Chapter 2

It was already mid-November and Harry could tell that this term was much different than all the previous ones he had taught, but in a good way. Yes, it was definitely good.

The main change on his day-to-day schedule was the extra lessons he held for one of his students, Lily Finch. Harry knew it was wrong to have favorites but he couldn't help himself, Lily was definitely his favorite student. He had started to give her extra classes in Defense Against the Dark Arts this year because she was by far the most talented in this subject that he had ever taught in his last seven years after leaving the Auror office. Harry had even gotten permission from Headmaster Flitwick for these sessions using the argument that he had gotten special lessons from Professor Lupin in his third year and the DA in his fifth year was basically an extra class. Both Harry and Flitwick knew this logic was a stretch but the truth was, Lily's talent couldn't be denied.

But it wasn't Lily's talent that made her his favorite student. It wasn't even that she was a GOOD student. In fact, he often caught her talking to her friends in class and he could tell that a lot of her essays were done at the last minute. It also wasn't that she was the easiest student to teach either because she was very stubborn and often talked back to him, not in a disrespectful way but definitely with some attitude.

It was already five minutes to eight and Lily would be here soon. Harry shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts. He had to discuss with her the direction their classes were going in. Finally, a few minutes after eight there was a knock on the door. Lily was late, as usual.

"Hello Professor!" Lily said as she walked cheerfully into his office.

"Why are you so smiley today, Lily?"

"Oh, I just got a letter from my mum. She seems so happy right now! She's been dating this guy for a while but I haven't met him yet." She said this with a slight frown but it quickly disappeared as she continued on, "She promised I could over the Christmas holiday if they were still dating. And they are. So that means that I finally get to put my seal of approval on their relationship... Or not." Lily said those last two words with a mischievous look in her eyes.

Harry chuckled at her ramblings. "Ok, I didn't need to hear your life story."

"You asked!"

"Ok, fine. But lets get to the point of you coming here, shall we?" Lily grinned and nodded so Harry took this as 'her seal of approval' to continue talking. "Alright, I have introduced you to many things in here that most students never learn at Hogwarts, such as the Patronus..."

"What? That doesn't make any sense. I thought you said your family friend Lupin taught you when he was a professor here," Lily interrupted.

"Yes, but that was a special circumstance. He taught me separately because we had dementors around the school and they were effecting me worse than other students. Thankfully it was only for my 3rd year... but it was extremely useful later on as well."

"You learned how to cast a Patronus Charm in your third year!? Wow... Now you have made me feel worse for it taking me so long to learn it in my fifth year. Thanks a lot!" She said smirking.

"Don't worry," Harry said trying to hold back a laugh. "Most adults can't even produce one, that's why it isn't even taught at NEWT level. And the fact that you were able to learn is the reason why I am teaching you separately like this. So let me finish what I am trying to say!"

"Fine, fine. Let's hear it then." It was times like this that made Harry wonder why he favored her, yet it seemed to strengthen the feelings anyway.

"Ok, well, like I said, I have taught you a lot of things that most people never see unless they continue their education in Defense after Hogwarts. But I feel that we have reached a point where what there is to teach is kinda... well, dangerous." Harry looked to see Lily's reaction to this bit of news and she seemed to be interested yet not overly excited, which was perfect he thought. No one needs to be excited in anything especially dangerous unless they want to get themselves killed or harm others. So, he continued. "I have spoken with the Headmaster about this and Kinglsey as well and..."

"You've spoken to Minister Shacklebolt about me!?"

"What did I say about interupting?" While Harry said this sternly, they both knew he was amused and she was impressed.

"Oh, right, sorry."

"Anyway, we have all decided that you can be taught more in-depth Defense Against the Dark Arts, but you will need to speak with an Auror before we begin and I will need to discuss this with your guardian, namely your mother. Sound ok so far?"

"Yes... but what kind of in-depth Defense will I be learning? How is it dangerous?"

"Well, some of it is not quiet as dangerous as others, but definitely more advanced, such as Occlumency, or even illegal, such as fighting the Imperius Curse. Of course, someone else will need to teach you Occlumency because I could never master it." Harry laughed darkly at his memories of trying to learn Occlumency. "So, if there is something you can't master either, don't worry, no one can do everything! Not even Dumbledore, you know."

Lily started to open her mouth to ask what the famous Dumbledore couldn't do but Harry cut her off. "But, we are not here to discuss my old professor. There are other things essential to learning Defense that students don't begin to learn at Hogwarts until their seventh year, and even then it isn't really enough to be truly proficient in Defense. Unfortunately, like I said, the subject matter can be dangerous and most students either cannot handle learning those things or... to be honest, I would rather not let some students even be taught some of this. What I want to teach you is the knowledge of the Dark Arts because the best way to defend yourself is to know what you are up against. And that is a very serious and hard area of knowledge to comprehend. But," Harry grinned at her, "we all agree that the wisdom should be passed down, and you are one of the perfect people to know it."

