Chapter 80: Getting to know each other

The DADA classroom was packed to the brim. Never before as it welcomed so many students at once. Not for a seventh-year class at least. When the average was around twenty five students today and for the rest of the year, Rick would have to teach double that number. Forty seven to be exact. From different schools, speaking different languages. Thankfully he had warded the entire room with a modification of the translation spell. Not like Durmstrang students really needed it since the school official language was English but it was better to stay on the safe side when you studied apex predators of the dark creatures. It mattered a lot for the students from Beauxbatons who, while not as versed in English even though in seventh-year.

“Alright. Raise your hand if you understand me properly.”In front of him all the students but one did.

“Monsieur Martin, approchez s’il vous plaît.” (Mister Martin, come closer, please.)

A tall young man, taller than Rick which was quite the feat, made his way towards him and Rick tapped his shoulder with his wand.

“Better now?”

“Oh! Yes, way better, Professor. How did you do that?”

“I just linked you to the translation ward in the room. I must have missed you when you entered, my apologies.”

The young man went back to his seat and Rick was ready to begin the class when a knock on the door was heard. He was surprised to see that the one who interrupted was Rose.

“Miss Potter?”

“I’m sorry, professor. I got the seventh-year schedule quite late this morning.”

“When you’re in-”

“As a champion I don't really need to go to class but I thought that if I‘m going to survive, I better attend the classes that matter.”

“... Clever. Take a seat…. The only one left is next to Miss Delacour. Don’t disrupt the class.”

Rose nodded and sat near her fellow champion. Immediately she felt a sense of blissfulness trying to invade her. Having inherited her mother’s stubbornness and her father’s competitive nature, she resisted the unnatural feeling quite well. She went totally immune when she occluded her mind.

“Bonjour. Pouvez-vous arrêter ça, s’il vous plaît?” (Hello. Could you stop it, please?)

The sudden perfect French that came out of Rose’s mouth surprised Fleur and brought her out of whatever state of mind she was.

“Pardon. Je ne suis pas très matinale et souvent mon contrôle sur mon allure m’échappe un peu à ce moment de la journée.” (My apologies, I’m not much of a morning person and often my control of my allure slips a bit at this time of the day.)

The feeling of blissfulness went away immediately and for the first time Rose got to have a very good look at the girl. White-gold hair and moon-bright skin were pretty indicative that Fleur Delacour was a veela. Or a part one. Simply smiling at her competitor, Rose said nothing. She had witnessed her Aunt Marlene and Duncan in the morning, and understood how hard morning could be for some people.

“Alright. We started the year slowly by seeing the Dementors, the nundus, the acromantulas, basilisks… what else…. Yes, Diggory?”

“Quintapeds, Lethifolds, Chimera and Manticores, Professor.”

“Yeah, we did.” Rick grinned.

The students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were a bit shocked by that. In two months, Hogwarts students saw no less than eight species. That was almost like the entirety of the school year. And that was going ‘slow’?

“Don’t worry. I’ll give you all the materials to study those in your spare time. My door is also always open if you have questions. It sounds and seems like a lot but really it’s not. By the end of November if you’ve been diligent you won’t have any problem with it.

On a side note, if you’re aiming for a job that makes you travel a lot, like Magizoologist, Curse-breaker or Hit wizard, you should learn the translation spell. I’ll be in my office at Five if you want to learn it. Now back onto topic. XXXXX creatures. Today we’ll start with the most diverse kind that will take us a few weeks to go around completely. Anyone want to take a guess?”

“Dragons!” an excited voice answered.

“Correct, Miss Lacroix.”

Rick conjured dragons out of thin air for everyone to see. They were not actual dragons of course but quaffle size plushies. In Rose’s opinion they were really cute.

“There are many dragon breeds. All have their particularity, all have their quirks. At the end of the day… They’re just big, fat lizards with wings and spitting fire. Their scales and hide are the most magic resistant organic material in the world. Except maybe… ;Yes, Bumley.”

