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Chapter 3
Sorting
Mindy hurriedly threw her things into her trunk, rushing about her small room, trying to remember anything she might be forgetting. She was late; very late. She couldn't believe she was running so behind. She just wasn't used to catching the Hogwarts Express to get to the school. Normally, she would be there already. Of course, that was no excuse for oversleeping. That had been her fault. Why didn't she just set her wand to shoot off sparks at dawn?
Looking around the disheveled room, she decided she had everything and shut the lid of her trunk. Again performing a feather-weight charm on her trunk, she grabbed it by the handle and yanked it towards the door. She bit her bottom lip, looking at the mess she had made of the room in her rush to get all of things together. She hated to leave the room in such a state of disarray, but she had no time to straighten it up. Shrugging helplessly at the mess, she stepped out the door, yanking her trunk along behind her.
Mindy hurried down the narrow stairway and into the pub area of the Leaky Cauldron. "Has a taxi arrived yet?" She asked, hurrying over to the bartender.
He looked at her through his mane of greasy hair and nodded. "It's been out there for a while, now." He answered. "You'd better hurry. Muggle taxi drivers can be impatient."
"Thanks." Mindy said. "Oh, and I'm sorry about the mess I left of the room."
The bartender shrugged. "I ain't the one thats gotta clean it."
But Mindy was already out the door. She hurried over to the big black cab, steering her trunk towards the back end of the taxi. The driver hopped out, and grabbed the end of her trunk. "Wow," he exclaimed. "This thing is incredibly light. Do you have anything in it?"
Mindy smiled, sheepishly. "Just some clothes." She answered.
The driver shook his head. "I wish I could get my daughter to pack this light." He opened the boot of the car and easily lifted the trunk into it.
Mindy climbed into the back seat of cab, as the driver closed and locked the boot. He walked around painfully slow then climbed into the driver's seat. "Where to?" He asked looking back at Mindy through the rearview mirror.
"London train station, and hurry please." Mindy answered.
"Oh, trying to catch your school train?" The driver asked, taking his sweet time starting the engine.
"Yes." Mindy answered. "I'm afraid I'm going to miss it. Would you hurry, please?"
"Oh, now, I'm sure it's not so urgent." The driver said, pulling out into traffic and driving below speed limit.
"Back in my day, I was never in a hurry to get to school..." And he went on along that line of talk the entire trip. He did not pick up any speed, and he seemed to find the streets and roads that contained the most traffic.
Mindy, frowned, becoming exasperated with the man. Was he doing this on purpose? She wanted nothing more than anything to pull out her wand and transfigure everything on the road into ants. And then threaten to do the same thing to the driver if they didn't pick up some speed. After what seemed like forever and endless chatter of the driver's school days, they finally reached the London Train station.
"Thanks." Mindy said, paying the driver and hopping out of the car. She waited impatiently while the driver unloaded her trunk. Thanking him again, she grabbed the handle and hurried off through the busy train station. It had been some years since she had to get to Hogwarts by platform nine and three quarters, and she wasn't quite sure where it was. She hurried over to area between platforms nine and ten and looked around a bit confused. Now what?
"Mindy!"
Mindy turned around and smiled when she saw Harry and Ron heading her way.
"You're late, too?" Harry asked, as he walked over to her.
Mindy nodded. "I overslept." She explained.
"We didn't." Ron said. "We're just slow."
"We are not all slow." Hermione said as she and Ginny joined the boys. "You two are slow."
Ron shrugged. "However you want to put it." He said.
"We'd better hurry." Harry said, stepping between his two friends. "We don't want to miss the train standing right on the platform."
"Right." Mindy said. "It's just, platform nine and three quarters. I'm not sure how to get on."
"Oh. That's right." Ron said. "This would be your first time getting on, wouldn't it?"
"Uh, yes." Mindy answered, gladly agreeing with Ron's excuse.
"Don't worry about it." Harry said. "We'll take it together." Harry looked around. "Where are Mrs. Weasley and Professor Lupin?"
