A/N: so I promised a new story, and I like this idea more, so until I can figure out the other two, I will write this one in my free time. I got this idea from multiple stories I've read, but just some of the ideas, got to mix it up a little. I really like this start. It seems to change everything. Sorry if it is a little confusing, but hey what's a good story with out being lost? well Review for me, and let me know if you like it!

CrazyLily

Straberry Blonde or Fiery Red?

Chapter 1

Her strawberry-blonde hair flew behind her in the light wind as she walked along the path to Hogwarts. She looked up at the baby blue sky with her cerulean blue eyes that held specs of purple and green. Of course she did not always look like this. No, her hair was never strawberry-blonde when she attended Hogwarts, it was as red as the first rose that would blossom in her yard every summer, her eyes where not the beautiful blue she had now, they where an irreplaceable emerald green that still had a way of showing through her greatest spells in a time of great distress.

She didn't trust herself with her emotions, instead she kept a strait face constantly, her eyes stone cold, occumelency would be no good, and she had learned to defend herself against it. In short, she had put a seemingly invincible shield up so no one would know who she was, or the secrets she held deep within, and trust that there are many of them.

She smiles at the building and remembers all the nights she spent running rancid through it with her countless boyfriends, her best friends, and even her enemies. Finally she walks to the foot of the steps where she is warmly greeted by the presence of Albus Dumbledore.

"Bonjour Professeur, comment ca va?" The cerulean eyed girl asked.

"I am in great health, how are you Natalie-Anne?" The girl flinched at the sound of the name. She saw his eyes twinkle as he said, and it unsettled her.

"I am très bon Dumbledore." That must've been it. She called him professor, she went on. "I can not wait to get started at a school I have read so much about, it is more extravagant that I could have ever imagined." She dropped the French accent. It was just for fun really. She gave a half hearted smile as they slowly walked up the steps to the front doors, which where shut tight. She wasn't positive she was ready for the invaluable memories that would surely flow through her when those doors opened. It was both her dream, and her nightmare.

She remembers all the people she left behind. She changed her name, bleached and died her hair, and took a self made potion to change her eyes to the desired appearance, no one knew that recipe. It is her fool proof plan. She couldn't continue with the life she had left behind, but she couldn't just leave it like that. No one would be able to interfere.

Dumbledore brought her out of her daydreams. "I'm ever so sorry Natalie-Anne," That name was really getting to her. "But I will not be able to show you around the castle. I have other business to tend to, but fear not, one of my former students' who is also going to help teach this year is here and would love to show you around." Natalie-Anne had a bad feeling about this, and as she walked through the doors, all she wanted to do was run. "Natalie-Anne, this is James Potter, graduated second in his class from Hogwarts, youngest out of Auror training to date, and is going to help teach Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts when I deem it necessary. Also, I presume he probably knows more about this school than even me and the ghosts combined." He chuckled lightly. "Anyway, I best be off, much work to do. Stay out of trouble James, have fun Natalie-Anne, good day to you both." And with that the professor was out of sight.

Natalie-Anne stood thunderstruck as she looked at the man standing in front of her. Please be anyone other than him. She thought, but as she took in his appearance she knew he was the one and only.

His jet black hair was short, but stood on end in the back. It was the same unruly hair he had all those years back. His chocolate brown eyes where enlarged by the perfectly round glasses that bridged across his nose. He was tall and muscular, but still lean, and looked like he was no older than eighteen. His smile was as warm as the sun on your skin during the cold winter days his eyes held a friendly look to them, and didn't hold the glint that was usually present back in his days at Hogwarts.

"So Natalie-Anne is it?' she half heartedly nodded. "Sorry about Dumbledore, he's always running around now." His smile was the same one she remembered from school, one she knew she could never forget. "By the way, my name is James in case you didn't pick that up." She could tell he was getting nervous. "So what class are you helping with?" He changed the subject rather quickly and caught her off guard.

