A/N: Okay I absolutely stink! So it's been what, six months? Kill me then! My brain wouldn't get off it's but. Sorry bout my last chapter that was filled with only insanity. I hate to admit it but this chapter sucks. I realize this is short too... I'll probably change some of it, but r/r anyways. Please?! I live for reviews. Okay now on with Chapter Six! (FINALLY!)....How do you spell Snape's first name?

Chapter six: Tension filled

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Severus Snape sauntered down the halls of Hogwarts, pondering quietly about one of his new students. She would be a horror. He knew it from the moment he had laid eyes on her. Her black hair and dark skin were disturbingly familiar. Severus couldn't put his finger on just where he had seen them before. Her eyes though...brown with those sharp emerald flecks...just like- Snape's thoughts were abruptly interrupted as he reached his classroom. He sighed. Standing in the doorway Snape peered down his nose at the rowdy group of new first years. They turned quiet as he entered the room...another day teaching potions...

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"Professor McGonagall!" Minerva turned at the sound of her name. She looked to see the new student who had caused an uproar just the day before.

"Yes Midori?"

"You asked for me to see you?"

"Oh yes, I have your revised schedule here with me. I also received some news from your mother yesterday evening. I thought she would have liked if I would give you this letter." McGonagall smiled half-heartedly. She handed Midori two pieces of parchment. She nodded then thought as she briskly walked away. Poor Girl...

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Midori slid her nail through the wax seal on the letter that McGonagall had said was from her mother. She slowly skimmed it's contents then gasped. She couldn't stop the tears from falling as she read.

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"Midori! What's your next class?" Hermione and Ginny ran up to their new friend. Ron, a scowl on his face, followed with Harry close behind. Midori smiled at the group. She quickly thrust the letter into her bag, the tears had already dried, she wasn't one for crying.

"I have free period, I think." She said, worried if there had been a waver in her voice.

Hermione beamed, not noticing. "So do I! I think it's because we don't have a Defence Against Dark Arts professor yet. That's what class we should be in now, you know. She or he maybe, is supposed to be coming in at least a month. It's really uncanny how we can't seem to keep a professor for more than one year." Midori forced a chuckle, wishing she could have been at Hogwarts the last four years. Ginny looked forlorn as she spoke,

"This is no fair; it stinks being the only fourth year! I have potions next!"

Midori replied apologetically. "Don't worry, I'm at least in some of your classes! I like the change anyways. Being with the same people all day can become a bore...no offence."

"Anyways, at least you don't have DOUBLE POTIONS, Ginny. Be grateful that you aren't stuck with Snape!" Harry sighed.

"I don't know, I'm looking forward to Potions. It's one of my favourite classes." Midori said whole-heartedly.

"You're crazy! Snape is evil!" Ron snorted.

"If he were evil then Dumbledore wouldn't have allowed him into the school. Besides he can't be that bad." Midori retorted.

"Oh...you don't know Snape!" Ron exclaimed, daring for her to continue.

"Ha! So what? It's not like he's a Death Eater!" Midori cried, exasperated.

"Just shows how much you know! He used to be a Death Eater." Ron said, with an air of disapprobation.

"Really?! Interesting..." Midori replied softly. Ron and the others looked at her, aghast.

"Interesting?! Tell me Midori, how does that become interesting?" Ron asked, unnerved by her answer.

"I didn't mean it like that!" She cried indignantly.

"Then what did you mean?" Harry cut in, suddenly suspicious of why his new friend would think being a Death Eater, a trait he despised, could be of interest in any way.

"Never mind, you wouldn't understand." Midori sighed, suddenly turning around to leave.

"Try Me." Harry replied coolly. Ginny realized she was late for Potions. Damnit. She thought. She hesitated, wanting to leave. She stayed, thinking she was late anyway. It shouldn't make a difference. She looked from Harry to Hermione to Ron to Midori. She felt the tension and didn't understand how their conversation could have come to this. Midori's voice rang as she said flatly,

"My father used to be a Death Eater, he died yesterday."