Another long wait, I know. I'm VERY sorry... i had no internet cos i was at my grandparent's place. Anyway, I've basically written another 2 chapters, just finalising them, so the next chapter will be up soon! meanwhile, enjoy this one!

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

CHAPTER FIVE: POTTER VS. MALFOY

"Hey does anyone know who's the new Defense teacher?" yelled Ginny as she scurried after Harry, Ron and Hermione , who were making their way to their first lesson of the year.

"Don't know, wasn't listening to Dumbledore's speech."

Hermione sighed and turned to Ron. "You know Ronald, you really ought to listen. He usually says the most important things during that first speech. If I were you I …"

Ron just rolled his eyes and grimaced. Seeing the infamous Weasley temper boiling, Harry quickly cut in before another argument could break out.

"So Hermione, who is the new Defense teacher?"

"Professor Myers. Lady. Mid-thirties."

"Does she look strict?" asked Ginny, as she looked up at Hermione in utmost concentration.

"Not sure really. You'll have to find out for yourself. Anyway you shouldn't judge people by first appearances…"

"Yeah alright thanks Hermione, I've gotta rush or else I'd really have to find out for myself." And with that Ginny made a mad dash for the nearest classroom, which just so happened to be the Defense classroom.

"Wait hang on," Harry held out his own timetable and showed it to Ron and Hermione. "We have Defense, too."

Hermione tucked a strand of hair back behind her ear and took the piece of paper from Harry. "You're right. It's probably a combined class or a dueling class, like that dueling club held by Lockhart back in second year."

"Argh, don't remind me." Harry made a face. His last experience in a dueling club had had him disgusted by the whole school – not something you would want to relive.

Hermione put a hand on Harry's shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. "Oh don't worry, it's probably something like the DA, that'd be nice wouldn't it? Besides, everybody knows you're not Slytherin's heir nowadays." She gave his shoulder a quick squeeze before taking a few quick steps into the defense classroom.

Harry gave Ron a tired look and muttered "You know, I wouldn't bet on it."

Ron chuckled and dragged the both of them after Hermione.


"May I have a volunteer?"

The trio walked in to see a middle-aged blonde woman with deep hazel eyes standing in front of a surprisingly large group of fifth, sixth and seventh years. Even upon first impression, she had a no-nonsense manner about her, with her chin held high and shoulders held tight. Yet Harry developed an immediate liking to her, as he saw the weary expression written between her features.

There was something very familiar about Professor Myers. She reminded Harry of McGonagall in some ways, perhaps it was her aura, which seemed trustworthy, and… somewhat fresh and daring. Her voice had a melodic quality to it, and it was so lovely that it made anybody who heard it once want to hear it again. And her eyes, they were soft. He wasn't sure why, but something about her seemed almost powerful and sad at the same time… almost like…

Sirius.

"Harry? Mr Potter? May I help you?"

The defense classroom erupted around him. He turned to find Ron tapping on his shoulder, worry written across his face. The entire class was staring at him in silence. He reached up to find his cheeks wet. Shit I'm crying.

Professor Myers walked to where Harry was standing and gave him a searching look. It was as if she was looking for something in his eyes. He saw her eyes flash with recognition and his heart skipped a beat.

"You may take a seat, Harry."

Confused, he simply nodded and trudged to the corner of the classroom where he found himself drowned in the shadows, hoping they would make him disappear.

Professor Myers gave him one last look before turning back to the rest of the class. By the looks of it, she was just about to say something cheerful to lighten up the atmosphere when a shadow appeared at the door. Harry thought he saw her eyes flicker dangerously for just a second.

"Ah, I see here is my assistant."

Harry turned to see the figure at the door and groaned audibly. Snape's lips curled as his dark eyes landed on Harry. "Surprised, Potter? Ten points from Griffindor for not being able to keep your mouth shut."

Harry felt Hermione pulling his sweater down… "Don't" she whispered, warning him to simmer down the erupting fury he felt raging through his head. He shrugged her hand off and resisted punching Snape on the face. He glowered.

Snape simply curled his lips and turned away. Harry pinched himself hard on the thighs to prevent himself from jumping up and screaming all the foul words that were bottled up in his throat and stuffing them in Snape's big ugly face. He frowned. Somehow, he couldn't help but be very aware of the prickling sensation of déjà vu creeping up his spine . He tightened his fists. Next thing you know he'll be calling up me and Malfoy to demonstrate.

