4

Kat, looking positively stunning as she always did on the first day of classes, came bouncing over towards the Slytherin table without a moment's hesitation. Very few students had the guts to do something like that, yet Kat appeared to be completely unfazed by it.

Ava had resigned herself to the fact that Malfoy would be spending the entire year trying to irritate her in any way possible, as he had become more and more annoying as the previous week went on. Currently, he had taken a seat right next to her and was sitting close enough that his entire left side was pressed up against her.

"Go away Malfoy," she said, though there was hardly any emotion in her voice. It had only been a week, yet it was a draining one that had left her completely apathetic.

"You're easier than I thought you would be. I was sure it would take until at least Halloween before you gave up on pushing me away…. I just want us to be friends this year," he said with his best attempt at innocence.

"We've been friends since day one, so shut up," she said flatly, rolling her eyes half-heartedly as Kat drew closer.

"You really think so? Because you've always acted like you hated me," he replied as he reached over her and grabbed a roll.

"We have a love/hate relationship, Malfoy…. I love to hate you. When all is said and done though I know I could count on you, whether you'll admit it or not. Like that time in our third year when you lied to Snape for me, saying that kid from Hufflepuff had knocked over the armor, even though you saw me do it…."

"I just wanted to keep the house points."

"And when Alex Stemper, the Gryffindor, tricked me into going into the forest and you found out about it, you ran down there even though it was after curfew and broke his nose and then lied about it again to Snape, so I wouldn't get in trouble…."

"Once again: House points."

"Say what you want Draco Malfoy, the fact is that deep down inside you really do like me and deep down inside we're friends…. It doesn't mean I'm going to sleep with you though," she said, flashing a broad smile at him. He looked thoroughly irritated with her, though a hint of a smile was forming on his face. "Admit it," she said quickly, standing up and grabbing her bag in the process. Kat walked closer and stared off into space as the conversation finished.

"I'll do no such thing," he said firmly. Ava leaned down and wrapped her arms around his neck before planting a kiss on his cheek. "Okay fine….. We're friends."

"Damn straight we are," she said with a smile. "Later Malfoy," she called out as the pair began to exit the hall. However, just as they were about to cross the threshold into the castle, the pair were stopped by a voice summoning them back.

"Miss Coombs," Snape drawled, causing her to freeze in her tracks. She hadn't even so much as looked at him since their encounter on the first night and she was now dreading having to see him. She turned around slowly and peered up at him. "Wouldn't you like your schedule? Or do you think seventh years can come and go as they please?"

"No, sir," she said quietly, hanging her head slightly. He had the rare talent of making one want to jump into the lake and let the giant squid have its way with you, by merely looking at you alone.

As Snape stood motionless, he looked down at the meek figure standing before him. She was significantly shorter than he was and while there was an edginess to her, she was proving to be far more sensitive than he would have ever anticipated. After all, he had already brushed away their little encounter during the feast, and she hadn't done the same? That was more than likely a good thing though, he reasoned out, as she should feel bad for questioning him.

"Let's see… Coombs… Coombs…." He muttered as he rifled through a stack of parchment that clearly held everyone's schedules. He stopped abruptly and shuffled a piece out and surveyed it before handing it to her. She took it without so much as glancing at it and turned around quickly. "Miss Coombs," he said again, a little more abruptly. "I'll see you in a few minutes then?"

Ava glanced down at the parchment and nodded. "Yes, sir."

"I look forward to it," he said silkily before retreating back to the staff table.

"What was that about?" Kat asked happily, glancing over her schedule as they walked down the hallway.

"No idea," Ava replied, studying hers as well. "I haven't talked to him since the other night…. I can't believe I have to start my year off with him."

"Come off it. You know deep down inside that you're excited about seeing him."

"Nay," Ava said sharply, catching a quick glimpse of Kat from the corner of her eye. "Not after that. All I was doing was trying to help and he has the audacity to get mad at me? He's an asshole."

"He likes you," Kat offered as she pulled Ava's schedule out of her hand so she could compare the two. "Oooo, you have your apprentice class with him every day? That's not how it usually is. It's usually two or three times a week…. And you have 'O' Level Potions on top of it."

"Ah, yeah… Well now we know what he meant about change the class around, and of course I have 'O' Level Potions. I'm studying it," she replied, pulling her schedule back.

"Whatever you say," Kat said with a smirk. "At least we have Transfiguration together. That should be fun."

"Great fun, I can't wait," Ava muttered, stuffing the parchment into her school bag. She was, by far, the best in her class when it came to potions, and one of the best the school had ever seen. Transfiguration, however, was an entirely different matter. She couldn't change a coffee mug into a tea cup, let alone change an object at will to whatever she desired, and she had spent her first few years convinced that McGonagall had a personal vendetta against her because she was a Slytherin. After her fourth year, however, she had realized that she was just that bad at it.

"Alright then," Kat said quickly, spotting a group of seventh year Gryffindor boys. "I'll see you later. Bye!" She took of before Ava could say her goodbye and left her heading towards the dungeons alone. She considered taking the long way, as there was a little bit of time left before class would officially begin, but Snape was the kind of man that would be angry that she wasn't early and she didn't need to be any further on his bad side.

