A/N: Thanks to EVERYONE that reviewed! I'm sorry if my updates are coming out a bit slow! English words are not exactly flowing in my head, and living in Shanghai does nothing to help!

PhoenixFlameFantasy: shaking your fist at me is really working...lol.

Chapter 16

The New Professor

"Our sixth DADA professor. Do you think she'll be any good?" Harry asked while the trio headed for Defense class on Wednesday morning.

"Let's see our first one smelled of garlic and had er—Voldemort sticking out of the back of his head; second one was a liar who can't even block an expelliarmus properly; third...a werewolf but the bloody best teacher I've ever seen." "Ron!" Hermione admonished, but the red-haired boy continued, pretending not to have heard, "fourth turned out to be a Death Eater in disguise, who turned Malfoy into a ferret, heh I'll never forget that; and fifth was a simpering Fudge's spy that cut student's hands as punishment! What is this year going to bring us, eh? A seductive vampire that sucks student's blood in the middle of the night?" He finished in almost one single breath.

"You never know." Harry said darkly, recalling to last year's Defense class. Just picturing the toady woman and her simpering voice and annoying coughing sounds was enough to send him running into the Men's room. "The only person more disgusting than her is Voldemort."

Several female students passing by gasped, but after five years of 'practice' he turned a deaf ear towards them.

"From what I heard from some of the Ravenclaws during Arithmancy, they said this Professor Tustrith finally showed them what a real Defense Against the Dark Arts class is supposed to be like, though sometimes she tends to uh...frighten the first and second years." Hermione added the last sentence uncertainly.

Harry and Ron looked at each other, eyebrows raised.

"She probably looks like a hag." Ron stated.

"Or maybe a mix between a troll and Snape." Harry added, smirking.

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I guess we'll find out in five minutes." she said nonchalantly, checking her watch but upon further notice you would see her mouth slightly twitching upwards and her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Hermione not interested in the new Defense professor? Never!" Ron joked.

"What will come will come, Ron. No use getting so excited about it." She replied smoothly, although the excitement showed clearly in her soft brown eyes.

"Admit it, Hermione. You are definitely as excited as we are, no use acting so cool about it." Harry replied with a large grin.

Hermione opened her mouth to retaliate but the ringing of the school bells stopped her and the trio entered the defense classroom to uncover the mystery that had lingered for so long.

To the trio's surprise, (and to Ron's horror, disgust and skepticism showing obviously on his face), what greeted them was a classroom almost completely decorated in black, save some strange silver pattern of ancient rune's symbol engraved onto the now black curtains, desks and chairs. The only features of the Defense classroom unchanged were the stone walls.

"If this teacher is anything like Snape I don't think I'll survive another year." Ron groaned.

"I think I'll survive as long she isn't like the simpering toad Umbridge, which I'm quite sure she isn't. You've never seen her office, have you? Every surface was pink and lacey..." Harry shuddered at the memory, though he wasn't sure whether it was more out of the unbearable decoration or out of his inhumane detention served there. He gave a downward glance at his hand. The cut had completely healed by now, but upon closer inspections he could still vaguely see the "I must not tell lies" spelled out in white.

" Compared to that, this room is fairly..."

Before he had the chance to finish, Harry saw a red flash from the corner of his eyes sailing through the air straight as an arrow...towards Ron. Harry barely had time to register this fact before jumping at his friend an pulling him down onto the ground, just in time as the red brush past his head, frying a few strands of his hair, and collided into the wall with a loud bang. The Hogwart's wall stood, without even a scratch to show a spell had just hit it.

Harry leaped to his feet, wand in hand, and eyes scouting the dark room in search for the attacker. By this time, most students had already filed into the room. Some were staring at him, eyes wide and scared, while others, like Harry, were also searching for the attacker among the crowd. There was no need, for then a deep feminine voice spoke out from the direction of the corner by the board.

"Congratulations Mr. Potter. Not only did you spot the spell in time, but saved your friend as well. I am impressed. Not many would have acted with such agility upon a surprise attack. Ten points to Gryffindor."

The owner of the voice, at first only a silhouette in the dark, stepped out into the torchlight. It was nothing Harry had expected.

The new Defense professor had long dark brown hair all the way down to her hips, white (but not a sickly pale white) skin and had a slim but medium tall frame. Harry noticed her eyes, obsidian, were black as night; her nose, tall and elegantly shaped, like a noble; and her eyebrows were slim and delicate, like the last crescent of a dying moon. And she was dressed head to toe in black, but lining the hem and collar were the same silver patterns as on their desks.

Harry had a nagging feeling that this new professor in front of him reminded him of someone...someone he knew...but he just couldn't place who...

But before he could ponder more...

"Take a seat and settle down, students." The deep voice said with authority. Everyone scurried to find a desk. The Professor waited patiently, arms crossed, until the noise in the room descended to zero as everyone had settled down, all eyes on her, waiting for her to speak.

