Author's Note: The first chapter of Courtney's first year. Wheee! I hope you like this chapter. And it has the same disclaimer as my other story... I don't own Harry Potter or any part of it. Courtney is my character though!

I'm sorry for any confusion that this might cause. It's just that an idea has been itching in the back of my mind and I had to type it and put it up. This story can be read with or without this intro. I really don't care which you choose. I just thought that this added a nice twist to it. I will have chapters marked that you can skip incase you don't want to read this style of telling the story. Thank you for reviews and your time!

So you all know -> NR means Not Required, so it is not important to the story line. So you do not have to read it.

Thanks Again!

Enjoy!

A New Beginning

Her black cloak billowed behind her as she entered the huge castle. It had an enormous window of different colors on the opposite wall with many stairs leading up to it as you entered. She was immediately filled with a welcoming warmth that surrounded the room. The sound of conversation reached her ears from somewhere. As she walked forward, into the center of the room, she was hypnotized by the beautiful window.

The chattering suddenly stopped. She was released from her trance. Looking to her right, through the darkness, there was a great room filled with many people. Of all ages it seemed as well.

Her mind raced with panic. She was not suppose to be seen.

An elderly man stood at the very back of the room, he motioned for her to come into the room. "You're late, dinner has already started. But I assure you there is plenty to eat still. Everyone," he waved a hand to the many younger people who sat at long wooden tables, "this is one of our new professors. Please welcome him." The man wore a big smile as he continued to motion her forward.

He had obviously mistaken her for someone else.

When she didn't move a few more teachers stood up. She thought they were since he had called her a professor and asked her to join the head table. Another man got to his feet slowly. He wore all black and had long black hair. Next to him, still seated, was an older looking woman.

They all had no idea what was going on. They had no idea that she had just walked into their school without an invitation. If they did find out what would they do?

All eyes were on her. In a state of panic she ran up the long stairs in front of her. She did not stop even when she heard the man shout, "stop! Where are you going?" Another voice followed his. "Students, sit down!"

There were only so many doors and hallways to travel through for her escape. Though some looked more promising she chose the closest door. She flung the door open. She stood in shock. It was a room that was not very large in area but it had height. Above her thousands of stairs made their way from one side of the room to the other. He grey eyes widened as a few at the top part released from there spot to shift to other sides.

"Wow, that must of taken a buttload of money..." she trailed off in awe.

The sound of more than one pair of footsteps brought her back to her senses. "I think he went this way."

Filled with a new burst of energy she sprinted up another flight of stairs. "No, don't catch me!" she said to herself. She ran up another three flights of stairs and was about to ascend another when it began to move. "Just peachy!"

The foot steps were getting closer. Peering of the railing she saw that the five pursers were only three flights down. Having no other direction to go she backed a few steps and prepared her body for pain. Whether it be from a very long fall or a screwed up landing.

"No, stop!" a man shouted frantically. It was too late. She leaped across the four foot gap to the moving stairs. Catching the stair's edge with her upper body, while her lower half dangled below. A woman's shriek echoed through the large room.

Not wanting to see what would happen if the stairs did not stop before she moved, she crawled up with little difficulty. The stairs slammed into place on the opposite side of the room, she winced. That really would have hurt. With a glance back and a satisfied smile, she continued her escape.

Panting hard she opened the closest door. Eerie darkness greeted her, but she couldn't care less at the moment. Cautiously she entered the room in search of a place to hide or run to.

"Ouch!" she exclaimed as she stubbed her toe on a stone statue. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness she found that the entire room held many statues and sculptures. Many different colored vases sat on top of little stone pillars, each with its own unique design. Is this a school for the arts, she thought to herself. She passed a red vase that had a silver ferocious looking beast on it with red eyes. "Creepy," she whispered.

A whitish gleam caught her eye. She had to squint against its brightness to see what it was exactly. It was an open window. It was the outside world! "Light means outside and outside means good!"

A click from behind made her spin in place. Her pursuers had finally found her room. Though there were only four this time.

"Must have fallen behind." A smile spread across her face as she broke into a run. Suddenly the light ahead of her was blocked. A faint outline of a tall man stood ten feet in front of her. She came to a halt. The man ran at her extending something in front of him.

