Tamarisk first met Lily Evans in the girl's lavatory before breakfast on the first day of school. Lily was brushing her teeth; Tamarisk was dry heaving into the toilet.

"Are you all right in there?" someone called through the door.

Tamarisk swallowed hard and tried to order her stomach to stop jumping around so much. "I think so," she said after a moment. She took a piece of toilet paper and wiped her mouth. Then, she rose and exited the toilet.

A beautiful red headed girl with lovely green eyes was looking at her anxiously. "Are you ill? Do you need to go to the hospital wing?"

"Unless wizards have discovered the cure for nervousness, then, no," Tamarisk replied shakily.

The girl smiled at her sympathetically. "Ah, I see. Well, unfortunately, I think nervousness is a part of life even here. Sorry that."

"It's not your fault." Tamarisk went to the sink and washed her face.

When she looked up, the mirror said, "You look a bit peaked, dear."

She sighed and looked at the girl. "The mirrors talk," she said weakly.

"I know. It's brilliant, isn't it?" The girl grinned. "I take it your parents aren't wizards either?"

"No." An immense wave of relief washed over her, and she held onto the sink, feeling a little weak. "Oh, thank goodness, I was afraid I was the only Muggle-born here. I'm Tamarisk, by the way."

"I know. I remember you from last night. But you don't remember my name, do you?" Before Tamarisk could admit that she didn't, the girl said, "I'm Lily. And you look like you could use some support."

"I'm just all turned around right now, that's all. It's hard enough leaving for a new school, but a whole new world?" She shook her head. "Too much."

Lily laughed and took her by the arm. "You'll feel better after you eat breakfast. And then we start classes, so we'll be too busy to be all confused, right?"

"I hope so."

Lily was like a whirlwind who swept people into her sphere. Bright, intelligent, and wonderfully beautiful, she was also one of the most outgoing and genuinely nice people in the house. She drew people to her, and, the first day, the people she drew were the outcasts. There was Tamarisk, who was so nervous she could hardly remember her name when asked; Peter Pettigrew, a chubby, awkwardly shy boy who had a slight stutter; Wendy, a tall, horsy faced girl with buck teeth whom Sirius and James were already teasing mercilessly; and Jasmine, an befuddled and overwhelmed girl with gorgeous black hair.

Tamarisk suspected Lily of going out of her way to make the outcasts feel welcomed, and she loved the other girl for that. Most people she'd known in her life only used their popularity--or incipient popularity in this case--to further alienate those on the fringes. But Lily didn't; she was genuinely friendly and Tamarisk basked in her glow.

The day passed quickly and without much incident. They had Herbology first, followed by History of Magic, which had to have been the most boring class she'd ever sat through. After lunch they had Charms, which was a fun class, except for the fact Sirius kept teasing her. Little things, really. Tugging at the end of her hair and kicking her chair. Then, when they were trying to make a feather float, he got his into the air first and kept knocking her in the head with it. Finally, Remus Lupin came to her rescue and knocked Sirius's feather away from her with his, and they started feather fighting until Professor Flitwick made them stop.

By the end of the day, Tamarisk was feeling more comfortable with the school. The nervousness had faded and she was back to thinking of herself as a heroine in one of her father's books, something she hadn't been able to do since stepping onto the train yesterday morning. Of course, she wasn't beautiful and brilliant like any of them, but her father had always assured her he loved her more than those girls. But, still. Her life was suddenly an adventure.

She actually had a magic wand. And had used it today. Not well, of course. Hers had been the last feather to lift in Charms next to Peter's, and she'd had no control, especially with Sirius distracting her so. But, still. She'd done a spell. Done magic.

She was excited again about being here, but she was also feeling a bit overwhelmed. Her head ached, her skin hurt, her eyes felt gritty, and all through dinner, it felt as if every word that everyone said was trying to dig beneath her skin.

Which was how she'd ended up in the Owlery after dinner, sitting in a back corner under a shelf on a pile of old blankets. Her History of Magic book was open next to her, and she was referencing it in order to fill an entire twenty-four inches of parchment on the founding of the Ministry of Magic. It was terribly boring, but she knew if she didn't start it now, she'd never get it done, so she kept at it doggedly.

"What are you doing here?" a voice said suddenly, startling her.

She flushed when she saw Severus Snape standing over her, holding an envelope in his hand. "Um. I'm thinking. You?"

He arched and eyebrow and held the letter up. "Sending a letter to my father. By owl post. You do know about that, right?"

"Yes, I do."

Severus looked into the rafters and snapped his fingers. Immediately, a large, black owl with glossy feathers wafted down and landed on his arm. It really was a beautiful bird, and it stood quietly, leg outstretched as Severus tied the letter on. He fed it a treat, then lifted his arm. The bird took off.

"I don't think you're supposed to be in here," Severus said, turning back to her.

Tamarisk shrugged and turned her quill over in her fingers. "There's no rule specifically against it."

"I thought it implied."

"The Headmaster said we could not go into the Forbidden Forest or wander the grounds after dark. It is not dark and this is a good deal away from the forest. Unless forest means place where owls are kept in the wizarding world."