‘So that’s his name.’ thought Rose as her father invited a seventh-year brown haired Ravenclaw to answer.

“Basilisk skin, sir. Originally, Basilisk’s hide is not as resistant but the older it gets the stronger the resistance. In theory it’s possible for the skin to be sturdier and more magic resistant than a dragon’s but it would need to be a century older at least.”

“Yes. Because of such a resistance to magic, handling dragons is particularly difficult on top of being dangerous. That is why dragonologist are paid so well. The job is so difficult and risky that there are only two types of people going for it. Those desperate for money or those who really love dragons. Either way both are a bit nuts. Dragons are not invincible creatures however. Like everyone and everything else they have weaknesses. Any ideas on what they are? Mister Krum?”

“Their eyes, sir. They are not protected.”

“Yes. Excellent answer.”

Turning her head a bit to look at her other competitor, Rose was surprised to see Krum almost preen at the praise. He didn’t seem the type.

“Dragons’ eyes are more or less right in the open. Their eyelids, while made of their own leather, are so thin that spells, if powerful, would do some damage. The conjunctivitis curse is a very efficient way to deal with a dragon. It was created for this after all. It’s quite difficult to fight a dragon with it however.

Eyes are small and you need good aim. It’s also very painful for the dragon and depending on the species, that could get you in even more trouble because you enraged it. That’s why it's imperative to know every dragon species from top to bottom. Now, can anyone tell me another of their weaknesses?”

Rose spoke up out of nowhere while other students were thinking about it.

“Their mouth.”

“Yes, Miss Potter. Although it’s a vague answer. Could you elaborate?”

“The insides of a dragon are not magic resistant, Professor. Should you cast a spell and hit the inside of the mouth or further down the gullet it would be effective.”

“Good answer. Any spell would have an effect if you hit the inside of the mouth. It’s a greater weakness than the eyes, however, very few think about it because the only reason a dragon would open its maw for you is either to burn you into cinders with their firebreath or to take a bite out of you.

That’s why eyes are the more commonly known weakness. Spells work of course but so do potions. Dragon handlers often lace the food with potions or drugs to make their lives easier when a dragon needs to be treated or transported somewhere. Any other weaknesses you know about? Mister Krum.”

“Numbers. Dragon magical resistance is just that. They’re not immune to magic.”

“Yes! It’s the most used method by dragon handlers. Shoot at the same time the same spell in great numbers. The sum of magical power from each spell needs to overwhelm the dragon’s magical resistance to have an effect. If they don’t have sleeping draught or food to use or if the dragon is not hungry but agitated then an onslaught of stunners would do the job. Again, depending on the species, the number of people you need to stun a dragon may vary. I’d like one more weakness, plea- Miss Delacour.”Looking at her deskmate, Rose noticed immediately the change in demeanor with the older girl. When she was a bit apologetic and quite nice earlier when she talked to her she was now acting a bit snooty, cold and vain. She wondered why that was.

“The mind. Dragons can be charmed, and befuddled. Not an easy task but possible.”

“Indeed. The requirements for that are very, very high. One needs to be magically powerful and be very good at charm because we’re not talking about a simple confundus here. We’re talking about tricking the very developed senses of a dragon, one of the most dangerous apex predators.”

Rick brought down a huge wide screen in front of the students. and closed the windows’ curtains before going to the back of the room. He conjured a desk near the door and pulled out his projo-pensieve from his pocket.

“With the exception of Miss Delacour’s answer. Let’s see how dragon handlers exploit the dragons’ weaknesses.”

He put his hand on the round part of the projector and immediately a memory of his began to be displayed on the white sheet. They studied for twenty minutes like that before the short movie session ended. With only a quarter of an hour left, Rick didn’t pursue the lecture further.

“Your homework for next class is simple. I want three to five inches about all the specificity of three different breeds. I also want ideas on how you would deal with a dragon outside the four ways we saw today. No more than a foot and a half for this.”

A Drumstrang student raised her hand. “Hm, professor?”

“Yes?”

