Harry Potter and the House Divided

The Sorting at Hogwarts. Harry learns about his role as an Assistant Proffessor.

Harry Snape Ron McGonagall

Chapter Seventeen Nastiness and News

Two and a half hours later, the train arrived at Hogsmead station.

Fortunately, nothing happened, though the entire D.A. as well as Bill,

Fleur and Professors McGonagall and Snape were ready for trouble. As Harry

didn't have any pain in his scar, he could assume that Voldemort had not

come to Hogsmead.

The general nervousness overwhelmed any joy that the students might have felt on

returning to Hogwarts. Harry did take time to wave at Hagrid who was,

as usual, calling the first years to him, though Harry thought he saw

another Professor standing near the half-giant as well. Harry couldn't

tell who it was, but the fact that Professor Dumbledore seemed to think

that the journey to the lake could be dangerous was enough to get him to

do everything he could to help Ginny, Ron and Hermione to get the other

students settled into the carriages as quickly as possible.

The ride to the castle went smoothly, and once there, Harry almost walked

straight into the Great Hall before remembering that Professor Dumbledore

wanted him to see Professor McGonagall along with Fleur and some other

people before the Sorting.

When he veered off from his friends, Ron, Hermione and Ginny tried to

follow him but Professor Flitwick quickly stepped in their way and directed them to their House Table.

Ron tried to follow anyway. He was prevented from doing so by Professor

Snape, who was standing nearby and gave Harry's best mate one of his

harshest glares. Ron, who obviously didn't want to take on the Potions

master in spite of the fact that he wouldn't be taking N.E.W.T. level

potions, shot Snape a cold look of his own before turning away, shepherded

to the Gryffindor table by Ginny and Hermione.

Harry, who didn't want trouble with Snape, but who wasn't going to let his

attitude slide either, turned toward the Potions master, ready to speak

out on Ron's behalf.

"I'd get to your meeting with the Deputy Headmistress, Potter," the

professor said silkily. "She is waiting, and so are the first

years. Certainly you don't want to delay them with any of your

histrionics?"

Harry turned away, furious. Much as he did want to take this up with the

Potions master, he did recognize that now wasn't the time to do it.

Harry stormed across the entrance hall and into the small room where

he had been told about the Tri-Wizard Tournament. He slammed through the

door, gaining a hard look from Professor McGonagall for his troubles.

"Now that Potter has come, I can tell all of you that the responsibilities

that the Headmaster is asking you to take on are very important to the

operation of this school now that the staff must attend to it's defence. You will be helping the staff in various ways that you have already discussed with the Headmaster. There will be further meetings of course, but this conversation is to tell you what you can and can't do as Assistant Professors. We haven't much time, so I will do that and let you go off to the feast."

"All of you will be able to give and deduct house points in any part of the

castle that is not a dormitory or classroom in which a full Professor is

present. You may also give out detentions, though Mr. Potter will have

to clear them through the Headmaster. Mr. Weasley is not to be in

residence here, but he will share full powers as an Assistant Professor

with Miss Delacour. All of this will be told to the students in a few

minutes of course."

"When will we be able to give and take points?" Harry asked, thinking of

all the chances that he would now have to answer Snape and Malfoy's

behaviour.

"Tomorrow morning," the Professor said, her beady eyes locked on Harry as

if she knew what he was thinking. "Though I would remind you, Potter, that

the Headmaster can rescind your powers if he thinks that you're using them

inappropriately."

"Right," Harry said softly, certain that she had caught him thinking about getting some back on Malfoy and Snape.

"Unfortunately, you have missed much of the Sorting which is acceptable

but, as the Headmaster wants you to be present for the feast, I think we

should move along unless there are further questions?"

None of them had any and Harry watched with interest as Fleur, Bill and a

middle-aged woman that he didn't know left the meeting room.

"You wanted something, Potter?" Professor McGonagall said, obviously

impatient to leave.

"Only to thank you for saying that you were willing to do whatever it

would take to help me become an Auror," Harry said, surprised by the

realization that he had never thanked his Head of House for standing up

for him last year.

"You are very welcome, Potter," she said, eyes softening a little. "You

had a lot on your plate last year and I hoped that you knew that I

did want to help you if I could."

"I didn't then," Harry said quietly. "But I do now and..., well, thanks."

"You're welcome, Potter," she repeated. "Now let's get to the feast and

see what Professor Dumbledore has to say."

When they left the meeting room, The Sorting Hat was in the middle of

shouting "Hufflepuff". Harry glanced at the area where students waiting

to be sorted usually stood and saw no more. Thinking quickly, he stepped

back into the meeting room and disillusioned himself so that he would not

be seen walking through the Great Hall. After the now familiar sensation

of an egg breaking over him and running down his body, he walked through

the door and across the great hall, passing before the teachers' table

just as Professor Dumbledore waved his wand across the house tables, food,

drink and other necessaries for a feast bursting out of them as he did so.

Whether planned or not, the Headmaster's actions and the food that

appeared in their wake were sufficient to ensure that Harry would not be

seen until he reached the Gryffindor House table.

