Shadow Play

Chapter 3: Strike One

The first couple of weeks past fast for Harry and he couldn’t believe how easy it was to be a teacher, or how quickly the students grew to admire him, including a few the Slytherins. The older students were skeptical at having a supposed American/British half-blood teaching them Defense Against the Dark Arts, but the younger years found him fun to be around and often asked questions on the curses and jinxes they were learning and Harry would answer them like an uncle teaching his nephew a new sport.

Using the teachers of his past, Harry made a somewhat working rhythm for each year, and even used Muggle methods to help the children learn. He put up posters on the differences between a werewolf and a regular wolf, the antinomy of dragons and defenses against vampires. He also created a few posters he saw in Muggle schoolrooms he used to attend, with a few variations. One said A BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD COUNTERCURSE! and HOW TO WIN A WIZARD’S DUEL: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, AND PRACTICE! Harry favorite so far read: THE 3Ps: PRACTICE, PROTECT AND PERCERVER! The younger students seemed to have gotten a kick out of the last one and often quoted them to each other when they were stuck on something.

The hardest part was keeping Draco Malfoy from discovering who James Black really was. The personality Harry picked wasn’t easy to maintain since it was a resemblance to the real Harry Potter, but Harry did love to play the role. Being laid back and serious at the same time was a hard combination. Every time Harry falter he thought of Sirius and Remus and the personality came back to him.

“So how’s you first two weeks of teaching,” asked Hermione as she and Harry sat down around his fireplace drinking butterbeer.

“Different from attending the school as a student,” said Harry. “I got to stay up late, wonder the halls, show up late for class….”

“Don’t forget you get to enter the Forbidden Forest,” said Hermione with a smirk.

Harry nodded. “Enter the Forbidden Forest and not get in trouble for it.”

“And not a good example for the students,” added Hermione with a serious look.

“That’s only if I get caught,” said Harry. “And I never get caught.”

“Yes you have. There was first year with Norberta, and third year with Snape and Lupin, and…”

“All right, I get it,” laughed Harry. “I’m a horrid role motel. But I don’t want James Black to be a role model. Just a good teacher.”

Hermione smiled. “I do understand, Harry,” she said. “I’m been through the war as well. Even I needed a break.”

Harry chuckled. “So how’s Ron? I haven’t seen them since Hugh’s birthday in May.”

“They miss you. Why don’t you come over? I’m visiting them tomorrow.”

Harry shook his head. “Sorry, I have some papers to grade, short essay I gave the third years,” he said. “I really would like to through.”

Hermione sighed. “Oh, Harry, you can’t lock yourself away forever. You have to get out sometime.”

“I will, every once in a while. Right now, I just want to relax and be myself.”

“Yourself right now, is a teacher with very bad habits.”

“But a very good representative so far,” said Harry smiling. “Quidditch will start in two months and then I will have something to do.”

Hermione sighed dramatically. “Then I will have Ron talking about strategies and defenses. He should have become a Quidditch coach instead of an Auror.”

“He likes the job he has,” said Harry. “And just think. I’ll be around more often,” said Harry. Both smiled and continued to discuss teaching methods till Hermione left for bed.

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The next Monday Draco walked into his first year class and the students immediately quieted. Draco was proud that he had made himself as a cold uncaring person. He suspected that if Snape was still alive that the old Potion’s master would be proud of him as well.

“Close your mouths, put away your wands and take out your books,” he ordered. “Turn to page 342 and start on the potion from there. You have till the end of class.” He turned to a Slytherin boy with and arm bandaged. “Prewitt, what happened to your arm?”

“Herbology, sir,” said the boy. “We were working with Devil’s Snare today. Wrapped around my arm before Professor Sprout could take it off.”

“Obviously. I hope you’ve learned your lesson.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good,” said Draco. “Now start on your potion.”

And he started class. Within half an hour there had been three explosions and twelve students were covered in pink goo. The last explosion was what got him.

