Chapter Ten

"Miss Granger, the Headmaster would like to speak with you," Professor Slughorn muttered quietly to Hermione as she sat in the Slytherin common room late Sunday evening.

Hermione looked up from her Potions textbook and frowned. "Did he say what it was about, sir?"

"I'm not entirely certain, dear. However, Lord Crouch is waiting in Dumbledore's office." Slughorn gave her a wink.

Hermione sighed. Barty Junior had apparently run to his father to complain about his short visit to the hospital wing. She gave Slughorn a cool smile. "I assume Lord and Lady Black are on their way? They are my guardians afterall."

"Are they now?" Slughorn appeared surprised by that fact.

"I can escort Hermione to the Headmaster's office, sir," Regulus stood up from his seat. "I do hope that you'll be able to notify my parents of this surprising development."

Slughorn grinned at Regulus and gave him a slight incline of his head. "I will inform them right now, Mister Black." He gestured to the door. "Off you both go. You don't want to keep Lord Crouch waiting."

Hermione and Regulus were silent as they exited the common room and began the long trek to the Headmaster's office.

"What are you going to tell them?" Regulus was the first to break the silence once they reached the Grand Staircase.

Hermione frowned and stole a glance at Regulus as they started up the stone steps. "The truth, Regulus."

"Hermione… no." Regulus' voice shook with fear. "Please… please don't."

Hermione reached out and grasped his hand in hers. "I need you to trust me. And, I need you to remember what I told you this summer." She stopped suddenly and gave him a pointed look. "Do you remember what I said to you?"

Regulus nodded. "I do."

Hermione gave him a smile and squeezed his hand. "Good. It's going to be fine, I promise." They started up the stairs once more.

Before long, they reached the third floor of Hogwarts castle and made their way down the empty hallway towards the entrance to the Headmaster's office.

"Chocolate frogs," Hermione said pleasantly to the gargoyle. Together she and Regulus made the short trip up the stairs that led into Dumbledore's office.

"There she is!" An older man with a thin moustache snapped as soon as Hermione stepped through the oak door. He jabbed a finger in her direction. "I want that witch expelled!"

Hermione frowned. "I beg your pardon, sir. Whatever for?" She stepped closer to Lord Crouch and Barty Junior just as Dumbledore's fireplace roared to life, admitting both Orion and Walburga Black.

Orion gave Hermione the subtlest of smirks as he and Walburga dusted off their robes and stepped over to her and Regulus.

Dumbledore pinched the bridge of his nose upon realising Lord and Lady Black had invited themselves into his office. "I was under the impression that Miss Granger had lost her parents, Orion and Walburga."

Walburga scowled. "Of course she has! And we are her guardians, Albus. A fact we informed you of this summer." She gave Lord Crouch a purse of her lips before focusing her attention on Hermione. "What is the issue, Miss Granger?"

"I'm not entirely certain, Lady Black. I've yet to be informed," Hermione laid the foundation for Crouch Senior to jump onto.

She wanted to know just what his son had told him.

"Now listen here," Crouch jabbed a finger at Hermione. "She cursed my son! The heir to the Noble and Ancient House of Crouch!"

Barty Junior gave Hermione a haughty look from behind his father.

"Is this true, Hermione?" Orion quietly asked.

Hermione nodded. "It is, Lord Black–"

"See!" Lord Crouch looked like he had won the war. "I vote we expel her right this instant and put this vicious attack on her permanent record!"

"However," Hermione continued, ignoring Crouch's comment. "I only did so because Barty Junior called Regulus a bastard, sir."

Walburga managed to be even more dramatic than Lord Crouch and gasped loudly while bringing her hand to her chest as if she was personally wounded. "How dare you," she seethed at the Ravenclaw boy.

"Not only that, but he also called Miss Evans a you-know-what," Regulus added. "The M-word," he clarified to Dumbledore after the headmaster looked at him in confusion.

"Miss Evans?" Orion questioned his son.

"A sixth year Gryffindor prefect, father," Regulus drawled with the barest hint of a smirk on his face as he stared down Barty Junior, who was clenching his jaw tightly. "Lily Evans is a brilliant Muggle-born witch. I wouldn't be surprised if she was to become Head Girl next year."

Orion swallowed his laughter with a cough before focusing on Lord Crouch with a scowl. "Is this what you teach your heir, Bartemius?" He scoffed and shook his head as if he was disappointed. "It's really quite disturbing that the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is so intolerant."

