The Fifth Year

CHAPTER I - Dumbledore’s Surprise

No one could ever have expected the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor to be female - not Harry, not Draco Malfoy, not Professor Snape. There she was as plain as day, but plain in appearance she was not…Sloane Yardley was a waifish, petite woman with raven black hair and sparkling dark eyes to match. Unlike all other Defense Against the Dark Arts instructors, she did not have battle scars or the mysterious nature of the rest. In fact, her delicate appearance was magical and bore similarities to the Sirens as well as the tallest species of nymphs Harry had seen in one of his textbooks.

"How could she teach us Defense Against the Dark Arts? I mean, look at her…" Ron Weasley mumbled.

"Ron Weasley, hasn’t anyone ever told you that you can’t judge a book by its cover?" Hermione quickly snapped in retort.

Albus Dumbledore quickly took his seat after the applause following her introduction dwindled, yet the glimmer in his eye remained as he picked up his fork and his knife and began to eat. The other professors and students followed suit. Professor Snape with his ever-unfriendly countenance tried hard to swallow after taking a bite of the roast on his plate. Was this because he was passed up once again for the Defense Against Dark Arts position?

"I’m not trying to be disrespectful, but she doesn’t stand a chance." Ron stammered after finishing his mug of pumpkin juice in three swallows. "Besides, girls don’t really like to fight, do they?" Ron asked fearful in part for an expected explosive response from his good friend. He knew from the look on Hermione’s face that he was only digging himself deeper.

"I bet Harry agrees with me. Don’t you, Harry?" Hermione’s angry gaze now turned upon Harry.

"All I know is Professor Snape doesn’t seem too happy." Harry glanced at Snape who seemed rather preoccupied while Professor McGonagall seated beside him chattered with conversation.

"But Snape’s got it in for everyone, doesn’t he," Hermione interjected. "But you’re not as bull-headed as Ron is thinking that a witch can’t do a wizard’s job?"

"He has a point. I mean, fighting against the dark forces is really heavy stuff…" Harry helped himself to an extra portion of mashed potatoes before passing the dish to Ron. "Even the bravest of wizards don’t stand a chance…"

Ron joined Harry. "And those like Professor Lockhart need not apply." They all knew Professor Lockhart in the simplest terms was a fraud. The famous wizard and novelist was no more than a boastful, showman with little to no courage or knowledge about wizardry.

"And not being a wizard makes her a less likely candidate…" Neville Longbottom who was eavesdropping on their conversation put in his two cents.

"Well, we’ll see about that won’t we." Hermione, in turn, shot Neville a look of fury causing him to fall backwards off the bench.

Harry, Ron and Hermione continued their meals in silence until Fred Weasley snuck up behind Ron and dropped a fake spider into Ron’s soup. "So, what do you think about the new professor? I think I’m in love."

George Weasley soon appeared at Fred’s side and mussed Ron’s hair. "You know, word from Bill and Charlie is that she was the top Hit Wizard with the Ministry’s Magical Law Enforcement years ago until…"

"Apparently, her reputation was tarnished when she failed to turn in Sirius Black years ago… She had him cornered, Ministry knew about it…but given the circumstances…how could she?" Fred Weasley chimed in. Ron unknowingly spooned up the spider and let out a small yelp that caught the attention of a few professors with the keenest of ears at the Head Table across the Great Hall. The most important of those being Professor McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor House, who glanced in their direction with a stern visage while clearing her throat. This was warning enough for the twins to get back to their seats at the other end of the table.

"We’d better get back…" George and Fred returned to their seats.

Professor Dumbledore spoke a few words to close the evening’s festivities. "Just one last reminder to you. The Dark Forest is strictly off limits, as is Hogsmeade this year considering the recent events." Groans came from those third year and above who had the privileges of spending weekend afternoons milling about the large wizarding town. Dessert quickly concluded and the dishes were cleared with a clap of Professor Dumbledore’s hands before the students directed to their rooms.

Upon exiting the Great Hall, Harry noticed Professor Yardley pass nearby Professor Snape who was about to duck into a secret passageway. "Hello, Severus…" she said. Harry was certain that he didn’t even hear more than a grunt in acknowledgment before Professor Snape disappeared behind the panel in the wall.

"Still, not the social type that Snape." Ron nodded.

"I’ve been thinking…perhaps you should send Sir…Snuffles an owl to see if you can get some background on the new professor."

"That was exactly what I had in mind."

"After we get what we can from Fred and George." Harry and Ron filed out the doors of the Great Hall and happened upon Draco Malfoy, the most obnoxious boy Harry had ever met as well as his Slytherin rival. Hermione pushed ahead of the group; for as a newly elected Prefect, her duties included directing the first years to their rooms.

