A/N: Hello all my lovely readers! I know I haven't posted in the last couple of weeks and for that I am truly sorry. The chapter just wouldn't come to me but I think I finally have gotten it to where I want it to be so thank you for your patience. I would also like to thank everybody who has favorited, followed, and reviewed. I try to respond to all of the reviews but I know I have fallen behind on that as well. The good news is that next week I am traveling to a wedding via train so I have about four hours of uninterrupted writing time and ideally there will be a chapter posted next week as well. Anyway enjoy the update and as always I own nothing except the characters you don't recognize!

September 2, 1994 - Hogwarts

The next morning Everleigh wakes up early to get ready for the first day of classes. She meticulously curls the ends of her hair and applies a small amount of makeup before she and Luna head down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Upon entering the Great Hall she scans the Gryffindor table hoping to catch a glimpse of Harry, but doesn't see his messy black hair.

"Who are you looking for?" Luna questions.

"Oh just seeing if Neville or Ginny have come down yet," she quickly fibs, "Come on. Let's eat and get our schedules before we find them."

Pulling the blonde to the table they sat at the night before, Everleigh spots Cho and Marietta and sits down across from them facing the Gryffindor table.

"Morning," Cho says sleepily, while Marietta simply nods in the direction of the two younger girls.

"Good morning," Everleigh responds cheerfully while putting eggs, bacon, and some toast on her plate.

"Oh Merlin! You're one of those," Marietta grumbles.

"One of what?"

"A morning person."

Everleigh simply laughs, shaking her head and starts to eat.

Cho is nibbling on some fruit and asks, "How was your first night in the tower?"

"It was fine. Luna was very helpful in showing me around." Everleigh smiles at Luna in thanks. "Does everybody always go to sleep so early?"

"Typically during the week yes, but during the weekends it depends," Cho informs the younger girl.

At that moment Everleigh sees Harry, Ron, and Hermione walk in and sit down over at the Gryffindor table.

"Are you okay Everleigh? There seems to be an abundance of wrackspurts floating around you. I noticed it on the train yesterday as well," Luna asks innocently.

Cho, Marietta, and Everleigh just blink at Luna not knowing if she is serious or not.

"Umm...what's a wrackspurt?" Everleigh finally ventures to ask.

"They're invisible creatures that fly around your head to make your brain go all fuzzy. They're quite annoying really."

"I'm umm...fine Luna. Nothing to worry about."

"Well they seem to multiply quite rapidly anytime you're staring at Harry. Maybe you should talk to him. That could help," Luna suggests.

Everleigh's face turns about as red as her hair. "Thanks Luna. I'll think about it," she mutters turning back to her breakfast while Cho and Marietta giggle in the background.

When Professor Flitwick begins to hand out the schedules, Luna and Everleigh compare them right away.

"I have Ancient Runes first but then Charms and Transfiguration before lunch. What do you start with?" Everleigh asks.

"Divination but then Charms and Transfiguratjon as well," Luna responds while getting up and grabbing her bag. "Let's go see what Ginny's schedule looks like."

"See you at lunch Cho, Marietta," Everleigh calls as the two girls head over to the Gryffindor table right as Professor McGonagall is walking away. Everleigh slides in between Hermione and Ginny and across from Harry and Ron, while Luna is between Ginny and Neville.

"Good morning everybody," Everleigh greets while giving Harry a bright smile.

Everybody else mumbles out a distracted "morning" as they all look at their schedules, and Harry gives her a tentative smile as well.

"What's wrong Ginny?" Luna asks noticing the glum look on her friend's face.

"Double Potions after lunch with the Slytherins."

"Bad luck Gin." Ron tries to awkwardly pat his little sister's hand, who just glares at him.

"What's wrong with double potions?" Everleigh questions.

"It's Snape and the Slytherins." Ron looks at Everleigh incredulously.

"Is Professor Snape really that bad? Neville mentioned on the train he could be...unpleasant but I can't imagine it's that terrible."

"He took points from me last year for. Reserving too loudly!" Ginny practically shrieks.

Everleigh's eyes widen at her volume. "Oh wow! Okay then."

"I still remember my first potions lesson. He actually singled me out, asked me a bunch of questions that we wouldn't even learn about until fifth year, and then accused me of wanting to use my fame to skate by in school," Harry adds.

"Why would he do that? That hardly seems fair." She can hardly believe the stories they are telling her. He really does seem like an unpleasant wizard, but still she is determined to get him to like her and mentor her in potions.

