Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Chapter Eight

Lectures and Workloads

"Aren't you awake yet," said Ron, pulling back the curtains of Harry's bed.

Harry shielded his eyes against the bright ray of sunlight that was streaming in from the window. looking down at his watch, he saw that he only had 20 minutes to get dressed, and get down to the great hall for a quick breakfast and onto the first class. "Don't wait for me," said Harry, running to his trunk and dressing as fast as he could. "I will be down in a few minutes."

Harry had been enjoying his sleep, as for once, it was not plagued by memories of the graveyard, and the Department of Mysteries. Quickly, he grabbed his bag, trying to figure out which books he needed and shot out down the staircase into the empty common room which was ablaze with sunlight.

'Just what I needed' thought Harry as he ran down the marble staircase into the Entrance Hall. 'To be late for my first class.' he slowed down a bit to catch his breath when he entered he great hall.

The last of the students were finishing their breakfast when Harry slumped down between Hermione and Ron.

"Your class list," said Hermione, shoving a bit of parchment into his hand as he reached for his fork.

Harry paused looking up at the hall around him. Just a year ago, these people were talking about him behind their hands, swapping ideas on if he was a lunatic or not. Now, however, there were many who were eyeing him with curiosity, not unlike when he first arrived at Hogwarts in his first year. When some noticed he was watching them, they quickly turned away and went back to finishing their meals and heading to class. Though most students had already eaten, Harry wondered what would happen when he was with the school at large.

Harry quickly ate the last bits of egg from his plate, stood and flung his bag over his shoulder and looked down at the class list still in his hand. His stomach dropped... just what he needed on his first day.

"Hurry," said Hermione, checking her watch, "we only have about 3 minutes to get down there."

Quickly they strode into the Entrance Hall (specific noun-public place, should be capitalized just as Great Hall, Gryffindor common room, Ministry of Magic would be.) and down the flights of stairs to the Potions dungeon. This was one class that Harry did not want to be late for, and he doubted Snape would be very understanding. Hermione kept nervously checking her watch as they flew down the step towards the Potions classroom. When they turned to corner into the corridor, they could see Snape standing by the door with his trademarked sneer. They quickly rushed past him and entered just as the bell rang for the start of class.

"Now that all of you are here," said Snape in a quiet voice as Harry, Ron, and Hermione took the open seats near the back. "Most of you have shown the aptitude that is required for advanced N.E.W.T. potion making." He paused sneering not at Harry like usual, but someone sitting a few seats down. Harry turned to look; Neville was sitting staring resolutely back. It was only when Snape spoke again that Harry turned his attention back to his least favorite teacher.

"From this point on," said Snape, turning away from Neville, "you will be attempting to make some of the more complicated potions that we are allowed to teach at Hogwarts. We will be covering potions for a variety of uses, from healing, to disguising, and much of what is in between. I expect you all to live up to your O.W.L. results, for should any of you not keep that standard up, you will be removed, never to return to my class again.

"Today you are to work on preparing your instructions on the Wolfsbane Potion. This potion is often used to help make a werewolf harmless during the days leading up to and during the full moon. You will work silently, and will bring your completed research and instructions to our next class where you will be preparing your ingredients."

Harry turned again to look at Neville who was pulling out his book, quill and parchment. Only this time last year Snape had told them that he only Accepted people who got Outstanding on there O.W.L.s for potion making and yet Neville was here; had he really gotten Outstanding on his Potions test? Hermione nudged Harry in the rib bringing him back to the task at hand.

Harry pulled out his book and a roll of parchment as Snape took his seat at the front of the class and watched the students researching the potion. Harry looked down at his book index, and opened it to the correct page for the Wolfsbane Potion. Harry's jaw dropped as he looked down at the complex list of ingredients, which covered two pages. It was the most complicated potion he had ever seen. Some of the ingredients had to be used twice, with different preparations for each use. Harry quickly jotted down the ingredients list which took him 10 minutes, and turned the page to the Wolfsbane Potion Theory.

