A/N: As I've been writing these chapters out, I've getting ideas for things that can happen. So I'm WARNING you now that my chapters might get more twisted and evil. Especially the Christmas chapter which I took the liberty to write in Lit. today. Review.
Breakfast went by pleasantly and everyone was in a cheerful mood. Every 7th year was prepared to face McGonagall in Transfiguration. Their first lesson of the year was simpler than they imagined. All they did was practice pronouncing the spells which were longer and sounded like other spells (one mistake might mean disaster). Their only homework was to practice the pronunciations and make a list of spells that sounded the same and what they did.
After Transfiguration, the seventh years had two free hours before lunch. They were spent doing homework.
"I have one inch left on my Herbology essay and there is nothing else I can think of," groaned Ron. "Any input?"
"It would be best if you did it yourself Ron," said Hermione absent mindedly.
Ron hopefully looked at Harry who shook his head and pointed at his own essay.
"Let me see it," said Jacqueline putting down her Potions.
"Jacqueline! He should do it himself. What happened to that character?" exclaimed Hermione.
"Who said I'm going to do it for him? Trust me when I hand this back, the only handwriting that you'll see will be Ron's." Hermione didn't answer not believing her. Jacqueline read through the essay. Then she began to cross lines out and put new lines in and rewrote some. She then waved her wand over the parchment and the crossed put words disappeared. The words left arranged themselves neatly and took up the appearance of Ron's handwriting.
"How'd you do that?" asked Ron, receiving his finished essay.
"Magic," said Jacqueline. Then to Hermione with a smirk, "Just as I promised, Ron's handwriting and not mine."
"It even sounds like you, Ron," said Harry, looking at the piece of parchment.
"You shouldn't have done that," said Hermione, "It's not right."
"Who cares," said Ron amazed. "You've got to show me how to do that."
"It's simple magic, really. I'm amazed you hadn't been taught it."
"I'm going to the library," scowled Hermione.
"What is her problem?" asked Ron and Harry shrugged.
The three returned to work. Toward lunch, Ron had a couple inches done for Snape. Harry was half way through his Potions, where as Jacqueline was finished with hers.
"How does she do it?" asked Ron of Harry in a whisper as they followed Jacqueline to the Great Hall. Harry shrugged.
When they arrived, Hermione was already there and was talking to Ginny. When the three sat down, she grew quiet.
Jacqueline straight out asked, "Hermione, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," she said lightly.
Jacqueline wanted to press her, but was interrupted by Ginny. "I just came from Skarelli's. Most fun class ever; doesn't notice anything. There was paper flying across the room along with paper airplanes. You'd think he'd notice. He's not only blind, but he's also deaf. Doesn't hear anything that we say behind him, and we say it pretty loudly. He teaches well. I'm serious," said Ginny to Harry and Ron's look of disbelief. "You'll see for yourselves. Oh, and bring lots of paper." And she left the table. Ron and Harry exchanged glances as the mail came in.
No mail came for Harry, Ron, or Hermione, but the same black owl dropped off a letter, sealed with a golden snake. Jacqueline paled yet again, but took the letter. She opened it and read to herself, "Jacqueline,
I can see progress is under way. I want you to pay careful attention in Defense Against the Dark Arts even when Dumbledore hired that fool. But that is soon to change. Report to me immediately after your lesson is finished. If I have time I will drop in personally. Do not forget your assignments."
The letter dropped out Jacqui's hand and Ron immediately seized it.
What did he mean that was soon to change. What destiny could await the new professor? And is he really going to walk into class? Can't be. Half the world is on the look out for him. Probably sucks to be famous.
"What's this all about," asked Ron.
"Huh?" said Jacqueline returning from her thoughts.
"The letter?"
"Oh, it's from a relative. He is sorta mental," she said snatching the letter from Harry.
"Right," said Ron.
They finished lunch and headed off to DADA. The class was full of chatter. Every one talking about the new Professor and if he really is the joke everyone claims him to be. They were interrupted by a slamming door as Professor Skarelli entered.
"Quiet," he bellowed and a silence rang out immediately. "Good. Just making sure I can get your attention when I need to. I am Professor Skarelli. Now please put your books away. I would like to start out with a small warm up. Now if you could stand up and get into pairs we could work on blocking spells. Now, with your partner, aim a spell at the other and the second should be able to block it. But try to keep friendly. A simple disarming spell will be suitable."
