Disclaimer: Don't own Harry, Ron, Hermione, etc...
Thanks for the review, HeAvEaNbAbY
Chapter Nine - The New Professor
Ronald Weasley's eyes flickered open exactly ten hours and two minutes after the time of his rescue. Ron stretched and cracked his fingers, and suddenly realized that he was in a house he did not recognize. He turned his head and was surprised to see none other than Headmaster Dumbledore looking at him.
"Ah, Mr. Weasley. You're awake."
"What happened? How did I escape from Voldemort?"
"Well, when Miss Granger realized that you had been kidnapped, she alerted the house to your disappearance. They notified me, and then we had a rescue mission. You have your father, Remus, Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, and Professor Snape to thank for your escape."
"Wait - how did Hermione know I was kidnapped? Did she find out when she woke up?"
"No, Miss Granger had a most unique dream in which she saw your kidnapping and - your interrogation."
Ron involuntarily shivered at the mention of his meeting with Voldemort.
"Mr. Weasley, I must compliment you for your immense bravery and refusal to give Voldemort any information. You withstanded pain and agony that few have ever experienced and still stayed true to the Order."
Ron nodded numbly, still drinking it all in.
"How long ago was I kidnapped?"
"I would say about fifteen hours. You will be able to return to your house after tomorrow, but for today, you rest. Here - a Sleeping Potion. Take it. You need your rest."
Ron nodded and swallowed the potion with one gulp, lying down and falling into a dreamless sleep.
Ronald Weasley walked into the Burrow by Floo Powder to immediately be ambushed by Mrs. Weasley, who was sobbing hysterically into his shoulder. Once Mrs. Weasley let go, Hermione immediately enveloped him in a hug, followed by Ginny, then Harry (who gave him a sort of one-armed, quick hug), and then the rest of the Weasley's. When Ron was finally done being greeted, it was a half-hour later and around lunchtime.
"Hey Mum, how about lunch?" Mrs. Weasley nodded and wiped away her tears to run to make sandwiches for the many occupants of the Burrow. Ron looked pale but was smiling and laughing along with everybody else. Everyone avoided the interrogation, and the Burrow was once again happy.
Hermione looked curiously at her reading list again. She was so excited about O.W.L. results when they came in that she had totally ignored the latest Hogwarts letter and with it, the list of books. But there didn't appear to be any Defense Against the Dark Arts books. Perhaps they made a mistake, Hermione thought, but knew that wasn't it. She frowned to herself - although she thought Dumbledore would get a good teacher, Hermione doubted the credibility of a teacher who would not even assign any books to read. She looked up as she heard footsteps as she saw Ron coming. She kissed him on the cheek as a greeting.
"Hey, Hermione. What're you looking at? Haven't you already those books, there's only about three days till school starts," Ron said in a joking manner - obviously referring to the humor of Ron telling her that she was slacking off with her reading.
"No Ron, I've already read all these - as I see YOU haven't -"
"Hey, I'm getting to them..."
"- what I'm curious about is the lack of any Defense Against the Dark Arts books."
"My kind of professor."
Hermione laughed and put her head on Ron's shoulder. She was oddly comfortable there, and stayed there until Mrs. Weasley called them in for supper.
"RONALD WEASLEY! WHY ARE YOU TAKING SO LONG TO GET HERE? WE'LL BE LATE!"
Ron tumbled down the stairs at a fast rate, finally ready to leave for the Hogwarts Express.
"Alright Mum, calm down, I'm here. Hey Harry, Hermione. Have a good sleep? And Harry, stop trying to hide the prefect badge."
Harry unfolded his robe to reveal the prefect badge, which he had obviously not wanted Ron to see.
"Yeah, I slept pretty well."
"Me too. You, Ron?"
"Kind of restless, but yeah, good."
Hermione looked concernedly at Ron. Ever since the kidnapping, Ron had been smiling, cheerful, and openly affectionate, but he seemed perpetually tired. Hermione doubted that he had much sleep, but sighed to herself as she realized it was probably better not to push him at the moment. He was probably having nightmares.
