Chapter 3

Classes

Kerri and Harry were the first ones down to the Gryffindor tables the next morning. " Morning sunshine.So how are you going to deal with Oliver?" Harry asked her casually. Kerri gave him a dirty look. "He's just going to be teaching here anyways and it's not like he's competent enough to teach me anything in the first place." Kerri said. "You know that may be the first time I've agreed with you on something Miss McLand." Draco Malfoy said from behind her. "No it's the second time we both hated Lockhart anyways Malfoy what the bloody hell do you want." Kerri murmured. "To talk to you privately I have something that might prove to be useful to us both." "I doubt it." Kerri smirked. "If you doubt it then what are you afraid to listen to me?" Kerri glared at him. Harry stood up with fist clenched. Oliver walked over.

"Is there a problem?" He asked trying to catch Kerri's eye. Kerri looked down at the floor, ceiling anywhere but at him. "Yes there is a problem when a teacher is trying to hit on a student. I should go to McGonagall." "I am not and since when did you ever care about breaking the rules you little – "Name calling is a not a teacher's aid Professor Wood kindly take to the staff table please. Malfoy if you're causing trouble again like that stunt you pulled with Miss Potter on the train I will take one hundred points from Slytherin now scoot." "Draco Malfoy if your talking to Kerri again I will have your hide!" Stacy snapped from the entrance way. Draco hurried over to her. Snape looked pleased.

"He has some nerve." Kerri muttered. "Yes we all hate Draco." Harry said. "Amen to that. How long have you two been down here?" Ron asked as he and Hermione sat down with them. Hermione and Kerri exchanged frozen smiles. Harry shook his head. "No I was talking about Oliver and what's he coming over here for." Kerri said angrily she looked like she was trying to fight back tears. "It might be a little more convincing if you hadn't slept with him and you were calling him Professor." Hermione told her. "What would you know about life? You're to scared to even sleep with the one you like let alone ask him if he likes you. And that makes you completely miserable thinking if you know more maybe people would like you more if you're a know it all only the plan didn't work quite that well so you hide behind the books some more! Am I write?" Hermione slammed her book down grabbed her book bag and was about to stand up. "Um Hermione they haven't passed out schedules yet and you've still got your fork and spilling egg into my lap." Ron pointed out. Hermione glared at him as she sat down. "What Harry and I like you." "So do I." Ginny said. "What's this about? Do I even want to know?" Ginny asked Harry. Harry smiled at her his heart thumping loudly in his chest. Why was she making him dizzy? Was his hands supposed to be sweating like that?

Fortunately before all hell broke loose Professor McGonagall came by with the class schedules. "Here you are." Kerri took hers and moaned. "What?" "We have DADA first." Kerri said. "So?" Professor McGonagall said giving her a warning look. "So? I absolutely loathe that teacher." "Respect the professors." McGonagall sighed. Parvati and Lavender giggled. Kerri glared at them. Melissa patted her shoulder. "Buck up shoulder things will be better as the day progresses." "I have double potions with Snape. How the hell is that better?" Kerri demanded. "Um my sympathies." "I'm still wondering how we got in." Harry said looking at his and Ron's schedules. "There's a reason why Dumbledore's headmaster." "Uh huh. Maybe he can fire Oliver." "Professor." Professor McGonagall moved down the table.

The morning owl arrived and Errol and Kerri's own pet owl Star arrived at the table. Both with letters from her. "Fred wrote you." Ron said confused. "He must think your pretty." Ginny said giggling. Kerri smiled and opened both letters. The first one was from the McLands.

Dear Kerri,

We are sorry we could not be there to see you off to school. We miss having you back at home but we all must remember that a magical education is the more important thing here. Please try and stay out of trouble this year and no more detentions with Professor Snape. Draco is turning into a fine young man and we hope that instead of hexing him you will get to know him more. Please owl us back to let us know how your first week of school went.

Sincerely,

Ella and Martin McLand

Kerri opened Fred's letter more eagerly. She liked it when her best friends actually kept in touch with her.

Dear Kerri,

How are you doing? It's already too quiet here without you. Sometimes I can convince George to cause trouble with me but I think he's gone soft. (Smiles.) Anyways. We've been busy in the Joke Shop. We might do an Order mission soon. Can't say much more than it involves a hostile take over of Azkaban. And by that I don't mean us. I think you know who I'm talking to. Can't write more here. Too dangerous. We'll talk in person if you come Christmas. I sent an owl to your parents before you left and they've replied and said you can come so I don't see any reason for you not to be there! (I will come and hunt you down if you're not.)
Best Friend,

Fred Weasley

Kerri folded them up and got ready for class.

