Well Hope everyone has enjoyed the reboot so far! Some big changes coming up in this chapter. Hope you fellas enjoy.
The golden trio walked down the hall towards their next class, Defense Against the Dark Arts. Previously, this class had been no good, but with Link as the new professor, they were hoping that would change
"So DADA with Professor Link this should be interesting!" Ron said, stretching his hands above his head, this day felt like it was going on forever!
"I have a feeling this class is going to better then early years, Link actual seems to have experience in fighting" Harry said excitedly, hoping learn something from this class for once.
"Yes but it seems he fights with a sword and a bow. We've only seen him use magic once. Not much to teach after that." Hermione mumbled to herself, still stumped as to why the professor didn't have a wand.
The three finally made it to the room and opened the door, seeing almost all the class had shown up already. They took their seats in the back and Harry noticed Link sitting in the front of the room at his desk. Taking a moment, Harry glanced around the room and saw that it was pretty bland, some books lay about and the only really notable thing was a shield that sat in the front of the room. Before Harry could get a good look at it, Link stood up from his chair and stood in front of the class, looking over his class.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts is by far the most valuable class you will have in this school. For if you don't know how to fight back, how will you defend yourself when the situation arises where you are forced to? This is why I'm here. To teach you to defend yourself, to teach you how to fight back. Some people think the world is full of peace and tranquility," Link paused and chuckled slightly, looking back at his class, "They are dead wrong. Evil is everywhere and it will always be a constant threat. Some of you are probably thinking 'I'll never need to fight' or 'nothing can kill me!' Well I thought that to at one point" Link explained, and then he started to take off his rob, reveling that green tunic that Hermione had noticed before earlier in the day. He then took off the top of the tunic, the chain mail and then his under shirt. He then turned around showing the class his bare back.
The whole class gasped in disbelief as to what they were seeing. Link's entire back was littered with scares and burn marks, some looking more painful than others. Hermione had to keep herself from gasping again as Link turned back around to show his chest. On it was a large, ragged scar from his left shoulder to his right hip. It looked like someone had literally taken a sword and sliced him across the chest.
"These scars and burns are a testament to my life and what I had to do to save the ones I loved and my own life." He explained, crouching down and picking up the clothing on the floor. He tugged his shirt over his head as he continued.
"I show you these because I thought nothing could hurt me," He paused as he put his chain mail back on, then the upper half of his tunic, "And when I underestimated my opponent they left their mark on me, and those marks are a constant reminder." He said, his voice seeming distant as he put the black robe he always wore back on.
"Now," He ordered, bring his attention back to the class, "If you could all get up and push the desks to the side of the room we can start class."
The students did as he said, pushing the desks and chairs off to the side. While they were doing that, Link brought a cabinet that was in one of the side closest out, but it was shaking and screeching, making it a concern to the class.
"What is that?" Neville asked as he and the rest of the class walked over to their professor, curious.
Link turned back to the class and stepped to the side, showing the cabinet to the students, "it's called a boggart it's a creature that takes the shape of your worst nightmare." He explained, gesturing to the shaking object. "Dumbledore had it sent to me, what better way to learn to fight then first conquering your on fears."
The students stood and watched the cabinet rock back and forth, slightly horrified as to what could be in it. Link clapped his hands and brought the attention back to him, some students looking a bit paler then before.
"Now form a straight line!" Link ordered, watching the students as they scrambled not to end up being first.
To his luck, Ron ended up in the front of the line. He was trembling because he knew exactly what was going to come out of that thing and he hated it so much.
"What do I do when it comes out…?" He asked, looking over at Link while trying to keep himself from visibly shaking.
Link looked the kid over and gave him a reassuring smile, "You can use any spell you know. I just want you to fight it and push the fear back in the cabinet," He explained, "If you don't fight I'll open the cabinet door which will suck the creature back into the cabinet."
Ron nodded, "A-alright…" He said, pulling out his wand, readying himself.
Link nodded and walked over to the front of the cabinet and unlocked the door slowly. He backed out of the way just in time, because from the door came out a monstrous sized spider, it's eye a sickly yellow and it's full focus on Ron.
