JADE & THE SILVER DRAGON

Chapter Thirteen


Harry had spent the remainder of time on the train playing Wizards Chess with Ron, and trying to ignore the friendly pestering on what he was planning on teaching in Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. He finally had told them that there would be a few new things added to the curriculum, but nothing else.

After a brief greeting to Hagrid who was leading the first years to the boats, Harry went with his fellow Gryffindor’s to find an empty carriage that would take them to Hogwarts from Hogsmeade. Once there, they made their way into the Great Hall where they sat in their usual places that they did every year, waiting for the first years to make their appearance. Harry looked across to the Slytherin table and locked gazes with Draco, who smiled at him... a genuine smile, that made Harry’s heart beat a little faster.

At the sound of the Great Hall doors opening, and McGonagall leading a bunch of scared looking first years to the front, the students fell silent as the sorting hat said his little spiel about each house. After a pause, when everyone thought the hat was finished it spoke up again, seeming to look out at all the students, then added a final bit of advice..... suggesting for the houses to try to put past differences aside, to get along with each other now that the Dark Lord had vanquished, it is a time for new beginnings. A few heads had turned Harry’s way at the mention of the Dark Lord’s demise, as many had read in the Daily Prophet that Harry had finally destroyed the Dark Lord once and for all. Harry had felt eyes on him but chose to ignore the looks and kept his gaze locked to the front.

The first years were sorted among cheers and applause from their new houses. Eight new to Ravenclaw; ten new to Gryffindor; six new to Hufflepuff; and seven new to Slytherin. They were all brought to attention of McGonagall who was clinking her glass at the Head table.

The Headmaster stood before the students, smiling warmly to those around him. “Welcome. Welcome to the new students and for those of you returning. The past years were fraught with tension in the wizarding world. Let us put all that behind us and enjoy life once again, enjoy learning new things, and enjoy new and old friendships. A few first of term notices. The forbidden forest is exactly that...forbidden. Mr. Filch has an updated list of forbidden items that are not allowed on school property, many of which are from a well know shop in Diagon Alley,” he grinned mischievously as he looked to Ginny and Ron.

“Gee, I wonder who he could be talking about?” Harry muttered quietly, grinning to a red-faced Ron.

“I would like to congratulate our Head Girl and Head Boy for this year, for their years of hard work and dedication. Head Girl....Miss Hermione Granger,” Dumbledore stated, then waited for the applause to die down. “Head Boy....Mister Draco Malfoy,” applause roared through the Slytherin side of the room. “Yes. Well done you two. I’d also like to welcome back Professor Remus Lupin as the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, proving that the position is not jinxed,” he said grinning to the werewolf. “New this year is a second position for Defense Against the Dark Arts. This person will assist and run some of the classes when Professor Lupin is unavailable. This person shall be unnamed until your first class,” he said grinning mysteriously as he glanced to the Gryffindor table, then to all the confused faces as they looked at all the wizards and witches at the Head table. “Now without further ado....let the feast begin,” he said finishing his announcements and clapping his hands for the table to be filled with mounds of mounds of mouth watering food.


After having their fill, the prefects led the first years to their dormitories and the Professors went to their rooms, tired from their long day. Once Harry was in his rooms, he sighed in relief.....quiet. He liked hanging out with his friends, but sometimes he just wanted to be alone, to think his own thoughts without anyone bothering him. He turned one of his Creed CD’s on, and slowly stripped off his clothes as he made his way to his bedroom, then went through the mirror to do a couple laps in the pool to calm his frazzled nerves. Finally falling into bed in an exhausted sleep. Tomorrow he would be facing his peers as their Professor.

********************************


It was the last class, of the first day for the seventh year Gryffindor and Slytherin students. Draco had come in with Blaise and Pansy, followed by Hermione and Ron. They made themselves comfortable, taking out their text books and quills as the rest of the students filed into the room.

“Hello everyone. Welcome to the seventh year Defense Against the Dark Arts,” Remus said smiling, then looked to the back of the class and nodded to the new arrival who was making his way to the front to stand beside Remus.

“Teachers pet there Potter?” Blaise said aloud getting a few laughs from the Slytherin side of the room, and a few glares from the Gryffindors.

Harry just smiled in return and leaned his hip on the desk, crossing his arms at his chest. “That’s Professor Potter to you Mister Zabini...and ten points from Slytherin for being a smart ass.”

Remus smirked at the few stunned looking faces of the students. “As you may have guessed, Harry here is now my assistant....and before anyone says anything about that, he has graduated early with honors and is a Ministry approved Professor,” he said proudly.

“Is it because he defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?” A Slytherin girl asked from the back of the room.

“How did you defeat him?” Dean from Gryffindor asked.

