The Gryffindor common room was full of kids. Many 2nd and 3rd years playing games like wizards chess, and especially 6 and 7th years where getting to know the opposite sex, hoping to stir romance. Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny shared a comfortable, quiet spot in front of the fir place. Ron and Ginny had gotten used to seeing their sibling snogg their best friend, although it was still an uncomfortable sight.
Harry woke up in the very early morning. Not able to get back to sleep he went to shower and matched off to sit alone in the great hall. However when he arrived almost all the Durmstrang students where eating breakfast. Harry took a seat next to a tall blond boy.
"Oi! I been told all 'bout you" The blond boy Was now pointing at Harry, the whole table was watching "Your 'arry Potter, the chosen one! Honor Mr. 'arry. I swear people get the wrong idea about Durmstrang, not all of us support well you-know-who. Me name is Richard" This boy didn't seem to have as strong as an accent as Victor does.
"Well, Hi Richard. Nice to meet you" Richard was violently shaking his hand. "what year are you in"
"Well, I'm only in me 6th year" Richard signed
"Oi! Harry." Ron came into the great hall. "You weren't there when I woke up, it worried me. Well, not so much me as Ginny who came rudely in to see you" Ginny stepped out from behind Ron. Richard stood up, obviously because of Ginny.
"Hello, I'm Richard" Richard step up to Ginny, Harry waited, if he put a hand on her, he hex him. "I'm from Durmstrang"
"Hello, I'm Ginny" She took his hand. Richard brought Ginny's hand to his lips.
"Oi!" Harry took Ginny's hand out of his. Ginny smiled; flattered by Harry's reaction "Sorry Richard, but I can be rather protective" Ron laughed.
"Sorry, do you fancy her?" Richard asked ignorantly.
"Why yes I do," Harry pulled Ginny to him; she wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist.
"Sorry then" Richard smiled, staring at Ginny still. Harry couldn't say he wasn't threatened, Richard was rather good looking. Harry though, knew he was overreacting so he just sat down a relaxed. Hermione came in just as a mousey looking teacher began passing out schedules.
"Blimey" Harry muttered "first I've got to teach D.A.D.A. to 2nd years, then I've got poisons, Defense against the dark arts. Then I've got Charms. Then teaching 4th years, then 3rd years"
"Blimey is right Harry, that's more than I have" Hermione slammed down her schedule "at least we all got DADA together, and charms"
Harry stood up "I've got to get to class early then" He leaned down and kissed Ginny once, but then kissed her again "See you then" Harry trudged out of the Great hall and into the dungeons. Harry now stood in the familiar classroom that 6 teachers stood before him. Harry found parchment on his desk instructing what to teach and what pages they where on. Harry laughed remembering reading all about these simple defense charms and easy amateur hexes. A small raven-haired boy walked into the class room.
"Am-am I in the right place Harry?" He said. His name was Will and he was a Gryffindor 2nd year.
"Yeah will. Take a seat. S'posse I should make a seatin chart soon or something. Ya know I'm new at this teaching stuff"
"Bloody hell! You my teacher" Will sat down "Oh this will be great"
"Watch your mouth William" Harry gave him a stern look trying to signal not to that he could not joke about. Other students began to come in, amazed that Harry was their teacher. Harry had a half hour however deciding how to start his class.
"Good morning class. My name is Har- well. Professor Potter. Err… well professor Harry please. And welcome second years to Defense against the dark arts. This year you'll be learning much more advance thing and we'll be going at a quicker pace. Well, how about disarming spells, anyone know any?"
A young eager girl raised her hand in the front row. It reminded him of Hermione. Harry pointed to her.
"Expelliarmus" She said proudly
"Excellent. Every one, partner up!" The room shuffled as students choose a partner "now practice say the words clearly and aim you wand. Aim is very important. The room was full of voices and fly wands for the next few minuets. "Settle down anyone else know any second or third year charms? No then how about Impedimentum. This slows down or stops you opponent. For example" Harry threw a book high in the air the shouter the words Impedimentum the book stopped mid air and seemed to float. "Go ahead and try, please not on your partners but use books" Books went fly into the air and many of them where stopped "Fantastic! Well anyone know any more?"
