The DADA Class
Harry's eyes crack open as sunlight gleams into the room. He groans, sitting up in bed and looking around the room. Harry pulls his covers off and goes to look out the window, the sun is just skimming the horizon. He needs to stop waking up so early. Harry grabs a pillow and rests against the window, staring at the colourful sky. He hears a bed creak behind him and smiles. Harry turns to see a very disgruntled Draco, wrapped in a thin blanket, shuffling towards him. Draco's hair was fluffy, and his eyes were still sleepy. Harry grins at the blond boy before turning back to the sunrise. He feels Draco sit across from him, their legs leaning against each other. They both sit in silence for a while before Harry feels Draco shivering. Harry looks over to Draco, who has his head tucked on his legs and his body curling inwards. Harry looks back to the window, but not for long though. Draco keeps shivering, and Harry notices that Draco keeps glancing at him with hopeful looks. Harry turns to face Draco fully before sighing and shuffling away from the window, leaving a gap large enough for a person to fit in. Harry pats the space next to him, and Draco's eyes light up. Draco quickly shuffles next to Harry, snuggling against his body. Harry wraps an arm around Draco, pulling him closer. Draco leans his head on Harry's shoulder and sighs contently. Harry rests his head on Draco's, them both watching the sunrise in peaceful silence.
"Good morning," Harry mumbles into Draco's ear.
"Morning," Draco replies through a yawn.
Harry smirks, leaning away from Draco to get a good look at him. Draco turns to face Harry, smiling when he saw Harry staring at him. Draco rests his head back on Harry's shoulder, closing his eyes and relaxing against the warm heat. Harry chuckles before looking at the alarm clock on his bedside table. It read 6:37.
"It's 6:37 now. Breakfast is at 7 and classes start at 8. Should we get ready?" Harry says, turning back to face Draco.
"Yeah, I guess. What do we have first?" Draco replies, shifting to look at Harry.
"I think Defence. Didn't McGonagall say that would be in the forbidden forest?" Harry answers.
Draco shrugs.
"Yeah, she did. Im going to get ready so im not late. Everyone else is probably up already." He says, crawling around Harry to get up.
Draco then went to his closet, pulling out some green embroidered robes, and pulling them on. He then grabs his washbag and heads to the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Harry sighs before following suit. He changes into his robes and turns to the mirror he has on his wardrobe door. He is a bit shocked at the boy staring back at him, a little haggard-looking, but he shrugs it off. He tries to flatten his hair before giving up and giving it a quick brush. He grabs his toothbrush and toothpaste before heading to the bathroom. He opened the door to see Draco inspecting himself in the mirror, seeming to be talking to himself. Harry walks forward, wrapping his arms around Draco's waist from behind. Draco jumped a little at the contact, but he relaxed when he saw it was Harry. Draco smiles at Harry before going to brush his hair. Harry brushes his teeth and washes his face with water before tuning and heading back to the dorm. He put his stuff away, taking out his schedule. Yep, DADA was first. Harry decides to consult his friends before taking his book, so he heads to the common room. There are quite a few eighth years scattered around. He sees Ron and Hermione in a corner, chatting away and researching in books. He walks over and sits down beside them. When Hermione notices Harry is sitting down beside them, she snaps her book shut and smiles a little too wide. Ron looks at Harry, the same expression on his face. Harry ignores it.
"Hey, guys. How'd you sleep?" Harry asks.
"Alright. Do you think we should take our books to DADA?" Ron replies, looking from Harry to Hermione.
"I wouldn't. If we're doing it in the forbidden forest, it's mostly going to be practicles, im assuming. Also, where would we put them, the ground? I think not." Hermione answers.
"I guess you're right. Should we head down to breakfast or wait for the others?" Harry asks.
"Im starving, so let's go," Ron says.
The trio heads out the portrait hole and down the stairs, arriving at the great hall with enough time to have a good breakfast before class. They sit down and begin to chat about random things while slowly eating breakfast. By the time the post came, most of the school was there. Harry was talking to Ron about Quiddich teams he could try out for when he felt someone hugging him from behind. He smiles and turns to see Faye smiling up at him.
"Hey, Fifi. Did you sleep good?" Harry asks.
"Yeah. I made friends with this girl in my dorm. Her name is Abby Thomas. She's really nice!" Faye replies, happily nibbling on some toast.
"Good for you. Did you get your schedule yet?"