Remus raised his brow to Harry for him to take the floor. Harry braced his hands at the edge of the desk and thought how he should answer this. “First of all...his name was Voldemort,” he started, and smirked when the familiar gasps could be heard at the sound of that name, “and I did not receive this position because I finally fulfilled this prophecy made a long time ago. I was offered this position before the fact and I studied my ass off for it. It was not handed to me because of my name.”

“Yeah right,” Blaise mumbled, then bolted upright, knocking his chair back to the floor, his hands going to where his mouth seemed to seal itself shut.

“There, that’s better,” Harry smiled putting down his wand. “As I was saying before being rudely interrupted, I earned this...worked hard for it. And before anyone thinks that this will be an easy mark for you because your friend is teaching...you are mistaken. Professor Lupin will be grading all work for seventh years.”

“Thank you Harry,” Remus said smiling. “For the next few classes we will be reviewing last years Defense skills before moving to the advanced spells,” he instructed then noticed a small hand at the back of the class. He motioned for her to speak.

“Sorry Professors...but how did Harry...I mean Professor Potter defeat Voldemort?” the shy Slytherin asked.

Harry grinned at Remus. “I thought I got away with it,” he said and sighed. “I had researched various books preparing for the final confrontation. I will not go into specifics, but I will say that he couldn’t handle the heat,” Harry grinned to himself, “and he is not coming back...ever again. As for the Professor title, it may be awkward for many of you, so I don’t mind if you just call me Harry if it’s more comfortable for you. Some of you may think because Voldemort is gone..why the class. Well there are still Death Eaters and other evils out there. We are here to teach you how to defend yourselves. I have added one class a week where we will be concentrating on the physical aspect of defense. We will be running, swimming, muggle street fighting, and maybe some boxing to start with.”

“Why that Harry?” Neville asked.

“Tell me....what would happen if you were by yourself and confronted by ...say ten Death Eaters?” Remus asked standing beside Harry.

“Run,” a Slytherin girl asked, then flushed with embarrassment when there were several snickers that could be heard throughout the room.

Harry then grinned to the students. “Ten points to Slytherin,” he said. “Sounds like cowardice, but it could save your life to dodge or run from the attack. Ten against one is not good odds for any wizard or witch.”


Draco sat back and listened as Harry and Remus taught their class. He knew that Harry was the other Professor, but was not prepared when Harry walked in looking sexy as hell in black leather pants and a snug fitting pullover with the top few button undone. His hair was tied back loosely at the nape of his neck with a strip of leather, showing a smooth neck that Draco could imagine tastes just as good as it looks. Also, no robes, which made it easier for Draco to see more of Harry as he admired the view from behind. He was surprised at the suddenness of Harry casting the spell on Blaise to shut his trap (who was sulking in his chair, glaring daggers at the new Professor), and the giving of points to the new scared seventh year Slytherin girl.

He was looking down, doodling on a piece of his parchment, thinking about the kiss he shared with Harry on the train yesterday, when he was nudged at his side by Pansy. Then felt a shiver run down his body when he felt warm breath at his neck.

“That would be page 274 Draco,” Harry said softly by his ear, liking the blush that the blonde was trying to hide.

“Right....I knew that,” Draco stammered, opening his book, then glanced up to see Harry walking back to the front of the class.

“Looks good in leather, doesn’t he?” Pansy said seeing Draco’s gaze following Harry.

“I suppose,” Draco replied shrugging his shoulders looking down on page 274.

“Maybe we should invite him to the Slytherin Halloween bash this year,” Pansy quietly said, leaning closer to Draco.

“If you want,” he replied non-committedly. “Maybe we should have it open to all seventh years.”

Pansy looked at Draco in surprise. “You’ve changed Drake.”

“Is that a bad thing Pans?” he asked side glancing to his friend and confidant.

“No. I like the new you,” she smiled putting an arm around his shoulders, giving him a light one armed squeeze.


Harry sighed in relief as the last of the seventh years left the room, except for Ron and Hermione who came up to him. “Well, how did I do?” he asked.

“You did great Harry,” Hermione grinned.

“Yeah, great trick with the hex on Zabini. You’ll have to teach me that,” Ron smirked.


**********************************


Over the next couple of weeks, Harry began to feel more comfortable speaking to the students, finding it easier when they accepted that he knew what he was talking about. There was the few from Slytherin, and surprisingly from Ravenclaw that tried to make it difficult for him, but for the most part he was enjoying himself. He really enjoyed teaching the earlier years and felt that the students were learning and enjoying the classes, especially when he had brought them out to play some quidditch to test their agility and reflexes. There was some complaining when he had some of the morning classes come out to run laps around the quidditch pitch, but the students felt a bit better when they had seen that their Professor was joining in their torture.


