Hogwarts Year 3
Chapter 3
Once the board meeting was finished, both Harry and Fawkes returned to the Gryffindor quarters. Harry retrieved the potion and asked Fawkes to drink it as he started a very long spell to remove the binding placed by Dumbledore. It took almost twenty minutes to complete the ritual and free Fawkes, but it was worth the time. After much discussion Fawkes agreed to continue to spy on Dumbledore and report what he heard and found to Harry.
Harry used his portkey to get them all back to Potter Manor, that was how they came to Hogwarts that morning. Once back home Harry and crew went in search of one Remus Lupin to find out why he hadn't said anything about Dumbledore's offer and why he hadn't already accepted said offer. Remus was found outside, under a tree with a book in his lap. "Mione, are you sure you're not related to Remus?" Harry asked as he laughed at the expression on both of their faces.
It seemed that Remus hadn't responded to Dumbledore because of his "furry little problem". Harry asked if Remus had had any problems since Lucy started providing the wolf-bane potion and Remus admitted that he hadn't. But did comment that hers tasted much better and seemed to work better than any he had ever tried. "Mooney, you are well aware of the instructors we have had at Hogwarts and the absolute uselessness of the Defense classes the past two years. You have more experience in Defense than just about anybody. Don't you think the students would benefit from your experience? You might even be able to bring some of the students up to the minimal standards that are required by the ICW for OWLs and NEWTs, that would be a great help to Hogwarts" Harry said finally. Remus caved in and said he would send his response to Dumbledore the next day and accept the position.
The annual school supply shopping trip to Diagon Alley was uneventful as all the needed items were obtained, the book list was especially long as there were several extras due to the changes in some of the courses. It was while they were enjoying their ice cream that the group saw the latest issue of the Prophet. On the front page was a picture of Lucius Malfoy and one of "Bella" LeStrange, which upset Neville very much, saying how the two people had somehow escaped from Azkaban along with several other prisoners with the help of outsiders.
"Neville, calm down. So LeStrange is out, she would be a fool to come looking for you. She would expect a timid third year and would find someone who, when mad, could come close to even Dumbledore facing her. Besides, I expect that Malfoy will be coming to even the score with me. With the new wards they can't even get inside the grounds much less inside the castle.", Harry told Neville, and the rest.
This seemed to calm Neville down somewhat. It was only Harry that heard Neville say "Maybe now I can get even for my parents" under his breath. After finishing their ice cream and double checking their supplies, the group returned to their homes to start packing, and looking over the new books.
Suddenly it was the day, the day they would return to Hogwarts on the Express. Even with the extended summer school at Peaks the end of summer break always came as a surprise to him. Harry was up early, even for him, had already done his morning run and cool down. After a quick shower and breakfast Harry checked his trunk one last time. This was a new trunk and it held much more than his previous one. This one had seven compartment and held many of the special books Harry was reading and studying. One compartment held the supplies that he would need to create wands or staffs. But the best thing was the fact that this trunk had a set of charms that allowed it to shrink to a size small enough to fit into his pocket and weigh no more than a large pocket knife. Nice.
The group had agreed to meet at Platform 9¾ an hour before the train was scheduled to leave. Harry along with Sirius and Remus used the floo to get to the station so there was no problems, even though they arrived a little earlier than needed. Once everyone was there and greeted each other and the parents or guardians, the kids boarded the train to claim their compartment. The compartment would contain the five kids plus Remus and what small items they carried, like books or such. Harry noticed that there were many auror personnel present on the platform watching everything. The Weasley clan arrived just at the last minute, as usual, and Harry was surprised when Mr. Weasley sought him out and thanked Harry for saving Ginny the past year. Mrs. Weasley enveloped Harry in a bone crushing smothering hug and thanked Harry also. Ron even said thanks, which surprised Harry.
