There she sat, alone completely secluded from the rest of Gryffindor house. She seemed pleased enough with the arrangement. Bloody hell, she didn't even seem to notice anyone. Her eyes were devouring the book in front of her. While she shoveled pieces of toast and egg into her mouth. "Padfoot? Oi Sirius, what're you looking at?"

Sirius Black jumped slightly and looked away from the girl to his friend Prongs, better known as James Potter. "Wha? Oh nothing."

Raising an eyebrow, James leaned back slightly. His eyes reached the end of the table. They widened. Pulling back, he stared at Sirius. "Why were you looking at Burgs?"

Raising a questioning eyebrow, Padfoot shrugged. "Who the hell is Burgs?" Rolling his eyes James replied. "Bloody hell you are thick, don't you remember? You used to call her Stitches?"

Black leaned back, getting another look at the girl. He remembered Stitches. But that was not Stitches, for one the Stitches he knew licked her lips every five seconds, causing horrible scabs to coat her lips. Sirius had tormented her since second year. By fifth year, Stitches had had enough. She socked him in the jaw and levitated him to the middle of the Black Lake and dropped him into the freezing water. The teasing had been in good humor, Sirius had never meant to piss her off that badly.

As if feeling his eyes on her, the girl looked up from her book. Her doughy brown eyes instantly hardened from behind her glasses. Before Padfoot could react, her wand was out and he was thrown head first into his bowl of porridge.

Sputtering, Sirius pushed his porridge coated hair from his face. He wield round, his wand was out and ready for retaliation. But by then she had made it to the doors of the Great Hall, her cloak sweeping the floor as she went.

Fingering clumps of gunk from his hair, Sirius mumbled to himself about crazy broads. James was doing his best to stifle his laughter. In his defense, Padfoot looked ridicules. Glaring, Sirius hissed. "Shut up James!"

Looking at the exit he mumbled. "She's blooming mental." Smirking, James replied. "Well you did hang upside down to get a look at her delicates two years ago." Padfoot shook a wiped his hands on his napkin. "I was just messing around."

What sounded like a book slamming on the table rang through the Great Hall. Both Marauders jumped and looked down the breakfast table. Lily Evans was glaring daggers at them. "You both are so thick!"

James smiled, glad for the attention of his so called girl. "Whatever do you mean Lily-flower?"

Lily's green eyes looked venomous. "Call me that again Potter, and I'll hex you senseless." A silence fell between the two Head Prefects. Potter looked smug, and his eyes twinkled with mischief, while Evans looked livid. Raising an eyebrow, Sirius broke the silence. "Oi, Evans you were saying something."

Shaking her head, Lily glared at Black. "I was saying that you're bloody thick in the head. Do you have any idea how badly you made Miranda feel since second year?"

Giving her a questioning look, Sirius asked. "Wait, who?" Lily's cheeks were slowly starting to resemble the color of her hair "Miranda Burgs, you stupid cock-up."

James was starting to get nervous. Lily was never one for language like that. Normally she was very calm and collected, even when James was annoying the living piss out of her. Lily's face slowly returned to its normal color. Collecting her bag, Lily threw it across her shoulder and left the Hall. James attempted to call her back. Turning, he glared at Sirius. "Well done mate, you pissed her off!"

That said, James got up and ran after Lily, leaving Sirius with only Remus and Peter for company. Looking at Remus, he seemed rather dumbfounded. Shrugging Moony stated. "I told you not to mess with Burgs; it's your own bloody fault for not listening to me."

Clutching at his still porridge slicked hair; Sirius got up and left the Hall, mumbling to himself. "Not a week in the year and I've already got an angry woman on my hands….I haven't even had sex with her yet."

Meanwhile, outside the castle Miranda was making her way over to the large tree, which rested just before the grassy field met with the dark waters of the Black Lake; smiling at the memory of Sirius Black sputtering and cursing in the middle of the lake. Taking a seat, Miranda cracked her book open. Leaning her back against the trunk after dumping her bag into the grass, she soaked up the last remaining bits of the summer sun.

Before she could fully get into her book, Miranda checked her wrist watch. She still had an hour and half to enjoy her free time. It was her second day back at Hogwarts, so she already had her class schedule.

