New week, new chapter!
I wish you a very enjoyable read!
My one and only universe
Chapter 5: A peaceful world is not a world without danger
Harry sprung off the Hogwarts Express while it was still moving. The train gradually decelerated along the tracks, emitting a subtle screech. He quickly put distance between himself and the slowing locomotive. Vaulting over the small gate, his cloak fluttered behind him briefly before he made a beeline for the line of carriages. The Thestrals, spectral black horses, seemed to dismiss his presence, preferring to focus their gaze on the horizon.
In the distance, he discerned the imposing silhouette of Hagrid, the gamekeeper, making his way towards the train to greet the first-year students. The giant waved in his direction, and Harry reciprocated the amicable gesture.
"Had a good journey, Professor Majes? Students didn't cause you any problems, did they?" Hagrid queried, approaching.
"Complete angels," Harry replied, his tone laced with irony. "There's something I need to take care of, so I'd like to get to the castle as soon as possible. Could you guide me?"
Hagrid gestured towards the first carriage, its Thestral exhibiting a sign of impatience by stomping its hoof on the ground.
"You can ride in the front carriage if you wish, Thunder's been edgy since this morning..."
Harry shot a puzzled look at the half-giant, prompting him to elaborate.
"Thunder is the leader of the Thestrals at the school. You can see them, can't you, Professor Majes?" Hagrid asked gently.
Harry nodded, his gaze locked onto the large, shadowy form of the Thestral. He could indeed see them. The fact that only those who had witnessed death could perceive them had always intrigued him. These spectral creatures evoked fear in many, yet after becoming acquainted with them in his fifth year, Harry came to regard them as intelligent, equitable, and faithful beings.
The shrill whistle of the Hogwarts Express startled Hagrid.
"Blimey, I need to hurry to guide the first-years. See you at dinner, professor," he said, giving a final wave before lumbering towards the train.
Sighing, Harry moved towards Thunder. Although he wasn't particularly eager to reach the castle, he certainly didn't want to confront Ginny at that moment. In his pocket, he could feel his wands clashing, a stark reminder that he couldn't postpone this encounter indefinitely. As Harry approached, Thunder nuzzled his chest, his hot breath causing the wizard's cloak to ripple, before giving a slight whinny of impatience. Without any further ado, Harry climbed into the carriage and abruptly halted upon entering the compartment. His eyes widened as he instantly recognized the occupant already seated inside.
"Good evening," said a voice clear as crystal, emanating from the daydreaming blonde girl.
Luna Lovegood was comfortably ensconced on the seat, engrossed in an issue of The Quibbler. Ignoring Harry's response, she resumed her reading, her lips parted slightly. Regaining his composure, Harry closed the door and took a seat next to her.
"Ah, um... what are you... doing here, Lu... Miss?" Harry corrected himself, realizing he was on the verge of a blunder.
Seemingly oblivious to Harry's presence, Luna seemed not to register his hesitation.
"I missed the train," she explained casually, turning a page of her newspaper. "Dad brought me to Hogsmeade, and now I'm waiting for the others before heading to the castle."
Harry nodded.
"Ah, okay... I am..."
"You're the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, I know," she cut him off.
Harry snorted at Luna's nonchalant reply. This girl had always astounded him, and it seemed she hadn't changed.
"If you're headed to the castle, I can accompany you. I don't mind not waiting for the others," Luna continued, not lifting her eyes from her paper.
Harry took her at her word. If she was the same as in his world, she likely didn't have many friends. Luna was always deep in thought, seemingly uninterested in socializing with others. Yet, in his world, she had proved her worth, becoming one of his closest friends. Was it the same in this world? He longed to know if she was close to Ginny, if she could reveal anything... But he had to be careful. Silently, he whispered a few words into Thunder's ear, prompting the creature to move along the path towards the castle.
The first half of their journey was silent. Harry, leaning against the window and absorbed in his thoughts, watched as the trees rushed by. They passed the lake that skirted the castle, glimmering under the moonlight. The ride had a calming effect on Harry, providing a moment of serenity he had been craving since leaving home. In his quest for tranquility, he'd ended up experiencing more anxiety than he had anticipated - quite a paradox.
It wasn't until the castle came fully into view that Luna shattered the silence, which until then had only been punctuated by the rhythmic clopping of the Thestral.
