It's My Life
Nothing ever prepared Harry for Severus to agree with the idea of starting a defense class that Harry taught to students who wanted to be ready to defend themselves. That day on the 23rd of September, Harry rolled out a rough idea of what Ron and Hermione suggested to him. The plan was to find a place on the grounds to practice and use the weekends as their practice time because it would be hard during the day with classes and after hours was not the best thought, but had been considered if they could get away with it. Severus mentioned that it wouldn't be wise for students to be sneaking out after hours. One or two might have worked, but not an entire group. Severus suggested weekends and maybe nights after classes, but before dinner time. Harry spoke of being the teacher, as it were, and that the spells taught wouldn't be anything dangerous they could get hurt while practicing, which Severus commended and appreciated. Harry mentioned that it would be wise to keep it secret from Dumbledore and Umbridge, but there was no rule against students forming clubs of their own as long as they didn't interfere with classes. Severus added in that the hidden rule was there needed to be adult supervision, and that if Harry really wanted to see things through; he would volunteer to be present and watch, only jumping in if he thought of something that could help. Severus told Harry he would support the idea and to keep him up to date on its progress of gaining members and where it would meet.
Harry returned to the common room that day and talked to Draco, Theodore, Vincent, Gregory, Blaise, and Pansy about the idea and they all agreed to be part of things. Harry got out the notebook and sent a message to both Ron and Hermione that the plan was a go and Snape would be their adult supervision. Harry and Ron worked on recruiting members while Harry tried to think of places they could meet. It was now about a week or so later, the 1st of October 1995. A Sunday. And shockingly, Neville Longbottom had found the perfect place by sheer accident. A hidden room in room in the castle that just appeared to him when he'd walked by. Harry, Ron, and Hermione agreed it was perfect and then Hermione used the charmed coins she made to alert the others of the first meeting, which was today at 10:00 am.
Harry led the group to the location as quietly as possible and Severus joined last.
"You said small group, Potter, not almost fifty students." Severus informed.
"It's thirty-five, Professor Snape," Hermione told him.
"Most of them are Gryffindors, few from Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin." Harry said.
"Always willing to help out Harry," Seamus stated. "We'll fight for him any day."
"Umbridge and Voldemort won't know what hit them," Fred and George Weasley remarked together.
"So what room are we going into?" Pansy inquired.
"Give it a minute," Harry reached the spot and it was a blank wall, at first, then a door appeared.
"The room of requirement is your choice of meeting place, Potter?" Severus asked.
"Room of requirement?" Hermione looked at the potions master.
"It's said to be a hidden room in the castle that only reveals itself to those in need. Once in the room, it changes to fit the users need." Severus explained. "Not many people know of, much less able to find it. The castle has obviously sensed your need to be taught properly." He added. "No matter, in you go. Don't dawdle in the halls." He advised.
The group filed into the room and the door closed, vanishing from sight. "It's all yours, mate," Ron told Harry.
"I'm just here to supervise and keep time." Severus found a chair to sit in; he wanted to see how Harry handled this as a teacher.
"Alright then," Harry started. "We all know why we're here. Our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is clearly incapable of doing her job properly and also, Voldemort is back, raising up his army…It's time we do the same." He looked at the group. Severus hid a chuckle at Harry's comment about Dolores Umbridge. "Professor Snape has been kind enough to supervise the club and add things I might miss or don't know myself." He added. "The idea is for us to meet on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays right here in the room. On Sunday's, we can be here after breakfast until lunch, or before dinner. The other two days, we'll need to meet after classes and until dinner. Everyone was given a gold coin upon signing up; that coin is more than a symbol of the club. It acts as communication; Hermione has enchanted them to heat up when there's a message. So if we ever need to cancel a meeting, everyone will know at the same time. And if anyone talks to others outside the group; we'll know."
"What will we be learning?" Lavender Brown questions.
"How to defend yourself." Harry stated. "The way we will do this is that I will teach you a spell, you will copy it. The room has provided us a training dummy to use, so that is what we'll learn on. Once you've gotten it down, we'll pair off and you can practice on each other; only if it's something that won't cause damage," Harry emphasized. "We don't need anyone ending up in the hospital wing." He added. "Does everyone understand?" There was a nod of heads. "Great. Any questions?"
