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Four Out Of Five DADA Professors Recommend
Chapter 6
Teacher, Teacher
After confirming that Moody and Tonks had left, Snape waved his wand to test for unfortunate hexes are on the parchment. When his scan came up negative he retrieved the parchment and unrolled it.
Harry J. Potter
Sixth Year
Gryffindor House
What I learned from Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwart's
Snape rolled his eyes at the subject the Headmaster assigned. Most likely the majority of the students would spend less then ten minutes on this assignment since no actual work was involved. Severus wouldn't have been surprised if he discovered that Albus gave out similar homework assignments when he taught. How the Headmaster expected the students to learn when they didn't need to research or think about something Snape didn't know. Of course, it did explain why so many students had trouble with those two items if other professors didn't require it of them. With a sigh, Severus unrolled the rest of the essay, at least it shouldn't be too long, since he doubted Potter or actually anyone could learn much from the rejects that Albus had hired for the last five years.
"What in the world?" Severus exclaimed as he perused the blank piece of parchment, except for the heading information. "Just like Potter," he snarled to himself as he tossed the almost empty parchment back on the table, "to be so arrogant and not complete an assignment, regardless of how easy it was."
Snape continued to glare at the parchment as if waiting for it to respond to his verbal attack on the author. After a few minutes he relented and picked up the homework assignment again. "If he wasn't going to write something, at least he could have sent less parchment," he complained as he unraveled the entire parchment, just to confirm that nothing was written on it.
A sound emerged from his throat. At first it was a soft snicker but it quickly changed into a sound most had never heard from the potions master before…a fully developed laugh, or, depending on your point of view, an evil cackle.
"No wonder Albus and the wolf went to see him," he said with another laugh, "Even they couldn't disregard this blatant act of disrespect." He settled back in his chair, a smirk on his face, as he waited for the Headmaster to return.
To most it would appear that the boy was relaxed, lying on his back, on the soft grass with his eyes closed. Remus, however, knew that this was not the case, not with this boy. He could see the worry and tension on the boy's face when Harry turned his head to greet him.
"Professor Lupin?" Harry asked, startled by the interruption of his thoughts. "How do I know it's really you?" he suspiciously asked, "And why are you here? Is everything okay? Is anyone hurt? Wh-"
"Stop," Remus interrupted. "No one is injured," he said to Harry's relief. "And I'm just here to see how you are.
"As for whether or not it's really me," Remus began. "Well, your third year I taught you the Patronus Charm, which happens to be in the form of stag for you…but I suppose many people are aware of that," Remus stated with a small smile. "Hmm, well, at the end of that year I was without the wolfsbane potion on the night of the full moon and almost caught you and your friends by the shrieking shack. Too many people were there for that to be accepted as well I suppose, including a Death Eater rat," he continued, only to shake his head as he dismissed that as well. "Your patronus form was your father's illegal animagus form. His nickname as well as those of his friend's appeared on a special parchment when activated by a password. But-"
"Enough," Harry stopped him, with a small laugh, "I believe it's you, but we will have to see about setting up a password, I really don't want to go through all that again."
"Understood, Harry," Remus said chuckling as well.
"Oh," Harry said as he moved to sit up and make more room on the blanket, "Take a seat."
"No, no, that's okay," Remus said, waving his wand and conjuring a low beach chair for him to sit on. "Stay comfortable."
"Oh," Harry repeated, "It's one of those talks."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, whenever someone has bad news to tell me, they always make sure I'm comfortable first."
"Hmm," Remus hummed, "Well, I don't think you can say that that is always the case since I don't have any bad news for you."
"Uh-huh," Harry replied doubtfully before falling silent.
After a few moments Remus decided it was up to him to initiate the conversation "So, how are you doing?"
"Fine," Harry responded automatically.
"Honestly, Harry," Remus challenged.
"I'm fine," Harry reiterated.
Remus looked at him for a moment before saying, "well then, you're doing better than me."
At that, Harry looked at Remus, meeting his gaze. Harry wasn't sure what to say, he wasn't use to his professors or any adult for that matter being so honest with him. "Profes-"
"Remus, Harry," the werewolf interrupted with a small smile, "Call me Remus. I haven't been your professor for a few years."
"Why are you telling me this?" Harry whispered ignoring the issue of what to call the older man.
Remus shrugged, "I figured of anybody, you would understand. After all, you were one of the people who knew him best."
"I barely knew him," Harry softly protested.
"Maybe so, but you did love him."
"Did I?" Harry asked quietly, partly to himself. "Or did I love what he represented?
"Not only was he a connection to my parents, but he was my hope for a different type of life."
Remus fell silent as he listened to Harry talk.
"I guess I did love him," Harry decided, "enough to get him killed, at least."
Remus could be silent no more. "Harry, you didn't get him killed. He chose to be there. He knew it was dangerous and didn't heed anyone's advice. He did as he thought was right, just like you did."
"Well it couldn't have been more wrong," Harry harshly replied his voice filled with the anger he felt towards himself.
"Harry, you didn't know that. You couldn't have known."
"But if I had learned Occlumency," he began.
"It wouldn't have guaranteed that you could have kept him out of your mind."
"But-"
"It might have helped, but nothing is guaranteed. There is no other scar like yours, no one else has such a connection to another …" Remus paused not quite sure how to describe Voldemort. Person didn't seem to fit, nor did human, there was even some doubt whether he could be referred to as a living soul. "Entity," he finally decided on.
"But-"
"No buts. What can I do to help you realize that this is not your fault? Yes, it was terrible and tragic and I wish it was different, but it's not. And you are not to blame yourself. Sirius wouldn't like that at all."
"Remus is right," Albus spoke softly as he exited the shadows he was hiding in. "You are not to blame for Sirius' death. As I mentioned that night in my office, much of that should fall on me."
Harry nodded, not necessarily in agreement with the headmaster but because of the confirmation that it was Albus Dumbledore in front of him. After all, Harry hadn't told anyone else about what the two discussed in the headmaster's office.
"Why are you here?" He asked instead, the words coming out a bit harsher than he intended. "I mean," he corrected after seeing the saddened look on the headmaster's face and the one of disapproval and disappointment on Lupin's, "No one has ever visited me before during the summer and now I find two people here. Prof-Remus said that nothing happened and no one is hurt, but if that was true then why are you here?"
"Just to talk," Albus responded, "Just to talk."
"About?" Harry asked suspiciously. He really did not want to talk about Sirius or the prophecy.