Snape sat at the head of the classroom with his arms folded. There was still fifteen minutes before class began and time seemed to be moving extra slowly. If she came in early than he probably hadn't upset her that much. If she came right on time though, she was mad. He wasn't sure which he preferred, and the quiet turning of his stomach became all too apparent. After standing up abruptly, he grabbed a tiny vial of a shelf and swallowed the contents. It was a simple antacid, though the fact he was taking it disturbed him. He'd only had bread and eggs for breakfast, so there was no reason why his stomach would be as upset as it was.

The minute hand ticked by and Snape finally heard the shuffling of feet that he had been waiting patiently for. Ava sat her bag down on a desk near the front and took a seat behind it before pulling out her potions kit.

"You won't be needing that today," Snape said abruptly, crossing in front of her. "Come with me." Ava followed him into his office and over to the cauldron where their last conversation had taken place. "Here," he continued, pointing to its contents and handing her the parchment with his notes on it. "Finish it." Ava stared at him completely dumbfounded and looked back and forth between Snape and the cauldron. A few nights earlier she had been ridiculed for attempting to help. Now she was being offered the opportunity to finish creating a potion that had never been done. "Do you really find me that pleasing to look at?" Snape whispered, bringing Ava back to the present.

"Wha-? Excuse me?" she stammered out.

"Well I told you to get to work and you've been standing there staring at me ever since. Either you're an idiot or you find me unbelievably alluring…. And I think we both know you're not stupid," he spat. Ava stared at him, still confused, and took the parchment out of his hand.

"You'll have to forgive me Professor, but the last time I interfered with your potion your yelled at me and sent me away. I'm not sure what happened between then and now, but you can understand why I'm a little apprehensive," she finally managed to get out, though her confidence grew as she spoke. "So it has nothing to do with whether or not I find you…. Attractive."

"Get to work," he smirked, taking a seat at the desk and turning the chair so he could watch her. She moved deliberately and with an unwavering elegance when she worked. Crossing back and forth between the cauldron and supply cabinet, she piled up ingredients onto the small table next to her and began unscrewing the lids of various jars. After using them she would recap them and take them back before resuming her work. "Interesting take," Snape said after a few minutes. "And why would you be using the beetle wings?"

"Because it will help stabilize the doxy eggs without reducing the effect the boomslang venom will have on them," she said as she measured out a pile of the wings.

"Why wouldn't you use fluxweed to do that?" he asked, smirking as he waited for her response.

"Because it's a potion that you're expecting children to drink. Fluxweed and doxy eggs would create a rancid taste that I'm quite sure even you wouldn't be able to handle. While it's not going to taste great, as potions rarely do, at least the beetle wings won't make it any worse," she said it all very quickly as she uncorked a bottle and let a couple drops of its contents drip into the cauldron. It made a loud hiss and the cauldron instantly began glowing a pale pink color. Silver smoke began to twist from the surface of it and floated up towards the ceiling. "Alright then. That's got to brew for at least another four hours before I can continue."

Snape stood up and peered inside the cauldron as a faint smile formed on his lips. It was impressive, to say the least, but he wasn't going to let her know that. She was nothing more than a student and while she was talented, he wasn't ready to admit that she was anything above average at best…. Not yet at least.

"Nice work," he said flatly. "Now you can spend the remainder of your time rewriting that piece of parchment so that it's coherent, as well as make your own additions to it," he purred, flashing an almost wicked smile. Ava grabbed the parchment from him and sat down at the small table to begin her work. Every once in a while she would glance at him from the corner of her eye, yet she highly doubted he even noticed.

The rest of the session went without any further event and as the bell rang to signal the end of class, Snape instructed her to leave the parchment on his desk.

"Oh, and Miss Coombs?" he said quickly, causing her to stop in her tracks. "I expect you to be here in, what is it- three hours now?- to continue on with the next step of your potion."

"Professor, with all due respect, I'll be Transfiguration at that time. I highly doubt Professor McGon-," she began.

"Professor McGonagall is well aware of your situation and the work it entails. I'll be sure to mention something if I see her, however she should be expecting you to leave," he said smoothly, standing up from his desk. Ava stood motionless as he crossed over to her, placing a hand forcefully on her shoulder. "I look forward to seeing you," he hissed. "And don't be late."

As the young woman turned on her heels and walked away, Snape found himself watching her intently. There were few students that caught his attention, let alone capture his interest. Sure, there were other intelligent students that had come through there. Granger was in her year, after all. Yet, despite his valiant attempt at hating his apprentice, he found it to be a futile one. Not to say that he liked her…. Or did he? Snape took his seat behind the desk and stared at the parchment she had left. Not only was it well written but he had to admit, she did things he would have never thought of doing.

So what if she's smart? he argued silently. Granger is smart and I don't like her… Snape leaned back in the chair and glanced once more at the parchment. It took a lot to impress him and she had done it on the first day of class. Perhaps he had been too hard on her during the first night. She was, after all, only a student- and a Slytherin at that. An intelligent, beautiful, mature Slytherin…..

Snape closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair. This year was proving to be far more challenging than he anticipated, and the first day wasn't even over yet.