Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Just as Ginny was leaving to tuck in early, Dumbledore stood to finally make some announcements. Dean tugged her sleeve to make her sit down again. Ginny was half listening and half straining to hear what Harry, Ron and Hermione were talking about. She heard that joke items from Fred and George's shop were banned in school, which was disappointing but not surprising, considering last year.

Ginny remembered the twins' exit with pride. But what really caught her attention was the new teaching positions.Slughorn, not Snape, was going to be teaching Potions this year. Dumbledore announced that Snape was going to be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year! Harry yelled "No!" at the announcement, but Ginny was still too stunned to react to the news properly. She saw Snape give a lazy wave as the Slytherins clapped for him. But other than that, he really didn't give a response to the news. Ginny thought he look a little happy, Ginny would have been happy for him, but she overheard Harry telling Ron and Hermione how the job was jinxed and pointed out how nobody ever lasted more than a year in the position. This made Ginny's blood run cold. Harry was hoping for Snape's death, but Ginny was suddenly determined that she would not let that happen to him. She looked towards Snape, her determination plain on her features. He glanced over her way, eyes sliding over her just like every other student, but shot back to look at her when he noticed her fierce look. He wrinkled his brow slightly, tilting his head to one side in a questioning gaze.

Remembering Harry said Snape was a Legilimens, she held his gaze and recalled what Harry said about the teaching position being jinxed. His eyes narrowed slightly and he looked mad. She wasn't sure if it was because Harry said it or what Harry said. He looked away and didn't look back. Ginny wanted to tell him to be careful, to make him promise to be cautious or anything of that sort. But she knew Snape would not do that, least of all for her, a Gryffindor student and fifteen year old girl. That thought depressed her very quickly, and she turned and left the Great Hall in a rush with that reality crashing down on her.

That night Ginny had another dream, the first one for a while.She was standing over him, the terror in his eyes making it all the more fun. She moved her head from side to side in a hypnotic fashion, watching with relish as his gaze became unfocused. She let his eyes gloss over completely, then she lunged. Striking with lightning speed, again and again. Then He called, she released her victim and slithered towards him. She lifted her gaze to his- Ginny woke up screaming. The images still swimming just behind her eyes. She shuddered, ripping the blankets off her and jumping out of bed. She slipped her shoes on and left her dormitory, and all but ran out of the portrait hole.

She was halfway down the third staircase before she remembered Dumbledore saying how students were not allowed out of their dorms at night. She stopped mid-step on the staircase.Bloody hell. Ginny thought, pondering her situation. She was certainly not ready to go back to bed, at all. But she didn't want to get detention for being out of bed on her very first night back. She decided she would just not get caught, and tiptoed down the rest of the stairs to the ground floor. She needed to get out into the open air. She felt as if she would suffocate if she stayed inside a moment longer. Three-quarters of the way to the front doors she heard footsteps. Beginning to panic, she pressed herself against the wall closest to her. The footsteps were almost upon her when she realized how stupid she was being, hiding up against the wall when all she had to do was change into her Animagus form.

Shifting into a fox, she looked up to see Professor Snape and a shorter, fat and bald man walking together as if they were two old friends, taking an evening stroll. Pricking up her ears with interest, Ginny slunk away from the wall and trailed behind them. They walked in silence for quite a while, neither man saying a word. Silently, Ginny followed. They were heading for the Forbidden Forest. Ginny was groaning inwardly as her small form made it quite a challenge to keep up with Snape's long strides. Finally they reached the Forest, and Ginny darted behind a tree as Snape looked back. Moving around the tree she poked her head out from around the other side of the tree. Snape had turned his attention to the man.

"Why have you come to Hogwarts to speak to me? I thought we agreed specifically that you would stay away from here?" He said harshly to the man.

"I'm nearly done with the potion, when are we going to execute the plan?" The man replied, his accent vaguely French but his voice was strangely familiar.

"I don't know, when I have time. And speaking of time, I believe there is another component to this plan that we still need." Snape answered, sounding expectant towards the end. The shorter man grinned and help up something shiny and gold.

