Disclaimer: I do NOT, unfortunately, own the Harry Potter Series or its Characters, that right belongs solely to the enchanting J.K. Rowling, who should definately write another book. Anyways, I DO, however, own the plot, Oura and my favorite cat, Sterling.

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Chapter 4

Oura realized that Hogwarts was a whole lot more complicated than she thought. The staircases moved, the doors pretended to be walls and walls pretended to be doors, there were secret passages and doors that were portraits. Ghosts floated alongside the students and the owls delivered letters each morning, often dropping the Quibbler in her food. Peeves, she soon learned, was to be feared when you were late…or early…or living. He'd given her wrong directions when she asked him on her second day, he often pelted her fiery hair with chalk and had almost dumped toilet water on her head before the Bloody Baron rounded the corner, scaring the poltergeist out of his vapory skin.

Her classes were quite interesting, once she got to them. She aced Charms, and soon became first in her class, much to Hermione's annoyance. She was able to stay awake in History of Magic, was told she had an amazing green thumb in Herbology, was able to point out almost every star in Astronomy. Though Hermione assured her that Hagrid was a much better teacher, she excelled in Care of Magical Creatures. Oura was mediocre at Transfiguration, however, but soon gained Hermione's friendship when Oura quoted a paragraph from Hogwarts, A History perfectly. They studied together in the library, exchanging study tools and favorite books, and Oura even joined S.P.E.W.

The two of them weren't as close as Oura and Luna, though. Luna convinced her to order the Quibbler, and on off periods they searched for Moon Frogs and Wrackspurts. They walked to class together and Luna often told Oura of her nightly wanderings, making them up, as she had never been awake to witness what she was doing. According to her, Blibbering Humdingers took her through some of the secret passage ways, Nargles tangled her hair at night, and Umgubular Slashkilters were being held captive by the Ministry. Oura told Luna of her friends in France, the different classes they took there, the boys that followed her around here, and a bit about her mother. Since the Feast, Oura wouldn't mention her father, and Luna didn't push. The two of them shared secrets and Oura learned that Luna liked Neville Longbottom from Gryffindor. Luna asked her if she liked anyone in the school and Oura honestly said she didn't know. "It's all too new," she said, smiling at Luna. "I barely know anyone, and it takes time to develop feelings!"

"True," Luna agreed dreamily. "It takes at least two months for the Lowellrats to nest within your medulla oblongata."

Today, Oura had double Care of Magical Creatures, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and double Potions. Luna and Neville seemed horrified that Oura had Professor Snape and Professor Umbridge in the same day. Oura hadn't Potions or DADA yet and she couldn't judge, but she was afraid of the way Luna described Professor Snape. Oura knew him when she was young, but hadn't seen him since she was very small.

Care of Magical Creatures was normal. Professor Grubbly-Plank had showed them Crups, a wizard-bred dog that strongly resembles a Jack Russell Terrier, except that a Crup has a forked tail. One Crup took to her quite fondly and proceeded to follow her around licking her hand and it found a spider, which it ate. Professor Grubbly-Plank commended her and gave Ravenclaw 10 points for "having a way with animals." Oura named the Crup Esurientis, meaning the Hungry One. Esurientis was upset when Oura had to go and almost followed her to the school, before Professor Grubbly-Plank cast a levitation charm on him, floating him back to her.

Next, Oura had double DADA with Hufflepuff. The class was a major disappointment; All they did was read in a book and when people began to protest that they wouldn't be able to learn anything from just reading, Umbridge began docking points from their houses. After that, everyone quieted down and read chapter one and two, leaving the class grumbling when the bell rang.

"That was a terrible lesson. My mum wanted me to learn more Defensive magic, so I could take care of myself, if He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named rises. She won't be happy that we're not learning how to do the spells," Oura complained as they ate lunch.

Luna nodded. "I know what you mean. How will we fight the Heliopaths if they get loose?" Oura, who was used to Luna's creatures by now, didn't even bother asking what a Heliopath was or where it would get loose from.

"Though", Luna said, "Hermione said that she and Harry will be making a secret club to practice Defense against the Dark Arts. There's a meeting during the next Hogsmeade trip. Do you want to go?"

Oura thought for a moment, then nodded. Harry, who had faced many a dark creature, would be a good tutor for those looking to actually learn Defense Against the Dark Arts. "Let's get to Potions." She said as the bell rang.

The Potion's classroom was located in the damp dungeons. The room itself was an oval shape with small work tables and was relatively small, but not too crowded. In the corner was a stone basin, obviously used to wash students' hands and ladles. Slytherin was already there, and most of them sneered as the Ravenclaws walked in. Oura and Luna came in last and were forced to sit behind Draco Malfoy and his goons. He looked back at Oura and was about to make a nasty comment when Professor Snape walked in.

The hook-nosed teacher was a thin man with sallow skin, and yellow, uneven teeth. He has shoulder-length, greasy black hair which framed his face, and cold, black eyes. He wore black, flowing robes which give him the appearance of an overgrown bat. In short, he was exactly as Oura remembered him.

His presence silenced all conversations. He scanned the room for any misbehavior, but instead, they found Oura. He blinked, then walked to the front of the room.

"It appears we have a new student. Oura, is it?" Oura glared a bit at him as she nodded. She knew he remembered her. He was close friends with her father. "Let's see if you are indeed ready to be in my class. What potion needs Bursting mushrooms, Salamander blood, and Wartcap powder?"

"The Fire Protection Potion, which enables the drinker to move through flames unscathed." She replied instantly.

"That was an easy one," He glared at her. Some of her classmates tittered a bit. They didn't know that. "What effect does Alihotsy Draught have on the drinker?"

"It causes Hysteria." Draco looked back at her, surprised. He was usually the best potion student, but he hadn't remembered that.

"The process of making Euphoria?" He seemed determined to make her look like a fool, but he was only doing that to himself.

"Add peppermint until the potion turns red. Add shrivelfig until the potion turns turquoise. Stir until it turns blue. Allow the potion to simmer till it turns yellow. Add porcupine quills till the potion turns blue again. Allow the potion to simmer till it turns purple. Add seven castor beans. Stir counterclockwise. Allow the potion to simmer till it turns brown. Add shrivelfig till the potion turns pink. Allow the potion to simmer till it turns orange. Add wormwood till the potion turns yellow." She quoted without missing a beat. Her fellow Ravenclaws applauded and Oura knew she own.

Surprisingly, he looked at her with pride in his eyes. "You must have had an excellent teacher." She simply nodded. He then began the class, telling everyone to take out their cauldrons. As she did so, Oura didn't notice Draco looking at her with reverence. Oura seemed to be more than she appeared.