"I'm going to be doing Potions and Charms when the professors aren't there, but Dumbledore said mostly Potions though." She had to be careful; he couldn't know she knew who everyone really was.

"Sounds fun." He said off handedly. "I never really understood charms. My friends helped me until NEWTs, and then we all needed help. My girlfriend at the time was the charms master." Natalie-Anne tried to keep a straight face. Her eyes where turning emerald, she could feel it. She now realized where he was leading her, the old Heads' dorm. "I wish I knew what happened to her." He proceeded off in a trance. "She was the love of my life. Only girlfriend my mother ever liked. It was depressing when she vanished, I blame myself."

Natalie-Anne saw a tear trickle down his face and did her best to keep her face indifferent. "I'm sorry to hear that." She said in a soft, yet strong voice.

"Yeah, anyway, tell me about yourself." James said putting on a fake smile she'd seen so many times before; he was good at lying, but not hiding the truth.

"My name is Natalie-Anne Woloshuck, which is Russian. I'm a self taught witch and excelled on both the OWLs and NEWTs which I took at the British Ministry of Magic when I was of age to take them. I lived in Russia and traveled until I was eighteen, then I moved to France for a couple of years, then came to Britain. My first language is English, but I speak both Russian and French fluently. I got this job when I met Dumbledore at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade one night. He was looking for a teacher; I was looking for a job. I'm an Auror in training at the Ministry and I will have my license in a month." Natalie-Anne said quickly, and smiled to herself at James' shocked expression.

"Impressive." James said in deep thought. He had never met such an impressive girl, save Lily Evans. She took the cake, with fiery red hair that just screamed attitude. Her emerald eyes where always full of emotion, whether it was joy, anger, irritation, laughter, annoyance, lust, or James' least favorite, sadness, there was always something there. Most of all, he loved how they fit perfectly together, whether it be emotionally, intellectually, or physically, it was a perfect fit.

They walked in silence to what Natalie-Anne remembered was the Head's dorm when she was a seventh year. "So Natalie-Anne, you me and two other 'assistants' as Dumbledore so fondly calls us, will be staying down here, the password is chaos." He says standing in front of a portrait, but closes it before it opens. The young professor in the portrait gives a dignified glare, and then graciously went back to her tea.

Natalie-Anne gave him a curious look before he explained.

"You will be sharing a room with this girl Niki Kato, she's a pretty cool girl, graduated third in my class here, and she's Japanese, so I think you will get along pretty well." Natalie-Anne gave a weak smile, afraid of seeing the girl, and James led her into the common room.

"Natalie-Anne, this is my best friend Sirius Black, and then this Niki Kato. Guys this is Natalie-Anne… er…" He had forgotten her last name; she gave a low sigh before saying "Woloshuck." Natalie-Anne had to shut down her emotions on call and did so successfully.

Sirius Black was tall and built just like James. They could still easily pass as brothers. The only different was Sirius had tamed black hair that was down just ending at his shoulder blades. It was smooth as silk, and his stormy grey eyes could make almost any girl melt, almost because it never had succeeded on Niki Kato, or Lily Evans. That still baffled him. James found it funny.

Niki Kato was of average height with a slim build. She had a charming smile with deep brown eyes; her hair was jet black and was generally pulled into a perfect bun, or French braid.

"Hi." Natalie-Anne said with a weak smile. "Er… I think I'm going to go unpack my stuff." She then rushed up the stairs in a hurry, only to run back down after realizing that was the boys' room (come on, big mess). The boys gave a light laugh and began playing chess. Niki followed her up.

"Hey need any help?" Niki asked from the door as Natalie-Anne turned to look at her.

"No, I'm fine thanks." Natalie-Anne replied as calmly as she could.

Niki took a seat on her bed and watched Natalie-Anne unpack in silence. She had a weird air to her, like she was hiding a big secret from the world. Niki watched her carefully, yet discreetly, and then she realized what it was.

"Oh my dear Merlin, what have you done?" Niki said in what she thought was in an undertone. Natalie-Anne stood stark still. There was no way this was happening already.