It was into the last week of September that Harry was bustling around the classroom, getting ready for the seventh year Gryffindor and Slytherin students. Remus was letting him lead the class as he was getting over the full moon cycle, but was there as a bystander in case he was needed. “Are you sure you don’t want to lead this topic Remus?” Harry asked as he sat beside Remus at the desk.

“You were one of the youngest wizards that I’ve seen be able to do this Harry. I know you can do this,” Remus said confidently.

“Thanks Moony,” Harry replied grinning.


He waited until everyone was in the classroom, standing as they looked around the room to see their desks pushed to the side and a large trunk set in the middle of the room. “Hello. Today we will be learning an advanced spell that may or may not be on your NEWTS,” he started as he walked back and forth at the front of the class. “The spell we are going to learn is the ‘Patronus spell,’ and we’re going to learn much the same way as Professor Lupin taught me.”

“Are we going to be using boggarts?” Hermione asked.

“No. We will be using an actual dementor,” he said then waited for the talk to quiet down. “There is nothing to fear with this one. This dementor has had the capability of sucking ones soul taken away from it....it is basically harmless. You may feel a little week after the encounter, but there is chocolate available that helps tremendously. As a few of you may know, dementors are creatures who feed off of happy emotions from humans, and can be quite dangerous...taking one’s soul with one kiss, leaving you an empty shell. You are going to take turns confronting it with the help of myself and Professor Lupin if needed,” Harry said nodding to Remus who was leaning on a nearby desk in case Harry needed assistance.

“You said humans, can it drain the happiness away from other creatures?” Seamus asked.

“Not that we know of,” Remus stated. “Harry and I know of someone who is an animagus who was wrongfully put in Azkaban. When he was in animal form the dementor guards were unable to sense human happiness and basically left him alone, where he was able to keep his sanity.”

“Okay...first you must think a happy thought.... a happy memory. Mine was when I found out I’d be living with my godfather,” he smiled to the class. “Happiness is the strength to this spell. The happier the memory, the stronger your patronus. The incantation is ‘Expecto patronum’. Some of you are already capable of producing your patronus from the DA classes that I had started a few years ago. These people can go first to show the others how it’s done. Every person will have a different image appear, and if you are unable to the first time, don’t worry about it. I wasn’t able to either,” Harry finished smirking to Remus.


Draco had watched most of the Gryffindor’s produce a patronus, although not all were solid looking. He was about third in line for the Slytherin’s and was trying to pin point a happy memory for his patronus spell.

“Alright Blaise, your turn,” Harry said. “First, think the memory, then hold up your wand and say the incantation firmly and clearly.”

Blaise closed his eyes, then smiled as he thought of a memory of Draco and himself from last year. “Expecto patronum,” he shouted out. There came out a bright light that held the dementor off, but it was breaking through the wispy shield.

“Not bad Blaise,” Harry nodded. “The memory was probably a good moment for you, but maybe there’s one that tops that,” he said as he shielded the dementor in a large protective bubble. “Pansy, you have a go.”

Pansy got up, her happy memory already chosen. She stood in front of the class, then nodded to Harry to free the dementor. “Expecto patronum,” she shouted.

Harry stood back at the ready and grinned as his Slytherin friend was able to produce an image, although faint, you were still able to distinguish what it was. “Excellent Pansy. A unicorn...the first patronus like that I’ve seen. It must have been a very good memory for you.”

Pansy grinned proudly and walked by Draco who smiled at her. “Good job Pans,” he said grasping her hand and letting go as he came forward.

“Okay Draco,” Harry said motioning for him to come closer. He watched as Draco closed his eyes and held up his wand.

Draco had a few memories that he could use and picked one that he thought would work. He opened his eyes and held up his wand. “Expecto patronum.” He was able to hold the dementor off with the bright light, but his image or patronus wasn’t clear. Draco lowered his wand, looking disappointed.

Harry raised his wand to shield the dementor in the bubble again. “It’s a start Draco. We’ll have several classes to learn this, with Professor Lupin helping next week with an extra dementor on hand.


After the last student tried the patronus spell, Harry stood in front of the class again after closing the dementor in the large chest again. “Professor, what is your patronus?” the new Slytherin girl asked.

Harry smiled and held out his wand. “Expecto Patronum!” he shouted clearly as he kept smiling, for a solid looking stag to appear that came up to nudge Harry’s shoulder. “My patronus is my father’s animagus form. It saved my life against the dementors along with my godfather in my third year.”

Draco was awestruck at the proud looking stag that trotted around the room. It had nudged the large chest with it’s head then walked around the students. “Do they usually last this long?” Draco asked.