"Yep! I have Charms, then Potions, then after lunch, Tranfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures. I can't wait to meet my professors!" Faye squealed.
"Can I see your timetable? Thanks, yeah, see here? For Charms, you have Professor Flitwick. He's nice, and he's fair. For Potions, you have Professor Snape. He's your Godfather, so that should be a breeze. Tell me, though, if he's treating you unfairly. For Tranfiguration, you have Professor McGonagall, also Headmistriss, the lady who was speaking yesterday. She's strict, but she's head of Gryffindor house. Then, for Care of Magical Creatures, you have Hagrid. He's super nice and friendly and he's obsessed with animals. You'll love him. Don't worry, your classes will be easy. Plus, you'll have loads of fun, I know it." Harry says, pointing out where her classrooms are on the Marauders Map.
"Alright, if you say so. Ooh! Abby is there. im gonna go over to her. See you at lunch, Harry!" Faye says, running off to her friend.
Harry chuckles and turns back to Ron, who is staring at him like the night before. Harry rolls his eyes at his friend.
"Sorry mate, just not used to seeing you like that," Ron says.
"Like what?"
"Like, considerate, kind, patient, etc- Ow!" Ron laughs, rubbing where Harry smacked him on the arm.
Hermione rolled her eyes at the boy's antics, going back to her food.
"Cmon, finish up, 'Mione. We have to get going soon. Im curious to who our new DADA teacher will be." Ron groans.
"Alright, alright. Let's go then." She sighs, standing up and leading them to the grounds as the tables clear and everyone starts filing out. They all wait near the edge of the forbidden forest for their class and see Draco, Pansy, and Blaise walking towards them. The group then heads to the clearing they will be meeting at with the rest of the class. They enter the clearing to see a figure waving their wand, a hood covering their face. The figure turns when they hear the sound of footsteps.
"Hello, students, I am your new DADA professor, Professor Brindlemore. Please wait to the side with your other peers as I finish setting up." A husky voice says, pointing to a spot under a tree where a few other students are sitting.
The group heads over, sitting under a tree, waiting for more people to arrive. Slowly, the clearing fills with students, the Gryffindors and Slytherins, who have a shared lesson. Professor Brindlemore finishes up and turns to the waiting class. She shakes her head at the students who brought textbooks.
"No textbooks are needed in my class. We will be solely be focusing on spells. Please place them on the side before we begin. People with long hair, tie it up. I am Professor Brindlemore, I am your new DADA teacher. Today, I have set up a course through the forest. Dont worry; nothing that you encounter will seriously harm you. You will go in pairs and figure your way through the forest, emerging at the far side of the lake, where your next task will be waiting. You will be tested on your performance of spells, how well you can do non-verbal spells, how well you act under pressure, and how quick your reaction times are. Each pair will go 10 minutes after each other; if you encounter another pair in the forest, do not trust them; they might not be your classmates. Some creatures you will encounter include Boggarts, Dementors, Arcomantulas, Manticores, Trolls, Thestrals, and more. The most dangerous creature you might encounter is a Dragon, specifically, the Hungarian horntail. Stick to the path, and you should make it out with minor injuries. As I said, you might not even encounter a Dementor, for they are free in the forest. I trust you know a handful of defensive spells, for only they will be used. You may only attack the creature if it attacks you first. Right, get into partners and get in a line. We will begin in 5 minutes." She finishes speaking and turns away.
She turns back before adding,
"The path is illuminated by light blue torches. If it's dark blue, do not follow. They are trying to lead you into a trap." She says, turning away and walking to the start of the course.
Everyone sits for a while before she claps her hands to get everyone moving. Hermione pairs with Pansy, while Ron pairs with Blaise. Harry turns to Draco, who is looking like he just got told that Voldemort is back. Harry shakes his arm, causing Draco to snap out of his trance. Draco turns to Harry, looking very scared. Harry smiles reassuringly before moving to join the line, still grasping Draco by the arm. Professor Brindlemore smiles at each pair that goes in, exactly 10 minutes in between. Hermione and Pansy go first, holding each other's hand before sprinting into the dark. Ron and Blasie go after, nodding at Brindlemore before running off. Harry and Draco are next. They approach the front, getting out their wands. Professor Brindlemore smiles at them before waving her wand at the forest. They sprint off into the darkness, suddenly appearing in the middle of the Forbidden Forest.