‘Not again,’ Neville complained, as he turned to her. Holly bobbed around as she looked around when she spotted Ginny with a blonde first year who looked a little spacey.
‘Ginny, did you find anything in your cauldron, anything weird that you didn’t get from your parents?’ She asked as the girl’s eyes went wide, she slowly shook her head as Holly snapped her fingers, in defeat. ‘Sorry to bother you.’ She closed the door as everyone caught up her.
‘What, was that, all, about?’ Hermione breathed out. As Ron and Neville nodded,
‘Yeah, what the heck you looked like a dementor was on your heels.’ Ron who didn’t look half as wended as the other two pursuers.
‘Maybe Draco is just messing with me, I thought I had something. I figured, that if Lucius had been involved with a plot to make things dangerous at Hogwarts he would use it discredited your dad. But nobody had anything, so if Draco is involved one way or the other he is either ignorant or wished up. Either option puts me at square one, come on I need some pumpkin juice.’ She sighed she was sure she had something. She sat in defeat until the got to the station.
‘Cheer up, I am sure you will get another shot at being a hero,’ Ron smiled
‘I take it you didn’t find anything odd?’ She sighed,
‘Nope,’ Ron smirked, ‘guess it’s going to be a boring year for us,’ he sounded a bit too proud of the idea. They headed along to the cars as Holly looked at the odd creatures pulling the cart but paid them no mind, as she mused why they didn’t just use horses. Neville kept giving them odd looks as well.
The trip to Hogwarts was rather dull, Ron went on about trying out for the team, as well as the canons one of the worst teams in the league. Hermione was rereading her textbooks. Neville looked like he was spacing out, so she snapped her fingers as he jumped.
‘You okay there Neville?’ She asked,
‘Yeah, just this forest is so spooky,’ he admired as he glanced around. Holly glanced around and kinda agreed. ‘I think I would rather take the boat.’ He admitted as he glanced at the weird cart animals.
‘Those don’t help either,’ Holly admitted,
‘You’re scared?’ He whispered as if it’s some big secret.
‘Sometimes, being brace isn’t about the lack of fear but being afraid and stepping forward anyway.’ She admitted, ‘I think I said something like this before.’
‘May have forgotten,’ he admitted, as Holly sat back, she had a few extra things on her plate this year with her dad to finish the animagus form, she still didn’t know what it would be.
Nothing really new picked up until they got to the great hall, where everyone started to buzz, it seemed news didn’t get too far out as students were still surprised to see her dad at the table,
‘Guess the Potter family fortunes turned sour if your dad needed a job that badly,’ Malfoy mocked,
‘Nope, my dad was so ticked at the previous professor he killed him and took his place. Unlike your dad who last I checked can’t even dispose of garbage properly let alone a person.’ She returned as the little group paled at the reminder, people seemed to forget a lot around this school a lot.
The sorting went well, Ginny was sorted into Gryffindor she seemed a bit sad her friend Luna was sent over to Ravenclaw.
‘Welcome back and before we move onto the wonderful feast, I have a few announcements to make.’
‘Oh come on,’ Ron groaned
‘Do a big head our previous defense against the dark arts professor will be taken up by Professor David Potter, please treat him with the respect due. He also requested to make an announcement, so leave the floor to you,’
The crowd went quiet, as her father stood up, he was dressed in more traditional wizardry robes, black with a cut to show off a white button up and tie, giving him an air of a more modern professional.
‘Many of you have grown up hearing stories some say that I was the hero, others more common thankfully place it with my daughter, and the correct ones my wife. This is all that will be said on that matter. Onto more pressing I shall be making use of the great hall every Sunday afternoon for lectures and questions to help combat the inconsistencies in the defense program.’ He explained in a stern tone. ‘This is a gift I have better things to do with my time all are welcome but any interruptions will get you banned, also with the help of Professors Snape and Flitwick I will be reopening the dueling club around November sign-up sheets will be in my office. I look forward to meeting and teaching you all,’ he bowed and walked back to his seat as Snape glared at him with more hate that Holly thought possible.