The headmaster and Remus looked at each other. This was harder than they thought.
"I received your essay today," Albus finally said.
"Yeah, I sent it early this morning with Hedwig," Harry commented wondering about the sudden change in subject. "Wait…Is Hedwig okay? She wasn't hurt or anything was she?"
"No, not, not at all," the headmaster reassured Harry. "I suspect she is probably in your room waiting for you, most likely with some letters from your friends."
"Oh, okay," Harry said, relieved that his owl was safe, but otherwise not knowing what else to say.
"Harry," Remus said quietly, causing the boy to turn towards him, "I also read your essay."
"You did?" Harry automatically questioned, looking at the headmaster. Either the charm Moody placed on it hadn't worked or Dumbledore gave his former professor permission.
"So that's what this is about," Harry softly said to himself.
"Are you upset by what I wrote?" Harry asked. "I don't hold that night against you, honest. I know it might seem that way on parchment, but I really don't."
"Harry, stop," Remus interrupted. "It's okay. I understood the point you were trying to make."
Harry shrugged, "I don't know if I really had a point, at least not one that I was trying to make. I sat down and tried to write the essay, but all I could think about was the situations I was placed in due to the actions of the professors. I almost turned in a list comprised of spells I learned in Defense Against the Dark Arts classes the last five years, but even I knew that that didn't count as an essay. Unfortunately what I did write wasn't much better. It made you out to be an attempted murderer, which I know you're not."
"Harry, stop," Remus repeated while Albus looked on silently. "As I said, I understand, I don't hold it against you. I am sorry that your life and those of your friends' was placed in danger because of me. That is something I can't forgive myself for."
"Because of you?" Harry hissed, "Because of you I survived that night. Sirius survived that night. You were the one who taught me the Patronus spell. Without that I never would have gotten the chance to know Sirius. That spell saved our lives…our souls."
"Which you might not have needed if you weren't running from a werewolf," Remus mentioned.
"The Dementors were after Sirius," Harry reminded his former professor, "whether it was a full moon or not, they would have attacked the moment they detected him. They also would've attacked everyone around him. Then the odds wouldn't have been in our favor as much. Yes," Harry continued as if knowing what they were thinking, "there would've been more witches and wizards present, but I also know that Ron and Hermione didn't know how to cast that charm so that would've been two more people to protect as well, not to mention a rat to keep captured. I don't know about Snape, but I doubt he has a happy memory he could use to cast the patronus charm."
"Harry," Albus warned.
"What? I'm just saying that the one thing that would probably make him happy is either my expulsion from Hogwarts or my death and since neither had happened by that time, I figured he wouldn't have a strong enough memory."
Remus was torn between amusement at Harry's comment and anger. It seemed that Harry really did believe that many of his professors wanted him dead, and unfortunately, as his essay had shown, he had substantial proof to prove that theory.
"I also read your essay," Albus announced. Apparently Harry's words also reminded the headmaster about why they were here to talk with Harry.
Harry nodded, that was expected since it was assigned by the headmaster and addressed to him.
"My dear boy," Albus said softly, voice filled with sadness. "I never knew you felt so badly about your years at Hogwarts."
"What? But I don't!" Harry protested. "Even with all that happened it was much better than being at the Dursley's."
Remus growled, how could repeated attempts on his life be better than his relatives? That was something he was determined to find out.
"That does not matter," Albus responded sadly. "After much encouragement from Remus, I feel that it is not wise to leave you hear on your own. Therefore, as soon as it can be arranged, we will be moving you to a secure location."
"Grimmauld Place?" Harry asked.
Albus nodded, "For a few days at least. Then if you prefer, we can arrange for you to be somewhere else."
"Grimmauld Place is fine," Harry quietly stated. "As long as I'm not alone, I don't think that I would mind being there."
Albus nodded. "Good, that's settled then. Remus will return in about two days to pick you up and bring you to headquarters. We will let you know the exact date and time by owl."
"Um, who'll be there with me?"
"Remus, of course, and Nymphadora since she is still recovering," Albus responded. "Various order members will be in and out as well."
"It won't just be adults, will it?" Harry feared.
Remus snorted, "Better hope that Tonks doesn't learn that you referred to her as an adult," he warned Harry. "She's a lot like Sirius in that way."
"No, Harry, it won't just be adults," Albus reassured the teen. "Hopefully all of your friends, or at least the five that accompanied you to the ministry will be able to stay with you at some point this summer. I just cannot say who or when since that has not been arranged yet."
"Oh, okay," Harry said with a sigh of relief.
"No, my dear boy," Albus continued in a more serious tone, "I would never think about separating you from your friends this summer, especially since you might not see them next year."
"What!" Harry screeched in shock.
"Albus?" Remus questioned full of concern.
"Am I going to be expelled for what happened last year?"
"Oh, my dear boy, no, of course not," Albus firmly answered. "But after reading your essay and seeing how badly Hogwarts-and it's staff-have failed the students, and most especially you, I wanted to give you an opportunity to make up for that."
"What kind of opportunity?" Harry warily asked.
"An offer to transfer you to another magical school for the remaining two years of your education," the Headmaster of Hogwarts announced causing the jaws of his companions to drop in shock.
"But…but, that's never been done before, according to Hogwarts a History and Hermione," Harry stuttered in shock.
Albus nodded, "Very true; Hogwart's has never accepted transfer students, nor has most other magical schools, but that is not to say that it can't be done."
Harry groaned, "I don't know if I want to be the first."
"It will not reflect negatively on you," Dumbledore promised him. "I've discovered a way to guarantee this and I have the cooperation of the other schools."
Harry nodded, deciding to trust the headmaster and not worry about the details. "But why?" he had to ask.
"Everyone should feel as safe at Hogwarts as they do in their own home. That has been denied to you, in both cases," Albus concluded sadly.
Harry shrugged dismissively, after all it's not like he had anything else to compare the situations to.
"It is not all right," Remus said angrily before Harry could say a word about the situation. "I can't do anything about the school situation, but I can have another talk with your relatives."
"I think it is best that you leave that to me," Albus said, eyes glittering with anger. "I will just leave the two of you to talk."
It was at this point that Albus and Remus returned, unnoticed by the kitchen's only occupant. The two men froze in the doorway in shock at the unusual sight: a smiling and relaxed Severus Snape.
"I'll see you later, Albus," Remus stated with another look at the potion master. "I want to work on what we were discussing. The sooner we have it accomplished, the sooner Harry can join us."
