Disclaimer: My genie still isn't strong enough... where are those Wheaties...

A/N: Here again...

The first breakfast was always one of the more despondent events. It was the last chance to relax before classes, homework, and all other evil things associated with the school year began, and many too advantage of it. Harry wasn't really in the mood for the customary pranks, and headed to the Hall early in an attempt to avoid them, all the while trying not to think of Timia.

Early as it was, Hermione had beaten him down, book in hand. She stopped reading as he sat next to her, and gave him a smile. "I didn't see you come back last night. Still keeping up the tradition with those walks? I hope you're being more careful, after last year."

"Yea, I have to keep walking. It's the only way too clear my head. You know Hogwarts is my only real home, but- after the Dursley's it's too loud. Even, or maybe especially, the sounds of Ron's snores! And last year, it was the only way I could really work off... well, you know. Cedric was everywhere. I am being more careful, though I don't think that Voldemort would do the same thing twice."

Fifth year Harry had been captured in one of Hogwarts' many unmapped tunnels by a group of werewolves who had sworn allegiance to the Dark Lord. It had only been thanks to Ron, and Remus, that he had escaped.

"It would probably be too unoriginal," Hermione commented, then smiled sadly. "I do know about being too crowded, and too loud. Why do you think that I get up this early?" She waved around the empty hall. "This is the only time I can read outside the library. While no one goes in there, anytime, it's kind of dark. This, this just feels homier. A sanctuary."

They shared the silence for a minute, until Harry realized that he had forgotten to tell Hermione what had caused him to be so late the night before. Before he could speak, Hermione was already asking, "So what were you doing? You always used to get back by midnight, and I was up till one-thirty."

She looked at him speculatively, slowly getting a gleam in her eye. He finally burst. "Hermione! I can't believe you're even thinking that- no. Just no." She laughed, then said, "Just checking."

"Actually, I found that new student Dumbledore told us about. She was, well, crumpled up on the floor over there, by the doors." Hermione looked over at where he gestured, then back at Harry, raising one eyebrow. "What was she doing there?"

He shrugged. "I think she had just gotten in. She was awfully wet, and went on about skewing into the lake, and cliffs, and such. Seemed an awful lot like you, when you... well.... You know..." He ducked Hermione's book, smiling evilly. "What?"

"Harry, you're lucky it's this early and they don't serve coffee at Hogwarts. If I felt like getting up you would be in no condition to look at girls for some time."

"Hey, at least I'm better than Ron-"

"-trying to find out what was the matter with Ginny..."

"He really had no idea, poor man."

"What do you mean? Poor Ginny, if anyone. I feel sorry for whomever he should marry... But back to this new girl. Dumbledore said she had done accelerated study, and was doing independent study." Hermione looked expectantly at Harry.

"Yes, and she told me nothing of either of them, and no, I didn't ask. I know no more than what you do. Just ask her any questions, she seems... um.. Nice. There were just two weird things..." He broke off.

"Well, what were they?"

"She knew who I was, and didn't make a big deal of it. I mean, most people don't recognize me, and as soon as they know me they start talking about- you know. And then, I could have sworn she had to try her hardest not to laugh at Professor Dumbledore." Hermione raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I know he can be hilarious, but I've never really thought of laughing at him. He has a sort of power that makes the idea seem outrageous."

"Now that I think of it, I know what you mean." She sighed and looked around the rapidly filling hall. "Do you want to stay and eat here, or get some food from the kitchens?"

"What? Oh- I can't believe I've been here for half an hour, and didn't eat a thing." Harry smiled. "But then, it was an interesting conversation. Let's get some food, and get away from these people."

"Good plan." Hermione stood, picking up the pile of books she had already chosen from the library. It was only when they were nearing the door that she suddenly stopped, looking straight at Harry with a smile similar to the one he had had. "You said that she was nice. How much time did you spend with her last night?!?"

* * * * *

A gentle knock on the door woke Timia several hours later. At a mumbled, "come in," the door opened to reveal Albus Dumbledore. Of course.

"Whatever happened to letting me rest?" Timia asked resignedly. "Whenever I woke up I would be in a much better mood than that which I'm in now."

"Yes, yes my dear. Unfortunately, circumstances have changed since I wrote that letter. Professor Snape wishes to see you." At this Timia opened her eyes and sat up, slowly but surely. She turned what could have been a glare on Dumbledore, and started to open her mouth. Albus ignored both the glare and the open mouth with a practiced ease and added, "no, he will not wait. Besides, you've been asleep for six hours since you ate, and you should be more than hungry right now." He smiled, twinklingly, "I think that young Mr. Potter was looking for you at breakfast."

"Professor, Harry likes me no more than I like him. We'll probably end up good friends- but really- don't you have anything better to do with your time?"

"Not at all, my dear. My students' lives are as important as placating Fudge, if not more so. Now get dressed- there are some clothes over on the chair- do your teeth, and come to the Great Hall. A student will escort you to the dungeons, and yes, we have dungeons, and yes, Professor Snape teaches in them. You can eat after you meet with him," he said, forestalling every question. "Good morning! Or, rather, good afternoon."

He swept out much too fast for Timia's sleepy mind. "Dungeons. Who would have figured. Now, where were my clothes?"

* * * * *

A very bored Goyle leaned against the doors of the hall. Or, at least, it appeared he was bored. It was more the slack-faced look he always had, unless he was beating someone up. But Snape had told him to come collect the new student and he would- after all, he was passing potions, he was smart- but he was cheating off Draco Malfoy. And Draco wasn't there, to tell him to wait. The new student hadn't gone by yet- maybe there wasn't a new student! Maybe they were all trying to trick him... Yes, that was it. Draco had gotten bored with him, and wanted a replacement, and was just going to let him stand forever outside the Hall- probably starve to death, or die of the cold, or something. No, he wouldn't let them do that- he was too smart for them. He should go back to the dungeons, go back right now!