Kerri walked as slow as she could to the DADA class room. She sat between Dean and Melissa. Draco and his cronies sat behind her. Oliver tried to catch her eye again but she ignored him. Even during roll call. "Miss Potter are you present or not?" Oliver asked exasperated for the tenth time. Some of the girls giggled. "Oh were you talking ahem Professor? I'm sorry. Yes I am here." "Marked absence for her cheek and five points from Gryffindor." "Oh maybe he'll give you a date in detention next." Lavender teased. "What an idea that Kerri could date such a looser when she could have me." Draco sung. Kerri threw her arm forward and swung back. There was a crunching crack and Kerri looked pleased with herself.

"Detention Miss Potter and Malfoy up to the hospital with you. Stacy Snape if you don't put that wand away you'll get a private audience with me too." Oliver said. "Your boyfriends cheating on you Potter." "Yes well so is yours." Kerri snapped. "Any more signs of violence in this class room and I shall report it to the headmaster." "Yes sir." "Today we will be discussing dark creatures like the Vampire and how you would defend yourself. Tell me what is the difference between a vampire and a normal man."
Kerri and Hermione raised their hands. So did Dean and Seamus. "Yes Miss Potter oh that's right your absent. What is it then?" Oliver asked her. "A man is someone like your friend whereas a vampire doesn't write for a year apparently killing all the owls that deliver post for lack of blood." Kerri said. Oliver looked sad but was trying to regain control of the situation. "Five points from Gryffindor now who can tell me the real difference. Miss Potter I'd like to you after class." Oliver said. A couple of girls made kissing noises mostly Slytherin but Lavender and Parvati joined in. Kerri glared at them sneaking out her wand. They stopped. Kerri hexed Malfoy twice a day without hesitating and she knew some damn good ones.

Kerri walked up to the desk after class. Oliver made all the students leave. "Look I'm sorry what more can I do?" Oliver asked. "What are you talking about?" Kerri asked him. "Don't play confused. You know our history damn well as I do. I'm willing not to fight I want you." Oliver said touching her arms. "Don't touch me. I don't know what your talking about you are delusional. Besides I love Fred and you love Angelina." Kerri said. "Fred? Fred will really make you happy now there's a winner." "You're just sore." "Maybe I am because I love you and no she broke up with me because all I'd talk about was you." "Then why didn't you write me." "I don't know." Oliver said. "But I am sorry." "That isn't enough for me and you could ruin your job here. No I'm putting my foot firmly down here NO. I'll see you in detention Professor what time shall I be here?" Oliver looked at her sadly. "Right after dinner no later." "Do I need to take a note to my head of house?" Oliver handed her a pink slip. Kerri grabbed her book bag dropping things and falling over. Kerri walked to the door her hand was on it when, "I'm not giving up for you I love you you know."

Kerri walked down to the dudgeons feeling lots of dread. "Welcome back. If you even fail once I will kick you out." "Not that'd we'd be sorry to go." "Miss Potter when will you learn your place?" Professor Snape said as the eight students took out their begs and equipment. "Um when you're not my teacher?" Kerri asked. "Ten points from Gryffindor for your cheek." Snape said. It was a grudging respect that Kerri and Snape held for each other. No matter how much disgusting work for detention he made her do or what kind of detention she had always been brave enough to stand up to him in the classroom. And she was a good potion student at that. He never said so but he almost never had any negative thing to say except the potion might be the wrong color occasionally. Kerri certainly had no trouble answering him back she claimed she liked detention. Harry claimed he didn't like one of his chasers in detention during practice. So Kerri'd stay up later to study and practice sneaking out in the dead of night too. Harry grudgingly helped her sometimes.

"So what's everyone schedule like?" Dean asked everyone at lunch time. "A pain in my arse." Kerri said taking a bite of beef stroganoff. "DADA three days in a row plus double potions but I am so glad I gave that up." Melissa had indeed achieved an O in Potions but she refused to study again with Snape. Melissa was an excellent student but unlike Hermione hated being the center of attention and flaunting it. Sometimes she wouldn't even answer questions in class so people didn't know. You'd always see her reading though. For example that lunch she was reading the NEWT DADA book a head start on Hermione."Yes well with Malfoy asking me out every so often it's just been so jolly hasn't it. I do like McGonagall's class and Charms." McGonagall's and Charms were during the afternoons on those days.

