A/N: Okay friends! Sorry for the more extended wait. Vacation time hit, so I decided to take it. Alright, I can't believe this is chapter 9 of 10. One more to go. I appreciate all the wonderful reviews and words! It means A LOT to me that so many of you have reviewed! I'm glad everyone's enjoying this story. I now I present to you, Chapter 9!
Chapter 9: Mutatus Vita
"Reducto!"
The Blasting Hex did just that, turning a once solid, 4,000 year-old stone basin into dust. Unfortunately, the basin wasn't exactly the target in mind. The intended receiver of said hex was an animated marble statue of Bast, the protector of the pharaohs, to the right of it.
Huddled behind a wall of granite were two Curse-Breaker trainees, Harry and Hermione Potter. The wall was a specialty of Harry's, one he learned from studying earth magic in Australia. Thankfully for the pair, the arrows and javelins being tossed their way had no chance of penetrating Harry's near 25cm thick wall.
After firing off the stray Blasting Hex, Harry ducked back behind the wall. He cursed at himself for missing his animated enemy. Hermione however, had no sympathy.
"So, still sticking with your old stand-by Harry? You know it's not as effective as some others we know." Hermione asked calmly, acting as though she wasn't under attack from a dozen marble statues.
"Yes well... using the same hex at the same time as my lovely wife is just tacky sweetheart," Harry responded in a boring, matter-of-fact tone.
"That hex is so fourth year!" she retorted, trying her best to mimic a girl friend she met while in America, using the best valley-girl voice she could. "Now, let me show you how it's done, Mr. Potter."
Hermione took a deep breath, and quickly stood up, spun around and shot off a powerful spell they learned in Japan. "Bombido!"
The spell hit one of the statues square in the chest. The resulting explosion took out two more surrounding statues. Masonry was flying all over the tomb, and the resulting dust cloud made it difficult to see the other nine assailants.
Hermione ducked back down behind the wall, a playful smirk on her face. "See, much more effective that way, Harry."
Harry could only shake his head at the reaction of his wife. "You know, you are not the same bushy-haired, know-it-all, rule-abiding school girl I met on the Hogwarts Express over ten years ago. You've turned into some creature that's hardly recognizable from that innocent little thing. What happened? Oh, hold that thought..."
Harry spun around, and levitated a couple dozen small rocks on the other side of the wall. With a non-verbal incantation, he banished them towards the oncoming, animated representations of Bast. A split-second later, he casted an enlargement charm on the rocks, turning them into cannon-ball sized boulders. The effect on the statues was immediate and devastating. The flying projectiles tore through the remaining enemies. Some had their arms blown off, others their legs, some both, a few had their heads removed, still others had their bodies utterly pulverized.
After casting the spells, Harry had ducked back down behind the wall to avoid any debris that might rain down upon them. Both Harry and Hermione listened intently, trying to hear if their foes had fallen. Several seconds passed without a sound, and they both peeked over the wall. What they saw was pile after pile of rubble.
Hermione turned to her husband, and shook her head. "Show-off."
Harry nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders, and stood up. "You started it."
"What?" Hermione asked, a shocked expression on her face as she stood next to Harry.
"I said... You started it. You teased me about trying to take them out one at a time. You then proceeded to try and show me up by taking out multiple targets. I simply ended it. That's all. And I believe it's 123 to 95 now, Hermione."
Harry transfigured his wall back into dirt, and walked over towards the large, hieroglyph and artwork covered door. He ran his hands all over the door, knowing full well this was not his specialty.
"Well, perhaps I could catch-up to you if you weren't going through them like Ron goes through food at the dinner table! And honestly Harry! You know you're horrible opening doors. You're barely passable at Runes now, though I'll grant you that you've made some big strides since we've been here in Egypt."
"I'll have you know I can open a door with the best of them, it's just when they put passwords in the form of runes that I happen to falter a little bit. Besides, you have to be good for something other than looking dead sexy," Harry said, smirking at Hermione.
Hermione scoffed at her husband's comment. She walked over to the door and ran her hands over four specific runes in a specific order. The large, stone door roared to life. The door sank into the floor below, revealing the entranceway to the burial chamber. As the dust settled, the pair walked in, followed by the large, unbreakable jars filled with Hermione's blue flames floating behind them. The light from the flames illuminated the chamber, revealing not gold, nor precious stones, but something, at least to Hermione, far more valuable.
