Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter series, just my OCs.

Note: The italics are thoughts

Chapter 4

What's that sound? Footsteps…

The air feels on fire… Someone broke the door…

What was it that Dad said… *CRASH*

What was that! I'm scared…

More noises…there's someone lying down…

Dad…Get the box in the closet and hide with…

Someone else is in there…Screaming…

Hide with…

Sarah woke with a sharp gasp and the words that the dream always ends with ringing in her ears. Avada Kedavra…a green flash. The only green she never wanted to see again. Sarah sat up in her bed, silently hoping she was quiet throughout the night. The last thing she wanted was to stir up rumors about late night noises. These kids are scared and scarred enough. This is already a 'cursed' position as it is, hate to make things harder for them. Sarah couldn't tell what time it was, but her alarm had not gone off yet so she wasn't too worried. The lake outside sounded like it was stirring, so Sarah assumed the sun may be up soon since the animals woke with the sun.

She focused on her breathing. It wasn't the first time the memory resurfaced, but it was the first time since school started. It was the full memory too. That can't be a good omen. She sighed and ran her hands over her face and through her hair. Then she touched her cheeks and her throat. Her cheeks were wet but her throat felt fine. Crying but no screaming. Good…no one should have heard anything then. She was still shaking so she laid back down and tried to meditate. If she needed her cane for the morning that was fine, there were plenty of reasons to use a cane. She just couldn't forget her glasses. That would be a dangerous mistake so early in the game. Only McGonagall and Hagrid were left that knew, and for now that's all who needed to know.

Sarah closed her eyes and chuckled as a memory popped back from when she was filling out her information for the ministry, a requirement to apply for Hogwarts. The wizard that took her papers happened to look at which job she was applying for. "Only dangerous freaks teach Defense Against the Dark Arts for Hogwarts" they said, with a mix of a scoff and a condescending chuckle. Now hearing her heartbeat in her ears and looking at the darkness as she opened her eyes, Sarah grimaced. Maybe that jerk wasn't too off the mark after all…

If anyone minded Professor Evans' sudden usage of a black cane while she walked through the halls that morning, they kept their thoughts to themselves. But it certainly did not go unnoticed by both students and staff, and neither did the look of pain that was faintly etched in her features. The only one who brought it up was Headmistress McGonagall, who simply asked if she needed some tea, not needing to bring it up directly. Evans politely declined, saying she had some if she needed.

She needed her cane longer than she hoped, as it was already midday. She managed to go without it during her morning classes, the 6th and 7th years of each house, walking very minimal and keeping calm. The fewer questions about it the better, she felt. Again, no one said anything, which worked in her favor. And again, it was not unnoticed, especially not by four pairs of curious eyes that happened to spot her walking through the partially outside corridor.