Disclaimer: I don't own Cardcaptor Sakura, Sailor Moon, Lord of the Rings, nor Harry Potter. They are the sole property of the original creators, i.e. not me. This story is merely to entertain; mainly me. So please don't hurt me legal persons.

Enter the Replacement Teacher

After breakfast, Sakura, Tomoyo, Syaoran, and Hotaru compared schedules. The Gryffindors and the Slytherins would be sharing Care for Magical Creatures and Potions, but that wouldn't be until the next day.

"Aww, man," said Sakura. "We'll have to wait until tomorrow to have class together. So we'll have to make sure we at least see each other during lunch, I suppose."

"Yeah, I guess," Syaoran said slightly depressed. "What classes do you have today? We," he started, referring to the Slytherins, "have Arithmancy with Professor Vector, Divination with a Professor Trelawney, and Charms with a Professor Flitwick."

"Um," Sakura looked at her schedule. "We have History of Magic with Professor Binns, Herbology with Professor Sprout and the Hufflepuff house, and let's see…Oh, um, Defense Against the Dark Arts, but the teacher isn't listed yet."

"What?" he said, grabbing her schedule. "Hmm, it's 'to-be-announced'. I wonder why they don't already have one." Harry and Ron walked up at this statement.

"That's because we get a new teacher every year, or at least since we've been coming here," said Harry.

""Yeah, each one always seems to leave for some reason or another. I guess they couldn't find someone before school started," added Ron. "I hope they bring Professor Lupin back."

"Yeah," agreed Harry. "He was by far the best Defense teacher we've had yet."

"So wait…" said Tomoyo. "You've had four different Defense teachers? How come none of them stay?"

"Well, it's a long story," said Harry. "I'll tell you about it when there's more time-we should hurry, class will be starting soon."

"Oh, yeah, we should probably get going," Sakura said to Syaoran and Hotaru. She gave Syaoran a big hug, "See you later," and walked off with the rest of the Gryffindors to their classes.

The first class turned out to be a big snore. The second class also proved to be very uneventful, so Sakura and Tomoyo spent most of the class throwing a paper airplane to one another while the teacher wasn't looking. Professor Sprout was talking about some plant that did something; Sakura didn't really pay attention. Ron and Harry later joined in the tossing of the plane. Hermione just took notes and gave them all 'don't-expect-me-to-help-if-this-shows-up-on-a-test' look.

Syaoran and Hotaru's Arithmancy class was ho-hum and their Divination class was only slightly more eventful. The Slytherins were learning how to use Taro cards. Syaoran and Hotaru had learned on the train that Professor Trelawney liked to hear about any misfortunes, such as death or dismemberment. So as Trelawney hovered about, making sure everyone was reading the cards correctly, the two had rigged their cards to display anything bad to get Trelawney's approval, or at the least, give themselves a laugh.

"Oh, dear," said Trelawney as she looked over Syaoran and Hotaru's progress. "It looks like Mr. Li has pulled out the 'sword' card. This of course means there is to be a murder in his future." She glanced at Hotaru's. "And Miss Tomoe seems to have pulled out the 'death' card. This is most unfortunate." She then looked from Syaoran to Hotaru. "Mr. Li, you don't plan on murdering Miss Tomoe, do you?" she asked as Syaoran pulled out another card, which happened to be the 'death card.' "Never mind, it seems you both will be meeting an unfortunate fate," Trelawney almost seemed to say this last statement with a hint of pleasure in her voice. Syaoran and Hotaru started to seriously doubt how credible this teacher actually was. When Professor Trelawney left to inspect the other students the two found it hard to suppress their sniggers.

Draco was seated nearby, "I see you two don't seem frightened of death. Or perhaps, you've just come to grips with reality and accepted your short pathetic existences."

If looks could kill Syaoran would have succeeded, but his scowl was interrupted as something flying though the window caught his eye. Hotaru noticed it too. "Or perhaps we just caught a glimpse of your fate." She looked at Draco's cards with mock surprise. "What's this, you're going to meet an unfortunate end, involving something made of paper?"

"What? How can you tell that," Draco turned to check his cards only to find a paper airplane heading straight for him. "Ow, bloody hell!" he yelled as the plane had found it's way into Draco's eye.

