Chapter Four: Diagan Alley

Everyone was gathered in the street of Diagan Alley, as they brought there lists out.

"We'll have to split up, there's to much to get, I'll take Ginny, Ron. They need new robes, and I promised Ron some new dress robes." Mrs. Weasley said.

"Let's just split up, and meet back here. No one will try anything here. Mr. Weasley said, "Just watch out for each other."

Everyone nodded, as they walked off. Hermione went to a quill shop, while Ron walked towards the robe shop, while Christine slowly began to walk towards the potion supply shop with Lupin.

"Wow, this is some supply list this year!" Christine mumbled looking at her list, and three textbooks?"

"Yes, I heard there's a new teacher coming this year to teach potions. But that seems to be quite the detailed list." Lupin said looking over her shoulder at the list. As they walked around the store getting all the supplies they needed.

"I'm going to get my books, and some more quills, I'll meet you outside?" Christine asked. Lupin nodded, as he got the rest of the supplies need to make the wolfebane and sleep draught potions.

Christine walked into the book store, which was surprisingly not very busy. She walked up the large steps, carrying a handful of books, as she looked for her last potion's book. She was busy trying to grab the book on a top shelf when she ran into someone.

"Sorry." She said, as she reached for the book she had dropped.

"Ah, Miss. Raines." A voice said, handing her back the book.

Christine looked up and froze to seeing who was before her. A tall man, wearing dark clothes, including a long black cloak that was fastened by serpent clasps. His long white blonde hair, flowed down his shoulders. He held a long walking stick, with a serpent handle, that when need, would come apart and act as his wand.

"You don't look to well, I do hope you're well enough to attend my potions class."

"You're….potions class?" Christen asked.

"Why yes! You haven't heard? What a shame" Lucius teased. "Nobody was able to fill the position, so of course I stepped in."

Christine stood there in disbelief, trying to comprehend what she was being told.

"What's going on here?" Harry asked, as he walked behind Christine. "You!"

"Mr. Potter, you should really watch how you talk to you're professors, you don't want to be starting off on the wrong foot." Lucius snarled

"Professor? What are you talking about?" Harry asked angrily.

"Yes. Professor at Hogwarts. I must go for now, but I should be seeing the two of you, very shortly." Lucius said smirking as he walked off.

"No this isn't right" Christen said. "How? How could they allow him to teach at Hogwarts? He's a death eater!"

"I don't know." Harry whispered back placing his hand on her shoulder, as he watched Lucius walk out of the book store. "But something isn't right. Come on lets find the others."

Harry and Christine emerged from the store, with their books as the walked towards Lupin and the others.

"Lucius is the potions professor at school." Harry snarled.

"What?" Lupin asked. "That is impossible he would never be able to teach there."

"It's true. He saw me in the book store and told me." Christen said quietly, looking at the ground.

"What does that mean? I mean, Lucius couldn't do anything there could he?" Hermione asked

Lupin looked down at them grimly, "I'm not sure what to make of it."

It was the next day as everyone arrived at Hogwarts, it was a long train ride, and the rainy weather slowed the trip down a lot. Everyone walked towards the carriages, as the first years followed a familiar voice, Hagrid's, who road across the lake to get to the castle.

"We'll see you in the great hall" Hermione said, "Ron and I need to go with the other prefects."

Harry nodded, as he followed Christen towards a carriage, he nearly ran into her when she stopped abruptly.

"What are those?" Christine asked pointing to a skeleton horse-like creature with large wings.

"Thestrals. They pull the carriages. They've been here forever I guess; only a few people can see them. Only people who've seen ….death, can see them. I can see them. A few others can to. But most people can't see them."

Christen nodded, as she walked up to a carriage and climbed in still watching the giant creatures , Harry behind her and the two were quickly joined by Neville.

"Hullo Harry!" Neville said, smiling "You'll never guess what my grandmother let me buy for my birthday"

"What?" Harry asked.

"A broom! I got a broom! It's no where near as good as yours! But it's pretty fast! Do you think I could play Quiddich! I'm not that good, but I might be an alright buldger." Neville said excitedly.

Harry laughed. "We'll see at tryouts, congratulations Neville."

Christine giggled as the carriage lurched into movement. Harry smiled to himself, this year was defiantly going to be hard, but it seemed that there were still some good times ahead.

