Harry Potter The Unseen Heroine

Before Michael could answer, Professor Quirrell walked in and looked around at us all. He took role while fidgeting his fingers. His stutter seemed worse than last time, and I felt horrible for him. What had that sabbatical done to him?

"W...welcome to your f...first year of d...defense against the d...dark arts. I...I am Professor Q...Quirrell. A p...pleasure to meet t...this years class of R...Ravenclaw's. I was o...once in y...your seats."

"You were in Ravenclaw sir?" Mandy asked, clearly not convinced.

"I...I was indeed. Now b...before we get s...started. Any q...questions."

Terry's hand shot up, and Professor Quirrell nervously looked at him.

"M...Mr. Boot."

"Where did you get that turban from, sir?" He asked.

"It was a r...reward from an African p...prince. I got r...rid of a l...loathsome zombie for h...him." He replied, at that everyone looked at Quirrell with renewed interest.

"How did you pull that off sir?" Michael asked as he and everyone else was leaning forward in

"Heh...Uh...lovely w...weather today." He replied, his face going white and looking even more nervous than he normally did.

All of us looked at him with a mix of pity and confusion. This was our defense Professor.

"Any o...other questions?" He said looking around.

"Is it true a vampire from Romania is after you?

At that the already nervous Professor froze in terror, and all the color drained from his face. Michael thought it was funny. I for one felt horrible for the man. He'd gone out into the world and returned like this?

"Um...First can anyone t...tell me what c...chapter one says a...bout..."

Professor Quirrell stuttered his way through the rest of class, going over chapter one basics, occasionally asking a simple question from the reading. I noticed everyone was either bored sick of the lecture, or secretly scoffing at the man. And though the lecture had been...frankly horrible. I could relate.

I remember standing before classes and giving presentations, I remember Dudley and his friends mocking comments under there breaths, I knew how fear could paralyze and make you look like a fool...

I knew how Professor Quirrell felt.

"...and remember to t...turn in your h...homework by f...Friday. "

Class ended and everyone rushed to stand. I saw Mandy wake Morag, while Michael and Terry whispered and laughing about something.

"Well...on to Charms." I heard Anthony say as he stood and began to stretch. He and the others began to file out.

"I'll catch up to you, I need to ask Professor Quirrell about something." I said, all of them looked at me in shock. Anthony mouthed, about what? I waved them off and he shrugged and the others left.

I walked up to Quirrell, who sat behind his desk nervously writing something.

"Sir?" I asked quietly, he jumped and looked up.

"P...Potter?" He asked nervously.

"I just wanted to let you know...what Michael and Terry asked you was inappropriate. I'm sorry your first class back involved...that." I said, Quirrell looked at me aghast.

"I know how it feels to be...bullied. It's not your fault ...you know. You tried to better yourself, whatever happened on the sabbatical is your business. I just wanted to let you know, I'm sorry."

"Thank y...you for the kind w...words Potter." He eventually said. I nodded and smiled at him.

"You have a good day sir." I said, I turned and left, leaving a completely befuddled Professor Quirrell behind.

I caught up my housemates at the doors of the Charms classroom. When Anthony saw me he gave puzzled look.

"What could you have possibly asked Professor Quirrell after...that?" He asked me, clearly unimpressed.

"Something on the reading." I replied, Anthony just shook his head.

"He was a joke." Michael said as he and Terry noticed me.

"A bad one." Terry added.

"Come on guys. He's a Professor and a member of our house."

"He's an embarrassment on our house." Michael replied.

"Just stop...please." I begged.

"Why do you care so much?" Terry asked me.

"Because I know how that feels."

"To teach a horrible lesson?" Michael asked astonished.

"To be bullied." I replied, Michael and Terry shifted nervously, while everyone else looked at me again in shock.

"You can't bully a teacher." Terry said uncertainly.

"Call it whatever you want. Laughing at someone who clearly had...something bad happen to them. I've lived that multiple times."

Everyone was silent for a moment. I saw Lisa again avoid looking at me, and Michael and Terry eventually relented.

"Fine, we'll lay off Professor Quirrell." Michael said.

"I just hope he teaches better." Anthony said.

"He won't if all we do is laugh at him." I finished.

At that moment the door's to the Charm's classroom burst open. We all filed in as Professor Flitwick greeted us warmly.

"Ah my first year Eagles. Welcome, welcome." He said pleasantly.

....

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