"I found out last year it's because he and my dad went to school together. Apparently they didn't get along."

"He knew Ja - your dad?" She eagerly asks, now even more interested in the wizard, and hopes nobody notices she almost called her birth father by his given name.

"Errr...yeah," Harry responds, slightly confused as to the new girl's interest.

"He's not usually that bad to Ravenclaws," Luna jumps in and assures her, "but he is head of Slytherin house so he tends to favor them. He does seem to have a special hatred for Gryffindor though."

"Thanks Luna," Everleigh says with a small smile. "So Ginny, what do you have first then?"

"Ancient Runes, then Defense and Transfiguration."

"Great! You can show me where the Ancient Runes classroom is and we have Transfiguration together as well," Everleigh declares with the bright smile her new friends have come to expect from her.

"Are you always this chipper in the morning?" Ginny glares.

"Marietta said basically the same thing." Everleigh laughs at the scowl on Ginny's face. "So are you ready?"

Ginny grumbles but gets up and grabs her bag anyway. The three girls head into the Entrance Hall and up the stairs. When they get to the fourth floor, Luna continues in up while Ginny and Everleigh head down the corridor.

"So why did you decide to take Ancient Runes?" Everleigh decides to break the silence.

"My oldest brother Bill is a curse breaker for Gringotts. I don't really know what I want to do but his job seems pretty cool. I figured I'd take it in case I decide that I want my OWL and NEWT in it. What about you?" Ginny asks as they make their way into the classroom and take a desk together in the middle of the room.

"I want to be a Healer. I know you don't really need Ancient Runes for that but if I want to go into research it could be helpful."

"Good morning class. My name is Professor Babbling and welcome to your first year of Ancient Runes. Please take out a quill, parchment, and your textbooks." A tall witch with straight, dark hair and a kind face sweeps into the room and waves her wand at the board where a series of Runes appears. With the teacher now present both Ginny and Everleigh cease their conversation to follow instructions. "Please translate the Runes on the board to the best of you ability. This will not be graded. I simply want to see how much of a basic comprehension you have from reading your book over the summer."

The rest of the class is spent completing the translations and taking notes right up until the end of the period. Ginny, needing to make it to Defense, throws her things in her bag and shouts that she'll see Everleigh in Transfiguration. Looking around Everleigh sees another Ravenclaw girl packing up as well.

"Hi! I'm Everleigh," she introduces herself.

The girl, who has her dark blonde hair plaited and towers over Everleigh, gives her a shy smile. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Nanette Desford."

"Nice to meet you as well. I was wondering, you have Charms now as well right? Could you show me the way to the classroom?"

"Of course. It's only one floor down. Come on," Nanette agrees.

As the two walk they discuss the class they just had and agree to do their homework together over the weekend. When they arrive in the classroom, Everleigh drags her new friend over to where Luna is already sitting. The three are silent as they pull out their books and parchment waiting for the class to start.

Their first Charms class is similar to Ancient Runes. Professor Flitwick starts with a practical, quickly reviewing everything from last year before moving on to a lecture and then assigning them reading for their homework. As everybody is ocming up to leave, Professor Flitwick calls over the noise. "Miss Garrison, a word please. It will only take a moment."

Nodding her head in agreement, Everleigh waits in her seat until everybody else leaves.

"Thank you for waiting Miss Garrison," the small Professor begins. "Now I wanted to see how you are settling in so far."

"Fine Professor. Everybody has been very accommodating in showing me around."

"That's good to hear. I typically meet with the first years individually after the first week or so of classes. I know you aren't a first year but since you are new I was hoping to schedule a meeting with you next Friday after your classes are finished. Does 4pm work for you?"

"Yes that would be fine. Thank you Professor."

"Great! I will send you a reminder on Friday morning. Now off you go; if I remember correctly you have Transfiguration next."

Before she leaves Professor Flitwick gives her directions to the Transfiguration classroom, then Everleigh races down the hall in order to not be late. Making it just in time, Everleigh spots Ginny and Luna sitting next to each other so she slides in behind them and next to Nanette.

Transformation passes much like Charms and Ancient Runes and before she knows it, it's time for lunch. Down in the Great Hall, the Ravenclaws and Gryffindor separate to their own tables. As she is nibbming on a sandwich, Everleigh pulls out a quill and parchment to write her letter to Remus.

