Defence Against the Dark Lord

2-First Lesson

Althea got up next morning, wore her uniform and didn't put on any make up, as always. Then she realized that, her first classes on Mondays were this year Defence Against the Dark Arts. She thought of using the make up, which she keeps with her for special occasions. But even the thought of trying to look good for a teacher made her feel ashamed of herself. 

She went to the classroom 3C on the 3rd floor with her friends and sat on the desk in the middle left with Celestia. Althea choose this desk, because it was close to the windows. There, she has a better view of outdoors and can watch the sunrise when the days are shorter. And in order to have peace or rather, not to get caught when she muses, she would choose the seats in the middle. That way she can blend in with the crowd. However Celestia would always snap her out of her deep thoughts, because being the thoughtful one of the group, she wants her friends to have good grades. 

Althea saw Cygnus sitting on the other side of the class next to his friends. That didn't please her at all. That meant, that she didn't have a chance to ask questions concerning the class. Yes, Althea is not good at communicating with people she is not close with. So she needs to find an excuse to talk to her crush. 

As Professor Riddle entered the class, the students who were chatting went silent. And the silence revealed the flirty giggles and looks on some of the girls' faces, which Althea found to be very disturbing. But Professor Riddle didn't seem to realize. Or maybe he simply choose to ignore. 

After eyeing the students, he broke the silence. "I am greeting each one of you for our first class together." His face was softened but he still had this cold look in his eyes. "I'm sure, I don't have to tell you about school discipline on your sixth year-" he said, with no trace of concern in his expression.  

He then started teaching about nonverbal spells, which some girls unsurprisingly had so many questions about. Althea never seen the students participating, well, trying  to participate this much in a class. Her attention on the class raised even more when she realized Druella Rosier, was also trying to get the teacher's attention. She was literally asking stupid questions and acting so flirty.

This girl, who was lucky enough to have something with Cygnus Black, is trying to flirt with an old man? Well, okay, he is not that old, but it's still illegal. And how can someone have interest on other people when they have Cygnus? Girl, are you crazy?

Althea had to do something. This might be the only chance she has, to get Cygnus to notice her. The only chance to show him that, she is not like the other girls. This new teacher's charm doesn't work on her. Not that much.

The problem is, she doesn't know what to do or say. She can't think of a question concerning the class. She didn't listen to the class. She is busy with thinking these. 

Anyway, back to getting noticed: Just say something irritating but allowed. Yes, that's it. You go get your crush's attention now, girl.

She raised her hand so impulsively, that Professor Riddle stopped talking and looked at her, raising his brows. "Yes?", he said coldly.

Notice her, Cygnus!

"Can you please talk lauder? I can't hear you." she said keeping her face as straight and her voice as cold as she can. 

Professor Riddle's face hardened and he looked at her so hostilely that, she thought he was going to kill her right there. 

He kept looking at her like that for a second, but for Althea it felt much longer. Then a slight smirk appeared on Professor Riddle's face, "Of course." and he went on speaking with a little bit more volume but no less attractiveness, while still looking at Althea.

When his eyes finally let go of hers, she realized, that she wasn't breathing the whole time. She gasped for air as quiet as she can. But it wasn't quiet enough not to get noticed by Celestia. "Are you okay?" She looked concerned.

"Yeah", she responded quietly. "just forgot to breath for a moment."

"Oh," seeing the look on Althea's face, Celestia thought it was best to let her alone with her thoughts.

The rest of the lesson was a blur. Althea couldn't give her attention to anything. She couldn't even think well enough about what just happened. Her friends getting up from their seats brought her consciousness back to her body.  She could hear Professor Riddle saying, "There should be no more questions left. You will practice your nonverbal spells next week."

Her friends were already leaving when they asked if she wanted them to wait. "Nah, it's alright." 

She felt very heavy, so it took her a bit too long to pack up.  When she felt Professor Riddle's gaze on her, Althea realized she was the last student left in the class.

She tried to walk to the door as fast as she can before she was stopped by Tom Riddle's words across the room, "I didn't know one could be this miserable."

She turned to see him look down at her arrogantly. "I'm sorry?"

He started to walk slowly towards her. "You, little miss, should know that I'm the last person you want to irritate." A trace of confusion and disgust appeared on his face, "Especially for an obtuse boy."

Althea was so confused. She needed time to process the information.

He scanned every inch of her face as he leaned forward to come down to her eye level, then he commanded, "Now run."

She didn't take any time to think and ran until she reached her friends, who were already halfway to the next class.

.

strange, huh?

there you have your images:

(Classroom 3C, the DADA classroom)

oh you know what this is ;)