New in the Arts

I had secured myself an ear in another house. Cho Chang and Padma had done all they could to keep our house on my side. But their was hostility everywhere. The looks of the Durmstrang students were tough, but their shoulders as they bumped me as I passed were even worse. The hallways were so bad, I began to feel safety in class.

I sat next to Padma, who put a hand on my thigh quickly.

"Hang in there," said Padma. I had been so distracted by the other students that I hadn't realized what today was. It was the first day of Dark Arts since the teacher. Today we would find out who our new teacher was.

Harry and Hermione sat together. Both of them seemed tense, whispering among themselves. No doubt they were already far into a plan for the first task. I wondered whether Hermione was part of Harry's cheating to get his name in the cup. With a subtle movement of her hips my attention was redirected to Hermione's backside. Of course it was covered by that stupid skirt, but I remembered how I had seen it so well at the duel.

I had to wonder if there was a person in this school getting to see that view on a regular basis. Besides Cho Chang I suppose. Maybe Potter. I hated the thought.

I noticed her upper body swing, and when I looked up her eyes were directly on me. Hermione had just caught me looking at her ass. Of course she seemed mad for it. She was always mad at me.

"Good morning class," said a voice behind us all. Everyone turned, seeing the woman who would be our new defense against Dark Arts professor.