"I feel like I've known you for a long time," she stated simply, her voice enigmatic.
Her electric blue eyes met Harry's, and he felt as though he were under examination.
"Not that I can remember," Harry replied cryptically.
"Oh... you know, I read an article yesterday about déjà vu. Muggles have a fascinating theory about retinal persistence and brain glitches. But a famous wizard believes these are images and sensations from alternate dimensions that seep into our world due to some error. After all, we are connected to other worlds through magical particles called 'Higgsgiggles'"
Harry watched her throughout her discourse, his heart pounding when she mentioned other worlds. Luna was indeed extraordinary, reaching such a conclusion after mere minutes of their meeting. A smile crept onto Harry's face.
"That's a fascinating theory, Miss..." he trailed off, prompting Luna to fill in the blank.
"Lovegood."
"Miss Lovegood. Personally, I'm inclined to believe in your particles, but as a professor, I should remain skeptical."
Luna's crystalline laughter echoed gently in the compartment, persisting for a few seconds before subsiding.
"Did I say something amusing?" Harry asked, a grin adorning his face.
"Coming from someone like you, I found it quite funny."
The carriage halted at the castle doors, cutting their conversation short. Harry disembarked quickly, followed by Luna. Mr. Filch, standing near the grand entrance, grumbled about the impropriety of a student arriving early, even if accompanied by a professor. Echoing her master's disapproval, Mrs. Norris hissed. Harry offered an apology to the caretaker who instructed Luna to wait for the others before entering the castle.
"Miss Lovegood, I'll see you shortly at the opening ceremony," Harry concluded, climbing the steps.
"See you soon, Professor Harry," the young girl responded brightly.
Harry gave her a quick, friendly wink before disappearing behind the grand door. As he navigated through the castle's labyrinth towards the Great Hall, he absentmindedly ran his fingers through his hair, eventually stopping in his tracks.
He had never given Luna his first name.
With an exuberant leap, Ginny, Jessica, Anny, Jim, and Eliott exited their carriage. Year after year since their second, they had all piled into the snug compartment, and each time it appeared a tad smaller.
As Ginny alighted, she stretched her arms toward the cloud-dappled sky, relieving the stiffness accumulated in her muscles from the lengthy journey. Nearby, seasoned students, barring those new to Hogwarts, were likewise dismounting from their carriages. As Scott, a Ravenclaw, passed by, Jessica nudged Ginny in the ribs. Ginny shot her friend a reproachful look before swiftly looking away, her cheeks faintly tinged with blush.
Jim, his hands confidently on his hips, flashed a broad grin. "So, ladies, are we ready for our final year?" he asked.
His pronouncement sent an unexpected shiver down their spines.
"Come on!" he continued, "We're set to make this year an absolute riot! We can't let Wormz and our teachers forget us, now, can we?" He chuckled maliciously, his hands rubbing together in anticipation. Eliott merely sighed at Jim's theatrics, hiding a burgeoning smile behind his hand.
Meanwhile, Ginny observed the carriages as they halted, each guided by an unseen force. She felt a slight twinge of melancholy; this was her last journey to Hogwarts, at least as the kickoff to a new academic year. Sensing her mood, Jim wrapped an arm around her shoulders and shook her gently.
"Cheer up, missy! Let's head to the Great Hall and enjoy the legendary banquet the Elves have prepared for our welcome!"
Following the swarm of students, the group navigated through the castle's labyrinthine corridors. The distant, fruitless rant of Filch, the caretaker, echoed throughout, pleading with the students to keep the castle pristine on the first day.
Amid the chaos, Ginny walked alongside Anny, the quietest member of their band. Always shy and reserved, she stood in stark contrast to Jim's exuberance or Jessica's outspoken courage. Noticing Ginny's crestfallen expression, Anny ventured to ask, "Are you okay, Ginny? Does it really hurt that much, the thought of this being our final year? It's not like everything ends after this..."
Ginny smiled reassuringly at Anny. "No, it's not that," she explained, her gaze fixated on her shoes. "I don't know, since the end of the summer, I've had this strange feeling. This year seems like it's going to be special, though I can't tell why."
Anny pondered over this, a finger tapping her lips. After a moment, she proposed, "Like that time in our third year when we nearly got expelled for venturing into the Forbidden Forest and encountering the centaurs?"
