Chapter One

The Hogwarts Express trundled down the railway tracks on its way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft And Wizardry. The students inside talked excitedly and bustled about between compartments. In a compartment near the front of the first carriage, a lone woman sat in a compartment on her own. She had long dark hair and was dressed in a long, black Gothic looking dress.

The woman's name was Anastasia Malfoy and she was on her was to Hogwarts to take over as Potions teacher. Anastasia couldn't quite believe she'd been offered the job earlier that summer but she accepted all the same. It would give her a good distraction. Too much had been going on in her life in recent years. If being bitten by a vampire on one of her study trips hadn't been bad enough, Anastasia's husband, Lucius, had returned to Lord Voldermort's side when he had risen again two years before.

Anastasia had heard the stories of the graveyard, the Potter boy and the young man, Cedric Diggory that had apparently been killed at Voldermort's hand. That poor boy, Anastasia thought. She couldn't even begin to imagine how his family must have felt. Anastasia knew she would probably give up on life if anything happened to her son, Draco.

The compartment door clicked and a girl's head appeared through the open gap. "Do you mind if we sit with you? It's rather crowded everywhere else".

Anastasia smiled. "Not at all. By all means, come in."

The girl entered the compartment with two boys. Anastasia recognised one of them right away. It was the youngest Weasley boy, Ron. She couldn't mistake the red hair and the freckles. The other boy was an exact likeness of his father... the Potter boy Anastasia thought.

Anastasia felt herself blush slightly when he caught her eye. "Please excuse me, I didn't mean to stare. It's just that, well, you've probably been told this a million times but you're the spitting image of your father, James. Harry, isn't it?"

Harry Potter nodded. "Yes, that's right."

Anastasia then looked at the red haired, freckled boy. "I'm guessing you must be Ronald Weasley. The last time I saw you, you were still only a youngster." With a slightly sad smile she added "makes me feel rather old seeing you all grown up."

Turning herself around to look at the girl, Anastasia added "I don't believe we've met..."

"I'm Hermione Granger," the girl answered.

"Ah, yes, I've heard of you. A number of the professors speak rather highly of you."

Hermione blushed slightly. Ron just rolled his eyes. Harry tried not to smirk at Ron's reaction.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but who are you?" Harry asked.

Anastasia smiled. "I'm sorry I have no manners at all. I'm Lady Anastasia Croft. I do believe I'm going to be your new Potions teacher."

Anastasia had deliberately gone back to using her maiden name not long after Lucius had left her. There was no way she wanted to be associated with him anymore. But, at the same time, his betrayal hurt and deep down, she still longed to have him back. As much as she hated to admit it, Anastasia still loved him.

"I can't believe we have Lady Anastasia Croft as our Potions teacher," Hermione said, positively bristling with excitement at the dinner table in the Great Hall that evening. "Apparently she's travelled extensively around Europe and, well, anything she doesn't know isn't worth knowing."

"Well, as far as I'm concerned, anyone's gotta be better than old Snape," Ron replied.

Harry agreed. "She seemed pretty nice to us on the train here. I think she'll be okay."

Professor Dumbledore, head master of Hogwarts, stood up from his place at the head table, silencing the room. "Good evening students. Once again it is the start of a new school year. New students... and new professors too. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to you our new Potions professor. Please make welcome Lady Anastasia Croft."

Anastasia stood up and nodded her head slightly. That's when Harry noticed it; the look from Draco Malfoy. It was a 'I know something you don't know' type of look. Harry didn't like it, so ignored it and tried to forget about it.

"And," Dumbledore continued as Anastasia sat down again, "Professor Snape has taken the position of Dark Arts Professor."

"Oh wonderful," Ron muttered. "I was kind of hoping he'd left." Harry grinned.

After the noise died down, Dumbledore continued to talk. "As you know, we are going through dangerous times. Lord Voldermort has indeed returned. As a result, security in and around the school has been tightened. I ask all of you to be extremely careful and don't take unnecessary risks."

After the new students had been sorted into their houses, the feast began. From the head table, Anastasia took in the scene. The new students looked about them nervously, barely eating a thing. She knew that feeling; she didn't feel like eating much herself.

"I'm sure you'll be just fine," Professor McGonagall reassured her, gently patting her arm.

Anastasia forced a smile. "I'm sure I will. Just need to get past these nerves."

McGonagall nodded. "The distraction will do you good, I think, something new to focus on."

Anastasia looked back at her plate. Suddenly, she had completely lost her appetite altogether. Excusing herself, Anastasia returned to her room. It was a small room in one of the towers but it suited her just fine. The window overlooked the lake. Anastasia stood at the window and stared at the moon. It was weird knowing that, by rights, she should be out there, allowing her vampire side to roam and behave how it pleased. Instead Anastasia had chosen to restrain her vampirism side with potions and spells. Hence why she could still walk around in sunlight and still slept at night rather than during the day. She also had no desire to drink blood and silver had little effect on her.

The only tell-tale sign she had of being a vampire was her pointed canine teeth and her slightly odd looking eyes. They were a strange green-yellow colour. If she were to ever stop using her potions and spells, the vampire in her would take over.

Anastasia pulled out the locket she was wearing. It contained two photos; one of Lucius and one of Draco. A single tear ran down her cheek. If only there was some way to make life go back to how it had once been.