Zero's eyes opened and he felt the fleeting sense of not knowing where he was. As he recognized his surroundings and remembered that he would be teaching his first class within minutes, he quickly got up to stretch and dress for the day. Just as he finished pulling on his favorite outfit (Jet black robes decorated with midnight blue trim around the cuffs) he heard a knock upon the door to his quarters. He pulled open the door, yawning uncontrollably as he did so. Standing outside the doorway was an elderly woman who Zero immediately felt he would not want to disagree with. She wore an interesting fur on her shoulders as well as an even more interesting stuffed vulture as a hat. Zero squinted slightly, examining her up and down before looking at ehr expectantly. "I'm sorry, ma'am, is there a problem?"

She smiled back warmly. "Longbottom's the name, Augusta Longbottom. I was just interested in learning more about you, Mr. Finnigan, I'm afraid I have never heard of you and I was interested in finding out more on the subject of my grandson's future professor."

Zero was confused and thought over what she had said. Was this woman so interested in her grandson's new professor that she was going to come up here this early in the morning and interrogate him? Perhaps this reflects the better system of education in Britain, he thought to himself. "Well, I'll be happy to answer any of your questions, Mrs. Longbottom."

"I see that you are an american," she said, turning and having a seat at one of the student tables behind ehr in the classroom area. "How is it someone from your country would come ehre to teach our children?" Zero detected the slightest hint of prejudice in her tone.

He chose his words carefully. "I am... Professor McGonagall's guest, as you may remember her mentioning during her speech last night. In the United States, I worked as an independent associate to the department of magical law."

Augusta Longbottom watched him while he spoke with complete attention, but spoke almost as soon as he finished. "Perhaps it was a bit of an... exaggeration to say I haven't heard of you, Zero. I have heard from another of the parents that you were once a renowned... how do you put it... a mercenary?"

Zero looked at the floor, staying silent for a moment before responding. "I had a bit of a turbulent youth, if that's what you mean. I believe I am qualified for the job however," he added, looking back up and returning her gaze. "and Minerva seems to agree. Will this be suitable?"

Mrs. Longbottom endulged in that warm smile once more. "Of course, Mr. Finnigan. Thank you for speaking to me about that. Now, about my grandson," Her expression changed to a look of slight disappointment. "He isn't the most gifted in his class, to say the least. I hope you will be able to work with him, and improve his skills. Can I count on you to help him? Someday, perhaps he will make as good an auror as his mother and father were."

Something clicked in Zero's mind when she said this. "Longbottom, Frank and Alice! I didn't remember the name until just now. Of course I'll try my best to help your grandson, but tell me, how are Frank and Alice?"

"They have fared well health-wise within St. Mungo's," Augusta replied, sighing despite her matter-of-fact tone. "Their minds will never be the same, of course. The boy doesn't take it well, to be honest."

Zero nodded. "I'm very sorry for what happened to them. I met them once before, when I was working for Dumbledore. They are very good people."

She smiled. "I know. Well, I must hurry and trot down to breakfast. Have a lovely first day of classes, Zero."

"Thank you. I will try my best to."

Mrs. Longbottom left through the classroom entrance, and Zero examined his own room. All of his decorations were in place, various items he had collected during his adventuring, some of which he still found uses for. He realized how he would spend his first lesson. Introductions to techniques and spells would come later; for their first day, he decided he would simply answer any inquiries the students had about his collected items. This would serve to introduce them to the world in which one uses defensive magic.

Zero walked down the corridors and hallways to the Great Hall, not hungry for breakfast but wanting to meet his fellow teachers nonetheless. As he entered the huge room, he was waved to by Remus Lupin at the staff table. As he approached, Lupin pointed to a chair on his left. "This is your seat, Zero. Please, sit, have something to eat."

Zero sat, but had no intention of eating anything. He saw that Lupin was not eating either. "I'm not hungry Remus. Why aren't you having something to eat?"

Lupin smiled. "I'm just not in the mood, I suppose. I don't typically eat breakfast anyway." Zero could understand; he didn't either.

Zero scanned the room, full of the sounds of people chatting and the clinking of goblets and plates. The students had two seperate tables, and the families had their own several sets of tables. Lupin gestured to the tables. "There are typically four student tables, but we are taking on far fewer these days and needed room for the refugee families staying with us."

Zero nodded. "What time do the first classes start?"

"Ah, yes. I nearly forgot." He produced a piece of folded parchment from within his robes and handed it to Zero. "This is your schedule. It lists the times for your classes and what year the students in those classes are."

Zero unfolded the parchment and found his first class at the top of the list. He was pleased to see that his 7th year class was first. He had the freedom to discuss advanced magic and spells in detail. "7th year class first, excellent."