Ron fought back the trembling and calmed himself. He lifted up his wand and swiftly flicked it towards the spider, "STUPIFY!" Ron yelled, his spell hitting the spider back and sent it a few feet back. "STUPIFY!" he yelled again, this time sending the spider flying back into the cabinet from where it came.
Link closed the door and turned back to Ron, nodding at him, "Very good Mr. Wesley." He complimented, "Next up please!"
Ron grinned and jogged his way to the side of the room, leaning on one of the desks to watch all the other students go through the exercise. Most of the students that followed had a mentality that really didn't allow them to attack their fears, causing Link to have to come in and save them every now and then. Most of the fears were silly things, parents yelling at them, in Neville's case it was Professor Snape which got a good chuckle out of Link. After him, Harry stood at the front of the line, a bit nervous as to what could come out of the cabinet.
"Are you ready Potter?" Link asked.
Harry nodded and Link then opened the door, once again backing out of the way. The air in the room seemed to drop several degrees as a skeleton like hand slowly came out of the cabinet. The full body of the Dementor revealed itself and looked down upon Harry. He backed up slightly, gaping up at the Dementor. He had no idea what spell to use to defend him against this thing! He was too shocked to even think of any spell to use, he didn't know what to do.
Link watched as Harry just stood there, gaping at the monster, "Fight it Potter!" he screamed, watching the boy not even flinch at his command. He balled up his fist and glared at the boy, trying to get some reaction out of him, "Fight back or it will kill you!"
Harry saw his professor saying something to him, but couldn't hear what. All he could hear was that women's scream yet again, ringing through his mind. The dementor came closer to Harry, prepared to attack, when suddenly was sucked back into the cabinet to Harry's surprise. He snapped out of his trance and saw the professor had locked the door back up and was giving Harry a disapproving gaze.
"Come one Potter, I expected better." Link said, sounding disappointed. He shook his head and walked past Harry to address the rest of the class.
"Alright, return the desks back to normal and we will go over…" He instructed until he was cut off when the doors on the cabinet slammed open. Link quickly turned around and motioned for Harry and the rest of the class to get behind him. As they did, he swiftly pulled out his sword and went into a defensive pose, glaring at the cabinet in question.
Out of the cabinet, a thick black smoke cloud appeared and slowly it started to take the form of something, almost like a human.
"Well look at what we have here," the cloud, taking the form of a man who seemed to growing closer to looking like Link with every second except for its darker appearance and blood red eyes. It's voice sent chills down the students spines, "It is you Link…" the cloud gave the form with more detailed features, the students could see the man grinning for ear to ear, a crazed look in his eyes.
"How cute…" it chuckled, staring down at the blonde professor, "You're a pretty little teacher now hehehehe I can't help but laugh Link, seeing you again reminds me of our time in the Water temple." The voice said in a low mocking tone.
Hermione moved up next to Harry, who was right behind Link, and said in a frightened tone, "Professor who is this? What does he mean?"
The cloud, over hearing this, let out another laugh, than bowed slightly, looking back up to the class. "Oh! How rude of me, I should introduce myself shouldn't I?" he said, in a sudden loud voice frightening Hermione, "My name is Dark Link! I was created by my master Ganondorf. I'm everything Link isn't. I am his hate, his evil and his nightmare! Hehehee Oh Link how come you haven't told them about me yet?" Dark Link said causally strolling over to the opposite side of the room. Sitting on top of a desk and crossing his legs.
Dark Link smiled from ear "Seeing you again Link just fills my heart with rainbows hehehe it brings me back to our small time together! Don't you remind? That's where I gave you that pretty little scar on your chest." Dark mockingly tapped his chest where the scar would be on Link
Link tightened his grip on his sword "Shut up! You're not here! It's just a trick!" he yelled losing his cool demeanor. Hermione noticed this as the professor was visibly shacking. Something she thought would never happen to him.