"Although we have yet to have a DADA professor last more than three semesters, I guarantee she won’t last one. They could’ve let me teach the class." Draco Malfoy boasted to Crabbe and Goyle as he exited the Great Hall. Hermione elbowed passed Draco in order to make way for her group.

"Hey, watch it…" Draco pushed Hermione back.

"Maybe you should watch it." It didn’t take long for Malfoy to draw his wand. Evidently, he was looking to pick a fight. Most students filed quickly past them fearful of getting in trouble. Ron and Harry stepped forward.

"The Dynamic Duo – Potty and Weasel." Goyle and Crabbe snickered at Malfoy’s words.

"What’s your problem, Draco? Too scared to pick on boys your own size? You have to pick on girls now?" Ron beamed, remembering his previous brawl with the brat.

"What’s your problem?" Hermione shot Ron a dirty look and stormed off with her giggling first years in tow.

"What did I do?" Ron whispered to Harry, thinking that he was doing Hermione a favor.

"Looks like you made your girlfriend mad." Draco pointed his wand at Ron. Before he could mutter a few words…

"Accio!" a female voice cried. Draco’s wand was ripped out of his hand. Professor Yardley stepped into the corridor with Draco’s wand in hand. "Mr. Malfoy, is it not? I know you know the rules here better than I."

"I was merely defending myself,” he whimpered.

"You better be off to your room. If I catch you using magic in the halls again, you’ll have more than just myself to answer to."

"What did I miss?" Professor McGonagall appeared at the doorway.

"Just a little mischief, but nothing that couldn’t be handled this time…" Professor Yardley handed Draco his wand and gave him a little shove in the direction of the Slytherin chambers. Crabbe and Goyle followed like the lackeys they are.

"Mmmm…very well. Move along now, there’s nothing to see..." Professor McGonagall spoke to Harry and Ron before continuing down the corridor.

Professor Yardley smiled which put Harry and Ron at ease. "I’ll be seeing you in class, Mr. Potter, and you too, Mr. Weasley." Professor Yardley disappeared down another dark corridor. Ron let out a sigh of relief.

"How do you think she knew our names already?" Harry inquired.

"Well, I bet she knows my dad and you? You’re famous? I can’t believe you still ask that question," Ron smiled as they stomped off in the direction of Gryffindor tower past a posted notice about "Visiting Weekend".

 

BACK TO THE DAILY GRIND

For three days Harry, Ron and Hermione wandered through their courses still curious about the Defense Against Dark Arts professor and class, but too preoccupied to do any more research. Although Harry was a bit worried that he hadn’t had a return owl from Sirius; he remembered that Sirius told him earlier in the summer that he had some urgent matters to take care of which would render him unreachable for a short period of time. Hermione had not been able to dig up much about Professor Yardley in the library, probably due to her duties as Prefect. Ron was just a wreck since Percy had gone missing over the summer. Though overwhelmed with the heavy amount of class work, Harry knew that fifth year was so different in comparison to the others. He found that even the absence of Oliver Wood’s over-zealous, Quidditch-training regimen seemed to get him down. Harry was also a bit sad that Hagrid who was always around to cheer him up in the past was on a leave of absence on Dumbledore’s instruction until mid-October.

During that first week Harry, Ron and Hermione puttered through their courses - Herbology, Seances and Scrying, Advanced Potions among others. One never more interesting than the next. One especially cold afternoon in the middle of Double Potions, while Professor Snape hovered above the students with a watchful eye, Ron and Harry shivered as they added Blood of Aragon to their cauldrons. In this semester of potions the students were able to work with more dangerous ingredients.

"Good job, Malfoy…Careful, Longbottom…we don’t want you blowing yourself to smithereens just because you don’t know the difference between Hag’s wort and Hog’s wart! Wrong...wrong...wrong…out of the way!"

Professor Yardley appeared in the doorway of Snape’s dungeon just in time to see Neville’s cauldron spill over with smoke. "There isn’t any hope for you is there, Longbottom. You must be begging me to take points from you." Snape hissed at the ever-so-frightened Longbottom. With a turn of his wand the cauldron was empty.

"Perhaps if you’d stop yelling at him, it would be more effective." In an odd stroke of luck for Neville, for Snape’s ferocity was now focused on Yardley who to everyone’s astonishment did not only speak up to Snape but was wearing Muggle clothing – loose fitting slacks and a turtleneck sweater.

"A word, Professor Yardley." Snape’s disapproval was evident, but his expression did not faze Yardley who still wore the same nonchalant smile as she wore upon her introduction in the Great Hall.

