Hey. Io sono Emilia ("I am Emily", in Italian—and yes, I'm American) and this in one of my stories. All of it is mine, except for Severus Snape and the surrounding environment. You know To Whom it belongs.

This coincides with my other story A Few Detentions and a Story, which as of October 2011 has been re-edited and (I think) improved. I recommend reading that story first, as characters and plot lines in this story will be a bit vague. Okay, probably really vague. Obviously, this was created with the intention of explaining one of the side plots in Detentions. A few people had expressed a desire to read more from my own written realm, so I hope this works as a sequel-of-sorts. (Stacey, our main character, first comes into FDS in Chapter Nine: the American.) I am going to try to make this as stand-on-its-own as I can, which I think won't be too difficult.

I guess you could read this without reading Detentions, but that's your boat to float. If you're a newbie to my story, I hope that you enjoy this short one, and put a thought towards reading Detentions before or after this—or during, since I have no idea when this will be finished.

If you've been around my writing before, I thank you immensely for taking the time to read this. For you that have read my other story, I hope this is just what you imagined to happen. If it's not, I hope it is better. ;D Also, to you older readers, I'm sorry this took so long. Then again, I think that the time in between helped make me a better writer, and that allows me to do justice to this story.


A Need for Greatness

Chapter One - Entranced in the Hallway

Stacey Eisenhower sat in the library, catching up to the standards of the British wizards with whom she now was a student. It was the day after she arrived at Hogwarts as a transfer student from the Salem Institute and she realized that it would take more than a day to get used to the new system of… well, of everything.

The accents, the classes, the people, the accents, the studying, the accents, the good-looking wizards, and finally, the accents. She was partial to those pesky accents, but they sure made her chuckle. She'd need more than a day to understand them fluently. She wondered if she'd end up losing her American accent and picking up a British… The thought was a bit too much for her.

She was also partial to the good looks of Sirius Black, though James Potter definitely held his own. Oh, did he ever! However, neither man was actually attractive to her. They were a bit too… jovial, perhaps. Sirius didn't really live up to the adjective synonym (or was it homonym?) of his name, but James seemed a bit more thoughtful. She always did like the name "James". She had talked about them with the other girls last night in the dormitory, and both Josey and Nikeia ("Nick-ee-ya"; she had to carefully pronounce it in her head) couldn't help but sigh and giggle. Stacey had only attempted to sound interested in James because deep down she really was a hopeless romantic, and she had the sneaky suspicion that Lily was actually head-over-heels.

Not that Stacey ever really understood that phrase; wasn't one's head always over their heels? She personally would rather go heels-over-head, not that she had ever been able to turn a cartwheel.

Lily Evans was quite a girl, she thought. Pretty—more of an elegant, refined kind of pretty than anything else—smart, and probably sassy; she seemed like one with whom Stacey could get along. Josey Bretten and Nikeia Strathmore were great girls, too. At least, from what Stacey had already seen. Nikeia was rather devastatingly pretty—tall, with straight black hair and dainty, yet striking, features—and Stacey was jealous. Josey was cute, with her blonde hair and clear blue eyes. Stacey entertained the thought they both looked rather stereotypical, but their ability to laugh made up for that. Both girls liked laughing, and were kind and welcoming.

However, Stacey felt that perhaps they hadn't experienced enough hardships to understand just how amazing a laugh really is. But Stacey didn't want to think of such things. She preferred to think about their amusing conversation. She had sought to learn as much about Hogwarts as she could in that one night. The girls were fluent in gossip, without being harsh or cruel. They mentioned the trick stairs and a few shortcuts (which Stacey promptly forgot, figuring she better learn the real routes before learning any shortcuts) and explained the Unwritten Rules.

Unwritten Rules like: Gryffindors and Slytherins are sworn enemies; Nearly Headless Nick prefers to be called Sir Nicholas, but no one ever does; secrets don't say secret, and such like that.

As per a request by Professor McGonagall, she had been studying with James Potter. He was a good tutor; he knew what he was talking about and was able to dumb-it-down a bit for Stacey. Not that Stacey wasn't intelligent, but there had been flaws in her education. Except now, James was walking around the school with Lily Evans, making their rounds, and Stacey was alone in the library trying to studying.

"Trying" being the operative word in that statement. Wasn't it always?