"Hehehe oooohhhh reaallly? " Dark leaped off the desk and stood a few feet away from Link "Would a trick know about you're precious Malon?"
Link nearly dropped his sword at the sound of his wife's name. He couldn't believe it….it really was…
Dark Link turned to a chalk board that was placed off to the side and put a finger on it "what about your son Raven? Would a trick know that too hehhehehe" Dark began to trail his finger down the board making an loud screeching noise "Hehehe I know how about when Lord Ganondorf revives me..."
Dark Link pulled out his own sword and swiped it quickly across the board making an even more horrifying noise. "I give your son a scare to match daddies!"
The threat had gone too far. Link broke himself from his trance and glared coldly at Dark. His cold blue eyes staring daggers at the evil copy. Link slammed his sword down impaling it into the wooden floor, the bladed end pointing at Dark Link.
"That's enough!" Link yelled taking booth his fists slamming them together. As he was doing this the students could see bits of fire streaming from the ends of his hands.
Link raised one of his fisted hands into the air, it now being completely engulfed in flames. He brought his fist down slamming the hilt of his sword. "Din's inferno!" Fire engulfed the sword and then shot out of the bladed side that pointed at Dark Link.
Fire shot across the floor with resounding speed. Dark Link had no time to dodge instead he was engulfed in flames. The dark creature screeched horribly before being sucked back into the cabinet. Link looked over to see who had opened it. It was Harry and Ron who had opened it and who were now holding it close.
Link was brought to the floor rather quickly panting heavily while gripping his sword trying to keep himself up. Hermione and some students came to his aid quickly while others still stood there place trying to piece together what happened.
Hermione and the others helped Professor Link to stand "Sir are you going to be ok? Do you need to sit?"
Link silently nodded. The students helped there professor to his desk. During this Harry, Ron and some other male students helped move the cabinet to the other side of the room. The students then began to return to their seats not totally sure as what to do. Link looked like a shadow of his former self. The class had only been about 20 or so minutes in. When they started Link was a proud, tough warrior but now he seemed like a defeated dog that had just been kicked over and over again.
Before anyone could say anything Link finally broke the awkward silence. "I'm sorry….I'm sorry you all had to see that…I….I lost my control" Link adjusted his stance slowly standing up, the fatigue from his spell and the cold boned fear he felt forced him to stumble a little. Some students jumped from their seats to help but he waved at them.
When Link finally got himself up he breathed a deep breath "This is what I was talking about" he said slowly walking to the front of his desk and closer to his students "You must be prepared at all times for everything and anything. I will be ending class early." Link stated coldly. "Next class we will talk about what happened today." He said before returning to his seat running his hand through his hair.
As the other students filed out the golden trio remained. Link glared at all three. He knew immediately what was about to….
"Professor please forgive me but this can't be ignored any further! Who was that?! Who's Ganondorf and why does the mention of him send you into such a fearful state!"
Link slowly rose from his chair, quickly overcoming the teenage girl's height. Even Harry and Ron were forced to look up at the tall professor. Link looked down at the brown haired girl and gave her a glare, trying to scare her off, but was somewhat surprised when the young lady stood her ground. He looked up at the Harry and Ron who were also standing firm with their friend. Sighing he ran his hand through his hair, frustrated. He motioned for the three to follow him up the stairs to where his office was. He stopped at the door and took a picture off from the wall.
He handed it to the three teenagers. Hermione taking it into her hands looked at it. Seeing a red headed women along with a horse and a small blonde headed boy. "That is my wife and son" Link said quietly.
The three looked up at him. Links rob seemed to block his mouth slightly "I love them very much. I would do anything to protect them, that's why I lost control today."
Harry stared at his professor stepping forward slightly "And that creature…it's you isnt it?"
Hermione and Ron both looked at Harry then Link. Link seemed to have a bored emotionless expression in his eyes. "Yes it is an exact copy of me….Except our personalities are different."
Hermione was about to interject when Link suddenly grabbed the photo from her and put it back on the wall. He turned back to the three students "I believe your next class is about to start."
