CHAPTER 25: LEARNING
Dumbledore sat in thoughtful silence for a moment, still avoiding Harry's eyes. "And what was this dream about?" he asked.
Harry had always trusted Dumbledore; it used to go without saying that Dumbledore would always be there for him, but now he was having his doubts. Something was going on; Dumbledore had never treated him so, unfamiliar before. It was like he was any other student; worse, as Harry was sure Dumbledore would still look all his other students in the eyes, whether he knew them personally or not.
Now, Harry was beginning to question his mentor. How could he trust someone that was acting as if he were a stranger? If was really frustrating.
"Harry?" Dumbledore prompted again, after his unusually long silence.
Harry hesitated a moment more before finally deciding that it was still Dumbledore, the one he'd always trusted before. Why should now be that much different? "There was a long corridor and lots of doors spinning around. I don't remember much, but that's about it."
"Have you had this dream before?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes," Harry said.
"Why didn't you come to me when you first had this dream?" Dumbledore asked.
"Because whenever I'm around, you seem to ignore me!" Harry yelled suddenly. "You won't even look at me and I'm supposed to come running to you for help or advice? Sir." He added as an afterthought, realizing that he had just yelled at his headmaster.
Dumbledore sighed and leaned back into his chair. "I am truly sorry, Harry," he apologized sincerely. "And you are absolutely right. I will talk to Professor Snape about some lessons in remedial potions."
"What?" Harry asked, thoroughly confused. How did they get on the topic of Potions?
"Once you have finished your lessons to Professor Snape's satisfaction, I will answer any and all questions you might have," Dumbledore said, looking far older than he had when Harry had first walked in. "But not until then."
"I'm not doing that bad in Potions," Harry said. "Why do I have to take Remedial Potions?"
"Just to help you get ahead," Dumbledore said. "Trust me. It will do wonders for you. And I'm sure you'd be able to brew a potion to stop those nightmares."
"But professor," Harry protested.
"Harry, please," Dumbledore said, his voice betraying his emotions for a minute. "You shall receive instructions on your lessons from Professor Snape sometime later today. It is of the utmost importance you try your hardest with these lessons. I will be getting an update regularly."
"What's the prophecy about?" Harry asked suddenly, startling Dumbledore. He had wanted to get back on track with his dream, not talking about some stupid lessons with Snape. He had to have known that Snape hated him, and he hated Snape. What was the point in making them spend more time together? Maybe he really had gone mad.
"Prophecy?" Dumbledore asked. "What do you mean?"
He was playing dumb, Harry realized. He knew exactly what he meant. "I heard it in my dream. There was a voice. It said, the prophecy is mine and it told me to take it. You know what I'm talking about, don't lie to me. I'm tired of it."
"My dear boy," Dumbledore said, "I told you once before in your first year and I will tell you again now, I will not and have not lied to you. Finish your lessons satisfactorily and I will answer all questions you may have. You are dismissed."
Harry stood up angrily, once again frustrated by the man in front of him. He stormed out from the room and practically ran back to the common room. He didn't have classes today, so there was plenty of time to sit and fume. And think.
Later that day, Harry received a letter saying he was to meet Professor Snape in the Potions classroom for remedial potions every Monday at 8:00. Could his life get any worse?
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Monday morning found the trio sitting at breakfast rather lifelessly. The sky outside was cloudy and dreary, causing many kids to move sluggishly from classes.
"I read somewhere that the weather affects peoples moods," Hermione said. "I guess it was right."
"Double Potions first and then DADA with the stupid ministry woman would have anyone grumpy," Ron growled.
"I still have Remedial Potions later tonight," Harry groaned quietly. Not everyone had to know about it.
"Sorry, mate," Ron grimaced. "You definitely have it worse."
"I still think there's something more going on than just remedial potions. You aren't that bad," Hermione said.
"That's what I said," Harry told her. "Not that he listened to me."
"Well, we'll just have to wait until 8:00 tonight, won't we?" Ron said.
"Can we just not talk about it?" Harry asked, and Ron and Hermione agreed, not wanting Harry to yell at them for something ridiculous.