With her forehead wrinkled in concentration, she tried to get the information to stick into her head. As she twirled a strand of hair from her ponytail around her finger, she didn't hear the chair to the left and across from her sliding back and a bag being set down on the table. Only when a book dropped onto the table with a slap did Stacey's head snap up.

Sitting there was the very same man that caused her to break the unspoken but implied idea of the very first of the Unwritten Rules as per the Gryffindors: Slytherins are never to be thought as more than Dark wizards-to-be. Stacey had not been able to get a certain dark form out of her mind, and she wasn't thinking of him as a Dark wizard.

It was that of a Slytherin, Severus Snape.

She had seen him when James and Lily started to take her on a tour of the castle and grounds after breakfast. James had led them past the Slytherin table, and there he had been, his long-fingered hands wrapped around a mug. He had glanced up briefly as they passed, enough to glare at Lily Evans, and shoot James Potter a sneer. Stacey had looked back as they passed him in the Great Hall.

He had entranced her.

The other Gryffindor girls were less enthusiastic about him, except in their list of his flaws. His hair was greasy–looking, and he did have sloped shoulders, but at least they were broad. And what she had believed to be entirely black eyes actually contained flecks of green; this she could see now, sitting so close. He was not dreadfully ugly, for all that his nose was unfortunately hooked. He was lean, but not a stick figure.

Seeming to sense her watching him, Severus Snape straightened and looked over at her. He glanced at her robes, and the corner of his mouth twitched in dislike.

"If you don't mind, I was trying to work. It is rather hard to do with someone staring at you," he said, running his hand back through his black hair.

Stacey shook her head slightly and looked back down at her book.

After what she felt were only seconds, she raised her head. The Slytherin's head was lifted up and he was looking at her.

Their gazes caught and they just looked at each other.

Stacey was entranced. Again. Still.

At least, they looked at each other until a sixth year boy came up behind Snape and poked his shoulder. Snape spun around in his chair to face the boy. Stacey was startled by his abrupt movement, and watched his exchange with a young man that looked like Sirius; Stacey assumed it was the younger brother Nikeia had mentioned briefly.

"What? I am trying to read; why are you disturbing me?" His voice rose and the librarian shushed him fiercely. Snape glanced at the witch and then back to Regulus Black.

"There's a meeting in the Common Room. Hurry up!" The younger Slytherin tugged at Snape's old robe and gestured with this head out the door. Stacey watched as the seventh year, with a groan of fury, gathered his books and pushed in his chair. As he did so, he caught Stacey's gaze again. They held for what felt like years, but really was only a few moments. He broke the connection and looked down as he quickly followed Regulus.

Stacey watched him leave and, when he was out of her sight, dropped her gaze to the seat he just vacated. She sighed, and then giggled softly. It was strangely out-of-character, but she found she didn't exactly mind. She tugged on her earlobe, and sighed when she realized she still had studying to do.

An hour later, Stacey was literally being pushed out of the library by Madam Pince.

"Madam Pince! I need to catch up with my studies! Don't you care?" argued Stacey.

"Of course, dear, but not now! It's time for you to go. You don't want to be caught out of your dorm after curfew! Run along now!" Madam Pince finally got Stacey outside of the Library, then re-entered the empty and dark library.

Stacey groaned, shifted her bag and started to walk. A few steps away from the library, she opened her bag and pulled out her copy of Advanced Potion Making. It had arrived by express mail that morning, along with the other books required for this year. Stacey began to read as she walked, trying to understand some of the potions that the professor had told her the other NEWT students had already completed.

As her gaze was focused completely on her book—for only the third time that whole night—she could not watch where she was walking. The consequence of this was her walking into someone, who was also doing some late night reading-and-walking. Thus, they also had a book in their hand. A thick, heavy, hard book.

Stacey dropped her book as she reeled from the collision of the other book to her collarbone. The other person bit back a cry as both books landed on his foot. Stacey looked up at the person and saw the dark, dark eyes of Severus Snape. He looked down, blinking rapidly, and picked up the books.

"I, um, I'm sorry," stammered Snape, as he handed her book back. Stacey looked at him wide-eyed, before reaching out and grabbing her book. As she did so, her hand brushed against his, and Stacey suddenly felt shy.

"Um, thank you." It was her turn to look to the ground. She jumped slightly to readjust her satchel.

Stacey had thought about talking to him so much that now, when she was standing face-to-face, she knew she had to take advantage of the situation. Besides, she wanted to know a bit more about this black-haired man. "How was your meeting?" she asked, her gaze still focused on her grey clogs.

