Chapter 14 – Learning at Hogwarts
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We arrived back at hogwarts two weeks before the start of term because Dumbledore had to have a meeting with all of his teachers. We stopped by to check with Ragnot … there is not much new...
"Oh! We did complete our investigation and we found these little trinkets. They've all been cleaned up there perfectly safe."
A smile attached itself to my face as I opened the bag..." Please have this bag put in my vault and thank you very much."
"Not at all Harry you paid to have it done"
As we attended the meeting which is being held in the Great Hall at a large circular table, I immediately saw problems. Actually it was what I did not see that alerted me of more of Dumbledore's manipulations.
After an interminably long briefing which must've been heard for the last hundred years I got the news.
"As it is been my misfortune to the years we are again short of a DADA professor. Since Mr. Potter has been doing a fabulous job with the first four years I have promoted him to full professorship and is now full charge of all the DADA classes first through seventh year."
Of course as if this is not enough, "Professor Potter if I may have a word in private with you to my office after the meeting."
Later in the Dummy's office, "Madam Bones has requested that you make a formal statement at the Ministry at your earliest convenience. They have been having difficulties in contacting you over the summer vacation. Madam Bones was quite insistent that you complete that official statement no later than today. You of course can use the 'Floe' access here if you'd like to take care of that matter."
Daphne and I followed the headmaster to his office and utilized his 'Floe' access arriving in the Ministry's Atrium. We took the elevator up to the second floor and the office of the DMLE and Madam Bones.
"Harry this stinks. You don't have any outstanding statements you need to make, do you?"
"Precisely why we need to stay on our toes, let's see what Madam Bone has to say as to why we need to be seen arriving or departing the Ministry."
We no sooner walked out of the elevator and onto the second floor went two bursts of flames announced the arrival of Fawkes and Hedwig. I got Fawkes on my shoulder Daphne got Hedwig.
"What do we owe privilege of your attendance?"
Chirp, "We have been sent to observe, just pretend we are not here." Right I thought as I noticed Daphne was trying to suppress a snicker.
"Yes Miss I was informed by Professor Dumbledore that Madam Bones wishes to see me in regards to a statement that I am required to make."
"Are you sure you weren't supposed to see one of the other officers? Madam Bones does not normally take statements."
"No Miss, Professor Dumbledore was quite explicit and stated that Madam Bones wished to see me."
"Please have a seat while I notify Madam Bones that you are here."
"Would either of you phoenixes like to fill us in before this thing gets complicated?"
While neither replied Daphne had a bit to say, "Harry I am now getting that creepy feeling that Dumbledore knows or is setting up something but surely he wouldn't here in the middle of the Ministry."
My response was delayed by Madame Bones exiting her office, "Lord Potter I have no idea what is going on as I have not sent for you to make any statements."
"Madam Bones for what it's worth I would recommend that you enhance your security or lockdown the Ministry or whatever you do because I think things are going to get nasty very shortly. It appears that I have been lured here and that's never a good sign." Madam Bones turned to the receptionist and stated, "Betty implement plan A".
"Lord Potter had a normal person had made that request it would have been ignored. I have noticed that wherever you go trouble is not far behind so if you will accompany me down to the atrium. Presently the Atrium is now the only place that anyone can enter or depart the Ministry."
The clanking elevator seemed to take forever for cables and gravity to lower it to the Atrium. Upon arriving we found nothing but the normal witches and wizards rushing in and out of all the 'Floe' fireplaces. If I was to be seen arriving or departing where were the reporters? We stood out of the way and I for one felt like the third thumb on a Flubber worm. One couldn't say it was quiet but it was normal. Daphne was sensing my tensions as she started to massage the back of my neck with her right hand… until…
A squat man who seemed to be in hit wizard's attire exited the fireplace. At first it did not appear abnormal except that he was heavily cloaked as if trying to hide. Unfortunately my brain took a few heartbeats to register a silver hand that I'd seen in a graveyard not long ago sticking out of his robe.
Had I been quicker I would have been able to stop him from tossing an orb which bounced on the floor of the Atrium. While my stunner flew at the wizard I should've destroyed the orb instead.
The orb was some kind of a portkey for massive transport as thirty Death Eaters suddenly appeared. They were not throwing confetti from their wands when they arrived.
Madame Bones, Daphne and a few Aurors in the Atrium had already started throwing spells and curses. Seconds later a dozen more Aurors charged into the Atrium. Unfortunately the orb brought another thirty death eaters to join the fight.
The phoenix town library flashed across my mind and a spell I had found. I raised my wand to produce an area charm, "Tu sentis in corde mali sunt".
I would probably pay dearly for using this area charm but the people were being cursed and the green killing curse was liberally flying around in the Atrium. It was an obvious attempt to take over the Ministry even if they had to kill everyone in the building. Apparently I was to be added to those killed. Daphne had ended any possible reinforcements or escape by doing what I should've done, she destroyed the orb as Madam Bones ordered an Auror to shut down the 'Floe' network.
