I scare myself sometimes.

Now is one of those times. I wrote this chapter without prior planning. I just wrote whatever came into mind at the instant. And this is the result.

I hope you enjoy...

Oh! By the way, I wanted to address something to one reviewer, Emeraldstorm7! Regarding your last review...

Thankyou! I was hoping people would react the way you did to my last chapter!

Moving on...

I do not own Harry Potter. That honor goes to JKR.

Finally allowed to leave the room, Nellie strolled the halls, worried about reentering her Defense against the Dark arts again, with her unpleasant last class. As the hour approached, Nellie felt fear tingling about her as she walked into the classroom.

Professor Carrow sat in his seat at the head of the empty classroom, ruffling over a stack of different papers. When at last he noticed Nellie, he stood from his seat, eyes trailing her every movement until she sat down. At this moment Professor Carrow took the liberty of walking over towards her with the stack in hands.

"This is the work you missed while you were absent from class, Miss Potter," he spat, saying Potter like it was a disease.

Nellie looked overwhelmingly at the stack. "That's a lot to make up for just three days," she trembled.

"Well, you missed three important lessons." Professor Carrow began to walk away, but turned back once more.

"Mind you," he seethed, "I could and would have done much worse to you if Snape wasn't Headmaster. You watch your place, Nellie, or you'll wound up worse than you did last time." And with that he walked back to his seat.

The class went by without any problems, to Nellie's relief. Most of her other classes gave her little to make up, too. As the evening approached, Nellie rushed to her dorm to get a lead on the work Carrow had given her.

Hours later, Nellie felt like giving up. The make up work was really getting to her, harder than anything else she had ever done. Walking down to the main Gryffindor hall, she found Neville sitting across the fireplace on a red armchair. Taking the opportunity, she grabbed her homework and rushed over to him.

"Neville, can you help me with this make up work?"

"Sure, let me see it," he responded, taking the sheets from her hands.

Squinting over the tiny print, Neville scratched his head. "This is all new to me, I don't remember doing any of this."

"Really?" Nellie felt dread waving over her. Had Carrow pulled a trick on her?

"Sorry, Nellie, but I don't know any of this."

Nellie sighed and walked back up the stairs to her bedroom, tossing the papers aside and trying to sleep.

Weeks passed and Defense against the Dark arts remained the same; Annoying, and scary at times as well. Professor Carrow continued to pester poor first years, and punished those who refused his orders. Nellie had witnessed Neville receive a black eye, Seamus get his face badly scarred, and others she wasn't familiar with have worse done to them.

Nellie was tired of the dangerous curriculum Carrow forced. She was upset that he hadn't been fired yet, with his cruelty and inhumanity. None of the other teachers seemed to notice this behavior from him, except Snape.

Nellie wasn't sure what was going on in his head. He knew what Carrow was capable of, and had witnessed his own adopted daughter burn at Carrow's hands. If he cared enough to save her, then why didn't he bother preventing the event from repeating itself?

But Snape wouldn't be an open book to anyone. He kept his ideas and opinions shut, to all but himself.

As the first trip to Hogsmeade approached, Nellie planned her course of places to visit, until receiving a letter.

Miss Potter, It read,

You are to attend detention this Saturday at 5:00 pm. Understanding that this weekend students will be visiting Hogsmeade, you are not allowed to join them this time, and are instead to be prompt in the Defense the Dark Arts classroom at the prescribed time.

"Detention?" Nellie was in anger. She hadn't done anything to Professor Carrow since day one (although she had been very tempted at times).

As Saturday arrived, Nellie watched the other students leave gleefully for Hogsmeade, and made her own way to Carrow's classroom.

The room was much darker than it had been during class hours. Carrow was seated, as usual, at his seat, grading assignments and burning those he disliked.

"Nellie," he said, not looking up, "do you know why you're here?"

"No," she responded smugly.

"No, sir" Carrow corrected. "I could care less if you approved my teachings or not, but you ought to respect me while you are in my classroom. Understood?"

"I suppose," Nellie lied.

"Very well. Now, I have heard you are acquaintances with a Miss Granger. Is that true?"

"Yes," Nellie was still unsure of what Carrow was leading to.

"Well, Miss Granger has not attended any classes this entire year. In fact, she has not stepped foot on Hogwarts grounds this year. Why is this so?"

"I'm not sure," Nellie replied, flustered.

"Oh, but I think you do." Professor Carrow's anger rose a hint. "Tell me, where is she? What is her location?"

"I honestly don't know."

"Quit lying! Your brother has also been absent, as well as a certain Mr. Weasley. I presume these three are together. Where are they, Potter?"

"I haven't talked with Hermione since last year," Nellie trembled.

"Is that so? Or are you trying to anger me? Tell me now, where are they!"

"I cannot tell you what I don't know!"

Carrow pulled out his wand, his face gleaming in anger. Nellie took a step back, fully frightened.

Before another breath could be inhaled or exhaled, the door behind Nellie burst open.

"Nellie? Why aren't you in Hogsmeade?"

Nellie shot around, and for once was relieved to see Snape.

"He," Nellie pointed at Carrow, "forced me to have detention instead of going, and I don't know why."

"Carrow, what do you think you're doing?"

"You traitor!" Carrow bellowed. "You side with her, and you betray our side. She knows where Potter is, and she won't tell. She's going against us!"

"I do not know where Harry is, nor will your shouting let me," Nellie replied coolly.

"Nellie, go to your dorm. I'll speak with Professor Carrow."

So, I hope you see what I tried to get across!

One character is trying to make amends, and I'm hoping you know who I'm talking about!

Also, as I was writing this, and wrote the mutual dislike between Nellie and Carrow, I felt reminded of Harry and Snape from the actual series. I added something I remembered from the books, too. Let's see if you noticed!

Myraah out.