"They're coming." Hermione answered. "Professor Lupin had to find somewhere to park. They said for us to go ahead."
"Right, then." Harry said. "Well, why don't you three go first, to show Mindy how it's done? Then we'll go."
Ron nodded. "Come on Hermione, Ginny." The three of them stood next to each other, looking around casually, making sure no Muggles were looking in their direction. Satisfied they weren't being watched, they grabbed their things and at a short run plunged into a solid wall between platforms nine and ten.
Oh, yeah. That's how it's done, Mindy thought, remembering the process at once.
"Are you ready?" Harry asked, looking at her with questioning green eyes.
Mindy smiled at him. "Let's go." She said.
Harry returned the smile and they checked to make sure they were un- noticed. Confident that they were, they jogged together, pushed through the barrier and stepped onto platform nine and three quarters. The noise and the crowds were surprising. Students and parents alike were running about, trying to put away things and say their good-byes.
"Over here." Ron called.
Mindy and Harry turned in that direction and hurried over to the red- head boy. "We've got the last empty compartment." Ron said. "Ginny's guarding the door."
"Okay." Harry said. "Let's put our trunks up and then go see if we can spot Mrs. Weasley and Professor Lupin before it's time to go."
"Okay." Ron said. "But we'll probably see Professor Lupin on the train anyway."
"What do you mean?" Mindy asked. As far as she knew Professor Lupin wasn't teaching at Hogwarts this year. So why would he be riding to the school with them?
"We think he's going to teach Defense against the Darks Arts this year." Harry answered, and then explained, "So far every year we've had a different professor for the class. Lupin was one of the best."
Ron nodded. "Last year's teacher was by far the worst. And that's including the professor who turned out to be possessed by You-Know-Who and the one that turned out to be an impostor."
"I hope he's back." Harry said. "After last year, it'll be nice to have a good Defense against the Dark Arts teacher for a change."
Mindy smiled. She had to agree with Ron about last years Defense against the Darks Arts professor. Umbridge had been the most annoying woman she had ever had to put up with. The woman made life at Hogwarts almost unbearable for the professors and students alike. She had even made poor Professor Trelawney cry. Mindy had never been so glad to see anyone leave Hogwarts before in her life. As far as she knew, Umbridge was still at St. Mungos' in the ward for the insane. Mindy grinned thinking the woman had gotten exactly what she deserved.
They climbed aboard the train and walked a short distance down.
"Here." Ron said, sliding open a compartment door. Ginny, Hermione and Neville Longbottom were sitting inside.
"Hey." Ginny said. "What took you guys so long?"
"It didn't take us that long." Ron frowned.
"Hey, Neville," Harry said then looking back at Mindy, said, "Mindy this is Neville Longbottom. Neville this is Mindy James."
"Hello, nice to meet you." Neville said, smiling sweetly at Mindy. "You guys don't mind if join you, do you?"
" 'Course not." Harry replied. "How much room do we have in the overhead compartments?"
"Not a lot." Hermione answered. "But you might be able to squeeze in three more trunks."
They had to do quite a bit of shifting around to get all the trunks up into the overhead storage space. In the end it was still a tight fit. Mindy was sorely tempted to pull out her wand and perform a shrinking charm on the trunks, but she knew that would cause entirely too many question and quickly squashed the desire. Finally, everything was out of the way. The owls were let out of their cages, so that they could perch on the back of the seats and their cages could be stored away. Hermione's cat, Crookshank, was constantly attempting to grab Ron's tiny owl and the two had to be separated. It was pretty apparent to Mindy, though, that Pig didn't mind Crookshank's attempts at capture and was actually having fun with the cat.
"Let's go see if we can find Mum before the train pulls off." Ginny said, once she and Hermione had managed to calm down Crookshank.
"Okay." Ron said then looking back at Neville and Mindy asked, "Would you guys like to come along?"
