Severus Snape did not know what he wanted to be for the rest of his life. With summer drawing to a close, he had received his O.W.L.s back, and he had gotten an Outstaning O.W.L. in almost every class he took one in, excelling specifically in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Severus wanted to be happy, but the events of late in his life caused him to be anything but happy. He hadn't heard from Elise in all of the summer; not that he should be surprised at all. Severus was secluded in his little shack on the hill, the one that had so many dismal memories of his childhood, the one that both his mother and father had left him in. He had thought briefly about going to find his grandfather and killing him, but he refrained mostly because he wanted to wait until he was more powerful.

Upon his return to school, he was happy to see some of his old friends, if they could be called that, from the Slytherin house. Regulus Black, in particular, had always been someone to talk to, when he wasn't being annoying as younger children tend to do. In the morning after the feast in the great hall, Severus was handed his schedule by his head of house. The schedule read N.E.W.T. level potions, defense against the dark arts, transfiguration, arithmancy, and a few other classes. The category at the top for his career path of choice was healer, though Severus wasn't even sure if this was what he wanted to do. It sounded good at the time, sure, but Severus didn't really see himself as a healer. He had a brief vision of bloody messes of people and injured children and their whiney overprotective parents. Quickly he knew this was not the career path for him.

Still, he attended the classes assigned to him without much of a word, trying to find footing where none could be found. On one particular day in the library, he came face to face with Elise Aguirre. Now sixteen years old, Elise Aguirre had blossomed into a beautiful woman. She was a bit taller, but absolutely gorgeous, and everyone knew that she belonged to Sirius Black. Still, with his nose buried in a book, Severus did not notice her presence as she sat down to join him at a study table. She cleared her throat and Severus looked up.

"You," he said, narrowing his eyes out of habit.

"Hello, Severus," she drawled quietly. Severus felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

"You sound different," he remarked casually, looking back down at his potions text.

"Yes, well I studied abroad this summer, in America." Severus nodded simply, continuing to stare blankly at the black letters.

"How've you been?"

"Spectacular," he replied, refusing to elaborate.

"I see. Well, my summer was fantastic, of course I missed all my friends, my parents, and-"

"Sirius, I suppose? You missed your dear love?" He asked sarcastically.
"Don't be like that," she said, continuing to talk very quietly. "Don't bring up the past."

"The ass had me turned upside down in front of the whole student body, that's not something that one forgets easily, Elise."

"I'm not asking you to forget it, I'm asking you to stop blaming me for it. I had no idea they were going to do that. I had no idea that they could be so-so unbelievably cruel."

"Well guess what- they were. They were horrible, not saying that I was innocent, because believe me, I want to take credit for the great things that I did that day- but they were terribly rude. My problem is that you, of course, stayed by his side like a dedicated puppy," Severus spat at her. But instead of retorting, Elise gave a small half smile.

"You know, Severus, I imagined you would probably start talking about how I stayed by his side. I figured you'd harbor all these negative feelings- that's just in your character. However, I have the power to forgive. I have the power to overlook the faults of others' and see the true people. Yes, their actions were deplorable, but they are good people, and you should try forgiveness for a change. It's really a good feeling." Severus shrank from the offensive, yet the weight of her words were lost upon him.

"Why did you come over here?" he asked.

"To talk to my old friend, Severus. We got rather close, you and I, in those few months, and then you let it get lost. You're very dark. But I admire you, and I will continue to pursue a relationship with you, some kind of informal friendship, if you'll allow it."

"I certainly will not, you assume too easily that you can shape me into the person you want me to be, however I continue to assert my stubbornness and unwillingness to change for you." He was proud as he stood his ground. But to his surprise, she once again smiled at him.

"We'll see then, Severus. We shall see what happens throughout this year. I predict that somewhere along the line, you'll want to talk to me again, and when that day comes, I'll gladly welcome your conversation." She rose to leave.

"Right well, we'll see."

Hours later, Severus lie awake, staring blankly at the ceiling, unable to go to sleep. He kept thinking about his earlier conversation with Elise, and how his heart flip-flopped in his chest when she set down.
He hadn't spoken to either of the twits from Gryffindor this year. Maybe if he steered clear of Elise he wouldn't have to talk to them anymore. Right. He also thought a little bit about Narcissa Black, and he wasn't quite sure why she stuck in his mind at this particular time. There had been a lot of hushed talk around the Slytherin common room about the rising force with the so called Dark Lord. Severus didn't know much about the so-called Dark Lord, and he wasn't quite sure what he thought about the cause that had so many riled up in his house. He decided that he would wait and see-afterall, that is what he had spent most of his life doing.

A few months later, Severus was excelling in almost every class. His grades had never been better, and he was actually enjoying his time at Hogwarts, as long as he could fully immerse himself in studies. However, one day, he received an unexpected visitor as he walked from the Great hall after breakfast.

"Psst. Severus." Severus glanced behind him and stopped dead in his tracks.

"What in the name of Merlin do you think you're doing, speaking to me. Get away from me before I hex you into oblivion," Severus snarled.

"Relax. I'm not going to attack you. Actually, I have some information you might find useful in your…life. But you'll have to meet me in a couple of days, at one in the morning," Sirius Black replied. He was alone, which Severus found odd and disturbing.

"Right. Leave me alone, I'm leaving-"

"Seriously, Severus, this is not something you are going to want to miss. I think you'll find it highly curious." He smiled seemingly genuinely and patted Severus on his back as he walked away.

"Don't you touch me, you stupid filth!" Severus exclaimed. Yet he did not send hexes Sirius's way. His curiosity was piqued.

"Meet me in front of the castle in three days time. One AM, don't be late." Scowling, Severus turned away, disgusted that he might actually go.

But as was his nature, Severus could not draw himself away. And so he made the fateful plans to meet Sirius and find out what was so fantastic that it would make Sirius Black act civilly toward his greatest enemy.