ProFifthYear2

For three days Harry, Ron and Hermione wandered through their courses still curious about the Defense Against Dark Arts professor and class, but too preoccupied to do any more research. Although Harry was a bit worried that he hadn�t had a return owl from Sirius; he remembered that Sirius told him earlier in the summer that he had some urgent matters to take care of which would render him unreachable for a short period of time. Hermione had not been able to dig up much about Professor Yardley in the library, probably due to her duties as prefect. Ron was just a wreck since Percy had gone missing over the summer. Though overwhelmed with the heavy amount of classwork, Harry knew that fifth year was so different in comparison to the others. He found that even the absence of Oliver Wood�s over-zealous, Quidditch training regiment seemed to get him down. Harry was also a bit sad that Hagrid who was always around to cheer him up in the past was on a leave of absence on Dumbledore�s instruction until mid-October.

During that first week Harry, Ron and Hermione puttered through their courses - Herbology, Seances and Scrying, Advanced Potions among others. One never more interesting than the next. One especially cold afternoon in the middle of Double Potions, while Professor Snape hovered above the students with a watchful eye, Ron and Harry shivered as they added Blood of Aragon to their cauldrons. In this semester of potions the students were able to work with more dangerous ingredients.

�Good job, Malfoy�Careful, Longbottom�we don�t want you blowing yourself to smithereens just because you don�t know the difference between Hag�s wort and Hog�s wart! Wrong..wrong..wrong�out of the way!�

Professor Yardley appeared in the doorway of Snape�s dungeon just in time to see Neville�s cauldron spill over with smoke. �There isn�t any hope for you is there, Longbottom. You must be begging me to take points from you.� Snape hissed at the ever-so-frightened Longbottom. With a turn of his wand the cauldron was empty.

�Perhaps if you�d stop yelling at him, it would be more effective.� In an odd stroke of luck for Neville, for Snape�s ferocity was now focused on Yardley who to everyone�s astonishment did not only speak up to Snape but was wearing Muggle clothing � loose fitting slacks and a turtleneck sweater.

�A word, Professor Yardley.� Snape�s disapproval was evident, but his statement did not faze Yardley who still wore the same nonchalant smile as she wore upon her introduction in the Great Hall.

�What is she wearing?� asked Pansy Parkinson one of the Slytherin girls. �Muggle clothing?�

�I can�t believe she has a nerve to walk into a Slytherin dungeon like that.� Retorted Malfoy. �She won�t last long here if you ask me.�

�Who�s asking?� Hermione piped up from a table in the back.

The two professors disappeared into the hallway. The classroom was a flurry with whispers and gossip, but they quickly quieted as the professors� voices echoed throughout the corridor and the room.

Snape and Yardley stepped out into the hallway. �I would appreciate you not telling me how to run my class as I in turn will not tell you how to run yours.�

�Apologies, Severus�I�ve come here to get on your good terms not your bad. So, enough of this foolish candor�I�ve been speaking with Albus Dumbledore who seems delight in my idea of starting up the Dueling Club once again. It was his suggestion that I come to ask you to help me organize it.�

�You�ve come to disturb my class for this?� Snape snapped.

�Well, I take it you will think about it�since Albus seems (to be) intent on it. Good day.� Professor Yardley taking the last word retreated up the stone stairwell.

Professor Snape returned to the class, his face tinged with a redness uncommon to his normally sallow complexion. The students appeared to be busy concentrating on their potions until Neville Longbottom raised his hand a big smile blazon upon his face.

�Yes, Longbottom?� snarled Snape.

�So, when is the Dueling Club�s first meeting?� Harry and Ron burst out in smiles at Neville�s mini triumph.

Continued in Chapter Three...