Chapter 9
The first week
In the morning Soraya went down to the great hall with Amily and Hermione. She really didn't want to go back in there.
"You have to get your timetable and you need to eat."
"Ok Hermione. You should know after all you have been doing this for five years already." So they entered the great hall and every head turned in their direction and Soraya felt very ill. She could feel every eye in the room on her and she didn't like it at all.
So Hermione led her towards Harry and Ron. At first Soraya felt uncomfortable but it got less intense as she ate some toast. At first Harry didn't even look at her but then he smiled as Soraya stared at him. She was hoping not to see hate or even anger in his eyes, and was relieved to see nothing of the sort. Hermione was right that Harry wasn't as petty as Snape, even with her new surname and new found family member.
Harry broke the silence after a while and was still smiling at her.
"So?"
"Yes Harry?"
"How does it feel to be a Snape?" Soraya cringed when he said this and then sighed deeply.
"I want my old surname back." Soraya looked over at Snape who seemed very distant and troubled. When his eyes met hers he just looked away and carried on eating.
She then received her timetable from Ron who looked very puzzled and confused.
"What's wrong Ron?"
"Take a look." Soraya took one look at her timetable and choked on her juice in surprise. She thought there was obviously some sort of mistake.
"Jesus Christ! Monday: charms, Tuesday: Transfiguration, Wednesday: History of magic, Thursday...Now I really don't believe this."
"What?" Soraya was so disgusted she couldn't answer. So Ron answered for her as he had already seen her timetable.
"She has a whole day of potions on Thursdays." Now the others looked as revolted as Soraya did. For a moment no one said anything and then she continued after the shock of this news.
"Ok now where was I? Oh yeah. Friday: Defence against the dark arts."
Ron and Harry then took a look at theirs.
"Ron, I think McGonagall is still keeping her word to see me become an aurora. Look I got potions four times a week and double on Thursdays."
"You're not the only one Harry. I wanted to become one too and nearly died when McGonagall told me about potions. Don't worry Harry, Hermione and Soraya will be there so he can't do anything to you. At least you haven't got a full day of potions."
"Thanks Ron I really wanted to be reminded about that!"
"Sorry Soraya."
"That would be a nightmare for both me and Snape if I had to do a whole day."
"I wouldn't be surprised Harry. When I watched you two talking together it was like watching a battle of eyes and savage tongues."
Amily said goodbye to Soraya and set off for her first lesson. Soraya was glad that the first lesson was a sixth year lesson. But not so glad that it was transfiguration, and Hermione was kind enough to remind her about something she was trying to forget.
"It's the most complicated form of magic."
"Well then it's a good thing I managed to read all the transfiguration books before I got here Hermione!" Soraya said it so savagely that she apologised to Hermione. Soraya explained that her nerves were already so frayed and that was the last thing she needed to hear right now. Ron wasn't helping much either, but she managed to keep a civil tongue anyway.
"McGonagall's really strict!"
"Ron she's a very good teacher and the head of Griffindor house!"
"What difference does that make? She doesn't favour us except in quidditch."
They finally reached the door to the transfiguration class and filed in with the other students. Soraya could feel everyone's eyes penetrating her. She went to the front and sat down with her friends. She sat down and saw McGonagall's eyes study her. So Soraya directed her eyes to the black board to avoid them.
"Today we shall be transfiguring one animal in to another. Frogs in to mice to be more precise. To cast the spell wave your wands side to side twice and then tap the frog lightly and say allowed and clearly 'ariamus!' Then your frog should have turned in to a mouse." Soraya watched everyone else first as they tried the spell. One still croaked and another was still green, and one was hopping across the table. Only Hermione got it right the first time and ten points were awarded to Griffindor.
Then McGonagall's eyes rested on Soraya and waited for her to cast the spell. So Soraya took a deep breath and waved her wand and said. "Ariamus!" The frog turned instantly in to a mouse just like Hermione's. She saw McGonagall smile as Soraya breathed a sigh of relief. Her first piece of proper magic and grade six too, it thankfully managed to go off without a hitch.
All through the day she transfigured her animals perfectly and objects too like from needles to pillows. Each time she got it right the first time and McGonagall looked slightly impressed. Soraya got less homework than anyone and had only two essays to hand in for next Tuesday. So with her free time after lessons she went to the library to get this out of the way. She did it in break and after lunch, and then finished them after her last lesson.
After dinner she hung around with her friends in Griffindor's common room. She relaxed until it was time to go to bed whilst everyone else was doing their homework.
"Aren't you going to do your homework?" Hermione asked in a curious sort of way.
"Already done Hermione, I only had two essays. I started them at break and finished them before dinner."
"Very wise to do homework as soon as you get it Soraya."
"Yeah...well I had no extra work as I transfigured everything up to McGonagall's standards. Well that's what she told me anyway when everyone else left. Now all I have to do is wait until next Tuesday and hand my homework in."
Ron sighed and had a sympathetic look on his face. When Hermione started talking about what they were doing tomorrow.
"You got a whole day of Magical History tomorrow, and Professor Binns is really boring!"
"No problem Ron as I have already read a magical history. So I know everything there is to know and I shall just read Hogwarts a history. If I can't do that then I shall just be bored reading off the blackboard so no big deal."
"Oh so its you who's got that book! I've been looking for that in the library and the waiting list is very long. Can I read it before you go to bed?"
"Sure Hermione. I'm just trying to find out if there's anything about this so called prodigal child."
"You mean yourself don't you Soraya?"
"Yes Hermione but it sounded less dramatic."
"Oh, Ok." Then Hermione's face was hidden behind the book and didn't talk to anyone for the rest of the night. Soraya just stared in to the fire thoughtfully until about eleven and then went up to bed. Hermione followed her with the book still hiding part of her face. Amily followed too yawning silently and looked very sleepy. When Soraya got changed Hermione reluctantly handed back the book and then went to bed herself. Soraya took out the essays for McGonagall and placed them on her desk for next Tuesday.
Next morning was the start of Professor Binns class and Soraya gave Ron some credit. Professor Binns wasn't only boring, he was absolutely mind numbing. She wasn't startled at all when he drifted through the wall as she was so used to seeing ghosts now. She looked to see all the other students either looking out of the window, falling asleep or doodling on their parchment. Soraya just read the book and ignored what he was writing on the board. She had already read the magic history book she had on the table. So there wasn't much point in taking down notes as all the information was already in her head. So Soraya could recall any of it at any time when asked a question from it. Still Soraya couldn't find anything about herself in Hogwarts a history and was starting to get concerned. 'What if I wasn't put down in here as I wasn't thought to be real? Just predictions from a raving lunatic or something...hold on what am I saying. The founders were anything but raving so why am I not in any books? Someone's been trying to cover up the fact that I was to be here and known as the prodigal child of all things. But who on earth would want to cover up that?'
