Disclaimer:I do not own anything but Meghan Stone in this story;
A/N ::LONG AUTHORS NOT::Thank you for the reviews and follows! wow I never imagined I would be writing more of this story so soon. I rarely get to use my laptop due to there only being the one in the house and my mom uses it most of the time. However it's now 2 am and i find myself rather bored considering i've been reading many fics on here and just happen to look under my own to find four reviews! I am pleased you all enjoyed this first chapter and will answer the questions that seems to bother you all. Severus and Meghan won't 'date' until much later, she's only in first year after all and he in fifth. I've also been asked about his eyes. Yes I known cannon are black, but to me a young severus would have lighter eyes before the darker times turning them black. Don't worry they go cannon before to long. As for romance, there will be hints of it here and there but I want them to become friends before it turns to that. I don't like rushed relationship feels and I honestly think Severus would want to take it slow as well. Meghan is not some attempt to replace Lily Evans, infact she doesn't look anything like the girl nor will she act like her. Her hair is infact short and curly (PIcture Hermione with shoulder length crimson hair) and dark blue eyes. Also I would like to say that I don't know what Beta's are and I tend to spend most of my time rewriting half of the things i write before posting due to wanting to make them perfect. If you'll also notice Severus' POV is in Italics while Meghans is normal. A few spoilers are that Severus IS an animagus in my tale and if you'll pay attention to something Meghan says in this chapter you'll figure out his form. Also his Patronus is NOT a doe. I'm sorry for those Lily Evans fans that want her to be with Severus, but this is something I can not do. Infact she rarely comes into this story. Yes i do use a scene, but it's not what you expect. His calling her a Mudblood is reversed to him calling Meghan one, but with a total different outcome. YES Meghan does make friends with Remus Lupin, but be warned now she DOES NOT fall in love with him. Nor he with her, infact this is where it gets a bit OOC with the cannon figures as Remus and Severus become friends in my story. I do apologize for this lengthy note i simply wanted to answer a few questions. Also this chapter will take place as follows, Meghan is in her second year Severus in his sixth. I want a year per chapter until he graduates so as to not drag out the long dismal ideas of having to write everthing that happens from going to classes to the loo. Now ON WITH THE STORY!
Chapter Two; A bud begin to bloom
Must they always sing this same old song? It was getting rather tiresome if anyone asked him. A sighed escaped thin lips as he listened to nearly the entire hall sing.
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling,
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot.
Why did Dumbledore insist this song be song every year at the start of term? Who knows, personally Severus considered the man to be rather..batty. His love of lemon drops and socks never failed to amuse others but Severus could care less. His eyes shot over to the Gryffindor table and caught those of a dark blue eyed girl that was smiling
"Hi.." she mouthed.
He nodded and sent her a rather small smile. Her name was Meghan Stone. Though to most she was simply 'that girl who hangs around snape' not that it bothered her. That he thought anyway, she seemed to be rather off put when it came to other's opinion of their 'friendship' was that what this was called? He wasn't sure to be honest. They brewed Slug horns potions. Went to his famous "Slug club" gatherings and at most times spent hours on end doing nothing but reading in each others company. He knew very little of her personal life, and she of his. She knew he lived with two very...outspoken parents. And hated going home. She to could identify with this, since her parents had done nothing but been mournful of her having to come home during the summer and only wished she could stay at the her openess about this, he had started to ask her to come home with him, but alas he knew better. HIs parents weren't exactly someone he could show off. He felt his shoulders dop at the thought, the fighting this summer had been horrid. He of course was caught in the middle and had a few bruises to show off for his out spokeness. Of course he would never show them to anyone. He was NOT weak. One thing he hated was pity, but Meghan never seemed to pity him, she simply sat there, listening to whatever he would tell her of himself. She was never the "oh Severus I'm sorry!" kind of girl.
At long last the meal was served, his hunger was not obvious to most, but he didn't exactly have tons of food avaible to him at home. After eating , with proper manners mind you, he rose and excused himself to the dungeons. Slughorn would be expecting him early the next morning for brewing, and if his assumtions were correct a certain red head would be there to help. With this a smile crested his thin lips, it at least made his dreams that night easier.
Meghan hadn't taken long to seek Severus out, she watched him during the song, apparently he didn't enjoy it. She found it amusing but rather boring. His face looked dark, his eyes heavy. She wondered what his summer had been like, but she was not going to be such a prat as to ask such a private question. If he wanted her to know, he'd tell her.
After eating, she collected her bag and patted Remus on the head "Night."
"Night! Remember to wake me up when you do, I need to head to the library early!" he said
"Oi! Why do you need to wake up so bloody early Moony? You know I want a bit of a lay in tomorrow, classes don't start until Monday anyway!" James said.
"I want to start studing early Prongs, besides she won't wake you up, we have our own way of contacting each other," Remus said shaking his head.
