It started simply: boy meets girl. Or, maybe, if you want to be progressive, girl meets boy. Or, actually, girl intrudes on boy sitting solitary in a train compartment and nothing special happens except for the fact it was the first meeting. Because, in that first meeting, no matter how boring and ordinary the introduction was, impressions were made. And everyone know that the fact is first impressions are important. However, what people often neglect to mention is the fact that opinions change. Especially over the course of a lifetime. And the opinions one had at eleven years old aren't necessarily the same when one is twenty. Or thirty. Or, actually, rather closer to forty than one would care to admit.

But, this isn't a story of a forty year old. Not yet. This is a story of beginnings, and of a girl.

Tamarisk Fowler had only been out on summer holiday for two weeks when her letter from Hogwarts arrived and turned her world upside down. Up until that moment, she lived in a perfectly ordinary world, except when things blew up unexpectedly, which didn't happen all that often. But witchcraft in wizardry was something only in her father's books, not the real world. And yet, now it was. And there she was: a witch, and currently on her way to a school she'd never heard of, in a location she didn't know, surrounded by students who were perfect strangers.

The train hadn't started moving yet, and a lot of the other kids were just milling around the hallway, talking with friends or looking for other friends. Tamarisk, of course, had no friends and had no idea what to do. How did one approach people on a crowded train?

You did not, she decided. You waited until you got to school and saw who your classmates were. The last thing Tamarisk needed was to make friends with the wrong people. She always did that, found the worst people to be friends with. Usually, they were the bright, shiny ones with a lot of glamour and popularity. And they tended to like her, until they did not anymore. And, by the time they didn't like her anymore, she usually didn't like them. Of course, by then, she was not sure how to approach anyone else, as people tended to sort themselves into cliques rather quickly. She always felt like the odd one out even though, eventually, she always found a small group of friends to be with. It was simply hard getting started.

She continued down the hallway, trying to find an empty compartment when a body blocked her path.

"Pardon me," the body said icily. His tone indicated that it was Tamarisk who should be begging pardon, and she better do it soon or else she would find out exactly what a wizard could do when displeased.

"Sorry," she said, looking up so she could meet his eyes.

They were very cold and disdainful as they gazed down at her. He simply raised his eyebrow at her and then swept past, two colleagues in tow. She turned to watch him go, fascinated by his pure white hair. It seemed natural, and she wondered if the color was common in the wizard world. Or, perhaps it wasn't, and he was as much an anomaly here as he would be in her world.

No. That wasn't right. This was her world now. Because she was a witch, not a human. No, they were all human, but they called someone who didn't know magic something else. Muggle. That was it.

Tamarisk watch the boy walk a few doors down to another compartment. As he placed his hand on the handle, he glanced back and saw her looking at him. His eyes traced her form once more, and his lip curled. "First year," she heard him say dismissively. Then he disappeared into the compartment.

Wonderful. Already drawing scorn. At least he was not in her year; he was clearly older than she was, and she doubted she see him much in the future.

The whistle blew, and the train began to move. Quickly, Tamarisk ducked into the nearest compartment, hoping that it would be easier to meet people if she was already sitting down somewhere.

There was someone in the compartment already. A boy. He was sitting in the far corner, next to the window, nose buried in a book. He did not even look up when she closed the door behind her, simply turned the page and said, "I think you have the wrong compartment."

She blinked. "I'm sorry. Were you expecting your friends?"

He snorted.

That wasn't very revealing. "Do you mind if I stay? I don't think I can I could quite handle trying to join a group of people. Too much pressure."

The boy looked up at her, surprise in his eyes. "I ... I agree," he admitted haltingly.

"May I stay?"

"If you wish." He nodded at the seat across from him and then returned to his book.

Tamarisk sat down and kicked her feet a few times on the seat. The boy showed no further signs of interest in her, which meant she could study him all she liked.

He certainly was not bright and shiny. His shoes were, though, almost obsessively so. She couldn't quite see her reflection in them, but they were shined to a near-mirror polish. His gray uniform slacks were creased sharply, though a touch too long, and his robes, though a faded black and unevenly hemmed, were neatly brushed. Nervously, she tugged at her own robes and wondered if his were the norm and she was just sloppy.

The boy raised his eyes again and frowned. "What are you looking at?" he asked warily.

"Nothing. I mean, you. I just ... I'm Tamarisk Fowler," she said, once again cursing her long-dead great aunt after whom she had been named.

"Severus Snape," the boy said. At least his name was not common either.

Tamarisk held out her hand. "It's nice to meet you."

Again, Severus looked at her warily, as if he were afraid she was going to do something. But, after a moment, he took her hand and shook it gingerly. "And you." He gave her something that almost looked like a smile.

"So," she said, sitting back. "Are you nervous? About starting a new school?"

