Only a Slytherin
by
Jeslyn Nighthawk
A/N: I know it's been a long time, but I hope this part works as a temporary fix until I get out of school for the summer. College finals are hell, and I wrote this in part to blow off some steam. There is not much plot yet, but it is coming.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. I doubt they'd be very happy if I did.
Chapter 3
They say that it an intrinsic part of human nature to fear the dark. That it is completely natural for your heart rate to accelerate when faced with a dark room; the knowledge that even if there really is nothing there, there could be. I mean, how would you know?
***
Kat wasn't afraid of the dark. Truthfully, she had always found solace in the stillness and softness of a dark room, instinctively sought out shadows. Likely, she thought upon reflection, that was one of the qualities which had assured her place in Slytherin House. She recognized the same quality in many of the other Slytherin students, though it was less refined in most, especially the younger ones.
Still, she found the darkness of the dorm room that first night oppressive, and unsettling. On a purely intellectual level, Kat knew two things. She could handle anything her dorm mates might throw at her, and that even then, they were unlikely to do anything that might get them into trouble. That didn't stop her on a purely intuitive level from being aware that those other girls not only would try to cause her harm given the opportunity, but would do so with extreme relish.
So it was that the dawn found a disgruntled Kat suffering not only a pesky case of jetlag, but also the affects of little or no sleep. Her eyes were puffy, her stomach queasy, and there was a dull ache coming from somewhere in the vicinity behind her eyes.
Having been informed by the other girls as to the dress code, Kat decided to at least make an effort. She put on a white shirt under a black vest and a black pleated skirt that fell to just below mid-thigh. Not quite regulation length, she mused as she peered at her image in the mirror. With a flick of her wand, the skirt lengthened itself to just above her knees. She'd be damned if she'd wear those knee socks before she had to though, so she settled for a pair of white tights. In the spirit of conciliation, Kat even went so far as to undo the charm on her hair that gave it the hot pink stripes. It wasn't like she couldn't change back when the mood took her, after all. She ran a brush through her long hair, threw her robes on top, and headed down to the common room before her roommates had even awakened.
Kat was unsurprised to find Draco Malfoy waiting for her in the common room. He had made his interest clear the night before, even going so far as to stick by her side as far as the stairs to the girls' dorms. He had parted from her with a chivalrous kiss to her hand. And American purebloods thought they were sophisticated, Kat mentally sneered.
"Sleep well?" Draco enquired, with another kiss on the back of her hand in greeting.
"Well enough," Kat lied smoothly - she wasn't a member of the noble and ancient House of Black for no reason. It had taken only some cool water on her face to get rid of the visible reminders of her sleepless night. Shame it had done nothing for her queasiness or headache. Maybe there would be coffee at breakfast? "A good strong cup of coffee wouldn't go amiss, though," She admitted with a small smile.
"Sorry to disappoint," Draco replied with a light chuckle. "We only get pumpkin juice or tea here; though the tea is pretty strong. I see you adjusted your appearance?"
"Of course. We couldn't have Slytherin loosing House points for my attire, now could we?"
"Definitely not." That smile was downright sexy, Kat thought. It would take more than chivalry and charm to catch her though. Still, her parents would be thrilled at the prospect of a match with the Malfoy family. Narcissa was a distant relative: Kat's father and she shared a similar great-great grandfather. She doubted the Malfoy's would be chagrined at the thought either. The two families had always been close. She was certainly of a greater family than that bitch Parkinson.
"Breakfast then?" Kat enquired with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course, My Lady," Draco laughed as he offered her his arm. Maybe Slytherin wasn't such a bad house after all.
