Thanks to Rosemary, who continues to review my story.

AI: Don't worry, I know the usual stereotype of story, so just to relieve everyone's worries {Or lack there of}, Petra is in no way, shape, or form, related to Voldemort. I've realized that that angle is SERIOUSLY over-used. But if you want to know the whole story behind the new Prof, you're just going to have to read my story............ then review............ please............. :D

Chapter Three

"Good morning Professor Petra." everyone said at different intervals, none of them really enthusiastic about the good morning at all.

Petra seemed to find this funny, she laughed slightly. "Oh, you all needn't worry about such formalities in here. In fact, if no one minds, I'd like to learn all of your names. Your first names, that is. I feel that we are on better terms with each other that way."

Everyone seemed to be in a state of shock, since they had all been used to being referred to as Mr. and Miss. And that was how the class started. They spent the first ten minutes telling Petra their first names and she gave them all her full attention, making sure she got everyone's name and enunciated them correctly. Harry and Ron noted that her hair, that was braided and fell into the hood of her cloak the night before, was still braided, but went all the way to the floor, at least two feet of it resting on the ground behind her. She wore a long black dress that hung off of her shoulders. The sleeves were attached to the dress by two small clasps on each arm. The dress itself, had a split that started in the middle, near the waist and was left open, revealing that she also wore pants underneath with tall, black leather boots, allowing the dress to flow behind her like a cape. Once Professor Petra was positive that she had learned everyone's names, she turned to the blackboard and tapped it with her wand.

"So, I understand that you have all had a variety of different Professors, one of them being in this class right now." she said, smiling at Harry. Even though Harry was still not quite sure if he liked or trusted the new Professor, he could feel her growing on him with every passing moment.

"And because you all have had so many teachers, we will spend the first week and a half purely on review." she said, motioning to the blackboard behind her which named many animals such as boggarts, grindylows, and many different types of curses. "So," she said, tapping the blackboard once more and all the words disappeared. "Lets all stand up and we'll go outside and practice."

Everyone looked around at each other, as if they had never heard the phrase, 'go outside'. Petra, who was already making her way to the door turned slightly.

"Well, what's the matter with all of you? I said we're going outside. GOING...OUTSIDE!" when no one moved, she sighed. "Oh alright. I thought it would be fun to go outside and get some fresh air. BUT, if you all want to stay in here..." suddenly it was like a tidal wave. Students all around the room stood in such a rush, papers, books and quills went flying.

Snape figured that now or never was the best time to get out of the classroom. He quickly made his way to the door, freedom within his grasp, before a quiet voice that seemed to echo throughout the boisterous room stopped him.

"S-Severus?"

For a few moments, no one moved. Snape fixed the most coldest, blankest look on his face that he could muster before turning to face Petra. "Good evening, Professor Petra." If it weren't for the mask keeping most of her face hidden, he would have guessed her face would be showing complete shock. But her eyes spoke much more than any others he had ever seen. In her eyes, he saw shock, confusion, and something he could never stand seeing in her eyes. Sadness. He couldn't bear to look into those eyes and see such raw emotion. He quickly turned away.

"I just came to make sure my class had made it here on time." he said, without any sign of life in his voice.

Petra gave a small nod, afraid that any sudden movement would make him run. "Yes, they were all here on time. Severus, I..."

"Good. That is all then." And before Petra could stop him, he was gone. No one moved until Hermoine quietly cleared her throat. Petra blinked and looked around, before her eyes crinkled into a smile that must have been forced.

"Well, come on! Time's a wasting. Let's get outside and work on some defense spells."

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As soon as Snape was safe in the security of his office, he slammed his door shut and locked it, as if he was expecting Petra to follow him and demand to speak with him. But he wouldn't be speaking to her. Not now, not anytime soon. He slowly walked to his desk and leaned against it, as if every last ounce of his strength had been drained from his body. He slowly sat in his chair, closing his eyes and rubbing at his temples, trying to soothe the dull ache that had started the moment he saw Petra. When he opened his eyes once more, he was staring at the Pensieve he kept on the top shelf near his desk. He stood and picked up the Pensieve, placing it on his desk.

Petra never did like these things, he thought. She always said 'people never use Pensieves because they are afraid they'll forget something, they use them because they want to forget something.' He sat back in his chair, staring at the large, stone bowl, remembering some of the better times with Petra. No, no, no, NO! I shouldn't be feeling this way! She wronged me! She used me! He could feel himself moving forward in his chair, leaning closer and closer to the Pensieve. I should hate her with every fiber of my being! She's the reason I became a DeathEater!

Before he knew what was happening, Snape found himself touching the top of the shimmering liquid inside the Pensieve with the tip of his wand and images began to form on the glassy surface.

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"Who wants to see me take off Snivelly's pants?" asked James as he stood in front of Severus, who was once again hanging upside down in the air. Cheers erupted from all around the schoolyard and Severus vainly tried to push his robes out of his face and saw James still pointing his wand at him, smirking. Severus continued to struggle, not allowing himself to be made fun off. Just as James raised his wand to cast the final blow to his undergarments, a blast of purple light slammed into James' right shoulder and sent him flying towards a group of students nearby. Severus barely had enough time to shield his head with his arms as he fell once more to the ground. He quickly sat up and shoved his robes back over his legs. He heard Sirius running towards James to see if he was all right and quickly looked around to see who it was that put an end to James' escapade. Standing nearby, was a young witch with long, waist length white hair, kept in a ponytail, and bright, sparkling blue eyes. Her robes bore the crest of Gryffindor, and a gold badge pinned below it showed that she was a prefect.

