Story takes place a couple of months into sixth year. I'm sorry in advance for the more arbitrary changes like no Slughorn and other class differences. It seems more like they're in 3rd year schedule-wise but I'd rather they be 16 instead of 13. I wanted to do more of a summary about the plot but there's only so much that fits and so much that I even know how I'm going to write. HEADS UP THOUGH, I will not be pairing the new character with Harry or anyone else. I really don't like OCxanyone but I needed someone new to create an important link and to be honest, there wasn't any canon character who really fit the bill for me.

This will most likely be eventual VoldemortxHarry but it won't be obvious for a some time.

Eyes rose thoughtfully from behind thin spectacles at the news he had just been given by his nearby companion. Being less than attentive during one of their more tedious subjects of study, Harry found that he had neglected to hear professor Binns dully add that a new student would be joining the 6th year's ranks whereas his studious friend beside him had taken in every word. Hermione nudged him pointedly, not bothering to try and hide her disdain at his lack of focus, "Perhaps if your ears put in more of an effort to listen to him, you'd manage to catch something interesting once in a while."

"Fat chance," Ron huffed under his breath, "So then, where's this new kid from anyway?"

"He didn't mention it. I wonder though.. It's not exactly commonplace for us to receive transfers is it?"

Harry gave a half-hearted shrug in response, "Dunno, I suppose so." It wasn't something that had happened before while any of them had attended Hogwarts but it was far from being out of the ordinary. Perhaps this person had simply moved to the area or, possibly out of dislike for their old academic institution, wished to come here instead.

After History of Magic had ended, the trio headed outside onto the grounds and down to Care of Magical creatures. However, it wasn't the booming and enthusiastic voice of Hagrid that bid them greeting but a rather pale and brusque man. Apparently they were stuck with a substitute today.

"I'll make it plain and simple, you'll refer to me as professor Marks and you'll do as I say. Follow me now, I've got the beast tethered down here.. Mind you, I use that term loosely." The unfamiliar man put in with a hint of pride.

Harry, Ron and Hermione whispered amongst each other about who exactly this new staff addition was and why Hagrid was absent when they simultaneously caught sight of two different and certainly notable things. First off, there was what looked like an absolutely towering female unicorn tied securely by the edge of the forest and not far from her stood a young man with dark hair and equally dark eyes. He hesitantly drew away from the nervous creature as the group advanced and Harry swore he saw the other boy muttering something to himself while professor Marks snapped at him threateningly for not listening to his instructions.

"Don't you be gettin' so close without my permission," He grunted dangerously. "This pretty horse is more than strong enough to give you a thorough and hoof administered beating." The man purposefully referred to the mare as such to further mock the boy who merely tightened his cheek in annoyance.

"Look here, you lot. See how exceptional her coat is? It's even finer than what you'd expect to see on such an animal. Took me ages to track and capture her so don't go trying to paw at goods as high quality as this!" He glared once more at the shorter male before slowly beckoning the rest of the class a few inches forward.

The lesson progressed on without little interruption but it wasn't until the teacher took to rather rough and greedy handling of his prized specimen that the stranger decided that he had to say something.

"Don't you dare touch her!" The order was given firmly and it was surprising that such a voice came from someone who appeared so thin and harmless.

More than taken aback by such blatant rudeness, the enraged man was obviously not someone who tolerated this sort of behavior, "30 points from Gryffindor; I wonder how your new house-mates will like that and on your first day too.." He sneered cruelly, clearly reveling in the idea of the child being harassed right off the bat.

Harry most definitely didn't feel contempt for him though seeing as he'd gotten his own fair- or rather unfair share of points taken away out of personal resentment. Class soon ended and the three friends couldn't help but fire questions at the newcomer as everyone trod back up to the castle.

"Your name's Jean then, you say?"

"What on Earth compelled you to speak to a teacher like that? I can't say I liked his methods either but.. Still, that wasn't a very good idea."

"When did you get sorted?"

The boy nodded at Ron then explained shortly to Harry that he'd simply been told to try the ancient hat on in Dumbledore's office and finally he surveyed Hermione last. "Someone like that ought not to be allowed to teach. I held my tongue for as long as I could, believe me but to show such disrespect.." Jean trailed off, becoming too aggravated to continue.

"You mean he offended you? You have to admit, mate, you were pushing it an awful lot back there." Ron reminded him.

"No, not me. Her, of course. She's pregnant. If that man were a credible professor of any sort then he would've seen it right away and left her alone." His tone grew incredibly irate and he was ready to expand into further explanation but hastily stopped himself before flashing them a small apologetic smile. "I didn't mean to cost you points but I couldn't control myself. It's just something I utterly can't stand.. When someone acts like that."

The others were inclined to forgive him and assured the new Gryffindor that no one would hassle him about the demerits and if they did, they'd call them off. Harry had the odd suspicion that the apology was a cover-up from what Jean was initially about to say, though he didn't doubt the sincerity of it. The boy seemed honest enough but it was still something that he tucked in the back of his mind as all four of them made their way inside for dinner. He knew better than most that the little things were always worth taking into account.