Chapter 3

"Before we begin today's lesson," Serena's father said, sweeping over to his desk and staring around at them all, "I think it appropriate to remind you that next June you will be sitting an important examination, during which you will prove how much you have learned about the composition and use of magical potions. Moronic though some of this class undoubtedly are, I expect you to scrape an 'acceptable' in your O.W.L. or suffer my...displeasure."

His gaze lingered this time upon Neville, who gulped. Serena, who had heard stories from her father of the boy's incompetence in potions, smirked slightly.

"After this year, of course, many of you will cease studying with me," he went on. "I take only the very best into my N.E.W.T. Potions class, which means that some of us will certainly be saying goodbye."

His eyes rested on a dark haired boy towards the front and his lip curled. Serena could feel his resentment from across the room.

"But we have another year to go before that happy moment of farewell," he said softly, "So whether you are intending to attempt N.E.W.T. or not, I advise all of you to concentrate your efforts upon maintaining the high-pass level I have come to expect from my O.W.L. students.

"As some of you may have noticed, Miss Snape will be joining our class for the remainder of the year. Despite what you may have already assumed, she is not here because of my standing with the school, but because of her previous, exemplary records when it comes to potions. So I hope all of you will aspire to be on her level. I shall also remind you that she is a fourth year, and you are all fifth years, which should be even more of a reason for you to excel in my class as you all are a year ahead.

"Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at Ordinary Wizarding Level: the Draught of Peace, a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation. Be warned: If you are too heavy-handed with the ingredients you will put the drinker into a heavy and sometimes irreversible sleep, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are doing," Serena lit her cauldron in advance, feeling fully capable; she had already made the potion before. "The ingredients and method" –Snape flicked his wand– "are on the blackboard" –(they appeared there)– "You will find everything you need" –he flicked his wand once more– "in the cupboard to your right. You have until the end of the period. Begin."

After putting in the putting in the powdered moonstone, Serena picked up the ladle to stir, but it was quickly snatched from her hand. She looked up and stared blankly at the smirking figure sitting to her side. He had sharp, angular features, with high cheekbones and eyebrows that framed striking grey eyes. He was leaning against the table with his forearms holding him up, one foot on the ground, the other on the stool.

"Were you planning on letting me work as well, or are you going to do it all for me?" He smirked. Serena ignored him, snatching the ladle back and continuing on with the potion.

"Snape's my godfather. Curious how he never told me he had a daughter."

By now Serena already knew who he was, he may not have known her, but she knew him.

"And you are?"

He looked at her with raised eyebrows, "Draco Malfoy. Our fathers once worked together."

Serena nodded, knowing exactly what he was hinting at. By now the potion had turned the perfect shade of purple, so she shook the powdered porcupine quills vigorously into the cauldron and stirred.

"I know."

Draco stared at her for a moment, seemingly trying to pick her apart. Eventually the smirk returned, "Seeing as we will be partners for the foreseeable future, shouldn't I do something too? I'd rather not get on Snape's bad side by appearing incompetent."

"You can stir." Serena allowed, handing him the ladle. Draco scowled at the childish task, but still took it and began to stir until the potion turned orange.

"So why fourth year?" He asked Serena. Again, she ignored him, staring up at the blackboard as she read the next set of instructions.

"Why did you come to Hogwarts in fourth year? Why not first like the rest of us? You must admit, it is a bit odd–"

Serena stopped him mid-sentence, grabbing his wrist urgently and pulling it, along with the ladle, away from the cauldron. "Stop."

She went on to add more porcupine quills and then powdered unicorn horn, before grasping his wrist and pulling back to the now pink potion. "Keep stirring...But please, pay more attention this time. You almost ruined it."

Draco, almost begrudgingly, began to stir, feeling like a scolded child as he did. A moment of silence went by, in which both of them only paid attention to their work.

"My father originally believed that Pennyworth was the best place for me, but the circumstances have since changed." Mostly because the Dark Lord has returned.

Draco looked at her with masked suspicion. His face cleared and he went on, "I've never heard of Pennyworth School for Gifted Witches and I'm sure most people haven't either."