He nodded a little reluctantly and placed his book on his lap. "A little. I'm not much for change," and Tamarisk had to smile at that. He sounded very adult, like he was repeating something he had heard people say many times before.

"It's not the change that scares me," she said. "I'm excited about all this. I just ... I hate going into something new and not knowing anyone. I'm always afraid I'll do something wrong and people will hate me."

"I haven't that worry. I know everyone will hate me," Severus said. "The few people I already know already do."

So, he was a wizard already. Born into the world. Tamarisk wondered if there were many like her. "I'm sure not everyone hates you," she said, more out of politeness than anything else. She did not really believe what she said, though. She knew how mean kids could be to each other. She'd never been universally reviled, but she had seen it happen to others. And, sadly, Severus did seem the type to be reviled.

His dark eyes seemed to flash at her. "They do. But I hate them, so it's only natural."

"Why do you hate them? Because they tease you?"

"No," he said shortly, as if offended that she had suggest he was so petty. "I have no time for people whose intelligence is sub-par."

"Sub-par?"

He nodded. "Most people are complete idiots. I see no reason to associate with people who can't carry on a simple conversation without being completely stupid."

Wow. Opinionated. Defensive. Arrogant. Her mom would love to sit down with Severus and dig through his psyche for a bit. "So are you really smart, then?"

Severus leveled a disdainful look on her and replied, "Yes."

Tamarisk tried not to squirm uncomfortably under his look. "Well, I'm glad to see modesty doesn't seem to be a problem."

"I see no reason I should be falsely modest. I'm smart, I know I'm smart, and so does everyone else. Why should I try to hide it or pretend it's not true?"

"I guess you shouldn't." She pulled her legs under her on the seat and leaned against the window. "Do you think I'm stupid?"

He stiffened and looked down at his book. "I don't know you."

"Don't you know how to make snap decisions? Most people do."

Severus turned the page. "You seem nice," he offered after a moment of silence. "You haven't managed to act imbecilic so far."

"I hope it doesn't," Tamarisk replied softly. "You're the only person I know at Hogwarts."

"You don't know ... anyone?" Severus looked up at her.

"No."

A guarded look dropped over his face, and his eyes narrowed. "Why not?"

Oh, this was not good. He seemed suspicious of her now, and she did not want that. He was, after all, the only person she knew, and she'd like at least one semi-friend going into this. "I'm, uh, my family. They aren't wizards or anything. I'm the first."

Severus swallowed hard. His hands moved a little restlessly over his book. "Oh," he said, voice quiet. "I didn't realize you were Muggle-born."

Tamarisk's heart sank. The way Severus had said Muggle-born let her know that there was something terribly wrong with being so. "Is that... bad?"

He hesitated, long fingers tapping softly on his book before he answered. "There are some in the wizard world who believe that Muggle-born wizards are inferior to pureblooded wizards. That they are dirty, polluted. For centuries, there has been debate as to whether Mudbloods should be sent to different schools than purebloods, or even not allowed to use their powers."

"So, do you hate me? For being a Muggle? Or, what did you call it? Mudblood?"

Severus's head snapped up, eyes burning. "Don't you ever call yourself that. It's a filthy insult, and only used when one wants to cut very deep."

"You said it," Tamarisk said, retreating into herself.

His pale cheeks colored. "I shouldn't have. I ... I don't dislike you. And I hate to think I'm as rude as others to someone who hasn't done me any harm. Yet."

"I like you too, Severus." Something in her relaxed, and she leaned against her seat. He might be strange, awkward, and a little rude, but at least he was someone. And he was not the usual type she was drawn to. He was unpopular, cynical, and smart. "I hope we can be friends."

Severus's eyebrow twitched, and he pretended to read his book. "I doubt it will happen. We're going to be sorted in different houses."

"How do you know?"

"I'm going to be a Slytherin. It's the house my mother was in, and her parents as well."

"What about your father?"

He froze before answering, "My father didn't attend Hogwarts."

"Oh. I didn't realize there were other wizarding schools."

"Do all Muggles go to the same school?"

She blushed and answered, "Of course not. I simply wasn't thinking. Do you want to be in Slytherin?"

He nodded. "I don't want to disappoint my family. Besides, each house has traits associated with them and I fit Slytherin most closely." He looked up again. "I hope you are sorted into Ravenclaw."

"Is that a good house?"

"None of them are bad houses. However, Ravenclaws are generally intelligent, resourceful, clever, and elegant."

"You think I'm elegant?" Tamarisk could not help but be pleased.

Severus shrugged and said, "I suppose. I've known you for all of twenty-minutes, so I don't really know. But, so far, you haven't done anything puerile and immature. If you're a Ravenclaw, we might be able to continue to associate with one another."

"What are the other houses? I mean, if I'm put into one of those, why can't we be friends?" she asked, assuming that was what he really meant.

