Greetings; so even though I'm a veteran at writing this is my first Harry Potter Fanfic so please be gentle in that regard. I will gladly take any corrections though. Thanks for taking the time to read I appreciate it.

Brief summary; Robin Ryen falls madly in love with our favorite potions master the moment she lays eyes on him. To her dismay she is not placed in Slytherin as she had hoped but pledges to do everything she can to be in his favor. However all is not well when at the beginning of her 4th year a new professor arrives at Hogwarts and is WAY too close to Professor Snape than Robin is comfortable with. She will have to deal with this swiftly before things get out of hand.

"I assure you professor, I say this with absolute conviction that no one, no one loves Professor Severus Snape like I do. You cannot understand my feelings for him. They are not the silly flutters that most girls my age feel. It is pure, it is unconditional it is unwavering. Whatever you think you feel for him, it is dwarfed by my devotion to him. So do not patronize me with your weak assessment of my love in exchange for infatuation."

I died the day I was sorted into Hufflepuff. No…well yes for some of the reasons you're probably thinking. Hufflepuff isn't known for being brave, clever, or intelligent. No, we are kind, dedicated, and patient. Not exactly traits to boast about or be proud of. It took me until my second year to accept that I was Hufflepuff through and through. No matter how much I tried to deny it. Both my elder sister and brother were sorted into Ravenclaw and Gryfinndor respectively. Our family has always been a bit of a mixed bag when it came to sorting. Yet I was the only one to receive a condolences letter from my uncle upon hearing which house I was placed into. Arrogant Gryfinndor.

Right I'm rambling. My distain for my house came later. Though as I've said now as a fourth year I accept it. I even quite like my house. When you're an emotional hurricane like me it's good to have like minded people to surround yourself with. The glamour of Hogwarts wore off on me from my siblings incessantly going on about its wondrous halls and gorgeous grounds. I had seen the pictures and heard all the stories. From the ghosts to the moving staircases I knew all there was about the blasted place before I ever step foot off the train.

There are few moments in life that we recall with perfect clarity. Ones we repeat in our minds so many times it barely requires concentration. Most students remember their first time walking up the grand staircase just before the dinner hall. The anticipation of which house you'll be defined as. Meeting your other classmates and the staff members for the first time. No, for me none of those things mattered. I was pushed to the front of the crowd and although my shy nature at the time wished to slink back behind the taller first years until a commanding voice snapped us all to attention. All at once everyone stopped to see the owner of this deep drawl.

"Seize your pushing and shoving." He didn't have to yell, his tone convinced us all he wasn't to be tested. "Now then, there are four houses. Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryfinndor, and my house Slytherin. You will be sorted into the house that suits you. No arguing with the sorting hat, we haven't time for that. Follow me, quietly."

My heart exploded three times over in the small amount of time between walking from the stairs to the end of the great hall. I screamed inside myself, begging the universe to place me in his house. I had never been in love before but I imagined this is what it felt like. I watched his every movement and gesture. His straight expression holding all of the greatest mysteries, every inch of him covered in black. His eyes, they hid so much from the world but even then as a mere eleven year old I sensed they had seen compassion. Long ago perhaps, but it was there. I pledged to myself that I would dedicate myself to learning all I could about this man, how to make him happy, proud even!

Yes, even then it occurred to me that he was a teacher and the chances of an ounce of my feelings being reciprocated where about as likely as Sirius Black being released on parole. It didn't matter, as long as I could be near him. That would be enough, it would have to be.

"Robin Ryen." He said my name. I stepped tentatively to the stool, I found strength when my eyes connected with his. He nodded his head and I sat down. I was certain that everyone could hear my heart thrashing around in my chest. I was sure I would slip off of the seat with all the sweat pouring out of me. The hat was placed on my head. It wiggled and mumbled its ponderings.

"Ahh…" he grumbled. "Another Ryen hmmm very different from the other two. Touch of Ravenclaw to be sure but I think…oh yes there it is. Hufflepuff!"

My brother who was two years ahead of me could be heard howling with laughter. He had teased me that I would be Slytherin or Hufflepuff. In my defense he did have a fifty percent chance of being right either way. But it still hurt that in the brief silence after the sorting hat made his decision everyone could hear my dear brother Sebastian taking amusement in this wretched hell I was now in. I looked up at my mystery man and wanted to cry. He tilted his head over to the table on the far side of the hall.

"Go on then." His voice held softness, more than to the others who had lingered. "Go join your classmates." Had he not spoken to me I probably would have gawked in horror the whole night. I slumped over to the table and veterans of Hufflepuff patted my shoulder. As if they knew the disappointment running through me. They assured me it would be alright and that Hufflepuff was really a great house. But they didn't understand. I knew nothing about any of the houses except bits of what my siblings told me. Truthfully before this moment I didn't care which house I was put into. All of that changed the moment I saw him.

All throughout dinner I ignored the headmaster's announcement and other introductions of the staff. My attention was focused on the emotionless man in black. He barely talked throughout dinner, he ate very little, drank mostly and kept himself in his thoughts. Finally my eyes had been torn away from him by a second year.