Hermione walked over to a large stone slab, where several items made out of bronze were sitting. She waved her wand over them, checking to make sure that they weren't cursed. When she saw that they were fine, she picked up what appeared to be a bronze scalpel. She examined the other items, noting that several looked similar to what her parents used in their dentistry practice.
"Harry, do you realize what we've just stumbled upon?"
"Well, seeing as there are no piles of gold, no ceremonial headpieces, and no fancy sarcophagus, I'm guessing it's not a pharaoh. I'm also going to say it's not a queen, or even a priest. But, I think it's someone of importance, judging by my small knowledge of hieroglyphs. So, how close am I?"
Hermione turned around and looked at Harry. She had a smirk on her face, which was slowly turning into a smile. Walking away from the stone slab, she sauntered over to the emerald-eyed wizard. She placed her open palms on his chest, and slowly moved them up to his neck. Eventually, her fingers found themselves playing with the coal-colored locks that adorned the wizard's head.
Harry's arms had made their way around her waist, and pulled her in close. His hands played with the hem of her tank-top, and his fingers began to explore underneath. She shuddered at his light touch, and responded by kissing that spot on his neck. It was a promise to continue their libidinous activities later.
"I just have one question. Who are you and what have you done with my husband? Because he couldn't possibly have deduced such a conclusion from the evidence presented. Otherwise, I'd have no purpose here, other than looking... what was it? Oh yes, dead sexy; that was it."
A sly grin was forming on her face as she saw his reaction to both her special kiss, and the petting of his ego. After the past couple years, their playfulness and light teasing had increased ten fold. Though they kept the most salacious activities locked in their bedroom, they certainly liked the constant reminder of just how much they loved, and for that matter, lusted after, each other. What made everything much more intense was that they had given all of themselves to each other; mind, body and soul.
Harry smiled, and fought hard to beat back the onrushing desire for the brown-haired woman in his arms. He gave her a light kiss on the forehead, followed by a trail of small kisses down her cheek. He stopped when his mouth was near her ear, and whispered, "Your husband is right here..." causing her to shudder involuntarily.
With her lips now next to his ear, she replied in a very low and husky voice, "You are so evil... and you know we have a job to finish."
Harry chuckled, and said, "Mood killer."
"I'd rather have a rain cheque, thank you very much. Perhaps if you're good, I can show you something I picked up a couple days ago that I'd thought you'd like. It's something different, but I think you'll like it."
"Can't wait, love. But... like always... you're right... we do have a job to do. So... as much as I'd love to continue, we need to start actually doing what we're supposed to be doing."
After their open flirtations, Harry and Hermione resumed examining the chamber, Hermione taking very thorough notes. She jotted down her hypothesis; that this was the earliest evidence of dental surgery. When they finished, they emerged from the tomb, reporting to their boss the amazing find down below. Their boss sent a collection team back in, and sent the pair home for the day.
They arrived back at the apartment they were renting in Cairo, and immediately started to resume their activities from earlier in the tomb. Unfortunately for them, they didn't get very far, and in fact, were in for a rougher night than they had bargained for.
A large, tawny owl began to peck furiously on their one window. The couple separated, and Harry stomped over to let the bird in. He threw open the window in frustration, wanting very much to go back to the fun activity he was enjoying just moments before. He took the letter from the owl, and slammed the window shut. The offended owl took off in a huff, upset he didn't get a treat from the ungrateful human. Harry unrolled the parchment, and began to read.
Dear Mr. And Mrs. Potter,
This letter has been sent due to the unfortunate passing of Mrs. Andromeda Black-Tonks on Friday, the 14th of June, 2002.
You have been sent this letter because you are the godparents of Ted Remus Lupin. Your presence is required at Gringotts Wizarding Bank of London on Friday, the 21st of June, 2002, to either claim custody of Ted Remus Lupin, or relinquish your right to the child. Ted Remus Lupin is currently in custody of Walter and Rose Granger, with whom the child was staying due to Mrs. Black-Tonks sudden illness.
Our condolences,
Snartooth, Head of Wills, Testaments, Inheritance, and Intestacy
Harry read the letter three times. His heart fall into his stomach, and felt as though someone kicked him square in the gut. He stumbled backward, falling into the old, ratty love-seat they had bought.
Hermione, who had been of one mind for the past five minutes, switched gears immediately when she saw Harry fall back onto the couch, clutching the letter they had just received. She rushed over, throwing herself onto the couch beside Harry, her heart pounding out of fear and concern of what was in the letter.