Snape's eyes widened in shock, "How did you get that?" The man seemed quite satisfied with himself,

"I nicked last year during the fight." Snape's eyebrows shot up, surprise making his features a lot less severe.

"What do you mean, 'nicked it'?" He asked carefully,

"Well, you know, before I found... Everyone, I was searching different doors and rooms... And I kind of stumbled upon this room with a whole bunch of half made time turners and a few whole ones, and I nicked the biggest one." The man said happily, as if it was just that simple.

Snape blinked at him a few times before replying. "Not bad, what does it do?"

The man sighed, "Well, it gives the wearer the ability to go back in time." He said, as if talking to a child. Snape's lip curled in annoyance.

"Obviously, but how much time does it turn back?" The man grinned madly,

"Years. And it can turn it forward years as well. Actually, it can turn years, months, weeks, days, hours, and possibly, though not positively, seconds." Snape was silent for a long time. Slipping a little closer, Ginny could see the look of hope in Snape's eyes.

"Do you think... We could... Save her?" His voice raw with emotion.

The man looked grave, "If we save them, it could completely mess up the future. And then everybody could die." The sadness between the two was almost physically painful.

Snape sighed, "We could do it like last time... You know, with the last person... Who couldn't be saved..." A knowing look passed between them. The man stroked the sides of his face down to his chin like he had a non-existent beard.

"This is something we could ponder, later... When the potion is finished, and we brewed some other potions, that might possibly be useful." He said curiously. Snape smiled in a mix hope and deviousness. The man shrugged his shoulders.

"So, what's new with you? Have you found a special lady yet?" He asked, Snape rolled his eyes.

"Why would I have a 'special lady'?" The man smirked,

"I don't know, just making conversation I guess... So? Who is she?" He prodded, Snape looked a little alarmed. "What gives you the impression that I have someone?"

The man grinned wider, "Because you didn't say 'no' and because you're a lot less snarky." Snape stared at him, "Come on mate, we're here in the forest, no one's going to hear." The man coaxed Snape, gesturing to his surroundings.

After a pause, Snape gave in. "I don't know, sometimes I think 'maybe' but she so unavailable-unattainable actually, in so many different ways, that I think it would be folly to even consider it. Itis folly actually, I should not be thinking that about her." His confession sounded nervous and frustrated. Ginny's heart twisted painfully in her gut, who was this woman who captivated his attention. The two carried on, oblivious to Ginny's silent pain.

"Who is she? She must be pretty damn special to catch your attention." The man said, losing his French accent all together.

Ginny was confused, she knew that voice, but she couldn't for the life of her remember where, or who it was. She sniffed at his general direction, but could only make out the scent of his cologne and the smell of Snape.

"Well, I try not to think about her too much..." Snape continued awkwardly, sounding like a shy young man. She looked at him, his expression was softer than she'd ever seen it.

"I've just found myself exceptionally fond of her... And... Protective?" Snape trailed off in uncertainty. Ginny was just about to burst with jealous rage and then despair. Her heart was twisting so painfully, she whimpered out loud. Both men's heads shot in her direction, wands pointed dangerously. Ginny's eyes bulged as she realized how stupid she had been to let her emotions get out of hand. Shrinking back, with her tail between her legs, she tried to look as submissive as possible. Hoping she could make a break for it, she slowly backed away.

She made it a few steps, turned and tried to bolt, but was scooped up in one large hand. To her horror, she was turned to stare Snape straight in the eye. Her pulse was racing and she squirmed in his grasp, fear overtaking her human side. Pure animal instinct took over as she yipped and snarled, biting at his fingers and face. But it was no use, she was caught, and Snape was going to be furious.

"C'mon mate, it's just a little fox. Put it down, I'm sure it was just hungry." The man with Snape said compassionately.

"Right, just a little fox who just so happens to have heard our entire conversation." Snape said suspiciously, Ginny whimpered in fear. Snape was A LOT more intimidating as a little fox.