Hermione tapped her chin in thought and murmured, "Head of Magical Law Enforcement?" She turned around to better see Walburga and Orion. "Does that mean that Lord Crouch is the one who gets the final say in who gets sent to Azkaban?"

"Of course I do, girl!" Crouch snapped. "Perhaps I'll send you there to learn your place!"

"You will do no such thing." Walburga's voice was ice cold, but her eyes were burning with rage. "Suggesting such a thing to Miss Granger, our Heir's betrothed, is a direct threat against the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black." She paused for only a second before continuing, "A threat that this Noble House will snuff out if the need arises, Bartemius."

Dumbledore stepped between the two groups and held up his hands. "Perhaps we can discuss the issue between the young Mister Crouch and Miss Granger in a civilised manner." He gestured to the six plush purple chairs that he had apparently conjured without anyone noticing.

Hermione took the seat next to Orion and Regulus took the one next to his mother.

The Crouch's sat together facing the House of Black.

Dumbledore slowly sunk into his own chair behind his desk, which stood between the two families.

"I fail to see what the issue is, Dumbledore," Orion was the first to break the tense silence. "Miss Granger only retaliated when Heir Crouch insulted Regulus and Miss Evans. Surely that behaviour should be encouraged rather than disciplined."

"They were dark curses!" Barty Junior snapped before being shushed by his father.

"Is this true, Miss Granger?" Orion had a slight grin on his face as he questioned Hermione, likely realising that Hermione wasn't stupid enough to do such a thing.

Hermione shook her head. "Not at all, Lord Black." She cleared her throat. "I merely hit him with a Bat-Bogey Hex, which is something Lily Evans has done to James Potter quite regularly, so I'm told. And then I finished off with a non-verbal Laxative Spell." She shrugged. "However, given the fact that it is the beginning of September and I am only a sixth year student, I highly doubt that I was able to perform the spell to its maximum strength."

"And there it is," Walburga gestured to the Headmaster. "I, too, fail to see the issue that you speak of, Albus. Orion is right, Miss Granger should be applauded for her quick thinking and appropriate defensive spells given the hateful words that Heir Crouch dared to speak."

Dumbledore furrowed his brow as he stared intently at Hermione before focusing on Lord Crouch. "Your response, Bartemius."

Hermione watched as Barty Junior and Crouch Senior finished muttering to one another, both turning in their seats to face the members of the House of Black.

Barty cleared his throat. "Permission to speak, Headmaster Dumbledore."

"Permission granted."

Hermione tried to keep her rapidly beating heart under control. Barty was a loose cannon in her time; she had no idea what he was about to say.

"Regulus and I had formed a friendship during our first year here at Hogwarts," Barty began pleasantly. "You see, he was one of the few students who gave me a chance despite my father's position within the Ministry." He made a point of staring at Regulus. "We would study together in the library, work on our homework. We did practically everything together." He smiled coolly at Regulus. "And I mean everything." His eyes darted to Orion first before settling on Walburga. "Over the years we became good friends, then best friends… and finally close friends."

Barty Junior turned his attention to Hermione. "So you can imagine my surprise when Regulus informed me that we could no longer be close friends this summer at Flourish and Blotts." He pouted. "He'd said that his family's reputation meant everything to him and told me, and I quote, to 'get the fuck away' from him." Barty Junior sighed and sadly shook his head. "I was confused, and I will admit quite angry, when I spotted him sitting with a fair number of Muggle-borns, half-bloods, and as far as I know, wizards and witches who are considered to be blood-traitors by a number of the more traditional pure-blood families."

Barty Junior shrugged as a smirk appeared on his face. "I will admit to insulting Regulus. I let my emotions get the better of me. I will also admit to insulting Lily Evans with that terrible slur. However, I must say that I picked it up from Regulus himself. I honestly didn't know the meaning of the word until I asked my father just now what it meant."

Lord Crouch arrogantly puffed out his chest. "I can assure everyone present that my son will never stand with Regulus again. It was a mistake on his part."

"I certainly hope so," Orion agreed. "Our son knows better than to continue to waste his time with such a troubled young man." He gestured to Barty Junior who was frowning at the lack of reaction from Lord and Lady Black to his confession. "Heir Crouch is obviously an emotionally unstable and disturbed wizard." He peered over at Regulus. "I assume, Regulus, that you are clever enough to choose your own friends. Therefore, I won't be dictating to you who you can and cannot associate with."

