Lavinia Lavinia
by Empress Sarah

She must have fallen asleep for she was awoken to the sound of her owl hooting.
She looked up and silently wondered where she was a moment. She was lying in a bed and was covered by a big wool blanket. With furthur inspection she found it must be her room because her things were in their suitcases on the floor near the bed. She swung her legs off the bed and wondered who put her here. The last thing she remembered was her desk in her classroom.
*Albus must have come back to say something and found me asleep.* she thought.
She smiled. Good old Albus. He still was the nicest man she had ever met. With a sigh she hurridly set to work unpacking her things.

That night, the banquet hall was full of the returning Hogwart's students and the new first years. Here Lavinia caught her first glance of Severus in years. She smiled at him and he returned her look with a cold, ugly sneer. Immediatly she returned his glare and she could feel the tension in the room grow. She muttered a hello as she passed him and he muttered something harshly under his breath. She moved to her seat which was on the opposite side from Snape. She was glad for it. She suddenly felt very depressed. Dumbledore got up and introduced her and the students clapped for her, then the sorting began. Lavinia felt herself brighten at the memories of her sorting.

"Karenina, Lavinia"
There was a hush among the students. The daughter of the great wizard, Tobias Karenina was attending their school.
Everyone was sure she would be sorted into Slytherin. She belonged there with the other pureblood students like her father had been, or so many Slytherins believed.
She stepped up to the hat and put it on. After a moment or two the hat spoke out.
"Griffyndor!!"
Everyone gasped and Lavinia proudly walked to the Griffyndor table.
The Slytherins glanced at her periodically between names to give her pitying looks. But she didnt care. She didnt want to be in Slytherin. She was very happy with the hat's choice.
"Snape, Severus."
Lavinia looked up at the young boy with long black hair. He looked so sad and it was evident he was straining to get through all of this. He was sorted into Slytherin and Lavinia decided she would introduce herself to him later.

Severus Snape sat with his eyes fixed anywhere but on HER. He was finding it hard to be his usual self around her. He wanted to be cold and indiffrent to her, but found that something inside him wouldnt let him completely ignore her. As the names were called he remembered his sorting and remembered when he met her.

"hello, Im Lavinia."
"Hi...Im Severus."
"Pleased to meet you. Um, I guess I just wanted to say hi. Would you like to study sometime?"
"S-sure....sometime."
"Alright. See you around then Severus."
"Yeah, see you."

She had been his first friend at Hogwarts.
*And she had been your BEST friend. And more than that...*
He caught himself rubbing his left arm and stopped.
He stole a glance in her direction and saw her gazing off into space smiling. Maybe she was remembering her sorting as well?

After the sorting was through Lavinia went to the Griffyndor common room. She looked around her old hangout and smiled at the memories.
*If these walls could tell their secrets.*
She turned and went back down the stairs.
About 5 steps from the bottom, she screamed as her foot slipped and she fell forward. She hit her head on the railing and passed out at the bottom of the stairway.
Hermoine Granger was the first to see her, but Harry was the first to go into action. Upon hearing Hermoine's scream he came in and saw their new Herbology professor on the floor bleeding. He immediately ran to get Madame Pomfrey while Hermoine used a spell to stop her bleeding forehead.

Pomfrey returned with Harry shortly and she gasped, hurridly rushing to her side.
"Harry, find Dumbledore and bring him to the infirmiry. Hermoine help me get her to the hospital wing."
They used a levitating spell to lift her body and carry her to the infirmiry.

Lavinia awoke in a haze. She was aware that many faces were looking upon her and it took a moment to register their faces.
"Albus?"
"Yes Lavinia."he put his hand over hers.
"Whats going on?"
"You had a little fall..."
"Is the.."
"Yes...you're fine. Your head might be a little sore though. You hit it pretty hard but Poppy healed it up."
She looked over at Pomfrey.
"Thanks Poppy."
"Anytime dear. I suggest you go and rest. You both need it." she said putting a hand on Lavinia's stomach.
"You know..."
"Of course dear. Dumbledore told me just so I would make sure she was ok. Dont worry, its not leaving this room."
"Thank you. Im just so glad...."
She was interrupted by a frantic looking Snape's entrance.
"Severus?"she inquired.
"Are you alright?"he asked worridly.
She nodded and saw Dumbledore motion to Pomfrey to come with him. They silently slipped out of the room.
"Why the sudden concern?"she asked,trying to be menacing but failing when her voice broke at the end.
He sighed and before he could comment she put out a hand to stop him.
"Wait. Look, I dont know whats come over us Severus but.."
"No no. I should be the one apologizing here. I started it. Lets try this over again, shall we?"
She smiled at him and he smiled back. She extended her hand to him.
"Hi, Im Lavinia."
"Hi, Im Severus.
She giggled remembering that night after the sorting.
"Would you like me to help you back to your room again?"
Her eyebrows shot up.
"Again?Oh, so you are the one who put me to bed earlier."
He nodded.
"Thank you. and yes, that would be very nice."
He helped her up slowly and he put his arm around her to give her better support as they walked. When they arrived in her office he pulled the proper book back and led her into her room.
"How did you know which book to pull?"
"Well the first time I just guessed. It turns out to be the same as mine. I guess Dumbledore likes to keep them all the same so he doesnt forget which book is for whom."
She smiled before yawning.
"Well Goodnight Severus, and thank you again."
"You're welcome Lavinia. Good night to you as well."
He turned to leave but she caught his arm.
"Hey.."she whispered.
He tilted his head to the side questioningly.
"Would you like to study sometime?"she said with a smile.
"I would love to."he said with a confidence he didnt have those years ago.
He chuckled softly.
"You really are here arent you?"he asked softly.
"Yup and you're stuck with me."she replied.
He smiled again.
"Goodnight."
"Night."