"What?" Snape stammered slightly. Then the usual brusqueness came back into his voice as he responded with: "What does it matter to you?"

Stacey frowned slightly. "I'm just trying to be nice." She lifted her head to look at him. His chin was lifted slightly, and his eyes narrowed. "You picked up my book; I thought I should repay the kindness. Even if I will have a bruise under my collar tomorrow morning."

She pulled her shoulder strap over her head, and she had the devious idea to provoke him… just a little bit. She always was good at doing that.

So, she walked away. And not without a little extra swing to her hips.

"Wait!" came the rough voice from behind her.

She paused and turned slowly. She presented her very best "Yes, I am being difficult; what do you want?" pose to him: hands on slanted hips, a raised eyebrow, a tilted head.

"It went fine," said the man.

"What are you talking about?" Stacey knew what he was talking about, of course. "The collision? Yeah, that went great if that's your-"

"I meant the meeting." He exhaled sharply.

"Oh. That." She couldn't resist allowing a corner of her mouth to turn up. "I'm glad to hear it. After all, you left the library pretty angry; I'd hate to know that it was in vain."

Given what Stacey had heard about this Severus Snape guy, she didn't think he could actually smile. But the faint smirk-like turning-up of his lips must be a smile.

And, oh, did it make Stacey's knees go weak.

"I never like to be interrupted whilst I'm studying."

"I think I know what you mean. I haven't been able to focus on my book for the life of me all night. Some dark-haired guy sat across from me in the library and couldn't stop staring at me. It was quite distracting." Again, she had to provoke. This was fun.

Severus Snape's eyes widened, his nostrils flared, and he adjusted his stance. "I was not staring at you! You were staring at me." He paused for a moment, exhaled, then said, deeply: "Did you get enough to satisfy you?"

Stacey inhaled shakily and bit her lip. Oh, he can play this game, too!

"Not quite."

Severus raised his eyebrow. She could tell that he was shocked.

In reality, she didn't know why she was saying these things. Except that she felt that she was totally attracted to him. But what type of motivation was that?

She also felt that he must be some sort of odd cross between Mr. Rochester and Heathcliff. But more Mr. Rochester. And she definitely had an affinity for Mr. Rochester, the tortured soul that he was. Then again, Heathcliff was devious and dark and dastardly… Such a choice.

Suddenly, she said: "Wait a minute. Did you say 'whilst'?"

"What?" asked Severus, his pale brow furrowing.

"Earlier, you said 'whilst', didn't you?"

"I can't remember," he admitted, still confused. "I was too busy admiring your pose."

"Yeah, you said—Oh. How cheeky!" Stacey said, putting on an accent.

Severus grimaced. "Is that the best attempt you've got at sounding like us?"

Stacey smirked, and stepped closer. "I'll be here for a while, so I'm sure I'll get better at it. It'll just take some practice."

She noticed that he noticed her proximity. She also noticed the green in his eyes…

Oh wait, she noticed that in the library hours ago. What was happening to her brain?

"Is it a club of some sort?" she asked.

Again, he looked confused. "Do… do you always jump from thought to thought?"

"Say that again!"

Severus closed his eyes tightly and exhaled again. "What?"

"'Thought to thought'. Say it again. You made it sound so nice."

Severus met her gaze. "Why don't you say it again? It sounded nice when you said it."

Stacey's lip curved upwards again. "We'll say it together. We'll harmonize."

Severus' eyebrow curved upwards. "Together?"

"Or I could just listen to you say 'together' all night."

Good heavens; was she sounding silly or what?

Severus' eyes flicked over her face. "As you are a Gryffindor it would naturally go against my very being to agree to do something suggested by you."

"Oh, forget about class or house or status. Just say together again."

"Together again."

Stacey raised an eyebrow at his retort. "That wasn't quite what I asked you to say."

"Nonsense; you told me to say 'together again', so I said 'together again'. I can say 'together again' again if you'd like."

Stacey smiled. She had the suspicion that he was enjoying it. At least, she really hoped so. She knew she was. And even though she probably could have listened to him speak all night, she said, "No, you've said it enough for now."

Again, Severus smiled in that way that he did. And again, Stacey's knees went slightly weak.

"So, what was your meeting about? Some decidedly Slytherin thing?"

It was almost imperceptible, but Stacey was found that he was suddenly shut off to her. It was as if the very mention of the divisions of Hogwarts made the corridor feel like mid-January morning on the lakefront back home.

