The New DADA teacher (SPOILERS!)

[Lanen]

Folks -

Do I need to re-read OotP, or do we STILL not know who will be the new DADA teacher for Harry's sixth year?

Candidates, in my not-very-humble-at-all opinion:

Snape - maybe Dumbledore will decide after all that, despite Snape's over-fondness for the subject, he actually would make a great DADA teacher when war is in the air. And besides, Harry doesn't have to take Potions anymore (unless he really does want to become an Auror - and what are the chances of him having passed his Potions OWL exam, eh?), and the Snape v. Harry conflict has always been an important part of the development of the books.

Lupin - he was great before. Maybe the parental disapproval of his condition will evaporate in the face of the students needing some seriously practical advice on defending themselves against the Dark Arts.

The Unknown Teacher Who Causes Chaos and Ultimately Affects the Story - surely not again!

the REAL Mad-Eye Moody. Though paranoia isn't the best qualification, he's been called the best Auror ever, hasn't he? That's gotta be a qualification.

Or, most controversially -

Dumbledore. Never seen him teach, have we? And as he's the only one Voldemort is afraid of, perhaps he knows something the rest of them need to learn?

All thoughts welcome!

[mallorniphredil]

Originally posted by Lanen

The Unknown Teacher Who Causes Chaos and Ultimately Affects the Story - surely not again!



I have a feeling it will be. :p

If so, I hope that he/she will last until seventh year... like others have said, the cursed DADA teacher is outliving its usefulness.

My preffered chocie would be one of the Ministry Aurors... Tonks, perhaps? :p

[Pippin]

Lanen, each and every one of your choices sounds plausible... :)


except maybe Lupin, he was a fantastic teacher of course but I think JKR will go for someone new (apart from the werewolf issue the parents probably still have with Lupin).



Snape - maybe Dumbledore will decide after all that, despite Snape's over-fondness for the subject, he actually would make a great DADA teacher when war is in the air. And besides, Harry doesn't have to take Potions anymore (unless he really does want to become an Auror - and what are the chances of him having passed his Potions OWL exam, eh?), and the Snape v. Harry conflict has always been an important part of the development of the books. Great reasoning here - I can´t see Harry not being taught by Snape any more, either. And the chances that he got an O in Potions OWL are small. This could be JKR´s way out. All the same, IF Snape has rejoined the DE, secretly spying on them for Dumbledore, it´s very unlikely that Dumbledore would openly "trust" him with teaching the subject at school. It would go against the disguise he´s putting up for Malfoy and the other DEs. Besides, I still think he doesn´t want the job at all, it´s just part of the disguise, too.


Seeing Dumbledore teach would be fantastic, but I doubt he´s got the time. After all DADA is compulsory in year 1 - 5 and they´re usually taught in small classes (just one house), so he´d have to teach, what, 20 classes? I think even without the Second War on his hands he wouldn´t have the time. I get the impression the Hogwarts Headmasters never teach any classes of their own.



Maybe the importance of DADA on the syllabus will be greatly increased now and there will be more than one teacher. I can see Tonks taking the first years, and Moody doing the NEWT level stuff with the older kids.

[Colli]

:D And no one's mentioned the uber-cool Kingsley Shacklebolt yet. Although (and it's been mentioned in other threads) that the Ministry won't want to spare an Auror at this particular time, which is why (which has also been mentioned in other threads) Moody would be such a good choice (because he's retired).

But I've LOVE to see Lupin get the job back! :hug:

I dunno though.. Lockhart seemed to be making a nice recovery in St. Mungo's.... ;)

[Deagol's Bane]

I reckon it'll be someone new - Snape or Dumbledore or an all new character. I'd like to see Snape get his chance. If Ddore trusts him so much, why not?

[Kristin]

I heartily agree that the new DADA teacher every year thing is getting old. (Which is not to say that I wish Umbridge had stuck around. *shudder*)

Whoever the next DADA teacher is, I doubt he/she could be as bad as Umbridge, who was not only evil, but also didn't teach them anything. Fake Moody was evil, but he at least taught them stuff. And Lockhart didn't teach them anything, but at least he wasn't sadistic. Even considering Snape and Harry's enmity, Snape would be a huge improvement over Umbridge for Harry.

