I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER! (Just wanted to make sure it was clear.)

Eva and Neville had been working steadily on their paper for the last hour. They had decided to work outside instead of the Gryffindor common room. Eva knew the decision was out of consideration for her own comfort. It seemed that all the other people in their Potions class had managed to find a partner in their own House and they were the odd couple, as it were.

"So, our key ingredient is going to be Edelweiss, but how much are we going to put in? I know he'll mark us down if we leave that out," said Neville.

"Well, if we are planning to make it more potent against the Fever Potion, we're going to need at least ten petals and a teaspoon of seeds, which is where most of the cooling potential is located."

"Okay," Neville quickly added her measurements to their list and instructions for brewing. "Do you think it would be a good idea to try it out before we turn in the essay? I think we can brew both potions today and make sure they work. I'll even try them out on myself."

Eva thought it was a good idea and was about to say so when she heard a rousing chorus of the "K-I-S-S-I-N-G" song. It was led by Pansy Parkinson and her little ball of Slytherin girlfriends. Eva had no problem ignoring them, she really thought it was more embarrassing for them than for her, but she wanted to be considerate of Neville's feelings: he was really a shy person. "I think it's a good idea, but would you like to do it somewhere else? I know this serenade must be annoying."

"Yeah," Neville said, blushing furiously.

Eva began packing her parchment and quills into her bag and leaned close to Neville. "Ignore them. If you react, then they will only have more reason to keep on going."

They walked together to the entrance and went their separate ways, agreeing to meet in the Entrance Hall and find a classroom that was not being used far from anyone hearing them.

They spent most of the afternoon mixing the two potions and Eva noticed that Neville was quite good at Potion making and wondered if it was just Professor Snape that made him so nervous that he bungled in class.

"You know, I have always found that Potion making is rather relaxing. You get to watch something go from being several separate ingredients to become one purposeful liquid. It's amazing, really, how things that have such different functions and backgrounds can come together and work together to make something valuable."

"Well, when you say it like that it makes it sound alright. I just don't think it's all that exciting. I'm not really good at it either."

"Of course you are, Neville! If you weren't, you would not have gotten an 'O' in your O.W.L. I think it's just Professor Snape that makes you nervous. You should try to ignore him."

"It's a bit difficult to ignore someone who is breathing down your neck."

Eva nodded. She had had to learn the hard way how to ignore intrusions and distractions. "How about a little lesson in closing off your mind to things around you?"

Neville didn't know what good it would do, but he agreed.

"Okay, the first thing you need to do is concentrate on what you're doing. Watch your cauldron and forget that there is anyone else in the room. I'm going to walk around and make noise; all you have to do is keep on with the potion. Don't worry about doing anything wrong, remember I have some in a vial already."

Neville nodded and studied the parchment in front of him that contained the instructions for the Fever Potion. He concentrated until the noise of chairs being toppled and Eva pounding her fists on the desks were distant. He thought he was doing pretty well until she walked up behind him and stood there, staring at him. This was what his problem was: having someone watch his every move, like they were waiting for him to mess up. His fingers fumbled with one of the bottles and it crashed to the floor.

"Reparo," said Eva, and the bottle was in one piece again. "That was good Neville. You shut out the noise and concentrated on what was in front of you. You just get nervous when people stare at you. We can work on that some more."

Neville smiled at her and continued with the potion. He really liked Eva; she was a very nice person. He absently wondered why the sorting hat put her in Slytherin. She was nothing like any of her housemates, but then again he had thought for sure he would be in Hufflepuff when he came: he was as close to a Squib as they came.

They finished the potions and proceeded to pour some into two glasses.

"I'll take the potions. Snape would kill me if he found out I let you test a potion on yourself." Neville grabbed the Fever Potion mixed with pumpkin juice and quickly downed it. He sat down and waited for the effects to begin. He figured that some conversation would be good to fill in the gap of silence. "So, tell me more about how you grew up. I hardly know anything about you."

"Not much to tell really. I was born in America and my family moved back here when I was about a year old."

"Wow. You were born in America? Why did your Mum move out there?"

"I don't know, really. She's never really talked about it. I always guessed that my father was an American wizard and that she moved out there to be with him."

"What do you mean, you guessed?" Neville began to feel a little warm and he took off his robes.

"Well, Mum doesn't really talk about him." Eva noticed that Neville's cheeks had become rosy and knew that the Fever Potion was working. "I think it's almost time for the Cooling Elixir."

