/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /

Chapter Five

As the days wore on, I found myself becoming more and more involved with my classes and schoolwork. It seemed like I became a totally different person as I slowly forgot about my past life and the events that happened there. I had a new life now and the old one seemed completely distant.

One day I was down at breakfast when the usual morning owls came flying in from outside. Not expecting any mail, I completely ignored them until an owl landed on the table next to my pumpkin juice and squawked loudly. Wondering who could possibly be writing to me, I took the piece of parchment from the owl's leg and opened the letter with anticipation and began to read.

Severus,

I haven't heard from you since the first day of school and I have been wondering what you've been up to. There is a Hogsmeade date for third years and up for this Saturday, but I have arranged special permission for you to accompany them. Please meet me at the Three Broomsticks for a drink and we can discuss your progress so far at Hogwarts.

Always Yours,

Mother

Staring at the parchment, I reread my mother's words. Discuss my progress so far at Hogwarts? Why couldn't she just ask me to answer her by letter? It would probably be easier than meeting her up at the Three Broomsticks. But she was still my mother and I had to heed her for a few more years yet.

Taking a quill and ink out of my duffel bag, I wrote a reply to her on the back of the parchment and retying the letter to the owl's leg, I watched the owl fly off again, disappearing through the open window. Deep in thought, I continued with my breakfast in silence.

Just then, Lucius Malfoy plopped down next to me and began to put toast and scrambled eggs on his plate. Ever since I had said we could be friends, Lucius had taken to being with me almost daily. I just hoped that it wasn't out of pity.

"I am utterly famished," Lucius exclaimed between bites of toast, "I swear they work us too hard and burn off our energy to make us eat more."

"Then you should eat more, Lucius," I replied, swallowing the piece of toast I had in my mouth.

"I do eat a lot, but it never seems enough," Lucius stated haughtily. "What's with you, Snape? You never act like this way."

"I got a letter from my mother if you want to know," I said, pushing my plate away from me and taking a sip of my juice.

"So?" Lucius said. "What's the point?"

"So, the point is she wants me to go to Hogsmeade with the third years and up and meet her at the Three Broomsticks to discuss my 'progress so far at Hogwarts'. How cheap is that?" I asked.

Lucius shrugged. "I would just see it as an advantage to get out of Hogwarts and as a rare opportunity to go there. After all, people younger than third year aren't allowed."

"Yes, but I'm not really fond of going, we're bound to have tons of homework over the weekend and I do not wish to delay finishing it," I exclaimed.

"Surely you can make it wait, it's not as if it'll have to be turned in the next day," Lucius pointed out.

I rolled my eyes. "You, of all people, should realize how important all of this is. Our careers are based on what we do at Hogwarts. I don't wish to jeopardize it and you least of all."

Lucius threw up his hands. "Hey, don't get so analytical on me here, Snape. I just see that we all run our own races here and anyways, it's time for you to take a break, and you've been putting your nose to the grind since we got here. It's time to challenge your mind in other aspects, relax."

"I do challenge my mind, Malfoy. My classes give me all the stimulation I need," I stated simply.

"Your own race there, buddy."

Just then, I noticed James and Sirius walk past the Slytherin table, finally finding a seat at the Gryffindor table. I narrowed my eyes. They had become my worst nightmare; they lost no chance to torture me when none of the teachers were around. Quickly shoving a book I had out back into my duffel bag, I rose to leave as quickly as possible. Best leave while my enemies were preoccupied.

"Hey, Severus, where are you going?" Lucius called out behind me as I started to leave.

"To class, I'm going to be late. And I want to talk with my teacher before class starts so I have to leave now," I called back.

"Overachiever," I heard him say before I left the Great Hall and hurried down the long, narrow corridor of to my next class.