“No, they don’t. It can still sense the presence of the dementor in the room and is wanting to protect Harry if needed,” Remus said as he came up beside Harry.

Draco had taken a step or two back when the stag approached him, putting it’s nose by his neck as if sensing who he was. “Ah, Harry...why is it doing this?” he asked nervously.

Harry thought maybe the stag could sense the attraction towards Draco that he felt and maybe he was checking him out. He would have to talk to Remus about that later. He came closer to Draco and the stag, then stepped between them. “It won’t hurt you,” he reassured, then watched it as it seemed to dissolve before their eyes. “Alright then, next week we’ll try again,” Harry said loud enough for everyone to hear. “Next class Professor Lupin will be showing you some advanced shielding spells that can rebound a hex thrown your way....very useful.”

After everyone had left, including Remus who said he needed to rest before dinner, Harry got out his student log to note down their first attempt at the patronus spell and where he might be able to help them. He had heard the classroom door open and close and looked up, surprised to see Draco standing in front of him. “Well, what did you think of the class Draco?” he asked smiling as he came around to the front of the desk.

“It was a good subject to try to teach us,” Draco replied. “Harry, I’d like to apologize for the hassles I gave you about the dementors in our third year.”

“Forgiven. It was a long time ago and I’ve learned to handle them better,” Harry said. “Back then, when I first encountered them, it was the hardest for me to handle, I kept hearing my mother’s scream over and over again when she was being murdered by Voldemort.”

“I heard my father as he used to beat mother and me,” Draco said quietly looking out the window. He looked to Harry who was looking at him. “Can you help me with this Harry?”

“You don’t like that you couldn’t do it first try, do you?” Harry smirked.

“No, I don’t,” he said returning the grin.

“Come back after dinner and we’ll try again,” Harry said. “Now, I believe it’s time for lunch. What class do you have after?” Harry asked.

“Care of Magical Creatures,” Draco grimaced.

“It’s not that bad,” Harry smirked. “Hagrids’ creatures have been tamer over the past few years,” he said as they made their way down the stairs.

“I had heard he has some kind of dragon today for the class..... it might be interesting,” Draco conceded.

“His classes were never boring,” Harry laughed.

“Always someone being rushed to the infirmary,” Draco said laughing with Harry as they opened the Great Hall doors where most of the Hall looked up at the strange occurrence of the two biggest rivals laughing together. “See you later Potter,” Draco smirked then made his way past the gawking students.


When Draco sat down at the Slytherin table, he was in a happy daze, and did not notice when Blaise moved closer to him, and did not immediately push Blaise away when he put his arm around his shoulders and kissed his cheek possessively. While Draco was in la-la land, Harry made his way up to the staff table to sit beside Severus, still smiling, until he looked to the Slytherin table. His gut twisted with jealousy as he watched Blaise restaking his claim on Draco, then turned his gaze away when Draco did not push Blaise away.

“What’s the matter Harry?” Severus asked noticing that Harry who came in laughing waw mow moodily playing with the food on his plate.

“It’s nothing Sev,” Harry said not looking up.

“I know it’s not nothing. You’re forgetting that I can feel when you’re feeling hurt,” Severus said leaning closer to Harry.

“I’ve been trying to act on certain feelings I have for someone....” Harry sighed.

“Draco,” Severus said interrupting Harry.

“What?! Does everyone know except him? Have I been that obvious?” Harry exclaimed shaking his head.

“No, you haven’t Harry. Over the past year, I’ve gotten to know you. It’s been obvious to me because I see the way your eyes light up at the mention of his name or when he enters a room,” Severus said, placing his hand over Harry’s reassuringly.

“But Blaise...” Harry started.

“Zabini is someone that Draco uses to pass the time with. Don’t give up so easily...if he’s really the one you want,” Severus said.

Harry sat back and looked down at the Slytherin table to see that Draco was looking his way. He gave a small smile to the blonde then left through the side entrance to go back to his classroom, leaving most of his lunch untouched.

Draco had seen Severus and Harry talking, their heads close together with Severus’s hand over Harry's. He wondered what had happened to wipe that beautiful smile off Harry’s face. He had liked hearing Harry’s laugh, liked that he had made him laugh, and wanted to hear it again. He happened to glance to the staff table meeting Harry’s gaze, seeing a mixture of sadness and longing in his eyes. Harry then gave him a hesitant smile and got up to leave the Hall though the side doors. He started to get up to follow him when he felt Blaise latch onto his hand to get his attention, trying to bring him into the conversation that he could have cared less about. ‘What did I do wrong....why does he seem upset with me?’ he asked himself as he sat back down to finish his meal, tuning out the others around him.


(typos fixed Apr. 07)