– CHAPTER TWO –
PROFESSOR CLANKSHIP
:Disclaimer – I do now own anything – J K Rowling does:
Harry woke up very early the next morning, and took the time to reflect on what had happened last night. He remembered, with a slight startle, that he didn't know who the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher was. He tried to imagine someone, but nothing came to his head; Dumbledore had not mentioned the subjects at all.
That's probably why he wants us back he thought. Yeah, that'll be it.
Harry didn't trouble himself on the subject anymore and quietly got dressed, watching the sun rise. He opened the window, and watched a tawny, barn and jet-black owl zoom past their window, silhouetted against the sun. It was a cloudy morning, and Harry kept himself busy looking at the odd shapes in the clouds.
The clouds turned this way, and that way…they vanished, and, depending on how near to the rising sun they were, changed colour.
When Dean started to stir, Harry tensed. He didn't want to talk over last night again. Harry crept out of the doors, down the spiral staircase, and sat in his favourite squashy armchair by the rising fire. He shut his eyes and relaxed. He heard people come down the stairs, and, struck by a sudden idea, whispered:
'Accio Cloak!'
He had his cloak within seconds. People appeared down the stairs, chatting, but Harry couldn't see Ron or Hermione. He was about to get up and find Ron, but he found him at the top of the staircase, apparently looking for Harry. Harry climbed up the staircase, prepared to poke Ron, but then he stopped. He was (in spite of himself) quite curious to see what Ron would do when he couldn't find Harry.
Harry had to lean back as Ron ran past him. He looked up at the staircase leading to the girls' dormitory. Ron was in luck; Hermione had just come down the stairs.
'Hermione, quick, come here!' he said. Hermione looked at him inquisitively, but said nothing until she was out of anyone else's earshot.
'What?' she said, her voice low and anxious. 'What's wrong? You're so pale…' she held his arm to get a better look at him in the light. She frowned.
'I don't know where Harry is,' he said in a rush.
Hermione's eyes widened, and she took a step back. Harry felt a rush of guilt. He did no want his friends to feel like this; they both looked very worried and scared.
'Ron, listen to me. We have to go to Dumbledore's thing, or he'll go mad.'
'No,' said Ron forcefully, 'you don't know where he could be…what if You-Know-Who has done something with him?' Hermione ran a hand through her hair, apparently thinking.
Harry had seen enough. He ran to the top of the stairs, and took off the invisibility cloak.
'Ron!' he called, 'Hermione!'
They both looked immensely relieved to see him.
'Harry – where–'
Ron silenced her with a significant look. Pretending he hadn't seen this, Harry led them down to the great hall. As soon as he opened the door, all the heads looked at him. Some people waved. Harry waved back, and sat down in between Ron and Hermione.
'Look, Harry!' said Ron. 'Now we have a new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher.'
Harry poked his head up. He scanned the table, and spotted the new teacher immediately.
Next to Professor Sprout sat a blond witch. Her straw-coloured hair lay in curly locks around her face. She wore sunglasses even though it was September, and pale pink robes to match the handbag on her desk.
'Who is she?' Hermione called out, but not too loudly. She snorted. 'Does she really look like she knows any Dark Arts? The Dark Art of manicures perhaps?'
And, sure enough, as the new teacher leaned forward, her highly manicured nails glinted in the sunlight pouring in. Harry noticed Snape smiling at her, in conversation. This struck Harry as odd; Snape usually hated the Defence against the Dark Arts teacher; why should she be any different?
The Hall soon filled up with many of the yawning students, most of which were complaining loudly; they wanted their breakfast.
Dumbledore stood up, ready to speak to the students. Harry turned his attention away from Snape and the new teacher, and to Dumbledore, instead.
'From all the confusion last night, I myself neglected to mention a few more things.
'Firstly, lessons will start after lunch, due to this assembly. Feel free to have leisure time, although the library will be open–' Harry and Ron exchanged glances, and looked at Hermione, who smiled slightly.
'Secondly, I would like to welcome back an old hand–' Harry and Ron exchanged a fleeting look, '– and I am pleased to say that Professor Snape is trying out for the Defence against the Dark Arts post, which does mean that we have a vacant space for Potions Master.' Dumbledore paused, waiting for applause. None came.
'Oh, no,' whispered Hermione, as Ron and Harry cursed Snape under their breaths. 'I wonder what he'll teach us.'
'What like how to become a Death Eater? How to go over to Voldemort's side? What's Dumbledore doing?' Harry said, now in a tetchy mood, as Ron sniggered. Dumbledore cleared his throat, and the faces flicked back to him.
