A/N: Hullo! WOW, it's been a long time since I updated this one. I've been really busy. But whatever, enough meaningless chitchat, and on to the story!!!

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When Hermione finally came down to the Great Hall halfway through breakfast, she took one look at Harry sitting beside Ron and sat down along the row beside Ginny. Ron completely ignored her, and continued eating. Harry glanced sideways at him, and decided that it wouldn't do to have both his friends mad at him, so he said nothing.

After a few more minutes of silence, Harry got up, collected his books, and walked out of the Great Hall. He checked his schedule: Defense Against the Dark Arts, first period. He sighed. He'd have to deal with his feuding friends the whole time, as well as put up with all the other boys in the class oohing and aahing over the new professors.

What a start to the term.

When he got to the room, he soon discovered that he was far from the only one who had decided to go to class early. Nearly all the students in the lesson were already present, and were all talking about the three new professors – Darkira, Astaria, and Fiora. Harry rolled his eyes. They weren't that beautiful.

Abruptly, the door swung open, and everyone poured in. Harry quickly scored himself a seat in the row second from the front, and saved two seats on either side of him for Ron and Hermione, thinking that he might as well sit between them.

Ron came in first, eyes bright with excitement. He plunked himself down to Harry's right, and said eagerly, "I didn't think we'd have them first! What luck, eh?"

"Yeah. Luck," said Harry dryly, but Ron ignored him.

"I mean, usually we have it around the third day into term or something. But the first time we actually have female professors, ever, we get it first period, first day! How lucky is that?"

"We had Umbridge last year, Ron."

"Oh, that toad wasn't female," said Ron airily. "And anyway, how can you begin to compare her to Fiora? I mean, she's taller, like me, and she has red hair like me ..."

"Brown with red streaks."

"Shut up, Harry. And she's the prettiest of the three, hope she's the one to teach us mainly ... they can't all be teaching full time, really, there are three of them ..."

Harry rolled his eyes as Ron rambled on about what he thought the lessons would be like, and what the professors would be like, and would they be good or crazy, and on and on and on and on.

Harry looked up as there was a small yelp from the front of the classroom. Hermione had stumbled over something on the floor as she was coming in, and was now backing away from whatever it was slowly. She hurried over and took the seat to Harry's left, and instantly leaned over to say, "Harry! Did you notice that huge black cat there?"

Harry craned his neck to see, and his eyes widened as he spotted the giant cat lying near the doorway, that he had in fact not noticed upon entering. Its eyes were closed, but as he watched, one eye opened, and stared straight at him. Harry was surprised to see that it was silver. He nudged Ron with his elbow, and when he looked questioningly at him, Harry nodded in the direction of the cat. Ron's eyes widened as Harry's had.

After a few seconds, the cat stood up, and revealed itself to be about four feet in height at the top of its head. The entire class shrank back a little, and the whole front row actually moved their chairs back slightly as it paced in front of them.

Its gaze landed on Ron, as if sizing him up. Ron paled. "Harry ... why's it looking at me like that?"

"Dunno, mate. Maybe you look good to it."

"That's NOT FUNNY."

Harry grinned.

The cat stopped pacing, and kept staring at Ron. When it took a step forward, towards the class of students, the front row all shoved out of the way. Ron paled further, and his eyes widened more than they had already. The cat started walking slowly forward, its eyes never leaving Ron. When Harry glanced sideways, he saw Hermione raise her eyebrows, and could swear he saw a small grin on her face, as well.

"Not trying to hide, are we, Shadow?" came a voice from the door leading to the DADA office. The class peeled their eyes off of the cat and looked up. Darkira stood regally in the doorway, dressed fully in black robes and looking as impressive as ever. She came forward. "Or are you trying to scare the children? Or eat them, perhaps?"

"Kira, don't you scare them," said Astaria, entering behind, clad again in emerald green robes. "That wouldn't leave a good first impression, would it?" she said, although Harry saw her smile.

"Yeah, that probably wouldn't be for the best," finished Fiora as she bounced in – literally. As she had the night before, she wore dark red robes, and a huge smile. Ron finally was able to tear his gaze away from the cat, who had stopped coming forward, and looked up at the three professors. A vacant, dreamy expression came over his face as he watched them.

"Good morning, class. I trust you slept well." It was not a question. "I am Professor Blackstorm. I will be, first and foremost, your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for this year."

"Wait – YOU'RE not staying longer than a year, either?" exclaimed Dean from the front row. Darkira slowly turned her gaze to him and held it for a few long seconds, before speaking.

"I said nothing of the sort, Mr. Thomas. And I should think that by now, you would all know that when you wish to speak in class, you raise your hand. Five points will be taken from Gryffindor for your rude interruption."