"Excuse me sir but what about The Cruciatus Curse" the same girl spoke out.
"Ah yes. Well that curse inflicts pain on your opponent. Though good to know in a duel. Perhaps a little above this level" Harry winked at her and she giggled.
"And what about the Patronus charm?" She asked again.
"Yes, yes that I learned in third year." Harry giggled remembering how Lupin taught him "well I don't think you'll be successful in conjuring one, we shall give it a wing. You then what's your name?" The girl stood up.
"Rachael" she said
"Okay. Rachael, will you come stand up here with me then? Okay I want you to relax, sit, and think hard. Try to remember the happiest memory in your mind, real or not think about it. Remember every detail, where you where what it was like, the sounds the smells. Okay you ready?" Harry tried to say things like Lupin would.
"Yes, sir" All the kids sat on the edge of their seats.
" On the count of three I want you to say the incantations of Expecto Patronum. Wand at the ready then. One, two ,three. "
"Expecto Patronum" A grayish cloud came from the girls wand tip.
"Good job. Though not a full Patronus it was still more than what came out of my first time." Harry smiled "It might be a little bright here" Harry took out his wand pointing it randomly into the air "EXPECTO PATRONUM!" A bright white shield expelled from his wand tip filling the room. Oooos and ahhhhs came from the class as the shield came back into his wand. "So I suppose you all know what the Patronus charm is used for?"
A boy stood up in back. "eets for Deementors, eets the only way to keep them from keesing you" stuttered the boy.
"Very good. Oops well I've seem to kept you long than I should've. I've got to get to my class" Harry smile "we'll be practicing these spell over the next few days. Optional homework is to read pages 190 to 230 all on the spells we went over plus more we will be doing. Good day to you" Harry grabbed his books a followed out of the room with the students.
"Brilliant lesson Harry" Will approach him as he caught up with Ginny. "Really love it!"
Ginny smiled at him.
"Wow could I be any luckier" Ginny winked "The boy who lived, great teacher, fantastic snogger" Ginny grabbed his shirt and pulled him off to a corner in the hall way. They stared snogging a little
"Ginny, Ginny I'm late for Defense against the dark arts already" Harry pulled back.
"And I'm late for Transfiguration" Ginny Kissed him again and laughed before they parted down different hallways.
Harry of course arrived late and took a seat next to Ron.
"How nice of you to join us" The tall blonde hair man smiled sheepishly from behind his ratty beard "oh-oh you must be Mr. Potter, alright then you are excused for being tardy"
"Thank you sir"
"Well then for Mr. Potter's sake, I am Professor Alken your new Defense against the dark arts teacher. Like I was saying before however, this year's class will be full of advance attacking spells charms and curses. You will be learning not only How to fight but about the magic that you're fighting. Perhaps a few harmless dark art spell. Now I'll probably spend most of this class talking but please refrain from talking passing note and such. I do not hesitate to embarrass a student."
After an hour of constant talking Professor Alken let the class go. Harry reported to his other classes and then to his teaching duties. He thought himself quite the teacher, at least 4 students would approach him and congratulate his fascinating glass.
Harry returned to Gryffindor tower late that day. He walked up to the boys dormitory to find Ginny and Hermione sitting with Ron.
"Hey guys" Harry collapsed on his bed
"Hey Harry" Ron smiled shoving down another chocolate frog. "How was your class"
"Tiring" Harry signed. Ginny ran over to him.
"Well I should go to my room then" Ginny bent down and kissed his forehead "Good night"
"Me too" Hermione Stood up kissed Ron. Suddenly Lavender entered the room with Seamus hand in hand.
