Harry Potter and the Secret Squib!
Chapter Seventeen: Percy's Proposal
As Harry woke up the next mourning he could still hear the rain pounding against the cold and foggy windows. The Great Hall's ceiling proved that outside it was still just as bad as it was the days before.
"Today should be alright" Ron said as he ran his finger down the Monday column of his timetable "Double Transfiguration, double Care of Magical Creatures and double Defence Against the Dark Arts"
"Yeah" Harry said happily as he buttered his toast "I wonder what we can learn with that (he pointed out the window) pouring down on us"
"Well, at least we're not with the Slytherins this year" Hermione said gladly as she began to cut up her bacon.
"Yeah, the Hufflepuffs should be cool" Dean replied "And Seamus can show us all what a great magical creature handler he is"
Everyone laughed, except Seamus.
Suddenly there was a loud rustling nose above them; all the Great Halls occupants looked up as hundreds of owls came soaring through the open windows carrying the days mail. The owls circled the four long house tables looking for who their letters and packages were addressed to.
Once again Neville had forgot to pack something so it was no surprise when his large and tawny owl landed down in font of him with a book shaped package clutched tightly within its claws.
"Thanks" Neville said as he stroked his tired owl "I only forgot one book this year"
"Ron, isn't that Hermes?" Hermione said while pointing up at a very handsome screech owl.
"What? Yeah it is, why's he here?"
The grey and white screech owl landed gracefully in front of Ron with a letter tightly gripped in its talons.
"Gimme' it here you furball" Ron said as he tried to pull the letter off the owl who snapped at Ron "Ouch!"
As Ron quickly pulled his hand away to inspect his wound Hermes let the letter go and took flight once more.
"What's it say?" Harry asked as Ron tore the envelope open and began to read the letter.
After several more moments Ron clenched his fists, crumpling the letter as he did so.
"Read it for yourself" Ron said as he angrily slammed the letter on the table.
Harry picked up the letter and began to read it silently.
Dear Ron,
I am glad to hear how well you did in your Ordinary Wizarding Levels (I have a friend down in the Department of International Magical Co-operation and they told me); I was also most surprised to hear that you managed to somehow keep you're Prefect badge after your shenanigans last year.
I am hoping that you and your friends won't embarrass our family further by running a mock in the Ministry of Magic's headquarters this year. I was not at all pleased when I heard that you let a certain not-so-reliable Harry Potter drag you down to the Department of Mysteries to follow some idiotic dream of his. As I have already told you, Potter is trouble, and you would do best to end your friendship with him right now.
Harry paused. His heart was beating faster; his fists now clenched tightly to the piece of parchment and shaking with anger.
Since you have more than doubled your disobedient brothers' O.W.L scores I am hoping you will not follow down their route of defiance and silliness, as I said last year, that is the last thing I want for you, you have much more potential than they do. I could effortlessly get you a job in my department if I asked Minister Fudge, he is of course willing to take you on if you follow my advice and end this so called friendship with Potter.
I would also like to clarify my disappointment in a certain Hermione Granger, I expected a lot more from her, but it seems that she too as followed Potter's advice a decided to ruin her life by going around with him and Dumbledore. I always believed Hermione would amount to great things, but now I see that she has even dragged our little sister, Ginny into Potters regime.
As you may not know I heard about the certain secret Defence Against the Dark Arts group that Potter organised, Dolores Umbridge may have been fooled by his and Dumbledore's excuse, but I can assure you that we, the Ministry, now have enough evidence to send Potter and Dumbledore straight to Azkaban.
So I must warn you, if you continued to hang around with Albus Dumbledore's or Harry Potter's group, I am afraid that you will soon find your self on the wrong side of the Ministry, as I have already stated, you are already skating on thin ice.
I would have wrote sooner but I know our mother would have made such a big and useless fuss and begged me to come home, which, I will most certainly not do. I will of course, come back if our family decides to sever all ties with such people as Albus Dumbledore, who has clearly, lost his mind while trying to defend the imaginative day dreams Harry Potter, who is another of the ties I am wishing our family will cut!
I really do hope you follow my advise Ron, for if you don't I don't want to think what might happen or where you might end up.
Your brother,
Percy.
PS. I would appreciate if you keep this letter away from such prying eyes as Potters.
