THE DADA MANSION
CHAPTER ONE - WELCOME BACK
Never had Hogwarts, or any other magic or non-magic school ever seen a student more eager to return after the school holidays. But, as they say, Harry Potter was no ordinary boy. After a relatively relaxing fifth year (well apart from O.W.L's) at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and a much more stressful summer back at the Dursley's, Harry had never been so glad to see his familiar dormitory again, not to mention his dorm and classmates, including of course Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Lying back on his four-poster bed, full after another delicious Hogwarts feast, he closed his eyes and thought back to a few hours ago, to his wonderful reunion with his friends, whom, for once, he had not been able to visit all summer, because the Dursley's had been on the warpath again, terribly upset because he hadn't flunked his O.W.L's, which, as much as they hated anything to do with magic, would have been the perfect opportunity to lock him back in his room and feed him as little as possible. Recalling how horrible that had been after his first year at Hogwarts, he shuddered, and once again thought how lucky he was to live at Hogwarts all year. Opening his eyes as he heard the door open, he smiled at Ron as he came into the room and flopped on his bed, face-forward.
Groaning, Ron turned over and looked at Harry saying, "Remind me never to eat again."
At the pained look on Ron's face, Harry burst out laughing, as did his fellow dorm-mates, Seamus, Neville, and Dean, who walked in through the door just as Ron spoke.
"As if you'll never eat again!" chortled Seamus, closing the door behind him, as Harry, Neville and Dean continued to laugh as hard as ever. Ron looked pleadingly at Harry, as if to say, 'Tell them to stop teasing me', but this just made Harry laugh even harder. Ron, with some difficulty, stood up in a mock huff and strode towards the door, saying something about going where he was appreciated. Still acting as though he were offended he threw open the door to find a shocked looking Hermione whose arm was raised in mid-knock. The look on Hermione's face was well warranted, not just because the door had opened and shocked her, but because of the strange scene that had greeted her: Ron acting as though he had just been crowned King of England, then offended, and Harry, Seamus, Neville and Dean all sitting on the floor, hastily trying the stifle their outbursts of laughter.
Attempting to remain dignified (as none of the boys clearly were), Hermione quickly took in the strange scene, turned slowly to face Harry and said, "Harry, I was wondering if I might talk to you for a moment in the common room?"
This shut the boys up quickly. Ron stood at the door, still holding the handle, gaping at Hermione as if she'd just calmly asked him why he'd grown another head over the summer, while Harry nodded hesitatingly and got up and slowly walked over to the door, detaching Ron from the handle, then walking out and closing the door behind him to utter silence from the dorm room. Following Hermione down the stairs to the nearly deserted Gryffindor common room, Harry didn't have the time to contemplate what Hermione might want that couldn't have been said earlier, and with everyone around. They reached the common room, and Hermione stopped and turned around. As most students had gone up to bed already, the chairs by the common room fire were free. Hermione gestured for Harry to sit down, and after looking around nervously she began to speak.
"When I was buying my books in Diagon Alley last week, my parents and I stopped at Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour for an ice cream. We... well actually I heard some of the school governors talking about the 'new program' to prepare students for the Defence Against the Dark Arts NEWT's next year."
Harry wasn't sure whether to look scandalized or delirious with joy by Hermione's eavesdropping, let alone her eavesdropping on important school governors. Seeing the look on his face, Hermione continued, "Harry, they're setting up some sort of challenge for us. It's practical. And it's not going to be the easy stuff that we've learnt so far, like getting past boggarts, its real defence against the dark arts stuff. We've never had any sort of training for this; I don't see how they can allow us to be endangered. It's, it's..." her voice trailed off.
Hearing the note of desperation coming into her voice, Harry said comfortingly, "Look Hermione, they're not going to let us get hurt, I'm sure it'll be something like the third task of the triwizard tournament, you know, how if we were in trouble all we had to do was shoot up red sparks and a teacher would come and help us." Harry couldn't really see what she was getting so worked up about.
