happy for others.

The three of them looked at Hermione who seemed to be thinking intently.

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"Well, are you sure? What happened to you only being safe with your aunt?" Hermione asked.

The smile drained from Harry's face. He hadn't thought about that.

"What if it's some sort of trap from You-know – I mean, V-Voldemort?" Ron whispered.

They all thought for a moment, before Maddie said.

"Well, there's only one way to find out?"

"We can't chance it." Hermione said.

"No, but we can ask." said Maddie, and taking the letter she strode over to where the teachers table stood, standing directly in front of her Grandfather.

The whole school looked at her in shock. Nobody had ever done that before, and she had only been in the school a day... They all looked from her, to Dumbledore, expecting some sort of uproar.

But Dumbledore wasn't angry, instead, he smiled.

"Yes?"

Maddie looked up at him and decided, if he was her Grandfather, she should be allowed to go to him for help, whenever needed.

"I was wondering whether this meant, what it meant, if you know what I mean." she said, handing him the letter.

Without even taking it from her, he smiled replying.

"I do, and it does," he said

"So he can l-"

"If he wants to, and if his friends are there for him."

"Okay." she said, turning, she walked back to her seat a little confused, but clear enough in her mind

As she sat, she noticed another couple of letters in Harry's hands.

"Well, apparently its ok." she said.

"Just as well, I just got thrown out," Harry replied, but instead of a long face, he looked up with a grin.

"What did he say?" Hermione asked, still suspicious.

"He said as long as his friends are there for him, then its fine."

But there was still another letter, sitting there beside him, but in a happy mood, Harry stuffed it in his pocket, telling him self he'd look at it later.

The four of them headed down to their new Defence against the Dark Arts class, with their new teacher. Harry didn't know whether to feel excited or nervous. He told himself continuously that Professor Smith seemed nice when he introduced himself and to go with that.

As they entered the class, Professor Smith stood by the door, a smile on his face shaking hands with each student as they came. Maddie had been very nervous about this 'really good' subject and was glad to see he was at least smiling, but when she got to the door, he started acting very weird. He smile turned to a sort of smirk and when he shook her hand he whispered.

"Your back then."

Maddie didn't know what to say. She just looked at him shocked, motionless. What was he on about? Back, this was the first time she'd ever been here, or met him, although he did look vaguely familiar, she assumed it was not her memory but her Grandfathers, and was nearly going to be standing there for the whole lesson.

"Get on with it." he said gruffly to her and with a jump she sat down.

"What was that about?" Ron asked.

"I swear I've seen him before." was all Maddie could say.

But before she could say anything else, the man had shook all of his students hands, and was standing at the front.

"Hello, all of you, very nice to meet most of you." he said, in a cheerful voice that Maddie now assumed was something fake.

"As all of you know, the Dark Lord is upon us again, and it is my job to prepare all of you for what might come along, I am aware of the certain, difficulties, last year, and am sure we can catch up if we put our minds to it, especially since the Minister resignation and it seems our new government should ensure our safety very important."

He looked around the room, his students seemed to be intently listening, and he tapped the board, with his wand, so it read 'Weaknesses'. He started to pace the room.

"One of the key things you have to learn about protecting yourself is what charm to use. If you think about the person and their qualities, it helps you decide spells that help towards victory. For example."

He tapped the board again, so it read in smaller writing underneath, 'Words and Time'.

"You can use words to get your opponents attention, wasting time, but you can also use them to find out extra information about a person and what would do most damage."

"But how are we supposed to know Voldemort's weaknesses?" Draco drawled, from behind Maddie. The words hit her hard in the stomach like she had been kicked by someone.

Professor Smith and everyone else looked to Harry, expecting some sort of answer. But Harry wasn't for sure, he didn't concentrate on words and what Voldemort had ever said to him, he just hoped for his life that he could escape. He didn't know what to do, he wished there was some sort of diversion. Suddenly, beside him, he realised, there was a loud thud and gasps came from the class.

Maddie's eyelashes slowly opened to a, what was now, familiar smirk. She groaned. Draco helped her up and she shook her head, trying to think what had happened to her.

"Are you ok?" Harry asked her, his gaze firmly on Malfoy, who still had his arm around her.

"I'm great, just feel weird." she replied.

"I think we should get her to-"Hermione began.

"No she's fine she will sit in her seat and listen." Professor Smith said look rather annoyed.

Maddie sat down, Malfoy sitting back down beside her, and soon the whole class was sitting again.

"But I felt as If I'd had some sort of dream and had forgotten about it." Maddie explained, as they left.

"It was lucky Malfoy caught you." said Hermione

"Yeah." Harry said through gritted teeth.

"I wish I could forget some of my dreams." said Ron rather quietly.