Everyone turned to see what had happened. "Well. I tried to warn him," said Hotaru innocently. Draco just covered his injured eye and tried his best to glare with the other. "Oh, don't be such a baby," Hotaru walked over to him and tried to pry his hand away from his face.

"No, you're just trying to make it worse," Draco said trying to pull away.

"Just let me look at it, oh, move your hand."

"Fine." Draco reluctantly moved his hand. Hotaru could see his eye getting red, and noticed the plane had scratched his cornea. She took this moment to show off her excellent healing skills. She hovered her hand over Draco's eye. Her hand then started to glow a light purple. Once she removed her hand and the glow ceased, Draco's eye was as good as new. "Well, what the hell was that?"

"If you're not even going to say thank you, I might as well put the scratch back," Hotaru said as she grabbed for the plane.

"No!" Draco yelled, causing Hotaru to drop the plane. He then said, somewhat calmly, "No, I'm sorry. Thank you."

"Well, I'm not so sure you didn't deserve it," said Hotaru as she crossed her arms. "But you're welcome just the same." She then returned to her table to her to finish the 'predictions'.

During lunch Sakura, Tomoyo, Syaoran, and Hotaru shared their most interesting class experiences. "Yeah, Herbology was pretty fun, that is until a gust of wind took our paper plane. Then we actually had to start paying attention to what Professor Sprout was saying," said Sakura.

"That was your paper plane?" asked Syaoran.

"I guess, why do you ask?" Syaoran and Hotaru just looked at each other and burst out laughing. "What's so funny?"

The laughter finally died down enough for the two to explain. "The paper plane helped us to make Malfoy-san look like a complete idiot," said Syaoran.

"Yeah it was great," said Hotaru. "It flew right into his eye."

"That's funny," said Tomoyo turning to Sakura. "Didn't Ron-kun and Harry-kun have some sort of joke going about how they could try and rig the plane so it could dive bomb Malfoy-san?"

"That's right, Tomoyo-chan, I guess the plane liked the idea so much it decided to carry out the plan." Everyone then started to laugh hysterically, but the laughter was cut short as they noticed Draco and his hench-men walking by, eyeing the four suspiciously. "His eye looks all right now."

"That's because I healed it for him," replied Hotaru.

"What?" asked Sakura. "How's that?"

"Well, I was born with the gift to heal. I suppose it's to counteract the somewhat destructive nature of my alter-ego," said Hotaru.

"Wow, Hotaru-chan, that's great," said Tomoyo. "Have you ever thought of helping people for a living?"

"Actually, I've always wanted to become a nurse."

Lunch was ending so the group had to go their separate ways. "Well we're finally going to get to see who our new Defense teacher is going to be," said Harry as he joined Sakura and Tomoyo on the way to class.

"Do we have assigned seating or do we just sit anywhere?" said Sakura.

"Usually you just come in and sit where ever you want. When the teacher comes in is when you find out if there's assigned seating or not," Hermione said appearing behind them.

"Okay," said Sakura. "Let's sit over there," she gestured towards the other side of the room, next to the windows. Sakura took a seat next to a window and Tomoyo sat on her other side. Harry took a seat directly behind Tomoyo, Ron and Hermione sat on either side of him.

One by one the other Gryffindors trickled in and each one speculating on what the new teacher would be like.

"I've heard that this year we're going to have a female teacher for once," said a girl.

"Well I don't care either way, as long as it's not Snape," said the girl's friend. Everyone else just nodded in agreement. As soon as everyone had taken seats, the door opened to reveal their new replacement teacher.

"An elf?" everyone murmured. The elf woman walked with grace and elegance into the room; she also seemed to be glowing. She was by far the most beautiful creature anyone had ever seen.

"My name is Gladriel, and I will be your new teacher for the year." Everyone just stared in awe of her beauty. However, no one could bring themselves to look her directly in the eye. Something in the back of their minds told them not to.

Once everyone had gotten over the initial shock of an elven teacher, they began to ask questions.

"I thought that elves weren't able to use wands," said a sandy-haired boy. "So how do we have an elven teacher?"

