Author's Note: To Romulan Empress, yes this is my first story here, first fanfiction I've ever written. As such I'm interested to know what others think of it. Rave's opinion is slightly biased (understandably).

Admissions: HP chars belong to J. K. Rowling, Leiko to me, and Ravindra to my soul-sister Rave.

Section 6: Birds and Beasts

Draco Malfoy was shocked when he heard that Dumbledore was actually letting a monster teach at Hogwarts. He thought he'd killed that thing with his well-timed curse. He had been disappointed to learn that it had lived, and now that it was a professor he had no doubt the thing would find a way to get back at him. The Headmaster had been lenient in punishing him, and the boy had decided that perhaps Dumbledore wasn't such a fool after all. But giving a teaching position to a beast that had only been at Hogwarts a few days? This was beyond foolish. It was downright suicidal.

Draco sent a message to his father via owl explaining what was happening at the school. He knew that many students would be owling home to inform their parents of the night's announcement. He made sure to mention that the beast was a blood-thirsty killer with a grudge against him, and that it would try to find a way to kill him during class if it wasn't destroyed immediately. Draco was sure that would be more than enough to get his father to act. Lucius Malfoy might be a cold man, but he was protective of his heir and had a lot of influence in the wizarding world. Draco went to sleep that night dreaming of how sweet it would be when the authorities came to rid Hogwarts of Dumbledore and that monster.

Morning came, and the students of Gryffindor and Slytherin gathered in front of Hagrid's hut for their first Care of Magical Creatures class with the new professor. Everyone was whispering about how she was a gryffin, how Malfoy had somehow turned her into a human, and how the Headmaster must have some ulterior motive for putting her in charge of their class. The clearing of a throat and a low growl drew their attention to a pale woman with long, dark brown hair and green eyes. She wore a robe that did not quite fit, and her thin form moved with a feline grace.

"You will address me as Professor Leiko or professor. Undoubtedly you've heard all manner of misinformation concerning me and my reasons for being here. I won't bother to correct any of it. All you need to know is that this is now my class, and I will not tolerate idle chatter. Is this understood?"

The students nodded. Harry Potter, who was standing beside his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, stared in disbelief at the new professor. She sounded just like Snape! Her whole manner reminded him of the Potions Master. Everything from the superior look in her eye to the sneer on her lips gave the impression that a female version of Snape was standing before them. Harry wondered if the woman also shared Snape's hatred of him. The very thought of two professors giving him a hard time caused the boy to groan.

"You there...aren't you feeling well? Or are you anticipating a difficult time in my class?"

Harry just stared at her, wondering if gryffins could read minds. She stared back. Leiko was wondering why the boy seemed to loath being there. He'd been fine 'till she'd delivered her opening speech. Harry just stood there staring at her, at a total loss for words.

"What's your name, then? Or is 'hey you' acceptable for getting your attention?"

Harry's eyes went wide, as did those of most of the students there. This professor didn't know who Harry Potter was? His scar was quite visible at the moment. You'd have to be blind to miss it, and everyone in the wizarding world knew about The Boy Who Lived and his famous scar.

"H-Harry...my name is Harry Potter, professor."

"Very well, Mr. Potter. Do try not to groan again until after I've at least given some homework. Now, on with today's lesson."

Harry let out the breath he'd been holding. Professor Leiko didn't seem to have heard about him. It was strange to be just another anonymous student. He liked it, knowing she wouldn't give him preferential treatment or make his life miserable. He hoped she wouldn't find out that he was famous, or what he was famous for. For once in his life, he'd come across someone who knew nothing of his past. He looked forward to the class, and wondered what exciting things the gryffin could teach them about magical beasts.