Death Is Our Gift

X

"The Lion and the Serpent"

After a quick lunch, the first years were off to Defense Against the Dark Arts. But not before hearing from a couple of Ravenclaws about their experience with Professor Potter.

"He came into the class & just started to jinx us," said one startled girl.

Another one nodded & added, "He told us that we should have been able to cast the counter curse immediately. If we were really being attacked, we could have all been dead."

"Who's going to attack a bunch of student?" questioned one boy.

"I thought he was supposed to be some great guy," commented a third girl. Sarah stopped in her tracks, turned to them & said, "You wouldn't be such a great guy if people kept assuming you were supposed to be some kind of role model or super hero."

The Ravenclaws immediately shut up, looking offended.

Sarah turned again & continued back to the classroom. Everyone filed in, including the Slytherins. Bianca Malfoy & her gang took seats near the back, Bianca being flanked on either side.

The door to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom slammed shut, startling everyone to attention. The figure sweeping up the aisle didn't seem to walk, but more like glided. Professor Potter's image that he created during breakfast was not being diminished.

"Let me welcome you all to Defense Against the Dark Arts," he began. "This is a subject that I am all too familiar with and one that, in my opinion, has been taken for granted for far too long in this school. When I was a student here, DADA was laughable. The job was cursed, not for the teachers' length of time here, but for the teachers themselves.

"My first year was taught by," Professor Potter scrunched his face, "P-P-P-P-Professor Q-Q-Q-Q-uirell. What no one realized was that Lord Voldemort was attached to p-p-p-poor P-P-P-Professor Q-Q-Q-Quirell's head." He surveyed the class as he spoke Voldemort's name. "And yes, I do say the name 'Voldemort' without fear. I killed him and have spent the last dozen years hunting down his followers." He looked at the few stunned faces.

"He doesn't scare me.

"In my second year, I was taught by Gilderoy Lockhart, who was one of the biggest twits that the wizarding world had seen in quite a while. Personally, I think his last book, 'Who Am I' was by far his best and highly recommend reading it. If you take it to St. Mungo's, you can get it autographed.

"My third year we had a werewolf for a teacher. He not only taught us about the Dark Arts, but he practiced what he preached." He stopped for a moment to reflect on this.

"My fourth year was taught by a follower of Voldemort's, who was disguised as an Auror. He spent the year showing us how we were all vulnerable to attacks, both in theory and in his lessons, in and out of the classroom. This just goes to show that you can't trust anyone - especially a teacher.

"My fifth year my classmates & I had a semi-decent teacher who seemed to know what he was doing. Granted, I was the teacher, whereas the person charged with teaching us was too busy trying to rid the school of unwanted elements. Notice she is no longer here.

"I could go on with tales of my teachers, but I will not. I will allow my actions to tell a tale of their own. You see, I didn't learn from the classroom." He made eye contact with every student. "I delved into the Dark Arts. I studied magics that would make you turn white. I lived the things that your nightmares are made of. I saw death & decay first hand - and delved in for more. I sharpened my skills on those who were all to willing to dispose of me from this mortal coil.

"You are my first-years, and by the time you leave this class you will be more educated than most of the other years. I won't teach you abstract concepts or useless knowledge. I will be hard, but only because you have to realize that we are fighting a war."

He again surveyed the room. He noticed Joshua and Sarah - the real future of the Weasley spirit - who seemed to not recognize him. Percy's children were prats & Charlie's kids were too into Quidditch. He also saw, sitting next to them Liam. Harry had not seen Liam since the funeral, but noticed how much he looked like his mother. He tried not to allow the stray thoughts, but they came anyway for a brief moment.

"People look to the Dark Arts and ask, 'Who should we be afraid of?' They want to assign a singular evil, or group to the darkness so that they can rally around it. This wizard is bad or that witch is good. A boggart is evil because its purpose is only to harm others, yet dragons are not because they have other "redeemable" qualities. It's easier to point at the shadows & tell people to watch out. But, I will tell you right now," he said, slamming his metal fist into his wooden desk with every word, "There. Is. Always. Evil. It doesn't go away, and it doesn't hide.

"I learned a valuable lesson in my fourth year - 'Constant vigilance'. You can never, ever grow complacent and you can never assume that it won't happen, because boys and girl, it will!"