The class stared at her. Harry looked at Hermione, and knew they were both thinking the same thing: not another Snape!

"This is Professor Moonshine," she continued, indicating Astaria, "and this is Professor Brightflame." Fiora waved. "They will be assisting me. Professor Moonshine will also be assisting Professor Sprout in Herbology classes, and Professor Brightflame will be assisting Professor Firenze in Divination. Now, to business."

Harry exchanged a glance with Ron. Now it was business? Business hadn't started yet?

"As I understand, you did not have a Defense Against the Dark Arts class last year?"

Hermione raised her hand. Darkira looked at her. "Yes, Ms. Granger."

"Uh – yes, we did, Professor. We had classes taught by Professor Umbridge."

Darkira raised one eyebrow. "As I said ... you did not have Defense Against the Dark Arts classes last year."

The class exchanged delighted looks of glee.

"And so you are a year behind in your studies, and we must catch up with the curriculum. That is the reason why there are three professors for this class this year, because we must cover two years' units in the space of half that time. At the end of the year, there will be a final exam, of course, and everything you should have learned last year and this year combined will be on it. I don't know if you expect this year to be hard or easy, but however you find it, you must all work hard. I have been informed that you are all very bright, but that will not help you if you do not put in effort, and studying time."

Hermione was looking rather pleased, while the rest of the class looked rather scared.

"If you should be in need of help at any time during the year, please do not hesitate to ask any one of us, and we will be happy to set up extra sessions for students falling behind. Now, let's get down to it."

Fiora stepped forward. "First of all, role call! Hey, it rhymes!" she chirped, and brandished the class list in front of her. "Hannah Abbot."

Hannah slowly put her hand in the air. "Here."

"Hi! Would you stand up and tell us a little about yourself, please?" Fiora asked happily. Hannah looked desperately around, but no one spoke, so she rose to her feet and looked up at the three professors nervously. Darkira smacked her forehead.

"No, no, just sit back down," she said, waving her hand, and Hannah sat down quickly, looking relieved. "There will be no need to tell us anything about yourselves, class. We'll find out everything eventually."

Harry raised his eyebrows worriedly.

"Lavender Brown."

"Here."

"Hmm. You'll need to stop talking to Ms. Patil in class, Ms. Brown, if you're to learn anything at all this year," said Darkira, and then nodded to Fiora. "Do go on."

Fiora continued down the list, calling out names and saying "hi" to each one. "Hermione Granger."

"Here."

"Ah, the intelligent one," muttered Darkira from her chair. "Yes ... never mind, never mind ..." Hermione looked round at Harry, who shrugged as Fiora called out more names.

"Harry Potter. OH! Harry Potter! It's you, is it?" exclaimed Fiora when she came to him. Harry raised his eyebrows again.

"Uh – here," he said unnecessarily. Fiora laughed.

"Hiya! Y'know, I've heard so much about you!"

"Who hasn't?" Harry muttered, but only so that Ron and Hermione could hear. Fiora chirped another cheerful "hi" to him, and went on with the class attendance list.

"Ron Weasley."

"Here."

"OOH! A redhead! I like you already!" giggled Fiora, and Ron very nearly fell out of his seat. "Well, hi!" she said, and looked back down at the list. "Oh, that's it. Okay, back over to you, Kira!"

Darkira rolled her eyes and waved her hand at Astaria, who stood as Fiora took her seat.

"Any questions before we begin?"

Ron tentatively raised his hand, and she nodded. "Uh – er – the cat?" he stammered. Astaria smiled.

"You mean Shadow?" she asked, gesturing at the giant black cat that had lain down beside the desk again. Ron nodded. "He's Professor Blackstorm's pet." The cat growled, and Astaria laughed, for some reason. "I wouldn't get too near him. He'll probably either ignore you entirely, or maul you," she said cheerfully. "So try not to get in his way. Any more questions?"

The class stared.

"What? Okay, no more, then? Good. If you're going to learn two years' worth of lessons in half that time, we'd best get cracking! Today we'll be reviewing your knowledge of the Shield Charm, of which the incantation is Protego. Pair up, please."

The class stood up. Harry gulped as he felt both Ron and Hermione grab his arms at the same time, and felt them glare at each other across him. He glanced apologetically at Ron, and stood up as well. "I'll work with you next time, mate," he said as Hermione dragged him away.

Once they were out of earshot, Harry looked at her. "I don't always side with Ron, you know. In fourth year –"

"I know, I know. We're supposed to be working. You do the Shield Charm first, and I'll attack, all right?"

Harry sighed. "Fine," he said, raising his wand and readying himself for the spell.

He felt Ron's glare at his back for the rest of the class.