Ginny chuckled at the memory. It wasn't just their incursion into the forest that had caused trouble, but the fact that they had inadvertently ignited a rebellion among the centaurs against the Ministry, which had intended to limit their hunting grounds. Luckily, Hagrid had stepped in to mediate between the two parties. Shaking her head, Ginny sighed, "Another one of Jim's harebrained schemes..."
Upon hearing his name, Jim whirled around, an eyebrow arched in query, only to spin back when Jessica smacked him on the head, chiding him for his habitual inattention to her stories.
Upon arriving in the Great Hall along with a majority of the students, the group found a good portion of the seats already occupied. They quickly took their spots at the table, knowing separation was imminent if they dawdled. Ginny didn't bother glancing at the teachers' table, instead surreptitiously ensuring that Scott was indeed taking his usual seat at the Ravenclaw table directly across from her.
The familiar start-of-term chatter commenced as soon as they settled at their table. "How were your holidays?" "Oh, your little brother is starting first year?" "I hope our schedule isn't too packed..." "Please, no Potion class tomorrow!"
Three taps on a glass, as always, brought an immediate hush to the conversations. The doors of the Great Hall swung open, and a gaggle of first-year students entered tentatively. Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor House and the Transfiguration teacher, advanced to the podium while Filch, with a cacophonous scrape, dragged the stool to the room's center, the Sorting Hat clutched in his hands.
"Dear students, welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Before we commence the feast and hear from our Headmaster, we shall carry out the tradition of sorting our first years. I ask that you welcome them warmly into your respective houses and assist them in case of difficulty." With a final glance at the Sorting Hat, she added, "I now entrust our new students to the Sorting Hat."
Ginny, her eyes glued to the hat, had always found this part of the year particularly enjoyable. Every year, the Sorting Hat would perform its quaint little song, lauding the virtues of each house. Her gaze skimmed over the new students; all noticeably shorter than the others, their faces a mix of excitement and apprehension. She wondered if she had appeared that way when she was a first-year.
With a dramatic flourish, a slit in the Sorting Hat widened into a disproportionately large mouth. Clearing its throat, it began to recite its annual rhyme.
Dear friends, bright minds of a new generation,
Welcome to this realm of enchantment and fascination,
Where triumph and joy interplay,
But tread with care, lest deceit should sway.
For this annual ritual of Sorting we commence,
Allow me a brief digression hence.
This year, pay heed, keep your senses keen,
For it's an occasion, missed, you'd wish you had seen.
Though I may be aged and old,
Merely a hat, not gallant or bold,
But if there's one advice you ought to keep,
It's the very next one I'm about to speak.
If a day comes when you're compelled to choose,
Between trusting a friend or letting them loose,
Recall these words, hold them dear,
For a friend's worth surpasses a keepsake, however clear.
Now, let's retread the discourse of our chat,
For the Sorting, step forward, fear not, brave lad and lass,
Rest me atop your heads, you impish tykes,
Assigning your House is for me, a joy unmatched in the skies.
The Great Hall greeted the hat's performance with polite applause, to which the Sorting Hat responded with a bow as deep as it could manage. Some students even went so far as to whistle in appreciation, forcing Professor McGonagall to call for silence on several occasions. Once the hubbub settled, the sorting commenced. Armed with her lengthy list, Professor McGonagall called the new students up one by one, and they were sorted into the houses in an unexpectedly even distribution.
"So, Gin'," began Jim, sitting beside her and tearing at a piece of bread while he eagerly awaited the appearance of the feast, "You didn't give the Sorting Hat your applause this year?"
"Did the song not strike you as odd this time around?" Ginny responded, "Usually, the Sorting Hat offers a description of the different houses. This time it barely touched on them."
Jim merely shrugged in reply. "It probably fancied a change. I quite enjoyed it, honestly. Want some bread?" He held out the remaining loaf to Ginny, but she shook her head, so he promptly finished it off himself. The sorting drew to a close, and around ten new students joined Gryffindor house. None of the fresh faces belonged to her family or her friends.
Dumbledore rose from his chair as McGonagall settled back into her own seat at the teacher's table. Everyone knew that once he finished his speech, they could finally tuck into the feast, a fact that had Jim practically drooling in anticipation.
The elderly headmaster slowly made his way to the podium and swept the room with his keen gaze. His eyes, visible over his half-moon glasses, seemed to linger on each student, as if each one reminded him of a personal anecdote.