"What is she wearing?" asked Pansy Parkinson one of the Slytherin girls. "Muggle clothing?"

"I can’t believe she has a nerve to walk into a Slytherin dungeon like that." Retorted Malfoy. "She won’t last long here if you ask me."

"Who’s asking?" Hermione piped up from a table in the back.

The two professors disappeared into the hallway. The classroom was a flurry with whispers and gossip, but they quickly quieted as the professors’ voices echoed throughout the corridor and the room.

Snape and Yardley stepped out into the hallway. "I would appreciate you not telling me how to run my class as I in turn will not tell you how to run yours."

"Apologies, Severus…I’ve come here to get on your good terms not your bad. So, enough of this foolish candor…I’ve been speaking with Albus Dumbledore who seems delight in my idea of starting up the Dueling Club once again. It was his suggestion that I come to ask you to help me organize it."

"You’ve come to disturb my class for this?" Snape snapped.

"Well, I take it you will think about it…since Albus seems (to be) intent on it. Good day." Professor Yardley taking the last word retreated up the stone stairwell.

Professor Snape returned to the class, his face tinged with a redness uncommon to his normally sallow complexion. The students appeared to be busy concentrating on their potions until Neville Longbottom raised his hand a big smile blazon upon his face.

"Yes, Longbottom?" snarled Snape.

"So, when is the Dueling Club’s first meeting?" Harry and Ron burst out in smiles at Neville’s mini triumph.

 

The next morning Harry awakened while most of Gryffindor was still sound asleep and a bright full moon danced in the sky. Harry wondered about the whereabouts of Remus Lupin, a prior Dark Arts professor and friend of his family, as he got dressed in his practice clothes and crept down to the Great Hall to grab some breakfast. As he entered the hall, Katie Bell, the new team captain, was already discussing defense tactics with the team who groggily nodded in assent to his instructions. The group greeted Harry as he approached.

"We’ve got to win this one, especially considering all the parents and everyone will be here for the first match on Visiting Weekend…we have to win the cup!" Katie’s words harnessed the same enthusiasm Oliver Wood’s once had and echoed in the rather silent hall. Oliver Wood had been the team captain since Harry had joined Hogwarts; but since graduation Oliver was onto bigger and better things, like the Puddlemere United Reserve Team.

"Visiting Weekend?" Harry asked.

"All the parents and everyone are coming to Hogwarts for a visit and to see the opening Quidditch game. Where have you been?" Alicia yawned.

"It’s a new thing that Dumbledore has started…there’ll be the game day on Friday and a ball on Saturday."

"I think since everything has happened with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Mentioned, he wants to assure the families that their children are safe at Hogwarts."

"Oh," Harry responded. He merely wished he had parents who would be visiting him on that weekend… someone, anyone...He was almost sad that the Dursley’s hated everything magical, at least they would have been someone.

The team soon left the comforts of the Great Hall for the Quidditch field where to their surprise, Slytherin was already practicing on the field. "What gives!" Katie became so incensed that she took to her broom and had it in mind to knock the Slytherin team captain off his broom. In mid-air he hesitated as she spotted Professor Yardley. At her side was Draco Malfoy grinning from ear to ear.

"Why is the professor helping them!" Harry asked George Weasley.

"When she was here at Hogwarts, she was Seeker for Slytherin…In fact, she began the Slytherin’s winning streak."

"Looks like George has done his homework. He’s beginning to sound like Percy." George wrestled Fred to the ground.

"A Slytherin?" Harry was surprised.

"We don’t stand a chance if she’s training THEM." Fred added. High above their heads the Slytherin team surrounded Katie.

"We reserved this field for morning practice," Katie pleaded her case.

"Well, if that’s the case, we’ll quickly wrap things up here and get out of your way." There were looks of surprise from the Slytherin team followed by groans and whining. "Just allow Malfoy and I to have another go at the Snitch. Is that okay with you, Miss. Bell?"

"Fair enough." Katie returned to the Gryffindors and updated them with details. The other Slytherins returned to the ground while Professor Yardley raced Draco Malfoy for the Snitch. Harry was impressed with her flying technique.

Malfoy glanced around for the Golden Snitch. Spotting it out of the corner of his eye, he flew in that direction in a flash. Professor Yardley trailed by an arm’s length. She had not the desire to capture the Snitch, as she was rather determined to test Malfoy’s concentration. She spun circles around him causing him to lose sight of the object and grow increasingly dizzy. Malfoy lost control of his broom, almost smacking headfirst into one of the 50ft high goal posts.