Mrs. Weasley's booming voice suddenly echoed through the Burrow.
"GINNY! GET DOWN HERE! Finally, alright everybody here? Got everything? Let's go, then."
Hermione, Ginny, Harry, and Ron followed the briskly walking Mrs. Weasley out of the Burrow. They all took a last wistful glance at the Burrow before cramming into a car provided by the Ministry, who would escort them on the way to Hogwarts. They soon arrived at Platform 9 3/4 with no hitches and were on the train. The train ride was uneventful other than seeing Parvati, Lavender, Seamus, and Neville before finally arriving at the feast.
Ron suddenly spoke as he scanned the Head Table while the First Years were sorted.
"Look, that must be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher! Bit young, isn't he?"
Hermione and Harry suddenly glanced up at the Head Table to see a man who looked about 21, 22 with dark brown hair and deep blue eyes. He had an unusually powerful and lean frame, and looked to be around 6'3. Harry and Hermione nodded in agreement to Ron's assessment. Hermione looked like she was about to speak but stopped upon Dumbledore standing up.
"Good evening everyone, and welcome to Hogwarts for our First Years, and welcome back to all older years! I will, as usual, deliver my speech after dinner. For now, let's eat!"
The eccentric Professor sat down as a huge feast appeared. Harry, Ron, and Hermione dug in to all their favorite treats and when everyone was finished, Dumbledore stood up again as everyone immediately finished.
"I would like everyone to please welcome Professor Park, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor!"
Harry leaned in to talk to Ron and Hermione.
"So he still didn't put Snape on the job?" Ron answered.
"I suppose so, but I wonder why he never does..."
Dumbledore then went on to make the usual announcements about the Forbidden Forest, etc. before instructing the Prefects to lead first years to their dormitories, and Harry, Ron and Hermione finally went to bed at about midnight for the first day of classes.
Ron was tucking in to breakfast when Professor McGonagall came by to hand out schedules. She stopped at Ron to talk to him.
"Ah, Mr. Weasley. I would just like to tell you that it is a pleasure to see you well and up and about."
"Thank you, Professor." Ron turned around and looked at his schedule, and then compared it to Harry and Hermione's.
"I have double Defense Against the Dark Arts first, how about you guys?"
"Excellent, I do too."
"Yeah, me too. I wonder what the new Professor's gonna be like."
"Who is it with again?"
"Ravenclaws."
"Oh, good, wouldn't want the Slytherins..."
"Well let's go, we wouldn't want to be late, would we?"
Hermione, Ron, and Harry quickly left to arrive at the Defense Against the Dark Arts N.E.W.T. classroom. They saw that Professor Park was already there, but that there were no desks. Most of the class was already there.
"Good morning, class. As you may have noticed, there are no desks in this classroom, so you would please sit on the floor. As you know, my name is Professor Park. I'll just take role, then."
Park went through role, and Harry noted with interest but pleasure that Park didn't stop at his name or give Harry any special recognition at his name. Good, Harry thought, it's nice to be treated like everyone else for once. Park started to speak again.
"Now everybody, this class will be extremely different from your usual Defense Against the Dark Arts. There will be no books in this class." Hermione groaned as her suspicions were confirmed, and Ron and Harry grinned at her.
"Also, in this class there will be virtually no wandwork. A crucial part of Defense Against the Dark Arts that none of you have learned is wandless magic. Not all are good at wandless magic, and because of this any of you may stop at any time during the course. Some of you, in fact, I may suggest quitting. This will be a rigorous, tough course, but it is extremely useful. Understood, everyone?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Good. Now, I think a demonstration is necessary in order for you to truly understand wandless magic. You will find that it is exhausting and should not be used in anything other than duels and against Dark Magic - you'll simply tire yourself out. Got it? Good. So, I'll need an opponent...I'll just magically select the person with the highest skill level at the moment do demonstrate with..."