'As I was saying, we have an open space for Potions Master, which will be filled in by none other than Professor Clankship.' The blond witch smiled and waved. Many students waved back. 'Now,' he resumed, 'Professor Snape will be on trial for this year, consequently meaning that Professor Clankship may only be here for a year. Let us make her feel at home. Welcome her to Hogwarts!'
The students clapped and cheered, partly because she was a great improvement to Snape, and also because the teachers, apart from Dumbledore, Hagrid and Professor Clankship, were looking sternly at the students, as though anyone who doesn't clap will receive an immediate detention.
Professor McGonagall told them to pick up their time tables, and to have a sensible first, second and third term back. Dumbledore waved his wand, and timetables appeared on the four long tables. Harry saw that he had Potions after lunch.
Dumbledore bade them a good lunchtime, and, with a second flick of his wand opened the doors onto the entrance hall. The students milled out of the hall, and a hand clasped Harry on the shoulder. He turned round, and saw Professor McGonagall looking down at him.
'The Headmaster would like to see you, Potter. He is in his office. The password is "Cherry Drop".' And without so much of a 'goodbye' she left him standing amidst the crowds of children.
Harry strode up glumly to Dumbledore's office. He knew he was going to be told off for attacking Hannah. Only this morning, on the way to the Great Hall did Justin, a fellow sixth-year Hufflepuff, tell him that Hannah was still out cold. Although Harry did not care much about her, he was worried on what the teachers would say to him; he did not want to get a bad reputation.
'Cherry drop,' he said dolefully, and the Gargoyle croaked 'Cheer up, boy.'
But Harry's mood went from miserable to worry as he went round and round the moving spiral staircase. The movement stopped, and Harry, feeling quite sick, went to go and knock on the big doors. He knocked twice, and heard footsteps coming. Harry quickly neatened up his uniform as the doors swung open. Dumbledore smiled when he saw him, and welcomed him in. The round office looked identical to when Harry had last been in it, but there were fewer whirring, silver spindly instruments, and Harry felt more pangs of guilt; he had broken them only last year.
'Sit down, Harry.'
Harry hastened to oblige.
'Er, Professor,' Harry said. 'Why did you want to see me?'
'Firstly Harry, I wanted to apologise for leaving you with your Aunt and Uncle for the whole two months. Voldemort is making more kills now, more and more often, too, and I needed to keep you extra safe. I am guessing your Aunt and Uncle took this, er, too far, and ended up locking you in your bedroom.' Harry nodded. 'I was trying to keep you safe.' he repeated. Harry nodded again.
'I also have your books for the next three terms – I understand that you did not have time to get them.'
Dumbledore handed Harry over four books. Harry read the titles under his breath.
'Standard book of spell's Grade 5, Expert Potion making, the Dark Arts and Expert Transfiguration,' he raised his voice. 'Thanks for getting these, Professor.'
'Not at all, Harry. It was the least I can do.'
Harry asked if he could go for lunch, and Dumbledore, with a half laugh let him out of his office.
'Bye, Professor!' he said looking over his shoulder.
'Bye, Harry,' Dumbledore called back.
As soon as Harry had got to the common room, he found Ron and Hermione waiting for him.
'Thank goodness,' exclaimed Hermione, 'Where've you been? We couldn't find you this morning, either. Are you OK?' she added, seeing Harry topple over the weight of his new, rather thick, books.
'New books,' Harry gasped.
He put them away in the Dormitory, and came down with his full bag.
'Hurry, Harry! We only have a bit of Lunch Break left!'
All three of them hurried down into the corridor. They took a secret passageway, and were only one Tapestry away from the entrance hall when Ron stubbed his toe and swore rather loudly.
'Ron!' Hermione said, but she helped him up from the ground, wiping the dust on him absent-mindedly.
Harry, however looked at the object Ron had tripped over, and, with a gasp, realised that it was Neville's bag.
'Lumos!'
Harry looked around, using his wand as a source of light.
'Hermione,' said Harry, and she whipped around, 'what do you think Neville's bag's doing here?'
'Dunno,' said Ron's voice.
'We'll give him his bag in Defence against the Dark Arts, but, come on we need to get to lunch,' She was now sounding quite hysterical, 'we won't be able to concentrate,' she looked rather pale in the wand light. 'Or do work, or, or, or …'
And she collapsed backwards, strait into Ron, who clumsily caught her. Harry would have laughed at Ron's face if he hadn't had been worried about Hermione.
