Tannim's blog: "Harry Potter and the Mental War"

September 2^nd

Harry looked at his first class of the day, a group of fourth-years, and began the speech he had prepared for this day.

"All right, you all know who I am, so let's get some things sorted out.  In this classroom I'm not 'The Boy Who Lived,' 'The Chosen One,' or any of that rubbish.  I am 'Professor Potter,' 'Professor,' or simply 'sir.'  This is Defense Against the Dark Arts, and everyone here needs to take it seriously."  He paused to continue as he walked around the room.

"I will not show preference to anyone, even to my own House.  Arrangements have been made to remove even the slightest hint of that.  So if think you can slide by in here because you're a Gryffindor or a 'friend of Harry's,' think again.  Voldemort is still out there, gathering new support and plotting his revenge, and if you think he'll let you slide by, you will be fatally mistaken."  There were some gasps at his use of the name.

"I only have a few rules here, and I'll make them brief and simple."

"First, you need to be on time, quiet, and ready to get busy when class starts.  Self-discipline is important in this arena, and it may save your life in the real world."

"Second, I expect and encourage full attention and participation.  There are few wrong answers here, and failure exists only in not trying and learning what you are here to learn and I am here to teach.  Every great wizard was a student once, and they learned the same way you will.  You will get out of this class exactly what you put in into it.  It is up to you to put forth the effort.  If you don't think you can do it, then ask Gryffindor prefect Neville Longbottom about his story."

Harry continued to pace.  "Third, I expect your homework to be done completely and on time."

"Fourth, the Defense Association is optional for you to learn new things and add practice time for your studies.  I encourage you to attend these sessions as they will help you."

"Fifth, do not be afraid of using Voldemort's name.  You can call him Tom Riddle, which is his real name, or Voldemort, but none of this 'You-Know-Who' or 'Dark Lord' or 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named' rubbish.  Voldemort's name only inspires fear if you let it inspire fear, and doing so gives him an unnecessary advantage.  There is nothing to fear in a name, so don't put any fear into it voluntarily."

"Last, please raise your hands for any questions, and don't shout out.  An orderly class learns better."

"Now, in order to get it out of the way, for today and today only we will do exactly two things.  First, we will go over what we will be accomplishing during the term.  Considering that in my six years here as a student I've had a teacher possessed by Voldemort, a total fraud, a werewolf that actually taught well, a Death Eater impersonating an Auror who also actually taught well, useless Umbridge, and another Death Eater as professors, I think it's safe to say the lessons have been haphazard at the least.  So for the first three weeks we will be quickly reviewing what you supposedly were taught and fill in those gaps, one year a week, with a quiz on each Friday.  Only then will we progress to this year's lesson plans.  I assure you that every other year will be doing the same thing.  Expect it to be intense."

"Second, for the rest of this period only, I will sit here and answer any and all questions you may have about me and my past.  This will only be done today, and not ever again, so get it out of your system.  I can refuse to answer anything I deem too personal, and I don't date students, so any girls with ideas on that can forget it now.  And before you ask, the first answers are: red, anything by Molly Weasley, yes, no, and no comment.  The first questions are: favorite color, favorite food, was I the youngest Seeker in a century, any siblings, and boxers or briefs."  The class laughed.  "All right, who's first?"  Several hands went up.

And so it went, each period.  Harry laid down the rules and things seemed to go well.  With the sixth-and seventh year N.E.W.T. classes having record numbers, all the classes were about the same size.  McGonagall came down during a free period just before dinner to observe him with the second-years, and afterwards they talked for a moment before heading to dinner.

"I'm impressed, Harry.  You had their attention and kept it, and that's the first step in gaining their respect and getting them to learn."

"Well, I figured that me being me had part to do with it, but I also figured that by making the expectations clear and up front it would help.  The Q&A is to simply get past the hype I've gotten," he replied.  "This isn't about me; it's about them learning.  I think I got through to them on that.  Besides," he added with genuine affection, "you did the same thing my first year and I never forgot, even if Ron and I were late for Transfiguration that first day.  You laid it out straight what the expectations were, and I just borrowed that page from your book."