I would love to see a good DADA teacher, like Lupin but lasting more than one year. An Auror would fit the bill, but I agree that it seems unlikely. A return of Lupin or (real) Moody would be great.

[Lembas]

My vote for DADA teacher would be Moody. He's grumbly, grizzly, and great and a natch for teaching ( even with his paranoia-can't be too careful, now, can you? ) DADA. We never really got to see how the real Moody works, but I'm sure it's not too far off from the way the fake Moody did, when he wasn't plotting something evil and was actually teaching. I know the real Moody is an Auror, the best ever, but now that war is afoot, what do you do? Put Moody in the field, or put him where he can teach DADA and protect the kids at Hogwarts from all-out assault from Voldy and the Death Eaters?

But from what we've seen JKR do so far, she picks a new DADA teacher each time. And it is kind of getting old. However, she is starting to connect dots from previous books ( example: Mrs. Figg revealed to be watching over Harry ) , so maybe she will go with someone we already know. I'd personally rather that-you're on the last two books in the series, why not go with someone the readers are already familiar with, as opposed to someone completely new. She could still twist it into a surprise somehow-a familiar face that no one expected. Mrs. Weasley perhaps? She is very protective of her boys and Harry and now that war is on, she could very well be the new teacher, after all, motherly protection is her thing. I dunno, maybe I'm reaching, but I'd so much rather it be someone we know already. And she is part of the OOTP. Hmmm.

[KillerBunny]

Mrs. Weasley? Wow, that one never occurred to me... but it would be unexpected, and somehow I can see it happening...

[Tiger Louie]

At the risk of appearing off topic, I doubt that JKR will be introducing lots of new characters. I am hoping that the plot will be too exciting and fast-moving to allow for lots of new characters.

I'm glad Colli mentioned Kingsley Shacklebolt, as I've mentioned him on another thread as a possible DADA teacher too!

I am hoping that Lupin will take a more prominent position as the last of the Marauders, and resuming the DADA position would enable him to do that.

I also think it would be quite good to see the 'real' Moody doing the DADA job.

Basically, those 3 would be my favourites for the job. I think that part of the remit of whoever it is will be to keep an eye on Harry. That's one reason why I don't think I'd favour Snape in the job.

Everyone mentions the probable lack-lustre grades Harry has been getting in Potions - but we don't have any proof of this. For all Snape seems to keep failing him, we never actually see or hear anything about how the kids perform in their end of year exams (plus I think that Dumbledore probably reviews the exam results and adjusts for any unreasonable prejudices). Harry seems pretty determined to be an Auror, and I reckon he'll grit out 2 more years with Snape as his Potions tutor.

That's my thoughts at this stage.

Tiger

[Moxie]

Originally posted by Lanen
...what are the chances of him having passed his Potions OWL exam, eh?

Passed, certainly. The real question, of course, is whether he got the O Snape requires for admission to Advanced Potions courses, and I'm inclined to think Harry has a chance :) While he "found the written exam difficult," he is able to write extensively on Polyjuice, and in the practical portion, "with Snape absent from the proceedings he found that he was much more relaxed than he usually was while making potions." I find it quite significant that the Potions OWL description does not include any specific errors - unlike Harry's Charms, Transfiguration, or Herbology exams, but similar to the Defense OWL which Harry's pretty sure he aced :cool: Finally, the OWL exams are graded by independent examiners rather than the Hogwarts Professors, so Snape doesn't get to take points off for things like forgetting to dot i's in an effort to avoid further classes with Harry ;)

My prediction: Harry will in fact get his O and continue in Potions. Not only does he need a Potions NEWT to become an Auror, Rowling needs interesting classes to write about and Potions is the class where interesting stuff tends to happen :D DADA will be taught by a different teacher each year - the alternative is as unthinkable as a Spinal Tap drummer surviving to record multiple albums ;) but note that this could include the real Moody (since the fake Moody taught the entire year of GoF), another Phoenix member (perhaps Kingsley after getting sacked when the Ministry finds out he was actually misleading the Black manhunt for three years?), or even Snape finally switching over from Potions in Book 7 (unlikely while he's gathering info on the DEs, but if his spying ability becomes compromised and he survives to openly join the anti-Dark forces, it could happen.)