Park took out his wand and it started spinning around and flashing red. Harry noticed everyone seemed to be looking expectantly at him - they obviously thought it would be him. Harry hoped not, though - a duel with Park looked like it would hurt.
The wand started to slow down, and finally stopped not on Harry, but on the person next to Harry. Everyone gaped openmouthed at Ron as he stared at the wand pointing at him, surprised. Park turned around and waved his wand, magically causing a platform to raise out of the ground. He pocketed it.
"Mr. Weasley, would you please join me on the platform."
Park stepped onto the platform serenely. Ron nervously followed, clearly still astonished that he had been selected as the person with the highest skill in the class. Even over Harry? Ron stepped onto the platform, and Park again began to instruct.
"Are you ready, Ron? Remember, this is no ordinary fight - use your magical powers. Wands aren't necessary to access the magic inside you, so simply tap the powers without using the wand. Understand? Good. 1...2...3....go!"
Park suddenly started running at Ron, then jumped. Park had clearly accessed his powers, as he was in a flying leap that Harry was sure was impossible. Hermione gasped as she saw Park's leg stretch out so that he could kick Ron. Ron quickly sidestepped out of the way and Park went flying past him, landing on the ground and rolling upright.
"Excellent, Ron, I can see the wand chose right. Alright, now just go grab that quarterstaff on the left there, and I'll get one, and then we'll truly fight. Remember - you're a wizard." Ron reached for the quarterstaff along with Park, they stood about ten feet apart from each other. Park counted off again, but this time, stayed still. Ron stood for about four seconds before rolling on the ground with lightning speed and stretching upright. Park had moved back now, and appeared to be hurling his staff at Ron. The staff started spinning towards Ron, but he ducked at the last second. Harry smiled - Park was surely going to lose now, without his staff, but it suddenly started flying back towards Park as if it was a boomerang. Harry understood immediately that Park was drawing the staff back to him with magic. Ron didn't notice, though, as he was running towards Park and couldn't see behind him. The staff hit Ron full in the back and Ron went flying into the air. If he hit the ground, he would surely break his arm, Harry thought. Park yelled.
"CONCENTRATE, RON!"
Ron's face contorted intensely and he suddenly stretched out his staff. It hit the ground and lodged there, and Ron used it to land upright on his feet.
"Excellent, Ron. Now, try to control the staff remotely with your powers and attack me simultaneously. This gives you two weapons."
Ron let go of the staff and it started floating in the air, causing many of the audience to gasp - how was this possible without a wand? The staff started spinning towards Park then, but Park sent his own staff at Ron's. Then Park went to attack Ron while his staff fought with Ron's to get to their opponents. Ron lost concentration and lost control of his staff, causing Park to send the staff at Ron while attacking Ron with his fists. Ron suddenly realized his mistake - without his staff fighting off Park's, Park's staff was free to attack him. Ron dodged on instinct, trying to avoid the staff at the same time as dodging Park's fists. Suddenly, Ron's staff flew towards Park, knocking it off the platform. Ron caught his staff expertly and started attacking Park, who could no longer use his staff as it was knocked off the field. Park deftly caught Ron's staff but Ron kicked him in the stomach. Ron suddenly felt a pull on his staff, and realized that Park was trying to wrench the staff from his control. Ron focused all his energies on the staff, but then Park punched him in the stomach, causing Ron to go flying. Ron hit the wall, exhausted, and collapsed on the floor. The duel was over, and he was tired.
"Excellent, Ron, would you please come with me? Class, wait for me here."
Park took Ron's arm and led him out of the room, and the class started buzzing with admiration for Ron's skills.
"Wonder what Park wanted with him?" Hermione thought aloud. Harry responded.
"Dunno..."
Sorry about this chapter. Other than the duel, it was extremely boring and scattered, but I needed to tie up loose ends. It'll get better as they fit into the schedule and I don't need to introduce all the classes and stuff anymore...
