Snake in the grass

It was a sunny morning when she woke up. She could smell breakfast being cooked in the kitchen and she rolled over in her bed so she could look out the window. Vexus was an unusual girl and had a talent for making the unexpected happen, she never meant to of course. Nobody had ever been able to explain it but there it was. Her parents were good-natured enough about it. She had no doubts at all that they loved her and she didn't have any complaints with the world.

 She wondered about her name from time to time. It was an unusual name and it didn't go well with her adoptive parents last name at all. Vexus Klein. Just didn't work. Secretly she considered herself the bearer of one name and when she introduced herself she was merely Vexus. It was like a riddle for her to solve and she liked to pretend that her real parents had given her that name in hopes that one day she would figure it out and find them.

"Vexus! Breakfast!!" came the call from downstairs. With a yawn she rolled out of bed and stood facing the window. She was slightly tall for her age and since her hair had never been cut in her 11 years it hung down almost to her waist. With one more stretch she turned from the window and started towards the door when a movement outside caught her eye. It was an owl, and it had a letter.

She opened the window and spoke to the owl "Hello, Is that something for me?" She was surprised as she had never seen an owl this close or gotten a letter from one. The owl stuck its leg out and she untied the letter. "Thank you," she said. The owl screeched softly and flew away. Vexus looked at the letter:

Miss Vexus Kline

Top Floor, Middle Bedroom

467 Bayshore Blvd

Tampa, Florida, Untied States

She hadn't ever received a letter addressed to her bedroom before. "Mom and Dad should see this…" she mumbled and headed downstairs.

"Dad, When I woke up there was this owl outside my window," she said as she handed the letter to Daniel, "It had a letter." She sat down at the table and waited for him to inspect the letter. "It's from something called 'Hogwarts'." She offered helpfully. She hadn't opened it yet but she had looked at the seal on the back of the envelope.

"Hogwarts? Are you sure?" asked Daniel Kline opening the letter that his daughter had brought downstairs with her. He considered her his child, and loved her as such. Sometimes she made him slightly nervous but he was sure that it was only something going on in his own head. He knew about magic and Hogwarts. His mother had been a witch who had attended the school.

"Well lets see then!" as he started reading

His wife of 16 years, Sharon, sat down beside Vexus. She had taken to the girl from the start and despite the trouble it sometimes caused; she was the driving force in not letting Vexus hair be cut beyond minor trims. She said that when Vexus stood in the sun that her hair shone like it was coated in gold and it was too nice to cut off. She loved her child to no end and knew even less than her husband about the world from which she came. She knew enough however to understand the implications of a letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After a moment Daniel handed the letter back to Vexus. "I think you need to read this."

She read the letter and looked up at them "Is this for real?"

"Vexus," Sharon said. " There are some things you need to know."

The things she needed to know did not include anything about her parents, which disappointed her at first. But then she decided that, really, it was enough to be going back to England. Not that she liked the orphanage or didn't like the US. It just didn't feel right. She was exhilarated to attend a school like Hogwarts. She had no idea, as she packed her things for the trip, that across the ocean at her destination she was already a hot topic of discussion.

"Headmaster, I do not believe that you are going to invite that child to come into this school."  Professor Snape's voice did not waiver when he spoke but his words were filled with rage.  "You know how dangerous that is. Voldemort is not here but there is no proof that he is dead to never return. Aren't we just inviting him back by taking her in?"

Albus Dumbledore sat behind his large desk and considered the man before him. Severus Snape had seen and been through so much, he was even instrumental in getting the girl out of harms way. Now he was arguing against her as if she shouldn't even exist. "Severus the owl has already been sent. She and her family are due to arrive in London within the week. There is no turning back now. Besides," he shuffled papers around on is desk, trying not to smile at Snape's silent rage "from what I hear from her parents she is a top notch student. Surely that can't be bad?"

"First, they are not her parents and second, since there is nothing I can do about this I hope that she at least doesn't wind up in my house. She will be little more that a dangerous snake hiding in the grass, waiting for some unfortunate fool to bite." with that he was finished and swept from the room.

'Interesting analogy from a Slytherin,' thought Dumbledore 'you'd think that the girl did something to him personally.'

Snape's mind was in a state of confusion. He knew that he shouldn't have helped save that girl. Voldemort had been suspecting before his fall and if he found out now that not only was she alive, but she also possessed the powers that he thought she'd never have.... well it could be a very bad situation indeed. As he made his way down to the dungeons he thought, 'I suppose all I can do is see what happens.'

For Vexus the time flew by and it was like being in a familiar dream. The trip to Diagon alley was eventful and several times they had to stop and catch her mother as she was constantly fainting. Vexus laughed inwardly, none of these things made her ill. Eye of Newt? Dragon scales? Goat livers? Nope. Not a twinge, she was so full of anticipation that she thought she might burst. When the day came for her to leave she boarded the train with no reservations. Several times other children poked their heads in but none sat down. Something about the way she looked them directly in the eyes when she spoke made them uneasy. She didn't mind.

