First Day of Classes

Mora, wake up. Hermione shook Mora, gently.



Time to get up. You have about five minutes to change to get to breakfast.

Mora lazily folded back the covers and sat up. Okay. I will be downstairs in three minutes. Thank you for waking me.

No problem. Hermione walked out and waited in the common room for Mora. As she promised, three minutes later, she met Hermione and they walked together to the great hall.

You know, you seem so formal when you speak. Are all Mahshians so proper? Hermione asked as they walked down a staircase.

Mora chuckled. Not really. The only reason for my speaking like this is because of how I was raised. My family tried to teach me correct English and proper manners. Most Mahshians are kind and somewhat proper, but perhaps not to the extent I was trained to be.

I see. It's just strange to hear you talk. First of all, your accent. It's almost French, but not quite. Maybe a bit more Eastern European than that. It's kind of thick, but yet, light. I just don't know how to describe it. Don't get me wrong- it's beautiful but it takes some getting used to. Also, the way you speak in general, so formal, is strange to hear. Nothing against you personally.

No offense taken. Mora and Hermione entered the Great Hall and sat across from Ron and Harry.

Good morning. Sleep well? asked Harry.

For the most part, replied Hermione.

How about you? Ron asked Mora.

I slept well. Mora looked down at her food. She really wasn't hungry. Just a bit homesick, I am afraid.

Did you write your parents last night? asked Harry?

Yes. It probably will be a few days before I receive a reply. My falcon can fly faster than owls but is unable to do long distances as well.

You have a falcon? Don't they hunt owls? asked Ron.

Normally, yes, they would kill young owls, but she only eats wild rodents. She can somehow differentiate between a wild animal and a pet.

That's neat. Wish I had a smart animal like that, said Ron.

Really, Ron! You have a wonderful owl, scolded Hermione. Moving on, what classes does everyone have?

They compared schedules that McGonagall. Everyone had the same classes except Hermione had substituted Divination with the new class, Ministry Business Training. I couldn't stand the stuff Professor Trewlawny tried to teach. I want something more concrete than tea leaves in a cup, Hermione explained.

Well, I guess we should get to Double Potions. It's first thing this morning, said Ron.

Hey, who's Defense of the Dark Arts teacher this year? asked Harry.

Everyone looked at each other. No one knew. Mora had only heard about the problems Hogwarts had in keeping a Dark Arts professor for more than a year.

Well, I don't think it's Snape. He looks too sour to have gotten the job, commented Ron.

Let's just worry about that when we get there. Now we should get to Snape's class before he gets any madder at the Gryffindor house, Harry said.

Mora follows the three down to the dungeons to the laboratory. They sat down at two tables, Harry and Ron at one and Hermione and Mora at another with a boy named Neville sharing the end of the table.

Snape stormed in, seemingly upset, only a minute later. His hard chiseled face seemed to stare down the Gryffindor side of the class and ignore the Slytherins. His eyes fell on Mora and his face grew more mad.

So, you think you can trounce in here, a fifth year level class, as a first year student, and succeed? A wicked smile formed across his face. How do you form a potion for controlling a person's mind?

You would not be allowed to brew such a potion because it infringes on other people's rights to freedom. It is equivalent to using the Imperius spell, which would land you in Azkaban for a nice long stay. However, you would use a scale of a dragon dissolved in water purified in the light of the full moon, mixed with the rare herb, Bossenblat, Mora replied.

Snape seemed angered that she knew the correct answer, but also surprised. So you've studied since I last quizzed you. Most of you, looking at the other Gryffindors, need to follow her example. This year will be very difficult.

When Snape turned around, Mora overheard Harry ask Ron, Why does he enjoy doing that?

Later in the day, they arrived at Defense Against the Dark Arts, to find Dumbledore sitting at the desk. For now, I will be teaching this class. We are still looking for a more permanent, qualified instructor to fill this position. With no other explanation, Dumbledore began to talk about certain spells and curses, of which Mora had no interest. The subject was a bore to her, not Dumbledore. It was more lecture with little attention getting action.

Later in the day was Care of Magical Creatures. Well, today we were supposed to have mysors, but I think the post had some problems with them, so today we'll go over some of our local creatures.

During the class, Hagrid spoke about all kinds of thinks that lived in the Dark Forest. Mora listened intently, having not heard of many of the creatures before. Now, everyone else was bored.

Of course, what we're proud of here, is a healthy group of unicorns, said Hagrid. The species here are only one of three in the world. The other two are found only in Europe, mostly remote parts of Germany. The one's here are born golden but turn white after four years and develop a golden horn. Another white type of unicorn is born white, and stays white which has a opalescent horn, but lives in the southern part of the European continent. The last species is black with silver horns, which are native to western Europe, like Germany and into Russia. Unicorns are rare but if you know where and how to find em, they aren't so elusive.

Most unicorns like to play with you if they know you're there. If you try to find em and they see you first, they might try to hide from you. They're sneaky. However, if they really like you, they'll eventually approach you. If you approach them and they don't want to be approached, they'll run away or run you through with their horn.

Mora was quite content listening to Hagrid, but the bell rang, signifying class was over. Harry, Hermione, and Ron stayed behind so Mora stayed, too. Hagrid gave each of them a hug and got caught up on their summers.

I can't believe a unicorn is so violent, said Hermione. You didn't mention that last year.

Actually, they judge someone's heart upon looking at them. If you have evil intent anywhere in you, they would just be protecting themselves. If you manage to sneak up on an unicorn, you're probably up to no good and the poor guy doesn't have a chance and is justified in killing you. So if you ever see a unicorn, be sure not to sneak up on it because by the unicorn code, you'd be evil.

Hagrid, why did you not tell the class that information? asked Mora.

Some things are best not known. Some of the students would try to capture a unicorn if the fear of being gored weren't put into their heads. Hagrid sighed. Some people just don't respect animals.

Well, Hagrid, we'll try to visit this year, but I think we should be getting inside, said Harry.

Guess you should. Take care, Hagrid said. Calling after them a minute later, Mora, make sure your falcon doesn't eat the mysors when I get them.

iI don't know what he's talking about. I told him, Mahshi only eats rats,/i thought Mora.