"However," Walburga now began to lecture as she reached for Regulus' hand to give it a comforting squeeze. "Your father and I would be most pleased if you continued to associate with the same families that you sat with yesterday afternoon. Your brother has already owled us about this wonderful development."

"But," Barty held up his hand as if he was a student sitting in on a lesson. "He was sitting with a bunch of Gryffindor half-bloods and blood traitors!"

Walburga raised a brow at him. "Muggle-borns too."

"I feel like the Crouch's are attempting to divert the purpose of this meeting to question the integrity of the House of Black." Orion muttered. "What is the punishment for Miss Granger, Albus?"

The Headmaster cleared his throat and peered at Hermione. "Given that this is Miss Granger's first few days at Hogwarts after having been tutored privately for so long, I am willing to disregard any sort of punishment and instead send her off with a warning to not do it again." He sighed tiredly and held up a hand to prevent Lord Crouch from interrupting. "I find it incredibly troubling that the young Mister Crouch has referred to Miss Evans with such a foul slur. I also find it difficult to believe that prior to this evening, young Barty did not know the meaning of such a word, given the current climate of Wizarding Britain."

Hermione could barely hide her grin. Dumbledore appeared to be considering what she had said to him in Slughorn's office.

"This is absurd!" Lord Crouch snapped. "It's a travesty!"

"Furthermore," Dumbledore continued, ignoring Crouch's interruption. "If I find out that either Miss Granger or Mister Crouch attempt to retaliate against one another, I will see to it myself that the appropriate punishment is given to the attacking party. Whomever it may be."

Hermione nodded. "Thank you for listening to both parties, Headmaster Dumbledore." She wouldn't get caught next time, she'd make sure of it.

"Walburga and I ask that the confrontation between Heir Crouch and Miss Granger be put on the official school record." Orion peered coolly at Crouch Senior. "In case there is retaliation by Lord Crouch against the House of Black at a later date, given his standing within the Ministry of Magic."

Dumbledore gave Orion a curt nod of his head. "Of course."

Orion slowly stood up from his chair. "If that's all, Walburga and I would like to walk our son and Miss Granger back to their common room." He smiled at Dumbledore. "We will leave via Horace's floo." He gestured for Hermione and Regulus to stand. "Come, children. We don't want to keep your Head of House waiting."

...

...

They travelled in complete silence until they reached the dungeons.

"Horace," Walburga warmly greeted as she stepped into Professor Slughorn's office. "How is my favourite potioneer?"

Hermione watched with amusement as Slughorn leapt up from his chair to greet Lady Black with a kiss on each cheek.

"Oh… I'm doing absolutely splendid, Walburga," Slughorn cheerfully replied before shaking Orion's hand. "Is there anything else that I can do for the House of Black?"

Orion grinned at the man. "You've gone above and beyond already, Horace." He paused and made a point of looking around the cozy office. "However, would it be at all possible to borrow your office for a few minutes? I can't help but notice that there are no portraits in this room and Walburga and I are desperate for a bit of privacy to speak with our son and Miss Granger. House of Black business."

"Of course!" Slughorn chuckled and patted his pockets, apparently searching for something. "I will prepare my laboratory for tomorrow's lessons. The floo is still open for you both."

Walburga smiled. "We shan't be long, Horace."

As soon as the office door clicked shut Orion cast an Impediment Charm around the room and then pinched the bridge of his nose. "Hermione first," he told himself as he focused on Hermione standing before him. "Lord Crouch was one of the officials who sent Sirius to Azkaban without a trial?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes. Him, Dumbledore, and one other wizard. I'm not sure who the third one was that okayed it."

"Lord Crouch is a power-hungry extremist," Walburga informed the room. "He has a vendetta against many of the powerful families in Britain, especially those that hold more traditional beliefs."

"Like the House of Black," Hermione said quietly.

Walburga nodded. "It's very troubling given some of the directives he is forcing through the Wizengamot at the moment. He's recently pushed for Aurors to be allowed to use the Killing Curse on suspected Death Eaters. It didn't pass, but it's only a matter of time before it will." She sighed, shaking her head. "It might be far too late for us to gain control of him given his position within the Ministry."