Lupin looked over at the parchment. "Hmm, yes. You should understand something first, however. Harry Potter is, as always, a bit of a special case to deal with. He seems to have decided against... Conventional... learning this year. The death of Dumbledore last year and Severus Snape's escape seems to have affected him quite seriously, and he will not be convinced to complete a full year of learning. It is not Minerva's wish, however, to deny him the honors of our services and a formal graduation, however, so he will simply be attending classes on occasion. meanwhile, he is on his own pursuing...other interests."

What those interests could be was fairly obvious to Zero, but did not overshadow Harry's need to prepare, in Zero's opinion. "It is plain fact that Harry needs training in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Remus. Surely he would like to at least listen to me while he has the opportunity?"

"Harry does have a tendency to jump to action. However, I believe that of all classes, he'll find your the most valuable. If I were you, I would expect to see him in class often, but do not be surprised when he does not show."

"I am concerned for his welfare. I'll be frank about that. Who si accompanying him while he pursues these 'other interests'?"

Lupin seemed to be growing tired of the subject, but continued. "I do not know if anyone of experience would be helping him. His best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, seem to find their way into all of his adventures, however."

Zero rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "This worries me, Lupin. This is far too dangerous a situation."

"It is indeed. But Harry is of age now, and cannot be controlled by our concerns and objections."

"The first chance I get, I'm going to pound some sense into him."

"You won't be the first to try. I'm telling you, it'll do more harm than good. If you want to have a positive effect on him, don't try to restrict him."

Zero could not argue with logic. He resolved to do his best to gain Harry's trust, and left all other thoughts of the boy who lived at that. Having no interest in breakfast or continued conversation, he bid Lupin farewell and left the Great Hall. As he approached the door to his classroom, he found that there was already a small queue waiting to come inside. The two boys watched him approach eagerly. Both were just slightly short for their age. "Names?" he asked as he tapped his wand on the door handle, unlocking it.

The first boy spoke up, with the pompous manner of an aristocrat. "Ernie Macmillan, professor. So good to meet you."

The second boy seemed much more shy than the first and blushed only slightly as he said "Neville Longbottom, sir."

"Longbottom? I met your parents once. And I met you grandmother this morning." Neville looked taken aback when he heard this, and slightly crestfallen. "From all accounts, you have not yet reached your potential. We shall have to bring out that potential this year, yes?"

"I.. I suppose so, sir."

"Please do not call me sir. I respect Hogwarts immensely, but I am merely a guest ehre. If you are not comfortable calling me Zero, please call me Mr. Finnigan."

Neville seemed surprised again. "Yes, Mr. Finnigan, sir."

Zero laughed and turned to the first boy. "Ernie Macmillan was it? Glad to meet you too. Please, both of you, come inside and have a seat."

They walked into the room, and the boys gawked at the contraptions and objects Zero had placed among the shelves and walls. Zero frowned down at the desks that stood in rows facing the teacher's desk. "You know," He said, turning back to the boys, who remained behind him examining a crown he'd placed near the door. "I hated desks like this when I went to school. What do you think of them?"

Neville replied first. "I never liked them much. A bit uncomfortable."

Ernie piped up. "I think they suit just fine. A proper magical education requires -"

Zero interrupted him. "That's two to one then." And he began to walk down the rows, tapping the desks with his wand. The desks in his wake slowly inflated and changed shape until Zero reached the final desk and turned; the desks one by one had become overstuffed armchairs. With a parting motion of his hands, the chairs seperated properly, forming rows between them once more. Neville hurried to take a seat in the first row of armchairs, followed by Ernie, who wore a slight frown.

Zero turned to his own desk. 'Now, what to do with this. I can't have a room of armchairs and a wooden desk for myself! That wouldn't do at all..." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Aha!" He waved his wand again, and this time the desk inflated into an enormous midnight blue couch. "Now," He said, looking up at the ceiling. "The ceiling in the Great Hall is brilliant, if only I could have one that always showed it raining."

"But sir," Neville said, looking confused. "Why would you have it always rain?"

"I love it when it rains," Zero said simply. He did not have time to say more than this, as the door opened and a number of students filed in. Zero was very pleased to see Harry Potter and his two best friends among them, as well as Seamus, his nephew. He was even more pleased when the trio took the final three armchairs in the first row, right where he could see them. Zero beamed at the class. "Quite good to see you all here. I can only assume that nobody is missing today?" His eyes lingered for a second on Harry. "That's good. I'm not fond of absent students, most especially on the first day. As you may guess from my choice of furniture, I prefer a method of teaching that is laid-back. It is my opinion that relaxing helps you to concentrate on a single goal each lesson. So please, as I teach, do not strive to please me, strive to accomplish your daily goal of the lesson. Today's goal," he waved his wand and an overlarge blackboard appeared out of thin air in front of the students, spelling words as he spoke. "Getting to know your instructor." The class seemed surpised overall; several had taken out books that they now looked at, wondering whether to put them away. "Yes, yes, put your books away. I know you are all not children, and you do not need an entire lesson to explain rules and such, and that is not what I am going to give you. For today, I will simply answer any inquiries you have about myself or the objects I have placed about my classroom."