Dear Mr. Lupin,

How are you doing? I am settling in at Hogwarts quite well and just finished my first morning of classes. Last night I was sorted into Ravenclaw and have already made some friends in my house, including a girl I met on the train, Luna. I also met some Gryffindors on the train, including Harry! I didn't talk to him much, I was too nervous, but I think I want to talk to him on my own. I appreciate your willingness to help but I don't want to wait until the first Hogsmeade weekend. Maybe we could still all meet up though? I started reading Lily's journal and I have a ton of questions. I hope things are going well for you now that you are no longer teaching. Please say hi to Snuffles for me, he really is a sweet dog, and I hope to see you both over break. I'm sure my parents would love to have you over for Christmas. I'll write to you again as soon as I know the date of Hogsmeade.

All my best,

Everleigh Garrison

"Who are you writing to?" Luna asks as Everleigh rolls the letter up.

"Just a family friend. We have a free period next. Could we go to the Owlery before we go to the Common Room?"

"Sure. I'm done if you want to go now." The two set off to the Owlery and then head back to the Common Room where they start on their Charms reading.

The rest of the day and weekend passes in a blur. After their free period the Ravenclaws had History of Magic with the Hufflepuffs, followed by dinner. That night in the Common Room, the older years had a Welcome Back party until well after midnight. By one in the morning, Everleigh was falling asleep and excused herself from a game of truth or dare with her yearmates and went to bed.

Saturday and Sunday were spent completing the readings that were assigned on Friday, as well as doing the Rune translations Professor Babbling assigned with Nanette and Ginny. At night, Everleigh continues to read Lily's journal. It seemed as if she had written almost every day, even if it was just a few sentences. Everleigh had gotten through most of January and learned that she told James about the pregnancy and the two cast the Charm together to find out they were having a girl. James was initially ecstatic by the idea of having another baby and then promptly had a panic attack at the fact it was a girl. Everleigh laughed when she read that.

Despite her resolve to talk to Harry, Everleigh never could seem to find him alone. He was always with Ron and Hermione or the rest of the Gryffindor boys, whether in the Great Hall, in the Library, or out on the Wuidditch Pitch. Feeling her resolve crumble a little, Everleigh decided that if she can't find him alone by the end of the following week she will pluck up every ounce of courage she has and simply ask to speak with him alone, no matter how embarrassing it may seem.

Monday came quickly and found Everleigh and Luna in the Great Hall early once more. Nanette joins the two shortly after they are done eating and she spies the excited smile on Everleigh's face. "What's got you so chipper on a Monday morning?"

"Double potions first thing!"

"And that's a good thing? It's Snape."

"Yes. Everybody has been telling me he's such a horrible person but he will like me. I am a very likesble person and I'm good at potions, and I'm going to prove it to him. They he'll have to give me advanced lessons," Everleigh declares with determination.

Nanette just snorts into her pumpkin juice while Luna simply gives her a serene smile.

"Oh so modest as well," Nanette teases, "well good luck with that. Just try not to lose all of our points."

Everleigh simply continues to smile at her as the post arrives. The barn owl Everleigh sent to Remus lands in front of her with a letter attached to his leg. She takes the letter and gives him a piece of bacon before he flies off. Ack to the Owlery.

Dear Everleigh,

Congratulations on getting into Ravenclaw! Your mother once told me that the Sorting Hat very nearly put her there as well. In regards to Harry, I am balky that you've had a chance to meet him. I would love to still visit with both you and Harry in Hogsmeade, maybe I can even bring Snuffles, who also says hi by the way. I wish you luck in talking to Harry.

Thing are going well now that I am no longer teaching full time. I have started to tutor a few people on the side though so I haven't completely given up on teaching.

As for the Holidays, Charlotte has already insisted that I stop by for dinner at least once. She does love to mother everybody doesn't she?

I will keep this short as I know how busy the start of the school year can be. Please know that you can write me anytime you need to talk.

Regards,

Remus Lupin

"Why is Professor Lupin writing to you?" Luna asks from next to her.

Jumping slightly, not expecting anybody to speak, Everleigh just looks at Luna. "Oh umm...he took my family and I to Diagon Alley to get my supplies. He's just become a family friend. I wrote to him to tell him where I was sorted."

