Severus Snape was not a morning person. When his wife woke him up for prayer he nearly bit her head off. It wasn't until he had two cups of coffee that he was even worth talking to. This morning for the couple was just like any other; wake up, pray, sleep until time to start the day. The only difference was Noora wouldn't allow him to go back to sleep.

"Habibi, I'm so scared." Her thick Arab accent spread through the morning air.

"It will be fine, Noora. They are just children." She snuggled into his side and ignored his soothing words.

"But you're not the one that will be in a different culture." Noora grumbled out. "That and I'll be gawked at. That's the opposite of what I want to happen"

"You made the choice to wear the scarf, way before we even met." Severus sat up and threw his legs over the bed. His wife would not allow him to sleep so he started off to the kitchenette to make coffee. "Besides, they will gossip for a few days and be on to another topic. Just let it run its course."

"InshaAllah." She called after him as she went to ready for the day.

ooo

Hermione's first class of the day went by in a blur, before she realized she was standing outside the door to Mrs. Snape's class. A large number of girls in her year were lined against the wall, patiently waiting to lay eyes on this mysterious woman. A low hum of nervous activity began to crescendo as the seconds clicked closer to the clandestine figure to be reviled.

The door opened seemingly without a source and the 7th year girls took this as an invitation to enter the class. Hermione didn't get very far in the room when she was startled to a stop by the girls in front of her. Looking around them she could see why. The room was lit by the large windows along each wall. The tables were nowhere to be found, in their place large gold and deep red pillows littered the floor in a large circle. Huge tapestries depicting domed buildings and royal horses covered the small amount of wall that was windowless. A beautiful sent lingered in the air mixing with golden lanterns floating above. At the head of the room found a large black wall with golden Arabic writing.

But what had the girl's attention was Noora, her back to the group she sat looking at the black wall. Her long black hair cascaded down her back in soft waves, pooling on the ground behind her. Professor Snape sat next to her facing the collection of girls.

"Good morning." He began. "I would like to introduce to you Noora Snape."

"Salam." She stood and turned with a large smile on her face to greet the girls. Her long modest robes flowed and kissed the floor as she moved. "My name is Noora, I will have the pleasure of teaching you until I have my child next month, InshaAllah." With this she put a protecting hand on her rather large stomach. "Please take a seat."

Hermione had forgotten she even had feet, when they sprang into action to move her to the front of the circle. Realizing there was no place to set her books she began to feel the anxiety swell in her chest. A rational part of her brain encouraged her to place her bag in her lap.

"We will set in a circle most of the year, as with most Arabic lessons or gatherings." Noora paused thinking of the correct English. "I will ask that you do not explain how I look to people. I wear hijab, the veil; around men except for those I'm related."

Pansy Parkenson's hand shot up like a rocket, "Why?"

"Because it protects me against men who only see me as physical, not mental beauty," She responded turning to her husband to flash a smile. "But we will talk about that later in the year. For now we will break early. Think of any questions you would like to ask me and submit them at the beginning of class Wednesday. Have a wonderful day!"

ooo

"Come on Hermione! What is she like?" Harry begged from beside her on their couch in the common room.

"I just told you Harry, she seemed nice." She said with a sigh. "She also asked us not to tell men what she looked like."

"What fun is that?" Asked Ginny as she sat down on Hermione's other side.

"She would like men to see her for her mental beauty, not her physical self." Hermione explained

The portrait door opened and Lavender sauntered into the room. 'I wish I looked like that' Hermione thought to herself. 'Maybe if you didn't eat two eggs at breakfast, you wouldn't weigh so much' the voice in her head replied.

"I really don't understand that. I love looking good, it makes me feel great!" Ginny smiled.

"Hey Gin, do you want to go for a run with me latter, before dinner? I got in the habit over break and now I feel weird without it." Hermione asked.

"Run? Like actually running without needing to? Are you crazy?" Ginny asked appalled. "I only run for food or if someone deadly is chasing me." A laugh broke out from the group.

"If you haven't noticed we are at war, it's good to be in shape." Hermione said and sobered up the group. "You never know when someone might be chasing you."