Hermione cleared her throat. "I might be able to help with that." She gave Lord and Lady Black a timid smile. "In 1981, after You-Know-Who had fallen, Barty Crouch Junior was arrested with Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan Lestrange and sent to Azkaban for torturing a pure-blood family to insanity."

Walburga's eyes grew large in excitement. "That we can use… or at least keep an eye out for." She peered down her nose at Hermione. "Which family was it?"

"The Longbottoms," Hermione murmured quietly. "Specifically, Frank Longbottom and his wife Alice. Their son, Neville, was raised by his grandmother, Augusta Longbottom, after they were both placed in St. Mungo's in the Janus Thickey Ward." She hesitated for a moment. "It had to do with the prophecy that I briefly mentioned to the two of you this summer. A result of it, at least."

"With the Potters?" Walburga sharply questioned.

Hermione nodded her confirmation.

"You're absolutely certain that Barty Junior will become a Death Eater?" Orion checked in with Hermione.

Hermione nodded once again. "He will. I saw his Dark Mark and everything. I was able to watch Dumbledore's memory of the trial."

"What happened when he was brought before the Wizengamot?" Orion prompted her.

"Lord Crouch sentenced him to life in Azkaban," Hermione bluntly stated. "He didn't even hesitate." She shook her head. "Before my fifth year, Sirius mentioned that Crouch Senior was too focused on becoming the next Minister of Magic to notice that his own son had become a Death Eater. He remembered Barty Junior being brought into Azkaban already looking worse for wear and screaming for his mother." She swallowed, her throat was tight with emotion. "Sirius said that his screaming only lasted for a few days before he went quiet like everyone else."

She focused on the floor as she attempted to piece together Barty's complicated escape from prison. "After a year or so, Lord and Lady Crouch were granted visitation. It was then that Lady Crouch took her son's place via Polyjuice Potion. She was gravely ill and somehow convinced her husband to switch them. Barty was snuck out of Azkaban by his father and Lady Crouch died a few days later."

"What happened afterwards?" Walburga asked.

"Now that's more difficult to know for certain." Hermione paused for a moment. "I do know that sometime after Barty was sent to Azkaban, Lord Crouch was transferred to the Department of International Magical Cooperation. I also know that he had his son locked up in his home under the care of a house-elf." She frowned. "At one point he had his son under the Imperius Curse. I believe it was for years." She stared at Regulus. "Eventually, Barty was able to break free from his father's Imperius. He helped You-Know-Who come back."

"Thank you for this information, Miss Granger," said Orion.

Hermione frowned. "Have I… could I now be the one who pushes Barty Junior to the Death Eaters, after what I did to him in this time?"

"No," Regulus finally joined the conversation. "He was already voicing similar beliefs to supporters of the Dark Lord long before you arrived here." He paused. "I swear, if he does eventually choose to side with the Dark Lord, it will have nothing to do with you."

"Which brings us to Regulus," Orion murmured quietly. He peered down at his son and frowned. "Close friends?"

Hermione watched as Regulus swallowed. "I don't know what he was attempting to insinuate, father. He is disturbed, you said it yourself." His voice was quiet but firm.

"But, you were friends," Walburga confirmed.

Regulus nodded curtly. "Yes, we were. I ended our friendship after Hermione warned me about him."

"Who sought out who first?"

Regulus cleared his throat. "Barty sought me out. I was studying alone in the library and he sat down at my table."

"Why weren't you with your classmates in Slytherin?" Orion asked.

Regulus sighed. "You mean Blishwick, Bulstrode, Goyle, and Orpington?" He gave his father a pained expression. "They're all idiots, father. I don't think they've ever set foot in any library."

"You still need to socialise with them, Regulus," Walburga warned him. "Sirius and Hermione will finish Hogwarts before you. You'll be alone during your seventh year. You need to have people around you that you can trust."

"What about Penny?" Hermione asked Regulus quietly. "The other Slytherin fifth year prefect. You two seem to be getting along."

Regulus nodded. "Penny Higgs," he informed his parents. "I like her, she's clever."

"Good," Walburga smiled at her son. "The Higgs are a strong pure-blood family. But not one that is known to be loyal to the Dark Lord. They're neutral like the Greengrass family."

There was a moment's silence, which was broken by Hermione. "Speaking of, have you received word from the Rowle and Greengrass families?" she asked Orion.

Orion gave Hermione a smirk. "This afternoon, as a matter of fact. Lord Rowle was concerned, which was to be expected. But, Lord Greengrass was very keen. We are all meeting for tea in the coming days."

