Part One: Chapter Three: Slytherin
"Morning Mya!" two young voices called out.
"How did you guys get in here?" I asked, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
The twins were silent as they stared at me in confusion.
"Uh, the door?" Margo said, and giggled.
I looked around the guest bedroom in shock.
"This isn't Gryffindor tower!" I cried, jumping out of bed.
"Oh, you want to be in Gryffindor?" Megan asked.
"Megan and I want to be in Ravenclaw, but we don't really mind what house we get into as long as we're together." Margo said
* Calm down, Her- Miss Granger! You are reliving the day, they aren't. You knew this could happen; now get a hold of yourself! *
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
When I opened them again, I saw two identical expressions of concern.
"I'm sorry, guys, I had a really strange dream, and it's hard to wake-up."
"That's okay, Mya." Megan said, both of the girls looked relieved.
"Why don't you two go get dressed and I'll meet you in a few minutes."
* Nice save. *
* Thank you. *
I fell back on the bed and closed my eyes with a groan. Of all the days to have to do over…
********
Not much later, I found myself in Dumbledore's office with the stupid hat on my head. Okay, I really don't think the hat was/is stupid; I just needed to blame somebody.
* Well, well, back again, I see. Perhaps you will choose more wisely this time. *
I could feel Professor Snape's irritation along with my own as I sat there. I really hoped that Snape would remain quiet; it would just be too confusing to have two voices in my head at once.
* Yeah, yeah! Just pick a house, okay. *
* Now, my dear, that's your job. *
His pleasant voice was just upsetting me more.
* Well, I'm feeling pretty evil; let's go with Slytherin. *
I felt a flare of indignation from Snape, but luckily he didn't say anything.
After the hat yelled out my selection, I was surprised at all of the disappointed looks I received.
Oh, well. I'd just have to make the best of it.
********
Shopping was a miserable experience. The twins seemed to be afraid of me now, and I had trouble holding back tears at the loneliness.
* So the two little brats don't like you anymore. You were getting too close to them anyway. *
* Yesterday we were so close. They felt like sisters to me. *
I admitted, glad the Professor was still there.
* Too close. Her-Miss Granger, this is something you must do on your own. *
* I know, but separating from them feels wrong. It's sort of a gut feeling, I can't explain it. *
I could almost see his puzzled expression at my last comment.
* Professor? *
* When you were sorted into Slytherin earlier today, it felt wrong to me. *
* So there are two wrongs, and it's not even lunchtime. Guess I'll be doing this again tomorrow. *
* Maybe, but maybe not. I suggest you do more observing than participating today. *
* Okay. Should I try to make friends with you? *
* You can try, but I doubt you'll be very successful. *
* Why's that? *
* Because, Miss Granger, the only people I hated worse than Gryffindors, were other
Slytherins. *
*Professor, call me Hermione. *
* Oh, and I suppose you'll want to call me Severus? *
* No, actually. You are Professor Snape; Severus is the boy I'll be meeting tonight. *
* Suit yourself, Hermione. *
I felt better after our 'talk' and was able to concentrate on getting ready for the Welcoming Ceremony.
Professor Figg, the Head of Slytherin and current Potions
Mistress, came to escort me to dinner. She seemed pretty pleasant, for a Slytherin, and I felt at ease walking beside her.
If only I'd known what was coming.
"Mya Thyme, this is Lucius Malfoy."
A tall, very attractive blond boy with steel grey eyes grabbed my hand and put it to his lips.
"A pleasure, Miss Thyme." He purred, his lips caressing my skin.
I flushed with delight, and was only brought back down to Earth by the sound of retching in my head.
I gave an exasperated sigh, and followed Lucius to the Slytherin table.
He immediately handed me over to two girls named Ananda and Katherine. Who were treating me very nice, but I had the feeling that if Lucius hadn't been the one to escort me in, they wouldn't be giving me the time of day.
None of my housemates seemed to care about where I'd come from. After confirming that I was a pure blood, as Snape had instructed, they seemed to accept me, but weren't very keen on hearing my opinion on anything.
* Observe! *
* Okay! *
I finally spotted Severus sitting by himself at the end of the table. He was staring at the twins who were sitting at the Ravenclaw table next to us.
I didn't think much of it; a lot of people were staring at them and me. We were the new kids, after all.
He suddenly looked up and met my eyes with a glare.
I shuddered, and looked down at the food that had appeared on my plate.
After a few minutes of forcing myself not to look in his
direction, I turned to Ananda.
"Who is that?" I asked, tilting my head in his direction.
She looked over at Severus and wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"No one you'd want to bother with." She said haughtily.
"But I-"
"Severus Snape. And you'd do good to stay away from him." Katherine interrupted.
I sent one last look at Severus who was watching the twins again, and went back to eating.
********
After the feast, I found myself being lead out of the Great Hall by Ananda and Katherine. I turned and gave Megan, who was walking behind me, a small smile. While she returned the smile, I could tell it wasn't genuine, and had to concentrate on not letting that bother me.
I was so caught up in my thoughts that I forgot about who would be swiftly rounding the upcoming corner. Severus and I collided and I had to bite my lip to keep myself from laughing at my own stupidity.
I could feel Professor Snape rolling his eyes.
I looked up at Severus with a sheepish smile, about to apologize, when a loud mocking voice interrupted us.
"Severus Snape, I think you're a bit out of your league with this one!" Lucius Malfoy's voice rang out loud through the crowded hall.
Severus flushed in embarrassment and scrambled to his feet. He quickly gathered up his books, refusing to look at anyone.
I felt myself being lifted from the floor, while I watched Severus running away.
"You'll be wise to stay away from that one, Mya." Lucius kissed my hand again, and then walked me to the Slytherin dorms.