She was so lost in thought that she jumped when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Oh hi Hermione, is it fourth period already?" Hermione nodded and then got down to taking notes from the board. She didn't tell Soraya to do the same as she knew Soraya had already read the book and so knows all about the magical history contained inside it. After the lesson Soraya followed Hermione to lunch and sat down with her friends.
"So?"
"Sooo?"
"How were the lessons?"
"Mind numbing Ron! Absolutely and utterly boring!"
Then before Soraya knew it the day had finished and she was on her way to the library again to do her essays. She was going down a corridor when she stopped. She could see Snape's shadow coming down the only turn at the end of it. That would mean they would pass each other and Soraya didn't want to talk to him of all people. There was an empty classroom next to her so she dived in there and hid behind the door. She heard him pass and breathed a sigh of relief. When she emerged she went straight to the library and thanked god she didn't run in to him.
After dinner she rejoined her friends in the common room. She had just finished reading her last book one thousand magical herbs and fungi. She threw it over to her bag and slipped lazily in to one of the comfy chairs by the fire. Harry took one look at the book and remembered tomorrow.
"Damn I almost forgot about double potions tomorrow, and on Friday and then Monday. Mind you I wouldn't want to miss the look on his face when I come in tomorrow." His friends chuckled and Soraya sighed sadly at the prospect of tomorrow.
"I got a whole day with him. What can I possibly do to get out of this?"
"Break your legs!"
"Say your ill!"
"She can't do that and besides, you're doing this because Dumbledore came to your house himself to ask you! He kept a promise to Lei even with all the protests of Snape and the governors."
"She's right. But I still want my old surname back; the new one makes me sick to my stomach. Soraya Snape." She shuddered and looked very sick when it came out of her mouth and it felt like she had just thrown up something very bitter. Ron looked very disgusted all of a sudden and looked at Soraya.
"Eugh!"
"What?"
"Image if he wants you to call him..." Ron swallowed hard so he wouldn't be sick. "...uncle Snape?"
At once the whole room snorted with laughter. Or some like Soraya pretended to be sick by sticking two fingers down her throat and making gagging noises.
"Over my dead body!"
Then morning came and Soraya didn't want to wake up. She didn't eat breakfast either and felt very sick. Soraya looked at Snape who wasn't nervous at all and just ate his breakfast quietly.
Then the bell rang and her friends wished her the best of luck. Ron wished her survival and Soraya laughed.
"Not funny Ron!"
"Oh Hermione I need a laugh right now."
"But I wasn't joking Soraya. You may be his niece but Snape will probably eat you alive if you screw up in his class. He also probably hates the fact that you went in to Griffindor instead of Slytherin." Soraya didn't care and went to Snape's class with a light heart and a slight smile on her face.
Five minutes later she arrived outside the doors with some fifth years in the dungeons. 'This is exactly where I pictured having potions. A creepy dungeon with no company what so ever, I suppose this must feel like home to you Snape.' She didn't know any of the fifth years until Ginny Weasley called her name.
"Hi Soraya you all right? I heard about your timetable, but don't worry, Snape's bark is worse than his bite." Soraya smiled weakly as the class started to go in quietly.
"Sit next to me and I will show you the ropes."
"Thanks Ginny, at least I have a friend for the first lesson."
Then they entered the class room, Soraya sat next to Ginny at the back of the room. Snape didn't look up when he called the register and merely paused over Soraya's name. But said Soraya Snape instead of Griffis anyway. Soraya cringed when she heard this and glared back at him.
"Yes sir." It took Soraya a lot of effort to keep her voice steady. But managed to fight the growl in the back of her throat. He pointed to the blackboard when he had finished the register. On it was a list of ingredients for a potion and instructions on how to make it. At first Ginny showed her what to do.
Then Soraya took one look at the black board and set about making the potion. She finished before everyone else even though this was her first time. It was a fifth year potion too. The smoke and potion were both the right colour and consistency.
"Wow!" Ginny whispered quietly as she stared at Soraya's potion with awe.
"For someone who doesn't want to be related to Snape you sure made your first potion well."
"I was good in transfiguration too. I just wish I wasn't as good in this, it gives me something to be in common with ... him." Ginny looked sympathetic and patted her shoulder. Soraya hated being pitied but didn't say anything as she liked Ginny and knew she was only trying to help.
"Right now you have to fill a vial with your potion and put it on Snape's desk."
"What...I've got to go near him?"
Soraya now felt very sick again as she filled a vial with her potion. She sighed and went over to Snape's desk. Soraya placed the potion in front of him and he looked up in to her eyes and then looked down at her potion. Then he spoke to her, which he hadn't done since she started at Hogwarts. Mainly because she was trying to avoid him altogether.
"Finished already? Hmmm, I suppose it's satisfactory." He said examining the vial. But Soraya could tell he was impressed and could see it in his eyes. For like her what his face could hide his eyes could not.
"Now go back to your seat and wait for the next lesson." She helped Ginny out with her potion until the end of the lesson. But then had to stop as Snape threatened to take off house points if Soraya continued to do so. So she read a book instead. But the only other book she had in her bag was the potions book and she had already read that one. Ginny told her to put Hogwarts a history back in her bag as Snape, it seems, doesn't allow books that have nothing to do with potion in his class.
"Last time a Griffindor did that Snape gave him detention for a week cleaning up the classroom...and without magic." Ginny whispered to her. Soraya was very bored reading the same book and couldn't wait for the next lesson to come and fast.
Soraya was sad to see Ginny leave and said she'd catch up with her later. For five tense minutes she was left alone with Snape in his class room. She felt very relieved when students started coming in. Soraya thought they were the longest five minutes of her life. She did the same thing in the next lesson and Snape said basically the same thing.
Break time finally came and she shot out of his class like a bullet. A routine seemed to be forming in her daily life from breakfast to dinner. Lessons, break, library, lessons, lunch, library, dinner and then relaxing with her friends until bed. But she didn't care as she was out of Snape's class and felt like smiling.
"Right lets see what essay you have for me Snape." She said quietly as she did her homework in the library. But stopped and looked again with disbelief all over face. "State the uses of flobberworm mucus in potions? But I already know this stuff and you know that Snape. What are you playing at?"
The first essay from Snape was finished before break ended.
She went to his next lesson less nervous than she was in the first. Not only because it was her third, but also because her friends were going to be there...and that made her feel a lot happier. Soraya sat at the back again to watch the show as Harry came in and saw Snape's face. She had never seen anything like it before, it was a mixture between loathing, total shock and utter puzzlement. He was quick to regain his composure, but not quick enough and Soraya smiled. He sat back at his desk and pointed towards the board like before. There was a slight tone to his voice when he spoke and Soraya couldn't figure it out at all.