The trip was going well, the cart lady had been by and the kids – plus Remus – were enjoying their treats when the train came to a sudden stop. The windows started to frost over and everyone felt depressed. Remus told them it had to be Dementors and that he would take care of them. The door to the compartment slowly opened and a boney hand reached in, only to be met with six patroni coming after it and any other Dementor they could find or sense. There were many Dementors and Neville got nervous when Harry enlarged his staff. "No Harry, there isn't enough space for that. Besides do you want to reveal all your secrets?", Neville said as Remus starred. Harry shrank his staff and sat down with a lopsided grin on his face.
It was later determined that the appearance of the six patroni had been the start of several seventh years producing their own to add to the response. The rest of the train trip was without incident, Remus went around and handed out chocolate to people just saying "It will help you feel better". When the train pulled into the Hogsmead station there were several professors there, it seems that Remus had sent word of the Dementors ahead. Harry could still feel them and they seemed close.
At the start of term feast that Dumbledore revealed that the MOM had stationed Dementors around Hogwarts to protect the students, but they were not to come on school grounds. Harry thought "You can believe that will not happen once I add to the wards". The sorting of first years went smoothly and soon all the students were in their dorms, everyone except Harry.
Harry was in the Slytherin common room under his cloak, he wanted to see what Ms. DuPrie had to say to her snakes.
"Good evening. I am Prof. DuPrie the new head of this house and your new Potions instructor. Now I'm sure some of you aren't surprised that Mr. Snape isn't here since he was told to leave and not return by the castle itself. I have been informed that prior to this year this house was shown preference by the previous head, that will not happen with me. Let me be very clear, there will a few new rules starting tonight:
there will be no bullying of students, whether or not they are in this house or not.
you boys will keep your "boyhoods" in your pants and the girls will keep their bosoms covered.
for every 25 points you lose to another professor you will be required to serve a detention with me, if you get a detention from another professor you will have one with myself also.
You will behave as ladies and gentlemen at all times, otherwise you will have to deal with my displeasure.
Now I am sure you have no reason to misunderstand these simple rules, but if something is unclear then see me and I will attempt to explain it further. Now go to your rooms and get them organized; I will inspect all rooms from time to time and they will be neat and orderly." the professor explained.
There was much discussion after the professor left, and most of it wasn't nice. It appeared that this house expected to be privileged and pampered. Draco made the mistake of speaking too loudly and several of the older students explained that they remembered who lost the most points last year for the house. "And if you lose one more wand your next one will be so far up your arse you can't lose it!" one boy was heard to explain to Draco. It was clear that Draco Malfoy was NOT the prince of Slytherin any longer.
After everyone was out of the common room Harry returned to his own bedroom. The next morning at breakfast Harry explained what he had overheard the night before and Hermione was impressed. When McGonagall passed out the schedules Harry saw they had DADA first thing that morning. His other classes were Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Potions (on Fridays still), Care of Magical Creatures, Runes, and Astronomy. Hermione added Arithmancy to her schedule. Neville had a special Herbology session in addition to regular Herbology instead of Runes or Arithmancy.
All of the students were surprised when they entered the DADA classroom. Once Remus had introduced himself he had them take a test, a test based on the average knowledge they should have according to the ICW for their age. Remus explained that this way he knew what they needed to catch up on, in addition to what was required they learn this year. Just as the class ended Remus handed out a list of spells and explained that this list was what they were required to know by the end of the year; each student was required to make an appointment to demonstrate their knowledge of the first section of spells before the next class. There were many moans and groans as the students left the class, Neville was asked to remain for a few seconds.
Neville caught up with Harry and Hermione and told them what Remus had wanted, none of the three of them had to show Remus what they knew spell wise except for fifth year spells and above. The threesome got a laugh out of that as fifth year spells at Hogwarts were considered fourth year at Peaks, and most were required to be wand-less. All three felt their schedules move and when they looked they saw History had been added, next and they were late.