Timia got down to the Hall just in time to see a very big boy running very fast in the opposite direction. And who says my reputation doesn't precede me... Oh, well. Dungeons can't be that hard to find. Just go down.

It only took ten minutes for Timia to decide that she should find, and shoot, the architect of the blasted school, no matter where or when they should be. Moving stairways, doors that are walls, walls that are doors- and she was suddenly very thankful for Harry's help the night before. It didn't take long for her to decide to enter the next door that was really a door, and ask directions.

* * * * *

Ginny looked up as the classroom door opened, cursing under her breath. She had been about to fall asleep, and the creaking of the door had ensured that she would stay awake for the last half-hour of Binns' lecture. Some muggle students has spoken of taping Binns when he was talking about the Centaur wars, or something equally boring, and listening to the tape at night to help them fall sleep. While Ginny was unsure as to how this could be done, it sounded like a good idea.

Well, look at that. Binns noticed. He doesn't hear Ron's snores, or Creevy's giggles, but he notices when a pretty girl walks in- I bet that she's the new student that Dumbledore was on about. Binns spoke sternly to the girl, listened to her speak, and looked her over, as to be sure she was honest. Ginny laughed at this, some small bit of humor in an otherwise deprived class. Binns looks like he honestly doesn't know what to do with her- Ron would know. Seamus would know. Even Harry would know, but he wouldn't do it. He's in love, not that Hermione will ever find out.

With her mind on her friends' love lives, Ginny didn't hear when Binns first called. "Excuse me, Miss. Weasley- you are a prefect, are you not?"

"Um, yes, Professor. I am. Is there something you would like me to do?" Ginny stood, smiling at the new girl.

Binns coughed, then nodded. " If you would escort Miss. Chasser to the dungeons, she has a meeting with Professor Snape." He checked the hourglass, thought a second, and the added, "Take your things, Miss. Weasley. I do not think you will have time to return. You might ask a classmate for the notes."

"Of course, Professor," Ginny said, gathering her things and heading for the door. The poor old bore looks like he might blush- if ghosts can. Nearly-Headless Nick's come close, but not so far as Binns today. She hid a snort when Timia flashed a brilliant smile, making Binns' hands visibly shake.

"Thank you so much, Professor. I wish you had taught at my old school; our History teacher was such a bore. I'm sure that I'll get to Professor Snape's now."

Timia heard only the end of Binns' reply as she swept out of the classroom, Ginny following close behind. Ignoring a thoughtful look on the redhead's face, Timia braced herself and began her introduction. "I'm Timia Chasser- I'm the new student, and-"

"You did that on purpose."

"What?"

"I'm Ginny Weasley, and you just made a lovesick fool out of Binns on purpose." Seeing Timia's smile start to fall, Ginny added as she led the way, "I'm just glad I was there to see it. Binns was an old geezer before he died, and that was more than fifty years ago. He needs some... excitement."

Timia shuddered. "He may, but I'm not the one who will give it to him. I just needed to have some fun, and -Binns? - was the first person I saw, poor thing. How many ghosts are teachers here, anyways?"

"Binns is the only one. Binns also has the most people asleep in every class, and you'd think that it would be hard to make battles and revolutions that boring- he does manage, though. I've a more pressing question, though: Why do you want to see Professor Snape? You see, his classroom is right around this corner, so you don't have that much longer to decide to run."

Ginny turned the corner as Timia started to laugh. "He can't be that bad, can he?"

"Oh, he can be, and will be, but here we are. He's the tall, black haired, greasy git- Good luck!" Ginny smiled as she opened the door to Snape's classroom, and Timia squared her shoulders and walked in.

* * * * *

Lunch had been too hurried for Harry to talk with Ron, so he had ended up taking advantage of a review day in Divination (Trelawney had 'seen' that they would need it.).

Ron was less than interested, but that was probably because Harry had forgotten to mention that she was gorgeous- or maybe because Patil had 'seen' him in the Astronomy Tower that night. Ron, who had filled out and grown into his red hair, had started to get a reputation the year before. From what Harry had seen, he was living it up. Though they were still as close as ever, girls were on Ron's mind and would not get off.

Harry smiled at Ron, who appeared to be occupied, waved off an offer of a seat by Lavender, and sat off to the side. Resignedly, he opened his book, grabbed a crystal sphere, and set himself to reading, for once, the assignment.

* * * * *

"So, you are the Miss. Chasser. How pleased I am to see you," Snape drawled, turning ever so slowly as he heard the door open and close. "But where is your guide? Surely, you did not find your way yourself."

"Actually, Professor, I saw only the back of your guide. He seemed to be in quite a hurry. I found my way with the help of Ginny Weasley- a student of yours, perhaps?"

At this Snape grimaced ever so slightly. I should have known Goyle wouldn't be up to it- though I'm surprised he actually found the hall.

"Professor?" Timia asked after a minute. She wasn't giving an inch though she realized at his expression that this might not have been the smartest thing to do from a tactical standpoint.

"If we are to work on an independent project, I shall expect you to learn some respect. ten points from your house," Snape met her glare for glare. "And if you have not been sorted, the points will be taken as soon as you are. Questions, Miss. Chasser? No? Good." He turned back to his desk, picking up a folder and quill. "Here is a placement test. I understand that potions were not taught at your previous school, but you surely have picked up something." Snape snorted. "Professor Dumbledore left you this quill- he was unsure as to whether you had one of your own." Snape set the materials on an empty desk and looked back at the girl. "You will have one hour to do as well as you can. Begin."

A/N: Opinions? Questions? Comments? Review or e-mail.