Harry slowly lowered the letter down some his eyes; around him he could see shocked faces all staring at him nervously.
"Harry, are you – are you alright?" Hermione asked carefully as she finished reading the letter over Harry's shoulder.
"Harry… just ignore the git, he's just angry because we showed him up last year, there's no way he could send you to Azkaban!" Ginny said trying to comfort him; she too had read the letter.
"Mum will go ape if she sees this" Ron said as he picked up the letter back up and began screwing it up into a ball.
"Are you going to write him back Ron?" Neville asked.
"Probably not, but if I do it'll go something like 'Dear Weatherby, nice to hear you're still your still your git of a self'"
Everyone laughed except Harry.
"C'mon mate, don't be down, he's just talking out of his -"
"Harry…" Hermione said as she picked up his hand gently "I know you're upset at the moment, but please, ignore him, Percy has changed from before…"
"Yeah, before he was only annoying, now he's a bigger git than Malfoy" Ron laughed.
Harry still wasn't talking; his eyes were filled with hatred and anger.
"Harry" Ginny said as she put her arm around his shoulder "It's like Hermione said; He's changed…"
Harry sharply pulled his hand away from Hermione and pulled his shoulder away from Ginny.
"I'm going to lesson" he said coldly as he stood up and began to walk out of the Great Hall.
"Harry, wait, we'll come with you" Hermione said as she ran after him.
Ginny turned to Ron with a worried look on her face.
"You – you don't really think Percy would really send him to Azkaban… do you?"
"I – I don't know Gin…"
"But are you going to show mum and dad that letter then?"
"Got to" Ron said sadly "She won't let Percy get away with that, no chance –"
"Are you two coming or what?" Hermione shouted to Ron and Ginny.
"What? Oh, yeah" Ron said as he stood up with Ginny and caught up to Harry and Hermione.
"Well, I'll see you three later, I've got Herbology, see you" Ginny said as she departed for the courtyard.
"Bye Ginny" Hermione said as she made her way up the marble staircase "Well, we better hurry if we want to get good seats"
Ron rolled his eyes and followed Hermione.
After several more minutes they reached the Transfiguration classroom and began to line up with the Hufflepuffs.
"I can't wait to get started this year, we're going to be learning about Animagi" Hermione heard a Ernie Macmillan say to his fellow Hufflepuff prefect, Hannah Abbot.
"We'll be easily above the class with knowledge about Animagus transformations" Hermione giggled.
"Yeah, considering the fact we used to know… one…" Ron said, fretfully "Harry, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to mention… you know"
"Its okay, Ron, its okay" Harry said, mournfully.
After several more moments of talking Professor McGonagall hurried everyone into the classroom
"Come on now, we don't want to get behind, we've got a lot of work to cover this year"
Harry, Ron and Hermione took three seats at the front of the class, rather than their usual seats at the back. Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Settle down class" McGonagall said as she tapped her wand on her desk irritably "This year, as many of you may have guessed, we will be learning the most advanced form of cross-species transfiguration -"
"Animagi, Professor!" Ernie said, loudly.
"Yes Mr. Macmillan, Animagi, or Animagus" Professor McGonagall said sternly "An Animagus is a witch or wizard who has chosen to learn how to transform into a certain animal at their own will – no, the animal cannot be chosen Mr. Finnigan, so please lower your hand – becoming an Animagus is an extremely long and hard process, and I will be most surprised if any of you can even make it to a temporary transformation"
Harry, Ron and Hermione all smiled broadly.
"As you most probably already know, I, myself, am an Animagus, now watch as I demonstrate"
And without a moment's hesitation, Professor McGonagall turned into a smart looking tabby cat right in front of everyone. Professor McGonagall's cat transformation had square markings around her eyes, which very much resembled her square glasses.
"Ooh, so beautiful" Lavender said dreamily and Professor McGonagall strode around her desk.
"That's amazing" said Susan Bones to her friend.
"Wish I could do that, it'd make skipping lessons well easy" Justin Finch-Fletchley whispered wishfully.
Then, just as quickly as Professor McGonagall transformed before, she was back in her human state.
"Now, please turn your pages to page thirty-one of 'The Guide to Transfiguration, Volume Six'"
The students all started to pick up their school bags and pull out their large books.
