Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter... not yet anyway...

A/N: This chapter is brought to you by my boring Trigonometry class! *gives thumbs up* Thanks Mrs. Arledge! To me, this is the chapter where it all starts. Hope you enjoy!

Let Go

Chapter 3:

The New DADA Teacher

Ron, much to Harry's disapproval, instantly took a liking to Sheila, just as Hermione had on the train ride. Even though he hated to admit it, Harry couldn't help but become intrigued by Sheila's positive attitude and bubbly sense of humor, something he and his friends really needed right now, (with Voldemort on the rise and everything.) By keen observation, he also noticed that her hair, which reached the bottom of her shoulder blades, was streaked with bits of blood-red and curled slightly at the bottom. She wore no make-up, except for a tinge of pink lip gloss on her small yet full lips, and her bright, green eyes matched the color of his. 'Ron was right. She is cute...' Hermione's light-hearted giggle sliced through his thoughts.

Ron, noticing that Harry was being very quiet, looked over at him. He saw that Harry was glaring daggers at Sheila, his arms crossed over his chest and an annoyed expression was on his face. Harry felt someone staring at him and looked up to see that it was Ron. Cocking his head to one side, Ron mouthed "What's wrong?" and Harry, giving him a fake smile in return, shook his head. Ron shrugged and Harry turned away from him, gazing out the window. 'Traitor.' He thought miserably, as the carriage precariously continued its journey towards Hogwart's.

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Ron, Hermione, and Sheila skipped, hand-in-hand, down the corridor leading to the Great Hall, their laughter and footsteps echoing off the stone walls. Harry shuffled along behind them, pouting. Ron stopped just outside the massive double doors and the two girls, chatting excitedly about books (again), walked in without giving him a second glance. A couple of long minutes later, Harry was standing next to Ron. He sighed.

"So, she isn't Emily. That doesn't make you entirely wrong." "Yes it does, Ron. Did you see the way she looked at me when I pointed at her and cried out 'Emily!'?... God, I feel so stupid..." Ron gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder. "Let it go, Harry." Harry sighed again, his solemn face turning to look at Ron. "I can't. There's something very odd about her." He paused. "And I'm going to find out what it is." Ron placed his hand on the faded brass handle of the door. "Come on. We're already late." With a pout still on Harry's face, Ron pulled open the creaky door and they entered the Great Hall.

"Ron! Harry! Over here!" Sheila was gesturing to two empty seats across from her and Hermione. Ron sat parallel to Hermione, Harry parallel to Sheila. Hermione looked at Ron, concern etched on her face. "You guys missed the ceremony. What were you doing out there?" Ron cast a sidelong glance at Harry, and shook his head. "Nothing." She gave him a half-smile. (A/N: Can you do that?... eh, you can now...) "Ok." She said, not wanting to push it. "Well, I've got good news." Ron took a sip of pumpkin juice and set his goblet down. "What's that?" "Sheila got sorted into Gryffindor." "Oh great." Harry mumbled. They turned to look at him.

Sheila, who was sitting there quietly, leaned across the table and placed her clasped hands casually on her empty plate. "Harry, are you okay?" Harry looked up from his lap. "Never better. Why?" He snapped. A look of surprise, caused by their friend's sudden rudeness, fluttered across Hermione and Ron's faces as they watched the other two attentively. Sheila shook her head, making a few tendrils of black hair escape from her ponytail and fall into her face. She nervously tucked it behind her ear. Harry stared callously into her almond-shaped eyes. She stared back for a moment then blinked, her gaze wandering shyly to her hands. "No reason."

Ron and Hermione were still looking at Harry. 'I wonder what his problem is?' Hermione thought. "Ummm... congratulations on making Gryffindor, Sheila." Sheila smiled warily at Ron. "Thanks."

A soft clinking of silverware against glass rang out across the expansive hall, silencing the uproar of the enthusiastic students. Sheila looked up and saw a woman sitting at the front table, holding her goblet in one hand and a fork in the other. "Your attention, please." Hermione saw the puzzled expression on Sheila's face. "Professor McGonagall. Transfiguration." She whispered to Sheila, who nodded in return. A man with a long, white beard stood up and turned to Professor McGonagall. "Thank you, Minerva."

"Good evening." He smiled, his attention returning to the sea of young faces staring back at him. "My name is Albus Dumbledore. I am the Headmaster here at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I would like to extend a special welcome to our first years." He smiled. "I hope your stay here will be most enjoyable. As for the rest of you," Pausing, he looked around the room, his eyes bright behind his half-moon glasses. They swept the room twice before landing directly on Sheila. "it's so nice to see you again." Sheila smiled warmly at him. He clapped his hands, their eye contact breaking.

