Chapter 9: Open Minds
Hermione couldn't contain her gasp. She couldn't believe that not only was one of her teachers a vampire, but also that she was wrong. Seamus gave her a quick wink before turning back around in his seat.
"I'd like all of you to take out your books," the professor said, "and read the chapter about vampires. It would seem only fair for you to be fully aware of my disease. Once you all have finished, I will be more than delighted to answer any of your questions."
Harry opened his book, found the chapter, and began to read. Vampirism turned out to be classified as a disease that could only be contracted by being bitten by a vampire. Dracula wasn't only a myth, he did exist and still does, but he doesn't kill human beings. Vampires almost never killed human beings, but instead drank the blood of animals, most of which were already killed for other purposes. It was true, however, that vampires could not walk in direct sunlight, at least not for extended periods of time. And vampires, if provoked enough, could become extremely violent, and not have control of how they act; like a werewolf on the full moon. These occasions rarely occurred, so Harry felt that he had nothing to worry about; all in all, Harry wasn't the least bit afraid of his professor. Once everyone had finished reading they all looked back at him, only the Slytherins seemed to have a problem with the professor.
"Professor Edwards," Malfoy said, "it says that vampires almost never drink human blood, not never. What stops you from sucking one of us dry?"
"Mister Malfoy, I can assure you and the rest of the human population that I haven't nor will I ever drink the blood of the human. I have other means of fulfilling my thirst," Professor Edwards said.
"What about the part about you becoming violent and stuff?" asked Pansy.
"That almost never happens, and only does so when I become extremely angry. It has never happened to me in my lifetime, so please don't be afraid," he answered.
"So how old are you?" Harry asked.
"I've lost count of the years, I'm not as old as Dracula…nice man, I've had the pleasure of meeting him once. I'm old enough to have met Godric Gryfindor, he was the head of my House while I was attending Hogwarts," the entire class gasped, the man before them had met Gryfindor himself? That was no doubt centuries ago.
"How old were you when you were bitten…have you gotten any older?" someone asked.
"I was in my teens, vampires are not immortal…but the process of aging is slowed considerably," he said. "Any more questions?" The class appeared to have none. "Well let's get started; wands out!"
The rest of the class was spent on reviewing what they had already learned; Professor Edwards seemed completely competent in practical magic; Harry was pleased.
As the class exited and headed for lunch, Ron was endlessly ranting to Hermione.
"You were wrong, Hermione! You, the know-it-all was wrong, I can barely believe it," Ron said. Hermione glared at Ron, but kept silent. "You were wrong!"
"Just drop it, Ron," Harry said. He gave a reassuring squeeze to Hermione's hand. Seamus then chose that moment to also bombard Hermione.
"See, Hermione? You can't always be right, seeing how I just proved that by being right about Professor Edwards. But no worries, little lady, I'll keep it hush-hush," he said with a wink. Hermione gave him a smile.
The Gryfindors arrived at the Great Hall and were quick to tell the other students from other Houses about Professor Edwards. Before long, the entire school knew; and for the most part, was excited to have his class. After lunch the Gryfindors set off to have Charms, they were surprised to find that students from all the Houses were in this class.
"Very few students passed the O.W.L with the qualifying mark for this course, that I thought it'd be useless to teach two different classes on the same thing when all of us can fit together," Professor Flitwick explained. "Today we will simply review what you have already learned," he said, taking out his wand.
Harry found that his first day of classes were easy, all he had left was Legilimency. Hermione and Ron had the night off, so after dinner they headed to the Common Room. Harry went alone to Snape's Legilimency class, he assumed it would be in Snape's office and he was right.
"You're late, Potter," Snape spat as Harry entered, "Next time, I'll take House Points. Now sit down," he ordered. "We will begin to see how well you can block me from your mind, you must be efficient in Occlumency before entering Legilimency," Snape said. Harry relaxed his mind, trying to think of nothing. "Ready, Potter? Legilimens!"
Harry could feel Snape enter his mind; he tried to push him away. It wasn't long, however, before Snape invaded Harry's memories.
"I see you and Granger are now dating…how sweet," he sneered. "Once again, Potter, you were incapable of blocking me; are you even trying?"
"Yes," Harry said through clenched teeth.
