Cupid Wings

5. Defence

On Thursday afternoon, there was a knock upon Harry's classroom door just as Harry had got his sixth-year class settled and had done the register with his students.

'Enter!' Harry called.

The door swung open to reveal Draco in his professor's robes over slim dark-grey trousers and a slim-fit white shirt. His robes were trimmed with the yellow and black of Hufflepuff house and Harry had noticed that he always wore something to indicate the colours of his House. He exuded pride in being Head of the modest Hufflepuffs and it appeared that his House had taken to him with equal fondness.

Harry smiled welcomingly. Severus's words still rang in his ears despite the lack of progress in building a friendship with Draco. He'd tried. He really had. He refused to allow his temper show as Draco riled him during each meal they sat together, teasing him for every fault or flaw or mistake Draco could think of and sneering at his table manners or his clothes or Pads or his teaching methods. That was Draco's latest topic; deriding Harry's teaching methods.

Although it was only the second Thursday of term, it already felt like two monstrously long weeks of teaching and getting to know his students. It was, in truth, exhausting but he was relishing his return to Hogwarts and he was loving teaching with a passion.

'I have a free afternoon,' Draco drawled from the doorway. 'I thought I would experience the master at work and see for myself if the rumours were correct...'

Harry raised an eyebrow and a number of girls in the class giggled as they stared moony-eyed at the handsome blond professor.

'Take a seat then, Professor Malfoy. But if you join this class, I expect you to work and not laze in the back sending notes or whispering to your fellow classmates or asking inane questions because you weren't listening in the first place.'

There was more giggling, this time as a number of the students stared moony-eyed at Harry.

He ignored them, all too used to this sort of behaviour at the Ministry. 'Right then. This week we will be starting with shield charms in preparation for N.E.W.T. exam...' he took them through some revision theory work on the differences between the different charms and their strengths and what they would and wouldn't protect against. 'They are particularly difficult and not everyone can master them but as you have all chosen to take Defence at N.E.W.T. level, I expect it of you and with enough practice between now and your practical, you should, at the very least, be able to cast a basic level shield. To ensure you start practicing and establishing your familiarity, reflexes, and speed with casting, later this term I shall start testing you at unexpected moments, I will...' he paused to ensure he had their full attention. '...send a mild Jelly-leg Jinx your way without warning.'

His class stared at him with wide eyes.

'Don't worry, it doesn't hurt. But if you prefer, I can use a Hair-change Hex, I believe, Mr Thomason, you would look particularly fetching with Hufflepuff yellow and black stripy hair, it would beautifully match that tie that Professor Malfoy sometimes wears. Though as it's against the school rules, I'd best make sure I remember the counter-charm first...'

'...don't you dare threaten my students, Potter,' drawled Draco from his seat.

Harry winked at the class and a few people grinned, realising that Harry was ribbing Professor Malfoy. Maybe...

'No answering back or I'll have to deduct House points. Next time you have something to contribute to class, please raise your hand. Now, time for some practical learning. As per last week, please pack away your belongings and put your bags in a neat row at the back of room.'

The class stood to tidy away their things. It was done with a certain amount of speed. Word had spread quickly amongst the school that Professor Potter liked to teach using practical methods. And Harry had already made it clear that he didn't like tardiness and was strict but his practical sessions were also fun and he rewarded hard work and achievement with House points. Harry was pleased that he'd created a sense of welcome anticipation to his classes.