The smile quickly changed to a glare. "Potter," Snape snarled that one word conveying his feelings for the boy in question. As much as he would enjoy tormenting the wolf and insulting the boy Severus knew that it would be just enable the headmaster to attribute any later words he spoke against Potter as bias.
"That is fine, Remus," Albus stated, his gaze still on the dark hair figured across the room. "If you have any difficulties let me know. I will be down here discussing some things with Severus."
"And I have some items I would like to discuss with you," Severus returned rather pleasantly.
Remus shivered, a pleasant or at least civil Snape was a scarier sight than Voldemort, he decided. Still he hesitated before leaving. Part of him wanted to stay a bit longer, hoping that he would discover the reason why Snape was pleasant, as well as why he didn't attack Harry's character the moment his name was mentioned.
As if knowing why Remus opted to stay, the headmaster inquired of Severus, "And what are those items?"
"This," Snape replied with a smirk holding up a rolled parchment and dropping on the table in front of him, "Mr. Potter's essay."
Remus now wore a smirk that resembled Snape's. If Hogwarts' potion master had read the essay than he would know that Harry doesn't hate him. Dislike, yes, but hate…no. And if he realized that then it was also possible that Snape was trying to limit his insults to the author, especially since Harry wrote kind words about him. That could explain why Snape didn't react so violently at the mention of his cub's name.
Remus's smirk gave way to a smile when he mentally reviewed what Harry said about Snape in his essay. No doubt Severus came to the same conclusion as Harry had. Snape was a prime candidate for the Defense Against the Dark Arts professorship. That would explain his good mood and lack of insulting remarks, Remus thought. Snape must believe that his dream job was imminent.
With a nod to himself Remus realized that he best leave the two professors alone to discuss such things. He quickly said goodbye and headed upstairs to prepare things for Harry's arrival.
Severus glared at the retreating wolf before focusing his gaze on the headmaster. "Albus," he snarled as he held up Potter's parchment, "What is this?"
"Mr. Potter's summer assignment."
"I gathered that from the heading information," Snape drawled, "But that doesn't explain the rest of it. I assumed that you and the wolf just discussed this essay with Mr. Potter?"
"We did," Albus confirmed, "Among other things. But regarding the essay, I think Mr. Potter did a very accurate job of explaining himself and supporting his premise," the headmaster offered.
"What!" Snape snarled in disbelief.
"Much to my dismay," Albus continued sadly, disregarding Severus' interruption, "I find I must agree with Harry. Hogwart's and the professors, mostly myself, have not done an adequate job of protecting him. For most of his years here, he has been placed in life-dangering situations."
"Because of his own foolishness and stupidity," Snape snarled, "And speak for yourself about protecting the boy. I've done everything I could to keep him alive, even if he didn't appreciate it or like it."
"I know, Severus, and Harry does it appreciate it. He even addressed it in his essay."
"What are you talking about, Albus?" Snape questioned in bewilderment, as he once more looked at the blank parchment. Potter hadn't address anything in his essay.
"I understand your shock at the essay," Albus commiserated. "Remus had a similar reaction, which is what prompted the talk with Harry."
Snape smirked as he realized what must have happened. The wolf 'read' the essay and then informed the Headmaster of what it contained rather than let his cub get into trouble.
"And I suppose Lupin shared those lessons with you?" Snape sarcastically asked. "You took his word regarding Potter's essay?"
"I was not planning on reading his essay right away," Albus admitted. "I was going to wait until I received a few more, but due to Remus's shocking reaction," he started to inform his potion master.
Snape snorted, "Of course he was shocked. The wolf was the most scholarly one of the bunch, he must have been horrified to realize that he held a blank parchment in his hands."
"I decided to read the essay right away," Albus continued.
Again, Snape snorted, "How could you have? As I already told you this parchment is blank," he said as he slammed the 'essay' on the table. "It's just like a Potter to not care about schoolwork.
"Except for the heading information," Severus continued, "there is nothing on this parchment, and most definitely nothing about what Potter leaned during the last five years," Severus clarified. "Of course, with the inadequate and ineffective Defense Against the Dark Arts professors you hired," Snape snickered casting his eyes upstairs where Lupin resided, "I was not expecting a long essay, but surely they were able to teach Potter something."
Albus's eyes twinkled for a moment as he realized why Severus had been so happy. As usual, it was the prospect of Potter being punished.
With a sigh as he thought more about what Harry did learn due to the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, he sadly said, "Harry learned a great many things from Defense Against the Dark Arts and his professors these past five years," Albus said softly, "Things no child should believe. While all the lessons he learnt might not have been regarding spells and incantations, he did learn a lot."
"What are you blathering on about?" Snape questioned.
Meeting the potion master's eyes, Albus took the essay and casually chanted a spell while waving his wand over the parchment. Within minutes a blue glow appeared around the parchment indicating that some type of privacy spell is on the document.
Snape's mouth grew taut as he realized that Potter had just made a fool of him, by casting a privacy spell on his homework. Wait a minute, he thought before smirking once again. "Potter did magic over the summer?" he questioned. "Does this mean that Fudge will be holding another trial for underage magic?" Snape would love to see how Potter got out of this situation, two trials within a year for the same offense? Not even the Wizarding World's Saviour can so blatantly break the law and get away with it.
"I rather suspect that the spell was cast by someone else," Albus admitted. "Both Alastor and Nymphadora had read the essay and had shocking reactions."
"Moody," Snape snarled, his eyes narrowing in thought as he remembered the auror's lack of hesitancy at leaving him alone in the house as well we his eagerness to leave. It would be just like the paranoid auror to set him up like this. "Did you have everyone in the order read your Golden Boy's essay?"
"No, of course not," Albus answered, "But I am thinking about letting some of professors that are in the order read it. Minerva and Filius and, of course, you," he added.
"No, thank you," Snape snarled, "Nothing that boy says or write could impress me."
"Of course, of course," Albus said, eyes brightly twinkling.
Molly's actions could be attributed to her mother-hen tendencies, but the others, Snape thought with a shake of his head. While he had no doubts that Albus and Lupin favored the boy they had never been so blatantly obvious about it before. Moody on the other hand never favored anybody. Everyone was treated with the same caution and suspicion. Until now. Until Potter, Severus thought. Tonks was also a puzzle. If Potter was a bit older or Tonks a few years younger Snape would have attributed it to hormones.
