Harry couldn't remember where his next class was but he really couldn't have cared less. His shock had briefly been overrun by anger but as the anger slipped slowly away the shock began to resurface with a vengeance. A Dementor and the archway? Snape has a good point though, as much as I'm loath to admit it; it's odd that I'm more afraid of death than the person who might end up killing me.
Harry shrugged slightly to loosen his shoulders and stop that train of thought as he continued to walk. He noticed that no one else was roaming the halls and wondered vaguely how late he was going to be for class. At the next corridor he turned to head toward the loo thinking that he could give the excuse that he'd been sick but as he turned the corner he collided with someone, knocking them over.
"I'm sorry," he muttered as he stooped to help the person up. It was a girl, apparently a first year if her height was any indication and she wearing the blue and black of Ravenclaw. She seemed more worried about the books strewed across the hall at his feet than standing up. Her dark extremely curly hair fell across her face making it impossible to see what she looked like. Harry was sure he'd never seen her before, but something about the way she moved and muttered darkly to herself reminded him of someone.
"I'm really sorry for knocking you over," Harry said again as he crouched down to help gather her books together. She looked up at him and smiled broadly, if a bit distractedly.
"It's alright. I should be in class right now but…" she finished stacking the books and was now getting shakily to her feet so she never finished her sentence. Harry almost laughed at the determination on her face. He reached out a hand to steady her as she wobbled slightly trying to keep the books in place.
"What are you doing with all these books anyway?" Harry looked closer and realized the books she was carrying were just copies of the same book. It was a first year Defense Against the Dark Arts book, but there were a half a dozen of them and Harry couldn't figure why.
Sarcastically, the girl gave a few short "ha ha's" before explaining. "Some of the girls in my year have taken to picking on me. They convinced me that they had forgotten their books back in the dorm and ordered me go get them. They each told me where they had left them…and all five of them had been lying." She readjusted her hold and began walking toward the Defense classroom, slowly. "I had to search the entire girls' dormitory for these. The girls must have been planning this for a while because not a one of them was in the first years' girls' dormitory."
Harry followed slowly behind her, afraid that she might fall over from the way, or topple from the awkwardness of her burden. "Why would they do that?"
The girl glances sideways at him then turned to face him squarely. "Why would they do that?" she repeated as though asking herself the same thing. "Hm. Perhaps it's because of who I'm related to."
Harry snorted a laugh thinking of who he was related to. "Why would that make them pick on you? You're not muggle-born are you? Do they not like muggle-borns?"
"Oh no. It's nothing like that. I am pureblooded, actually. No, they know my uncle and he's not exactly their favorite person. But, since I'm not exactly his favorite person, they can get away with humiliating me in front of him, and I get blamed for it." She resumed her walking.
Harry stood back and watched her walk away and only asked the question right before she was about to turn another corner: "Who's your uncle?"
"They made me late for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Who do you think my uncle is? Professor Snape."
*~*~*~*~*
WOO-HOO! I'm finally writing again! Oh man it has been so long since my last update. I'm so sorry guys! I have a new inspiration now, though, so I might actually finish it! I'm sorry this is so short, but it seemed a good place to stop. I know it doesn't have much information in it, but I wanted to introduce the new plot twist. Hope you enjoy, and I hope my mystery girl doesn't turn into a Mary Sue; I'll be working on that ;)
REVIEWS!!
Casi: Thank you. Yes, poor Snape…and it will probably get worse before it gets better.
Andromeda Snape-Malfoy: Thank you!
Jaximillion: I know, I know. I really am so sorry! But with the crazy schedules I've had the last couple semesters, and the other stories I'm working on, and lack of motivation…I really did finish this as soon as I could. I promise. But look *points* I finally did post again!! YAY
msmatty35: I'm so glad you like it! I'm also glad that everyone is staying in character. It may not last long with some of them, but I'll try to have good reasons for their reactions straying from the norm. Thanks for reading!