Professor Myers gave Snape a disapproving glare and focused her attention back on the class. "That will do now. Now I was just looking for two volunteers to demonstrate for us the shield charm. Any volunteers?"

Harry felt his heart clutch his lungs. This is just uncanny.

"How about Malfoy and… Potter" suggested Snape casually, though his eyes blazed with acid anticipation. "They've had, let's say prior experience in this field." His lips twisted into a bitter sneer as he looked mercilessly down at Harry, taunting expression smeared across his face.

The Slytherins sniggered. Harry shot daggers at Snape, but nevertheless hesitantly got up and walked onto the small platform set up at the front of the small classroom. He stood there decisively, perfectly aware of the whispers which were now flooding the classroom, and the look of grim satisfaction plastered on Snape's great ugly face. He waited edgily for Draco to make his way up to the platform, not turning when he heard the steps of his opponent pounding beside him.

To the surprise of the entire class, Professor Myers frowned at the pair in front of her and turned back to Snape. "You know, Professor, I thought you were a little less old fashioned than this."

The entire room went still. Snape looked positively traumatized

"I would have thought you would be a little more creative. Here I was thinking you were talking about Zoe Potter, but no, its Harry again. Personally, I myself would much rather prefer a duel between the genders. Much more exciting don't you think so, Severus?"

She said the name with an air of mockery, and Harry swore he saw Professor Myers mouth the word, "Snivellus" when she turned her back to the class.

Snape's face turned the colour of beetroot.

"I'm sure the ladies in this class would join me in saying that women are in no way any less capable at dueling than all you gentlemen. Some of the best aurors are, afterall, female, and we often see women taking down several male opponents down one-handedly in professional dueling tournaments. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about, Severus?"

Snape was glaring at her with an expression of pure loathing, a look which Harry had grown very accustomed to. But this time, it made Harry's heart skip a beat. He was startled… other than himself, the only people he had seen on the receiving end of such an expression of hatred was Remus and…Sirius.

There it was, Sirius again. He seemed to be everywhere this particular morning. Harry shook himself out of his thoughts and turned back to see that Hermione was beaming, as were several dozen other females in the class. Professor Myers gave Snape a sarcastic smirk. "So, what do you say Professor, shall we let Ms Potter have a go instead?"

Snape was stuck, he had no way out. Harry almost laughed out loud at the look on his face. He looked like he had eaten a piece of very rotten fish. Professor Myers smiled a triumphant smile and Harry was sure he saw her give him a very small wink.

"So if you please, Ms Potter, do hurry up, we're wasting precious time."

Several heads turned as Zoe stumbled up from the back of the room, cursing loudly as she stepped onto the platform.

"Sorry Professor Myers, Ginny Weasley kicked me."

A few of the students chuckled at her comment, but Snape was not at all impressed. His lips were pressed together so tight Harry felt sure that if he pressed any harder, a foul toothpaste of some sort would surely come squeezing out. Zoe gave Snape a sardonically innocent look, which he returned with a glare of thick venom.

She stole a peek at Harry and their eyes met. His were twinkling with amusement. She quickly turned back to face Professor Myers before either of them could burst out laughing. She was looking on in what seemed to be a stern manner, though if you looked closely you could just see that her lips were twitching ever so slightly. She gave Zoe a firm look.

"Thank you, Ms Potter, that's quite enough. Now if you're both ready… Mr Malfoy?"

Draco stood, frozen. He wasn't sure why, or how, or what the hell was going on, but for some reason his mind went momentarily blank. He watchedwith a curious expression plastered onto his face as Zoe made her way across the platform. When she turned and caught him staring, she gave him a bewildered look and mouthed a few words he couldn't read, before making a rude hand gesture.

"Mr Malfoy, you are required to turn your back to your opponent," said Professor Myers slowly, eyebrows steadily raising to touch her forehead. Her eyes flickered to Harry for a second.

Several of the Griffindors chuckled as Draco continued to stand there with a blank expression on his face. He then lifted his head, and for a few seconds, stared at Professor Myers in awe before turning around abruptly, and clutching tightly onto his wand, breathing heavily with every step he took.

"One – Two – THREE!"


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xoxo nina