Mondays, at Hogwarts castle like everywhere else in the world, were extremely unpopular. But today was different, it seemed, from every other Monday of the past years and weeks. The new classes were starting today. Those who were taking the class wanted to see what it was like- and if they didn't like it how they would be able to transfer out, and those who weren't taking it were anxious for their friends to take it to pass on the word. Maybe they'd be allowed to sign up next year...
Of course, not everyone was so anxious for the new classes to start- not everyone meaning that Ginny Weasley was sitting at the Gryffindor table dreading the first bell's ring that would happen any minute now.
A voice soon broke into her musings. "Ms. Weasley, here is your new schedule. You will see that there have been some changes to your courses. The Headmaster decided against enrolling you in both Delving into the Dark Arts and History of Magic. I suppose you'll see why he decided against both classes when you get to the class."
Deputy Headmistress McGonagall of course, said all this.
"Thank you Professor." Looking down at her schedule she found she wasn't surprised that the new courses were first thing. It seemed like something that Dumbledore would do.
Once again a voice interrupted her musings. A louder voice now, the voice of the Headmaster.
"I apologize for interrupting your breakfast, and I do promise not to keep you too long- as the bell is about to ring, but there are a couple announcements that have to be made now. So if you could all give me your undivided attention.
"First. Today is the first day of the new courses. These are Ministry-mandated courses and we did not chose which students who were to be part of the experimental year. It is one of my fondest wishes that everyone at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry be able to defend himself or herself if the need should arise. But, alas, I do not control the Ministry. All enrolled in the course are asked to meet the Professor on the lawn at 8:30 sharp.
"Second, the Potions course will be put on hold for the next couple of weeks while we find a replacement for Professor Snape. I hope that you will obey the new Professor like you obeyed Professor Snape.
The warning bell rang just as the headmaster sat down with all the vitality of a man half his age. Students milled out of the Great Hall, and Ginny was glad she had packed her bag before she left for breakfast. Running into the Common Room she grabbed her bag and sprinted down the hall. Down the hall and through all the familiar hallways that she had been taking for five years. She, although she had gone to her Common Room, was one of the first students on the lawn.
By 8:30 all of the people enrolled in the class had arrived on the lawn and were standing in clumps looking at the teacher intermittently while chatting with each other. The teacher looked at them intermittently as well.
By 8:45 people had calmed down, and were looking at the teacher. She wasn't looking at them, but rather seemed to be thinking about something random- definitely not the class she was supposed to be teaching.
At 9:00 the teacher seemed ready to teach. She did not yell- she spoke in an everyday voice. She seemed to be using a classic Snape teaching technique. Talk in a quiet voice and they will listen.
"There is a lesson you will have to learn if any of you want to learn anything worthwhile. You will give me attention as soon as the class starts and until the class ends. You keep me waiting for fifteen minutes, I will keep you waiting for fifteen minutes. You keep me waiting for an hour, I will in turn keep you waiting for an hour.
"It does not bother me if you don't learn what you need to pass your exam at the end of the year. I am not teaching these classes because I need the money, I am teaching these classes as a favour to your headmaster and to your ministry. Does anyone have any questions? No? Then let us continue.
"Combat will be a purely physical class. There is not written homework, and there will be no books to read unless one of you cannot figure out how to do something. That person will be given a book and expected to show what they have learned the next day. I will not punish all of you for the transgressions of one person, unless it is a premeditated action.
"Delving into the Dark Arts will not teach you how to do the Dark Arts. If you want to learn those you are at the wrong school and in the wrong country. This class will be purely written work and books. There will be no practical because that would be illegal. I will teach you the name of the spells and the symptoms or reactions bodies have to the spells. I will also teach you the consequences of the spells. We will be focussing mostly on the 'Reign of Terror', but I will go over he names of some dark lords and ladies. A small unit will be dedicated to Grindelwald.
"The Ministry has given me permission to expel anyone from this class if I feel fit. Take heed that if I find that you know more about a spell than you should I can expel you from this class. If you are not co-operating I can expel you from this class. And mind you, don't argue back if I tell you something. I will expel or suspend you from this class.
"These two classes will combine to have one exam. The written part will be mostly focussing on what we learning in Delving into the Dark Arts but there will be some questions about what you have learned in combat. The practical will be purely combat and you will have to duel me. I will choose which form of duelling we will be doing. It will either be hand-to-hand, daggers, magic, swords, staffs, or a combination of two or three forms. The choice of duelling will be completely arbitrary. Marks will be awarded for good form, and deducted for bad form or illegal moves. I will award points for executing a particularly tricky move correctly, and half points for executing a particularly hard move almost right. Still no questions? Good.
"You will all call me Professor or Professor Kiliani. Anything different and who ever has felt the need to ignore my wishes will be awarded a punishment. Most likely two laps around the entire school ground.
