"I know that you're upset right now and that you're not really concentrating on any happy thoughts."
"And just how do you know that?" he asked.
"Well, my first clue was that scowl on your face. The slightly flushed look you've got was another hint. The fact that most everyone else in the room besides you is smiling helped to solidify that conclusion. Plus there's the fact that you were pretty upset at the start of class," Harry explained candidly.
"Well maybe if I didn't have to keep an eye out for those bloody Slytherins I'd find it a little easier to relax," Ron replied icily.
"I'm warning you right now, Ron. I won't tolerate your attitude in my classes. Blaise and Daphne are here because I invited them. I promise you that you have nothing to worry about from them. I realize that you have a lifetime's worth of prejudices and stereotypes to work through, but not every Slytherin is guaranteed to be evil. Not every Slytherin is a Malfoy or a Tom Riddle. If you can't understand that, then at least respect me enough to handle things should they get out of hand, but I will not allow any more outbursts like today, alright?" Harry was struggling valiantly not to raise his voice at his stubborn friend.
"Whatever you say, professor," Ron responded, turning his back on Harry and ending the conversation.
Harry sighed to himself and continued his rounds. He made sure that he stopped by each of the new members to welcome them and offer guidance. Everyone else had already had one lesson, well half a lesson anyway, before, but the new members were most likely performing the spell for the first time. When he came around to Blaise and Daphne, the two Slytherins, he found himself compelled to apologize for the behavior of his class.
"I'm sorry about everything," he told them, gesturing to the room at large. "They're really not bad people, just have the wrong idea about a few things. They'll come around eventually." 'Hopefully,' he added in his head.
Blaise nodded in agreement. "Don't worry about it, Harry. We didn't exactly expect a warm welcome."
"But we do appreciate the fact that you're sticking up for us," Daphne chimed in sincerely. "It's not easy being at odds with your friends, so it's nice to know that you're willing to go to that length for us."
Harry looked down at his shoe laces for a moment while he willed the heat not to rise to his face at the praise. "It was the least I could do. I promised you guys that I'd be fair, and I meant it. I only wish I could talk some sense into every one else. There's a few in there that you'll find have no problem at all, but unfortunately those aren't the outspoken ones." Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts and shifted topics. "Well enough about that, how are your Patronuses coming along? Let's see what you can do."
Blaise was able to produce a strong mist that, like Hermione's before, seemed to be on the verge of taking form but not quite there. Daphne, on the other hand, was barely getting any results. He noticed that her grip on her wand was a little too loose, causing some of her wand movements to lose their precision. So he spoke up. "Daphne, try tightening your grip on your wand. It should help make your wand movement more accurate."
She gave him a nod and tried again, this time with a firmer grip. As she said the incantation "Expecto Patronum" a bright, silvery cloud burst out of her wand. It seemed to be trying to form something but the image was vague. It looked to be some sort of bird. A bright smile lit up her face, and she turned to him. "Thanks Harry."
He returned her grin and said, "Anytime. Keep it up and you should have a fully corporeal Patronus in no time." He turned to Blaise who was congratulating his friend. "Yours is right on the verge of forming, Blaise, but something seems to be holding it back. You may want to try to find a better thought or memory and see if that helps." Blaise gave him a nod. "Well, keep it up, you two. I'm off to make my rounds." They gave him a wave as he moved on to help others with the charm.
By the time the class was about over, Daphne had managed to create a hawk Patronus. Blaise's Patronus was vaguely taking the form of some bear-like creature. Hermione was able to reproduce the otter that she had made the previous year, and several others added their own animals to the mix as well. Harry made his way back to the stage at the front of the class. He lifted the whistle that he had placed around his neck before the start of class to his lips and blew in it to gain the attention of the class.
"Thank you," he said as everyone stopped what they were doing to turn towards him. "We're just about out of time. I want to congratulate all those who were able to conjure a corporeal Patronus. For those of you that were unable to get yours to take form, don't get discouraged. It is really advanced magic that many adult wizards are unable to perform. We will revisit Patronuses for the beginning of class on Sunday before moving on. I should warn you that you may see some physical activity in class on Sunday, so I would advise everyone to dress appropriately. Thanks again for coming."
With that said, he stepped off the podium as most of the crowd exited the room. Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Luna, and surprisingly Cho lingered behind. Ron left with the rest of the group, obviously still upset. The other four milled on the other side of the room as Cho approached Harry. "I just wanted to say it was a very good lesson today, Harry," she said with a warm smile.
"Er, thanks, Cho" Harry replied, a little uncomfortable with the look she was giving him. "I appreciate the support."
"Any time, Harry," she responded. She threw him a wink, then sashayed out the door. Harry watched her for half a moment before shaking his head to clear it.
Harry strode over to his friends who all gave him enquiring looks. He ignored them and asked, "So, what'd you think?"
They, in turn, all ignored his question. It was Ginny who asked the question on all of their minds. "So what did Miss Chang want?" There was a definite suggestive tone behind the inquiry.
Harry rolled his eyes at her and replied, "She just wanted to tell me that it was a good lesson."
"Oh, I'm sure," Hermione joined in with a playfully derisive tone. "And she just had to wait for everyone else to leave the room before she could tell you this, did she?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "I'm the last person to ask if you want to know what's going on in that girl's head. I thought she was with Michael Corner now, anyway. So what are you lot on about?"
"Have we touched a nerve there, Harry?" Ginny questioned.
"Don't be silly," Harry waved his arm haphazardly. "Whatever there was between Cho and me is over and done with."
"I wouldn't be too sure about that, Harry. At least not for Cho, anyway. Didn't you see the way she was swaying her hips as she walked away?" Hermione asked jeeringly.
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