They spent the rest of class pouring through the text to learn the anatomy of the potion. It was nothing like he had ever done. Always before, they had the list of ingredients and the order and process in which you added them. Now, however, he had 20 pages talking about the proper use of each ingredient, and scattered throughout were notes on which is used when, and how you do each step. Harry looked over at Hermione, who was scanning the pages of her text, making notes and drawing lines between each ingredient that was noted as steps. You want to capitalize the word if it's referring to a school subject like Math or English or Potions etc. as well as all words in the name of a potion which you did in some places but not others.

Harry was thankful when the bell rang at the end of class, as his mind was reeling over the complexity of the potion and the task he has of piecing it all together. Harry shoved his book back into his bag, waiting a few moments so that the ink of his parchment could dry first before he rolled it up and placed it with his book.

As Harry lugged his bag over his shoulder and headed to the door, Neville passed him. His curiosity on why Neville was taking N.E.W.T. Potions was growing, but he wanted to be sure not to ask why in a way that would hurt Neville's feelings; in the end, he decided just to ask about his O.W.L.s in general and not mention the potions class. He moved quicker to meet up with Neville at the top of the stairs into the entrance hall.

"Hey Neville," said Harry panting slightly, Ron and Hermione lugging up the stairs behind them.

Neville paused to look around to see who called.

"How did you do on your O.W.L.s?" said Harry pausing beside him.

"I got 6," said Neville, smiling. "I didn't think I would get that many. My gran says it's not the 10 my father got, but 6 was still something to be proud of. I can't believe I got an A in Potions; I guess it was just easier without him breathing down my neck. Oh yah!" said Neville, reaching into his back and pulling out a wand. "My gran wasn't happy about me breaking my dad's wand, but I got a new one at diagon alley; 12 and ½ inches, maple, with Phoenix tail feather."

"You didn't tell her how you broke your wand I hope," said Hermione, as they climbed the stairs up to the upper floors.

"Well," said Neville, quietly. "Dumbledore told her about what happened, though she was mortified at the thought of us breaking into the Ministry with a handful of friends and battling with deatheaters. She was proud of the bravery it took. She says it was just what my father would have done to aide a friend." Neville beamed proudly.

"What do we have next?" asked Ron, as they walked up the grand staircase that led to the upper floors from the entrance hall.

"Transfiguration," said Hermione, checking her class list. "Well, I have Transfiguration at least. You do realize that we aren't taking all the same classes."

"Well," said Ron, with a grin. "You do know you memorized our class list this morning at breakfast."

"Well," said Hermione as the reached the Transfiguration corridor. "I didn't memorize Neville's. I was just checking if he has class with us."

"I also have Transfiguration now," said Neville, rechecking his list.

Professor McGonagall was standing outside her classroom door with a stern expression. As they took their seats, the bell rang, and she entered, closing the door with a snap which signaled everyone to be quiet.

"You all are here because you have passed your O.W.L. in Transfiguration and chosen an educational path that requires you to take 2 more years," said Professor McGonagall, striding over to her desk. "You will be learning some of the most dangerous forms of Transfiguration should they be used improperly," She cast a stern look at the gathered class. "I will not tolerate any nonsense in this class. You will therefore not be performing the various forms of Transfiguration that you will be studying this year until each of you has a great deal of understanding, and respect for the nature of the magic in which you will be doing.

"This year," said Professor McGonagall, turning to the blackboard and pointing at it with her wand. The words Human Transfiguration appeared. "You will begin to learn the art of Transfiguration in altering and disguising ones appearance. This is a dangerous art, for if your concentration slips, you can do harm to yourself, or the person you are transfiguring. It is not a from of magic to be taken lightly, and I expect you all to remember that come the time in which you will begin to put the theory you will be learning to practice. There is no second chance in this class."

