Harry Potter NR.2_(1)

Legends of Potter
by Roff

Chapter Seven ? Defense Instructor Extraordinaire

Another week went by and Harry was starting to feel guilty. Hermione had been complaining about no Defense Against the Dark Arts class and how far they were falling behind. This made Harry realize that the first and second years were really getting the worst end of it. It was vital to learn the basics in your first and second year. Then you built off of that knowledge the following years. He was already considering doing something for the third years and up but what about the first and second years? Something had to be done. Dumbledore was too busy to teach and spent what time he had looking for a new teacher but he evidently was not having much luck.

Harry heard from Amelia again when she came to talk to him about the capture of Rookwood. She mentioned that the death eater had a horribly dislocated shoulder and it took a little longer than normal to heal it. She wanted to know how that happened since she was told Harry had only cast the same spells he had cast on Umbridge ? disarm, stun, tie up. Harry told her he had accidentally used a lot of power on the disarm spell because the Cruciatus was coming straight at him when he cast it. She accepted his explanation and told him that Dumbledore was still having problems finding a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Even though she was horrible, Harry was the one to get rid of Umbridge so he was feeling a bit responsible for the school not having a defense professor. He decided he would help the first and second years if he can. First, he had to find out when they had time to meet and if they would. If their defense class time was a good time for Harry then he could just meet them in their class and teach them then. He understood though that there were usually two classes for the first years and two classes for the second years. The classes were usually broken up with Gryffindors and Slytherins in one; Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws in the other. Four classes. How would he be able to help with four classes when he is in his OWL year?

Harry went to the common room and checked with some first years. "Hi, Kevin and Lucy. Can I ask you guys a question?"

"Sure Harry. What's up?" asked Kevin.

"I want to know if the first years would be interested in learning Defense Against the Dark Arts if I was willing to teach them and there was a time that we could meet to have class. For instance, when is your regularly scheduled Defense Against the Dark Arts class with the Slytherins?"

"It was the first class of the year we attended with that terrible Umbridge woman" said Lucy.

"Okay, so you and the Slytherins would normally meet when I am in History of Magic. I will have to work on that one. Do you know when the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws are supposed to meet for their defense class?"

"No, but I can find out. I have a friend in Hufflepuff" said Kevin.

"I would appreciate that Kevin. Can you let me know when you find out?" asked Harry.

"Sure, Harry. I will see him tomorrow and ask him then" said Kevin.

"Do you guys think that if I can fix my schedule and teach you that others would be interested as well?" asked Harry.

"If you teach us, Harry, I think all the students will come" said Lucy.

"First and second year Defense Against the Dark Arts is very important because you build off of the basic spells you learn in those years. Not having a Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor is not good so if I can help, I am going to try."

"Thanks Harry" said Lucy.

"See you guys later and thanks for your help."

"Bye Harry."

Harry talked to a second year as well. The next day all the first and second years had provided Harry with their Defense Against the Dark Arts schedules and free periods. Even the young Slytherins provided their schedules. Harry was able to see that he might be able to work it out if he missed a couple classes. The classes were History of Magic and Divination, two he might be willing to miss for a while then catch them up once a teacher was found. Hermione could help with her history notes and Ron could keep him informed about Divination work.

It so happened that the other first year defense class met during his free period which was perfect. One of the second Year defense classes met during his Divination class time while the other second Year defense class met during his Charms class time. He definitely could not skip Charms. He noticed though that those same kids had a free period during Harry's defense class time. Things just might work out he thought.

Harry had told Hermione that he was willing to lead third year and above in a group she wanted to form. The group was to meet after classes and work on defense spells. Harry was to lead the class. The first meeting was this Saturday at 2:00pm. Everyone was to meet in the Room of Requirement to see who was interested.

On Saturday, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Neville went early to the Room of Requirement to make sure the room was setup for the first meeting. Hermione had a signup sheet ready. They left the door open so all the students would be able to find it easier.

Once all the students, third years through seventh years showed up, Hermione began the meeting. There was quite a large group that came, around 80 people but the room just adjusted as more people came in so it was not crowded.

"Welcome to the Room of Requirement everybody" announced Hermione. "This is a room that Harry found with the help of one of the house elves. It is a magical room that will adjust to what we need. You may have noticed it expanded as more people arrived. I also want to welcome you to the first meeting of a new defense group that is being offered to third years and above so we do not continue to fall behind while we are without a proper Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor. We have decided to call the group the Defense Association or DA for short. Our very own Harry Potter has agreed to lead the class and help everyone with learning new spells and defending ourselves. I have a signup sheet for those who are interested. I realize some of you may have come out of curiosity and will choose not to participate. I hope you stay and join us but I understand some may not. Please sign the sheet if you are interested and list what year you are next to your name. This will help us with knowing the material we need to cover. I will place the signup sheet on this table and you can come up and sign your name at any time during this meeting. Right now I would like to turn it over to Harry."

