Chapter Two

Listening to Adam go on a tirade about some girl he apparently had a crush on, Kelsey grabbed some scrambled eggs and bacon before placing them on her plate. It had been a week since she had started Hogwarts. A week that she had been in a strained, and somewhat forced, friendship with Severus Snape. Lily didn't seem to register the fact that there was any sort of tension between herself and the boy she had been introduced to. She just seemed to be happy she had a friend who was willing to put up being around him. Kelsey got the feeling that he wasn't a popular person in this school, and carrying on with her subtle watching of the quiet boy proved her right.

He didn't seem to speak to many people from his own house and if he did it was mostly in passing. The only person Kelsey saw him interacting with outside of his own housemates was Lily, and even then he wasn't a loud person. His voice was strangely deep, for a fifteen year old boy, and subdued as he spoke like he had picked out each word carefully. To Kelsey he always seemed on edge like he was waiting for something. She understood why when she witnessed Potter and his friends, mostly Sirius as the other two were more like observers of the event, ganged up on him in one of the corridors for no reason whatsoever. Kelsey was admittedly impressed seeing the withdrawn boy suddenly, dramatically, change into a more confident person and take on both of them, though it was evenly matched.

He didn't seem open to trying to be her friend, more just putting up with her the few times Lily had brought her along to spend time with him. And Kelsey knew Lily was only doing it because she was allowing it. Her other friends automatically claimed they had other plans or flat out refused to attend, not wanting to be in the same vicinity as Snape. Kelsey really didn't understand why. Sure, he wasn't a sociable person or even friendly, but he wasn't unpleasant. He hadn't gone out of his way to make her feel unwelcome when she joined him and Lily. He more had simply ignored her unless he had to speak to her and he never spoke to her in an unkind way. He hadn't even sent any annoyed, bad looks her way when Lily wasn't looking. He was more expressionless or the odd few times contemplative.

In the back of her mind Kelsey knew she wanted to try and talk to this odd boy who had seemed to take over her every thought for the past week, but she didn't know how. Well, she did but she also knew he would most likely refuse and she didn't want to have to go through that, would be too awkward when Lily no doubt dragged her along to go see him again. Unless, she thought to herself as her gaze travelled to the red head sat next to her. It was later in the evening and herself and Lily had ventured to the library to study and do homework. Clearing her throat Kelsey angled her body in her friends direction. Looking up from her Potions homework Lily raised her brow seeing the look on Kelsey's face.

"What's wrong?" she asked, frowning when Kelsey opened her mouth but didn't speak. Clearing her throat once more Kelsey steeled herself.

"Er, I was just wondering if you could do me a favour?" Nodding to indicate her to carry on Lily put down her quill to give her all her attention. "So, I'm kind of getting behind on my potions work, and was wondering if you could possibly, maybe, convince Severus to help me out? I just remember you telling me it was his best subject, that he was top of the year, and I have a feeling if I ask he'll just say no."

"Oh," Lily frowned. For some reason her instincts told her there was more to it but decided to let it go. "I can do that."

"Oh my God, thank you so much. My parents would kill me if I failed."

"Uh, huh." Going back to her potions essay Lily peered at the girl sat beside her. Something was up and she was going to find out what.

Folding her arms across her chest to ward off the slight chill that came with the breeze softly dancing around her, she waited patiently for Severus. Smiling, she stood up when she saw him making his way over, Giving him a quick hug they both sat down.

"Ok, to get straight to the point Sev, I wanted to ask you for a favour."

"What is it?"

"So, Kelsey needs help with Potions and who better than the one who is top of the class? The year even!" Lily exclaimed, smiling hopefully at him who narrowed his eyes. Taking a deep breath he slowly nodded his head. He didn't particularly want to help this girl out but Lily had been looking at him with so much hope, he green eyes shining brilliantly, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. Sorting out times to meet up with the new girl they parted ways, much to his displeasure.

Back in the common room, which was oddly empty, he took a seat by the fire. He didn't have a particular problem with said new girl, it was just he didn't really like new people in general. They were a hassle and most people he found couldn't be trusted. He was grateful she hadn't done anything yet, like most people whether it was simply sending him a dirty look as though he couldn't be trusted when they hadn't even spoken to him or one of simple disgust. Thinking about it she seemed to be the complete opposite. It was probably because she was trying to keep Lily happy, like he was, but she kept smiling when they looked at each other. Sometimes they were so small he didn't think she was aware she was doing it, which just left him feeling confused.

"That is a serious thinking face." A voice said, snapping him from his thoughts to see Regulus Black sprawled out on the couch opposite. "What are you thinking about? Is it the new girl you are suddenly friends with? I can understand why, she isn't too hard on the eyes is she?"

"She's Lily's friend not mine." Severus rebuked.

"That's a shame." Shaking his head Severus stood up to head to his dorm when Regulus spoke once more. "Well, it wouldn't matter if you were interested anyways."

"And why is that?" Severus asked, humoring the younger boy.

"Because, I saw her in the library with Remus Lupin and if I'm not mistaken she was definitely flirting." Regulus divulged in a tone that suggested it was something that he shouldn't like hearing.

"Good for Lupin." he deadpanned before turning and exiting, leaving the other boy alone on the couch being bathed by the slight flickering from the fire.

Sitting on the couch with a blanket covering her legs, Kelsey read her book in peace. There were only a handful of people dotted about the common room so she was actually able to read without getting distracted. As if some higher power heard her thought the entrance swung open and an enraged Adam came storming inside. His face was red with anger, eyes narrowed as though he was thinking hard, or maybe planning someone's murder, Kelsey thought as he made his way over to her. Flopping harshly down next to her, a strained silence erupted around them. Carefully marking her page she shut her book and placed it beside her. Intertwining her fingers she angled her body towards him.

