I own nothing, J K Rowling IS Harry Potter. All my 'ideas' are basically ripped from stuff I enjoy; Harry Potter (duh!), Lord Of The Rings, Star Wars, Star Trek, Dragonball, The Matrix, The Lion King, 24, and anything else that even remotely looks far too creative for me to just make up! Don't say I didn't warn you alright!

Chapter 12 – A Lesson In Humility

Harry, Ron and Hermione were the first to arrive the next morning for Defence, and were somewhat surprised when only twelve more people filed in. Dean, Seamus, Lavender, Parvati, and Neville from Gryffindor, Padma Patil, Terry Boot and Anthony Goldstein from Ravenclaw, Susan Bones and Justin Finch-Fletchley from Hufflepuff, and two Slytherins; Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott.

"G'day all. Welcome to your first lesson in Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts."

"You mean that this is it? No one else is coming?" Dean exclaimed.

"No Mr…Thomas?" Trent asked and Dean nodded.

"No one else is coming. Many people would possibly like to be doing this subject. But the Headmaster had decided that only those who have shown significant potential previously in Defence will be able to handle its Advanced counterpart. I can assure you all, the next two years will be hell. And that's only during school, lest us forget about the impending war that is approaching" many people gulped at this.

"Right, who'd like to go first? Mr Potter, perhaps?" Trent asked politely.

"Er, I don't know what you want me to do, Professor" Harry answered.

"Perhaps I shall explain it better then. This year in this class, the only definites we need to cover, are how to defend yourselves against minor Dark Arts spells, and covering the Unforgivables in more detail. The rest of the time is up to you."

"You mean we get to choose what you teach us?" Hermione almost squealed in delight.

"That's correct, Miss Granger. Whatever you'd like to discuss, as long as it's within the boundaries of being Defence, then we can talk about it" Trent answered.

"Back to Harry's question though. I'd like you to tell me the most powerful spell you know you can perform, and its incantation."

"Oh, right that'd be…er…"

"Don't stall, Harry. It's his Patronus, Professor. With 'Expecto Patronum' being the incantation" Hermione interrupted.

"Actually Hermione, I was going to say that. But is the Patronus charm more powerful than the Cruciatus curse?"

Most of the class gasped as Harry said this, but Trent looked slightly amused. Harry had told him the whole story of what happened in the Ministry of Magic that fateful night in June.

"If performed properly, Harry, the Cruciatus curse is slightly more powerful than the Patronus. But I know for a fact you haven't performed it before. Practiced perhaps, but not performed it properly. Good question though. Mr Weasley, you're looking awfully pale. Do you need to go to the hospital wing?" Trent asked.

Ron just shook his head "no Professor. It's just, how could Harry practice that curse when it's illegal?"

"I believe he had extra lessons with that teacher of yours, the one who taught you the Unforgivables in your fourth year."

"Oh, ok then" was all Ron could say in response. Harry looked at Trent, but decided to play along. They didn't need to know the truth.

"How can you judge how powerful a spell is Professor?" Padma queried.

"Excellent question Miss…Patil, five points to Ravenclaw. The easiest way to tell how powerful a spell is is by how effective they are. The Patronus charm drives back Dementors, whereas the Cruciatus can severely incapacitate a person. Therefore the Cruciatus is slightly more powerful. It also depends on the amount of power the witch or wizard puts into the spell.

If that's all the questions for now, I believe Hermione's given me a great idea. For the remainder of the class, we will go over the intricacies of the Patronus charm. We'll also see exactly how many of you can produce one."

With that, Trent got the class to stand up, as he levitated the desks away to the side of the room. "Ok, before we start. Who can tell me the four things a Patronus is useful for?"

"Drives back Dementors" Blaise jumped in.

"Gets rid of Lethifolds" Dean added.

"It can disorientate a Boggart temporarily" Harry said, while the rest of the class looked at him in confusion before Hermione spoke up

"Is that true, Professor?"

"It is. I can only presume that Harry's Boggart is a Dementor. And that he must've come across one accidentally" Harry nodded.

"Anyone else?"

Silence.

"C'mon, it's not that hard surely" Trent asked incredulously before shaking his head.