The only thing that connects those four, Molly easily being dismissed due to her mollycoddling nature, was Potter's essay. Snape frowned. If only there was some way he could discover what was in that essay without asking Albus if he could read it after all. He smirked, as his eyes rested upon the one of man in the room, perhaps there was…perhaps there was.
"Wolf," Snape addressed Lupin once Potter was out of sight. "I have a few questions regarding Potter's summer Defense assignment. As a former professor what did you think of it?"
At the spy's words, Tonks and Moody, who had been about to enter the room, stopped. Tonks wanted to know what Snape thought. Wondering if perhaps the snarky git would finally admit that he was wrong about Harry Potter. Moody, however, just looked at the former Death Eater suspiciously.
Remus paused as he thought about Severus' question. Now that the original shock had worn off, what did he think? "Sad," he finally answered. "I'm not really sure what to think," he honestly responded, "But I must admit that I do feel sad."
"Oh for Merl-" Snape began before biting his tongue, if he wanted to find out what was in the essay, it would not do to antagonize those that read it. "Why?"
"Because even with all my problems, I can remember my years at Hogwart's fondly. I learned a lot, had fun and made some good friends with both the students and professors. It appears that Harry, unfortunately, won't have such memories."
"What about Quidditch and the house cup?" Severus remarked.
"Yes, those might be good memories, but even those pale in comparison to the pain he's suffered."
Severus just raised an eyebrow in silent inquiry, after all, it would not do to ask questions and show his ignorance about the essay.
"Think about it, Severus," Remus advised, "His first year Gryffindor won the cup," Snape growled as he remembered how the cup was stolen from his Slytherins. Remus nodded in agreement before continuing, "Exacly, they won only because Harry and his friends faced Voldemort and received points because of that. And remember, that same year during a Quidditch match, he almost died because his broom was hexed."
"Yes, I remember," Snape snidely remarked, "After all, that was the same match my robes mysteriously caught fire."
"That was a lucky coincidence," Remus said softly, hiding his laughter since Harry had told him the truth about that when he shared his suspicion that Snape was the other professor mentioned in the essay.
"Lucky?" Severus repeated.
"Of course," Remus added, "Wasn't it right after that that Harry regained control of his broom?"
"If you're insinuating," Severus began angrily,
"No, no, not at all," Remus denied, "I know that you didn't hex his broom."
"Hmm," Snape muttered, eyeing Lupin warily. Merlin, he hoped the wolf didn't know about him trying to save the boy, if he did he would want to express his gratitude, most likely, Snape grimaced, in the form of friendship.
"What's this?" Moody gruffly spoke as he stepped into the room, "Snape's robes caught fire and Potter regained control of his broom? Sounds suspicious to me."
"Everything sounds suspicious to you, Mad Eye," Tonks injected dryly, taking a stand next to Moody. "But you do have a point."
"The point," Severus injected, "Of this conversation is about Potter's essay, not something that occurred five years ago."
"But they are all related," Remus insisted, "after all, it was his Defense Professors that set the curse on his broom."
Snape stared at Remus is shock, while he knew that that was true, it still didn't explain how it involved Potter's mysterious essay.
Moody looked intensively at the only person in the room with the Dark Mark on his arm, "You didn't read the essay, Albus wouldn't let you" he announced gleefully, "and with the charm I placed on Potter's parchment you couldn't gather any details about it so you thought you would try to get us to tell you about it, no doubt so you could relay the information back to your master.
"You don't care what Remus thought about it," Moody continued with a scoff. "You never have cared about anyone other than yourself. Oh," Moody said sarcastically, "I correct myself, you care about your master and what he wants to know. That's why you are here, to spy on us for him."
"Now-" Snape began angrily, it still annoyed him that after years of working with these people, after all the punishment he took at the Dark Lord's hand to bring back information to help the light and protect Potter that the only one who trusted him was the Headmaster.
"No," Moody interrupted angrily, "once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater."
"Alastor!" Albus yelled as he re-entered the room. "What is this about? You know that Severus has my complete and utter trust. Yes, he made a mistake when he was young, but he learnt from it and changed.
"If we are to succeed against Voldemort we need to trust each other."
"Hmmph," Moody grumbled, "how can you blindly trust him? He hasn't brought any useful information back in ages."
"It's not blind trust," Albus commented softly meeting Snape's eyes. "I have a superb reason for feeling as I do."
"Then what is it?"
"That is between Severus and myself. As for the lack of information, he has explained this before."
"That Voldemort is suspicious and isn't sharing the details of his plan with anyone?" Moody scoffed. "Sounds like a well thought out excuse if you ask me."
"No one did," Severus retorted snidely, only to be silenced by a look from the headmaster.
"And for your information, Alastor," Albus added, "I did give Severus permission to read Harry's essay."
"If this is about Potter…" Severus snarled as he took a seat across from the older man. It was only a week ago that Potter was removed from his relatives house and implanted in Headquarters, and since the boy's mood hadn't changed at all during that time, everyone, but Snape was running around indulging the boy.
"It's about all the students," Albus merrily returned. "As you know, I asked every returning student to write an essay regarding what they have learned in Defense Against the Dark Arts, to my surprise, most of them have complied, some more eagerly than others."
"Ravenclaws," Snape sneered.
Albus inclined his head in non-verbal agreement. "As such, I have decided to seek assistance in reviewing these essays."
"Ask your pet wolf," Severus muttered bitterly, "I have enough to handle with my other duties."
"Remus," the headmaster stressed, "has already agreed to assist me."
"Then why do you need me?"
Albus smiled, "I have forgotten many things since I stopped teaching and became the headmaster. Foremost is the number of students there are in total."
"You-"
"Oh," he continued holding up a hand to keep his companion from speaking, "I know full well the number of student's, rather it was forgetting how that number would relate to the number of essay's that I forgot."
Snape stared at the older man in shock. One student equals one essay, what was so difficult about that. Perhaps the Dark Lord was correct and Albus Dumbledore is past his prime, physically, magically, and mentally.
"While I consider 542 a perfectly adequate number regarding student enrollment, 542 essays to review is a completely different story."
Snape snickered, perhaps now the old man would realize why he was always in such a bad mood.
"This seems like an ideal opportunity to train your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor," Severus snarled instead.
"I agree," Albus stated, causing Snape's hopes to rise. "Unfortunately, however, these essays were assigned to help me determine the needs of our students and thus hire accordingly."
Snape simply met his words with a glare.