"With the Potters as well," Walburga added.

Regulus nodded slowly. "And you're alright with us associating with–"

"Muggle-borns?" Walburga raised a brow in question. "Yes. It's not marriage, Regulus, it's just politics. In order to be successful with its survival, the House of Black must associate with all sorts, including Muggle-borns and blood-traitors."

"On a lighter note," Orion said after a moment. "I'm not certain a Laxative Curse is entirely appropriate to hex people with, Miss Granger." Amusement was shining in his eyes. "No matter how much they may deserve it."

Hermione fought to hide her grin. "My apologies, Lord Black." She cleared her throat. "I just wanted him to leave and it was the only thing I could think of."

"You knew Barty in your time," Regulus murmured thoughtfully. "You know more than just the information you imparted to mother and father."

Hermione focused on the floor and gave the occupants of the room a nod of her head. "Barty Junior was my fourth year Defence professor." She peered at Orion. "He and another Death Eater were able to overpower Alastor Moody, who was supposed to be teaching us, and disguised himself with Polyjuice Potion for the better part of the school year."

"And Dumbledore was none the wiser that there was an imposter at the school?" Walburga scowled. "What a fool."

...

...

"Good morning everyone," Professor Prewett casually greeted the sixth year Defence Against the Dark Arts students as he strolled into the classroom on the first Monday morning of the term.

Hermione sleepily murmured her greeting along with the rest of the class.

"Oh, come on now… that won't do," the professor stated amusedly as he swept by Hermione's desk on his way to the front of the classroom.

The class repeated their greeting, clearer this time which caused their professor to chuckle once he reached the front.

"I was just playing with you all," Gideon waved off their greeting before taking a sip from his coffee mug. "You don't actually have to greet me if you don't wish to. I'm not a morning person myself, so I do understand how brutal this particular lesson is, especially on a Monday morning of all days."

Hermione took in Gideon's appearance just as he began to take the register. He had wavy, dark red hair, and a smattering of freckles on his face along with a scar across his large nose.

Professor Prewett was wearing his Auror uniform consisting of black dragonhide trousers, vest and boots, a charcoal-coloured cotton shirt and a long black cloak. A handful of gold-coloured buckles adorned the front of his cloak, along with an Auror badge that was stitched onto the left hand side.

"I'll begin with introductions and speak a bit about the Auror Division for anyone who is interested," Professor Prewett told the class. "Then we will move onto the academic expectations for this subject now that you've reached N.E.W.T. Levels. Lastly, I would like to ask your feelings about starting a possible Duelling Club here at Hogwarts." He held up a hand to quiet the excited students. "Think about it now. But, do try to pay attention to the lesson." He winked at the students.

Hermione sat up a bit straighter in her chair. A possible Duelling Club would be an ideal way to determine everyone's strengths and weaknesses.

"As all of you heard during the welcoming feast, I am Professor Prewett." Gideon paused. "You can call me Gideon, if you'd like, or Professor. Either is fine." He pointed his wand at the blackboard behind him, wordlessly listing information about his career as an Auror.

"I've been seconded to Hogwarts for this school year to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts, and have been an Auror for about ten years. In those ten years, I have made three hundred and ninety seven arrests," Gideon informed the students. "Of those arrests, approximately a third were convicted and sent to Azkaban, or for lesser crimes, given a fine. I have killed three people, all in self-defence. None with the Killing Curse." He paused for a moment to have a sip of coffee. "I received eleven N.E.W.T.s during my time here at Hogwarts, all of which were outstanding grades. My brother, Fabian, only received ten outstandings, if you can believe it. The lazy bugger." He grinned broadly. "He's also an Auror."

Gideon narrowed his eyes and had a slurp of his coffee before he continued his lecture. "The official goal of the Auror Division is to 'protect the Wizarding World from the Dark Arts and those who practise them.'" He scrunched his nose and gave the students a grimace. "I'm going to be honest with you: that sounds like a big load of dragon dung given the fact that the head of our department is pushing to get us Aurors permission from the Wizengamot to use the Killing Curse on any suspected Death Eaters." He made a point of peering at all of the students staring back at him. "Most Aurors are against this push. Most… not all. So I am going to make it abundantly clear to you: if any of you want to kill a bunch of suspected Death Eaters – suspected, not confirmed – I highly suggest you find another career path. I certainly wouldn't want to work with you."