Professor McGonagall flicked her wand at the blackboard to which appeared a series of lecture topics.

"If you will take out a quill and a parchment, we will begin," she said as she took to sitting behind her desk.

And hour later, Harry was grateful to hear the bell sounding to signify lunch break. Professor McGonagall had lectured them on the basic forms of human transfiguration, with lengthy talks about the complex nature of each. She spoke of some of the magic they would be learning in great detail, and assigned them a 12 inch essay on the anatomy of simple Human Transfiguration. Hermione was the only one who did not look drained as they stuffed their notes in their bags (Hermione's had written 2 feet of notes in her small tidy writing) and left for lunch in the great hall.

As Harry had expected, heads turned as he entered and took his seat at the Gryffindor table. He however choose to ignore them and sit down to eat a meal finally at a casual pace. Harry choose however not to join in the discussions. He had a strange, unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Something was happening outside the walls of Hogwarts. The feeling seemed to come and go, like a person trying to tune a radio. At times, he would feel it grow inside him, and other times it was gone only to return then fade again. He could not tell what it was he was feeling, though one thought remained in his mind. What ever was causing this, and he had an idea it was more likely a who not a what, was trying to keep it from him, but was having a hard time focusing.

As he sat trying to figure out what Voldemort was trying to hide from him, he grew more aware of the sound around him. Every once in a while he would hear someone a few seats down, or at the house table behind him speak his name. He tried to focus to keep his mind focusing on trying to understand what Voldemort was up to. However, he felt it was futile and left with Ron and Hermione shortly after.

When they had gotten into the entrance hall, Harry found that it was not empty. There were many students milling around and when Harry entered, many looked up and swiftly walked towards him. It was a few moments before Harry realized that it was the members of the D.A.

"We wanted to know if there were going to be D.A. meetings this year," said Colin Creevy.

Harry had not thought about it. "Maybe," he said quietly looking over his shoulder then remembering Umbridge was no longer at Hogwarts. "But it will likely have to wait until we all get settled."

The crowd dispersed heading in their various directions as Harry turned to Hermione. "We probably don't have to keep this silent," he said to Hermione, who was clearly thinking along the same lines. "I mean, we don't have to hide it from the ministry now that Voldemorts return is accepted."

"Well," said Hermione, thoughtfully as they headed up the stairs to the second floor corridor, "we could probably arrange something more like the Dueling club, if you are willing to open it up to a larger crowd."

"I don't think I could handle overseeing as large a crowd as the dueling club," said Harry, with a shudder. "Well, not alone at least."

"That's true," said Hermione, quietly. "However, we could help you. I mean, we will likely have to cover some of the stuff we had already mastered for the new members. And we don't have to worry about doing it in secret; I am sure the teachers would be on board with the idea. We should go see Dumbledore after dinner and ask him what he would think of the idea."

Hermione checked her class list again. "Only Defense Against the Dark Arts left today," she said quickly rechecking her class list. "I don't think I have ever seen a day so full of core subjects."

"Lets hope this Branxton person can handle the job," said Ron as they turned the corner into the defense against the Dark Arts corridor.

Many students were gathered around the door to the classroom, asking the same questions to each other. Harry looked around at his fellow students, and was not happy to see Malfoy among them. however the sound of footsteps met his ear, and he turned in time to see Professor Branxton striding towards them, a large book tucked under his arm and the same nervous smile he had last night when Dumbledore had introduced him to the school. He unlocked the door with his wand, and beckoned everyone in. he closed the door behind him, strode to his desk, and set the heavy book down upon it.

"Well," he said, nervously clapping his hands together as he leaned against the front of his desk. "I am your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Today will not be a practical class I am afraid. Seeing as your last year was disjointed and was there to prevent you from learning, the first part of the year will be devoted to covering some of what you normally would have covered in your fifth year. I am afraid that your work load will be more then you would expect from a N.E.W.T. defensive class."