He glanced down at the ground, tucked his book under his arm, and said: "I suppose you could say that. You are a Gryffindor so you wouldn't understand the 'decidedly Slytherin' way of life."

Gone was the playful familiarity.

He started walking in his original direction, probably hoping to leave Stacey, but she wanted to find out what was going on.

"What wouldn't I understand? I'm new to Hogwarts so I haven't really grown up Gryffindor. Maybe I'll be able to!" Stacey had turned and jogged to catch up with him. She reached out to put her hand on his arm to stop him and turn him toward her. He looked down at her hand, and then back up at her face.

"The Sorting Hat put you in Gryffindor. Therefore there is something very Gryffindor about you. Even your pursuit of the situation is Gryffindor." Severus's face was tight, and closed off. Now, as he looked like this, Stacey could understand how some would call him ugly. He started to walk off again, but stopped when Stacey called after him.

"Gryffindors are known for bravery. Maybe I'm just being brave and unafraid to want to get to know a Slytherin!" she said, loud enough to make sure he heard her. "Help me understand!"

All Severus could do was turn and look at her. There was some sort of struggle in his face.

"Why do you want to know?" he asked, looking at her face.

Stacey noticed that he was actually pretty tall—as tall as James Potter or Sirius Black.

"Because I've talked to you more than anyone else here. And we were having such a witty repartee that I can't help but want to know more about you." She maintained eye contact. "Curiosity killed the cat. I always was compared to a cat. And now that I am in Gryffindor, whose mascot is a lion; I guess it just makes sense. I will admit that curiosity tends to go against common sense. So perhaps it isn't exactly Ravenclaw for a Gryffindor to want to get to know a Slytherin. In fact, perhaps it's rather Hufflepuff." Stacey smiled cheekily, and was rewarded with more weak knees when Severus smiled. Who needed a Jelly-Legs Jinx when a smile did the job?

"Well, then." He glanced around at the empty, black hallway, as if pondering something. (Stacey found the expression rather endearing.) "You may desire to hear about it, but I'm not really at liberty to say."

Stacey gasped. "Oh! Like a super-secretive Slytherin society?"

Severus just raised an eyebrow. She giggled.

She giggled?

Good heavens, she thought. I giggled. Again.

"Yes, I suppose you could say that it's a secret," Severus said.

"Well, will you tell me one day?"

Severus just looked at her. "Perhaps."

She smiled broadly back at him, and their eye contact remained unbroken for a few moments.

"But not here," he suddenly said, breaking off and looking around the hallway.

"Somewhere else, then? Like a secret romantic rendezvous spot?" Stacey bit her lip, again being cheeky. Her heart fluttered at the very idea of being any sort of romantic with this tall, dark man.

"'Somewhere else,' as in: not in the middle of a dark hallway, well after curfew."

His face was inscrutable. Well, nearly entirely inscrutable. There was a flash of something in his eyes that yet again made Stacey's stomach flip.

"After all, you never know when Peeves might pop up."

Stacey chuckled and nodded. She had met the notorious mischief-maker of Hogwarts after he welcomed her with a bag of chalk dropped on her head. Quite dusty.

"Well, then, since neither Gryffindors nor Slytherins are known to be rule-breakers," she said, very sarcastically, "where would be the most likely place to have this meeting so we don't incur any unearned wrath?"

Severus' dark green eyes were thoughtful. "Probably beside the lake; during the weekend."

"Sounds like a potential date," said Stacey, smiling up at him.

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Call it what you will. We should still get out of the hallway."

"Walk me to my dormitory?"

"Are you asking me because you want me to walk with you or because you don't know how to get back?"

Stacey was silent, then said, "Both."

Severus smirked softly, and he led her off down the hall.


Author's Friendly I'll-give-if-you-help-and-give Note: Just as a little warning—though it's not actually a warning, per se—I'm putting this first chapter up as a kind of testing-of-the-waters. It's been quite a while since FDS was published, but I am THRILLED to still have people reading it. (You have no idea what it's like to still get reviews and story/author alerts nearly six years later—THANK YOU!) That said, I'm leery and wary about the reaction to this (much shorter) story. Depending on how what that reaction is, I'll judge how much I should put into it. It will also be a way to get me motivated. So, please, honest responses are very much appreciated. An update might be in a few weeks, depending on that reaction, since I like to have a few chapters in reserve before I update.