Waves crashed on jagged rocks below. Gusts of wind blew cold salty air into the cells. Screams of sorrow, pain, and fear could be heard throughout the formidable prison. In every cell a prisoner was chained up. In one such cell a prisoner with dark wild hair sat peacefully unlike the other prisoners. She wasn't screaming or clawing at her restraints or even shivering from the cold, on the contrary she sat in a state of peace and calm.

The prisoner thought to herself 'I'm almost free just a little longer.'

"BANG"

A loud sound echoed through the prison signaling that it was time for the prisoner to make her escape. Aurors began yelling and moving towards the noise.

A lone raven flew out of the prison escaping to freedom.

The raven flew into a dark house landing in-front of the large fireplace and throne-like chair. Shifting back into her original form the dark haired prisoner kneeled in-front of the throne.

"My lord,"said the prisoner while kneeling.

"Bella," the child-like form hissed," there is no need for my most faithful to kneel before me." Bellatrix quickly stood up and bowed her head towards the shriveled form of her master.

"Wormtail bring me the woman," hissed Voldemort. Wormtail dragged a brunette woman screaming in-front of the dark lord.

Voldemort handed Bellatrix a 12 and 3/4 walnut and dragon heartstring wand. Bellatrix took the wand with a skeleton-like hand.

"Kill her."

Without hesitation Bellatrix screamed, "AVADA KEDAVRA!" Bellatrix began to cackle seeing the limp body on the ground.

"Bella I need you to assume the form of Thalia Mulligan acting as the defense against the dark arts professor at Hogwarts. Gain Harry Potter's trust and help him throughout the year. I will tell you more when the time comes" instructed Voldemort, handing Bellatrix a 11 and 1/4 blackthorne dragon heartstring wand the wand that belonged to the dead woman in front of them.

"Of course my lord," said Bellatrix faithfully.

The Feast

The older years walked into the Great Hall excitedly talking amongst each other. The train ride was uneventful except for the fact that Malfoy was being an annoying prat as usual. Hermione Granger quickly noticed that the chair in which the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor normally sits was empty.

"Harry, Ron, who do you think this year's Defense Against the Dark professor will be?" asked Hermione.

Ron replied," Blimey Hermione it's our first day back and you're already thinking about classes!"

Harry replied," I don't know but I hope it's not anyone like Lockhart!"

Hermione made a noise of acknowledgement and began thinking of who Dumbledore might have chosen to teach this year. The sorting began and the trio clapped for every new and after the sorting Dumbledore told everyone to "Tuck in!"

Half way through the meal a loud bang echoed throughout the hall. Someone had blown open the doors to the Great Hall. Talking and laughing quickly ceased, everyone turned around to look at who entered the Great Hall.

A tall and imposing figure stride up to Dumbledore. The figure had straight brown hair at about shoulder length. She stood at about 5'9".(175 cm). The woman was wearing black, slightly scandalous, robes that gave quite the view of her cleavage. Her eyes were a light brown comparable to honey. Hermione couldn't help but stare at the brunette beauty in front of her. The woman caught Hermione staring at her and simply winked at her. Hermione looked away quickly, her face turning red, embarrassed by being caught. If Harry or Ron saw her flushed face they certainly didn't say anything.

"Thalia thank you for joining us tonight!" Dumbledore remarked happily offering his hand for a hand shake.

"Of course Dumbledore," Thalia replied.

Dumbledore addressed the school now, "Students let me introduce you to the new defense against the dark arts professor curse breaker and ex auror Thalia Mulligan!"

Professor Mulligan politely waved at the crowd and flashed a small smile.

Ron exclaimed to Harry looking lovestruck, "Bloody hell that's a real woman!"

Harry awkwardly replied to Ron, " Yeah mate..."

Hermione glared at Ron in shock and anger. "Ronald Weasley stop leering at a professor!" she exclaimed angrily.

"One last announcement for the night!" excitedly announced Dumbledore," Hogwarts will be hosting the tri wizard championship and two schools Durmstrang and Beauxbatons!"

In the Girls Dormitory

Hermione lay awake that night wondering what terrible thing would befall Harry this year. Little did she know but it would be worse than anything she could think of.

In the Professors Quarters

Bellatrix took off the glamour disguising herself as Professor Mulligan. Bella looked at herself in the mirror, her dark brown almost black eyes shining with determination, and muttered,"I won't let you down my Lord."

The First DADA lesson

Hermione walked to the classroom with Ron and Harry. As they stood waiting in front of the door Ronald began talking once again about how stunning their professor was. Hermione glared at Ron yet again, but Ron took no notice.

The door swung open quietly and Ron took no notice but both his friends had as well as the rest of the class. Everyone stood silent in the hallway. Professor Mulligan stood in the doorway, wearing similar robes from the feast but these robes weren't as scandalous. She stood there listening to Ron until she realized he wouldn't be taking notice of her anytime soon.

"...and her breasts look so-"

"Mr. Weasley! I will not tolerate this kind of talk! Detention with Professor McGonagall on Friday!" said Professor Mulligan sternly.

Ron had turned bright red and muttered an apology and bolted into the classroom quickly taking a seat. The rest of the class except Harry and Hermione laughed at Ron while walking into the classroom. Everyone sat in their seats as Professor Mulligan strode up to the front of the room.

"As you found out yesterday I am a curse breaker and an ex auror. On the contrary to popular belief I was not fired I quit after my services were needed in the curse breaker field. Now in this class I will not tolerate any foolishness or and unacceptable behavior. In this class we will be learning about dark spells and how to counter them. Some of these spells you will know while others you will never have heard of. I have gotten permission to share with you later in the year unforgivable curses used by the most deadliest through a pensive. Any questions so far?"

Hermione's hand shot up into the air.

"Yes Ms. Granger."

"Professor, what do you mean by the most deadliest?"

"I will be showing you memories given to the ministry by famous and deadly death eaters. Any other questions?" Mulligan paused looking around the classroom. "No more questions? Alright let's move on." Mulligan continued explaining her expectations for the year and the rest of the subjects she will be covering.

"That's all for today you are welcome to talk amongst each other till the class ends."

Hermione whispered to Harry,"What do you think of Professor Mulligan?"

"I think she's the best professor we've had!" Harry whispered excitedly.

Hermione talked with Harry about the class till it was time to leave. As she walked out the door she couldn't help thinking that something about Professor Mulligan made her uneasy.