Harry Potter's New Life

14) Class is in Session

"Why didn't you tell us?" Ron screeched at Harry as they entered the common room.

"I am so glad that Defense Against the Dark Arts is a required class now!" Hermione exclaimed. "I mean, it's not a for a good reason it's required, but I'm still glad I'll have you for a professor!"

"You're not going to give us a ton of homework, are you?" Neville asked. The whole Gryffindor house, every single one of them, was in the common room.

"No, not a ton. But I have to give some. And keep in mind," Harry looked around the room. "I favor no one. Not even my best friends. I can't let the other professors accuse me of favoritism. So if I yell at you or don't accept late assignments, don't take it personally. It's for the better. Got it?"

"Got it!" the room answered.

Harry awaited his first class of the day. He kept fiddling with his time turner. As soon as his class was done, he'd turn it back to the first hour again so that he could run to Potions class.

When the first of his class came in, he smiled. It was a First year of course, a Gryffindor named Wik Dole.

"Gryffindors are on the right side of the room," he said. Wik sat in the back, looking quite nervous and shy. "You're very early. Did you want something?"

"Er-- no. I was just in the library, reading a newspaper clipping on You-Know-Who. Did he really give you a scar?" he asked, moving down to the front. Harry lifted his bangs. "Does it hurt?"

"Only when Voldemort is around." He saw Wik flinch.

"You dare use his name?"

"I'm not afraid of him." Harry looked up. Another boy was walking into the room. "Hello. You are?"

"Kronk Sipe. Slytherin," said the boy.

"Yes, yes. Slytherins are seated on the left."

Harry waited only a minute more, and soon the room filled up with Gryffindors and Slytherins. He waited for everyone to be seated and settled in before clearing his voice and speaking.

"Welcome to your first year in Defense Against the Dark Arts. I am Professor Potter. In this class, we will learn how to defend ourselves from evil beings, and that does include Death Eaters and Voldemort." The whole class shuddered. "I suggest you get used to his name. It will be used a lot in this class. Open your books to page two in your Against Large and Small books. Who would like to tell me, just by looking at the title, what this section could be about?"

A Slytherin girl raised her hand.

"Yes, Miss..."

"Padma Lestrange." Harry's back froze up. "The title is Little Bugs. Would this be about Blashes?"

"Yes, good job Padma. And can you tell me what Blashes are?"

"Blashes are bugs the size of your little toe's nail, but have such a powerful toxin in their bite, it could easily kill an adult wizard or witch."

"Good. And why would we be learning about this in this class, when it could be a subject in Care of Magical Creatures?"

Padma was silent. When no one else volunteered, Harry gave the reason.

"It is because Blashes are immune to any of the Unforgivable Curses. They are also very easily trained. We have reason to suspect that Voldemort is using them as an ally, due to the occurrence of over fifty deaths in the past year due to Blashes. This is very uncommon, so it is my job to teach you the incantation that will stun up to seven at a time. Repeat this after me, 'Val Stunno'"

"Val Stunno," the class repeated.

"Very good. Now, I would like you to read this alone or in a group of no more than three. Quietly. When you're done reading, write a quick summary on what you learned.

"Also, I do allow food, and food only, to be brought to class. Not a word to anyone else, and don't get caught!"

The class took the sweet time reading and writing. Class was dismissed soon enough and Harry wished them a good day.

"Next time, we will be doing more work! Please, make sure I get those papers this minute! Padma, may I speak to you a moment?"

Padma turned around and walked up to the desk. "Yes?"

"Are you, by any chance, related to Bellatrix Lestrange?" he asked, his eyes icy.

"She's my aunt. Why do you ask?"

"I've met her before, so I was curious."

"Oh. Can I go now?"

"Yes."

The minute she left the room, Harry took his time turner and went to Potions.

15) The Trouble with Malfoy

Hermione and Ron were the first two to run into class.

"Hiya Harry!" Ron shouted as he and Hermione plopped down front and center. Neville and Seamus were quick to join them.

"Hi," Harry replied. "Could you guys tell people coming in that Gryffindors are seated on the right?"

"Yeah. Are you alright Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Huh? Oh, yeah I'm good. Just tired. Can't wait for tomorrow, though."

"Why's that?"

"Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. I taught all Slytherins and Gryffindors today. They switch off every other day."

"Don't you like us, Harry?"

"Of course! It's just; you know how our house argues with theirs! Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws get along so well! All day, the classes were competing for which house could answer the most questions. Even the First years!"

Class started and Hermione sat down. Harry looked around the room at his class. Automatically, he saw Pansy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Malfoy sitting at the back. He knew that would be a problem.

"You four in the way back, come to my desk," he called, pointing a finger at them. With sneers, they came down, standing in a row in front of him.

"Did we do something Professor?" Malfoy sneered. His companions snickered.

"Not yet. And I don't intend for anything to happen. Sit where I tell you. Mr. Malfoy, sit on this corner. Goyle, the opposite corner. Miss Parkinson, two rows behind Malfoy, on that corner and Crabbe, same thing, opposite corner."

"You don't have the authority to do that!" Pansy shrieked.

"I do, and you're wasting class time. Sit down, or I'll take points away from all of you!"

The four went to their seats. Harry heard Malfoy say something that sounded very similar to, "I do have the authority to take points away," in a very girly voice.

"Draco Malfoy, you've lost yourself two points from Slytherin."

"Draco Malfoy, you've lost yourself two points from Slytherin!" he mocked.

"Okay, five points more, if you'd rather."

"Five points if you'd rather," he mocked again.

"Malfoy! Add another ten points for that!"

"Malfoy" he began.

"Shut up!" the whole Slytherin side yelled. Malfoy stood up and began to stomp out the door.

"Will one of you keep an eye on the class?" Harry looked at Ron and Hermione, picking up a box from under his desk. "Write down the people who misbehave on a sheet of paper. The assignment's on the board!" he called.

Harry chased after Malfoy down the corridors. He found him going into Dumbledore's office and quickly walked in.

"He took points from my house for no reason!" Malfoy claimed.

"I had a perfectly good reason, Professor. Listen to this." Harry turned the box on. It replayed the whole ordeal.

"Well, Mr. Malfoy, it looks like you lost your house seventeen points. I suggest you get back to class." Malfoy stomped out of the room and Dumbledore turned to Harry. "Where did you get that?"

"Dudley. I've been taping my classes in case I needed proof that something had actually happened."

"Well, smart thinking. I think you best get back to your class. Oh, and Hagrid wishes to see you when your day is done."