"OOOH Moony's got himself a girlfriend! Better hope old Snivellus doesn't find , she's his girlfriend after all!" Called Sirius.
"I'm not his girlfriend Black, I'm his friend, as I am Remus'. I detest the thought of having to explain myself to you or any one else as to why I spend my time with Severus, but apparently since you find the thought amusing, I will tell you. He's my friend, why you may ask? Because unlike some, who are in my own house, he doesn't spend his days pranking or running around chasing girls, nor playing silly games on sticks! I love the fact that for someone who has not even recieved an O in anything other than defence, you can sit there and define who he is. I won't have you speak ill of him, but defending him doesn't make me his girlfriend nor mean I hold strong feelings for the boy. I am twelve for crying out loud and I have more intellance in my little toy than you could ever dream of breeching!" she snapped her head around to Remus then "I will send Aries for you at six. Good night."
Remus chuckled as Siris and James sat wide mouthed "Brillant isn't she?"
"She called them silly sticks! MY BROOM IS THE BEST IN BRITIAN!" james cried.
"Of course it is Prongs.." Remus sighed, as much as he loved his friends, sometimes all they thought of was childish games.
Morning brought a headache, and a long groan from Meghan, she had been frustracted last night and over reacted. The girls in her dorm had giggled and laughed about this all night. Shaking her head, she collected her small owl from it's cage, and sent it to Remus. Aries was smaller than most owls in the owlery and she had gotten permission to keep him with her considering he'd been attacked last year and nealy died.
Once she was dressed , she grabbed her bag and headed to the potions room, Slughorn was still asleep but considering she had been given the passwords to the room she only needed to speak the first two before she was allowed inside. Severus was already there, and greeted her with his normal gentle smile and inclined head.
"What are we brewing this morning?" she asked standing beside him, but not in his way
"it's dreamless sleep. We need only do this one , Poppy says the stores for once." he said with a smirk.
"Well of course they are, you brewed enough last year to heal an army!" she said chuckling. The soft snores from behind a large painting meant Slughorn was still asleep "and of course our great potion master wouldn't do it himself."
This earned her a soft chuckle from Severus, she loved making him laugh "Indeed." he whispered before putting the last ingrediant into the pot.
"Well since we're caught up for now, perhaps we could research some? I heard there's a rumor going around that someone's trying to make a potion for werewolves," she couldn't help thing of Remus. Of course she'd never let the boy's secret out. It wasn't even that he had told her, she sort of just..knew? It was his actions of course. Leaving once a month before the moon rose? The boys following him out? all that happen last year, and the howls from the forest seemed to only verify her curiosity.
Beside her Severus went rigid, he somehow didn't expect that, but he turned to her and arched a brow "Why are you interested in werewolves?"
She chuckled "I'm not, I've only read that someone had tried to make a potion to help them and I was wondering if you had any insight or remarks about the subject?"
He shrugged then "Werewolves are unique creatures, there are two kinds I have read. Full Lycans (a/n please go with me on this as it's something that will be revisited later on in our story.) can infact shift when they want. Born lycans mind you, not bitten ones. Lycans can only be born to parents of canine blood, such as a dog/wolf animagus and a werewolf mate. Bitten lycans shift once a month during the full moon and experiance more pain that full blooded ones since their transformations are forced."
She blinked and took all this in then tilted her head "Born lycans? I have..never really heard of a born lycan. All the werewolves I've read about have been bitten."
"Well the bitter had to spring from somewhere no? Much like the chicken and egg theory muggles discuss," he said shrugging.
"Chicken or egg..OH! you mean what came first? yes I see, to have bitten werewolves there must be an original source to have made them. But Severus are there many full blooded lycans ?" she asked.
"I can not assume to know this, but I do not think so. I can honestly say my knowledge of these beings isn't something to ponder at. I know only what i have read or heard through tales. Though I do recall hearing of a story many years ago of a woman who had been bitten by a werewolf falling in love with a man who was a wolf animagus. They had two children and one was a full blood lycan the other was not," he said tilting his head.
"I see. well that makes sence then," she said nodding "But in theory could a potion help a werewolf during his transformation?"
"I assume it could, if not but to help the pain, or perhaps keep him sane? I don't pretend to know what a werewolf is like when he shifts, but I assume it has to be maddening. To lose ones self and change into an animal would be means for madness," he said.
"But what of animagus then? Would that be the same thing?" she questioned.
"Now as for that I am not sure...I have never thought of becoming an animal nor have I considered the ramifications of such actions." he said.
When the brew was done and sat atop the desk, he jestered for her to follow him outside the rooms, she loved their conversations and honestly this one she didn't want to end. "A walk? Around the lake! come on it's Saturday and a nice day out."
"It's bloody cold out there..." he said with a sigh.