Gideon began to pace the room. "Call me old fashioned, but I am a firm believer in due process. As soon as we get permission to kill suspected Death Eaters, that due process is gone." He shook his head. "We might as well not bother having trials then."

He frowned at the class. "Hands up, who would like to get sent to Azkaban without a trial, assuming you don't get killed by a new recruit who's been trained to do just that rather than apprehend?"

Not a soul raised their hand.

Hermione noticed Sirius fidgeting uncomfortably in his seat in front of her.

"No one?" Gideon nodded in understanding. "I don't blame you. I mean, Azkaban is guarded by Dementors, creatures that suck out your soul with a kiss. They suppress your magic so much that wizards and witches locked up can't even do basic wandless magic for spells that we all learned in our first year." He shook his head. "No levitating your flea infested pillow and blanket off of the damp stone floor. No wandless lumos to give yourself a bit of light to see your surroundings. Nothing." He sighed. "You get to sit in the dark and listen to the rattling breath of the Dementors as they float by your cell. I can't even imagine what that would feel like for someone who might be innocent."

Gideon pointed his wand at the blackboard once again as he placed his mug down on his desk. A list of a handful of the current sixth year students appeared. "Do those students listed on the board still want to become Aurors? I've been informed by your Heads of Houses that this is the current list of students who have selected the Auror Division as their career choice last year."

Hermione watched as Frank Longbottom hesitantly raised his hand, as did Alice Fortescue, Mary MacDonald, Augustus Avery, and two Hufflepuff students.

Gideon pointed to Avery. "Why?"

Avery grinned at the professor and shrugged nonchalantly. "To make certain that due process is followed, sir."

The group of Slytherin sixth year boys surrounding him all snickered at his response.

"I'm serious," Avery insisted. "I wouldn't want some eager Gryffindor out to prove themselves to kill one of my mates because they were trained to kill first, rather than apprehend." He pouted as he shared a look with Wilkes, who was sitting next to him. "I'd be devastated if Mulciber was killed because some lion falsely believed him to be a Death Eater."

Mary slapped her hand down hard on her desk and twisted around in her seat to glare at Avery. "You fucking arsehole!"

"Mary, he's not worth your attention." Lily slung her arm around the witch's shoulders and forced her back around in her seat. "None of them are. Trust me."

"Did you hear that, Severus?" Macnair asked his deskmate. "You're not worth the mudblood's attention."

"Settle down," Gideon held up his hand in an attempt to bring order to the classroom. "Ten points from Slytherin for the slur."

"The mudblood called me a 'fucking arsehole'," Avery complained loudly. "Are you going to take house points from Gryffindor as well?"

"Another ten points from Slytherin for repeating the slur," Gideon responded coolly. He frowned at Mary who had her face hidden behind her hands. "And twenty from Gryffindor for swearing during class time." He raised a brow at Avery. "Does that sound fair, Mister Avery?"

Avery gave him a curt nod of his head. "It does."

"Good." Gideon smiled. He tapped his chin thoughtfully and narrowed his eyes at the Slytherin. "It's interesting that you mentioned Mulciber rather than your other friends."

"Huh?" Avery's confusion was apparent.

"Sebastian Mulciber," Gideon repeated slowly. "You suggested a student not in this classroom rather than someone like Mister Snape, Mister Macnair, Mister Carrow or Mister Wilkes, who are all sitting nearby." He paused. "Why is that?" he asked as he picked up his mug of coffee.

Hermione had to quickly hide her grin behind her hand by scratching the tip of her nose. Gideon was quick at noticing details.

Avery fidgeted in his seat but remained silent.

"I suppose I should remind everyone that I am an active Auror," Gideon smirked at the students. "I'd've thought that my uniform kind of gave it away. But, apparently it needs to be expressly stated to some of you." He had a sip of his coffee. "Thank you very much for your suggestion though, Mister Avery. I'll be sure to pass word along to my colleagues at the Ministry."

Gideon waved his wand at the blackboard once again, this time listing the aims for the sixth year Defence Against the Dark Arts class. "Moving on. The major goal of sixth year Defence is to learn how to cast non-verbal spells." He zeroed in on Hermione and grinned at her. "I've heard a rumour in the teacher's lounge this morning that at least one of you has already had some success with non-verbals." He raised a brow. "Tell me, Miss Granger, why do we need to learn them?"

