"Accalia, you look…tired." Madam Hooch said, as Accalia gingerly sipped at her tea. She chuckled slightly as she put down her cup.

"I've spent another night pondering over many bygones," Accalia sighed. "I wish I'd get rid of such an unnecessary habit. I'll look like an insomniac if I don't."

Madam Hooch fiddled with her tea cozy for a short while, but said, "Perhaps you should try this sleeping charm I learned from Flitwick. It work wonders for me."

"No thank you. I'll manage."

They continued with small chitchat of sorts, but it soon was a half-hour until Accalia's first class was to start. She finished her tea, and bid goodbye to Madam Hooch.

The classroom was noisy with aspiring 4th years, which all were either chatting up a storm or had their noses in the books. They didn't take notice to her until she cleared her throat rather loudly. They took seats, all waiting for her to speak.

"Good morning class," Accalia began, "As you may already know, I am Professor Mason, so let's skip the unnecessary introductions. Now would someone be so kind as to tell me what you were learning before last years school year ended?"

Many boy hands flew up instantly, all of them waving enthusiastically.

"Um…how about the pretty girl with the red hair in the back." Accalia suggested, and many eyes were cast upon Ginny Weasley. She evidently wasn't paying attention because her friend nudged her slightly.

"Ginny!" her other friend hissed, taking away what Ginny was writing on to get her attention.

"Hey! Why did you-" Ginny began, but her friend pointed in Accalia's direction.

"Y-yes, Professor?" Ginny stammered.

"Could you tell me what you all were learning last year so we can begin the lesson?" Accalia asked.

"W-we were…um…learning about…werewolves but…didn't get to finish." Ginny said, fumbling with her fingers.

Accalia smiled then said, "Thank you Miss…(she looked on the attendance list) Weasley. That will do."

The lesson went well, or at least Accalia thought so. The students looked up facts on werewolves and why they howled at the full moon, and other things like that. Before long, the bell rung and the students gathered up their things to leave.

"Miss Weasley," Accalia called, and Ginny stopped. "I know that you are a very bright young lady, but please try to pay more attention in class."

"Yes Professor Mason," Ginny mumbled and left the room.

Accalia looked up at the clock. It was at least two more hours until her next lesson, so she decided to wonder about outside for awhile.

Nothing changed, from what she had seen. They still had the old Whomping Willow they first planted in her first year. (Though she still wondered why it was planted. It certainly wasn't a place where kids could hang about, nor was it safe to be honest.) There over yonder was the Herbology Greenhouses, and Hagrid's Hut not to far from there.

Since he probably wasn't up and about around school this time of the day, she decided to visit him. As she walked towards his hut, the door opened and three students stepped out. They all said goodbye to Hagrid, and set off. She recognized them in an instant. The bushy-haired girl noticed her walking towards them so she waved and said, "Hello Professor Mason!"

The red-haired boy's face flushed as she waved back to them.

The bushy-haired girl sped towards her and stopped in front of Accalia with questioning eyes. "What are we learning in Defense against the Dark Arts tomorrow?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.

"That depends on what you were learning last year," Accalia said, "But I can't be sure considering what happened last year at Hogwarts."

The bushy-haired girl looked over nervously at the red-haired boy and Harry. "But to change the subject, I didn't catch your names."

"I'm Hermione Granger." The bushy-haired girl said.

"I've heard many good things about you, Hermione. I'm looking forward to have you in my class." Accalia commented, and Hermione smiled.

"I-I'm Ron W-Weasley." The red-haired boy perked up, evidently jealous that Hermione got so much attention.

"Nice to meet you, Ron. And who might this young man be?" Accalia asked, pointing in Harry's direction, knowing very well who he was.

"I'm Harry Potter." Harry said as he pushed up his glasses.

"It was nice to meet you all." Accalia said, "But I must be off though." So Accalia walked off in Hagrid's direction and knocked on the door. Hagrid's face appeared in the doorway and a smile spread across his face.

"Hello Accalia." He said as he opened the door, "How did yeh first lesson go?"

"Actually, it was okay…" Accalia smiled as she entered the hut and shut the door behind her.

"So…" Hagrid began as he began to make another pot of tea, "Ya finally met the trio, eh?"

Accalia took a seat, eyeing the cakes on the dish. She remembered Hagrid's cooking. It was…as 'unique' as Hagrid himself. She picked one up and took a tiny bit. It tasted…okay. At least he had the courteously of putting yeast in.

"Great lot they are. Reminds me of the days when yeh hung around with James an' them." Hagrid wiped the corner of his eye, only half sarcastic in doing so. "By the way, I got a letter addressed to yeh by accident. Off his rocker, that owl."

"Where is it?"

"On the couch near Fang." Hagrid answered, busily taking the steaming teakettle off the stove.

Accalia got up from her chair, and turned toward the couch which had a letter, and indeed a big dog near. She patted Fang on the head, who whimpered when she turned away. Picking up the letter, she steadily opened the envelope and took out the letter.

Accalia:

It's me…Padfoot.

I suppose that Dumbledore told you that I'm at Moony's right? (Considering that I'm an old school friend of yours, he probably trusts you.)

Well anyway, how have you been the past couple years? Minerva mailed Moony and said that you were still alive, and that you were the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

(I just happened to be reading over his shoulder)

And so I decided to mail you since Moony is a big chicken, and 'he's too 'embarrassed' to mail you after all these years'.

Well, I better go. Hope you are doing well and Moony sends his love!

Padfoot

P.S. Moony will kill me after that little comment.

Accalia folded up the letter carefully and put in her robe pocket.

"Who's it from?" Hagrid asked.

"It was from…" Accalia began, but then considered the fact that Hagrid didn't know of Sirius' innocence, so her words ended in lies. "…Remus. He wanted to see how I was doing…"

"Oh! He wrote yeh a love letter? God forbid that I read it!" Hagrid laughed and poured tea.

'Yes Rubeus…God forbid…'

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Message from Bai: Cliffhangers are oh so fun! Tee hee!