The students looked around the room. Ernie Macmillan was the first to raise his hand. "Professor, I was wondering about the crown you have by the door." Several other students craned their necks to see the crown.

"Ah, yes. First of all, as I was saying to Neville a moment ago, please call me either Zero or Mr. Finnigan. That goes for all of you - speaking on a first name basis is a sign of respect, and I extend it to all of you. I can understand if you are not comfortable referring to me by my first name however, and in that case Mr. Finnigan will do. As for the crown, I kept it after an investigation into the fabled Angel Caves. Are any of you familiar with the Angel Caves?"

A bushy haired girl, one of Harry's friends, immediately raised her hand.

"Name?"

"Hermione Granger, sir. Mr. Finnigan."

"Perceptive! Please, go on."

"The Angel Caves were a home and study place for the elves of North America. It was a complex system of caverns underground, including the Emerald Falls."

"Quite right, quite right. Isn't there some sort of reward system for this sort of thing? Points or something?"

Ernie spoke up. "Yes, Mr. Finnigan. Points are allocated to different houses for good work done by students of those houses."

"And what is your particular house, Miss Granger?"

"Gryffindor, sir. Mr. Finnigan, I mean."

"Right... what is a typical amount of points to give? Will twenty do?"

Hermione beamed. "Yes, that's quite a lot."

"Then I can't resist being unorthodox. Take twenty-one points." Zero turned back to the crown and gestured toward it. "As I was saying, I took the crown as a... souvenir of my trip into the caves. During the exploration I met a very old elf who was at the end of his days. And long days they are... he was around 700 I believe. He gave me that crown, "The Crown of Ceremony" he called it, and then died as I watched."

The students seemed in awe of this story. Zero felt quite gratified and wondered how they might take some of the other stories he had in his past. Harry's other friend had raised his hand before Zero had much time to enjoy the aura of amazement around him, however. "Name?"

"Ron Weasley, Mr. Finnigan."

"Hello, Ron Weasley."

"I was wondering about the glove you have on table there. Is it another artifact?"

Zero turned to the glove, which he hadn't anticipated explaining so soon. "Er, yes... this. I actually was planning to explain it last, but I'll carry on... This device is called an Aquatic Finger. They are particularly rare, and rather useful. I think it would perhaps be easiest to demonstrate its purpose, as iopposed to blabbering on about it." Even before he reached for the glove, he could see in Miss Granger's eyes that she knew what it was. Mercifully, however, she was keeping her hand down and seemed to be waiting anxiously to see the demonstration.

Zero slipped the glove on gingerly, and it conformed with slippery smoothness to his hand's form. "The glove is controlled according to your muscle tenseness," Zero said, turning back to his class and reaching out in the direction of the ceiling as though preparing to grasp the stone, though the ceiling of the room was a clear twenty feet above. He tensed the muscles slowly in his hand. With matched speed, a fountain of glimmering water stretched from the glove's shiny surface. It crept upward as his hand muscles stiffened, until his hand was shaking slightly with exertion, and the fountain touched the ceiling lightly. No water droplets fell from the fountain; it was as though a thick rope of water were being extended. He quickly drew his hand downward, still keeping it stiffened, and the beam-like water column followed. It swung beautifully over the student's heads as they watched in amazement. He lowered it carefully until it was only two feet above the heads of the middle row. Ernie Macmillan reached up and touched it with his fingers, wincing as though expecting to be drenched at any moment.

"It is quite safe to touch it. Even if i relax my hand muscles, the water will simply retract back into its home - the glove. Let me explain the many uses of this particular tool," As he continued, the students began to crowd around it, touching it and stroking it. He could imagine how it felt - like touching a cool pipe of solid water. "Firstly, it can be used as an extension of the human arm - quite a dexterous one, if the user has trained well enough. It can be used to take items which you cannot reach on your own. For example," He said, moving the fountain from its place above the children's heads and retracting it slightly as he pointed it toward the crown near the door, across the room from him. He slowly formed his hand as though ready to grab the crown. Meanwhile, the end of the fountain became a duplicate of this shape until the fountain now looked rather like a grotesquely long arm ending with a transparent grasping hand. He stiffened agin, and the arm stretched forward with alarming speed. As it landed on the crown, he made as though to grasp the crown with his hand, and the arm/fountain did the same, actually taking the crown. The retracted quickly, taking the crown as it reached him, and setting it down on the desk behind him. The class clapped appreciatively.