The golden trio for once took the hint and scurried quickly out of the class room. They nearly ran down the hall way with the recent event replaying in their heads over and over again.
"This is way too weird to ignore now," Hermione stated, her voice full of worry, "twice this Ganon has been mentioned!" she said panting from the most physical activity she had done in a while.
Harry nodded, walking up another flight of stairs before they could change course, "I feel bad at this point, he's been through a lot clearly and now it's happening all over again. I would almost say this may be out of our league" Harry seemed to smirk a little at the end "but when have we ever backed down?"
Hermione and Ron laughed lightly at the comment. It wasn't wrong the three students had been through a lot together.
"How do you think Dumbledore will handle this?" Ron asked as they walked down another hall.
As soon as the words came out of his mouth, down the hall Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall appeared and walked by the trio. They looked back and noticed that the two professors seemed to be heading the same direction they had been coming from. Hermione noted they were probably going to the DADA room.
"Wicked, word gets out pretty fast!" Ron exclaimed, looking over to Hermione and Harry, who both nodded.
"Well Dumbledore is getting involved now, so I guess we can leave it to him." Hermione said, shrugging it off a bit, though she felt that more research was needed. Ron thought nothing of it but Harry seemed reluctant to let the past events ago. The trio headed back to their common room, ready to take a break from the day events.
Dumbledore and McGondall walked down the hall and entered the classroom, where Link was sitting down, and leaning back in his chair. Noticing the visitors, he stood up and walked over to the professors.
Dumbledore, while not frowning, had a stern look on his face, "Professor, it is best that you explain to me and professor McGondall your full situation. I don't want anything kept out, as headmaster of this school I need to know of all threats." He said in a commanding tone, gazing up slightly to look at Link.
Link stayed silent for a moment, matching the headmaster's gaze, until he finally nodded slightly, "As you wish." He responded.
Link began his tall to the two professors. Starting from his home with the Great Deku tree. To the changes of time he experienced in his journey. He went into great detail the pain he went through from fighting Dark Link. How the crazed creature left its mark on him. No detail was left out not even his journey to Termina could be left alone. The hours began to mesh together as the stories of the hylian warrior were sewed together, others harder than to tell then the last. At the end of his tale, Link detailed the day's events.
"Ganondorf is his name correct?" Link nodded "With his minions re-appearing do you think he is on the rise again?" McGonagall asked once Link finished up his story.
Link stayed silent for a moment, his gaze to the floor, "Unfortunately that is the only explanation that would make sense. Ganondorf is sealed for sure but these recent events have brought me to believe he is growing stronger." He explained, gazing back up to the witch and wizard.
Dumbledore nodded, standing up and smiling at him, "Well professor I trust you know what you're doing and I'll leave it at that. I'll see in the hall for dinner tonight" he said, turning and leaving the class room.
McGonagall stood up in shock at the lax words the headmaster had used "Dumbledore!"
The head master of Hogwarts turned around to look at the two professors. "Why whatever is the concern professor McGonagall?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
McGonagall nearly ran over the headmaster at the pace she approached him "This man we barely know has just described the most outrageous story I have ever heard and you are going to take it as fact?!"
Dumbledore merely stroked his beard calmly looking at his rebellious professor "For one I do believe our young warrior" he said quickly "Secondly I have all the confidence in Link that he will be able to stop any threat that may come here, which he has shown on two separate occasions." The head master placed a hand on McGonagall "I assure you Link can be trusted"
Both Dumbledore and McGonagall looked towards Link. He was standing motionless in the room. His eyes were cold like steel. There was no emotion on his face. His response was a shallow nod. Dumbledore repeated the motion to him. "McGonagall I believe we have other matter to attend to." Dumbledore said leaving the room. McGonagall did the same leaving the room quickly.
Link sat in silence for a while after they left, thinking about what had happened. He stood up in frustration and walked over to the window, watching the last bits of the sun setting behind the mountains and trees that surround Hogwarts. He thought of his wife and son. Link dropped to his knees and prayed for their safety as the last bit of light departed from the land.