The good, the bad, and the evil in different colored robes collapsed to the floor of the Atrium. The charm affected the innocent as well as the evil but they did not just see, they felt what they saw. The innocent would easily survive but the evil ones could be a different story.
"What in the hell did you just cast?" Madam Bones demanded as it was obvious that the entire Atrium was on the floor and many were screaming in total agony. Many were not dressed as Death Eaters or were in fact in Auror robes.
"They all should survive. Most will recover quicker than the Death Eaters. It's a simple charm which translates to, "May you feel the evil your heart contains". Shields can't block the incantation.
/Scene Break/
Daphne, myself and Professor Burbage were drafted to ride the Hogwarts express to start the new year at Hogwarts.
It was the seven-year for everybody including Ron, Draco, and the House of the Death Eaters, called Slytherin. It really wasn't the entire Slytherin house as a large number of them were part of the DADA club which the rumor mill called HA. The club, in my mind, was not a club of Harry Potter followers but one of like minded students, all for one and one for all. While any one of them could pull a Peter Pettigrew, I seriously hope that wouldn't happen regardless of which house in which they resided.
Professor McGonagall conducted the sorting and finally the time came for what everybody cared about… the food appeared on the tables and the roar of conversations filled the Great Hall. I was not sure if it was a case of growing sensitive or that the affect that you got worse the longer you stayed at Hogwarts. McGonagall tapped her spoon on the crystal goblet, to start Dumbledore's welcoming speech. It seemed to send vibrations through the hall like a metal gong.
"Harry what has gotten you into the world of cotton?" Daphne whispered as she nudged my ribs with her elbow.
"Nothing earth shattering. I was just wondering how Professor McGonagall got that habit."
"What you talking about Harry?"
"Haven't you noticed that Professor McGonagall is always rapping something to get our attention? Here in the great hall it's usually a spoon on her crystal goblet but in the classroom she uses her wand mostly on her slate board or desk."
"Very interesting Harry, past the chicken wings."
Dumbledore stood and started his speech which soon got us all drowsy and ready for bed.
/Scene Break/
Madame Bones was in my court after Riddles attempt to take the Ministry. She found a number of Ministry employees and Aurors that were Death Eaters or Dark Lord supporters because of my spell. The average wizard was able to face the evil in their hearts with a minimum of downtime. The dark wizards were, in many cases, still mentally battling their evil days later.
"You know Harry it's a shame that Voldemort didn't make it into the Atrium. Imagine as evil he has and how long he would be mentally fighting himself after you cast your spell? "
"So my darling what would you like to do this weekend? How about a nice meal in a plush restaurant and then the cinema?"
"Make the reservation Harry. Anytime we are away from the magical community is always enjoyable."
/Scene Break/
Teaching my classes was not much of a challenge. The curriculum was pretty much laid out and outlined in the Master Journals. Of course even I learned a thing or two from the outlined course materials. This course material didn't cover teaching techniques or take into account such areas such as Ron and Draco snide remarks and disruptions from the assorted Slytherins. The initial seventh year's class that I taught was a real test and a lot of fun…
It was an organized effort but as is so common in the magical community common sense was not used. The Slytherin house side which was half of the class decided to tap their wands on the front of their desks. Tapping of course was designed to disrupt the class and of course frustrate me. While not all the Slytherin students were doing this and of course it was obvious who had their wand out and doing the tapping. I was well into stunning my second student who flew across the room before the really stupid student decided to stop the tapping and throw curses at the Professor. The first two students were basically stunned and attached to the far wall. The three idiots that threw curses at their professor were stunned and stacked in front of my desk as I was prepared to continue to attach offending students to the wall. While I may not have gotten all of the offending students order was returned to the classroom until moments later when Ron Weasley incredibly opened his mouth...
"Showing off again Potter? I don't have to follow your instructions you're nothing but a seventh year students yourself. I'm going right now to complain to Dumbledore about your attacking students!"
For some reason he didn't notice the silencing charm I placed upon his overactive mouth. He continued his silent rant for a couple more minutes before he dashed from the classroom. I hoped that Dumbledore knew the counter to that particular silencing charm.
It wasn't long into this teaching shtick that I realized that most of Hogwarts instructors were insane. I mean who in their right mind would assign three feet of parchment to a student when the teacher had to read and grade each piece of parchment. The math alone should slap them up the side of their faces. Having a minimum of three classes a day with 30 students in each class during the five day week is mind-boggling. Four hundred and fifty pieces of parchment to read and grade each week! Total insanity! In my class if you wish to read you could do it on your own time. I would just tell you which books you should peruse. Don't read a book and your classmate will zap you with the spell that he read from the assigned materials. I did practical spell casting and shielding in my classes thank you very much.
Outside of the classroom environment the normal students basically followed the rules and were little angels under the guidance of the professional Professors employed by Dumbledore. Right! Then there were the not so normal students and the downright stupid, it was all to much fun.
"Harry what did Dumbledore do with that Ron Weasley? Better yet what are you going to do? He did verbally accost Hermione in the hallway."