Oh, and speaking of new books, Lanen... taps foot and checks pocket-watch ;)

[Kristin]

Originally posted by Moxie
DADA will be taught by a different teacher each year - the alternative is as unthinkable as a Spinal Tap drummer surviving to record multiple albums ;)
I've seen that reference so many times... and it still makes me laugh. :LOL: But now it's becoming even more similar, as the DADA teacher syndrome is no longer just a plot device and has turned into something of a running gag.

Oh, and speaking of new books, Lanen... taps foot and checks pocket-watch ;)
I'll second that! ... Although there was a whisper in another thread of a tentative early 2004 :) ... *crosses fingers*

[Lanen]

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Oh, and speaking of new books, Lanen... taps foot and checks pocket-watch
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Er - Kristin, Moxie, thanks for asking - in the words of Basil Fawlty - "Yes, yes, I'm doing it, I'm doing it NOW!" :rolleyes:

Back to the point at tissue - Moxie, you're right, I'd forgotten that the invigilators were from outside and Harry seemed to do ok in his Potions exam. Good point.

I LOVE the idea of Kingsley Shacklebolt as the DADA teacher. I keep seeing the actor who played Morpheus in the Matrix films as Kingsley... or maybe Denzel Washington! :swoon:

Mrs. Wealsey? No - she is the heart, the home of the Order of the Phoenix. Despite (or perhaps because of!) bringing up all the Weasley children, I don't think she has enough patience for students. I also like the idea of job-sharing! Tonks and Moody - hmmm - nah, for pure wish-fulfilment, bring back Lupin! :D But I suspect you're right, Pippin, even with a war on folk might not be willing to trust a werewolf. It'd be a shame, but trying times do tend to make folks conservative (with a small c!).

Yeah - i like the idea of Kingsley as the new DADA teacher. Nice call, y'all! :D

[Mirdan]

you know, i really wouldn't mind if JKR finally lets Snape get the DADA teaching job. the guy's been trying to get it for the longest time! but i would understand if he gets stuck with Potions.

anyways, Shacklebolt sounds good. you know who i thought of when i first read about his description? Isaac Hayes. yep, that's right, THE Isaac Hayes!

http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/%A5Artist%20GIF%20Images/Isaac-Hayes-4.jpg

tall black man? check.
bald head? check.
deep voice? check.
earring on one ear? not sure about that, but that could be arranged...;)

but going back to who would be the new DADA teacher, i'm still hoping it would be Lupin. or even the real Mad-Eye Moody :cool:

[Moxie]

Y'know, Mirdan, now I've got a mental image of Kingsley breaking out into song... specifically, the songs sung by Chef in South Park.:eek: :LOL:

[PhineasNigellus]

Kingsley Shacklebolt has to be that dude in "Armageddon" that bit where they start singing "leaving on a jet plane..." i can just see shacklebolt doing it :)

[Pippin]

The more I think about it, the more do I want it to be the real Moody. The guy rocks. :D He´s such fun to read, and I bet he´s fun to write, too.



Posted by Lembas
now that war is afoot, what do you do? Put Moody in the field, or put him where he can teach DADA and protect the kids at Hogwarts from all-out assault from Voldy and the Death Eaters? He´s retired – so as far as official regular job commitments are concerned, he´d have the time for a teaching job.

you're on the last two books in the series, why not go with someone the readers are already familiar with, as opposed to someone completely new. Could be anyone, really. Bill Weasley? He worked as a curse breaker for Gringott´s after all. That´s DADA alright!

At least it will probably be someone who´s name we´ve heard before, even though we haven´t met them.




Posted by Moxie

(perhaps Kingsley after getting sacked when the Ministry finds out he was actually misleading the Black manhunt for three years?) Will they ever find out? Sirius’s body disappeared so very conveniently behind the veil! There would have been hell to pay if the dead body of Sirius Black had been discovered in the Ministry (although they could have tried to cover up by pretending Sirius was a DE and Kingsley killed him or something).


Anyway, Kingsley´s job IS kinda redundant now… it´s very funny to think what he was doing all year during OotP (he´s only been MISleading them for the last year), but now it would be kinda depressing to have to conduct a manhunt for a person you saw die with your own eyes… poor Kingsley!

