Professor Song stood at the front of the classroom, watching as all the students filed in and sat down at their desks – half of them wearing some red clothes, the other half wearing green. What period was this again? Of course, third period, which meant fourth-year Gryffindors and Slytherins. So she would finally get to meet the famous Harry Potter that the whole wizarding world had been talking about since he defeated Voldemort. River Song was one of the few people who would actually say the name. She wasn't afraid of some name, although she did agree you should be careful of names – sometimes they could be cursed. She'd heard of it happening before, and it was always better to be safe than sorry. Finally, all twenty students were seated.
"Good morning class," River Song said. "I am Professor Song, and I'm going to be your teacher for Defense Against the Dark Arts this year." Suddenly, a hand shot up in the air; River arched her eyebrow. "Yes, miss…?"
"Granger, miss. Hermione Granger. I was just wondering if we're going to be using defensive spells this year?" the girl said. She had frizzy brown hair and bright, curious eyes.
"Ah, now, Miss Granger. Spoilers," River replied with a mischievous grin. "Anyway, as I understand, you learned about quite a few creatures with your teacher last year, who I believe turned out to be a werewolf. So this year, we're going to start with something new but simple – hex deflection. Please repeat after me, without wands. Salvio Hexia."
"Salvio Hexia," the class chorused.
"Very good, very good! Again, please!"
"Salvio Hexia," they repeated.
"Right, I think you're ready to use your wands now. Any volunteers? Miss Granger, perhaps, since you seem so eager?" River asked. Hermione stood up, nervously made her way to the front of the classroom, and took out her wand. "Right, I'm going to attempt to hex you, a very mild hex to begin with, and I'd like you to move your wand downwards while holding your other hand up with your palm facing me and say 'Salvio Hexia'. Understand?" she said to the girl, who nodded.
"Titillando!" Professor Song said clearly with a sweep of her wand. Purple hand-shaped ribbons of light sprouted and made their way to Hermione, who quickly and perfectly deflected them. "Brilliant, Miss Granger," she cried. "Absolutely fantastic!"
Hermione's face lit up and she grinned, then returned to her seat.
"Right, I'd like you each to pair up with the other person at your table and take turns practicing the hex deflector. Simply use the hex I used, the tickling hex. Off to work, now, please!" River Song said brightly. Everyone paired together and began practicing. She walked around the classroom, observing the student's progress. As expected, not everyone got it on the first try like Hermione did – a red-haired boy was laughing crazily while a boy with floppy black hair was flipping desperately through a book, apparently looking for a counter-curse. River hurried over, removed the hex, and helped the ginger boy up to his feet.
"Thank you, Professor," he muttered sheepishly.
"No problem. What's your name, love?" she asked.
"Ron Weasley. And this is…" he trailed off, looking at the boy with floppy black hair. River followed his gaze and smiled at the boy.
"Harry Potter. I'd recognize you anywhere. Pleased to meet you. But don't expect any special treatment because you're famous, mister Potter," she said, pointing at him sternly and laughing. Harry gave her a small, embarrassed smile.
"I wouldn't want special treatment, Professor. Trust me," he said. River nodded and smiled at him, then went to assist other students. Hermione Granger was paired with a pretty Indian girl who was also, like her partner, performing the hex-deflector perfectly. "Brilliant, girls!" she grinned, and continued. A blond-haired boy was attempting to hex a girl with dark glossy hair, but she was deflecting it well.
"What are your names?" River asked. The pair stopped practicing and turned to the professor.
"I'm Draco Malfoy, and this is Pansy Parkinson," he sneered. He was clearly very full of himself. He wore black pants and a white shirt with a robe draped over, the inside of which was green. He also wore a tie of green and silver. The boy held himself high and seemed to look down upon everyone else. Immediately, River knew that he wouldn't be the most pleasant student this year. The girl next to him sat with the same posture.
"Well, good work. Keep it up," she said with a nod and a small smile. Soon, the class was nearly over. "I'd like a six-inch paper on the types of hexes, how strong they are, and how they differ from jinxes. Due next week!" she told the class. The bell rang and they filed out. It seemed like this would be an interesting year.