Chapter 2

It was almost time for 8 a.m. Potions and I had no idea what I was going to wear. Lily was waiting patiently by the door having woken up much earlier than myself and was practically tapping her shoe, books in hand for the morning classes. Right, I might need those as well.

I finally changed into my Hogwarts uniform and ran a comb through my long blonde hair, probably tearing out my scalp in the process. I gathered my books and followed Lily out past the dormitories and into the halls to get to Potions, which her and I have the privilege of sharing.

We were a few of the last students to arrive but made it on time. Slughorn hadn't even arrived yet.

She sat beside Sirius Black, not by her choice of coarse, and I sat one table back beside…oh, Snape. How fortunate actually.

I placed my book on the table and slid into the chair as Snape was writing vigorously in his Potions book, his shoulder length black hair cascading around his face as he hunched over. I took this opportunity to spend a few moments staring though I pretended to be reading my Potions book. 'I wish I could run my hands through it, it looks so sof-'

My thoughts were interrupted by Slughorn bursting through the door, definitely not quietly given his build and the fact that he was already shouting instructions.

"Okay class, today we will be making a Hiccoughing Solution if you would open your books to page 213 it will give you the ingredients and instructions you'll need. This potion indeed, if used on someone, will give them hiccups. Rather annoying if I do say so myself, hiccups. Have fun and good luck!"

I sighed once I found the page. This was going to be awhile.

I looked over at Snape and saw he was already producing ingredients, throwing them in his cauldron as instructed. 'I guess I should get started,' I thought to myself, beginning to get things ready. I noticed I was missing a few things as I went along and thought about asking Lily if she had any extra.

Just as I was about to whisper up at her, I caught Snape's eye out of my peripheral, his pale arm extended. I looked down and sure enough, the two things I needed sat in his hand. I looked at him and slowly took the ingredients, "Thank you."

He said nothing and went back to working.

Before I could embarrass myself I looked away and went back to working, my mind assessing what just happened. Hey, I am a girl and we tend to over think things, especially when it involves a boy.

As I was about to finish I noticed Lily was looking over at me, presumably finished with her Hiccoughing Solution. Man she was good.

I looked up at her after adding the last bit of ingredients so that Slughorn could come around and grade it, "What's up?"

Lily smiled, "You did well! Your Hiccoughing Solution looks great and not at all like Black's. His looks as if he scooped it out of the Forbidden Forest." This made me chuckle a bit because when I looked over, it indeed looked horrendous.

"Maybe if you had helped me out just a bit I wouldn't be about to fail Evans." Black sighed and sat down defeated.

"Why would I do that? You need to learn to get your own marks," Lily protested. I shook my head as Slughorn came around to check on our side of the room. "Your Hiccoughing Solution looks quite well Ms. Lange, great job today!" I beamed up at him. I really needed good grades this year or my parents wouldn't let me do anything this summer, including the carnival that Lily and her parents invited me to.

"And Mr. Snape I see yours is perfect, as usual. Oh, and Ms. Evans you as well! Mr. Black, yours seems to be a bit…bubbly."

Sirius Black was a very attractive boy in my opinion, with his curly black hair that just barely touched his shoulders and his startling grey eyes, especially when he pouted as he was doing now. More of like a sulk really, but still precious. He sort of reminded me of a puppy but he could be a right prat when he was hanging out with Potter. Those two together was a catastrophe waiting to happen.

Slughorn patted him on the shoulder, "Maybe next time Mr. Black. It's only halfway through term I'm sure you'll get the hang of it, especially with such fine Potions Masters around you such as these three. Ask your fellow classmates for help next time." He then resumed his post at the front of the class.

"That's all for today class you all did very well today! Tidy up and leave your cauldrons! I'll place them in vials for you today." Bless Slughorn. He was much nicer than some of our professors.

I gathered my things and was about to meet up with Lily when I felt a tap on my shoulder. To my surprise, it was Sirius Black. "Yes?" I wondered what he could possibly want.

"Would you maybe…erm…help me understand some of this tomorrow? My marks have always been terrible in Potions and you seem to have a knack for it." He had a sheepish smile on his face and seemed to genuinely need me help. I shrugged, "Sure. I don't mind, if you really need the help and aren't just doing this as a way to make fun of me later." He seemed surprised, "Why would I do that? It's not like your Snivellus!" He yelled out that last part just as Snape passed by us on his way out of the room.

I turned towards Snape to see him glare at Black before continuing his quick pace to his next class, which I also needed to get to. Ugh, Transfiguration was my worst subject.

Once I turned back to Black I narrowed my eyes at him, "For that, you can find someone else to help you. Why don't you ask Potter?" With that I turned and walked out the door and almost right into Lily. "What was that about?" She asked, glaring at Black who was shaking his head and leaving the room with Potter. "Oh just their lot being bullies again."

Lily and I were in the middle of discussing how much we really didn't like Potter and his friends when it was time for us to part. She had History of Magic and had to rush to make it on time.

Once I walked into the classroom I noticed there was only a few seats left though class didn't start for a few minutes left. Why would anyone want to show up to Transfiguration early? One of the open seats happened to be beside Snape, so of coarse I took it.

I sat down and sighed, dreading this class already. I couldn't turn a snake into a stick to save my life let alone fifth year stuff. This term was already taking its toll on me in this subject and I feared it wouldn't be good enough for my parents.

All this flashed through my mind until I realized someone was speaking to me. I looked over and Snape was looking right at me, his hair formed around his pale face. Most people thought his nose looked too big but I thought it was simply…perfect.

"You seem to not enjoy this class much." Snape repeated, tilting his head slightly, a permanent scowl on his face.

"Not even the slightest. It's always been my worst." I confessed after a moment of finally realizing he was talking and looking at me. I tried to keep my cool. Nobody knew, not even Lily, that I fancied him so I had to play the part of indifference.

"It's not one of my best either but I do okay if you need some…more help," Snape replied, a hint of a smirk on his face. I smiled, "Thank you again for earlier. And I really would appreciate some help. Who knows, maybe I can even show you a thing or two. I can transfigure a mean pigeon handkerchief. Although I can't guarantee it wont coo at you later."

That got me another smirk, "I'll keep that in mind." Professor McGonagall traipsed in and began class right after that.

I couldn't believe it. I couldn't stop smiling. I had to pretend to yawn a few times so I could wipe the grin off my face. Severus Snape talked to me and it wasn't about Lily! I should wake up late more often.