"Are you teaching us wandless and non-verbal spells?" Blaise hoped.
"It could be an advantage to know that, but we'll see. It's difficult to do as non-verbally, even more so without a wand. For now, my goal is defensive spells that can help you disarm or get away. I'm not aiming to teach anyone anything to help them battle Voldemort, just protect themselves from him or his death eaters." Harry told them. "We'll leave Voldemort to the more experienced wizards and witches. Now, any other questions?" No one replied. "Then let's get started. Form up around me, people on each side so everyone can see demonstrations." Everyone did so. "The first spell is used to disarm your opponent and one I use more frequently after learning it from our very own Professor Snape back in second year during Dueling Club." He informed. Severus grinned some; a wise choice and he knew Harry mastered that one.
The trainer came forward as Harry pulled his wand. Giving it a quick flick, he cast, "Expelliarmus." The wand in the training dummy's hand was ripped away and tossed somewhere in the room. "Now, this spell can disarm effectively, but with enough work as seen in second year; it can be used to throw your opponent back or bring the wand to your own hand." He wordlessly returned the dummy's wand to the dummy's hand.
"How does that work?" Draco asked. "Using a disarming spell to blast someone?"
"I don't really know the mechanics behind it, I just know it's been done. Perhaps Professor Snape can shed some light?" Harry hoped.
"I can," Severus stated. "As everyone knows, all spells have a level of power behind them. Expelliarmus on its own is simple enough for first years to complete, the spell is designed to disarm. Some rumors have it that Merlin himself designed it, so it's been around for an exceedingly long time. However, using that spell at a higher power can produce different effects. As Mr. Potter said, it could blast your opponent away from you, and toss their wand to the side. Bringing the wand to your own hand is more of adding what could be considered as a simple summoning charm. In such cases, it's unknowingly done non-verbally that once the wand is sent out of the person's hand, the caster summons it to themselves to prevent the wand returning to its owner." Severus explained calmly. "But the answer to the question is that your spells become more effective when there is more feeling and power behind them."
"So when you blasted Lockhart, it's because you purposely put a lot of power behind it?" Harry stared at his guardian.
"Of course, I'm not letting that bumbling fool think he's better than me. Some people need to be put in their place, and he was one of them." Severus relaxed.
"Good to know." Harry said. "Now then…Let's get practicing. Line up. Everyone gets to come before the trainer and try. We will move on in a couple classes, and if you still don't have it down; there is no reason to worry. When we pair up to practice, it will be like dueling, so you will still get chances to work at it." Harry reassured. "Who is next?" He smiled.
. . .
The meeting ended at 11:30 am so that everyone could get out of the room and head for the hall for lunch time. Harry had told them that they likely wouldn't meet again today because it would look suspicious for a large group to just disappear again. While everyone else hurried ahead, Harry stayed back with Ron, Hermione and Draco. Severus was with them too.
"I think this is one of our best ideas," Hermione beamed.
"I'm enjoying it." Ron stated.
"Expelliarmus is easy, so I'm looking forward to what else you've got, Potter," Draco grinned.
"I've got a bunch." Harry reassured.
"You did very well, Potter. I don't impress easily, but you've got the makings of a fine teacher yourself one day." Severus complimented. "Maybe even Defense Against The Dark Arts or Potions."
"You think so? I still think I suck at potions, but Defense, maybe…I haven't decided what I want to do yet." Harry shrugged.
"You've got some years to figure out what you want to do after Hogwarts. I'm just informing that you are bright boy when applied correctly, and probably do anything." Severus told him. "I will see you later." He briskly walked ahead of the four students and went out of sight.
"You did do very good, Harry." Hermione smiled. "I'm just glad you're alright."
"Yeah, we've been worried about you, mate," Ron nodded. "We have to rely on the two way journals, or times like these in the halls to talk to you."
"What happened, Harry?" Hermione asked. "You got so quiet for several weeks."
"Nothing. I'm fine, just got a lot on my mind with Voldemort back and surely at some point this year; him trying to kill me." Harry informed.
Draco rolled his eyes. "Tell them what really happened, Harry. They deserve to know."
"What's he talking about, Harry?" Ron asked.