"Well," he said, "there's nothing wrong with Hufflepuffs, really. But when the best thing you can say about someone is they're hardworking and loyal, one must wonder about their mental skills. Yes, the world needs people to fill in menial positions, and be friendly and loyal, but such people tend to be wearisome."

"And the other houses?"

Severus sighed. "House. There are four, and the last is Gryffindor. The natural rivals of the Slytherins. They're known for being brave and heroic."

"Which is bad because?"

"They don't like Slytherins, and we don't like them. Members from those two houses are never friends."

"Oh." Tamarisk looked away from him and to gaze out the window. "Then I hope I get into Ravenclaw as well. But, even if I don't, I'd still like to be friends."

He sighed and whispered, "No, you won't."

"Severus," she started, but was cut off by the compartment door sliding open.

A boy their age with dark black hair and wide eyes that sparkled with mischief, stuck his head inside. "Hello," he chirped, stepping inside "First years?"

Severus's face twisted almost immediately and he scowled at he intruders.

"Yes, we are," Tamarisk answered, realizing that, if allowed to speak, Severus was going to say something very impolite. "I'm Tamarisk Fowler and this is Severus Snape."

"I'm Sirius," the boy said. He shot an appraising look at Severus that made the hairs on the back of her neck rise. Something about him made her uneasy; he had the arrogant air of a bully about him, and she felt as if she and Severus were sitting targets for him.

Severus didn't pay any attention to Sirius, though. He opened his book and held it in front of his face, ignoring them both.

"Reading already?" Sirius said. "Don't you want to take the last few hours of freedom while you can?"

"When I'm in certain company, I need to keep myself occupied so my intelligence is not dulled by theirs."

For a moment, Sirius looked at Severus blankly. Then, his eyes widened and face darkened as he realized he'd just been insulted. "You little prat!" he exclaimed. "What the bloody hell is your problem?"

"I don't appreciate being interrupted." Severus turned the page.

Before Sirius could retaliate to what Tamarisk had to admit was appalling rudeness, she leapt from her seat and grabbed Sirius by the wrist. "So, Sirius is an interesting name. Is that like the star?"

Sirius glared at Severus a moment longer before turning his gaze to her. "Yes, it is," he said, tone slightly warmer. He glanced down at her hand and smiled. "Practically everyone in my family is named after a star. My brother Regulus, and my cousins, Andromeda and Bellatrix. It's not exactly a tradition or anything, but they all though it'd be neat. I like it." He sat down, pulling Tamarisk with him. "What about you? Tamarisk is an interesting name."

She shifted on the seat, trying to get comfortable. When she let go of Sirius's wrist, though, he took hers, which made her feel hot and embarrassed. "Thank you. It's an old family name. It's a kind of plant."

"It's pretty. Where are you from?"

"London."

"So am I!" He grinned, squeezing her wrist tighter. "Why haven't we ever met?"

Severus exhaled harshly. "She's a Muggle-born," he said contemptuously.

Ignoring Severus's contempt, Sirius's eyes lit up. "Really? That's fascinating. I've always wanted to meet someone from the Muggle world. What's it like?"

She shrugged. "Um, I don't know how to answer that. It's all I know, and wouldn't know how to compare it."

"How do you survive without magic?"

"Well enough," she responded. "How do you survive without television?"

"What's television?" His eyes bored into hers intensely, as if she were the only person in the world to him.

Despite herself, Tamarisk found that she was relaxing, even enjoying the boy's attention. "Exactly. It's just the differences between worlds, that's all."

Sirius nodded. "You'll have to tell me everything, though. I want to know."

"Sirius!" Another boy, this one with messy dark hair, stuck his head in. "The trolley's coming."

He turned and nodded. "Be there in a moment." Then he turned back to Tamarisk. "Come join me and my friends in our compartment."

Startled by the invitation, Tamarisk shot a look at Severus. He was reading, acting as if he was extremely absorbed by the text.

"Um, thank you, but I don't want to be rude. Severus and I were talking."

Sirius snorted. "I'm sure it was a fascinating conversation," he said, rolling his eyes. "I'm sure the little boy is perfectly happy with his book. He doesn't mind if you leave, do you, Snevers?"

Without looking from his book, Severus said, "I suppose not." He turned the page. "If you prefer to consort with inferior minds, you are free to go."

"I'm sure Tammy would rather be entertained by interesting people, than stuck in a compartment with a boring, snobbish, stuck-up git like you." He took my hand. "Come on, Tammy. We were going to buy some candy. You've never had wizard candy before, have you?"

"No, I haven't. It's different from regular candy?"

Sirius shrugged. "Does Muggle candy move?"

"Um, no."

Sirius nodded. "Then, yeah, it's different. Come on, it'll be fun, Tammy. It's me, my best friend James and a couple others. Lots of candy."