"What is it?" she croaked out. She saw the tears falling from his eyes as he held out the letter for her. She snatched it from his grasp, and began to read. When she finished, she threw her arms around her husband, and he responded in kind. They both held onto each other, crying out of grief for both Andromeda and Teddy. They wept for hours, eventually succumbing to the sandman, falling asleep on the couch, their bodies worn out from the emotional turmoil.
"Unca Hawwy!" the excited three-year-old girl screamed when her chocolate eyes saw the gangly young-man walk through the door. In a streak of brown blurriness, she darted across the living room, and latched herself onto the leg of her brother-in-law.
"Hey Hand-basket!" he replied; a grin on his face, the first real one he had had in two days. "How are you?" Harry rubbed Helena's back and patted her head.
"Good," was her only reply. She was then tapped on the shoulder, and she snapped her head around. Her brown eyes met a very similar set of orbs. Helena gasped, and lunged at her older sister, throwing her small arms around her neck.
"Huhminee!" she squealed as she was picked up.
"Oh my goodness, Mini-Me! You're getting so big! You're almost getting too big for your big sister to hold you. I think Uncle Harry needs to be a good boy and hold you. Don't you agree Helena?"
The little girl nodded enthusiastically, and she began to squirm in Hermione's arms, trying to free herself to go over to her second-favorite male. Harry saw this, and took the Hand-basket in his arms.
He gave his sister-in-law that nickname the day she was born. After being told her name was Helena, the first thought in his brain was, 'Hand-basket. Helena. Hell in a Hand-basket. Ha!' Much to Hermione's chagrin, he kept up with the nickname, and the littlest Granger fell in love with Harry after that.
As Helena started to grow, her appearance closely resembled that of Hermione's when she was her age. When Rose showed Hermione two pictures, one of her and one of Helena at the same age, there was no doubt as to the nickname she would give her little sister. And so, Helena was christened as Mini-Me. As the little girl started to get older, she took on more and more of her older sister's attributes; the brown, bushy-hair, the deep-chocolate eyes, the intense love of books. The only question that remained was if she would also follow her sister into the magical world.
"Hello sweetheart, I wish we were seeing each other under better circumstances," Rose Granger said to her eldest daughter as she entered the room. The two embraced before she turned her attention to her son-in-law, who she gave a light hug to as well, trying to avoid crushing the three-year-old in between them.
"Hello deary, I see you've got yourself an armful. Don't expect her to ask to be let down. She only does that with the females of the family. You and her father however, she could stay with for eternity. I dare say you've made quite the impression on the women in this family, Harry."
"Yes well... there's just something about Granger girls I can't get enough of..." Harry said smiling before kissing on the cheek, in order: Helena, Hermione, and Rose. "So, where's the little monster?"
"He's out back playing tag with Victoire. I told all of them that you two were coming, and this little one," Rose said, ruffling Helena's hair, "came right in and sat on the couch until you came through the door. She wouldn't pass up an opportunity with her Uncle Harry if her life depended on it."
Helena giggled, and buried her head into the crook of Harry's neck, much like Hermione did when they laid down together. Harry chuckled, and squeezed the little one in his arms gently. He kissed her on the top of her head before responding to Rose.
"I think she realizes that she's got me wrapped around her finger, at least that's the only rational explanation I can come up with," Harry said, smiling brightly at the bundle of joy in his arms. "Hey Hand-basket, do you want to go play with Teddy and Victoire now? We have to talk to your Mum about something, so why don't you go play with them?"
"Kay Unca Hawwy," Helena said as Harry set her down. Within a split second, she was off to the back yard to play with her friends. After she disappeared, Rose brought some tea into the living room, and the three of them sat down to talk.
"So, are you two going to take Teddy?" Rose asked bluntly, getting right to the heart of the matter.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other, and Harry nodded at her, imploring her to go first. "Well Mum, I'm not sure. I don't know if we're ready. I think I'm ready mentally to start our family, but what about our finances, jobs? We don't even have a place to raise him. Plus we're not done with our training in Egypt. There are so many things to consider. It's so hard Mum..." Hermione finished, burying her face in her hands.
Rose sighed, and looked at Harry. "How do you feel Harry? Do you have the same reservations?"
Harry looked between his wife and his mother-in-law, and shook his head. "Honestly, no, I don't," he said with a shrugging of his shoulders. "But, I've always been the impulsive one. I tend to rush into things without thinking things through. I think we should take him as soon as possible and figure things out later. I don't want to risk him growing up like I did, in a household where he isn't surrounded by people that love him.