"You will all notice that the potion up on this board is very complicated. So do read the instructions very carefully." Soraya did as she and the others were told and proceeded to make the potion. Hermione and Ron looked staggered to how fast she made the potion. Even Harry looked over her shoulder and seemed impressed. But Soraya just sighed and shook her head and decided to kill two birds with one stone.
She bottled her potion and presented Snape with the homework she did at break.
"Why do you present me with this now?"
"It's finished sir so there was no point in keeping it in my bag as it will only take up room. But now I am in your class, so I though I might as well present it now." The class waited for an explosion from Snape and daren't breathe as he glared at her. But she stood her ground and looked him straight in the eye. Snape's glare softened slightly and just seem to stare at her looking slightly annoyed. The students looked at Snape with curiosity as his usual hard face came back.
"Very well, and you still have half a double period left I see. Here, make this one now." He thrust her a piece of parchment with hurriedly scribbled writing on it. So she went back to her desk to make the potion. For the rest of the double period Harry was scowling at his potion, and then he smiled as he got it just about near to as perfect as Hermione's.
But Soraya finished before everyone else again. Snape tried hard not to look impressed but he didn't hide it well at all. Soraya left and walked with her friends to lunch and Ginny called to her as they sat down to eat.
"Hi Ginny."
"Did you put Snape in his place then?"
"No, what do you mean?"
"Well Luna Lovegood told me she saw Snape ten minutes ago. She said he had a very odd look on his face, like he received a big shock or something." Soraya turned to look at Snape but he wasn't there.
She finished eating and hung around with her friends until the end of lunch.
"Did he give you that speech when you were with the first years?"
"You mean the one where he says... 'There will be no foolish wand waving in this class.' And 'I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper in death.' That one?" Ron nodded. "Yep...and it was pathetic!"
"Haven't you got homework?"
"No I finished his homework at break, and that's all I've had so far today. Why do you ask Ron?"
"It's just that for the past two days you said you had to go to the library after lunch to do homework."
"Oh, Ok."
"So what was it on then?"
"I'll tell you about it later, my next lesson is coming up." The bell rang again to state the end of lunch was here.
"See you guys later."
"Knowing Snape he will probably give you more homework to do than anyone."
"Not funny Ron."
"Oh come one Hermione it was just a joke." Ron said and Soraya smiled.
The friends parted in different directions as Soraya went back to Snape's class. She sat down in her seat at the back and looked to the front. Strangely enough Snape wasn't there and was running late. Then the door burst open and he came striding in with a slightly pink face. He hurriedly wrote another potion on the board and sat back down in his seat. Soraya read the instructions and proceeded to make the potion but stopped instantly. She could feel someone staring at her and it was agitating. She didn't want to look up as she knew who it was. But then she couldn't take it anymore and reluctantly looked to the front of the class. Snape was staring at her with an odd look in his eyes and she didn't like this one bit. So she looked back down to avoid his stare and continued making her potion. She could feel his stare every now and again but still managed to finish her potion perfectly as always. There was twenty five minutes left before the end of the lesson. She bottled her potion and put it on his desk.
She was just about to walk away when he spoke to her.
"Here is your other essay for this week."
"Why do you give this to me now sir?"
"You looked very bored reading a book you looked like you already read. So you won't be so bored if you start this now." Soraya took it without another word. She dipped her quill in some ink and got on with her homework. She found it just as easy, but it was longer and took till the end of the lesson to finish it. She handed it in whist everyone else was handing in their potions. So she decided to go find her friends as she had no more homework.
She searched the room of requirement when no one was in the corridor. Then she searched the Griffindor tower but they weren't their either. She came out from behind the portrait of the fat lady and was just about to go search the grounds, when Dumbledore called her name.
So she stopped and turned round.
"Yes sir?"
"I have heard from your teachers that you are doing very well."
"Yes Sir, I like the work even though I find magical history very boring."
"You're not the only one. Now I come to potions and Serverus was very impressed. I have never seen his face in any true emotion like this before. He admitted it too and that is very strange as well. Family or not you must have done something very special because you are in Griffindor. I think he actually might have considered giving you points for your excellent work, and I have never seen him give any points to any Griffindors since he started here." Soraya couldn't help but grin as the headmaster gave her praise, but it made her feel very foolish at the same time. She could also see the look on Snape's face as he tried to get it to look amazed in Dumbledore's office.
"I would like it very much to see this continued, you rarely get to see Serverus impressed. I think I'd have to agree with him though, doing your homework and an extra potion is most impressive." He was about to leave when a thought crossed Soraya's mind.
"Excuse me Sir. But do you know where any of my friends are?" Dumbledore stopped and turned round with a strange look upon his face. It was as though he was considering whether to tell her or not before saying.
"Yes I saw Harry, Ron and Hermione heading towards Hagrid's house."
"Thanks sir." She said as she ran towards the grounds. But a strange thought and feeling crept over her as she could feel Dumbledore's gaze on her back.
She walked the cool and sunny grounds with a light heart towards Hagrid's house. She knocked on the door and heard a very big dog barking like mad. She could hear Hagrid and her friends talking as he came to the door. But they stopped talking instantly when the door opened and she stepped in.
"Why hello Soraya."
"Hi Hagrid."
"Come on in." She walked in to his cabin and saw that it was just one big room. There were chairs, a giant bed and a table. She then looked over to her friends who at first gave her a searching look. This immediately vanished when she looked puzzled to be met with this. Then they looked friendlier but Soraya was still puzzled. She put a smiling face back on when Hagrid asked her to sit down.
"No homework?"
"No Ron. I finished a potion before the end of class so he gave me my last essay. Then I handed it in before the end of class."
"You did? Wow." Hermione had a strange tone in her voice when she said this. Was she giving Soraya praise or hiding something?
Soraya then thought to herself not to be so stupid and just went on talking to her friends.
"I didn't interrupt anything important did I?"
"Nah not really...so do you find the essay's easy then?"
"I found the first one very easy. But I have a strange feeling that Snape was going easy on me."
"Snape going easy on a student in Griffindor house when it comes to homework? Now that really would be impossible...whatever was the essay on?"
"State the uses of flobberworm mucus in potions, and he already knew I was told about that."
"Weird; and you say you don't want to be related to him? I would if he made homework easy for me."
"But it's not Ron! Soraya is special-"
"I am not special! I...just have a few gifts that can help me in school Hermione. But I am still just like you, and I don't want any special treatment. And if anyone gives me any then I will give them a black eye...if that's what I have to do to get my point across."
"Well said! You don' need special treatment no matter who you are or wha' you can do." Soraya smiled at Hagrid, he smiled back and winked at her.
Soraya noticed the looks on her friend's faces after her little outburst.
"Look I'm sorry but I hate being pitied and made out to be weak with out any help. I just wish that some people would get it through their heads that I am just like them."
None of her friends talked for a while.
Then she put her head in her hands and breathed deeply to calm down. At that particular moment Harry said something she wasn't likely to forget if she didn't have a photographic memory.
