Chapter Eleven
Questions in DADA
Sitting in Remus' class, waiting for him, sat the marauders. At the moment they were being congratulated on the wonderful job of the competition. Remus walked in and stood at the front of the class. No one quieted as he stood there. He knew the reason. He was now known as the last living marauder. Sighing, he stood straight.
"QUIET!" he bellowed. When everyone was silent. "Yes I am the last marauder, yes I will laugh a bit quicker than most teachers at a joke, yes I am responsible for the new marauders coming to power here. HOWEVER! When you are in my class, you will be silent while I am teaching. You all know me, I like to make a class fun, but I can only teach you if you do not act as if I am one of you. If you looked when I entered the room, the first thing these three did." Remus said, pointing to the marauders, "was to stop talking and look forward. They, more than anyone here, know the importance of this class. These three, the ones who even I now call marauders, left their jokes and pranks at the door. I ask you all to do the same. If you do not wish to do that, then go to the Headmaster and tell him you no longer wish to go to this class." He stayed quiet for a minute, allowing whoever wished to leave. When no one did he continued. "Now last time I was here, many things about me were released, the fact that I am a werewolf, and the fact that by most dark wizarding family values, Mr. Malfoy, I am not wealthy. If any of what I have just said bothers you, leave." Again a moment of silence. "Okay, now that I finally have your attention, I want to give you children a treat. I am going to let you watch a strong duel, between two of the strongest students in this class." He said lastly. He began laughing as Malfoy puffed up his chest and began pointing to himself. "Draco, calm down. You will never be my strongest student." the class laughed at this, while Malfoy began glaring at Remus. "Serena Black, Harry Potter, please come to the front of the class."
Harry and Serena smiled at each other, got up and began walking to the front of the class. Harry looking a little mischievous, Serena looking much the same, only their grins were different. My god, she does look and act like Sirius. Remus thought, smiling. He began to whisper to them both.
"Don't show off too much, alright? Also you may use whatever you want except the unforgivables, you both know why. Be clean about your fight as well." He said. They nodded, and Serena ran to Ginny and whispered something, Ginny nodded and they stayed close for a second, then Serena ran back to stand beside Harry. What was that about? Remus thought. Then he spoke loudly. "I know you two are strong and you have been studying over the summer. I want to see your strongest fight, and I want to see you both fight clean! Any questions?" Remus said.
"I have a question!" Ginny said, grinning herself.
"Yes Miss Weasley?" Remus asked, suddenly confused.
"Who do I cheer for?" She asked. The class laughed, Remus chuckled at this.
"I suggest you cheer for whom you want to win most. Also, you two please close your robes. All we need is one mistake and half of the class will be drooling over the School's heart breaker, and beauty!" Remus said, making them laugh as they closed their robes.
"Well Black, I gotta go for the boyfriend. Sorry, but I do things with him that are a lot more fun!" Ginny said laughing, all the class gasped before laughing as well.
"Miss Weasley! 10 points from Gryffindor." Remus said, looking firmly at Ginny. "Keep your private life private, or I will have to send a letter home to you mother. Is that understood?"
"Sorry Professor." Ginny said seriously.
"Okay, with no further interruptions, we will continue. You two take your places and start when ready." Remus said, walking behind his desk leaning against the wall. Harry and Serena walked to opposite ends of the room. Standing facing each other, they grinned.
"Well Potter, it seems I'm gonna have to put you in your place!" Serena said, laughing.
"It seems so. But don't worry, Black, I won't make it easy on you!" Harry said, still grinning. This was the last time they talked. For at that moment curses started flying across they room. Both easily avoiding curses, as if this had been a daily occurrence. Remus noticed that when Tonks was acting as Serena, the clumsiness that she normally held was gone. She moved fluidly and with a grace only matched by Harry, and possibly Ginny. He pondered this as he continued to watch this duel. When Harry held his second wand, he almost stopped the fight till he saw that Serena also had a second wand. So that is what happened, she took Ginny's wand. Remus thought smiling. These two were putting up a hell of a fight. So far twenty minutes had passed, and neither was showing signs of slowing. He was actually impressed most by Harry, who without the training of an auror, still had the actions of one. Serena however, only improved on the auror training. This type of battle could never have been planned, the spells came with such speed, such accuracy that if it were planned, the practice would have taken months. As fast as they began they stopped just looking at each other, grinning.
"What's wrong Black? Bored?" Harry said, his grin broadening.
"Yeah, I'm not hitting you, your not hitting me. I think a wildcard or two, maybe even seven!" Serena said, grinning.