"Hermione doesn't want me to bring this up, but I'm going to..." Hermione glared at him, but remained silent. "She doesn't want to ask for help. She wants us to do it on our own. She wants to be self-sustaining. But if it comes down to it, I know that you and Walter, Arthur and Molly, Bill and Fleur, and even Ron and Padma would be willing to help us with Teddy until then. That's why I want to do this right now, because I've learned that we have a support system in place. We don't have to do this alone. And I don't think it would take us too long to get on our feet and on our own. In fact, I spent a good deal of time yesterday trying to do just that."
Hermione cocked her head at Harry. "You what? What were you doing while I was at the Ministry? You said it was to avoid all the attention. What did you do?"
Harry let a smile grow on his face, realizing he'd finally been able to plan and execute something without her knowledge. "Well, a lot actually. My first stop was actually Hogwarts. I talked to Headmistress McGonagall, and she happens to think that she'll have two open positions on staff this year. Coincidentally, it's DADA and Charms. Professor Flitwick wants to retire, and has for many years. And Auror Proudfoot doesn't really like teaching, so McGonagall has been keeping an eye out for anyone who wants the job. So..."
Harry was cut off by a lunging Hermione Potter, who clamped her mouth over his, effectively shutting down any verbal communication, which caused the both of them to fall deep into the cushions of the couch. Rose chuckled at the reaction of her eldest daughter, while simultaneously blushing furiously, watching her grown-up little girl throw herself onto her husband. After several long seconds of snogging, Rose caught their attention by doing a very good impression of Dolorus Umbridge. "Hem-hem!"
Suddenly, Hermione sprang off Harry, acting as though the mere touch of his skin caused her physical pain. Sitting back up, her face completely red, she smiled sheepishly as Harry dug himself out of the cushions, a stupid grin plastered on his face.
Harry took a few seconds to regain his composure before continuing. "As I was saying, the Headmistress said that the positions are ours if we want them."
Hermione was now beaming. "Oh Harry! That's wonderful! I can't believe you did that. You know how much I admire Headmistress McGonagall, and to actually work with her would be a dream come true. Me, a Hogwarts professor. Wow..." she said, drifting off into a daydream, a daydream where she was standing in front of her first-year Charms class, explaining the long 'oh' sound in Leviosa.
Rose and Harry could only chuckle at the dreamy expression on Hermione's face. 'You know, I never thought I'd see the day that the patented, dreamy expression of Luna Lovegood would adore my lovely wife's face,' Harry thought to himself. He turned to Rose, and saw the same amused look on her face that he was sure was on his.
"So Rose, do you think she'd like to hear the rest of what I have to say, or would she rather daydream about her new job?"
"What other news do you have to share, deary?"
"Oh... not much. Just that I found a place to live in Hogsmeade."
Dead silence...
Then...
"WHAT?!"
Harry smirked.
"Hogsmeade. Place. To. Live."
Hermione was blinking repeatedly, gobsmacked, at her husband, unsure if she heard what she thought she heard. She sat there, frozen in place. She couldn't believe her ears. Was this some weird dream she was going to wake up from? Did something really happen in the past couple days that she wasn't aware of? And was Harry responsible for it? Did he really get them jobs and a place to live on impulse, when she was worrying about planning it all? This man, her husband, the love of her life, the most important person to her for the last eleven years almost, had done the near impossible.
"Harry?" she said weakly, her voice dripping in disbelief. Her shock was not dissipating as the seconds wore on. Her eyes showed a reluctance to grab on to this wonderful set of circumstances that had been laid out before her.
It was a dream of hers to teach at Hogwarts. Harry had delivered that. It was a dream of hers to raise their children in a place of their own. And it seemed that Harry had delivered that as well.
Harry reached out and grabbed her hand, giving it a gently squeeze. "I knew you would worry about everything, and I figured the best way to deal with it all, was to just go ahead and do it. Being Harry Potter has its advantages. You know I don't like most aspects of being me, but sometimes, it comes in handy. Like when finding a beautiful house on the outskirts of Hogsmeade, so that we can live near the castle, raise Teddy and our own children, and live peacefully," Harry said, smiling at his wife.
"Harry, you're bloody amazing!" Hermione exclaimed. She threw her arms around his neck, and pulled him into a deep kiss, once again causing her mother to blush. Once they separated, Hermione had the biggest smile on her face that she had ever had.