"Read through paragraphs one to five, take notes if you wish" Professor McGonagall said as she sat herself down behind her desk once more.
"Not too much work then" Ron said discreetly to Harry, who held down a snigger.
"Maybe if we asked Lupin about all this he might be able to help us" Harry said quietly "He did, after all, help my dad, Sirius and Wormtail become an Animagus didn't he"
"Yeah, I guess we –"
"Silence please, Mr. Weasley" McGonagall said sternly while looking over her glasses.
Ron rolled his eyes dully and went back to reading from the book in silence.
By the time the lesson had ended Hermione had already filled up three rolls of parchment with notes, Ron and Harry however, had barely managed to write half as much.
"Honestly Ron, you should really take more notes, if you don't then you'll be stuck at the end of year exams" Hermione said as she and the rest of the class exited the class room.
"Hermione, we already know loads about Animagus' from Lupin, why'd we need to right it all down when we all ready knew it?" Ron said, happily.
"He's got a point you know Hermione…" Harry agreed.
"Well then Mr. Know-it-all, why don't you two become an Animagus and tell us all how easy it is!" Hermione shot angrily at Ron and Harry.
"What? Hermione come on, at least be realistic here" Ron shot back defensively "McGonagall said even the best transfigurers can't transform -"
"Ron, it can't be too hard…" Harry interrupted.
"What? How you know that?"
"Well, Wormtail managed to become one didn't he, and everyone has always said he was useless at magic… even Voldemort"
Ron shuddered as he walked down the first floor marble staircase.
"Good - Good point… but, seriously, Harry, from what McGonagall and everyone in the Order has told us, your dad was a genius at transfiguration, so he probably helped him with it…"
"Ron, becoming an Animagus isn't just a case of getting help from friends, you do need to be actually good at it in order to make a transformation last as long as you want" Hermione replied "Wormtail did stay transfigured for thirteen years didn't he? That has to prove he was better at magic than everyone thought"
"I know Hermione, but still, a little help couldn't hurt could it, if anyone out of us is gonna' become an Animagus it'll be you -"
"So you don't think I could do it then" Harry said hotly as he stopped walking, it seemed that Ron had forgot that James Potter's blood flows vividly through Harry's veins, being his father.
"What? Well – err – I dunno', I know your – err – good an' all, but -"
"I think what Ron's trying to say, is that we know you're good at Transfiguration, but still, it's really advanced magic" Hermione finished as she too stopped walking.
"Err – yeah, that" Ron laughed coolly as he, like Harry and Hermione, stopped.
"So you don't think I can do it?" Harry repeated, his temper was clearly rising.
"We're not saying that mate" Ron said, defensively.
"Sounds like it to me!" Harry yelled
"Look, Harry, mate, just calm down for a minute, yeah? So we can get a word in or -"
"Why does everyone keep telling me to calm down! I'm perfectly calm!" Harry lied; it was obvious he was anything but calm. His anger was rising at an alarming rate.
"Maybe – maybe because we don't want to end up looking like your Aunt!" Ron said apprehensively "Not all of us like the blown up balloon look!"
Harry broke a small smile.
"Yeah – yeah I guess your right" Harry reasoned "Though, it would be quiet funny to see you looking as fat as Aunt Marge"
"Well, maybe if Fred and George ever trick me into drinking some of their Blubberbears, you can" Ron replied jokily.
"Will you two stop arguing and get a move on?" Hermione said as she continued walking "If we don't hurry we'll be late for – Professor Flitwick?"
"Erm – Hermione, I'm not sure if you've noticed, but we get taught Care of Magical Creatures by – oh – err – hi Professor" stuttered Ron.
Harry looked to where Hermione was stood; she was in front of the huge oak door leading out to the courtyard.
"Why hello Mrs. Granger, Mr. Weasley" came a familiar cheery voice.
Harry's eyes travelled down to Hermione waist, where he saw a rather wet, yet cheery, Professor Flitwick standing.
"Oh, hi Professor" Harry added as he caught up.
"Hello Mr. Potter"
"Professor, if you don't mind me asking, why are you so… wet?" Hermione asked
"Ahh, well I've just been putting a water-resistance charm around Professor Hagrid's paddock"
"Oh, so we're still having our lesson outside?" Hermione asked.