"Yeah, I'm feeling a little woozy."

Eva turned around to grab the glass and heard a thud. She swirled around, only to find Neville on the floor. She bent over him to make sure he was still conscious. "Hurry Neville," she thrust the glass to his lips. "Drink this."

Neville heard her voice in the distance and felt the cool glass being pressed to his lips. He took a sip and felt the cool liquid go down his throat and begin to cool his feverish body. He quickly took another sip hoping to make the heat go away. He sat back after he had drained the cup and waited for the Elixir to run its course.

Finally, when he knew his temperature was back to normal he smiled at Eva. "We did it."

Eva smiled back. There was no way Professor Snape could say anything bad about their Potion.

Halloween weekend was drawing near and so was the first trip to Hogsmeade. Eva had received only scant news from her mother and was not looking forward to the trip like the rest of the students at Hogwarts. She had decided that she would spend the day in her room doing homework or she could always take out her Firebolt and do a few laps around the Quidditch pitch.

The three weeks that led to the trip seemed forever to Eva and she tried with all her mind to make the time fly by as fast as possible, but as with everything else in her life, that did not go as she had planned.

One day during Potions the Headmaster called her and Harry out of the dungeons. Professor Snape had not liked it, but had allowed them to go. Eva was worried at how Neville would do without her there, but she managed to forget about it while she and Harry walked to the stone gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office.

Harry looked at her. "Do you know the password?"

"No. You?"

Harry shook his head and stared at the stone gargoyle. Just as he was about to suggest that they go to the staff room to find a teacher, the statue began to move and they hopped onto the upward spiraling steps.

Harry knocked on the door and the Headmaster soon opened it. "Ah, Mr. Potter, Miss Nocturino, come in, come in." The two students sat in the chairs opposite the wizard's desk and waited for him to tell them why they were there.

Eva had only been in the office once before and that was when she had just witnessed her grandparents murder, so she had not been keen on looking at all the contraptions that lay around the room. She liked the spindly-legged table that was at the far end of the room; it looked about ready to fall from the weight of all the things that were placed on top of it. Eva was pulled back to reality when the Headmaster cleared his throat.

"I summoned you two here for something that is not to leave this room." He looked at both of them from above his half-moon spectacles. He then looked down at two folders that were lying on his desk. "Miss Nocturino, from what your mother has told me and what I know of your late grandfather, you are quite skilled in the area of wandless magic, including Occlumency." He paused and looked up at her.

Eva nodded her head and felt her cheeks grow warm at the look of surprise on Harry's face. "Grandfather was training me in wandless magic and Occlumency since the age of eleven."

"Harry, if I'm not mistaken, you began training in Occlumency last year, but did not finish your training."

"Yes, sir." Both Harry and Dumbledore knew why Harry had not finished his training, but Harry guessed the Headmaster did not mention the reason because Eva was in the room.

Dumbledore nodded and walked to the front of his desk. "Miss Nocturino, I would like to ask you to train Mr. Potter in Occlumency as well as wandless magic. I will, of course provide you with a room that will be suitable for you both."

Neither of the students knew what to say or how to react. They just sat there staring at Dumbledore as if he had just grown another head. Harry was the first to snap out of it.

"How often will we be practicing?"

"That all depends on your schedules. I will not set a specific time, but I would like you to meet regularly, as these things take time and practice." Dumbledore noticed that Eva was still shocked about the news. "You do have the right to refuse the training, Miss Nocturino. I only thought that it would be a good idea that you teach Harry because the Professors here already have their plates full."

Eva shook her head to clear her mind. "I'm sorry, Professor Dumbledore, it's just a bit of a shock, is all. Of course, I'll do it."

Dumbledore smiled. "Good. I must ask you, however, not to mention this to anyone. I'm sure you will find something to say to those who ask, but this must be kept from everyone." He swept back to the other side of the desk and pulled out an old brass key. "This is the key to the classroom you will be using. It is on the ground floor, classroom eleven." Dumbledore caught the question in Harry's eyes. "Don't worry, Mr. Potter, it has been cleared since that last time you were in there."

Harry took the key and then handed it to Eva. "You should hold it, Professor Nocturino."

Eva chuckled and took the key. "I'm not sure I would go that far."

