Lullaby
They train slowed to a halt, Maylin and Severus walked onto the platform and opting out of the boat ride with the first years, accompanied him to the castle. He lead her to the doors of the Great Hall before making his leave.
"I have to meet up with my housemates, Perhaps I'll see you after the sorting – good luck."
"Thanks, Sev."
Maylin pinched the top of his arm as she went and stepped into the vast and beautiful hall.
Because of her age, Maylin was the first to be sorted. She sat on the small stool before the whole of the student body. She could see the four house tables each aligned with students wondering who the hell this girl was. Her obvious nervousness said "first year," but her face and body said "most definetly not a first year."
From the far right of the room Lily waved and crossed her fingers. From the far left, Severus Snape nodded and cracked a Mona Lisa smile.
An older thin lipped woman placed the singing hat on her head and stepped back.
The hat remained silent for a while, a series of "hmm's" and "ahh's" escaped it's leathery lips. "You're an interesting case my dear, intricate blood you have, where shall you go?"
"You know something I don't?"
"I know many things – many things you do not."
"Well then just put me somewhere, to be honest I really don't give a shit."
"Such language, to be honest I know that you don't mean that. You know exactly where you want to be and so I will place you in – SLYTHERIN!"
Try as she might, Maylin couldn't sleep. The dreams started later than usual but once they found her they never stopped. Naked in Potions class, chased by werewolves, first kisses and death by falling plagued her mind, she didn't even know if she could even dream her own dreams anymore. Awaking with a start and sudden fear of hitting the bottom of the bottomless pit, Maylin rubbed her eyes and reached out for her book. As she crawled out of bed she noticed her roommates sleeping soundly and for one brief moment wished she had never come to this place.
She walked quietly out of the girls' dorm and into the Syltherin common room. The fire blazed quietly across the room. She swung one leg over the couch and plopped down next to a familiar face. "You couldn't sleep either?" Severus Snape's fire lit eyes never even moved from the pages of his book.
"Nope."
"Is this place always this quiet?"
"Savor it."
"Fair enough."
"What are you reading?"
"Anthony Burgess. You?"
Severus turned from the fire and showed her the cover. Of Dragon's Blood and Fairy Eyes: The Life of Landon Hunter.
Maylin smiled. "Is it good?" she asked.
"Very."
"Anything about me in there?"
"Not yet. But your name is in the family tree diagram in the first chapter."
"Good to know."
They read in silence for most of the night until an innocent sleep overtook them both. In his presence Maylin slept as soundly as she had years before seer blood had taken control. For the first time she felt a kind of new connection. With one arm draped lazily over his chest and her head on Severus's shoulder Maylin slept and for one brief moment she swore she even dreamed.