Chapter Eight -- The New Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher

"Ron, hurry up! The train's leaving! Here you go Ginny, dear. Have a safe trip." Mrs. Weasley said as she waved goodbye to Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Julianna.

"Have a good school year!" Tonks shouted. When they couldn't see them anymore, Julianna and Ginny went to find an empty cart, while Ron and Hermione went to their prefect cart.

It was not long when Ron And Hermione appeared on their cart. "You guys better change to your robes." Hermione reminded, Ginny and Julianna nodded. When they had all changed to their robes, they began eating their sandwiches prepared by Mrs. Weasley.

"Sirius didn't come to see you off huh?"

"Ron!" both Ginny and Hermione said.

"It's all right, I didn't expect him to see me off anyway." Julianna said cheerfully.

"Why are you happy about it?"

"Well, there's no use sulking."

"If I were you Potter, I'll be crying my eyes out… boo-hoo." It was Malfoy. Crabbe and Goyle was snickering at his back.

"I thought you were actually doing exactly that, considering your father's still in Azkaban." Julianna said hotly. Malfoy started to move towards her.

"You started it Malfoy, we all saw it." Ron said as he stood up, his eyes never leaving Malfoy's.

"You wait Potter, he'll be out soon."

"I don't care, at least everyone knows he's a Death Eater. I suggest you keep a low profile since everything will change from now on."

Malfoy's face lost its color and stumped out of the cart, with Crabbe and Goyle following him.

"Is that Malfoy?" asked Luna Lovegood who appeared suddenly.

"Who else?" said Ginny, "Come, sit down. "

They reached Hogwarts and was led immediately to the Great Hall. They were a bit fewer now and Julianna understood. She looked at the teacher's table while Professor McGonagall announced the first year's names to be sorted by the sorting hat. Snape was still in his usual greasy self only this time his face was distorted that Julianna knew too well what that meant. He would always looked at her like that during Potions class. The sorting finished sooner because of the small amount students who were present this year. They all waited Dumbledore for his speech, Julianna and everybody else wondered who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be.

"It's nice to be back again," Professor Dumbledore said, "I will not delay you much longer, let's eat." And the once empty table was now filled with food.

"He still haven't introduced who the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher yet." said Hermione.

"Maybe its Cornelius Fudge," Seamus Finnigan said.

"Anyone but Umbridge." said Lee Jordan and Ron started mimicking Professor Umbridge's girly cough again that made everyone laugh. Hem - Hem.

Professor McGonagall tapped her glass and everybody fell silent. Professor Dumbledore stood. "A wonderful feast, yes?" He said touching his stomach. "As you all notice, we are fewer this year. I understand completely however I am delighted to those who had come to school. Well, our gamekeeper Hagrid will still be teaching Care for The Magical Creatures, he is on an appointment at the moment but he will be present in your first day of classes - no need to worry."

He paused and looked at everyone, "I know everyone is excited to know who will be the Defense Against the Ark Arts Teacher and I am happy to say that he is not from the Department of Ministry."

The students sighed and made a happy noise in their seats.

"The Ministry I'm afraid is rather busy to spare a teacher for us." He looked at the Gryffindor table, Julianna smiled. "Now may I present to you your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and my trusted friend - Sirius Black."

Everybody was silent for a while as Sirius makes his way to his chair and shook Dumbledore's hands. Julianna was speechless as she looked at his godfather.

"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore." Sirius said and sat down.

"Sirius Black here?" said Seamus Finnigan.

"He's free of charges anyway, its on the Daily Prophet." Neville said.

"Oh, come on." Hermione said, "Don't tell me you lot still believe that his a mass murderer."

"He was after Julianna on our third year."

Hermione began retelling the story the whole evening.

===========================================================

"I wonder what he'll teach us today?" Ron asked, "What do you think? I mean, everybody knows how powerful and clever he is…"

"He's pretty good at Transfiguration." Julianna thought loudly as they all made there way to the Dungeons for Potions class.

"I guess Snape wouldn't be bothering you much, eh mate? Now that's Sirius here, I mean Professor Black." Ron said grinning.

"I wouldn't have my hopes high," Julianna mumbled as Snape came in the room.

===========================================================

The Defense Against the Dark Arts class was superb, everybody couldn't help comparing who's the better teacher by the end of the day: Lupin or Black? Most girls were on Black's side but they are still having a dilemma, saying Lupin is 'cute if he should just shave and wear fancy clothes'. Julianna on the other hand was relieved regarding he's godfather's fair behavior towards her.

"He's one cool teacher," Angelina said, "By the way, Julianna, we'll be having Quidditch practices on Thursdays, I want you present, all right? You're not banned anymore and you too Ron."

"All right." They both said in unison.

"You guys practice hard," Hermione said that shocked Ron, "don't get me wrong Ron, I want you guys to defeat Slytherin - really defeat them - and I mean Malfoy for you Julianna."

Julianna and Ron grinned. "You got it Hermione."