"Right, but I saw that fox arrive just a few minutes ago. It can't have heard our entire conversation if it wasn't even here for most of it." The man said carefully, Ginny was starting to think this man might have known she was there all along.

"I don't believe that." Snape growled darkly, Ginny heard a finality in his tone that made feel as if her fate was sealed. She whimpered and cried, hoping that Snape would take pity on a small helpless animal. No such luck, Snape threw her to the ground and sent a jet of white light at her. Feeling her body shudder, she forced her legs to carry her into a thick bush before she started to change. Making it to the other side of the bush just as she turned back to fully human.

"Show yourself!" Snape snarled in anger, Ginny flinched and hunched down a little lower. The faint crunch of leaves told her that Snape was approaching. Fear gripping her, she looked around desperately for something to help her and bitterly regretting leaving her wand in her dorm. Suddenly there was a savage howl from a ways behind them. Ginny was afraid to look, in case she accidently looked back and saw Snape looking back at her. There was another howl, a lot closer and more menacing. She heard the swirl of leaves under Snape's cloak as he turned away from her, Ginny almost gasped in relief until someone appeared in front of her.

A hand clamped over her mouth before she could make a sound. She squinted and just made out the shape of Hermione's bushy hair. Hermione put a finger to her lips and motioned for Ginny to follow her. Ginny nodded and they silently tiptoed away. Once they were a safe distance away, Hermione grabbed Ginny's hand and they ran deeper into the forest. They ran until they couldn't continue any longer, both of them stumbling to a halt and doubling over to gasp for breath.

When Ginny could breathe again, she turned to Hermione. "Thanks, how did you know that I was here?"

Hermione smiled kindly, "I couldn't sleep either." Was all she said, but Ginny understood. She was in the common room probably when Ginny ran by, then followed her.

"Why were you following Snape?" She asked, Ginny blushed scarlet and looked at her feet. "I was curious... I guess."

She sounded lame even to herself and was certain Hermione didn't believe her. But Hermione didn't pry, and for that Ginny was grateful. They walked around for about an hour before they turned to head back out of the forest. Ginny couldn't help but ponder over the conversation she had just heard.What did Snape want with a time-turner? And who was it that he wanted to go back and save? And more importantly, who was this 'unattainable' woman that caught Snape's attention? Ginny's eyes prickled at the thought that he was interested in someone who wasn't her.

She huffed and shook her head,what am I thinking? I'm dating Dean! She admonished herself mentally, Hermione grabbed her arm suddenly breaking her out of her thoughts. She look at her in confusion and Hermione pointed to the tree that Ginny was about to walk into. Ginny gave her a sheepish look and Hermione looked amused.

"You want to tell me what you were thinking of that would make you run into a tree?" She asked knowingly, Ginny blushed.

"Not... Totally, it wouldn't be... A good idea... T-to voice those thoughts aloud." She said very quietly, Hermione smiled at her friend sympathetically.

"Well, in that case, I'll tell you something really stupid. I miss Sirius, a lot. He and I, were always at odds with each other. But now that he's gone, Imiss himso much." Hermione squeaked emotionally,

"I can't hardly stand it, I wish he was here. Every time Harry's got some idea in his head about something or other, I think, wouldn't Sirius love to be here? Or when I'm studying over the summer, I can almost hear his voice saying 'relax Hermione, you work too hard' like he used to. And Iwish I had gone back for him, or stayed close to him during the Battle..." Hermione's voice got increasingly shrilly until it crack and she went silent.

Ginny felt bad for her friend and slung an arm over her shoulder to comfort her. Hermione sobbed quietly, as they continued to walk out of the forest. They were nearing the edge of the forest now.

"I just wish Sirius was here, alive. Not just for Harry, but for me too." Hermione's sob turned into a gasp of horror and Ginny looked up to see the short, bald and fat man that was with Snape. He was there alone thankfully, but he stood there with his arms folded, staring at them.

His stern look softened when he saw Hermione crying, he looked a little sad, as if he wanted to comfort her. "Come now love, don't cry." He said gently, Hermione's eyes widened then narrowed as she stared at him.