“Shawn Donovan, you were supposed to stir seven times clockwise, and then stir seven times counterclockwise. Not stir seven times and then add the beetlejuice.” He scolded the Gryffindor first year boy covered in neon pink goop and burn scabs. The children around him whimpered as their backs sides and faces were also covered in the botched potion and burn scabs appeared on their exposed skins.

“Sorry, sir,” said Shawn shamefully.

“Those covered go to Madam Abbot for burn cream,” said Draco. “Twenty points from Gryffindor and detention, Mr. Donovan. I want you to brew this potion till you get it right.”

“Yes, sir,” said Shawn. Draco turned and went back to his desk while the students that got hit left, many of them Gryffindors. After five minutes of grading papers he made another round. There was still fifteen minutes left and it would take another ten to finish the potions. Most of the potions he observed were adequate, for first years. With a bit of practice one or two of them could make it to Potion Mastery, but right then they were first years fumbling their way through.

He stopped at one student’s and observed it curiously.

“Mr. Lupin, what is this?” asked Draco.

“A Pepper-Up Potion, professor,” said Teddy in confusion.

Draco looked at the potion. It was the light pink color it should be and the heated smell that indicated it was done. The boy had made the potion work perfectly, but in less then a third of the time.

“Very good,” said Draco. He was about to move on to the next cauldron when something caught his eye. “Is that a burn on your hand?”

“Yes, sir,” said Teddy moving his hand away where a large burn covered the back of it.

“Were you hit by Mr. Donovan’s potion?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I thought I ordered all the students who were exposed to the Hospital Wing,” said Draco crossing his arms.

“I hardly feel it sir,” said Teddy. “I wasn’t hurt that much”

“I want a sample of your potion, label it and got to the hospital wing,” ordered Draco. “Understood?”

Teddy nodded and began to scoop his potion into a phial.

“That goes for all of you,” said Draco looking around at the other students. “I want sample phials on my desk by the end of class. Label by name and potion.”

The class nodded and continued to finish the potions. Teddy handed his potion to Draco and left for he Hospital Wing. Class ended not long after that and Draco thanked the deities that it was his last class of the day. He set the phials in a carry box and left the classroom it was an hour till lunch and he wanted to gets some fresh air. He was almost to the exit when he heard voice.

“Teddy, I heard there was an incident in the Potions classroom,” said a familiar adult voice.

“Shawn’s potion exploded and several students were burned, Professor James.”

Draco looked around the corner to see James Black talking to Teddy Lupin. Black’s bright green eyes held a look of familiarity as he looked at Teddy.

“Were you injured?” asked Black, a note of worry in his voice.

“A little. Just a small burn on my hand,” said Teddy showing his hand to the teacher..

“Have you seen Madam Abbot?” asked Black, the note of concern clear in his voice.

Teddy nodded. “Yeah, she gave me an ointment to put on my hand if it itches. It doesn’t now, through.”

“Make sure you do. What do you think of Hogwarts so far?”

“It’s great,” said Teddy with a wide smile. “I’m amazed at how big it is. And ancient.”

“It is at that,” said Black leaning casually against the wall with a far away look. “The first time I saw Hogwarts took my breath away. It still does.”

Teddy looked at Black in confusion. “But you only saw it a few weeks ago.”

“Black smiled at the boy. “I never said that,” he said. Pushing off the wall he ruffled Teddy’s sandy brown hair. “Keep up the good work, and if you have any problem, or if you just want to talk, you can come to me. You know that right?”

Teddy smiled up at the older man. “Yes, Professor James,” he said Black ruffled Teddy’s hair again and left. Black paused for a moment and seemed to glance at the corner Draco was peeking around. Draco froze. After a moment Black left and Draco quietly left and went down a different corridor.

So Black had a familiar relationship with Theodore Lupin. But young Lupin didn’t seem to notice the connection. Teddy saw James Black as a teacher and nothing more. but Black had almost a fatherly look on his face when he talked to Teddy.

‘Yet another mystery about James Black,’ he thought.

“Thinking about someone?” Draco looked up to see Pansy standing in front of him, an amused smirk on her face and her arms crossed. “Me I hope.”

