DISCLAIMER

I DO NOT OWN ANY HARRY POTTER CHARACTERS

I DO NOT OWN ANY MENTIONED TV SHOWS, MOVIES, BOOKS, SONGS, ETC.

The tiny Ravenclaw was just cleaning up in potions class and was putting back some of the excess ingredients, but it seemed she was out of luck because everything belonged on higher shelves than her arms' length. Grace was used to these obstacles since she had barely reached the five-foot mark. She jumped up onto the table and put the ingredients back when she was startled by a very annoyed voice.

"Miss McClivert, you best not be getting footprints all over the tables," Professor Snape was in a particularly bad mood today, mostly because a Hufflepuff nearly blew up the entire classroom. It was just a misread, a mere accident, but as Fourth Years, Professor Snape was getting to be less lenient on the students.

Grace whipped her head around to come eye to eye with the professor. Truth be told, potions class was her favorite class, and she bared the unpopular opinion of Professor Snape being one of her favorite professors. But, she would never admit that, especially to him.

Professor Snape had his usual scowl, but being eye-level with him, he didn't look so intimidating. In fact, he just looked rather grumpy, and it was kind of amusing. She smiled and said, "Sorry, Professor. I was putting my things back but I couldn't reach and I didn't want to leave them out for you to put away because that's just rude and I promise my shoes aren't dirty, I'm sorry." She spoke swiftly and tried not to ramble, and she jumped down from the table. Standing next to Snape, she was maybe at his chest and had to crane her neck to look up at him.

He just sighed and said, "No wonder you are so often mistaken as the first year. Even they are starting to outgrow you. Next time you can't reach something, ask one of your fellow classmates to do it. It would be pathetic if you got injured in Potions by anything other than an assignment."

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir," she gathered her books in her arms and was starting for the door when Professor Snape called out, "Professor Dumbledore wished to see you in his office after classes. It seemed rather important."

"Thanks, Professor! I'll get right going. Have a good day, okay?" and with a small wave and a smile she left.

Snape rolled his eyes. He didn't know what was worse, a cocky Gryffindor, or a peculiar Ravenclaw. All of the other Ravenclaws were so cold and had a superiority aura around them that said, "I can outsmart you in anything and humiliate you for it." But not this one. Perhaps she spent too much time with the Lovegood girl, but even she steered clear of him. But Grace was kind to everyone. Sometimes even those who perhaps didn't deserve it.

He was going to start grading papers and planning tomorrow's lessons, but he noticed a worn book lying on the ground. Children can't even remember their things. They'd lose their heads if it wasn't attached to their bodies. He held out his hand, "Accio book on the floor." The book flew into Snape's hand. The paperback book was a book Snape had never seen before, so it meant it had to be a Muggle book. Inside the front cover read, This book belongs to Grace McClivert. Please do not remove my bookmark or damage my book in any way. I'll kill a man. Grace must have dropped it on her way out. Snape found her threat amusing. She was so short she couldn't even reach a grown man's neck. And her wand was the shortest wand he had ever seen someone use; only 10", it looked like it belonged to a child.

He decided to spare the Ravenclaw's sanity and return the book to her. Merlin forbid a Ravenclaw to go without their favorite book.

Grace entered Professor Dumbledore's office to find him, Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall standing before her, both wearing sympathetic faces. She had been surrounded by sympathetic faces for six years, and it looked like she wasn't escaping them anytime soon.

"Grace dear, have a seat," McGonagall said pointing to a chair.

"Am I in trouble?" Grace slowly made her way to the large chair and sat down. She hadn't done anything to get in trouble, but who knows with this school, you can get in trouble for the wrong posture depending on the professor and what mood they're in, nothing goes unnoticed.

"No dear, you just may want to be sitting down when you hear this," the professor replied. Oh great, bad news. What could it possibly be now?

Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat, "Miss McClivert, as you know, next week students will be returning home for the summer holiday."

"Yes, I know. The Nobles' were planning on taking a trip to Germany for a while," Grace's foster parents were the Nobles'. She had lived with them for four years after spending two years in Miss Lanes' Foster Home for Girls, jumping around from foster parent to foster parent just so Miss Lane could get rid of Grace every once in a while. She had told Grace that her depressing demeanor was having a negative impact on the home. The Nobles' were Grace's first chance at another family after child services took her away from her real one.

Professor Dumbledore looked apprehensive to say whatever he wanted to say. He didn't want to be the bearer of bad news, or just couldn't find the words to say it. Instead, he handed over a letter addressed to Grace from the Nobles'. It had already been opened, the three Professors already knew.

Dearest Grace,

The past four years with you have been a joy. You were our chance at having a child when we thought it was impossible. You brought a bright, cheery atmosphere to the household. But, with you attending your wizarding school and not being home very much, we do find ourselves lonely. But alas, a miracle has happened. We have been blessed with a child of our own who will be arriving at us in seven months!

Of course, that means that we are tight on space in our tiny apartment. And as you grow, you take up more room. We also cannot risk the baby's life with your magical ways. That is why we have decided that your time with us has come to an end. You can pick up your belongings next week when you return home for holiday and head back to the orphanage. We hope you understand. We're sure you'll be taken to a new foster home soon, you are a good kid.

Thank you,

The Nobles'

Grace couldn't believe what she had just read. She honestly couldn't believe it. After four years, they just give her up! She's replaced by an unborn child! Her hands started shaking violently, tears rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably, her chest tightened. She tried to hold in her sobs but at the exact moment Professor Snape walked in, she just broke down.

All had seemed lost, something that seemed minor to one was blown in proportions by Grace and it was as if she had just read a headline saying the world was ending. She lost all control when attacks like these happened. Her body's natural reaction to them was to just cry it out. And suddenly, all went black and the world was silent.