chapter three

The door was slammed shut as Professor Popplewell walked into the dark room. She walked up to her desk and without saying a word; she flicked her wand in the direction of a small bowl. Harry glanced at Ron, who shrugged.

"Are we going to spend this whole class in the dark? Or has this school finally spent money on something useful...something else than hiring dumb inadequate teachers..." Harry spun around and saw Malfoy laughing quietly with Blaise. Malfoy looked ahead of him and saw Harry turned around, staring at him and Blaise. Malfoy inched closer to Harry's face until their noses were four inches apart. Harry was too stubborn to move, but in reality, he was a little more than intimidated. "Yes, Potter?" Malfoy smirked, and Harry squinted, glaring at him. All of a sudden, Harry felt someone tugging on his sleeve. He looked over his shoulder and saw Ron tugging hard on his shirt. Harry looked up and saw Professor Popplewell standing in front of him, staring blankly at him.

"Harry Potter is it?" She asked emotionless. Harry swallowed and nodded. She smiled and flicked her wand. The windows cracked open, letting light and fresh air into the room. "Well I think we should take five points from Gryffindor for delaying my class." Harry and Ron sighed while Malfoy laughed. Professor Popplewell walked over to where the white-blonde haired boy was sitting. "Mr. Malfoy, do not think I take sides. I'm also taking five points from Slytherin for antagonizing." Malfoy's laughter quickly faded as Ron and Harry smiled at each other. Professor Popplewell smiled and walked to the front of the class.

"Every class at Hogwarts is important in the Wizarding world. Some teachers feel that their subject is more important than others….And I am no exception." Harry and Ron laughed lightly. "Defense Against the Dark Arts, is in my book, the most important class you can take. Especially…now." Harry heard very quiet laughter from where Malfoy was sitting, directly behind him. "As the majority of you know, Voldemort has returned, along with most of his followers," There were only a couple of gasps at the mention of his name, including Ron. "People are working very hard to build forces against him. That does not mean that you students will be immune to facing and seeing him yourselves. Just because you are not as big of a threat as more powerful wizards, you are finally of age, and you are still a threat to him." Harry felt something hit the back of his head. He rubbed the spot with his calloused hand as he heard laughter behind him. "The time may come when you come face to face with him and you are facing life or death." Harry felt something else hit his head. He took one deep breath; he couldn't afford to have another outburst in the first ten, no five minutes of class. "I want you to be able to protect yourself from certain spells and techniques. One person in this class has faced Voldemort on four different occasions—"

"MALFOY!" Harry yelled as he spun around, now facing a very pleased Malfoy. "WHAT have you been throwing at my head?" Malfoy snickered and crossed his arms across his chest. He sighed as he leaned back against his chair.

"I don't know what you are talking about Potter."

"YES, you do Malfoy. You've been throwing things at me this whole class period!" Malfoy glared at Harry for his outburst and leaned in slowly towards him.

"No Potter, I was not throwing things at you!" Malfoy said eerily calm. Harry laughed sarcastically, surprised that this brawl had continued this far without interruption.

"Fine Malfoy…if you're just too cowardly to own up to it…." Harry's emerald green eyes now showed a sign of hatred as Malfoy opened his mouth in shock.

"DON'T CALL ME A COWARD, POTTER!" Malfoy pushed Harry back, nearly causing Harry to lose his balance. Malfoy's voice increased in volume. His cheeks began to flush, and his eyes sparked with anger. "I HAVE DONE THINGS YOU COULD NEVER DO!" Malfoy stood up and Harry followed.

"LIKE WHAT! GETTING THE DARK MARK BRANDED IN YOUR ARM! Oh yeah, that's a big accomplishment!" They both reached for their wands, wanting and ready to fight, but Professor Popplewell summoned for their wands first.

"That's ENOUGH." Her voice was louder than the both of theirs, causing a silence in the classroom. "The two of you, OUTSIDE, NOW!" Harry couldn't help but glare at Malfoy as they reluctantly walked outside, Professor Popplewell soon followed. She closed the door behind her, leaving her and the two boys standing in the hallway.

"For starters boys, I will be taking 35 points from both your houses," No noises or signs of complaint came from the two of them; they knew they were getting what they deserved. "Listen to me," She said with authority. "I was not expecting anything like this from anyone that is taking my N.E.W.T class, especially someone from the 7th years. Professor McGonagall has told me about your animosity for each other, but you will not show any signs of dislike in my classroom, you will be civil, understand?" The two nodded. "Good. Also, we will not be spreading rumors in or during my class." She turned to Harry.

"But he does—" Professor Popplewell silenced Harry before he could finish.

