Wednesday morning was the first time Harry and his friends had their
Defense Against the Dark Arts class. None of the other classes had been
willing to tell them who the new teacher was.
They settled into their seats. Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Renata all in a row, waiting for their professor.
"Professor Dumbledore? Is the professor teaching our class ill today?" Hermione asked the Headmaster.
"I'm no worse than usual. You see, I shall teach this class this year. Now, you all have a lot to learn and not much time to do it in. This is your final year at Hogwarts and it is important for you all to know the risks you will be facing daily upon leaving this safe haven we like to call a school. Any questions before we get started?"
Dean raised his hand. "If you're the professor, Professor, then who is going to be the Headmaster?"
"I am. I am capable of doing two things at once. If I pay close enough attention I can even walk and talk at the same time. If there are no further questions we shall begin. First off, let us start with corruption in government and recognizing it. You will all soon be participating in our government and it's important for you to know what you are dealing with and what you need to expect. The Ministry has led us astray before, and now more than ever you young adults need to be aware of what it is that you will face. Now, everyone, I am sure you are all aware of who our current Minister of Magic is. Can anyone tell me?"
Every hand shot up. The new minister had been elected the year before and they all knew who it was despite the fact that they had nothing to do with the election process. Mundungus Fletcher. Personally, Harry and Ron didn't trust the man but still being students they had no say in the matter.
"Very good. It's surprising how many young people often don't read the paper. You must learn to read between the lines and never bluntly accept what you are told. It is imperative for you to understand this. Within the walls of your homes and the walls of Hogwarts you have been well- protected."
Harry snorted. Nearly being killed was well protected?
Dumbledore looked sharply at him but then his face softened and so did his voice, "Most of the time. But you are children no longer. You must forge your own path in life and that's what this class is about. Survival. How many of you will be here 5 months from now if things with Voldemort get out of hand? I'm here to open your eyes. Is there anyone here who does not wish to continue listening to me speak this way? You don't have to."
Parvati and Lavender raised their hands. They'd gone pale while Dumbledore had been speaking. "I don't want to hear this!" whispered Lavender.
Dumbledore nodded. "I knew not everyone would feel up to this." He took out two pairs of pink sunglasses, earplugs, and two slim books entitled "Defending Yourself Against the Worst". "Here you go, girls. These are rose-colored glasses and these are Bad Thought Earplugs. The rose- colored glasses will make everything seem normal. The earplugs will allow you to do your work and think that I'm up here teaching what's in that book. Please do chapter 1 and answer the questions at the end of it."
They hesitated before putting the earplugs in their ears and putting on the rose-colored glasses but they did it and began on the work Dumbledore assigned them.
"As I was saying, this is a survival class. I have nine months to teach you how to live. Are you ready?" There was an intensity in Dumbledore's eyes that Harry had rarely seen. It sent chills up his spine. "Those that would fight against you have no rules. They will fight to win at any cost, but if you follow their example you are no better than they are. Remember that always. A life gone can never be regained, nothing cures death."
At the end of the lesson Dumbledore asked Harry to stay.
"I feel it only fair to warn you of what you will be facing this year, Harry. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, this will by far be your most difficult year. I know already that dispite all my precautions he will find you. Be ready."
"Yes, Professor."
"Take this. You need only sound it and I will come to your aid at need." He handed Harry a curious looking whistle shaped rather like a miniature version of the hunting horns used back in the medieval days, no bigger than a whistle. It appeared to be made of bone or horn and engraved with silver and it hung upon a fine silver chain. "It will make no noise but I shall know."
Harry's mouth had gone dry and he barely croaked out the words, "Thank you, sir."
"Tell no one of the horn. But know this too, Harry: the last battle approaches."
Harry nodded. A final fight between he and Voldemort. Ever since his fourth year he'd known that it would only be a matter of time.
**************************************** Alright, I'm kind of winging now. I've past the stuff I wrote months ago so everything from here on out is fresh. Hope you're enjoying this. Read and Review as always.