"Prove it! Legilimens!" Snape said before Harry had time to prepare.
Harry tried to once again to block Snape from him, but his anger was interfering. Harry began to calm down, thinking of nothing. He could feel Snape going through his mind, looking for a weak spot to penetrate his memories. A few minutes later, Snape went into Harry's mind, seeing Sirius's last moments of life from Harry's point of view.
"That was better, Potter," he said once he stopped, "but not nearly as good as you should be," he added.
"I'm trying, professor," Harry said.
"Very well, once last try before I dismiss you for the night…Legilimens!"
Harry expected this attack, he breathed deeply, allowing no emotion to come over him. He thought of nothing…it felt as if he'd been sitting for hours before Snape finally was able to break Harry.
"Good, Potter. It took me almost thirty minutes before I could see inside your memories," Snape said. "But don't expect the Dark Lord to give up in such a short time. Practice tonight before going to bed. Class dismissed."
Harry left the office light headed. He had fended Snape off for almost half an hour. That was good in Harry's opinion. Hermione and Ron were sitting by the fire when Harry arrived at the Common Room.
"Hey Harry, how'd it go with Snape?" Ron asked.
"He said that I still wasn't good enough with Occlumency to even begin to learn Legilimency," Harry answered, sitting down on the couch next to Hermione.
"I'm sure you'll learn to master your Occlumency soon enough," said Hermione, resting her head on his shoulder. Harry gently stroked Hermione's hair; Ron was pretending to gag.
"Honestly, I'd rather do homework than watch this…but I don't have any!" he laughed. Ron then challenged Seamus to a game of Wizard's Chess, he happily accepted. Harry and Hermione were left alone.
"Harry, I think I can help you with your Occlumency," Hermione said.
"I don't think so, I need to practice. No offense, but you can't do Legilimency," Harry said, looking down at her.
"I can't help you practice, but I think I know a way for you to relax," she said.
"Really? How?"
"You're supposed to clear your mind, but maybe you should think of a moment where your mind was clear, you know what I mean?"
"Not exactly," Harry said, confused.
"Think of when you fly a broom," she urged. Harry suddenly understood. When Harry rode his broom, his mind was free.
"Hermione, you're a genius. I'll try that next time," Harry said. An idea struck Harry. "Hermione, come take a broom ride with me, you'll love it!" Harry knew that Hermione hated flying; this was his chance to help her get over it.
"We really shouldn't; it'll be dark soon!"
"Aw, c'mon, Hermione. We'll be back in no time, besides, who'll catch us while we're flying?" Hermione looked uncertain for a moment before agreeing to go. Harry raced up the stairs, gathered his Phoenix, and met Hermione back down in the Common Room.
"How are we getting outside?" she asked. Harry looked pointedly at the window. "Oh no you don't, Harry Potter! I will not fly out that window!"
"You better get on," Harry said, already mounted on the broom. The other students in the Common Room began to watch; surely Hermione Granger wouldn't get on the broom? Hermione knew they were watching and knew what they were thinking. With a look of resolve, she got on the broom, and held Harry tightly around the waist. Harry carefully steered out the window while Hermione was muttering to herself. With a grin, Harry sped the broom up to top speed and dove. Hermione was shrieking behind him. "HARRY! STTTOOOOOPPPP!!!!" Harry slowed the broom and looked behind him. "Don't do that again, please," Hermione said between gasps. Harry looked forward and slowly rode the broom around the campus of Hogwarts. "Much better…much, much better," Hermione was muttering.
"Isn't this fun, Hermione? I can't imagine why you don't like to fly," Harry said.
"It's because of crazy people like you!" she joked. Harry stopped the broom in the air so he and Hermione could watch the sunset. Shortly after, they returned to the Common Room. Harry returned his broomstick to his room and quickly rejoined Hermione downstairs. "Have fun?" he asked.
"Um…I'll get back to you on that," she said, laughing. Harry swooped in, picked her up, and sat down on the couch with her on his lap. Hermione was laughing uncontrollably and people were beginning to notice. "Harry…you make me so happy!" she said once she calmed down.
"And you make me happy," he replied. That night, Harry lay in bed thinking of how his mind felt while he flew his broom. For the first time in a long while, Harry Potter had a dreamless sleep.