But Tamarisk shrank back at the thought of being surrounded by so many strangers who already knew each other. "Thank you for the invitation," she said. "But I think I'll stay here, thank you."

His face fell. "Why? You can't really prefer to stay with this prat. He's boring, Tammy."

"Well, at least he calls me by my correct name," she snapped. "Sorry," she said right away, upset that she'd snapped at someone just trying to be nice to her.

"It's okay." Sirius took her hand and squeezed it. "We won't hurt you. It'll be fun."

She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm ... shy. I'd rather wait until we got to school." She licked her lips nervously, and said, "It'll be easier."

Sirius studied her a moment before sighing. "Very well. But I'm bringing you a Chocolate Frog, and when we get to school, you have to tell me everything about the Muggle world. Promise?"

Tamarisk smiled and nodded. "I promise."

Sirius squeezed her hand and rose. "So long, Sneverus."

Severus didn't bother to respond. He was reading his book again and, in fact, didn't look up for at least fifteen more minutes. Tamarisk could tell he was angry, but didn't quite understand why. Yes, Sirius struck her as the type who might potentially be a bully, but Severus had been far more rude. He'd started everything, in fact. He had no right to be upset.

Tamarisk's mother said that everyone acted the way they did for a reason and Tamarisk should try to understand that reason. Even though she was disgusted at Severus's behavior, she tried to puzzle through why he might have behaved the way he had. He was shy, that much was obvious. And he'd said that people didn't like him. Perhaps it was a defense mechanism. Severus didn't give people to be mean to him first. It was stupid and self-destructive, but it made a twisted sort of sense.

If Tamarisk was a truly good person, she would stay friends with Severus even if he was mean. Not to her, of course, but so far, he hadn't been. But she could try to be the one person who was really his friend, to show him that he wasn't innately unlikable. It was what her mother would want her to do.

She just didn't know if she wanted to.

Sighing softly to herself, Tamarisk pulled her anagram book from her bag and flipped it open. She'd been working on the word roast mules for almost two weeks now. It was supposed to turn into a one word response that made sense; so far, she'd been unable to reach that response. Generally, she was really good at figuring out anagrams, but this one had her absolutely stumped.

Tmulesroast. Tulessoa. Toasmrules.

It'd be really funny, she decided, if it turned out some of her guesses were spells or something.

Souls mater.

That was neat, except matter was misspelled and the directions in the book said that it should be a one word answer. There were plenty of two word answers, of course, but the one word was the hardest.

Soul master.

Even better. Still not right. Maybe she wasn't ready for this level of anagrams. Generally, the words she played with formed more than one word; this one was an extra challenge.

Luetmoarssl.

Frustrated, Tamarisk crossed the word out and blew out a stream of hair. This was impossible. She guessed again, shook her head, and looked up.

Severus was looking at her.

When their eyes met, his cheeks turned a dull red and he looked back at his book. Thoughtfully, Tamarisk watched him a moment.

He glanced back at her. This time she was the one to look down.

Slum or eats.

No.

Tamarisk looked through her eyelashes. Severus was looking at his book but, as if sensing her eyes, looked up again. This time, neither one looked away and they got into a kind of staring contest.

Severus won. After she blinked. she looked back down at the book, depressed for no good reason. She didn't even know this boy and what she did know about him--proud, rude, arrogant--wasn't very encouraging.

"What is that?" Severus asked, breaking the silence.

Tamarisk looked up. "A book of anagrams." She wondered if wizards knew what anagrams were.

Obviously they did, because Severus nodded. "You like those?" He didn't sound the way people her age usually sounded when asking her the same question, like they couldn't believe anyone would do them outside of school or something.

"I do. Any kind of puzzle or riddle, really. My mum gave me this during the summer; I'm almost done except for this one."

Severus got up and moved so he was sitting next to her. "Roast mules?"

Tamarisk nodded. "It makes lots of words, but, according to the book, you can only make one, one-word word. I can't figure it out."

He frowned. "Rostmaules," he tried. Then he took her pencil and wrote, "Seulatroas."

"None of these are spells or anything, are they?"

"No," Severus said distractedly. "And the answer is in English, right?"

"Yes."

He tried another word, then crossed it out. "I know a spell that could decode it for you."

"No!" Tamarisk exclaimed, alarmed. "I don't want to cheat like that. I want to figure it out myself."

"Oh." He gave her an admiring look, then asked, "May I help?"

Tamarisk smiled. "I'd love you to help. Most of my friends back home don't like anagrams. It's nice to have one here who does."

Severus ducked his head, eyes on the paper in front of them. He didn't say anything, but Tamarisk thought that he looked secretly pleased.

They continued to work on the anagram until they got to Hogwarts where, as predicted, Severus was sorted into Slytherin. And, of course, because what is a story without irony, Tamarisk became a Gryffindor.