Author's Note: This is the first time I have used an OC in fan-fiction, but this is a character I have had floating around in my head for a while. I couldn't think of anyone better to pit her against than Snape. This fic was partially inspired by the song Away by Breaking Benjamin, hence the title. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

The sound of clicking heels filled the dim corridors of Hogwarts as someone scurried hurriedly through them. The clicking was accompanied by the swish of petticoats and soft little pants as the person swung around a corner, giving a little wave to one of the many portraits on the wall, which smiled and tipped his hat to her as she dashed passed. Hands gloved in black velvet reached up to straighten a black bobble hat upon her head, fully covering her ears and the rim just above her startling blue eyes, before fiddling with the crow skull broach at the collar of her blouse and patting down her full skirts. Little black lace up boots skidded to a halt before one of the many doors, from which inside she could hear the chatter of students. Taking a deep breath, the young woman clasped her little carpet bag and went inside.

Severus Snape loomed out of the shadows from where he had watched the woman dash past and sneered, gathering his robes about him and crossing his arms. His black eyes narrowed as the person hesitated before entering the room, amused at her apparent nerves. The Potions Master had scoffed at the bobble hat and shook his head.

What's she playing at...?

He harrumphed in displeasure and waited a few moments before following the woman into the room. Snape wanted to wait until the woman felt a little more at ease, to relax and get into the swing of things, before he made his presence known...

Harry and Ron looked up at the sound of the door being opened and watched curiously as a young woman, no taller than five foot scuttled into the room. Harry wondered if perhaps she was a new student who had missed the opening ceremony for this year. He wondered what house she was in. Ron's eyebrows flew up into his fringe as the woman placed her bag onto the Professors desk and began to rummage around inside it, a soft blush creeping across her cheeks. With a little huff, she trotted up to the blackboard and wrote across it in large elegant writing:

Professor Lox

"Good afternoon class! And may I first apologise for being so late, I was called in at the last minute as unfortunately Professor Slouch is now unable to be your teacher for reasons I cannot divulge."

Hermione put down her quill for a moment to lean over to Harry and Ron and whisper quizzically.

"She looks a little bit young to be a teacher... she doesn't look much older than twenty."

Ron shrugged and whispered back.

"I dunno... maybe she's just really smart or something."

Professor Lox snapped the carpet bag shut and placed it behind her desk before picking up a large red leather bound book and smiling at the class.

"And so I welcome you to your Defence against the Dark Arts class! Please turn to page 275..."

It was at this point that the door swung open and Professor Snape strode into the classroom. The students muttered amongst themselves as the Potions Master marched towards the new teacher and plucked the bobble hat from her head. She attempted to snatch it back, but the muttering in the room had already gotten much louder. Poking out through her jaw length messy black hair was long elfin like ears. Professor Lox flushed angrily and held out her hand expectantly. She spoke in a low hushed tone, and the students leant forward, straining to hear.

"If you have quite finished trying to show me up in front of my class, Severus..."

Snape smirked and dropped the woollen hat into the young woman's hand with a soft snort.

"Are you ashamed, Gryna? Was all that talk from years back about being proud of your heritage just hot air?"

Gryna Lox placed the hat firmly on the desk and took a step forward purposely invading the Potion Master's space. She was half his size and yet did not seem at all frightened as she glowered up at him, her bright blue eyes becoming frosty.

"Get out of my classroom, Severus. We shall discuss this later."

Snape lowered his head with a smirk in a mock bow before gathering up his robes and sweeping out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Professor Lox sighed and turned back to her class with a wan smile. She was once again nervous, and was sure that she was about to have to answer many questions from the students staring at her.

"I am sorry for that interruption, please put your hands down. There will be plenty of time for you to ask me questions about myself once class is over. Now, turn to page 275."