"I understand Soraya, we all do. But sometimes people can only see skin deep."
"Like that rotten little brat Malfoy and Snape." Said Ron with a tome of disgust.
"But you have to tell us what's on your mind sometimes and how we can help. Believe me I know and because that's what friends are for. But the thing is you keep everything locked away and don't feel the need to confide in us. So then we don't understand and get the wrong message, so we treat you with pity and caution." Soraya looked at Harry and smiled.
"Thanks Harry I guess I needed that huh? Ok, in the future I will be more open and sharing with my friends when I really need it. I guess being strong and thinking you can do things on your own isn't always the best policy."
After that they talked happily about all the things they did this week. Then Soraya burst out laughing, they told her professor Trelawney predicted Harry would die by being struck by lightening. Then everyone else started to laugh and even Harry chuckled at some point.
Finally it was time to go back to the castle for dinner, so they said goodbye to Hagrid and left his house. Halfway through dinner Soraya could feel Snape staring at her. But paid no attention to him whatsoever.
"So what was that thing you wanted to tell us when we were in Hagrid's house?"
"Oh yeah. I didn't want to say anything in front of Hagrid because he respects the teachers too much...including Snape. But you will never guess what Dumbledore told me today." So Soraya kept this within Harry, Ron and Hermione's ears, and began to tell them what Dumbledore had told her. There were a couple of amusing results, Ron snorted in his drink and Hermione dropped her spoon in shock. Harry on the other hand looked very pleased.
"Dumbledore really said that?"
"Snape actually thinking of giving points to Griffindor? It's unheard of!"
"Yes Hermione, for the last time that is what he said to me."
"Are you really sure it was him?"
"Hermione. Who else walks around here with a silver beard and half moon spectacles besides Dumbledore?"
Harry was grinning all the way to the Griffindor tower, and then he said something that made Soraya feel absolutely nauseated.
"You know what Ron I think you're right about Snape wanting a family. So when are you going to start calling him uncle Soraya?"
"Shut up Harry!"
"Well?"
"Well what Ron?"
"When will you start calling him uncle?"
"How does never sound?"
"Good, because I might be sick if I ever hear you calling him that."
"You and me both Ron, it makes me feel sick just thinking about it."
Soraya went up to her bed and drew the hangings around it. A disturbing thought then crept in to her head. 'What if Ron is right and Snape does want a family?' She shuddered at this and fell asleep with a wandering mind.
Soraya was happier in the morning as she had Defence against the dark arts, and that meant no creepy cold dungeons today. She was glad the first lesson was with her friends and the room was filled with sunlight.
They sat down and Harry explained all about the curse on this subject and its teachers.
"Curse?"
"Yes, when I started the older years told us that no defence against the dark arts teacher has lasted more than a year at Hogwarts. Quirrel was working for Voldermort and tried to kill me, I already told you about Umbridge. Mr. Crouch's son was pretending to be Mad-Eye Moody, by taking a potion that gave him Moody's appearance. Finally the last one who I liked very much and was a friend to my father."
"Who was he?"
"Not was, is. Lupin is still alive and unfortunately so is Umbridge. Lupin is a werewolf and is the only other person that I know of who has survived this curse."
"Why did he leave?"
"Well Snape let it slip to his students that Lupin is a werewolf because Sirius got away. So Snape blamed Lupin, because he thought Lupin was behind it as they were old friends at school. That and also he was part of a gang known as the Marauders."
"What has Snape got against them I wonder?"
"Let's just say that they didn't make life very happy for Snape when he was a student here."
"So he told his house about Lupin out of spite?"
"Yes."
"That's just like him to be that petty and cruel, but why did Lupin leave?"
"Well before you get to know Lupin would you want to be taught by a werewolf?"
"I suppose if I was as shallow as the Slytherins and their families...then maybe not."
"That's what he said, for he didn't want to go through that kind of persecution an-"
"Hold up Harry the new teacher is here."
"I've had one every year Soraya. Lets hope that its sixth time lucky as I don't want to be attacked by another one. So let's hope that this one stays and doesn't try to kill me."
Soraya turned round to eagerly see the new teacher. Professor Dye came striding happily in with long brown hair. He had the look of a wise, handsome and fair law person, the kind you can see in a courtroom. He looked round the class and smiled at all the new faces. Yet he looked no older than about twenty four or five. Just like all the other teachers who surveyed their class he stopped a second when he came to Soraya and face Harry's faces. Then carried on until he had taken in every face.
"Good morning class I am Professor Dye, and I know all about the so called curse of this particular subject. I would just like to say that I am not frightened of it whatsoever! If I should last more than a year then we can say the curse is broken. I myself have been through one defence against the dark arts teacher in every year when I was at Hogwarts and I'm surprised there aren't anymore left For you see hey have either died or just disappeared at the end of the year." He chuckled when he finished and everyone else just smiled weakly. Some people looked very worried for their new teacher who seemed to be taking the curse very lightly.
The lesson was mostly practical and Soraya enjoyed this class very much. The theory of it didn't come up until there was about ten minutes left of each lesson. Just like before Soraya sighed and hated being able to do everything right all the time. 'Huh no surprise there, man I wish I didn't have to do everything so perfectly. I am getting so sick of people staring at me!' In every class of every subject she could feel people's eyes on her no matter where she was or what she did. She received only one essay that day and did it in the library after lunch.
The last lesson of defence against the dark arts was looking very pleasant, and so she handed in her homework with a light heart. Her friends were going to be there too as they had first and last lesson of Friday with Defence against the dark arts. She hung around with them until dinner arrived.
"So." Said Ron after swallowing a huge chunk of chicken from his chicken leg.
"What do you think of our new Defence against the dark arts teacher?"
"Very nice and energetic compared to the other professor's. Ummm...I think he might be tempting fate with his name though."
"How?"
"Oh Ron I can't believe you missed that of all things!"
"Missed what Hermione?"
"Professor Dye sounds the same way as die even though it's not spelled the same it-"
"OK, OK I get it Hermione." Soraya turned to Harry when Ron and Hermione were having a heated argument.
"Are you sure these two aren't married?"
"Why?"
"They bicker just like an old married couple." Harry snorted in his drink. He put his face straight when Ron and Hermione had finished their argument and turned round.
Soraya thought the first week at Hogwarts was great, when it came to an end and people weren't staring at her so much. But she could see that the sorting hat incident was still fresh in their minds.
"You know what Amily." Soraya said after they finished their training session as they could only really do it at the weekends now.
"I think Harry is right about this place being a home away from home. I think we are going to be very happy here until it's time to go."
Soraya didn't have any homework as she did it all in the same day as her lessons. So she was on her own a lot and she didn't mind at all. Even though she loved spending time with her friends she liked her privacy as well. So she felt a bit sad when the weekend ended.