"You sure are" Professor Flitwick grinned happily "Now, if you'd excuse me, I have my own class to attend to, good day Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Potter"
"Great, out side again" Ron moaned as he pulled his robe of and held it above his head "At least we won't be getting soaked the whole time now"
Harry laughed.
"I wish Flitwick could have charmed the whole of Hogwarts to block out the rain"
"Yeah" Ron agreed "Sure would make Quidditch easier in the winter"
Hermione rolled her and walked casually out into the rain.
"She's mental that one" Ron laughed as he and Harry made their way out into the rain "Anit even bothering to put a scarf on"
After another minute or so of walking Ron, Harry and Hermione arrived at the Paddock and were greeted by their fellow Gryffindor six years.
"Where're the Hufflepuffs?" Ron asked.
But Ron's question was drowned out as Hagrid came booming onto the paddock looking extremely happy and pleased.
"Gather round now, c'mon, we don' got all day"
Harry, Ron and Hermione were first to Hagrid's side as usual; they continued to look around the circle of Gryffindors for any sign of some sort of hideous and gruesome monster.
"Um… Hagrid… what exactly are we looking at?"
"The cloak Ron, the cloak" Hagrid replied pointing down at his feet.
The Gryffindors all grew closer; it would seem that Ron wasn't the only one to not taken any notice of the half-inch thick black cloak at Hagrid's feet.
"Hagrid, what's so special about a -"
"Jus' keep watchin' Ron, you'll see"
The Gryffindors all grew closer once again; there seemed to be a growing amount of tension around them. As if they were waiting for the cloak to spring to life and try and murder them all.
"Well, well, well… what do we have here?" said a sly and familiar voice from the edge of the paddock "What's a matter weasel? Can't decide whether to take it and replace that ruined old rag on your back?"
As Ron stared at Malfoy he felt he's hands begin to shake with anger.
"Get lost Malfoy, you're not in this class"
"Oh really? Well there must be another class of sixth year Slytherins already here then"
"Oh tha's righ', I forgot to tell yeh, we've got the Slytherins this week. The Hufflepuffs have go' a special class or sommant" Hagrid said, gloomily.
Malfoy smirked.
"Well, don' jus' stand there all day" Hagrid said loudly "C'mon down so yeh can see what I've gotta show yeh"
Malfoy and his fellow Slytherins started to make their way over to the circle; making sure to push as many Gryffindors out of their way as possible.
"Ooh wow, a cloak, what an amazing magical creature; I'm so scared" Malfoy said sarcastically.
Crabbe, Goyle and Pansy Parkinson all broke out into hysteric laughter.
"That's was a good one Malfoy" Crabbe laughed.
"Hold yeh tongue Malfoy, it won' like yeh insultin' it"
"It won't like it? A cloak won't like me insulting it? Okay, now I'm really scared"
As Malfoy finished his sentence the thick cloak gave a tiny little wiggle; all the anxious Gryfifndors jumped back nervously.
"Keep your hair on Patil" Malfoy laughed as Parvati finished screaming "Don't tell me you're scared of a breeze?"
Parvati's face began to go red; she was clearly embarrassed.
"Mafloy I'm warnin' yeh, yeh don' wanna' get on the wrong side'a it"
"A what side would that be? The left – ahhhh -"
As Malfoy had finished his joke the black cloak pounced and glided speedily and gracefully over the floor and tightly rapped around Malfoy's head.
Malfoy instantly feel the floor and began to sacredly wriggle and pull the cloak off.
"Hmlp! Hmlp!" Malfoy tried to shout through the cloak-like creature.
"Hagrid what – what is that?" Seamus shouted nervously.
"It's a Lethifold…" Hagrid replied quickly as he grabbed the cloak on Malfoy's face and tried to pull it off "C'mon, ge' off him yeh wretched beast"
Malfoy continued to weep under the tight hold of the Lethifold while Hagrid tried his hardest to remove it.
All the Slytherins watched in horror as Malfoy began to lose consciousness.
"Hagrid you've got to do something else, you're the teacher!" Hermione shouted nervously.
"Err – well, I dunno, there's one thing I know that'll work… Harry! Quick, cas' a Patronus on it" Hagrid shouted to Harry.