Draco chuckled. “You wish. No, I was thinking about our new Defense Against the Dark Art’s teacher. He’s a mysterious person. He’s hiding more then he lets on.”

“Draco, don’t let this be like Potter,” warned Pansy. “Your obsession with him nearly destroyed you.”

“But what is he hiding? He’s so private and secretive.”

Pansy sighed. “Everyone’s entitled to secrets, Draco. You should know that.” There was a pause before Pansy spoke again. “I’ve got some papers to grade before lunch. I’ll see you there, and leave Black alone.”

And she walked down the hall. Draco watched her leave before walking down the hall and toward his lab. He had some potions simmering he needed to check.

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Harry walked into his class room and smiled at the students. He was, of course, ten minutes late which left fifty minutes for him to teach. This was his seventh year class and only had fifteen students in all.

“Calm down, everyone,” he ordered. “Settled down.” The few Hufflepuffs and numerous Gryffindors settled into their seat, but the five or so Slytherins continued to chatter. “Mr. House, I have asked you and your friends to be quiet. I would appreciate it if you did.”

The Slytherin gave Harry a glare that would have rivaled Draco’s in their school days if Harry was seventeen again. Harry just stared calmly back till Julius House sat down and faced the front, still glaring at Harry.

“Now, you are here because you’ve shown interest in Defense Against the Dark Arts,” he began. “But know this; defense is only about protecting those around you. It is never about yourself or to show off your strength. Saving yourself is only a matter of coincidence. Even by yourself you’re keeping people you don’t know safe, people you didn’t know who you may not met in the future.

“Now this semester we’re going to do Stealth, Glamour, and Illusion Charms to disguise yourself from your enemies. We’ll also have mock battles at random intervals. I shall select the date and the person you would be battling during each mock battle. ”

“Is that even allowed,” asked House turning to one of his companions. Harry turned to the Slytherin.

“Yes, Mr. House, it is. And for future reference, I would appreciate it if you direct your questions to me. I am not a house-elf for you to ignore, nor am I an object to overlook. I am a person and will be treated as such. Am I understood?”

House closed his mouth and turned back to Harry with a glare. Harry ignored it and went back to the lesson, but kept an eye on House. Harry knew the look of a troublemaker and was prepared for it. When class ended he called House to the front of the desk and watched as the seventeen year old reluctantly walked up to him.

“Mr. House, I am well aware that my being a half-blood is known throughout the school. I have kept no secrets but my own. I also know most pure-bloods don’t think too highly on half-bloods and even less on Muggle-borns. What I don’t appreciate is being ignored and being talked about behind my back in my classroom. Continue with this and I will begin to deduct points and possibly punishment.”

House’s eyes flashed in disbelief. “You can’t do that,” he said.

“Can’t I? I am the teacher here and I don’t make idle threats.” ‘He is so much like Malfoy when we were in school.’

“My father will hear about this”

“That may be, but he can’t do anything that can scare me.” House gulped as he glared at Harry. Harry knew the boy didn’t know what to do next now that he is threat had no effect. “Dismissed.”

House turned swiftly and stormed out of the room. Harry placed his papers in a file folder and left the room. He walked down the halls and headed toward Hermione’s office and knocked.

“Come in,” said Hermione. Turning the knob, Harry walked into the room, closed the door and rested against it with a sigh. Hermione’s office didn’t differ from her personality. Books after books from Muggle technical manuals to history filled the bookshelves against the walls. On the desk was a Muggle snow globe of a polar bear, Harry was sure that if you wound it up is would play “It’s a Small World After All”, a picture of her family and other non-magical items. Harry knew that if he walked into the classroom he’d find every Muggle electronic device form a television to a toaster.

“Tough crowd?” asked Hermione looking up from the papers she was grading.

“Tough student,” said Harry sitting in on of the two chairs in front to of the desk. “I swear that student has been taking lessons from Malfoy on put downs.”

“Let me guess, Julius House?” Putting aside her papers Hermione stood and went to a cabinet next to the next. Tapping it with her wand she opened it and took out a bottle of Fire Whiskey. She poured a generous amount in two glasses and handed one to Harry.