[lizz]

Will they ever find out? Sirius’s body disappeared so very conveniently behind the veil! There would have been hell to pay if the dead body of Sirius Black had been discovered in the Ministry (although they could have tried to cover up by pretending Sirius was a DE and Kingsley killed him or something).

So thats the real reason for the veil ;) sorry :o

But actually thats a very depressing thought. It doesnt help Sirius any more thats true, but I´d like to have his name cleared. But it would have been to much for Fudge to get that too and accepting Voldemorts return is more important. We´ll have to wait then until Pettigrew turns up. Hopefully.


moody would be cool. bill is a good idea, but I´d like it to be Tonks, She would be a fun teacher for a change and of course she knows her stuff. I could see Kinglsey having to quite when the ministry finds out he has mislead them about sirius, and I´d like him as a teacher too. I´m quite undecided there ;) Its timefor a good Dada teacher.

[Marchwarden]

Originally posted by Colli
:D And no one's mentioned the uber-cool Kingsley Shacklebolt yet. Although (and it's been mentioned in other threads) that the Ministry won't want to spare an Auror at this particular time, which is why (which has also been mentioned in other threads) Moody would be such a good choice (because he's retired).

But I've LOVE to see Lupin get the job back! :hug:

I dunno though.. Lockhart seemed to be making a nice recovery in St. Mungo's.... ;)

Having been the one who mentioned both, I owe you thanks for not making me repeat myself.;)

Tonks would be enormously fun, but she's a bit young. Kingsley, as someone mentioned, might get the sack and, if so, would be free to take the job. Molly Weasley would be a joy to see, but I'm not sure she's qualified (that said, we haven't learned her history yet). Bill Weasley, the curse-breaker who happens to be cute as a button, wouldn't be wholly unwelcome. My rough guess, though, is that if it's not an unkown, it'll be the real Moody.

[Fleurdelacour]

I'd love to see Remus return as DADA teacher :) It'd be wonderful.

I'd love to see Ron's face if Molly became DADA teacher, but that seems unlikely...

Tonks would be fun, she'd be able to win over the students by changing her appearnce from day to day!

Moody would be great too, bet he'll get it, but give me the above three any day!

[Kristin]

Tonks isn't necessarily too young (at least age-wise). Snape says in OotP that he's been teaching at Hogwarts for, what, 14 years? Meaning he came to Hogwarts about the time that Voldemort killed Harry's parents and then lost his powers. (Hmm... interesting.) Point being that Snape was probably in his early 20s when he started at Hogwarts, the same age as Tonks. Of course, Tonks does seem to have a childish streak in her.

As much as I like Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt, I think I'd really prefer to see Moody as DADA professor. Or Lupin, of course.

[Marchwarden]

Actually, ever since Bill was proposed, the idea has grown on me.

I'd say: Bill in 6, and Snape in 7 (he's waited so long!).

[Kristin]

I'd be very surprised if any of the Weasleys were the DADA teacher. It just would raise too many difficulties with Ron and Ginny having their brother or mother as a teacher.

I love Bill and think he'd be a great DADA teacher, but it wouldn't be a good situation while Ron and Ginny are still there.

[Lanen]

Hey, gang, we're famous! They nicked this thread idea for the poll! :D :cool:

Gee - is there any dough associated with that? :D

[Kristin]

Ahem... I am "they." And as it was a current popular topic of discussion, I thought it would make a good poll. :)

I thank you, Lanen, for your idea. :notworthy

[jesuisalleeaujardin]

remus lupin, all the way. totally want him to come back. it'd make things easier for harry. "professor... could you possibly tell me more about your days at hogwarts? let me in your penseive, perhaps?"

:LOL: :LOL: :LOL:

just kidding :)

http://www.smilies.org/basesmilies3/1035929728.gif

jardin

[Lanen]

:notworthy: Kristin, hon, you KNOW I was kidding! Actually, I was pretty amazed when I started the thread that nobody else had brought it up - I NEVER start threads! You know me, shy and retiring to a fault :rolleyes: ;)

I'm beginning to think marchwarden is half right - I think Snape will get the DADA job in book 7 (assuming he's still alive) - it's a more fitting 'final achievement' as it were.

