Harry Potter and the Enchanted Scroll

Chapter 9- Revelations

Ron, Hermione and Harry made their way down to breakfast the following morning. Today they would begin their classes. They knew that this coming school year would be the hardest one yet. They were going to have their O.W.L's this year and all the fifth years knew that their teachers were not going to go easy on them. They entered the Great Hall and took their seats at the Gryffindor table.

Hermione glanced up at the staff table and said, "I wonder who the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be."

Ron, who was stuffing his mouth with sausages, replied: "Maybe we won't have one. And maybe they'll have to cancel that class."

Hermione paled at this thought. "I hope not," she said. "Besides Dumbledore would never let that happen."

"You never know Hermione. No one wants that job," said Harry. He glanced at Snape, who was saying something to Professor Flitwick. "Except Snape."

Ron stopped shoveling food in his mouth. "You don't think Snape will teach Defense Against the Dark Arts," he said, his voice cracking.

Professor McGonagall interrupted their conservation. "Here are your timetables. And for goodness sake, Weasley, do try and keep the food in your mouth instead of on your robe," she said, pointing to the eggs dripping down the front of Ron's robes. He grabbed a napkin and hastily wiped the eggs off. Hermione rolled her eyes as she took her timetable from Professor McGonagall

"Well, we will get to meet our new teacher this morning," Hermione said, as Professor McGonagall moved down the table to hand out more timetables. "We have Defense Against the Dark Arts right after breakfast."

They finished their breakfast (with Ron managing not to get anymore food on himself) and headed for their class. Most of their class was already seated when they entered, but there was no professor in sight. They took their seats and pulled out their books. Harry and Ron were discussing Quidditch while Hermione opened her book and did some reading.

The class was suddenly silenced by the sound of an opening door. They all held their breaths as they watched the door slowly open and a person enter the classroom.

"Good morning," said Professor Dumbledore. He closed the door behind himself.

The entire class sat dumbfounded. None of them were expecting Dumbledore to be their professor. He chuckled at the sight of their faces. "As no responses were received to my advertisement for a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, I have decided to undertake the position myself." He paused for a moment. "Now it my understanding that you have study dark creatures in depth with Professor Lupin and curses last year with...." Dumbledore's voice trailed off. Everyone knew he meant to say Professor Moody, but it wasn't Professor Moody who had taught them last year but rather it was Barty Crouch Jr. posing as Mad-Eye Moody with the help of the Polyjuice Potion.

After several seconds, Dumbledore resumed his speech. "It is my intention this year to help prepare you how to fight the Dark Arts." A few people in the class frowned at this. Isn't this what they had been learning along? Dumbledore continued. "It is my intention that you learn to use all of the skills you have been learning thus far and see how they are used practically." Murmurs of approval at this suggestion echoed throughout the classroom. "Naturally, some of you have been doing this since the beginning." He chuckled as he looked over at Ron, Hermione and Harry. The class gave a laugh.

After a few moments, Dumbledore's face assumed a grave look. "The development of these sort of skills is essential, especially now more than ever." The entire class knew he was speaking about Lord Voldemort's return. "Now, I'm going to give you all a scenario and I would like you to describe, in great detail, how you would handle this situation. Two feet of parchment should suffice." The class gave a groan. Dumbledore went around the room and conjured a different scenario for each of them.

"You will research what sort of spells and objects you would use. Remember though, all you will have with you is your wand," said Professor Dumbledore.

Hermione raised her hand. "Yes Miss Granger?" asked Dumbledore.

"When do we have to submit this?" she asked.

"Hmm...." said Dumbledore. "One week should give you enough time." The class groaned again. Even though, they all loved the idea of Dumbledore being their professor, they did not relish the thought of doing this assignment. "Come now, everyone. This is an important year for all of you. You need to work hard this year if you all want to do well on your OWLs. But as a small treat, I will dismiss you all now." The class cheered at this idea. They all started to pack up their things and shuffled out the classroom quickly. "Harry, can I have a word with you?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry turned to Ron and Hermione. "Save me a seat in Herbology." They nodded and left the classroom.

Dumbledore waited until everyone had left. He gave Harry a small smile. "I just wanted to inform you that your Aunt and Uncle have sent some of your things that you had left behind when you came back this year."

Harry frowned. "How did they send it?" He knew they wouldn't have used owl post and Hogwarts really didn't have a Muggle mailing address.

"They gave to Arabella who sent it by owl to the school," responded Dumbledore.

"Oh," is all Harry said. "Has um... Lord Voldemort tried to attack them again?"

Dumbledore gave him a reassuring smile. "No. He hasn't attempted anything since Wormtail attacked you. It has been quiet." He paused for a moment before saying gravely: "Almost too quiet." He shook his head and said to Harry: "Well I must be going. No doubt you are anxious to get to your next lesson. Good day Harry."

Harry laughed. Dumbledore turned to leave the classroom. "Good day Professor," Harry called after him. He saw something fall out of Dumbledore's robes as he left the classroom. He rushed forward and picked up a very old piece of parchment. "Professor Dumble...." he said rushing into the hallway to catch up with him. He saw that Dumbledore was gone. He frowned wondering how he had disappeared so quickly.

Harry looked at the rolled up piece of parchment more closely. It was held in place by a ring with a large red ruby in the center of it. He tried to slide the ring off so he could read the parchment but the ring wouldn't budge.

"Weird," he said to himself. He slipped the parchment in his bag and headed for the greenhouse.

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