"This is just perfect. I'm late for my first class with this, what's his goddam name again?? Oh yeah. Severus Snape. how precious. sounds like a potential pain in the ass. but hey. I'll worry about that once I find my way around this place. Dumbledore wasn't kidding when he said this place was confusing. especially with the moving staircases and shit. I mean, who had the brilliant idea of making staircases MOVE???"

Nyla had been running around the castle for the past 15 minutes, and still hadn't been able to find the stairs leading to the dungeons.She cursed the time when she decided to go on her own, but then again, she had been warned by both Harry and Ron that Snape had it in for Gryffindor students, especially for those associated with Harry. and she didn't feel like getting in trouble for associating with the wrong crowd on the first day of class. she had been famous in her past schools for hanging with the "bad elements", with the bad guys, to be more precise.

Three wrong corridors and five flights of steps later, Nyla finally found herself standing in front of Snape's dungeon. taking a moment to steady her breath, she desperately tried to think of an excuse convincing enough to get her out of detention.

"I can't really say I got lost. I mean, a witch getting lost just doesn't sound very realistic. I'm probably the only witch stupid enough to NOT think of conjuring a map or some crap like that. So getting lost isn't gonna work. I can always say that I was talking to Professor McGonagall. no. he's probably not THAT thick. ok. let's see. I had really good excuses. what the hell happened to me??? Hey I know. I heard he's head of Slytherin house. I'll just tell him that I went to look for him to see if I could transfer to Slytherin. that's perfect. I'm a freaking genius. it's sounds believable enough and I'll also gain his friendship.that's it. so here I go."

However, as soon as she opened the door she realized that the "I wanted to transfer to Slytherin" bullshit wouldn't be an option. unless, of course, she wanted to be murdered by every single Gryffindor in the class. she had never walked into a classroom that was SO quiet. I mean, she could hear her heart pounding. and she knew that whatever she said, EVERYONE would be able to hear it.

"I'm so glad you could join us Ms. Welsh."

Snape's sarcastic voice reverberated in the medieval-looking dungeon. Nyla, however, wasn't paying much attention to her potions' master. she was suddenly aware that there Slytherin students in the dungeon, and started scanning the room, looking for the owner of the sexiest smirk she had ever seen. however, she was abruptly brought back to reality by Snape's commanding voice..

"Ms. Welsh, if you plan on surviving my class, I highly recommend you to answer me this instant."

"I'm sorry Professor." Nyla mentally kicked herself. *Why the hell did I have to forget his goddam name NOW??*

"Your apologies mean nothing to me, Ms. Welsh. you'll soon discover, if your classmates didn't already warn you, that I'm not as stupid as the majority of the faculty in this school. I demand to know what kept you from arriving on time."

"Well, you see. I didn't really know my way here. and the staircases moved. and there was this poltergeist. and different halls."

*What the hell is wrong with me??? I'm rambling. I never ramble. ok Nyla. get your shit together. you've been through this before. I mean, yeah this guy looks like he might torture me if I lie to him, but he's just a teacher.and I know how to bullshit teachers. that's my God-given talent, for crying out loud*

Taking a deep breath, Nyla looked straight into Snape's blazing eyes and started to explain herself.

"Well, Professor, you see? I'm new here. I had no one to direct me to this class, and this castle is gigantic. and someone had the unfortunate idea of making the staircases move. I mean, I went up the same stairs about three times, and each time I was taken to a different place. so, I apologize for being late, but if you think about it's not really my fault."

The entire class was in awe. because it was an unspoken rule that whenever Snape spoke, you should just shut up, nod and apologize. no one ever argued with him. and those who attempted only got points taken from their houses. but, to their surprise, especially Nyla's, a smile began to curl on Snape's lips.

"You are probably the first wise Gryffindor in the entire history of this school. I might have to tell Dumbledore that the Sorting Hat made a terrible mistake. I always wondered who made those staircases move. you may have a seat Ms. Welsh. just don't push your luck by interrupting my class in the future."

"Thank you Professor."

There wasn't one single Gryffindor in the entire classroom that was not in complete shock. Snape had been nice. that alone was completely unbelievable, but on top of that, he had been nice to a Gryffindor. On the other side of the room, however, all the Slytherin students were infuriated. all but one. at the far corner of the room, a smile played across Malfoy's lips.

"What the hell is wrong with Snape??" Pansy Parkinson asked in disbelief. "Why was he nice to that little bitch?? I mean, she's a Gryffindor. and look. she's talking to the chipmunk."

"Maybe Snape also thinks she's hot.hehe"

"Shut up Crabbe. what the fuck do you know about it??? The closest you ever got to a girl was when Millicent slapped you for stealing her bra. This Welsh is incredibly ugly... I mean, look at her hair for crying out loud. she probably didn't even brush it. and that outfit?? I'd close my robes if I were her. that tank top is just horrible. and she sooo does not have the body for it. She's repulsive. I almost feel sorry for her."

"She's not." Malfoy's authoritative voice cause Pansy to shut up almost instantly. "If I was to be sorry for anybody, I'd be sorry for you Pansy. you're the only repulsive creature around here. and honestly, that tank top suits her like a glove. I do have to agree with you on one thing though."

"What's that???"

"She doesn't have the body for it."

"See, even you agree with me. she just looks."

"With that body she shouldn't be wearing clothes in the first place."

Pansy simply didn't have an answer for that. she didn't know what pissed her off more. the fact that Draco was drooling over another girl, when she practically kissed the floor he walked on, or the fact that he was drooling over a Gryffindor..

"What's up your ass??? Gone soft all of a sudden?? Pretty soon you're gonna be telling us to be nice to the Weasel and the Pothead."

"Pansy, just shut the fuck up. don't go talking about shit you don't understand. I don't owe any explanations about my behavior, but just so you know, the main difference between this girl, and the Weasel is that I can get something out of her."

"And what could you possibly get out of HER??"

"Screams. and moans."