Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

A/N: Wow…I just saw the cover pictures of the HP and the Half-Blood Prince…WOW…it's exciting knowing that it's coming out this summer. A little scary though knowing the 7th one is on its way…Anyway, hope you guys like my story . My story hasn't been translated in French but you are welcome to do so 'Echarpe'. So enjoy this chappie or if not tell me why.

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Forcing down another cup of tea, Anika sighed and got up to her feet. Why do potions always taste so damn disgusting? Bloody herpes! She thought angrily as she made her way to her last period class. Her stomach churned unpleasantly, but she chose to ignore it. Had she not taken any remedial potions she would not be able to function, mentally mainly but her physical health would definitely be in dumps as well. She let out a pained moan before throwing the door open.

Her eyes barely scanned the room as she headed towards the chalkboard and began to scribble. She might not be strong enough, but she was going to arm these kids to fight it.

"But…that's 5 chapters ahead," a girl protested making Anika turn around and glare at her. Her poisonous green eyes faded the color out of the girl's face.

"If you wish to remain uneducated on today's lesson you may leave. I have little desire to carry baggage through such important chapter," as Anika's eyes traveled away from the girl's face they were trapped by another's gaze. For a second Anika was speechless, as though she had just been punching in the face, but then she moved on unsuccessful at making Sirius' stare disappear from her head.

"Ms. Meadows," Lily now called with her hand in the air, "I would love to have you teach us the lesson you have planned, however I am not entirely sure we have enough knowledge to be able to grasp it properly."

"Nicely put Evans," Anika smirked, "what you don't understand is that the chapters we are skipping have little importance to the era in which we live in. There are things in this book however that does. Now without farther complaints turn to page 343. Our new unit will require a lot of mental energy, I suggest you all eat properly at lunch before entering this classroom."

"Extinction of Fear: A Moment is all it takes?" James read out loud exchanging confused looks with Harry.

"Thank you Potter, now why don't you keep reading. Lets see what this chapter is all about."

"Yesss mam," James grinned blowing her a kiss, being forced to read out loud was always a drag according to all the marauders, "Defense against the dark arts rarely relies on the skills and magical ability of the witch or wizard, thought it is widely believed to be. In this chapter we will open your eyes to the fact that fear is what drives a witch/wizard to his/her destruction. It is important to have a strong fountain of knowledge concerning hexes, curses, dangerous creatures, and dark artifacts (and we would hope this far into the course those have been established), but the most important step to winning any duel is the elimination of fear. Fear works as the most effective distraction and bringing it about in your opponent would mean a sure victory for you. Fear however is not something that can be vanquished, not the way an incoming hex is. When it comes to fear your only defense is love. Love is the one thing that will keep you on your feet, the only thing that gives one hope and the ability to reach down and grasp the treasure of courage," James looked up at Anika with astonishment in his eyes, much like every other person in the room.

"Thanks Potter," Anika said smiling to herself at the shocked looks around the room, "what Potter just read out for us is the main focus of this chapter. As you might have already noticed it'll be a little different than the kind of DADA education you have been used to. Nevertheless this stuff is incredibly important. This is only the beginning however, you'll be experiencing material that focus more on your mental state than your physical or technical abilities. Any questions?"

"Will it be on the exam?" Hermione asked anxiously.

"Not directly, but I assure you that your test results will definitely reflect your mental strength far more than your physical. Now to start off the lesson I want you all to imagine the worst 'possible' thing that could happen to you tomorrow and well discuss them. Please be honest, these lessons are extremely important, for now and later. I'll give you a few minutes to think, and the key word being think I don't want any talking. Go!"

Anika made her way to her desk and pushing the papers and all the other stuff away to make enough space for her bottom, she then settled down. Her drugged mind was foggy and at peace yet somewhere deep down someone screamed. She wasn't sure why but something made her look up, her eyes locked into Sirius'. Wow, she breathed, his gray eyes while being unnaturally light still managed to maintain a wall of fiery mystery. She wasn't sure why he was looking at her like that, it was a little sad. Suddenly her breath was caught in her chest and her skin crawled, fighting desperately to keep a scream from escaping her throat she wrenched her eyes away from his. She didn't deserve to be stared at like that; the tense passion and gentle longing were above the vermin she had become. Though trapped in nothingness she still saw it for what it was, she could sense the tender beauty it offered. Scratching her fingernails on the wooden table she forced waves of calm energy to wash over her as she stood up shakily now avoiding Sirius at all costs.

"I think that's enough time," Anika said more breathlessly than she had meant to, clearing her throat she opened her mouth again, "Potter since you seem so talkative today maybe you should go first. Remember not to lie, if you do then I'll just force out the truth."

"Um," James looked a little bewildered but decided to continue on, "the worst possible thing that could happen to me tomorrow is to—"

"Lose a Quidditch match." Lily interrupted making James stare at her his eyes a little sad, but he soon recovered and grinned at her.

"No, there are no games tomorrow. But I assure you if there were that WOULD indeed be my greatest fear! Anyway, as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted by a certain carrot-top, the worst possible thing that could happen is if Snape sent me a love letter declaring his undying affection. I'm not sure how I would stand the horror." James covered his face with his hands tragically.

"I warned you not to lie," Anika said quietly before raising her wand and hitting James' lips with a flash of blue light, "now tell the truth!"

"The worst thing ever would be to get an owl from mom telling me that dad has been murdered by Voldemort," James' mouth said his eyes wide in shock, but as he finished the blue glow left his lips. The rest of the class was too shocked over Anika's action to gasp at the mention of Voldemort.

"Lets discuss your fear Potter. What makes you fear this?"

"I…well Voldemort is killing everyone these days now isn't he. My parents aren't exactly on his side. I…I suppose it could work out tragically for us in the end," James' face burned red, he wished to hell Anika would not use that spell on him again. He really had no way out of this.

"Tell me Potter if this were to happen why would it be so horrifying to you? What is so terrible about you father moving on to the world of the dead?"

"What…isn't obvious? I mean I would obviously fear my dad dieing! Anyone would," James eyes now flashed angrily, Anika however remained calm.

"Do you believe in heaven?"

"Yes…"

"Do you think your dad will end up there?"

"Yes, of course. I'm sure he will!"

"Then why would it be so terrible if he were to go to heaven?"

"It…it wouldn't" James now looked down a little defeated, "it's just that if he were to die I will be left alone. I guess I'm being shallow, but it would be terrible because he would no longer be able to be around me. I would miss seeing him. He'll be gone from my life forever."

"Do you understand that your greatest fear has little to do with the fate of your father? Do accept that this fear is a reflection of dependence on him and your anxiety of dealing with things on your own?"

"Yes…I do…" James now stared at Anika in disbelief.

"Now that you have this knowledge do you now realize that you could control this fear? Can you now tell yourself to be happy for your father to move to a better place and to trust yourself to get through things on your own?"

"I…I guess. Wow, it's so true…I…wow…" James sounded breathless and his eyes were now glazed over, "I understand."

The other students stared at James and Anika in shock, not sure of what they had just witnessed. Anika however seemed unscathed; she merely glanced at the next person and called on them to share their fear.

"Lets try going down each isle, your next Lupin," Anika said once again settling down on top of her desk.

Listening to the fears of her students and helping them see the source and the link in which it originates from gave Anika some sort of power. It helped her dissect her own fears…come up with a knowledge she was sure belonged to a very few. There was always a choice. She could dance to death under Voldemort's cold icy clutch.