"Professor what do you say? We are evenly matched, so neither will win. Perhaps, 3 on 6?" Harry asked. He was grinning wildly and Remus began to worry.
"What do you have in mind, Mr. Potter?" He asked. Great he's in teacher mode. This won't happen. Harry thought.
"The marauders, against six of your choosing." Harry said still smiling. " Except for Ron and Hermione, though I have a good reason."
"I would love to hear this." Remus said smiling. Don't want to hurt you friends? Remus thought.
"Well, we will need their wands. I have two, one is my fathers. They only have one and against two opponents, it should only be fair. Six wands versus six wands." Harry said, sounding very diplomatic. "I don't believe anyone besides those two would be willing to let us have a go at their wands."
"Very well if they agree to this I will permit it." Remus said, looking at the two in question. Instantly they got their wands and handed them to Ginny, who went and stood next to Harry smiling. Serena walked to them, handing Ginny her wand, and taking Hermione's.
"Well sir, it seems they agreed. The only question is, who would be dumb enough to go against us?" Harry asked, slightly arrogant. He Grinned at Ginny and Serena, both grinning at him.
"Well, Mr. Potter, I believe anyone in Slytherin would be willing." Remus said, countering Harry's arrogance. Yet Harry, it seemed, was possessed with his father's spirit.
"If they so wish. The marauders don't run from snakes." Harry said strongly. Your father would be proud, Harry, so very proud. He thought.
"Alright then. Mr.'s Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle." Remus said. Harry, hearing this burst into laughter. "Problem, Mr. Potter?"
"No, sir its just that in the two days since we've been back, so far Mr.'s Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle have been naked, almost naked while holding each others hands, and one was hanging inside the Great Hall just an hour ago. We were actually looking for a challenge, sir." Harry said while still laughing. Malfoy, red with anger, started a bit too soon.
"I'll show you a challenge Potter! Serpentsortia!" Malfoy screamed. Yet this did not have his desired effect, as Harry kept laughing. Then he looked at the snake seriously.
"What are you planning to do here?" Harry asked the snake.
"The one who summoned me wants me to attack you and your friends." the snake replied.
"They do not understand you. They think of you only as a creature to do their bidding. I offer you friendship, if you help me." Harry said. The snake looked cautiously at Harry.
"What would you have me do, friend?" The snake asked.
"I only ask that you wrap yourself around the white haired wizard, while I punish his friends for thinking that you are not intelligent." Harry said.
"I will do this, but will you send me back to my home when I am finished?" the snake asked.
"It will be done, I swear." Harry responded. The snake turned around fiercely and wrapped itself around Malfoy. Harry, who was laughing again, turned to Crabbe and Goyle. "Now you will pay for offending my new friend." and he flicked his wands and they both bowed down and began apologizing to the snake. The snake confused looked at Harry.
"What are they saying?"
"They are asking for your forgiveness. They are now sorry." Harry said.
"Thank you kind wizard. What is your name?"
"I am Harry Potter." Harry said.
"I will tell snakes around this place that you are a kind wizard, and to harm you would be a shame to our kind." The snake said.
"Thank you I will have my teacher send you back now." Harry said.
"Thank you, Harry Potter."
"Professor, can you send this snake back to where it came from now?" Harry asked calmly. Remus nodded, and sent the snake away. Then looking to the three in front of him. "Expelliarmus!" Three wands flew to him and landed at his feet. "See what I mean Professor? No challenge at all."
"Mr. Potter, I don't think they could be expected to know you are a Parselmouth." Remus said.
"Professor, Malfoy learned that last time he cast that spell at me. In second year. If I can remember him casting the spell, is it my fault he can't remember that he cast it?" Harry said, his grin returning.
"Very well, Mr. Potter. Your point is proven. You all may sit down." Remus said.
"But I didn't get to cast a single spell!" Ginny said, looking hurt.
"I am sorry, Miss Weasley. It appears that I need to find some stronger competition for you three first. 10 points for Serena and Harry. 20 points for Miss Weasley, for not hexing me." Remus said with a smile. Those three sat down, however the three Slytherins stayed standing.
"Professor how is that they get away with something like this! I will not stand for it! My head of house will hear of this!" Malfoy shouted.
