Chapter Five:

A New Teacher

Course schedules were handed out the next morning at breakfast. Harry, Ron and Hermione compared theirs.  Hermione's workload, as usual, was bigger than Harry and Ron's. Jessica was extremely quite and spent most of breakfast searching the hall for her sister. Sara wasn't there, nor were Draco and his minions. Harry suspected they were going to try and make a grand entrance, so Draco could impress his new interest. He was right.

The group of Slytherins burst through the door, Draco and Sara at the head of the pack, she had her arm linked with his. Draco never looked so smug. Jessica could only glare and shake her head at her twin. Harry could tell the two were a lot more different than just hair color. Jessica was laid back and relaxed and Sara was very much into being in power over the Slytherins with Draco at her side. "I hope your sister knows what she is doing," Harry commented. Jessica turned swiftly toward him.

"What do you mean?" she demanded, her eyes flashed with anger, Harry was surprised by how mad she had become.

"Nothing, I meant no offence to you or her, it's just most of the Slytherins are very unsavory people and you two seem far to nice to be involved with someone such as him," Harry said, her expression lightened up, and she smiled.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have gotten so upset. We've just had some problems before with her-" she didn't finish what she was saying and looked down in her plate. Harry was confused.

"What problems?" Harry asked quietly.

"Don't worry about it," Jessica snapped. Ron had looked up from his food and was listening to their conversation. He looked as though he was about to say something, but Harry silenced him with a look.

"Come on, then," Hermione said, trying to break the tension, "We've got Potions first with the Slytherins." 

*~*~*~*

Harry, Ron and Hermione chose a set of seats nearest the back of the room. The last thing they wanted was to be nearer to Snape than they had to. Jessica sat alone until her sister came in; Sara looked at her sister with an icy stare and sat down next to her. They whispered for a few moments, before Sara got up to sit with Draco. Hermione caught Jessica's attention and waved her over to sit with them.

Neville Longbottom looked fearful as ever when Snape came into the dungeon. He looked as bitter as ever, glaring at all the Gryffindors. Except Jessica. This struck Harry as quite strange; Snape summoned her forward and spoke to her quietly for a few moments before sending her back to her seat.

"What was that about?" Ron asked.

"He thinks I would be better suited sitting with the Slytherins, or as he called them, people of my caliber," She laughed, Neville blushed furiously. Hermione rolled her eyes and glared at their stringy haired, callow potions teacher.

"Is there a problem, Miss Granger?" He asked nastily, sensing her glare. Hermione jumped, as Professor Snape had his back to them. Class started with The Slytherins snickering and pointing. Sara just smiled at Hermione with a hint of malice hidden in her dark brown eyes.

*~*~*~*

After lunch they had Defense Against the Dark Arts, who the teacher would be this year, they hadn't found out. "I heard that all qualified witches or wizards in England believe that it is actually a cursed position, so they had to get an American teacher to fill the spot," Seamus Finnigan told them as they awaited the new teacher's arrival.

"Well, I heard that this year a vampire is going to be teaching," Dean Thomas said, there were excited whispers all over the room.

"Well, I heard you all were getting a very experienced, and talented teacher this year." Every spun around to see a young, pretty woman standing in the doorway. She had long flowing black hair down to the center of her back and caramel colored eyes. Hermione had to help Ron pick up his jaw as he watched her walk to the front of the room. Harry looked at Jessica, who just smiled at him, and then looked proudly up at the new teacher.

"I am an American, as you said Mr. Finnigan," She said with a smile, Seamus blushed upon being directly addressed by her. "But a vampire, no." She had the same sparkle in her eye as Dumbledore when she looked around the room at all curious faces. She winked at Jessica before continuing.

"This year is my first Teaching, I have been a training Auror for three years, but jumped at the opportunity to teach. My Grandfather, Albus Dumbledore," She paused at the looks of amazement that filled every face in the room, "Offered me the position in order to keep eye on my two cousins, and of course to teach all of you the necessary training for protection."

"Who are her cousins?" Dean asked, looking at everyone, but stopping on Jessica. They all only then noticed the similarities they shared.

"You're Professor Dumbledore's granddaughter?" Ron gasped at Jessica. She nodded, but turned her attention back to the teacher.

"My name is Andrea Spools, but feel free to call me Andrea, I don't like to be to formal," She told them, "Besides, we'll all be seeing each other so much this year, and I get to call you by your fist names, so why not?" Harry knew he liked her already. The first class was mainly about introduction; Andrea had them all tell something about their names and something about themselves. Her eyes widened in delight when Harry stood up.

"The famous Harry Potter," She smiled, Harry's cheeks turned rose color, and all he could do was smile at her.