When he was finished he looked upon the great lake before him "Why can't I just have peace in my life…?" He whispered to himself, seeing the darkness take over the sky. He then turned from the window and went back to his desk, preparing the lessons he would teach the next day.
The next 2 months went without incident, which was pretty odd, even for Hogwarts. There was something usually going on but this year the school year felt almost…normal. Well other than Professor Link killing a few unknown creatures. The thoughts of students seemed to forget those events as none of them really effected them. The main worry over the student body wasn't a giant snake or an evil teacher, but those midterms that every kid always dreaded. They were only a week away and many of the students were studying non-stop, going over the notes (or using their friends notes) to remember what they had learned during the first half of the year. Harry, Hermione, and Ron, along with some most 3rd year Gryffindor's, were found in their last DADA class before the midterm.
Link turned back to his class, who were all preparing to leave, and coughed to get their attention, "Ok now before I end class today, I have an announcement. There will be a midterm…" This was preceded with groans from all the students, causing him to roll his eyes.
"Now listen up, complaining won't get you anywhere. The midterm will be…." Link allowed a small grin to form, he then took his sword and quickly sliced the floor making a mark on it "You will have to force me behind this mark. You may use any spell you like." He said with slight chuckle "However if you fail I will most likely put you down on the ground."
The class began to file out of the room and Ron, Hermione, and Harry walked down the hall, discussing their plans for studying, or lack thereof.
"Ok so how do we exactly force the professor back? I mean he wear's all that armor so he's got to weigh a ton?" Ron said, shocking his two friends into disbelief. Ron was actually trying to be prepared?!
"Wow Ronald I'm proud of you! Thinking about the class before your stomach!" Hermione joked, grinning slightly with Harry laughing at the comment.
"Who are you and what have you done with Ron?" Harry said, smirking as Ron gave a frustrated 'huff', causing his two friends to laugh.
"Oh ha-ha-ha, I can be just as responsible as any of you! So let's hear it! Come on one of you two must have some sort of idea?!" Ron replied, rolling his eyes at his friends, but smiling at the end at them to know he was kidding.
After many days of practicing spells they knew and learning new spells, the DADA midterm finally came up. All the students looked down at the mark Professor Link had left days ago. It was a sharp cut across the floor. He stood at it like a menacing statue. His arms crossed over his chest, his sword strapped at his right hip and his shield behind him. The class began to file into the classroom. When everyone was there Link called out a random name.
The first so happen to be Draco Malfoy. Link stood unguarded when the young teenager began his attack. Malfoy shot a stupiefy spell at Link, who had reacted quickly and dodged the attack. Link then punched his wand in the air away from the blonde headed boy.
Malfoy stared helplessly at Link expecting some sort of back lash or punishment from the professor. However Link simply placed a hand on the boys shoulder. "Nicely done you knew the correct spell and had great form….truly if you had hit me it would have been done." Link said while walking him to the door "But be prepared with a second and third spell to counter attack." He said with a soft smile "You have a lot of potential Draco please use it for good ok?"
The kind words were a shock to Draco Malfoy. At the beginning of the year this professor had completely embarrassed him! Now he was here giving him advice!? He wanted to spit at the Hylian but found in himself to understand what he was saying. Looking up at Link, Draco nodded and grabbed his belongings before leave.
Link then turned to his class clapping both hands together "Ok who's next!?"
All of the students seemed to cower in fear as their professor stood above the line he had drawn. Link gazed across the room and began calling out random names. The students that were chosen tried and many failed to push the professor back. As each student left ashamed, Link would walk them out speaking some sort of words of wisdom.
"Harry Potter!" Link yelled
Harry felt his whole body tense up. He got up from his desk and stood in front of Link. Harry looked over Link quickly. He only had a sword which Link had been using to deflect many attacks. Attacking directly would be foolish Harry thought.