A smile touched his thin lips. "No, it does not." He hesitated a moment, then sat on the edge of the blanket he was sitting on. "How do you like it here?"

"It's wonderful. Like something out of a dream. You?"

"It is acceptable. It's the best school for wizards. My father approves. My dormitory is comfortable, and the teachers I had today seem ... competent. I think I'll do well."

Competent. That wasn't very flattering, but, then Severus Snape didn't seem the type to praise profusely. "I like it. The history professor seems a little ... dodgy, but he is dead. I guess you can't expect much from a ghost. He's boring, and it was impossible to pay attention in class, but at least most of what he wants comes from the book."

"What does he want? I have History of Magic tomorrow."

"Twenty-four inches of parchment on the founding of the Ministry of Magic." She hesitated, then said, "If you want to start now, I have extra parchment."

He shook his head. "No, thank you." He plucked at the blanket restlessly. "Did Sirius ever give you a chocolate frog?"

"No. He must have forgotten. He did put something sticky in my hair during Herbology, though. I had to go to the hospital wing to get it out."

Severus frowned moodily. "I think he fancies you."

"I think he's a silly little boy."

"Do you fancy him?"

She sighed, wishing he would have been satisfied with her silly little boy comment. "I don't know. He's handsome, but he makes it hard to like. I think I prefer his friend."

"James Potter?" He said the name with the same loathing as he used with Sirius. She wondered why he hated them so much.

"No. I mean Remus Lupin. He actually stood up for me while Sirius was teasing me. Now he's their best friend, but he still seems nice." She rubbed her fingers over the feather of her quill. "How was your day?"

"Dull. Transfigurations was ... mildly intriguing, but I have no use for Charms and I am ... terrible at flying." A faint blush colored his features. "I barely got my broom off the ground."

"Is it difficult?"

"I find it so. But I don't care, really. There's nothing intellectual to it. Any fool can fly a broom," he said scornfully.

Except you, apparently, she wanted to point out. But she kept silent. He was embarrassed enough as it was. She didn't want to make him feel worse. "Have you made any friends?" she asked instead.

His face soured. "I want none. I don't need friends."

"There must be somebody ..."

"Most people are stupid, boring, and puerile. They are not worth my time. Besides," he added, almost as an afterthought. "You can't really trust anyone in the Slytherines. We're all clever, but manipulative and sneaky." He raised a challenging eyebrow, but Tamarisk said nothing. The Sorting Hat had said as much last night, only in rhyme. "I saw you found a friend."

"Lily? Yes. I think. I mean, I like her a lot. But she probably just feels sorry for me or something." She sighed, thinking how she should be in the common room, trying to secure her place as Lily's best friend instead of hiding in the Owlery. She wanted to be there, really. Dinner had just been so noisy and overwhelming. It was soothing out here, and she'd sought the solitude without thinking what it might do to her social life.

Like losing out on a best friend. She hadn't thought of that.

"She's a very lovely girl," Severus said suddenly. "I saw her this morning." He paused a moment, seeming to be deep in thought. "I'm sure she doesn't feel sorry for you. I don't see why she should. You seem normal enough."

"Perhaps. But I feel out of place."

"I do too," he admitted quietly, eyes looking down at his lap. "At least you know how to make friends."

"Well, yes. But, then, I don't show contempt for everyone I meet, like you seem to."

He seemed about to say something when Professor McGonagall entered. "What are you two doing here?" she demanded, sounding startled.

Severus rose to his feet stiffly. Instead of answering, he looked at her without talking, a sullen look on his face.

"Sorry, Professor," Tamaris said, standing as well. "I was feeling a little overwhelmed, so I cam out here where it was quiet. Severus found me, and we've been talking."

"Overwhelmed? Are you all right, or do you need to go to the hospital wing?"

"I'm fine, now. It was just a headache."

"Then I suggest you return to your dormitories at once. Both of you."

"Yes, Professor."

They both left the Owlery, Severus at a much slower pace than she. She was puzzled by his sudden insolent attitude; he seemed as if he wanted Professor McGonagall to get mad at him or something.

When they reached the main staircase, Severus stopped. "My dormitory isn't up that way."

"Oh. All right." She put her hand on the banister and bit her lip. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"I believe we have double Potions tomorrow."

"No, I meant after school. Do you want to meet the in Owlery again."

He blinked. "Why?"

Stupid, stupid, stupid. "Because I like talking to you," she replied, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "And maybe you can give me a hand with my homework. You're very smart, and I'm new to all of this."

Severus studied her a long moment before saying, "You won't be there."

"Yes I will. In the Owlery after dinner."

"No. You won't."

Tamarisk rolled her eyes. "Very well, maybe I won't. You'll just have to come and see if you're right." She smiled. "Goodnight, Severus." She turned and briskly climbed up the stairs.

His reply was soft, so soft she almost missed it. But, when she was halfway up, she heard the words, "Goodnight, Tamarisk," float up after her, bringing a smile to her face.