For the next week I was very careful in Potions to be an a perfect student. I answered questions when called on, turned in all assignments on time, and said nothing disrespectful - at least not to Professor Snape's face. What one whispers to one's friends in class in another matter. Gradually I feared him less and he was less suspicious of me. Despite his warning, I had no trouble keeping up, until mid-way through the semester.

We were working on sine nominae, a potion I had never heard of before, somehow it had escaped my potions tutor. My classmates were familiar with the potion and its properties, though it was seldom used and most had to refresh their memories. I, however, knew nothing of it, and was forced to speak to Professor Snape, as my friends were all busy remembering it for themselves.

I stood in front of the door to Professor Snape's study, nervously fiddling with my necklace. It was a gift from my grandfather: an oval shaped bit of jade (a symbol of our House) set in silver and hung on a silver chain. I examined the runes on the back, I'd never been told what they meant. Suddenly I realized I was stalling. I dropped the charm, squared my shoulders, and knocked.

"Enter."

I entered. He was seated at a desk in the corner, writing. He looked up, face expressionless.

"Yes, Miss Jade?"

"Do you have a moment, Professor?"

"Yes. Sit down." I sat.

"Professor, I'm having trouble with the potion, sine nominae, I've never learned it before..." My hand went to my necklace again. If only he wouldn't stare so!

"And?"

"I hate to bother you, I would have asked a friend but they're all studying - can you show me the potion? Once should be enough."

"Miss Jade, I thought I had made it clear that you would not receive any special treatment." I was taken aback.

"Yes, sir, you did make that clear."

"Then why do you ask?"

"I thought... it's such an obscure potion, none of my tutors ever mentioned it..." He continued to look at me. Suddenly I was rather angry. He was a professor; however much of a git he may be he ought to help his students. "Never mind, professor. I'll ask professor Dumbledorf, he said I might come to him with any trouble." I stood to leave.

"Sit down, Miss Jade. I didn't say I wouldn't help you, I wished merely to let you know I cannot and will not help you with every little potion. Sine nominae is a rather obscure potion, you would not be the first student I've had to teach it over to."

I was completely baffled. He stood, went to a bookcase and took down a book. He leafed through it as he sat back down. "This is the potion." With that he opened a case with basic potion-making equipment and gestured for me to begin. I mixed the potion as he watched, asking questions now and then and doing as he instructed.

"There's one ingredient more," he said. I looked up at him. "A drop of blood. It must be that of the one making the potion." He produced a needle and held it out to me.

"I... can't prick myself." I shuddered, looking at the needle. He raised an eyebrow.

"And why not?"

"I just can't. Needles, they... bother me." He sighed and held his hand out for mine. I put my hand in his, it was very smooth and gentle. He held my finger gently but firmly with his long, pale fingers, and pricked the tip with the needle. I jumped a bit, and he squeezed a drop of blood out. The potion was complete. I looked up at him. He had a look on his face that seemed to ask why he had been so lenient with a student. The late hour, perhaps? I stood to go.

"Thank you, Professor."

"This will be the only time, Miss Jade. You are on your own now." I nodded and fled.


The time after break passed quietly. I spent most of my free time in the library, reading as much as I could. I'd always loved to read. Now and then I'd run into Professor Snape. He would nod if he noticed me and pass by silently if he didn't - but I always noticed him. I felt this strange desire to talk to him, to know him. I began to speak to him briefly when I met him, at first just a hello. The first time I did so he seemed startled, but he said hello back. One day I asked him what he was reading, and he told me, it was a collection of ancient Celtic myths. We spoke for a moment about them, and he left. Things continued in the manner until a week or so before the Christmas break.

I had been up late with my dormmates. We sat around, brushing each other's hair and talking before bed. I have very long hair, it's dark brown and curls softly. I often keep it in a long braid for class, but outside of class it's usually loose or simply gathered back in a tail. My dormmates had gone to bed around midnight, but I was still up and wide awake. I decided to go for a walk in the corridors.

I've always been a private person. I enjoy my solitude, I need time to think by myself. Though it was against the rules, I often slipped out late at night for a walk. I would look out the great windows at the grounds lit by shimmery moonlight and just think. Sometimes I would hear someone coming, but I would glide into the shadows and stand silent until they passed. Until now I hadn't been caught.

I was still dressed in my off-class clothes: a long, simple skirt of dark green material and a black, rather low cut shirt. I wandered the halls quietly, thinking of dark hair and dark eyes, without any particular person in mind. As I passed a large window I stopped to look at the snow glistening in the moonlight. I leaned on the glass, looking and not at all paying attention to the hallway. Thus the hand on my shoulder made me jump out of my skin. I turned, hoping it would be anyone but Professor Snape - but it was he.

"Miss Jade," he began, glowering at me. "You've been at Hogwarts for quite some time now. I believe you know the rules. Why, may I ask, are you out at this late hour?"

"Professor - I'm sorry I just... wanted to walk for a bit."

"You couldn't wait until morning?"

"No sir - I mean I could, sir, but... I like to walk at night." He waited. "It's so quiet, so calm. I like to be able to think, to be alone... I'm sorry, sir, I know I'm not supposed to... " I trailed off. He was still looking at me. He seemed about to say something, thought better of it, and changed his mind. He reached out a hand and touched my cheek, softly. I almost didn't feel it.

"I seem to remember a student once, long ago, who also liked to roam the lonely halls at night..." He looked as if he were remembering something... some happier day. He shook himself out of it, and removed his hand from my cheek. "To your room, Miss Jade. Immediately." I was more than happy to go. He stood at the window, his dark form silhouetted in the white snow, watching me go. "Goodnight." I turned, not sure I'd heard him. I had.

"Goodnight, Professor," I said, and this time I ran off.

I was trembling slightly as I climbed into bed.

I'd never realized how silky his voice was.


Author's Notes:

Sine nominae is Latin for "without name"; a bit of a joke, as I couldn't think of a name.

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Miena