Chapter 5: The Defense Professor
Hermione lost her parents exactly one week before Harry's birthday, because her grief was too raw for her to deal with she threw herself, into planning a party for him. She wanted to invite all of their school friends, but Dumbledore would not consent to have them at Grimmauld Place and it was just to dangerous for them to go anywhere else so, it turned out that just the Weasleys, Harry, Hermione, Remus, Fleur and all of the members of the Order of the Phoenix were invited. Harry seemed to have let go of his anger towards the old man, probably mostly due to the fact that he was sharing much more about Voldemort's plans with them, not that there seemed to be too many of those anyway. The summer passed reasonably well this way, although Hermione was deeply saddened she did not brood as Harry had been apt to do all through their previous year.
Start of term letters arrived several days before Harry's birthday, and Mrs. Weasley went to Diagon Alley to get their supplies. They were all thrilled with their O.W.L.S., Hermione received top marks in every exam that she sat for, while Harry missed this goal by just one exam-Divination, and Ron received O.W.L.S. in every subject accept Divination and History of Magic, apparently he was not good enough at making up names of Goblins and ancient battles past as he thought. Ginny was completely unconcerned about not being chosen as a prefect and everyone was thrilled to find that Harry was to be Quidditch captain, although not entirely surprised, given that Ron was the only other player who had been on the team a full year. However, they were all slightly surprised to discover that no new books had been set for Defense Against the Dark Arts and footnote of the letter declared that when one had been chosen it would be provided to all of the students by the school, they had many theories about why this could be, the popular being that no one was willing to take the job, after all, look at the last five professors. They had been killed, forced to resign, kidnapped, chased off of school grounds, and permanently relieved of their memories, not really much to look forward to.
They received the answer to their questions the evening prior to Harry's birthday, when the Headmaster stopped by, and asked to speak to Harry alone. They went into the library where they could sit quietly without disturbing too many of the others, only Hermione used the room on a regular basis. "Harry as you may have noticed, there was not a text assigned for Defense Against the Dark Arts, this is not as you may have assumed because I have been unable to find a teacher for the course, in truth I have several willing candidates. They are all reasonably well qualified, not the least of these being Professor Snape," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled merrily as Harry's lip curled. "Yes, I know how you feel about him, and many of the other students would agree with you. But that is not the reason I asked to meet with you, I feel and many of the staff agrees with me, that in these trying times, it is important that the students trust their teachers. This is most especially true of the teacher who will be teaching them to defend themselves against the growing threat of Voldemort. Due to our unfortunate luck with our recent string of poor teachers in this subject," he saw Harry begin to protest. "With the exception of Professor Lupin, of course, that the students will be unable to trust any adult, with the exception of the afore mentioned professor. However, because of his condition their parents will not trust him with the safety of their children. So to get to the point, we would like to ask you to teach the course."
Harry stared at the Headmaster, his mouth opening and closing, no sound coming out. He seemed to suddenly regain his voice, and stammered, "I can't…I have two more years of school…how would I teach the seventh years…Fudge would never allow it…would listen to me…I don't know how to teach…can you picture Malfoy's face…I don't have nearly enough power…why not Hermione…why not you or Tonks or anyone else." Although many of these were questions they didn't come out as such, they were statements. Yet even while he said them, he began to much like with the DA the year before, plan lessons in his head.
"I believe you can, or I would not have asked. Your knowledge of defense is more advanced than many of the students who received N.E.W.T.s end of last year, I have spoken to the minister and he has agreed, you taught the DA, you have much more power than you think and I believe you will becoming into more shortly, as I said the students trust you, and I don't believe it would be appropriate for me to comment on Mr. Malfoy, although that does promise to be a most intriguing sight." After he finished his speech Dumbledore sat silently giving Harry time to process this information.
"How would I get students like Malfoy to listen in my class?" Harry asked quietly.
"With in the confines of your classroom you will have all of the powers of a Professor. You will be allowed to take points, give exams, and assign detentions. These powers will have to be used responsibly."
"What you mean is that, I will not be allowed to persecute Malfoy with my powers as a teacher," he said with a laugh before continuing. "Will I still be allowed to interact normally with the students? I mean, spend time with my friends, eat with them, and date if the opportunity presented itself?"
"I see no reason why not; provide that you conduct your affairs within the bounds of school rules and with decorum."
"Very well, I will do it, because all of the students of Hogwarts deserve to be safe. I do however have one more question, what is to become of the DA?"
"Ah, the DA is going to be turned in to a school sponsored club for the students, years four through seven. It is to be reformed not as Dumbledore's Army but the Dueling Club, and will be lead by a representative of the Ministry of Magic, Nymphadora Tonks."
"Tonks? Is gonna teach us to duel?"
"Indeed she is Mr. Potter, do not be fooled by her clumsiness she is a formidable opponent. Now I must be going back to the school, you may tell the people staying in this house of your new appointment, but I ask that you avoid telling the other students and allow them to find out from me at the welcoming feast. I bid you Good-night, Harry."
"Good night, Headmaster," Harry said weakly sinking down into a chair.