“Next class is tomorrow, we won’t have the time?”

“Oh yeah. I forgot to tell you about that. Tomorrow is Practical day. We will gather at the quidditch pitch for some… practice. You better bring a change of clothes because you’re all going to sweat. When I say next class, it’s next class here. So in three days. That’s enough time for the bit of homework I gave you.”

“Your father is quite the slave driver.” Fleur whispered to Rose. One of the redhead’s eyebrows rose instinctively in surprise. She didn’t think she would be talked to.

“He is demanding, yes. It’s to push us to do better. By the end of the month you should be used to it without any problem if you put in the effort.”

“Are all Professors…”

“Like this?” Fleur nodded her affirmation. “No but some are quite strict. Like Professor Snape but only because he teaches potions and potions are no joking matters. The homework he gives is heavy but he gives us plenty of time for it. My dad is… a bit stricter because you’re in your last year. It’s to make sure you’re ready for the job you want to do once you graduate. Otherwise, he’s rather tamed with every year except maybe the fifth-year because they’re passing their OWLs”

“That’s the British mid-level national exams, right?”

“Ye—.”

“Hey Rose!”

Rose turned around and saw Cedric making her way towards her. Fleur discreetly left the room.

“Going for all the seventh-year classes?”

“No. Just the ones I think I’ll need to survive that bloody tournament.” Rose shook her head disgruntledly.

“Well, that’s good. It would be a shame if you don’t make it out and … Look. I’m not mad you’re the Champion. No that’s a lie, I’m a bit pissed that I’m not but also that someone put your name in the goblet. Most of Hogwarts is behind you. Although there are some idiots that think your parents helped you get in the tournament, you know the ones, I’m sure.”

“I have some idea, yes.” The Blood purist in Slytherin led by Nott and his cohort mainly was the thought she had.

“The face you made and your parents’ reactions when your name came up said it all. You clearly didn’t put your name in the goblet. Besides, everyone knows that you’re not ambitious at all and are not interested in glory. What I mean is: if you need help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you, Cedric. I’ll keep that in mind.” She genuinely smiled at the older boy.

“And please, for the love of Magic, talk with Susan. She drove everyone insane in the common room all day, yesterday. One moment she’s ranting, the next she’s crying and the next she’s on the warpath to find the guy that entered you in the tournament. For a moment I thought she was channeling her aunt and that was terrifying. ”

She couldn’t help herself and laughed. That was so much like Susan to change her mood so fast for her.

“I have herbology with her right now, I’ll give her a few words.”

“Thank Merlin! And Thank you!”

Laughing again, Rose made her way towards the greenhouses where she found Susan, Hermione, Neville, Draco and Daphne Greengrass. The slytherin blonde witch joined the group of friends in her second year when she was sure that Draco wasn’t just playing an act about not being interested in blood purity or Voldemort. He was a Malfoy after all.

“Hey girls!”

“Rose!” Susan jumped on Rose and took her into a bone crushing hug. The heiress of House Potter wasn’t even mad. She loved Susan’s hugs, especially since they felt so good.

“Girls? What are we, Neville? Chop liver?”

“No but with your perfect face you could be mistaken for a girl.”

Everyone had a good laugh at the joke. Draco was notoriously known to be good looking. He had taken after his mother and his facial features were a bit effeminate. He was losing them bit by bit as he grew up which, in his opinion, was a very good thing.

“I wasn’t going to say ‘boys’ when you’re in a minority.”

“Yeah, yeah. Girls dominate and all that. That’s great. Now what the hell happened, Rose?”

“Someone wants me dead, Suzie. Probably one of Moldy-shorts old followers. They can’t get to my parents directly, so they got to me.” she replied with the rehearsed lie she had come up with.

“But why you when you have younger siblings?” inquired Hermione.

“Voldemort’s followers are not the brightest of people, Hermione. Maybe they didn’t think of it?” Daphne wondered but she had the feeling there was more to it.