*** I like this chapter too. Hmm, maybe I should have made her muff up some of her spells...nah!
The first week
In the morning Soraya went down to the great hall with Amily and Hermione. She really didn't want to go back in there.
"You have to get your timetable and you need to eat."
"Ok Hermione. You should know after all you have been doing this for five years already." So they entered the great hall and every head turned in their direction and Soraya felt very ill. She could feel every eye in the room on her and she didn't like it at all.
So Hermione led her towards Harry and Ron. At first Soraya felt uncomfortable but it got less intense as she ate some toast. At first Harry didn't even look at her but then he smiled as Soraya stared at him. She was hoping not to see hate or even anger in his eyes, and was relieved to see nothing of the sort. Hermione was right that Harry wasn't as petty as Snape, even with her new surname and new found family member.
Harry broke the silence after a while and was still smiling at her.
"So?"
"Yes Harry?"
"How does it feel to be a Snape?" Soraya cringed when he said this and then sighed deeply.
"I want my old surname back." Soraya looked over at Snape who seemed very distant and troubled. When his eyes met hers he just looked away and carried on eating.
She then received her timetable from Ron who looked very puzzled and confused.
"What's wrong Ron?"
"Take a look." Soraya took one look at her timetable and choked on her juice in surprise. She thought there was obviously some sort of mistake.
"Jesus Christ! Monday: charms, Tuesday: Transfiguration, Wednesday: History of magic, Thursday...Now I really don't believe this."
"What?" Soraya was so disgusted she couldn't answer. So Ron answered for her as he had already seen her timetable.
"She has a whole day of potions on Thursdays." Now the others looked as revolted as Soraya did. For a moment no one said anything and then she continued after the shock of this news.
"Ok now where was I? Oh yeah. Friday: Defence against the dark arts."
Ron and Harry then took a look at theirs.
"Ron, I think McGonagall is still keeping her word to see me become an aurora. Look I got potions four times a week and double on Thursdays."
"You're not the only one Harry. I wanted to become one too and nearly died when McGonagall told me about potions. Don't worry Harry, Hermione and Soraya will be there so he can't do anything to you. At least you haven't got a full day of potions."
"Thanks Ron I really wanted to be reminded about that!"
"Sorry Soraya."
"That would be a nightmare for both me and Snape if I had to do a whole day."
"I wouldn't be surprised Harry. When I watched you two talking together it was like watching a battle of eyes and savage tongues."
Amily said goodbye to Soraya and set off for her first lesson. Soraya was glad that the first lesson was a sixth year lesson. But not so glad that it was transfiguration, and Hermione was kind enough to remind her about something she was trying to forget.
"It's the most complicated form of magic."
"Well then it's a good thing I managed to read all the transfiguration books before I got here Hermione!" Soraya said it so savagely that she apologised to Hermione. Soraya explained that her nerves were already so frayed and that was the last thing she needed to hear right now. Ron wasn't helping much either, but she managed to keep a civil tongue anyway.
"McGonagall's really strict!"
"Ron she's a very good teacher and the head of Griffindor house!"
"What difference does that make? She doesn't favour us except in quidditch."
They finally reached the door to the transfiguration class and filed in with the other students. Soraya could feel everyone's eyes penetrating her. She went to the front and sat down with her friends. She sat down and saw McGonagall's eyes study her. So Soraya directed her eyes to the black board to avoid them.
"Today we shall be transfiguring one animal in to another. Frogs in to mice to be more precise. To cast the spell wave your wands side to side twice and then tap the frog lightly and say allowed and clearly 'ariamus!' Then your frog should have turned in to a mouse." Soraya watched everyone else first as they tried the spell. One still croaked and another was still green, and one was hopping across the table. Only Hermione got it right the first time and ten points were awarded to Griffindor.
Then McGonagall's eyes rested on Soraya and waited for her to cast the spell. So Soraya took a deep breath and waved her wand and said. "Ariamus!" The frog turned instantly in to a mouse just like Hermione's. She saw McGonagall smile as Soraya breathed a sigh of relief. Her first piece of proper magic and grade six too, it thankfully managed to go off without a hitch.
All through the day she transfigured her animals perfectly and objects too like from needles to pillows. Each time she got it right the first time and McGonagall looked slightly impressed. Soraya got less homework than anyone and had only two essays to hand in for next Tuesday. So with her free time after lessons she went to the library to get this out of the way. She did it in break and after lunch, and then finished them after her last lesson.
After dinner she hung around with her friends in Griffindor's common room. She relaxed until it was time to go to bed whilst everyone else was doing their homework.
"Aren't you going to do your homework?" Hermione asked in a curious sort of way.
"Already done Hermione, I only had two essays. I started them at break and finished them before dinner."
"Very wise to do homework as soon as you get it Soraya."
"Yeah...well I had no extra work as I transfigured everything up to McGonagall's standards. Well that's what she told me anyway when everyone else left. Now all I have to do is wait until next Tuesday and hand my homework in."
Ron sighed and had a sympathetic look on his face. When Hermione started talking about what they were doing tomorrow.
"You got a whole day of Magical History tomorrow, and Professor Binns is really boring!"
"No problem Ron as I have already read a magical history. So I know everything there is to know and I shall just read Hogwarts a history. If I can't do that then I shall just be bored reading off the blackboard so no big deal."
"Oh so its you who's got that book! I've been looking for that in the library and the waiting list is very long. Can I read it before you go to bed?"
"Sure Hermione. I'm just trying to find out if there's anything about this so called prodigal child."
"You mean yourself don't you Soraya?"
"Yes Hermione but it sounded less dramatic."
"Oh, Ok." Then Hermione's face was hidden behind the book and didn't talk to anyone for the rest of the night. Soraya just stared in to the fire thoughtfully until about eleven and then went up to bed. Hermione followed her with the book still hiding part of her face. Amily followed too yawning silently and looked very sleepy. When Soraya got changed Hermione reluctantly handed back the book and then went to bed herself. Soraya took out the essays for McGonagall and placed them on her desk for next Tuesday.
Next morning was the start of Professor Binns class and Soraya gave Ron some credit. Professor Binns wasn't only boring, he was absolutely mind numbing. She wasn't startled at all when he drifted through the wall as she was so used to seeing ghosts now. She looked to see all the other students either looking out of the window, falling asleep or doodling on their parchment. Soraya just read the book and ignored what he was writing on the board. She had already read the magic history book she had on the table. So there wasn't much point in taking down notes as all the information was already in her head. So Soraya could recall any of it at any time when asked a question from it. Still Soraya couldn't find anything about herself in Hogwarts a history and was starting to get concerned. 'What if I wasn't put down in here as I wasn't thought to be real? Just predictions from a raving lunatic or something...hold on what am I saying. The founders were anything but raving so why am I not in any books? Someone's been trying to cover up the fact that I was to be here and known as the prodigal child of all things. But who on earth would want to cover up that?'
