"Are you ready?"
The question comes at Harry from across the table and he shakes himself from his private thoughts. "I'm sorry," he answers. "What did you say?"
Draco smiles. "Are you ready for today?"
"I hope so." He's been clutching at the same roll of parchment since he completed the lesson. It's laid out in a meticulous fashion and all he has to do is follow his own words.
TAP-TAP. TAP-TAP.
Harry shakes out his fingers, trying to relax. Draco cool hand comes to rest over his own and he pulls the parchment aside.
"You'll be fine." A glance at his watch and he shifts in his seat. "It's time, Harry."
They rise from the table together. Draco licks his lips before they meet Harry's in the gentlest of kisses. "Remember to breathe, love."
Harry nods into his hands and turns to the Floo. Draco rushes to hand him the parchment before he disappears in a whirl of anxiety.
Everything is organized on his desk and he's writing basic principles of defense on the board when his students enter the classroom. He doesn't acknowledge them at first. His breathing is more important. They mingle and chatter, but eventually find their seats. His wand raises at the chiming of the tower and the door pulls closed.
As he spins around, all eyes are focused solely on him.
"Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts," Harry begins. "You may call me Professor Potter."
He writes his name on the board and some of them start whispering.
"For those of you who don't know, my full name is Harry Potter. I'm sure you've heard a lot about me, but that is not the reason you're here." He waits until they quiet down. "This class will be a mixture of lecture and practical lessons. It is my goal to prepare you for anything you might experience both on your O.W.L.s and in the real world."
Harry steps around his desk and sits on the front edge of it.
"Before today's lesson begins, do you have any questions?"
Several hands raise, but he chooses to call on a shy boy in the corner whose hand is barely above his shoulder.
"Yes? What is your name?"
He clears his throat before answering, "William, sir."
"All right, William. What is it you would like to know?" Harry's sea green eyes smile openly.
"What is the most useful spell you know?"
"That is a good question, and one I thought I'd address in today's lesson. Please open Your Standard Book of Spells to page thirty-two. There, you will find a disarming charm—also known as Expelliarmus." Harry writes the charm's name on the board.
He pauses, looking down, then back to his students with a glint of a tear in his eye. "This spell saved my life more than once, so I rather think you should know it."
"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."
– Elisabeth Kubler-Ross