Chapter Two

"Hey you two!"

"HERMIONE!" Both Harry Potter and Ron Weasly launched themselves at their best friend, Hermione Granger, grabbing her up into a fierce hug. They hadn't seen her all summer break; she had taken a trip to France with her parents.

The sound of a strangled voice broke through their thoughts of how much they had missed the girl.

"Guys...ugh... Guys, I can't... I can't breathe!"

She was released at once, and upon regaining the much needed oxygen, the three began sharing their many summer adventures.

After storing their luggage and bidding Mrs. Weasly-who had accompanied Harry, Ron, and Ginny-a fond farewell, they boarded the Hogwarts Express.

"Can you believe this is our last year at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked as they settled into the familiar compartment.

Harry nodded in agreement. "It seems like only yesterday that we were shaking with fear at the thought of being sorted, thanks to Fred and George."

"Not to me it doesn't. It's been centuries of tests, homework, and Double Potions with Slytherin," Ron interjected. He added as an afterthought, "And I was not shaking."

III

"Have you guys heard about the new teacher?"

They had arrived at the school and were seated at their house tables, waiting for the first years to be herded in by Professor McGonagall. It was the perfect opportunity for the newest rumors and gossip to be spread.

"Let me guess. Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Ron asked, rolling his eyes in the process.

A confused look imprinted itself on Neville Longbottom's face as he continued spreading the news. "No... Well, yes, but he's not exactly new. We have Professor Lupin again this year. Apparently Dumbledore convinced the board to let him back on the staff. They must have gotten tired of having to find a new teacher every year."

The nearby Gryffindors errupted into cheers of joy at the news of having one of their favorite teachers back. Word quickly spread, and when Professor Lupin himself entered the hall moments later he was met with a screaming mob, excluding the Slytherin table.

"Wait, wait! That wasn't who I was talking about!"

Everyone them seemed to notice the young woman on Lupin's arm. She had long silver-blonde hair, pulled into a high ponytail that flowed down to the middle of her back. Her blue eyes looked straight ahead, resting on the headmaster who had sat silently through the past few minutes, enjoying the students' enthusiasm.

The beauty of the lady, who looked to be no older than seventeen herself, stunned everyone in the hall, especially the fifth, sixth, and seventh year boys, whose drool was starting to pool at the corners of their mouths. They watched as the two slowly walked down the center row towards the teacher's table, Professor Lupin's new sapphire robes (he had replaced the old shabby ones they had first seen him in) blending with her dark silver ones.

Neville elbowed Ron and Harry, proudly stating, "That's who I was talking about!"

His words cut through the silence that had settled in the room. Whispers filled the air as Lupin pulled out the new teacher's chair, and suddenly someone exclaimed, "It's Cosmos!"

Hermione slapped her hand on the table. "That's where I know her from! I saw her in concert while I was in France. She's the biggest singer in both the muggle and wizarding world."

"Then why haven't I heard of her before?" Ron inquired.

Her face took on the look of a mother scolding a child. "Ron, you and Harry both have a one-track mind, and for the past six years it's been centered on Quidditch. Doesn't exactly leave much time to catch up on the latest media news, now does it?"

"She has a point guys," Neville said. He then proceeded to shrink in upon himself, or rather wish he could, as both boys turned to glare at him.

"Shut up Neville!"

III

February 18, 2003