16 Ch. 16

-5th September 1992 - Saturday Evening-

Leaning back in my cushioned chair, I allow a relieved smile at the stack of graded homework on my desk. Unfortunately, this is not all of the summer homework. I still have four more classes that need to turn in their summer assignments for grading, but it's mostly finished. All in all, I must say this was a productive day if you overlook the growing pile of unanswered fan mail resting in a bag to the side of my desk.

It was fairly simple to convince Hagrid to delve into the Forbidden Forest with me tomorrow to hunt a few beasts for my classes. Hagrid was in the middle of enlightening me on all he knew about acromantula when the golden trio showed up.

The arrival of those three turned into a 'golden' opportunity to boost my standing with my future monster catcher and the wizarding savior. I taught them an extremely useful charm weeks earlier than Flitwick would have, and I was able to reiterate the need for Ron to get his wand fixed. Of course, my impromptu lesson may have reinforced Hermione's crush on me. Good thing my teaching career will be ending in another nine months.

A knocking at my door causes me to look up right as Harry Potter warily steps in. Glancing at the clock, I see that it was already eight o'clock. Right on time.

"Ah, Mr. Potter, so good of you to join me," I say as I stand up and walk around my desk.

"Professor McGonagall said you would be holding my detention, professor," Harry cautiously said.

"I hope you're prepared to work. From your, and Mr. Weasley's little stunt, this will be a well-deserved punishment." I said as I gesture for him to take the seat in front of my desk. "You're just lucky I wasn't able to secure the other three detentions left to be served."

Harry resolutely marched forward with his eyes fixed on the chair. I give the boy a smirk as he looks up at me confused before looking back at the book resting on the seat of the chair.

"Page 217, Mr. Potter," I order as I move to return to my own chair. "You are to read it, copy it, and understand it. When you feel that you have learned it, let me know."

I ignore Harry's lack of manners and reach into the bag of unanswered fan-mail. An odd sense of dread and excitement rushes over me at the thought of responding to my fans. I know that Old Gil never failed to answer his fan mail, but that was born of vanity and narcissism. With gritted perfect teeth, I open the first of many letters.

I'm on my ninth letter when Harry's voice breaks the silence. "I'm done, sir," the young Gryffindor says.

"Are you?" I ask as I continue to finish writing my response to the elderly Margaret Shaw.

"Yes, professor," he replied as he studied me from across the short distance between us.

"Hmm... Do you have any questions?" I slowly ask as I gently blow on the lavender-colored ink to help speed up the drying.

"No, professor," Harry promptly replied.

"Well then," I gently say as I lean back in my chair and look over the scrawny savior, "I guess that leaves only one thing left."

As Harry continues to stare at me, I can't keep the smirk from my face. "En-garde!" I excitedly shout as I jump from my chair and draw my wand.

To the young boy's credit, he immediately dove out of his chair to avoid the yellow streak of light fired at him. "Excellent instincts, Mr. Potter," I excitedly compliment as I move around my desk to get a better view of the second-year.

As if sensing my intentions, Harry sprints from his hiding spot and attempts to dive behind a chair closer to the door. Unfortunately for him, he is struck in the back by a purple blur of light. Immediately, Harry breaks out into a well-executed performance of traditional Irish step dancing. I lean against my desk and take the opportunity to watch Harry's reluctant show.

With a spin jump, Harry faces me with a frightful expression on his face. If he didn't have his wand in his hand, I would be truly disappointed. "What are you waiting for, Mr. Potter?" I ask with a hint of annoyance in my voice.

Not seeing an intelligent answer coming, I elaborate my question. "The Tarantallegra Charm is a first-year spell, Mr. Potter, and I have it on good authority, that you are capable of casting the General Counter-Curse Charm. In addition, you did just inform me that you had finished learning the Shield Charm," I state as I begin inspecting my fingernails for any signs of dirt.

I can only imagine Harry's face when I suddenly hear him call out, "Finite Incantatem." Glancing up, I take in the joy-filled face of a still Harry Potter.

"Well done! Now, continuing," I cheerfully shout as I renew my assault on a fleeing Mr. Potter. "Remember the spell you just learned," I call after the franticly dodging twelve-year-old.

"Protego!" Harry suddenly shouts as he waves his wand in a large circle at my approaching spell. A white flash erupts around Harry as my jinx impacts his Shield Charm.

"Excellent! Bravo, bravo!" I joyfully shout to the stunned boy. "Again!" I warn before sending another jinx barreling towards him.

The next twenty minutes fly by as I force Harry into our little make-shift duel. While not successful in blocking every spell, Harry showed an uncanny understanding of both the Shield and General Counter-Spell Charms. He even attempted to fire his own jinxes at me, but after witnessing the ease with which I sent his own spell back at him, he wisely returned to a more defensive stance.

Walking up to the disarmed boy, there is no sign of my trademarked smile. "You did rather well, Harry," I solemnly say as I offer Harry his holly and phoenix feather wand. "The Shielding Charm is a fourth-year spell, and you learned in on your own in less than two hours. That is a feat few could boast about."

Harry quickly snatched his wand back and gave me a guarded stare as he attempts to regain his breath. I can't blame him, but I'm not worried about his hurt feelings.

"You know, when Dumbledore offered me this post, I turned him down," I say as I flick my wrist and send my wand back into its holster. The action doesn't seem to cause Harry to ease his guarded stance.

"Why would I accept?" I ask without a trace of humor. "I'm a well-known adventure. I have looks, gold, and an adoring fan base that most can only dream of. I have nothing to gain by accepting a teaching post.

"It wasn't until Dumbledore told me about you, Harry, that I relented and accepted this post," I finish while staring into the eyes of the Boy-Who-Lived.

Harry's eyes enlarged at my revelation, and his guarded stance broke. Before Harry could speak, I continued, "He has his eyes set on you, Harry, and when You-Know-Who returns, he will come for you."

"Voldemort," Harry quietly said.

"There is a reason we do not voice that name, Harry," I say after letting out a tired sigh.

"I'm not afraid of him," Harry sternly refuted as he lifted his chin in defiance.

"Do not confuse fear with cowardice," I reply in an equally stern tone. "Without fear, there can be no courage. But, there is another reason his name is not used. You see... Voldemort used a powerful piece of magic, called a Taboo, on his moniker. When someone stated his name aloud, it would inform him of where that person was. Voldemort would send out Snatchers by the dozens to every location where his name was spoken," I explain. "A great many people suffered due to some fool bravely calling out that name, Harry. Do try to be more aware in the future."

Properly humbled, Harry nods his head in agreement.

"Good," I wearily say before standing straight and donning a beaming smile. "You see, Mr. Potter, I have taken it upon myself, to ensure you are properly armed for the pending war," I declare heroically. "While this was a great first step, you are far from where you will need to be."

Harry gives me a bewildered expression at my sudden attitude change. I can only laugh at his gawking.

"Now, it is late, Mr. Potter, so off you trot!" I happily state as I'm shooing him out. "Make sure you get plenty of rest. Sleep is vital to a growing wizard, and don't forget a well balanced diet," I call after Harry as he makes his way into the hall.

I let my false cheer fade as I return to my desk. I still have much to do before I retire for the night.