"My dear students, both new and returning, it is an honor and a pleasure to see you all again this year at our magnificent Hogwarts," he began. "I will endeavor to keep my speech brief so we may all partake of our meal soon." At that moment, his stomach let out a small grumble, amplified by his magical microphone, causing the entire hall to erupt in laughter.
Dumbledore brought the hall back to silence by raising his hands slightly. "The school rules remain the same as they were last year, with a few minor changes. A pamphlet detailing the house rules will be available when you leave the Great Hall. Mr. Filch implores you all to take one on your way to your dormitories."
With a scowl, the caretaker swept his gaze over the room to ensure that everyone understood his message.
"Your class schedules will be given to your prefects at the end of the meal. They will then distribute them to you in your common rooms," Dumbledore continued, pausing to catch his breath. "Now, I would like you all to give a warm welcome to your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Harry Majes."
At the teachers' table, Harry stood and awkwardly waved at the students.
Ginny's eyes widened with surprise when Harry rose to his feet. Her heart skipped a beat when she recognized the new professor. It was the same peculiar young man who had bumped into her in Diagon Alley just a few days ago! By Merlin's beard, what was he doing here? And as a defense teacher? A sharp nudge from Jim brought her back to the present.
"Blimey, isn't that the bloke who bumped into you in Diagon Alley?" Jim asked, surprised.
Still taken aback, Ginny could only nod in agreement.
"When we met him, he didn't seem like professor material," Jessica added, toying with her curly hair. "More like a lost puppy, really..."
"And he seems quite young, too," Anny chimed in, her gaze fixed on her empty plate.
"There's something else that's bothering me," began Eliott, pausing for effect. When he had the attention of all his friends, he continued, "Didn't Professor Bermatus tell us we had to collect our wands from Professor Majes?"
Ginny's gaze shifted back to Harry. His cheeks were tinged with pink as he surveyed the room with an embarrassed smile. When his eyes met Ginny's across the Gryffindor table, he gave her a slight nod.
Harry slumped back into his seat with a sigh. Since the beginning of the sorting ceremony, he had been lost in his thoughts, only half-listening to the various teachers' speeches. Unintentionally, his gaze kept drifting towards the table adorned in scarlet and gold, where he would observe Ginny and her friends for brief moments. The redhead, along with her fellow Gryffindors, seemed not to notice him.
The prospect of introducing himself to the students filled him with dread. Lost in thought, Dumbledore's sudden announcement caught him off guard. He made an attempt to engage with the students, but he was well aware of the poor impression he was making. However, it wasn't something he was particularly bothered by.
As it turned out, his gaze met Ginny's. He found himself entranced by her eyes, much like the old times. He had to remind himself that he was in a different world now, a world where no one knew who he was.
Suddenly, food appeared on the plates as if by magic. Everyone in the Great Hall began to fill their bellies with the delicious dishes prepared by the house-elves. The wonderful flavors, combined with Hagrid's lively conversation, helped distract him from his interdimensional musings and enjoy his evening more than he had expected.
"So, Professor Majes, are you ready for your first class?" Hagrid asked, tearing into a chicken leg as big as Harry's forearm.
Harry was occupied with a chicken wing that was significantly smaller than Hagrid's behemoth of a leg. He tore off a chunk of the bird, bringing it to his mouth before replying.
"I'm teaching the second-year Ravenclaw-Hufflepuff class tomorrow morning. I think it should go fairly smoothly," he responded, swallowing the last large bite with a gulp of water. "It's the seventh-year Slytherin-Gryffindor class in the afternoon that has me worried..."
Hagrid sliced a sizeable portion of prime rib while offering a gruff response.
"You'll do fine, Dumbledore seems to trust you. You should have more faith in yourself, Professor Majes."
Harry offered a smile to the giant who was trying to reassure him.
"You can call me Harry, Hagrid."
The half-giant showed off a mouthful of teeth in return.
"Only if you drop the formalities with me!"
"As you wish!" Harry retorted with a playful salute.
An hour later, the feast was drawing to a close and it was time for the students to return to their dormitories. The prefects left to gather the class schedules and asked the first-years to assemble. Harry judged this to be an appropriate moment to rise and approach the Slytherin table.
