Chapter 3: Lost
Row walked through the halls of Hogwarts, trying to forget about breakfast. She had sat next to her uncle and the whole school had been looking at her. Not very fun. Uncle Sev didn't talk very much but the Headmaster seemed pleased to do so and spoke with her for most of breakfast. That helped…a little.
Now she was hopelessly lost on the way to her first class, Transfiguration. She turned a corner and down a flight of stairs she saw a student. She quickened her step in order to reach him more quickly and put her foot directly into one of the disappearing steps. This of course sent her sprawling spectacularly onto her face right at his feet.
"Are you alright?" he asked emotionlessly.
"Yeah I think so," she said as she heaved herself to her feet (well one foot since the other was stuck in the stair).
"Here," he came up behind her and pulled her free.
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it." The way he said it made Row not want to. He started to walk away and then she remembered her current state of not knowing where she was.
"Hey!" he turned around abruptly and she almost lost her nerve, "Can you tell me how to get to the Transfiguration classroom?"
"Sure. You go down these stairs, take a right, go through the tapestry of Gilbert the Gilled and it's the third door in the left corridor."
"Thanks again," she said as she turned to go.
"How do you know Professor Snape?" the boy asked suddenly.
"He's my uncle," she replied simply.
"Really?" a strange expression crossed the boy's face.
"Yeah," she extended her hand, "I'm Row by they way. Row Noone." He took her hand in a firm handshake.
"Draco Malfoy. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get to my class," he turned without another word and proceeded up the staircase.
"Yeah," she said as she watched him go. Then she turned and went in search of Gilbert the Gilled's tapestry.
Row arrived in Transfiguration with seconds to spare. Of course the entire class was already seated and every single one of them looked up as she entered making her feel more than a little self-conscious. However, Professor McGonagall came to her rescue instantly.
"Ah Miss Noone," she said gesturing to a seat in the second row, "You may sit here." Row nodded and sat next to a girl with slightly bushy brown hair and a very large stack of books placed neatly on the corner of her desk. "You will help her with any questions won't you Miss Granger?"
"Of course Professor," the girl replied brightly. She turned to Row as everyone scraped to get his or her books out. "I'm Hermione Granger."
"Row Noone," she shook hands with Hermione warmly and took the empty seat.
"We'll be working in pairs today. Your partner will be the student sitting next to you," McGonagall then went on to explain the wand motion and incantation for turning their desks into small horses. Once she let them go to work Row was quickly amazed at the speed Hermione seemed to grasp the lesson.
"Chevalesco!" Hermione chanted. The desk obediently shifted into a chestnut mare and Hermione stroked it softly.
The rest of the class was not having as much luck. A redheaded boy to Row's left made the incantation and the wrong wand movement. The result was a desk with a tail and head, the latter of which promptly bit the boy on the backside.
"Bloody hell!" the redhead yelled passionately.
"Ronald! Language like that in front of a teacher!" reprimanded Hermione.
"Why don't you just—"
"Very nice Miss Granger!" McGonagall praised, "Would you please work with Mr. Weasley on his…horse?" Hermione glared subtly at the redhead before responding.
"Of course Professor," she said as she patted the horse and approached the redhead, "Honestly Ronald the wand goes like this!"
"Mr. Potter, will you take Miss Granger's place please?" McGonagall turned to the redhead's partner.
"Sure Professor."
"Excellent." McGonagall turned the horse back into a desk and proceeded with her march around the classroom.
"Hi I'm Row," Row extended her hand for what felt like the twentieth time that day.
"I'm Harry." A look of recognition passed over Row's face and Harry waited for her eyes to make the familiar trek up to his scar. He was surprised when they didn't.
"Oh! You were the one having detention the other night!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah," Harry confessed.
"Sorry," apologized Row, "I was just trying to place you."
"Oh it's alright," Harry said with a shrug.
"So do you want to take a whack at this thing?" she asked as she pointed to the desk.
"Ladies first," he said with a smile.
"Fine," she smiled back, "Chevalesco!" To Row's surprise the desk turned into a horse. But she started laughing when she noticed a principle flaw: the horse had retained the wood grain pattern all over its hide. Harry and Row both burst into laughter.
"It looks like a piece of abstract art," Harry said through his hysterics.
"Well I'd like to see you do better," Row challenged.
"Alright," Harry turned his attention to a desk, "Chevalesco!" The legs became horses legs and a tail and a head sprouted soon afterwards. But the body was still a desk, complete with drawers and an inkwell.
"I think you've got more a piece of modern art there," Row said with a straight face. This didn't last long as they both began to slip into laughter once more.
Class ended and Row began to pack up her things. However she noticed Harry, Hermione, and the redhead hanging around.
"Row, can I ask you a question?" inquired Hermione.
"Sure."
"I hope you won't think me too forward but I was wondering…You're Professor Snape's niece aren't you?"
"Uh-huh."
"Is he related to your mum or your dad?"
"My mom's his sister," Row replied.
"Thanks!" Hermione said with a triumphant smile, "Take that Ron!" She then proceeded to load her vast amount of books into his arms. He almost fell over under the added weight.
"This explains a lot," he whispered to Harry, "Now I know how she slapped Malfoy so hard."
A/N: Sorry about the lack of Severus, he'll be back soon I promise!