Knowing that it would be more than a bit odd for someone to appear in the

place that Ron and Hermione were obviously saving for him, he ducked down,

cancelled the Disillusionment Charm and then walked the rest of the way to

the places that his friends occupied.

"Budge up," he said, tapping Ron on the shoulder.

"Rrzzrmmmalrrrrddy...," Ron said, giving Harry a disgusted look.

"Can't you learn not to talk when your mouth's full?" Hermione demanded,

giving Ron a sharp look.

"Nope," Ron said, after having swallowed a mouthful of something that

Harry didn't want a close look at. "Anyway, Harry knew what I was

Saying," he continued, grinning.

"Whether Harry knew or not, I really didn't need to see your food after

you started chewing it," Hermione opined, nettled.

Harry decided to break in before his friends could begin

Bickering...,again.

"Before you start another row," he said, "I wanted to hear about the

Sorting Hat's song."

"Oh," Hermione said, diverted from glaring at Ron. "It was another

warning about school unity. Basically it said that we had to be unified

if Hogwarts was to be safe and that the responsibility for that unity lay

as much with the staff as it does with the students. I was surprised

that it was so critical of the teachers but it was certainly right to

warn us last year."

"Yeah," Ron said. "It was even gloomier than last year and I think the

warning to the faculty caught Dumbledore off guard a bit."

"It was as if the Hat was talking to old Snape," Seamus said from his place further down the table.

"That's right, Neville said, nodding vigorously. "Most of the other

teachers are pretty fair but he's got worse and worse every year. I'm

really glad that I don't have to take his class this year."

"You got that right, mate," Ron said loudly. "He's a git and there's no

doubt about that."

"Ron!" Hermione said, "yell like that and he'll hear you for sure."

"What do I care," Ron said, nastily. "After all, my scores weren't good

enough to get into N.E.W.T. potions and I'm not going to have anything

else to do with him so I can say whatever I want."

"Yes," Hermione said, "but Harry and I are going to have to take Potions

and you won't help us by saying nasty things about Professor Snape."

"I can't do anything to make Snape hate Harry any more than he already

does," Ron said, "and it's as if you're one of his favourites Hermione."

Angry that he had to keep his temper in check while his friends fought

their thousandth little battle, Harry began to wish that the feast would

be over. Unfortunately, pudding had just been served and that meant that

there was some time before Professor Dumbledore would speak and Harry was

sure that this would be a long one.

Fortunately, though Ron and Hermione continued to glare at each other,

conversation at the Gryffindor table swerved to other topics, not least of

which was Fleur's return.

"Wow," one of the fifth years said from a spot next to Seamus. "I didn't

remember her as that good looking but it's a racing certainty that I'd not kick

her out of bed."

"Got that right, mate," Seamus said, grinning.

Harry let his mind drift as he really didn't want to talk about Fleur's

looks. After all, he'd come to know her as a brilliant and fairly

thoughtful witch over the last few months and learning as much about

Fleur as he had over the summer kept him from seeing her as just a pretty face.

As the discussion continued, he suddenly realized that he'd never told

his friends about his new responsibilities as an Assistant Professor.

When he remembered this mistake, he felt a sudden swoop of fear on

realizing that they would probably not be happy to learn about this

supposed honour at the same time as everyone else. There were so many

secrets in his life and so few ways to talk all of them out. Why, he

wondered bitterly, did things have to be so complicated?

Before he could sink into a full-blown depression, the plates were swept

clean and Professor Dumbledore had risen, beard and hair glowing silver in

the light from the candles that dotted the great hall.

"And now for a brief bit of prattle before we send you off to bed," he

said, eyes sweeping the hall as they always did.

"There are many announcements but I will go through them quickly."

"Thank goodness," Hermione said softly from her place across from Harry.

"I need to read before classes tomorrow and I'm getting pretty tired."

Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat and complete silence fell across

the great hall.

"Use of all items sold by 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes' is strictly forbidden. If you choose to use them, you will be Mr. Filch's guest for a week's detentions scrubbing the floor of the entrance hall with a muggle toothbrush. As these are very small, I strongly encourage you to leave anything from that redoubtable shop in your trunks."

Ron pumped his fist in the air, pleased that his brothers had acquired

such notoriety.

"Yes," said Dumbledore benignly. "Misters Fred and George Weasley have

done well for themselves. A sign that if you are willing to learn, you

can do well even if you choose not to take your N.E.W.T.s. On other

matters, the Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits this year. If you

survive entering the forest you will loose 100 House Points and serve two

weeks of detentions. So please do stay on the castle grounds this year," he said, eyes locked on Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"We are also fortunate to have the services of several Assistant or

Visiting Professors this year. Most of you will remember Miss Fleur

Delacour from her performance as Beauxbatons champion during the

Tri-Wizard Tournament."

"Sure do," Dean said, lecherously from where he sat. Unfortunately for

him, Ginny heard and hit him, none too gently, on the arm. Having deserved

Ginny's punch, Dean simply grimaced and turned his attention back to

Professor Dumbledore.

