It was a beautiful day today and would probably be the last one for a while as it was nearing mid November. It had been a fortnight since the party and most of the nasty rumors had started to quiet down a bit. Ron and I had spent a lot of time together and tended to sneak out to the forest, lake or the Room of Requirement. Sometimes we even met Luna and Neville. Ron had insisted on spoon feeding me breakfast today and it was quite embarrassing. I could feel Malfoy's eyes on me, even though I wasn't facing him, and I could feel his snickering. It wasn't as though this could get any more embarrassing than this already is. Then I felt a tap on the shoulder. I looked up ready to tell the scum off when I saw —

"Professor! How are you doing Professor McGonagall?" I was so embarrassed.

"I'm doing quite all right, thank you Miss Granger." I Ron looked up to see who I was talking to and freaked out. "Mr Weasley, please refrain from choking Miss Granger." The hold on my neck loosened.

"Whoops, sorry Professor McGonagall."

McGonagall coughed loudly and pointed at me with her eyes.

"Whoops, meant sorry Hermione."

"It's ok Ron." I coughed out. His grip is tough.

"Mr Potter may I talk to you for a moment." McGonagall was looking at Harry with a strong intent.

"Of course Professor." He followed her out of the hall. Ron and I just sat there not saying a work until he came back. But he didn't come back.

***

When Ron and I walked into the Defense Against the Dark Arts class room that afternoon something definitely seemed off and the Slytherins seemed to be grumbling more than usual. I sat down with Ron at my usual desk at the front of the room and turned to Ginny.

"Ginny, where's Harry?" I asked her. "Ron and I haven't seen him since breakfast this morning." She didn't say anything but pointed up at the front of the classroom. I followed where her finger was pointing and fell out of my chair in surprise.

"Wha fh h Harry?" I eventually managed to splutter out. Harry laughed and walked over to help me off the floor. Then he walked back to his position at the front of the class room.

"So," he began,"Professor McGonagall has decided that Nearly Headless Nick is not a competent teacher for this subject any longer. She is asking me to teach instead."

"And why are we supposed to think that you are going to be any better Potter?" Asked the familiar drawling voice from the back of the room. Looks like someone has got his old swagger back.

"Hm Malfoy, let's think —" Harry said putting on a look of fake concentration. "Maybe it's because I have been able to produce a corporal patronus since I was in third year. No, that can't be it. Maybe it's because I defied Voldemort at least eight times. No, that can't be it either you literally lived with him for a while. Maybe it's because I've done this before with DA Dumbledore's Army. No. I really don't know Malfoy. I'm sorry she didn't chose you instead. I bet you would have made a much better teacher."

Harry put on a fake pout to show just how much he cared and allowed the class to react. Almost everyone was laughing, even some Slytherins.

"So I will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, even though I am a student and you will treat me as such." He thought for a moment. "I meant treat me as a Professor, not s student. Sorry if there was any confusion there. You are to call me Professor while we are in this classroom. One last thing before we get started. Due to my status as student professor, I am allowed to dock house points and give detentions. I won't be too strict, but I have no tolerance for bad behavior.

"Today we will be learning the patronus charm. I know that some of you can already do it, but some of you can't, some of you just need some work as well so I have decided, and McGonagall agrees that this is a good place for me to start. Stand up everyone and form a circle."

It was amazing how when Harry said that everyone got up and followed his orders. Wait. Scratch that. Malfoy and Zabini were still firmly in their seats.

"Get up you two or its ten points from Slytherin each." The two boys grumbling, got to their feet and walked over to the circle making sure to take as long as possible.

"Now, I want everyone to think of a happy memory. The happy memory, the best memory you've got. Once you have that memory let it fill your mind, raise your wand and say —"

"Expecto Patronum!" Ginny shouted and out of her wand flowed a white, wispy horse. The class applauded.

"Well done Ginny. Do you mind sharing with the class what your happy memory is so the class can get a good idea of one to use?"

"Yes," Ginny stared firmly. There was a long moment of awkward silence.

"Well Ginny?"

"I said yes Professor Potter." Ginny was laughing now. "Yes I would mind. I don't really think I feel like I should say what the memory is in front of all these people." Harry's face reddened and he turned away.

I decided to start so that it would be less awkward. "Expecto Patronum!" I watched as my Otter danced around the classroom.

All of the students from Dumbledore's Army got it right away no problem. I sat back and watched the many patronuses flying around the room.

"Of course," Harry said. "This will be much more difficult once we are facing a real dementor, but well done everyone." This news brought horror to the room, especially to Draco Malfoy the only student who had failed to produce a patronus the entire lesson. The bell rang for end of classes.

"See you all soon." Harry shouted out the door after us.

"I'll never produce a patronus." Malfoy mumbled as we walked out the door.