He strode across the hall under the watchful eyes of the remaining seated students, while a group of first-years clustered at the hall entrance. The new professor walked confidently to the end of the table where a group of seventh-year students sat. Wormz gave him a nasty look when he approached.
"Mr. Wormz, strive not to be caught out a second time this year. If you're a true Slytherin, at least have the intelligence not to get caught by a professor."
He handed him his wand, along with those of his cronies.
"But remember, I won't be so forgiving next time, Mr. Wormz."
The Slytherin shot him a challenging glare, to which Harry responded with a simple, friendly smile. He knew that the Slytherin didn't take him seriously, but he would have plenty of opportunities during the year to prove his worth. In his world, he didn't know anyone by the name of Wormz, and if he had learned anything from Malfoy, it was not to pass judgment too quickly. Nevertheless, he decided to keep a close eye on him for the time being.
When he turned towards the Gryffindor table, he noticed that Ginny's group was already watching him. With a furrowed brow, Harry could almost hear them wondering what he and Wormz had exchanged. He sauntered over to them, his steps unhurried. Jim rose when he arrived, possibly instinctively positioning himself between Harry and Ginny.
"Professor Majes," Jim greeted with a curt nod.
Harry pulled the five wands from his pocket and handed them over.
"Your wands. Bear in mind that resorting to violence should only be your final option. This is your first warning; there will be no detention for you this time."
Jim collected the wands without uttering a word.
"You could have told us you were a professor!" Jessica blurted, hands on her hips.
Harry simply shrugged.
"Have a good evening, see you in class."
With that, he turned on his heel and strode away without a backward glance. Harry wasn't eager to engage them in extended conversation, uncertain of how to strike up normal chatter. He preferred to retire to his quarters, leaving the formal introduction for the next day. The first class with them was already scheduled for the following afternoon.
In his quarters, Harry collapsed onto his bed with a weary sigh, an arm flung over his face. His gaze strayed to the two photographs perched on his nightstand. One was a snapshot of himself, Ron, and Hermione, their faces alight with laughter at a forgotten jest. The other was of Ginny, her warm eyes twinkling from beneath the glass, blinking periodically in that magical, living way of wizard photographs. His fingers traced the edges of the frames before he surrendered himself to sleep.
Dawn broke earlier than he would have liked, the song of the birds serving as a natural alarm. A bleary glance at his bedside clock revealed it to be 6:30. He was scheduled to meet his second-year students for their first class at 8:30. This left him two hours to shake off the sleep and prepare himself for the day. Pulling on his teaching robes and collecting a stack of papers into a satchel, he left his room, his destination the Great Hall for breakfast.
At this early hour, the vast space was nearly deserted, hosting only a handful of early risers, primarily from Ravenclaw, and one solitary faculty member, Potions Master Bermatus. Harry took a seat beside him, greeting him with a nod. Bermatus gave no reply, engrossed in his breakfast of crepes dusted with sugar.
As 7:30 arrived, Harry began to feel the tension seeping in. He had enjoyed the experience of teaching during the clandestine meetings of Dumbledore's Army, but facing a class full of Hogwarts students was another matter. In the DA, the skills they were learning had been essential for survival in wartime. In this time of peace, the practicality of such instruction was somewhat debatable.
By 8:00, he decided to head to his classroom, favoring an early arrival. As he slung his satchel over his shoulder, Bermatus' voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Good luck with your first class, Professor Majes."
Surprised, Harry thanked him, unsure whether the man was being genuine or sardonic. He dismissed the thought as he navigated the castle's winding corridors to reach his assigned classroom. The room, designed for second-year Defense Against the Dark Arts, was spacious, with a large stage perfect for practicing basic spells.
The chimes for 8:30 sounded throughout the castle, and Harry greeted the students waiting outside his classroom. The crowd of eager faces barely came up to his waist. Inviting them in with a wave of his hand, he watched as they shuffled in to take their seats. When they were all settled, their eyes were all fixed on him, a mix of amusement and anticipation evident on their faces. He could feel a bead of sweat trickle down his spine but put on his best reassuring smile.
"Good morning, everyone! I hope your first night at Hogwarts was a good one. My mattress was a bit too firm for my liking, but well, one can't have everything..." Some light chuckling from the students encouraged Harry to continue. "So, I am Harry Majes, your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Can anyone tell me what we aim to achieve in this class?"
