I would like to post a disclaimer stating that I do not own any part or parts of the Harry Potter Series or charcters. The one character in this fanfiction that is of my own imagination is Natalie Aspen.

I would also like to say that I did indeed rewrite this story. I started it my sophmore year. I am now it my senior year. When I reread it I foud it absolutely dreadful. Honestly, it was horrible. But I have edited it extensivley and actually invented a plot idea. I shall be grateful of constructive critiscism and whatnot.

Chapter 1

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat at the Gryffindor Table, while Ron and Hermione bickered as usual. Harry was so used to this by now that he took no notice. Instead, he turned toward the High Table and to his surprise saw Remus Lupin. He had never known a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor to return. It seemed especially strange, too, because Lupin taught their third year. Why did he return for their fifth year, but not their fourth? He watched as Snape eyed Lupin, his lip curled in its usual manner. He also saw a new person sitting to the left of Professor Snape.

Dumbledore stood and the chattering in the Great Hall came to a cease. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts," he said beaming at the students seated. "I have a few announcements to make, but that can wait until after the Sorting Ceremony. Professor McGonagall, if you please."

The doors to the Entrance Hall opened and troop of terrified-looking first years traipsed in behind McGonagall. She led them up towards the High Table where she placed a stool. On the stool she placed an ancient, withered, patched wizard's hat - the Sorting Hat.

"When I call you up, you are to set this hat on your head. Once you have been placed into your house, you are to join your fellow house members at the House Tables," McGonagall said once the Sorting Hat had finished its song. When the Sorting finished Dumbledore rose to his feet again. "Welcome, welcome, welcome," he said to the first years. "Let us all welcome back Professor Lupin for Defense Against the Dark Arts. And may I also introduce Professor Natalie Aspen. She is the very first student teacher we've had for Charms." At this a woman with long, dark auburn hair, hazel eyes, and emerald green robes stood and gave, what seemed to Harry, a slightly apprehensive wave, and settled back into her seat next to Snape. "Those are all the announcements I have for now. Tuck in!." As soon as he said this the tables filled with all sorts of foods.

Harry, who didn't have a big lunch, was ravenous. He started in on the tripe and potatoes. Ron glanced at Professor Aspen, who had been busying herself with herb-roasted chicken and mashed potatoes, as she spoke animatedly with Snape. When he pointed out this peculiar sight to Harry and Hermione, they both gave him rather quizzical looks though still chewing their food. "If you don't believe me look for your ruddy selves then," Ron said impatiently. So they did. Harry's jaw dropped when he saw Snape and Aspen smiling (revealing partially chewed treacle tart, but he caught himself and shut his mouth).
"Holy...Whoa! He is! He is smiling! And that's definitely not the same leering, malicious smile he gives me!" Harry exclaimed.

"Well, you can't expect him to go through life sneering," Hermione simply stated.

"I can't?"

"Of course not! Did you actually believe he's never happy?"

"No. You know as well as I that he's usually happiest when he's punishing me or making cracks about my father."

"Exactly," stated Ron, "But we've never seen him smile when talking to another teacher."

They continued to talk about how each of their summers had gone. Once everyone seemed to have had their fill of the desserts, they went up to their house common rooms, speaking of their summers.