Harry Potter Breaking The Chains

"I trust you all enjoyed the feast. I have a number of announcements to make this evening. First, I would like you all to welcome the newest addition to our staff, Professor Caldwell," he said, gesturing toward the wizard on his left side. Professor Caldwell stood and lifted a hand to acknowledge the polite applause ringing through the hall. He looked to be in his 50's, with short brown hair with a light tint of gray running through it, about average height, and seemed to have a mild-mannered, modest countenance. He seemed… normal, which was quite abnormal for a DADA professor.

"Professor Caldwell will be taking over the DADA classes this year. The Educational Decrees that were passed by our previous DADA instructor have all been repealed." A ring of applause met this proclamation. "We have another… unusual addition to our staff this year. We have taken on an Assistant Professor who will be leading additional classes in Defense. Please give a warm round of applause for Assistant Professor Harry Potter."

Harry blushed brilliantly as the entire student body shifted their gaze onto him. There was a moment of absolute silence before someone started clapping a few seats down from him at the Gryffindor table. Picking up their cue, the rest of the students, save for the majority of the Slytherin table, all joined in, clapping and cheering for him.

"Bloody hell, Harry!" Ron exclaimed next to him. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Language Ron," Hermione scolded. "That's amazing Harry. There's only ever been one other student in the history of the school who has been made an Assistant Professor."

"I know, Hermione," Harry told her. "Dumbledore told me."

"Did he tell you who the other student was?" she asked him. Harry shook his head no, so she continued. "It was Professor Dumbledore. He helped teach Transfiguration his 7th year."

Harry didn't know what to say in response. He didn't end up having to respond, for Ginny finally chimed into the conversation with a "Congratulations Harry."

Harry shot her a grateful smile and said, "Thanks, Gin."

She gave him another one of those looks she had been giving him ever since Neville and Luna had walked into their compartment on the train, so Harry averted his attention and focused his gaze back on the Headmaster.

Dumbledore held out his arms again, and the noise died down. "Yes, Mr. Potter will be hosting a club this year which will provide extra defense lessons to all those 4th year and above who are interested. I will let him give you the details at a later time. Notices will be posted in your common rooms for those who wish to attend the informational meeting for the club."

"Our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has kindly asked me to remind you that magic is not to be performed in the corridors and that the rather extensive list of banned items can be found on his office door. The Forbidden Forest is still strictly that, forbidden. Our new students and some of our older ones would do well to remember that. Those wishing to play for their House Quidditch team should give their names to their Heads of House. We are also in need of a new Quidditch commentator. Anybody interested should do likewise."

"As you all know by know, Lord Voldemort," a collective gasp went around the room at the name, "and his Death Eaters are once more at large and gaining in strength. I cannot stress enough the seriousness of the situation that lies before us. The castle's defenses have been strengthened over the summer, but we must all work diligently to ensure that the school remains secure. I urge you all to follow any restrictions or rules laid upon you by your teachers, however trying they might seem. We all place your safety as our number one concern."

Harry glanced at the Slytherin table during the Headmaster's speech. There were several students that were listening attentively, some looked bored but were at least paying attention, but there were a few, Malfoy included, who were completely disinterested and unconcerned with the subject at hand. Harry made a quick mental note of the members of this last category. Those were the ones they would need to watch out for.

"With all of that said," Dumbledore continued, "I think it is time that you all got to bed. Classes start tomorrow morning, after all." The Headmaster sat down in his seat as the student body began to rise from their own seats and amble to the double doors that would lead to the Entrance Hall.

Hermione immediately sprang into action, grabbing Ron with her. "Come on, Ron. We have to lead the First Years to Gryffindor Tower."

"Can't we just let the fifth year prefects take care of it," Ron grumbled as he followed behind her.

Ginny looked at Harry expectantly across the table as he continued to sit there. "I know, Gin. I can't talk right now though. Dumbledore wants me to meet him in his office. I promise we'll talk soon, ok?"

"Alright, Harry," she responded. "Good luck." She ran off to catch up with some of her fifth year dorm mates as Harry stood from the bench and casually made his way out of the Great Hall. He took his time as he walked to the gargoyles guarding the Headmaster's office. He stopped just before entering the final hallway to pull out his trunk and extract the magical contract he had made, sure that the Headmaster would ask to see it. As he approached the gargoyle he muttered the password, causing the stone beast to spring aside. Harry stepped through the opening onto the spiral staircase that had appeared in front of him. He rode the staircase to the top and used the griffin door knockers to alert Dumbledore of his presence.

"Come in, Harry," the Headmaster greeted from inside.

Harry pushed the door open and stepped into Dumbledore's office. He was bombarded with flashbacks of his last visit to this particular office. His godfather had just died, and the Headmaster had chosen that moment to inform him of the prophecy that was now hanging over his head, the one that said he must either be murderer or be murdered. He had destroyed half of his office that night, but it seemed that everything had since been either repaired or replaced. There was no trace of his rampage left.

Harry closed the door behind him and walked further into the room. He noticed Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix, sitting on his perch beside the Headmaster's desk. He walked over to the red and gold feathered bird and greeted him with a "Hello, Fawkes" as he stroked the phoenix's feathers. Fawkes rubbed his head into Harry's hand and trilled his appreciation at the attention.

Dumbledore chuckled lightly and commented, "I don't think I've ever seen Fawkes so taken with anyone besides myself than he is with you."

Harry looked at the man he had looked up to since the first time he had seen him and regarded him closely for a second before giving him a slight smile. "Thanks. How did you meet Fawkes, anyway?"

"That is a long story that will have to wait for another time," the old man explained. "For now, why don't we move onto the business at hand?"

"Very well," Harry replied. "You wished to go over the details of the DA?"

"That's correct," he said to the young man. "Please, have a seat, Harry." Harry complied by walking over to the plush armchair in front of the Headmaster's desk. As soon as he was settled, Dumbledore continued. "I think the first order of business should be the magical contract that you wish to have your members sign. Given the nature of a magical contract, I think it important that I approve anything you have drawn up to make sure it is completely safe for the students to sign."

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