"Daphne I was not there and while I believe Hermione, it was solely verbal. I again told Dumbledore in the presence of Ron Weasley that there would be a price to pay for any further problems. Dumbledore however just went off on one of his rants about everybody getting along with each other and ignoring minor indiscretions short of a dead body."
"And?"
"Weasley was not impressed and is going to do something which will cause me to kick his... I just hope it's not serious enough to require me to kill the little shit."
"Harry what did Dumbledore have to say about the 'Reducto' curse that was fired at your back in the hallway?"
"Daphne you are just spinning your wheels. He has his agenda so nothing will be done until somebody gets hurt and maybe not even then."
"Come on Harry I can feel something more, what's bothering you?"
"It's just a feeling I've had for a couple weeks before that 'Reducto' curse. I feel like somebody's been watching me even now. So I guess we both had better watch out."
"Dammit Harry let's just leave this place before somebody ends up using the killing curse on one of us."
One could look back at this as Daphne's prophecy. She was right but that was later in the school year.
/Scene Break/
The next bit of fun and terror turned out to be Daphne and my fault for being complacent. In the end it was kind of funny. Regardless of Daphne and my thoughts it was likely the Ministry had a different opinion.
"Come on Harry it's Saturday and the weekend. I want you to take me for dinner and a late night cinema. We can then spend the rest of the weekend in our apartment in Knockturn alley." Daphne gave me one of her special come-on looks.
"You know I can never refuse you, you little minx. Are you planning on having your way with me this weekend?"
"And you would object?"
I just smiled and gave her a quick kiss on her lips and offered my arm. Her arms encircled mind and we were off to dinner.
As it was our normal way of dressing, we headed out in our Muggle attire. The passing of numerous students in the hallways as we headed out the main door as was normal. Once we were out of sight of the castle I flashed Daphne to downtown London for dinner. What we did not notice were the tracking charms that had been attached to us as we strolled down the corridors of Hogwarts.
After a short wait to be seated the dinner was excellent as we enjoyed the wine and each other's company. Daphne already knew which movie she wished to see in which theater. I hailed a cab and we were soon deep into the movie with our bags of popcorn.
We along with the movie goers poured out the main exit. It was late enough for the streets to be empty. Many in the movie going crowd were heading off to the local all night discos.
As the crowd of people exiting the theater many people were entering the dozens of cabs that were waiting outside the theater. While others were heading off to the right to grab the tube for their preferred discos or home. Daphne and I started to the left to find a secluded place to flash to our apartment. Everyone received a startling interruption to their plans for the evening...that's when all hell broke loose.
In the middle of Muggle London Death Eaters poured out of alleyway's and others popped into the street surrounding the theater. Instead of offering everyone tea and biscuits they started throwing lethal curses, spells and 'Avada Kedavra'. Panic erupted including the taxi drivers who put the pedal to the metal in an attempt to leave the devastation. Total pandemonium reigned. Some of the taxi's got in a good lick or two by running over a few Death Eaters. Of course the Death Eaters destroyed a number of the taxis by causing them to explode or crash. Many of the sensible panicked Muggles fled back into the theater while others fled directly into the Death Eaters curses.
While Daphne threw up a shield around both of us I started using one of the phoenix libraries spells, 'Detestari et reverti', the spell was quite draining my magical core. This spell also had to be cast numerous times to cover all directions. In the interim there was death, destruction and panic. My spell cause the Death Eaters to get a taste of their own curses and soon the majority fled the area.
"Harry what do we do now?"
"Start healing the Muggles as best we can." So that's what we did until a large contingency of Aurors arrived. That only started more confusion and questions. Minutes later Madam Bones arrived.
"So we meet again! Care to explain?" She asked as she surveyed the area as she seemed to be having problems with what she saw, there were bodies everywhere and a lot of them were Death Eaters.
"I'm sorry Madam Bones whether it was a group after me or just random destruction we just could not try and stop the killing. i know you're Obliviators are going to have one hell of a long night."
"Harry don't worry about them, what I'm not understanding is how you took out fifty or more Death Eaters even if your accomplice helped."
"I used a spell that basically returns all deadly curses to their senders. So the more they cast the more they got what they deserved."
Madam Bones waived her wand, "Harry, about getting what they sent, how about we start tracking the tracking charms that you both have attached to your jeans."
"Daphne it appears that Madam Bones is eager to deal with people who may have started his evening's entertainment."
Madam Bones nodded, I called Hedwig and Madam Bones started tracing the tracing charms.
While we normally kept up appearances about arriving and departing from Hogwarts but this was not the time. Following the magical echo of the tracking charms we flamed into a Slytherin dormitory room via Hedwig. Madam Bones soon identified and located those who occupy that particular dormitory room. Both Montague and Nott's wands had betrayed them and Madam Bones escorted them to the Ministry for interrogation.
Monday morning Dumbledore had them back in school even after they confessed to assisting their Death Eater parents in locating us with the tracking charms.