He smiled slightly, and Ginny watched as something unspoken passed between them. Hermione sniffed a little and then spoke,

"What are you going to do to us?" Her tone was guarded but had an odd undertone to it. The man smiled kindly at her.

"Nothing, but I would suggest getting better at being aware of your surroundings if you're going to insist on sneaking around at night. I wouldn't want you girls running into trees and such..." He said, Ginny paled, feeling extremely unnerved.Has he really been following us that long? He smirked at Ginny as if reading her thoughts.

"I'm sorry for the intrusion, sir." Hermione said quietly, the man only smiled and shook his head. "Are you going to tell Snape it was us?" Ginny asked, getting straight to the point.

He looked as if he was pondering it briefly, "No, I don't think I will. I believe you girls have learned your lesson, no need to get an irate Snape involved. That man values his privacy quite a lot." He answered finally, still quite calm and cheery.

"What's your name sir?" Hermione asked quickly, he looked at her for a moment, deciding whether or not to answer. Finally he stuck out his hand, "Monsieur Marchand D' Oeuf, at your service." He said with a dramatic bow, his French accent coming back in full force.

Hermione smirked and put her hand in his, he kissed the back of it. He offered his hand to Ginny but she only placed her fingers around his index finger and shook his hand before letting go very quickly. She did not trust this man with the fake French accent.

He smiled despite her attitude, "You girls should go soon, it's getting late." His voice quiet but warning.

Hermione nodded and turned to Ginny, who glanced at D' Oeuf suspiciously. He took the hint and strolled away. Ginny waited until he was out of sight, before turning to Hermione and changing into a fox. Hermione changed into a dog and the two of them quietly made their way back up the Hogwarts grounds to the castle. They barely made it up the steps when the door flew open and Severus Snape stepped out.

He look at the two animals with an angry expression on his face. The two of them stood there, frozen. Hermione, in an act of pure boldness that could have bordered on stupidity, (had it not worked) launched herself at Snape. He was caught by surprise as her front paws slammed into his chest. He fell back and her back paws got him in the solar plexus. There was a loud whoosh and crack as the wind was knocked out of him and his head hit the floor. He didn't get up.

Hermione scrambled through the door that was being held open by Snape's body. Ginny followed suit, lightly hopping over Snape and landing in something wet on the other side. She stopped and looked down, in the pale moonlight, she could see crimson blood trickling from Snape's head. Alarm made her freeze. He was hurt, bleeding, and unconscious. She couldn't just leave him like that. Hermione seemed to feel bad too as she came back to Ginny's side. They listened carefully for any faint sound and when nothing was heard, they changed back into human form.

Hermione had smartly brought her wand. She pointed it at Snape's head and whispered a spell. Immediately his head stopped bleeding and the wound closed up. Ginny pushed the door open a little more and stuffed her shoe under it to keep it in place. Then with Hermione's help, they dragged his body out of the doorway and over to the side a little bit. Ginny grabbed her shoe and let the door close. They suddenly realized they didn't know where to put him. After much whispering debate, they decided to find his living quarters somehow. Ginny chewed her lip, how where they going to find his quarters?

Hermione was just as stumped, "Do I detect a pair of mademoiselles in distress?" Said a French accented voice. They turned around and vaguely made out the outline of a bald head.

Hermione smiled slightly, "Oui Monsieur." Ginny raised an eyebrow, as if to say 'really?' Hermione shrugged, "You wouldn't know how to find Professor Snape's living quarters would you?" She asked hopefully, Marchand (Sirius) nodded,

"I do, But I have sworn an oath that I will not reveal the whereabouts of it." He said, Hermione opened her mouth to say something, but he continued.

"Although, I can't be held responsible if someone followed me without my knowledge..." Ginny smirked and Hermione smiled mischievously,

"Well we wouldn't dare follow you to ateacher's living quarters." Hermione said not-so-innocently, Ginny felt as if Fred and George might have rubbed off on her a very little bit.