The mail arrived, putting an end to any and all discussion in the Great Hall. Not everyone had a subscription to the Daily Prophet, but enough people did that in a matter of seconds the whole hall was ablaze with whispers over the front-page article.
"Huh," Harry said, not surprised to read ALICE AND FRANK LONGBOTTOM'S MIRACULOUS RECOVERY splattered everywhere over the paper. And GRANDMA FAINTS IN SHOCK was a side story that described Neville's Grandmother's reaction to the news. She is fine and elated, but there was a moment there when everyone thought she died. Everyone was whispering and pointing at Neville, whose face was becoming an interesting shade of red. "I'm surprised it's taken them this long," he said bitterly, tossing the paper away from him, not needing to read it, especially since Neville was sitting right across from him.
"We need to get to class," Hermione said, gathering her books, leading the boys, including Neville, out of the Great Hall and away from prying eyes. When would people learn that it wasn't any of their business what went on in other people's lives?
"How does Snape expect you to pass his class if he does things like that?" Ron asked, outraged that Snape had purposely spilt his potion once he saw Hermione clear Harry's cauldron.
"He doesn't," Harry answered shortly, ignoring Ron's' sudden understanding.
"I'm sure it'll be okay," Hermione said.
"How am I supposed to learn anything from him if he won't give me a chance?" Harry asked. "He's not a very good professor."
"He just has a different teaching method," Hermione said.
"Stop sticking up for him," Ron said, starting another argument with Hermione over stupid details. Neither of them noticed Harry sigh and then continue on ahead of them to the Defence classroom.
The entire class was silent as they set their textbooks on their desks and awaited the arrival of their teacher. No one was in the mood to get any points off, get detention, or get thrown out of class today.
Buffy finally arrived, coming out of the office near her classroom. She had taken Giles back to the apartment yesterday after showing him around the castle, which he found "absolutely remarkable." It was very amusing to watch his reactions to everything, and she had to physically haul him out of the library, as it was another 'astounding collection' that he wanted to stay in forever. She had to promise she'd bring him back again, and she knew that included the others as well.
"Before we start today," Buffy said, not using any greeting as she entered the classroom, "we need to get one thing straight. I'm not here for your pleasure; I'm not here because I like you or because I love teaching. I am here because the Minister thought I'd handle my station well. We can't go any further before you understand, and I mean really understand, that I don't like you and you don't like me. I don't like being talked about behind my back or outside of my classroom; it makes me angry, and you don't want to make me angry. Do I make myself clear?" Buffy asked with a raised eyebrow, leaning over her desk. She hoped they understood what she was trying to get at here. It all depended on it.
She looked around the room at all the sullen faces and scowls coming her way. She could tell, by looking at each person, that only Hermione seemed to understand even a slither of what she was saying, but everyone nodded anyway. Hopefully they'd understand after the lesson.
"Good," she said, raising her wand. The door slammed shut and locked, startling everyone and frightening some. The windows that were open slammed shut as well, and the blinds came down on top of them, blocking out the clouds and the approaching thunderclouds. Buffy ended by placing a silencing charm around the room, effectively protecting the classroom from any outside listeners.
All the students were very nervous. The teacher had just told them she hated them and now she was locking them in a room and making it sound proof, probably to silence their screams. Had they been anyone but brave Gryffindors, screaming might have ensued, but as it was, there was just shifting, glances, and whispers between the students, as well as the subtly wand drawings.
"Relax," Buffy said with a grin, "You look like you're on a one way trip to hell. I promise my teaching's not that bad."
No one moved a muscle. Buffy just rolled her eyes and hopped up on the desk, swinging her feet carelessly. "Put up your books. You don't need them."
The students were shocked. Not moments ago she had seemed like she was threatening them, and now she was calm and happy. What was going on?
Buffy sighed and flicked her wand again, causing all the books to fly off the tops of the desks, eliciting some shrieks from a couple of girls, and a worried Hermione to run after her book, making sure it was okay.
"Do you guys want to learn something or are we just gonna sit here all day?" Buffy asked. "I thought you'd actually want to learn something, but maybe I was wrong."
There was just a sea of shocked faces looking back at her.
"Is there something wrong with my hair?" she asked worried, and she conjured up a mirror to check her reflection. It was fine.