"No, I'll wait here." Neville answered, pulling out a magazine called Magical Plants and You Weekly.
"So will I." Mindy answered.
"Okay, we'll be back soon." Ginny said, as she, Harry, Hermione and Ron stepped out of the compartment.
Mindy took a seat across from Neville. "Do you enjoy plants?" She asked the boy, eyeing his magazine. She knew very well that Neville did enjoy Herbology. It was well known the course was his favorite subjects, and Professor Sprout was always going on about what a gifted student he was.
"Yes." Neville said his eyes lighting as he got to talk on a subject he knew a lot about. He talked about a few of the plants he was most interested in and explained that he had received an Outstanding on his Herbology O.W.L. He was going to be in Advanced Herbology this year and was excited about getting to study rare magical plants.
Mindy listened to Neville talk about Herbology until the others returned. The whistle blew shortly after everyone had taken a seat, the three girls facing the three boys. "We'll be heading off soon." Harry said, his eyes shinning with excitement.
Mindy looked at the boy. She never knew he looked forward to returning to Hogwarts with such delight. She supposed the school must really be a refuge for him. She just hoped she could make it as safe for him as a true refuge would be.
The whistle blew a second time and the train began slowly down the track, and soon they were speeding along towards Hogwarts. The small group spent most of the trip laughing and talking. Mindy played exploding snap with Harry, Ginny, and Ron, and surprised everyone when she won four out of the five games. Hermione and Neville kept their heads buried in books, coming up once to watch Harry and Ron play chess. Hermione and Neville had placed a bet on the game, Hermione siding with Ron and Neville choosing Harry. Ron crushed Harry after only three turns, and Hermione won four chocolate frogs from Neville.
The food lady came around about halfway through the trip. Harry bought everyone cauldron cakes and chocolate frogs. He offered Mindy a bag of Betty Botts Every Flavor Bean, which she politely turned down. She explained that she was still traumatized from the time she had eaten a vomit flavor bean. Shortly after the food cart lady had gone, Seamus Finigan, Lavender Brown and Pravati Patil dropped by. They asked Harry if he would still be holding D. A. meetings. Harry said he didn't know, and told them that he thought they might have a descent Defense against the Dark Arts professor this year and that they might not need the club.
"I hope you decide to have the club anyway." Lavendar said. "It was fun and I bet half the school will want to join."
Soon evening was turning into night and Hermione announced it was time to change into their uniforms. She sent the boys away so that the girls could get dress, and after a bit the train was coming to a slow stop.
"Looks like we're here." Ron said. "Let's go get a carriage before they're all taken." He led the way out of the train. They walked towards the line of carriages. Mindy felt Harry stiffen a bit and looked over. She saw that he was staring at the creatures pulling the carriages. She noticed that Neville was watching them too. Harry and Neville shared a knowing look, and then climbed aboard a carriage behind Ron and Hermione. Mindy started to follow when she heard someone call her name.
"Ms. James."
Mindy looked back to see Severus--no Professor Snape, she mentally corrected herself--heading her way. She stepped away from the carriage. "Yes?" She asked, questioningly.
"You'll need to come with me." Professor Snape said, taking her by the arm and leading her away from the line of carriages.
She smiled weakly at the others peering curiously out the carriage windows at her. "Why?" She asked, allowing herself to be steered away from the carriages and towards the lake.
"You still have to be sorted." Snape answered.
"Yes, I know." Mindy said. Then her eyes widened, "Don't tell me I have to cross the lake."
Snape smirked at her. "You have to experience all of the traditions of Hogwarts."
Mindy frowned. "I already have."
"Yes, but, unfortunately for you, nobody knows that." Snape said, quietly. "Have a fun trip." He laughed, leaving her standing on the bank.
" 'Lo, Mindy." Hagrid called, walking along the bank carrying a large lantern that was swinging in the night. "Lovely night, isn't it?" He said, as he ushered her into one of the small boats, already holding a few other students.
Mindy nodded tightly. "Yes," she answered. "Peachy."