Just as they got to the classroom they saw they weren't the only ones late. Everyone sat down and were waiting for the instructor to show up. A goblin walked into the room from the quarters of the professor and climbed up on the desk. "I see that they finally got the schedules updated and this is the first class to deal with me. Now you will all take a test to see what you have missed, but all tests must be on my desk 10 minutes before end of class. Begin" the instructor said as the tests appeared, as did a floating display of the time left.
At the exact moment that time ran out the instructor called for all of the papers to be placed on the desk. After the papers were in the goblin climbed down, walked behind the desk, and suddenly in its place stood a woman. It was Lucy! "Now that you have finished this little exam you get to meet your real instructor instead of an illusion. I know most of what the previous instructor covered and will attempt to expand your knowledge well past the Goblin Wars and bring you in to the at least the 18th century. You may address me as Prof. Lucy or Ms. Lucy and I can assure you this will not be a class to sleep in. Now please keep my little fun appearance to yourselves so as not to ruin it for the rest of my classes" Lucy said with a smile.
The rest of the classes that week proceeded the same way, each of the first classes started with a test of knowledge. There were several surprised students coming out of the History classroom all week. Harry admitted he had no prior knowledge of Lucy being the new History instructor. The most interesting thing to happen was in DADA, their third class in that subject. Remus stood in front of the class and told them they were very far behind what was expected, except for four students. He was amazed that their spell skills were so weak and that they didn't know the most basic spells for defense. "You will notice a second year Ravenclaw has now joined this class; the reason being was she only missed one question on the written test and knew all the spells required, including a few third year spells. I see no reason to keep her bored so she was moved to this class with her dorm mates. I will let you guess who the other three students were", Remus concluded before turning to the board and revealing that days subject.
Then it was Friday and time for double Potions with the new professor. Once again it was Gryffindor and Slytherin in the same class. As expected the first thing to occur after introductions was the written test. The second half of the class was a brief outline of what was expected in this class and what potions were to be made during the year. The students were warned that any inappropriate actions would be handled harshly and the class would be on the average level expected by the ICW. Now they had to chose one potion from the second year list and brew it before end of class, extra points would be awarded for the more difficult ones and the quality of their potions.
That first week had been a feeling out period for everyone as they adjusted to the new standards, methods, course materials, and instructors. Two people had not been seen all week, Dumbledore and Filch. Dumbledore Harry knew about as Fawkes kept him advised as the headmaster's activities. Harry found out Dobby was now responsible for all the heir chambers, he was the "lead elf" for those areas; any of the five students could call him at any time and he would respond. But it was Friday night and it was time to do some work. The first thing was to take care of the Dementors by adjusting the wards.
Harry had spent a little of his free time that week working on what needed to be done to keep the Dementors outside the castle grounds. He had gone down to the ward stone room and added a new stone with the correct runes on it. As soon as he connected the new stone the castle shook for a few seconds and as he later found out there was an intense magical glow along the edge of the wards. Hermione heard later that a couple of the Dementors were destroyed as they were inside the newly activated wards.
Early the next morning Dumbledore was visited by the Minister of Magic who was complaining about what had happened. Dumbledore tried to explain that he had very little control of the wards since the return of the heirs. Both men were surprised, especially the minister, when the spirit of Hogwarts appeared and explained a few things.
"Headmaster and Minister, if you think I will allow those foul creatures inside the wards you are gravely mistaken or fools. The heirs decided that these creatures were not wanted or needed here, those creatures are a threat to the safety of the students and also distract the student from their studies. Be advised that the wards will be expanding to take in more area so it would be wise to remove these creatures, or lose them forever."
A/N: I want to thank all of you who posted reviews; while I might not personally answer each review I do read them all and often. If you find mistakes PLEASE tell me, just because three people read the chapters before they are posted we still miss things. This one may be a little slow as it is completely out of my head since Sirius isn't the one to escape. But hold on it is going to be a rough ride for a few of the characters not in the group :)
Oh one of the reviews showed me I didn't make myself clear, in reference to Harry and the property wards he is only recharging the new ones still being tested not the ones on ward stones – those don't have to be recharged but once every 100 years. Sorry for the mistake.
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