Hermione shook her head, "Yeah you were really safe when you were being attacked by Viktor when he was under the Imperius Curse, weren't you?"
Harry now was truly annoyed. "What's wrong with you Hermione? Can't you just not worry about school for two seconds? We haven't even started classes yet and you're worried about them! The NEWT's aren't even until NEXT YEAR, Hermione. Get a life."
With that, Harry stormed back upstairs and into his dormitory, and, ignoring the comments made by Dean, got into his bed and pulled the hangings around him, but not before looking at Ron, putting his finger on his lips and jerking his head towards the other side of the room, giving Ron the signal that they'd talk after the other three were asleep.
Given that it was the first night back after the holidays, it was a while before everyone fell asleep, finally tired of talking. When the dorm room was finally quiet (apart from Neville's snores) Harry crept over to Ron's bed and prodded him awake. They then crept down to the now completely empty common room and sat (in Harry's case, for the second time that evening) in the chairs by the fireplace. Barely waiting for Ron to sit down, Harry started, in Ron's opinion, blurting out some long-winded, boring story about Hermione. That she was only worried about school and never thought about anyone else when she was worried about something school related and...
Ron chose to blank out, and waited patiently until Harry had finally stopped speaking. Turning his attention back to Harry, Ron said, "Look, we all know how seriously Hermione takes her school work. I think that after five years, and everything we've tried to do to make her relax about it, you would know what she's like, and well, kind of expect this from her."
Harry looked away.
"It's not a personal attack on you, you know," continued Ron, "It's just the way she is. She has annoyed me so many times that the number is bigger than one I know how to count to. In fact, ask anyone who's been in a class with her over the last five years and I'll bet they tell you the same thing."
Harry smiled. "Ok, I know that would be true, but," he hesitated before continuing, allowing Ron the chance to jump in.
"But it should be different for you, Harry? Why?" he questioned.
"It's not that it's just, well..." Harry's voice trailed off again.
"Look Harry, it's two in the morning, and I want to go to bed." Ron said, "But I'll give you one more chance to tell me what's really on your mind, because not for one minute do I believe that you've kept me from my nice, warm bed just to talk to me about Hermione."
"Ok, ok. You know how I told her these practical tests are probably just going to be like the third task of the Triwizard Tournament?" Ron nodded, "Well the part I didn't say before was that she made a comment about when Cedric and I were attacked by Viktor when he was under the Imperious Curse." Harry closed his eyes, as if the pain were still too much to bear.
It was as if Harry had said the so-called 'magic' word. Cedric. Suddenly Ron understood why Harry had reacted in the way he had to what ordinarily would have been just another of Hermione's panic attacks about school. Although he never said it in as many words, Ron knew that Harry still had fits of guilt over what had happened at the end of fourth year. For some reason that Ron couldn't understand, Harry still thought that it was his fault that Voldemort murdered Cedric. As much as Ron and Hermione had been there for him after the task had finished, waiting by his bedside for him to wake up, there was no way that anyone could imagine what Harry had gone through. Not just throughout the tournament itself, but also in seeing his mortal (or maybe immortal - no-one knows) enemy's rise once again. To make things worse, no one had seen any signs of Voldemort all throughout their fifth year at Hogwarts. Harry was sure that this meant Voldemort had a dastardly plan in the making, something far, far worse than he'd ever done before.
Taking all of this in, Ron spoke, "Look, Harry, I know I've probably said this a hundred times before, but no-one blames you for what happened to Cedric. His parents don't, Cho doesn't, no one does. I know you can't see this for some reason, and that's why I'm here. As your best friend it's my duty to tell you the things that you are too stubborn to see, even if it is obvious to everyone else."
Harry opened his eyes. "I know that. Logically, I know that. But there's some part of me that still constantly tells me that I could have done something to stop Voldemort from Avada Kedavra-ing Cedric."