"Umbridge's detentions happened." Harry sighed. "She kept tacking them on from that one day she told me to tell her how I felt. She'd hold me til midnight, then add another saying I was out after hours. She kept me on the weekends too, all day…She was making write lines with a blood quill…"
"What?!" Hermione screeched. "That's forbidden and barbaric!"
"Did you report it to the headmaster, or McGonagall?" Ron questioned.
"To what point would it have been to tell McGonagall?" Draco remarked. "She's not Harry's head of house anymore."
"But she is Deputy Headmistress," Hermione informed.
"No, I didn't tell anyone. But Draco found out and took me to Snape; he dealt with it. Or he said he would. Umbridge hasn't bothered me, so whatever he did obviously worked." Harry stated.
"You better be careful with her, Harry…" Draco warned. "Snape told me that she's out for blood against you for what you said. Not that he or we don't agree it's true, but still."
"I can handle the pink nightmare, though I rather…Honestly, be dealing with Voldemort." Harry remarked. "Least he gets right down to wanting me dead and not torturing me."
"Well, let's not hope for him either." Hermione stated. "You've come too close to death too many times, Harry…"
"Guess that's why I'm still known as the boy who lived cause nobody else who goes up against Voldemort survives." Harry shrugged.
. . .
The month had gone so quickly and now, it was Halloween night and about 4:30 pm when the members of Dumbledore's Army, the chosen name by Hermione and Ron, formed up in the room of requirement for their next lesson. Harry had so far worked with disarming and using the spell to knock someone away. He'd also taught them stunning, a refresher on levitation, then a couple other spells that could be effective. Even a couple healing spells. Neville had yet to master the disarming, but he could do other spells pretty easily. The training dummy took the most abuse, like tonight where Harry had everyone form a circle and spelled the dummy to move around the circle acting to attack. Or that was the plan.
"Tonight we're going to practice all what you've learned this month. I've spelled the trainer to move around at random. Any questions?" Harry asked.
"What are we learning after this?" Lee Jordan inquired.
"Focus on today. Next lesson will be more useful spells." Harry smiled. "Are we ready?" The group nodded and then Severus came in late and took his seat, but motioned for Harry to continue. "Form a distanced circle. Your objective is to keep the trainer from touching you with its wand. Use only what you've learned. And…Go." Harry stepped back as the dummy rushed around at random and all that was heard was people casting Stupefy and Expelliarmus to keep it back. There were other spells used too, the ones Harry taught them in the last month.
"They're doing well," Severus told Harry. "I meant what I said last month; you'd make a good teacher, Potter."
"Thanks…" Harry smiled a bit.
"I've kept Black and Lupin up to date on this little club, they asked me to pass the message good job and we're proud of you." Severus informed.
"I miss them." Harry said. "Always a good time."
"You know, I don't mind you coming by the office to talk to them with the mirror." Severus stated calmly. "They are your family, I wouldn't take that away from you."
"I know, Professor. But talking to them outside of letters just makes it harder to say goodbye." Harry mentioned. "I'll see them for Christmas at the manor, and then Easter too." He added.
"Has Umbridge given you anymore trouble?" Severus asked.
"Other than standing over my shoulder to make sure I'm working, or purposely only calling on me to answer questions? No." Harry replied. "I feel like she's looking for a reason to punish me. For anything."
"Just keep at what you're doing. Sooner or later, she'll mess up and I can take it right to the ministry." Severus promised. "If she gives you detention, you tell me about it as soon as you're able and not after the detention is served. Before, Mr. Potter."
"Yes, sir," Harry nodded. "Do you mind if I stop by your office tonight to get that sleeping potion?"
"No, of course not. Having trouble sleeping?" Severus questioned.
"I can sleep, it just takes a while to fall asleep. I lay awake until about 3 am. It's only been happening the last two days. I didn't want to come to you until I knew it was happening more than a few times." Harry explained.
"Fair." Severus replied. "Yes, come by before curfew. I'll have it ready for you. Do you prefer dreamless or regular sleeping draft?"
"Dreamless. The other one keeps it so I can dream, and usually end up with nightmares." Harry responded.
"Noted." Severus nodded.