Thanks for the review, HeAvEaNbAbY
Chapter Nine - The New Professor
Ronald Weasley's eyes flickered open exactly ten hours and two minutes after the time of his rescue. Ron stretched and cracked his fingers, and suddenly realized that he was in a house he did not recognize. He turned his head and was surprised to see none other than Headmaster Dumbledore looking at him.
"Ah, Mr. Weasley. You're awake."
"What happened? How did I escape from Voldemort?"
"Well, when Miss Granger realized that you had been kidnapped, she alerted the house to your disappearance. They notified me, and then we had a rescue mission. You have your father, Remus, Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, and Professor Snape to thank for your escape."
"Wait - how did Hermione know I was kidnapped? Did she find out when she woke up?"
"No, Miss Granger had a most unique dream in which she saw your kidnapping and - your interrogation."
Ron involuntarily shivered at the mention of his meeting with Voldemort.
"Mr. Weasley, I must compliment you for your immense bravery and refusal to give Voldemort any information. You withstanded pain and agony that few have ever experienced and still stayed true to the Order."
Ron nodded numbly, still drinking it all in.
"How long ago was I kidnapped?"
"I would say about fifteen hours. You will be able to return to your house after tomorrow, but for today, you rest. Here - a Sleeping Potion. Take it. You need your rest."
Ron nodded and swallowed the potion with one gulp, lying down and falling into a dreamless sleep.
Ronald Weasley walked into the Burrow by Floo Powder to immediately be ambushed by Mrs. Weasley, who was sobbing hysterically into his shoulder. Once Mrs. Weasley let go, Hermione immediately enveloped him in a hug, followed by Ginny, then Harry (who gave him a sort of one-armed, quick hug), and then the rest of the Weasley's. When Ron was finally done being greeted, it was a half-hour later and around lunchtime.
"Hey Mum, how about lunch?" Mrs. Weasley nodded and wiped away her tears to run to make sandwiches for the many occupants of the Burrow. Ron looked pale but was smiling and laughing along with everybody else. Everyone avoided the interrogation, and the Burrow was once again happy.
Hermione looked curiously at her reading list again. She was so excited about O.W.L. results when they came in that she had totally ignored the latest Hogwarts letter and with it, the list of books. But there didn't appear to be any Defense Against the Dark Arts books. Perhaps they made a mistake, Hermione thought, but knew that wasn't it. She frowned to herself - although she thought Dumbledore would get a good teacher, Hermione doubted the credibility of a teacher who would not even assign any books to read. She looked up as she heard footsteps as she saw Ron coming. She kissed him on the cheek as a greeting.
"Hey, Hermione. What're you looking at? Haven't you already those books, there's only about three days till school starts," Ron said in a joking manner - obviously referring to the humor of Ron telling her that she was slacking off with her reading.
"No Ron, I've already read all these - as I see YOU haven't -"
"Hey, I'm getting to them..."
"- what I'm curious about is the lack of any Defense Against the Dark Arts books."
"My kind of professor."
Hermione laughed and put her head on Ron's shoulder. She was oddly comfortable there, and stayed there until Mrs. Weasley called them in for supper.
"RONALD WEASLEY! WHY ARE YOU TAKING SO LONG TO GET HERE? WE'LL BE LATE!"
Ron tumbled down the stairs at a fast rate, finally ready to leave for the Hogwarts Express.
"Alright Mum, calm down, I'm here. Hey Harry, Hermione. Have a good sleep? And Harry, stop trying to hide the prefect badge."
Harry unfolded his robe to reveal the prefect badge, which he had obviously not wanted Ron to see.
"Yeah, I slept pretty well."
"Me too. You, Ron?"
"Kind of restless, but yeah, good."
Hermione looked concernedly at Ron. Ever since the kidnapping, Ron had been smiling, cheerful, and openly affectionate, but he seemed perpetually tired. Hermione doubted that he had much sleep, but sighed to herself as she realized it was probably better not to push him at the moment. He was probably having nightmares.
