By Loralee
Disclaimer: Not mine
Harry received his schedule Sunday morning with a note from McGonagall that his Runes OWL would be Monday afternoon directly after lunch and the History OWL would be Wednesday morning. He wouldn't be missing class during those times.
He asked Hermione if he could look over her History notes. He didn't intend to cram a lot but felt that just reading through her notes might refresh anything he had actually managed to learn. Hermione frowned but dug them out with stern instruction not to lose or mess them up. Ron just shook his head and proclaimed Harry 'mental' for wanting to redo an exam.
Monday first thing was NEWT level charms. Professor Flitwick was nearly ecstatic over the number of students continuing on in charms. The four houses had this class together though there were two levels, NEWT charms and everyday charms. Of course Hermione had questioned Flitwick thoroughly on the difference.
The Runes OWL Harry found easy and was feeling rather smug at dinner that night, until Dennis Creevy approached him and complained about the defense teacher.
"Harry that guy is just plain strange." Said Dennis. "He made us take a test to determine what he needed to teach us, then he started asking questions about you. If you helped up with our homework, what spells we've seen you do. I didn't tell him anything Harry. But I think he knew about the DA last year, he kept looking at me."
Harry sighed, "Thanks for letting me know Dennis. I have DADA Wednesday after lunch."
Harry watched Dennis go back to the rest of the fourth years who were whispering and staring. Then he eyed the DADA teacher at the head table.
Tuesday morning was NEWT transfiguration for two hours and then two hours of Ritual Magic.
A teacher that Harry had never met before an older man named David Ruse taught ritual Magic. Professor Ruse had been teaching at Hogwarts part time for fifteen years. He taught several of the 6th and 7th years electives and travel back and forth to the school as needed.
The class was a mix of all four houses of both years with nine students. It would last one term until the Christmas Holidays. The Professor handed out several parchments covering what they would be learning and the due dates for all assignments.
"These are the assignments for this class with the dates due. This is mostly a theory class though we will be doing at least one ritual. Just before the end of this class we will do a warding ritual designed to reinforce the wards here at Hogwarts. You should be aware that this is done every year. It is in part what keeps Hogwarts wards as strong as they are. We may, for those interested, do a Heritage ritual. Your final paper of this class will be a research paper describing a ritual in depth, the pros and cons of that ritual and outlining the precise steps of said ritual. It does not have to be a ritual that you would actually do, only something that interests you. It can be a light or dark ritual I don't care just be warned there are reasons dark magic is proscribed."
He then went right into the lecture on what ritual magic was and did. At the end of class he ask how many of the students had already participated in at least one ritual. Everyone held up his or her hands.
"Excellent if you don't mind please go around the room and tell me what ritual it was. We will start with you." Said Professor Ruse pointing at Susan Bones.
"A Warding professor." Susan murmured.
The Professor nodded, "The most common."
All the rest except for Daphne Greengrass said the same. Greengrass had taken part in a Heritage ritual and of course Harry had been the focus of a cleansing ritual.
As the class was dismissed Professor Ruse called for Harry to stay after.
"Mr. Potter, It is rare that someone your age is part of a cleansing ritual. Might I ask why that was done?"
"Well professor I had a lot of dark residue on me. From my scar and the resurrection of Voldemort and have the cruciatus cast on me several times."
The Professor looked startled for a moment then nodded, "Yes that makes sense I wish the headmaster had informed me of that, I wouldn't have had you tell the class."
"I don't believe the headmaster is aware of it. It's not something he suggested. A curse breaker at Gringotts discovered it when she did a scan prior to removing the Ministry tracking charms upon my emancipation. I'd really appreciate you not discussing me with the head master unless it's something to do with my school work, something that if I was another student you'd talk to him about." Said Harry.
Professor Ruse eyed Harry for a moment. "Those sorts of things I would take to your Head of House, Mr. Potter. Very well I will keep your confidences but your class mates might not."
Harry nodded and left a puzzled Professor. Just what had Albus done to the boy to get that sort of reaction and if there was that much dark magic clinging to the boy why had the headmaster not noticed.
Tuesday after lunch Harry had Independent Runes listed which confused him slightly. He went to the classroom to find again a mixed bag of houses and years.
Professor Foss came in and began to speak.
"As you know this is independent Runes which of course means you work at your own pace. The book has self-tests and when you feel you are ready you may take the standard tests, see me to arrange the time. This classroom will be open Tuesdays after lunch until dinner, Wednesdays after breakfast until lunch, Fridays after dinner until curfew and Sunday afternoons between lunch and dinner. Please be polite and quiet while here. These shelves have reference materials for anyone to use, do not take them out of the room. I should be available during those hours. Any questions? If not you're free to go."
Harry didn't have anything better to do so he pulled out his book and began studying.
That evening was the Gryffindor quidditch team meeting.
Harry, Ron, Katie Bell, Ginny and Andrew Kirke met on the pitch after dinner.
"Why'd we have to meet out here, Potter?" whined Kirke.
"I though we might want to have a fly after we talk, Andrew, you don't have to stay." Said Harry.
"I want to fly after." Said Ron.
"What's she doing here anyways, with you back she isn't on the team." Said Kirke pointing at Ginny.
Ron bristled at Kirke.
"She is on the team Kirke, maybe I should be the one trying out." Said Harry.
"No Harry I want to be a chaser but I'll try out if you want me to." Said Ginny.
"Maybe we should all have to try out, Kirke, you know it's not unheard of for the whole team to have to try for their spots." Said Katie with a frown.
"No that's ok. Why didn't McGonagall make you captain Katie? You've been on the team longer than Potter."
"One I didn't want it. I want to concentrate on my NEWT's and I told McGonagall at the end of last year when I went to protest Harry's ban. Two for you information Harry and I joined the team the same year. I was a second year and he was a first year. I think you need to clean up your attitude Kirke." She turned to Harry expectantly.
"Ok, we need a beater and chaser. I want to hold try outs this weekend. I think if we have some good players try out we might pick some reserves also." Said Harry.
"You won't find any reserve beaters Potter, Sloper and I were the best last year, everyone else sucked. I just don't understand why Sloper didn't come back to school this year. You didn't even play most the year last year. Face it we're going to lose this year you don't know anything about being a Captain." Snarled Kirke.
Everyone else started shouting at Kirke and Harry had to set off a bang with his wand to get them to quiet down.
"Now that's enough. Andrew you don't have to stay on the team if you don't want to. If you aren't going to put forth your best effort we don't want you." Harry glared at Kirke who looked defiant.
"Fine I don't want to be on your stupid team anyways." Snarled Kirke as he stormed off.
Harry stared after him for a moment then shook his head and looked at the others.
"Well, we need two beaters and a chaser then and some reserves if we can. Try outs Saturday at nine; you all need to be here. We are a team and I'm going to have to count on you guys to help me." There were nods all around, "So do you want to fly?"
"Yes, Harry, lets get out a quaffle and the three of us can take turns against Ron here to see if he practiced at all this summer, after all he's the king." Said Katie in a taunting voice.
In the next hour Harry discovered he like playing chaser as well, when he could work with Katie and Ginny. Maybe, he thought, we need to find a reserve seeker as well.