"Fame clearly isn't everything," Snape sneered at the young replica of his deceased arch nemesis-save for his forest green eyes that were bestowed upon him by his mother.
The double doors of the potions classroom slammed open and a young girl in Slytherin robes strode in confidently. "Professor Snape, I apologize for my tardiness, I was held up by Professor Flitwick." Her high-pitched yet strong voice carried across the classroom as she walked to the last available seat.
"You are excused. However, in the future, do try to be to class on time as I do not tolerate tardiness," Snape warned the girl.
"Of course Professor Snape, I wouldn't want to miss any lessons that are crucial for my studies." She replied to him.
He nodded once towards her before carrying on with the lesson. Feeling a stare burning into the side of her head, she turned towards the source and found a blonde-haired fellow Slytherin staring at her.
Cocking an eyebrow at him, she asked rather loudly. "How can I help you?"
His pale complexion flushed as the entire potions class turned towards them. "What seems to be the matter Miss Kellock?" Professor Snape asked.
"He was staring at me instead of paying attention to you. And I felt rather uncomfortable with his staring. It's rather creepy," She stated her gaze still set upon the blonde.
Finally regaining his composure, the blonde snapped back, "I apologize for my creepy staring. I was just surprised that such an ugly creature as you was allowed into the school."
"Ugly? You think I'm ugly?" She was amused. Never in her eleven years of living had she ever heard someone say she was ugly.
"Yes. With your ordinary brown hair and dull black eyes. Your complexion isn't the best either." He said, becoming more confident.
"So you don't like how I look then. Alright." She closed her eyes and concentrated. A unanimous gasp was elicited from the class. Her hair was now bright red and her complexion was smooth. Opening her eyes, the class could see her now bright forest green eyes staring at the blonde.
"So? This any better for you?" She asked the dumbfounded boy.
"Enough! I will not tolerate disturbances in the classroom. Detention for the both of you." Snape exploded, his heart racing. The girl's looks were similar to that of the woman he had loved but did not get.
"I apologize Professor. I did not mean to disturb the lesson. I was merely trying to clarify as to why he was staring at me." She said sincerely, truly guilty for disrupting the lesson.
He nodded towards her and continued with the lesson.
"The person who is seated beside you, will be your potions partner for the year. Note that should you change partners, you will be punished." Snape said to the class.
The blonde stared at Snape in horror. He did not want to partner this girl who had publicly humiliated him. He did not even know that she existed until then!
She turned towards him and held out a slim, dainty hand. "I'm Lydia Kellock. No need to ask who you are. Platinum blonde hair, pale complexion and unnecessarily expensive robes. You're a Malfoy. Seeing as how there is only one Malfoy child, you're Draco Malfoy." She said as he stared at her outstretched hand in disgust.
Lowering her hand as Draco continued to glare at it, she turned her back on him and began setting up the materials and ingredients necessary for the potion to cure boils. "Well?" She turned back to Draco. "Aren't you going to help make this potion? Or are you too stunned by my ridiculously gorgeous looks?"
Scowling at Lydia, he shoved her to make space for him. Amused by his attempt, she moved slightly to the left to allow him to help with the potion. The pair worked together rather well and soon, they had produced a high quality potion.
Right on time, Snape swept over to them and began praising the pair. "Well at last we have a pair of competent students. Unlike most of you, Miss Kellock and Mr Malfoy have stewed their horned slugs rather perfectly, allo-"
A loud hissing noise filled the room as clouds of acid green smoke spread around the room. Coughing, Snape waved his wand to clear the smoke. Screams of terror filled the potions class as a round-faced boy stood behind a melted cauldron, its contents spilling onto the stone floor.
Students jumped onto their stools as the round-faced boy, who was standing directly in front of the cauldron when it exploded and as a result had been covered in its contents, began bursting out in red, angry boils.
As he cried out in pain, Snape waved his wand once more to clear the spilled potion. "Idiot boy!" He snarled. "I supposed you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire?"
Whimpering, he nodded. "You foolish, careless boy! You-" Snape pointed at the Irish boy. "Bring him to the Infirmary."
Lydia spoke up, "I'll take him Professor. That way you an educate the class on how to avoid making such careless mistakes."
Seeing as how her and Draco's potion was perfect, he allowed her to bring him to the Infirmary.
"Are you alright?" She asked him gently as she lead him out of the dungeon, careful to not touch the boils.
"Actually don't answer that. That was a ridiculous question." She added as an afterthought. "Of course you're not alright, you were just covered in a potion that went wrong."
Not long after, they reached the Infirmary where Madam Pomfrey ushered him into a cot upon arrival. Waiting for the boy outside the Infirmary, Lydia pulled out her wand and began practicing some of the spells her older brothers had taught her.
Noticing the doors of the Infirmary open, she stowed her wand away and walked up to the now boil-free boy. "You're alright now, I suppose?" She asked kindly.
He nodded timidly, wary of the Slytherin. After all, his previous experiences with them had not been pleasant. "I'm Lydia Kellock. You are?" She asked politely, holding a hand out to him.
"N-Neville L-Longb-bottom." He shook her hand hesitantly.
"Well Neville, accompany me back to the dungeons to collect our bags?" She asked, her green eyes bright.
Despite being slightly afraid of her, he nodded and began to warm up to the bubbly and surprisingly kind Slytherin.
After collecting their bags and potions items, they separated with a new found friendship between the two first years.