The rest of the day went by more smoothly than breakfast had gone. In DADA and Potions, Harry and Hermione hardly spoke to each other. Harry was mad at Hermione's persistent nagging for information. He hated that she felt like she could treat him as just another mystery to solve. She was mad that Harry was continually shutting her out. But as the day wore on, the tension between them began to dissipate.
Harry read Remus' reply after potions class. He retired to his office as Hermione went to Ancient Runes. As soon as he entered, he sat at his desk and tore open the envelope.
Dear Harry,
That's great. Congratulations. It really means a lot to me that you want to help me so much. I think the old hideout should work fine. You know when to meet me there.
I'm glad to hear that things with your club and Quidditch seem to be going well. You'll have to keep me updated on how your classes go. Teaching can be a rather rewarding experience, as I learned a few years ago. I hope that you enjoy it.
I can't really say anything much about what's going on in a letter for obvious reasons. Perhaps we'll find a chance to talk in person soon.
With Regard,
Remus Lupin
He was eager to see Remus but was weary of the circumstances it would be under. There were still a couple weeks left until the full moon, so he didn't dwell too much on it at the moment. He would have plenty of time to think on it later. Instead, Harry concentrated on his first HA class that night. Since it was the beginner class and he was starting them off where he had started the DA last year, there wasn't much planning to be done. Harry still found himself nervous about the class though. It was a larger group than the DA had been last year with well over 50 members. He hoped that he would be able to advance several of the new members into the intermediate class quickly to even the two classes out a bit.
After dinner, Harry went straight to the Room of Requirement to get everything ready. The room was similar to the one they had used last year, only bigger. A slightly raised small stage stood at the front of the room with a podium on it. As Harry walked up he noticed a whistle sitting there. He slipped it around his neck and began to think about how he would address the class to start. He needed to be authoritative but didn't want to seem unapproachable. It was going to be a very fine line between Professor Potter and Harry. He wouldn't let anyone call him Professor Potter, but that was the name he'd assigned to his HA persona.
As 7:00 drew nearer, students began filing into the room. Harry waited at the podium. He had the contract with him so that he could make sure nobody tried to sneak in that didn't belong in the class. At 7:00 he checked for anyone who hadn't signed, but no red light was seen throughout the room. Harry nodded his approval and began.
"Welcome, all of you, to the first class of the HA. You will all be starting out where the DA started last year with the basics of dueling. It's best to make sure you have the basics down before you move onto anything else. Without the basics, nothing else will really matter." Harry paused to let this information sink in. "With that said, we will begin by practicing expelliarmus."
There were some groans heard from some of the older students at this, but Harry held up a hand to forestall their complaints. "I'll tell you the same thing I told the DA last year: this spell saved my life against Voldemort." The usual gasp at the name swept through the crowd. Harry didn't bother to tell them that it was actually the fact that he and Voldemort had brother wands that had saved his life. What they didn't know couldn't hurt them.
"Those of you who prove to be adept at the spell will be able to quickly move on. But for now, I want everybody to partner up and begin practicing. I want you to trade off casting the spell at each other. I don't want to see any spells but expelliarmus being cast. That means no shields as well. I need to be able to see how powerful your spell is. It won't do any good if you're not able to even rip the wand out of your opponent's hand. Well, go on, pair off."
Harry waited as they followed his orders. "Begin." And they did. Harry walked through the students correcting anyone who needed it. He was happy to note that nobody tried casting any other spells. Several of the older students were only half-heartedly casting the spell. Harry walked over to one such student. Harry thought he was a Ravenclaw 7th year but wasn't sure.
"Let's see you cast that spell on me," Harry said to the boy. He drew his wand and waited as he went through the wand motion and sent the spell flying at Harry. Harry absorbed it and flinched at the impact but kept a tight grip on his wand. "That's one of the weakest spells I've ever felt. You'd have trouble disarming a first year with it. Now when I tell you to cast a spell, I mean cast the spell. Like this:" Harry waved his wand in a flash and shouted, "Expelliarmus."
The Ravenclaw was lifted bodily off the ground and thrown several feet back as his wand flew through the air. Harry reached out a hand and caught the wand as it sailed past. "Do you see the difference? Cast properly, this spell can be extremely helpful. But if you don't put some effort into it, you'll just end up embarrassing yourself. Now continue practicing with your partner." He turned to the rest of the class who had all stopped their own practicing to watch him. "All of you: back to work," he ordered.
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