Hey guys! So, remember when I said I had loads of extra time because of corona? Well, that was a lie. As probably the only person besides hospital staff I am quite busy right now. I've got a big assignment for school coming up as well. Anyways, here's a new chapter. It's quite short and not that much happens, but I hope to upload the next chapters soon, because some fun things are about to happen. Also, we will be reunited with an old aquaintance and there will be quidditch. Hope you enjoy it!
Harry and Ginny stood at the top of the tower, looking out over the Hogwarts grounds. It was eleven thirty, and even though people were only allowed inside from one, there were already a few people gathering at the gate.
"Have you had them more often lately?" She asked. She tried to sound casual, but he heard that she was worried.
"No, not really. I'm doing quite good actually."
She raised an eyebrow at him.
"What? What do you want me to say? That I have them every half an hour?"
They laughed.
"Okay, I believe you. How's your speech?"
"Terrible", he answered. "I don't know if I can do it, and I hate you for convincing me to do it."
"I didn't convince you! I only asked you to consider it!"
"That's the same thing."
"You know what, why don't you do your speech just for the DA?"
"What?"
"You trust us, right? Just the DA, that wouldn't be too scary, right?"
"Yeah, I guess, but…"
"No, let me explain. Ron, Hermione and I will be sitting near the front. You know that right? People from the Order and other very important to the resistance have reserved seats at the front, and I will be sitting with my family."
"Like you weren't part of the resistance"
"Shush. So when you get up on that stage, just look at us. Just pretend that the war has just ended and you are talking to the DA about the war, about everything you want to tell us about the war. We are discussing it in the room of requirement. Everyone is very interested in what you have to say, so you calmly do your speech, just for us. If you could do it back then, for us, you can do it right now and pretend it's just for us."
"Like I wasn't scared as to teach the DA!"
"Harry, you were the best defence teacher we ever had!"
"What about Lupin?"
"He comes in as a close second, but he wasn't as handsome, nor as good of a kisser as you are."
"That's just inappropriate!", he turned red.
"It's true!" Ginny teased him. "So that's what you're going to do, okay? It's just another lesson for the DA, but this time it's a lesson on moral values."
Harry sighed. "Can't I just run away?"
"No."
"I have to get back to class, or McGonagall will roast me alive."
"Yes. I'll walk you there. I think I'll have to apologise to your defence teacher."
"Are you sure? Mr. Frank quite adores you."
"Well, otherwise people are just going to ask annoying questions."
They arrived at the classroom. Ginny opened the door and together they entered.
"Ah, I see Mr. Potter has brought Ms. Weasley back for me. Come in, come in."
Hesitantly, Harry walked towards Mr. Frank's desk while Ginny sat down next to Luna again.
Mr. Frank extended his hand towards Harry.
"Harry Potter, it's so nice to finally meet you! I am a great fan, you know? All the stories I have heard about you, and so brave!"
"Err, yes. Well, I just wanted to apologise for taking Ginny so suddenly and disrupting your class. But I have to go now, so-"
"Oh, that is most certainly not a problem! So tell me something. I've heard a rumour going around that you taught a group of students Defence against the dark arts in your fifth year. Is that true?"
"Yes, but-"
"Wow, that is most impressive. Can you tell me something about that? How many students were there? And what did you teach them? Was it like extra support lessons? How old were they?"
Harry, well aware that the entire class was listening to the conversation, answered hesitantly.
"That year we had an, err… Quite incompetent teacher for defence, so we barely learned anything from her. My friend, Hermione Granger came up with the idea for me to teach a group of people that were interested, so we started doing that with a group of around 30 people. Just friends and people we knew well, from multiple classes. We did a lot of different spells."
"That sounds very impressive. Was anyone from this class in that study group?" Mr. Frank addressed the class.
Luna and Ginny raised their hands half-heartedly. They clearly didn't quite like Mr. Frank's childish fan-behaviour. Harry could only agree with them. It was annoying to see how enthusiastic he talked about things like this, as if it was all a lot of fun.
"I see, I see. And what did Harry teach you?" He looked at Luna and Ginny.
"Oh a lot. We started with easier things like expelliarmus and protego, but we all improved our basic spell work as well. Later we started doing harder spells like the patronus charm", Luna answered him.
"The patronus charm? You could do the patronus charm at 15 years old? And you even managed to teach it to a group of teens?" Mr. Frank looked genuinely surprised.
"Yeah, but I-", he really wanted to go downstairs again, but he was cut off again by Frank.
"Show it! I'm sure the class would love to see your patronus!" Mr. Frank was almost bouncing with happiness.
With a sigh Harry performed the charm.
"How wonderful! A stag!"
"Yes, but it's really time to-" He started to get annoyed with the man, who seemed to pick up none of his hints.
"And is it true that you finished You-Know-Who with expelliarmus, Harry?" Again, the annoying happiness and wonder in his voice, as if he were discussing a quidditch game instead of a mass-murderer.
"You can call me Potter, sir" Harry answered briskly.
"Oh, yes, of course. But I just thought, because I know you so well…"
"That's exactly the problem: you don't. Or else you would know what my favourite dish is, who my friends are or who I call my family. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got more things to do today", and with that he turned around and walked away.
When he arrived at the marble staircase leading to the entrance hall, he heard familiar voices. When he looked down he saw the entire Weasley family getting welcomed by professor McGonagall. George looked up and spotted him.
"Hey Harry! How are you doing?"
Ever since he reopened his shop he had been doing a bit better. He had even started laughing again. Once in a while.
"Hey George, I'm doing fine. What about you?" Harry answered while descending the stairs.
"Ah, holding up."
"Harry, dear, good to see you!" Molly greeted him with a hug. "I saw Andromeda this morning. She said her and Teddy would be here a little before one."
"Molly, Arthur, Lunch will be served in the common rooms in a few minutes. Would you care to join us in the Gryffindor common room?" McGonagall interfered.
"That would be very nice, thank you Minerva", Molly answered.
They talked a bit and when Ron and Hermione caught up they went up to the Gryffindor common room. Along the way Molly and Arthur brought up all sorts of memories from their time at Hogwarts.