"Do you know that for sure Harry?" He shook his head slowly. "Exactly, and Draco, do not throw things at my pupils." Malfoy finally looked her in the eye.

"But I didn't—"

"Don't lie Draco, it's a nasty habit. In addition to the points that will be removed, you will have detention twice this week with Filch. I'm almost positive your detention will take place on Tuesday and Thursday for two hours apiece. Now, since our class has only yet begun, I would like to go back and not have any other disturbances. You two don't have to love each other, just … behave." She opened the door and stepped through, Malfoy followed, and Harry came in last. As Harry sat down, Ron passed him a questioning look. Harry would tell him later.

"Now that I can officially get this class started, I will begin with introducing myself. We will be spending all of this year together, so I think it would be best if you actually called me by the correct name. I am Silva Popplewell. Inside class I would like to be called Professor Popplewell, and the rest of the times…call me Professor Popplewell." She extracted a few giggles from two girls in the back as she smiled and moved on. "Today we will be working with fears. We are only vulnerable with what we fear and what we want. On very rare occasions, those are the same things. I want you all to write down what you fear the most on a spare piece of parchment and then place it in this goblet." She pointed to the bowl placed on her table. "I will then teach you how to master your fear, how to beat it." People began scribbling down on pieces of paper and Harry paused to think.

What do I fear...This is exactly like a boggart I suppose? So I guess I should put dementor? Yet…that doesn't seem right…I can conquer those now…what's something I fear…

Then, with one swift movement, he wrote down his answer: 'death'. He looked at it and nodded. He got up and waited in line to put his parchment into the goblet. When he reached the front of the line, he was surprised to see a fog coming out of the goblet. He dropped his paper, and saw it vanish. He quickly took his seat.

After another couple of minutes, everyone was seated and anxiously awaiting Professor Popplewell's lesson. She flicked her wand gracefully and a piece of paper soared into her hand. Unlike the goblet of fire where the papers were burnt, this piece of parchment seemed a little damp. She smiled when she read the paper.

"Ahh… yes, very common. I suppose that's why the goblet chose this. Well, our first lesson is how to conquer darkness. Now, this may seem elementary, but horrible things can happen in the dark. Now, we all know the spell 'lumos' creates a small speck of light, but I'm sorry to say it wont be that easy. Now I would like someone who put this down as their answer to come to the front of the room. Be brave now…" A couple seconds later, Padma walked up to the front of the room. "Wonderful…now, how long have you been afraid of the dark?" Padma blushed.

"Well, I think since I was about nine when my family got lost in the woods one night." Padma said quietly. Professor Popplewell nodded and motioned for Padma to come next to her.

"Okay well first I'm going to say the spell name. And by the way, all of you should be taking notes." Everyone in the class immediately took out their quill and notebooks. "Excellent. So the incantation is simply Lucienad Protego. What this will do is create almost a circle of light around your body. It will vary in size, depending on how dark it is, and how much power you give. I will demonstrate with the lights on." Professor Popplewell stepped a couple feet away from Padma, and had the class captivated. Harry shifted in his seat to get a better view. "One… two… three…. LUCIENAD PROTEGO!" She said loudly. Not even a few seconds later, she was illuminated by a very bright light. It was all around her body, around eight feet in diameter. Harry shielded his eyes as the Professor disabled her spell. There was applause from the students.

"Well yes, it looks easy enough but I will now tell you how to focus your energy into one point. To perform this spell, you need to have utmost concentration and control. You must first think about the energy you feel in your body and converting it to light. You need to picture it. Then as you say the incantation, you release your energy in one swift movement. If you separate your energy, hence doing it incorrectly, you might faint. Now, I am going to simply dim the lights and Padma, you are going to try." Padma nodded, but she was obviously nervous. Harry didn't want to think if he would have to go up and try, but he surely didn't want to. Professor Popplewell slowly dimmed the lights and Padma shifted. She closed her eyes and you could see the concentration on her face. Then after a couple moments, she finally nodded and began.

"Lucienad Protego!" A very small aura of light surrounded her body, but it obviously was not bad by the appearance of the Professor's reaction.

"Wonderful! That was amazing for a first timer. Alright, only once more, then I'll give everyone free time to practice in pairs."

Padma tried once more, but only produced a smaller aura, leaving her quite dizzy. Ron and Harry jumped to their feet, they eagerly wanted to try. They separated themselves from everyone else by choosing a dusty corner.

"So what did the Professor say when she took you out of the room?" Ron asked as soon as they two of them got situated. Harry sighed.

"Well she's taking 35 more points from Gryffindor and Slytherin…and Malfoy and I have detention on Tuesday and Thursday." Ron grumbled.