"She will assist Professor Flitwick with some of his Charms classes and

be available to tutor students taking the N.E.W.T. level course on Magical

Law & Governance and will also be available to help with First, Second

and Third year students with Transfiguration. She will also be doing some work for Hogwarts and so appointments with her must be scheduled in advance.

Mr. Bill Weasley was Hogwarts Head Boy nine years ago and will be

teaching a course on Saturday afternoons on curse breaking and avoidance.

Any student fourth year and above may take this class as long as they

maintain acceptable performance in their scheduled classes."

"Mrs. Heather Waterbank is a specialist in Herbology and Magical Creatures

and will assist Professors Sprout and Hagrid with their courses as well as

offering some extra-curricular opportunities in these fields. All of

these Professors have full power to give and take house points and assign

detentions which will be served with Mr. Filch or the offending student's

Head of House.

We will also have one student who will be acting as an Assistant Professor

this year and that is Mr. Harry Potter."

At this, the entire student body turned to look at Harry whose face grew hot with embarrassment.

"Mr. Potter led a Defence Against the Dark Arts Association last year

whose success was memorialised in the Daily Prophet, and more importantly,

the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. scores of his students which were a full two

grades higher than the Hogwarts average for Defence last year. I should

note that, had Mr. Potter not led his group, Hogwarts trained students

would have had to requalify in Defensive Magic if they were to be able to take

positions with the International Confederation of Wizards. Fortunately,

due to his efforts and those of Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley and many others,

this unfortunate circumstance did not come to pass."

Harry flushed, Hermione ducked her head and Ron crowed with delight.

Harry's embarrassment was cut by pleasure when he saw the furious look that

Draco Malfoy was giving them. When he nudged Ron to point Malfoy's

reaction out to him, the redhead cheered yet again.

"Yes, yes," the headmaster said, smiling. "Quite a feat for someone so

young. As recognition of this, Mr. Potter will be Assistant Professor

for Magical Defence and will run a group tutorial on Tuesday and Thursday

evenings from 7:30 to ten minutes before curfew. Any student fourth year

and above is welcome to consider attending."

At this, the great Hall burst into cheers, many students waving at Harry

as they shouted their approval for Dumbledore's plan. It didn't surprise

Harry in the least that most of the Slytherin table was quiet.

"Yes, yes," said the Headmaster, waving his hands for silence. After the rest of the students had the chance to voice their approval of the new Club, Professor Dumbledore waved for silence.

"Mr. Potter deserves your accolades. However, his work would be impossible this year without support from a faculty member. That person is Athena Veridian, who will be this year's Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.

Professor Veridian is a specialist in magical Self-Defence and has worked for the Ministry of Magic and The International Confederation of Wizards. She says that she will depart at the end of this year but I am hoping that we can convince her to stay longer," Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling.

Harry noted that though loud, the applause that Professor Veridian got was

a lot quieter than the cheers for him had been.

"I almost forgot to mention that Mr. Potter may assign detentions and

take house points anywhere except the house dormitories. He may take

points appropriate to any infraction and reward them as well. He is

unable to act if a full Professor is present and he is not subject to student

curfew. Please respect his authority as you would any of the teachers in

this school."

Harry glanced over to the Slytherin table and saw Draco Malfoy's furious

look which stood in sharp contrast to the smile that he received from

Daphne Greengrass, a supposedly stand-offish sixth-year Slytherin with whom he'd

exchanged less than a dozen words during their Hogwarts careers.

"And now I must bid you go to bed early so that you may rise ready for

classes tomorrow morning."

There was a lot of noise throughout the Great Hall as everyone moved to do

as the Headmaster bid them. However, many people turned toward the

Gryffindor table where Harry was nearly submerged in a huge pack of

well-wishers.

"Congratulations, Harry!" Ernie McMillan said heartily from somewhere

near the epicentre of the mob which was moving slowly up the room as Harry

did.

"Hear, hear...," Terry Boot chimed in from the part of the group where

most of the Ravenclaws were.

"Bloody fantastic!" Seamus said, repeating something that he'd said

several times already.

"It's wonderful," Hermione said, hugging Harry for what seemed the tenth

time. "Whether Professor Veridian is good or not, we can be sure that

we'll have at least one good Defence teacher."

Conversation and congratulations continued to pour in from all sides and

Harry was desperate to get away from everyone by the time they got to the

Common room. Though he hadn't thought about it until that moment, he suddenly realized that everyone seemed far too happy. Didn't they know about the muggleborns who had been attacked that morning? Didn't they know that there was a good chance that Lord Voldemort had liberated dozens or even hundreds of death eaters from Azkaban? Why weren't people thinking about these things instead of his stupid position as Assistant Professor?

Tired, angry and not wanting to talk to anyone, Harry stormed up the

stairs, threw on his pyjamas and slung his bed hangings shut.

He didn't know when his roommates came in and didn't really care. All

that he could focus on was the overwhelming pleasure that Voldemort felt

earlier today and the nearly manic gleam in Draco Malfoy's eyes. Both, he

knew, could only be bad for him and the people that he cared about. He

only barely remembered to clear his mind before finally going to sleep.