Everyone gave a polite clap the twins amped up the enthusiasm for everyone, as things went on much like the first year. Lavender and Parvati both talked to her as she explained why she couldn’t send letters, she recommended snail mail, which she had already resorted to with Fluer.
‘your kidding no idea who owns the house elf?’ Parvati asked as Holly lied on that front with a shrug.
‘It’s why I got older books, they belonged to my dad.’ She sighed, ‘got to be careful sometimes if a book is old enough it gets weird.’ The girls nodded along as the rest of dinner went on with idle chit-chat.
The morning was uneventful outside of Colin and the new greenhouse upgrade to room three things went on like most mornings. Thankfully Professor Sprout was in her normally jovial self.
As the double herbology winded down people started to talk about her dad, all of which seemed to be positive, for the most part.
When she finally found herself in class she sat down in the middle as her dad sat at the desk, he had a neutral expression and seemed to be channeling Professor McGonagall. When everyone sat down he laid the year down. ‘Second year will be dedicated to defensive spells and basic disarming spells. Then work our way up to removing Jinxes and curses when you don’t know what they are.’ He had same nameless skill that Snape and McGonagall had, things went smoothly as he passed out a quiz, ‘this will not be for a grade but take it seriously what you do or do not know, will inform me, what we need to work, on we also do some spellcraft to practice what you know. And just to make things less worrying no homework for today.’ He finished getting some cheers.
‘Hi, Holly!’ Colin waved as Holly gave Ron an annoyed look.
‘Hi Colin,’ Holly greeted back as a first year with a camera walked by.
‘Two days, I swear that kid has memorized my schedule.’ Holly sighed,
”Tis the price of fame,’ Ron nodded sagely, as Holly frowned at him.
As the weekend rolled in and outside overly excited the first year she didn’t have much of an issue until Katie woke her up early.
‘I figured a win would mellow him out,’ she complained as Holly geared up,
‘how did he get your attention boys can’t come up here?’ Holly asked,
‘The sneak rode his broom up and tapped on the windows,’ Katie sighed, as Holly went wide-eyed. ‘He promised to keep his mouth shut about the workaround if I policed the girls have,’ she yawned.
‘Crazy,’ Holly commented, everyone grouped up for a long strategy meeting that pretty much knocked everyone out the arrows moved around, ‘any questions?’ He finished up, snapping Holly out of a dream about what she could have for breakfast.
‘Yeah, why did you wake us up just to put us to sleep?’ Fred commented,
‘These plans are too complicated to be used, if stuck to plans in situations like a steal, that would leave us scrambling.’ Holly debated,
‘While fair if everyone had simpler plans, means that the second those smaller plans are figured out we lose all elements of cohesion.’ Wood commented back.
‘Oh come on I want to hit something,’ George complained.
‘Human bludgers,’ Wood shook his head, there was a slight pause as Holly giggled then everyone started to laugh.
The group headed out to the pitch ready to practice, Holly took to the sky as she felt the morning breeze, cold, but it felt good to be in the air. She gave a
wave as spotted Ron and Hermione.
She raced along as Holly raced around, the stadium as the sound of a camera clicked away. ‘Who is that? Fred asked as he spotted Colin in the stands.
‘Colin a first year, with about as much tact as Malfoy, but much more innocent.’ She sighed,
‘You sure attract a lot of unwanted attention,’ Fred commented as Holly gave him a look, that screamed you have no idea.
‘What is that, is that some kind of Slytherin spy?’ Wood asked concerned.
‘No just another stalker, I think that the third,’ George admitted
‘Third?’ Holly repeated in concern,
‘Besides they don’t need a spy they are here,’ George continued, as Holly glanced down, to see the familiar green uniforms.
‘I don’t believe this,’ Wood hissed headed down, so fast he stumbled a bit on his dismount. ‘Flint, I booked the pitch today,’ Wood confronted,
‘Plenty of room for everyone,’ Flint commented as he towered even over Wood., with a grin on his face that reminded Holly off a Troll. Angelina, Katie, and Alice all dropped down as the two teams squared off.
‘But I booked the field,’ Wood spat with rage.