"What? Why?" Harry asked confusedly.
"It's don' like the ligh' too much yeh see, and a Patrnonus is the brigh'es' we go' here"
"Oh, right" Harry agreed and he reached into his robe pocket and whipped out his wand "Expecto Patronum!"
All the students around the circle watched in awe as the silver stag erupted from Harry's wand and galloped gracefully over to the cloak-like-creature. The Lethifold instantly unwrapped itself from around Malfoy's face and escaped into the darkness of the forest.
Harry's Patronus turned elegantly back around to face him and lowered its silvery head before slowly and beautifully fading away into the air.
"So beautiful" Harry heard Parvati say to Lavender as he lowered his wand.
However, the moment of silence was quickly broken as Malfoy gasped loudly for air.
"Oh Malfoy, are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you need Madam Pompfre?" Pansy said as she rushed to his aid.
"I'll – I'll make you pay for – pay for that you great big – big oaf…" Malfoy said quietly as he collapsed back onto the floor.
"He's dying! Some one do something… he's dying!" Pansy whined as the other Slytherins rushed forward.
"Move out'a the way, giv' him som' room" Hagrid said as he pushed passed the Slytherins "C'mon Malfoy, ge' up, I'm no' carryin' you all the way to the informary"
"What do you 'spose will happen to Hagrid?" Ron asked as the friendly half giant picked Malfoy up of the floor and stood him up.
"Isn't it obvious?" Hermione said, sadly.
"Maybe to you…"
"There's a good chance he'll be fired!"
"What?" Harry asked, quickly.
"Don't you see, Malfoy got attacked by a Ministry class five dangerous monster under Hagrid's watch"
"So, it was his fault, he shouldn't have kept insulting the Lefty-thingy" Ron said, angrily.
"Lethifold, and it doesn't matter, remember when he was attacked by Buckbeak in third year?" Hermione asked.
"'Course, I'll never be able to forgot him whining like a baby" Ron laughed.
"Well now he's been attacked again, the Ministry's going to think Hagrid's out to get him! You know how much Fudge hates any kind of giants; he'll make this as big as he can make it"
"Oh…"
The three friends dismally turned back to face Hagrid; he was once again trying to make Malfoy walk for himself, however, every time he stood him up, Malfoy would collapse back down to the floor. Eventually Hagrid gave up trying and just threw Malfoy over his back.
"Class dismissed" He shouted as he made his way to the castle.
The Gryffindors all began to slowly walk back up to the castle without knowing where to go after; they still had another hour and a half to go before their next class.
"Oi Potter" Pansy Parkinson shouted. She and the rest of the Slytherins were still standing around the paddock.
"You guys wait here, I'll be alright" Harry said as he stopped walking and made his way down to Pansy, who was for once standing alone.
"What d'you want?" he asked.
"Well – I – err – I just wanted to say thanks…" Pansy said, tensely.
"What?" Harry said, stunned.
"Thanks for – err – you know… getting that thing off Malfoy…" Pansy said while quickly looking around the paddock; it was clear she was nervous.
"Oh, it was no… problem…"
Pansy smiled and departed back to her group of Slytherin friends.
"Harry, c'mon, we're not waiting forever" Ron laughed as Harry rejoined his friends "What did she want anyway?"
"Oh, she just wanted to say thanks -"
"What? You're joking right? Pansy Parkinson saying thank you? No way"
"Yes way, I'm not joking… she must just really like Malfoy" Harry laughed.
"Oh boys leave her alone" Hermione started.
"Hermione, do you really think if Malfoy and his mates were talking about you Pansy would say leave her alone?"
"Well no – but – oh never mind"
And with that quick brush off Hermione flicked her hair over her shoulder and departed back up to the Common Room.
"S'like I said earlier" Ron laughed "Bloody mental"
When it was time for their third and final class of the day, all the sixth year Gryffindors departed from their tower-based Common Room and headed down to the Defence Against the Dark Art's classroom on the first floor.
"I wonder if Professor Tonks will be as good as Lupin was" Dean said to Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"Probably better" Ron laughed "Tonks is one of us"
"Hope so" Dean laughed "But anyone better than Umbridge will be good"
"Yeah, but if she does turn out to be another Umbridge, we don't need to worry, we got Harry here to drive her off again anit we" Seamus laughed.