"That's one demonstration of it's practical use," Zero said, now removing the glove. "It can also be used in a fight, to push enemies and knock them away... theoretically. I would not choose to put it to such destructive use, as it requires much dexterity to use in the first place, and therefore requires the use of your wand hand - this means that using it rules out the use of spells, and is therefore undesirable to a wizard in a battle against Dark Forces."

Harry Potter himself was now raising his hand. "Yes, Harry? No need to ask your name, of course."

Harry returned Zero's respectful gaze. "I wanted to know what history you have against the Dark Arts."

Zero was stunned momentarily. He had been expecting his student to wonder about this, but he had not expected being asked so openly so soon. He kept himself composed, however. He took a deep breath and then launched into the discussion. "I worked in the U.S. for a long time as a mercenary. A contract soldier," He added, as several students exchanged looks of disbelief and surprise. "That's right. I'm not proud of some of the work I did, but I am happy to say that I worked for people who worked toward the general good. I was not affiliated with organized crime or the dark arts...ever."

"That does not mean that I haven't learned much about the dark arts, however," Zero said, turning now to seat himself in his own midnight blue armchair. "I am not against the use of certain spells, spells which are deemed as dark arts in this country. You see, the dark arts, you must remember, are what you make of them. the dark arts are so difficult to fight because they are the direct result of the dark side of human anture. because humans will never be pure, magic will never be pure. your own magic, your own soul no doubt, is reflected by your actions. Those who use evil magic and revere it own soulds which are constantly stained and tainted by their actions - at the worst, their souls become torn by their evil work. Fighting the dark arts really means that you refuse to use them... even when it seems you have to. True courage comes in fighting fire with blankets, not fire." Zero glanced at his watch. "Well, the time ahs certainly flown. I do believe class will be over within the next minute or so.. You are dismissed." As the students began to leave, Zero thought to himself, rubbing his forehead gently. "Harry, a word please."

Harry approached, and Zero knew this was his opportunity to have an effect on Harry that may help him value his education, and perhaps even survive. "Hello, Harry. How was my first lesson? How have I done?"

"You gave a good lesson, Professor."

"Have I really?" He rubbed his forehead again, harder, and then looked at Harry. "Tell me. How many Horcruxes remain?"

Harry was visibly shocked. After a moment of silence, he replied quietly, "I believe there are three, sir."

"My name is Zero, Harry. Not sir. Do you know what the Horcruxes are? Do you know what you are looking for?"

"I am pretty sure of what two of them are. I still don't know about the third."

Zero stayed silent for several seconds before he continued. "So three have been destroyed, correct? Do not be surprised... I have suspected Voldemort's use of the Horcrux for a long time now... and it is only natural that he would use the most magical number - seven. Listen to me carefully, Harry. Whether any of this "Chosen One" business is correct or not, is it plain FACT that Voldemort wishes for your death more than anything in the world. You must continue your training and be absolutely ready to face him, and with the help of anybody who is willing to lend it."

"... I don't think I need your help, Mr. Finnigan. thank you for your offer."

"Don't be stupid, Potter. Excuse my rudeness. What I am saying is I think you do. Have you ever heard of Torch O'Malley?"

"Yes, I only know vaguely of him, from Professor Lupin."

"Perhaps if you knew enough you would be more intimidated. Listen to me, now. Torch O'Malley and his group, the Lotus Moon, have never failed to kill a mark. I should now, they are from America, like me. Among his lot are a master assasin, a homicidal maniac, and a bloodthirsty vampire. Not to mention Torch himself. They will hunt you without stopping tor est until you are dead. You must remain here while you train, the safest place in the wizarding world."

"Forgive me if they don't intimidate me. Perhaps I know more about my fate than you, enough to know that they are of no concern."

"Your arrogant "solo" routine is beginning to bug me, Harry. I don't care if you know for a fact that they cannot kill you. It doesnt matter. While you are out and about, people are in danger. You need as much help as you can get, and I can provide it to you."

Harry sighed. "How can you help me?"

"Besides teaching you things you've never seen before, plenty. You need training, and practice. And I know your friend are often your inseperable companions. They need my training as well. When it comes time for you to embark on a dangerous task, perhaps you will need another important service I can render. Until that time comes, however, we will have to be content to train. Do not worry over gathering information. The Order of the Phoenix will do that for you. until you gian teh ifnormation you need, we will train. Is this agreeable?" He offered his hand.

Harry considered this for a moment, and then shook Zero's hand. "Alright. until I get the information I need, and only until then, I will practice with you, you must agree to provide training for Hermione and Ron as well."

"Quite fine. I will also be training my nephew, Seamus."

Harry grinned. "That's good, Mr. Finnigan."

"Please call me Zero. We'll be sparring soon enough, and we ought to be comfortable with each other."

"OK Zero. When will we be beginning our training?"

"We should train extensively. Wednesdays and Weekends. Come up to this room Wednesday at 8 o'clock. Until then, goodbye."

End of Chapter 6

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