‘Ah, but I have a note, I S. Snape give the Slytherin team permission to practice on the Quidditch field showing the need to train their new Seeker.’ Flint read off.
‘You’ve got a new seeker?’ Wood questioned, ‘were?’ As a smirking Malfoy stepped forward,
‘Funny I didn’t know you even held tryouts,’ Holly commented, as she noticed the new brooms.
‘Funny I could say the same,’ Flint shot back,
‘We did,’ Alice returned as Ron and Hermione approached.
‘Well then I guess you would have heard of the nice donation, Draco’s father gave us,’ Flint smiled broadly, as he seemed to flick a speck of dust off the broom.
‘I see you got yours early,’ Wood shrugged as everyone froze. ‘Oh, you didn’t hear?’ He asked airily. ‘Pity would have saved your dad the money, the Black and Longbottom families donated new brooms. Everyone is getting a nice new nimbus 2001 since the old brooms had a bit of an accident last year during lessons. Didn’t you read the letter that was passed around?’ Wood asked.
Flint locked his teeth as the shared smile vanished. ‘Should have let your dad know, I heard he’s already wasted a lot of money after that raid,’ George commented as the air of superiority was shifted.
‘Whatever, we still need the pitch anyway.’ Flint presser forward. But Wood kept his cool now having one over on his old rival.
‘Don’t care, I booked it, talk with hooch she’s in charge, not Professor Snape.’ Wood insisted as he crossed his arms.
‘Oh, what are you going to do knock me off my broom?’ He asked, cockily.
‘We could show up and fly on your field time, I don’t need a reason to fly around here.’ Holly countered, as Flint glared at her but Holly didn’t care.
‘Watch it, Potter, just cause your dads here teaching does not mean you can do what you want,’ Draco glared back.
‘Your dads here how cute, little Holly can’t take care of herself?’ Flint mocked,
‘Oh, this is the best match I have had since I got here since unless Malfoy here is any better than the last smuck you out in a broom the only thing we need worry about is where to put the cup.’ Holly held out a hand as Ron gave her a high five as Flint looked murderous. Wood stepped forward, as he put himself partially between them.
‘Are you guys gonna get back in the air anytime soon?’ Ron asked when suddenly Hector walked out,
‘What seems to be the problem?’ He interrupted as the Slytherin’s team scowled at him, it was well known Hector had a dislike of the Slytherin team.
‘Wood here is preventing us from practicing,’ Flint accused,
‘Oh, and why is that?’ He looked a Wood, ‘seems a bit unfair if you ask me.’ He commented.
‘I booked the pitch in advance, you can check with Madam Hooch,’ Wood nodded, as he looked the big man in the eye.’
‘Seems like to me like your the one who’s here interrupting things.’ Hector frowned,
‘I have a note,’ Flint replied,
‘So, I have a beard you sign up to use the pitch thems the rules you don’t like it you can go to a different school.’ He waved them off the Slytherins glared but minded the gamekeeper.
‘Thanks, Hector, not to sound ungrateful but why are you here?’ Holly asked, him he smirked,
‘I am heading in your dads made a breakthrough in my case, I might get my wand rights back.’ He smiled, ‘now go play I need to get going.’ He chuckled as he headed out.
‘So when were you going to tell us about the new brooms?’ Alice asked as everyone started to look at him,
‘Well, I wanted it to be a surprise.’ He admitted, ‘besides they are not in yet.’
‘Can I keep mine? I am rather fond of my nimbus.’ Holly patted her broom.
‘Only if you keep catching that snitch.’ Wood smiled as Holly gave a fist bump as she was back in the air as Wood started up the new practice regime that everyone had fallen asleep during.
At this point he had bags under his eyes, he kept his word as he took over the hall every Sunday with a mass lecture on something. He would pause only drink, as Holly sat in on his first, she couldn’t keep up, even Hermione despite her own genius couldn’t keep up since the lectures seemed more suitable for seventy years. What surprised her was that teachers showed, and even asked questions. It wasn’t odd to see that David and other students from all houses talking questions. Sally even asked about a few things which floored everyone when David jumped into theories that even Sally even asked for a book for it, something about a love shield to stop the killing curse.
