The meeting with Dumbledore had gone just as I expected. He had originally been surprised by the request to join Hogwarts' faculty but the wily old man quickly agreed to the post. Especially after I had a minor duel with him.
It was a rather mundane match that did very little to actually prove my worth as a Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. Honestly it was a wonder the students learnt anything in this poorly run school. Shaking my head after the duel, I signed my name in the list of faculty for the four days remaining of the year. An option to come back next year should I wish. And, the kicker, the old coot seemed more than happy to give me the position. Gilderoy Lockhart had been a buffoon and more than that a fraud, suffering karma through his own failed obliviation attempt. The headmaster's mind was complex. I knew this much. It wouldn't be wise of me to directly go after him.
Dumbledore informed me of my responsibilities as the Australian Representative to the ICW whilst also explaining some of the responsibilities of teachers. Supposedly that bastard Magical Prime Minister had foisted the ambassadorship upon me. Most likely in the hopes that he could shirk some responsibility. Now, don't get me wrong. I could immediately decline and whoop his ass. But that wouldn't allow me to shirk a large amount of political shit back in Australia whilst also giving me a relatively entertaining and enjoyable seat to the madness that was Harry's life. The teaching responsibilities were exactly the same as those I had access to from my knowledge of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin and Ravenclaw. All rather droll really.
Boredom was snuffed when our discussion ended. Dumbledore welcomed me warmly, extending his hand out to take my own, kissing my knuckles before pulling back. His manipulative, mildly annoying, sparkling eyes watched my every movement. It all belied the grandfatherly nature he attempted to sheathe himself in constantly.
Fortunately for me, that rather irksome moment was interrupted by Professor Flitwick who, on Dumbledore's askance, offered to show me the Defence Against the Dark Arts class. DADA for short. Flitwick himself was rather kind. His fair features and obviously magical lineage made his general countenance endearing. Naturally the man that was one of the best duellists in the wizarding world was gentlemanly also. Though he did not seem the slightest bit attracted to me. A blessing truly. As it was, the majority of the male students above a certain age attempted to catch glimpses of me whenever they could. The female students were no different. Though half of them disliked the competition whilst the other half was openly ogling me with their eyes.
Oddly enough most of the latter students were of Slytherin. A curiosity for sure.
But all of this led me to my current situation. I had been traipsed through the halls before stopping at the DADA classroom where a massive skeletal remain hung from the ceiling and a rather plain classroom spread out before me. A small curved stairway led to the office in the back. Mortar, brick, stone and wood created a rather cosy atmosphere despite the usually grim topics discussed in the class. Yes the pun was intended. Back to the point though...
I was now thrown in the deep end from the start. Luckily I knew so many different topics and things that I could probably pull this entire thing out of my ass and still put on a good show. It was only going to be a 2nd year class. So it should be fine...
...
The students stepped through into the room. My own form cloaked beneath a notice-me-not charm and Disillusionment Charm. My nano-clothing had already formed witch's robes for me. Black leather boots, flat-soled, rose halfway up my calves, paired with sleek black jeans that hugged my lower half. Tucked seamlessly into the boots and fitted just comfortably enough to duel with ease. A form-fitting bodice of velvety black and rich purples, fastened with silver buttons, sculpted my torso and cleavage. Its flared collar folded inward to gently frame my shoulders. My arms were fully sheathed in the same fabric, ending in pitch-black gloves that felt less like a covering and more like a second skin.
All together I looked rather powerful, intimidating and hot, in my own opinion.
"I wonder who is teaching today..." Hermione Granger's voice echoed out as she walked in with Harry Potter. Ron walked behind them moodily as Neville walked at his side, shyly holding his books to his chest.
Many other students filed into the classroom soon after. Every one of them taking a seat and then talking amongst one another. Draco Malfoy sent animated planes towards Harry. The boy sombrely looked down at his desk, ignoring the attempts of Malfoy. Hermione glared at the young Slytherin whilst his groupies all started spitting vitriolic hate towards the young girl.