As for book 6 - hmmm, as a plotter, what would I do? ... already played with Lupin and Mad-Eye, so they're out... Tonks would be fun for a change, young and a shape-shifter... be nice to have the gorgeous swoon-worthy Kingsley Shacklebolt, but he wasn't established as enough of a secondary character really. I LOOOVE the idea of Bill Weasley :swoon: as the DADA teacher! Wow, what a concept! And what a fun sub-plot, all the girls swooning over him and sending him love letters, just like Lockhart, only Bill would be worth it! Though - Dumbledore - I have the distinct feeling Dumbledore ain't gonna see book 7, and it would be lovely to have him teach DADA, but - as a writer I wouldn't do it. The mysterious, ancient wise mentor loses his impact when he is too much seen, too readily available.

By process of elimination, then, I'm going to have to bet on Tonks or Bill Weasley being the new DADA teacher - though maybe they'll do it as a team, eh? Demonstrating on each other? Just a thought... :cool:

[Elwen]

Originally posted by Lanen

I'm beginning to think marchwarden is half right - I think Snape will get the DADA job in book 7 (assuming he's still alive) - it's a more fitting 'final achievement' as it were.


Well, well... who would be teaching potions, then? I think there is still some mileage in those potions lessions... :)


But a showdown between a Harry who might (by book 7) be uniquely accomplished in DADA and Snape as a DADA teacher might be interesting, too :D

Not adviseable from the PoV of a headmaster, though :eek:


I am still for Lupin. ANd a DADA teacher who (as a real surprise) stays on for book 7.

Elwen

[PhineasNigellus]

i think you will find that [i]every[i/] defence against the dark arts teacher has been a new charecter, it serves as a way as keeping the cast from getting too stale.

Although having said that i vote for Mundungus!! (imagine Snape's face when Mundungus is chosen ahead of him!!):jawdrop:

[Marchwarden]

Originally posted by Kristin
I'd be very surprised if any of the Weasleys were the DADA teacher. It just would raise too many difficulties with Ron and Ginny having their brother or mother as a teacher.

I love Bill and think he'd be a great DADA teacher, but it wouldn't be a good situation while Ron and Ginny are still there.

It would certainly create curious interactions. Given the relatively small population of the Wizarding World and the interbred nature of the prominent wizarding families, I'm sure there have been teachers with relatives in their classes before. It happens in the real world, especially in smaller communities. I can see plot hooks arising from this, but Ginny and Ron will be 15 and 16 years old, and Bill is such a likeable, easy-natured guy; I don't think it would spell disaster.

Now Percy teaching while the twins were still around - that's a surefire disaster.

[Mirdan]

Originally posted by Elwen
But a showdown between a Harry who might (by book 7) be uniquely accomplished in DADA and Snape as a DADA teacher might be interesting, too :D
but who better to teach DADA than someone who has spent most of their lives studying the Dark Arts? afterall, one needs to know and understand what they're fighting against. in this instance, Snape would be a pretty good choice :cool:


but as always, i'm hoping it would be either Lupin or the real Mad-Eye Moody. but they're probably too busy with the Order to do so.

[Lord Schaudt]

Mad eye is defintetly yo busy, look at the boggart it took quite a while for him to even show up.

i still favor Tonks or Kingsley as the DADA. With a option on it being one of the OWL testers

[Bellatrix_Lestrange]

You know, if the Ministry freezes or confiscates Lucius Malfoy's assets, a certain someone will have to earn her keep for the first time in her life. Dumbledore is rather well known for allowing second chances, and between her childhood and her married life, Narcissa Malfoy must know quite a bit about the Dark Arts. And she's apparently not a Death Eater...

Of course, it depends on what sort of character she turns out to be. She's been barely touched upon in canon. I can see her as a thoroughly nasty creature, or as a vapid, silly ornamental object/pureblooded heir-begetting machine, obsessed with cosmetics, gossip and fashion and incapable of grasping any deeper concept.