Soon the train had reached its destination and she was being herded into boats with the other first years. They reached the castle and up flight after flight of stairs they went, until they met Professor McGonagall outside the Great Hall. "Welcome to Hogwarts..." Her voice was stern but Vexus could tell that there was something else there beneath it  "I bet she's given this speech a hundred times' Vexus thought to herself.

Her musings were interrupted when the doors opened and they began filing into the hall. It was the most spectacular thing she had ever seen and somehow it felt familiar to her. Like a homecoming, almost. She and the other first years formed a line across the front of the room and watched as Professor McGonagall brought out the Sorting Hat and it sang it's song.

From across the room two sets of eyes were searching for her face. Severus Snape had no idea what the child might look like and was looking closely at each of the new students in turn, a scowl written across his face. On the other hand Albus Dumbledore picked her out immediately. She was a pretty girl. Her long hair done in some sort of braids and tucked into a bun. Her eyes never settling on any one thing for longer that was necessary. He could see her thinking and smiled to himself. 'I hope that you're right about this one.' he thought as Professor McGonagall read the next name off the scroll. "Vexus."

When she sent back her acceptance letter she had signed it simply "Vexus" and this was the name put down at the school. Professor Snape saw it as further proof that she was too much like her father and Dumbledore saw it as an attempt on her part to establish her new identity.

She approached the stool and sat. When the hat was placed on her head she wondered what it would say to her. For a moment it didn't say anything and she began to wonder if she should say something to Professor McGonagall.

Then she heard it: "What have we here?" said a small voice. "I did not expect to see you here. But here you are and I must put you somewhere."

"It doesn't matter to me," she thought. She knew nothing of the histories between the houses and the significance of each one. "I would just like to be where I can benefit the most."

"Hmmmm, in that case you'd do well in Slytherin." the voice said softly.

"Fine" she thought. "If that is the best then that's what I'll be."

She heard the hat call out Slytherin and she felt Professor McGonagall lift it off her head. She did not smile or run to her house's table. The only thing that stood out to her when she sat down was that the pale man at the end of the staff table was glaring at her and that there was a snake on her house crest.

Vexus did not make very many friends at school. She did not recruit them and few sought her out. Those who did found her to be soft spoken, but firm. She was considerate and smart. More than once a teacher was overheard commenting on what an excellent listener she was. She never had any points taken by any of them, save one.

It was beyond her why the head of her very house was the only teacher who seemed to dislike her. Even McGonagall liked Vexus and commented that she seemed like a sponge; there to soak up knowledge. It wasn't that she wasn't as good a student in Potions either. If anything it was her best subject. She had a knack for making things come together the right way. But that didn't stop Professor Snape from breathing down her neck.

No that was wrong, he wouldn't come near her. It didn't stop him from picking apart everything she did looking for any mistakes. He took points off of her at every opportunity. Which shocked the other students, Professor Snape NEVER took points from his own house. "Five points from Slytherin for Miss Vexus' inability to arrive on time!" He would snarl and glare and after a while she just got used to it. But she was saddened that someone who seemed to hate her for no reason headed her favorite class.

Her classmates didn't understand it either and so decided that it was somehow her fault and shut her out even more.

And so life ticked along in a routine right up to Christmas. She was sitting at her table in the great hall enjoying an early breakfast on a Saturday. Most of the other students had gone home but she stayed on. She was going to go to the library and get an early start on the report Professor Snape had requested from her. She saw the scene again in her mind.

"Miss Vexus, you are going to be staying at the school over the holidays aren't you?" he asked her one day. His voice was smooth and soft and she already knew that he had something in mind for her. "Yes, Professor. I will be staying here." she tried to keep her voice neutral; she tried not to look back at him as directly as he looked at her. But it was too late He heard the resentment in her voice and saw her eyes flash when she looked up to answer him.

"Excellent, they you will have plenty of time to write a little report for Me." his voice was still soft, but had an icy edge to it.

'What did I DO to him' she thought as she picked over the last of her eggs. She didn't notice the Headmaster come up behind her and she jumped when he spoke "Vexus" She turned and faced him "may I have a word with you in my office?" With that he walked away and she was forced to jump up and follow. As she walked behind him she saw Professor Snape enter the Hall and she felt his eyes on her back until she reached the door.

Once they arrived in the Headmasters office she sat down and waited for him to start. He looked at her for a moment before speaking. "Your teachers have mentioned to me how well you are doing. They seem to think that you are on your way to being Head Girl one day." His voice was like listening to a melody and the twinkle in his eyes made her feel like they were old friends chatting about the weather.

"Yes sir, they have mentioned to me that I am doing well but I don't like to get caught up in that. I just try to always do my best, to learn as much as I can." she said this with complete sincerity.

"Are you having any problems with any of your classes?" she was sure that he already knew what her answer would be because he kept talking "I want you to know that Professor Snape is, at times, a difficult person to understand. His motives may not always be clear but he always succeeds in imparting knowledge."

