Twin Power

Chapter Sixteen: A Test of Trust

"You have to trust me Draco. I know what I am talking about. When you go down there, you will find that the students will like you more if you don't have such a scowl like your predecessor did. Just be nice, I'm not saying that you have to like all of your students, just don't hate them. Let them learn, and maybe they will show you that they can do it well. Remember Neville, he never did very good at potions until he got over his fear of Professor Snape, then he was one of the best. I know that this is a lot to ask of you, but just give it one try." Harry was going over this with Draco one morning in his office before class started. Draco was wondering what he could do to get the students to not blow things up so much.

He decided to go against what he learned from his mentor, and trust what Harry said. He knew that the students loved Harry and Ginny as professors, and that they did good with their students. Heck they even liked Neville's teaching of Herbology, and he was considered a bumbling fool sometimes. "Well Harry, if it works for you and Ginny and the rest, I might as well try it." He shook his former foes hand, and walked back down to the dungeons for his first class. As he walked in, he found that the first year Gryffindor and Slytherin's were sitting there quietly talking among themselves waiting for Professor Malfoy. "Ok class, we will be working on a minor healing salve today, the instructions are on the board."

To say that the class was surprised that their professor wasn't scowling or getting after someone right away, was an understatement. They looked at each other, and then quickly got to getting their supplies to get started. Once they were started, Draco found that they were more calm and getting it done quicker. He also found that the class went by much more smoothly, and that no one blew up their cauldrons this class.

Draco was having a good class when one of the first years raised their hand to ask a question. Now Draco would normally just scowl and give a gruff nod to the student in answer to get them to ask, but decided to be nice today. "Yes Ms. Turner, what can I do for you?"

Mellissa Turner was surprised at first for the Professors reaction, but soon recovered. "Yes professor, I was wondering if everything was alright? You seem so unlike yourself this morning. Not that we are complaining sir, class seems to go so much easier with you like this." She smiled and sat down.

Noticing that the class was pretty much done with their potions, he decided to answer her question. "Well Ms. Turner, I had a long talk with the Headmaster this morning, wondering why he and his wife were so popular among the students. I found out that they listened to their students, and didn't scowl at them all the time. I decided to try it out for myself, to see if the potion class would go smoother, and no cauldron's blowing up all the time. It seems that it is working, and that you all are learning better with me this way. To let you know, this will be my normal attitude from now on. Well it looks like you all have your potions done, so if you would all bring up a sample, then clean up, you are dismissed after that. Oh and I can't forget homework, and don't worry it won't be to bad. One foot one the practical uses of this potion. Thank you and have a great weekend."

After the first years left the dungeons and he checked and found that they had all done it right for once, he had a smile on his face. Not one of his smirks, but an actual smile. He found that Harry had been right, and he was glad of that. He sat behind his desk and wrote a letter to his mother.

Dear Mom:

Everything is doing great at school at this time. Pansy and the kids send their love. I decided to take up an idea that I had discussed with Headmaster Potter this morning and be nice to the students. They have shown a great deal of improvement in their studies and work so far.

Thank you for letting us know what father was up to, he isn't going to be a problem anymore I'm glad to say.

I hope that this is finding you well and healthy. Hope to see you over this summer break. Take care and have a great time without father around.

All my love

Draco

He signed and sealed the letter, before sending it off with his Eagle Owl to his mother. He then sat down and got to making his lesson plans for the rest of the school year. He knew that he had to prepare his 5th and 7th year students for their OWLS and NEWTS that were coming up, but he was sure that they would do well. He then went over who he had in his 5th year classes and thought of who would do good enough to get into NEWT level potions. There were a few that he knew wouldn't be able to get into it, but there were also a few stand outs. He even saw some fourth years that would do good in NEWT level if they were given the chance. Maybe he would talk to Harry about letting a couple of the fourth years take the OWL'S so that they could take the take NEWT level Potions next year.

Draco knocked on the Headmasters Office Door and entered when he heard the word 'enter'. "Harry, can I talk to you for a few minutes? There is something that I wanted to discuss with you about some of my 4th year students."

"Come in Draco, sit down. Lemon Drop? How did your experiment go this day with the students?"

"No thank you on the lemon drop Harry. It went quite well actually, and I plan on doing it for the rest of my time teaching. Now the reason that I wanted to talk to you about the students is. There are four students in my 4th year potions class that I feel will be able to take the Potions OWLS this year, and pass with a good enough grade to start taking Potions NEWT classes next year. I was wondering if it would be ok for me to approach them about taking the OWLS for it this year?" Draco was really excited about the possibility of doing this, and hoped that Harry would let him.

Harry placed his glasses down on his desk and looked like he was contemplating what Draco had asked him. "Are you sure that these four could do it? I mean, I trust your judgement and all, but your going to be asking four fourth year students, to jump ahead and get ready for their OWLS in potions, which means that they will have to do all the work also for their fifth year."

"I know this Harry, and it's not like it is something that they haven't prepared for. They are so far ahead of their classmates, that they have already been doing the fifth year work also. They have completed the competency and showed that they can do the work. You might be surprised, but there is one from each house, and they have been helping each other. Yes that means that they have been working with a Slytherin, and they have been working with her quite well actually. There is two boys and two girls. They are, Tommy Grinder of HufflePuff, Melissa Jorgesson of Slytherin, Bobby Sue McTaggert of Ravenclaw, and Jimmy Lightwing, the exchange student from America from Gryffindor. They have been doing great work with their potions, and have brought up to me actually that they would like to take the OWLS this year."

"Ok Draco, I have no objections to this, I know the students you are talking about, and I agree that they work great together in all their classes. They can take all the OWLS that they think they are ready for. Will you inform them?" Harry had a smile on his face when he told this to Draco.

"Of course I will tell them. Did you say all the OWLS that they wished to test for, are you suggesting that they test early for them and skip a year?"

"Only if they want to, I think that they are far ahead of their classmates, and should be given the chance to do it if they want. They don't have to skip ahead of their classmates in the year, they can still be 5th years next year if they want." Harry started making out the paperwork for them to do the testing early, and told Draco that he could go.

Draco was practically skipping out of the office down to his office. He wrote a quick note to the four students to come to his office immediately to discuss something.

When the four of them came to the office, they sat down in front of his desk and asked what was wrong.

"Nothing is wrong, in fact everything is right for you four. I just got done talking with the headmaster, and he has agreed to let you four test for your OWLS this year if you want to. I'm not just talking about your Potion ones, but for all of them that you think you're ready for. He thinks that you can all pass them with ease, and be able to skip ahead a year and become 6th year students next year. He also said that if you would prefer to be 5th year, but still take NEWT classes in what they are offered in, you can. What do you four say?"

"If you're serious about this Professor, of course we accept. We would prefer to stay with our class year tho, and only take the Newt classes that are offered that we want to take. We will of course take our 5th year class in the other ones." They all nodded their head in agreement, and were talking about it amongst themselves.

"That is great. I will let the Headmaster know, and you will be testing with the rest of the 5th year in a couple of months. You can go back to what you were doing now, and good luck to you all." He watched the students leave his office with a smile and silently wished them the best of luck.