Disclaimer 1: I do not own the Harry Potter universe and its characters, much though I wish I did. I do, however, own Seona McGinty. If you want to use her that's fine, just let me know and give me a link to your story. I'd like to see what she gets up to.

Disclaimer 2: The title of this story, and the song lyrics that will proceed each chapter, are not mine (although I really wish I could claim them). They belong to a fabulous band which tours the folk festivals in Australia, called Jigzag. The lyrics I'm starting with are actually from a different song, which is called "Ordinary Mystery". Both of these are great songs, and if you visit you can listen to some mp3's of their work and maybe even buy their CD (no, I don't make any money off promoting them but if they make money then they might come to Melbourne more often).

Author's Note: Sorry it took a while to get this out. Real Life hasn't been allowing me much time for writing lately.

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Chapter 2 - The Meeting

We all seek to tread along a strange silken thread

First class of the year, and it had to be them! Professor Severus Snape opened the secret door to his private rooms in a fine temper. Just because he had been off on business during the last part of the summer, Dumbledore had put one over him by making sure that the first class he taught would be the sixth year Gryffindor / Slytherin students. And to top it all off, there was a new student in Gryffindor now. He heard footsteps and voices approaching, and remained hidden in the shadows of the alcove. So far, no one had discovered where this entrance was, and he wanted to keep it that way. Then he identified the voices and listened carefully as the discussed him. Every word of it was going to be punished.

"Snape's an absolute dragon, Seona! You're not going to have an easy time in this class, whatever you might think." That was Granger. Smart girl, but far too prone to showing off. Besides, the company she kept left a lot to be desired.

"The fact that you're in Gryffindor isn't going to help. Snape's head of Slytherin, and he loves taking points of Gryffindors for doing the least little thing wrong." And that was the company she kept. Potter. Only two more years, and he'd be free of this thorn in his side for good. Then old memories could finally be put to rest.

"Even if you haven't done anything wrong, he'll take points off just to be spiteful!" And of course, Weasley. The three were almost inseparable, so it was obvious who the third voice was going to belong to. And evidently, they were warning the new student about him in quite desperate tones. It sounded like this discussion had been going for a while.

"I work hard and I want to learn. Why should he penalise me for that?" Must be the new girl. She sounded politely confused, and also rather naïve. He was willing to bet that she'd been pampered at her old school, for why else would she have such a simplistic view of the world?

"Well, the fact that you hang around with us isn't going to help your cause. He has a particular hate for all three of us, Harry especially." At least Granger had no illusions about the situation. Which was fair enough after five years.

"I'll manage. Now come along, we're going to be late." She sounded so dismissive that there could be any problems that Snape almost smiled. They were still around the corner, he judged, so he stepped out into the corridor to wait for them. Sure enough, a second later they stepped around and all four pulled up short with expressions that clearly showed that they realised he had been listening.

He eyed them all with an evil grin. "And I suppose I'm expected to thank you for such eloquence on my behalf?" he sneered. "10 points from Gryffindor from each of you." They hung their heads shamefacedly, although not without some quiet muttering. He didn't say anything about this, however, as now he had turned his attention to the fourth member of the group.

She was tiny - even shorter than Potter, who had always been one of the smallest students in his year level. As a sixth year she had to be around 17, yet she didn't even reach his shoulder and stood with her head cocked slightly to one side as she looked up at him. It was difficult for him to determine her hair colour, both because it was pulled back into a thick plait and because occasionally light from the candles along the wall struck sparks of bright copper from what otherwise appeared dark brown. Her eyes were quite a startling grey, and were watching him with an interest that he found slightly unnerving.

Sneer still in place, Snape looked over her once and then said, "Are you sure you're in sixth year? I've taught first years who were taller than you."

Unexpectedly, she didn't look away or seem uncomfortable at his none-too-flattering appraisal. Instead she raised one eyebrow slightly and gave him a bright grin. "But hadn't you heard, Professor?" she replied in an earnest voice. "It isn't the size that matters, it's how well you can use it." The grin grew several degrees cheekier for a moment, then she jerked her head towards the open door of the classroom. "Come on, we're keeping Professor Snape from starting his class." And with that, she led her little band past him and into the room.

Snape, meanwhile, was for the first time struck completely speechless by a student. How dare she speak to him like that? And yet, it was rather intriguing that she should have so little fear of him. Surely in their warnings her friends had mentioned his temper? He stood and thought about it for a while. She had been baiting him, he decided at last. Trying to get a reaction, or at least to see what reaction she could get. He smiled, then chuckled slightly. If nothing else, it would be an interesting year.

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Reviewer's Tribute:

Many thanks to everyone who's read the first chapter, but particularly to:

The Bard of Skheria - Ah, all shall be revealed, possibly in the next chapter. ;)