But she could be a surprisingly sympathetic figure. Perhaps she's smarter than she looks. Perhaps she never had much choice in the life's path; raised a Black, arranged to marry a Malfoy while she was still in diapers, bullied, marked and tyrannized by her parents and later by her husband, learning to wear the haughty mask of a proper pureblood lady, secretly hating the entire charade but only now realizing that it's not too late to seek independence and freedom...perhaps she secretly admired her cousin Sirius for having the courage to break out of the mold, and perhaps his tragic death will ignite her own courage.

Just a thought.

[ChianaWeasley]

That's a very good idea Bellatrix, and i have been thinking along those lines as well. I'de put some galleons down on Tonks, she knows her stuff, she may be clumsy but she's good. Besides after voldemort has returned to OoTP will most likely plot another person in hogwarts to watch over things, and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and ginny.

Another guess would be the headmaster from the Russian wzarding school, i cannot remember his name at the moment...Karokovf??? He may show up again....

And here's one more I've been pondering over, Dumbledore.

[Telchar II]

How about Daglish (sp?) -- Fudge's underling who at the end of OotP is yelling at Fudge about how YKW is back in person? He seems worked up enough about that sight to care about DADA.

And if he's Fudge's underling, he may soon be looking for a job. I think, with YKW back and doing a lot of damage, Fudge's days in the Ministry are numbered -- although I'm not sure how he will be removed.

[Bellatrix_Lestrange]

Telchar, I believe that was Dawlish. Also, according to Dumbledore, he was a keen pupil who scored top marks in all his NEWTs, so that speaks well of his abilities.

And Chiana, I believe that was Igor Karkaroff. After selling out the Death Eaters after the First War, he certainly has motivation for wanting to see the good guys win. I'm just not sure he'd take a job teaching at Hogwarts when he's already Headmaster of his own school.

Still, a Durmstranger would be an interesting prospect. Oh dear...the though of the trio in NEWT-level Dark Arts with Professor Krum...

[ChianaWeasley]

Well, I've always assumed that when he ran off, he left his job and went into hiding from the death eaters. (Yet another reason for people to realize Voldemort has in fact returned) And I think it would make a nice twist in plot, or better yet, he joins the OoTP! What an interesting prospect.....

[Bellatrix_Lestrange]

Originally posted by ChianaWeasley
Well, I've always assumed that when he ran off, he left his job and went into hiding from the death eaters. (Yet another reason for people to realize Voldemort has in fact returned) And I think it would make a nice twist in plot, or better yet, he joins the OoTP! What an interesting prospect.....

My only objection to Karkaroff as DADA teacher would be that we already have an ex-Death Eater queued up for the post. Snape should get the job in Book Seven, so we need someone for Book Six whose character hook hasn't been done already.

What about one of the other founding members of the OotP? Anyone who survived the First War must have at least some profiency with DADA.

[Kristin]

I don't want to see the DADA teacher be anyone who is related to a student (Molly, Bill, Narcissa, etc.). I just think it brings up too many problems.

[Flockman The Wise]

It won't be Moody. We've already had him as DADA teacher. It doesn't matter that it was an imposter because Crouch acted exactly like the real Moody. Rowling would absolutely not repeat him as DADA teacher, nor will she use any other repeated DADA character, such as Lupin. Besides, as Lupin said, not too many parents would be happy with a warewolf teaching their children.

Why not Harry? He's done it before and did his job so well, he and his friends were able to hold their ground against Voldomort's Death Eaters while outnumbered 2 to 1. Note, I say hold their ground, which they did for a while, but they were eventually overcome and rescued by the Order. However, Harry would make a descent DADA teacher.

Snape. Very interesting thought here. I'd like to know why Dumbledore has kept Snape from instructing this class for so long. Perhaps Dumbledore believes Snape will realize the power he once had as a Death Eater and rejoin Voldomort? Not very likely but perhaps something along those lines.

Can't think of any others at the moment. I'll get back to you if I come up with anything else.

[alqua]

I'm sure Harry would make an excellent DADA teacher some day, but surely not while he is still a student. He's already busy enough with everything else and he has hardly time to concentrate on studying. How would full time teaching fit in with all that?

[Flockman The Wise]

I believe Harry would make an ideal DADA teacher right now if it weren't for (as you've pointed out) other more important issues he has to deal with.