"Are you telling us that you're going to teach us something?" Hermione asked amazed.
"Yeah," Buffy said as if it was obvious.
"Something useful?"
"I should hope so."
"Something about Defence Against the Dark Arts?"
"That is what the class is, right?'
"Something practical, not theory?"
"Yes!" Buffy exclaimed. "We could've been partially through the lesson by now, but you guys keep looking at me as if I've just told you I was going to marry Snape!"
That got them out of it. Several of the Gryffindors started to groan, others began to gag, and some managed to laugh at the idea.
"Finally, now are you ready to learn?" She received hesitant, but eager, nods from the students. "Good. Let's get started."
"Can anyone tell me what makes a wizard turn dark?"
Hermione raised her hand, as did Harry.
"Yes, Miss Granger."
"Well, it's different for every person. Each wizard, or witch, has a different motive, or breaking point if the case may be. It's totally dependent on the person."
"Very good. Ten points to Gryffindor. Mr. Potter," Buffy called.
"It's your choices," Harry said, echoing words that Dumbledore had once told him. "A persons choices define who they are and what they might become."
"That's exactly right, another ten points," Buffy said, shocking the class once more. "Every person has a different set of beliefs and values. Some don't care what happens to other people, as long as they profit. Others think it's fun," Buffy said bitterly. "The thing to know is what your own breaking point is. What your values are. What would it take for you to switch sides? What would it take for you to give up on everything you've once thought was good and right? Imagine yourself in that position.
"You have just lost everything you've ever owned. Everyone you've ever loved is dead. You're all alone and you're currently being tortured by a much powerful wizard. Now you have a choice. That choice is what will make you or break you. You can either choose to keep fighting or you can give up and give in to the darkness.
"I'll be honest with you. It's much easier to give in, that's why there are so many dark wizards. The ones that take the easy road are the cowards. The wizards that become really great are the ones that keep fighting even when there is no possible way for them to win. They never give up. Some might die. Others are able to overcome that pain and defeat the bastards that are causing them the pain," Buffy said, noticing that her language shocked everyone.
"It all comes down to you and how much you're able to take. For homework, I'd like for you to write an essay about what would be the thing that would push you over the edge. Think of the very worse thing you'd hate to happen, then think about how to make it worse, and do it again. And again. Keep doing it until you're not sure if you'd be able to live with yourself anymore. Then maybe you have some idea of what your breaking point is and maybe you'll begin to understand how evil some people can be; how evil the world can be. After you've written your essay, I want you to write another essay on what you'd do to overcome the events of your first essay; how you'd keep on fighting. Find something to fight for and write it down. Don't ever forget what you're fighting for because if you do, even for a second, you might lose sight of the big picture and slip up. Then you're dead. Or worse, you've just switched sides.
"I don't care how long the papers are; in fact, I don't care if you do them. The essays are for you, not me; if you do them, I won't read them. I don't want to know your deepest fears, but I think you should recognize them and come to terms with them. Once you realize what evil is and how bad it truly is, then you'll be able to defend yourselves better.
"Right now, we'll work on familiarizing you with the different demons and magical creatures out there and how to defend yourselves against them, whether it be by magic or other means. You'll learn how to defend yourself in the unfortunate occasion when you're wandless, and in the rare occasion when you're weaponless. I'll tell you right now that you'll rarely be weaponless if you use your resources wisely; improvise, be creative.
"For example," Buffy said, hopping off the desk she was sitting on, "I have nothing on me right now." She placed her wand on the desk and held her hands up to show the class. "But I do have my hands and my feet, my knees and my head, should I ever get close enough to physically hit someone." Several snickers were heard throughout the room as they pictured their small, skinny, theoretically weak professor beating someone. "I may not look it, but I can pack quite a punch," Buffy said, pretending to be offended, but it didn't work as she was smiling. "Even so, there are other things around me right now that I could use as weapons. This book," Buffy said, picking up one of the discarded textbooks. "Or this quill, if you have enough force to, say, ram it into someone's leg or poke at their eyes. Even the desk itself."
"You're gonna pick up the desk?" someone joked from the back.