She was so lost in thought that she jumped when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Oh hi Hermione, is it fourth period already?" Hermione nodded and then got down to taking notes from the board. She didn't tell Soraya to do the same as she knew Soraya had already read the book and so knows all about the magical history contained inside it. After the lesson Soraya followed Hermione to lunch and sat down with her friends.
"So?"
"Sooo?"
"How were the lessons?"
"Mind numbing Ron! Absolutely and utterly boring!"
Then before Soraya knew it the day had finished and she was on her way to the library again to do her essays. She was going down a corridor when she stopped. She could see Snape's shadow coming down the only turn at the end of it. That would mean they would pass each other and Soraya didn't want to talk to him of all people. There was an empty classroom next to her so she dived in there and hid behind the door. She heard him pass and breathed a sigh of relief. When she emerged she went straight to the library and thanked god she didn't run in to him.
After dinner she rejoined her friends in the common room. She had just finished reading her last book one thousand magical herbs and fungi. She threw it over to her bag and slipped lazily in to one of the comfy chairs by the fire. Harry took one look at the book and remembered tomorrow.
"Damn I almost forgot about double potions tomorrow, and on Friday and then Monday. Mind you I wouldn't want to miss the look on his face when I come in tomorrow." His friends chuckled and Soraya sighed sadly at the prospect of tomorrow.
"I got a whole day with him. What can I possibly do to get out of this?"
"Break your legs!"
"Say your ill!"
"She can't do that and besides, you're doing this because Dumbledore came to your house himself to ask you! He kept a promise to Lei even with all the protests of Snape and the governors."
"She's right. But I still want my old surname back; the new one makes me sick to my stomach. Soraya Snape." She shuddered and looked very sick when it came out of her mouth and it felt like she had just thrown up something very bitter. Ron looked very disgusted all of a sudden and looked at Soraya.
"Eugh!"
"What?"
"Image if he wants you to call him..." Ron swallowed hard so he wouldn't be sick. "...uncle Snape?"
At once the whole room snorted with laughter. Or some like Soraya pretended to be sick by sticking two fingers down her throat and making gagging noises.
"Over my dead body!"
Then morning came and Soraya didn't want to wake up. She didn't eat breakfast either and felt very sick. Soraya looked at Snape who wasn't nervous at all and just ate his breakfast quietly.
Then the bell rang and her friends wished her the best of luck. Ron wished her survival and Soraya laughed.
"Not funny Ron!"
"Oh Hermione I need a laugh right now."
"But I wasn't joking Soraya. You may be his niece but Snape will probably eat you alive if you screw up in his class. He also probably hates the fact that you went in to Griffindor instead of Slytherin." Soraya didn't care and went to Snape's class with a light heart and a slight smile on her face.
Five minutes later she arrived outside the doors with some fifth years in the dungeons. 'This is exactly where I pictured having potions. A creepy dungeon with no company what so ever, I suppose this must feel like home to you Snape.' She didn't know any of the fifth years until Ginny Weasley called her name.
"Hi Soraya you all right? I heard about your timetable, but don't worry, Snape's bark is worse than his bite." Soraya smiled weakly as the class started to go in quietly.
"Sit next to me and I will show you the ropes."
"Thanks Ginny, at least I have a friend for the first lesson."
Then they entered the class room, Soraya sat next to Ginny at the back of the room. Snape didn't look up when he called the register and merely paused over Soraya's name. But said Soraya Snape instead of Griffis anyway. Soraya cringed when she heard this and glared back at him.
"Yes sir." It took Soraya a lot of effort to keep her voice steady. But managed to fight the growl in the back of her throat. He pointed to the blackboard when he had finished the register. On it was a list of ingredients for a potion and instructions on how to make it. At first Ginny showed her what to do.
Then Soraya took one look at the black board and set about making the potion. She finished before everyone else even though this was her first time. It was a fifth year potion too. The smoke and potion were both the right colour and consistency.
"Wow!" Ginny whispered quietly as she stared at Soraya's potion with awe.
"For someone who doesn't want to be related to Snape you sure made your first potion well."
"I was good in transfiguration too. I just wish I wasn't as good in this, it gives me something to be in common with ... him." Ginny looked sympathetic and patted her shoulder. Soraya hated being pitied but didn't say anything as she liked Ginny and knew she was only trying to help.
"Right now you have to fill a vial with your potion and put it on Snape's desk."
"What...I've got to go near him?"
Soraya now felt very sick again as she filled a vial with her potion. She sighed and went over to Snape's desk. Soraya placed the potion in front of him and he looked up in to her eyes and then looked down at her potion. Then he spoke to her, which he hadn't done since she started at Hogwarts. Mainly because she was trying to avoid him altogether.
"Finished already? Hmmm, I suppose it's satisfactory." He said examining the vial. But Soraya could tell he was impressed and could see it in his eyes. For like her what his face could hide his eyes could not.
"Now go back to your seat and wait for the next lesson." She helped Ginny out with her potion until the end of the lesson. But then had to stop as Snape threatened to take off house points if Soraya continued to do so. So she read a book instead. But the only other book she had in her bag was the potions book and she had already read that one. Ginny told her to put Hogwarts a history back in her bag as Snape, it seems, doesn't allow books that have nothing to do with potion in his class.
"Last time a Griffindor did that Snape gave him detention for a week cleaning up the classroom...and without magic." Ginny whispered to her. Soraya was very bored reading the same book and couldn't wait for the next lesson to come and fast.
Soraya was sad to see Ginny leave and said she'd catch up with her later. For five tense minutes she was left alone with Snape in his class room. She felt very relieved when students started coming in. Soraya thought they were the longest five minutes of her life. She did the same thing in the next lesson and Snape said basically the same thing.
Break time finally came and she shot out of his class like a bullet. A routine seemed to be forming in her daily life from breakfast to dinner. Lessons, break, library, lessons, lunch, library, dinner and then relaxing with her friends until bed. But she didn't care as she was out of Snape's class and felt like smiling.
"Right lets see what essay you have for me Snape." She said quietly as she did her homework in the library. But stopped and looked again with disbelief all over face. "State the uses of flobberworm mucus in potions? But I already know this stuff and you know that Snape. What are you playing at?"
The first essay from Snape was finished before break ended.
She went to his next lesson less nervous than she was in the first. Not only because it was her third, but also because her friends were going to be there...and that made her feel a lot happier. Soraya sat at the back again to watch the show as Harry came in and saw Snape's face. She had never seen anything like it before, it was a mixture between loathing, total shock and utter puzzlement. He was quick to regain his composure, but not quick enough and Soraya smiled. He sat back at his desk and pointed towards the board like before. There was a slight tone to his voice when he spoke and Soraya couldn't figure it out at all.
"You will all notice that the potion up on this board is very complicated. So do read the instructions very carefully." Soraya did as she and the others were told and proceeded to make the potion. Hermione and Ron looked staggered to how fast she made the potion. Even Harry looked over her shoulder and seemed impressed. But Soraya just sighed and shook her head and decided to kill two birds with one stone.