"YOU WILL SHUT UP NOW!" Remus said, glaring at Malfoy, "I will now treat you as fairly as your head treated them today. 50 points from Slytherin each, for undermining my authority! A month's detention for attacking before the order was given!" Remus said now speaking coldly, "Mind your place here young Malfoy. You were stupid enough to attack before your team was selected. You acted out of place. You couldn't remember that Harry was a parselmouth. You were the one not prepared to face one, let alone three. You were wrong! Do you wish to see what will happen? I believe I will show you!" Remus began to shout. "Potter, front of the class now!" Harry ran up to the front. " Crabbe, Goyle, Are you prepared?" He said coldly. They nodded. "You, you arrogant little git, are you ready?" He directed at Malfoy. Shocked, he nodded. "Harry one wand, same rules as with Black! Is that clear!"
"Crystal" Harry said. His arrogance returned, combating Malfoy's.
"Good! Now you three, who want to claim fairness, it is three on one. He will only use one wand. He will be attacked FIRST! However, if you do not wait till I give the command, I will show you 'pranks' the likes of which Harry can never dream! Is this understood!" Remus shouted again. The three Slytherins nodded, now scared. Remus walked to the back of the room, standing straight. He looked at Harry, who seemed alert of all three opponents. Remus smiled again. This is going to be fun to watch, he thought.
"Go!" Remus shouted.
The three Slytherins paused, expecting Harry to attack. Harry grinned.
"You three might as well just throw your wands to me." Harry said, holding his wand at his side. He knew that this was what he needed to do. He wanted them to make a mistake. He didn't want to win, he wanted to devastate. "Its amazing how dumb you really are. Do you think this is fair? You could bring the whole lot of Slytherin and I would still win. Not because I have ultimate power, like your dark lord, the slimy git, wants. But because I don't need ultimate power. I have a brain and the ability to use it!" He goaded, they were preparing to attack. One last move. "You know what, I'm not even going to use one wand. I'm going to beat you three like a muggle, just to teach you a lesson." Harry said, putting his wand away. The Slytherins smiled now and started to attack.
Neither of the three knew what to make of what happened. They cast three spells, and none of them hit their mark. They began sending spells as fast as they could, which was too slow. Harry seemed to dance around their spells, getting closer, until he saw he was close enough. This was where he grew arrogant. He kicked Malfoy in the back of the knee, causing him to fall and hit his head, dropping his wand. Harry punched Crabbe hard in the stomach causing him to crumble to the ground. Then he kicked Goyle in the stomach and punched him in the jaw, leaving him to join his friends. Not done with them, he grabbed their wands.
"HOW DARE YOU INSULT A TRUE PROFESSOR! A TRUE MARAUDER!" He said, and snapped Malfoy's wand. "YOU MORONS! DID YOU THINK I WAS AS DUMB AS YOU! IT TAKES BRAINS, STREGNTH, AND KNOWLEDGE TO BE A MARAUDER! NOT POWER!" He said as he snapped Goyle's wand. "YOU WILL NEVER BE AT MY LEVEL, NOT BECAUSE OF POWER, ANYONE CAN BE POWERFUL! IT TAKES A HEART! IT TAKES LOVE TO BE WHAT I AM!" Harry said, snapping Crabbe's wand, "NOW STAND UP AND FIGHT, YOU WANNA BE DEATH EATERS! NOW STAND AND FACE ME!" Harry said, and the windows in the room exploded. This is not good. thought Remus.
"Harry!" Remus said. He got no response. "Marauders!" Serena and Ginny instantly rushed to Harry's side.
"Hey Potter, you won the battle, no need to start a war!" Serena said laughing.
"Love, if you do what your thinking, you are going to be no better than him. We know you are better than him, so just come sit down." Ginny said, smiling beatifically at him. Suddenly Harry calmed down and stopped shaking, looking at the two of them.
"You know, you guys have that way with me." Harry said smiling. He walked back to his chair and sat down, then look at Remus while Serena and Ginny joined him. "So did I win?"
"Yes Harry, though I believe saying you won is putting it lightly." Remus said smiling, while some of the students laughed. By this time Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle stood up. "However I must punish you for something. 30 points from Gryffindor for snapping their wands."
"Is that all! We have to buy new wands, which we can't do till we have a trip to Hogsmeade, or manage to have our parents buy more, and all he gets is 30 points! I will not HAVE IT!" Malfoy screamed. This was an inopportune time, as Dumbledore watched. However, even he couldn't save Malfoy.