"Now as all of you should know, I am Professor Tustrith, your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. This is a NEWT level class, so I advice each and every one of you to pay extreme attention to my instructions. I forewarn you that this year's curriculum will be difficult and in addition to your lack of practice last year..." at this her eyes flashed dangerously, "we have some very serious catching up to do."

Neville, three seats away from Harry, gulped. Whether it was because of the "catching up" part or the glare, Harry did not know. It could have been both.

"There will be pop quizzes every now and then, some in the form of duels against other students or against me, while others as surprise attacks, like the one placed on Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley. Now that you have an inkling on what to expect, I hope all of you would at least be up to Potter's performance today—fast response and avoid getting cursed. However, I warn you that not all of my attacks will be direct curses like the Stunner demonstrated today. Be on your guard...always! You never know what to expect, my students." Professor Tustrith said sternly. "And Mr. Potter...do not think you will not be targeted again just because you've had your turn today. And I hope a better performance next time."

Harry nodded determinedly. if that were a Deatheater attack, ducking to the floor was not the best way to protect myself." he thought to himself.

"This year, we will be covering advanced Protego Spells, a few Curse Detection Spells, the Patronus...yes Ms. Brown, it is above NEWTs level but very important due to ...current events...And various dueling techniques." Professor Tustrith said. "Any questions?"

Seamus put up his hand.

"Mr....."

"Finnigan, professor."

"Yes, Mr. Finnigan?"

"We already know how to perform a Patronus."

She raised one of her crescent-shaped eyebrows, "Indeed..."

"Most of us in here know how to perform the spell, Professor." said Seamus, "because of the DA."

"Why yes, I have been informed about the DA by the headmaster, and I do have to admit that it was a truly good defense group, although illegal..."

"...But, what you will all encounter in this class is definitely more advanced and truly more dangerous than what you all have ever done in the DA...so I hope everyone here is up to scratch...and I truly hope none of you give me any reason to throw you out of this class." Her black eyes swept around the class.

Beside Harry, Neville gave another loud gulp.

"I shall inspect those who are able to produce a corporeal Patronus next class." The bell rang, "class dismissed, Potter and Granger, would you please stay behind."

Everyone stood up to leave, all discussing excitedly about the new Defense Professor. Harry overheard two Hufflepuff boys talking loudly,

"She's scary, that one, the new professor."

"Yeah, definitely. Just the way she decorated the classroom sends creeps down my spine."

"No kidding. I had goosebumps on my arms the whole period. But you can't deny she's quite pretty...in a dark sort of way."

And they trailed on, disappearing into the hallway full of students. Harry wondered whether he had done something wrong, but remembered Hermione had to leave behind, too. Ron walked past him, mouthing, "I'll wait for you guys outside."

Harry and Hermione walked up to the teacher's desk.

"Ah yes Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger. Thank you for staying, this won't take long." Professor Tustrith said softly, losing the stern tone she used in class. "I was wondering whether you will be continuing the DA this year. I thought it was an excellent idea, and would like to be the teacher's volunteer should you wish to continue. As I'm sure Ms. Granger here knows, every club or association requires a teacher's volunteer in order for it to become legal."

Hermione looked at Harry, her eyes clearly saying, "well, the choice is yours."

But Harry was in doubt, "do I even want to continue the DA? I did it just because last year's Defense class was crap, but this year's different...then if I do continue, of course I 'd like DA to be legal...but it would be totally weird having a teacher around while we hold meetings..."

"I see you are in doubt, Mr. Potter." Professor Tustrith said.

Harry nodded.

And as if reading Harry's mind, the Professor said, "By the way, the volunteer teacher does not need to attend every meeting, so I can assure you your club members will not be disturbed by my presence." And very subtly, she winked.

Harry could only stare, not knowing how to react to the professor's sudden "change of personality" and "extend of friendship". He was lost for words.

Hermione elbowed him hard in the ribs.

"Ow...I mean...oh...uh...thank you, Professor. Is it okay if I think about it tonight, and give you an answer tomorrow?" Harry asked, still not having decided yet. Actually he felt his whole head was spinning from the day's events.

"Of course, Mr. Potter. Take your time. Now off you go. I'm sure lunch has already been served." Said the Professor, kindly.

"Good bye, Professor." Harry and Hermione said in unison and stood up to leave.

"That was very weird..." Hermione trailed off, while they were walking towards the Great Hall.

Harry shouldered his bag, still thinking about the new professor, replied, "Yeah. It was, wasn't it?"

"That Professor Tustrith gave me a weird sense of déjà vu...she looked like someone I know...but I just can't place who..." Hermione said, brow furrowing, the way she does whenever she was pondering deeply on a question.

Harry paled. "Same here." He replied.

Silently, he thought to himself, "Definitely weird..."