She bottled her potion and presented Snape with the homework she did at break.
"Why do you present me with this now?"
"It's finished sir so there was no point in keeping it in my bag as it will only take up room. But now I am in your class, so I though I might as well present it now." The class waited for an explosion from Snape and daren't breathe as he glared at her. But she stood her ground and looked him straight in the eye. Snape's glare softened slightly and just seem to stare at her looking slightly annoyed. The students looked at Snape with curiosity as his usual hard face came back.
"Very well, and you still have half a double period left I see. Here, make this one now." He thrust her a piece of parchment with hurriedly scribbled writing on it. So she went back to her desk to make the potion. For the rest of the double period Harry was scowling at his potion, and then he smiled as he got it just about near to as perfect as Hermione's.
But Soraya finished before everyone else again. Snape tried hard not to look impressed but he didn't hide it well at all. Soraya left and walked with her friends to lunch and Ginny called to her as they sat down to eat.
"Hi Ginny."
"Did you put Snape in his place then?"
"No, what do you mean?"
"Well Luna Lovegood told me she saw Snape ten minutes ago. She said he had a very odd look on his face, like he received a big shock or something." Soraya turned to look at Snape but he wasn't there.
She finished eating and hung around with her friends until the end of lunch.
"Did he give you that speech when you were with the first years?"
"You mean the one where he says... 'There will be no foolish wand waving in this class.' And 'I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper in death.' That one?" Ron nodded. "Yep...and it was pathetic!"
"Haven't you got homework?"
"No I finished his homework at break, and that's all I've had so far today. Why do you ask Ron?"
"It's just that for the past two days you said you had to go to the library after lunch to do homework."
"Oh, Ok."
"So what was it on then?"
"I'll tell you about it later, my next lesson is coming up." The bell rang again to state the end of lunch was here.
"See you guys later."
"Knowing Snape he will probably give you more homework to do than anyone."
"Not funny Ron."
"Oh come one Hermione it was just a joke." Ron said and Soraya smiled.
The friends parted in different directions as Soraya went back to Snape's class. She sat down in her seat at the back and looked to the front. Strangely enough Snape wasn't there and was running late. Then the door burst open and he came striding in with a slightly pink face. He hurriedly wrote another potion on the board and sat back down in his seat. Soraya read the instructions and proceeded to make the potion but stopped instantly. She could feel someone staring at her and it was agitating. She didn't want to look up as she knew who it was. But then she couldn't take it anymore and reluctantly looked to the front of the class. Snape was staring at her with an odd look in his eyes and she didn't like this one bit. So she looked back down to avoid his stare and continued making her potion. She could feel his stare every now and again but still managed to finish her potion perfectly as always. There was twenty five minutes left before the end of the lesson. She bottled her potion and put it on his desk.
She was just about to walk away when he spoke to her.
"Here is your other essay for this week."
"Why do you give this to me now sir?"
"You looked very bored reading a book you looked like you already read. So you won't be so bored if you start this now." Soraya took it without another word. She dipped her quill in some ink and got on with her homework. She found it just as easy, but it was longer and took till the end of the lesson to finish it. She handed it in whist everyone else was handing in their potions. So she decided to go find her friends as she had no more homework.
She searched the room of requirement when no one was in the corridor. Then she searched the Griffindor tower but they weren't their either. She came out from behind the portrait of the fat lady and was just about to go search the grounds, when Dumbledore called her name.
So she stopped and turned round.
"Yes sir?"
"I have heard from your teachers that you are doing very well."
"Yes Sir, I like the work even though I find magical history very boring."
"You're not the only one. Now I come to potions and Serverus was very impressed. I have never seen his face in any true emotion like this before. He admitted it too and that is very strange as well. Family or not you must have done something very special because you are in Griffindor. I think he actually might have considered giving you points for your excellent work, and I have never seen him give any points to any Griffindors since he started here." Soraya couldn't help but grin as the headmaster gave her praise, but it made her feel very foolish at the same time. She could also see the look on Snape's face as he tried to get it to look amazed in Dumbledore's office.
"I would like it very much to see this continued, you rarely get to see Serverus impressed. I think I'd have to agree with him though, doing your homework and an extra potion is most impressive." He was about to leave when a thought crossed Soraya's mind.
"Excuse me Sir. But do you know where any of my friends are?" Dumbledore stopped and turned round with a strange look upon his face. It was as though he was considering whether to tell her or not before saying.
"Yes I saw Harry, Ron and Hermione heading towards Hagrid's house."
"Thanks sir." She said as she ran towards the grounds. But a strange thought and feeling crept over her as she could feel Dumbledore's gaze on her back.
She walked the cool and sunny grounds with a light heart towards Hagrid's house. She knocked on the door and heard a very big dog barking like mad. She could hear Hagrid and her friends talking as he came to the door. But they stopped talking instantly when the door opened and she stepped in.
"Why hello Soraya."
"Hi Hagrid."
"Come on in." She walked in to his cabin and saw that it was just one big room. There were chairs, a giant bed and a table. She then looked over to her friends who at first gave her a searching look. This immediately vanished when she looked puzzled to be met with this. Then they looked friendlier but Soraya was still puzzled. She put a smiling face back on when Hagrid asked her to sit down.
"No homework?"
"No Ron. I finished a potion before the end of class so he gave me my last essay. Then I handed it in before the end of class."
"You did? Wow." Hermione had a strange tone in her voice when she said this. Was she giving Soraya praise or hiding something?
Soraya then thought to herself not to be so stupid and just went on talking to her friends.
"I didn't interrupt anything important did I?"
"Nah not really...so do you find the essay's easy then?"
"I found the first one very easy. But I have a strange feeling that Snape was going easy on me."
"Snape going easy on a student in Griffindor house when it comes to homework? Now that really would be impossible...whatever was the essay on?"
"State the uses of flobberworm mucus in potions, and he already knew I was told about that."
"Weird; and you say you don't want to be related to him? I would if he made homework easy for me."
"But it's not Ron! Soraya is special-"
"I am not special! I...just have a few gifts that can help me in school Hermione. But I am still just like you, and I don't want any special treatment. And if anyone gives me any then I will give them a black eye...if that's what I have to do to get my point across."
"Well said! You don' need special treatment no matter who you are or wha' you can do." Soraya smiled at Hagrid, he smiled back and winked at her.
Soraya noticed the looks on her friend's faces after her little outburst.
"Look I'm sorry but I hate being pitied and made out to be weak with out any help. I just wish that some people would get it through their heads that I am just like them."
None of her friends talked for a while.
Then she put her head in her hands and breathed deeply to calm down. At that particular moment Harry said something she wasn't likely to forget if she didn't have a photographic memory.
