I do not own Harry Potter. HP is copyright to JKRowling.

Chapter one: Surprising Acquaintance

She staggered at a slow pace off the Hogwarts Express, her plain brown eyes seeking for a pair of vivid eyes. It was her fourth year at Hogwarts and she hoped it to be her last. Her mind triggered the humiliation she had received the past year because of her muggle parents. She had tried to keep it a secret, but Severus had blandly leaked it to the whole school. Now it was September again, and she was forced to go back. Only one reason lingered in her mind; that little speck of hope urged her to come back.
First years always seemed excited but she wasn't. A letter had mysteriously arrived in her bedroom windowsill late at night; she had been accepted to Hogwarts. Greatly confused on what Hogwarts was, she had felt a need to stay with her normal school, the only place she felt she fit in. Her parent explained that it was a school. She wasn't stupid, she knew every school in the country and Hogwarts was not one of them. Her parents, being muggles, urged her to contemplate the idea of going and it was impossible to argue with her parents.
Now, she stood at the exact place she had for the past two years, right in front of Hogwarts. Her tender heart had opened at first glance of his perfect face; she had the urge to just sweep him in her arms and hold him forever. The only two friends she had at Hogwarts warned her of an agile mind, that she should get to know him better. But how could she? He was a year ahead of her and she was nowhere near pretty.
"Miss Ashfyre, I would like a word with you. Meet me after the Sorting Ceremony." It was Professor McGonagall. You could never tell if being called by Gryffindor's Prefect was ever a good sign or a bad sign; you just had to pray she never calls you.
Great, now what did I do? I'll just have to wait and see, and I was hoping to look for Remus.
The whole Sorting Ceremony had been quite sluggish to her; it seemed to take forever to get through it. But time still flies, and soon she found herself standing in Professor McGonagall's office, she didn't look too pleased, but then again, she never did.
"Mrs. Ashfyre, it had come to my attention last year, and the 2 previous years before that, that you were quite an exceptional student, so I will be placing you in two 5th year level classes, with permission from you of course. Your parents have already been contacted and they have agreed to this. Now it is only for you to confirm it." It was the first true smile she had seen on Professor McGonagall's stern face. "You will be taking Divination and Defense Against Dark Arts with 5th year students."
Her heart pounded against her chest. Even the idea made her skin jump from under her robe. "I'd love to, Professor McGonagall!"
"Then it's set." Professor McGonagall handed her a piece of parchment paper. "That is your new schedule. Run along now, class begins soon."

She quickly walked into Defense Against Dark Arts class, overjoyed by the news. Nothing could keep her from being happy this year. Nothing except the face of Severus staring right at her and the crude mudblood comment he gave as she entered.
Her eyes watered as she turned around, only to bump into someone. She murmured an apology, bent down to pick up her books and then began wiping eyes as the sound of Severus's laugh choked at her confidence. Every book she picked up slipped out of her lap as the laugh ringed in her head. Soon, her piles of books were nowhere to be seen, on the floor or in her lap.
"Are you alright? Don't let that oaf get to you." A kind voice assured her. He reached out a hand and helped her up, then handed her books to her. "Here are your books." He had a smile on his face. "If he ever gives you anymore trouble, just call me and I'll go beat him up for you."
I nodded, barely looking up. Now where am I going to sit? No one will want to sit with me now. They know I'm a mudblood.
As if he had heard her thoughts, he offered her a seat. "You're new aren't you? I've never seen you before. Say, I don't have a partner this year, seeing my three best friends aren't taking the same classes as me, would you like to be my partner?"
She nodded.
The two quickly walked into class and sat down near the back. He knew they should probably keep clear of both Severus and Lucius.
"So, what's you're name?" He asked, seeing her drift off into space. "I'd liked like to know my partner's name, how else are we going to be friends?"
He's so nice. "It's Sylvir, Sylvir Ashfyre, yours?"
"Sylvir," he repeated. "Nice to meet you, Sylvir. I'm Remus Lupin."
Sylvir jumped at his name. She turned to see Remus questioning her. This whole time, she had concentrated on brooding over the fact that she was having a class with Severus, she hadn't realized who the kind person had been. "Oh, nothing. I'm sorry. It's nice to meet you, too. And thank for picking up my books."
"Ah, it was no big deal."
"Ahem. Class will now begin. Welcome to another year of Defense Against Dark Arts. As you know, I am Profe..." That was all she heard. Her eyes kept glancing at Remus, who was sitting right next to her. So close, I'd never expected him to notice me, let alone talk to me. But here I am, sitting next to Remus! Her heart felt warm the whole day, and days after that. Defense Against Dark Arts was the only class she ever looked forward to.