Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. I doubt that anyone here would claim that they are theirs.

Dedication: This story is dedicated to awin-chan. She bugged me for it but it's all in fair exchange.

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Prologue

With a relieved sigh from the entire class, the bell signalled the lunch break. This divination class had been about tea leaves. What could anyone possibly see in tea leaves? Severus thought, it was simply illogical. Who in their right mind would see pictures in leaves? He scowled at the tea leaves who wouldn't reveal their secrets to him. He hated divination but it was a compulsory class. Now potions? He was good at potions. He appreciated the delicate art that was required to do potions.

Severus glanced at Lily Evans who was already leaving the room with her friends. She tossed her dark red hair as she turned to face one of her friends who had commented on the clips she had placed on her bangs. They were those new clips that had pictures that moved and hers were merpeople. Frankly Severus wanted to say to her that she looked beautiful even without those but he could never have the courage.

He began to pack up his books, shoving them into a sling bag which he put on his shoulder. He adjusted his tie and heard Avery call his name.

'I'm coming! I'm coming! Just hold on a sec,' said Snape hastily as he pulled his shirt taut against his body. He ran a hand through his greasy dark hair and tried to make it stay flat.

He was almost out the door when Professor Trelawney gasped.

'P-Professor?' Severus asked with one hand on the door that was half opened, 'Professor Trelawney? Are you alright?'

The door shut behind him and it seemed like the room was much colder and darker. The scant light filtering through the heavily-curtained windows seemed a little more blood red. A chill ran down his spine as he saw Trelawney staring into a teacup. Her eyes had widened and frankly that heightened by the effect of her large glasses was quite frightening.

'Um…professor? It's Severus Snape. From the Slytherin house? Professor, are you all right? Would you like me to call Professor Dumbledore?'

A second gasp from Trelawney made Snape jump back. He held up his bag in futile defence. He peeked from the side of the bed to see if Trelawney would attack. But he saw that Trelawney was beginning to stutter something out.

'Severus Snape? Is this your cup?'

Severus glanced at the place he had been sitting. The cup opposite of his seat was missing. Avery had left his book lying open there.

'Yes I think so. That one should be the one I drank from.'

'Oh dear boy. Deary deary me. Something bad is going to happen.'

'… To me?' Snape questioned. But what could possibly happen to me? He thought.

'Oh yes. It will begin with a book. Then a potion that will reveal all secrets. A wand battle that will find courage. At one point the lake will make a promise. Then a ball. Then a broomstick that will show bravery. And then finally a word. A single word that will ruin everything!'

'Everything what?' Snape questioned curiously, 'Professor?'

'Love dear boy! Your love!'

Snape gave an irked look to the Professor. 'Um… I don't … have a love.' But as he said this he was blushing.

'You do indeed have a love. And it is true love don't doubt me! But it will end in despair. You will lose her.'

Snape straightened up and pulled his robes back into place.

'Professor, class is over and you've no right to dishearten me.'

He grabbed the teacup in Trelawney's hand and before Trelawney's eyes. He let go. His eyes never left Trelawney's face and hers followed the descent of the cup, which shattered on the floor. The pieces of the cup were thrown everywhere and the tea leaves landed in a damp mass.

Snape picked up the bag he had discarded on the floor and he turned on his heel, walking towards the door. Trelawney watched the retreating back of the Slytherin boy. She blinked and saw that the boy had hesitated at the door with one hand on the handle. He turned his head slightly, not fully pivoting around.

'I'm sorry about the cup professor,' he said in a low, raspy voice and he pulled open the door letting in the afternoon light.

Trelawney could hear the retreating voice of Severus calling out to his friend. She looked at the mass of damp tea leaves and sighed, shaking her head. She took her wand out and gave it a wave. The tea leaves picked themselves up and fell into a garbage can and the cup repaired itself, floating into Trelawney's waiting hands. She turned around heading towards a cupboard.

'That boy is going to have his heart shattered…'

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Reviews be they concrit, crit or flames are all welcome. I'm sorry if it's a little bit abrupt. Also, I may be editing the prologue over and over because of the way the story's going to go.

-liyenthel