“Oh quite the contrary, Daphne. They knew what they were doing and that was quite smart of them. Rose is the official Heir of House Potter and House Gryffindor. Her death wouldn’t change a thing in House matters as Camelia would succeed her but in terms of reputation and politics that would be catastrophic for the Houses and also her parents. Lords and Ladies who can’t protect their heirs are seen as weak. They may lose allies at the Wizengamot.” explained Draco.

“Well, they picked the wrong family to go after. I may not win that bloody tournament but I will survive it.”

She went inside the greenhouse and passed the time. She didn’t really need to be present because already she knew the material. However spending time with her friends mattered a great lot to her. It gave her confidence and brightened her day. Herbology was in fact the only class of her year she went to. She had disregarded her electives completely and Astronomy. As for the seventh-year classes, she attended the lecture of only one: her father’s. It was DADA and she believed it to be the one class that will help her survive the most. The rest of the time she worked on transfiguration and charms on her own furthering way beyond her years of education.

The practical DADA class was completely draining. At the end of it her bruises had bruises and her cramps had cramps. She fared better than most Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students. She’s been playing quidditch for years and after two years of experience with her dad’s teaching style she could endure the training. It was brutal however. Way more than what her friends were going through. She wasn’t surprised when she heard that. Her father had adapted the training for each year, making it harder the higher year you were. That also meant that Rose's learning curve was quite steep. Not like she had any complaints about it. If she had to deal with all her other classes maybe, and it was a very small maybe, she would have. But she didn't, so she didn’t.

“Mon Dieu. Je ne sens plus… mes jambes.”

Fleur was on the ground next to Rose. She was sprawled on her back like a star and breathing loudly.

“Vhat did she say?”

“She can’t… feel her legs… anymore.”

The three Triwizard champions had been grouped together by Rick. He argued that by isolating them he could prepare them better for the tournament. Like a special training only for them. Since they were not learning spells or anything of the like which could give an advantage to their rivals, Fleur and Viktor agreed while Rose didn’t really care. If she did, it was to get to know them better.

“Da. It burns good. Show of progress.”

The disadvantage of training on the quidditch pitch was that the space was way too big and the terrain too changing to put up a translation ward. As such students were either using the charm on themselves or had to make do. Some refuse to use the charm simply to improve their English. Like Krum and Fleur chose to do.

“In month, exercice von’t tire much.”

“That’s true. I think… My fath- Professor Potter pushed us so we could empty our heads about everything. Vent a bit, you know?” Krum nodded in understanding being a quidditch player himself and often doing physical exercise to feel better.

“Zis is… Zis is… Ugh!”

Rose looked at Fleur with amusement. “See the bright side of it. You won’t have to watch what you eat anymore.”

“More vatch out you eat enough.”

The three champions got a good laugh at that. When Fleur felt better and tried to get up. Viktor and Rose offered her a hand. She was surprised a bit but after a moment of indecision took them and was pulled up on her feet.

“Zank, you. I confess, you are nozing like I expected, Krum.”

“Da. Many people see only quidditch player. Not wizard, not me.”

“A shame. I mean you’re sure imposing and a bit intimidating but you’re quite nice.”

“Oui. And knowledgeable. You surprised me yesterday in zees class.”

“Curse-breaker is back up plan if quidditch fail. You are not vhat I expected either. Not snooty in truth.”

“Non. It is for ze otters. Zey see me as less of what I am so I act ze way zey deserve.”

“Veela?” Fleur nodded at Viktor’s question. “Idiots.”

“So you entered the tournament less for the glory but more to prove something to the morons around you.”

“Da.” / “Oui.”

“Vhat about you? You are спокоен.”

“I’m what?”

“I zink 'e means ‘calm’, oui? You are not afraid? Nor panicking.”

“Da.”

“Well… I am afraid but I won't let it get to me. If I do, I’ve already lost. As for panicking… I can’t do anything about my situation. Oh, I can cry, I can sob, I can scream and complain but it won’t change a thing. A waste of time that could be better used in preparing myself. That, I can control.”

“You are movin' forward and takin' all in ze stride.”