'Let's just float her down to the Hospital Wing, shall we?' Ron said edgily. Harry raised his eyebrows, but not wanting to carry Hermione all the way down, nodded.
'Wingardium Leviosa! Ha! I'm getting good at this!' he added, because Hermione floated gracefully up in the air, as though she was lying on an invisible bed.
Harry saw Ron gaze fondly at his spell work before getting out the other side of the tapestry. They ran (Hermione floated) to just outside of the Hospital Wing, but Harry stopped Ron as he was about to go in.
'We can't walk in with her floating, remember?' said Harry. 'She'll go mad. Here – Finite!' Hermione dropped in to Ron's arms, and Ron's ears went pink, and he staggered slightly under the weight. Harry allowed himself a laugh; Ron chuckled despite himself.
'Madame Pomfrey! Can you revive her?' called Harry.
'We think she only fainted, but…' Ron's voice trailed off, as he put Hermione gently onto the nearest, unoccupied bed; Hannah Abbott was in the nearest one to the door. Her eyes were flickering madly, and she was conversing with someone only she could see.
Hermione's arm's twitched, as Madame Pomfrey strode into the Wing.
'Fainted?' she said briskly. 'She's the fifth one today! It must be the weather, or something…Enervate!'
Hermione's eyes opened lazily, and then she bolted upright so quickly that Ron jumped back.
'We are going to miss out lessons at this rate, come on, quick!' she said, casting around for the door. She leapt out of her bed, and positively ran for it, just as the bell rang. Ron sighed, thanked Madame Pomfrey, and he and Harry ran after her.
'Made it,' said Ron, triumphantly. Hermione and Harry were both clutching stitches in their sides; they were both shorter, and so had more space to run.
'Come in,' Came Professor Clankship's voice. It was a humanly voice, and was fairly light hearted. Harry prepared himself to have the best Potions lesson he had had in a while.
Although Harry, Ron and Hermione took their usual seats at the back, they (among the whole class) were listening silently; they had no idea how strict she would be.
Professor Clankship brandished her wand from her bag, and tapped the huge blackboard lightly. Her name, in loopy signature writing wrote on the board.
'Good afternoon,' she began, and Harry was unhappily reminded of Umbridge, and one glance at Ron and Hermione told him that they, too, felt insulted. Harry snapped his head back to the front. 'Your old Potions Master, Professor Snape has already told me that you are at a high level. Although he has warned me of several people –' Neville gulped, and the class laughed, including Neville and Professor Clankship. 'Now, now, I am sure you are all adapted Potion Brewers, and I would like you to prove me right! Ingredients that you shouldn't have are –' she flicked her wand, '–on my desk. Please help yourselves, but remember – go along the lines that I have given.
Hermione put up her hand.
'Please, Professor Clankship – '
'Call me Valerie, dear.'
'Alright ... Valerie, er, how do we make the potion?
'Oh! Sorry, there dear –' she rapped the board with her wand, and instructions came up on it, '– and you'll be…'
'Hermione Granger, Miss.'
'Valerie.'
'Sorry, Miss,' said Hermione, and Ron laughed.
They found to potion much easier to make than usual, but this was not because the potion was any easier, but because Clankship would help them if they would get stuck. By the end of the lesson, she had been round every one (she went round Neville three times) suggesting improvements. Only Hermione did not need to improve, earning her ten points for Gryffindor.
'Now all you need to do for Homework is to write down what this potions does. I'd like half a roll of parchment, please. Off you go.' She added, as the bell rang.
They traipsed off to Herbology and spent an interesting lesson learning about plants that can cause death, and were immediately bombarded with an essay (with pictures) on these eradicating plants.
'Well,' said Ron, 'at least we only had a half day.'
'S'pose so,' said Harry, who was suddenly rather tired, 'but we should to do the essay now.' Ron groaned.
'You know, you've only been working a half day and you're already complaining!' she snapped. 'Can you not just work? Will it kill you just for once?' And she strode across the vegetable patches to the entrance hall.
Ron looked rather alarmed, but he maintained his ground.
'It's only the first day. Want a game of Chess?'
Harry smiled inwardly, but secretly agreed with Hermione. We should really do some work, he thought. I don't want to be really for behind …
'What's the password?' Ron asked Harry; they were at the portrait hole.
'Canis Meus,' he said promptly.
'Correct!' said the fat lady, swinging open to let them in.
Harry spent the rest of the evening in a Chess match with Ron, being over watched by a huffy Hermione.
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