WE MADE IT! WE ARE BACK AT HOGWARTS FOLKS! It only took me basically writing a book on their summer lmao BUT HERE WE AREE. I can't wait for Penny and Malfoy and Penny to come face to face again, IT'S GONNA BE INTERESTING.!

afejlkkjlrjj I'm a bit sad how Penny and Lupin parted and not being able to write them together for such a long time :( but they will be reunited by Christmas. Alright, let us embark into the 5th year at Hogwarts.

HAVE A FUN WEEEKEND

Penny landed hard, face first in the dirt. The more she apparated with Snape the more she felt she loathed the mode of transportation. There was nothing natural about it and she found she had zero sense of direction during it, so when they arrived at a destination she was completely thrown off balance.

Apparently, Snape was not feeling kind and did not bother to try to steady her fall, instead he opted to sneer down at her as she rolled over and inspected her knee.

"Really, Potter, you're a fifth year, I would have thought you could manage using your feet by now," he said, kneeling down to attend to her wound.

Irritated, Penny sprang to her feet and ignored his help, marching towards Hogwarts, not caring that blood was trickling down her leg.

"Pigheadedness is such a boorishly Gryffindor trait that accomplishes nothing, Potter. I've been forced to attend to the consequences of your incompetence for five years now, so tell me what you think your ego retains by refusing it this time?" he said, his long strides allowing him to catch her with ease.

Half jogging now, Penny continued to ignore him, but he stepped in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. His features were alight with malevolent pleasure, indicating to Penny he was not yet done tormenting her. Puffing herself up, she merely glared at him.

"The silent treatment? Are we three now? Come Pott-"

"Stop calling me that," she demanded.

"Sir," he corrected her, softly. "Unfortunately for you, it is your name. But you have my sympathies and rest assured I'll do all I can to help you rid yourself of it if you choose to do so."

"My name is Penny. And don't think I haven't noticed you only call me Potter when you're irritated or looking to torment me," she said, her brow arching defiantly.

"Is that so?" said Snape in a bored tone.

"It is. You see, you are a very obvious man, Professor , and uncreative if I may add," Penny said, beginning to circle the man as though he were some delicious prey and she the predator, a smirk playing at her lips as she looked him up when and down. "When I was in my first year, saying my last name was almost completely intolerable to you for some unknown reason ," she said, making sure he saw her exaggerated eye roll, because they both knew exactly what it was about her name he loathed. "So you called me 'girl' or 'you,' it was ever so juvenile and I think you realized that as well. So you opted for 'Ms' Potter which I found peculiar at first, until I realized. . ." she said, pausing for dramatic effect and to soak in the sight of his shaking firsts, as she stood behind him. He refused to look at her, to give her that victory, but in doing so he had to make himself vulnerable. Penny knew how nerve wracking having someone behind you was, that every fiber of Snape's being liked to analyze, to anticipate, something he could not do now. "You see my theory is you're actually trying to say 'Miss' but inevitably stress the 'z' as a way to distract yourself from the 'Potter' you loathe that follows it," Penny pressed, returning to where she began, her nose in the air and eyes heavy with disdain.

Snape's features darkened, all traces of his upper-hand and being replaced with the throbbing in his temple, satisfying Penny immensely.

"But then you seemed to decide some of my better attributes remind you of my father and call me 'Potter' to lump me with him and Harry so you can feel like you're putting distance between us. And yet, there are times where you slip up, usually when you've been a complete dunderhead, and you say 'Penny' as though it's the most natural thing in the world. It's like music to my ears," she finished in a sarcastic simper.

"I suppose you think you're clever, but honestly, Penny , you are an entirely average student and like every other tedious teenager I have had the misfortune of teaching, your cries for attention are poorly disguised," he said, coldly, finding his composure, contempt oozing from him as he stared down his hooked nose at her. "You should know by now I have zero interest in satisfying your desperate quest for male attention because your fool-of-a father got himself killed, so take it somewhere else, I'm bored."

"Oh no, you have seen right through me! But perhaps I owe you my thanks for sparing me the disappointment, since you have made it abundantly clear you have zero experience satisfying the needs of women," Penny replied coolly, turning on her heel and leaving a seething Snape behind.

He kept a short distance behind her from that point, Penny listening to the sound of his steps, watching the towers of Hogwarts get ever nearer, the trepidation building in her chest. Penny loved Hogwarts, it was the first place she'd ever felt she belonged, but it's halls and grounds contained the reminder of memories that were too painful now; of stolen kisses in the corridors and sunny days spent hand-in-hand in the grass.

Every moment she'd ever shared with Cedric happened in this place and there would be no escaping the triggers or hiding from the pain in her chest. The latter half of the summer had done a good job of distracting Penny from her reality, making her feel like someone else for a short while. But here, at Hogwarts, the reminder of who she once was, of who she had to be without Cedric was plastered everywhere.

Her feet came to a stop, Penny looking to her left at the hill Cedric and she had run down to find a moment alone. She remembered the feel of his skin on hers, how he'd sent her heart throbbing with desire when he pushed her against that tree before the Durmstrangs had stumbled upon them. Though the sun was warm overhead, Penny's arms erupted with goosebumps as she stared at the forest which she used to believe was so beautiful, but felt ugly and empty now.

A stray tear wound its way down her cheek falling of its edge to be consumed by the grass beneath. Taking in a shuddering breath, she looked at Snape, who watched her silently. They had no need to exchange words, the hollowness in his own eyes telling Penny he already knew of the emptiness she experienced. After a moment of watching each other, he walked forward, pushing her with him, forcing her to continue on her path home.

Penny stumbled but quickly caught herself. Normally she'd find the gesture infuriating, a show of his power over her. But today, it was somehow different. While his pushing demanded she move and Penny knew he would not let her stop if she wanted to, she felt it came from a place of companionship. The hand on the back of her shoulder was there to do what Penny felt she couldn't-in his own weird way, Penny felt Snape was showing he was there for her, that he acknowledged her pain, and perhaps-admitting he also needed her to move past his own.

By her estimation, it was the late afternoon by the time they ascended the stone steps that led to Hogwarts, Penny feeling particularly ravenous, having avoided breakfast in an attempt not to get cornered by Lupin. Snape seemed to guess as much and began leading her in the direction she knew the kitchens to be in.

When they rounded a corner on the second flour they nearly ran headlong into someone. Startled from her thoughts, Penny yelped, jumping in surprise. Snape remained as stoic as ever, his dark eyes narrowing on the stout-woman looking over the pair of them. Penny did a double take, realizing she did not recognize this woman, who she found to be pityingly ugly with her wide slack mouth and short stubby neck. Her features were almost comical paired with the absurd fluffy pink cardigan and large bow she wore on the top of her head. It took all the restraint Penny had to keep herself from laughing out loud. Judging by the look on Snape's face, he found her as ridiculous as Penny.

"And what do we have here?" the woman said in an unpleasantly high voice. "And why would the pair of you be wandering Hogwarts before term has even started?"

She looked between the pair of them, her ugly mouth upturned in an even uglier smile she seemed to think was inviting.

"That is no concern of yours. . ?" Snape said, not bothering with pleasantries.

"Professor Umbridge," she said, turning on him to fix her with her toad-like stare. "Do I know you?"

"Ahh, the Ministry official," Snape said, delicately.

"Oh no," she giggled, reminding Penny of Lavender Brown. "I am the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."

"You'll have to forgive me, previously we hired qualified candidates," Snape said, inclining his head.

Penny could not stop herself from breaking into a fit laughter which she quickly tried to pretend was a fit of coughing, but she saw how the corners of Snape's mouth twitched, telling her it was still obvious. Penny was accustomed to Snape's snark, having been on the receiving end of it many times. But she'd never seen him display such open hostility to one of his coworkers, except perhaps Lupin, but the two of them had known each other in childhood. Penny suspected this probably had something to do with the fact he wanted the position and Dumbledore still refused to give it to him.

Nevertheless, she could not help but admit the man was hilarious and she greatly preferred watching someone else flounder beneath his gaze. Interestingly, the woman gave no indication that she noticed nor cared about his hostility. Rather, she continued to smile sweetly at him.

"And who are you?"

"I've no doubt you already did your homework, so why don't we forgo the pretenses, I've not the patience nor time for them, so if you'll excuse us," Snape drawled, not bothering to keep the condescension in his tone.

With a curt nod, he made it past her, Penny hot on his heels, but an ugly hand, whose short fat fingers were covered in rings landed lightly on Penny's shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.

"Professor Snape, a moment," she said, her eyes looking on Penny with interest. "Surely you won't mind explaining who this student is and why they are at Hogwarts when it is on the Hogwarts Express they should be, and looking-oh dear, a bit torn up," she said, trying to sound concerned, but to Penny's ears it came across as more of a threat. "So come dear, tell me, what is your name?"

Wanting very much to put distance between her and this ugly woman, Penny glanced nervously at Snape who'd turned on his heel.

"Miss Potter is here early because she is somewhat of a special case . But I expect you already knew that," Snape replied, taking a hold of Penny's other arm. He pulled her, but Umbridge pulled back just enough to keep Penny in place. Ignoring Snape, she held Penny's gaze and if possible, her smile widened, making Penny very much want to flinch in revulsion.

"Penelope Potter, is it not? Yaxley has told me of your talents ," she said in little more than a whisper, sending a creeping sensation up Penny's spine. "The ministry is most interested in assuring the safety of all Hogwarts students and especially those with particularly bright futures, so tell me dear, what happened to your knee?"

"Penny."

"Hmm?"

"I go by Penny," Penny stuttered, feeling distinctly uncomfortable. "And I just tripped."

"I see, Penny then. Is it normal for your Professors to single you out like this or-"

"As I'm sure Dumbledore has already informed you, Professor Umbridge, but Hogwarts students are entitled to the privacy of their sensitive medical information . So I'm sure you can understand why I must insist that Miss Potter not feel obliged to answer," Snape said in a velvety voice that didn't fool Penny whose arm was numb from his ever tightening grip around it.

With another forceful, yet controlled yank, Snape freed Penny from Umbridge and bowed in a patronizing manner at her. Umbridge's pencil-thin eyebrows disappeared in their hairline, displaying her first real break in composure.

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Professor Snape. I look forward to our first class together, Penny," she said, the smile gone, but her pitch still unnaturally high. Then she waddled off in the most ridiculous way, Snape glaring after her.

"What was that about?" Penny asked when they continued on her way and she was certain they were out of earshot.

"You will do everything in your power to avoid that wretch of a woman," he said, ignoring her question.

"Oh man, but I was hoping to have tea with her," Penny said, sardonically.

"This is not a joke, Potter," Snape sneered, rounding on her.

"She name dropped Yaxley, I was hardly about to make her my favorite teacher, so settle down, you will not have to share my admiration."

"Cute, Potter. But incidentally it is not your admiration she cares for, so for once in your life can you make an effort to counteract those moronic tendencies of yours by courting some common sense and just do as I say," Snape spat.

"Do as you say?" Penny said, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Since you put it that way, I think I'd prefer to form my own opinions about my new Professor, but I'll keep your recommendation in mind, sir ."

"I forbid you-" he said, shaking angrily.

"In that case, I look forward to seeing you try. I can find my way to the kitchen from here, as I'm sure you have much to prepare," Penny said, nonchalantly.

Without another word, she escaped Snape at a brisk walk, afraid his retribution would roast her alive if she did not disappear before his brain caught up with his anger. Thankfully, he did not follow after her, allowing Penny the time and space to think.

The exchange between her Professors had been weird and Umbridge's questions even weirder, but then Penny had remembered something she read in the paper about the Ministry granting itself new powers at Hogwarts. With the war Fudge was waging against Dumbledore in his denial that Voldemort had not returned, Penny was not all surprised he would appoint himself someone at Hogwarts to spy and keep things in order. Getting on Umbridge's bad side no doubt would carry more consequences than a detention, Penny felt sure of that.

But what was more unsettling was how she openly shared the fact the Ministry still had an interest in Penny. For some reason she'd always just assumed Yaxley had some warped fixation on her, but was now beginning to suspect there may have been others behind him who sickenly supported what he was doing to Penny and wanted to accomplish something. The reality made her wish she'd paid more attention to the experiments they'd done to her and tried to discern their purpose.

Judging by Snape's warning, Penny needed to be careful, but unlike Snape she did not feel that avoiding Umbridge was the way to do it. Rather, she felt very much that making Umbridge feel as though Penny trusted her was the only way to stay under the radar.

When she made it to the kitchens she found it loud and filled with the most glorious smells. Dobby was nowhere to be found, another elf telling Penny he was cleaning one of the common rooms with Winky. However, the elves present were all too happy to feed Penny and send her on her way much too full. Realizing she did not know what the new password to the common room would be, Penny went in search of Professor McGonagall who just happened to be in her office.

"Sorry to bother you, Professor," Penny said after McGonagall called "Come in," when Penny knocked.

"Miss Potter," Professor McGonagall said, sounding slightly surprised and getting to her feet. "Why aren't you on the Hogwarts Express, what happened?" she went on, her sharp eyes missing nothing.

"I missed the train so Professor Snape picked me up from head-from my home. And my knee is fine, I am just not very adept at side-along apparation" she said, feeling afraid she would receive a lecture.

Surprising Penny, her Professor gave her a rare smile and led Penny to a chair. "At least you appear to have more sense than that brother of yours," she said as she tended to Penny's knee.

Penny couldn't help but chuckle, "Yeah, only Harry would think missing the train is a life or death situation. I felt perhaps waiting for an escort was better than starting my career as a car thief."

Penny could not be certain, but she thought Professor McGonagall flashed her an amused look, but she straightened her features and returned to her seat too quickly, her eyes still examining Penny.

"I am glad to see you in. . ." she started clearly uncertain what the appropriate word to use would be, but opted for "better spirits."

Penny looked away from her and nodded, shifting nervously on the spot. She knew what her Professor was insinuating and Penny feared she would broach the topic of Cedric, which she wanted very much to avoid. Professor McGonagall seemed to pick up on this preference and said after a moment's silence, "As it turns out, it's good you came early so I won't have to pull you from the feast. Professor Snape has briefed me on some of the particulars of your illness ," she said.

"Illness?" Penny asked, confused.

"Yes, illness ," she said, looking pointedly at Penny's stomach. "I do not know if you are aware, but the Ministry has appointed-"

"Professor Umbridge," Penny interjected, "Yeah, Professor Snape and I met her," Penny said, darkly.

"Good. Then I trust you can understand why, for obvious reasons, no one other than those who already know must learn the details of your illness. As head of your house, I will personally deal with anyone who believes themselves entitled to ask."

"Thank you, Professor," Penny said, feeling touched by her Professor's concern.

"Due to the nature of it, only Professor Snape is to tend to you and anything you may feel is related. Furthermore, if at any moment, during any class, you feel you need to excuse yourself to find Professor Snape, you may do so. He has already assured me his door is always open for you, should things change," she said, giving Penny a somewhat pitying look.

Penny knew the word was a cover for the one she probably assumed Penny was not ready to hear: progress. Hermione, quietly, and when no one else was around had felt the need to tell Penny what no one else seemed to want to say; that while Snape's concoctions helped and slowed the curse, it would inevitably progress unless broken. Penny could not escape it, Professor McGonagall knew this and Penny suspected she had a better idea of what waited for Penny when it did.

"What if my Professors ask questions?" Penny asked, trying to veer the conversation away from this grim reality.

"Professor Umbridge is likely to be the only one, but as I said, you can send her to me."

"Thank you, Professor. I don't want to be rude, but would it be alright if I head to the common room? I'm feeling a bit tired."

"Yes, do get some rest. The new password is mimbulus mimbletonia," she said, escorting Penny to the door.

Penny was a few feet into the corridor when her Professor stopped her, "And Miss Potter," she said, her voice unusually gentle.

"Yes, Professor?" Penny said, turning back.

"For all his less pleasant qualities, Professor Snape is an excellent wizard," she said.

With a small smile, Penny gave her thanks and bade her Professor farewell, making her way to the blissfully quiet common room. It was cleaner than Penny had ever seen it before. She plopped down on the sofa, sinking into its warmth and feeling instantaneously drowsy, and yet she found her brain would not settle.

Being back at Hogwarts was a relief and part of Penny was happy to get back to learning, but she could not shake that it also felt different. Things were changing for Penny and at an alarming speed. The entire wizarding world was changing and an unnerving foreboding was making itself ever more present in Penny's mind. For some reason she felt she was spiraling towards something awful at an alarming speed with no way to get off.

She could not escape the reality she would never be a normal student, and the power that lay dormant within her, though she'd gotten better at ignoring it and not using it, opting to improve her wand skills, was still a part of her. Penny Potter was different, everyone knew this, but when would she accept it? When would she accept all the number of things that had changed in her? Since finding out about her expression, Penny had thought of herself as cursed, or rather, a curse on Snape's life. But now, she actually was cursed. What would her fifth year at Hogwarts look like with a curse?