Euphoria ; Harry Potter [4] (DISCONTINUED)

Seven

Harry arrived at the entrance of the Great Hall, already able to hear the loud muttering of students behind the door like the buzz of a thousand angry bees. Thankfully, Snape had left Harry quickly, making his way to the teachers table in the Great Hall, leaving Harry to walk alone. Harry took a deep breath and opened the doors, walking in.

The chattering in the Great Hall stopped abruptly as all eyes turned to him. Then quickly the muttering started again as they all eyed his jeans and grey t-shirt, now covered in blood from where Malfoy had broke his nose.

Harry put his head down, trying his best to ignore all the talking and made his way quickly over to the Gryffindor table where Robyn, Ron and Hermione sat eating.

Robyn noticed him first. "Harry!"

Harry sat down next to Robyn, drawing Hermione and Ron's attention to him and they instantly noticed the blood.

Ron swallowed the food in his mouth. "What happened?"

Harry scowled. "Malfoy. What else? And then Snape."

"One good thing about this year--we never have to have a class with him again. I'm not taking Advanced Potions, not if it means we have to put up with that git." Ron said, going back to spooning as much food in his mouth as he could.

Robyn eyed Harry worriedly. The blood was all over him. She dipped her napkin into her glass of water and started gently dabbing the blood off his face, while looking at him saying; you're telling me exactly what happened later.

Harry couldn't help but smile, not bothering to stop her.

Hermione turned to Ron. "You'd have to if you want to become an Auror. That, and Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Ron shrugged. "Yeah, well, some things just aren't worth it, are they?"

Robyn sent a disapproving look to Ron. "That's not the attitude to have Ron. This is your future you're talking about."

Ron simply shrugged again and Robyn shook her head at him.
 
"I'm going on with Defense Against the Dark Arts, but I doubt Snape would let me in Potions anyway. Doesn't matter." Harry said.

"Maybe we can talk to Dumbledore?" Robyn suggested. "You got everything else you needed to become an Auror, so why should one grade stop you from doing what you want too. You still passed Potions anyway."

Before Harry could say anything back, Dumbledore stood up, rendering the Great Hall into silence.

"Welcome to you all."

Robyn again noticed Dumbledore's blackened hand. It looked no better, in fact it looked worse. Robyn couldn't help but feel concern for the Headmaster.

"His hand's not better." Harry said, turning to the others.

Hermione looked surprised too. "But it's been all summer!"

"I should like to introduce our new teachers to you. Will you welcome Professor Horace Slughorn, who has kindly agreed to come from his comfortable retirement to resume his old position of Potions Master."

There was a moment of silence. "Potions Master? I thought he was going to teach Defense." Ron piped up, sounding confused.

"I thought so too." Harry agreed.

"And the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be filled by Professor Snape."

More silence.

Harry moaned. "Oh, no."

Robyn couldn't help but sympathise with him. His favourite subject; the one he excells in, will now be taught by his least favourite teacher. Then again, Robyn wasn't much looking forward to Snape teacher either...