“Good mindset.”

“It’s a Gryffindor trait. I don’t mean my family, I mean in general. My whole school house is full of people doing that. We even have a battle cry. ‘Gryffindor Forward!’” she explained with amusement.

The voice of Rick echoed through the pitch signaling that class was over. The relief the students felt was heard all over.

“Merci mon Dieu! I do not zink I 'ave ze strength to practice anymore. Your fazer, 'e is much more nicer when 'e teaches alchemy.”

“He teaches alchemy too?” asked the world class seeker and Fleur nodded her affirmation.

“Better than ze teachers at Beauxbatons. 'E's way more learned on ze subject.”

“Speaking of. Krum you’re studying the Dark Arts right? How is my aunt?”

“Professor Black is your aunt?”

“She’s my father’s second wife. An arranged marriage but they love each other very much. I can’t call her mom, obviously so I call her Aunt.”

“Your family iz bizarre.”

“You don’t know the half of it but we’re tightly knitted. Krum?”

“Da. Professor Black… Know Dark Arts. Better than most. A bit…” he stopped hesitantly.

“Crazy? I don’t mind. Neither does she, really. It’s a family trait of the House of Black. The ‘Black madness’ it’s called.”

“You should have your conversation elsewhere. A few quidditch practices are going to take place.”

The three champions turned to see Rick with a smile on his face and pointing with a movement of his head to the students getting on the pitch with broom in hands. Without saying anything more he walked through the pitch and the champions followed him at a leisure pace.

“I vant to participate but…”

“Too tired?”

“Da but ne.”

“Let me guess, everyone want to be on your team or to 'ave you in zeirs?” The sigh Viktor let out said it all.

“Well not me. And I’m sure not Cedric either. We’re both seekers too. If anything, we want to fight you. In the air I mean.”

The Bulgarian was suddenly very interested. “You play seeker like your father?”

“Yup. I don’t think I’m as good as he is but I never failed to catch a snitch.”

“You’re a fan of Professor Potter, non?”

“He’s my идол. Hm… eedol ?”

“Idol.” Rose corrected.

“Idol.” Krum repeated and shook his head. “I vas six ven I saw him play in the Vorld Cup. Crashed American seeker vith Vronsky Feint. I knew I vanted to be a seeker one day from then on.”

“You know, he doesn’t talk about his quidditch career during class or work hours but lunch and dinner? You can ask no problem.”

“I vill. Thank you.”

They left the pitch and as if they have been doing that for years, walked together towards the castle. Rose caught sight of someone near the gates that she didn’t expect to see. On the spot she began to run.

“Sirius!”

Sirius Black, hearing his name being shouted loudly, turned toward the direction the call came from.

“Rose!”

They exchanged a hug and separated.

“What are you doing here?”

“Investigating and playing security. Your dad called Amelia and told her about you being entered against your will. She decided to dispatch me, Dora and James. We’re going to be here all year. Well… Dora will. James and I will be present around the time of each event to make sure there is no sabotage.”

“Nymphie is here?! Merlin! As if there wasn’t enough trouble going around.” that made Sirius laugh.

After telling her to not worry about anything and just focus on her survival, Sirius left for the quidditch pitch when Rose told him she had seen Duncan there practicing. To her surprise both Viktor and Fleur had waited for her.

“You didn’t have to wait for me, you know?”

“Eet's not like I 'ave friends to talk to. Veela remember? Ze girls, zey 'ate me for being beau-ti-ful, and ze boys, zey just want to…”

“Same. Vant dating quidditch star. Guys jealous.”

“Well… If you don’t mind hanging out with kids younger than you by a few years, I can introduce you to mine. They’re cool. I mean they know my parents very well and don’t act like they’re a big deal. You already know Draco, no?”

“Da. Nice. Not a bigot like others. See me as me.”

“I 'ave nozing to lose, so lead ze way.”Happy to make new friends and to give them the opportunity to make some, Rose led the way to the Great Hall where she knew that at this time of the day her friends would gather.