Another year came, as Dumbledore came into our classroom, where Snape and I had been preparing everything for the new year. Nothing really needed to be done. Just some sweeping, dusting, and making sure everything was in its right place.

"Severus, it's time." Dumbledore said.

I glanced at Snape.

"I see. Very well." Snape said, slowly.

Dumbledore nodded and walked out of the room. When the door closed, I looked back at Snape. He started to look pale and sick.

"It's time for what?" I asked.

"Must you always try to involve yourself in my business?" he asked.

I couldn't help but smile. "Perhaps not. But, I assume it's alright to know, considering Dumbledore said it with me here."

Snape hesitated. "I will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year."

My eyes widened." Really?"

"Why is it so surprising?"

"Well, rumor has it that you've been wanting that teaching position for a while."

"You should never base your information from rumors."

"But, it is true, isn't it?"

"Yes."

I sighed and let my arms down, slapping them against my thighs. "Well, then I suppose there's no point in continuing our work here. Where's the Dark Arts room?"

"Come." he said, with a few books in hand.

He walked across the room and out the door. I gathered my things and hurried after him. We walked the halls and we approached the classroom.

"So, who will be teaching potions, then?" I asked.

"Professor Slughorn will return to his position as the potions teacher." he replied.

"Slughorn? Oh, I've heard of him. He used to teach here."

He glanced at me. "You seem to know much about Hogwarts' history."

"I've read a bit about the school. I wouldn't work at a school I knew nothing about, would I?"

"I suppose not. Knowing you, you probably read several books on it."

"I confess that I did." I replied, smiling.

We entered the classroom, and I was amazed at how much larger it was than our old classroom.

"I'm going to want to spend some time alone, if you don't mind. Go draw something that catches your eye." he said, shooing me away with his hand.

My mouth twisted, but I grabbed my notebook anyway.

I walked out of the room and closed the door. There weren't many interesting things to draw that day. I looked around for anything, but nothing really gave me an urge to draw. I sat in the girl's lavatory, since no one ever went in, and started doodling.

I started with a pair of eyes. Then, I drew a mouth, and then long, dark hair. I gave the figure some shoulders and a dark cloak. The hair barely touched it, and I froze when I realized what I had drawn. Professor Snape looked at me from the page, with his typical frown.

Quickly, I ripped out the drawing, ready to crumple it. But, I stopped and stared at it. I bit down on my pencil and pondered. Then, I erased Snape's frowning lips. I replaced them with a large smile.

Ehh, no.

His smile was more intimidating than his frown. I erased the ends of his lips and was pleased. A small smile fit him better than a larger one.

"A story?"

"Yes. The young ghost girl could've had a wonderful story to tell. Or a tragic one. That's the beauty, you see? You just never know." I said, realizing I was smiling.

To my shock, he also smiled a bit.

I shook my head, trying to remove such awkward thoughts. I stuffed the paper into my notebook, and shut it. Then, I stood up and stretched my arms. The students would be arriving soon, so I headed back to the classroom.

When I entered, I saw that Draco Malfoy was inside. He was talking with Snape. They both turned when I walked in.

"Oh. Mr. Malfoy, what a..surprise." I said.

Neither of them said anything.

"All the students are about to meet in the assembly room, Mr. Malfoy. It would be wise of you to join them. I'm sure you're well aware that no students should be up in this part of the tower before school has even begun." I said, giving him a warning look.

"Yes, Miss Strauss." Malfoy said, walking across the room.

He walked past me and out the door. I looked back at Snape and saw he was putting some books away. I walked towards my desk, and put my notebook in a drawer.

"I'm not going to ask why Draco was here, but you should know better than to be letting him up here." I said.

Snape said nothing.

I sighed and slammed the drawer shut. Snape walked across the room and asked me to follow. We entered the assembly room, and I was greeted by several students, including Harry and his friends.

I smiled and waved, before sitting beside Snape.

"The very best of evenings to you! First off, please join me in welcoming the newest member of our staff, Horace Slughorn." Dumbledore announced to all the students.

Everyone was silent.

"Professor Slughorn, I'm happy to say, has agreed to resume his old post of Potions master. Meanwhile the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts will be assumed by Professor Snape."

The room responded with silence. A few students from Slytherin applauded, and some First Years as well.

"Now, as you know, each and every one of you was searched upon your arrival tonight. You have a right to know why. " Dumbledore said.

The students leaned in closer, wanting to know why. All ears were open and ready to hear.

"Once there was a young man who, like you, sat in this very Hall. Walked this castle's corridors. Slept beneath its roof. He seemed, to all the world, a student like any other. His name? Tom Riddle."

The room filled with a few whispers, and I saw Harry pay particular attention. Dumbledore quickly sent the students off to bed with the horrific announcement to haunt them, no doubt.

I sat in the new classroom, trying to get used to things. I opened a cabinet to grab a book I had been reading, but it wasn't anywhere. Then, I realized I must've left it in the old classroom.

Sighing, I stood up and headed there. When I tried to open the door, I realized it was locked. Taking out my wand, I gave it a wave.

"Alohomora." I whispered.

The door unlocked, and I stepped in. When I did, I heard several books fall onto the floor. I gasped and casted the lumos spell to see who was there. It was Snape.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, still shaken from the fright.

"I came looking for something. Why are you here?" I asked.

"I was looking for a book." he said.

I glanced at the piles of textbooks on the floor, and I grimaced.

"You were looking for a textbook?" I asked.

"Get what you want and go. You'll need rest for class tomorrow." he said.

"Didn't know you cared so much." I joked, walking to my old desk and grabbing my book.


After a few days, Snape and I were called downstairs. A girl had been cursed by some sort of necklace. Her name was Katie Bell. Snape examined the necklace as Harry, Hermione, and Ron all stood behind and watched.

"What do you think?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"I think Miss Bell is lucky to be alive." he said.

"She was cursed, wasn't she?" Harry asked from behind. "I know Katie. Off the Quidditch pitch, she wouldn't hurt a fly. If she was bring that to someone, she wasn't doing it willingly."

Snape turned and eyed Harry, levelly. McGonagall nodded in agreement.

"Yes, she was cursed." she said.

"It was Malfoy." Harry said.

"Well, no one knows that for sure." I said.

"That's a very serious accusation, Potter."McGonagall nodded.

"Indeed." Snape said. "Your evidence?"

Harry hesitated. "I...just...know."

"You just...know." Snape said. "Once again, you astonish me with your gifts, Potter, gifts mere mortals could only dream of possessing. How grand it must be to be the Chosen One."

Ron and Hermione shared a glance. McGonagall dismissed them to their dormitories. Snape put the necklace down to be locked up and put away.

He looked at me. "You're dismissed for today."

Then, he walked down the hall to the classroom. A thought hit me and I walked after him.

"Why are you so defensive of Draco?" I asked.

"I am not defensive of him." he said.

I scoffed. "Oh, really? Because you seemed rather offended when Harry accused him about the necklace."

"He didn't poison the bloody necklace."

"But, you would know that, wouldn't you? Considering how much you're around him."

He stopped and stared into my eyes. "You're dismissed for today."

He walked ahead, and I didn't bother to catch up.