Chapter one.
He could not believe he was having to deal with yet another sorting ceremony. The first years would be as dismal as ever. Shaking his head, his black bangs hung over his grey eyes. Would there be any hope of ever finding someone he could at least share thoughts with? He thought, perhaps Lily was a prospect, but after her engaging little romp with Potter for two years, she had turned out as badly as he. He glanced over at the Gryffindor table and nearly snorted, laughing as if they were all friends. He sneered, hate crept into his heart. He had helped the girl fit in, helped her with her magic and for what purpose? He sighed, perhaps it was for the best that they no longer spoke. He grew tired of listening about quidditch and her whining that she wasn't a pure blood. What did blood matter?
"Meghan Stone." the last name that Mcgonagal spoke caused him to glance up, it was then he was accosted with a glimpse of short curly dark red hair and the girl that lay beneath them. His eyes followed her as she sat, pretty little thing. Not bad for a "GRYFFINDOR!" bloody hell. Another one? He shook his head, but found that his eyes had not left her. When she got up, she glanced his way and happen to make eye contact. His breath hitched, the deepest blue he'd ever seen. later in life perhaps, he would remark they had been blue enough to rival the deepest darkest depths of the ocean, but for now, he simply nodded and gave a small glimmer of a smile. a hint of rose downed her cheek, to which brought a smirk. a Gryffindor? blushing at a Slytherin? He laughed at the very possiblity. He glanced her way and of course she was lead to sit beside of Lupin. Another one down for the four idiots. If she had to pick one Remus would be the only one he would see anyone dating. But she was a child, remus was nearly 16 like himself. Though he suppose it did not matter.
After dinner he made his way to the dungeon. Though it was early he went straight to bed. Slughorn wouldn't be to pleased if he didn't rise early enough to help him restock his potions room. Once the morning broke, he rose and took a shower. Downing his ususal robes, he made his way to the potion room where a soft laugh caused his hand to stop at the door.
"Of course my dear how lovely! I never knew a first year was so interested in potion! Well except Severus, but you are the first lady!" Snape arched a brow and knocked, entering to find the Stone girl standing before Slughorn "Hello.." she said smiling
"'Lo.." he said nodding "Ah Severus! I am glad you're here dear boy, I have grand news! This is Meghan Stone! Miss Stone has asked if it would be alright to help with the potions you and I make? I see no harm in letting her watch, she's already read through this years text book and next years to be honest! Her knowledge even dare i say , comes close to your own!"
Severus snorted, but he was intrigued. She was a potion geek? his interested was piqued even more because she had pulled her hair back and was now waiting for him to answer. He nodded , though not understanding why. and moved to the shelves "You understand the basics of potion making?"
"Is it not like alchemy?" she asked arching a brow.
His hand stop and his fell turned "Alchemy? you know of such a subject?"
"yes, my father was a alchemist. He held no magic other than what he found in tombs." she said.
"So he borrowed magic?" severus asked, At this a soft snore came from Slughorn. Ususal, the man could not stay away long enough to brew his own potions.
"Yes. the objects he obtained allowed him to turn one thing into another, switching materials to either stretch or grow or destroy the other. After all one can not obtain if there is not lose," she said with her hands behind her back.
Brilliant...how did she become so damn brilliant at such a young age?
"Gather these and help me make a sleeping draft." he said handing her the vials, they worked until the morning bell rang for breakfast, and both were now tired and rather groggy. She was a mess, her hair had stayed in it's bun but tendrils fell over her face like snow, she had taken off her robes to reveal the white undershirt and her skirt, the sleeves were now rolled up to her elbows, but the shirt looked rather old. As if it had belonged to someone else.
"A bath, I believe in in order for the both of us. I will see you at breakfast." he said cleaning up and taking the potions to Slughorns desk.
"S..Severus? May I come and help you again tomorrow?" her voice was so sweet it made him want to weep. He turned and tilted his head, studing her.
"You may."
Meghan quickly showered and changed clothes. She had worn her fathers shirt today merely because it was one that she knew he had used for his experiments. Racing down the halls she wondered silently if she was bothing Severus or if she had made a real impression on the boy? She glanced at the Slytherin table, and caught sight of him. His dark eyes found her own and she smiled. he returned it with a nod and she sat down. Soon after breakfast the classes begin. She hated charms, she never understood wand waving and really didn't think a wizard needed one if they could control their mind rightly. Though she sat through it and dealt with the homework to come. She finished it quickly that night, and went to bed. Worried that she would be late the next morning.
She was not however, she arrived early and even before Severus, which with Slughorn asleep, she guessed she'd wait for the boy to wasn't sure when he arrived, her thoughts had consumed her, but rather than speak harshly to her, he simply said nothing and let her inside the room. They began, as yesterday on another potion, she crushed the herbs and leafs, while he brewed.
"Severus?"
"Hm?" he didn't take his eyes away from the cauldron.
"Why doesn't Slughorn do this himself? I mean i'm not doubting your ability to make these but if he's potion master , surely he could do this in no time." she said.
A laugh, music to her ears "Slughorn cares little about making potions to help others, Poppy, the schools healer, requests them from him but he has me make them. Unless there is a profit to be made, he does little."
"Oh..so you're doing this to help others?" she asked softly.
"quite. Though why is beyond me. What has anyone ever done for me?" he said snorting.
"P...Perhaps it's not what they can do for you, but the kindness that you show them simply by caring of their well being?" she said
He started to sneer wanted to yell, but ...thinking this through..she was correct.
"Perhaps." he said closing his eyes.