December, 6th
Professor Carbuncle was the name of their new DADA teacher and Harry wondered every lesson anew, if she would keep the job after this year. Has the curse been lifted with Voldemort’s demise, or would it stay intact until someone figured out how to remove it? Well, he could find out, even if he personally wouldn’t be here anymore to witness it.
Harry hoped she could stay, because the tough, middle aged, energetic witch was a definite win for the school. When Professor Carbuncle introduced herself in the first lesson, the ravenette had been wary at first to be faced with a female teacher in this subject. Not that the past male DADA Professors had all been competent or even capable, but their last female Professor had left an especially lasting impression.
Five minutes into the lesson Harry was convinced she made an excellent Defence Teacher. Not only did she clearly know her stuff, but she also was all for the practical approach and learning by doing just happened to be how Harry preferred it. Additionally, Professor Carbuncle quickly earned his respect for not singling him out for being the saviour of the wizarding world and whatnot as well as managing the huge class of Gryffindor AND Slytherin seventh and ‘eighth’ years combined.
Well since the numbers of Slytherins had been greatly reduced, due to not attending, and everyone was trying their best to get along or ignore each other, it wasn’t as explosive a combination as it could have been.
The Professor wasn’t as strict as McGonagall, or as intimidating as Snape had been, but when she talked, she instantly had the students’ attention. During the practical part of the lesson (which often really was the most part of the lesson) they were allowed to chatter, as long as they didn’t neglect their practise.
They were especially glad for this today, because almost half of the students already mastered today’s spell: The Patronus charm.
At the beginning of the lesson Professor Carbuncle had asked who was able to cast it and all former DA members, as well as two others lifted their hands. The Professor wasn’t surprised about this quantity, simply nodded with a grim smile and asked all of them to demonstrate.
When the classroom was filled with silvery transparent animals she awarded them points and told them to use the time as they saw fit but not disturb the others, then began to explain the spell to those still in need to learn it.
So the greater portion of the Gryffindors sat together in the back of the room and chit-chatted in quiet voices about everything coming to their minds, except for Hermione, who sat with them, but tried to do her Ancient Runes essay instead.
Probably a wise decision, since a NEWT student couldn’t really afford to waste away a double lesson’s time of work time, but Harry couldn’t be bothered. No, he rather talked to Ron and Neville and threw glances every other minute across the room to a certain blond haired Slytherin. He could see from here how tense the young man looked and that he only reluctantly tried to participate.
Harry started to feel tense as well, when only fifteen minutes of the lesson were left and all other students managed to produce the misty fog the spell created when not taking shape yet, but Malfoy didn’t.
When the chattering in the background got a little out of hand Professor Carbuncle interrupted: “So, you guys either keep it down again, or go help your fellow classmates with the spell.”
Harry was on his feet before he knew he’d moved. It earned him some surprised stares, since he indeed had moved rather abruptly, but Neville diverted the attention from him by saying: “Oh, yes of course, come on guys…” and following him to the front of the class. After that some others followed their example, but the rest remained and continued to talk quietly.
The ravenette didn’t pay attention to any of them and made a beeline for Malfoy. The blond already realized his intention and narrowed his eyes, hissing to him from the corner of his mouth when he was close enough. “Go away.”
“We’re supposed to help.”
Malfoy sneered. “Then go help someone else. I don’t need your ‘help’.”
“Really? Why don’t you show me your Patronus, then?” Harry smirked at him challengingly and Malfoy in return scowled darkly.
Suddenly his demeanour changed and he wore a similar smirk. Harry instantly got a foreboding feeling and a second later it got confirmed.
Malfoy stepped closer to him, his lips still stretched by that smug expression as he leaned in a little more, closer to Harry’s right ear and said: “Was that supposed to be a pick-up line, Potter?”
Then the blond pulled back, his mercury eyes sparkling with humour, while Harry swallowed and felt his face rapidly growing hot. From anger. Of course, from anger.
“Don’t be stupid, Malfoy!” The ravenette hissed and didn’t understand why a nervous sensation all of a sudden started to flutter in his stomach. “I meant the spell.”
“Whatever you say, Scarhead.” The Slytherin still didn’t drop that infuriating expression and Harry realized that he reacted just as the blond annoyance wanted him to. He felt flustered and wanted to wipe the smirk off his face.
“Are you able to cast it now, or what?”
That got him what he wanted and Malfoy scowled at him once again. Strangely, it didn’t leave Harry satisfied at all.
“Alright, pack up your stuff and get out of here.” Professor Carbuncle’s voice carried through the classroom. “We’ll continue this next lesson. You’re dismissed.”
