Monday morning came too soon. Emaline had a lesson plan for each grade level but was still uncertain of her ability to teach. Professor McGonagall had made a few changes to this year’s curriculum, one being that all students would have two-hour-long lessons in Defense Against the Dark Arts and, if needed, another one-hour practicum.
She had successfully made it through her first two lessons of the day and had just finished up with her lunch. She was anxious about meeting her seventh- year students, since she knew he would be in there. With a combined effort of several Order of the Phoenix members, Harry Potter had been convinced to return to school for his final year. It was pointed out to him that it took Professor Dumbledore several years to figure out what Voldemort was up to and then a few more to start hunting down the Horcruxes. Harry was allowed access to all of Professor Dumbledore’s papers and journals, his Pensieve, and every book in the library. He was also granted private access to the old headmaster’s office and portrait if he needed it.
Emaline looked at herself in the large gilded mirror hanging over her desk, an ornate, heavy object left behind by Gilderoy Lockhart. With a critical eye she made sure all of her hair was tucked into the tight bun and that her make-up was not overdone. It was hard trying to disguise her age, but she was trying. This class was the one that was making her the most nervous.
A deep male voice rumbled from within the glass, “If you think these students will respect you more if you look older, I must disagree with your logic. You should try to be more like them, fit in with them better. Tensions are high amongst them due to anxiety over the forthcoming war. They need you to be someone they can turn to, not another authority figure.”
Emaline gazed at herself then rapidly slipped the pins out of her hair, and she added a touch more gloss to her lips. She was no raving beauty, but she had been known to turn a few heads. She couldn’t believe she was taking advice from a mirror. She gave it a cheeky smile. Mad Eye would have her head if he knew she had taken advice from a bewitched object.
She now stood quietly on the stairs leading down from her office and watched the students begin to enter, a few greeted old friends, and a couple nodded at her. Seeing as the number of students had been greatly reduced, all Houses took their classes together. Professor McGonagall felt it was not in the best interest to try and separate the students anymore than they already were.
Emaline had used a Placement Charm on her student list and closely watched the bewitched parchment as the students arrived. The little dots began to arrange themselves at the desks, and she quickly tried to memorize the faces and the names.
She tried not to laugh when Ron Weasley escorted a very belligerent Draco Malfoy into the classroom. Draco threw himself into a chair next to Blaise Zabini, his rumpled appearance from the day before gone. He had not cut his hair, but he cleaned up well; he looked just as good as he did the first time she had met him.
Hermione Granger and Harry Potter followed Ron into the classroom. When the last few students wondered in, she plunged the classroom into total darkness.
Several gasps and one small shriek were followed by total silence. Professor Latham amplified her voice, and it boomed into the darkness, “Dark magic is an old and ancient bit of sorcery that we must all learn to combat. We cannot combat something that we do not fully understand or appreciate. Along with dark magic came the creation of dark, powerful creatures. The Dark Lord has successfully used dark creatures in the past and we must be prepared for whatever he recruits this time.
I want you to take a moment to absorb the darkness surrounding you. Think of as many dark creatures as you can; let your mind wonder to what might be lurking in the dark and how you might fight off something you cannot see or may not understand.”
Emaline slowly made her way towards Ron in the dark. Her training allowed her to memorize her surroundings quickly, but she still managed to bump into the end of a table. Her leg was smarting when she finally made it to him.
Ron jumped when a voice whispered in his ear, “I need Mr. Malfoy’s wand please.” A tingling sensation rushed from his ear to the pit of his stomach. He smiled in the dark and then groped for his school bag. He retrieved the wand and slid it into her hand. A lingering spark ignited again when their fingers brushed. Ron sighed when she quietly walked away; he just loved that sensation.
Emaline let her words sink in for five minutes before lighting a single candle floating in the centre of the room. She made her way to Draco’s side and slid his wand onto the desk in front of him. Draco smirked at her and was rewarded with a wink.
Blaise punched Draco in the arm, “What was that all about?”
“Let’s just say the Professor and I have met before.” Draco’s eye’s never left Emaline as she walked to the front of the room.
Her voice continued to move around the room. “Knowledge is like this light. Once you start to acquire it, it will spread, and you will be able to see and understand your foe.” Several candles placed around the room began to light, and when the last one flared, the class turned its attention to the front of the room. Chairs hit the floor, and all the students were standing with their wands gripped in their hands. Sitting at the front of the room, in all her glory was a Chimaera.
Gallantly, the boys started to push the girls behind them and Emaline slid her gaze towards Draco, who was standing behind his friend. She tried not to laugh, What a gallant Knight he would make.