Ron snorted, "Yeah, that's the part of you that I call stupid. Look, Harry, and read my lips: there was NOTHING that you could have done. I repeat: nothing. We can't control everything that happens to us, or to those around us."
Harry smiled sadly. "Yeah I guess that's true."
"Although you still don't truly believe it, do you?" asked Ron.
"No." Harry said simply.
"I guess that's why you're the Boy Who Lived." Ron stated matter-of-factly, "You don't believe in the things that we mere mortals do, and that makes you act differently. But just try to remember that. You are different... well no," Ron contemplated, "you think differently from all of us. That's a part of who you are, Harry, and I'm sorry to be the one to break it to you, but there's nothing you can do about it."
Harry smirked.
"What?" said Ron indignantly.
"That's awfully insightful for two in the morning." Harry said.
Ron laughed, "Yeah well, I do my best."
"But you're right." Harry continued, "I know all of these things logically, I just can't convince the part of me that decides what to do."
Ron yawned, "That's great Harry. Now can we go back to the dorm?"
"Lead the way."
*******
Yawning and stretching, the Gryffindor's made their way slowly down to the Great Hall the next morning, some eager (Hermione) and some not (Ron) to be starting another year of nearly endless work and assignments. Trailing the group that was making their way to the Hall were Harry and Ron, both walking slowly and both having overslept, stumbled through the big wooden doors into the Great Hall. They saw that Hermione was already sitting in their usual place quietly eating toast and eagerly flicking through her books, no doubt trying to learn everything before everyone else. Ron sat down next to Hermione, and Harry next to Ron.
"Morning," said Hermione cheerfully, while not looking up from her book, she handed them their timetables, which they promptly pushed aside, reaching for food.
For the next few minutes there wasn't much talk at that end of the table. The only sounds that could be heard were those of hungry mouths being filled with more delicious food.
"Gee," Ron said, finally full enough to pause eating for a minute, "these house-elves have out done themselves this morning. I hope this carries on all year, don't you think Harry? Harry?"
Hermione looked up from her book just long enough to death-stare Ron. Although she now had given up on the whole S.P.E.W idea, it was only because she couldn't get enough people involved. Ron quickly looked away, and started to turn back to his food, when he saw Harry gaping open-mouthed at his timetable.
"What's wrong, Harry?" inquired Hermione, finally looking up from her book, concerned.
Harry seemed to come out of his stupor at the sound of Hermione's voice. He shook his head as if to wake himself up.
"What? Oh, nothings wrong, well actually, umm, well," he stuttered.
"What?" asked Ron.
"Well, it's just that, well, just look at this." Harry said, and put his timetable flat on the table and pointed to the first square on Monday.
"What?" said Ron, "We have Defence Against the Dark Arts first. What's the big deal with that?"
"Oh, no," said Hermione, looking at the piece of paper.
"Would someone please tell me what I'm missing here?" said Ron, getting a bit annoyed.
"Look at who the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher is." Harry was finally able to put together a coherent sentence.
Ron leaned over to look at Harry's timetable, and finally saw what people up and down the table were starting to notice. To make sure it wasn't a mistake, he looked at his timetable too. There, in plain English, in black and white, it said: Teacher - Professor S. Snape. Ron's jaw dropped open.
"Well," said Harry, still shocked, "It looks like Snape finally got the teaching position he's been after for years."
Ron looked at Harry in distress, and said, "How on earth can you calmly sit there and act like it's ok? It's not ok! He'll get to torture all of us in two different lessons now! Think about it, Harry, in Potions he's been trying to accidentally poison us for years! Now he can continue to try and poison us, while 'accidentally' setting dangerous creatures on us! I know that Dumbledore's a trusting person, but how can any sane person judge Snape responsible enough to teach a Defence Against the Dark Arts class. Maybe Dumbledore can't be considered sane anymore..." Ron continued on, but Harry was distracted by the look, however brief, of sheer terror that came across Hermione's face when Ron was talking about the creatures being set on them.