"I've divided the essays into four groups. Each of us will take a group and read through the essays. Feel free to mark the essays as they will be returned to the students. I was informed that some of the students would expect that."
"Ravenclaw," Severus muttered in agreement, more than likely if the essays weren't returned during their first Defense class the Ravenclaws would be asking for them.
"I would also like you to list on parchment noticeable items that the students mentioned. For instance," he paused as he picked up one essay, "this student mentioned that most of the professors didn't have practical knowledge."
Once again, Severus glared at the headmaster, wasn't that the same argument that he had given the last seven years?
"Fine," he reluctantly agreed, "I'll take the Slytherin's essays."
"Oh, no," Albus informed him, "Every group has an equal representation of each house."
"But-" Severus began, thinking that even if the headmaster refused to change the groups that perhaps he could trade some of the papers from other houses with Lupin for his Slytherin's essays.
"Furthermore," the wizened wizard continued, "the student's names, houses, and year have been concealed, leaving the reviewer in question of their identity."
Snape snarled, not only did that not allow him to trade papers, but now he had to review and comment on every essay, just in case it belonged to a Ravenclaw.
"That is all," Albus announced, "Please pick a group," he instructed, indicating the remaining piles on his desk.
Automatically Snape grabbed a stack of papers, "At least I do not have to worry about reading Potter's essay," he murmured as he left the office, "since it was already reviewed by almost every order member"
"I just asked them to write about what they learned in Defense Against the Dark Arts during their time at Hogwart's."
"That's it?" Severus questioned incredulously. "No length requirement?"
"No," Albus honestly replied, with a look at the laughing man next to him "Though Remus informs me that that was a mistake, especially regarding the Ravenclaws."
"And Gryffindor's," Snape informed him.
"Yes," Albus nodded, "I'm sure Miss Granger's essay will be quite detailed as well."
"It is not Miss Granger's essay you need to worry about," Severus snapped, "Look at this," he ordered passing the rolled parchment in his hands to the headmaster.
"Hmm," Albus murmured as he read the essay.
"That is all you have to say?" Snape snarled. "It is one paragraph long. He barely wrote three sentences!"
"Yes," the headmaster agreed, "But he or she did tell us what they learned."
Severus stared at the older man before grabbing the essay before the wolf did. "'I learned that Defense Against the Dark Arts was a waste of my time last year. Not only were there no demonstrations of the material from a capable instructor, but the students weren't allowed to attempt to perform the spells. In many ways this class was worse than History of Magic, at least that could be used to catch up on sleep or other assignments.'"
Remus snickered, so far none of the essays he had reviewed had been that short. "There is nothing that indicates that this essay was written by a Gryffindor," he felt obliged to point out.
Snape sneered, "Only a Gryffindor would have such a cavalier attitude regarding an assignment. It's a waste of parchment and a waste of my time."
Minerva gasped at the slur on her lions. While she didn't know any details about this essay or the assignment, it was quite obvious that Severus was insulting her house.
Remus snickered, as he thought about how much of Snape's precious time was being wasted to point out what a waste of time the essay was.
"I don't know," Remus countered with a grin, "Seems to me like a Slytherin might have written that."
"I beg your pardon?" Snape scowled.
Remus nodded, "Yes, I'm sure of it. They completed the assignment by telling us that they learned nothing."
"Regardless," Albus interrupted, before an all-out house feud could start, or rather, continue, "We did learn quite a few things from this essay."
"That we should provide the student's with pillows and blankets before they attend History of Magic and Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Snape sneered.
"Like we didn't do the same thing in History of Magic," Remus commented.
"Obviously this student needs a hands-on approach to Defense Against the Dark Arts," Albus continued, ignoring both man's remarks. "Demonstrations by a capable instructor and practical lessons as well as theory."
Remus snickered as Severus stormed out. He imagined the strict Potions Master was heading back to his dungeons, no doubt to brew a potion to calm his nerves.
"Why one of our past or current students," Albus responded, eyes twinkling.
"Obviously," Snape drawled. "However, I am looking for the name of said student. I know that you know who wrote this."
"All of that information is carefully concealed," Albus explained again.
"Albus, there are sticky fingerprints on the parchment that smell like your lemon drops," Snape remarked. "Obviously you have read this essay. Now tell me who wrote it!"
"My dear boy," Albus began, "I read numerous essays from the students before I enlisted help."
"Trust me, you would have remember this one. Now tell me who it is."
"Now Severus, you know that the author won't be revealed until the paper has been read and a grade received."
"Fine," Severus muttered, "a 'T'. This student, whoever he or she may be, receives a T on this assignment."
"Severus," Minerva scolded as she entered the room, having overheard the potion master's comments. "What could a student possibly have written in their essay to warrant such a grade?"
"Read for yourself," Severus replied, handing her the rolled parchment.
"Yes, please do, Minerva," Albus added, granting her permission.
Minerva looked at the two professors before sighing and settling into a chair to read the controversial essay.
"Albus, you assigned this?" she asked as she read the assignment heading.
The Headmaster nodded solemnly. "I decided what better way to determine what the student's need than to ask them."
"I can understand the point of the essay," she spoke softly, "but now I also understand Severus's point about the lack of direction you gave."
Snape smirked. It wasn't often the deputy headmistress agreed with him, especially against Albus. "Just read the essay," he instructed causing Minerva to glare at him before focusing her attention to the parchment in her hands.
"What kind of cruel joke is this?" she muttered angrily, "Stating that our professors want Harry dead. This person should be hexed."
Snape's smirk grew.
"Just continue reading," Albus encouraged.
"I never realized." She gasped a few minutes later, "Strangling? Disintegration? Poor Harry," she mumbled, eyes filling with tears, "he was only eleven…a child."
Snape's smirk started to disappear.
"Oh, my, he tried to obliviate Harry?" she quietly murmured. "It's a good thing he is already in St. Mungo's."
A frown started to appear on Severus's face.
"Poor Remus…no wonder why he felt it necessary to leave."
Snape should have known she would empathize with her Gryffindors.
"Oh, dear," she said, trying to hold back a sob. "I knew that tournament was a mistake," she angrily hissed. "Fourteen years old and he has had more involvement with death than some aurors I know."
Because of his own stupidity, Severus wanted to shout. If he hadn't continually tried to break the rules, he wouldn't have been involved in all those deaths.
"Oh!" she gasped in shock, "Some of the students thought Umbridge was a Death Eater?"
Snape raised in eyebrow. Was she that out of touch with her student's that she didn't hear all the rumors in the halls.
