Disclaimer: All rights of the wonderful world of Harry Potter and all it's characters belong to J.K. Rowling of course and I am eternally grateful to her for changing my world with it.

The OCs are mine of course as is the story :) All characters are of (magical) age!

"Well done, Miss Brighton.", I heard the sonorous voice of the Potions Master behind me, while I was filling some of my work into a tiny vial. "Ten points for Slytherin."

"Thank you, Professor.", I simply answered, my green eyes filled with pride. Getting the attention of my favorite professor and head of house always made my day.

"That's it for today. For the next lesson, write an essay on Everlasting Elixirs. 13 inches. That's all." The dark-haired man returned to his desk while I was packing my things back into my bag, desperate to go to the library to study some more. Although Potions has been the last class for today and the weekend was up, I could never resist the charm of all the old books, full of knowledge and magic still to learn.

Ever since I came to Hogwarts five years ago, the library has been my favorite place. I've been asked several times by my classmates, why I haven't got sorted into Ravenclaw instead of Slytherin. My nose has been buried in a book for most of my time at Hogwarts. I always just shrugged and smiled at their comments. I didn't really mind; since I was little I found it hard to make friends and turned to books instead. That didn't really change in Hogwarts. My sixth year started two months ago and I still had just found two friends: Alexandra and Edward. They were both in my house and year.

On the other hand, it had it's advantages too. I was mostly at the top of the class – except for Divination and Flying Class. No matter how much I tried to improve in those, it never worked, which made it so much better to finally have dropped them.

As I walked into the library, I saw Alex already sitting at one of the tables. Smiling I made my way over to my best friend, taking the seat next to her. "What are you working on?", I whispered, not wanting to upset Madame Pince.

"Arithmancy. Let me guess, you finished yours already?", the brown-haired girl said with a smile.

Slightly blushing I pushed my blonde curls behind my ear, nodding silently.

"So, what are you going to work on, Liz?"

"Professor Snape's homework", I replied, pulling out my copy of Advanced Potion Making.

"You know, you might be the only person who call's him "Professor" without him being here", she remarked.

"He deserves the uttermost respect, did you know…"

"Stop", Alex interrupted me. "Stop with the Snape admiration please. I know you've been in love with him ever since the first year."

"I am not!", I exclaimed blushing excessively, earning a "Shhhh!" from Madame Pince.

Alex just chuckled, while I tried to concentrate on my essay. I didn't like her jokes about my admiration for the Potions Master. I wasn't in love with him, I just admired his skills; the way he brewed his potions was more magical than any wand waving I've seen. All the charms and jinxes I've witnessed since I came to Hogwarts, hadn't impressed me as much as the black-cloaked man's abilities. Having been raised by adoptive muggle parents, I didn't know I was a witch till my eleventh birthday. Until today I wasn't sure if I was muggle-born, a half- or a pureblood. Not that I really cared, but being in Slytherin, the question came up more often than I'd like it to.

I quickly shook my head to get my thoughts back on my homework. I wanted to finish this before dinner, so I could enjoy the Halloween weekend with trying to brew some of the sixth-year's potions to get a head-start – and to be able to impress Professor Snape some more.

"You're still thinking about your lover, aren't you?"

"ALEX! Stop it!"

"Shhh!"

The fog hung heavily over the castle grounds on the 31st of October. The sun barely made it through the windows of Hogwarts castle, not to mention through the waters of the Black Lake. I'd been awake for quite a while, staring into the greenish depths of the lake from the window next to my bed. In a few minutes Alex would surely wake me to accompany her and Edward to breakfast. I actually couldn't wait to start the day, knowing that in the Room of Requirements my own little potions paradise was waiting for me. I heard about the room when I came to Hogwarts but I finally discovered it for myself last year and I have been using it to enjoy brewing in peace, not having to use the potions classroom. Although I had noticed, the room sometimes had trouble to produce rare ingredients which would make it troublesome to create some of the sixth year potions for sure. Maybe... I swallowed at the pure thought of it, but maybe I could ask Professor Snape if I could use some of the rarer ingredients, hidden in his private storage. If I'd find the courage to ask him that was.

"Liz, are you awake yet?", I heard the sleepy voice of Alex, who had the bed to the right.

"Yeah, been a while, sleepy head", I answered with a smile and finally got up to start the day.

After breakfast with Alex and Edward, I found an excuse to leave the two for the Room of Requirements. It's been hours since I've locked myself in here but I didn't get tired of the bubbling potion in front of me, of the fumes filling the room or the smell of the various ingredients.

Humming I dropped in a dash of thyme tincture, slowly stirring it in. Excited I watched the color of the liquid change, rechecking the line for the current step. The title on top of the page showed Felix Felicis in golden letters. I knew how dangerous the potion could be if I only made the slightest mistake, but I couldn't resist the temptation of brewing one of the most difficult potions in the world.

"Grind up Occamy eggshells and add it to the mixture", I read the next line aloud, while grabbing the box of eggshells. Surprised how light it was, I opened it and my heart sank at the sight of the single eggshell in the box. That wasn't nearly enough for the liquid luck.

A loud sigh escaped my lips and filled the high ceiling of the room, while I sank onto the chair. I didn't want to give up, I've waited too long to finally brew this potion but the only option I had, was the idea I had in the morning: asking the Potions Master for help.

If he'd help me? I couldn't tell but the only thing that could happen, would be him saying no, right? Maybe he would be impressed because I attempted to brew Felix Felicis? The idea of even the slightest admiration in his eyes, made my heart race.

With a deep breath I turned off the fire under my cauldron, before I packed away everything. I was taking my time, trying to find the courage to go into Professor Snape's office and ask the black-haired man.

Leaving the Room of Requirements behind, I made my way back down to the dungeons. I could tell that it was almost time for the Halloween feast, since the sun was rapidly moving towards the horizon.

As I reached the corridor that led to my head of house's office, I could feel my heart beating heavily against my ribcage. Looking into those dark eyes, always made me nervous and asking him for a favor, made me even more anxious.

I inhaled deeply, coming to a halt in front of the door. I could do this.

As I raised my hand to knock, I realized the door was left slightly ajar and I could hear a sound coming from inside. Leaving his office unlocked was very unlike my favorite professor; did somebody – or even worse: something – break into his office?

Quickly I drew my wand, silently pushing the door open and sliding into the office, expecting the worst.

When I saw the source of the noise though, I felt my heart sank.

It wasn't an intruder or a beast. It was Professor Snape. The dark haired man was sitting at his desk, holding a frame in his hands and – I didn't think it would be possible – he was crying. Never had I seen the normally reserved and distant man, sad, let alone cry. It broke my heart.

Without a thought, I moved towards him, wanting to comfort him, realizing too late what a dangerous situation I just stepped into.

The moment the man realized, I was in the room, the sad expression on his face froze. I could see the anger rise in the black eyes, which seemed even blacker than usual and pierced into my green ones.

"P-professor...", I tried. I wanted to apologize for intruding, wanted to explain.

"Out", he just hissed between his lips, jumping from his chair.

Unable to move I stared at him. "I-I just..."

Quicker than I thought possible he moved towards me, the picture still in hand. Roughly he grabbed my collar and pushed me towards the door. "OUT!"

Scared as never before I rushed out, running towards the Slytherin common room. What did just happen? What did I just witness? Why was he crying? In how much trouble did I get myself into? And – the question which was the most important to me – who was the red haired woman on the picture Professor Snape was holding onto?