"Last class of the day," Jessica sighed in contentment. "Don't you love the feeling?"

Sierra glanced up from the book she was reading. "Sure, Jess. But the love part wouldn't have anything to do with a certain-"

"Shut it, Grayson," hissed Jessica, interrupting her. "Just because everyone thinks you're dating Black does not mean-"

"A certain Remus Lupin and a study date tomorrow morning?" Sierra acted like she hadn't heard.

Lily squealed. "Really? He asked you out?"

Jessica shook her head. "He promised to help me with the Charms spell we're going to be working on. It's nothing big, trust me."

Sierra snorted. "If it isn't, why don't you cancel on him and get Lily to help you instead? We all know she's better."

"I can't do that! I mean," she added hastily. "It would be rude."

Lily giggled. They were all sitting in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class-room, which had been recently re-modeled to resemble something along the lines of a museum. Diagrams, artifacts and tanks holding Merlin-knows-what in them were arranged along the walls. Even now, Sierra was leaning against the wall with a complex diagram of a werewolf stapled onto it.

"When is that teacher going to get here?" asked Mary irritably.

Sierra shrugged and returned to her book. At that moment, the doors opened and someone walked in. Unlike the rest of the class, Sierra didn't turn around to look at him. It was only when there were sounds of chairs screeching as everyone sat down did she look up.

Her first thought was that he was a student. He didn't look more than two years older than them, but hut his expression made him look fifty. Sierra frowned. He was pale, with a mess of auburn hair and lean features that were creased into a frown as they surveyed her. She raised her eyebrows and stared back. His eyes were as dark as hers.

"You can sit," he said. His voice was hoarse.

"No more chairs," she shrugged. Obviously not, so many people were taking the subject now that the class-room was over-crowded.

She thought he grimaced as he conjured up a seat where she was standing. She sat down wordlessly, deciding that this was one teacher she didn't want to cross.

When she was settled, he began talking. "My name is Professor Cortez, and I'll be teaching you Defense Against the Dark Arts. For starters, I want to see what you can do. Get a partner, and I'll have you duel against each other. Winner gets twenty points for their house. You have five minutes."

There was a scrambling of feet as people ran around to grab partners. From the corner of her eye, Sierra saw Mary and Lily high-five while James and Peter started talking in hushed voices. Remus was approaching Jessica, which made her smile. There was a crowd of girls surrounding Sirius, whom he was no doubt trying to get rid of. She didn't bother moving, mostly because she hardly knew anybody in class.

The minutes passed, and there was silence again. "No partner for you?" asked Professor Cortez. Sierra realized he was talking to her, looked up from her book, and met his gaze.

"There are thirty seven people in this class. Odd number."

He nodded. "Alright, hold on a second," he said to the class at large. "How many of you got an Outstanding N.E.W.T?" Only a few people raised their hands. "Come up here."

Sierra raised her eyebrows. James, Lily, Jessica, Mary, Remus, Black and Snape. Professor Cortez shook his head.

"Not a very good number. I want to see what you lot can do first. Pair up," he turned and nodded to Sierra. "Take her as well. What was your grade?"

"I was home-schooled."

"Ever given the Ministry's exam?"

"What's that for?"

"It's to give you the right to be home-schooled and still join this place whenever you want to because you're good enough."

"Oh, that," Sierra remembered taking it a few years ago. "Yeah, I took it."

"What was your score?"

"Five fifty."

He whistled. "When did you take it?"

"I was fourteen."

He nodded appreciatively. "Impressive. What's your name?"

"Sierra Grayson."

She thought she saw a ghost of a smile on his face. "Alright. Come up here, pair up."

There was silence from the class as the people near the teacher's desk shuffled around. Now it was James and Remus, Mary and Sirius, Jessica and Lily, which left Sierra with Snape.

She couldn't help but frown at Mary a little as she walked by. She knew Black had been approaching her when Mary had grabbed his arm and stopped him. Snape was dangerous, she didn't know how to handle him and she preferred Black to him any day. Mary seemed to realize her mistake too late. Her hand was over her mouth and her eyes were sympathetic.

"Miss Grayson and you," he nodded to Snape. "Go first. Get ready," They took their positions, wands held loosely in their hands.

"Bow," Sierra didn't feel like looking away from her opponent, and maintained eye-contact with him even when she bowed her head.

"Alright. One. Two. Three."

There was a shower of sparks from their wands and the duel began.

Sierra had started with a Shield Charm, which was a good thing because she had a feeling Snape wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. He hadn't expected that, but had a hex ready for her as soon as the shield vanished. Sierra blocked him again, and a few times more, then began to feel tired. This was boring.

She sent a Stinging Hex his way which hit him directly above his eye. He lost focus for a second and slapped a hand over his face. A misdirected spell grazed her cheek, drawing blood. She ignored it and waved her wand. The spell threw him flat on his back and she ended it by petrifying him.

There was silence for a few seconds, and Sierra glanced back to see the class' reaction. They were staring with their mouths open. She looked to her left and saw that Lily's eyes were wide. James, Jessica and Mary were grinning and Remus was trying (and failing) to disguise a smile. Sirius was smirking as if enjoying some private joke. His eyes were bright and excited.

Professor Cortez was approaching. First, he bent down to examine Snape and waved his wand. Snape shuddered and sat up. Without another word, he got up and stalked out of the class. As the door slammed shut behind him, Professor Cortez chuckled.

"Twenty points, Miss Grayson. And an extra ten for the Stinging Hex, pure genius."

Sierra laughed and wiped the small amount of blood away. As she walked back to her seat, James wolf-whistled, but was cut off when Lily stepped on his foot.

Next were Black and Mary, and Sierra was curious to see where this would lead. She knew Black would win, obviously. He looked like he was good at dueling, and he didn't disappoint. Mary tried to stun him thrice, which he dodged easily. He petrified her with his first spell, and tied her up for good measure. Sierra giggled at the sight.

"Impressive work," said Professor Cortez. He removed the ropes and un-petrified Mary, who rolled her eyes and walked back to her seat. "Twenty points. Name?"

"Sirius Black."

"Slytherin?"

"Gryffindor."

"Well, this is a day full of surprises," he shook his head smilingly. "Good work, Black. Take an extra ten for the ropes; it isn't a crime to be thorough."

Sirius grinned and went back to his seat. He winked at Sierra as he passed and she stuck out her tongue at him. Professor Cortez noticed, but didn't comment.

Remus and James were next, and Professor Cortez was forced to declare it a tie. For twenty minutes, Sierra was amused to see that they both seemed to throw the exact same hexes and jinxes at each other, except a few times, when they seemed to change their mind midway, in which case the other would cast a Shield Charm.

"Ten to each of you," said Professor Cortez. "That was truly… something."

James bowed and almost skipped to his seat. He passed Sierra, who gave him a high-five and grinned at Remus.

"Last," Professor Cortez nodded to Lily and Jessica. "Ladies?"

Lily won this time, but not without a good fight. Jessica had a return spell for every jinx Lily threw at her, and it was only a second's hesitation that gave Lily the chance to stun her. Professor Cortez nodded.

"Name?"

"Lily Evans."

"Ah, the head girl. Twenty points, and another ten to your partner for a good fight," he helped Jessica stand, and she grinned. "Class dismissed, we'll continue this tomorrow."

Sierra was one of the first few people out, and she took her time going towards the tower. Behind her, she heard loud shouts and laughter. Glancing over her shoulder, she spotted the Marauders. Rolling her eyes, she sped up. Something about the way they were laughing made her want to get to the common room as fast as she could.


A bit of a cliffie, isnt it?