"I understand Soraya, we all do. But sometimes people can only see skin deep."
"Like that rotten little brat Malfoy and Snape." Said Ron with a tome of disgust.
"But you have to tell us what's on your mind sometimes and how we can help. Believe me I know and because that's what friends are for. But the thing is you keep everything locked away and don't feel the need to confide in us. So then we don't understand and get the wrong message, so we treat you with pity and caution." Soraya looked at Harry and smiled.
"Thanks Harry I guess I needed that huh? Ok, in the future I will be more open and sharing with my friends when I really need it. I guess being strong and thinking you can do things on your own isn't always the best policy."
After that they talked happily about all the things they did this week. Then Soraya burst out laughing, they told her professor Trelawney predicted Harry would die by being struck by lightening. Then everyone else started to laugh and even Harry chuckled at some point.
Finally it was time to go back to the castle for dinner, so they said goodbye to Hagrid and left his house. Halfway through dinner Soraya could feel Snape staring at her. But paid no attention to him whatsoever.
"So what was that thing you wanted to tell us when we were in Hagrid's house?"
"Oh yeah. I didn't want to say anything in front of Hagrid because he respects the teachers too much...including Snape. But you will never guess what Dumbledore told me today." So Soraya kept this within Harry, Ron and Hermione's ears, and began to tell them what Dumbledore had told her. There were a couple of amusing results, Ron snorted in his drink and Hermione dropped her spoon in shock. Harry on the other hand looked very pleased.
"Dumbledore really said that?"
"Snape actually thinking of giving points to Griffindor? It's unheard of!"
"Yes Hermione, for the last time that is what he said to me."
"Are you really sure it was him?"
"Hermione. Who else walks around here with a silver beard and half moon spectacles besides Dumbledore?"
Harry was grinning all the way to the Griffindor tower, and then he said something that made Soraya feel absolutely nauseated.
"You know what Ron I think you're right about Snape wanting a family. So when are you going to start calling him uncle Soraya?"
"Shut up Harry!"
"Well?"
"Well what Ron?"
"When will you start calling him uncle?"
"How does never sound?"
"Good, because I might be sick if I ever hear you calling him that."
"You and me both Ron, it makes me feel sick just thinking about it."
Soraya went up to her bed and drew the hangings around it. A disturbing thought then crept in to her head. 'What if Ron is right and Snape does want a family?' She shuddered at this and fell asleep with a wandering mind.
Soraya was happier in the morning as she had Defence against the dark arts, and that meant no creepy cold dungeons today. She was glad the first lesson was with her friends and the room was filled with sunlight.
They sat down and Harry explained all about the curse on this subject and its teachers.
"Curse?"
"Yes, when I started the older years told us that no defence against the dark arts teacher has lasted more than a year at Hogwarts. Quirrel was working for Voldermort and tried to kill me, I already told you about Umbridge. Mr. Crouch's son was pretending to be Mad-Eye Moody, by taking a potion that gave him Moody's appearance. Finally the last one who I liked very much and was a friend to my father."
"Who was he?"
"Not was, is. Lupin is still alive and unfortunately so is Umbridge. Lupin is a werewolf and is the only other person that I know of who has survived this curse."
"Why did he leave?"
"Well Snape let it slip to his students that Lupin is a werewolf because Sirius got away. So Snape blamed Lupin, because he thought Lupin was behind it as they were old friends at school. That and also he was part of a gang known as the Marauders."
"What has Snape got against them I wonder?"
"Let's just say that they didn't make life very happy for Snape when he was a student here."
"So he told his house about Lupin out of spite?"
"Yes."
"That's just like him to be that petty and cruel, but why did Lupin leave?"
"Well before you get to know Lupin would you want to be taught by a werewolf?"
"I suppose if I was as shallow as the Slytherins and their families...then maybe not."
"That's what he said, for he didn't want to go through that kind of persecution an-"
"Hold up Harry the new teacher is here."
"I've had one every year Soraya. Lets hope that its sixth time lucky as I don't want to be attacked by another one. So let's hope that this one stays and doesn't try to kill me."
Soraya turned round to eagerly see the new teacher. Professor Dye came striding happily in with long brown hair. He had the look of a wise, handsome and fair law person, the kind you can see in a courtroom. He looked round the class and smiled at all the new faces. Yet he looked no older than about twenty four or five. Just like all the other teachers who surveyed their class he stopped a second when he came to Soraya and face Harry's faces. Then carried on until he had taken in every face.
"Good morning class I am Professor Dye, and I know all about the so called curse of this particular subject. I would just like to say that I am not frightened of it whatsoever! If I should last more than a year then we can say the curse is broken. I myself have been through one defence against the dark arts teacher in every year when I was at Hogwarts and I'm surprised there aren't anymore left For you see hey have either died or just disappeared at the end of the year." He chuckled when he finished and everyone else just smiled weakly. Some people looked very worried for their new teacher who seemed to be taking the curse very lightly.
The lesson was mostly practical and Soraya enjoyed this class very much. The theory of it didn't come up until there was about ten minutes left of each lesson. Just like before Soraya sighed and hated being able to do everything right all the time. 'Huh no surprise there, man I wish I didn't have to do everything so perfectly. I am getting so sick of people staring at me!' In every class of every subject she could feel people's eyes on her no matter where she was or what she did. She received only one essay that day and did it in the library after lunch.
The last lesson of defence against the dark arts was looking very pleasant, and so she handed in her homework with a light heart. Her friends were going to be there too as they had first and last lesson of Friday with Defence against the dark arts. She hung around with them until dinner arrived.
"So." Said Ron after swallowing a huge chunk of chicken from his chicken leg.
"What do you think of our new Defence against the dark arts teacher?"
"Very nice and energetic compared to the other professor's. Ummm...I think he might be tempting fate with his name though."
"How?"
"Oh Ron I can't believe you missed that of all things!"
"Missed what Hermione?"
"Professor Dye sounds the same way as die even though it's not spelled the same it-"
"OK, OK I get it Hermione." Soraya turned to Harry when Ron and Hermione were having a heated argument.
"Are you sure these two aren't married?"
"Why?"
"They bicker just like an old married couple." Harry snorted in his drink. He put his face straight when Ron and Hermione had finished their argument and turned round.
Soraya thought the first week at Hogwarts was great, when it came to an end and people weren't staring at her so much. But she could see that the sorting hat incident was still fresh in their minds.
"You know what Amily." Soraya said after they finished their training session as they could only really do it at the weekends now.
"I think Harry is right about this place being a home away from home. I think we are going to be very happy here until it's time to go."
Soraya didn't have any homework as she did it all in the same day as her lessons. So she was on her own a lot and she didn't mind at all. Even though she loved spending time with her friends she liked her privacy as well. So she felt a bit sad when the weekend ended.
*** I like this chapter too. Hmm, maybe I should have made her muff up some of her spells...nah!
