Chapter 32 – A time for change

The rest of the weekend flew by, and before he knew it, Harry was sitting down to breakfast in the Great Hall waiting for Monday's lessons to start.

He sat opposite Ron and Hermione, but neither of them were speaking to him this morning. Ron, because he was still angry at Harry and Hermione because she didn't want to set Ron off again, as when she had spoken to Harry after the match, Ron had gotten angry with her.

So Harry sat next to Neville and Seamus, who were discussing the properties of the mogamis lagamis plant, which apparently Seamus was having trouble understanding.

Harry sighed in boredom and looked around the hall. He noticed that Megan was once again absent from breakfast and realised that he hadn't seen her since before the quidditch match.

He didn't have much time to ponder this though, as Professor Dumbledore got up to make an announcement that the 6th years were to remain in the Great Hall after breakfast rather than going to their usual classes.

Hermione and Ron looked at each other apprehensively, unsure why they were not informed of this beforehand. Harry sighed resignedly as he pushed his bowl away from him and waited.

Slowly, the students from the other years tricked out of the hall until only the 6th years were left. The food disappeared from the tables and Professor Dumbledore stood, accompanied by Professor McGonagall and Professor Helsing.

The sixth years waited with baited breath as Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak.

"The reason that I have arranged for you all to be here, is that you will be receiving your finalised timetables this morning" Dumbledore said.

A rush of muffled conversation was heard until Dumbledore raised his hands again.

"Yes, yes I realise that this is quite a strange turn of events, but in light of recent events, it was necessary" He said gravely, looking over the crowd of faces staring at him questioningly.

"Some of you will have changed classes. Some of you may not be able to take the subjects that they were taking originally. I assure you all that you will be able to choose from a selection of courses in order to complete your Hogwarts education adequately. And if you should require any training in a particular area which you are not able to receive training from during our courses, I'm sure that any of the Hogwarts teachers will be happy to assist you, so long as you don't interrupt their schedules too much" he said, with a twinkle in his eyes.

Most of the students looked at each other in confusion, with the occasional student whispering something about him being insane in his old age.

"I will pass you now to Professor Helsing, who will read out 3 classes. If you could all come to the front when your name is called, you will receive your new timetables" Dumbledore said, and motioned for Helsing to stand in front of him.

She cleared her throat, then stood at the front of the hall and unrolled the parchment that she had clasped in her hand.

"Class number 1" she said, her voice ringing in the quiet hall.

Harry listened half-heartedly as she called out the names of students, and they each came up to the front to collect their timetables. He felt a cold shiver run down his spine as "Weasley, Ronald" was called out amongst those in the first group. He chanced a look at Ron and saw that Ron was furious about this. He stormed up to the front of the hall and snatched the parchment away from Professor McGonagall so roughly that the Professor had taken 2 points from Gryffindor as a result.

"Class number 2" Professor Helsing called out.

Harry listened in apprehension to the names that were called out. "Granger, Hermione" was one of them. He listened to the end and felt another chill as he realised that he was separated from both of his friends.

"Class Number 3" Professor Helsing called out.

As he listened to the names, he was hoping against all hope that he had been missed somehow. That the Professor had mistakenly skipped over his name in one of the first two classes, but he heard his name called out shortly after "Malfoy, Draco" and knew that there was no mistake. Harry took his parchment from Professor McGonagall as Professor Helsing rolled up the parchment and looked out at the three classes that had formed.

"You have been put into these classes in order to separate those students who will require only basic knowledge of their subjects and those who will no doubt require more... intrinsic training during their time at Hogwarts. You have been placed into these classes with utmost consideration of your knowledge, your capacity to learn, and your future need for such knowledge." She looked around the room, gauging the response to her little speech.

"Mostly, you will only notice the change in your defence classes, which is why it is I up here explaining these things to you, and not your deputy Headmistress. Class 2 will continue undertaking the current Defence curriculum. Class 3 will be taking advanced defence classes and will have a much fuller schedule than those in class 1 who will no longer be attending the Defence against the Dark Arts classes"

At this, a burst of noise was heard from the side of the hall where the first class was currently sitting. Most of the noise was caused by a certain redhead, whose skin matched his hair in his outrage.

Professor Helsing called for silence and the hall soon turned silent once again.

"While I can understand that those of you in Class 1 may be a little upset by this turn of events, we have placed a measure that will still allow you to learn defensive techniques. Although you will not be able to study DADA for your NEWTS, I am sure that some of you would be willing to participate in an outside of class group for Defence. It will be held in the Great Hall on Saturday mornings, and will be run alternately by the Professors, and by Mister Potter here" she said, indicating Harry. "who has proven himself to be a worthy teacher of sorts during your 5th year. If you have any questions regarding the running of this group, you should direct them to him. Are there any other questions?"

When no questions were forthcoming, the Headmaster told them all that they were able to spend the remainder of the first class of the day in free time, but were to follow their new timetables and attend the rest of the classes for the day. They were dismissed then, and walked out of the Hall quietly. Harry had lost sight of Ron and Hermione during the chaos, and rushed to the door of the Great Hall, hoping to catch up with them and discuss the new development.