He immediate thought was a knife. I'm not getting caught now, I'm so close.

She believed that the man was ultimately surprised at her sudden rush at him for he froze. Though he was a fully grown man and she was only ten, she had very little trouble knocking him to the ground. Of course, an elbow in the stomach at a high speed could knock a lot of people down.

A pain shot through her right elbow as she pushed herself from the cold stone floor. There was no time to hesitate, she was ready to make another run. With all her energy she lurched forward, but something was holding her back. She glanced down at the man. He was sneering at her, holding her wrist in a tight grip. No matter how hard she struggled she could not break free from his painful grip.

It only took moments for him to get to his feet and reach for her other hand. Unfortunately for him she was quick. Her aim was quite good as her fist collided with his left cheek. A groan of pain escaped his throat at the same time loosening his grip. She released herself with a rough pull.

"I'm really sorry 'bout that," she mumbled before sprinting towards the light. Her spirit rose as the window drew closer. She was going to make it. She knew it was a bad idea to come here in the first place. This just proved it. A pain erupted on the back on her head. The light faded slowly in front of her. She fell to the ground hitting it with a sickening thump and lay motionless.

"I do apologize for that. Not sincerely, though." The man rubbed his left cheek where he sported a new forming bruise.

The footsteps stopped at the black heap that lay on the floor. All of the adults were panting heavily.

"You didn't kill him, did you Severus?" asked the older woman when she had collected herself.

"No, he is just knocked out. Serves him right if he has memory loss." He looked at the other faces before adding, "I didn't hit him too hard with it. He will be fine." Half of a purple vase was still in his hand.

The elderly man bent down over the black heap and flipped it over. He was shocked when he realized it was only a child. She had long dark brown hair that passed her shoulders. The hair framed a pale, kind looking face.

"Our intruder is not who we thought it was."

"Well Albus, it certainly was not the fill-in teacher if that is what you were hoping for," Severus said crossing his arms in front of his chest , taking on a irritated look.

"I don't believe we were in as much danger as we all thought." The old man lifted up the child and turned to the rest of the group.

"What do you mean, Albus?" The old woman looked concerned at his statement. Noticing the girl a look of horror spread across her face. "Severus!" she immediately turned on the young man. "You attacked a child! Of all the things!"

Severus ignored her scolds and turned to the old man. "Headmaster, I thought it was-"

"Severus, we all thought it was someone dangerous. I, nor anyone else, can or will hold you accountable for this." His words silenced the old woman. Her lips squeezed together in a sour look. "We need to make certain that she is alright, though. Severus, will you accompany me to the hospital wing?"

"Of course, Headmaster," Severus hesitated before adding, "shall I take her?" He held out his hands.

"No, Severus, I have her." The man looked at the girl in his arms. A stream of blood ran down the side of her face. There was a cut on here head that was hopefully not too serious. "Will the rest of you please return to the feast. Tell the students not to worry and continue dinner. I will join you shortly." The other teachers nodded, all wearing frowns of concern or disbelief.

The hospital was empty when they arrived. "Poppy, we have a student that needs tending to." The young nurse rushed over to the two men and examined the girl in the man's arms. She looked at both the men with a sour expression.

"Already a patient that is seriously injured. Set her over on that bed. It is a bit early in the year to have such accidents. Don't you agree, Professor Dumbledore?" She momentarily glanced away from her stash of potions to see both of the men's reaction.

"Indeed, poppy," was all Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes. He turned to the younger man when the nurse had continued her business. "You man return to the feast Severus. I will return in a moment."

Severus nodded sulkily. He turned and headed for the door without a word.

"Oh, and Severus."

Severus stopped to turn and face the older man. "Yes, Headmaster?"

"Don't blame yourself for this. Any of us would have done the same." He pondered his last statement, as he rubbed his beard. "Though I'm not sure a vase would have been my first choice."

Severus scowled, but nodded. Leaving the hospital he closed the doors behind him. He cursed to himself. He was not looking forward to informing the girl's parents that he had hit their daughter over the head with a pot.

Yep. Here it is! The first chapter of the first year. I told you I would eventually get it up! I hoped you enjoyed it so far. Please review and do all that nifty stuff. Like comments, questions, suggestions for future chapters, etc. I LOVE YOU ALL!