After seeing how ugly Lucius had been to Severus, I couldn't help but feel revolted by the feel of his hand against the small of my back.
* Never forget who you are dealing with, Hermione. *
********
Later that night found me wide awake staring at the ceiling. I could hear the heavy breathing of the other girls in my dorm, and longed for the privacy of my own room.
After giving up the battle to go to sleep, I got out of bed and grabbed the bag full of books that Professor Snape had packed for me.
I silently slipped out of the room and down the hall to the bathroom. I shut the door behind me and had to suppress a gasp as the many candles in the room lighted themselves at my presence.
I tried my best to get comfortable in one of the corners, and reached for the bag. After skimming through several reference books, I came across Professor Snape's diary.
Why hadn't I thought of this sooner?
I became engrossed in his view of how the day went. The first couple of pages were him complaining about everybody and everything. And then, he met Megan.
It was clear from his writting that he had been instantly smitten with her. Staring at her all through dinner, and then colliding with her in the hall after dinner…
Megan? I was surprised at the small twinge of jealousy I felt at reading his words. I then blushed, wondering what Professor Snape must think of my thoughts. But the only thing I could hear from him in my head was soft snoring.
I smiled. Now, I had a plan.
Tomorrow, I'd let Megan run into him. Maybe I could finally get through this day!
I skipped ahead a few entries, only to find a heart-broken Severus discovering Megan's crush on someone else.
Sirius Black.
********
I sat in Dumbledore's office with the hat on my head.
Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff?
* Which will it be today my dear? *
Suddenly I knew.
* Ravenclaw. *
* Congratulations, my dear, you have passed the first test. *
* So, I guess I won't be talking to you again. *
I felt a little sad at that.
* Not to worry, you still have one more task to complete today before tomorrow will come. *
* Another?! What is it? *
*All I can tell you is that by the time today is over, you will know. *
I pulled the hat off, to be attacked with hugs by two very excited Fifteen year olds.
I could feel the Professor's relief at my happiness, and that made me feel warm inside.
********
We spent a fun, yet relaxing day at Hogsmeade, and I soaked up the joyful atmosphere. Snape was quiet, as if he knew I needed a little vacation from the day.
The feast was wonderful, and when I felt Severus' eyes on us, I looked at him and gave him a smile.
I think I startled him, and had a hard time not laughing as he focused intently on his plate.
* I never would have thought you were so shy, Professor. *
He didn't say anything.
*Professor, are you still there? *
I felt a flash of panic.
* Yes…. It's taking much more effort to do this now than a few days ago. *
He gave a weary sigh.
* You get some rest, and I fill you in on everything that happens tonight, okay? *
I could feel his exhaustion.
I wondered why it wasn't affecting me the way it was him, and the answer came. Not from him, but from somewhere else deep in my mind.
He's taking it all on himself.
Suddenly I remembered that while I had all the time in the world, Professor Snape did not. Time was too precious to waste; I had to figure out that second task, before tomorrow.
********
I found myself staring at Severus for the rest of the dinner. I knew Ravenclaw was right, but what about Severus? I thought back to his diary entry the night before. Meeting Megan today would start an obsession with him, and eventually she would break his heart. Was I supposed to let that happen?
"I think someone has a crush on a Slytherin!" Megan teased.
"Shut-up, Meg! Don't listen to her Mya, she doesn't know what she's talking about." Margo said, glaring at he sister.
"I was just teasing! You're not mad me, are you?" Megan asked.
"No, it's okay." I said, giving her a small smile.
"Besides, what's so bad about having a crush on a Slytherin?" I asked, nonchalantly.
Both girls gaped at me.
********
Before I knew it, everyone was leaving the hall and that corner was coming up.
I looked up to see Megan and Margo both flirting with the charming Sirius Black as we walked.
Before I could change my mind, I quickly stepped in front of Megan, held out my arms, and shut my eyes.
My hands closed around his arms, and just when I thought we weren't going to fall, I lost my balance. I ended up underneath him, his black eyes wide with shock.
We just stared into each other's eyes, until Sirius cleared his throat.
"Get off her, Snape." He growled.
Severus jumped to his feet, and offered me a hand up. I took it; my whole body was tingling from the collision.
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" He asked with a frown.
"No, no. I'm fine." I said, feeling like an idiot.
"Good. Accio books." He commanded.
All five books he'd been holding jumped back into his arms.
"No magic in the halls, Snape." James Potter snapped.
Severus turned to face James, his eyes narrowed in anger.
Luckily, Professor McGonagall chose that moment to make an appearance.
"Is everything all right?"
"Yes, Professor." James mumbled and turned to walk away.
"We were just escorting our new transfer students to their dorm." Sirius said, offering each of his arms to the giggling twins.
I turned back to Severus to find him looking at me in confusion.
I started to ask him if he's okay, when he suddenly turned and darted off down an empty corridor.
********
Since all three of us Stone Crest girls got sorted into the same house, we were given the option of sharing a room in the Ravenclaw dorm, just the three of us. Dumbledore said that it might help us adjust to the new school better, and I was grateful for it.
I was laying in my bed thinking about the day's events, and dreading having to repeat it all again tomorrow when Professor Snape interrupted my thoughts.
* So, how did it go? *
* It went fine up until I ran into you in the hall again. *
* I thought you were going to let Megan run into me this time. *
* I changed my mind. *
He was silent.
* I think you have a crush on me now, though. *
I added this little thought against my better judgment.
* What?! *
I sighed, my tiredness' finally catching up with me.
* Don't worry, I'll fix it tomorrow, when I have to do re-do today. *
Imagine my surprise when tomorrow actually came.
End Chapter Three