"Well you two, I think it's time we tell Teddy the good news. I'm sure that the both of you will be wonderful parents. Speaking of which, now that you've decided on raising Teddy, when will the little Potter's be running around this house?" Rose asked.
Both Harry and Hermione blushed at her frankness. They had discussed the possibility of starting their family many, many times. But when the situation with Teddy came up, the issue was staring them directly in the face.
Harry looked between the two women in the room, and decided to voice his opinion, one that had been at the forefront of his thoughts for the past two days. "I think that with us taking Teddy in, it would be the perfect time to start our family. I know we haven't finished our training in Egypt, but I think this takes precedent. I really, really want to start our family now. And I hope that you do too, Hermione."
Hermione sat there, the smile from earlier still on her face. This had turned into quite a day. It started without her having a job, a place to live, or Teddy in her care. Now, she was sitting here with an offer to teach Charms at Hogwarts, a house to live in, and a four-year-old to take care of. On top of that, her husband was asking her to start their family soon. She only had one response.
"I think it's a wonderful idea."
Minerva McGonagall sat in her office, the Headmistress' office, at Hogwarts. She reflected on the meeting she had just yesterday concerning two of her favorite students. She was more than happy to help Harry and Hermione Potter. To have these two fine young people on her staff would be a boon to the school.
She thought of all the adventures Harry had been through during his days at the school, and thought of how perfect he was for the position of DADA professor. She smiled, thinking of when he taught his fellow students during his fifth year. She knew then that Harry would be an excellent teacher, and was proud of the fact that he was going to take up the position. She had a feeling that he would be at Hogwarts for many, many years.
If there was one student Headmistress McGonagall would choose as her favorite, there would be no doubt as to who she would choose. Hermione was a dedicated student, and was able to help both her friends throughout school. Smart, hard worker, diligent, loyal, dedicated; all words that would describe Hermione Potter.
The Headmistress was pulled out of her thoughts by a knocking at her door. "Come in," she said.
The door swung open, and in walked two of her professors, Filius Flitwick and Patrick Proudfoot. Minerva motioned for them to sit down, and both did so without saying a word. Professor Proudfoot looked uneasy, acting like a school boy who was in trouble. Professor Flitwick looked tired, like he was just woken up by the summons to the Headmistress' office.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice. I have some big news to share with the both of you. It appears as though I've found replacements for the both of you."
Filius looked stunned. This was certainly news he was not expecting for at least another couple of years. He had several candidates in mind to replace him, but one stood out above all others. Curious, he asked, "May I inquire as to just who you've found as our successors, Minerva?"
"Who cares? Just as long as this prat actually takes the job. We are talking about this term correct? I'm tired of dealing with these little brats. You know, when I took this job, I was supposed to be here for a year. It's turned into four bloody years! I never wanted this! Just tell me they've accepted the post so I can go back to my real job, catching criminal wizards!" Proudfoot complained.
Minerva looked upon Proudfoot with disdain. Her eyes were fierce, narrowed, and glaring at her... former... DADA professor. Slowly, as the thought of just who was replacing him crossed her mind, the right side of her mouth rose. The effect was amazing; it was simply a look of pure contempt. Her eyes glowering, her mouth slightly cocked, forming a ruthless smirk. For once, she decided not to hold back, thinking how wonderful it would feel to say what she was thinking, she let loose.
"Professor Proudfoot, you should feel quite honored, because when the next edition of Wizard's Pursuit comes out, you'll be in it."
Proudfoot immediately perked up, wondering just how it was possible. "What do you mean, Minerva?"
"Oh, when your name is plastered on the back of a card? You'll be the answer to a simple question. And that is... Who was the DADA professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry before Harry Potter?"
Both the gentlemen in front of her had their jaws drop, stunned at what they just heard. Filius was the first to recover. "Harry Potter, Minerva? I know he lead that group back in his fifth year, but DADA professor?"
"Filius, name me a person who is better suited for the position? The boy has been through more in his life than most of the Aurors, including the one we have on staff," she said, staring icily at Proudfoot.
Proudfoot sat dumbfounded, before his confusion turned to seething anger. "What? That attention seeking brat? He's my replacement? Ha! I have more skill in my left pinkie than he does his entire body. But if that's what it takes to me out of this Merlin forsaken place, then so be it," he spat.