"You've missed the most obvious thing. A Patronus is a very useful distraction. No spell can get rid of a fully corporeal Patronus. And you people call yourself the advanced class, amazing" Trent shook his head again before teaching the class exactly what is required to produce a Patronus.

They took turns, with Trent reminding them that you must think really happy thoughts. Most people getting three attempts, with only Harry and Hermione being able to produce corporeal Patroni (the familiar stag and otter), everyone else was able to produce mist, but nothing more.

"Excellent start! Right, for your homework, to be handed in next week, I'd like everyone to compile a list of every curse, hex and jinx you know how to perform, and then describe how each of them can be used in battle situations."

The rest of the class went by in silence. Save for the scratching of quill on parchment, and before long, the bell went.

"Great, Potions with Snape" Harry groaned.

"Bad luck mate, glad I'm not doing that. I've got Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid" Ron said.

"But you don't know what's he's going to show you, it might be Aragog" Harry smirked devilishly, while Ron's eyes went exceptionally wide.

"He'd better not! Anyway, I'd best be off, see you at lunch all right?"

"Bye Ron. We should also get going Harry, we don't want to be late" Hermione said, and Harry nodded.

They walked into the potions dungeon and waited for the rest for the class and Snape to turn up. When everyone was seated and Snape was standing up in front of them, he spoke

"I must say that I'm hardly surprised that so few of you are here. After all, Potions is the most difficult art to master, and it will be no surprise to me if a few of you choose to drop out."

His gaze lingered on Harry before continuing,

"You will find that the next two years will be the hardest you've ever faced. I will not tolerate any assignments that do not meet my standards, and will not hesitate to put those in detention. Potter. What are the main ingredients of Veritaserum?"

Harry looked a little surprised, but he did spend a little extra time on his potions knowledge over the summer and it showed. He rattled off the ingredients to a somewhat stunned Professor Snape. It was the only time he called on Harry to answer any of his questions all lesson.

Snape went on to tell them that the first potions they'd be making and testing on each other, was Veritaserum and its antidote. Snape then informed the class to split into pairs (Harry and Hermione being partners), because the potion takes a while to create correctly. He also gave them some time to decide what questions to ask their partners.

The two of them began to sort out the correct amount of each ingredient they needed, before the bell signalling the end of class rang. The students filed outside and made their way towards the Great Hall for lunch.

While walking, Harry and Hermione were chatting about whether Snape would still be as unfair to them. The class now included all four houses, instead of just Slytherin and Gryffindor that they were used to.

"I mean, I'm not shocked that there are more Slytherin's than other house. But I do hope that he might at least not give and take outrageous amounts of points like he's done for the past five years."

Harry nodded "I can't believe Malfoy actually managed to score an O for potions. At least Crabbe and Goyle aren't there. I actually thought more Ravenclaw's would be doing Potions, but I guess not many wanted to spend another two years with Snape as teacher."

Hermione smiled, and was about to reply when Ron came up behind them

"Hey guys, how was Potions? I still can't believe anyone would actually choose to have Snape for another two years. Maybe you need to visit Madam Pomfrey."

"Very funny, Ron. So how's Aragog?" Harry politely asked.

Ron glared before replying "no idea, Harry. Hagrid said we're not going to cover anything dangerous until after Christmas, and I would put Aragog in that category."

"But what's Hagrid's definition of dangerous, Ron? I mean he might have you doing Welsh Green dragons next week because they're the least dangerous breed of dragon" Hermione added.

Ron just shrugged "we're mainly covering stuff we've already done before. But getting off topic, any idea when Quidditch trials will be, Harry?"

Harry shook his head. "No, I guess I'll have to ask McGonagall about it. I'll see on the weekend. The season doesn't start for another month and a half, and even then, we're not playing first anyway. So we've got a bit of time."

They'd made it to the Hall and sat down next to Dean, Seamus and Neville and began discussing what kind of things they'd like to learn in Defence this year. Lunch went by quickly, and all six of them made their way for their first proper duelling lesson.

They entered the classroom, and were surprised at the number of people who had elected to take this subject until Harry remembered Dumbledore saying it was mandatory. Trent and Remus walked in and looked at everyone before starting the class.

"I see that Dumbledore's combined everyone in sixth year. Well then, let's get started. Wands out and follow me please" Trent walked out of the room, closely followed by Remus and the class.