They settled into their seats. Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Renata all in a row, waiting for their professor.
"Professor Dumbledore? Is the professor teaching our class ill today?" Hermione asked the Headmaster.
"I'm no worse than usual. You see, I shall teach this class this year. Now, you all have a lot to learn and not much time to do it in. This is your final year at Hogwarts and it is important for you all to know the risks you will be facing daily upon leaving this safe haven we like to call a school. Any questions before we get started?"
Dean raised his hand. "If you're the professor, Professor, then who is going to be the Headmaster?"
"I am. I am capable of doing two things at once. If I pay close enough attention I can even walk and talk at the same time. If there are no further questions we shall begin. First off, let us start with corruption in government and recognizing it. You will all soon be participating in our government and it's important for you to know what you are dealing with and what you need to expect. The Ministry has led us astray before, and now more than ever you young adults need to be aware of what it is that you will face. Now, everyone, I am sure you are all aware of who our current Minister of Magic is. Can anyone tell me?"
Every hand shot up. The new minister had been elected the year before and they all knew who it was despite the fact that they had nothing to do with the election process. Mundungus Fletcher. Personally, Harry and Ron didn't trust the man but still being students they had no say in the matter.
"Very good. It's surprising how many young people often don't read the paper. You must learn to read between the lines and never bluntly accept what you are told. It is imperative for you to understand this. Within the walls of your homes and the walls of Hogwarts you have been well- protected."
Harry snorted. Nearly being killed was well protected?
Dumbledore looked sharply at him but then his face softened and so did his voice, "Most of the time. But you are children no longer. You must forge your own path in life and that's what this class is about. Survival. How many of you will be here 5 months from now if things with Voldemort get out of hand? I'm here to open your eyes. Is there anyone here who does not wish to continue listening to me speak this way? You don't have to."
Parvati and Lavender raised their hands. They'd gone pale while Dumbledore had been speaking. "I don't want to hear this!" whispered Lavender.
Dumbledore nodded. "I knew not everyone would feel up to this." He took out two pairs of pink sunglasses, earplugs, and two slim books entitled "Defending Yourself Against the Worst". "Here you go, girls. These are rose-colored glasses and these are Bad Thought Earplugs. The rose- colored glasses will make everything seem normal. The earplugs will allow you to do your work and think that I'm up here teaching what's in that book. Please do chapter 1 and answer the questions at the end of it."
They hesitated before putting the earplugs in their ears and putting on the rose-colored glasses but they did it and began on the work Dumbledore assigned them.
"As I was saying, this is a survival class. I have nine months to teach you how to live. Are you ready?" There was an intensity in Dumbledore's eyes that Harry had rarely seen. It sent chills up his spine. "Those that would fight against you have no rules. They will fight to win at any cost, but if you follow their example you are no better than they are. Remember that always. A life gone can never be regained, nothing cures death."
At the end of the lesson Dumbledore asked Harry to stay.
"I feel it only fair to warn you of what you will be facing this year, Harry. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, this will by far be your most difficult year. I know already that dispite all my precautions he will find you. Be ready."
"Yes, Professor."
"Take this. You need only sound it and I will come to your aid at need." He handed Harry a curious looking whistle shaped rather like a miniature version of the hunting horns used back in the medieval days, no bigger than a whistle. It appeared to be made of bone or horn and engraved with silver and it hung upon a fine silver chain. "It will make no noise but I shall know."
Harry's mouth had gone dry and he barely croaked out the words, "Thank you, sir."
"Tell no one of the horn. But know this too, Harry: the last battle approaches."
Harry nodded. A final fight between he and Voldemort. Ever since his fourth year he'd known that it would only be a matter of time.
**************************************** Alright, I'm kind of winging now. I've past the stuff I wrote months ago so everything from here on out is fresh. Hope you're enjoying this. Read and Review as always.