Both Luna and Nanette stare at her for a moment bride shrugging and finishing their breakfast. Everleigh breathes a sigh of relief that neither girl asked any more questions and stuffs the letter into her bag. She's noticed how observant Luna is, despite her outward appearance of being in her own little world. She really want to tell Harry first, but if she isn't careful she'll let something g slip to Luna. "Come in. It's time for class."

The three girls get up and head to the dungeons for the first Potions class of the year. Despite her earlier worries, Everleigh is practically vibrating with excited energy as they make their way into the classroom. She drags her two friends to the open table ag the very front, Luna following serenely while Nanette is more reluctant. It's only a few minutes before the rest of the Ravenclaw third years and Hufflepuff third years fill the rest of the seats, and then Professor Sname comes sweeping into the classroom, robes flying behind him, and slamming the door making Everleigh jump slightly.

Facing the class, the Potions Master begins in his drawling voice, "While I wish to see how little knowledge you retained over the summer, I do I think wish to have my classroom blown up just yet. Turn to page 112 and begin taking notes while I take attendance."

Not wanting to get on his bad side, Everleigh immediately complies, though internally grimaces when she sees they are starting with the Confusing Concoction. She knew most of this would be review but hoped they would start at least with something interesting or useful, though it's not her lesson plan so she continues to follow instructions, taking note of each ingredient, how and why they interact with each other they way they do, and in the margins making note of potential ways to improve it.

"What may I ask are you doing?" A cold voice interrupts her work.

Glancing up she sees Professor Snape glaring down at her. "Umm...taking notes?" The young girl is extremely perplexed at the question. He asked them to take notes about the potion and that's what she is doing.

"What were my instructions at the beginning of class?" the professor snaps.

"To take notes in regards to the potion on page 112 of our textbooks."

"Correct. So why, may I ask, did you feel the need to change the instructions of a potion that has been around longer than you've been alive?"

"Oh, they are just ideas I had. I..."

"You feel as if you know better than the author of a textbook that has dedicated his life to Potions?"

"No, but..."

"Perhaps you were going to try and share these changes with your friends in hopes to get them in trouble and make yourself look better then?"

"What? No, of course not!"

"Five points from Ravenclaw for failing to follow instructions. Now everybody set up your cauldrons and begin to brew the Confusing Concoction. Follow the instructions in your book," the dour Professor barks, "exactly as they are written." He then stalks to his desk and sits down to observe the students.

Everleigh completely bewildered and more than a little embarrassed, does exactly as she is told and is silent for the rest of the class, not wanting to draw the ire of her professor again. Once she is done brewing, she puts a sample in a vial and delivers it to the Potions Master before vanishing the rest and cleaning up. She spends the last ten minutes of class reading her text and mentally making notes on each potion.

Nanette turns to the read head once she is done packing up. "You ready to go? We need to get to Herbokogy."

"I'll meet you there. I want to talk to Professor Snape." She says as she waves her friend off.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Nanette questions, clearly worried about her new friend.

Everleigh simply flashes Nanette her bright smile. "It'll be fine. Don't worry. I'll meet you and Luna in Herbology."

Luna smiles back at Everleigh sweetly. "Come on Banette. Everleigh can handle herself." The two blondes are the last to leave as Everleigh walks up to the Professor's desk.

"Can I help you with something Miss Garrison?"

"Actually I would like to apologize," she begins.

"And what are you apologizing for exactly?"

"The misunderstanding with my notes. I didn't realize there would be such a problem with simply making notes of possible improvements. I would like you to know I would never share those changes or try them myself without permission. I know I generally have a better grasp on the subject than most do, it seems to just come naturally to me, but I also know I still have a lot to learn. I would never presume my way is better than somebody who has been brewing for years. Those notes were simply for my benefit and I was hoping to discuss them with you before I ever tried them, to make sure my through process was correct."

Professor Snape continues to stare at her with a blank look on his face even after she finished speaking. She doesn't flinch or back down and continues to stare right back.

"You may go Miss Garrison," he finally instructs.

"But..."

"Miss Garrison please remove yourself from my classroom before I am forced to take more points and issue detention for failing to follow instructions. Again."

With that, Everleigh shuts her mouth and quickly races out of the dungeon. Erode the unpleasant wizard can say anything else.

A/N: So what did you think? We have both Harry and Snape interacting with Everleigh? The scene with Snape was the hardest to write for me. I know how I wanted him to act towards Everleigh but what I wanted didn't seem realistic to Snape's character so I had to make a lot of adjustments. Please let me know what you think in the reviews!