"Don't forget Hermione, she helped t -"
Harry stopped mid sentence as Draco Malfoy entered the class room accompanied by his usual gang of admirers.
"If it wasn't for Madam Pompfrey I'd have been a goner" he told them "She didn't think I'd make it at one point, 'too close to tell' I think were the words she used"
"Oh Malfoy you're so brave" Pansy said, heartily.
Harry's jaw dropped; he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Just wait until my father hears about that great big oaf, and how he set a murderous monster on his students"
Harry clenched his fists tightly; he could feel the anger from the morning boiling up inside him again. He couldn't take Malfoy's lies anymore, he had to do something – he started laughing.
"I can't wait to see what the Ministry – oi, what so funny, Potter?"
"Oh" Harry laughed "I just think it's funny that you think your dad can get Hagrid fired, even though he's locked up tight in Azkaban"
Malfoy's cocky smile faded; Harry knew he'd hit a nerve.
"At least I have a father somewhere, Potter" Malfoy said back, harshly.
"Well, you may have one now, but you won't for much longer" Harry said back "it won't be too long until he gets kissed"
"You're – you're lucky your friends came to help you last year, Potter" Malfoy said back coldly "Other wise my father would have easily killed you"
The room went completely silent; it seemed that every one was now concentrating on him and Malfoy.
Harry laughed.
"Malfoy, if Voldemort can't kill me, what makes you think your pathetic father could?"
Malfoy's clenched fists began to shake furiously.
"How dare you speak like that about my father, Potter"
Malfoy's tone of voice was extremely cold .
"You know, I'm surprised he could even use a wand" Harry laughed again "I would have thought that all that Sleekeasy's hair gel would have fried all his brain cells by now"
Malfoy's hand began to twitch slight; his eyes were wide open and full of fury.
"Go on then Malfoy, reach for you wand, I dare you"
Harry's voice suddenly became serious.
"You just going to stand there all day"
No one dared to move. All eyes were completely focused on Harry and Draco; Ron and Hermione were stood exactly behind Harry with their hands in their pockets, clutching their wands.
Suddenly Draco thrust his hand quickly into pocket and whipped out his wand, however, Harry was too quick for him and had already cast the expelling charm by the time Draco's wand was fully out of his pocket.
Malfoy began to stumble backwards nervously and tripped over his own feet. All the Gryffindors gave a quick laugh as he landed with a thump.
Harry's blood continued to race; he just wanted to curse Malfoy right now for every thing he had ever done to him. Flash backs went across Harry's mind of all the bad things Draco had done in front of him; Harry knew if he didn't stop himself he'd do something he'd regret.
He lowered him wand from Malfoy's chest and put in back in his pocket; confused faces seemed to be spreading across the Gryffindors and Slytherins faces. The opportunity Harry had always been waiting for lay right in front of him on the floor slithering, and he didn't take it.
Malfoy began to quickly twist his head around the room; looking at all the faces pouring down on him.
"What are you waiting for?" he shouted to the Slytherins. His voice was full of fury and hate. "Curse him!"
No one spoke.
"Well? Hurry up!" he shouted once more.
However, this time some one did speak.
"Um – um – Malfoy… look" Goyle said, nervously as he carefully pointed to where the Gryffindors stood.
Malfoy quickly and furiously threw his head to their direction; every single Gryffindor that was stood behind Harry now had their wands held out bravely and aimed directly at a Slytherin.
Harry turned away from Malfoy and the Slytherins and started to make his way through the crowd of cheerful Gryffindors.
"How dare you turn you back on me, Potter" Malfoy whispered, furiously.
He slid back across the stone floor and grabbed his wand tightly in his palm; he directly it speedily at Harry and without a moments hesitation, shot a barrage fiery red sparks at his back.
However, the sparks never hit. Inches away from Harry's back their seemed to hit an invisible barrier and shatter into the air. Confused faces once again began to spread out around the room. Malfoy's, who still had his wand pointed directly at Harry, was full of hatred.
As Harry slowly turned round Malfoy eyes got even more dangerous; Harry too had a confused look on his face. He too had expected the spell to hit, but, it didn't…
"Hitting someone when their back is turned again Mr. Malfoy?" came a familiar voice from some where in the room "Becoming quiet a habit that isn't it"
"Who – who said that?" Malfoy stuttered.