He continued to survey the room. He had purposely placed Slytherin and Gryffindor in the same classroom. He wanted to teach these two groups especially, how to remain on their toes against each other. Harry tried not to be biased against the Slytherins, but with Snape as an example of how to treat students, it was hard not.

"We will be covering before Christmas curses and charms related to the Dark Arts. After Christmas we will be covering demons and other 'dark' creatures, including werewolves, demons, and vampires." Harry looked at Liam for a moment, but then focused on Bianca Malfoy. Scorpius, Bianca's father, had become more vicious than his older brother Lucius. Harry looked down at his clawed hand, hoping that Bianca became more like Draco than any of her other Malfoy cousins.

"Take out your books and turn to Chapter One - Introduction to the Dark Arts..."

The class continued through the remainder of the class copying down the different definitions that were given by Professor Potter. Their attention was brought back occasionally by Professor Potter flicking his wand & sending erasers at them while their heads were down. After a few students were hit, they got the point & kept one eye on the paper and one on Professor Potter.

The only students who did not get hit in the head with an eraser were Joshua, Lex, and Ash, whose erasers were caught by Liam without him looking up from his parchment. The others in the class, particularly the Slytherins were staring at him. Liam paid no attention to them or anything else.

At the end of class, Professor Potter announced, "Your homework assignment is simple: write down what scares you. We'll discuss why this is important in our next class." Everyone was getting up to leave when Professor Potter said, "Mister Summers, will you wait for a moment."

Lex, Joshua, Sarah, and Ash looked at Liam. "It's okay," he said. "Wants to congratulate me on catching the erasers."

"Yeah," said Ash. "How'd you do that, anyhow?"

"Misspent youth juggling knives," Liam said without a thought. They didn't know if he was serious or not. "Okay, we'll meet up in the library," said Lex and the others left the room.

Liam made the walk up to Professor Potter. His green eyes seemed different now that they were the only ones in the room. "Hello, Liam," he said.

"Uh, I assume you wanted to discuss the little display-"

"Not at all," Professor Potter said. "If you didn't show off a bit, I wouldn't think you were your mother's child. I just wanted to say 'hello'. I haven't seen you in a long while, although you probably don't remember me."

"We've met?" Liam asked. He had learned about his mother's connection to Professor Potter earlier, but didn't think it was more than that. But something was lingering in the back of his mind - he had seen Professor Potter somewhere in his life.

"Oh yes," Harry said. "In fact..." He reached into his cloak and pulled out a picture. It was moving, like all the Wizarding photos he'd seen. This one contained three people and a baby - two of them male and the other female. They were playing with the baby, which Liam recognized as himself. He, the baby, was giggling and laughing. One of the men was a younger version of Professor Potter. The woman was Mrs. Granger-Weasley. Liam also recognized the living room of his home.

"You really did know my mom," said Liam, looking up at him.

"Aye, I did. One of these days, I'll tell you about her. But for now, I just wanted to let you know that I'm here for you. I promised that to your mother, and I still mean it."

Liam was confused, but nodded in agreement. "Okay... well... uh... gotta run." He turned and quickly left the room.

"Real bright, Potter," Harry said to himself. He left the classroom, not hearing the soft chuckle coming from behind his desk.

*******

A knock came at Snape's office door. He was currently grading the summer Potions homework, so his mood was more foul than usual. "Enter only if it is important."

Harry entered his office, surveying the room. It had looked the same since his first visit in his second year of Hogwarts. His looking was interrupted by, "What do you want, Potter?"

"I thought it was customary of teachers to address each other by their first names," replied Harry.

"Customary," said Snape, "but not necessary. Again, what do you want Potter?"

"In need a few antidotes," said Harry. "I'm bringing a few poisonous creatures, as well as using iocane powder in a few tests." Harry handed a parchment to Snape. "My complete list. I need to know when you can have all these ready."

Snape took the parchment and without looking at it, placed it off to the side. "When I can," was his reply. "Anything else?"

Harry chuckled. "Yeah. I want to know a date when I can expect my antidotes, or should I speed the process by seeing some iocane slip into your pumpkin juice at dinner, like you promised me so long ago."

"It was Veritaserum, not a poison."

"You're the Potions Master, not I. I'm just the poor Dark Arts instructor." A smirk crossed Harry's face. "Sorry you didn't get the position," Harry paused for a moment, "again."