The silence that followed was so profound that even the hum of a fly would have been conspicuous.
"I promise, I won't bite," Harry joked, perching on the edge of his desk. A timid hand finally went up from the middle of the room. "Yes, miss…?"
"Tunner," answered a small blonde girl, standing up. The emblem of Ravenclaw was prominent on her robes. "The course is supposed to teach us to defend against dark wizards."
A few students chuckled at her simple explanation, causing her to blush furiously and sit down quickly. Harry quickly came to her defense.
"I don't see what's so funny. Miss Tunner is absolutely correct. Five points to Ravenclaw."
Another student chimed in without waiting for Harry's acknowledgement.
"We haven't had a dark wizard in years. My dad says this class is pointless."
Harry's smile faltered for a moment, his gaze hardened for a fraction of a second before he regained his composure.
"A peaceful world is not a world without danger. Sometimes, you need to know how to defend yourself, and importantly, those you care about. This year, I won't be teaching you how to fight. I'll be teaching you how to defend and protect. Remember, violence is not the answer to everything."
A girl raised her hand and, this time, Harry asked her to introduce herself before speaking.
"Picorge. Our professor last year insisted that theoretical knowledge was enough for our years at Hogwarts and warned against teaching us spells that we might misuse."
"I would disagree with that professor. I'm certain that some of you are quite resourceful and have already learned some minor spells just for fun." Some of the students blushed while others puffed out their chests proudly. "However, I firmly believe none of you are potential dark wizards. My job is to guide you and prevent mishaps. A combination of theory, practice, and experience is what I intend to provide this year."
An excited murmur ran through the class. It seemed they were going to get some hands-on experience in Defense Against the Dark Arts this year. As the buzz subsided, Miss Tunner raised her hand again.
"Did a spell cause your scar?"
Exiting the Potions classroom, Ginny released a weary sigh, matched by Jim's exaggeratedly loud exhale of relief.
"Three hours of potions first thing on the first day! The nerve!" he grumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets.
Jessica slipped her arm around Jim's shoulder, grinning at him.
"And you even managed to get your first 'Dreadful' of the year already, well done, Jim!"
He grumbled in response.
"I don't know how you and Anny managed an 'Outstanding'... Has the professor got a crush on you or something?"
In response, Jessica stuck out her tongue in a clear imitation of Ginny. The redhead swung her bag over her shoulder.
"Has Eliott left already?" she asked, scanning the area.
"McGonagall needed to see the prefects, I think. He said he'd join us for lunch," Anny replied, appearing at the doorway.
"FOOD!" Jim exclaimed, already heading toward the Great Hall.
On the way, Jessica and Ginny discussed the current whereabouts of her brothers. Jessica had developed a crush on Ron the previous year but had never mustered the courage to confess her feelings. Despite her brash exterior, Jessica was more reserved than she seemed.
As they ate, two second-year students were discussing their morning's Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
"You had the new Defense professor this morning? What's he like?" Ginny asked, joining the conversation.
Taken aback by the seventh-year's interest, the first boy blushed, while the second boy chuckled.
"He's nice, not as stuffy as last year's professor," the second boy said.
"Oh, and what did you do in class?" Ginny prodded further.
"We talked a lot about Defense in general and started learning basic protective spells. We'll be practicing them in the next class!"
Ginny was intrigued by the boy's sudden enthusiasm. They hadn't had much practical work the previous year. She herself had been adequately trained by her brothers, but a fresh approach to the classes would certainly be refreshing.
"Intrigued by the new professor?" Jessica teased, giving her a knowing wink.
Ginny returned the teasing gesture before diving back into her meal.
Her questions about the new professor would soon be answered as the seventh-year Gryffindors and Slytherins waited outside his classroom.
The room was significantly larger than any other classroom. A long, slightly raised stage bisected the room, while massive cabinets were affixed to the walls. The Gryffindors and Slytherins naturally divided, each claiming one half of the room. Ginny found herself between Anny and Jim. Their professor positioned himself center stage, in full view of everyone.
Ginny noticed that he seemed rather intimidated. A quick glance at the Slytherins confirmed that they were ready to pounce at the first sign of weakness.
"Good afternoon, welcome to all! I am your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Harry Majes. I trust we'll make a great team this year." Harry's words were met with silence, spurring him to continue his address.