"What'd you do that for, Petra?" moaned James as Sirius helped him up.

"Because you were acting like an git, and SOMEBODY had to take charge." she said as she glanced at Lupin, who tried burying himself more into his book.

"Come on Petra, it was just a bit of fun!" said Sirius, folding his arms over his chest.

"Yes, well one more attempt at your versions of 'fun' and I'll report you. And believe me Potter, I've seen your student file. McGonagall's been threatening that if you even breath out of line, she's going to expel you."

James waved his arm around dismissively. "Yeah, alright Petra, you made your point. Besides, its no fun picking on old Snivellus who needs girls to protect him." said James as he and Sirius walked back over to the tree that Lupin and Peter were sitting under.

Severus felt a presence settle on the ground beside him and knew it had to be the girl who stopped James and Sirius. He didn't even want to look at her. He hated her for making him look weak, and he hated himself for not fighting back hard enough.

"Are you alright? I'm really sorry about those two." said Petra, helping Severus collect some of his fallen exam papers.

"Don't you think you've done enough?" snapped Severus. "Just leave me alone."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you upset. I just wanted to help you." she said, handing him his papers.

Severus nearly tore the papers as he ripped them from Petra's hand. "Well I had everything under control! I didn't need your help!"

"Oh yes, I could see you were ready to knock them out from your position." said Petra, smiling slightly. "Look, I just wanted to help you out. No one should be treated like that, no matter who they are."

"Well then, let it be known that you performed your mercy mission for the day." said Severus in a dark tone. He stood and Petra followed suite. Severus was just about to turn to leave when he noticed that Petra was staring at him. He gave her a deadly glare, but she never even blinked.

"You don't have many friends, do you?" she asked. Severus was a little taken back by the question. He was expecting her to say that he was cruel, that he belonged in the Slytherin house, but he never imagined her to ask such a simple and idiotic question.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"Well, I noticed that there are as many Slytherin's out here as there are Gryffindor's, and not a single one came over to help you." she almost looked sad when she said this.

"I don't need friends." said Severus coldly.

"Yes you do!" she said.

"I've done fine on my own." said Severus, beyond the point of losing his patience with her.

"Yes, I can see that." she said as a few students in Ravenclaw walked by, still snickering at Severus. "Everyone needs friends. In fact, I'm going to be your new friend!" she said happily.

Severus rolled his eyes and turned away, walking back towards Hogwarts. "You're just wasting your breath. I don't need any friends."

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Severus never knew how many classes he had with Petra, but after she had dubbed herself his new 'friend', he realized that she was everywhere. She always sat behind him in Potions, she was two rows away in Defense Against the Dark Arts class, she sat in front of him in Charms, and she stood next to him in Herbology. He tried ignoring her, he tried being overly rude to her, but nothing seemed to damper her spirits. But Severus had to admit that having Petra around did have its advantages. James and Sirius hadn't bothered him, not once. One day, as he was in the library, he thought that they were going to finally have there way with him, but Petra 'just happened' to walk by and the two retreated. After a solid month of her presence and her cheerful disposition, he finally cornered her in one of the many hallways and asked her what she really wanted.

"I just want to be your friend." she said.

Severus sighed, feeling defeat drawing near. "Why?"

Petra laughed, "I already told you, because you need a friend! Man I thought you were more on the ball with it, but I guess it just takes a while to sink in."

"Fine!" Severus yelled. "If I let you be my friend will you leave me alone!"

Petra smiled, "To a certain extent." She held out her hand. "Lets shake on it."

Severus sighed and resigned to his fate and shook her hand. He felt his hand being jerked and felt his body falling towards Petra. He only had enough time to take a quick step forward so as not to completely fall on top of her, but he might as well as fallen, because the next thing he knew, he felt a kiss pressed to his cheek. He stood in complete shock as Petra took a step back, still smiling at him.

"I'll see you later Severus." she said as she walked off down the hallway towards her next class, waving.

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Severus stood quickly, stepping away from the Pensieve, his heart beating rapidly. He looked around his office quickly and swore. Where's a window when you need one, he thought. He needed some fresh air, but there was no point now. He was going to have his last class soon. He put the Pensieve back on its shelf and pushed his hair from his face, trying to make some order of his disheveled appearance. Once he was satisfied, he left his office and went straight to his classroom. Everything seemed to be going fine until he remembered that he would have to sit by Petra during dinner. If it was possible, his mood got darker.

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Once Defense class was over, Harry, Ron and Hermoine walked back to Hogwarts and towards their tower.

"Man, that class was awesome!" said Ron. "I never got to curse Malfoy so many times in my life!"

Harry smiled. "Yeah, it was fun. And the best part, no homework!"

Hermoine almost looked disappointed. "I wish that she had at least given us SOMETHING to do. I'm going to be done with all my homework in an hour, what am I supposed to do for the rest of the night."

Ron rolled his eyes, "Come on Hermoine, live a little. You can relax, have fun!"

Hermoine sighed, "Yeah I guess. Besides we should talk about what happened earlier."

"What exactly are you talking about, Hermoine?" asked Harry.

"You know, when we were leaving and Professor Snape was there. I think that Professor Petra and Professor Snape know each other. What if she was a death-eater too?"

"No way!" said Ron. "She's to beautiful to be a death-eater."

"Looks aren't everything Ron!" said Hermoine hotly.

"Yes, you would know, wouldn't you." replied Ron. Hermoine's glare intensified and she huffed off to the common room.

"Nice one Ron." said Harry exasperatedly.

Ron sighed and the two made their way to the common room alone.

I hope you all enjoyed it. Please R&R! It keeps me going!