Harry Potter and the Betrayal of the Phoenix
Chapter 8 - New Classes and a New Minister?
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, the canon herself JK does…or maybe Warner Brothers does…maybe Scholastic…who knows? Anyways, it's not me, and I am not here to make any money…and I got a Beta reader Annerimae (also her AIM name), so give her a shoutout if you want to complain about the grammar.
"Hi everyone...and welcome to the first class of Dueling and the DA. Professor Dumbledore has asked to speak at the start, so if you'd like Professor, you can start," spoke an excited Hermione.
For the most part, the first part of today was the same as yesterday. Harry was up late last night working on his DADA assignment and his first Herbology essay, which was due later today in the practicum. Even though Harry was still very angry with Ron about not being allowed to practice with the Quidditch team, thereby not being allowed to play for the Gryffindor team, Harry tried to be civil to him throughout the day though it got harder and harder as the day went on.
"Thank you Miss Granger. Many of you have wondered why I have decided to make DA an official class and not an organization, like the Transfiguration Team. In the dark times, we never know when me may need to fight for our own survival. Last year, members of the DA went on to tackle Death Eaters themselves in a battle at the Ministry of Magic, and without this training I doubt they would have been nearly as successful. Right now, this class only consists of members of last year's DA, but I have made the decision that these lessons are so essential to open up registration after the current term is over. Mr. Potter and Miss Granger will be conducting the day-to-day business of the class, although I will help every now and then, when I am needed. I expect all of you to respect Mr. Potter and Miss Granger as you would any other teacher. Enjoy the class, and now I will leave you to the care of Mr. Potter and Miss Granger."
"Thanks Professor," replied Harry as Dumbledore left the classroom.
"OK everyone…for the first class we're going to take it easy and just review what we covered last year. Everyone, pair up, and practice the disarming spell."
The whole lesson, dedicated to reviewing spells they learned last year, went better than both Harry or Hermione could have expected, and by the time the class was over, everyone was caught up and ready to move on.
"Next lesson we will move into new spells, so we'll see you on Thursday."
Harry left the classroom on his way to Dumbledore's office to continue his Occlumency lessons from last year. As he approached the all-too familiar entrance, Harry almost ran into Snape as he was leaving Dumbledore's office.
"Sorry Professor," replied Harry. Snape merely nodded and moved on.
"Come in Harry. How was your first class?"
"Great, we didn't have to assign any homework or anything. Professor? Why do you think I need to continue Occlumency? I mean, my scar really hasn't hurt me all summer."
"Harry, that doesn't mean that it won't. Occlumency can be useful even beyond using it to prevent Voldemort's manipulations. It is indeed a rare gift, and you must train up in order to be able to fully use it. Now Harry, the first step is being able to completely clear your mind. One of the books in your trunk is all about the art of Meditation. I would like you to read this book and practice clearing your mind for at least a half hour a day. Now Harry…I must end this lesson early. There is a matter with the Order that I need to tend to. Please have the book read. I would like you to keep a journal of how your progress is coming along and report back to me in a weeks time."
"Sure Professor."
"You can go ahead and leave now for an early dinner Harry. I am sure you have plenty to do. I hope I will be able to see you tomorrow for your class, but if I am otherwise occupied, Professors Moody and Lupin will be on hand to help."
"Ok Professor Dumbledore. I'll see you tomorrow."
"One last thing Harry," spoke Dumbledore, as Harry was leaving his office, "I am glad to hear that you have taken the sorting hat's wisdom to heart."
After dinner, with Hermione and Ron talking about their History of Magic homework and Hermione talking about her NEWT Prep Ancient Runes class, the trio had their first Herbology practicum, where they began to catalogue in special notebooks assigned by Professor Sprout all the plants in Greenhouse 1, with drawings, labels, information, etc. As soon as Sprout announced the Practicum was over, Harry excused himself from Ron and Hermione and went towards the library to meet up with Blaise so the two of them could work on their Potions homework from yesterday's Practicum.
"Hey Pigeon"
"Hey Parakeet."
"Lets get started on Potions, because the sooner we finish the sooner we can talk about DADA. I've got a whole bunch of questions for you on DADA. I went to Snape and got us each a waiver excusing us form curfew tonight…although he seemed somewhat hesitant to give me one. Anyways, for potion A, why do you think the lacewings worked?"
For the next hour, Harry and Blaise made their way through their Potions assignment. As soon as they finished, a relieved Harry asked Blaise, "So your questions about DADA…I'll try to help…what's up?"
"I'm curious to hear what you have to say about spells like Cruico and other dark curses, and why you don't think they're dark. You're a Gryffindor…you aren't supposed to think like that."
" First off…a spell is an inanimate object. I have a hard time believing that inanimate objects can have any sort of inherent connotation. A wizard has to give it one. I'll admit, it is hard to find a good way to use Cruico but with the other unforgivables it's easy to find a way to use them for the light."
"Oh? How could controlling someone be good for any means?"
"Most of the people who have ever used the Imperious Curse have used it to control people in a malicious way; to make them do their bidding. If you were being attacked by someone and you couldn't stop them with the temporary stunning spells, wouldn't it be better to make them not attack anybody than to be attacked?"