Noticing that Harry was looking at her with a worried expression on his face, Hermione shook her head to say 'Not now, Harry', then turned to Ron and tried to stop him from raving on about Snape.
*******
The class filed quietly into the newly re-furnished Defence Against the Dark Arts room, through the door at the back of the room, and took their seats just as quietly. Looking around the room, there seemed to be no more scars left on the walls (or ceilings or any other part of the room), to remind them of the slight mishap that occurred last year. A first year, on a dare, had snuck into the room when a boggart had been captured there. The first year had somehow gotten past all the defensive charms that had been placed on the door and had then, of course, found himself facing his greatest fear; a strange creature, about eight feet tall, and with arms and legs that were armed with long, sharp, and glistening blades. No one knew exactly what had happened, but it was assumed that the creature had attacked, and left the young boy running desperately around the room trying to simultaneously defend himself and hide. A school Prefect, who had been wandering past the room at the time, heard the racket coming from the room, and sounded the alarm. By the time the monstrous creature had been subdued, the young boy was unconscious and badly cut up, but thanks to Madam Pomfrey, he lived with only scars to show for his story.
Most of the class seemed to be preoccupied, probably thinking of the young boy, except of course for Draco Malfoy. He seemed perfectly happy to continually entertain all those who remained his captive audience including most of the Slytherins, but most of all Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy Parkinson.
But even he took a seat and quieted down when the door to the classroom suddenly opened. Snape paused at the door to survey his new class. Glaring at some students, and ignoring others completely, Snape walked with calculated slowness up to his desk at the front of the classroom. Standing behind the desk at the front of the class Professor Snape fixed his glare across the room. This glare was one all students were now familiar with, and it brought back memories to each and every one of them. Memories of the numerous times they had been subjected to its intensity in their last five years at Hogwarts.
Snape cleared his throat loudly. "Well well well." he said slowly, in the most menacing voice he could muster, "Welcome back. What a," he paused, "pleasure it is to teach this class once more."
CHAPTER ONE - WELCOME BACK
Never had Hogwarts, or any other magic or non-magic school ever seen a student more eager to return after the school holidays. But, as they say, Harry Potter was no ordinary boy. After a relatively relaxing fifth year (well apart from O.W.L's) at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and a much more stressful summer back at the Dursley's, Harry had never been so glad to see his familiar dormitory again, not to mention his dorm and classmates, including of course Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Lying back on his four-poster bed, full after another delicious Hogwarts feast, he closed his eyes and thought back to a few hours ago, to his wonderful reunion with his friends, whom, for once, he had not been able to visit all summer, because the Dursley's had been on the warpath again, terribly upset because he hadn't flunked his O.W.L's, which, as much as they hated anything to do with magic, would have been the perfect opportunity to lock him back in his room and feed him as little as possible. Recalling how horrible that had been after his first year at Hogwarts, he shuddered, and once again thought how lucky he was to live at Hogwarts all year. Opening his eyes as he heard the door open, he smiled at Ron as he came into the room and flopped on his bed, face-forward.
Groaning, Ron turned over and looked at Harry saying, "Remind me never to eat again."
At the pained look on Ron's face, Harry burst out laughing, as did his fellow dorm-mates, Seamus, Neville, and Dean, who walked in through the door just as Ron spoke.
"As if you'll never eat again!" chortled Seamus, closing the door behind him, as Harry, Neville and Dean continued to laugh as hard as ever. Ron looked pleadingly at Harry, as if to say, 'Tell them to stop teasing me', but this just made Harry laugh even harder. Ron, with some difficulty, stood up in a mock huff and strode towards the door, saying something about going where he was appreciated. Still acting as though he were offended he threw open the door to find a shocked looking Hermione whose arm was raised in mid-knock. The look on Hermione's face was well warranted, not just because the door had opened and shocked her, but because of the strange scene that had greeted her: Ron acting as though he had just been crowned King of England, then offended, and Harry, Seamus, Neville and Dean all sitting on the floor, hastily trying the stifle their outbursts of laughter.