Hagrid grinned hugely and walked off still calling the first years over to him. Soon all the first year students were gathered into the boats, and they started to move on their own towards the castle in the distance. Mindy looked up at Hogwarts. She had to admit from this vantage point, Hogwarts looked huge and mystical. It was almost awe inspiring. Now, she understood why Dumbledore had kept up the tradition of bringing the new students to Hogwarts by boat. It really inspired an appreciation of just how grand the school was.
Mindy watch the wavering light of the lantern on the lake surface. Several students gasped as a huge tentacle broke the surface of the water and sprinkled sparkling drops of the liquid over them. They floated gently towards the castle, and Mindy was surprised to see that she was actually enjoying the trip. All too soon they were at their destination, and were disembarking on the bank.
"This way." Hagrid called, leading them through the large arched doorway of the school.
Mindy and the other first years milled around in the front hall. Unlike the other children standing around her though, Mindy wasn't in the least nervous. She knew exactly what to expect. She even avoided being nailed by the water balloons that Peeves threw into the group of new students, until he was chased off by Professor Sprout.
"Sorry about that." Professor Sprout apologized to the frightened first years. "That's just the resident poltergeist. He's not dangerous; he just likes to cause trouble. Well, line up now, and follow me."
Professor Sprout took the lead, and threw open the doors of the great hall. Mindy stayed to the end of the group and was one of the last to enter the hall. She looked up as she walked in. Hundreds of candles floated in the air, mimicking the stars that twinkled in the magically altered roof. She heard several of the new students comment in wonder on the ceiling. Mindy grinned. This was nothing new to her, but it was interesting seeing everything from the perspective of a student.
Professor Sprout walked to the front of the great hall, and placed a stool and the ragged, pointed, wizard's hat on the platform. She stepped back and the sorting hat began to speak:
"So another year begins once more.
Another group of fresh faces
I have seen years of several score
and more; and others in their places.
This year begins many years of fright
of worry and of fear.
Bumps in the night
many will surely hear.
The only way to withstand the dread
is to pull together. As you will find
this is the year to become as one head,
one body, and one mind.
The four houses were assembled
to be united and whole.
Old ties were disassembled;
shattered promises of old.
Forget these ancient animosities.
Pull together in unanimity.
Look past old atrocities.
This is the time to be in harmony.
So hear my words, my law
Hufflepuff and Gryffindor
Slytherin and Ravenclaw.
Be apart no more.
Join together as one.
United you shall stand and rule.
Join together as one
and no harm will come to student or school"
The hat was silent and so was the great hall. Not a student applauded; instead they looked at each other in wonder at the words the hat had spouted out. There was a single hand clap and Mindy looked towards the headmaster, who stood applauding the song of the hat. Rather quickly, though he too was silent and returned to his seat. Mindy looked towards the hat and then at Professor Dumbledore again. This was the second time the hat had preached togetherness to the students of Hogwarts. Normally, the hat only sung about the four houses of Hogwarts and the creators of each. But now it seemed focused on telling those four houses to unit. Something big was coming; something bad. She only hoped the school was ready to face whatever it was.
Professor Sprout cleared her throat. "Alright," she said, clearly. "It's time to begin the sorting. When I call your name, step forward and place the sorting hat on your head. Then proceed to the house you are sorted into. Aaron, Abbigal." And so the sorting began. The list of names slowly wound down, sending the new first years to one house and then another. When the list came to the "J's" Mindy fully expected to be called, but was a little surprise when it proceeded to the "K's" without hearing her name. She frowned, but decided to just wait it out. After an eternity the last first year was called ("Zeph, Zachary") and Professor Sprout rolled up her list.
But before heading for her seat on the stage she announced. "We do have one transfer student with us this year. She will be joining the sixth year, but must be sorted into the appropriate house, first. James, Mindy."
Mindy stepped forward and picked up the sorting hat. Sitting on the stool she placed the sorting hat on her head.