"Just because you can't stand the fact that someone half your age has twice your skill, doesn't mean you have the right to besmirch his good name, Mr. Proudfoot. The only reason you were given the position is because you couldn't weasel your way into the good graces of our current Minister like you had previously done! You were, quite plainly, a stooge for both Fudge and Scrimgeour. That's the only way you got to where you are, not because of your abilities! Now, get out of my office, pack your things, and never step foot in my school again!" Minerva demanded.
Auror Proudfoot stood up quickly, knocking over the chair he was sitting in. He spun around, and walked out of the Headmistress' office, slamming the door behind him. He didn't see the dual looks of satisfaction that crossed both Minerva and Filius' faces. Both professors shared a laugh, and continued their conversation.
"Well Minerva, I don't believe you answered my question as to who you found to replace me. I am certainly happy to hear that Mr. Potter will be returning to Hogwarts, but my curiosity is getting the better of me, I'm afraid. That, or the prospect of an actual retirement," Flitwick said with a smile.
"I think you'll be happy with your replacement, Filius. As it were, I was able to find both a new DADA professor and your replacement in one fell swoop. They came as a packaged deal. I got not only Mr. Potter, but Mrs. Potter as well. Hermione will take over as Charms professor as soon as you're ready for retirement, old friend."
Filius Flitwick had rarely had the type of smile that was on his face right now, hearing the news that one of his most prized students would be taking over for him. "Splendid, Minerva. Splendid, indeed. If it would please you, I would like to teach one more year. But, I would welcome Mrs. Potter as my assistant for the year, to both ease her into the position, and to make sure she doesn't go overboard on the students. I remember her assignments very well, and I would be afraid of the work load she would thrust upon the students."
Minerva chuckled at his assessment of the former Miss Granger, and nodded. "I tend to agree with you on that point, and I think Hermione would do well to be your understudy. Harry, on the other hand, does have experience teaching students, and judging by the OWL and NEWT scores of his group, can do it quite well. I will be hosting Mr. and Mrs. Potter in a few days time. Would you like to be there?"
"Most certainly."
Harry paced back and forth in front of the large, oak desk in the DADA classroom. To say he was nervous would be an understatement. This was his first day on the job, his first class, and unfortunately, they were seventh years. First years he could handle. They could barely remember the days of Voldemort. They wouldn't ask him questions about it, at least in the detail that their older house mates would. They would be wide-eyed little firsties. Not wide-eyed, teen-aged seventh years, who would remember the fall of Voldemort and The Battle at Hogwarts.
He did have a plan going into class today. He would do something to them that would get their attention. He knew it would be mean, but he felt it was his duty to prepare them against the nastiest and most awful wizards alive. This was after all, Defense Against the Dark Arts. He spent nearly everyday, since accepting the job, with Hermione planning out his lessons for the year. They had decided that starting off the year with a bang was just what the medic called for.
Both Harry and Hermione had talked at length with Headmistress McGonagall about the lesson plan of Auror Proudfoot. The couple knew that drastic action needed to be taken, especially with the older students. They had suffered from lackluster professors since they had entered school. This was the class who had Umbridge as their DADA teacher in their first year. Then came Severus Snape, a hero in the war, but a disgrace to the word "teacher". After that, came Amycus Carrow, a true Death Eater through and through. Thankfully, that year was repeated. And for the past four years, they were subjected to Proudfoot.
Patrick Proudfoot did not embrace teaching. He despised it. Detested it. Loathed it. He disliked the little brats he had to deal with on a daily basis, five days a week, ten months out of the year. He didn't even bother to try and remember their names. It was pointless. The ones that acted so smart, the ones thought that they were smarter than he was, were a nuisance. The ones that didn't care, were a waste of time. The best students, in his opinion, were the ones that came in, sat down, shut up, did their work, and performed well without his interference.
Harry knew he had to catch these kids up on everything that they had missed. It would take hard work on their part. He needed to find out whether or not they really wanted it. He needed to separate out those who were there to learn and achieve, from those who were there because their teacher was going to be Harry Potter.
The first few students walked into the classroom, a group of Ravenclaws, and promptly sat in the first row, front and center. Harry stopped pacing the moment they entered the room, walking to the middle of his desk, and leaned back up against it. He folded his arms across his chest, and let his head droop down, giving the impression that he was nodding off to sleep. Soon, the rest of the seventh years filled up the room, all sitting silently, wondering why the great Harry Potter looked to be asleep.
