Harry Potter: The Vanishing Student
Chapter 4 of my Harry Potter story, enjoy.
Reviews
Boris Yeltsin: Thanks, yup, it's looking good now ;)
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Nanettez: Not sure if you saw the PM, but as I said there, no year is set for this and all students are OCs.
Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or its characters.
Chapter 4
Jamie had to admit that hearing about Hogwarts from his dad was one thing, actually being there was quite another. None of his dad's stories prepared him for the sheer wonder, or the absolute maze, that Hogwarts was. Staircases that changed direction, steps that vanished, doors that weren't doors, or would only open under specific circumstances. It was rather tricky finding your way about. Jamie had even accidentally stumbled upon a hidden passage behind a tapestry on his first day. Finding it a useful short-cut he quickly shared it with Jeff. However there was a menace in the school, a bane to any student who crossed his path and that was Peeves, the Poltergeist, although worse still in some students eyes, was Argus Filch, the Caretaker and his cat, Mrs. Norris, while Peeves thrived on chaos, Filch and Mrs. Norris sought students breaking rules with a view to terrorising and punishing them.
Then came the lessons themselves. First Years had Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, History of Magic, Defence Against The Dark Arts and Astronomy, the core subjects they would be learning through at least their first five years of magical education. It was clear that just as the subjects differed so too did the professors, in both their mannerisms and their teaching methods. Astronomy for instance was taught by Professor Sinistra, at night time on Wednesdays, atop the Astronomy Tower, the only class that took place at such a time. Through her they learned about the planets and stars and their movements, with Professor Sinistra able to talk at length about her subject with great enthusiasm which was somewhat infectious. Another jovial and fun teacher was Jamie's head of House, Professor Sprout, who taught Herbology, a squat cheerful witch whose knowledge of magical plants and their properties seemed boundless. She was also ready with a kind word for anyone who needed it. Charms was taught by the diminutive Professor Flitwick, Head of Ravenclaw and another friendly teacher who did his best to encourage those who were struggling, often his idea of homework was practising the spell you were struggling with.
History of Magic was another story entirely, taught by the ghost Professor Binns, it was nothing more than Binns monotonously droning on and on from his lecture notes while the class dozed off, fooled around, or outright fell asleep. Only Jamie's interest in history itself seemed to afford him the means to resist Binns' soporific voice and actually take notes, something which his classmates usually clamoured for his help with, which made him feel awkward. Potions was taught by the rotund, walrus-moustached, jovial Professor Slughorn, Head of Slytherin House. He was a good teacher but it quickly became apparent that he had favourites and had high expectations of Jeff in particular due to also teaching his mother and her excelling in the subject. But even with all this, it was after lunch one day that the first year's were most excited for, their First Defence Against The Dark Arts lesson with Professor Bennett.
Jeff however had a problem, one that was prominent now as he and Jamie, along with their classmates, left Charms class for lunch that fateful day. In all classes that required a wand, Jeff had noticeably been struggling compared to others, taking long to successfully cast spells and when he did, they lacked the power of his classmates spells. Despite encouragement from Professor Flitwick, proclaiming he had potential, Jeff was downcast.
"I don't get it, Jamie." He said to his friend. "I'm really trying, it's just...not working."
Jamie pondered fir a moment. "I believe Professor Flitwick and I believe in you, you have potential, you can do all this. It's just, something is holding you back."
"Yeah, but what?" Jeff shot back.
"I might have an idea, come with me." Jamie replied.
Confused, Jeff nevertheless followed Jamie into an empty classroom. Jamie then turned to face him.
"Can I see your wand?"
Even more confused, Jeff took out his wand, handing it over.
"Ash." Jamie noted at once, then saw Jeff's confusion. "Grew up at a tree farm, remember, I can identify wand wood from sight. Looks about twn and a half inches...what's the core?"
"Unicorn Tail Hair."
Jamie nodded. "Right, it's an Ollivander wand alright but...you didn't get this from Ollvander, did you?"
Jeff flushed and stammered. "M-mum was...busy at the Ministry and, well, there wasn't much time and..."
He faltered but then sighed.
Seeing Jamie's reassuring look, he simply said it.
"No, it was my grandmother's wand."
Jamie nodded. "An inherited wand, there's your problem Jeff. This wand didn't choose you, as Ollivander says. You're not gonna get good results from it."
"But it's not like..."
"You have to press the matter, or you'll never accomplish what Professor Flitwick and I know you can. I know it's not easy, I wouldn't be able to do it. But I have faith in you."
With that he handed the wand back and Jeff smiled.
"Alright, thanks Jamie." He said. "Now let's hurry so we can get some lunch before Defence Against The Dark Arts."
Jamie nodded in agreement and together they hurried off to the Great Hall.
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Finally the First Years all sat in their seats in the Defence Against The Dark Arts class, there were whispers amongst everyone as they waited, but quickly went quiet as the door to the classroom opened and Professor Bennett walked in. Her eyes swept over the whole class with on swift movement and she gave the shadow of a smile as she crossed over the class up to the front desk and turned to face them.
"Good morning class, and welcome to your first Defence Against The Dark Arts class." She said. "Now, as First Years you will not have been familiar with my predecessor, regardless I need to make it clear that while you will not be learning what the other years are...You will however have to learn one key detail. Never let down your guard."
"Why, what do you expect?" Pixie suddenly spoke up with a sneer. "Some Dark Wizard gonna walk through the door, maybe your fame made you paranoid."
Everybody gasped, mainly by Pixie's blatant disrespect, especially given Professor Bennett's famous history. There was a ripple in Professor Bennett's cheek, yet she smiled and simply turned away from Pixie who scoffed, only for Professor Bennett suddenly wheeled around.
"Levioso!"
Pixie squealed in horror as she was suddenly levitated in the air.
Ignoring Pixie's struggles and demands to be let down, Professor Bennett turned to the rest of the class, the thinnest of smiles present on her face as she spoke.
"No, not a Dark Wizard...but even other students can be, cruel and try to do things like this." She explained. "If you'd been on guard, Miss Masters, you would have seen that coming and avoided it. As first years, especially right now, that's your best defence. Regardless we will begin training you all up. So if you'll opened your books we'll get started. Let us start simple, the very spell you saw me use, Levioso."
She directed them to the page number and explained that they'd study the spell, its effects and effective casting methods before practising it right there in class. She also casually waved her wand and let Pixie back down, leaving the arrogant girl flustered and none too happy. Soon however they were already working on learning the spell and by the end of class they were seeing a different side to Professor Bennett, a more human side, different from the aloof persona they'd expected from her history, as well as enjoying learning for her. Much like Professor Flitwick she did not take any issue with Jeff's difficulties and even encouraged him, knowing he had true potential, something which made Jamie smile.
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Many of the first years were still whispering as they sat in the Great Hall at dinner. They had enjoyed their Defence Against The Dark Arts lesson and seeing the true side of Professor Bennett had actually increased their respect for her. Not only that but more than a few were still snickering at how Pixie had been put in her place. Seated with his fellow Hufflepuffs, Jamie couldn't help but grin over at the disgruntled looking Pixie Masters.
"Sure she'll think twice before acting that way to a teacher again." He muttered, more to himself, but catching the attention of Alyssa Hill.
She smiled a little at that and said. "I certainly hope so."
Jamie gave a small smile in response, socialising was still a chore for him. However at that moment all talk and eating ceased for they could hear a commotion, raised voices in the Entrance Hall. Finally they found the source and were surprised when Professor Bennett entered the Great Hall and she was not alone, a mysterious man entered the Great Hall just behind her.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