Why, I do believe it is Minerva. The hat said, speaking in her mind at once.
Mindy smiled. Hello, hat. How are you?
Very well, for a bit of dusty cloth and loose stitches. Well, I must say, I've never had to sort a person twice before. Oh, this is certainly new.
It's very new for me too, Mindy stated (or rather thought) flatly.
Did you not like Gryffindor when I placed you in that house before?
Oh, no. Nothing like that,. Mindy said. I love Gryffindor and I'd like to be placed in the house again.
Not to worry there, dear. You were a Gryffindor then, and you are a Gryffindor now. So it shall be... "GRYFFINDOR." The hat called this last part aloud.
"Thank you." Mindy whispered quietly, before taking the hat off her head, and heading for the Gryffindor table amongst loud applause. She sat down between Neville and Harry who had been saving her seat.
"I knew you'd get Gryffindor." Harry said, happily then turned towards the Professors' table. "I wonder where Professor McGonagall is?" He said. "She usually does the sorting." He added, speaking to Mindy.
"Maybe she's ill." Ron suggested. "She probably just couldn't make the sorting."
Hermione was about to offer her opinion when Professor Dumbledore stood. She quickly closed her mouth and turned her attentions back to the front of the great hall.
"I know you must all be famished." Professor Dumbledore stated. "I certainly am. So I will make this quick. I have just a few announcements. As always, the Forbidden Forest is off limits. Also, Mr. Filch has once again updated his list of things banned from the Hogwarts' halls. Now all products produced by Weasley Wizarding Wheezes are prohibited. Now, I have some bad news." Dumbledore said, looking somberly at the students of Hogwarts. "This year I am afraid, given recent events, that Hogsmead weekends will be canceled."
This news was met with a disappointed groan from the assembly in general. A few brave souls even booed. Dumbledore raised his hands to quiet down the students. "Yes, yes. I know you are all very disappointed. However, to make up for your great loss, Hogwarts will once again have the Yule Ball. So dust off your dress robes, all."
The girls looked very happy about this, some turning to talk excitedly to their neighbor. The boys looked as if the Yule Ball was hardly worth the trade off. Mindy could see a look of indifference in the first, second, and third years' faces, which were not old enough to attend either event.
Once again Professor Dumbledore raised his hands and the students quieted down. "Also we have a few staffing changes this year." The headmaster went on. "I am sure most of you will remember Professor Lupin." Dumbledore waved at the man sitting at the end of the professors' table amongst the shadows. He had been so still, Mindy hadn't noticed him before. He half stood now, amongst enthusiastic applause from all houses, excluding Syltherin. "Professor McGonagall will not be with us this year. She is attending to...personal matters. Professor Lupin will be taking over her classes."
The great hall became deathly silent, before bursting into a buzz of mummers. "Where's Professor McGonagall?" Hermione whispered, fiercely.
"If Professor Lupin is teaching Transfiguration, who is teaching Defense against the Dark Arts?" Ron wondered.
Harry only shook his head, and shrugged.
Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat to regain the attention of the students. "Centaur Firenze will be taking over Divination full time this year." He went on. "And Professor Trelawney has graciously agreed to teach Defense against the Dark Arts."
Again the great hall fell quiet. "What?" Ron called loudly into the silence.
Professor Dumbledore smiled and repeated himself. "Professor Trelawney has graciously agreed to teach Defense against the Dark Arts. I believe that take care of all the announcements. Now all I have to say is eat up." With that Dumbledore sat down and food appeared on the tables.
But for once the students were too busy discussing the new teacher line up to immediately dig in.
"This is unbelievable." Ron said, as he dug into a bowl of mashed potatoes. "Trelawney teaching Defense against the Dark Arts? That's just unreal."
Hermione nodded enthusiastically. "I transferred out of her class in the first place so that I wouldn't have to be taught by her. What kind of Defense against the Dark Arts professor will she make, anyway?"
