Chapter 7: Defense Association

The next morning Harry awoke to the sound of Hedwig beating at his window. With a large yawn and stretch he grabbed his glasses from the side table and sleepily made his way over. As he opened the window Hedwig flew in with an indignant hoot and a nip at his hand. Harry winced and hastily withdrew his arm which he had extended for her to perch upon.

"Sorry girl I was sleeping," Harry tried to consol the irate owl as he wiped the sleep from his eyes. The owl in returned gave another annoyed hoot as she landed on his shoulder. There she extended her leg and allowed Harry to relive her of her burden. Once he had retrieved his post Hedwig took headed to her perch and had a few treats and some water.

Harry looked through his post to see a letter from Ron and Hermione and another from Daphne. He figured his friends and betrothed were writing about his OWL scores.

Harry,

Hey mate Hermione and I received your letter with your OWL scores on it. Congrats, Hermione is extremely proud of you yet angry that she hadn't received her scores yet and is already insisting on studying for our NEWTs which is still two years away. Well only a little over a week and we'll be back at Hogwarts. Hope your having a good time with your grand-dad. Have you heard from your Slytherin beauty?

Ron

Harry,

Congratulations on your OWL scores. I wish I could say I am surprised that you received the highest score on the Defense against Dark Arts Owl in the last fifty years, but I'm not. You have always excelled in that subject its almost as if you were born to combat the dark arts. So excited to return to Hogwarts soon, I can't believe its almost time for our NEWT tests. So much to do still, well see you soon.

Hermione

Harry chuckled to himself as he read his friends responses. He then turned to the last letter from Daphne.

Harry,

I hope my letter finds you well. Your owl is beautiful what's her name? I see that you received your owl scores congratulations for your scores you did well. I have yet to receive mine but will inform you when I do. I can't wait to get back to Hogwarts and believe me or not I am anxious to see you again. Our previous meeting was so brief and we are expected to spend the rest of our lives together. Well just know this Mr. Potter I expect you to escort me to many Hogsmeade visits.

Daphne

After he read the letter from Daphne he felt a small smile creep upon his face as he pondered their future, mostly the immediate future when everyone returned to Hogwarts for the new term. Well hopefully grand-dad and the others will help make things flow for the pair as the inter house rivalry will be enough for them to stress about. Harry new the road ahead would be a difficult one, with the school rivalries and crazed mad men after his blood. Motivated to ensure that he and Daphne would make it long enough to actually learn about each other he spent most of the morning studying. So caught up in his studies he missed breakfast and didn't notice that time for lunch had arrived until her stomach roared from neglect.

He made his way into the Great Hall just as all the Professors took their seats. Quietly he took his normal seat beside the Headmaster and began to quickly fill his plate with a bit of everything within arms reach. He then began to eat quickly which made Professor McGonagall frown. Dumbledore on the other hand gave a light chuckle as began to dish him-self some food.

"You seem to be starving Harry; I did notice you were missing from breakfast this morning, is everything alright?" Dumbledore inquired with a smile.

"Oh, yes of course grand-dad. I was just studying and missed breakfast." Harry replied hoarsely after forcing himself to swallow half chewed bit of food to prevent talking with his mouth full.

This comment made Dumbledore chuckle again as he mentioned, "I must say I am shocked Harry. I have never known you to be one that your studies distract you from food. Miss Granger yes. You, and Mister Weasley absolutely not."

Harry laughed quietly at this as well and responded, "Normally grand-dad I would agree with you, but in light of recent news I have even more motivation for studying to ensure I survive the rough road that lies ahead."

"Oh and what motivation is it that you speak of my boy?" Dumbledore asked with a frown.

Harry smiled brightly, "Well grand-dad I now know that I have family to survive for, and well my betrothed would skin me alive if I didn't do my best to make sure I am present to escort her to Hogsmeade."

An awkward silence followed his response as sorrow clouded the generally bright and gleaming eyes of the Headmaster. In unspoken regret he lowered his eyes and concentrated on his plate in front of him as Professor McGonagall fluttered her misty eyes and the rest of the staff quietly ate their food. Then after collecting herself Professor McGonagall informed Harry that she would be available immediately after lunch to discuss the continuation of the Defense Association. The remainder of lunch passed in silence, as everyone their food in silence, each had their minds on thoughts of their own.

Harry was surprised to find Professor Flitwick in Professor McGonagall's office when he arrived after lunch. He took a seat that was offered by McGonagall as she greeted him. "Thank you for joining us Mr. Potter as you can see I have requested that Professor Flitwick join us. My first question is have you selected the courses you want to proceed with this year?"

"Yes Professor. I have decided to continue with Charms, Transfigurations, and Defense against the Dark Arts, Potions, Herbology, and Care of Magical Creatures. I wish to drop Divinations, Astronomy." Harry informed.

"Well that will leave you with a bit of free time which is good. With you agreeing to continue the Defense Association we thought that with recent it times it would be more beneficial for the students to have it available on a more frequent basis rather than once a week. So where you would have normally had three additional courses we can substitute two of those class positions to the Defense Association, and leave the third for some down time for either studying, or lesson plans. This allows several times a week students can attend the lessons with you as it will be voluntary. If they sign up for the lessons we do want to give them some sort of credit, so therefore you will need to be able to produce progress reports. Professor Flitwick has agreed to assist you if you need it and will act as the staff representative." McGonagall advised.

"I agree to this Mr. Potter while I would love to be at every lesson, I myself have classes to teach so will not be able to be at all of them but I will be available to you at any time you need advice or would like assistance learning something you plan to teach before teaching the others." Professor Flitwick smile.

Harry returned the smile and acknowledged, "It all sound great Professors. How will I know who will be present for the progress reports and who do I turn in the progress reports to?"

"You will turn the progress reports into each Head of House, and as such will be required to attend a few staff meetings to update the Headmaster and other staff with how the program is going. No worries Potter I will inform you when you are expected to attend." McGonagall informed with a smirk, "Also the students as of yet have no ideal about the association so it will be presents after the Sorting by the Headmaster. They will then have by the following evening to decided to attend or not. But once they decide to they will be required to attend. So keeping attendance will be an important task."

Harry spent the rest of the week studying preparing lessons based on levels and exchanging owls with his friends and Daphne. Before he realized it the summer holiday was disappearing and the school term about to commence.