"Dementors!" she yelled as she tightly clutched the parchment she had been reading. "That witch sent those Dementors to Harry that summer. If I ever get a hold of her or Fudge…" she hissed in warning before returning her attention to the remainder of the essay.
"Blood Quill! Veritaserum! Cruciatus! Where were we!" she muttered, angry at herself for not knowing any of this was happening at her school, to her beloved Gryffindor.
"I would say the ministry did more than make a mistake. And so did we," she softly added, "but that is no reason not to trust…"
"The poor boy," Minerva sighed sadly as she lowered the essay. "I never realized all that Harry had been through."
By the time she finished, Severus' scowl had deepened. She honestly didn't believe that that drivel was true, could she?
"Been through?" Snape echoed harshly, "What makes you think that information is true? I believe the author of that so-called essay even said that 'you shouldn't believe everything you read'."
Minerva huffed, before turning to Albus, "Regardless, I would give this essay an 'O'. An 'Outstanding'," she repeated. "It is well thought out and provides ample evidence to support the premise."
"I would agree," Snape said to everyone's shock, "if this was an assignment for a creative writing class. However," he sarcastically continued, "It was not. And they might have given ample evidence," he stressed, "but we do not know that it is true. For all we know, one of our students is practicing to be the next Rita Skeeter. Therefore, this piece of work and the student who wrote receives a T."
"Now, Severus, there's enough accurate information there to conclude that the events did occur as the author suggests," Albus stated.
"Perhaps," Severus dubiously agreed, "but there is also so much about the events and the past Defense Against the Dark Arts Professors not known to indicate that it could be the result of a student's fanciful imagination," Snape stated, causing Mad-Eye to grin.
As much as Moody didn't want to agree with the death eater, he did have a point. Albus kept many things to himself regarding the boy's years at Hogwart's that, unless you really knew Harry or had inside information regarding the past five years, it might seem like something that would happen to a fictional character due to someone's imagination.
Moody, Tonks, and Remus had arrived while Minerva was reading the essay. Due to the look on her face, and the sympathetic words she uttered, they realized what she had been reading. By unspoken agreement, the three had elected to stay quiet and not inform others of their presence at the time.
"It could be just as true to say that the author of this essay is insane and imagining plots where there weren't any," Snape continued pointedly.
"Now hold on a moment," Remus interrupted. "I don't believe this work is fictional or that the author is insane."
"You only say that because you were listed as the exception," Severus snarled. "Trying to protect him," Snape muttered with a disbelieving shake of his head. "And the rest of you believe it might be true because it involves your precious boy wonder…your golden boy," he sneered.
Severus sneered as he looked at the saddened faces of those around the room. "Wait," he commanded as he looked again at Lupin. "Potter!" He shouted suddenly, causing everyone to look around the room for Harry.
Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny however had escaped to the room Ron and Harry were staying in, the same one they had last year.
"Potter!"
The shout caused all six teens to jump.
The twins exited their room and abandoned their plans for mischief. Ron and Ginny went to the door, as if making sure Snape hadn't been eavesdropping on their conversation. Harry went to his truck and withdrew his invisibility cloak.
"Harry," Hermione scolded, "You shouldn't go down and listen to their conversation."
"Why not?" Harry said with a glare, "They're obviously talking about me."
"Yeah," Ron seconded. "And it's not like the greasy-git could deduct points or give detention over the summer. Especially in Harry's house."
Hermione glared at her red-haired best friend for indirectly mentioning Sirius. "Still, it's not right. Not only is it rude to eavesdrop, but it could be Order business."
Harry snorted, "It's also rude to talk about others when they're not present either," he pointedly commented. "And even if it is Order business, it's still about me and I think not knowing is even more dangerous than listening to their conversations. Now, are you coming?"
"Yes," Hermione sighed in consent, "But only to make sure the two of you don't do anything foolish."
"What about the rest of us?" Ginny whined.
"Hush or they'll hear," Ron snapped angrily.
"Don't worry, Gin-Gin," Fred comforted, placing an arm around his little sister.
"We've got these," George continued, dangling a pair of extendable ears from his fingers.
"You don't mind,"
"Do you, Harry?" the twins asked.
Harry shrugged, "Since I don't know what they're talking about, I have no idea if I might mind or not. But either way, I imagine you guys would still listen."
Fred and George had sad and shocked expressions on their faces.
"Harry,"
"Buddy,"
"Pal, were"
"Shocked"
"And saddened,"
"That you would"
"Think that"
"About us," they concluded.
Again, Harry snorted, "Doesn't make it any less true, though, does it?" he asked rhetorically. "But, no, I guess I really don't mind," he admitted. "Give the other end to us and we'll bring it down and put it in place."
"We'll wait here," Ginny informed the trio.
"Well, my boy," Albus commented, "who else could have so much accurate information about the situations in question."
"If it did not place Potter in a positive light I would say Rita Skeeter," Snape drawled.
"Positive!" Remus roared. "It mentions him being attacked by every Defense professor for the last five years."
Severus nodded, "Yes, attacked by spirits, dementors, werewolves, and able to survive."
"He's a talented wizard," Remus argued.
"He's a teenager, against creatures and professors more than twice his age," Snape snapped back. "You don't honestly believe this drivel is true, do you?"
"Albus," Minerva said, interrupting before things got worse, "Is it true? All that Harry wrote in his essay?"
All eyes turned to him. While none of them, except Snape, really believed that Harry would lie, perhaps one or two things were misconstrued or embellished.
"It is," Albus stated softly.
"All of it?" Minerva repeated.
Albus nodded, "All that he wrote and all that he implied."
"Implied?" someone questioned.
Again Albus nodded, "Yes. The fact that the staff of Hogwarts, including myself, never noticed most of these things seriously makes me doubt my abilities as Headmaster."
"Honestly, Albus," Snape snapped, "Don't take it all so personally."
"Albus," Remus said calmly with a glare at Snape, "I'm sure Harry didn't mean it that way."
"Perhaps not," Albus agreed, "But none-the-less, it is true."
"In your opinion," Snape murmured. "Potter could have approached any of us for help during the last five years, but he didn't. It is the boy's own arrogance that caused these events. Arrogance and stupidity," Snape determined. "Otherwise more students would have been in similar situations."
"Harry has a goodness and purity of heart about him," Albus stated quietly, ignoring Severus's snort of disbelief. "He couldn't help himself from trying to save the school or his classmates from some monster that was attacking."