After a minute or so of silence, the students began to whisper amongst themselves. It didn't take long for the conversations to go from whispers to normal volume. Harry stood there, eyes closed, listening to them banter about. With their attentions elsewhere, he struck.
Harry grabbed his wand, and began shooting off hexes as fast as he could, not aiming at anyone in particular. The students in the front were the first to be hit. Two Ravenclaw girls had been knocked to the floor, their hair now a florescent pink, reminiscent of the late Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin. Two Slytherin boys, who were to the right of the girls, were knocked out of their chairs. They began flinging their arms around wildly as their hair grew absurdly long, engulfing their bodies, both now looking like overgrown Cousin Its.
One by one, student after student fell victim to hexes tossed around by Professor Potter. The hexes had sent the kids dashing behind any cover they could find; be it a desk, a chair, or even other students. Finally, after two-thirds of the students had been hit, a loud cry of, "Protego!" rang throughout the room.
With that simple scream, a thin, blueish-yet-transparent shield spang up around one of the students. Immediately, Harry stopped his assault, and looked around the room, trying to locate the caster. Soon his eyes found what they were looking for, and he allowed himself to smile, but just a small one.
"Your name and house, Miss...?" Professor Potter asked the young lady.
With a trembling voice, she replied, "Rose Zeller, Hufflepuff, sir."
"Miss Zeller, take 20 points for Hufflepuff for an excellent Protego shield. And may I say, you have a lovely first name," Harry said with a smile. The blond, seventh year 'Puff blushed at the compliment. "My mother-in-law is named Rose, so I'm rather partial to the name, Miss Zeller. Everyone, have a seat. And for those of you who were hexed... Finite Incantatem!"
As the students took their seats, Harry stalked the front of the room, his demeanor changing on a knut. He was obviously not in a good mood after his sneak attack. The displeasure was radiating of him in waves. He turned to face his students, and with a most un-Harry-like look, snarled at them.
"Now, as for the rest of you. If I may borrow a line from an old Potions professor of mine, that was pathetic you dunderheads! Most of you were hit, a good number of you didn't even draw your wands, and some of you flobberworms hid behind your fellow students! Ab. So. Lute. Lee. Pah. Th-eh. Tick. If I were a Death Eater, most of you would be dead by now. And I don't won't to hear the excuse of, 'Well, you caught us unaware!' Constant Vigilance!" Harry finished, pounding his fist onto his desk. The entire class jumped in their seats, startled by the sudden noise.
Everyone in the room stared at their new professor, disbelieving the sight before them. Many were expecting this first class to be fun. They expected to be regaled by the stories of Harry Potter, told by the man himself. They were looking forward to hearing about his adventures. What they got instead, was a tongue-lashing.
"You lot were supposed to be the best this school had to offer. All of you passed your OWL's with at least an E, otherwise you couldn't be here. This class will not be Harry Potter 101. This will be Defense Against the Dark Arts, NEWT level. If you aren't willing to work hard, then I suggest you don't come back for the next class. I have one year to fix everything that's wrong with you. And trust me, knowing who your previous professors were, you're one messed up bunch.
"This class will be split into two parts. During this scheduled time period, will be the lecture portion of the course. The second part will take place independently, outside class time. You will be divided up by house, and each house will have a practical lesson once per week. This. Is. Mandatory. We will all meet on Fridays as a group, bringing the total number of practicals to two per week for each house. These lessons will take place at night, and take precedent over everything, including Quidditch. This shouldn't be much of a problem, seeing as I will be getting together with the four Captains, so that there will not be any conflicts.
"Now, since I have no deep wanting to teach people who don't wish to be here, I'm dismissing class early. I don't want to waste my time lecturing to those who don't want to work hard. Alright, with the exception of Miss Zeller... Class dismissed."
Everyone looked tentatively at Rose, whose eyes were now as big as saucers. The class slowly shuffled out of the room, still licking their wounds from the assault and subsequent dressing-down. Rose however, remained riveted to her seat. After everyone left, Harry walked over to the young Hufflepuff. She was still wide-eyed, staring at her professor.
Harry chuckled at her, and said, "Its okay Miss Zeller, you can relax, you're not in trouble."
"Um... okay... Professor Potter..." she replied nervously. "What do you want, sir?"
"Miss Zeller, you had the highest score on the DADA OWL since... well... myself and my wife. It was no great surprise to me that it was you who cast the first shielding spell. I was a little disappointed that it took you so long to do so, but I'm willing to let that little detail slide, for now.