Hermione cleared her throat. "To gain an element of surprise during a duel, sir."

"Precisely," Gideon nodded in agreement. "If we're all shouting incantations during a duel, not only will it be slow, but our opponent will have time to prepare something in defence." He paused. "Five points to Slytherin."

Gideon gestured to a Ravenclaw student who was whispering to his deskmate. "Mister Otterburn, are non-verbal spells as strong as casting them verbally?"

The Ravenclaw student shook his head. "Not necessarily, Professor Prewett. It takes plenty of concentration and mind power to be able to successfully cast non-verbal spells. For the most part, non-verbal spells are weaker than verbal ones."

"Very good," Gideon said. "Five points to Ravenclaw." He gestured to the blackboard once again. "Besides learning about non-verbal spells, we will also learn about one of the most important spells around: the Shield Charm." He gave the students a tight smile. "How many of you already know this one? A show of hands."

All of the Slytherin students raised their hands along with a handful of Ravenclaws. Sirius, Remus, James and Peter all raised their hands as well after noticing that Snape and his friends had done so first.

Hermione snickered quietly. Boys.

"By the end of the term you will also learn how to cast it non-verbally," Gideon told the class.

Gideon stepped over to the blackboard and picked up a piece of chalk. "We will also be learning about the three Unforgivable Curses," he said as he began to write the names of each curse down.

He turned around to face the class, once he finished writing. "I will be covering the theory behind these three curses. That's all that you'll be tested on during your N.E.W.T. Level examination in your seventh year." He paused for a moment. "The headmaster would like me to demonstrate the Imperius Curse for you all. However, that depends on what the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Lord Crouch, decides. If I do get permission to do so, we will have a lesson or two near the end of the school year where I will place a few of you under the curse and get you to do some silly things in front of your peers." He made a point of peering at the students. "Nothing sinister will happen during those lessons, if it goes ahead at all."

Gideon sighed. "Are there any questions about anything that I've spoken about so far?"

Macnair hesitantly raised his hand. "For the lessons on Unforgivable Curses… assuming that you do get permission from Lord Crouch, only you will be permitted to use the Imperius Curse?"

Gideon slowly nodded. "That is correct, yes." He cleared his throat. "The use of the Unforgivable Curses is punishable with time in Azkaban. How long depends on which curse is used. The Killing Curse and Cruciatus Curse, for example, are both guaranteed life sentences. The use of the Imperius Curse is dependent on a number of factors, but for the most part is also a life sentence." He gave Macnair a tight smile. "Given that a number of you will soon be of age in the Wizarding World, I would hate it if I had to arrest you because you weren't familiar with the laws and decided to cast an Unforgivable Curse on someone for the hell of it."

"Of course, sir," Macnair responded. "Thank you for the clarification."

"If that's the only question, I'd like to talk about the Duelling Club for the remainder of today's lesson." Gideon waited a moment before plowing on. "The plan is to have fifth to seventh years in one group and third to fourth years in another. Is that something you are all comfortable with?"

"How will you decide who gets partnered with whom?" Lily asked as she raised her hand.

"Ability for the most part," Gideon admitted. "I taught the fifth years on Friday morning and understand that there are a number of students who are far ahead of their peers in terms of skill levels in Defence." He paused. "I also believe that there are a fair number of students in this class and my seventh year class who would be better paired off with students a year above or below. I would like to pair students up with relatively equal duelling partners."

"Can we refuse the partner you assign us?" Hermione questioned quietly.

She had a feeling Gideon wanted to pair her with a seventh year student and wasn't sure if she was comfortable enough with duelling someone like Mulciber, Rowle, or… Merlin forbid, Dolohov.

Gideon was obviously surprised by her reluctance, if his expression was anything to go by. He shook his head, as if clearing his thoughts. "Yes, of course you may refuse, Miss Granger." He cleared his throat. "But, I highly recommend that you partner with someone challenging enough for you, otherwise you may not come to learn your strengths and weaknesses as well as you think."

Hermione gave him a tight smile. "I prefer to keep my strengths and weaknesses to myself, Professor, rather than broadcast them for the entire school to see." She paused. "That's an incredibly Gryffindor-ish thing to do, in my humble opinion."

If Walburga taught her anything this summer it was that lurking in the background, away from keen eyes and ears, was the way of the House of Black. The last thing Hermione wanted was for Dolohov to take notice of her.

Or worse yet, the Dark Lord himself.