After what felt like an eternity, Trent walked into a room that had obviously not been used for quite some time. It had dust and grime everywhere. Harry thought he could make out a stage, but couldn't be sure. Remus and Trent quickly cleaned up the room, which Harry then recognised as the duelling room that Lockhart had taken them to in their second year. The two Professors then stood in front of the class once again.

"Alright, duelling is the one of the most honoured, yet neglected traditions known to wizardkind. What myself and Professor Lupin will be teaching, is the proper manners required to duel, as well as some nice tricks you can use when duelling. Those of you who have duelled before, and I'm talking about a real duel, not a pathetic little fight in your common rooms, please come up the front."

Harry made his way to the front of the stage, and wasn't surprised to see Malfoy arriving there also. They glared at each other before waiting for further instructions.

"That's it huh. Only two people have been in a real duel? Ok then, this might take a little longer than I thought. Any ideas, Professor Lupin?"

"I guess we can just explain the basics, then have these two demonstrate."

"Very well. In that case, welcome to Introduction to Duelling. All duels take place because one person challenges the other in some way. They are always one on one, with proper wizarding duels having seconds. A second is someone chosen to take over from one of the wizards or witches should they become too injured to continue. Any questions so far?"

No one had any, so Remus took over.

"Each wizard or witch bows to the other and then they start duelling. It's common that once the duel is underway, the offensive spells are rotated between the two combatants. For example, if myself and Professor Fuller were duelling, and I started off with a stunning spell, which he then blocked. I'd have to wait for him to attack me next and defend myself. Understand?"

The class nodded and no one asked any questions, so Trent got Harry and Draco up on the stage and said they could start once they bowed to each other. They did so grudgingly, and Draco got the duel underway with a jelly legs curse. Harry blocked it easily and countered with a stunning charm.

The duel continued for a little while, each trading spells, until Harry got an idea.

"Expecto Patronum!" and the familiar form of Prongs took shape.

Draco looked shocked at the sudden change in tactics, and therefore wasn't prepared for when Harry followed up with a disarming charm. Draco didn't react in time, and the red jet of light hit him in the chest. He fell back, and his wand clattered to the floor.

Trent relieved Draco from his plight, and gave him back his wand. Harry turned to get off the stage, when he felt a whoosh of wind fly past him, and his cheek stung. Harry reached up and felt a considerable amount of blood coming down, which had also splashed onto his robes. Harry was reminded immediately of the incident in Snapes' pensieve, where Snape had cut his father's cheek.

Malfoy had a huge smirk on his face, and the majority of Slytherin's were howling with laughter. Glancing over, Harry saw Ron was on his feet with outrage and Hermione looked shocked.

"Mr Malfoy, this duel is over. It was once Professor Fuller revived you" Remus started.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Professor. I must have missed you saying that" Draco said smoothly.

Remus looked thunderstruck. But before he could say anything, Trent stepped in.

"By that as it may, Mr Malfoy. This duel IS over, and you WILL get off the stage."

"No Professor, he won't. I should've expected something like that from him. After all, he's gotten me in the mood for round two" Harry cut in.

Draco looked towards Harry, before walking back into position. Unlike last time, they didn't bow to each other, and before Draco could even think about doing anything, Harry attacked. He didn't wait for Draco to counter his spells either. Harry threw most of what he knew into it, even using some of the pranks Remus and Trent had told him about.

Trent looked livid. "POTTER, STOP THIS INSTANT!" he roared.

Harry ignored him and by the time he was finished, Draco resembled something like a slug in robes, much like he did on the Hogwarts Express a couple of months ago. This time it was the rest of the class were howling with laughter, but both Trent and Remus were not amused.

While Trent was reversing all the damage Harry had done, Remus turned and faced Harry.

"Harry, that sort of act will NOT be tolerated in this class. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!" Remus bellowed.

Harry gulped, and nodded. But Remus wasn't finished, "detention. Tomorrow night at eight o'clock. Professor Fuller's office," Remus then turned to Draco before adding "both of you."

Harry looked humiliated with himself, while Draco was shocked, but had enough sense to keep his mouth shut.

The rest of the lesson passed by without further incident, and the bell rang to indicate the end of the first day of lessons.