"Should I ask now or wait for you to blow up?" Snapping his head towards her, Adam's eyes flashed with indignation. Kelsey pushed her amusement away. She could laugh after.

"McGonagall gave me detention."

"Why?"

"Because I was fighting."

"Fighting? As in-"

"Yes, full on muggle fighting." Adam interrupted, slouching down into the couch. Giving him a look Kelsey nudged him when he didn't speak. "Michael Thorman decided he was going to ask out Beth Harrison."

"And that's a problem why?" Giving her a look Adam stayed silent as realisation dawned upon her. "So you just attacked him because he asked out a girl you liked?"

"No, I went down the childish routine and took the piss out of his accent."

"What!" Kelsey guffawed. "Why?"

"Well he's scouse isn't he? Makes you want to punch summit' when he talks."

"That's racist." Kelsey commented lightly, shaking her head. "Did she say yes?"

"No, she didn't have time to what with me being a twat." Adam replied lowly.

"You're a fucking idiot!"

The next week went by fast and soon enough Kelsey found herself waiting in an empty classroom for Severus to arrive. It was her first official tutoring session with said boy and Kelsey found herself strangely anxious. The realisation that she really did want this boy to like her stunned her. Tensing as she heard the door open Kelsey found herself keeping her gaze on the desk. The sound of him putting his bag down, the slight scraping of his chair and then him clearing his throat to get her attention reached her. Raising her head, Kelsey gave Severus a smile smile. He did not smile back. He seemed to immediately get into the session, figuring out what she needed most work on before he seemed to set up a plan of action. She had to hand it to him, he was efficient.

She found herself admiring the way he worked. He definitely had a gift when it came to potions, she thought listening to him explain the effects of certain ingredients.

"I just wanted to say thank you," Kelsey said softly when they were both packing away their stuff. "For helping me. I know you probably didn't want to."

"Well, it helps you're not a total lost cause." he responded after a beat of silence. Smiling, she quickly reached over to squeeze his hand before flouncing from the room leaving a shocked Severus behind. He wasn't used to people touching him so freely, he tended to keep a distance from people and touching them. Even Lily only touched him on occasions. She didn't do it often but that was probably because she knew his aversion of being touched. Quickly shaking his head from the onslaught of memories he grabbed his bag and fled the room.

"Hurry up, Peter!" James yelled behind him as he strode down the corridor with Sirius beside him. Turning round he chuckled slightly as he witnessed Peter jump onto the staircase that had just started to move, nearly tumbling as he did so. Stepping off the staircase the boys made their way to the library in search of Remus. They were used to their studious friends hanging out in the library, surrounded by books, but this past week he had seemed to double the time he spent in there. James wanted to know why, and when they finally entered he found out immediately why his friend wanted to spend most of his free time here. Sat at one of the desks, books and paper scattered about, was Remus and the new girl.

Smirking, James and Sirius exchanged looks before making their way over. Clearing his throat he waited for the couple to give their attention to him instead of each other. "What do we have here?"he teased, his smirk widening when he saw the girl blush. Plopping down opposite them he gave Remus a look, who simply glared back. This was a nice change, he thought. Remus had never shown any interest in a girl before. Not that he thought he was gay, though that didn't bother him, but he knew his friends biggest insecurity which kept him from getting close to people due to fear. It was nice to see a change.

"I don't believe we have been introduced," Sirius said, speaking to the girl. "Sirius Black, at your service."

"Nice to meet you. Kelsey." she responded with a small smile, not the reaction Sirius was used to getting but James was sure he had also picked up the subtle attraction between Kelsey and Remus.

"So this is what has nabbed your attention all week." Sirius stated to a distinctly embarrassed Remus. "I see why." Winking, he smirked when her response was simply to roll her eyes. Suddenly she started to grab her things, placing them delicately into her bag.

"I'm sorry Remus, I have to go. I promised Lily I would meet up with, is that alright?" Kelsey asked apologetically.

"It's fine, don't worry."

"Yeah, he has us now." James smiled. Smiling back Kelsey gave Remus a small wave before leaving. The minute she was gone the three boys turned around and gave him a look. "Want to tell us what's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb." Sirius shook his head, leaning his arms against the desk. "You, spending all your free time with that pretty blonde and didn't bother to tell us."

"Because I knew you'd react like this." Remus sighed, sorting out his work into neat piles.

"Like what?!"

"You'd overreact." Remus deadpanned, his face expressionless.

"Well yeah, you've never show any interest in a girl before." James piped up happily. "You should ask her on a date."

"No I shouldn't."

"Why?"

"She wouldn't say yes, that's why."

"I believe she would." James said reassuringly. Remus was silent for a few seconds before simply shaking his head, putting his things into his bag. "Hogsmeade is in two weeks, ask her to go with you. Trust me, if I honestly believed she would turn you down I wouldn't tell you to do it."

"Maybe."

"If you don't, I will." Sirius threatened, sadistic amusement glinting in his eyes. Scowling, Remus stood to exit the library and ignoring his friends barb. "I mean it. Until you admit you like her, she's fair game."

A/N: Sorry this chapter is so short, still kind of just setting it all up with introducing the characters but future chapters should be longer :) And just remember this is a full length Severus Snape/OC romance story but it's set realistically and all his attention would be on Lily during his 5th year what with them still being friends.

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