The group divides of Slytherin and Gryffindor were clear to see. A frankly annoying system that had been initiated within the school. I still couldn't understand why the founders thought to make a school split like this. Naturally the author had good reason. Entertainment mostly. But given the real nature of this world and thus these characters, it made little sense.
"Mud blood!"
Harry whipped his head towards Draco. His hand going to his wand as anger flashed over his features. Things were going to get heated, it seemed... "Better to stop it now then." A flourish of my hand and the Disillusionment was cast away. Shocked gasps echoed through the room and caused the two boys to look at me in surprise.
"Ahem, I don't think there is any need for that, Mr Potter." The boy-who-lived looked sullen. As if he were about to spend another amount of time with someone utterly useless at teaching him anything. I couldn't blame that thought either.
"HA! See Potter! This is wha—" I made a smacking motion in his direction and placed a silencing hex around his mouth. He wouldn't be speaking unless spoken to for this class.
"Enough of that Mr Malfoy. 10 points from Slytherin for foul behaviour. 5 points from Gryffindor for going straight to wands to solve problems..." Grumbles flooded the room for a few moments until I silenced them with my words. "Now, gentlemen, is that enough punishment or do we need detentions as well?" Both stayed silent. An agreement that this was enough.
"Good. Now! I apologise for the abruptness of my appointment. It is only four days from the end of the year and you all have suffered from an incompetent teacher." Hermione perked up. Her eyes glued to me and the board behind me. Nothing was written there yet. Even Harry seemed to perk up. His attention focusing on my speech.
"Regardless of the time constraints. Or the lack of familiarity with me. I would hope that you all can learn from me, in these four days, something that will forever be useful or at the very least informational." Hermione threw her hand up for a question. A small chuckle escaped my lips as I watched her enthusiastically await my call.
"Yes, Ms Granger?"
"What will we be learning... O-our previous teacher wasn't exactly clear on what we were working on next..." I let the words hang for a moment before smiling.
"Very well. Then why don't I start the lesson and we can quickly answer that very question?" I turned and strutted up to the blackboard. My hand wrote words in the air as magic imprinted them on the chalkboard for all of the students to see.
~What is Defence Against the Dark Arts?~
"Now, this is my first question. Is anyone willing to answer me?"
Hermione yet again put her hand in the air. Neville followed after her and so did Harry. Who seemed to be mulling over the issue still as he tried to answer. Draco put his hand up as well. A small smile coming over my face before I cut off the hex. Allowing him to speak once more.
"Mr Longbottom?"
"M-my grandmother says that Defence Against the Dark Arts is a field where you learn all the evil things in the world. Learn how to fend them off and save yourself." Nodding, I waved my right hand in the air and wrote down the correct part of his answer. Which happened to be all of it.
"Correct. 5 points to Gryffindor for a correct answer." I paused and then continued. "Indeed the purpose of this class is to inform you of the 'evils' and 'darkness' that is present within this world. It also serves the purpose of increasing your ability to defend yourself against external threats and perhaps, even, internal threats."
I paused to look at Harry before moving on a second later.
"Mr Malfoy, could you perhaps enlighten us with your perspective?"
"This is a class where we learn Hexes and curses. To stop those that would threaten Wizards and Witches. Put them under heel."
I sighed a touch.
"2 points to Slytherin for a semi-correct answer." He looked offended as I continued on. "In this class you are to learn of the curses, unforgivable and otherwise. Hexes are also a large part of this class. However, we do not learn these to bring 'heel' the other species that we coexist with."
"Potter?"
He stopped for a few moments. Churning my words within his mind. Before speaking out. His confidence seemed somewhat shot. His intelligence felt somewhat stifled from what I could feel and his magical power was draining constantly into the scar upon his head. In this moment I wanted nothing else other than to eradicate that Horcrux from existence. Probably would after four days.