Harry moved over to the middle, in front of everyone.

"Thanks everyone for coming. It was Hermione's brilliant idea to start this group so we could develop our skills in defense while the school is without a Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor. I do not claim to be a great teacher or even a good one but I do like sharing my knowledge with others so I am only here to lead the group. I welcome anyone who wishes to help. Please see me after the meeting if you are interested in helping us do this. I am a fifth year so I'm sure there are some sixth and seventh years who would have a lot to offer if they are willing to share."

"Another issue that has been on my mind are the first and second years. It dawned on me the position they are in. You guys all know how important it is to learn the basic spells in your first and second year because all the other spells are built on that foundation. I am sure everyone remembers how long Professor Flitwick went over the swish and flick for the levitation charm." Everyone laughed and few said "Wingardium Leviosa" which caused a few more chuckles.

"Anyway" Harry continued, "I am working on a plan to help them as well. It appears that their defense classes meet when I am in History of Magic, Divination, Charms, and a free period. I have decided to skip History of Magic and Divination."

There were several gasps in the crowd.

"I know that sounds horrible but I can't stay awake with Binns droning on and on so if I could copy someone's notes, Hermione, I could get by until a professor is found. The same goes for Divination. Ron can keep me informed of any projects and if I could get someone else's notes," he paused since they all laughed at that, "then I can get caught up after a professor is found."

"I am not that concerned about Divination anyway. I'm not cut out for that discipline so it will not be a big loss for me if my grade suffers. I absolutely cannot and will not skip Charms class but they gave me their free period times as well and it turns out the second Year class that meets during my Charms, pretty much all have a free period during my Defense Against the Dark Arts class time so I could instruct them then. It would be very helpful in your common rooms if you give them a hand with their spells on occasion. If we all work together we can do this."

"Harry, you sure are taking on a lot and it's your fifth year ? OWLS you know!" said Cho Chang.

"I know, Cho" said Harry "but I was responsible for getting rid of Umbridge as you all saw in the Daily Prophet. The first and second years have to learn their defense spells just like we did. If I can help them at all then I am going to do it. Besides I already know the spells for all the years and even past seventh year so I should be able to teach them what they need to learn."

"You know all the spells including seventh year and more?" asked Neville.

"Yes, I do and I am sure Hermione does as well." Hermione nodded. "If you guys haven't noticed I have had a mad man after me ever since I was a baby. He killed my parents and tried to kill me. Last spring he ordered one of his death eaters to kill Cedric and he used my blood in a ritual that gave him a new body. He then tried to kill me again before I could escape."

"I had jumped ahead in spell knowledge during my fourth year due to what I had to learn for the tournament in order to compete. This summer I had a crash course in spells and other things that took me past seventh year level. I have had a reason to learn all of this if only to protect myself."

"Just last week after I attended Umbridge's trial, I was attacked in Diagon Alley by Augustus Rookwood, a death eater. Without these skills I have developed, he would have either killed me or captured me so he could deliver me to Voldemort."

Harry paused waiting for the noise to die down.

"He failed in his attempt and was turned over to the aurors."

Ron stood up. "What you guys need to know is that Harry is very modest and has always underplayed his role in some fantastic accomplishments. Joining this group to be taught by Harry is a privilege you should not pass up."

"Let me explain. In our first year Harry took down a fully-grown mountain troll at Halloween. He also faced you-know-who alone at the end of the year, not only surviving the ordeal but he actually stopped him from coming back. In his second year he stopped you-know-who again, saved my sister, and killed a 50 foot basilisk with just a sword from Dumbledore's office. In his third year he drove off about a hundred dementors at once with his Patronus charm. You just heard what he did last year and saw him in the tournament, a 14 year old fourth year competing against 17 year old seventh years, and he won."

"Wow, Harry" said Fred Weasley, "where do I sign?"

"Well, it was actually Ron who knocked out the troll" said Harry with a smile. "The troll was after Hermione. Ron levitated the troll's club and then dropped it right on his head, knocking the troll out cold. See, even a first year spell can be used in self-defense! Everyone together. What goes with swish and flick?"

"Wingardium Leviosa" they all said together and laughed. Ron's face turned red.

"That's all I have to say" said Harry. "Those who wish to join please sign up and we will help each other with defense."

"Thank you, Harry" said Luna. "You are very kind to offer your limited time to help us. I know I am looking forward to your teaching. I am positive you will do wonderfully."

"Thank you, Luna" replied Harry.