She looked down at him with a genuine smile.  "Harry, I think as a teacher, you're going to be just fine."

* * *

In the Hospital Wing, Ginny began her intern studies as well.  With Madam Pomfrey it was rather simple:  they would treat students as they came in, and the rest of the time was studying, keeping the wing clean and organized, and Q&A on the studies.  Ginny had a St. Mungo's-designed plan to follow, but Madam Pomfrey supplemented it with her own expertise and knowledge.  "I've been doing this for thirty years, you know.  Until your husband and brothers came along, I though I had seen it all, and that includes Potter's father and his lot.  You never stop learning in this field, never forget that."

Ginny had another idea.  "It seems that each area I'm studying is rather specific.  Are there Healers in St. Mungo's that specialize in these areas that I can talk to as well?"

"Of course.  The tricky part is scheduling, but we can work on that.  What you'll need to do for each is come up with a list of things you'll want to talk to them about to maximize their time."

"I'd like that, Madam Pomfrey.  If I'm going to learn this right, I'm going to want to learn from these people as much as I can."

"Please, call me Poppy, and we'll get you there.  I heard today that your husband told his classes today that the only failure is in not trying, and the same is true here.  I just hope your hands-on work in here is not so much on him.  He's been in here far too much over the years."

I'll do that "hands-on" work in private!

Ginny sighed.  "True, Poppy, but he's been through far more than a normal student.  Me, too, I guess.  I still get nightmares from what happened first year."

Pomfrey looked at her carefully.  "May I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"What you and Harry are going through with this Soul Bond, do you know anything about it's history?" asked Pomfrey.

Ginny frowned.  "Not really.  Dumbledore wasn't even sure himself.  It's supposedly very rare and hasn't happened for almost a thousand years."

"That's what I thought.  I see an opportunity here, if you and Harry will consider and agree to it."

"What do you have in mind?" asked Ginny.

"Well, seeing as there are no real records on what happens to a Soul-Bonded couple, perhaps you two could make one?  Kind of a journal to describe it?  It would be ground-breaking research."

Ginny thought about it then gently probed Harry with the link.  "He's in the middle of teaching class right now.  I'll ask him later.  I do see what you mean, though.  Would you be looking for physiological information, or more?"

"Physiological and magical at least.  If you want to go into the psychological and emotional side that would be excellent as well, but it is your choice, both of you," Pomfrey replied.

"We'll talk it over later."

* * *

Ron and Hermione collapsed into their bed.  It had been a grueling first day, with every teacher save Harry piling on the homework.  Harry had excused them from the Q&A session, simply because, as he explained to the class, they had already heard all of it before anyway, and in fact had lived most of it.  The couple took advantage of it to get a head start on their homework, but even with that, they were exhausted.

"And we've got prefect duty tonight!" Hermione moaned.

Ron looked at his watch.  "Well, 'Mione, it's 5 now, dinner is 6-8, and we go on duty at 9.  I suggest a nap until 6:30, then dinner, then homework, and we can figure out a way to multitask homework and prefect duty." He let out a large yawn.

"How can we multitask that?"  Hermione asked.

"Let me think a minute."  Ron frowned, then brightened.  "I have it! Dobby?"

The elf arrived with a crack and a bow.  Mizzer and Mizzez Wheezy called Dobby?"

"Yes, Dobby.  Can we get dinner sent up here at 6:30, and can you ask Harry if we can borrow the Marauder's Map?  Then can you stay with us on prefect duty to help us get somewhere in a hurry if need be?"

"Easily all done, Mizzer Wheezy.  Dobby will take care of it."  He disapparated with a crack.

"Nice ideas, Ron," Hermione said.  "Now how about that nap?"

Ron smiled and lay back, and Hermione curled up in his arms.

"When did you get so organized? Hermione asked.

"You finally rubbed off on me," he replied.

"I like that idea," she purred, and rubbed his arm playfully as she snuggled in closer.

Merlin, I love this woman! was his last thought as they drifted off to sleep.