Disclaimer: Obviously, I own nothing. NO-THING. Except the story…and Lily, Andrew, and the twins…and some professors…but other than that I own NOTHING.

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A/N: Okay, I know this is delayed, but I have my reasons: 1)I was grounded off of the computer for a week, 2) School, 3) I have a Sadie Hawkins dance coming up, 4) Valentines Day craziness, 5) Trying to get an idea of what exactly I want to do with life and what classes I should take next year, 6) My boyfriend gave me a ton of new CDs to listen to—White Stripes, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Junior, SonHouse, The Smiths—and 7) I've rented Corpse Bride, Monty Python's The Life of Brian, and In Her Shoes, and who leaves perfectly good movies lying around? So, my apologies, but here it is.

IMPERIO!

READ MY FRIEND SUGARQUILLLEGILIMENS' HP STORY "IT HELPS YOU TO FEEL"

Previously: His seat was located in the second to last spot at the table, and he strained to think of which subject hadn't been named. Finally, he looked over, and felt his heart drop. Potions—Gabrielle Delacour.

.x. Having Heart Is Full Of Pain .x.

Tonight We Ride To Fight

Gabrielle? Harry's brain was cloudy; it did not comprehend exactly what it meant until the doors to the Great Hall burst open again and the rest of the teachers walked in—Gabrielle among them.

"Welcome back, Harry," Lupin said warmly, embracing him in a fatherly manner. He looked around him—Luna was standing there with her usual dreamy expression, Parvati and Lavender smiled coyly at him, Seamus patted him on the back, Eloise Midgen and the other teachers he didn't know were standing a ways off, disinterested. Gabrielle and Fleur were in the back corner, muttering darkly to each other and shooting Harry mutinous looks. Krum was also standing off, but it wasn't for dislike of Harry—he seemed rather fidgety and shot Fleur nervous glances every so often. He supposed that Fleur had never quite forgiven Krum for attacking her during the Third Task in the Triwizard Tournament while he had been under the Imperius Curse. He was briefly introduced to Professors Blumen and Lange, and then all of the teachers took their respective spots at the staff table, waiting for the students to arrive.

When the Great Hall was full, Professor McGonagall stood up. "Hello, and welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that joke products from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes are strictly forbidden—if you would like to see a list of banned objects, it can be located in his office. We also have two have two new additions to the staff this year. First, Professor Lupin, who is taking over the Arithmancy post"—there was a smattering of polite applause—"and Professor Potter, who will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. Dig in."

The Great Hall was filled with raucous clapping and cheers, and he felt himself turn red as he looked down at his plate. It died away after a few minutes, in which time Harry could have sworn he saw the faintest trace of a smile on McGonagall's thin lips, and the staff and students began to enjoy the Start of Term feast.

"So, Harry, what are you going to be teaching?" Lupin asked him after swallowing a mouthful of Shepard's Pie.

"Well, er, about that…"

"You haven't thought of lesson plans yet," Lupin said resignedly.

"Not exactly, no."

"Well, I have my old Defense plans, and Professor Armando—he retired at the end of last term—left his as well. Come to my office after the feast and we'll sort something out."

"Thanks."

"You really shouldn't have put it off, you know," Lupin told him, reminding Harry very much of Hermione.

"I only got the letter saying I'd got the job last night."

"Good night, then?"

"Erm…" Harry paused—in truth it had been lousy, but he didn't want to tell Lupin about his romantic predicament, especially with Gabrielle right next to him, so he lied. "Yeah, not bad."

"Oh, yez I'm zure your night waz bloody fantazic!" Gabrielle snarled in his ear. Harry, startled, jumped and edged his seat closer to Lupin's.

"Harry?" Lupin asked him, giving him a significant look.

"I'll explain in your office," Harry muttered, hoping desperately that Gabrielle would not hear him.

"What, do you not want to tell your friend what you did, 'Arry?" Gabrielle hissed.

"So, erm, how've you been? How's Tonks?" Harry asked Lupin, louder this time to drown out the noise that Gabrielle was making. The majority of the staff table was watching, and the students were also paying attention.

"Fine…" Lupin was looking at him oddly now.

"I can't believe you," she was saying to him, her voice louder as well. "Really, after zee zird task I zot you were a gentleman! Everyone thinkz you are a hero, but you're nothing but an inzenzitive, egotiztical—"

"WOULD YOU SHUT UP?" Harry roared. There was a unanimous gasp from the student body, Lupin looked taken aback, and McGonagall appeared to be attempting to restore order.

"Potter, Delacour!" McGonagall snapped, but before she got the words out Harry was no longer Harry—in his place sat a fat, slimy toad, blinking stupidly. It let out a load croak.

"Really!" she yelled, changing Harry back with a wave of her wand. "I want both of you in my office, NOW."

Grudgingly, Harry and Gabrielle left the Great Hall amid the catcalls and jeers of the students—some were laughing, some were shellshocked. They made their way to the Head's office, Gabrielle muttered the password (Drooble's Best Blowing Gum), and he followed her up the stairs. When they reached the office, Harry found himself shocked at how different it was from the time that Dumbledore had been headmaster.

The whirring silver instruments had been replaced by bare surfaces. The red chintz armchairs that had once sat before the desk were now hard and wooden. A platter of Ginger Newts sat in the corner, but Harry did not touch them.

He and Gabrielle sat in furious silence for only a few minutes; McGonagall rushed in, her robes billowing behind her and her mouth thinner than Harry ever remembered it going.

"Apalling! Never in my life have I seen teachers act in such a childish manner! I would have expected such behavior from students, not my own professors!"

Harry and Gabrielle were silent as she continued to berate them.

"On probation—both of you!"

Stunned, Harry and Gabrielle allowed themselves to be ushered out of McGonagall's office. The Welcoming Feast wasn't even over and he had been placed on probation—such a great first impression, he thought bitterly.

A few minutes after leaving the office he found himself knocking on Lupin's door. He looked weary when he stood aside to let Harry enter, and he did so silently. "So, do I get to hear what happened?" Lupin asked him.

Harry retold everything that happened since the night Ron had brought him to dinner, and when he was finished, Lupin said nothing for a few moments. Finally, he spoke. "Be careful Harry," he said quietly. "You're in dangerous waters right now. You're compromising the friendship of the entire Weasley family, you know that, don't you?"

"I—"

"Just be careful, Harry. Goodnight." He ushered Harry out of his office, leaving Harry with a growing sense of dread in the pit of his stomach. Please don't let them find out, he thought desperately to himself. Please.

A/N: So there it is. I won't be updating as frequently as I would be, because I have a life and also an ORIGINAL (that's right, no trademarked characters!) story that I'm developing. Anyways, read and review, and don't forget to read my friend's story! Happy Presidents Day (for the Americans)! :N/A