The two looked back to the students practicing. "Reducto!" Ginny Weasley cast as the dummy exploded into dust and Harry got on his feet.
"Well done, Ginny." Harry complimented. "Might not work to blow up a person, but definitely on a wall to get away."
"Indeed," Severus agreed.
Harry whirled his wand to return the dummy to what it was before Ginny blew it up. "If we shouldn't use that on a person, what else works to blast them away? Come on, Harry. Show us one more spell to close out October? Please?" Romilda Vane asked.
"I suppose." Harry moved into the group as they split off to watch. The dummy charged at Harry on its wheel as he flicked his wand out. "Depulso!" The dummy shot backwards and fell on its back.
"Cool," Ron, George, and Fred said together.
"Isn't there another one that does that, but stronger?" Blaise asked.
Before Harry could respond, the dummy was flying back at him. "Immobulus!" He muttered as the dummy was unable to leave that spot.
"Woah…" A few gasped.
"Well done, Mr. Potter. I didn't think you knew that last one." Severus stood up, lightly clapping his hands.
"Flipendo is another one that would work to send a target away from you." He added to the group. "There are four versions of that, though. Each more powerful than the one before. There's Flipendo, then Duo, Tria, and Maxima. Flipendo, any of them, are jinxes. Depulso is a charm."
"Good to know." Hermione said as others just nodded.
"And just out of curiosity. What are the differences between spells, hexes, curses, jinxes and charms?" Luna Lovegood inquired softly.
"Spells is a generic term for them all," Severus stated. "But the others-,"
"Charms typically affect the behavior of an object, but not change its nature such as Accio and Capacious Extremis. Jinxes hold a minor thought of dark magic, sort of to irritate and amuse; like Rictusempra or Glisseo. Hexes have more connotation of dark magic as well. Minor, but more dangerous than jinxes; like Petrificus Totalus or Colloshoo. Then there are curses, definitely considered dark magic and meant to harm." Harry explained. "Like the killing or cruciatus curses." He added. "Then there are the fun counter-curses, which do not apply to the three unforgiveable curses. But Finite Incantatem, which stops all spell effects around the target. Then you have your healing spells, a category all their own. Same with Transfigurations, Dark Charms, and Conjurations. All use magic, but all do different things. That's why spells as they are get labeled into categories."
"Exceptional explanation, Mr. Potter. Don't think I could have said it better myself." Severus complimented.
"Knowledge is power." Harry shrugged.
"Also true," Draco grinned.
"Alright, let's get ready to leave. Dinner will be up soon and no one likes to miss the Halloween Feast." Harry called them to order.
Severus was one of the first to head for the door, some students behind him. As everyone else was forming up to leave, Harry felt a sudden chill to the air as he glanced around to see a thin ice forming over the walls and lights, even the fireplace went out. "What's going on?" Someone asked.
"Dementors!" Dean Thomas yelled, pointing to the three coming in.
"Why the bloody hell are they here!?" Ron whimpered.
"So the ministry can get rid of someone in their way, likely," Harry mumbled to himself.
"Harry, look out!" Hermione panicked. A dementor flew by Harry, sucking at him and flew off. Another did the same thing and after the third, Harry had collapsed to one knee and trying to keep upright. "Get help!" She ordered Draco, who was close to the door. "Call Professor Snape back!"
"Professor!" Draco yelled out the door. It was a risk, but necessary. Harry was clearly in trouble, dementors could suck out the soul.
"What is going-," Severus returned, coming through the door and Draco pointed to Harry's figure. "Harry…" Severus whispered with what sounded like fear. Severus rushed forward, preparing to get his wand.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Harry yelled. The blue light shot forward, creating a barrier to keep the dementors back as Harry struggled to get up before he flicked his wand towards the fireplace and sent the creatures off. The light faded as Harry lost his balance and hit his knees, wand dropping from his hand and beginning to lose consciousness.
Severus wasted no time as he caught Harry from falling back and smacking the ground. Harry lost consciousness entirely as Severus raised Harry into his arms and stood up. Severus was in shock, how had Harry produced the patronus charm? It was so powerful and he did it after being sucked at several times. "I'm taking him to my quarters. No one is to speak of this." He ordered after Draco handed Severus Harry's wand from the floor and then Severus walked out.
