The Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor
The next morning started with Potions at ten, so James, Sirius, and Peter headed down to the dungeon level where Professor Slughorn taught his lessons shortly after breakfast. When they turned the last corner leading to the classroom, they spotted a group of second-year Slytherins huddled together in front of the doorway, discussing something in urgent, hushed tones. As soon as James and the others approached, they quieted and eyed the newcomers warily until they had passed. When he walked by, James spotted his old rival, Severus Snape, who gave him a heavy glare down his hooked nose. Avery, one of the other Slytherins, leaned over as if waiting for Snape to tell him something, but the greasy-haired boy only shook his head as he continued to eye James; James could not help but feel like he was failing some sort of examination.
Even when the Gryffindor boys had taken their places along a row of desks in the back of the classroom, the small crowd of students did not budge from their self-claimed spot, continuing to engage in eager conversation. Whenever another student walked into the room, they would immediately quiet and stare at the intruder as if inspecting them for some sort of invisible sign. Only when Professor Slughorn entered did the group break up and hurriedly scurry to their seats.
"Welcome to your second year of Potions!" Slughorn boomed happily, his golden mustache wiggling. "I assume you all have your materials?"
Methodically reaching into their bags, everyone displayed his or her copy of Practical Potion-Making. "Good, then we can begin!" Slughorn said. "Turn to the first chapter, everyone, so that we can begin work on the Tickling Solution. This is not to be confused with the Potion of Good Humor, which simply gives the subject a positive frame of mind instead of subjecting him or her to physical torment, much like that of being tickled. Both can cause uncontrollable laughter if used in large dosages, however; I will be giving a more thorough explanation later in the course . . ."
Sighing wearily, James turned to the correct chapter in his book and began to read. Although quite simple to make in theory, the Tickling Solution did not come easily to his tired fingers, and he started to wish for a vial of the Good Humor Potion. Unfortunately, his mood only worsened when he glanced a few tables ahead and saw Snape stirring his cauldron rapidly yet deliberately, a sure sign of confidence. When James glanced back down at his own potion, a thick, trembling bubble suddenly burst and splattered onto his glasses, which he removed with a curse and wiped clean.
After what seemed like an eternity, the period finally ended, and James was grateful that the class did not have to turn in their work, since the lesson was for "experimental learning." Abandoning the dungeons with a huff, he joined Sirius and Peter on the way up to the Great Hall for lunch.
"This is the second year in a row we've started the term with Potions," James complained, settling himself down at Gryffindor table.
"I'm crossing my fingers for History of Magic next year," Sirius said. When the others stared at him, he explained, "That way I can sleep a bit longer each morning."
James and Peter laughed and began to gulp down their food, though not before James had looked across the hall and noticed Sirius' cousin, Narcissa Black, gesturing fervently as she spoke with her blond boyfriend, Lucius Malfoy. After their heated run-in with Malfoy the previous year, involving both a lethal duel and an attempted thievery of the sword of Gryffindor, James and his roommates had never trusted him; even so, James could not help but ponder Narcissa's upset expression. To his knowledge, the couple had never fought before, and he wondered what would cause Narcissa to look so worried as Malfoy tried to quiet her. As he continued to watch, another Slytherin ran up behind Malfoy and tugged on his sleeve, breaking him apart from Narcissa with an apologetic word as the two ran out of the room. Still unhappy, Narcissa stood immobile for a moment before finally tossing her bright hair over her shoulder and sitting back down at the Slytherin table, slouched and disappointed.
While James continued studying her thoughtfully, Arnold and Frederick passed by and nodded at Peter when he waved amiably.
"Are you off to Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Arnold asked them.
"Yeah, why?" Peter inquired.
Sharing a look, Arnold and Frederick smiled knowingly. "We just had it this morning," Frederick told them. "I think you'll like it."
"Professor Alamanzar really knows what he's doing," Arnold added as they walked towards the double doors. Watching them curiously, James and the others kept their eyes on the stream of students passing in and out of the Great Hall until Sirius suddenly jumped up.
"It's Remus!" he exclaimed, pointing at their roommate as he entered the Great Hall just behind the school's matron, Madam Pomfrey. Although he appeared sleep-deprived, Remus nevertheless smiled widely and waved as he approached.