Ginny could perceive the new professor attempting to establish a friendly rapport, but she was all too aware of how such efforts rarely swayed the Slytherin students.
"I understand your previous teachers didn't prioritize practical lessons, so I intend to assess your skills today."
At this, the students traded glances, a wave of disapproval washing over the room. A test on the very first day? How dreadful! Yet, undeterred by their reactions, Harry maintained a pleasant demeanor. Ginny, observing him, seemed to comprehend his plan.
"I believe there's been a misunderstanding," he clarified, "Not a written test, but a practical one. We're going to stage a series of duels."
The room buzzed, this time with excitement replacing the previous disdain.
"A man I deeply respect once told me that one truly knows a person only through battling them. We'll test that principle today. Each of you will face me in a duel, exchanging only non-lethal offensive and defensive spells. Any deviation from this rule will be met with severe consequences. The duel ends when I say it does."
A seventh-year Slytherin student rose to his feet.
"You're going to duel all of us? You're barely older than us, it's absurd to even suggest such a thing." Smirks echoed around the room.
"Let him," retorted another Slytherin, "He's digging his own grave. It will be entertaining to watch."
Ginny caught Harry moving to the edge of the stage from the corner of her eye, disregarding the taunts flung at him. "Who would like to go first?" Before he finished his sentence, Jim took the stage, outpacing the disgruntled Slytherins.
"Jim Railway," he introduced himself, facing Harry.
With a sense of flair, Jim saluted Harry as per the dueling tradition, his wand creating an elegant choreography in the air. Ginny watched as they stood opposed to each other, a feeling of unease creeping within her. Jim, always the performer, would undoubtedly seek to dazzle the audience. The first spell rocketed from Jim's wand. A golden beam shot towards Harry in a perfectly straight line. With a fluid motion, Harry raised his wand, effortlessly deflecting the spell, and responded with an Experlliarmus. Jim managed to block it just in time. For several minutes, a flurry of spells lit up the room, their colors mimicking a Muggle fireworks display. Parrying a new attack, Harry decided it was time to halt and invited the next challenger. Jim, perspiring and slightly crestfallen, yet smiling, exited the stage.
"He puts up a good fight, but he's not exceptional. After all, he's only a bit older than us..." he confided in Ginny, her curious gaze prompting his comment.
One by one, the students followed, with a pattern similar to Jim's unfolding - they would exchange a few spells with their professor until he felt he'd seen enough. It was now Wormz's turn. Without bothering with a salute, he launched an aggressive spell at Harry, pushing the boundaries of the latter's tolerance.
"I hope Professor Majes gives Wormz a proper trouncing!" exclaimed Jessica, clearly backing the professor.
"But he's been on the defensive from the get-go. Wormz has launched attack after attack, leaving the professor with little room to counter," observed Anny, seated behind them.
Ginny bit her lip. Despite her misgivings about the new professor, she didn't want him to become a laughingstock at the hands of the likes of Wormz. Another magical assault struck Harry's shield, which vibrated under the spell's impact. To an onlooker, it seemed like Harry was increasingly on the back foot.
"Wormz has the upper hand, Majes ought to end the duel," suggested Eliott, adjusting his glasses without shifting his gaze from the duel.
Ginny found herself agreeing - Wormz was clearly dominating. Suddenly, a loud crack echoed, and a piece of wood landed on the ground. Harry had just been disarmed! It had happened so swiftly. Before they could react, Wormz's spell sent Harry's wand spiraling into the air, landing a few meters away. Seizing the opportunity, Wormz didn't hesitate to cast another spell.
"Diffindo!" he shouted.
The perilous severing spell hurtled towards a defenseless Harry. Ginny instinctively raised her wand to conjure a shield spell, but couldn't act swiftly enough to prevent the impact. A blue explosion lit the stage, with Harry at its center. Ginny had to shield her eyes to avoid being blinded and, when she reopened them, she was stunned to see Professor Majes standing in the center of the stage, wand in hand, facing a toppled Wormz.
"I believe we've seen enough, Mr. Wormz. Please take your seat." He then turned to Wormz's accomplices. "And you two, I'm deducting 40 points from Slytherin. While I appreciate your intent to support your friend, resorting to such cowardly tactics won't be tolerated."