There was a ruffling of robes and everybody got into pairs. Harry paired with Ron and Hermione was with Jacqueline next to them.
"You may begin," said the Professor and sat behind his desk.
A/N Ok, warning you for chapters ahead. Most of the spells will be in either German, Portuguese, or Italian. 'cause my computer can't translate into Latin. I know that I can look up half the spells in the HP books but being the lazy self that I am, I won't. Sucks I know. NEways, on with the chapter.
"Entwaffnen Sie," rang out voices and a few people flew back. Most were able to deflect the spell.
In a few minutes the students shifted from disarming spells to more serious ones. There were no injuries yet though, so the Professor didn't say anything.
"Malfoy is having too much fun," grunted Ron, back to back with Hermione aiming a spell at Harry. Hermione looked over at the Slytherin, a couple feet away. His partner kept running away from the aimed spell and continued to change his positioning. In five minutes, a spell hit Jacqueline and she flew back and hit the wall, falling to the ground with glass bottles falling from the shelves. Every one froze. The Professor, Harry, Ron, and Hermione rushed over to find an unconscious Jacqui lying on the floor with blood covering her face.
"whose spell was this?" asked the Professor shakily and a not so bold Malfoy stepped forward. "You, detention and take her up to the hospital wing. Stay with her until she wakes. Everyone else in your seats. Books open to page twenty five."
Everyone took their seats quietly and a shaken Draco Malfoy took Jacqueline to the Hospital Wing.
It's the second day of school and I'm already in detention. My problem is that I love the Dark Arts too much. If only stupid Zabini didn't run away from my spells and stood in one place and blocked in the first place I wouldn't be in this mess. Draco looked down at his robes. Both literally and figuratively. Dad's going to kill me. He climbed more steps and looked down at the limp body he was carrying. Stupid Gryffindor, all of them are. Always in my way. Why does she look so familiar? There's no way I've seen her before school.
He then came to the Hospital Wing. He went inside and called out for Madam Pomfrey. She came out of her office and rushed over to Draco and motioned for him to lay Jacqui on the bed. "How did this happen?"
"Spell gone awry in class," replied Draco quietly. "Is she going to be alright?" he asked next dropping into a nearby chair thinking if his detention depended on the Gryffindor's state.
"I don't know yet. I'll have to clean up all the blood and see how serious the injury is. It is the head she hit." Draco groaned and followed every movement Madam Pomfrey made.
An hour later, Jacqueline's eyes flickered open. "What happened?" she said softly and startled Draco who was sitting patiently starring out the window. "You were hit by a spell in DADA," replied he coolly not looking at her.
Jacqueline's gaze fell upon the blonde and she said coldly, "You! What are you doing here?"
"Teacher's orders not to leave your side until you awake. Since you're conscious I'm free to go," and Draco stood up
"Could you please call Madam Pomfrey," said Jacqueline weakly.
Draco turned around and stared at her not doing anything. "I asked nicely so you have no reason to turn me down," said Jacqueline at a whisper loosing strength quickly. Actually you do have reasons to turn me down, but just do it.
Draco turned towards Madame Pomfrey's office and called out her name. The witch came out and walked over to Jacqui. With one last glance at Jacqui, Draco left. Half an hour later, Hermione, Harry, and Ron walked in.
"Malfoy left has he," said Ron getting angry at the thought of what happened because of the Slytherin.
Jacqueline nodded.
"How're you feeling," asked Hermione sitting down on the bed and giving Jacqui's hand a squeeze.
"Have been better," she said softly smiling feebly. "You guess should go to your next class. I don't want you to be late because of me."
"We don't have class next. Astronomy isn't until after dinner. The only N.E.W.T. level class going right now, that we haven't attended yet, is Care of Magical Creatures and we're not taking that," said Harry.
"How much work do we have for DADA? Probably a lot with the whole accident," said Jacqueline.
"What you need to do is relax," said Hermione standing up. "We'll be back later to check up on you."
Jacqueline smiled and her three friends left, waving good bye.
A/N I decided to cut off the chapter here and plus superspunky7 suggested I do so. Please review. Next chapter should be put up either over the weekend or Tuesday.