Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the invention of Ms. J.K. Rowling. I do not own the characters in any way, shape, or form. I do, however, claim Armina Wilkins, her family, random students, and the plot.

A/N: Thank you guys so much for your reviews. I'm very happy that so many have read and, hopefully, enjoyed. So, onto more pressing matters. Chapter Three continues to build the relationship between Armina and Severus. Hope you enjoy!

Dismal Photographs of Yesterday

Chapter 3: A Strange Fascination

Armina entered Snape's classroom, extremely early this time, ready for her detention. The burn on her forehead at nearly disappeared, but Madame Pomfrey had insisted that she keep it bandaged for at least one more day. She had now began to mess with her bangs, attempting to hide the wound in order to ward off any teasing for her stupidity.

Snape sat behind his desk, as he usually did, seemingly engrossed in a book. He looked up as she entered the classroom, but did not move. Armina stopped before his desk, anticipating a lecture about last night's incident.

"Good Evening, Professor," she greeted hesitantly as she pushed her glasses back up onto the bridge of her freckled nose.

"You're early," he stated simply, not looking up from his book.

"Yes, sir," she replied, wringing her hand. "I didn't want to make you angry again."

"Indeed." Snape closed his book and placed it in a desk drawer. He glanced back up at her, appearing to be staring her down. "Due to your stupidity and inability to remember simple instructions, you will be scrubbing every inch of this floor with soap and water. Both concoctions were cleaned up shortly after your departure last night, but you will be scrubbing nonetheless. Are my instructions plain enough for your memory and comprehension?"

"Yes, sir," she sighed, looking down at her feet.

"The bucket in over there," he stated, pointing toward the far corner of the classroom. "Get started."

Armina strode over to the bucket and began her job. She finished about half of the room in an hour. She stopped, her back and knees aching from leaning over the cold stone. Crossing her legs in front of her, Armina leaned against the wall opposite Snape, who had commenced grading class work.

"Professor Snape?" she exclaimed, simply wanting to hear something other that silence.

"What is it, Wilkins?" he replied, peering up from the paper he had been reading over.

"Why are you so mean?" she blurted out before she could stop herself. Her hand flew to her mouth so fast, her mouth stung from the impact.

"Pardon?" he hissed, eyes flashing dangerously.

"I mean---you always seem to be in a bad mood----and you are quite harsh when it comes to students---why is that?" Armina realized that she was merely digging a deeper hole then ever necessary. Oh boy! I have done it now!

Snape was silent for a moment. No one had ever actually questioned his actions like this. He wasn't quite sure how to answer. He leaned back in his armchair, staring at her in annoyance.

"How is this relevant to your job?" he inquired, setting down his quill.

"It isn't, sir, and I understand if you don't want to talk about it," Armina said, breaking the awkward silence that had fallen over the room. "I mean, why talk to a stupid girl like me. It's slightly hypocritical anyway. I don't like talking to people either." She smiles. "It makes you feel good sometimes though, you know, just talking."

Snape merely stared at her, the vein beginning to bulge above his eye. Armina took this as hint and retrieved the rag from the soapy water. She got up onto her knees and began to scrub the dingy stone once again.

"I am easily annoyed by students," he stated, taking her by surprise. Armina sat up and gawked at Snape. She hadn't actually expected an answer to her question. "They are all ignorant and judgmental. They pick on the visibly weak and praise those who are visibly stronger. It annoys me. Are you satisfied?"

She smiled. "Doesn't that make you feel better, Professor?"

"Actually, it makes you seem more annoying than you already are." Snape took up his quill and began to scribble grades upon papers and in a book beside them. Armina hadn't budge, expecting him to criticize her work on the floor. "Are you finished?"

"No, Professor," she sighed, picking up her rag again.

Snape peered up every now and then to check on her progress. About an hour later, Armina threw the rag done in her bucket triumphantly. She stood and carried it over to Snape's desk and awaited further instruction.

"I'm finished, Professor Snape," she exclaimed, thinking of the warm bed awaiting her in Ravenclaw dormitory.

Snape glanced up, irritation quite visible on her face. "Are you, now?"

"Yes, sir," she answered with a smile.

"Why are you so happy?" he questioned, becoming increasingly irked by her presence.

"I've finished my detention, haven't I?"

Snape surveyed her work. "Yes, yes. You may go now," he replied, waving her away with a flick of his wrist.

Armina turned and headed for the staircase. "Good night, Professor," she chirped. "I hope you have a better day tomorrow."

