While Rhiannon was struggling through Potions class, Melody Foxwood was absentmindedly doodling in the margin of her Transfiguration book. Her friend, Cory Hunte, glanced at her drawing and his eyes widened with shock.

"Mel, is there any particular reason you've written Professor Snape's name inside a giant love heart?" he asked curiously.

She looked up, suddenly realising where she was, "Huh? Oh, crap. No, I was just daydreaming."

"About Professor Snape?"

"No! Just random thoughts. I don't know why I wrote his name. I wasn't thinking I guess."

He looked sceptical but decided to drop the subject, "Okay, if you say so."

She sighed inwardly as he turned back to his work, You're gonna have to be more careful girl. I mean, Cory's great and all, but he just wouldn't understand this.

"Could you please remain behind after class Miss Foxwood? I'd like to talk to about your recent behaviour." Professor McGonagall said as she dismissed the other students.

Cory cast her a sympathetic glance before following the horde of students filing out of the classroom. Without her friend by her side, Melody suddenly felt very small. She knew her school-work had slipped and she had been daydreaming in class more often. She had noticed the teachers wondering what was wrong, why the normally good student had suddenly started failing. But it wasn't her fault, it was Professor Snape's.

If only he wasn't so… so… Oh, I don't know. All I know is I can't help feeling this way.

"Miss Foxwood, could you please explain to me why the last two essays you submitted have received D's?"

"I dunno Professor. Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that you gave them D's." she replied smartly.

"Honestly Miss Foxwood, you used to be such a bright student. What happened?"

"I guess I just decided I couldn't be fucked anymore."

McGonagall looked aghast, "Twenty points from Slytherin for using such filthy language. And I shall be asking your Head of House to speak to you about this. Now get to your next class."

Melody simply shrugged, not wanting McGonagall to know how scared she was.

Oh great, a meeting with Professor Snape. What an excellent opportunity to make a complete fool of myself. Thanks for that McGonagall, dumb bitch!

---

Unfortunately for Melody, she had Potions that day, straight after lunch. Even more unfortunate was the fact that she had seen McGonagall talking to Snape so there was no way of getting out of the meeting. Cory understood why she was nervous, even though he was in Slytherin he knew that Snape was the nastiest Professor in the school. He had no way of knowing the real reason for her nervousness, and she hoped he never would know.

Anyway, true to her suspicions, Snape asked her to remain behind after Potions. She grimaced and told Cory to meet her in the library, before turning to face the Potions Master.

"Well Miss Foxwood, what do you have to say for yourself?"

She shrugged nonchalantly, even though her insides felt like they were on fire.

"I've received a complaint from Professor McGonagall that you've been failing Transfiguration and used rather disgusting language when asked to explain yourself. I've also noticed a decline in your Potions grades. I will not have my time wasted like this, now answer my question."

"I… can't."

"Why not, do you have no explanation?"

"I do, it's just you don't want to hear it."

"If I did not wish to hear it, would I have asked?"

She could tell he was getting angry now but there was no way she would tell him the truth so she just shrugged.

"Fine, you can have detention every night until you decide to tell me. Now get out of my sight."

She turned on her heel and stalked out of the classroom, Great, detention with Snape, just what I needed. She snickered, thinking of the possibilities, Oh Professor, I've been such a bad girl. Please punish me.

---

Later that night Melody slowly walked down to Professor Snape's office, her steps dragging with obvious unenthusiasm. She hesitated when she arrived at the door but eventually raised her hand and knocked softly on it.

"Enter." Snape commanded curtly, "Ah, Miss Foxwood, have you decided to give me your explanation yet?"

"No sir." She replied.

"Very well then, there are some cauldrons over there that need scrubbing. Get to work."

She scowled at him and stomped over to the rather large stack of disgustingly grimy cauldrons, wondering whether his wrath at her confession would be preferable. No, somehow I think I'd rather scrub cauldrons.

"I've seen students like you before, who's ego's have become so swollen they consider themselves above everyone else. Although I never expected such an attitude from one of my own students."

She gritted her teeth and scrubbed the cauldron angrily.

"You think that you can do whatever you wish without consequence, that you are somehow superior to myself. Well, I hate to inform you, but I am your professor and as such you will show me the appropriate respect. Now, I'm going to ask you again, why have your grades slipped so suddenly?"

She growled and glared at him, anger blazing in her eyes, "You want to know what's wrong Sir!"

"I believe we've already established that."

"Well sir, I've fallen in love with someone who I know does not love me back."

"That's why you've been behaving so stupidly? What an idiotic reason to throw you're future away." He replied, stunned.

"I don't believe I asked your opinion Sir!" she shouted, throwing her bag over her shoulder and marching to the door.

"I did not give you permission to leave Miss Foxwood."

"So what? I'm sick of this."

"If you take one step out that door I'll see to it that you're expelled."

"GO AHEAD! AT LEAST I'LL NEVER HAVE TO SEE YOU AGAIN! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT ANYWAY!" she screamed, bursting into tears and running away.

---

Rhiannon was heading back to her dormitory when Melody ran right into her and both girls tumbled to the ground.

"Hey!" she exclaimed, "Watch where you're going."

"I'm sorry, are you okay?" Melody asked.

"Yeah…" she tried to push herself up but gasped as a sharp pain tore through her wrist, "No, I think I've sprained my wrist."

"Oh no, I'm so sorry. Come on, I'll take you to the Hospital Wing." Melody helped Rhiannon up and led her down the corridor.

"Do I know you?" Rhiannon asked as they walked.

"Nope, don't think so."

"Yes I do, you're Cory Hunte's best friend aren't you?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Last year he dated my best friend."

"Oh." Melody turned away, "Well, here you are. I hope you're wrist gets better."

---

AN: Okay dudes, that evil new Harry Potter book has pretty much crushed this fan fiction but I'm gonna continue with it anyway.