"DRACO MALFOY! This is the end of your time in rule! I do not know who you think you are to have power in MY CLASS! Your father, and his LORD are the reason my best friend, Harry's godfather, and Serena's father, is DEAD! IF YOU WANT TO SEE FAIRNESS FROM ME, YOU HAVE LOST THAT NOW! I OFFERED YOU FAIRNESS! I OFFERED YOU THREE AGAINST ONE AND YOU STILL LOST! YOUR FATHER WILL NOT BUY ME AS HE HAS SNIVELLUS SNAPE! IN THIS CLASS I RULE, NOT YOU! DO YOU WANT ME TO SHOW YOU FAIR? POTTER, BLACK YOU AND ME VERSUS MALFOY, AS AN ACT OF VENGEANCE! ISN'T THAT WHAT YOU WANT MALFOY? VENGEANCE! WELL HOW ABOUT IF WE HAVE OURS?" Remus, who seconds ago was calm had lost all of it in one second. Malfoy was cowering against the wall now. Dumbledore was going to speak, however a look from Ginny stopped him. It seemed the girl knew something. It appeared she did.
In that moment, Harry suddenly lost control of his emotions, and the one leading them all was love, of Sirius, that turned to anger at the memory. Harry jumped up and walked up to Malfoy, and hit him. When Malfoy fell on the ground Harry continued.
"ITS YOUR FAULT MALFOY! YOU WILL PAY! YOUR LINE WILL NEVER CONTINUE! I WILL NOT ALLOW IT! I WILL MAKE YOU PAY! THEN YOUR FATHER! THEN THAT BITCH LESTRANGE! YOU WILL PAY BY MY HAND! NOT WAND! HAND! SUFFER NOW AS I SUFFER EVERY FUCKING DAY!" Harry screamed while hitting Malfoy continuously. Ginny looked at Remus, knowing this had to be stopped.
"It needs to be you Moony. It need to be a marauder." She said quietly. Remus, understanding, ran to Harry and pulled him off Malfoy.
"No, Harry. It is not right!" Remus said. "To punish the son for the father, that would make us like Snape. Neither of us deserve to be like that slimy git. All we did was love." He looked to the class. "Dismissed." The class stood still, none daring to move. "GET OUT!" Remus screamed and everyone left, save Ginny, Serena, Hermione, and Ron. Malfoy only in the room because he was unconscious. Dumbledore looked at Ginny then.
"Why did you want me to let this happen?" Dumbledore said.
"Did you hear what he said? 'You will pay'. Harry doesn't blame himself now. He just needed someone to hate for it. Since he can't find those responsible, he needed someone who was close." Ginny said, quietly. "I know it wasn't the right thing to do, but it was what Harry needed. Now he can heal."
"I see." Dumbledore said.
"It's not fair, Moony. All Sirius did was love, and now he is dead. These idiots, death eaters in training, they only hate, yet they live. WHY DO THEY DESERVE TO LIVE WHILE SIRIUS IS DEAD!" Harry said. Tears began to fall from his eyes. "They don't deserve to live Moony, they don't."
"Harry, you know how I feel. But you can't take their lives in your hands either." Serena said, tears falling from her eyes as well. "None of us can do that. Also remember, this Malfoy did nothing to Sirius. It was his fathers actions, but Bellatrix's doing. To kill Malfoy would make you a criminal, Sirius wouldn't want that." She smiled. "However, there is now a need for another vow to him."
"Oh yeah. What would that be?" Harry asked.
"Well, since Malfoy is Lestrange's cousin, why not make his life a worse hell than Snivellus?" Serena said, smiling at this. Suddenly, Harry's new demeanor returned. The tears stopped flowing and Harry's mischievous grin returned.
"Black, that's the best plan I heard all day!" Harry said, laughing again. "Well it seems we have a new vow."
"A very important one." Serena said.
"A vow to the dearest of men." Ginny said.
"It must be kept then." Harry said.
"Agreed!" Serena and Ginny shouted.
"Well children I need to speak to Harry, would I be granted a moment alone? Well actually Serena, you may stay as it will deal with you as well. Remus will you please take Mr. Malfoy to the infirmary. Ginny would you accompany him. Return when he does and your friends will be ready." Dumbledore said. Remus nodded, looked at Ginny and nodded as well. Ginny nodded and followed Remus, who summoned a stretcher and was leading Malfoy out of the room. Ginny closed the door. Dumbledore placed an imperturbable charm on the door, then motioned for the two to sit.
"Mr. Potter, I am sorry but your current actions cannot be forgotten. I cannot look the other way. I wish I could. I understand that you lost control, but you do not have that option here. Do you understand?" Dumbledore asked. He did not wish for this action to be done.