Laughter erupted among the Gryffindors, who relished the opportunity to ridicule the two Slytherins. Some even questioned whether it was possible to have negative points on the first day. Ginny finally exhaled. As much as she was accustomed to standing her ground - a trait honed by her six older brothers - she had, for a moment, feared for the new professor's welfare.
"Who else hasn't dueled yet?" Harry asked, scanning the room.
Their gazes locked, and Ginny realized it was her turn. Holding her wand, she walked towards Harry, introducing herself. Like Jim, she paid her respects with a duelist's salute before readying herself. Standing opposite her, Harry wore a comforting smile. She didn't detect any negative intent from him, as she had with Wormz. He was merely there, ready to face her spells. Seeing him patiently awaiting her first move, she cast an Experlliarmus, a spell she was confident in controlling. Observing Harry's response, she noted him easily deflecting her attack. He had just participated in over twenty duels, yet he showed no signs of fatigue, in contrast to the students, who were sweating profusely. An Experlliarmus of a similar potency to hers rushed towards her. Raising her wand, she managed to block it in the nick of time and, keen to make an impression, she quickly cast a second spell without lifting her protective barrier.
Surprise flashed briefly in Harry's eyes. Conventionally, one had to drop their magical shield to cast an offensive spell. However, Ginny was quite skilled with her wand, having figured out a workaround. Her ability to cast spells faster than most students was a testament to her skill. Acknowledging her ingenuity, Harry countered in a similar manner, perfecting the execution. He was demonstrating the optimal technique! In the middle of the duel, Professor Majes was identifying his students' errors and demonstrating how to correct them. Had he done this with everyone? Ginny hadn't noticed before...
The duel continued, the pace escalating, and Ginny found herself engrossed in the contest. Attempting to mirror a move that Harry had just demonstrated, she cast her spell outside her shield at the last possible moment. The spell hurtled towards the professor, who was starting to show signs of fatigue. Sweat trickled down his face for the first time. Concern creasing her forehead, Ginny cast a less potent spell, and was startled when Harry dropped to his knees. The spell she had just released hit him directly, and a resounding crack echoed in the room. Clutching his head in his hands, Harry's wand rolled away as he gasped for breath before collapsing.
"Professor Majes!" Ginny cried, rushing to his side.
Kneeling next to him, she quickly turned him over. Soon, other students swarmed around them, a wave of confusion and snide remarks swept through the room.
"Gin, what kind of spell did you cast?" asked Jim.
"Just a simple Experlliarmus!" replied Ginny, panic evident in her voice.
She brushed her hand across Harry's forehead.
"He's burning up... We need to take him to Madam Pomfrey!"
Harry suddenly opened his eyes, taking a deep breath.
"I'm okay..." he managed to say, propping himself up on his elbows.
"But..." Ginny started, struggling to comprehend what had just transpired.
"That was an impressive duel, Gin'. Class dismissed! See you in two days."
Harry shakily rose to his feet, declining the help offered by some students with a grin and a dismissive wave of his hand.
"You're free to leave," he said, managing to stand tall. As he regained his strength, the students, eager to seize the opportunity of an early dismissal, began to file out of the room. Ginny's group stayed a bit longer, but Harry, now fully recovered, urged them to leave.
"Off you go, before I change my mind and assign you all to copy pages of theoretical magic."
The group finally left the room at the professor's feigned threat. Ginny threw a final glance over her shoulder before closing the door. She caught a glimpse of the professor's face, which looked as though it had aged a decade in mere moments. Outside, Jim and Jessica were waiting for her.
"Trying to assassinate our new professor now, are we?" Jim asked, laughing and nudging Ginny in a comforting manner. Ginny responded with her trademark tongue poke.
"Did you realize that he called you 'Gin' ?" Jessica pointed out.
Harry found himself alone in his classroom. He was in disbelief. Never in his life had he imagined he would experience that sensation again. With a slow, deliberate motion, he raised his hand to his face and gently traced the lightning bolt scar that marked his forehead. His scar had flared up as abruptly as it was excruciating. In the middle of the duel, the sudden pain had caught him so off-guard that he'd failed to deflect the incoming disarming charm. He swallowed hard, gazing out at the grounds through the window. The unthinkable had just occurred. Despite the apparent impossibility, it was unmistakable. The Dark Lord, Voldemort himself, was making his presence felt in this world.
He had sent a clear message to Harry: he was here.
Evil is approaching...
Next chapter: Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers
