Author's Note: ok so I am still alive, just a bit up and down. I am having a hard time with my meds and other health stuff (got a blood infection which landed me in the hospital) I also have to stop working for now and go on disability to deal with a concussion I got as well as various other badly timed heath events.

Well, the point is, I have time to write again and time to just get better. Writing is cathartic and I can do little writing games or sprints with my best friend so its kind of been a mostly relaxing week or so. Hopefully. Anxiety is still out on that ruling so we shall see. Either way, I am editing a bunch of my chapters, writing new stuff, and hoping between today and tomorrow I can get my main three stories updated and be able to update this a second time to catch up a bit. I have a TON written that I could have easily posted if I had time to edit, which now I do!

Anyways, enjoy!

~Chapter 6 Start~

By the following morning the storm had finally dissipated leaving the day a lot calmer. Max was up and ready on time for once feeling anxiety building in her stomach. Hermione was seated next to her in the Great Hall examining this semester's schedule.

Fred, George, and Lee Jordan were seated not far from them discussing ways to trick whoever was picking the Tournaments champions. Idiots.

"Today's not bad...outside all morning," said Ron who was inspecting his schedule happily, "Herbology with the Hufflepuffs and Care of Magical Creatures...damn it, we're still with the Slytherins." At that admission Max felt dread seep into her spine. She remembered vividly her interaction with Malfoy the day earlier, and felt incredibly uncomfortable with how everyone seemed to treat muggle-borns in this time. Her time wasn't MUCH better, but at least most kids didn't seem to care.

Although that did little to dissuade most from avoiding her. In that moment her heart ached for Hermione; she couldn't imagine being a known muggle-born in this time.

"Double Divination this afternoon," Harry groaned as Max groaned with him. She hated the idea of that course, there were zero facts grounded in it for bloody sakes!

"Wonderful." Max groaned along with Harry.

"You have it too?" He asked turned to look at her.

"Yeah, don't know why I bothered to try it, Dumbledore felt I should try something new this year." She shrugged as Harry looked happy enough to share his misery with her.

"I honestly don't know why you didn't just give it up like I did." Hermione scoffed, "Then you'd be doing something sensible like Arithmancy."

Here here! Max nodded to herself.

"You're eating again I noticed." Ron noted as he watched her adding liberal amounts of jam to her toast.

"I've decided that there are better ways of making a stand about elf rights," She replied haughtily, her movements stiff and closed off.

"Yeah...and you were hungry." Ron laughed grinning.

Before Hermione could retort there was a sudden rustling noise above them, as the daily post arrived via hundreds of owls fluttering down towards the tables.

Letters were being dropped all over in a frenzy, and Max looked on longingly knowing she'd probably never get a letter from her mother again.

Harry looked onwards uncomfortably as Max regarded him wondering if he was having similar thoughts. However she thought better than to be intrusive, knowing him hardly at all.

~Break~

Breakfast had been simple enough, Max was busy trying to eat and memorize her schedule she didn't think too much towards her hectic morning.

Their group was walking across the sodden vegetable patch, until they finally reached greenhouse three, where they were scheduled to have their first Herbology class.

Settling into their seats, Professor Sprout began their lesson by introducing various plants. It wasn't the most interesting class for Max, but at least it would be mildly engaging with how hands-on it was.

"Bobotubers," Professor Sprout explained, "they need squeezing. You will collect the pus-"

"The WHAT?" Seamus Finnigan blanched from her left.

"Pus, Finnigan, pus," Professor Sprout clarified not sounding pleased, "and it's extremely valuable, so don't waste it. You will collect the pus, I say, in these bottles. Wear your dragon-hide gloves; it can do funny things to the skin when undiluted, bobutuber pus." Max shivered remembering what happened to a classmate of hers in fourth year.

Seated beside Hermione and Seamus she began to squeeze the pus from each plant with a practiced ease. She hoped briefly that her classes would get a touch more interesting from here.

She eased out another dollop of yellowish-green pus and looked over towards her classmates noticing a lot of finicky stomachs. She didn't blame them however, the smell was pungent and smelled a touch too close to petrol.

By the end of the lesson they had collected several pints.

"This'll keep Madam Pomfrey happy," Professor Sprout chortled on as she stopped the last bottle, "An excellent remedy for the more stubborn forms of acne, bubotuber pus. Should stop students resorting to desperate measures to rid themselves of pimples."

"Like poor Eloise Midgen," A girl from Hufflepuff offered, "She tried to cut hers off..." She whispered towards everyone else.

"Silly girl," Professor Sprout sighed, hearing the whispers. "But Madam Pomfrey fixed her nose back on in the end." She shrugged as the school bell went off signifying the end to their first block.

Everyone filed out, the Hufflepuffs separating from the Gryffindors so they could head towards Transfiguration, heading in the opposite direction and towards the school. Everyone else headed towards Hagrid's cabin which sat on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest. In the future Hagrid was closer to the school, but not by much.

Hagrid was there waiting them with his large dog, hand on his collar. He waved at them exuberantly as they came into his focus and they all waved back.

"Mornin'!" He greeted, "Be'er wait fer the Slytherins, they won' want ter miss this - Blast-Ended Skrewts!"

Oh dear lord, Max turned slightly white and wished she were anywhere else. That lesson was a total disaster for her the first time around.

"Come again?" Ron asked. Hagrid merely pointed down towards some crates.

"Eurgh!" Lavender Brown squealed as she jumped backwards. As far as Max was concerned that summed up her feelings perfectly as well.

They were deformed looking things, shell-less and reminding them of lobsters. They were horribly pale and slimy, with legs sticking out at some very odd places. They had no discernable faces or features and Max grimaced.

They were giving off a powerful odor which is what Lavender had experienced when she peered into the boxes.

"On'y jus' hatched," Hagrid beamed proudly as he came around to the other side of the crate. "So yeh'll be able ter raise 'em yerselves! Thought we'd make a bit of a project of it!" Oh lord she could already hear Severus laughing at her, if he laughed that was. He didn't, for the record.

"And why would we WANT to raise them?" A cold voice mocked as Max turned to regard the younger Malfoy with irritation.

The Slytherins had arrived, lead by their usual leader it seemed. Malfoy was again flanked by Crabbe and Goyle, who were chuckling dim wittedly at what Malfoy had said.

"Wonderous..." Max breathed as Hagrid looked honestly stumped at the question. She hated Blast-Ended Skrewts, but she also hated Malfoy. What a spot to be put in.

"I dunno, they are kind of cute in an 'Alien-creature-took-over-my-spaceship' kind of way." Max attempted to smile.

"Cute? That's a laugh!" Malfoy glared as he turned to mock Hagrid some more, "What do they even do? What's the point of them?"

Hagrid opened his mouth as if he were going to answer, only to pause in thought, looking towards Malfoy as he responded.

"Tha's next lesson, Malfoy. Yer jus' feedin' 'em today. Now, yeh'll wen' ter ret 'em on a few diff'rent things - I've never had 'em before, not sure what they'll go fer - I got ant eggs an' frog livers an' a bit o' grass snake - just try 'em out with a bit of each." Max smiled at her clearly younger Professor and shook her head. In the future he was a lot more accomplished, having discovered with his strange teaching habits, better foods or care for the awkward, if not entirely strange, creatures he introduced the students. It would soon become apparent the monsters didn't eat at all, at least nothing they could discover.

"First pus and now this..." muttered Seamus.

If by nothing else their loyalty was expressed as they all grabbed different pieces of flesh bits to feed the tiny little monsters. Awkwardly they all came around the creatures, fists full of livers and snakes, only to stare awkwardly at the clearly faceless Skrewts writhing around the crate.

"Ouch!" Dean yelled out after about ten minutes, "It got me!" Max stifled a laugh knowing that in her fourth year that loud proclamation had been from her. Hagrid hurried over to inspect the burn on his hand.

"Its end exploded!" Dean said angrily as Hagrid gingerly inspected his singed flesh.

"Well, I mean, look at it's name." Max offered the declaration unhelpfully, as Ron barked out a laugh and Hermione looked green.

"Ah, yeah, that can happen when they blast off." Hagrid added, equally unhelpful.

"Eurgh!" Lavender muttered again, "Hagrid, what's that pointy thing on it?"

"Ah, some of 'em have stings," He explained enthusiastically. Max paled remembering that part, "I reckon on they're males...the females've got sorta sucker things on their bellies...I think they might be ter suck blood." and there it was, the realization they had all been waiting for as Max shuddered at another memory of the little suckers attaching to her arm causing her a painful visit to Madam Pomfrey.

"Well, I can certainly see why we're trying to keep them alive," Malfoy scoffed sarcastically. Max never would admit it but she had very similar thoughts, she hated the blasted creatures. "Who wouldn't want pets that can burn, sting, and bite all at once?"

"Just because they're not pretty, doesn't mean they aren't useful." Max muttered, her tone full of annoyance as she felt the need to defend Hagrid's wee monsters.

"Dragon blood's amazingly magical, but you wouldn't want a dragon for a pet, would you?" Hermione added, her cheeks puffed out and tinged red.

Harry and Ron grinned sharing looks with Hagrid as Max starred between them momentarily confused before shaking her head. Teenage boys.

~Break~

"Well, at least the skrewts are small." Ron offered as they headed towards the castle. Max had managed to avoid being blasted this time, but had been bitten again. Hagrid had mentioned they must have liked the scent of her skin. He had said the same thing in the future as well.

She had wrapped it up in a small bandage Hagrid had and was idly wondering if she would have time to get it healed up before her next class.

"They are NOW," Hermione explained, "but once Hagrid's found out what they eat, I expect they'll be six feet long." oh if only she knew.

"Well, that won't matter if they turn out to cure seasickness or something, will it?" Ron said grinning slyly at her.

"You know perfectly well I only said that to shut Malfoy up," Hermione knitted her brows together in irritation, "as a matter of fact I think he's best thing to do would be to stamp on the lot of them before they start attacking us all."

"Cold." Max laughed as Hermione took a moment to glare at her.

"It's true." she admonished as they took a seat at the Gryffindor table.

"Yeah, but that doesn't make it not cold." Max nudged her elbow and Hermione cracked the tiniest smile.

"You got bit by a creature without a mouth, that should be reason enough." Hermione was smiling as she delivered this barb, and a warmth spread through Max's extremities at the girls kind acceptance.

"For the record I also agree with you." At that Hermione turned to her food and started in on it as if she were going to starve at any moment.

"Er - is this the new stance on elf rights?" Ron asked, "You're going to make yourself puke instead?" At that statement Max smacked Ron's shoulder and he let out an offending 'Oiy!'

"No," Hermione began with as much dignity she could muster, "I just want to get to the library."

"What?" Ron said in disbelief.

"Hermione - it's the first day back! We haven't got homework yet!" Harry spoke, surprise evident in his tone.

Hermione merely shrugged and continued eating with gusto. Then, she leapt to her feet with a curt goodbye and was gone.

The bell soon rang signifying the start to their next class and Max sighed, knowing she'd have to spend the rest of the day with an injured hand.

~Break~

Ron, Harry, and Max had made their way but the twisty staircase of the Northern Tower, heading with very little interest towards their Divination classroom. They approached a circular trapdoor and entered through it and were met with the heavy perfume she always insisted on using.

The curtains were all closed and the circular room was bathed in a red light from the many lamps around the room, each one draped with a different reddish scarf to cast the dim glow. Harry and Ron walked through a mass of chairs before sitting down at the same circular table. Offering a small smile Max went to a table nearby knowing that this class often worked in pairs of twos.

"Good day." The misty voice of Professor Trelawney spoke from behind them. The suddenness had caused Harry to jump and Max to turn startled at her voice.

She was a very thin woman with large glasses that sat on the tip of her nose giving her a wide-eyed doe look. She was swathed in an assortment of grey and cool coloured robes and scarves. An assortment of shiny and colourful beads were threaded through a lot of her clothing. She had one awkwardly wrapped around her head, pieces of her silver hair peeking through. She stopped giving Harry a tragic look before walking to the front of the room.

"You are preoccupied, my dear," She said mournfully, "my inner eye sees past your brave face to the troubled soul within. And I regret to say that your worries are not baseless. I see difficult times ahead of you, alas...most difficult...I fear the thing you dread will indeed come to pass...and perhaps sooner than you think..." her voice had dropped to almost a whisper and then she took notice of Max.

"You don't belong my dear..." she whispered, sadness edging into her voice, causing Max to squirm in her seat, Ron casting her a sympathetic look.

Just as suddenly as she had begun talking to them, she was gone and standing before everyone arms swept wide as she sat down in a large armchair beside her fire. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil were seated on little poofs nearest to her obviously seeing her akin to an idol by the fond looks they were shooting her.

"My dears, it is time for us to consider the stars," she began wistfully, "the movements of the planets and the mysterious portents they reveal only to those who understand the steps of the celestial dance. Human destiny may be deciphered by the planetary rays, which intermingle..."

The class had effectively carried on just like that, before the Professor made another comment about Harry being born under Saturn causing the whole class to stare at him in anticipation.

"Harry!" Hissed Ron as he nudged his elbow none too gently.

"What?" Was his smooth response.

"I was saying, my dear, that you were clearly born under the baleful influence of Saturn." The Professor repeated, her soft voice echoing through the silence with a tinge of resentment at his less than enthusiastic participation.

"Born under - what, sorry?" Harry was clearly confused as he was grasping at what to say.

"Saturn, dear, the planet Saturn!" She was starting to lose her cool now and Max groaned her head hitting her table with a dull thunk.

"Please refrain from your theatrics Miss Suthers," Professor Trelawney spoke faintly as she gave a withering glare towards Max who lowered herself in her seat, "I was saying that Saturn was surely in a position of power in the heavens at the moment of your birth...your dark hair...your mean stature...tragic losses so young in life...I think I am right in saying, my dear, that you were born in midwinter?"

Max snorted so loud half the class turned to her as Harry instantly echoed out an annoyed no.

"I was born in July." Was his clipped response as Max got another withering glare from Trelawney. Wonderful.

Ron hastily turned his roaring laughter into a cough.

~Break~

Half an hour later, they were all given a complex circular chart, and they were tasked with attempting to fill in the position of the planets at the moment of their birth. Max found the task increasingly pointless. Her real birthday was years in the future and she doubted even Trelawney knew the position of any of the planets during her actual birth.

Which meant this fruitless task was not only pointless, but completely fabricated and incorrect. It sufficiently summed up her feelings of this class in its entirety.

She had to keep reminding herself she was now born on July 17th, 1980 in this time. Eighteen years prior to her actual existence, seventeen years prior to her actual conception. Ugh ok ewww, too much thinking.

The work was dull but at least it was busy. Spending most of the class consulting various timetables and the calculation of angles. Max wished she were in Arithmancy with Hermione without question, but found at least the application of some form of maths was the best she could hope for.

"I've got two Neptunes here," Harry sighed out, a hand threading through his messy hair. Frowning he looked at his piece of parchment dejectedly.

"Aaaah," Ron imitated their Professor, "when two Neptunes appear in the sky, it is a sure sign that a midget in glasses is being born, Harry..."

Max chortled a laugh along with Seamus and Dean, who were sniggering together nearby.

"Actually Harry, I think you made a miscalculation here..." Max helped out as she found his maths error easily.

"Oh." Scribbling away Harry attempted to fix it coming up with two Mars' next.

"Oh come on!" Harry whined as he glared at his paper offending.

"Oh you have a few more errors ahead of that to be honest." Came Max's singsonged response. Harry glared at her as she giggled capriciously.

"Oh Professor, look! I think I've got an unaspected planet! Oooh, which one's that, Professor?" Lavender brown squealed much too excited.

"It is Uranus, my dear," Said Professor Trelawney who was peering down at the parchment holding it ridiculously close to her eyes.

"Can I have a look at Uranus too, Lavender?" Ron asked with a cheeky grin as Max tossed a piece of her parchment at his head, "Ouch!"

"Oops." Max supplied not at all sorry.

Unfortunately Max was not the only one to have heard Ron, and Professor Trelawney turned with eyes radiating fury.

Needless to say she punished them though copious amounts of homework, all of which was baseless and bullshit in Max's opinion. However, she was lucky she wasn't given detention.

"A detailed analysis of the way the planetary movements in the coming month will affect you, with reference to your personal chart," she had snapped defensively, "I want it ready to hand in next Monday, and no excuses!" her voice cracked at the end and Max couldn't help but wonder if they had unhinged the Professor that much in two blocks.

"Miserable old bat..." Ron bitterly spat as they joined the crowds descending the staircase back to the Great Hall for dinner.

"At least she doesn't think you are an interloper who is full of bad omens." Max whined as she looked towards Harry as he offered a sympathetic head nod.

"This is going to take all weekend." Ron groaned again.

"I blame your cheek Mr. Weasley!" Max joked, trying to sound like a professor.

"Lots of homework?" Hermione asked as they met up with her just before the Great Hall "Professor Vector didn't give us any at all!"

"Well, bully for Professor Vector," Ron replied, already settling into a foul mood.

"Weasley! Hey Weasley!" They all turned to see Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle standing around looking thoroughly pleased about something.

"What?!" Ron snapped, his head twisting up at the sound of Malfoy's voice in unrestrained anger.

"Your dad's on the paper, Weasley!" Malfoy brandished a copy of the Daily Prophet from his robes, speaking as loudly as he could. "Listen to this!"

Written in bold lettering were the words 'FURTHER MISTAKES AT THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC'. This was going to go well.

"It seems as though the Ministry of Magic's troubles are not yet at an end, writes Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent. Recently under fire for its poor crowd control at the Quidditch World Cup, and still unable to account for the disappearance of one of its witches, the Ministry was plunged into fresh embarrassment yesterday by the antics of Arnold Weasley, of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office." Max quietly read out.

"Imagine them not even getting his name right, Weasley. It's almost as thought he's a complete nonentity, isn't it?" he crowed trying to grab every single student's attention that he could.

The paper read on.

"Arnold Weasley, who was charged with possession of a flying car two years ago, was yesterday involved in a tussle with several Muggle law-keepers ("policemen") over a number of highly aggressive dustbins. Mr. Weasley appears to have rushed to the aid of "Mad-Eye" Moody, the aged ex-Auror who retired from the Ministry when no longer able to tell the difference between a handshake and attempted murder. Unsurprisingly, Mr. Weasley found, upon arrival at Mr. Moody's heavily guarded house, that Mr. Moody had once again raised a false alarm. Mr Weasley was forced to modify several memories before he could escape from the policemen, but refused to answer Daily Prophet questions about why he had involved the Ministry in such an undignified and potentially embarrassing scene." Max frowned at the insulting implications as Ron was slowly turning red.

"And there's a picture Weasley!" Malfoy bragged as he flipped the page over, holding it up for all to see. "A picture of your parents outside their house - if you can call it a house! Your mother could do with losing a bit of weight, couldn't she?" Malfoy cackled some more.

Ron was starting to seethe as his fists clenched open and closed. Max was starting to feel the creeping rage go up her spine as she stood rigid, glaring hard at Malfoy. Everyone in the hall was staring at them now.

"Get stuffed, Malfoy," Harry growled as he pulled Ron towards him, "C'mon Ron..."

"Oh yeah you were staying with them this summer, weren't you, Potter?" Sneered Malfoy, "So tell me, is his mother really that porky, or is it just that picture?"

A few things happened at once, Harry went to throw back an insult about Malfoy's mother, Ron was fisting his wand starting to raise it in rage, and Max had reared back her wand tilted under Malfoy's chin as she pressed him against the wall.

"Get, the fuck, out of here, NOW!" Max seethed quietly as Malfoy gave her a withering glare, his ego oozing through the interaction.

"What are you going to do about it blood-traitor?" His warm breath hit her face and she recoiled as if disgusted as he let out a small bark of laughter.

"Go fuck yourself!" She snapped as she stepped back trying to quell her own rage as Ron slowly lowered his wand. She needed to calm down before she hurt the kid.

"What about your mother?" Harry began again, "You know how she always has that look about her, the kind that suggest she's always smelling a big pile of dung under her nose? Has she always looked like that, or was it just because you were with her."

"Don't you dare insult my mother Potter!" Malfoy pushed past Max, his wand drawn. Max stumbled slightly and didn't have enough time to raise her own want to stop Malfoy from casting a hex.

"Keep your fat mouth shut, then." Harry said with finality as Malfoy poised to cast a spell. A shot of light flew from Malfoy's wand and hit a stone column not far from them causing a few students to shrieked and bolt. Max raised her wand in retaliation finally, when a loud bang was heard startling the entire hall. Several people screamed and then a roaring voice broke out over the crowd as a second bang was heard.

"OH NO YOU DON'T, LADDIE!" Professor Moody yelled out as he hobbled down the marble staircase. His wand was out and pointed straight towards a white ferret, which was shivering on the stone floor, in the exact place Malfoy had been standing.

"Oh dear..." Max paled as she realized the implications this had.

There was a terrified silence as everyone took in the scene as Moody turned to look at Harry, his mad eye rotating every which way.

"Did he get you?" He growled, his voice low and gravelly.

"No," Harry swallowed, "missed."

"LEAVE IT!" Professor Moody yelled as Max jumped in her skin from her close proximity to the professor.

"Leave what?" Harry asked confused.

"Not you - him!" Moody growled jerking his thumb towards Crabbe, who had frozen in his attempt to retrieve Malfoy. Everyone was thinking the same thing, how the hell had he seen that?

Professor Moody limped towards Crabbe and Goyle as the little white ferret let out a squeak and fled down the halls.

"I don't think so!" Moody growled as he poised his wand again and levitated Malfoy back towards them, dangling helplessly upside down and screeching more. Moody took a moment to bounce the ferret against the floor a few times, chuckling darkly to himself as he did.

"I don't like people who attack when their opponent's back is turned. Stinking, cowardly, scummy thing to do..." The ferret flew higher as Moody articulated his point with each raise.

"Never. Do. That. Again." He spoke bouncing the ferret against the stone floor with each word.

"Professor Moody!" Came the shocked voice of McGonagall as she rushed forward in a panic, her arms full of books.

"Hello, Professor McGonagall." Moody greeted, cool as a cucumber.

"What - what are you doing?" She asked incredulous. She was staring in horror at the scene before her.

"Teaching." Moody stated as if it were a simple fact.

"Teach - Moody, is that a student?" Shrieked McGonagall as she rushed forward towards the ferret, the books spilling from her arms.

"Yup." Moody stated proudly. His large hand scratched at the scruff on his face not at all perturbed by Professor McGonagall's less than enthusiastic response to his discipline.

"No!" Cried McGonagall as she rushed down the last few stairs towards the ferret, wand drawn. A moment later there was a loud crack and Malfoy was once again human. His face was flushed and his hair was a mess, but he seemed otherwise fine. Wincing he stood up slowly.

"Moody, we never use Transfiguration as a punishment!" Professor McGonagall chastised, her voice wavering and her tone incredulous. "Surely Professor Dumbledore told you that?"

"He might've mentioned it, yeah," Said Moody as he scratched his chin some more, his eyes looking up towards the ceiling in a bored manner, "but I thought a good sharp knock -"

"We give detentions, Moody! Or speak to the offender's Head of House!" She was starting to turn a lovely shade of purple in her rage. Wow.

"I'll do that, then." Moody said simply, casting Malfoy a disgusted look.

Malfoy was muttering to himself now, his eyes downcast, his cheeks red in shame, and his head probably spinning. The words 'My father...' was barely heard as he attempted to bully his way out of trouble.

"Oh yeah?" Moody said quieter this time, limping towards Malfoy. "Well, I know your father of old, boy...you tell him Moody's keeping a close eye on his son...you tell him that from me...Now, your Head of House'll be Snape, will it?"

"Yes." Malfoy managed to muster as he shrank away from Professor Moody.

"Another old friend," Moody growled causing Max to shift uncomfortably. She didn't enjoy where any of this was going. "I've been looking forward to a chat with old Snape...come on, you..." Max felt her veins turn to ice and all she wanted to do was run into the dungeons and warn him.

But she knew it was foolish, he could easily take care of himself.

Moody had dragged Malfoy off leaving Professor McGonagall to give them all a strange apprehensive look before she left with a flick of her wand, her books righting themselves in her arms once again.

They all turned to see how Ron was fairing during the ordeal and he just pushed past them, his face unreadable.

"Don't talk to me." He spoke in a low and steady tone as he rushed towards the table taking a seat, his posture taught.

"Why not?" Hermione asked in surprise as she sat to Max's right as Harry sat between her and Ron.

"Because I want to fix that in my memory forever," Ron finally admitted breaking into a soft smile, "Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret..." He imagined wistfully.

Max couldn't help the snigger that ripped from her as Ron laughed a bit louder, bringing Harry into their little snigger ring.

"It honestly felt pretty sweet but..." Max trailed off trying to articulate how she felt about the situation without letting on she knew more about Moody.

"He could have seriously hurt Malfoy though, it was honestly good that Professor McGonagall showed up when she did." Hermione interjected finding the right words for Max.

"Yes, exactly. If he's ok doing that to Malfoy, what's to say he won't do the same if we upset him enough?" Max sounded back.

"You heard him though, he clearly hates death eaters, in fact he hates Snape and the Malfoys, I don't think he'd be the sort to just transfigure anyone into a ferret." Ron defended, his lips starting to press into a thin line.

Max felt anger creeping up her spine and she snapped.

"Oh come off it Ron! Our professor is pro-corporal punishment and you are degrading a professor who has never used such punishments on you before, can you even hear yourself?" Max all but shouted as she turned in a huff startling almost the entire table.

"Stop it both of you! You're ruining the best moment of my life!" Ron snapped finally. Hermione made an impartial noise as Max scoffed. Hermione started to eat at top-speed again and Harry watched her with fascination.

"Don't tell me you're going back to the library this evening?" He asked.

"Got to," Hermione stated simply, "loads to do."

"But you told us Professor Vector -"

"It's not school work." She stated as she finished her food and departed, her seat being taken by Fred.

"Oh hello there!" He laughed realizing he was also seated next to Max, "The names Fred." He introduced as Max shook his hand grinning.

"Hi, my name's Max." Withdrawing her hand she noticed his lingering stare before he turned back to the table.

"Moody!" He began, his voice raising to collect attention. "How cool is he?"

"Beyond cool." Chimed in George who was seated across from them.

"Supercool," Said another boy to George's left. "We had him this afternoon."

"What was he like?" Harry asked trying to ignore Max's scowling as Fred gave her a curious look.

"You alright?"

"Yeah, just, didn't really enjoy him is all." She finished lamely as Fred continued smiling at her.

"Eh, not everyone gets along, now to tell you all what to expect!" Fred comforted in his own way. "Never had a lesson like it."

"He KNOWS man." The unknown boy added.

"Knows what?" Ron asked.

"Knows what it's like to be out there DOING it." George nodded clearly impressed.

"Doing what?" Harry asked this time.

"Fighting the Dark Arts..." Max filled in looking off into the distance, an uncomfortable look on her face.

"Exactly my beautiful new friend." Fred complemented causing Max to turn red. Was he flirting at her? That was too weird. Wasn't it? They did mention being seventeen soon, that's just a two year difference. It was in that moment Max realized she was closer in age to the students than her best friend now.

"He's seen it all." George continued on.

"'Mazing!"

Ron dived into his schedule and looked through it, and muttered with a disappointed tone, "We haven't got him till Thursday!"

~Break~

Max's next morning went by without much happening at all. She had all her morning classes with Harry and had started to build her own friendship with the timid boy. Despite how his son was in the future, this boy was still a long way off from being a hero.

Before she knew it, it was after lunch and she had her first day of Potions class. Max was so nervous she had barely slept the night before, and had barely eaten much of her lunch.

"You ok?" Hermione asked as she nudged Max's elbow as she jumped for the third time.

"Oh, yeah sorry, just nervous..."

"Don't mind the their stories too much, Professor Snape isn't THAT bad." She attempted to calm Max but it only made her feel worse. It was sweet of her to say but she knew Severus better than all of them and knew this was going to be a whole class of awkwardness and uncomfortable interactions. She just hoped she didn't blow something up.

Again.

"It's ok, we work in pairs at least." That thought offered little comfort.

~Break~

The trek towards the dungeons was the longest of her life. She felt herself sweating at the base of her neck and groaned to herself as she attempted to calm herself. God she was such an idiot.

With a small smile Harry and Ron opened the doors to the Potion's room and took their seats leaving Hermione and Max to move to another set closer to the front. Max started to prepare her materials and stared up at the front of the classroom that was thankfully empty still.

The rest of the class filed in, Malfoy sneering as he passed her table bumping her book off with a laugh. Max pursed her lips in irritation as Hermione offered a small smile and helped her set her book back on their work station.

On the blackboard was written instructions on how to brew a Cure for Boils. She read through them nodding thoughtfully realizing this was still fourth year so the risk of an exploding cauldron was low.

Well, lower.

As the last person settled in their seat the door to their classroom burst open and Severus Snape stalked through, his robes billowing darkly behind him. He didn't even cast Max a glance as he passed her, and stopped only when he reached the front of the room.

"This may be your first day of Potions, but it is hardly your first day of classes. We will begin brewing right away and work until the class is finished. Once you are done you can start on the homework, which is a four page essay on the use of the Cure of Boils potion." He finished crisply as he tapped his wand and a timer appeared at the front of class.

"Begin." He ordered, his tone cold and devoid of emotion. His tongue held the 'n' slightly longer allowing it to turn into a sneer.

Yikes.

Hermione had already started to cut the necessary ingredients so Max started to crush the rest to prepare a crushed mixture. She ignored the burning gaze of Severus as he stalked past, taking a moment to inspect her work before walking off with a scoff.

"Don't mind him, he's tough but usually fair in his marks." Hermione shrugged having never had a problem collecting a satisfactory grade from her Potions professor.

~Break~

It was about thirty minutes in and they had almost finished brewing their potions when Neville let out a startled shriek as smoke started to emanate from his workstation. Another small explosion was heard as Professor Snape wooshed in putting it out and reprimanded Neville with such severity Max recoiled.

The boy slunk down in his seat offering a weak apology as Professor Snape deducted 10 points from Gryffindor and gave him a week's worth of detention cleaning cauldrons.

When Max got her grade back she twisted her face in irritation. She had marks deducted for not following the instructions precisely on the blackboard. She was not meant to crush one of the ingredients, but rather cut is in into fine slivers. She had opted not to as when Severus had taught her how to brew the potion in her original fourth year, he advised her that crushing worked better to release the juices. It did work remarkably better, however he seemed to still be deducting marks.

"Professor Snape?" Max asked before she could catch her tongue at the end of class. Snape turned, his back rigid, and he regarded her with cool irritation.

"Yes Miss Suthers?" The class had turned to regard them with curiosity now, and Hermione had reached out to try and get Max to sit down and forget about the deducted marks.

"I don't understand these deductions, the potion is above average, I don't think this is fair." She had stated it so brashly that Snape's face had set in a grim line masking his bubbling rage.

"Perhaps you need your eyes checked Miss Suthers, you failed to follow even the most basic of instructions and thus marks were deducted." He turned away as if finished with the conversation but Max had snapped.

"That is entirely unfair, you know for a FACT that potion is brewed better than anyone else's in this class!"

"Fifteen points from Gryffindor and one week of detention for your blatant disrespect. You can join Mr. Longbottom in cleaning cauldrons the muggle way every evening." Snape spat as he turned abruptly ending the conversation leaving Max staring wide eyed and agape.

"Come on..." Hermione whispered as she pulled the stunned girl from the classroom and down the hall.

"That's tough mate." Ron sympathized as Harry nodded his head regaling Max with some not-so-kind tales of her best friend.

~Break~

To say Max was mad was an understatement, but she had little chance to see Severus much less talk to him. Her next class wasn't until Thursday, and what a joy it would be; A double block.

She had spent the rest of her Tuesday sulking and reading a book Hermione had lent her the night before. She was feeling bitter and her mouth tasted like sand and bile. She had skipped dinner this evening not wanting to face her embarrassment from being ridiculed by Professor Snape. Malfoy was already have a field day with it, often mocking her with Snape's words as she walked past.

She knew he couldn't be kind, she knew Severus Snape wasn't a particularly warm or soft person in general, but she hadn't expected that. So she sulked, licking her wounds while picking at a piece of chocolate cake. The house elves never disappointed if you gave them gifts and basic kindness! One had popped in by the name of Winkey and handed her a piece of chocolate cake and some milk before disappearing again.

Sweet little thing she was. She had run into Winkey near the start of the school year, finding her crying as she went to empty the trash from the dorm rooms. In an awkward manner Max had asked her what was wrong, to which she showed a rip in her skirt with a loud snot-filled sniffle. She refused to explain WHY the tear bothered here, but merely burst into blubbering tears about what a failure she was. So Max had offered her some spare clothing of hers, only to be advised House-Elves were not permitted to take clothing from witches and wizards.

So Max smiled and said she was tossing some clothing out, as were a bunch of the other girls, and Winkey was free to dispose of it or...whatever. Ever since then she always always found a treat on her bed after classes.

"Are you going to sulk in here all day because of Potions class?" Parvati laughed as she bounced in. Dinner must have finished which meant her roommates were now back.

"I am NOT sulking." She huffed. Parvati laughed, it was low and warm and spread over her in calming waves.

"Alright, then come and join us in the common room!" Parvati quickly changed her clothing so she was dressed in some dark jeans and a grey knit sweater. It clung to her and looked soft to the touch. Deciding to get out of her uniform Max pulled out a tartan knee length skirt and a white turtleneck that she tucked into her waistband. Throwing on a pair of flats she followed Parvati out and they descended the stairs into the common room.

Harry and Ron were talking idly over Wizard's Chess as Fred and George were seated around them with the same unknown boy from before chatting excitedly.

Hermione was just in front of the fire with a book in her hands, seated to her right was Lavender. Parvati took a seat next to Lavender and they started to talk excitedly amongst themselves.

Finding a free seat Max sat next to Fred and George who turned to her in greeting.

"Hello lovely." Fred winked as George cackled.

"Hello again." Max laughed as the unknown boy stuck his hand out.

"The names Lee Jordan, best friend to these gits." He thrust her thumb towards the grinning twins and laughed as well.

"Nice to meet you, the names Max." She gripped his hand and shook it with a smile.

"Oh we know, Fred won't shut up about you." George laughed as Max went red and Fred smacked his twin with a huff.

"I mentioned her ONCE!"

"Oh yeah, about how pretty she is~" Came Georges sing-song voice.

"Oh yeah? Then what was that about Angelina then?" Fred retorted.

"Point taken, truce?"

"Truce." And just like they they shook hands.

"Are they always like this?" Max asked masking her laughter as she pulled her hand from Lee Jordan's grip.

"Even since I was born." Ron shrugged as Fred flicked a paper ball at his head.

"Stop it!" Ron snapped turning to glare at his brother.

"Wasn't me, it was George it was." George responded pointing to Fred.

"No it was definitely Fred, my dear brother. You can trust me I'm the trustworthy one" Fred echoed cheekily as he pointed at George.

"Oh come off it, you're Fred, and you're George, just stop lobbing paper balls at my head!" Ron hissed as he pointed at each brother in succession.

"Then learn to dodge." George finished with a grin. Fred let out a bark of laughter and Max couldn't help the chuckle that escaped.

"Come, some of the students want to play truth or dare, want to join us?" Fred asked, eyebrow poised in question.

"I wouldn't if I were you, Fred and George's idea of truth and dare is just dare until you are almost expelled." Ron warned as Harry nodded along, moving his rook and taking one of Ron's pawns.

"Yeah but that's what makes it fun." Lee Jordan grinned.

"Maybe another time." Max laughed as she pulled out her own book.

"Until next time lovely." Fred whispered close to her head as he gave her a small side hug. Max awkwardly took the strange display of affection and was left bright pink as the twins vacated their spots.

"Fred seems fond of you." Lavender grinned, as she gave her a knowing look.

"Oh hush!" Max muttered completely embarrassed.

~Break~

Wednesday came and went with little change. Max spent her classes with her new budding friendships, and studied in the evening while Fred and George hung around her thinking up Potion ideas of all things. It seemed they really wanted to apply for the Triwizard Tournament and had decided to use her to bounce ideas off of.

"What about leech juice?" George asked at a loss.

"I wouldn't, leech juice is primarily used in shrinking potions and can easily make any potion unstable." Max responded as she worked on her Potions essay for tomorrow.

"Plus, the ingredient is meant to help take away size, what if it takes away age or...worse..." Fred shuddered as he looked through a Potion Ingredients lexicon.

"Ok...what about mandrake?"

"Are you just naming random ingredients now?" Max sighed as she looked up.

"...why do you ask?"

"Because mandrake is used for curing petrification and it's alternate properties help as an aphrodisiac and painkiller, unless you want the chance of ODing with a painful woody, I'd avoid it outright." Max explained as George paled causing Fred to start cackling.

"Oh that gives me an idea for a tricky treat..." Fred gasped, tears in his eyes.

"Please don't, I'm convinced half the banned items at Hogwarts were created by you." She shoved Fred's shoulder and he let her without complaint.

"Guilty as charged." He grinned back as Harry and Ron entered into the common rooms. She caught Hermione sneaking her way into the dormitories so she excused herself and followed wanting to trade essays so they could help each other proof.

~Break~

As they had breakfast that Thursday morning Ron was musing out loud in anticipation of their DADA class, but also in dislike of their double Potion's block as well.

"You know why Snape's in such a foul mood, don't you?" He asked as he munched on a piece of toast.

"Yeah, Moody." Harry supplied as Max listened in trepidation.

Hermione had ended up teaching Neville a scouring charm to clean the pieces of toad out from underneath his fingernails from detail the night earlier. The past few detentions they had, Professor Snape merely told them what to do and left not wanting to look at them longer than necessary.

"What do you mean?" Max asked taking a chance to figure out everyone's animosity.

"Snape has been out for the DADA job forEVER, but the thing is, it's apparently cursed by You-Know-Who. The greasy git probably wants the job for his master." Harry explained, a frown marring his face.

"Oh." That wasn't the answer she was expecting.

"I reckon Snape's a bit scared of him, you know?" Harry added thoughtfully. Max held back a snort, Severus? Scared? Hardly.

"Imagine if Moody turned Snape into a horned toad," Ron laughed, "and bounced him all around his dungeon..." everyone at the table started to laugh and Max, having had enough, slammed her fork down and stood to leave.

"I'm full now, I'll meet you all in class." She breathed out as she tore out of the Great Hall.

~Chapter 6 End~

Author's End Note: So there you have it! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Not as interesting as what is to come, but hopefully laying out some interpersonal relationships and moments we may not have seen from a perspective other than Harry's :)