The summer away from school had been a long three months of change. Miranda had basically worked on her appearance the entire break. After the little incident with Black being tossed into the lake, along with the threat of expulsion for her crime, Miranda figured she couldn't handle another year of Black teasing her. Hell, she almost got away with the git not paying her any mind. But it seemed to be too much to ask to have her last two years free of Black breathing down her neck.

Miranda thoughtfully ran her fingers over her now smooth lips. They used to be callused and scarred due to her nervous habit of licking them every five seconds. Miranda had spent a month breaking, herself of the habit, and then afterword she made an appointment at St. Mungos to heal her lips up. Just before school started, Miranda rid herself of her once tangled mane of hair. It was now shorter, layered and gleamed in the sun, showing the natural blonde highlights that were once hidden by the array of light brown curls.

The only thing left from the looks of the previous years, were her black horn rimmed glasses. The Marauders never made fun of her glasses, so she felt safe keeping them. Now she was a tad worried, with all the other ugliness gone, they may find something new to poke fun at.

Miranda shuddered as she recalled one incident in particular where Black held her upside down and gave everyone a look at her panties. It had been the one day where she had decided to wear her new red lacey underwear. The memory caused her to flush red with anger and embarrassment.

Checking her watch again, Miranda hopped to her feet. She was going to be late if she didn't hurry. Her first class was Potions with Slughorne, and that was all the way in the dungeons, in Slytherin territory.

Despite the fact that Miranda was practically sprinting down the halls, she only just managed to make to Potions. Her heart sank when she reached the class; everyone seemed to have been given partners. Looking around, she spotted Lily, who was sitting begrudgingly next to Potter. Seeing Miranda, Lily mouthed an apology. Shaking her head, Miranda simply shrugged it off and smiled. "Ms. Burgs! I was worried you weren't going to show up."

Miranda snapped to attention as Slughorne made his way over to her from behind his desk. Slughorne had always been kind to Miranda, though he never invited her into his 'Slug Club' even though she had quite the knack for Potions and Care of Magical Creatures. She had a sneaking suspicion it had to do with her past looks. Because when Slughorne managed to get a better look at her, his eyes widened for a moment. Miranda thanked her lucky stars he didn't mention the change in appearance. That was the last thing she needed or wanted for that matter. "There is an empty chair over on the left side of the room."

Nodding, she made her way over to where Slughorne was pointing. Keeping her head down, to avoid being stared at, Miranda made her way over to the empty chair. She didn't look up to see who her partner was until she had settled herself in the chair. Pulling out her Potions book, some parchment, and her peacock feather quill, she looked up.

Miranda's heart instantly fell, all the blood rushed from her face. She was absolutely petrified. A pair of cold grey eyes, she knew those eyes. Hell, she feared them. Lady Fate must really hate her, because as she would have it, Miranda was stuck working with Sirius Black for Potions.

It didn't take long for the questioning look in Black's eyes to be replaced with a mischievous glint. Miranda inwardly flinched, that glint always meant trouble. "Well hello Miranda."

She stared; he had never used her name before much less her first one. On instinct, she went on the defensive. "What do you want Black?"

Black smirked. "I don't want anything." Miranda scoffed. Sure, he always said that before he tormented her. She was about ready to hex him to kingdom come, but the two were instantly interrupted. "Class, may I have your attention, if you please."

Glancing at her, Sirius leaned close and whispered. "We'll talk later." Miranda paled. Talking to, him was the last thing she wanted to do.

Throughout all of Potions, Miranda was on edge. Her movement's jerky, causing her usual clean slant writing to be blotched and unkempt. Sirius attempted a couple times to send her notes, but once they reached Miranda's side of the desk; she would take out her want and set them on fire. At least Fate was kind enough to make Slughorne's powers of perception weak, almost nonexistent.

At long last the bell rang, and Potions class was over. Shooting up from her seat, Miranda made for the door. She was halfway up the stairs when she heard her name being called. She instantly sped up, practically pushing other students out of the way.

Making it back into the sunlight of the hallways, Miranda breathed. She had made it out alive. Lily came up from the stairs; she was out of breath and seemed slightly irritated. "Christ Miranda! Why were you running?"

She mentally slapped herself, she was letting her fear of Black get the better of her. "That was you calling me?"

Raising her eyebrows, Lily pulled a 'duh' look "Yeah, who else?" Miranda didn't reply, she only smiled and joined Lily. Together the two muggleborns made there was to Herbology.