A/N: The usual disclaimer, anything from the Harry Potter sadly does not belong to me. On that note this story is going to alternate between past (marauders era) and present.

Prologue

"She's so pathetic, I heard even other Slytherins won't hang out with her." he heard his arch nemeses walk past at a distance. As usual they had found a new first year to taunt in case they were bored with him.

The girl they spoke of sat on the ground against the fountain. She had her bag at her side and a textbook in hand, her strawberry blonde hair was in puffy pigtails. He walked over to her and noticed her eyes were red, no doubt from crying. "You must be new, don't let them see that they've hurt you. It only encourages their stupidity." he extended his hand.

"I hate it here." she mumbled, her potions textbook dotted with tears, "I wanna go home. The kids weren't mean like this in the school in New York." she sniffled.

"You are the girl from America? I thought…my apologies for their foolishness. What are you reading?" he inquired.

"Second year potions, I stole it from some loser who thought I talk funny. Plus I managed to snag enough for some treats on the trolley." she wiped her face, "Stupid me where are my manners, I'm Roxanne Summers."

"A pleasure Miss Summers, I'm"

"I know, you're Severus Snape, those peons thought I'd be more fun than you to tease. I was a little curious why they only bother you so I asked one of the professors to point you out. Slughorn was more than happy to direct me to his most valued of students. I desperately hope they try," she let him help her to her feet, "thank you."

"Is that what he said?"

"It's the attitude, it says exceptionally bright without the slightest hint of teacher's pet. I like it, it's refreshing really."

This made him smirk "Would you care to join me for dinner Miss Summers?"

"I would love to sit with you, and please it's Roxanne or Roxy, Miss Summers is my cousin Lara."

"Very well then Roxanne, I will see you at dinner."

"Until then I guess." she gave him a smile and walked away.

Severus walked by the Potions classroom during his free period and looked through the open door. Roxanne was sitting in a far corner with Slughorn hanging over her shoulder. "Simply amazing Miss Summers, ten points to Slytherin." he praised.

At dinner he stood waiting outside the doors of the Great Hall waiting for Roxanne. "Whatcha doing Snivellus, are you so weak your own house mates won't hang with you?" Sirius laughed.

"That'll put him in the same boat as the new girl." James joined in.

Out of nowhere a force knocked them down, when they looked up there was Roxanne with her fists balled. "Sorry I'm late Severus, I had to talk to Slughorn about getting into a higher level class because its day two and I'm already bored." she shifted her messenger bag over her shoulder.

"It's no problem Roxanne, come on before we miss dinner." He extended his hand.

"Let's leave these two to bask in their pain." she took his arm and walked with him into the Great Hall.

They sat at the table conversing over upcoming classes until the Gryffindor duo came stumbling through the doors. Roxanne kissed the ring on her middle finger and held her hand out to a third year two seats over. "Pay up, it's been fifteen minutes." she smirked, waving her free hand at them.

"I don't know how you do that." Lucius Malfoy brushed his hair over his shoulders.

"I'm from New York, it's a pasttime for girls where I live to bet on fights." she shrugged, " I knew I would win and I figured it would take at least fifteen minutes before they recovered their pride and make it look like they didn't just get a crotch shot from a girl nearly half their size."

The group looked toward the Gryffindor table and spotted the two sitting with Remus and Lily. They all looked at the group and Roxanne gave a little wave before giving them the bird. "You're going to be seen." Severus looked toward high table the professors sat at.

"You make it sound like you care if we're caught." Lucius chuckled, "I like your new friend Severus, why haven't we been introduced?"

"I'm Roxanne Summers, first year, and I know who you are Lucius Malfoy, totally unattainable third year." she went back to eating.

"How do you know me if I've never seen you before?"

"Every girl in school talks about you, it's hard not to notice."