"Did you hear me Robin?"

"Huh?!" I exclaimed a little too loudly.

"I said don't worry about the other houses. We all have our strengths you'll see."

"Oh yeah…" I said trying to slowly find my way back to him without it seeming too obvious.

"What subject do you fancy?" She asked me. Regrettably I could only keep him in my peripheral vision for now.

"That teacher over there." I pointed to my prince. "What subject does he teach?"

"You mean Snape?" Snape oh he was a Slytherin. "Gods you'd do well stay away from him."

"Why?"

"Bitter that one. Wants to teach defense against the dark arts but he always gets stuck with potions. Rubbish professor if you ask me." I hadn't asked her, but either way I didn't care for her opinion.

"Rubbish? Why?"

"He's not the nicest fellow, and his grading curve is murder. It's a wonder any of us pass his class." Nonsense! He just has high expectations. And why not? These wizards and witches would be the future; he couldn't allow them to slide by with mediocre skills. Not with his reputation on the line. He had to expect the best from them. The others, they were just lazy or didn't have a passion for potions. Either way it made no never mind to me. It was decided, I would not sleep until my entire potions text book was in my brain. I'm sure the second year tried to regain my focus but this time I didn't hide my indifference towards her.

As expected I did not sleep well that night. Aside from me reading my potions textbook almost twice over, the churning in my stomach would have kept me awake all the same. Sadly my schedule was as follows; Transfiguration, Charms, Flying, Lunch, History of magic, Study hall and then finally Potions. I would have to wait all day to see him. Then again I heard from some of the other students that he occasionally looked over study hall in the afternoons. I had also learned his first name, Severus. Regardless of who said it, my ears became warm and my heart beat with anxiety.

As first days go it was uneventful. I had a moment to collect myself once study hall came. My sister Lena shared this period with me. As a fourth year she was taking a lot of advanced classes and so took on study hall to catch up on her work. She asked how things were going and I did my best to hide the wild excitement rushing through me to get to potions. I assured her all was well and only requested we leave a few minutes early so that I could get to my next class on time.

"Potions huh?" I nodded hoping she didn't have any harsh words to professor Snape. "Sure I'll show you where it is."

"Lena…is professor Snape as bad as they say?"

"Huh? Oh no he's not all that bad. I mean he's tough but as long as you show you want to learn seriously he'll usually cut you a break."

"You mean like ask questions, stay after class and all that?"

"Yeah, he has decent office hours before and after dinner. So as long as you're respectful he won't mind you stopping by." Perfect. He would know my dedication to the beautiful art of potions. Any extra energy I had would be for the betterment and advancement of my knowledge in his class. As promised Lena escorted me to potions. The classroom was empty except for him. Lena knocked on the door. Without looking up he acknowledged us.

"Yes Miss Ryen, what can I do for you?" He resumed writing in a black notebook until we had reached the front of his desk did he look up. "Ah, the Hufflepuff girl." He said slowly.

"Afternoon Professor Snape. This is my little sister Robin. She wanted to be sure she got here on time."

"Well, at least one of your siblings understands the importance of punctuality. That's more than I can say for your brother." His voice had a subtle softness in between the sarcasm.

"Alright little Robin I'm off to quidditch. I'll see you later."

Somehow, I'm not sure how I managed to keep my mouth from gawking and I sat myself the second seat in the front row. It was the perfect angle to see him while using the excuse of watching the board. Much of my first year was spent this way. Me agonizing until it was time to go to potions. Sitting there ten minutes before class was to begin. When most students were using the loo or messing around in the courtyards. I was there in Professor Snape's domain waiting to learn from his brilliant mind. Sometimes I was there even before he was. He never said anything about my early arrivals. A few times when I was sitting outside waiting for the classroom to be opened he would snort as though he shouldn't have been surprised but always was.

I found out just how difficult it was to be considered a potions master. It was a very expansive subject that required many years of study to even be adept. My admiration for him only grew every time I read about potions that required delicate precision with ingredients, the complexity of temperature and mixing properties. If overlooked would give you an entirely different result. It took patience, knowledge and passion to create an effective potion.

I dreaded holidays and time away from school. Aside from my intense love of Severus Snape, I did truly enjoy school. I felt my housemates were closer to me than someone of my family members and other than potions I thoroughly looked forward to charms class as well.

But now we're here at the beginning of my fourth year. When the announcement was made that Professor Flitwick would be taking an extended leave of absence and another professor would be assuming his position of head of Ravenclaw house.

I knew little about this woman; her name was Eva Vaustali she specialized in charms, which meant she would be my new teacher in that as well. But it didn't matter because all I could focus on was that she sat next to professor Snape during dinner. I watched them the entire time. She mostly talked but he was engaging in conversation. I even noticed a twinge of a smile on his lips. Something I had only witnessed as a smirk or victory over a student's ignorance. I knew little about this woman, but what I did know was that I hated her.

This was supposed to be a oneshot but I think I'll see where it goes.