ProFifthYear1

No one could ever have expected the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor to be female - not Harry not Draco Malfoy, not Professor Snape. There she was as plain as day, but plain in appearance she was not�Sloane Yardley was a waifish, petite woman with raven black hair and sparkling dark eyes to match. Unlike all other Defense Against Black Arts instructors, she did not have battle scars or the mysterious nature of the rest. In fact, her delicate appearance bore similarities to the Sirens as well as the tallest species of nymphs Harry had seen in one of his textbooks.

�How could she teach us Defense Against the Dark Arts? I mean, look at her�� Ron Weasley mumbled.

�Ron Weasley, hasn�t anyone ever told you that you can�t judge a book by its cover?� Hermione quickly snapped in retort.

Albus Dumbledore quickly took his seat after the applause following her introduction dwindled, yet the glimmer in his eye remained as he picked up his fork and his knife and began to eat. The other professors and students followed suit. Professor Snape with his ever unfriendly countenance tried hard to swallow after taking a bite of the roast on his plate. Was this because he was passed up once again for the Defense Against Dark Arts position?

�I�m not trying to be disrespectful, but she doesn�t stand a chance.� Ron stammered after finishing his mug of pumpkin juice in three swallows. �Besides, girls don�t really like to fight, do they?� Ron asked fearful in part for an expected explosive response from his good friend. He knew from the look on Hermione�s face that he was only digging himself deeper.

�I bet Harry agrees with me. Don�t you, Harry?� Hermione�s angry gaze now turned upon Harry.

�All I know is Professor Snape doesn�t seem too happy about it.� Harry glanced at Snape who seemed rather preoccupied while Professor McGonagall seated beside him chattered with conversation.

�But Snape�s got it in for everyone, doesn�t he.� Hermione interjected, �But you�re not as bull-headed as Ron is thinking that a witch can�t do a wizard�s job?�

�He has a point. I mean, fighting against the dark forces is really heavy stuff�� Harry helped himself to an extra portion of mashed potatoes before passing the dish to Ron. �Even the bravest of wizards don�t stand a chance��

Ron joined Harry �And those like Professor Lockhart need not apply.� They all knew Professor Lockhart in the simplest terms was a fraud. The famous wizard and novelist was no more than a boastful, showman with little to no courage or knowledge about wizardry.

�And not being a wizard makes her a less likely candidate�� Neville Longbottom who was eavesdropping on their conversation put in his two cents.

�Well, we�ll see about that won�t we.� Hermione, in turn, shot Neville a look of fury causing him to fall backwards off the bench.

Harry, Ron and Hermione continued their meals in silence until Fred Weasley snuck up behind Ron and dropped a fake spider into Ron�s soup. �So, what do you think about the new professor? I think I�m in love.�

George Weasley soon appeared at Fred�s side and mussed Ron�s hair. �You know, word from Bill and Charlie is that she was the top Hit Wizard with the Ministy�s Magical Law Enforcement years ago until��

�Apparently, her reputation was tarnished when she failed to turn in Sirius Black years ago� She had him cornered, Ministry knew about it�but given the circumstances�how could she?� Fred Weasley chimed in. Ron unknowingly spooned up the spider and let out a small yelp, that caught the attention of a few professors with the keenest of ears at the Head Table across the Great Hall. The most important of those being Professor McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor House, who glanced in their direction with a stern visage while clearing her throat. This was warning enough for the twins to get back to their seats at the other end of the table.

�We�d better get back�� George and Fred returned to their seats.

Professor Dumbledore spoke a few words to close the evening�s festivities. �Just one last reminder to you. The Dark Forest is strictly off limits, as is Hogsmeade this year considering the recent events.� Groans came from those third year and above who had the privileges of spending weekend afternoons milling about the large wizarding town. Dessert quickly concluded and the dishes were cleared with a clap of Professor Dumbledore�s hands before the students directed to their rooms.

Upon exiting the room, Harry noticed Professor Yardley pass nearby Professor Snape who was about to duck into a secret passageway. �Hello, Severus�� she said. Harry was certain that he didn�t even hear more than a grunt in acknowledgment before Professor Snape disappeared behind the panel in the wall.

�Still, not the social type that Snape.� Ron nodded.

�I�ve been thinking�perhaps you should send Sir�Snuffles an owl to see if you can get some background on the new professor.�

�That was exactly what I had in mind.�

�After we get what we can from Fred and George.� Harry and Ron filed out the doors of the Great Hall and happened upon Draco Malfoy, the most obnoxious boy Harry had ever met as well as his Slytherin rival. Hermione pushed ahead of the group; for as a newly elected prefect, her duties included directing the first years to their rooms.

�Although we have yet to have a DADA professor last more than three semesters, I guarantee she won�t last one. They could�ve let me teach the class.� Draco Malfoy boasted to Crabbe and Goyle as he exited the Great Hall. Hermione elbowed passed Draco in order to make way for her group.

�Hey, watch it�� Draco pushed Hermione back.

�Maybe you should watch it.� It didn�t take long for Malfoy to draw his wand. Evidently, he was looking to pick a fight. Most students filed quickly past them fearful of getting in trouble. Ron and Harry stepped forward.

�The Dynamic Duo � Potty and Weasel.� Goyle and Crabbe snickered at Malfoy�s words.

�What�s your problem, Draco? Too scared to pick on boys your own size? You have to pick on girls now?� Ron beamed, remembering his previous brawl with the brat.

�What�s your problem?� Hermione shot Ron a dirty look and stormed off with her giggling first years in tow.

�What did I do?� Ron whispered to Harry, thinking that he was doing Hermione a favor.

�Looks like you made your girlfriend mad.� Draco pointed his wand at Ron. Before he could mutter a few words�

�Accio!� a female voice cried. Draco�s wand was ripped out of his hand. Professor Yardley stepped into the corridor with Draco�s wand in hand. �Mr. Malfoy, I know you know the rules here better than I.�

�I was merely defending myself� he whimpered.

�You better be off to your room. If I catch you using magic in the halls again, you�ll have more than just myself to answer to.�

�What did I miss?� Professor McGonagall appeared at the doorway.

�Just a little mischief, but nothing that couldn�t be handled this time�� Professor Yardley handed Draco his wand and gave him a little shove in the direction of the Slytherin chambers. Crabbe and Goyle followed like the lackeys they are.

�Mmmm�very well. Move along now, there�s nothing to see..� Professor McGonagall spoke to Harry and Ron before continuing down the corridor.

Professor Yardley smiled which put Harry and Ron at ease. �I�ll be seeing you in class, Mr. Potter, and you too, Mr. Weasley.� Professor Yardley disappeared down another dark corridor. Ron let out a sigh of relief.

�How do you think she knew our names already?� Harry inquired.

�Well, I bet she knows my dad and you? You�re famous? I can�t believe you still ask that question,� Ron smiled as they stomped off in the direction of Gryffindor tower past a posted notice about �Visiting Weekend�.

Continued in Chapter Two...