They bid the Headmaster Good Day and headed towards the Great Hall. Their Potions class was over and lunch was underway. Before heading to their respective tables Harry grabbed Eva's arm and guided her towards a corner of the room.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I was just wondering . . . " began Harry.

"Yes?"

"DyouwannagoHogsmeadewithme?" he said in a rush, not even understanding his words himself.

"Pardon?"

"Would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me?" he repeated.

"I hadn't been planning on going, but sure, why not?"

"Great," breathed Harry, unaware that he had been holding his breath. "I'll meet you in the Entrance Hall after breakfast."

Eva nodded and went on her way to the Slytherin table. She sat as far away from the sixth years as possible. It appeared that Draco had been telling everyone in their year to leave her alone, but for some reason he had stopped and now they were making her life as difficult as they could. It did not really bother her, if anything it only sharpened her reflexes and defensive skills. She ate her dinner casually and enjoyed the conversation of the fifth year students around her, answering a question whenever she was asked.

Eva excused herself from the table and began the walk to the stairs that would lead her to the corridor where her room was located. As soon as she entered the corridor she sensed someone following her. She quickened her step, but whoever it was, was still behind her. Right before she reached the turn to the portrait guarding the room, she quickly turned, her wand at the ready, but saw no one. She turned and continued her walk towards the portrait. She reached the inside of her room and took a seat close to the fire.

She had no worry about someone coming in; she was the only one apart from Professor Snape and Professor Dumbledore who knew the password. Her concern was that someone was following her. She knew better than to doubt that feeling she got in the pit of her stomach as she walked down the corridor. Her grandmother had called it instinct and it had never been wrong. Someone was following her and she wanted to know who.

Wednesday morning brought sunshine and the prospect of demonstrating the antidote that she and Neville had brewed to their Potions class.

They were the third pair to present their brews. It was a bit unsettling for Eva to be doing something like this in front of so many people, but then again she had been doing a lot of things that she was not used to since coming to Hogwarts. It seemed that the adjustments would never end.

The bright spot in her day was that she had the Hogsmeade weekend to look forward to. She and Harry would be going together and she was most definitely looking forward to it.

She sprang out of bed and quickly grabbed her most comfortable pair of Levi's and pulled her sky blue jumper over her head before grabbing her robes and bag and heading out the door. On her way to the Great Hall she gave her wand a flick and her waist length, raven hair automatically flew into a ponytail and braided itself. She twisted it into a bun and pinned it in place with two silver chopsticks her grandfather had given her as a birthday present last year.

Eva had a quick breakfast at the Slytherin table. She hoped in vain for her owl, Horatio, to arrive. He had come only once before with the news that her mother had arrived at her destination and was well. She was scanning her notes for the presentation when she heard Pansy Parkinson and her gaggle of giggling girls begin their morning ritual of teasing her.

They ran the usual gamut: her hairstyle, her Muggle clothes, her bookwormish ways. One of the girls mentioned something different today, however.

"And she's got that room all to herself. Just shows you how spoiled she really is. Doesn't even want to mingle with us commoners."

"I heard her Mum paid the school a vault full of gold to get her that room," said one girl.

"Someone told me she's cursed and she turns into a horrible monstrous thing at night, so they put her in her own room," said another.

"Don't know how that would work, considering how monstrous she looks already," said Pansy.

"Now, now Pansy. You shouldn't say such things. Beauty comes in different forms and shapes." Draco had entered the hall and, Eva guessed, had probably heard what the girls were saying. "The beauty of a Lily is no less than that of a Rose." Draco sat next to Eva, straddling the bench. "Speaking of roses." He pulled a bundle out of his robes and handed it to her. "I was thinking about you and I remembered that you liked roses."

Eva took the bundle and sat amazed. He had remembered her favorite flower! She pressed the half dozen roses to her face and inhaled. The scent of the blooms transported her to her grandmother's garden. Eva could see her tending to the flowerbeds and looking out at the sea of colors. She looked up at Draco and smiled with tears in her eyes.

"You have no idea how much this means to me." She leaned over and placed a kiss on his cheek before embracing him. "You've reminded me of home." She pulled away and stood from the bench. "I'd better put these in water. Thank you, Draco." She put one last kiss on his cheek and walked out of the Great hall towards her room.

She hadn't noticed that Harry was watching. So she didn't see the thunderclouds passing across his face.

Harry watched Eva leave the Great Hall with her roses bundled in the crook of her arm. He turned his turbulent face to his breakfast; attacking his food as if it were Draco Malfoy.