"Well, Mr. Finnigan, only house elves were forbidden to use wands. Unfortunately, they were seen as a lower class of elves, and then there was the fact that their magic is somewhat unpredictable. High Elves, which is what I am, have no laws against them about wand wielding," replied Gladriel.

"How come we've never been told of High Elves before. I mean, I've gone through practically every book and there's no mention whatsoever," said Hermione.

"That's because, Miss Granger, the elf council decided it was best to stay out of human affairs, so we made sure that they would stay out of ours as well. We thought that the only way for this to happen was to make sure there were no records of our existence."

"But that doesn't make any sense," said Hermione. "If what you say is true, then how were you informed about this position?"

"I only said there was no record, I never said that our existence was a complete secret. Dumbledore is one of the few who know the truth about us. He contacted the council over the summer and we made arrangements to have one of our own teach at this school, as you were in need of someone who's had experience in defense against the dark arts. We elves have also experienced problems with dark forces.

In this class we will be going more into depth about how to identify these dark forces, creatures or the like, and especially the best ways to protect yourself against them.

I'm sure you've been able to go over these things with your previous teachers, but I have been informed about your past problems that may have possibly prevented you from learning all you should have at this point in your studies, so we will only be going over your previous syllabi briefly. Now more than ever you should be completely prepared for anything that may come your way." Everyone just sat and stared at this statement, all except for Hermione, who still had a burning question.

"I have one more question," said Hermione. "How is it that you know my name, when it's obvious that you've not yet even called roll?"

"Not everything is as clear as you'd like it to be, I think this question should be saved for a later day. Goodness, I've lost track of the hour; it seems we've talked the whole class away. I suggest you all read the first two chapters in your books for next class. You are all dismissed."

Hermione was a bit upset to not have her question answered, but didn't object too much as the class had been let out slightly early. "Well, I'm going to use this time to study in the library. I think you should all do the same." Harry and Ron just looked at her.

"It's only the first day of school, we don't have to study until it gets closer to the final exams," said Harry. Ron was about to agree, but noticed a strange look on Hermione's face.

"Maybe you're right," said Ron. "Shall I escort you to the library?" He offered his arm to Hermione in that sort of gentlemanly manor, which she gladly accepted.

Harry watched as the two went off towards the library. 'Well now what am I supposed to do?' he thought.

Sakura and Tomoyo were walking by so Harry thought this might be his chance to get to know Tomoyo better. "Hey, what are you guys up to?" he asked. Sakura thought this would be the perfect time to get Tomoyo and Harry to spend time together.

"Well, I'm on my way to find Syaoran, but I'm not sure what Tomoyo-chan is doing." Tomoyo just looked at her friend. "I guess I'll see you two at dinner, bye," and she took off down the hall.

"Wait, Sakura-chan," said Tomoyo, but Sakura had already disappeared around the corner. She then turned to Harry. "Well, um, what can you do around here for fun?"

"Oh, I guess we could go for a walk around the school. I could introduce you to my friend Hagrid."

"Who's Hagrid?"

"He's the gamekeeper, and the teacher for Care for Magical Creatures."

"Well if he's a friend of yours, I'm sure he's wonderful, I'd be pleased to meet him."

After dinner Sakura, Tomoyo, and Hotaru got together to talk about how their day had gone since lunch. Syaoran was excused, as he had to talk to Kero in private about how well he'd been behaving himself, for the report for Touya.

"So, Tomoyo-chan, I heard that you and Harry-kun were getting pretty chummy on your walk this afternoon," said Hotaru.

"My, word travels fast, doesn't it?" Tomoyo questioned towards Sakura.

"What, I didn't say anything," Sakura said defensively.

"Nobody told me anything, Tomoyo-chan," said Hotaru. "I saw you guys though the window during charms. You two would make a really cute couple." Tomoyo started to blush, and decided it was time to change the subject.

"So, Hotaru-chan, how was charms-I mean what do you do in that class?"

"Charms was great, sort of. Syaoran and I were way behind in the class, so we had a kind of crash course to catch up to the rest of the 5th years. Luckily we're quick studies in magic. Professor Flitwick said that there's never been anyone in the history of Hogwarts that's learned that many charms in one day, and actually performed them correctly."