Attempting to remain dignified (as none of the boys clearly were), Hermione quickly took in the strange scene, turned slowly to face Harry and said, "Harry, I was wondering if I might talk to you for a moment in the common room?"
This shut the boys up quickly. Ron stood at the door, still holding the handle, gaping at Hermione as if she'd just calmly asked him why he'd grown another head over the summer, while Harry nodded hesitatingly and got up and slowly walked over to the door, detaching Ron from the handle, then walking out and closing the door behind him to utter silence from the dorm room. Following Hermione down the stairs to the nearly deserted Gryffindor common room, Harry didn't have the time to contemplate what Hermione might want that couldn't have been said earlier, and with everyone around. They reached the common room, and Hermione stopped and turned around. As most students had gone up to bed already, the chairs by the common room fire were free. Hermione gestured for Harry to sit down, and after looking around nervously she began to speak.
"When I was buying my books in Diagon Alley last week, my parents and I stopped at Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour for an ice cream. We... well actually I heard some of the school governors talking about the 'new program' to prepare students for the Defence Against the Dark Arts NEWT's next year."
Harry wasn't sure whether to look scandalized or delirious with joy by Hermione's eavesdropping, let alone her eavesdropping on important school governors. Seeing the look on his face, Hermione continued, "Harry, they're setting up some sort of challenge for us. It's practical. And it's not going to be the easy stuff that we've learnt so far, like getting past boggarts, its real defence against the dark arts stuff. We've never had any sort of training for this; I don't see how they can allow us to be endangered. It's, it's..." her voice trailed off.
Hearing the note of desperation coming into her voice, Harry said comfortingly, "Look Hermione, they're not going to let us get hurt, I'm sure it'll be something like the third task of the triwizard tournament, you know, how if we were in trouble all we had to do was shoot up red sparks and a teacher would come and help us." Harry couldn't really see what she was getting so worked up about.
Hermione shook her head, "Yeah you were really safe when you were being attacked by Viktor when he was under the Imperius Curse, weren't you?"
Harry now was truly annoyed. "What's wrong with you Hermione? Can't you just not worry about school for two seconds? We haven't even started classes yet and you're worried about them! The NEWT's aren't even until NEXT YEAR, Hermione. Get a life."
With that, Harry stormed back upstairs and into his dormitory, and, ignoring the comments made by Dean, got into his bed and pulled the hangings around him, but not before looking at Ron, putting his finger on his lips and jerking his head towards the other side of the room, giving Ron the signal that they'd talk after the other three were asleep.
Given that it was the first night back after the holidays, it was a while before everyone fell asleep, finally tired of talking. When the dorm room was finally quiet (apart from Neville's snores) Harry crept over to Ron's bed and prodded him awake. They then crept down to the now completely empty common room and sat (in Harry's case, for the second time that evening) in the chairs by the fireplace. Barely waiting for Ron to sit down, Harry started, in Ron's opinion, blurting out some long-winded, boring story about Hermione. That she was only worried about school and never thought about anyone else when she was worried about something school related and...
Ron chose to blank out, and waited patiently until Harry had finally stopped speaking. Turning his attention back to Harry, Ron said, "Look, we all know how seriously Hermione takes her school work. I think that after five years, and everything we've tried to do to make her relax about it, you would know what she's like, and well, kind of expect this from her."
Harry looked away.
"It's not a personal attack on you, you know," continued Ron, "It's just the way she is. She has annoyed me so many times that the number is bigger than one I know how to count to. In fact, ask anyone who's been in a class with her over the last five years and I'll bet they tell you the same thing."
Harry smiled. "Ok, I know that would be true, but," he hesitated before continuing, allowing Ron the chance to jump in.
"But it should be different for you, Harry? Why?" he questioned.
"It's not that it's just, well..." Harry's voice trailed off again.
