When All is Lost One is Found

Chapter 33: Shaky Duel

When All is Lost, One is Found

Author: Rinoaebastel

Chapter 33: Shaky Duel

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than writing practice. Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling.

AN: This story may contain scenes taken from the Harry Potter movies and books, but it's not exact dialogue, just rewording of dialogue or omission. It is not marked.

September 1996

The first and the last days of the school week were always the worst. Today was Friday so the kids were louder and thought they could get away with more for some reason. Perhaps they could with other professors but not with him. He was the same no matter what day of the week it was.

Granger got up from the table. She was alone again and he noticed she hadn't touched much of her food. The whole week had been the same. She ate a little while sitting at the corner of the table, focused on her book almost the entire time, and then left with no one following.

His eyes searched the table until he found Weasley and Potter together. They looked like they didn't have problems. As if the girl never existed in their lives.

He rose from his seat with quiet elegancy and followed Granger. He had a class to teach and he was going to enjoy it immensely.

With quick steps, he reached her in the corridor that went to his classroom. He felt her eyes on him and his steps became slower against his will, matching her pace. The look she offered to him was strange. Gratitude and respect.

"Good morning, professor."

He only replied with a bow and forced his steps to go faster, breaking any kind of contact. After a small walk, he opened the door.

A smirk crossed his lips as he saw some startled students. He continued his walk until he reached the teacher's desk. Granger came in a minute later, taking a seat in the last row. Another strange behaviour that peaked his curiosity.

He looked at her and saw a brief smile as she put the book on her table. What in Merlin's name was wrong with her? He refused to accept more gratitude from her.

He turned around, not wanting to deal with that right now.

Thankfully, the classroom started to fill and the chatting stopped. He didn't have much patience today. Not when the groups he was teaching were Slytherins and Gryffindors.

"All of your classes in this subject have been mediocre and taught by unsuitable professors. In taking this course with me you will learn the reality of the Defense against the Dark Arts." He moved his hand, uncovering the multiple pictures with grotesque images in movement. "All these are curses and their effects. You need to look at them so you can learn the consequences of using these curses. It will teach you to respect these arts and fear them. It will give you pause when you think about using them in unwarranted situations. Also, in knowing everything about them, you will have a chance of protecting yourself against them."

He paused for a moment and studied his students. The reactions were as expected. Very few students were calm. Some looked horrified at the pictures, while others looked as if they were going to vomit. And Potter was infuriatingly controlled. Not even cowering in disgust. The boy was just defying him with his eyes.