Snape stood quickly. "Your display this morning might have impressed others, but not me. I see the same strutting, arrogant boy who none could see for what he truly was - his father's son."

"And what of your father?" replied Harry. Snape's eyes widened at mention of his father. "Though my father may have been arrogant as a child, he grew into a man who fought against evil - instead of little kids. Maybe mine taught me a better lesson-"

"Watch your mouth Potter!" yelled Snape.

"And watch your back Snivellus," retorted Harry, moving closer to Snape. "When I was a child, you could scare me into whatever you wanted. Now, you have no such control over me. I am better than you because I looked my darkness in the eye and conqured it. You bowed before it & showed how much of a coward you really are."

Before Snape could respond, Harry turned and walked towards the door. "I will be expecting the correct potions in my possession within a fortnight," he called back. "If not, I will come back down here to look for them." He slammed the door, not hearing the swears of Severus Snape behind the heavy wooden door.

*****

Harry was alone in his office, the same office which had housed all the DADA professors. His office was covered in Dark Arts items, from books to detectors to everything in between. Behind his desk was a large cage, whose occupant was hidden. On his desk were three photos: one of him and his parents from the album that Hagrid made for him; one of him and Sirius taken at his graduation; and the third of him, Ron, and Hermione at their wedding. It was all the personal things that he would ever let show again.

A knock came at the door and Harry responded, "Enter." Professor Dumbledore glided into the room. "I'm not disturbing you, am I?"

Harry smiled and stood. "Not at all, Albus. Please, have a seat." Dumbledore sat in the chair opposite Harry. "Would you like some tea?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "You know Harry, never has a first year professor here referred to me by my given name?"

"Wasn't it you who taught me that fear of a name only increases the fear of the person?"

"That I did," said Dumbledore, "but I also hoped to instill a bit more respect for the title I hold."

"Albus," said Harry, "I would respect you regardless of what you were called. Respect is earned and you, my friend, have earned a great deal of it."

Dumbledore smiled. "Ah, but we are not here to feed my ego."

"No," said Harry, "I assumed you were here to discuss my lesson this morning."

"Ah yes," said Dumbledore, "I wondered if you would throw an eraser at me too."

"And would have, had I not realized you would have done something far worse."

"I considered it for a moment, but thought better of the situation." Dumbledore stared into his tea. "Tell me, what happened to the young wide eyed boy who left this school full of hope in the world?"

Harry looked at Dumbledore, the closest thing he had ever had to a father. "He learned a valuable lesson - life isn't easy, and it's not fair. Those first years have to be prepared. I look at their faces and wonder who the next Voldemort is, or Grindewald, or LaCroix."

"But who among them is the next Alastor Moody or Harry Potter?"

"I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Besides, the path of evil is far easier than the path of good. It might be the stuff of Muggle movies, but its true nonetheless. These kids need to learn that now. The older ones will be shown a different course, but the first years can be stopped before it is too late."

"Are you listening to yourself, Harry?" asked Dumbledore. "You sound like someone who has a vengeance that no amount of blood will fill."

"I won't loose another person," said Harry. "And I don't see how you can not be more diligent in stopping this madness from taking another life."

"Because, Harry, I realize that people are able to choose their own destiny. Should we have punished Draco Malfoy for the sins of his family, when he ended up being a valuable asset?"

"No," conceded Harry. "But what about Bianca Malfoy? She is her father's child."

"As Draco was Lucius', but she is her own person. Do not judge the child, based on the sins of the father. You should know that lesson all too well.

"But now, I must be going. I have a few request I need to consider, as well as wishing to see how our new librarian is handling things." Dumbledore stood and walked to the door. "Am I to assume that you will be down to see her sometime this term?"

"You know what they say about 'assuming'," said Harry.

"You more than anyone should know the dangers of keeping secrets."

"Wonder where I learned that from."

Dumbledore shook his head. "Harry, you have to address this anger inside you. Burying yourself behind a cloak and in shadows will hide you, but it will only serve to feed the anger. Soon, you'll become-"

"Another Severus Snape?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "No. Severus' darkness is deeper than we can fathom, but he looks upward to the light. Sometimes even he forgets why. No, I was thinking of another angry young man that grew into something truly dark. His name was Tom Riddle." Dumbledore left the office, leaving Harry to think.

"He's got a point," came the voice from behind him.

"Do shut up," replied Harry, turning back to the papers before him