"That blows Harry!" Harry shrugged. "Are you and Malfoy doing the detentions together?" Harry paused a moment to think.

"I'm not sure…I mean…I'm pretty sure." Just then Professor Popplewell came over to see how they were doing, and then forced Ron and Harry to show her what they had accomplished. Ron couldn't stop staring at her, so Harry went first. Harry managed a rather impressive looking aura for not practicing, but Ron created an aura that had a purplish tint and only covered his head. She quickly said a charm to take it away, and couldn't help but laugh as she walked away. Ron turned towards Harry.

"How come I always embarrass myself in front of pretty women?" Harry laughed as Ron gave him an evil glare.

After Defense Against the Dark Arts, Harry was feeling more than just a little tired. He didn't exactly want to go to Charms, but at least Hermione would be in this class with him. He said goodbye to Ron, who was now glowing purple, as he walked towards the infirmary. Harry met up with Hermione and smiled.

"How was History of Magic?" Harry asked sarcastically, and Hermione smiled as they walked into Charms.

"Actually, it was quite good. We mostly said what our favorite time in history was and we did individual research. How was Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor Popplewell? Is she good?" The two took seats in the second row, and Harry stretched.

"Yeah, it was amazing. She began to teach us how to conquer our fears. By the end, we were all able to do two. Have you heard of 'Lucienad Protego' and 'Serpemuna Estraccio'?" Hermione's jaw dropped. "…Hermione?" Harry asked as he rubbed his eye.

"Harry…those are really advanced level magic spells. No wonder you're tired! Well I'm glad she's good and not another imposter." Harry nodded as a yawn escaped his mouth. In reality, the last thing he wanted to do was listen to Professor Flitwick for fifty minutes, let alone have to pay attention.

The next thing he knew, Harry felt a sharp pain in his side. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Hermione poking him with her wand. He was about to yell at her for poking him, but then he saw why. Class was almost over, and Professor Flitwick was coming around to see how they had completed their tasks. They were supposed to be working in partners, but Hermione had been doing all the work. As Flitwick came around, Harry began shifting in his seat, but Hermione settled him down.

"Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter…lets see how well you have been doing…" Professor Flitwick waved his wand in front of an origami crane, and the crane flew around in a spiral. "Well done! Five points for Gryffindor; this is the best I've seen on the first try…but of course…Hermione Granger. Well, well done then." As he left, Harry turned to Hermione.

"Thanks Hermione…I don't know why I'm so tired all of a sudden!" Hermione laughed.

"Well I do, it's because of those spells. I'm telling you Harry, those are REALLY advanced. Most seventh years can't even do five successfully by the end of the year. You all are already mostly done with two, that's really impressive."

As the two of them walked towards the Great Hall for lunch, Harry looked around the corner and saw Malfoy snogging Pansy. Malfoy's hand was up her shirt, exposing her stomach. She was backed up against a wall and Malfoy was clearly dominating. Harry wanted to look away, but he couldn't. He noticed how graceful Malfoy was, even when he was being possessive. Maybe it was just in his nature. It wasn't until Hermione pinched his arm when Harry realized he was just standing randomly, looking at Malfoy snogging Pansy. He shivered, and obediently followed Hermione.

During lunch, Harry sat next to Ginny. Harry was on her right, and Hermione was on her left. Under the table, Harry felt Ginny reach for his hand that was resting on his knee. Even though he had been confused about their relationship, he decided it was rude to refuse something she was offering so obligingly. He held her hand, and laced his fingers through hers. Ginny turned to Harry, and pecked him lightly on the cheek. All throughout lunch, Harry and Ginny got along marvelously. Harry had missed Ginny over the summer. He had spent a month at Ron's house with Ginny, but Ginny wasn't his girlfriend then. He missed Ginny, the girl he spent time with talking to and cuddling with, and now he had that…though he couldn't help but feel an empty pit inside of him. Something that didn't swell when Ginny was around him, on the contrary, it was the only thing keeping him from giving his heart fully to her. He didn't know what it was, but he wanted it to go away.

"So I heard about your fight with Draco." Ginny said as she turned towards Harry, leaving Hermione talking to Neville. Harry shrugged.

"Yeah, it wasn't that big." Ginny chuckled sarcastically.

"Harry, you two were yelling at each other at full volume for minutes! I heard it was quite big. Didn't she take off points from Gryffindor?" Harry pulled his hand away from Ginny.

"YES, alright? It's NOT that big of a deal!" Harry grabbed his books, and stormed out the doors. He didn't bother looking behind him; he knew what he'd see. Ginny and Hermione would be dumbfounded, staring at him walking out the doors. Harry was so furious, and he wasn't even sure why.