"What happened?" James demanded as soon as he reached them, scooting aside to make room on the bench.
"I missed the train," Remus answered sheepishly, giving a contented sigh as he sat down.
"Really?" Sirius asked, breaking into a disbelieving grin. "This is you we're talking about, remember? So, what happened, did a dragon attack you or something?"
"No, it just took longer than we thought it would to get to King's Cross," Remus replied, itching the back of his neck. "You know how Muggle streets are."
"How'd you get here, then?" James asked.
"The school arranged for a Portkey to take me."
"A what?" Peter asked, confused.
"A Portkey," Remus repeated. "You can turn any object into one. All you have to do is touch it, and you'll be transported to its set destination." Pointing at Madam Pomfrey, he indicated a wooden spoon that she was holding in her right hand. "Do you see that? She deactivated it as soon as I got here. I would have made it to breakfast, but traveling by Portkey isn't exactly comfortable. She helped stop the dizziness."
"Well, you made it just in time for Defense Against the Dark Arts," James told him, standing up with the others. "We have a new professor now."
"I gathered," Remus said as they walked out of the Great Hall. "The signs are everywhere."
"I hope they take them down soon," Peter voiced when they turned to head up a flight of stairs. "I keep on thinking that the photographs are actual people, and they scare me half out of my wits whenever I turn a corner."
After a few minutes, the small group had seated themselves in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom while Professor Alamanzar fiddled with a few covered cages in the front. Although those in the room watched him intently, Alamanzar did not face them or make eye contact as he continued to perform some unknown task. Eyeing the small man, James waited for him to turn around and acknowledge the presence of his students, but he only glanced towards the doorway whenever a new person entered, nodding sharply and mouthing to himself as if counting the entrants. When the last of the students had finally arrived, he threw back his wine-colored cape and turned to the class.
"Welcome to the Defense Against the Dark Arts," he stated unsmilingly, a slight Hispanic accent permeating his words. "Can someone tell me what is the appearance a doxy?"
Taken aback by his blunt introduction, the students exchanged glances. Finally, Remus slowly raised his hand.
"They're tiny, four-legged and armed creatures covered in black fur," he answered. "They also have wings."
"Why should we study the doxies in this class?" Alamanzar asked him.
"Because their bites are venomous," he replied.
Nodding in acknowledgment, Alamanzar crossed to one of the cages behind his desk and brought it forward so that the whole class could see. Shrinking back, Alice Newshod gulped.
"Does this creature match your description?" Professor Alamanzar asked, and he ripped off the cage's covering. Immediately the whole class oohed appreciatively, leaning forward in admiration at the tiny, human-like creatures sitting in the center of the cage. One of the captives yawned haughtily and played with a strand of her colorful hair, extending her shimmering wings.
"Fairies!" Hillary Vance exclaimed in awe, and the whole class buzzed with excitement. Seeming to take satisfaction in their reactions, Professor Alamanzar nodded to himself and opened the lock of the cage. Sensing freedom, one of the fairies jumped onto his outstretched finger and whirled around in a sort of dance for the students, drawing a round of admiring applause. As soon as the fairy had finished, she and her friends flapped into the air and fluttered around the room, a handful of them landing on top of Alice's head. Jumping up, James tried to grab one as it floated over him, but it maneuvered rapidly away and stuck its tongue out at him before flying towards the opposite side of the room.
"Do you like?" Professor Alamanzar asked, smiling for the first time, and the girls immediately let out cries of affirmation.
"They're beautiful!" Lily said, holding her hand out for one of the fairies as it slid down her hair.
"But sir," Sirius interjected, "weren't you going to show us a doxy?" Immediately, the whole class turned to peer curiously at the professor as he shook his head and wandered back to the other cages.
"There is no need," he stated simply. "You have already provided a much satisfying description. What is the difference between a fairy and pixie?" he asked suddenly, picking up one of the other cages and walking back towards the class.
Raising her hand, Lily replied, "Pixies are less humanoid, their skin is brightly-colored, and they're typically larger than fairies."
"Sí, sí," Alamanzar agreed impatiently, placing the cage down on his desk next to the fairies'. "But on a practical level?"