Her dad’s classes were nothing amazing until a few weeks in when things got fun.
‘Stupify’ ‘Experian’s!’ Cried students as her dad walked around fixing arms movements and such. He ducked bodies dropped as he went over colors as well as how to avoid being hit without using a shield.
‘These spells are your bread and butter, they fast and minimal in movement, which makes them excellent for one on one duels.’ He explained as he grabbed a wrist and corrected the motion, to send out a stunner spell. He canceled the spell out as she sent out a perfect spell.
‘Ugh,’ Ron frowned as Holly sidestepped his spell, as he got a bit more frustrated with each dodge. ‘Will you just stand still for a second!’ He shouted as Holly blinked at the sudden outburst, and found herself spiraling into the desks. The fun stopped as her dad blew a whistle to cut things short. ‘Sorry, sorry sorry.’ Ron cried out as he gripped his hair as David pulled him back.
‘Owe,’ Holly winced, as she realized her arm was at an odd angle.
‘Hermione, you’re in charge no spells until I get back, from Madam Pomfrey.’ He ordered as he picked up Holly and headed for the door as Ron freaked out. ‘It’s just a broken arm Ron, mistakes happen,’ David told him as he headed out.
‘Showing off a bit huh?’ David commented as he headed down the hall.
‘No idea what you are talking about,’ she turned away.
‘Always be aware when spells are flying around your head.’ He chuckled,
‘Professor Potter!’ Called a voice as David turned.
‘Cassius, walk with me,’ David motioned, ‘Just escorting a student.’
Holly glared at the Slytherin boy who was a couple years older than her. ‘Yeah, you got time I need some help with assignments You passed.’ He admitted as he eyed Holly with suspicion.
‘I am a bit booked at the time but I should have some time around Halloween. I don’t have my planner with me at the moment.’ He admitted as the boy nodded and headed off.
‘Slytherin,’ Holly muttered, as she watched as Cassius walked away when a sharp pain hit her broken arm.
‘Good and Evil, come from all houses, I learned that the hard way.’ He replied, ‘the biggest concern he has is passing hi
s exams.’
Holly felt a spike of jealousy hit her as she eyed her father. ‘You wanted a son didn’t you?’ She accused as Her dad about tripped over himself at the sudden comment.
‘I wouldn’t trade you for anything let alone a son.’ He consoled.
‘Hardly you always seem to want to replace me, heck you stole almost the entire Weasley family.’ She grumbled
‘Such a jealous daughter I have,’ David chuckled, ‘can’t even let me teach another kid without her getting worried I am gonna run off.’ He laughed as she felt incredibly childish, even if it did feel like a real concern.
‘Well, it feels like it.’ She argued. When she suddenly got a kiss on the forehead. ‘Dad!’ She whinnied in protest.
‘You’re my little girl, nothing will ever change that. Besides those boys are not cool enough to be my kid except those twins hmm,’ He joked as she gave him a hard elbow. ‘Haha, okay fair enough.’ He laughed as the found the hospital wing.
By the time Halloween rolled around he had slipped in with the rest of the teachers and spread out his lectures to a more monthly activity, word was Madam Pomfrey had pressured him the sudden hit of colds didn’t help.
‘Ugh,’ Holly walked in caked with mud, as she entered in to see nearly headless Nick, ‘Hello, Nicholas,’ she smiled up at him he seemed to smile back a bit but off-put by the amount of dirt she was cracked in.
‘Hello, Holly did you have a good practice?’ He asked politely.
‘Yep, almost missed a catch, I got it but it ended with me skidded across the pitch, got all kinds of comments about it from Fred and George.’ She admitted as the ghost grunted an acknowledgment. ‘Something eating at you?’ She asked,
‘I got denied for the headless hunt, apparently I am not decapitated enough.’ He huffed, as he pulled out a paper and listed off the rather pompous denial letter.
‘Sounds like they enjoy preventing people from getting in,’ Holly admitted,
‘Indeed,’ Nick smiled at Holly,
‘Oh, ghost paper how does that work?’ Holly asked as she glanced at the transparent sheet. Mrs. Norris meowed interrupting their conversation.
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