"I understand, Professor. I broke the rules. I must be punished for this. Just don't ask me to apologize for it, because for this I am not sorry." Harry said calmly. "So I guess I'm back to the Dursleys?"
"No, no Harry. You see Miss Black and Miss Weasley are suspended as well. Miss Black for the obvious reason of not sending you to the Dursleys. Miss Weasley for convincing me not to stop what happened here today. I understand her reason for this, and I should not have allowed myself to stop, but she seemed adamant." Dumbledore said. Upon seeing the look on Harry's face he laughed. "As punishment for this action, you three will be forced to stay at Grimmauld Place, under the guidance of Nymphadora Tonks. You will have no visitors, save Mrs. Weasley, as her child was involved. Miss Black your suspension shall only be seen here, am I understood?"
"Yes Professor." She said, then looked at Harry, "This sucks though, I love being Miss Black!" She said laughing.
"Ah that is another discussion, which I feel Harry has a right to listen. I do not want to overstep my bounds, but I do see a happiness in you that I have not seen in a long time Nymphadora. It returned for a small time while Sirius was at Grimmauld place, but extinguished soon after he died. I have an offer for you if you wish it." Dumbledore said, calmly.
"What is it?" Serena asked.
"I can do one thing in cases of metamorphmagi, as head of the Wizengamot. If they so choose I can give them a special potion. This potion will allow you to remain in the form you choose to be. I would be able to give you all access to that of a Black, however you would no longer be Nymphadora Tonks. Therefore you would have to ask Harry to choose a new guardian." Dumbledore said. His voice became extremely soft at the last sentence.
"So I could be Serena Black, Marauder's Heir, Harry's 'sister' in fact, but not his godmother?" Serena said.
"That is correct Miss Black. You would give up one role in Harry's life for another."
"Why are you telling me this?" Serena said.
"Truthfully, there are a few reasons." Dumbledore started. "You have done more good for Harry as Serena. You were excellent in the time you were his godmother, but he is always happier when you are Serena. You seem happier yourself as Serena Black, that is an important factor as well. Also, much to Remus' and my surprise, you do seem to do Sirius proud in your actions as his heir so far."
"But, Professor, why can't she be both?" Harry asked, confused.
"Harry, for you this will be harder. As both, your friend and godmother, it is not fair to you. I say this because you would loose one if she takes the potion. If she doesn't, you will always have to choose which of those you want to spend time with. Remember that this only changes the form, and with who she says she is, her name. She will still be the person you love now. She simply will not be able to change her form anymore." Dumbledore said.
"Could I talk to Harry for a minute alone, Professor?" Serena said. Dumbledore smiled as he nodded and left the room. "Well what do you think?"
"You're asking me!" Harry said, shocked. "Remember you're the adult here. Aren't you supposed to know what's best?"
"Harry, I've never been an adult and you know that. I'm only six years older than you! Hell I had a crush on you this summer!" She said. "But none of that matters. What matters is that this concerns me and you. If I stay Serena permanently, you will lose a godmother."
"Not really, I still have you. You just won't be able to be my godmother. But, I'll have one of my best mates, a sister, and a true heir to the marauders. So either way I don't lose anything. Its just that I don't want you to give up who you are for me. I'm just the boy who lived." Harry said. "Everyone thinks that so bloody brilliant, but I'd rather be just Harry Potter. Just me. Not a title, or some kind of hero figure."
"I know that Harry. If you remember we have had long talks about that. Though this concerns you, I'm not just doing this for you. Dumbledore is right. I am happy being Serena Black. I'm happy being just one person, who has a few good friends, no turning from person to person, just like you want to be. Just Serena Black. I could live with that. Sirius was my favorite cousin, and growing up I wanted to be just like him. Now I have the chance to be his daughter, standing side by side with just Harry Potter. I've never thought of you as the boy who lived. But, since I got to be Serena, I got to have fun, like a normal kid. I've never had that." Serena said. "So my question is, would you mind me being, just Serena Black?" Serena said.
"Is that what you want?" Harry asked.
"I think I would like it! I get to have fun all day pranking on people. Look at it, one day and already we have a months detention and we are suspended!" Serena said, laughing. "I'm horrid as a godmother, but as a marauder, I'm golden! What could be better Potter?"
"Well, we have a whole year to go Black, and one following right behind. Who knows what else we could get into. But you get to tell Ginny!" Harry said laughing.
"Oh god, she's gonna kill us!" Serena said, laughing as well. "PROFESSOR!" Dumbledore came in and sat down after closing the door again. "Harry is going to need a new godmother. But he has a sister!"