Even the bystanders on the ground held their breath, for impact at those high speeds would certainly break most of the bones in one’s body and who knew how long it would take for recovery. Professor Yardley grabbed hold of Malfoy’s broom and steadied it.

"You okay?" she asked Malfoy who looked as if he were going to toss his breakfast. "Why don’t we call it a day. Good work." Malfoy was more than eager to head in, leaving the retrieval of the Snitch to the professor. The professor instructed the Slytherin’s to leave the Quidditch case as the Slytherin’s headed into breakfast.

Harry wondered why she hadn’t obtained the Snitch as of yet. She hovered above the Gryffindors.

"I have a bit of time to spare, if you’d allow me." The team nodded in assent. "So, Potter…step up…Let’s see what you’re made of?" She stated in a healthy sportive jest. This picked his spirits up a bit; Harry mounted his broom and set off. The team released the Bludgers and followed suit.

Professor Yardley still all smiles pointed just left of Harry where he immediately spotted the Snitch. It whizzed by the ear of Fred or was it George? Harry ducked nearly missing the path of the Bludger. Professor Yardley was now at his side. "Is that the fastest you can go?" She asked.

"Just warming up," Harry’s face brightened as they sped off at breakneck speed in the direction of the Snitch. She managed to loop around Harry so the Snitch was a few centimeters from her arm, but she swatted at the thing and it disappeared. Harry believed that she must have been enjoying the practice as much as he did.

No one realized how quickly pre-dawn had changed into morning or the small crowd of students who had gathered to watch, until Professors Snape and McGonagall appeared on the field. Even Dumbledore was spotted watching the practice with his binoculars. The old wizard chuckled as he waved at him before closing the window.

"Does anyone have the time?" Katie inquired.

"What’s the matter?" asked Fred.

"Twenty past eight…oh no…" replied Angelina. Fred shrugged and sped off towards his brother.

"It can’t be." Alicia furrowed her brow.

"Look at Professor McGonagall…she doesn’t look pleased one bit." Angelina pointed at the small figures staring up from down below. "Master class Transfiguration began thirty minutes ago."

Harry realized that he was quite late for Potions when the Snitch flew below Harry and the professor.

"Go ahead…we’d best be heading in now." Harry dove for the Snitch before joining the Gryffindor pack that stood before Professor McGonagall awaiting their punishments. By the time Harry reached the ground, Professor McGonagall was heading towards the castle with her Transfiguration students. Was she finally showing favoritism to her own house? He assumed that she was pleased at the prospects of Gryffindor winning the house cup and to dole out points to so many members would ruin their chances; but perhaps not.

Professor Yardley returned the Snitch to the box and closed the case.

"Potter, if you’re late to my class ever again I will fail you…understood?" Snape seethed in anger.

"Yes, sir."

There was no doubt Snape was serious about his threat. In his four years at Hogwarts, Professor Snape held such an unfounded distaste for him, yet the professor had saved his life on a few occasions. Before heading inside Harry smiled at Professor Yardley who nodded in return.

"I know I need not go into a tirade about your duties as a professor, to remind you that your primary focus is to seeing that these students get an education." Snape was infuriated by Yardley’s indifference towards him.

"Rest assured, I know I need not hear it from you. Good day, Severus."

 

DEFENSE AGAINST DARK ARTS V

Earlier that morning Seances and Scrying with Professor Trelawney had been something of an amusement. It had been a class on Pendulum Scrying, using a pendulum to spell out words of prophecy. All Harry managed to come up with was "XERTOJRG" and Ron merely spelled out "OOOOOOO". Trelawney believed that the vague messages were a result of heightened supernatural activity rather than the draft in the room. Ron and Harry paid little mind to the soothsayer as she deciphered their messages; for they were looking forward to their afternoon class – Defense Against the Dark Arts. Fred and George gave the new professor the seal of approval in terms of her knowledge about the Dark Arts. The twins also informed Ron that Professor Yardley, ex-Hit Wizard for the Ministry and Hogwarts graduate, had at one time been married to a Muggle and quit the world of wizardry before traveling extensively in the Far East.

The class of fifth years stood outside near the lake waiting for Professor Yardley who crossed the grounds wearing the traditional wizarding robes with her hair tightly tied back into two braided sections. A dense fog covered the area setting a less than cheerful atmosphere. It was apparent that even the bravest of the Slytherins was a bit nervous, as Harry spotted Malfoy and his gang hiding in the back of the group. Though smaller than some of the tallest fifth years, Yardley exuded confidence with her booming voice.