'Ginny wasn't being that critical, she was just stating the facts…but still…why did she have to put it like that…. I mean—' Harry jumped back as he ran into something, or someone.

"Potter! Watch where you are going!" Harry looked up, and saw Malfoy with Pansy, in the exact same place they were 25 minutes ago. Harry dropped his books and walked towards Malfoy confidently.

"You know what Malfoy! I don't have time for your shit, so get your girlfriend, or whore, or WHATEVER she is and get out of my way!" Harry was panting, and Malfoy was wide eyed. Even Harry himself was in shock about what he had done. Surprisingly, Malfoy's face turned blank, just like on the train and he moved aside, dragging Pansy by her waist along side him. As they left, Harry fell to his knees and caught his head in his hands. He didn't know what had come over him. He had never yelled at anyone like that before…with such hatred and animosity and passion.

'Sure Malfoy is Malfoy, but it doesn't mean he deserves to be yelled at just because I ran into him…' After a few moments of gathering himself up, Harry grabbed his books, and stormed to the Gryffindor common room.

"Quadswallop…" Harry said for the Fat Lady, who was busy looking in a mirror, Harry really didn't have time for this. "QUADSWALLOP!" Harry yelled eagerly as the Fat Lady gave him an evil glare and reluctantly swung the door open.

Harry was sure that in five minutes tops, dozens of other Gryffindors would come waltzing in the common room, so Harry decided to use his free period to take a quick nap. He took off his glasses and loosened the covers on his bed. He drew the curtains, not wanting anyone to disturb him, and he climbed in. It was only the second day back, and he was already yelling at his friends, Ginny, Malfoy…he didn't know what was going on. His eyes closed unwillingly, but he soon became immersed in a dream.

There was fire everywhere, screaming people running in blood. Harry couldn't see ahead of him, but he saw light surrounding him…was he dying? He heard a shrill voice behind him and he whipped around, facing a two red eyes. His scar seared in pain as he felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. It gave him warmth through out his body, and he gained strength. The red eyed demon pulled his hood over his head and mumbled something toward the person helping him. Harry accidentally dropped his wand, and his left hand reached out to help the person who had given him so much comfort.

'CRUCIUS!' He heard the hooded figure yell maniacally.

He was screaming 'STOP IT! STOP!' Something deep inside of Harry forced him to reach out further. He was losing… strength… but he couldn't… give… up… He felt a stream of salty tears flow down his cheeks as he fell to the ground….There was a scream, and Harry felt himself lose consciousness.

"Harry!" Harry woke up to find that he was lying on his back, clutching his scar with his left hand. He just then became aware of the searing pain in his wound. "What's going on?" Harry sat up grudgingly and saw the outline of Hermione. He tried to explain what had happened in his dream, but he suddenly found himself void of any memory. It had left him as soon as he had woken up. "What did you yell at Ginny for? She was only trying to help!" Then Harry remembered why he was taking a nap. He had yelled at Ginny in the Great Hall in front of everyone. "She's really upset Harry; I don't know what got into you!" Harry sighed deeply out of annoyance.

"Listen Hermione…its complicated…" Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Harry you need to tell her why you yelled at her, she doesn't know what she did!" Harry stood up quickly and glared at Hermione.

"Hermione, I DON'T KNOW WHY I YELLED AT HER, back off…okay?" Harry yelled as quietly as possible. Hermione seemed surprised, but she seemed sorry she had gone off at Harry. "…I don't know what's going on…I think its just that fight with Malfoy that got me riled up, and then losing all that energy in Defense Against the Dark Arts….plus…going off on Malfoy again right after I left the Great Hall didn't really help either…" Hermione sat beside Harry, trying to comfort him.

"You yelled at Malfoy again? What did he do?" Harry shook his head in shame.

"Nothing, I bumped into him. I just yelled at him and told him to leave and take Pansy with him because I wasn't in the mood…well I said it meaner than that…" Harry said half laughing. Hermione chuckled lightly.

"Oh no, I believe you." Harry smiled at her, and she smiled back. "Well, class starts in a couple minutes. I was wondering where you had gone, so I got a note to leave Herbology ten minutes early." Harry nodded, and grabbed his glasses from the table next to his bed.

"Thanks…well I think that nap helped, although…" Harry paused and tried to remember his dream. "Well…I know I had a dream that had to do with red eyes and light, but that's all I can remember." Hermione nodded and helped Harry off of the bed. "Alright, let's get to transfiguration…and I'll try to not snap at anyone this afternoon." Hermione laughed, but really hoped it was true. She knew about Harry's short temper, and she hoped Harry would remember what he just said before he released his anger out on anyone else.