Disclaimer: I do not own the spectacular wizarding world that J.K. Rowling has so beautifully portrayed. Any characters that you do not recognize from her books or Warner Bros. movies belong to me.
A/N: Here is the first chapter of my very first fan fiction! Please read and review, I will definitely appreciate some constructive criticism.
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Don't Call me Snivellus
Chapter 1
A smirk played at the corners of his mouth, his black eyes aflame with grim satisfaction. The vial resting in his pale hands quivered slightly as the deep blue mixture slowly turned to amber. Withdrawing his quill from the corner of the tattered desk, he began to write with haste, knowing that if he left out one simple instruction, his efforts would be wasted and his brilliant potion effaced.
"Left leg of newt. Preferably a hind leg. Sliced precisely one inchbelow the knee," muttered the boy as he jotted it down in a neat script.
He continued on, pretending not to notice the scornful glares he was receiving from the girl at his left. She cleared her throat indignantly, tapping her foot in an attempt to get her determined classmate's attention. His expression remained solemn as he re-read what he had scribbled into the margin of his 3rd year potions book. After several seconds of intense review, he pushed his dark mop of hair from his face and looked up.
"Yes, Lily?" he inquired.
Lily Evans watched the scrawny slytherin suspiciously with her emerald eyes. His usually strict face had been altered slightly. His expression was almost whimsical, which was certainly a surprise to the redhead.
"Sev," she said sternly, "what are you up to?"
"Oh, it's nothing. Just a little present for a dear friend of mine," he replied lightly.
"And who might that be?"
"Sirius Black."
Severus Snape stifled a laugh as Lily nearly toppled out of her seat. Looking rather distraught, she stared at her friend pleadingly.
"Don't even try, Sev! Please. Just let it go. If you stop, they'll stop," she breathed, frustration slipping into her voice.
"It's just an innocent little potion, Lils. Just something to put that stupid git into his place, that's all," reassured Severus, though he could clearly see that his best friend was far from convinced.
"Severus Snape, you are remarkable in this class, Slughorn adores you. For all I know, that could be an advanced seventh year potion. I haven't seen anything with that color in the text book!"
Sev unleashed one of his rare grins, mischief written across his face. Lily groaned, realizing that her efforts were hopeless.
"Just help with our assignment then, I find the Confusing Concoction to be rather confusing."