Mrs. Weasley's booming voice suddenly echoed through the Burrow.
"GINNY! GET DOWN HERE! Finally, alright everybody here? Got everything? Let's go, then."
Hermione, Ginny, Harry, and Ron followed the briskly walking Mrs. Weasley out of the Burrow. They all took a last wistful glance at the Burrow before cramming into a car provided by the Ministry, who would escort them on the way to Hogwarts. They soon arrived at Platform 9 3/4 with no hitches and were on the train. The train ride was uneventful other than seeing Parvati, Lavender, Seamus, and Neville before finally arriving at the feast.
Ron suddenly spoke as he scanned the Head Table while the First Years were sorted.
"Look, that must be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher! Bit young, isn't he?"
Hermione and Harry suddenly glanced up at the Head Table to see a man who looked about 21, 22 with dark brown hair and deep blue eyes. He had an unusually powerful and lean frame, and looked to be around 6'3. Harry and Hermione nodded in agreement to Ron's assessment. Hermione looked like she was about to speak but stopped upon Dumbledore standing up.
"Good evening everyone, and welcome to Hogwarts for our First Years, and welcome back to all older years! I will, as usual, deliver my speech after dinner. For now, let's eat!"
The eccentric Professor sat down as a huge feast appeared. Harry, Ron, and Hermione dug in to all their favorite treats and when everyone was finished, Dumbledore stood up again as everyone immediately finished.
"I would like everyone to please welcome Professor Park, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor!"
Harry leaned in to talk to Ron and Hermione.
"So he still didn't put Snape on the job?" Ron answered.
"I suppose so, but I wonder why he never does..."
Dumbledore then went on to make the usual announcements about the Forbidden Forest, etc. before instructing the Prefects to lead first years to their dormitories, and Harry, Ron and Hermione finally went to bed at about midnight for the first day of classes.
Ron was tucking in to breakfast when Professor McGonagall came by to hand out schedules. She stopped at Ron to talk to him.
"Ah, Mr. Weasley. I would just like to tell you that it is a pleasure to see you well and up and about."
"Thank you, Professor." Ron turned around and looked at his schedule, and then compared it to Harry and Hermione's.
"I have double Defense Against the Dark Arts first, how about you guys?"
"Excellent, I do too."
"Yeah, me too. I wonder what the new Professor's gonna be like."
"Who is it with again?"
"Ravenclaws."
"Oh, good, wouldn't want the Slytherins..."
"Well let's go, we wouldn't want to be late, would we?"
Hermione, Ron, and Harry quickly left to arrive at the Defense Against the Dark Arts N.E.W.T. classroom. They saw that Professor Park was already there, but that there were no desks. Most of the class was already there.
"Good morning, class. As you may have noticed, there are no desks in this classroom, so you would please sit on the floor. As you know, my name is Professor Park. I'll just take role, then."
Park went through role, and Harry noted with interest but pleasure that Park didn't stop at his name or give Harry any special recognition at his name. Good, Harry thought, it's nice to be treated like everyone else for once. Park started to speak again.
"Now everybody, this class will be extremely different from your usual Defense Against the Dark Arts. There will be no books in this class." Hermione groaned as her suspicions were confirmed, and Ron and Harry grinned at her.
"Also, in this class there will be virtually no wandwork. A crucial part of Defense Against the Dark Arts that none of you have learned is wandless magic. Not all are good at wandless magic, and because of this any of you may stop at any time during the course. Some of you, in fact, I may suggest quitting. This will be a rigorous, tough course, but it is extremely useful. Understood, everyone?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Good. Now, I think a demonstration is necessary in order for you to truly understand wandless magic. You will find that it is exhausting and should not be used in anything other than duels and against Dark Magic - you'll simply tire yourself out. Got it? Good. So, I'll need an opponent...I'll just magically select the person with the highest skill level at the moment do demonstrate with..."