"Pigeon…that sounds like a Slytherin motto."
"Well, the sorting hat almost put me in Slytherin. I just don't buy that there's any spell that is inherently good or inherently bad. Even a spell, like a Cheering Charm, that seems like it could ever be used for evil could be…what if you cast that on someone continually and never let it off! That'd be torture!"
"I guess it would…never thought of it like that. I'm still surprised that a Gryffindor, of all people, is talking like this!"
"Its time that we start putting these house stereotypes to rest. Merlin knows what Ron and Hermione will think when I tell them I came to the library to work with you, a Slytherin. I just don't see what the big deal is anymore. Evil people come from all houses…"
"You made the comment about spells can't be made dark or light, but what about people? Can people be inherently good or evil?" interrupted a questioning Blaise.
"Well…kinda. I think that if you were only a product of your environment, then I would have turned out to be an evil little monster that is always going to attack Muggles…but I'm not. I think that there is no absolute good or evil…but there are some who come pretty darn close. I'm not sure what makes Voldemort…or Bellatrix Lestrange…so evil, but I can't deny that they are. Those evil people give the spells they use an evil connotation, whether it be deserved or not."
"All right you two…the library is closing. Finish up and head back to your common rooms," interrupted Madame Pince, the Hogwarts librarian.
"Ok Madame. Harry, I'll see you tomorrow in class. Thanks for talking with me."
"No problem Parakeet."
"Journal Entry: September 3rd
So far, classes seem to be going better than expected. Ron seems to be acting more distant than normal, and he's not letting me be on the Quidditch team because of all my classes. I'm still angry with him about it, but I can understand his reasoning…and I was beginning to wonder how I would fit it in my schedule.
One surprise of note is that Malfoy and his goons seem to be ignoring me as much as possible as of late. If all it took was getting their fathers arrested, then I should have done it a long time ago. On the subject of Slytherins…Blaise and I seem to be getting along fairly well, so that's good.
Everyone seems to be a little on edge after Voldemort's public return. Everybody seems to be faking politeness towards me in my classes…and it's beginning to get annoying. I wish everyone would just treat me like they would a normal kid my age. Its almost midnight now…I've got so much homework that I've got at least another hour to go. This was my break before starting on my Transfiguration essay that's due tomorrow."
The next few weeks passed without much incident. All of Harry's classes seemed to be going fairly well, although he soon began to stand out in one class in particular: Animagi and Metamorphmagi. He was able to turn his arms into wings already and he was also able to mess around with the length of his hair at will, although he was making slow process with the Basilisk. Harry was also able to meditate for about fifteen minutes, clearing his mind, although he was still struggling to do it right before falling asleep. Dumbledore was satisfied nonetheless.
Harry continued to be paired up with Blaise in many of his classes, and after a while Harry began to suspect some polite sabotaging from Dumbledore, but Harry didn't mind too much. Harry began to think that the world was eerily silent, when a special edition of the Daily Prophet rocked the Hogwarts breakfast tables.
"Attack on Diagon Alley rattles Wizarding World; New Minister of Magic Needed"
By Devon Shawshank
Editor-in-Chief
In the first attack on wizard kind from He-who-must-not-be-Named, the Leaky Cauldron was ambushed late last night by a swarm of Death Eaters. Although no Wizards were killed in the attack, many were rushed to St. Mungos for emergency treatment. The building was completely destroyed, along with its entrance into Diagon Alley that those coming in from Muggle London use to arrive in Diagon Alley. The "Minister of Magic" has assured us that a new, temporary location will be found for the entrance in due time.
The Ministry of Magic has failed us once again. This attack should have been prevented, and it failed to catch a single Death Eater that undertook the attack. Since it has been more than five years since the last election for a Minister of Magic, I am using the authority granted to me to call for a vote of no confidence in the Minister's ability to lead. According to Section 34.342 part A of the Ministry of Magic's Rules and Regulations for Governing, in two weeks the election will take place.
Qualified Candidates can submit their applications to run to Mr. Percy Weasley, Ministry of Magic. Applications must be sent in within three days of the announcement of an election."
Albus Dumbledore, most noted for being Headmaster of Hogwarts, when reached for comment declined to run, but threw his support behind Arthur Weasley, current head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office. Fudge has previously announced he would run against any competitor for the position, although we here at the Daily Prophet think he should just resign. More Details on page 2,3,4,6,7,8."
A/N: To all the Ron lovers…you may not like the rest of the story :-) Also, a warning…there's going to be at least one death, maybe more, in the story. I started up a yahoo group that I will e-mail when I upload another chapter…along with an occasional poll and a chat every now and then. Join it by going to . Thanks again for the reviews all! The lucky 500th reviewer got her questioned answered about what was up with Ron. I'm still blown away by your reviews and your IMs…thanks everyone!! I've got a final in Macroeconomics (gag me) on Wednesday…so I can't start the next chapter until then, but Ill do my hardest to have it up by Thursday night. IF you notice any other fics popping up by me (I've got an idea for a songfic) they aren't associated with this story and this plot…but feel free to read them anyways. Oh, and I decided to make Blaise a girl, although I bet Blaise is really a guy. It worked better for the plot of the story.