“How did you know?” asked Harry taking a sip. “Does Ron know you have this?”

“He should considering he gave me the whiskey,” said Hermione. “And I knew it was House because he ignored me for the past five years. He’s defiantly the Malfoy of the generation.”

“I wish there was a Harry Potter to keep him occupied,” said Harry taking a sip and sighed as the heat of the whiskey slid down his throat, warming his insides for a few seconds before the heat disappeared. “How are the kids?”

“They’re fine. They miss you. Especially Ron. He’s been itching for a wizards’ night out. He’s been practicing his bowling arm.”

“I swear I never should have taken him to the bowling alley,” said Harry in a mock tone. Both smiled at the joke.

“You should visit. The weekend isn’t far and it’ll be good for you to be there. The kids miss you.”

“I miss them as well, but I can’t this weekend. I have to be somewhere.”

Hermione nodded in understanding. “That’s all right. You can come over some other time.”

“Thanks, Hermione,” said Harry and smiled gratefully at his friend.

Both spoke for a while of old school days till Harry left for dinner. Hermione stayed behind to finish grading papers and would have her supper in her office. Walking into the Great Hall Harry sat down next to Draco as always and began to eat the steak in front of him.

“I heard something interesting from Julius House,” said Draco. “He said was thoroughly put down by a teacher that threatened to punish him if he didn’t pay attention in class.”

“I didn’t threaten,” said Harry. “I only gave him a warning. If he does it a second time I’ll deduct points. If he continues a third time I will give him detention. Strike three.”

“Strike three?” asked Pansy who was listening in. Harry nodded.

“Yes, it’s a Muggle term based on an American sport called baseball. A person goes up to bat and has to hit a ball like a Beater does a Bludger, only not to hurt people but to hit the ball as far as they can. If they miss hitting the ball over a plate on the ground it called a “strike.” If they miss three times then they’re out of the game.”

“Sounds almost interesting,” said Draco.

“It’s the only Muggle sport I think is closest to Quidditch, through I am a bigger fan of the latter.”

Draco turned to him in interest. “You like Quidditch?”

Harry nodded with an amused smiled. “I do,” he said. “I was even a Seeker at my school.”

“What was your favorite team?”

“The Kenmore Kestrels. Which are yours?”

“The Falmorth Falcons.”

“Oh, dear,” said Pansy under her breathe. Katie next to her heard the sound and giggled.

“My husband’s the same way,” she said. “Except Oliver is a Quidditch player, so it’s natural for him to talk about it.”

“Weren’t you a player once too?” said Pansy turning to the Magical Music teacher.

“In school. I’m a teacher now.” Both women looked at each other for a moment before turning to the food. Meanwhile Draco and Harry continued their talk.

“What type of broom do you have?” asked Draco.

“Firebolt. You?”

“Nimbus 2001. Antique compared to the Spitfire.”

“Just because something’s new doesn’t mean it better. Care for a Seeker’s Game sometime?”

Draco looked at him in surprise. “It is appropriate for teachers to play in the Pitch?”

Harry shrugged. “Who says we can’t? Is there a rule that says a teacher can’t have a life?

Draco looked at him in surprise. This man, who acted so familiar to Draco and yet so different, was an unpredictable person. He follows the rules set down for him yet he follows his own, and finds loopholes in the ones given to him.

“You would associate with us?” asked Draco. “Don’t you know who I am?”

“Draco Malfoy, of the prestigious Malfoy family, formally of Slytherin House at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, formally a member of the Death Eaters that followed the Dark Lord Voldemort, and now a Potions teacher and Head of Slytherin House of fore mentioned school.” Harry turned and smiled at Draco. “Or is that too explicit?”

“I see Granger has warned you away from me,” said Draco slightly irritated.

“I don’t care what she says, I make my own friends,” said Harry smiling at reassuringly at him. Draco smiled back in a polite manner.

“So I’m a friend now?” he asked.

Harry continued to smile sincerely. “To me,” he said.

TBC