Lily sat there stunned at this honor. She was both excited at the idea of learning so much yet nervous as to how much they expected out of her.

Harry seemed to realize her nervousness, recognizing the feeling since he felt it many times in his teenage years. "Don't worry Lily. Like I said, if there is something that you can't quiet grasp, its fine. And if at any time you feel like you don't want to learn any more, we can stop."

"Ok." Lily replied shakily. "It's a plan. So… when do we start?"

Harry laughed at her willingness to overcome her fear and learn what needed to be learned. It reminded him of himself when he was preparing for Voldemort's defeat. And that is when it hit him. That is why she is his favorite student. Lily reminds him of himself and the people he loves! She is stubborn yet smart and she is strong and witty yet sees so much humour and love in the world. No wonder why she gets along so well with the Weasley children at Hogwarts…

"Professor! Focus!" Lily said laughing breaking Harry out of his thought.

"Oh, sorry Lily. Like I said, we won't be able to start until after you have talked with the Auror and I have talked with your mother. So not until after the holidays."

"Alright. Does that mean that our lessons are postponed until then?"

"Yep."

"YES! I seriously need to do some Christmas shopping and all your silly professors seem to think that fifth year is an important year for us with all the homework we are getting. I mean, its not like we have a big life-changing test at the end of the year or anything!"

They both laughed and Lily left saying goodbye and thinking how Professor Potter was her favorite teacher.

A few days later, Harry was talking with his fellow professor about the other reason he was enjoying this term more than others.

"So, rumor has it that you have been sneaking out to go on dates Harry." Neville asked with a smirk while they were eating in the Great Hall.

"Well, this time, the rumors are true. Probably because you have been spreading them, and not Rita Skeeter." Harry retorted.

"Alright, you caught me! I was just asking some of our colleagues if they knew where you kept disappearing too! So, tell me, who is she? How did you meet? Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera."

"Well, she's a muggle living in the outskirts of London. Her name is Eliza Finch but she thinks my name is Dylan Ward and I have brown hair and blue eyes. I also change my facial structure a bit. I'm just glad she hasn't suggested us going somewhere that requires ID yet."

"Why do you do that?!"

Harry shrugged, "Well, I met her through a speed dating thing that a friend from my old Auror office convinced me to go to, and I was afraid that there would be someone there that recognized me, or worse someone who would tell Rita Skeeter. And now I can't change it back."

"Makes sense, although that could get hard if you keep dating her. Eventually you will have to tell the truth."

"I know. Its hard too because I really do like her. We have only been dating for about 4 months or so and I just feel… a connection with her I guess."

"Well, I'm happy for you Harry. Did you say her last name is Finch? Do you think…"

Harry interrupted him, "No. Definitely not. First of all, Eliza's daughter goes to a boarding school in London for theatre. Second of all, they look nothing alike. Eliza has dark brown hair that is curly almost to the point of it being like Hermione's, but not as frizzy, and her face is round and welcoming. She actually looks like a cross between you and Hermione! That's kinda disturbing!"

They both laughed at that idea. "That is! When is the next time you are going to see her?"

"This Saturday actually. It's a Hogsmeade weekend and therefore there will be less students wanting to stop by my office."

"Sounds great. It is good to see you going out with someone who can make you happy again." Neville stood up at this saying "Well, I had better get back to my office. I have detention with Fred Weasley again. I swear, he is just like his namesake. At least there aren't two of them running around!" At this, Neville left chucking to himself.

Harry remained there eating his treacle tart slowly as he was deep in thought. Eliza really was the first woman to make him happy since Ginny disappeared. At least he knew she was alive. But where and how she was doing was unknown and that thought caused a pang in his heart. It was just easier to tell outsiders that his heartache was because she had died. Luckily, Eliza understood his pain as she felt something similar for her ex-husband. A small smile played on Harry's lips as he thought of Eliza and how much fun they had together. They could be joking around or completely serious and, still, Harry loved to be there with her. In fact, even thought he was scared to admit it to himself, he was starting to feel as thought he was falling in love with her. Something he hadn't felt in fifteen years.

A/N: I was planning on writing two chapters tonight and having it up much earlier in the day but tonight was the fuck 'SC bonfire on campus. So if any of you lovely readers are going to be watching college football this weekend, you bitches better be rooting for UCLA! hehe. Anyway, please let me know what you think and if there is anything I can be doing better. And no, this time there is no special meaning behind the name Dylan Ward. ;)