"Welcome to Defense Against Dark Arts V. I am Professor Yardley and rumor in the hallways of Hogwarts is it that I won’t last a semester…We’ll see about that." Yardley glanced in the direction of Malfoy who cowered behind his cronies. "I also hear that some of you have had hands-on experience in the past and I applaud you. For fighting the Dark Arts seems to be a never-ending battle, as you will learn as you venture into the real world. I trust that you all have read the syllabus given to you prior to the start of school and that you have read the first two chapters of one of the two books we will cover this semester – "Elementals in their Element"." The students nodded. "Can anyone give me the four types of elementals?"

As usual Hermione’s hand shot up before the rest.

"Do you always have to know everything?" Ron whispered. Hermione ignored his comment, seeing that they had been at odds for the past few days.

"Yes, Miss Granger."

"Earth, Air, Water and Fire."

"That is correct. Now, can anyone tell me what they look like?" No one responded.

"Well, there were no pictures in the books…" Someone from Hufflepuff interjected. Yardley smiled, "Well, you will see what a water elemental looks like in a few moments…Does anyone know how to combat these elementals?" Although Hermione’s hand went up… "Ron Weasley? How does one fight a water elemental?" Ron was digging in the back of his mind for a clue, until he realized that he hadn’t the chance to review the book on Elementals.

"Take a guess," Yardley offered.

"You fight a water elemental with its opposing force?" Ron stammered. Yardley gave a broad smile.

"Very good…now, before Christmas break you will be learning all about elementals – how look, what they do and how to fight them…Mr. Longbottom, if you would be so kind as to step forward and the rest of you, if you please…a big step back."

"Don’t worry Neville, you’ll be just fine," Hermione said in support.

"Go get ‘em," Ron said for a lack of something better to say.

"Harry, say something supportive," Hermione whispered.

"It will be over soon, don’t worry," Harry said.

Neville Longbottom approached the professor, his wand steadied in his hand, yet he was shaking as a leaf. He stood at her side, glanced back at Harry, Ron and Hermione and gulped.

"Neville, just don’t drop your wand," Malfoy jeered.

"Brave words, Mr. Malfoy, are you volunteering to take Mr. Longbottom’s place?" Malfoy said nothing in response. "I didn’t think so, but next time think before you speak. All right, Aquas Demonus Apportus!" She waved her wand, but neither a spark did fly nor a ripple did form on the water’s surface.

Malfoy began to laugh, "You may want to try again."

In a split second a tower of water grew ten feet from the lake and took the shape of a transparent humanoid monster. The water elemental let out a roar that had the students jump back ten feet and had Neville hiding behind Yardley. The water elemental began to rise out of the lake and double in size before tripling in size and stepping out of the crater that once held the lake.

"Come, Neville, it will only grow larger the longer you wait…it’s time. Wave your wand then say ‘Envoyus Inflammio’ to drive it back then Aquas Demonus Partiro to send it away…Ready?" Neville’s hand was shaking, but Prof. Yardley took hold of his hand…"Envoyus Inflammio…" she whispered.

"Envoyus Inflammio!" he cried as a claw-like arm emerged from the water figure and swiped at them. "Envoyus Inflammio!" The creature began to diminish in size with each fiery strike.

"Envoyus Inflammio!" Neville shouted once again, this time without the aid of Yardley. This time multiple fireballs shot forth, tearing holes within the creature and sending the demon back to his watery home. Although the creature was no longer visible, the rippling in the water proved that something stirred. The column of water began to grow once again.

"Now finish it…Aqua…"

"Aquas Demonus Partiro!" Neville shouted. The water elemental was gone. The students cheered for Neville and patted him on the back.

"Mr. Malfoy, next time…air elementals. Okay, class…when the words Envoyus Inflammio are spoken, you saw as fire was emitted from my wand…this was necessary to get control over the creature…control over its movements and placing limits on it’s size. Aquas Demonus Partiro will get rid of the creature…Any questions?"

"Is that what you call effective teaching? Putting your students in danger?" Snape emerged from path from the school that was shrouded in fog. On his lips was smile as strong as the humiliation Professor Yardley felt in front of her students.

"This is an advanced class, Professor Snape. You’ve just missed out on the fun, but lovely that you could join us. Oh, yes, it seems we have an announcement to make. Professor Snape and I will be running the Dueling Club this year. The first meeting will be…on the first of October in the courtyard. Please bring your wands and your alert minds…and remember no playing dirty – meaning no implementing irreversible itching boil hexes and by no means are you to be practicing in the corridors or classrooms. You are dismissed." The students headed towards the castle. Harry and Ron inundated Neville with questions about facing the Water Elemental.

"Wow, Neville. We’re you scared?"

"Of course, weren’t you?"

"But it was right there. It could have killed you!" Neville fainted.