"He should have approached one of the professors and informed them of what was happening," Snape repeated, "or at least," he snarled with a look of disgust at the essay, "What he thought was happening."
"He tried," Minerva sadly stated, her shoulders slumped over in defeat. "First year, he tried," she repeated. "He and his friends came to me, stating that the stone was in danger from V-V-Voldemort," she admitted. "I didn't believe them. In my arrogance, I had decided that I knew better than three first years; that the protective measures we used would hold up to the most evil of tests.
"I sent them away without even hearing them out," she concluded with a sob.
"Now, Minerva," Albus comforted, "You couldn't have known. There was no sign that such a thing was happening."
Again Snape snorted in doubt.
"Something to add, Severus?" the Headmaster questioned.
"A troll finding its way into the castle isn't a sign? Hexed brooms, unicorns being slaughtered in the forest, reports of a dragon on campus, even if not confirmed?" Severus mocked, "Oh, no, no sign at all of evil plots at work."
"You could have helped the boy," Moody challenged.
"I was his number one suspect," Snape returned. "And I did help the boy, as often as I could. It is not my fault he would not accept it."
"Couldn't have anything to do with his attitude or how he treated Harry, now could it?" Tonks loudly whispered to Remus.
Snape glared at them, "Or perhaps it had something to do with Potter's arrogance," he stated.
"Stop it," Remus interrupted. "Obviously we're not going to agree on anything that involves Harry. And since we can't change the past, the only thing we can do is decide how to proceed."
"Well, said," Albus seconded.
"I for one," Minerva declared, "am going to trust Harry more and make sure I listen to all my students, as well as investigate any claims they make before dismissing them.
"It wasn't just first year I hindered Harry," Minerva said thoughtfully. "I had no idea that Umbridge was using a blood quill on the students. I just cannot figure out why none of my Gryffindors said anything to me or any other professor."
Again Snape snorted, "That's the easy part. Your golden boy was the first to receive detention with the witch. Not to mention that he had them practically everyday for over two weeks. Since he either didn't protest at the punishment or if nothing was done when he reported it, the other students most likely just followed his example.
"Most students probably believed that he reported it to the headmaster or his head of house, the deputy headmaster. If neither one of them could do anything about it, they probably believed that neither could any other professor."
Albus sighed sadly, "And I distanced myself from him last year to protect him," he said, his voice full of disgust with himself.
"Albus," Minerva said returning the comfort he earlier offered, "Don't go down that road. For all we know things might have been much worse if you hadn't. It is too late now to change things or to second-guess past decisions. What's done is done."
"Look at yourselves," Severus snarled in disgust, "Making yet another exception for The-Boy-Who-Lived. If it wasn't Potter that wrote this, I am quite sure that all of you would agree with me that it deserves a 'T'. Yet since the golden boy wrote the essay, not only do you want to award it an 'O', but you are all bending over backwards to please him. Moving him from his relatives care ahead of schedule; Giving into his every whim; Vowing to trust him," Severus continued with a shake of his head,
"It's a scam!" Snape shouted, "He's going to be uncontrollable come September, and in a few years he'll be out of school and let loose in the world, where he will continue to expect everyone to bow down before him" Severus predicted before storming out of the room.
"Is he right?" Minerva softly asked. "Are we doing more damage to Harry by giving in to him?"
Albus shook his head, "No, I do not believe so."
Remus nodded, "Outwardly Harry resembles James, but on the inside," Remus said with a sigh, "He is pure Lily."
"One Hundred percent Lily," Minerva stated in agreement. "We'll just have to make sure that once we return to Hogwarts Harry is held to the same rules as everyone other student."
"If Harry returns to Hogwarts," Albus corrected.
"You've got it made," Ron remarked once they were safely back in Harry's room. "MacGonagle vowed to be lenient with you!"
"That's not what she said," Hermione corrected.
Ron snorted, "Close enough," he muttered. "I figure she'll feel so guilty that you could get away with almost anything, even after school starts.
"And Snape!" Ron hissed. "Even during the summer he has it out for you, Harry. Not that that's really a shock. Still, you can't let him get away with it."
"I'm more interested in what Professor Dumbledore said," Ginny stated softly, eyes focused on Harry.
"What?" Ron questioned, "Doubting his abilities as Headmaster?"
"No," Ginny said with a blush, "about Harry having a goodness and purity of heart about him."
"What!" Ron screeched, "Why would you care about that?"
All eyes turned to Ginny awaiting her answer. "I just find it interesting," she finally said.
"You like him still, don't you?" Ron muttered in embarrassment, turning red like his sister.
"Ron!" Hermione scolded, looking at an uncomfortable Harry. "That's not your business."
"It's my sister and my best friend!" he argued. "Of course it's my business."
"Guys, enough," Harry interrupted.
"What we"
"Want to know," the twins began,
"Is exactly"
"What you"
"Wrote"
"And why," they finished.
"Yeah," Ron seconded.
"It was just the summer assignment from Dumbledore," Harry tried to explain.
Ron scoffed, "I doubt any homework assignment could get that kind of a reaction. Especially not any assignment that I got," he added skeptically.
"It's the same assignment," Harry promised his friend.
The twins exchanged glances, "Why would the Headmaster assign homework?" one of them asked.
Ron shrugged, "Just something for Defense. He probably just figured that Umbridge hadn't, you know," he continued with a smirk, "given her sudden departure and all."
Once more Fred and George exchanged looks. Hardly any of the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professors had lasted till the end of the year, yet Dumbledore had never assigned homework before. As one, the twins looked to their sister, hoping she could supply more information.
With a sigh, Ginny explained, "Professor Dumbledore asked all returning students-"
"And graduating ones," Hermione injected.
Ginny rolled her eyes at the know-it-all's interruption and continued, "To write an essay about what they have learned from Defense Against the Dark Arts during their years at Hogwarts."
The twins eyed Harry, "Mate, what did you write?"
Harry shrugged uncomfortably, "Not much, just some things that I learned."
They nodded as if accepting that anwer.
Ron snorted, "How much could you learn with some of the idiots that they had to teach us?"
"Ron!"
"What? It's the truth, Hermione," he added defensively.
"So, Harry,"
"Can we read"
"This essay"
"Of yours?"
"Er," Harry stuttered, pretty sure he didn't want the twins to read it, "I already turned it in."
"Obviously," the twins said with a roll of their eyes, "But don't you have notes, or a copy of it? Perhaps a rough draft we can peruse?"