Most of the students were in the NEWT Transfiguration class who had passed McGonagall's standards. Kerri might be a trouble maker but McGonagall had always liked her she was smart and reminded her of Lilly Potter. She might be a trouble maker but she was also an excellent student having beaten or tied with Hermione.

"Yes Miss Potter what is it?" Professor McGonagall asked. "I um have detention." Kerri said looking down at her feet handing her the pass. "On the first day you did promise me you'd try." Professor McGonagall moaned. "Did you really smack Draco Malfoy and break his nose?" She asked shocked. "Yes well he thought I might go out with him see." "Where on earth would he get a notion like that?" "Professor?" Kerri said shocked. Minerva shook her head. "Potter will you be all right in detention with?" "We won't be having a make out session if that's what you mean." Kerri said. Professor McGonagall sighed. "Well all right meet me for tea afternoon during lunch." "Yes ma'am."

Kerri sat down a desk next to Harry. "Hey what happened are you all right?" Harry whispered. "How do you think I am the stupid git actually had the nerve to tell me he loved me." "Actually I think he does." Harry whispered. "Why on earth are you helping him?" Kerri snarled. Ron looked up and so did Hermione. "No talking in class." Hermione snapped. "Lovely to see you two Hermioninny."
McGonagall had them all working on their own Big Projects. Hermione was transfiguring and making a miniature city with doll houses and dolls. Harry and Ron were working on becoming Animagus with Kerri. This action had been Ministry approved. It had to be plus McGonagall was not about to help with anything against the law unless it concerned against Voldemort.

Professor Flitwick was a really good teacher. Time really seemed to fly in that class and Kerri loved learning it. Maybe she didn't do so well on the writing part but the actual spell work she loved. They learned how to charm the wine bottles to sing and pour out in a fancy way to the guest. Something fun to start the term with.

After dinner Kerri knocked on the DADA classroom. "Come in." Oliver said. Kerri looked at him. "Well this way." Oliver led her into his private quarters. Kerri had never seen the teacher's room before. It was like the student's dorm rooms only they didn't have to share. Oliver had Gryffindor colors on the wall and Quidditch bedspread. Kerri looked at him. She saw two empty bookshelves and two boxes of books.

Oliver walked over to her and slipped his arm around her. "Professor I – "I heard you were calling me by my first name." Oliver whispered. "Professor." "Or maybe you're just too chicken shit to say it." Oliver said. Kerri glared at him. "Oliver." "Look I don't expect you to forgive me right away and a lot of groveling will have to be done on my part. I hope you will I don't know what my poor broken heart will do." Oliver said. "You're the one who broke it Professor." Kerri said. "Yes well we've all seen how stupid I was and I love you." Oliver kissed her. They broke apart when they heard Professor Snape yelling. "STACY SNAPE! HOW DARE WHEN I FIND HIM I'M – Kerri and Oliver laughed. "Just like old times yeah?" Kerri looked at him. "No. We can't go back some books are not to be reopened and read." Kerri said. "I'm not giving up not yet." Oliver handed her a sealed letter. "What's this?" Kerri asked. "The reason I never wrote you at least read it and answer me. I was afraid."

Oliver walked away and Kerri shelved the books for the rest of the night. "Good job thanks that'll save me loads of trouble." Oliver told her. "So not welcome." Kerri had stuck the letter in her pocket. She had no intention of reading it whatsoever. Kerri was walking back to Gryffindor tower when someone grabbed her from behind and held a sword to her throat.

"Don't move an inch or I'll kill you!" "Filch what the fuck?" Kerri murmured struggling. "Yes it's me and I'll kill all of you in your bed." "You're a squib." "Squibs have weapons too!" Filch screamed. "That's the wrong end of the blade." Kerri murmured sweat pouring down her face. "Expellarmus!" A voice shouted ahead. "Accio sword!" A voice from behind. Harry came walking up with the sword in his hands. Filch let go of Kerri too and a spell was cast to tie Filch's tie his hands. Oliver was working those.

"I had a feeling I should be taking a walk tonight." Harry said. "Oh Harry." Kerri hugged Oliver who looked very pleased. "Walk her back to the Gryffindor common room and I'll take this piece of shit to Dumbledore." Harry nodded. Kerri went straight to bed without a word and ignored Hermione's inquisitive looks.