"That's great, Hotaru-chan," said Sakura. "But there's something I've been wanting to ask you since lunch."

"What's that?"

"Well, I was wondering, since he's been so mean and all, why did you heal Malfoy-kun's eye?"

"Well…I…" Hotaru didn't know what to say. "I never really thought of why I did. I suppose it's because I've always been taught to treat people with kindness, no matter how mean they are to you."

"Good, 'cause I thought it might have been because you liked him or something," said Sakura. Hotaru just had a bewildered look on her face. How could she like anyone so evil, so rude, so handsome-hey, how'd that get there. Hotaru shook her head as trying to dislodge unpleasant thoughts.

"Are you okay, Hotaru-chan?" Tomoyo asked.

"I'm fine, I just came across a thought I just didn't like so much," she replied.

During the conversation, Hotaru couldn't help but feel that someone was watching her. "Do you guys ever get the feeling you were being watched?"

"Not really, why?" asked Tomoyo, as she started to look around. "Hey, Hotaru-chan, I think that politeness has found you an admirer."

"What?" Hotaru and Sakura looked to see what Tomoyo was talking about. Draco, having noticed all three girls turned to look at him, quickly changed his glance and pretended to be very interested in the food he'd been neglecting.

"Aww, I always attract the wrong kind," said Hotaru jokingly.

"Well, maybe you'll find someone better Hotaru-chan," said Sakura hopefully. "But then again, you could be a sort of positive influence on him."

"Yeah, Hotaru-chan, just look at Sakura-chan and Li-kun. I mean, Li-kun used to be very cruel, but Sakura-chan changed him for the better. Even he's said so," said Tomoyo. Sakura's ever-ready smile faded a little at this statement.

"But I guess it wasn't enough," Sakura said sadly.

"Yeah, but you've got to understand that what got Li-kun into the Slytherin house was his need to get what he wants by any means necessary," said Tomoyo. "The only thing that he wants by any means is your safety. You should be happy knowing he'd risk anything for you, any girl would be more than thrilled to have a guy like that."

"Thanks, Tomoyo-chan." Sakura's smile came back with full force, just as Syaoran was walking up.

"Hey guys what's hap-" Syaoran's sentence was cut short as Sakura glomped him, which caused him to turn beet red.

"Oi, Sakura-chan, you're overloading Li-kun's circuits." Tomoyo giggled.

"Oops, sorry Syaoran-kun," Sakura said while letting go of the stunned Syaoran. "I guess I got a little too enthusiastic about seeing you."

"Well, I wasn't complaining," said Syaoran. "I was just surprised. I mean, it's not very often that that happens." His color slowly returned to normal.

While her friends were giving Syaoran a hard time, Hotaru couldn't help but let her eyes wonder over to the spot Draco was sitting. If she didn't know better, she could never tell that he was evil just by looking at him. She let her let her mind drift as she took in his features. Draco wasn't all too bad looking.

His platinum blond hair actually suited his pale face, 'If only he'd stop slicking it back.' She also noticed that his eyes were a sort of gray; they looked sad, yet something warm could be seen in them. Hotaru then jumped back to reality and could tell that she had been staring at Draco, and he was now staring back. She quickly looked away. 'No way did that just happen,' she thought to herself. 'There's no way I could have actually thought that Malfoy-kun could have possibilities.'

Her attention finally returned to her friends. Syaoran, she noticed, had turned all shades of red, and Sakura and Tomoyo were now laughing hysterically. Syaoran was trying to regain his composure, but was failing horribly. "I do not turn completely red every time she touches me. It's only true when something's unexpected. Stop laughing, this isn't funny."

"I'm sorry, Li-kun," said Tomoyo while drying her eyes, from laughing so hard. "It couldn't be helped."

"Yeah, I'm sorry, Syaoran-kun," said Sakura. "I promise it won't happen again." Hotaru could see that Syaoran wasn't convinced, and thought it wise to help change the subject.

"So, Tomoyo-chan, where's Harry-kun?" she asked.

"Oh, he said he had quidditch practice," replied Tomoyo.

"What's quidditch anyway?" asked Sakura.

"I don't really know," said Tomoyo. "But it's some sort of wizarding sport."

"Oh," everyone said in unison.