Harry noticed that as Professor Branxton talked, he seemed to grow more confident.

"Now," continued Professor Branxton. "It was in your fifth year that you would normally learn in more detail about curses and hexes. An important part of learning about curses and hexes is that you understand the magic behind it. If you understand the magic, you can learn to defend yourself from it. Not all curses of course can be deflected by a counter charm," he paused, his eyes falling on Harry for a few seconds. "Knowing the mechanics of the curse will help you understand what you must do in response, and will hopefully prepare you if the need arises for you to arm yourself.

"I trust everyone has brought their book," he said, moving to his seat. When everyone in the class raised their books, he waved his wand at the board. "If you would please write down your assignment, we will begin."

***

Harry was grateful to finally be out of class for the night. As he sat down for dinner, he couldn't help but hope that in the future, the classes would not be about long and boring lectures. Like during lunch, many were watching him avidly. Only Hermione seemed to have enjoyed their first day back.

"Well," she said brightly as she filled her plate. "It wasn't that bad."

"That bad?" said Ron, annoyed. "All they did was lecture us for an hour and a half each."

"Well," said Hermione her tone turning colder. "I think I agree with Professors Snape and McGonagall. Human Transfiguration looks dangerous like she said. Did you read the section on irreversible transfiguration?"

"We didn't cover that," said Ron, as he grabbed some food from the platter before him.

Hermione blushed slightly. "I read about it before we left Spinners End. You know, it wouldn't hurt you to open up a book before you come."

"I was busy," said Ron defensively.

"Oh really," said Hermione sternly. "You were to busy playing Exploding Snap and Wizard's Chess. Honestly, this is one of the more important parts of our education. How well we do in our classes will define our choices of work when we leave Hogwarts."

"Could we just stop arguing about it," said Harry, finally entering the conversation.

The rest of the meal was quiet, but Harry found it only all the more distracting like during lunch, he frequently heard his name brought up by people around him. Harry did not bother to acknowledge it and just ate quickly hoping to leave before the rush. Though he agreed with some of what Hermione had said, he did not look forward to the workload they had received that day. However, he did remember what it was like last year, when he just kept putting it off.

When they rose, Harry was resigned to spending the night going through some of his homework, likely Snape's Wolfsbane Potion instruction. Hermione however led them away from the normal path to the Gryffindor common room, but instead towards Dumbledore's office. It took a few moments for Harry to remember that they were going to go talk to the headmaster about the D.A.

When they reached the entrance, Hermione turned suddenly. It had hit her that none of them had the password. "What do I do," she said nervously.

"I don't know," said Harry shrugging trying to think of what the password might be. "He usually names it after a type of sweet. Pumpkin pasties, ugh, sherbet lemon; wait no, that's not it; Licorice wands..."

The gargoyle sprang to life as the wall opened up revealing the staircase silently spirally upwards.

As the staircase took them higher, they could hear voices in Dumbledore's office. Hermione rapped on the door. Everything went silent making Harry sure that Dumbledore had been talking to the portraits. After a few moments, the door opened; Dumbledore was smiling as he beckoned them into his office.

"Is there something I could help you with?" asked Dumbledore as he drew his wand, and conjured up a few more chairs which he placed before his desk.

"Well," said Hermione nervously, "we wanted to ask you something."

Dumbledore waved for them to sit.

"It's about the D.A.," said Hermione quietly, as she sat down. "Dumbledore's Army we mean."

"Yes," said Dumbledore smiling, the twinkle in his eyes evident in the dark room. "Continue."

"Well," said Hermione, pushing onward, "with Voldemorts return being accepted."

Dumbledore smiled more broadly as if he was impressed that Hermione had said the name.

"We thought that with the ministry finally accepting his return," continued Hermione, "we should bring the D.A. out into the open, and allowing anyone who has any interest in learning to defend themselves to join."