Park took out his wand and it started spinning around and flashing red. Harry noticed everyone seemed to be looking expectantly at him - they obviously thought it would be him. Harry hoped not, though - a duel with Park looked like it would hurt.
The wand started to slow down, and finally stopped not on Harry, but on the person next to Harry. Everyone gaped openmouthed at Ron as he stared at the wand pointing at him, surprised. Park turned around and waved his wand, magically causing a platform to raise out of the ground. He pocketed it.
"Mr. Weasley, would you please join me on the platform."
Park stepped onto the platform serenely. Ron nervously followed, clearly still astonished that he had been selected as the person with the highest skill in the class. Even over Harry? Ron stepped onto the platform, and Park again began to instruct.
"Are you ready, Ron? Remember, this is no ordinary fight - use your magical powers. Wands aren't necessary to access the magic inside you, so simply tap the powers without using the wand. Understand? Good. 1...2...3....go!"
Park suddenly started running at Ron, then jumped. Park had clearly accessed his powers, as he was in a flying leap that Harry was sure was impossible. Hermione gasped as she saw Park's leg stretch out so that he could kick Ron. Ron quickly sidestepped out of the way and Park went flying past him, landing on the ground and rolling upright.
"Excellent, Ron, I can see the wand chose right. Alright, now just go grab that quarterstaff on the left there, and I'll get one, and then we'll truly fight. Remember - you're a wizard." Ron reached for the quarterstaff along with Park, they stood about ten feet apart from each other. Park counted off again, but this time, stayed still. Ron stood for about four seconds before rolling on the ground with lightning speed and stretching upright. Park had moved back now, and appeared to be hurling his staff at Ron. The staff started spinning towards Ron, but he ducked at the last second. Harry smiled - Park was surely going to lose now, without his staff, but it suddenly started flying back towards Park as if it was a boomerang. Harry understood immediately that Park was drawing the staff back to him with magic. Ron didn't notice, though, as he was running towards Park and couldn't see behind him. The staff hit Ron full in the back and Ron went flying into the air. If he hit the ground, he would surely break his arm, Harry thought. Park yelled.
"CONCENTRATE, RON!"
Ron's face contorted intensely and he suddenly stretched out his staff. It hit the ground and lodged there, and Ron used it to land upright on his feet.
"Excellent, Ron. Now, try to control the staff remotely with your powers and attack me simultaneously. This gives you two weapons."
Ron let go of the staff and it started floating in the air, causing many of the audience to gasp - how was this possible without a wand? The staff started spinning towards Park then, but Park sent his own staff at Ron's. Then Park went to attack Ron while his staff fought with Ron's to get to their opponents. Ron lost concentration and lost control of his staff, causing Park to send the staff at Ron while attacking Ron with his fists. Ron suddenly realized his mistake - without his staff fighting off Park's, Park's staff was free to attack him. Ron dodged on instinct, trying to avoid the staff at the same time as dodging Park's fists. Suddenly, Ron's staff flew towards Park, knocking it off the platform. Ron caught his staff expertly and started attacking Park, who could no longer use his staff as it was knocked off the field. Park deftly caught Ron's staff but Ron kicked him in the stomach. Ron suddenly felt a pull on his staff, and realized that Park was trying to wrench the staff from his control. Ron focused all his energies on the staff, but then Park punched him in the stomach, causing Ron to go flying. Ron hit the wall, exhausted, and collapsed on the floor. The duel was over, and he was tired.
"Excellent, Ron, would you please come with me? Class, wait for me here."
Park took Ron's arm and led him out of the room, and the class started buzzing with admiration for Ron's skills.
"Wonder what Park wanted with him?" Hermione thought aloud. Harry responded.
"Dunno..."
Sorry about this chapter. Other than the duel, it was extremely boring and scattered, but I needed to tie up loose ends. It'll get better as they fit into the schedule and I don't need to introduce all the classes and stuff anymore...