Disclaimer: I own nothing, except Katya and the plot.

~ I Just Want to be Friends ~

Seventh-year Gryffindors excitedly poured into Katya's classroom the next day.

"I heard she is very accomplished in her field," Hermione told Ron and Harry as they took their seats in the front.

"Yeah," Ron said not paying attention to what Hermione was saying. His thoughts were still on the kiss they had shared only ten minutes ago. It had been their first. He had thought it would never come. Let's see, how long have we been dating? he thought mentally counting, A year and a half! Bloody hell, 'Mione wasn't kidding when she said she wanted to take it slow.

"Good morning class," Katya said as she entered the room, "Let's see, who do we have here? Gryffindors! Well I certainly hope you are better behaved than the Slytherins."

This comment worked it's magic (no pun intended). Immediately everyone sat a little straighter and those who had been talking quieted. They didn't want to be considered worse than the Slytherins.

"Welcome to Defense Against the Dark Arts," she began, "I am your new teacher Professor Poiston. In this class I intend to teach you many different things, all of which will be on a difficult level. You aren't first years; you are the oldest students here at Hogwarts and I expect you to act as such. I understand that in the past you have studied magical creatures and the unforgivable curses?"

The class nodded in agreement.

"I'm going to focus on putting your knowledge to use. We will spend these first few months reviewing what you have already learned for those of you who may have forgotten," she gave a quick look towards Neville. How did she know about him? The class wondered, "And then we will practice dueling and learn more curses and countercurses. I've been told you had a dueling club your second year bet it didn't work to well."

The students looked at her. Was she suggesting that they were incompetent and incapable at dueling? Katya smiled as she read the looks on their faces, "Of course, can you ever expect anything involving Gilderoy Lockhart to turn out well?"

The class laughed. "I like her," Harry told Ron and Hermione. "She's bloody brilliant," Ron agreed. Hermione nodded her head in agreement. The comment hadn't offended her in the least. She had gotten over her infatuation with the handsome idiot a long time ago.

* * *

"Professor Snape?" Katya called as she entered the potions classroom.

"In here," Snape's voice came from his office. Putting her things down, Katya went in.

"Oh good, you're on time today," he said not looking up from a letter he was reading.

"It's nice to see you to," she replied sarcastically.

Snape sighed as he put down the letter. "Well, don't stand there like a dolt! Let's get started!"
They began where they had left off the day before. Soon they had a vague recipe to work with.

"Well, let's get this started shall we?" Severus suggested impatiently. However they soon realized that there wasn't any asphodel in Snape's storeroom.

"Well, I guess we'll have to finish it tomorrow," Katya sighed.

"Nonsense," Severus replied, "do you have any idea what will happen if we leave that alone all night without an infusion of asphodel?" he gestured towards the simmering cauldron that was full of wormwood, frogeyes, and lizard tails. "Besides," he added, "it'll only take a few moments for me to walk down to Hogsmeade and buy some."

Katya nodded her head silently.

"I'll only be about twenty minutes. You stay here and watch the potion. If it starts to change color take it off the fire and stir until it returns to its natural color," Severus instructed as he headed out of the dungeon.

While he was gone Katya tried to find the courage to ask him the questions she had for him. She also tried to convince herself of her motive, I'm just curious! My mother always said I was too inquisitive for my own good. It's not like I really want to know because I care about Severus and what he seems to be going through. Oh, Katya stop it! You're behaving like a silly teenager. Will you just admit to yourself that you are starting to care for that unbearable git?

"Oh this is fantastic, now I'm talking to myself," she muttered aloud.

"Well, that can't be healthy," a voice from behind said. It was Snape.

"Oh, um, professor, back so soon?"

"What are you talking about? I've been gone nearly a half-hour. What's gotten into you?"

You have, she thought, but aloud she said, "I was just thinking about the staff meeting yesterday and why Dumbledore gave you that meaningful look."

"What meaningful look?" he asked knowing full well what she was talking about.

Katya took a deep breath and hurriedly asked, "Why don't you want to go to the Diggorys' party?"

"That is none of your business."

"Professor Snape, it's a simple question."
"And a question I'm not going to answer."
"Severus"
"That's Professor Snape"
"Professor Snape"
"What is it with you damn Americans?" He exclaimed, "Must you always know everything?"

"It has nothing to do with my being American!" she exclaimed, "I just wanted to know because, because . . ." How was she supposed to tell him she was beginning to care about him?

"Spit it out already," he said impatiently.

"Why do you have to be such a rude prat? Can't you ever be civil?!"

Snape looked astonished. Never in all his years as a teacher had anyone ever spoken to him like that.

"I mean, just because I care what happens to you doesn't mean you have to be a complete jerk about it!"

He continued to gape at her. She cared about him?

"I would think that after walking these halls like a great overgrown bat all those years you would be relieved to find someone who actually wants to be your friend!"

Snape found his voice, "You want to be friends?"

"That's what I just said, isn't it?"

"Fine, you want to know why I don't want to go? I'll tell you: I don't want to have to find a date and, chances are, no one will want to go with me either! Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to speak to Professor Dumbledore. Add three drops of asphodel before you go!" And with that he stalked out of the dungeons.

It wasn't until she was back in her own rooms that she realized she had never gotten to ask about his arm. Oh well, it's probably not wise to ask anything else for a while. With this thought in mind she began to grade papers.

A/N: Well? What do you think? I personally think it's the worse chapter I've written so far. Partly because I wasn't able to just sit down and type up the whole thing in one sitting. Anywayz let me know if you liked it and any suggestions you have. Flames will be returned :)