"Look Harry, it's two in the morning, and I want to go to bed." Ron said, "But I'll give you one more chance to tell me what's really on your mind, because not for one minute do I believe that you've kept me from my nice, warm bed just to talk to me about Hermione."
"Ok, ok. You know how I told her these practical tests are probably just going to be like the third task of the Triwizard Tournament?" Ron nodded, "Well the part I didn't say before was that she made a comment about when Cedric and I were attacked by Viktor when he was under the Imperious Curse." Harry closed his eyes, as if the pain were still too much to bear.
It was as if Harry had said the so-called 'magic' word. Cedric. Suddenly Ron understood why Harry had reacted in the way he had to what ordinarily would have been just another of Hermione's panic attacks about school. Although he never said it in as many words, Ron knew that Harry still had fits of guilt over what had happened at the end of fourth year. For some reason that Ron couldn't understand, Harry still thought that it was his fault that Voldemort murdered Cedric. As much as Ron and Hermione had been there for him after the task had finished, waiting by his bedside for him to wake up, there was no way that anyone could imagine what Harry had gone through. Not just throughout the tournament itself, but also in seeing his mortal (or maybe immortal - no-one knows) enemy's rise once again. To make things worse, no one had seen any signs of Voldemort all throughout their fifth year at Hogwarts. Harry was sure that this meant Voldemort had a dastardly plan in the making, something far, far worse than he'd ever done before.
Taking all of this in, Ron spoke, "Look, Harry, I know I've probably said this a hundred times before, but no-one blames you for what happened to Cedric. His parents don't, Cho doesn't, no one does. I know you can't see this for some reason, and that's why I'm here. As your best friend it's my duty to tell you the things that you are too stubborn to see, even if it is obvious to everyone else."
Harry opened his eyes. "I know that. Logically, I know that. But there's some part of me that still constantly tells me that I could have done something to stop Voldemort from Avada Kedavra-ing Cedric."
Ron snorted, "Yeah, that's the part of you that I call stupid. Look, Harry, and read my lips: there was NOTHING that you could have done. I repeat: nothing. We can't control everything that happens to us, or to those around us."
Harry smiled sadly. "Yeah I guess that's true."
"Although you still don't truly believe it, do you?" asked Ron.
"No." Harry said simply.
"I guess that's why you're the Boy Who Lived." Ron stated matter-of-factly, "You don't believe in the things that we mere mortals do, and that makes you act differently. But just try to remember that. You are different... well no," Ron contemplated, "you think differently from all of us. That's a part of who you are, Harry, and I'm sorry to be the one to break it to you, but there's nothing you can do about it."
Harry smirked.
"What?" said Ron indignantly.
"That's awfully insightful for two in the morning." Harry said.
Ron laughed, "Yeah well, I do my best."
"But you're right." Harry continued, "I know all of these things logically, I just can't convince the part of me that decides what to do."
Ron yawned, "That's great Harry. Now can we go back to the dorm?"
"Lead the way."
*******
Yawning and stretching, the Gryffindor's made their way slowly down to the Great Hall the next morning, some eager (Hermione) and some not (Ron) to be starting another year of nearly endless work and assignments. Trailing the group that was making their way to the Hall were Harry and Ron, both walking slowly and both having overslept, stumbled through the big wooden doors into the Great Hall. They saw that Hermione was already sitting in their usual place quietly eating toast and eagerly flicking through her books, no doubt trying to learn everything before everyone else. Ron sat down next to Hermione, and Harry next to Ron.
"Morning," said Hermione cheerfully, while not looking up from her book, she handed them their timetables, which they promptly pushed aside, reaching for food.
For the next few minutes there wasn't much talk at that end of the table. The only sounds that could be heard were those of hungry mouths being filled with more delicious food.
"Gee," Ron said, finally full enough to pause eating for a minute, "these house-elves have out done themselves this morning. I hope this carries on all year, don't you think Harry? Harry?"
