Serpent's Claws
Chp. 1
"McKonaly, Lizabel!" I was called to the front, pushing through the crowd of first years. I was sat onto a brown stool.
"Ah, McGonagall's ward." The battered hat came to life upon my head. It was silent, thinking of the perfect house. Upon reaching a conclusion, it called out across the Great Hall. "Slytherin!" Applause sounded from the tables as I took my seat next to my fellow house mates. As the rest of the first years were sorted and Dumbledore gave his annual speech, I couldn't help but notice a boy from Gryffindor kept staring at me. I made small talk with my new 'family' while we ate the enormous feast. After the feast, everyone was led to their respected house dormitories. My roommates were nice and I chose the bed closest to the window. We all unpacked and talked to get to know each other. While we talked, something furry rubbed across my legs.
"Willow!" The tiny black cat jumped onto my bed and we both fell asleep.
(Weeks later)
Over the next few weeks, I noticed that I shared classes with four Gryffindor boys, including the one that had stared at me at the feast. They liked to poke fun at me because of my being Slytherin. Their favorite subject of me was my nails, which I liked to keep filed to points, like claws. The leader, or should I leaders, was a boy with messy hair and glasses and the one with shaggy black hair and stunning grey eyes. I never really cared when they would pull stupid pranks on me so I guess they finally got bored.
"Leave her be. She clearly doesn't care." The shaggy-haired one laughed one day to his glasses friend.
"Be careful Sirius, she might attack with her kitty claws." Glasses flexed his fingers like paws. I rolled my eyes and went back to working with my partner, who also happened to be one of their friends. He was actually nice and enjoyed class.
"If I were you, I would scratch them." He whispered to me. We both laughed silently. Remus, he had told me was his name, was very peculiar. I noticed that days leading up to the full moon he would look drained and smelled ghastly. No one else noticed the smell but it was making me nauseas so I decided to ask him one day, actually the day of the full moon.
"Remus?" I whispered while the professor was turned away.
"Yes?"
"Uhm, are you alright? You look dreadful." He looked a bit nervous at my question and took a while to answer.
"Just the weather." He smiled shyly. Then it hit me. He was affected by lycanthropy. I lightly patted his shoulder.
"I won't tell anyone." The professor released class. Before he could leave I caught his arm and smiled. "Good luck tonight. Be safe."
(Days later)
I walked down to the Black lake, enjoying the slightly chilled air, to think. The tree I normally sat under was vacant as I pulled my book out to read. As I zoned out, someone sat down slightly away but still next to me. Out of the corner of my eye I studied him. Medium black hair, pale, obviously intelligent due to the book he pulled out as well. He seemed to be studying me too because our eyes met at the same time, causing us to both blush a bit.
"Liza." I smiled at him.
"Severus." He awkwardly smiled back. We talked for a while about our favorite books and such, before the group of Gryffindor's found us.
"Look its Snivellus and Scales." Sirius called. (Remus had told me their names) He had given me a nickname back when they decided I wasn't fun to prank. I smiled at him.
"Afternoon, Kitten. Out enjoying the sunshine?" Of course I had given him a nickname too. James and Sirius turned to make rude remarks about Severus, joined by Peter, their little spineless friend. Remus and I just watched until I finally interrupted. "Leave him alone!" I pushed Sirius back from Severus. "What did he ever do to you?"
"He's a snake! Always wanted to be. And he is too close to Evans for my taste." James answered for him. My anger rose at that comment.
"Well I'm a 'Snake'! Why don't you treat me like that? I'm close to Lily; Why not call me cruel names?" I hissed, grabbing Severus by the hand and running to the castle. I collapsed into Severus's arms and sobbed.