“What you see before you is a creature that many Muggles believe is part of a myth. This is a Chimaera. She is said to be of three different creatures: lion, goat, and serpent. It is widely believed that she is a savage beast who spits fire from her mouth. The Muggle myth states that one devastated the land until it was killed by the hero Bellerophon, who flew over it riding his winged horse Pegasus.”
The creature at the front of the room turned its head back and forth, taking in its surroundings and tracking the professor. Little smoke plumes came out of her nostrils, and there was a deep rumble coming from her chest.
Every now and then a student would venture to look at their professor, but they quickly looked back at the Chimaera, afraid to loose track of it.
“There are a few who have begun to study this creature and have linked her to another: the Sphinx. Some believe they are sisters. Others argue that they are mother and daughter. However, one thing is a fact: both are vicious and considered dangerous by the Ministry. This would make them perfect for the Dark Lord, if he could get them to cooperate.” Emaline moved towards the creature, and it swung its head towards her, watching her every move.
Without warning the creature sent a ball of flames from her throat towards Emaline. When the glare from the flame subsided, the students saw that their professor was gone.
“Where is she? Where did Emma go? Ron frantically looked around the room, and other students began to look too.
“I’m here. What do you think we should do?” Emaline’s voice came from under one of the desks; her wand lay near the feet of the Chimera. Everyone was too stunned to laugh at her situation.
At the front of the class, the Chimaera started to move towards them. Her mouth opened and ready to attack.
“Somebody better think of something fast!” Emaline was scrambling to her feet. She quickly stepped in behind Harry and Ron.
“Professor, this, I don’t think this is safe, get rid of it.” Draco’s voice sounded a little high pitched.
They all watched as the creature took another deep breath, ready to exhale another ball of flames.
“PROTEGO!” Harry was quick on the draw, and the flames fanned out around them.
As the creature continued to stalk the class a nervous voice shouted, “Petrificus Totalus.” When the animal stopped mid-step Neville looked around nervously.
Professor Latham beamed at Neville and actually patted him on the arm when she passed by him. “Good thinking Neville, ten points to Gryffindor. What should we do next?”
“Perhaps Hagrid could come and get it,” Susan spoke up quickly.
“No, we don’t need Hagrid. Look what you have done so far.”
Emaline looked around the room, hopeful that someone else would think of something. When no one answered she transfigured the creature into a figurine then placed it on her desk. “Well, I see you all need more work in defense against the dark artsand care of magical creatures. So, for your first assignment, I would like for each of you to choose a creature from the array of figurines on my desk and research it. Find out how it can be defeated, what are its weaknesses, and what are its origins. You have three weeks to work on this assignment. At that time, you will give an oral report and a small demonstration of what you have learned.”
She continued to give a brief description of the figurines on her desk. The students gathered around her and chose the ones they wanted. They began to ask her questions, and Emaline started to relax. She laughed when Pansy made a face at the figurine she had selected.
Draco was uncertain as to who his next escort was. Seeing as it had been Weasley all day, he knew that someone else would have to accompany him to his common room. He hated this, but knew it was the only way he could stay at the school. He moved towards Ron and Harry who were waiting for Hermione. He stopped short and eavesdropped on their conversation.
“That was a pretty cool class, even better than Lupin’s classes.”
“If you say so, Ron.” Hermione glared at him as she approached.
“What’s up with you?” Ron looked to Harry for support as Hermione pushed past him and stormed off.
Harry looked at him, “Didn’t you even realize that you called our professor by her first name when she disappeared? That doesn’t look too good when you’re standing next to your girlfriend.”
“Umm, yeah, right. I didn’t realise that I had done that. I guess I was just worried about her. We’re kind of friends.” Ron fumbled with his bag, trying to cover up his blunder.
Laughing, Draco felt he had to jump in, “You don’t stand a chance Weasley. She is way out of your league.”
“Like you would stand a chance, you git. You can’t even carry a wand in the school. To her, you are just some loser with discipline problems,” spat Ron.
Draco moved to punch Ron when he was frozen mid-swing. “That will be quite enough you two. Draco, you can wait by the door; I will escort you to your common room.” She gave him a strange look as her stalked to the doorway.
She turned to Ron and Harry who had been joined by Justin and Susan. “Well, how did I do?” She had an eager, expectant look on her face.
“Wonderful, I cannot believe it was just a little figurine.” Susan gushed.
“It was bloody brilliant, I can’t wait till the next class.”
Smiling broadly Emaline patted Ron on the arm. “Thank you Mr. Weasley, I hope I don’t let you down.” She made her way past the group and headed towards a sulking Draco.
As they walked out of the room, both Ron and Harry were noting the fact that she referred to Malfoy as Draco, something most teachers simply did not do.