"Hermione" Lavender said coldly, she still blamed Hermione on her break up with Ron. "What are you doing here, with Ron I guess. People are saying you're quite the couple" Lavender crossed her arms.
"Yes, yes we are Lavender." Hermione pushed Seamus out of the way and went to her room.
"I'm going to be Seamus" Lavender pushed him out of the way too and followed Hermione to their room.
"Excuse me, Hermione" Hermione turned around to find Lavenders fist hurdling towards her, luckily Hermione had enough time to step back not to have a full blow.
"What! Lavender what was that for?" Hermione was speachless for the first time after Lavender hit her again. Quickly she pulled out her wand." Impedimentum" Lavender stopped "Whats gotten into you?"
"God Hermione! I thought you where smart. I'm still in love with Ron. I'm only with Seamus to make him jealous. You need to stay away from him you little git. Mark my words Hermione, I will do anything to get him back, so back off and it will do you good" Lavender yelled. Hermione just laughed. She left Lavender somewhat frozen in the door of the girls dormitory knowing she would be back to normal in the morning.
Harry woke up late the next day. He was starving so he skipped a shower to get to the great hall before classes. His hair a mess and clothes not properly buttoned he ran into the great hall to find Ginny sitting with Richard. Quickly he took his seat next to her.
"Hello Harry" Ginny greeted him, but she did not kiss him.
"Hi 'aary" Richard waved.
"Excuse me, quite down!" McGonagoll stood at the podium where Dumbledore usually stood to make speeches "The staff at Hogwarts and I have decided to give you students a bit of a gift. From now till Christmas Holidays you have free days between days of classes. Meaning one day of classes on day of freedom. We're hoping you'll put these days to use maybe meeting new peers and new students are welcome to explore the grounds. Mr. Filch however has asked me to remind you to stay away from the Dark Forrest. Well I believe you have today off then, please be responsible." McGonagoll stepped down and chatter roared through the Hall.
"Sweet" Ron said with a mouth full of muffins.
"Well, what should we do today then" Ginny asked.
"Suppose we should visit Hagrid first" Ron suggested
"Okay, but could we go to the common room first, I'd jut like to hang out for a while" Ginny looked over at Harry who just begun eating.
"ER... sure" Harry threw down his food and returned to the common room wit his friends.
The room wasn't as full as usual. They all went to change before going on with their day. Of course the girls took forever to change so Ron and Harry relaxed by the fire place.
"Hey Ron" Lavender Brown came over in a short jean skirt and tight white tank top. She gently brushed his face. Ron's eyes almost jumped out of his sockets.
"H-Hi Lavender." Ron stuttered. She took a seat close next to him on the couch. Hermione quietly inched downstairs not completely ready wanting to tell the boys they'd be a little longer. She happened to come down exactly when Lavender had playing with Ron's hair. Hermione's eyes open and tears began to roll out. Hermione would usually be the kind of girl to march down those steps, throw Lavender on the ground and hex her, but no, she marched upstairs and waited for Ginny.
"D-Do you think Ron could still have feelings for Lavender?" Hermione stared out into space as Ginny threw clothes out of her trunks. She stopped after finding a bight green top.
"Well." Ginny took a second to think about her words. "No, I mean, she was his first girlfriend, first crush, first kiss, but… no-no he can't he's so fallen for you. Harry told me all about this huge crush he's always had on you"
Hermione forced a smile. "You're taking forever Gin, hurry up, I'm going down" Hermione grabbed her wand, just in case Lavender did want to get into a fight. She stumbled down the steps and back to the common room to find Lavender inching her way closer to Ron.
"Ronald" Hermione said sternly make Harry, Ron and Lavender jump a little.
"Hey, Hermione" Ron jumped up and moved away from Lavender. "Ginny coming? We'd really like to go before lunch"
"Here!" Ginny ran down the stairs and Pointed ahead of her jokingly "To Hagrid's!" Harry giggled as the two of them walked out of the portrait hole.
"We going? " Hermione asked coldly.