The man shrugged nonchalantly, slid his hands in his pockets and strolled away. Ginny grabbed one of Snape's arms and put it over her shoulder, Hermione doing the same and as one they lifted unconscious Snape. Hermione let out a groan as she struggled to support his surprisingly heavy weight. Ginny grunted with effort as well, noticing his arms were not as skinny as they had always looked with his billowing robes. Too stubborn to give in and say he was too heavy, Ginny continued walking forward. Hermione having no choice but to continue as well.

After a long hard drag through the dungeons, they finally arrived at Snape's door. Or wall more likely, Ginny could just make out a strange pattern in the stone bricks. Marchand waved his wand in a slow snake-like figure in front of the wall, then tapped three certain stones. Ginny committed it to memory for future reference. The wall shuddered, and then swung inward to become a door. Ginny and Hermione dragged Snape inside. There was a distinct Snape smell that Ginny found comforting somehow.

The sides of some walls were covered in bookshelves, three specific walls to be exact. Ginny could hear Hermione's little gasps of awe as they moved closer to the bookshelves. Ginny felt the need to steer this load since Hermione was too busy admiring the books. She looked around and found a little sofa, to her surprise it was a deep Slytherin green. It looked quite cushy even, with a little black carved wood coffee table to go with it. It look worn and old, but in good shape. Ginny maneuvered herself so her back was facing the sofa and Hermione mirrored her on the other side. On the count of three, they plopped down on the sofa.

Hermione heaved a sigh of relief as she pushed Snape's arm off of her. This caused Snape to fall over on Ginny, who squeaked with the unexpected movement. She found herself with Snape's head on her shoulder as she was pressed sideways on the sofa. Hermione pulled on Snape's other shoulder with all her might, causing him to flop the other way. Hermione jumped away as he hit the seat cushion and started to slide off of the sofa.

Finally free, Ginny dashed to catch him and push him back on the sofa. He groaned, finally starting to come to. Ginny and Hermione quickly ran to the door and Marchand appeared behind them to shut it, a bottle of firewhiskey in his hand. Once the door was fully shut, the two witches carefully made their way to Gryffindor Tower, bid each other good night and went to bed. Ginny's dreams were filled with Snape and his sofa. Sometimes he was getting mad at her for being there, other times he was happy she was there.

Snape woke up with a splitting headache, he looked around blearily to find himself on his sofa. There was a half empty bottle of firewhiskey on the table in front of him. There was a hairless dog sprawled out on the floor some distance in front of him. He groaned loudly as his head throbbed, waking up the dog a little. He growled at the sight of the damn dog, sprawled out onhis floor. With a growl of pain and irritation, he swiped up the bottle and threw it as hard as he could at the dog.

It missed him and hit the wall right above him *CRASH* the dog jumped up with a yelp and looked around. He saw Snape and then shifted back into Marchand (Sirius). He stood there for a moment, looking between the broken bottle and Snape as if he couldn't quite comprehend what had happened. He finally seemed to realize that Snape threw the bottle at him.

He blinked a few times, "well that wasn't very nice." He stated matter-of-factly. Snape growled in pain and Marchand went over to him, faint smile playing on his lips.

"Well I hope you've learned your lesson." Sirius said, putting his hands on his hips in a poor imitation of Molly Weasley. Snape closed his eyes for a minute, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"What do you mean?" He said irritably, the smile on Sirius's face only increasing his ire.

"You drank two and a half bottles of firewhiskey last night, I just couldn't stop you!" He said dramatically.

Snape didn't believe him, not for one minute. There was no way that he would drink that much alcohol for any reason. Sirius was up to something. Heaving a sigh, he played along.

"Oh Merlin, that was rash. What reason did I give for doing this?" He inquired calmly, making Sirius pause and look at him in suspicion.

"You didn't give a reason, by the time I got here you were already two bottles into it. By that time you were mumbling incoherently." Snape quirked an eyebrow,

"So good of you to stay with me." Snape said, still as calm as ever.

Sirius's face started showing signs of trepidation, "Yeah, well, couldn't leave a bloke all alone with that much alcohol in him. It's just not right, you know. But now that you're awake, and obviously feeling better I think I'll just be heading out..." Sirius said, casually walking towards the door.