After a moment's hesitation, Lily answered, "Well, they're more mischievous."
Nodding once again, Professor Alamanzar took off the cage's covering. Two forest green creatures leapt towards the bars of the container, smiling devilishly at the students and letting out a high-pitched chattering that rung in James' ears. Letting out a flurry of buzzing, the fairies around the room immediately dove into hiding; when Alice tried to remove one from behind her ear, it zipped into the folds of her robes.
"Those aren't pixies," Remus objected suddenly, eyeing the cage carefully.
"Correct," Professor Alamanzar acknowledged. "You can explain?"
"They're too dark, and they look too much like . . ." Trailing off, Remus glanced at the fairies trembling behind Alice's braids. Looking at the fairies as well, James noticed the similarities between them and the creatures in the cage. Although larger and more vicious in appearance, the caged beings had distinctly human-like faces and tiny ears.
"Doxy venom is harmful, sí?" Professor Alamanzar asked the class, and everyone watched him intently while he tapped the cage beside him. "These are fays: fairies under the influence of Dark magic. Sometimes they are mistaken for the pixies at this stage of their transformation, so powerful is their change. These particular fays were created by the bite of a doxy. Although not so dangerous for wizards, doxy venom can still cause unwanted symptoms. This is the reason why we will spend time studying the treatment for such bites. Please, take out your books."
Their attention undivided, the students immediately obeyed and spent the rest of the class session engaging in a cause-and-effect discussion with Professor Alamanzar, who seemed very well-versed in medical practices. Using the blackboard behind him as an aid, he illustrated wand techniques and treatment procedures without referring to any notes. Although James felt bombarded by the amount of information presented, he enjoyed the lesson immensely; the very atmosphere of the classroom was quite pleasant due to the fairies fluttering lazily around the room, having come out of hiding when Professor Alamanzar covered the fays back up.
At the end of the class, the students exited the room in a state of excitement, conversing amongst themselves about the teaching style of their new professor.
"If he keeps bringing fairies to every lesson, I think I'll actually like the subject," Hillary announced on their way out.
"He does seem to know a lot," Remus agreed with her.
"What do you mean he seems to know a lot?" Sirius demanded. "That was more information than we had during our entire first year!"
"I hope he brings in a hag next time!" James said eagerly.
"A hag?" Peter squeaked worriedly, and Alice gave James a concerned look.
"Or a vampire," Sirius added, curving his fingers into claws and lunging at Peter. "Or a werewolf!" Jumping backwards, Peter let out a terrified yelp.
"Do you think he would?" Peter gulped.
Sighing, Remus said, "He's not going to bring in a were—"
"Imagine the claws on one of those!" Sirius continued, grabbing Peter's stomach. "They could rip into the skin of a giant and still be sharp enough to grab you for dessert!"
Hillary giggled when Peter jumped, but Remus pulled him away from Sirius. "Stop it, you're going to scare him!" he warned.
Safely behind Remus, Peter said, "I liked the fairies. I hope he uses them again."
"This is Defense Against the Dark Arts, Peter!" James reminded him, rolling his eyes. "I hope we get a little experience with the big stuff!"
"So do I!" Peter defended. Then, as an afterthought, he added, "As long as the big stuff is smaller than I am and doesn't breathe fire, suck blood, or turn into a rabid beast . . ."
"Where's the fun in that?" Sirius asked, and Peter closed his mouth as Hillary gave a shrill giggle again.
"Lupin's right," Lily told Peter, sighing. "I suspect fays will be the worst thing that Professor Alamanzar lets into the class." At her words, Remus shifted uncomfortably, and James suspected that he did not want the others to redirect their annoyance towards him.
"That's not true, Evans," Sirius piped up as everyone deflated. "I'm pretty sure he teaches Snape."
Turning as red as her hair, Lily glared at him angrily while the others laughed. "Will you give it up for just one moment?" she demanded. "Honestly, it's like dealing with a six year old!"
Turning away, she led the other girls down the hall and left the boys standing alone; James turned and shrugged at the others, Sirius repeating the gesture.
"I still hope that Alamanzar brings in a vampire," Sirius said, "but I doubt nothing will be as terrifying as Evans when she's angry."