Snape stared after her. What was it about that girl that made him want to kill someone? Why was she so cheerful? He shook away these thoughts and retired, slightly more confused then he had ever been.

"What do you know about Professor Snape?" Armina asked Cho Chang as she entered breakfast the next morning.

"Excuse me?" Cho replied, looking around to see who was watching them.

"What do you know about Professor Snape?" she repeated.

"Only that he is the most hated professor ever. Why do you want to know?"

"He fascinates me." Armina smiled, and stood from her place. "Do you know anybody that would have information on him?"

Cho eyed her suspiciously. "I suppose Miss Know-It-All, Hermione Granger, could tell you something. I suppose there isn't a single fact that she doesn't know." The sarcasm the dripped from every word made her feelings toward Hermione obvious. "Why don't you go talk to her?"

"Thank you, Cho. Where can I find her?"

Cho looked about, searching the Great Hall. She pointed toward the Gryffindor table and turned back to Armina. "She's over there."

"Thank you!"

Armina rushed over to the far table, looking for Hermione. She spotted the bushy haired Gryffindor towards the middle. She sat beside a red haired boy and seemed to be involved in a conversation with the dark hair bloke across from her.

"Pardon me, Hermione," she greeted as she took a seat beside the brunette who seemed surprised by her appearance.

"Yes?" she replied, flashing a friendly, but uncertain smile.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I was told that you could help me." Armina removed a notepad and pen, the only writing utensil other than a quill that she had brought to Hogwarts, from her messenger bag, ready to take notes.

"What is it you need help with?"

"I was wondering what you could tell me about Professor Snape?"

Hermione looked at her, seeming intrigued by her question. "What do you want to know?"

"Anything you can tell me."

"Well, I honestly don't know much of any importance. Why do you ask?"

"I want to learn more about him."

"Interesting," she replied. "I'm sorry that I can't help you."

"I can," said the boy across from them. Armina glanced over at him and immediately recognized the scar upon his forehead.

"Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed. "You're Harry Potter!"

She gawked at him for a moment. She had never actually met Harry in person, but had heard of his actions through gossip. Seeing that she had been making him uncomfortable, Armina immediately reverted her eyes back to her note pad.

"I'm so sorry! I don't mean to stare," she apologized.

"It's all right," he replied. "So, you want to know about Snape, right?"

"Yes, everything you know."

Harry stood up. "I'd rather not talk about it hear." He turned to the pair he had been sitting with. "I'll see you guys later."

"Okay, Harry," the red haired boy replied. "I'll catch you in Potions."

Harry waved to his friends and lead Armina out of the castle onto the grounds. The sky was overcast, and a slight breeze was causing the lake's surface to ripple. The sat down beside it and Armina retrieved her note pad.

"Okay, Harry. What do you know?"

"More than I wish to," he sighed, looking out over the lake. "He didn't have the best time here when he was a kid. He was picked on quite a bit, especially by my father." He paused and gazed at Armina who was furiously taking down every word, biting her lips in concentration. She stopped when she noticed his stare. "He was sort of the loner type. Didn't seem to like people. I guess this made him seem odd to most people and he was viewed as an easy target."

"I see," she uttered, pushing her glasses back up on the bridge of her nose.

"I remember Sir---I mean Professor Lupin once said that he was often off playing with a chemistry set. He also said Snape had a fascination with the Dark Arts. Let's just say he ran into some trouble with them after her left school. Everyone was quite surprised that he got the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, especially me."

"Interesting! Anything else, Harry?"

"That's all I've got," he said with a shrug. "Why do you want to know about Snape anyway?"

"He fascinates me! He's quite an intriguing individual. I think I can relate to him."

"Good luck with that. Sorry I couldn't be of more help."

"Thank you, Harry. You helped a great deal. Is there anyone else who could possible give me information."

"Other than Snape, no." Harry stood and began to walk away. "See you around."

"Goodbye, Harry."

She looked back down at her notes. I have to know more, she thought determinedly. I have to understand him. I don't completely understand why, but I feel like I should.

A/N: A fascination, eh? Hmm...a fascination? Anyway, please review. Suggestions are always welcome. Thank you to everyone who helped me to fix my original error in Chapter One, the house switching was thoroughly embarrassing. A special thanks to Miss Sunkist for being such a wonderful reviewer. Remember to review. Reviews make me happy and it is extremely depressing to see my hits continue to go up and not my review count.