Serena noticed the unasked question. Is it real? "It's a very private school. Only a select few get in."

He stared at her, unblinkingly. She stared back with equal resolve. Draco dropped the subject, allowing Serena to add the last of the porcupine quills. The solution turned white, signifying the completion of the potion. She picked up a vial and poured a small amount of the liquid into it. Then she took out a strip of parchment, writing both their names on it, and attached it to the vial with her wand.

Serena stood, taking the potion up to her father's desk. The rest of the class had yet to finish, most were only halfway done. They had been the first to complete the potion.

Her father took the vial from her, testing it before them. The solution became clear; exactly as it should be. Her father looked up approvingly, "Well done, Miss Snape...Mr. Malfoy."

Serena glanced, almost surprised at the tall figure standing slightly behind her. Hardly anyone could sneak up on her; she was always very attuned to her surroundings.

"You two are dismissed." Her father told them, looking back down and continuing to write. Draco nodded, going back to gather his things, "And Serena,"

Serena, who had begun to turn and follow Draco, looked back over her shoulder and replied, "Yes?"

He lowered his tone so that only the two of them could hear, and then carried on, "I do believe you've proven to your piers where you stand."

Serena smirked at him, "Exactly."

A few weeks passed, and Serena had already gotten into a daily routine. Every morning she ran before showering and dressing, then making her way to the Great Hall for breakfast. Classes went by with lunch in between, and she would almost always have an ample amount of time to do homework before and after dinner. During the weekends she would usually be found in the Slytherin common room, the library, or with her father, discussing various topics.

Serena had already finished her Transfiguration and Arithmancy homework by the time she left for dinner. That left only Muggle Studies, which Serena found to be unimportant anyway.

Soon, after taking a seat at the Slytherin table near the end, Serena was greeted by a sad looking Lucy. Her short, blonde hair bounced up and down as Lucy panted, "Did you hear?"

Serena didn't answer, knowing Lucy would tell her anyway. Instead, she set to work on reading ahead for her History of Magic class.

"Umbridge banned all clubs and teams!" Lucy whined, "That means I can't be in the Charms Club anymore!"

"Are you sure there's not a loophole?" Serena questioned, glancing up at the exasperated Lucy.

"No, it seems to be pretty solid." Lucy frowned, plopping down in the seat next to Serena. She continued to chatter on about the new decree, but Serena had already stopped listening.

"Oh, h-hello D-Draco." Lucy suddenly stuttered. Serena looked up from her book to see her Potions partner standing behind her. He reached out, plucking the book from her with long fingers.

"Yes?" Serena questioned, knowing that he wouldn't leave until she gave him her full attention.

"You'll be sitting with me today. Bradford, you can come too." Draco ordered, already walking with Serena's book in hand. Lucy grinned, following him without complaint. Serena complied begrudgingly, wanting her book back.

Serena knew what was happening. Draco saw her as either a potential ally, or a potential threat. And by now she already knew what the Slytherin table represented. Like a snake, the head was the most powerful. By moving her up the table, Draco was introducing her to the elite in an attempt to secure her alliance.

Draco led them both to the head of the table, where no one sat besides himself and the people he approved of. Lucy was quick to take the seat next to Draco, whereas Serena sat opposite him next to Blaise. She had met the dark skinned boy before; he had immediately begun flirting with her. Like all the other boys who had tried to do so in the last month, she ignored him.

"You're looking quite ravishing today." Blaise smiled at her, once again beginning the string of flirtatious comments. Serena ignored him, continuing to read from her book that she had taken back. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Draco glaring at Blaise, who didn't seem to notice. She only looked up when Dumbledore stood to get everyone's attention.

"I have a few announcements before we begin dinner. First, I would like to remind you all of the Hogsmeade trip coming up tomorrow. Don't forget your permission slips, otherwise you will not be allowed into the village. Secondly, there will be a Halloween banquet in two weeks for years four through seven. I can't wait to see all of your costumes. Thank you for your patience. Please, continue." He then sat down, food appearing on the tables.