"Maybe," Buffy said with a smirk, as she knew she was capable of it. "Or, I could break it apart and have several pieces of desk. Same thing with the chair." Buffy went over to the chair, as people wouldn't stop snickering, and picked it up. She looked out at the class who had quieted down some. She brought the chair slamming down into the desk, with just enough force to splinter the chair and cause some damage to the desk; she didn't show off her strength, she used just enough not to be suspicious, as any of the kids could do the same.
Now, pieces of chair and desk littered the floor and the students couldn't believe what their professor had just done.
"That's school property," Hermione whispered with wide eyes, forgetting where she was for a moment. Growing up in muggle schools, she was taught not to damage school property and the professor had done just that.
"For the love of Merlin!" Ron cried. "Do we have to go over this every time? You're a witch!"
"Oh, right," Hermione said sheepishly.
Buffy looked at her and grinned, leaning over to pick up several pieces of wood. "Now you have weapons. You could throw these," Buffy said, lightly tossing one across the room (not in the direction of the students), "beat people with these," she gently knocked the wood against the wall, "or stab people if you feel the need. Maybe in the leg or arm."
"Or heart," Hermione said. Buffy turned sharply to look at her, as did the rest of her class. "If it's a vampire!" she clarified. "Honestly, people!"
"Very good," Buffy said. "Ten more points." It was her old house... "Although not all vampires are bad, just like not all creatures and demons are bad. The thing to know is which ones are good and which ones are bad. Quite a few creatures may be dangerous, several may be harmless, and a few are debatable. Let's take werewolves, for example," Buffy said. "What do you think about them?"
"There's nothing wrong with them!" Harry said vehemently.
"They're people just like everyone else," Hermione said.
"We've got nothing against werewolves," Ron agreed. "As long as they don't bite us."
Buffy was slightly taken aback by the force of their answers. "I take it you know a werewolf?" Buffy asked, and wasn't too surprised when they nodded.
"Our Defence professor in our third year was a werewolf," Lavender offered as an explanation.
"You had a werewolf as a professor?" Buffy asked, intrigued. She never thought the board would agree to that; they went ballistic when they found out Remus attended the school, although ultimately it was Dumbledore's decision.
"Actually, no one knew Professor Lupin was a werewolf until the end of the year, then he didn't come back," Parvati said.
"Lupin?" Buffy asked, surprised. "Remus Lupin? He's still alive?"
Ron, Harry, and Hermione all gave each other looks that were missed by everyone else.
"He's the best professor we've had yet," Dean said.
"Although, Professor Moody was pretty good too," Seamus said.
"Moody? Alastor Moody? I thought he was an auror?" Buffy said. She had been looking for these people and they had both taught at Hogwarts! Surely, someone could tell her where they were.
"He's retired," Neville said. "He used to be an auror, but Dumbledore wanted him to teach for a year, so he did last year."
Harry was getting a little wary of her interest in Lupin and Moody. She was working for the Ministry and now she was showing curiosity about two of the people in the Order, which opposed Fudge. What could she be up to?
"Technically, it wasn't actually him, as Mr. Crouch used Polyjuice potion all year to pretend to be Moody while the real Moody was locked in his own truck, or at least, that's what the rumour is," Dean said. "But he was still a good professor."
"Right," Buffy said. "Does anyone happen to know where they are now?" When no one answered and some of them looked at her funnily, she added, "I'd like to compare notes and look at what they've already covered in their classes."
Still no one knew where they were; at least, no one volunteered the information. Harry, Ron and Hermione looked as nonchalant as they could and didn't look at each other. They'd have time to discuss this new development later.
"Anyway," Buffy said, "back to the werewolves. There are some people out there that hunt werewolves for their teeth and pelts, which is utterly ridiculous. What those hunters don't understand, or maybe they just don't care, is that werewolves are just like you and me all the time except for the nights before, during, and after a full moon."
"When you run into a werewolf, you're not entirely out of luck. A simple tranquilizer will calm them down, although I'm sure not many people carry around tranquilizers. Some spells can be used as well, but some work better on different parts of the body..."
Buffy continued to lecture for some more and then the class began to practice some new spells she had taught them. The day had certainly brightened up after that; although, Professor Fox didn't forget to remind them about the agreement they had come to at the beginning of class. "It's probably because she doesn't want to get sacked," Lavender whispered.