"I see," said Dumbledore nodding. "I do hope that this time, I have found a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who can properly do it. But allowing our students to continue the practice will require more then just a student leading it. I am all for helping prepare our older students to defend themselves, but I feel that it is not something I should allow without supervision."

"So," said Hermione somewhat deflated, "we can't continue?"

"I would feel more comfortable if you had some supervision," said Dumbledore calmly. "If the D.A. were to continue on a larger scale, the faculty should be made a part of it. Last year, it was a small group, but a larger group is not so easily managed. I will need to think about this further."

Dumbledore rose, and beckoned them back to the door and out onto the staircase.

Harry couldn't help but notice that Hermione looked slightly crestfallen. They were quiet all the way up to the Gryffindor common room where they gathered their potion assignment and began piecing together the Wolfsbane Potion.

"Why can't they just give us the instructions," moaned Ron an hour later.

"Well," said Hermione loftily, checking, and rechecking her instructions. "This is to teach you the anatomy of a potion. They want to be sure we understand what we are doing, and why we are doing it."

"Well how did you finish so fast," said Ron annoyed.

Hermione's reply was to pick up the various crumpled bits of parchment off the notes she had taken and pieced together to form the instructions. Harry had taken a similar approach, though not as exhaustive as Hermione had. Ron however just scowled, having spent the last hour staring down at the pages of his Potions book.

By the time midnight rolled around, Harry had not finished his instructions, though he felt he had to be close. He figured he would likely perfect it before his next potions class which was 2 days away. He placed his book and parchment into his bag and choose instead to watch as Diaz pawed at Ron's hand which was holding one of the crumpled bits of parchment Hermione had used. She gave a stifled meow and Ron decided instead to play with her then finish his homework.

Harry decided to head up to bed. He flung his bag over his back and made his way to the staircase to the boy's dormitories. With each step he took, he had a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. As he made his way up the staircase it grew stronger, and Harry had a rush of hatred. He tried to steady himself as he continued to climb.

The world around him faded, he felt like he was falling backwards through a dark black void. All was silence until he felt like his feet had hit the ground. He was standing the same room he had seen only a weeks ago after his conversation with Lupin. He could see before him a winged back chair in front of a stone slab which was glimmering in the dull light.

Very slowly he moved forward toward the back of the chair.

Voldemort was muttering menacingly, his voice echoing in the stone chamber like a morbid chorus. Harry felt great anger grow inside him as he moved forward. He looked around the chair. The room was empty.

The stone wall on the other side of the room opened, and many people entered, Bellatrix in the lead.

"You have failed me," said Voldemort's cold voice. "I will tolerate your slowness, for now. I expect you to do better for me in the future. You may have ruined everything. You failed your master when you allowed yourself to be caught. You revealed the truth to the magical community. I expect you all to remember what is due to your master, and his plans.

Bellatrix was the only one not trembling in the cold air.

"I have waited these months to find a way to break out the Death Eaters who failed me," said voldemort menacingly. "But I need you now. Our plans must go forward."

Voldemort paused, and Harry saw him stand up and move to one side. He saw Voldemorts pale, long fingers. With a spasm of horror, he watched as Voldemort turned towards him. Harry felt a surge of anger. Voldemort let out a yell and Harry felt as if someone was trying to push him away forcefully. He felt like every fiber of his body was on fire. All was growing dark.

"Harry?" said a familiar voice sounding soft and distant. "Harry, what did you see?"

Harry opened his eyes; he was laying on his back staring up at the ceiling of the hospital wing. Dumbledore was watching over him; the twinkle in his eyes seemed dim. Harry rubbed the back of his head were he felt a large bump. He felt as if his head was being squeezed it in a vice.

"They are free," said Harry, trying gain composure. "The Death Eaters the Order captured last June."

Dumbledore did not look shocked by this news, though he did wear a grim expression. "I must go," he said quietly. "I want you to stay here for the night." With that said Dumbledore strode from the room and out into the corridor beyond.