"The reason I asked you to stay behind is that I wanted to ask you something. I want each house to have a designated DADA expert, someone that the younger students can go to with questions. Also, this person will lead their house in the practicals. I may be the teacher, but I feel that a fellow student should be the leader. I'm still undecided on the other three houses, but after today, I know for sure that I want you to be that person for Hufflepuff. That is if you're willing to take on the responsibility."
The 'Puff sat there, dumbfounded, unable to formulate a response. Her mind was still reeling from what Harry had said to her.
"Miss Zeller?"
Finally, the fog lifted from her brain, and she said shyly, "Yes Professor, I'd love too."
"Good. Now, your first assignment as the leader of Hufflepuff, is to try and convince every other seventh year Badgers to keep up with this class. While I'm not requiring you to get them all to come, I am asking that you at least try and change their minds, assuming that there are any in your house that are planning on dropping the class. Understood?"
"Yes sir."
"Very well. You're dismissed."
Hermione Potter stood over the stove, flipping over the chicken that was frying in the pan. It was a delicacy she had picked up while in America. She never had fried chicken before, but since encountering the delectable dish, both she and Harry couldn't get enough of it. And when Teddy first got his hands on a golden-brown drumstick, he devoured the tasty leg piece faster than Ron ever could.
As she stood there, frying up dinner for her husband and godson, she pondered how she was going to share the news that she had found out earlier that day. She and Harry had been arguing over her health for the past week. She had been feeling under the weather, and she wasn't improving. Harry was adamant that she visit St. Mungo's, but her stubbornness kept her from going. Finally, he was able to at least convince her to see Madam Pomfrey, seeing as she was going to be at Hogwarts anyway.
After her visit to the Hospital Wing, she asked Professor Flitwick if she could go home early, saying she wasn't feeling well, which was quite true. Since returning home, she had played with Teddy all day, to his immense enjoyment. They played games, and she had him read to her, which was fun for both of them.
Hermione was startled out of her thoughts by the sound of the front door slamming shut. Footsteps made their way from the living room, towards the kitchen, growing louder as they approached. She turned her head to face the entranceway, and saw her smiling husband looking at her. She returned his smile, then turned her attention back to the chicken.
"How was your first day, Harry?" Hermione asked, flipping over a drumstick.
"It couldn't have gone any better if I had done it 100 times. Our plan worked with the seventh years. Got their attention real good, that's for sure..." Harry said before turning his attention to the four-year-old sitting at the kitchen table. He walked over to the young boy, and gave him a big hug. "Hey Teddy! How's it going, you little monster?"
Teddy hugged his godfather back enthusiastically. "Good. Auntie Hermione says I'm a fast reader! Are you a fast reader Uncle Harry?"
Harry pulled away from Teddy, and smiled down at him. "No I'm not little guy. I'm not nearly as fast a reader as Hermione. I think you'll be as fast as her when you get older." Hearing the praise from Harry, Teddy beamed. "Now, why don't you set the table for us while I go help with the cooking?"
"Okay Uncle Harry," Teddy said while sliding off the chair. As he went to go get the silverware, Harry walked over and put his arms around his wife, and kissed her neck lightly.
"So Miss Sicky, what's Poppy's diagnosis?" Harry inquired.
Hermione let out a long sigh, not sure how to answer. So instead, she took one of his hands, and began to rub her belly with it. As she did so, a large smile spread across her face.
"I have some good news, and some bad news. Bad news is: I'm going to be sick for a little while longer."
Harry, not really aware of what she was doing his hand, but enjoying it nonetheless, frowned at the news she shared. "And what's the good news?"
Hermione turned her head, and kissed him on the cheek. With her lips close to his ear, she whispered...
"We're going to have a baby, my love."
A/N: Alrighty! Chapter 9 in the books. By the way Mutatus Vita roughly translated means "Change in the way of life", which I certainly believe fits this chapter. Also, I tried making Helena's speech patterns as close to a three-year-olds as I could. Not having children of my own, nor have I ever had any real interactions with them, leads me to a lot of speculation on this. If this is way off, please let me know, whether the speech be better or worse. I looked at child development web sites and tried to fit her speech with a "typical" three-year-old pattern. Same with Teddy.
Anyway, thanks for reading! I don't know when chapter 10 will be done. A lot is going on in my life right now, and finding time to write is becoming increasingly difficult. Thank you for being patient with me! See you next time!