That's when Harry had an idea. He took out his wound and performed his spell. "Stupifey!" the wand shot out a white bolt that was aimed at Link's feet. Link was forced to leap back. Harry smirked slightly at his success. Harry repeated the same attack a few more times. The scene was astonishing to all the students still there. So far no one had pushed Link back this far. Some students even stared to cheer at Harry's success. Harry had just gotten Link to the line on the floor, when without warning Link charged Harry. Harry had no time to react, and feel to the ground as Link charged. Harry found himself on the floor with a sword only mere inches away from his neck.
It was Link's turn to smirk now "Good job Harry" he said sheathing his blade and helping Harry to his feet. "As of now you have performed the best" Link then whispered closely to his ear "I doubt you'll beat Hermione though" he said with a light chuckle.
Harry merely just played it off as a joke. Unfortunately it wasn't. Ron went after him and proved to be no more than a punching bag as Link shrugged off his attacks and merely just shoved him to the ground.
When Hermione came up next, Harry saw the determination in her eyes to win. At first she copied Harry's strategy, attack the professor's feet to force him back. It worked for a few moments until the professor charged at her.
Harry with a few other students gazed in shock as Hermione stood her ground with her wand out stretched. Not making any defensive movement to stop Link at all!
When Link slid behind her nothing happened between the both of them except Link stood back up to his full height and sheifed his sword. He smirked slightly "200 points to Gryffindor!" he yelled.
All of the student's mouths dropped. Many began to protest the amount points that were given and for what reason. Link simply put up his hand to silent the protest.
"For starters she did not falter when I charged Ms. Granger. Another is that she had her next spell prepared to counter me. She may have not pushed me behind the line but in battle where does a line really come into play?" He said giving the students the idea that the line was just a joke to himself "All and all she has adapted well to my fighting style" Link's eye began cold without hesitation "You all have learned to fight but only experience can truly teach you."
Link took a deep breath "I will let you all know that you have all passed the midterm!"
The student's cries of joy were enough to let Link sink in his chair smiling. He watch happily as each student congratulate each other. For a while Link felt happy watching these teenagers celebrate. It was something he was never able to experience. The joy of success, Link sighed "Ok Ok you all…" feeling a sudden pain in his chest Link nearly threw up his lunch. Instead he grasped his throat and coughed dramatically. With a hand over his mouth Link looked upon his students. The pain that was running though his body was immeasurable.
He stood up over his desk using one hand to support him " you all have the 'cough' 'cough' the rest of the period off 'cough'" Link was heaving over as he coughed. Many of the students left without a word of concern. However the golden trio stayed and watched as their professor was brought to his knees to some unknown pain.
The pain that swept over Link was completely unbearable. It felt as if all his bones and nerves were forcefully moving him into an entirely different creature.
The three looked upon there professor as he laid on the ground gritting hid teeth trying to hold back his screams.
Harry stepped forward cautiously as his two friends stayed back. "Pro-professor are you alright?" Harry asked, taking a step further into the room, worried.
Link jerked up a bit and quickly turned his head to the source of the voice, a look of horror quickly disappeared on his face as he almost looked like he snarled at the trio, making them back up.
"Leave Now!" He yelled, almost growling at the end. He glared at the three of them. With no warning Link let out a violent caught that was followed by a river of blood. The red substance stained the floor as the professor's body began to grew larger.
"But professor your-"
Without any warning blood came spilling out his mouth, Link glared at his students his eyes now looking more like an animals."LEAVE NOW!" Link screamed hoarsely, clutching his just tighter.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron backed out into the hallway and sprinted down the hall, scared for their lives. Harry had never seen the professor act that way before, it was so out of character! A thought came across Harry's mind as they ran. Could it have been…?
Link watched the three students run and sighed, slowly getting up, swaying slightly, and making it to the door. He closed it slowly, and locked it firmly, before turning to lean on it for support. His vision started to fade and when he tried to move off the wall, collapsed on the ground. His body started to twitch as, pain the only feeling he had in his body, as he shifted into a 7 foot werewolf. Black fur covered the body, long claws on its feet and piercing blood red eyes, which started to dart around the room as the creature rose. It charged at the door, clawing at the wooden door to escape, but to no avail. He howled loudly as, trapped within the room, no way to escape.