"Why was she so interested in Professor Lupin and Moody?" Harry asked after they were secluded in the common room before lunch.
"I don't know," Hermione said. "Maybe she knows something? Maybe she's trying to look for them and can't find them because they're at headquarters. She works for the Ministry, perhaps she's some sort of spy that's trying to get information from what Dumbledore is doing."
"That makes sense," Harry said thoughtfully. "I mean, why else would she try to teach us all of a sudden? Intimidation didn't work, so they're trying a different route to see if anyone knows anything. They get us to trust her and we tell her things."
"Then why would she tell us not to talk about her and her lessons?" Ron asked.
"Because she doesn't want the other teachers to know," Hermione said. "Maybe she's doing the same thing with all the teachers? Luring them into a false sense of trust and then collecting all the information they reveal to her."
"What have we done to her," Ron asked Harry. "The old Hermione would never have even thought about thinking bad things about the professors, and here she is plotting this whole conspiracy thing."
"We've just opened the door and unleashed the beast that's been dying to get out all along," Harry joked, earning him a glare from Hermione and a hearty laugh from Ron.
"Well, what are we supposed to do?" Hermione asked torn.
"Nothing," Harry said. "She hasn't done anything suspicious yet; let's just keep a watch on her and see what happens, okay?"
Hermione reluctantly agreed, claiming that "We still have O.W.L.s this year and she is much better than Umbridge."
"I could have told you that from the beginning," Ron said.
"I wasn't talking about her looks, Ron," Hermione said with a scowl.
"Must I remind you about Lockhart?" Ron retorted, earning a rosy blush to creep up on Hermione's cheeks.
"When are you going to let that go? That was in second year."
"I don't know, what do you think Harry? How about... never."
"There is something different about her, though," Harry said thoughtfully.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, ignoring Ron.
Harry floundered for a moment, trying to find the words before giving up. "I don't know. It's just this feeling I have. I can't even tell if it's a good feeling or a bad feeling, but there's definitely something about her..."
Later that evening, as the students were making their way to the great hall for dinner, Harry, Hermione and Ron saw Dumbledore walking with Professor Trelawney from the direction of his office.
"What could he want with her?" Ron asked. "Do you think she's going to get fired?"
"I don't think so," Hermione said skeptically.
"It's probably about the prophecy," Harry said. "Don't you think? I mean, she is the Divination professor, no matter how awful she is; maybe she knows something." Harry heard a humph come from Hermione's direction, but he quickly shushed her as they were close enough to make out some of their conversation.
"... of course I knew you'd invite me to dine with you," Trelawney was saying, "and I saw myself accepting your proposal."
"I wish you would see yourself venturing out more," Dumbledore said politely. "It's always a pleasure to have you at meals."
"Yes," Trelawney said, standing up a bit straighter at the compliment. "I do what I can, but it is not always up to me; I must follow my inner eye."
Harry, Ron and Hermione had stopped walking and had huddled together, so as to look less suspicious, as they struggled to hear the conversation. Trelawney and Dumbledore were almost at the door to the Great Hall, which was not too far from where they stood. They didn't notice Professor Fox as she was heading to the Great Hall, but they were close enough to hear her comment.
Buffy was walking down the hall to dinner when she saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione standing together, for some reason not talking, by the wall. 'What are they up to?' Buffy thought. She decided she wouldn't interfere in whatever they were doing, and continued to walk right on by them; however, her eyes moved past the trio and fell on Dumbledore and this creature he was walking with. "What the hell is that thing?" she muttered to herself as the surprise washed over her and made her pause.
Buffy could have sworn Dumbledore heard her, because he looked up from his conversation with the creature and his eyes were twinkling more so than usual. 'But I wasn't that loud,' Buffy thought incredulously as he made his way towards her. The creature still had yet to look up at her.
"Ah, Professor Fox, allow me to introduce to you our Divination teacher Sybil Trelawney. I'm sure that you'll..."
Whatever he was sure she would be, she never found out, because that's when the thing finally turned its eyes upon Buffy.
That's when the screaming began.