"Once we have a list and the years of everyone we will let everyone know when the first meeting will be" added Hermione. "It will be soon, I promise. Tentatively we will meet every Tuesday and Thursday here from 7 to 8 pm."

Everyone got up and stood in line to sign the sheet. Harry did not see anyone leave without signing. With this many people he knew already that he would need help. They would have to be split up according to skill and knowledge so that the individual groups could learn on their own level. He was wondering what he had just got himself into.

After everyone left Hermione, Ron, Neville, Ginny and Luna stayed behind and asked him about his decision to skip History of Magic and Divination to help the first and second years. He told them he had made up his mind about it and was not going to change it back. He needed Hermione's notes for History of Magic anyway because he always fell asleep when Binns started talking. He did not need Divination and hated the class with Trelawney always predicting his death.

This would be temporary anyway he told them. He could go back to class when a teacher was found. Hermione agreed that she would take extra good notes during History of Magic and give Harry a copy. She said he would have to give a copy to Ron because she wasn't going to.

"He should take his own notes" she said.

Parvati and Lavender had come up to Harry after they signed and assured him they would take good notes in Divination for him and even offered to tutor him in it if he needed them too.

"So, I have it covered with everyone's generosity helping me. I have to let the first and second years know so we can start meeting. I will be meeting with the one second year group during our defense class time so if you guys care to join me you can help me teach them. We can also work on ideas for this new group we just started. Surely you guys realize that you are going to have to help me a lot? This is a big group and they will have to be split out into smaller groups so they can work on their own level. We will have to see what levels we are dealing with first."

"But Harry, I'm a fourth year. How will I be able to help teach?" asked Ginny.

"Ginny, I have seen you use a wand. You are better than any fourth year I know of." She smiled at Harry. "Besides, you can teach the third years which will allow us to teach the others. Some of the third and fourth years are likely to be behind as well and will need instruction to get caught up so they will be in the lowest class. You can help them with that and I bet Luna would be happy to help you as well. I will be available to all groups and can come over if you need assistance. I am sure there will be a seventh year and sixth year or two that will be willing to help us as well."

"This sounds good, Harry" said Hermione. "I will go through the list and categorize the members in possible levels based on year. During the next meeting we can see where they truly are and make adjustments from there."

oo0O0oo

Harry had spread the word about teaching the first and second years. He told them to let everyone know to start attending their regular defense class except the one that would attend during his defense class time. He also told them that the professors knew nothing about this so strongly suggested they all keep quiet about it.

Harry was waiting in the defense classroom for the first years to arrive instead of going to his History of Magic class. He was a little nervous but confident as well. He was standing in front of the teacher's desk and was leaning back against it when the students started arriving. He had a chalk board behind the desk. He was surprised that the classroom was full when the bell rung. It looked like all the Slytherins had come too.

When the students arrived they saw Harry standing in front of the teacher's desk. They saw no desks for themselves so just came in and stood around waiting for class to start. After the bell rang they all turned to Harry expectantly.

Harry looked at the young faces then started. "Welcome, first years to Defense Against the Dark Arts class. As you see I have removed all the desks except one." Harry turned around and waved his wand. The teacher's desk disappeared as well. "There, no more desks because we will not need them in my classroom. This class will be practical only. I am sure you heard Professor Snape in your Potions class say there would be no silly wand waving in his class room? Well, in my classroom we are going to get plumb silly with our wand waving."

They all smiled at Harry.

"The biggest reason why we are going to concentrate on practical and not theory is because you are behind on your spell knowledge and defense techniques. These are more important to learn in a defense class. So, we will need to get you caught up. What is the point of knowing all that theory if you cannot protect yourselves? Plus, I really like the practical and it's a lot more fun."

"Right now, before we go any further, I would like you all to get out your defense book Umbridge had you buy." Harry waited until they had retrieved their books. Some looked a little worried. "Now I would like you all to stack your books right here next to me on the floor."

All the kids came up and stacked their books at Harry's feet. When they were done Harry pointed his wand at the books and used Evanesco on them like they were rubbish, making them disappear. "There, that is one of the most awful defense books ever written. We will not be using those. Here is what I am going to do. I know good money was spent on those stupid books so I am going to buy you guys a copy of the defense book I had to buy when I was in my first year. It is a good book and covers all the theory you need to learn. Once I get the books and hand them out, I recommend you get caught up with the chapters and stay caught up so you learn the theory. I have asked older students in your houses to lend a hand and help you guys if you need it. You can also ask a theory question in class and I will address it for you. Other than that class will be filled with you learning spells and how to defend yourself. Clear?"

"Yes, Professor Potter" they all chorused together.

Harry hung his head and shook it. "There will be none of that Umbridge rubbish, answering all together. Nodding your head will work just fine."