"It's a summer assignment with no real work involved," Ron snickered, "Why would he even need notes or a draft? Hermione's probably the only one who would keep that stuff anyway."
Alarmed, Harry's eyes met Hermione's, silently asking if she did have a copy of his essay. Hermione briefly inclined her head before turning away.
"Harry?" she called, "What did Professor Dumbledore mean when he said if you return to Hogwarts?"
"What?" Ron yelled in shock, "When did he say that?"
"As we were leaving to head back upstairs," Hermione explained. "We were too far away to hear what followed."
"Well, it's obvious, isn't it?" Ron informed his friends, "Snape is still trying to get Harry expelled, only this time, Dumbledore thinks he might succeed."
Hermione just looked at Ron before shaking her head, "Harry?" she asked.
"That's not it," Harry finally answered, he barely had time to think about Dumbledore's offer of a transfer and he definitely didn't want to talk about it now. "It's…well, let's just say that it's about Voldemort and his attacks."
"Oh, so Dumbledore is going to have you pulled from school to train you or something like that?" Ron supplied.
"Er…something like that," Harry readily agreed with a nod of his head.
Hermione, Fred and George just eyed The-Boy-Who-Lived suspiciously. For some reason, they didn't believe that was the complete truth.
"Oh, Merlin!" Ron suddenly cried in horror.
"What?" they all asked simultaneously as they turned to him.
"Grades!" he moaned. "We're being graded on this assignment! By Snape!"
Hermione huffed as the others just laughed.
"I'm serious!" Ron yelled. "I just turned in a listing of some of the spells we learned. Mum's going to kill me if I get a 'T'."
The reactions were instantaneous and diverse.
Some just offered a single word comment.
"Finally," said Remus, Tonks, and Moody.
Some, remained silent, caught up in their own speculations.
Fred and George exchanged glances. Even when they were seventeen, Professor Dumbledore wouldn't allow them into the Order because they were still students. Part of them wondered if this had something to do with what the Headmaster said yesterday about Harry possibly not returning to Hogwarts. They also wondered if Harry Potter was blackmailing the Headmaster of Hogwart's, causing him to ignore his edict of fully-grown, out-of-school wizard.
Some were confused and bewildered.
Hestia and Kingsley couldn't imagine the Headmaster allowing the moody teen that they met last year into their secret organization. Perhaps there was another Harry Potter?
Some, well, one, anyway, was silently glaring at the headmaster.
Anyone who knew Severus Snape would be able to decipher that glare. It clearly relayed his horror at having more contact with 'that boy. Even though Severus understood the decision and would support it, that didn't mean that he had to like it.
Some wondered what had happened that caused the Headmaster to make this decision, while another one of them thought about how they could profit by it.
Bill Weasley and Sturgis Podmore remained silent. They didn't know Harry Potter that well, but had often heard many things about him. If even half of what they heard was true, then perhaps this wasn't as bad as an idea as it sounded. Dung however, just gazed past Dumbledore, dollar signs in his eyes. Surely someone, somewhere would be the chair 'the Chosen One' sat in during a meeting to battle his greatest foe, he thought,
And others were very vocal about their objections.
"Albus," Molly Weasley cried, "He's just a child. Why are you endangering him in this way?"
"Mrs. Weasley," Severus interrupted, "In case you have not realized it from the report I gave earlier, Harry Potter is number one on the Dark Lord's capture and kill list. Nothing said or done could endanger him more."
The twins looked between their mum and their former professor, wondering if she would react the way his Gryffindor student's did when he used that tone on them.
"Still," she began in protest, "He's just a child."
"He's never been a child," Snape snorted.
"You want him in the Order?" she asked, huffily. "Now I definitely protest."
"Of course I don't," he hissed. "He is enough of a menace now. However, if he was in the Order perhaps we could finally teach him how to think and examine situations before acting. Maybe that would decrease our casualties rather than our numbers."
Remus sucked in his breath at Snape's last statement. He had promised Albus that he would not antagonize the man during Order meetings, but after the meeting he was fair game.
"At the least it might better enable us to protect him," Severus concluded.
"I agree," Albus responded. "Many of the events from last year might have been prevented if both parties had information that the others had. If we share our information with him, he might be more inclined to share what he knows with us."
"So you want to use him for information?" Mrs. Weasley asked in disgust.
"Not at all," Albus disagreed. "But it is something that could help all of us. Mr. Potter has a tendency not to trust the adults in his life," this statement was met with nods from Moody, McGonagall, and Remus, "As such he doesn't tell them about things, but rather tries to handle the situation himself."
The headmaster just looked at him.
After a few minutes, Severus broke the silence. "I still hope you gave him a failing mark on this assignment."
"You are well aware that the grades given on this assignment were never meant to count against the student. The assignment itself was intended to gage the student's needs and skill level of the subject, both content and understanding."
"Regardless he took a school assignment and manipulated it to talk about himself. Always seeking attention," Snape hissed angrily. "He even wrote in his essay, about himself, mind you," the potions master reminded the headmaster, "That Lockhart was jealous of the boy's fame and that he had witches falling at his feet before he heard of Hogwarts."
"I do not believe he meant it the way it that way," Albus informed the younger wizard.
"At least have him redo the assignment," Snape tried to compromise. "You learned absolutely nothing of his skills or his understanding from this parchment. The only thing you learned was his opinion of himself, something I have been telling you for five years," Severus finished with a sneer.
"Perhaps I did not learn much about his skills or his understanding of defense," Albus agreed, "But I do believe that I learned something of far greater importance."
I would love to know what you all think of this. There are a few lines/scenes in here that I can't help but chuckle over...
UPCOMING:
CHAPTER 7 ALL IN YOUR MIND (We might finally know who the next DADA professor is...)
Again, this chapter is not beta'd. I apologize and hope that it isn't too difficult to read/understand. If anyone wants to beta this chapter (or the rest of this fic), please let me know.
Also, I'm sorry that it took so long to get this out, in my defense, I will remind you that originally this was meant as a one-shot that spiraled out of control (though I do have to admit that I like it and that it has grown in my mind as well...perhaps it will even be a full-length fic someday rather than just the reactions and consequences of people who have read Harry's essay).
I also apologize of Dung & the 'dollar signs in his eyes'. Not sure if that's an acceptable British thing (dollars vs. pounds, etc), but that phrase just stuck and I couldn't get around it at the time I posted this.
3/2/2008