Ron watched Harry in amusement as he bludgeoned his eggs and sausages. "Something troubling you, mate?"

Harry jabbed his food once more before responding. "Why didn't I think of that first?"

"Of what?"

"The flowers, Ron, the flowers. I should have been the one to send her flowers, not Malfoy."

"Well, maybe you could send her a bigger bouquet or one that has different kinds of flowers."

"You shouldn't try to compete for her, Harry," interjected Hermione.

"You think Malfoy's better than me?" asked Harry, stunned at Hermione's words.

"No. I just don't think she's worth it."

Both Harry and Ron eyed Hermione suspiciously. She had never said anything like this before, about any girl. Ron spoke for both of them when he asked: "What have you got against Eva, anyway?"

Hermione blushed and turned to her plate. "I just don't think she's good enough for Harry, that's all."

Ron turned to Harry. "If she's not good enough for you, mate, I'd gladly take her off your hands."

Hermione's head sprang up so quickly Harry thought she'd gotten a crick. The look on her face was a mixture of anger and hurt. She opened her mouth to say something, but quickly closed it. She grabbed her bag and got up from the table.

"What's the matter, Hermione?" asked Ron.

"Nothing! I just hope you're happy!" she shouted. She did not care if the adjoining tables had heard and witnessed her outburst. Ron was really the most hardheaded man she had ever had the misfortune to meet!

"But he's rather cute, too," said a little voice in her head. Hermione shook her head as she made her way towards the dungeons for Potions. He's infuriating and annoying. "And he's been there for you, and you can't say that you haven't had fun," said the voice.

Hermione smiled: she had enjoyed the times she had spent with Harry and Ron, no matter how dangerous or how much trouble they got into afterwards. She felt safe and appreciated with both of them. But there was something about Ron . . .

"Hello, Hermione," said Eva. She had come straight to the dungeons after depositing her roses in a vase full of water.

Hermione simply grunted a greeting and took her seat. Of all the people she wanted to be alone in a room with, Eva Nocturino was not at the top of her list.

Eva checked her watch and noticed they had some time before the rest of the class came, so she decided now was as good a time as any to find out what bee was in Hermione's bonnet.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did," answered Hermione.

Eva let the smart remark pass. "Why don't you like me? Did I do something to offend you?"

"I really don't want to have this conversation," said Hermione.

"Is it just because I'm in Slytherin?" continued Eva.

Hermione did not respond.

"Is it Harry? Are you and Harry together? Because if you are I would completely understand -"

Hermione cut her off. "There's nothing between Harry and me."

"Oh." Eva tried to keep the smile on her lips from getting too big. Inside, though, she was dancing a jig. Getting back to her original line of questioning before anyone else came in she asked, "So, why don't you like me?"

Hermione was about to tell her that what she thought and felt were none of Eva's business, but the door opened and Neville walked in with Harry and Ron.

They all greeted Eva politely and she returned the greetings, watching Hermione the whole time. If she didn't mind that Eva liked Harry then that only left . . . Ron. But Hermione and Ron were always bickering, she couldn't possibly fancy him. Eva would have to ask Neville about it in private.

"Are you ready for the presentation?" asked Neville.

Eva forced herself back to what was at hand and helped Neville prepare for their presentation. She was just placing the stool in front of Professor Snape's desk when he walked in.

"In light of our last two presentations, I have asked Madam Pomfrey to be present during class. Hopefully, the next four presenters will be knowledgeable enough not to hurt themselves or the rest of the class." The last sentence was said as he stared at Neville.

Neville and Eva were the first partners to present that day. Professor Snape objected to Eva being the one to demonstrate the potions, but after an explanation that Neville had tested them prior to the presentation, they were allowed to continue.

Eva took a seat on the stool facing the class. She took off her robes and drank the pumpkin juice laced with Fever Potion while Neville explained the properties of the potion and the ingredients that were used in its preparation. Eva was listening until she began to feel the effects of the potion.

She shifted uncomfortably in the stool and began to fan her face. Neville had finished explaining the Fever Potion and turned to Eva. He started when he saw that her face was red and quickly reached for the glass that contained the Cooling Elixir. Eva saw him walk towards her, but her fever was skyrocketing quickly and she slipped to the floor.

Neville was kneeling at her side in an instant as was Professor Snape.