"Yeah…erm… bye Lavender" Ron came over and brushed Hermione's hand with his before holding it in his.
Hagrid's hut was as run down as usual. The same large hairy man poured the four friends tea.
"Do I have wonderful new for you four" Hagrid seems rather cheery for his idol passing away. Perhaps it was better to know Dumbledore was still up in the headmaster's office hanging on the wall. "Well, over our short holiday Madame Maxime… well I asked her to marry me." Hagrid smiled.
"Wow, that's great Hagrid" Harry knew that Hagrid had always had a crush on Madame Maxime and getting married was very important especially with recent conditions. Suddenly all the young teenagers in Hagrid's hut were considering marriage. Everyone was getting married, and what if they where to loose one another soon.
"Glad ter hear you think so 'arry, you'll be my best man then? You and Ron course" Hagrid asked
"Of course" Ron answered exchanging agreeable looks at Harry.
"Great. Well now I'm sorry 'll being askin' you to leave now, got things to do, people ter see." Hagrid picked up the empty teacups and threw them into a bucket full of water.
After Hagrid's they returned to the great hall for a bit of lunch.
"Herm-I-neey" Viktor tapped her shoulder.
"Hi Viktor, I haven't seen you around, please join us " Hermione patted the empty seat next to her. "How are you?"
"Great Hermy-I-neey. Wow" Viktor took his seat and stared into Hermione's eyes. "You are even more beautiful than the last time I saw you" Hermione blushed.
"Excuse me" Ron buzzed in. "But you boyfriend's over here" Ron pointed at himself.
"Yes-yes Ron" Hermione kissed his cheek but then continued with her conversation with Viktor. Ron just sat there mumbling to himself.
"Come with me Harry, I want to take a walk." Ron grabbed Harry's cloak before he could argue. They only made it out of the hall before Ron exploded.
"Do you think she could still have feelings for him Harry. URGH! I mean he's famous and skilled and older!" Ron ran his fingers through his knotted red hair.
"Ron, clam down, look Hermione likes you! I bet she loves you" Harry leaned up against the brick wall trying to clear his mind, searching for the right words the calm Ron down. "You two where really meant to be" That was the only thing Harry could think of. Ron collapsed next to Harry against the wall.
"Hagrid's getting married huh? Everyone's getting married. You know Bill wrote me, they're planning on children." Ron looked up and announced proudly "I'd be a great uncle"
Harry laughed "Can you imagine how small we're gonna look next to Hagrid's family?"
As they re-entered the great hall Hermione was exactly as she was, deep in conversation with Viktor, but now Ginny was talking with Richard. They walked up quietly hopping to catch a juicy bit of their conversation.
"So, are you and 'Arry a real item?" Richard asked scooting closer the Ginny.
"Yes, yes I'd say we are" Harry sat between them interrupting their chat.
Through the rest of lunch Ron sat quietly poking his food while Hermione and Viktor talked away, and Harry and Ginny spent their time snogging. He soon decided to leave them and go back up to the common room where at least there he didn't have to watch his sister make out with his mate. Right when he walked in he knew it was a mistake; Lavender was the only in the room.
"Ron, Hi" She closed the book she was reading and gestured him to come sit with her. "Where's Hermione"
"Downstairs talking to Krum" Ron shrugged.
"Oh" She said as if when Ron walked in alone it was obvious where Hermione was.
"What?" He asked
"Oh, well I guess you should know, any of the girls in our room could tell you how often she goes on about Krum. Telling us how he's a great snogger and a very talented guy." Lavender said sympathetically. Ron went speechless and just sat for a second thinking to himself. No-no there's no way. Ron thought he was going to burst into tears but then Hermione walked into the room.
"There you are" She walked to him, but them Viktor walked through the portrait hole. Ron pushed Lavender off of him and passed Hermione without even making eye contacted and marched to his room. Hermione was dumbfounded but then met eyes with Lavender. She pulled out her wand just in case Lavender wanted a fight.