"Now there are a few things I need to take care of before we begin the feast." He licked his lips, pondering his next sentence. "First order of business. Please remember that the forbidden forest is off limits. Hence the name." He shook his finger, like a father who was scolding his child would. "So I better not catch any of you wandering around in there." He looked at Hermione, Ron, and Harry, his eyebrow arched. Blushing with embarrassment, they turned away from him, suddenly becoming very interested in the table's centerpiece.

"Second, all of you should know by now that Professor McKinley retired last year along with Mr. Filch." He made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle. "They owl their love and want to say thanks to all of you who sent them wedding gifts." He sighed. "With Professor McKinley's retirement there came an opening, yet again, in the DADA teaching position." By this time, he had started to pace in front of the teacher's table. "Now this new teacher is not like the ones we've had in the past. Not only does she excel in medical skills, but is also the 2nd best potions master there is. The 1st being our very own Professor Snape, of course." Dumbledore cast a look at Snape, who looked back at him, his face expressionless. "However," Dumbledore continued, "those aren't the most unique qualities about her. You see, she's not as old as you think she is. And, as odd as it may sound, on top of being a teacher, she will also be a student, just like the rest of you are."

The Great Hall suddenly erupted in fervent whispers as everyone tried to guess what the new professor would be like. "Ooh, a young female teacher. I bet you she's hot!" Ron said, bouncing in his seat. (A/N: Ron says 'She's hot' a lot doesn't he.... he must be horny or something...) "I bet you she's very sophisticated for someone her age." Hermione squealed. "Yeah well I bet you she's a big nerd." Hermione and Ron looked at Harry, startled. He was casually picking lint off his school robe.

"Hey! I resent that!" Sheila snapped angrily at him. He looked at her, amusement dancing in his eyes. "I'm sure you do." Her face fell slightly. "What the hell is your problem, Harry? I haven't been anything but nice to you since the moment we met and you're still an ass towards me!" His head snapped slightly back as if she had just slapped him. "Do you wanna know what my problem is?!" He said, his face red with anger. She nodded. "Yeah. That's kind of why I'm asking." She barked, sarcastically. He narrowed his eyes and, through gritted teeth, said, "My problem is the fact that you-"

"Have a cat!" Ron interrupted. Sheila threw him a confused look. "A cat?" She asked. "Yeah. Harry hates cats. And you have one, don't you? So that's probably why he's being so bitter towards you." Hermione shook her head. "But Ron, I have a cat and Harry's never acted this way towards me." Ron clapped his hand over her mouth. "Shut up..." He mumbled, then smiled innocently at Sheila.

Professor McGonagall tapped her glass again. "Settle down, children." Dumbledore cleared his throat. "So, without further a due, I'd like to introduce the newest addition to the Hogwart's staff." He held out his hand, palm up, and flicked his fingers in a come hither kind of way. "Professor Williams, would you please come up here."

Sheila looked coldly at Harry. "Thanks for trying, Ron, but I highly doubt the fact that I have a pet cat is the thing that has made him so upset." Harry returned her cold gaze. "Your damn straight that's not it." Sheila sighed and pushed back her chair. "Where are you going?" Hermione asked. "Away." "Good." Harry spat. "I don't need this from you, Harry." Sheila looked as if she were about to cry, the floating candles making her unshed tears glisten. "Especially not on my first day."

Harry felt a pang of guilt as she stood up, straightened her robes, and, after throwing a weak smile at Ron and Hermione, walked up to where Dumbledore was waiting patiently. She politely shook his hand and Dumbledore stepped forward, pulling her alongside him. Harry turned to Hermione and Ron, wide-eyed. "Shit. You guys don't think..." His voice trailed off. Hermione gulped. "Yes, Harry. I do."

"Everyone." Dumbledore said. "This is Ms. Sheila Williams." He looked at her through his half-moon spectacles and smiled. She smiled back before he turned to face the people in the Great Hall again. "She's your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Sheila timidly waved. "Hello everyone."

Ron slugged Harry hard on the shoulder. "Ow! Ron! What the hell was that for?" Ron hit him again. "Good one, dumbass. You keep treating her the way you have been and you'll never be that teacher's pet." Hermione, despite the situation, laughed. 'Boys...' She thought, rolling her eyes.

A/N: Were ya'll surprised by the twist? *growls* There seems to be some tension between Harry and Sheila. What's going to happen? Hmm... you'll have to wait and see... Please review! Thanks!