***
Severus Snape did not want to have to think about what could possibly have brought another Black to Hogwarts. Granted, he had looked into her family tree and she was only a distant relation to Sirius Black, and she had been sorted into the traditional House for her family. Still, Katerina Black had all of the family traits that he had come to despise in that miserable mutt: she was beautiful, self-absorbed, and arrogant as only one who knew the true worth of her family name could. She was, after all, a member of the Noble and Ancient House of Black. It would hardly have surprised him to see her take up with Draco Malfoy except…
She had been milling around with Potter and his crowd previous to the sorting. Odd. In his experience Gryffindors and Slytherins rarely mixed, at least not at this age, while the traits of each House ran undiluted and untempered by life's experiences.
Speaking of Gryffindors… Severus turned his attention the inestimable Miss Granger. She was undoubtedly the first student, never mind Gryffindor, to approach him on the topic of being his assistant in the nearly twenty years he had been teaching at Hogwarts. He wouldn't say he was thrilled, the girl had an insufferable tendency towards being a know-it-all, but he couldn't say he wasn't pleased either. He had worked in close proximity with her several times over the past summer, brewing the potions needed by the order in the Potions Lab in the basement of 12 Grimmauld Place. He had discovered over the summer that she could be a tolerable person to work with so long as she wasn't asking too many questions. Surprisingly, while actually working on Potions she rarely asked any questions at all. Hermione Granger was a natural at the art of Potions Making, and had the natural intuition necessary to be able to judge on her own what the next step would be, without having to interrupt the process with unnecessary questions. It was a relief to work with her. So last night Severus had taken her on as an assistant. He would need the help in the coming months of war.
Severus looked over to where she sat with Potter and Weasley. He certainly couldn't say much for her choice of friends, but then he really wasn't one to judge other people's choices in companions was he? Miss Granger had grown up and come into her own over the last summer. Her bushy hair was tamed, and she carried herself with the confidence of one who knew her own value. Severus didn't particularly care what she looked like- she was a student, after all- but that confidence she had acquired would go a long way in her Potions Making.
There was a collective rising murmur suddenly, tearing his gaze and thoughts from his new assistant. Miss Black had just entered on the arm of Draco Malfoy. That wasn't what was causing the commotion, however. The two were headed for the Gryffindor table. Severus cursed his inability to hear what was being said. This could only turn out horribly.
***
Hermione approached breakfast that morning with great gusto. Professor Snape had agreed to allow her to be his assistant this year. The extra experience would no doubt stand her in good stead on her application to the Potions' program at Oxford. She fully intended to pursue her Potions' Mistress title right out of Hogwarts. Her friends, of course, couldn't understand her love of the art, but Hermione thrilled in the precision and deep understanding necessary to turn out a particularly powerful and complex potion. To get into the program at Oxford without going through the undergraduate program first, Hermione would not only need perfect NEWTs scores, she would need a sterling recommendation from Snape himself, and he was certainly not known for giving them. This assistantship would be just the opportunity she needed to prove her abilities to him.
Hermione was so involved in her thoughts and breakfast, that she hardly noticed the rising commotion, never mind was she aware that it was centered around her. Only Ron's angry "What are you doing here?" roused her from her distraction.
Hermione looked around to see Kat standing behind her, on the arm of Draco Malfoy, no less.
"Good morning, Hermione," Kat said, ignoring the boys. It was just as well, their glares were most definitely centered on Malfoy now, though oddly enough he seemed to be ignoring him.
"Good morning, Kat," Hermione returned. She looked over at Draco, "Malfoy."
He returned her greeting with an imperious nod, but he was civil, "Granger."
"Is there something you wanted?" Hermione asked, confused. Slytherins did not approach the Gryffindor table. Ever.
Kat seemed unsure as well, "Um, I was wondering… I know we are in different Houses and all, but do you think you cold still help me catch up in Transfiguration and Herbology? I asked Draco, and he said there was no one better to get help from… I don't want to start behind and stay that way."
