Disclaimer: Most of the characters mentioned in the following story are borrowed from JK Rowling and are not of my own imagination. Any characters in this story that are not mentioned in any of the Harry Potter books are my own.

Muggle187: I just turned 16 in March. I'm in my second-to-last year of school and we have just started the new term which is why updating has been so slow lately. I'm completely bogged down with work.

HugeHarryPotterFan: Wow you definitely must be a huge fan to take that much notice. I'll read through my chapters better from now on to try and avoid silly mistakes such as those.

Dreamanddiffer: Yes, the portrait will definitely be in the story later.

Webster: yes, he is too dense but I like him. I do however agree that he is a first class idiot. Just a funny first class idiot.

Cap'n Emmis Savvy: didn't even notice those mistakes. Will correct them when I do the others. Yeah, it does make her sound like an alcoholic beverage but I think it's cute. Oh, and none of the characters have said anything about interest so far, but seeing as how muggles have it, wizards might as well have it too.

A/N: Thanks for the great reviews. Sorry I can't reply to each individually although I would love to. Please read A/N at end of chapter for excuses and apologizes and explanations and… well, you get the point.

Chapter 10

Harry was glad to see that they had Defence Against the Dark Arts first. It would give him a chance to find out more about the teacher and perhaps why she looked so familiar. When breakfast was finished he made his way back to Gryffindor tower with Ginny, Ron and Hermione to pick up their books. By the time they passed the third group of either whispering and pointing or giggling students, Harry was almost ready to explode. Instead of commenting, he just clenched his teeth together as they walked past and tried not to let it show that it was getting to him. He felt Ginny slip her hand into his and he was very glad of her support. He didn't know how he would be able to put up with this all year.

After he got his books, he kissed Ginny goodbye, part of him wishing he didn't have to go to class and he could just stay with her all day. Finally he drew himself away and made his way to Defense Against the Dark Arts, where the rest of the class was lined up outside the door. They waited almost in silence until the door was opened. Harry took a seat with his friends and they waited for the lesson to begin.

Finally the teacher appeared and the class was quiet immediately. She stood at the front of the room, her ice blue eyes sweeping the room, a stern, sober look on her face. Finally she spoke.

"Welcome to Defense the Dark Arts," she said quietly, but her voiced echoed throughout the room. "As most of you probably know, I am Professor Brooking. I will be your teacher this year. I know many of you think that this job is… cursed," she said, pausing to look around at them all again, "but I assure you that I intend to teach here for more then one year, unless something very dramatic happens to make me change my mind. Now would you all please take out your books. This lesson will be a theory lesson and tomorrow's lesson will be a practical. I believe that in order to keep my students interested in the subject the practical and theory lessons must be alternated."

Harry pulled out his books, watching the other students who all looked as unsure about the new Professor as Harry did. When they all had their books out and were settled, she called the roll, looking carefully at each student after she called their name. When she finally got to Harry, she paused for a moment before reading his name aloud.

"Harry Potter," she said softly, looking straight at him. He felt unable to look away as the blue eyes studied him. "I went to school with your parents," she said, her voice still very soft. Before Harry could speak she had continued down the roll, leaving Harry staring with a face of shock, his mouth slightly open.

The rest of the lesson was rather uneventful. Professor Brooking did not speak to Harry again… she barely even looked at him. Harry found this rather frustrating. He was itching to know how well she had known his parents. Finally the lesson was almost over. Harry couldn't wait for it to end so he could talk to Professor Brooking, but to his annoyance as soon as the class was dismissed she swept past them and out of the classroom.

The rest of the day went quite fast. Harry's thoughts were still on the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. He didn't know why it was bothering him so much. He gave a small sigh, causing the conversation around him to cease as they all looked at him. He was back in the Gryffindor Common Room and classes were over for the day. Life had gone on as though nothing had happened the previous year, except for a few minor differences. Harry's heart was burdened. He had never felt like this before… like he wanted to leave Hogwarts. Not even when Hogwarts was under the rule of Umbridge had he felt this. Regret started tugging at his heart. Perhaps returning to Hogwarts this year had not been such a good idea. He turned and looked at the redhead next to him, her eyes dancing in the firelight, and he knew why he had come back to Hogwarts. He knew that Ginny was the one thing that would keep him going through the long weeks and he didn't know what he would do without her. He gave a shudder, thinking of how life would be without her when he finished at Hogwarts, and immediately felt a small hand cover his. Ginny gave him a worried look, which he returned with a lopsided half-grin. He could make it through this year.

A/N: Yeah, I know, short and cheesy and REALLY BAD. Having a HUGE problem with writer's block and lack of inspiration lately. Have been trying to write an article for the newspaper too but can't make it past the second paragraph. Need sleep. When I've had enough sleep to actually make it through my classes without falling asleep I promise I will update. Hopefully won't take as long as this chapter did and will try to make it better. Mistakes in the last few chapters haven't been corrected yet as I haven't had enough time and I've been too lazy. Will get around to it soon.