Hermione looked up from her book just long enough to death-stare Ron. Although she now had given up on the whole S.P.E.W idea, it was only because she couldn't get enough people involved. Ron quickly looked away, and started to turn back to his food, when he saw Harry gaping open-mouthed at his timetable.
"What's wrong, Harry?" inquired Hermione, finally looking up from her book, concerned.
Harry seemed to come out of his stupor at the sound of Hermione's voice. He shook his head as if to wake himself up.
"What? Oh, nothings wrong, well actually, umm, well," he stuttered.
"What?" asked Ron.
"Well, it's just that, well, just look at this." Harry said, and put his timetable flat on the table and pointed to the first square on Monday.
"What?" said Ron, "We have Defence Against the Dark Arts first. What's the big deal with that?"
"Oh, no," said Hermione, looking at the piece of paper.
"Would someone please tell me what I'm missing here?" said Ron, getting a bit annoyed.
"Look at who the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher is." Harry was finally able to put together a coherent sentence.
Ron leaned over to look at Harry's timetable, and finally saw what people up and down the table were starting to notice. To make sure it wasn't a mistake, he looked at his timetable too. There, in plain English, in black and white, it said: Teacher - Professor S. Snape. Ron's jaw dropped open.
"Well," said Harry, still shocked, "It looks like Snape finally got the teaching position he's been after for years."
Ron looked at Harry in distress, and said, "How on earth can you calmly sit there and act like it's ok? It's not ok! He'll get to torture all of us in two different lessons now! Think about it, Harry, in Potions he's been trying to accidentally poison us for years! Now he can continue to try and poison us, while 'accidentally' setting dangerous creatures on us! I know that Dumbledore's a trusting person, but how can any sane person judge Snape responsible enough to teach a Defence Against the Dark Arts class. Maybe Dumbledore can't be considered sane anymore..." Ron continued on, but Harry was distracted by the look, however brief, of sheer terror that came across Hermione's face when Ron was talking about the creatures being set on them.
Noticing that Harry was looking at her with a worried expression on his face, Hermione shook her head to say 'Not now, Harry', then turned to Ron and tried to stop him from raving on about Snape.
*******
The class filed quietly into the newly re-furnished Defence Against the Dark Arts room, through the door at the back of the room, and took their seats just as quietly. Looking around the room, there seemed to be no more scars left on the walls (or ceilings or any other part of the room), to remind them of the slight mishap that occurred last year. A first year, on a dare, had snuck into the room when a boggart had been captured there. The first year had somehow gotten past all the defensive charms that had been placed on the door and had then, of course, found himself facing his greatest fear; a strange creature, about eight feet tall, and with arms and legs that were armed with long, sharp, and glistening blades. No one knew exactly what had happened, but it was assumed that the creature had attacked, and left the young boy running desperately around the room trying to simultaneously defend himself and hide. A school Prefect, who had been wandering past the room at the time, heard the racket coming from the room, and sounded the alarm. By the time the monstrous creature had been subdued, the young boy was unconscious and badly cut up, but thanks to Madam Pomfrey, he lived with only scars to show for his story.
Most of the class seemed to be preoccupied, probably thinking of the young boy, except of course for Draco Malfoy. He seemed perfectly happy to continually entertain all those who remained his captive audience including most of the Slytherins, but most of all Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy Parkinson.
But even he took a seat and quieted down when the door to the classroom suddenly opened. Snape paused at the door to survey his new class. Glaring at some students, and ignoring others completely, Snape walked with calculated slowness up to his desk at the front of the classroom. Standing behind the desk at the front of the class Professor Snape fixed his glare across the room. This glare was one all students were now familiar with, and it brought back memories to each and every one of them. Memories of the numerous times they had been subjected to its intensity in their last five years at Hogwarts.
Snape cleared his throat loudly. "Well well well." he said slowly, in the most menacing voice he could muster, "Welcome back. What a," he paused, "pleasure it is to teach this class once more."