"Eva," called Neville. He waited for her to open her eyes and pressed the glass to her lips. "Drink this, hurry."

Eva took a small sip of the drink and reveled in the cool feel of it in her mouth and throat. She quickly took more sips until the glass was empty. She sat back and closed her eyes, waiting for the Elixir to cool her fevered body. She did not know that Neville was watching her with a worried and nervous look on his face. She did not notice that Professor Snape was also looking at her with pure concern etched on his brow.

No one could understand why he had knelt by the girl for so long and when he stood again he covered his concern with a scowl toward Neville and said, "Continue."

Neville continued their presentation with worried glances directed to Eva's form, still lying on the floor in front of the Professor's desk. He concluded his recital of their prepared presentation and quickly went over to Eva and helped her up.

"Thanks, Neville. You did great." Eva allowed him to help her back onto the stool. They both looked out at the class, waiting for the questions that were to be directed towards them.

Draco Malfoy's hand went up in the air. "What is the time table for the effects of the Fever Potion?"

Eva thought it only fair for her to answer, since Neville had done the whole of the oral presentation. "It depends on the amount that is placed in the drink." Eva wiped her sweaty brow with a hand and licked her dry lips before continuing. "Fever Potion can be mixed into anything with the exception of coffee. The faster you want the effect to take place, the more Potion you lace into the drink. Usually for one cup of liquid, it's three drops for one hour and two additional drops for every fifteen minutes sooner."

Draco nodded and made notes on what she had just said. Eva looked around the room for more raised hands, but had to drop her head into her hands when she moved too quickly. Neville was quickly leading her to her seat. "What's wrong, Eva?"

"I don't know. Did you feel like this when you took the potions?" she asked.

"No, I felt fine after the Cooling Elixir." Neville turned to call Professor Snape over to their desk, but found he was already standing there.

"Out of the way, Longbottom." He moved Neville's arm from around Eva's waist, which proved to be a mistake because Eva went straight to the floor.

By this time the entire class was hovering near the desk. Professor Snape had once again knelt by her side and was checking to make sure she didn't have a fever.

"I'm fine," said Eva, swatting at his hand. "Water." She sat back up with some difficulty, but she was determined that Professor Snape would have no reason to mark them down or yet another reason to complain about Neville. "Neville, could you hand me my bottle of water?"

Neville quickly rummaged through her bag and reached out his arm to give Eva her water bottle. Professor Snape snatched it from his hand, as if the simple task of handing Eva her water bottle was something he couldn't handle. She quickly drank it down and felt better. She moved to get back on her feet and had Neville on one side and Professor Snape on the other, each pulling on her so much that her feet left the floor. "Thank you."

The two men moved apart enough to allow Madam Pomfrey to make sure Eva was all right. Judging that she was fine, she simply handed her another bottle of water and resumed her seat in the back of the classroom, but not before muttering something about "Meddling in her job."

Professor Snape turned on Neville and with a scowl said, "Ten points from Gryffindor."

Neville just hung his head, but Eva quickly stood from her seat. "But why?"

Professor Snape looked at her as if she had sprouted a third arm. "He should have known the effects of the potion and not allowed you to demonstrate it on yourself."

"But he did know the effects. He tested both potions on himself just yesterday. It's not fair for you to take points because two people had different reactions to the same potions." Eva did not see the Slytherins in the class scowl at her. She was fighting with Professor Snape about taking points from Gryffindor.

"He should have known what the outcome of the experiment would be," said Professor Snape. He had never had a Slytherin complain about his taking points from Gryffindor.

"Then you should have taken points from Draco and Pansy. Their Sleeping Draught antidote was not nearly as effective as our antidote. Draco was falling asleep in his classes all day; he even fell face first into the mashed potatoes at dinner." Eva did not know she was treading on dangerous ground. She had no idea that no one, not even Slytherins, argued with Professor Snape when he took points, whether or not it was unfair.

"I will not stand here and argue with you about this. Sit down, Miss Nocturino."

"But you're not being fair!" Eva stamped her foot as she said this which caused Professor Snape to raise his eyebrow.

Eva stood there huffing in outrage, her hands in fists at her side. Professor Snape simply looked down his nose at her and turned back to the class. He called the next two presenters and strode to his seat at the back of class, leaving a very angry Eva pouting in her chair.

What she did not see, nor did anyone else, was the look of pride on his face throughout the remainder of the class period.