"I wake to sleep and take my waking slow. I feel my fate in what I cannot fear. I learn by going where I have to go." - The Waking by Theodore Roethke

Fiona held Akemi tight for a few long minutes. Akemi wiped something from her eyes and tried to laugh it off. "Think of it this way, Fiona. At least now, I'll be a constant thorn in Professor Snape's side then just in Potions class."

Fiona laughed but didn't seem at all assured. But she had helped Akemi pack and now helped the girl wash the blue and bronze from her hair. Underneath the layers of dye and hair gel was a thin curtain of dark brown hair that gleamed auburn in direct sunlight. She pulled out her pair of thin black wire glasses for her eyes of chocolate brown. She turned around in the conventional Hogwarts uniform (now complete with green and gray tie and Slytherin crest.) She tilted her head and asked Fiona's opinion.

"You look like a horse's ass." Said the Ravenclaw Quidditch captain. He smiled at her and winked. "But in the nicest way possible."

"I feel like one too." She said glumly. "See you at the game."

"Yeah, we'll try not to beat you too badly."

She smirked. "Please do."

The House Elves had already taken her clothes and so, with nothing else to do in Ravenclaw House, Akemi hugged Fiona one last time and got a kiss from the Ravenclaw captain. Then she straightened her hair and set her jaw. She wouldn't cry nor would she let anyone see her falter. She was Akemi and no one would see her weak.

The Slytherin Commons appeared dark and brooding but as soon Akemi entered the room, she felt almost like she belonged there. But of course that couldn't be and that was written clearly on the faces of the Slytherins that were grouped in the room. There was also the snake whose cauldron she'd overturned snickering to his companions on the couch. As she passed Carolyn Cole, the Prefect, the girl tripped her and Akemi fell face down unto the concrete floor. She tasted blood on her lips. She led her head hang for a moment, fighting the anger that she felt welling up in her throat.

"Get up!" Screamed Nadia Nott, a girl in her year. "Get up and stand up. Show your worth, Mudblood."

"Show us your worth, whore." Called another boy.

The snake spit on her and she jumped to her feet. He took a step back and she began to advance on him but two held her back. The boy seemed reassured and walked towards her. His look was of pure malice. "She looks lovely for a Mudblood. A beautiful rat to be sure…"

The rest of the House seemed suddenly interested in Akemi now that she was bound and subdued. And she was afraid. He was advancing towards her with a gleam in his eyes she feared. Silently, she prayed for help.

"Miss Cole, kindly explain the reason while a member of your House is being treated in such a manner?" The voice was soft, still and deep. It almost sounded bored but there was an ice to its undertone. Professor Snape was standing in the doorway of his House and met each set of eyes in turn for a few long seconds. Then, in his familiar lazy mood, he walked towards her. "Let her go."

Akemi felt the arms release her and she fell to her knees, before Snape. She didn't want to look up. She knew she'd see that damnable smug face. Snape kneeled down and began to check her body for bruises. He met her eyes and seemed to ask if she was all right. She nodded but he didn't seem pleased. When he rose, he announced 50 points would be taken from Slytherin for their shameful behavior and if anyone tried to protest it would result in another 50 deduction.

"Your actions reflect poorly on your families and more importantly, they reflect poorly on me. I will not tolerate such behavior from members of my House." He turned and regarded Carolyn. "I expected better from my Prefect, from all my Slytherins." He about faced and proceeded to a side table where a chess game was midway through. He pulled out his wand and conjured up a cup of warm tea. "Now, Mr. Avery, I believe it is your move."

Within fifteen minutes into the evening the Slytherin hatred for Akemi had at least somewhat diminished when she helped Avery beat their beloved House Head. She found out later that night that Snape visited the House every night to socialize and keep abreast to the goings on in his House. Akemi had to admit she was impressed, McGonagall or Flitwick never visited their House except in cases to deal with discipline. Snape, on the other hand, had a gambling pool going on with his students for whoever could beat him. Avery now took that pot of fourteen Sickles, half going to Akemi. Snape surprisingly spent the rest of his evening tutoring two third years on Transfiguration.

Silently Akemi wondered if she had pegged the stoic Professor wrong.

Akemi knocked on Snape's dungeon door softly but the echo could be heard down the hall. She knew Snape had Friday afternoons off so she hoped to alleviate some of her dentitions when Madam Hooch cancelled her class due to Quidditch practice. After a few moments, Akemi tried again.

"Ja, Herein." Called a lazy voice that at first Akemi didn't recognize. When she walked into the dungeon, a gasp escaped her before she could stop it. So that how Snape looked on his free time, she thought pleasantly.

Snape's long black priest style jacket was thrown over a bench. He had his white shirtsleeves rolled up pass his elbow to reveal strong, but gangly arms. His black trousers were crisp as always but his stance as he stooped over a cauldron made him look young. Most striking was his hair, pulled back to reveal his defined profile that almost looked regal. He was concentrating very hard on his task that he didn't even acknowledge her presence. Akemi took the time to look around the classroom that was in a unusual manner for the impeccable Snape. Bottles and other ingredients were littered on tables and chairs, as ancient books were laid opened and thrown haphazardly about. A large cauldron filled with what appeared to be dragon livers sat in the corner, brooding.

"No…no…no!" Snape shouted at his brew that he had been stirring and only now paused to pour something blue and powdery in it. The brew that had been a deep wine was beginning to turn a dark, ugly brown. "No, damn you no!" He shouted and returned to his stirring. The brown began to fade back to wine."

"Professor Snape?" Akemi called.

Snape turned to look at her, never ceasing his stirring. His face was wet with sweat and red from the heat of the cauldron. "Yes?"

"I was wondering if I could do some of my dentition now?" She wanted to further explain herself but Snape seemed too occupied.

"Very well…you're a fair hand at potions." He said to himself mostly but Akemi was amazed by the comment. That was the closest thing to a compliment she had ever heard him mutter. "You know how to harvest dragon's blood?"

"Yes sir."

He made a general motion towards the dragon's livers before returning his full attention to the cauldron before him. "Please."

She was a little worried about the Potions Master but decided to obey. After she had cleared off a table nearest to the livers, she pulled out a pewter bowl he had set aside for the blood and pulled her knife to begin to cut. She would glance up occasionally to read the ingredients he had out and view the text. It was an impressive assortment and she would loved to read it all but she was getting amused by Snape's pleadings with the potion which apparently needed to be constantly stirred while ingredients were added.

Around the fourth time he called out, Akemi had had enough. She sat down the liver and walked towards him, wiping the blood her jeans. "Give me this!" She took the ladle and began to stir. "Now pour."

Snape was about to contest but when he saw she knew what she was doing, he relented. He turned his attention to judging the thickness of the powder. He poured it slowly and methodically and was a little surprised by Akemi's skill. He had seldom seen a girl her age do something that looked as trivial as stir a cauldron with a look of such determination and fierce order. She appeared to understand the importance of stirring with potion making. Even full-grown Potions Masters seldom paid attention to that crucial detail.

The potion's wine color darkened to a rich plum color. Snape felt a rush of joy when he saw it. He laughed despite himself and thanked Akemi. "This potion was designed for two able wizards, thank you. You've proved most useful." Then he added under his breath, just loud enough for her to hear him. "And very worthwhile."

It sounded like his version of an apology and Akemi chose to take it that way. She smiled at him and was a little surprised he returned the grin. "I'll go back to the livers now…sir."