They all nodded at Harry.

"Also, even though it's a good habit, remember that I am a student as well and not a real professor."

Lucy raised her hand. Harry recognized her and said "Go ahead, Lucy."

"Professor Potter, I think it would be fine to call you Harry like we normally do outside of class but in class I think we need to stick with Professor Potter so we are showing the proper respect for our class and the instructor."

All the other kids nodded in agreement.

"Okay, class. That will be fine. If it works for you, it works for me" Harry replied.

"Now who knows how to light up the tip of their wand so it provides light?" asked Harry. "Anyone know the spell?"

A Slytherin boy raised his hand. "And your name is?" asked Harry.

"Stephen Smith, Professor."

"Alright Stephen, you know the answer?"

"Lumos?" asked Stephen.

"Correct! 10 points to Slytherin" said Harry. He pointed his wand at the chalkboard and it wrote Lumos. Then he leaned in toward the students and pretended to whisper. "I am not actually a professor so I cannot award or take away points but I will do this anyway to recognize you and so you will know that you deserved the points." They all nodded excitedly.

"Okay, next question. Who knows how to cancel the Lumos spell?" asked Harry.

A Slytherin girl raised her hand. "And your name is?" asked Harry.

"Jennifer Braxton, Professor."

"Alright Jennifer what do you think is the spell to cancel Lumos?"

"Finite?" asked Jennifer.

"Good guess, Jennifer, but not the correct spell. 5 points to Slytherin though for knowing Finite which cancels a whole bunch of spells." He wrote Finite and Finite Incantatem on the board. "I will explain those in more detail later. Lumos, has a special incantation for it. Anyone else want to give it a try?"

Harry looked around but no one indicated they knew. "The cancelling spell for Lumos" said Harry as he lit his wand "is Nox" he said as he put out the light. He then pointed his wand at the chalkboard again and Nox appeared under Lumos. "There is no special wand movement so just concentrate on the incantation. I want everyone to pair up and practice Lumos" his wand lit again "and Nox" his wand went back out. You do not need a partner to practice this spell but I want you to pair up so you can help each other. I will come around and see if you can demonstrate it for me."

The first years all paired up and began working on Lumos and Nox. Harry gave them a couple minutes and watched to see if anyone had success. They took a minute but he finally started seeing wands light up so he walked around stopping at each pair and verifying they could perform the spells. Lumos and Nox were easy spells so he was not surprised they could all do it with just a little effort.

"What else besides the incantation is required for your wand to light up?" asked Harry.

Several students spoke saying, "Nothing, just Lumos."

"Actually there is, you just did it naturally. When you say Lumos you have to want a light. When you say Nox you have to want it to go out. These spells are easy because we naturally want to create a light when we say Lumos and put it out when we say Nox. Understand?"

They all nodded.

"Wonderful! Excellent work! We have enough time for one more. The next spell I am going to teach you is a little harder but you guys are smart so I am sure you will master it. This spell is the unlocking spell. Anyone know the incantation?"

Kevin raised his hand. "Yes, Kevin?" asked Harry

"Alohomora" said Kevin.

"Excellent!" said Harry. "10 points to Gryffindor!" Harry pointed his wand at the board and the spell was written out for the class to see.

"It is pronounced AL-o-ho-MOR-ah" said Harry. "Everyone say it together."

"AL-o-ho-MOR-a" they all chorused together.

"Good, everyone line up behind this door" which he conjured right then for them. The door had a simple lock and Harry made sure it was locked then demonstrated to the students that it was indeed locked. "I want each of you to step forward and perform the spell to unlock the door. Remember this is an unlocking spell mostly for simple locks. Really complex locks will need a stronger spell. Step up and give it your best shot."

Kevin stepped up first and opened the lock on his first try. "Me thinks Kevin here has had some practice with this spell" said Harry to the class. "Kevin, congratulations on your success. You may wait over there for the others to finish. Next!"

They all tried one after the other. Harry allowed three tries if you did not get it the first two times. After three you were sent to the end of the line to try again if there was enough time. In the end he had four students who were not able to unlock the door. He recommended they practice before next time and that the successful ones help their friends learn the spell. He then dismissed the class reminding them that their professors should not be told he was doing this. They thanked their new defense professor and left the classroom excited that they had learned new spells already. Harry thought the class went well and the students seemed to enjoy it.

What Harry did not realize was that Hogwarts was considering Harry a legitimate professor and recorded each time he awarded points to his students.

oo0O0oo

"Hi girl. How have you been doing?" asked Harry as he stroked Hedwig's feathers. "You know you are the prettiest owl in the owlery, don't you?" Hedwig gave Harry an affectionate nibble on his finger. "Here is a note that I need you to deliver to Flourish