At that last statement there was a small eruption of protests. The class had to wait while the teacher looked at the scenery of the grounds.
"There will be no complaints about these punishments. The ministry has accepted them as an acceptable form of discipline. Be glad I don't make it three laps. Now, are there any questions about anything?"
One girl put up her hand. She noticed that the girl had been in the DA, and Ginny thought that the girl's name was Cho. "What exactly are we going to be doing today? None of us have any of the things that we'll need for the course. Won't these things cost us all money?"
"Good questions Ms. Chang. I was hoping that one of you would ask these questions. The school had contacted all of your parents and we will all be going on a trip for the next couple of days. Today we will all be going to Diagon Alley and we will be picking up weapons. Each of you will be outfitted with a sword, two daggers, and a fighting staff. A fighting staff is much different from a magical staff, so don't get the two mixed up. Also, we will be picking up two workout outfits, and the books for Delving into the Dark Arts.
"Weapons will probably be more than any of you are willing to spend. When Hogwarts was first started there was a course similar to this, where all students were taught to fight. Because of that there is a treasury dedicated to buying weapons and such. That course was taken out of the curriculum around 1500, but the interest on the account has kept adding up and therefore it is enough to buy these things for you. If there is a particular weapon you want badly, or if there is one that has chosen you, you will have to pay the extra price if there is indeed one.
"Some people, I know, will have weapons, swords and such, here. If you have one, please summon it here.
There were a few murmurs of 'accio' were heard, but not more than three or four. When everyone who summoned had got their things the teacher once again started to talk.
"I will know whose is whose, I will watch over your weapons. I want each to take their bags back to their dormitories. You will each pack a set of robes in a bag. These robes must be everyday wearable robes and there must be no house crests on them. I will also need you to pack whatever money you want to bring with you, we might not be able to make it to the bank. On each of your beds you will each find a book. They have been custom made and designed to fit your personality and magical signature. These are for you and only you. They cannot be enchanted by anyone, and only you, I, and the Headmaster will be able to write in them. We will not be doing that unless absolutely necessary. They will not show words to anyone you don't want seeing what you write. You will bring a quill or two and an bottle of ink.
"You will not bring cosmetics, you will bring a hair brush, a tooth brush, and toothpaste. Soap and shampoos may be brought with you as well, but the inn we are staying in will have them. You will bring a pair of pyjamas. You will also bring one pair of muggle clothing. Try to be inconspicuous or else I will transfigure clothes for you and you don't want that.
"On this trip there will be rules. You do what I say when I say to. You will never go off alone unless instructed otherwise. Always be within eyesight of me if you are alone. You will keep your wands with you at all times, but you will not use them in front of muggles. We will be going into the muggle world so be careful about what you say. Introducing new concepts to muggles will be counted as a breach of the Secrecy Act and you will be punished with a fine. Now, are there any questions before you all go to back your bags?
Once again, a question from someone Ginny didn't know. "Where will we be staying?"
"In the Leaky Cauldron," was the answer.
"Where will we be going?" another question from Cho Chang.
"To several sights of several battles and key moments from the Reign of Terror. Now, with that said can I see Ginny Weasley, Harry Potter, and Neville Longbottom before they go to pack?"
The small class left turned back towards the castle while three students stayed behind like their elvish teacher had requested.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Longbottom. There are some places that we have planned to go that you might be uncomfortable with. We will not go to those places if you don't want us to. The Headmaster and I felt that it would be appropriate to ask how you felt before we attended these places.
"Mr. Potter, we have been planning to visit Godric's Hollow and the cemetery where your parents were interred. It is an important place for us to go to on this tour. It would show the destructiveness of the dark forces. But we do understand if you don't want us to see it, or if you don't think you're ready to go.
"Mr. Longbottom, I think you know where we are planning to visit. This is also an important place for everyone to see. But we would all understand more if you didn't want anyone to see it. Many people wouldn't want to go see a place such as that.
Harry answered first. "I don't want everyone to go to the cemetery, but I do want to go see my parents' graves. I understand that I won't be able to go by myself, but if Ginny could come with me..."
"Of course Mr. Potter, Ms. Weasley will go with you to see your parents' graves. They will be in the Potter mausoleum. I will give you a map when we get to your home town."
It was then Neville's turn to answer. "I'd be okay with everyone going there, but please don't tell everyone who they were. I'm sure everyone knows by now, but just the same..."
"Ms. Weasley?" said the professor interrupting Ginny from her contemplations.
"Yes Professor?" asked Ginny with the tone of someone who hasn't been listening in class.
"You will go with Mr. Potter to his parents' grave?"
Ginny turned to Harry. "Of course I'll go with you. You don't need to ask."
"Ms. Weasley, your sword needs sharpening, I can do it for you if you want. "
"Could you Professor? It would be a great help."
The teacher looked at the sword contemplatively. "What are you three waiting for? Go pack!"