"What? Leaving so soon? Tsk tsk, Black, I think you should stay a little longer. Tell me a little more about what happened last night." Snape said silkily.

Sirius smiled tightly, "No, I think I've stayed in this greasy bat cave long enough, thank you." With that he headed for the door.

"Who was the fox? And that other dog? The bitch?" Snape called to him. Sirius froze in his tracks, then turned around with genuine confusion.

"What other dog? There was no other dog, just the fox." Snape shook his head very slightly so as to not aggravate his head. "No, there was a female dog there as well. I thought maybe you sent her."

Sirius looked surprised, "I didn't send anyone. I don't know of anyone else who is an unregistered dog Animagus, as far as I know that's just me." His quiet tone made Snape almost believe him.

"So how did I get here?" Snape dared him to tell a lie.

Sirius heaved a big sigh, "You caught them at the front doors, and they jumped you. You fell back and hit your head, and they disappeared. I didn't see where they went, I was too busy getting your heavy ass here. Didn't think you'd like waking up to students looking at you..." He trailed off, Snape vaguely remembered something like that.

He inhaled, about to say something and caught a faint flowery scent. He sniffed a little, following the smell to his clothes. Grabbing the front of his robes, he held it up to his nose and inhaled deeply. He rifled through his robes until he found his wand, he conjured a little jar and waved at his robes. The scent floated into the little jar and he put a stopper in it. Tucking it into his robes he looked up at Sirius somewhat blandly,

"You lied to me." He stated, Sirius pressed his lips together.

"How so?" He countered and Snape glared at him.

"If you were the one who brought me here, why do I have the smell of a girl on me?" He asked in a low voice that said he meant business, Sirius smiled as if he welcomed the unspoken threat in Snape's tone.

"I dunno, maybe you were cuddling a flower?" Sirius joked, Snape scowled as his patience started to stretch thin.

"Is that the best you've got? 'Cuddling a flower?" Snape growled, Sirius almost laughed.

"Yeah, why not? I don't know what kind of weird fetishes you have." Sirius said with a shrug. His lips twitched as he struggled to keep a straight face. Snape was about to hex him. Sirius grinned as if he was hoping he would. They stared each other for a minute, Snape gripping his wand tightly and Sirius daring him to try.

*CRASH*

The two men looked to the door where the sound came from. Snape got up carefully and went to the door, He cracked it open to find Peeves assaulting a third year Slytherin girl. Snape scowled, firing a spell at Peeves who yelled as he fell through the wall and didn't reappear. He turned to the girl, who looked at him with big grey eyes that looked almost purple in the dim light.

"Go back to bed, it's after curfew. You know that you're not supposed to be out after curfew." He said calmly and gently. She opened her mouth to say something but Snape gave her a significant look. She snapped her mouth shut and nodded. She bid him good night quietly and left. He shut the door and turned back to Sirius, who looked at him curiously.

Snape paused for a moment, "My niece." He said simply. Sirius looked at him confused,

"But you don't have any siblings." Snape shrugged and said nothing. Sirius looked at him a moment longer and then dropped it.

"Well, then in that case. I have to go, if I'm going to complete that potion and such." He said nonchalantly, hoping Snape had forgotten about how he'd gotten to his quarters. Snape rolled his eyes and nodded, not pressing the subject about the smell. He was certain that Sirius was not going to tell him and so he resolved to find out by himself.

The next day, Ginny's first class was Defense Against the Dark Arts. She bumped into Luna on her way and smiled.

"Morning Luna." She said, feeling exceptionally nervous today and surprisingly not tired from her excursion last night. Luna gave her a dreamy smile in return,

"Morning Ginny, the snorkaks are attacking people now. There was blood at the front doors this morning." She said, Ginny's insides froze.

"Ginny, you look ill. Did the snorkak get you?" Luna asked, "Er, no... I'm just not feeling to well today. I guess I just ate something that didn't agree with me." She said in what she hoped was a normal tone of voice.