"I did"
Slowly a figure seemed to be transforming out of the air behind the teachers desk; after several more moments the person's body was completely visible; their sky blue hair, their rosy red cheeks, their pink Weird Sisters t-shirt under their dark blue robes.
"Tonks…" Harry said, nervously.
"Wotcher" she nodded
"How – how long have you been there?" Seamus asked, his wand still pointed at Millicent Bulstrode's throat.
"The whole time" she replied, happily.
"Why didn't you stop the fight then?" Lavender asked, she too still had her wand pointed at her rival's throat.
"Well, this is Defence Against the Dark Arts; I wanted to see how you'd all fair in a real fight" Tonks laughed "Crabbe, Goyle, if you'd like to help your friend up I'd like to start my lesson"
"What… oh – oh yeah, yeah" Crabbe stuttered as he and Goyle grabbed Malfoy by the arms.
"Harry, can I have a word?"
"Um – sure, Professor…" Harry said as he moved over to the teacher's desk.
"Alright, first of all, don't call me Professor – it makes me sound so… old" Tonks laughed "And secondly, Professor McGonagall was right; you do have what is needed to be an Auror. You showed great restraint there Harry, much more than I would have I'll tell ya' that"
"Thanks Tonks…"
"Alright, now, Mr. Potter, if you'd like to take your seat, I'll start the lesson" Tonks said with a wink.
"Okay, so, I take it from that little demonstration that you can all use Blasting Curses, right, that's good because today we'll be looking at a different kind of Blasting Curse" Tonks began cheerily "Right, I'll start by showing my own demonstration, is anyone up for the job? How about you Mr. Long bottom? I heard that your parents were always particularly good at this hex"
"Oh – err – okay, yeah" Neville replied nervously as he slowly got up from his chair.
"Hmm, now we'll probably need some cushions, so…" Tonks gave a quick swipe of her wand and five plump scarlet pillows appeared on the floor.
"Okay, now, Neville, if you'd like to stand in the middle of the pillows, and I'll begin"
Neville cautiously moved over towards the pillows at the front of the class, and turned back around to face his fellow students.
"Right now, Neville, I'm only going to put a small amount of energy into this so you may only feel a slight prickling feeling in your chest"
"Oh – err – okay…"
Tonks gave a small nod and began to recite the incantation.
"Varishium"
A quick shot of gold hit shot from Tonks' wand and hit Neville square in the chest; however, instead of sending Neville flying backwards the sparks were simply absorbed into him.
"Now this spell is specially designed to not be noticed, if I would have put more power into it Neville wouldn't have even felt anything" Tonks said as she pocketed her wand "Okay, now, I'd like everyone to concentrate wholly on Neville… five… four…"
Every person's eyes in the class were completely focused on Neville; even the Slytherins seemed to be anxious while waiting for the count down to finish.
"Three… two…"
The class all leaned closer.
"One…"
The class was completely silent as the count down finished. Neville began to look around nervously.
"Was – was something meant to -"
Neville stopped. All the colour in his face instantly drained out; his eyes opened wide and rolled back into the back of his head. He's body began to wobble and after another moment he hit the pillows with a small thud.
The whole class jumped back.
"Professor, what did – what did that spell do to him?" Seamus asked.
"The same as any Blast Curse; knocked him out"
"Will he – will he be okay?" asked Lavender, nervously.
"'Course, I only put a small amount of energy into it, so he should be waking up in a minute or two" Tonks laughed "Right, how, I want all of you to pair up into two's and try it"
And with yet another quick swipe of her wand Tonks replaced all the desks and chairs in the room with plump scarlet pillows.
"Harry, c'mon mate, I can't wait to get started" Ron said as he sat down on the pillows.
"Don't worry about me, you work with Hermione, and I'll help Neville"
"Oh, alright" Ron replied happily as he and Hermione started their spells.
By the time the lesson had ended all the students had made considerable process with their curses; Harry had mastered the hex on his fourth try, Hermione on her seventh and Ron on his ninth. However, Neville had definitely seemed to inherit his parent's knack for the spell as he had mastered it just after Harry.