Everyone walked to the great hall, and as usual it was decorated for the event, everyone sat down at their tables, while Headmaster McGonagall gave the welcome speech, and sorted everyone into there houses. She introduced the new professors and the magnificent feast began as the hall was filled with conversation. Harry could hear Neville talking excitedly about his new broom stick, while Hermione talked about how exciting is was, that the classes where going to be much more difficult. Ron, as usually, ate as much food as he could get. Harry looked around, down the table was Ginny, talking to a boy, Justin, he took a closer look and noticed the two where holding hands, yet for some reason, Harry didn't mind. It was the first time in a while he hadn't felt any jealousy that Ginny had a crush on someone other than himself.

He looked across at Christine, who was also chatting about how much harder school was going to be, with Hermione and Harry couldn't believe that he hadn't noticed on how pretty she was before. Her long, wavy brown hair falling over her shoulders, her pale blue eyes, which showed the pain she suffered over the last week, he couldn't help but to feel a little bit sorry for her. She's been through so much in the last few days, and he could tell, that she felt alone and scared. Like he had felt, after Cedric and Sirius died a few years before.

It was the next day as everyone ate breakfast, but there was less enthusiasm, as it was the first day of classes.

"What is you schedule like?" Hermione asked everyone at the table.

"Divination, History of Magic, Herbology, Transfigoration, On Monday's and Wednesdays, defense against the dark arts and double potions everyday." Ron grumbled.

"Both defense against the dark arts and potions are with the Slytherin." Harry groaned

"What else?" Hermione asked.

"Herbology, Charms, Astronomy on Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus the potions and dark classes." Ron replied. "And double deviation on Fridays."

"Mine's essentially the same, except ancient rumes instead of divation. I have that everyday of the week" Hermione said happily.

"Mines the same as Hermione's" Christine said. "I couldn't stand the thought of taking divination."

"I wish I figured that out sooner Ron mumbled.. "Comon, we're going to be late for our first classes."

Everyone one gathered their books as they began to walk to their classes.

"Er Christine?" Harry asked pulling Christine aside.

"Hmm?" Christine replied.

"Just wanted to say, that I know what you're going through, and that, if you need to talk. I'm always here." Harry said.

"Ok. Thanks." Christine answered, as she gave Harry a faint smile. "I will."

Harry nodded, as they walked off to their separate classes.

It was later that day as they walked to their potions class, it still had a rather dark presence to it, but instead if the usual greasy haired, curved nose professor Snape, Lucius Malfoy stood at the front of the class. He was wearing the same outfit he had at the book store, and was standing up, his walking stick at his side, nose in the air.

"You have to admit, that even though he's…"

"Pure evil?" Ron finished for Hermione

"Sure, that he does have a very good presence about him, very…formal I guess" she said, hesitantly.

"Yeah, too bad he couldn't be a bit, more nicer." Ron replied.

"Yeah too bad" Christen said under her breath as she sat down beside Harry.

"Welcome class, as some of you know, I'm Lucius Malfoy, Father of Draco Malfoy. I will be this years potions master. I'm also head of slytheran. This year will be much different than you're previous years. The potions are more complex, and I will not only be testing your ability to make the potion, but how you're able to analyze what you have done, and report what you've done." Lucius explained, as he took his wand out from its spot on the walking stick, flicking it at the projector as he began his lecture.

"Before we conclude today's class, every student will complete a potion for marking, the first one done, with a potion that is able to be in working order, will receive ten points for their house." Lucius said, "I will assign the potion, once you receive yours, you shall begin."

Lucius started with the Slytherins, who of course received the easier potions, including antidotes for simple things, while the Gryffindors received much more complex potions. "Ah Miss. Raines, let's see. Wolfsbane, will be your potion for the day. But you know all about that don't you?"

Once everyone had their assigned potions they quickly began. Christine worked away for the entire class, along with Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville, who only managed to cause a small explosion when trying to complete his potion. Harry's potion was well developed and he was waiting for it to finish stewing as was Hermione's, when Draco and Christine both stood up with their finished potions.

"Ah! Very good, Draco has finished first!" Lucius said smiling "Ten points awarded to Slytherin, the rest of you hand in your potions."

"Hold on! Christine was done at the same time as" Harry began walking up to Lucius.

"Harry, it's alright, leave it" Christine hissed, pulling his shoulder back, to prevent him from walking any further.

"But you were finished too.." Harry said back.

"It doesn't matter. Don't need an award for my potion." Christine whispered back. "I know I did a perfectly good job, and I know I finished in time."

Harry glared at Lucius for a moment, before following Christine out of the class and towards their common room.