"She has to be better than Umbridge was last year." Harry said. "But still, I wonder what happened to Professor McGonagall. Do you think Professor Lupin will make a good Transfigurations professor?"
"He'll have a hard time trying to fill Professor McGonagall's shoes." Hermione stated. "She is one of better professors here if you ask me."
Mindy smiled proudly. She always knew Hermione was one of her favorite students.
"I think Lupin will do fine." Ron said, adding roast beef to his plate. "Will you pass the rolls, Harry?"
Harry took a roll for himself, and passed the basket to Ron. "Well, I'll say one thing; this year will certainly be interesting."
"Do you think we can make up all our work in Defense against the Dark Arts and get high scores like we did in Divination?" Neville asked thoughtfully.
"Oh, don't tell me you did that too, Neville." Hermione exclaimed.
Neville shrugged. "What else was I suppose to do? I don't have the inner eye."
Mindy laughed. "Very few people do." She said, grinning at the thought of Trelawney not knowing the difference between real work and fabrications from a student's imagination. "Did you really make up all your work in that class?"
"I think just about everybody did." Neville answered.
Ron nodded. "Harry and I did. It made getting through homework a lot easier, I'll tell you that."
"I don't think we'll be able to do that this year though." Harry said, "Considering our new Divination's professor."
"Doesn't matter," Ron stated. "Everything is so uncertain now that I doubt it matters much what we put down on paper."
"Honestly," Hermione huffed. "If you're going to be in class, you ought to at least try."
"Aw, Hermione, don't start." Ron rolled his eyes.
"Well, still...Oh, hello Professor Sprout."
Mindy and Harry looked back to see Professor Sprout standing directly behind them. "Hello, all." She said. "Hi, Mr. Longbottom. Looking forward to class the year?"
"Oh, yes. Very much so," Neville said nodding.
"Good." Professor Sprout turned to Harry. "Mr. Potter, Professor Dumbledore wants to see you after the feast."
"Oh, okay." Harry said, and then turned back to his friends. "You don't suppose I'm in trouble already do you?" He asked as Professor Sprout walked off.
"If you are, you've just set a record." Ron said. "Not even Fred and George could get themselves called to Dumbledore's office this quickly."
Mindy looked back at the professors' table and wondered absently what the Headmaster wanted with Harry.
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"I'll see you later." Harry called to Ron and Hermione as they hurriedly gathered up the first years.
"Right." Hermione returned, waving good-bye and chasing after a lost first year that was starting to head out with the Hufflepuff crowd.
"Sometimes being a prefect really stinks, you know." Ron whispered to Harry. "Tell me what happens when you get back."
Harry nodded and headed out the Great Hall, walking towards the headmaster's office. He had been there so many times; he had no trouble getting there without actively thinking about where he was going. This was lucky for him, since his mind seemed to be on other things. He wondered what his year at Hogwarts would be like. He hoped all would be quiet. He really did not want adventure this year. He wondered what Professor Dumbledore wanted to see him about, and what his favorite class would be like with Trelawney teaching it. He shook his head. It just couldn't be as bad as when Umbridge was over it, and that alone should be something to look forward to.
He was halfway to Dumbledore's office when he thought he saw something, a shadow passing over his head. He looked up and around, fully expecting to see Peeves floating by with a water balloon or something, but there was nothing there. He stopped walking and strained to see into the shadows where the wall met the ceiling. There was still nothing. He looked back at the spot on the floor where he thought he had seen the shadow, but as he expected all there was to see was floor. Shaking his head, he started off for Dumbledore's office again, but stopped once more. On the floor, a few feet ahead of him, was a feather. He walked towards it, and picked it up. It was a black owl feather. He twirled it between his fingers wondering what an owl feather was doing in this hall so far away from the owlery. Deciding one of the owls must have gotten lose, Harry pocketed the feather and headed on to Professor Dumbledore's office.