"Oh come on Severus! I'll keep you warm i promise," she said with a grin. Though she only spoke of a heated debate and nothing more.
He sighed, but gave her a small smile "Only for you.."
Once they had reached the lake, she again turned their conversation to the subject they had dismissed "I can see why werewolves would lose a sence of themselves, but since the ministry registers animagi they must somehow keep their minds in transformation."
"We will have to research this to further our knowledge but you have brought up a good subject of interest. I haven't wondered about this, but now you have my mind racing!" he said with a soft chuckle.
"Then that's our project this year!" she said hugging his arm "You know..you're nothing but a big old teddy bear Sev."
He patted her arm and shook his head "Alas only with you dear Meg, don't speak of my secrets though or else I will hex you."
She giggled and shook her head, they spent the rest of the day in the library and had already discovered much about animagi, but not nearly enough.
Severus , long after Meg had kissed his cheek and heading to bed, paced. He knew he could figure this out. He knew he could try..was it worth it though? He'd be breaking rules..but then again he wondered if the transformation was as painless as the books had said. He had left out of course, in his and Meghan's conversation, that he had learned about animagus in his third year. Since it would be her next year to discover such things, he had not want to ruin it.
The notes he had written down were specific. A mandrake leaf under his tongue for a full month. In which that month he rarely spoke to Meg and she was a bit hurt, but he had written down his apologies and explained that it was due to having potions gone wrong. She accepted this and within a month of his none speech, he regained it and soon their conversations began again. He also learned that unless he wished to conceal or disguise himself, this wasn't going to work and that most wizards didn't bother due to this fact alone. he pinched the bridge of his nose, it was late and he was now pacing. Thinking. He had to relax and let his mind go. He took a breath, he released it and relaxed. He pictured nothing, felt only the need to conceal himself. A forest? When had that thought sprang up in his minds eye? he felt heavy, lainded down and ...furry. He heard a grunt, and soon his eyes open. he blinked and looked around. What the bloody hell was going on? he felt clumsy as he tried to talk. Tried to move but once he'd made it to the great mirror in the common room, he blinked. no..no this couldn't be right. But then he remembered his research, the wizard never chose the form of the animal they changed into. But how? how could he have done this so quickly?! He tried to breath and a grunt came out once more. Black..Black..of course he would be black, that was his marking after all no? The animal marking was his chair color? that couldn't be right could it? Then again he would have to research this more. At least he could safely say it didn't hurt to change form. He hadn't even felt it! In fact he was now laughing rather hard inside his own head, damn that girl and her ideas! For not standing in the mirror was a bat, or anything of horror nature. No nothing that would make men think of vampires, but a vision that in plush form would probably make children happy! For standing in front of the mirror with grey eyes and a black coat, dusted with a soft brown snout, was a bear. "Nothing but a big teddy bear.." her voice came back to him and once more inside his own mind..he laughed.
By morning he was back to his own form, he hadn't been so quick to change back as this was something that took time to do. It was early before he could think of something besides wanting to run into the forest and roll in moss, but never the less he did. He would have to keep this to himself, and as much as it pained him not to tell Meghan of his new found ability, he could not.
By the end of the year he was ready to blow his top. James and his little group of misfits had nearly killed him! And the discovery of Lupins ...furry problem, made him realize that Meg knew. She must be rather fond of the boy to keep his secret. This made Severus enraged, but he said nothing. Infact he hadn't spoken to her about this and had gone to being a silent rather cold person. How dare they insult him like this. How dare they risk human life, even his own pathetic one, for a laugh? Though it was Potter who saved him, POTTER who told him not to go. Black had of course thought it was funny, but once they realized that Lupin would really harm Severus, James had to stop him. He swore and heard a whimper behind him.
"S..Sorry am I disturbing you?" it was Meghan, her innocence humbled him but then the thought of her knowing about Remus made him sneer "No. but hadn't you rather be with your friends?"
"I thought I was with my friend." she said tilting her head "Have I done something wrong Severus? You don't talk to me anymore and I can't get into the potions lab to help you brew."
"I DO NOT NEED THE HELP OF A FILTHY LITTLE MUDBLOOD !" he cried out and instantly he recoiled, why the bloody hell would he ever use that word? AND TO HIS BEST FRIEND.
"Megh.." he started to apologize, but her arms were around him and tears soaked his robes "What are ..what are you doing?"
"Hugging you! Something bad must have happen for you to use that word! I'm sorry if I hurt you or if i said something!" she said softly.
Honestly? Was this happening? If he'd had called Evans this, she would have slapped him or worse. But this girl was apologizing..perhaps he was wrong?
"Meghan..how much do you know of Remus Lupin?" he questioned.
"Only that he has to leave every full moon and that his stupid friends follow...why?" she pulled back and narrowed her eyes. He sighed and began the tale of halloween, the trick and how he had nealy been killed.