Luna smiled and nodded, accepting her answer. They filed in to the classroom and the two of them sat next to each other.

"How perfect, Weaselette sitting with Loony Lovegood." A Slytherin boy sneered behind them, Ginny pulled out her wand and turned around in her seat so she faced him.

"Having trouble with names mate? Because I know a great spell to help you with that." Ginny said, casually twirling her wand. The boy blanched and shook his head, Ginny smiled evilly.

Snape chose that exact moment to walk into the classroom. He glanced at Ginny with her wand still pointed at the Slytherin boy and stopped, "Miss Weasley, is there a problem?" He asked coolly, she opened her mouth to say something, but thought better of it.

She simply shook her head, "Then put your wand away until I tell you otherwise." He said a little forcefully, Ginny complied. She knew she shouldn't be surprised at his behavior, but it hurt her a little anyway. The memories of his conversation last night came unbidden to her mind. He was speaking to the whole class now, but Ginny was barely listening. All she could do was wonder who this woman was that caught Snape's attention.

"Miss Weasley, since you are so eager to use your wand, you go first." Ginny looked up like a deer in the headlights, "I-I'm sorry sir?" She asked, he raised an eyebrow.

"It seems your ability in potions does not carry into other fields." Ginny flushed and the Slytherins snickered, her temper rising at the insult.

"And your charming personality is carried with you everywhere." She snapped and stood up in front of the whole class.

"Ten points from Gryffindor for Miss Weasley's disrespectful behavior." He said, Ginny glared at him clenched her fists. He raised an eyebrow, daring her to continue.

"Am I supposed to pair up with someone...Sir?" She said rather insolently, he glared at her.

"No, you'll be doing it with me." She huffed and put her hands on her hips, trying to express exactly how annoyed she was.

He turned to the class, "As I said before, you'll be learning how to defend yourself against a stronger opponent. Obviously, Miss Weasley is the weaker one."

Ginny smiled nastily, "Obviously." She sneered, looking and sounding so much like Snape even he did a double-take.

He glared at her for a moment, wondering if she was trying to mock him. Ginny glared right back, already ready for a fight. He nodded to Ginny, indicating she should assume to form for a duel.

She complied and the two of them walked forward, bowing with wands up. Ginny's pulse was racing, she knew he was a Legilimens and had a reputation for being quite an accomplished wizard. She glared at him all the same, determined to beat him somehow. He smirked at her, giving her the impression he'd seen her thoughts. She tried to remember what Harry had said about Occlumency, as the two of them walked to opposite walls. Ginny was sure the room got bigger as she walked away from him.

Finally reaching the end, she turned and faced him. He stood there, wand pointed at her and Ginny knew what to do. She pointed her wand at him, he nodded to her and shot a spell. She dodged easily, shooting a spell in his general direction. He stepped aside as it flew by harmlessly. Her next three spells were so fast he barely had time to deflect them. A fourth one flew over his shoulder, ricocheted off the wall and hit him square in the back. He stumbled and Ginny sent a volley of Bat-Bogey hexes at him.

He deflected them and sent a spell at Ginny, knocking her flat on her back. She wheezed at him, a spell escaping her wand but missed him completely. He advanced on her slowly, the whole class waiting with bated breath. He came to a stop just above her. He raised his wand and Ginny kicked out a leg, causing him to fall forward. She pulled up her wand as he landed on top of her and pressed it to his neck.

"Checkmate." She said triumphantly, he only smirked as her whole body suddenly went rigid and she was unable to move.

He stood up and released her, "Like I said, the weaker one." He commented haughtily while offering her a hand up, she slapped it away and scrambled to her feet.

Angry and insulted, she walked away without a word and sat down with Luna. The Slytherins were sniggering and she was about to explode and hex them all.

"Next." Snape drawled lazily, and another student got up. By the end of class, most of the students were sore or just exhausted and all of them were defeated quite easily by Snape. He gave them homework on how to handle an opponent who is stronger. Ginny was so upset that the moment class was over, she bolted out the door. Luna followed after her, walking rather gingerly.