She played with the edge of her robes and when she spoke it was so soft she may as well have been whispering "I try so hard and I like potions, but he always seems to find a mistake with my work and takes points at every opportunity. It makes me wonder what I did for him to hate me so much"

"There, there," Dumbledore's voice was a comfort to her, "Even Professor Snape knows how talented you are. He is just bent on making you prove it. "

After her talk with the headmaster she felt better but still had a report to finish and so set off for the library.

She finished the report (two rolls of parchment on "Magical Ingredients That Are known by More Than One Name and Why") and decided, against her better judgment to go ahead and turn it in to Professor Snape. Part of her was afraid that he would just assign more work but the rest of her just wanted to get rid of the stupid thing so she wouldn't' have to see it every night. Besides there were only two days of holiday left and he couldn't possibly assign her more.

She made her way down to the dungeons and to his office. When she stepped inside she didn't see the professor anywhere. 'I'll just leave this on his desk' she thought and walked to the large desk at the back of the room. She looked around at all the various bottles and jars lining the shelves. 'Creepy, but interesting' she decided that there was really no harm in staying a moment and having a closer look at the contents of one particularly gross looking jar.

Snape watched her from the door as she inspected the shelves. She didn't touch anything unless it was to wipe a label off or see a jar hidden by another one. He watched as she considered a jar that had a milky white liquid and something inside that seemed to be moving around. She was a pretty girl and to be honest his best student. He had just come from the Headmasters office and still had the words ringing in his ears "Severus," Dumbledore had said, "she is an excellent student and a fine example for your house. You might want to consider seeing her not as Voldemort's child but as Vexus. The sins of the father should not taint the next generation."

His words had the desired effect. Severus thought of his own father and all the things he had done. Albus was right, and seeing the care she took looking around his office he deiced that perhaps it wouldn't make him soft if he eased up on her a bit. He cleared is throat had had to restrian a smile when Vexus nearly hit the ceiling.

"Professor!" She stammered, " I was, uh, turning in my, er, uh, report. Like you asked. And I, um...."

"Saw something interesting and decided to have a look" he finished for her. She blushed but did not lower her eyes when he looked at her.

"I think you've seen enough for one day." She nodded, slipped out of the room and didn't realize until 4 hours later that he hadn't even taken any points off her....

 The rest of the year passed without incident.  Before they even knew it they were taking their final exams. She sat nervously in the potions class with the rest of her classmates waiting for Professor Snape to finally give their results. She had seen a third year Ravenclaw come out of the class crying as she came in and was scared of what Snape might say to her class. All year long she had worked so hard. She had only melted down one cauldron. 'At least it wasn't a particularly dangerous potion' she thought.

Snape finally rose and started speaking "Well, once again it seems that I have wasted a year attempting to teach some of you." They Slytherin first years took potions with the Hufflepuffs and already she could hear a couple of stifled sobs and sniffs from behind her. He continued, "Out of this whole class only one of you seems to have learned anything."

Vexus looked down at her desk. 'Oh no! I failed it!' she knew that she must keep control. Snape hated weakness and her being a Slytherin; it would only make him angry if she let herself cry.

"Miss Vexus," she looked up in disbelief when he said her name "Congratulations, perfect marks. You receive 30 points."  Vexus thought she was going to faint. She mumbled something about "thank you" but he had already moved on and was yelling at a crying Hufflepuff girl two rows back.

After class she waited until the rest of the students had gone before she approached his desk.

"Professor?" she didn't know exactly what it was that she wanted to say to him. Snape looked up at her and she continued "Thank you, professor. I know that it's been a difficult year." She felt her stomach knot up "But I wanted to let you know that I appreciate all you did to help me."

Professor Snape looked at her with disdain "I do not recall doing you any favors this year."

"I know it doesn't seem that way sir, but I really do think all those extra reports and homework, well I might not have learned so thoroughly had I not done them." She ignored the surprised expression of his face "I understand that it was meant as punishment, and I thought that was what it was. Until this morning; I shouldn't have even passed the exam." She was finished and stood with her hands behind her back waiting to be excused.

Snape spoke "Actually, Vexus, you would've passed it. You seem to have a natural affinity for potions. You may go now." He watched he leave the room and then sat back in his chair and rubbed his temples.

Slytherin had come in third place for the house cup this year. The thirty points Vexus received from Snape got them out of fourth but it wasn't enough to win.

All in all, it was a good year; Vexus had made some more friends and had received top marks in all her classes, even Potions. Voldemort had not found her out and there had been nothing unusual at all going on. (Which in itself was unusual.) Her family had set up a residence in London so she would be able to visit Diagon Alley over the summer and maybe even get a broom. She had taken to flying class rather well and there was some talk about her possibly joining the house Quidditch team.

She boarded the train in Hogsmead looking forward to seeing her parents. She did not notice the dark form of Severus Snape watching her and she definitely did not see the slightest of smiles at the corner of his mouth.