Hermione looked up sharply at the mention of Draco, meeting his pale grey eyes in confusion. He'd said that about her? Was he ill? She found no answers, and turned her attention back to Kat. "Of course I'd be willing to help you catch up! What's your schedule?" Kat told her, and Hermione gave Kat hers. Hermione was aware of the growing tension between the rest of Gryffindor and the two Slytherins, and sought to end the conversation quickly. "I'll be in Professor Snape's office until 7 this evening… Come by around then? We can ask him when and where is good to meet. Draco?" Hermione switched her attention to the blonde boy. He looked at her as if he were startled she was addressing him, "Do you think Professor Snape would let us use the Potion's classroom? I'm sure he would not want me in the Slytherin common room."
"I'm sure you're right," Draco drawled, though with less of a sneer than Hermione was used to, "However, I'm also sure I cannot speak for my Head of House. You'll just have to ask him yourself."
"I'll do that then," She made to return to her breakfast.
"Thank you, Hermione," Kat said and turned to leave.
"Later, Kat," Hermione replied, "Malfoy."
"Granger."
As easy as that, crisis was averted. Or so she thought until Ron opened his big mouth again. "Bloody hell, Hermione! What are you doing talking to Slytherins!"
"You didn't think she was so bad yesterday, Ronald Weasley! You only started distrusting her when she got Sorted!" Hermione turned all of her formidable attention on her wayward friend.
"She's a bloody Slytherin! Of course I don't trust her! She hangs out with the Great Bouncing Ferret for Merlin's sake!" Ron's face was turning an ugly shade of red. Harry, wisely, was staying out of it.
"Of course she does, Ron. They're in the same House, and she is new here. We always knew he must treat the Slytherins different anyway. They wouldn't be so fond of him otherwise." Her logic seemed to calm Ron down. His face was still red, but at least he wasn't yelling anymore.
"I still don't like it."
"You don't have to," Hermione snapped with a toss of her head, "I'm still going to help her. Professor Dumbledore is always harping on us about improving inter-House relations. This is a perfect opportunity to start."
"You're completely barmy, 'Mione, but that is why we love you."
TBC
A/N: I know that the plot is still not really going anywhere, but the set up is necessary. And really this isn't a fic about plot so much as it is one about character. Furthermore, the point of this fic is to set up a sequel. I have two needs. I need the foundations of a working relationship and friendship between Hermione and Severus, and I need a motivation for Draco's redemption. For those SS/HG readers, I am sorry, but there will be no conclusive romance between the two in this fic; I don't see Severus entering into an unequal relationship like that except under extenuating circumstances that will just not be present in this fic.
Review Repsonses:
Besa: You already know how I feel about SS/HG: they're perfect for each other. I hope this chapter cleared up some of your confusion, but keep in mind that he is probably even less clear about how he feels than you are.
JasperPress77: Thanks for the review. No past yet, but definitely in the next chapter. As for relations, well, I think that Snape is related to the Malfoys, but that would be the only relationship I see him having to Kat. But he knows something of her past, and most certainly knows of her family. Considering those two things, her would have ample reason to distrust her.
clare a. : I know what you mean. She'll certainly cause ripples in the pool, that's for sure.
Crookshanks Girl: Thanks. Btw, I love "Of Men and Angels."
DesertRose6: I am considering posting at LnLS, but would like to have this a bit better worked out, first. My other fic "Legacy" is already there, but a bit behind the ff. net one.
Lady Phedre: I am aware of the dress-code. I fully intend to have her in uniform by the second week, but as I explained, she had just arrived, and had not yet had time to go buy one. As for the hair, she can change it with a simple charm. I do however, find it a bit insulting that you would tell me how my character would or would not dress outside of school, especially without checking your facts. According to the HP Lexicon, which is based on facts found in the books, Harry and his class would be graduating in 1998. As I was just entering high school then, and wanted very much to dress that way ( I was a Goth in repression) I know that some people did dress that way. We were not then, as we are not now, in the majority, but we do exist. I'm sorry if you find that hard to swallow, but I will not change my character at the whim of one reader.
Jennyrad, and Beccs: Thanks for your reviews.