"Defence Against the Dark Arts... I think... is in a way preparing us for being adults. There are things out there willing to kill us. To do unspeakable things to us... I think the core of this subject is to expose us, in small amounts, to reality."
I clapped a little and turned on my heel. The last of the board filling up.
"Correct! Wonderfully explained Mr Potter. You are indeed correct. My duty, my job, my responsibility, as your teacher, is to prepare you for the Dementor's attack. The Werewolf's bite. The Dragon's flames and ultimately the altogether scarier task of growing up! Take 20 points for Gryffindor, Potter."
He smiled widely. The compliments bringing a smile to his face that was so often never there in the movies. Or very few and far between.
"Now that we have that sorted. Time for introductions." They all paid attention. A good sign for my class.
"My name is Freya Bragisdottir. You can call me Professor Freya. I am your current 'DADA' teacher and also the political ambassador to the UK from Australia. Oh, and I'm the ruler of Australia as well."
All of them openly gaped at my statement as I giggled a little.
"Okay. With that out of the way... What can you all tell me about the muggle world?"
Crickets croaked through the room. Magically induced of course by Ron Weasley. The boy was more of a prankster than I thought. Despite the silence, Hermione eventually rose her hand into the air.
"Yes, please tell me Ms Granger."
"U-um, the muggle world has electricity and computers. They use science instead of magic to achieve their feats and beyond that they outnumber magical kind by 10-1."
"Is that all?"
She nodded awkwardly. It seemed her education on her 'muggle' side was lacking. She was still brilliant but that was an area that I looked to clear up as soon as possible.
"Thank you, Ms Granger. Now I will explain to you why I have asked this question." There was some sneering from Draco. Though he kept his mouth mostly shut.
"The Muggle world is ruled by countries, much like the wizarding world is governed by its own institutions and ministries." Everyone nodded along sagely. "But, as Ms. Granger pointed out, they outnumber us. And beyond that simple fact lies an even greater truth: their technological advancement."
"I want all of you to write this down in your books. 'Technology is equal to magic in the potential to cause harm.'" They all started writing down what I was and even copying my words.
"Secondly... These are to be categories of notes. The first is just as I have described. The second is: 'Magic extends beyond what we can perceive and currently observe.'"
"Yes, Ms. Greengrass?"
"How is technology equal to magic!? And what does the second phrase even mean???" She spat her words out, her frustrations clear for all to see, Draco nodding along.
"Hmm. Perhaps I can show you how technology is equal to magic." My clothes were replaced by normal everyday clothes in an instant as my nano-clothing condensed into the bracelet.
Gasps rang out as I took said jewellery off and handed it to Daphne Greengrass, the young girl blinking rapidly and looking down at the object before her.
"You can feel magic, can't you?" She nodded meekly.
"Then please, examine that bracelet and let me know if you feel any magic."
She did as she was asked, casting a Revelio over the top of the bracelet as she frowned heavily. Her breath hitched when she picked it up, her senses translating to her that there was indeed no magic with regards to this bracelet.
"B-but I just saw it slither off of you... How... how can it do that unless it is animated or charmed!?"
"And that is the lesson I wanted all of you to learn. Technology is equal to magic. It just follows a different path." They all waited on my words, my vision scanning them all before I spoke again. "This is nano-technology. It is what most wizards and witches would call enchanted clothing. This is science and technology at work here, however."
"Envision thousands of super tiny machines all working together like a beehive to simulate the texture, touch, comfort, and material that you wish. Forming clothes that could repel water. Repel dirt and dust. Clean you whilst you are merely walking. Defend you against physical damage. This is the power of technology. That is why it is equal."
Hermione was writing all of this down, sketching the bracelet and even drawing my face in her book. It was rather cute to watch her do all of that, but class needed to continue and this was already taking up a long stretch of time.
"On that note. How would you all like to learn a new spell? After that, we can continue these topics until your next class." Cheers exploded around the room, the note-taking being forgotten in all but three moments. Even Draco was happy.
This was all going rather well so far...
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