: Chapter 2 :

Mondaosa

The next morning bright and early the Great Hall was filled once again with the large amount of hungry students, who were excited about meeting the new teacher. Though Professor Whitlock was not seen in her seat between Sprout and Hagrid that morning. The curious 7th years just had to wait and see if she really was their age.

"I still can't believe she is a teacher!" Hermione said as she furiously slammed down her book for Defense Against the Dark Class. "And what is with these books? They're so big!" Ron and Harry stared at her as if she had just sprouted three heads.

"Told you she's gone mental," Ron whispered to Harry.

"Hermione, it's our 7th year. They're big for a reason," Harry said anxiously hoping he wouldn't provoke her temper higher than it was. To his luck, she heaved a sigh, and plopped onto the seat across from him and Ron.

xxxxxx

"Oh Uncle Horace, I've got it all taken care of!" Clarissa exclaimed.

"I know, dearie, but the first day is always the hardest and-," Slughorn began, but

Clarissa stopped his plea by putting her index finger on his lips.

"I'm fine, Uncle, really," she finished as he sighed.

"My little Clarissa is all grown up and is a teacher just like me," he said and with a quick embrace, he left her in the DADA room. She sighed as she sat down at her desk, waiting for the students…. her students.

xxxxxxx

"What have you got first, Ronnie?" Hermione asked batting her eyelashes at him.

"Oh how wonderful… Double Potions," he said as sarcasm rolled on his tongue.

"Oh! Me too!" she said excitingly hugging Ron who smiled cheekily at Harry.

"I have Defense against the Dark Arts first," Harry said looking a bit dreary.

"Well at least you've got Neville with you," Hermione said to brighten his mood, but instead he rolled his eyes. Hermione and Ron left Harry as he climbed the stairs to the DADA room, where many students were piling into vigorously. As Harry looked around seeking for a familiar face, he saw the back of a head of striking blond hair amidst him. He focused his eyes; was it his imagination?

"What the-," Harry began but someone interrupted him.

"Mr. Potter, now do you really think that is appropriate to say?" a small voice asked behind him. He turned around and got the shock of his life as he saw Professor Whitlock looking up at him with a quizzed look.

"I-ah-."

"There's no need for excuses," she raised her voice, "Students! Children! HEY YOU!" she shouted causing all heads to turn towards her. "I don't recall telling everyone to push around, now please move out of the way so I may open the door. And don't trample on in either," she said eyeing everyone.

Though for being not so tall she was very intimidating. Harry was one of the last few that followed in single line into the classroom, but found that only one spot was open: the front. He rolled his eyes and walked right on to the seat and plumped down on it in a not-so-happy manner. Professor Whitlock closed the door with a snap and all eyes followed her as she made her way down the rows to the front of the room.

"Ah, good we are all now situated," she began and smiled cheerily at their groggy faces. "Now to begin I ask you all from now on to call me Clarissa, not Professor Whitlock or whatever name you have in mind." Everyone stared at her in surprise; she was definitely different.

"I'm sure many of you all are wondering how old I am, and what in the world am I doing here teaching? To surpass those rumors, I'd like to ensure all of you the truth: Yes, I am not but seventeen years old, but I've had basic training back in the United States, due to my ability of learning quite quickly. My past was of nothing more than studying and reciting incantations of the Dark Arts. But why you ask, would I want to do that?" she paused looking down at the students, waiting for a few nods from people.

"I am very different, I dare to say, and I want all of you now to know I am what you call a Mondaosa, which explains my way of knowledge," there were some gasps of people around the room. "Ah, but there is nothing to worry about, for in this class I'm sure will be the best class you'll ever experience in your lifetime," everyone gaped at her with astonishment. But the question that bottled in Harry's mind was, 'What's a Mondaosa?'

"To begin the new year, I thought we'd play a game of learning everyone's names around the class for I have no idea who all you are and I want to get to know everyone," she smiled, "I'll begin and you," she pointed to Harry, "will go after me and the rest will follow along in each rows," she cleared her throat and said, "My name is Professor Clarissa Whitlock, and I love chocolate," Clarissa finished and stared at Harry to go.

"I'm Harry Potter, and I like the Dark Arts," he said timidly, a bit frightened of the Professor. She nodded her head and turned her gaze to Neville.

"Um… I'm… Neville Longbottom… and… ah… I like plants...?" He said in a questioned tone.

"It is very good to meet you, Neville," she said kindly and Neville just grinned as if proud that he passed a hard test. Each person in the room stated their name and their likes, but as it came to the last person in the back, the bell rang signaling dismissal.

"Tomorrow, don't bring your books, just your wand and we'll be experimenting new incantations you haven't yet learned! Oh yes, and you in the back," she inquired the person that hadn't said anything, "will you please see me after class for a few seconds?"

Harry turned his head, seeing who the person was, to get yet another shock of the day.

He wasn't dreaming at all; Draco Malfoy was back, but how? Curious and furious, he bumped his bag on the floor causing all quills and parchments to go flying out of it. As he picked up his belongings, he eavesdropped on their conversation. "Now young man, I'd like to know your name and what you like," she said to him, "Oh and Mr. Potter, I'd hurry if I were you, don't you have another class?"

Surprised Harry only nodded and snatched up his bag and left out the door without protest, but stayed close to the door. "Ok, now what is your name young man?"

"I wouldn't call me young man if I were you. You see, I'm older," Draco said, and Harry only just imagined that flirtatious smirk on his face.

"Oh, whatever, just tell me," Clarissa said and Harry could hint uncomfortable-ness in her voice.

"Well, Clarissa, my name is Draco, Draco Malfoy," Harry watched as Draco extended out his hand to her and snatched hers as he kissed it, "Have I mentioned that you are quite beautiful?" Clarissa pulled away her hand staring at him with displease.

"No, now… please… be off to your next class, Mr. Malfoy."

"Oh, but I can not for I haven't told you my favorite thing," he said with amusement, "I like beautiful women." Clarissa slowly backed away from Draco who was aimlessly stepping closer towards her.

"M-Mr. Malfoy, please just go," she said. Harry watched in horror as he advanced on Clarissa with her back to the wall. Draco whispered something in her ear, but Harry could not hear it. With that, Draco took his things and bounded out the DADA room luckily after Harry moved. A door slammed inside the room, and Harry gazed around the room, only to find Clarissa was gone.