Soon he was standing outside the stone griffin and suddenly realizing he had no idea what the password was. In the past it had always been something sweet, so he decide to go with that and began naming off every candy and cake he could think of. "Cauldron Cake. Every Flavor Bean. Chocolate Frog. Um, Cockroach Clusters." No results. Harry shook his head and on whim tried. "Strawberry Goodness," and to his surprise the Griffon came to life and sprung aside.
Harry shrugged. "Who knew." He said to himself, and headed up to the headmaster's office. He knocked tentatively on the door at the top.
"Come in, Mr. Potter."
Harry pushed the door open and stepped in. "You wanted to see me Professor Dumbledore?"
"Yes. Have a seat." Professor Dumbledore said, waving his hand and a comfortable chair appearing. He picked up a tin and shook it. "Would you care for an Everlasting Gobstopper?"
"No thank you, Sir." Harry shook his head, as he sat.
"No?" Professor Dumbledore asked. "These really are quite remarkable candies. I started one when I was fifteen. I still haven't finished it."
Harry grinned. Then he asked. "What did you want to see me about?"
"I wanted to let you know, that you will need to continue your Occlumency lessons. This year, I thought I might take a swing at instructing you. Is that alright?" Harry nodded, immensely relieved that Professor Dumbledore wasn't going to make him continue his lessons with Professor Snape. Seeing the teacher during potions would be torture enough. Professor Dumbledore nodded, and then looked at Harry very seriously, the smile that had been playing on lips fading away. "There is something else I wanted to talk to you about. You don't mind if I am very open with you, Harry?" He asked. Harry shook his head no and Professor Dumbledore continued. "It's about Defense against the Dark Arts. You see, I asked Professor Trelawney to take over the class, because I did not feel it a wise decision at this time to hire someone from outside the school."
Harry nodded. That made sense, and he had rather suspected that was Dumbledore's reasoning behind assigning Trelawney as the new teacher.
"It's just that I am afraid Professor Trelawney may not be entirely qualified to teach the class." The headmaster continued. "You, however, seem to be quite adapt with the subject."
Harry looked up at the headmaster in surprise. "Excuse me?" He asked.
Professor Dumbledore smiled. "Did you know, Harry, that every student you taught last year scored an Outstanding on their Defense against the Dark Arts O.W.L.?"
Harry shook his head no again. Neville hadn't mentioned anything, nor had Lavender, Pravati or Seamus when they stopped in his cart on the train earlier.
"It seems you have a...knack, shall we say...for the subject."
"O--Okay." Harry said, slowly. "What do you want from me?"
"I would like you to continue D. A., Harry." Dumbledore answered. "I'll instate it as an official club open to all students. I'll, of course, encourage all fifth years to join, as they will be taking their O.W.L.'s at the end of the year. We will consider your lessons-- supplementary--to Professor Trelawney's teaching. I think this will be very good for the student body in general. And I am sure the students will find what you have to show them most useful. What do you think? Will you consider it?"
For a long while, Harry only stared at the headmaster. Professor Dumbledore was basically asking him to teach Defense against the Dark Arts. But how could he teach? He was still a student himself. "I--I don't know, Professor. I still have classes and Quidditch and--stuff, and it seems like there will be a lot of people that I would be responsible for."
"You shouldn't have to worry about your classes, Harry. I will talk to your professors and they will adjust your work load accordingly. I would not ask you to do this, if I did not feel it was necessary. You don't have to decide tonight, Harry. Think about it and give me an answer by the end of the week."
Harry nodded. "Okay." He said. "I can do that."
Professor Dumbledore smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Potter. Well, you had better get back to your tower. You will have a busy day tomorrow."
Harry nodded absently and stood. He started for the door then remembered that he hadn't gotten the new password from Ron or Hermione. He looked back at the headmaster. "Do you know what the Gryffindor password is?"
Professor Dumbledore grinned. "Dumbledore's Army."
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Another chapter corrected, I hope. If you notice stuff that still isn't right, let me know. Unless you don't care, in which case, neither do I.
Qwest