Begin Chapter Two Chapter Two: Meet the Professor

The morning after, the trio was sitting eating breakfast and talking about the new DADA teacher.

"I hope she's a good teacher. She looks far too young to be teaching," said Hermione. Ron gave Hermione the "Look of Death", but she just kept on eating. Professor McGonagall handed them their schedules.

"It looks as if we have her first hour with Slytherin," Harry stated. Ron's eyes lit up with a spark of hope.

"Maybe she's the complete opposite of Snape. Like nice and friendly and funny, y'know?"

Harry just looked at Ron and didn't say anything except "Let's get ready for class." They headed up to the DADA room with the other Gryffindors.

"I wonder what our first lesson will be," Hermione asked.

"I don't care about the lesson," Neville said. "What if she's just like Snape? I won't live through the year with the both of them!" Hermione tried comforting a trembling Neville while they waited for the teacher to arrive.

"What's the matter Longbottom," a familiar voiced drawled. "Scared of the big bad teacher?"

"Stuff it, Malfoy!" Ron snarled.

"Oh hello, Weasley," Malfoy smirked as he looked Ron up and down. "I see you still can't afford a decent pair of robes," Malfoy smirked. "When will your dad realize that he is a pureblood and stop mooning over mudbloods?" Malfoy leveled an icy stare at Hermione. "Maybe then he could actually save up to Knuts to rub together." Ron lunged at Malfoy and Harry grabbed him quickly.

"WHAT is going on here?" the cool voice of Professor Dean broke up the argument in no time at all.

"Well, Professor, Weasley here was bullying me and when I stood up for myself, he just attacked," drawled Malfoy. He gave a smirk to Crabbe and Goyle. "Really, I think he's quite dangerous." Professor Dean cocked an eyebrow.

"How dare you lie to me you simpering fool. Five points from Slytherin" she said coolly. The smirk on Malfoy's face was quickly wiped off. Professor Dean looked more closely at Malfoy.

"Wait a minute, aren't you Lucius Malfoy's son?" she asked.

Malfoy puffed his chest out slightly as he answered, "Yes, I am".

"Oh, well that changes everything!" Malfoy looked relieved and grinned while all of Gryffindor looked affronted.

"I'll just take ten points from Slytherin," Professor Dean said crisply. Malfoy looked like a goldfish gasping for air as he opened and closed his mouth in shock. Ron looked at Professor Dean as if she was a goddess. All the Gryffindors were grinning from ear to ear. Professor Dean conjured the door open and motioned the students in the dark classroom. She strode to the front of the classroom, black robes billowing out behind her. She placed her hands together in front of her and looked around the room.

"I am, if you don't already know, Professor Dean. I am not one to pick favorites, unlike my uncle. How pure your blood is means absolutely nothing to me. I have seen how even the most pure-blooded wizard can have absolute filth running through his veins." She paused for a moment and looked around the room. "I also do not take kindly to liars or bullies." Her gray eyes glared at Malfoy for a second and some Gryffindors sniggered.

"If you misbehave in my class, you WILL be reprimanded whoever you are. I expect you all to be on top of your work because I will give you as much as I think you need. And the amount I give you depends on how quick you understand it in class. I think that this is fair enough so if there are no questions, let's begin with a review on Curses. Turn to page fifty-eight in your books."

"I think I like Professor Dean a lot," Hermione said. "She seems fair. I reckon it'll be just like when Lupin was here." They were sitting at a table completing a chart on counter curses and how they worked. Harry smiled.

"Liar. You just liked the fact that she deflated Malfoy's huge ego," Harry said. Hermione grinned wickedly.

"That does give her some extra points. Wouldn't you say Ron?" Ron grunted dazedly at Hermione. He was watching the Professor walk around the room checking on people's progress.

"Well, that's the most we've gotten out of him all hour," said Seamus with a big grin on his face. "Have you guys forgotten all about tonight?"

"Oh, those girls arrive tonight don't they?" Harry asked. "I guess we all forgot with that entrance Professor Dean made last night." Professor Dean walked up to their group and looked at their chart.

"Excellent work," she said as she made a mark in her book. Ron seemed to pass out on the table when Professor Dean walked away and Harry and Seamus started sniggering while Hermione scowled.

"Well it has been bumped up to midday," announced Seamus. "Rumor is, their father has gotten quite paranoid and wants them here as soon as possible. Has a feeling You-Know-Who is near."

"Oh my goodness!" Hermione said. "That must be terrible having to leave family behind because of that."