Serena served herself a plate of chicken ceasar salad, along with a small bowl of soup. She set aside her book so she could eat her food, trying her best to ignore the conversations around her.

"So, Serena, care to be my date to this Halloween banquet?" Blaise smiled, draping his arm over Serena's shoulders. She stared at him, shrugging off his arm before going back to her salad.

"Back off." Draco snapped at Blaise. Both Lucy and Blaise raised their eyebrows at Draco, while Serena raised an elegant eyebrow, but otherwise disregarded all of them.

"After all, she is Snape's daughter." Draco regained his composed face, shrugging off his moment of anger. They all resumed eating, accepting his response.

"So, Serena, do you want to go shopping tomorrow for costumes?" Lucy asked with enthusiasm.

"I'm not going."

Lucy looked surprised, obviously not expecting Serena's answer. Lucy complained, "Why not?"

"It's an idiotic way of getting children to celebrate a pagan holiday dedicated to scaring away spirits. Which, in itself, is completely hypocritical, seeing as Hogwarts inhabits dozens of ghosts and poltergeists. In conclusion, it's moronic, and I will not be attending." Serena bluntly stated.

"But we get to dress up...and look pretty!" Lucy exclaimed, ignoring Serena's well thought out explanation. She carried on, mumbling, "Not all of us can wake up looking gorgeous like you."

"It's true, princess, you are one-of-a-kind." Blaise jokingly added. He was about to continue, but the warning look on Draco's face made him stop.

The two boys began talking animatedly about Quidditch, with Lucy chattering on about meaningless subjects and Serena pretending to listen whilst reading her book under the table. Just as Serena was about to leave, a girl with an ugly, black bob haircut appeared next to Draco.

"Draco!" She whined, her high pitched tone ringing in Serena's ears. "Why are they here? We were supposed to get together today and hang out…" She twirled her hair and bit her lip suggestively.

Draco rolled his eyes and finished swallowing his last bite of fish. He muttered, "Way to be inconspicuous."

Pansy, hearing his comment, scowled, but quickly pretended not to hear and put on a pouty face, grasping his bicep urgently, "Come on babe, let's go already."

"No, I'm good." Draco replied, shrugging her hand away and smirking. Pansy scoffed, stomping away angrily. Serena, without looking up, smirked.

Several more minutes passed, and Serena remembered a book she had wanted to look into in the library. She then shut her current book, standing soundlessly from her seat.

"Going so soon, princess? Don't you enjoy spending time with me?" Blaise winked with his usual charming smile present on his face.

At the same time, both Serena and Draco scowled and said, respectively, "Don't call me princess" and "Why would anyone want to spend time with you?"

Blaise shrugged Draco's comment off and only replied to Serena, "Whatever you say, babe."

Serena resisted the urge to roll her eyes, and instead walked away at a brisk pace. She heard Lucy call out, "I'll meet you in the dorm later, okay?"

Serena didn't reply, only slowed and nodded slightly over her shoulder.

She began to make her way through various corridors and hallways, easily finding the quickest route to the library. She turned a corner and was instead met with two unfriendly faces.

"Harry, I really don't trust this girl. She's a Snape. For Merlin's sake, she acts just like him!"

"I don't know Ron…I think we should listen to Hermione on this one. What if she's different? We've never even met her."

"How could she be different? What with his blood running through her veins. Who would have a child with him, anyways?"

Serena could hear them coming closer and made the quick decision to swerve left. A lanky figure ran into her, knocking her off balance.

"Oi! Watch it!" The tall red head froze when he saw who he had run into. "Oh…it's you."

Harry elbowed his friend in the stomach, making the taller boy grunt, "Ron!" He hissed.

Serena just stared blankly at the two boys, keeping her face completely neutral. In a smooth, monotone voice, she commented on what she had overheard, "Kindly refrain from speaking about my family so negatively. Next time you do so, I will not be so forgiving."

The beautiful girl sidestepped the open mouthed boys, continuing on her route to the library. She could the hushed whispers and could feel the stares on her back as she retreated.

"...Bloody hell!"

"Shut it, Ron."