Daddy Dearest

Chapter 9 - Defense Against the Dark Arts

Monday, September 25, 1991

"T-t-today we w-will be st-studying--"

CRASH!

Professor Quirrell jumped, stopping mid-sentence. Most of the Gryffindors laughed, and Hermione looked disapproving. Ron nudged Harry and imitated her, and the other boy laughed. This was typical for Defense Against the Dark Arts--no order, and little or nothing being learned.

"PEEVES!"

The class ran to the door and looked out, watching Filch tear down the hall after the teasing Poltergeist, bursting out into laughter again as soon as the Caretaker had disappeared around the corner. As always, Professor Quirrell was too terrified of his students to even attempt to regain some semblance of order as the Gryffindor first years re-entered the room and continued talking. Class had been interrupted, and would most likely not resume.

However, everything changed when another teacher walked into the room. No one noticed at first, but then the first student saw the professor and a whisper rippled across the room, followed by a heavy silence. Professor Snape walked deliberately up the isle between the tables and stopped directly in front of Professor Quirrell.

The Potions Master glanced back at the suddenly silent and attentive class, then turned back to the other professor with a sneer. "I have come to inform you that I am withdrawing my son from your class," Professor Snape said loudly. A curious, excited twitter rose up, then quickly died again. "I have already spoken to Professor Dumbledore and arranged a tutor to come in for him." He turned without waiting for Quirrell's reply. His eyes fell almost immediately on his stepson and his sneer was immediately transformed into an indulgent smile. "Come, Harry, let's get you to your new teacher."

Harry glanced at Ron and gave a small shrug at his unspoken question, gathered his things quickly, and followed his stepfather from the room.

"What was that about, Dad?" he asked as soon as the door had shut behind them. He could hear the class start talking again, now that the formidable Potions Master was gone.

Severus Snape sighed, looking down at his son. "Harry, you may not want to admit it, but you're an important figure in the Wizarding World. Why do you think we hide who you are? Even if you were only my son, I would not have you wasting your time in that class. As it is, Professor Dumbledore agrees that having you tutored in Defense Against the Dark Arts is the best course of action. Hurry, now. We don't need to waste more time."

Harry nodded and quickened his pace to a downright trot to keep up with his stepfather. They turned several corners and climbed a staircase until they arrived at an unused classroom at the end of a corridor on the fourth floor. Harry looked up at his stepfather uncertainly, and Severus smiled down at the boy he thought of as his own. "Go on in, Harry."

Harry swallowed and opened the door, going into his new classroom to meet the tutor his father had arranged for him. When he saw who it was, though, all anxiety left him and his face split in a wide grin.

Hehehe, evil cliffhanger! Oh, and to those of you who were upset that he was being exempt from flying--here's another class he's missing. He will make friends, though. I dare say his friend support system will be stronger than it is in the Canon!