Obviously I own nothing except Miss Thomas. The other themes and characters belong to the talented JK Rowling.

Chapter 1 – I Hate You

"I hate you... you... greasy git!"

This was not the way Severus Snape had planned his day to go at all.

Standing entirely too close to be appropriate the girl screamed into his pale face. " I can assure you the feeling is mutual Miss Thomas, it is childish and disrespectful of you to act this way, most unbecoming, perhaps I expected too much from someone like you" Sneering he stood his ground refusing to back down.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY TO ME YOU BASTARD" Struggling to contain herself she balled her hands into fists, squeezing them methodically to help ease her frustration. She had said that she hated him not because she meant it, quite the opposite in fact she rather enjoyed his pointed wit, extensive knowledge and even his company on occasion but today had been a step too far and she had totally lost her temper. She had been ready to leave his classroom and let the incident go but something stopped her as she collected her wand and things from the desk. Suddenly she was much more than just angry, right now she was tempted to punch him right in his abnormally large nose, damn the consequences. Instead she took another step closer locking eyes with the potions master praying that somehow he could understand what was happening even though she did not.

The girls anger pleased Snape immensely, "She's such a feisty little thing" he smiled to himself looking away so she wouldn't see his lips curve ever so slightly. It amused him to be able to frustrate her so completely but her close proximity told him things were getting out of hand. He knew he allowed her far too many concessions and he should pull her up for calling him that but he enjoyed her discomfort so much he decided to let it go being was no one else here to notice. Plus she was a Slytherin and it was not his practice to reprimand those from his own house unless absolutely necessary. She was clearly losing her mind over heaven only knows what childish thing and he for one would not stand there and be screamed at in his own classroom. He had actually made her look quite foolish today in front of his whole potions class but it was nothing out of the ordinary. "Enough" his deep baritone booming "That is quite enough Miss Thomas I have no interest in your amateur theatrics now its time for you to leave" Glaring at him she acknowledged his words but refused to move. "Back away now or I will be forced to... "

"To do what Snape, hex me, curse me or perhaps you could just kill me you coward!" His eyes became wide angry pools of ebony.

"DO NOT CALL ME COWARD" he all but screamed at her seeming to lose control of his normally tightly wound emotions. Lifting his wand he was stunned to see she had already quickly taken a step back removed her wand and pointed directly at his. He was unprepared for her speed and had not taken the childs warning seriously. "Expelliamus" she yelled as Snapes wand came free of his hand and landed with a thump on the floor near his desk. He stumbled slightly back, banging his hip painfully against the desk.

Hiding any shock or pain he was feeling about being disarmed and bested by a seventh year student he pulled himself to his full height.

"Now you will listen to me Professor" She spat the word at him like it was poison. Staring at her he found he was unable to enter her mind, she seemed unaware of his attempts and her mind was heavily guarded. This was surprising; he had assumed she was fairly hopeless with her magic though her quick reflexes were quite impressive given the current situation, certainly he had never seen a glimmer of talent in his classes. Her magic was obviously limited to a few defensive charms, nothing substantial. Placing his curiosity aside he realized his silence was pushing her further into her psychosis, she was clearly not in her right mind.

"Miss Thomas, I can't imagine what your ill though out reasoning has led you to believe. You have just attacked a teacher; your weakness has gotten the better of you. Leave. Now." He pointed at the door glaring at her, the color beginning to rise to his face.

"No Snape I will not, I am tired of being pushed around. I don't care what happens anymore! You, and all of them, your all the same. Selfish" she sniffed "horrible disgusting people" her hands were beginning to tremble. Just as rapidly the trembling ceased, she lifted her head with eyes glazed over and smiled.

The look that flickered over the girls face made even his blood run cold.

"FINE, if you won't listen, CRUCIO!"

Suddenly her wand was gone and she was thrown violently across the room. Landing heavily she crumpled into a heap. It all happened so quickly Snape had little time to react; she fell backwards towards the cauldron lined wall. All he could do was watch as the back of her head made contact first with the metal cauldron and then seconds later with the cold stone floor.

Swearing colorfully under his breath and keeping his wand held high he crept closer. "What the hell was she thinking? She could have killed us both" furious thoughts swept through his mind. He had cast a non verbal spell to retrieve his wand the moment he had realized what the girl intended to do. He had not however expected her to go through with it.

What troubled him most was knowing that this behavior was not like Miss Thomas at all. He had watched her grow over the years though he was careful to be sure she would not notice. He found her to be kind, honest and trustworthy though extremely withdrawn at times. Never had he seen the pure hatred in her that she had exhibited this afternoon. Something was very wrong.

Though he would never admit it Snape had a soft spot for the girl, she reminded him much of his younger self. He knew the signs of an unhappy home life all too well; if he could help avoid his own fate becoming hers then he would be satisfied. That however never stopped him from being his mean cold usual self.

"Just my luck to be landed with this stupid girl for the day" He was extremely glad the screaming had ceased, but now he was left to deal with the wounded student and the fact that her injury was mostly his fault. Not to mention that this was his last lesson for the day and he had been looking forward to some time blissfully free of interference. Sealing the classroom with a number of charms he leaned down to examine the girl. Lifting her head he smoothed her hair searching for any major damage it was then he noticed the blood pooling under his hand.

He had though her unconscious but she began to move. Murmuring she opened her eyes "I didn't mean to…I ..." she stammered and passed out.