"THEY WHAT?!" he shushed her and pulled her outside so they would not be caught in the hallway discussing such things.
"But why have you not been speaking to me?" she asked frowning.
"Did you not know of the plan?" he questioned.
"Why would I have known of it? I am only friends with Remus due to the fact that he is like myself, a lover of books. We don't speak openly about our lives or what we do in them. most of our discussions are about nothing but books and what we have and have not read. I don't spend nealy as much time with him as I do you and do not want to!" she said crossing her arms "And if THAT is what you think then you can just rethink ! Because i'm not losing my best friend because you assume to much and thin.." she stopped speaking when he hugged her. He hugged HER. Why? Because other than the fact he wished her to stop speaking, she'd called him her friend, no her best friend. That in itself made him smile "Forgive me. I have infact been a fool.." he whispered.
"Oh Sev you big bear I know you're set in your ways and can be cold and demanding , most first years think you're a vampire or something, but you're really nothing but a sweetheart beneath those hardened eyes.. I won't let you be lonely, you want to conseal yourself because of those arsen boys but I won't let you and you have to listen to me."
He chuckled and found himself smiling, she was rather adorable when she was mad or demanding "And why, prey, is that?"
"Isn't it obvious? " he shook his head.
"Well, now don't get a big head , but one day, we'll marry and you'll have to listen to me because I'm always going to be right." she said with a nod. This..this one sentence broke his cold walls, those ice bricks that had formed for the whole year after halloween and during christmas, now vanished. His heart was light. He couldn't take it, couldn't handle it, his laughter started low then erupted out with a bark as he held his sides, she had of course stolen his heart in that moment and didn't even realize it. This girl, this child had set his path so clear he himself couldn't stray if he wanted. SHE thought he was good. SHE thought him a prince? She placed him on a pedistal and even proclaimed him worthy enough to marry her? That alone was enough to make him fall to the ground laughing.
"I see nothing funny of our future.." she said crossing her arms, though she knew this was exactly what she wanted. To make him laugh, even at the cost of hurt due to him thinking a marriage would be funny.
"Meg, you are nothing sort of being the brightest ray of sunlight in my entire life." he said pulling her down to him in the warmth of the sunshine. She chuckled "Course I am, i mean what else would I be? You're the dark dangerous beast that I have to rescue from the curse!"
"You read , my lady, far to many fairy tales," he said with a smirk. Her head was now laying on his side, their bodies forming a T it one looked at it from the sky. This, this he had missed.
Silence crept over them, they simply shared moments like this to bring them peace, and then he stilled at her next words "Mum and dad don't want me to come home this year."
"Where will you go?" he whispered.
"My cousin has said I could come stay with him, but Eljiah is from Dumbstrang, he doesn't want me coming here next year.."she whispered.
"Do.." he cleared his throat "Do you think they will let you return? Maybe you could ask Dumbledore to stay?"
"I don't know.." she whispered.
"We'll figure it out, this I promise." he said ruffling her hair. If she didn't come back..what would happen? They didn't stay in touch during the summer simply because his parents would not allow such exchanges. He was not allowed to have friends.. He frowned and sat up supporting his weight on his elbows and still allowing her to lay on him "You've an owl yes?"
She nodded
"Then beg your cousin to let you come back, tell him that you must, tell him that i..people here need you and that if he wishes he could speak to Dumbledore about coming to."
She thought of this and sighed "I will see..but he's stubborn. He believes himself a pirate.." she whispered.
"A pirate? why?" he frowned.
"Let's just say he's stuck on a certain captain from a place far away," she said shaking her head.
"Well..if you can't come back..can we keep in touch?" he whispered.
"Sev, I'll come back. I wouldn't miss your last year of school! i'll tell them to let me come back for my third year then if they insist on me going to a different school I will only after my third."she exclaimed.
He simply nodded, and as the weeks filed on he discovered he was rather eager to start his last year. Then again he wasn't. He could escape his parents at last, but at the cost of his best friend. When the last day came, so to the news of home, and the deaths he had not been expecting...
A/N::::: OK so there's that then. Sorry it's not more but my laptops dying and i need to hurry. I know some things are different and i know that there's a bit of error but please be nice about the reviews, i did research a great deal about animagus. also i did look up the incident with james and remus and sev and all that, but since it's now 4 am i was not really paying attention to anything other than getting this wrote before morning. His parents death as it also falls in the end, i'm not sure if it's cannon or not. But if i'm wrong then please shoot me a PM and let me know. I may have been rather OC with Severus in this one, but again I wanted to stray him away from being the cold hearted Death Eater that he was in the books. Remember he DOES NOT take the mark in my story but infact another 'friend' lends the aid of spy and I'm sure you'll find out or rather figure out who later. I also want to point out that in my story Sirius does go to Azkaban, but it's not for the reason in the books, infact Harry will still have both his parents when this tale is over.