Disclaim: No money whatsoever, but, oh Merlin do I wish so…$$... J.K owns all the original characters :'-(, but Sylvia Sadler and whoever that you have never seen before are my own creation, I swear! The plot is mostly my idea, although I did get the inspiration from other people.

Pairing: Severus/OC, I am thinking of HGDM, but I'm still not sure, suggestions are welcomed with open arms, along with ideas of Harry's partner, Thanks

I know I updated really late (shame on me), I'm sorry, but I am now in year 12 and I'm having my HSC in, like less than half a year, so……just forgive me, okay? Thanks a bunch.

Secrets of the Snake-charmer:

Chapter 2

"Settle down" said Severus coldly, shutting the door behind him.

Sylvia was not surprised to see all fidgeting stopped; she had seen how intimidating Snape is to the students. Although this is only the second week of Sylvia's staying, she had already gathered a pretty good idea of what the school is like, and the fact that Slytherins are not popular among the other houses had not changed in the past years. In fact, Slytherin itself had not changed much.

Different "welcomes" has been given to Sylvia from the Slytherins, some as simple as a long stare, some contain full length speeches, some as cold as ice, but one thing stays the same, that is the attention she was receiving. Knowing it would probably bring her troubles, Sylvia had decided to reduce the attention, and supported this decision by sitting in the corner at every class, and disappears during free time. The task of making herself unnoticeable has always been particularly easy in Potions, because there are so many dark corners. But no matter how much she is swallowed by the dark, there were always two pairs of eyes on her, they belong to two very different people, but burnt her with the same curiosity.

Their curious eyes were received quite well by Sylvia. True, she didn't want too much attention, but that didn't mean she wanted none at all. If Sylvia could get Hermione Granger to be interested in her, which she believed to be the case, then she would be able to get close to the girl. Hermione herself is out of the ordinary, but it is the fact that she is Harry Potter's best friend that attracted Sylvia. The-Boy-Who-Lived, why the hell would people want to remind him of the losing of his parents is beyond me. She needed a way to get close to the boy, to watch over him and to make sure he would not do anything stupid and bring them a hell lot of troubles, which he seem to has a talent of, or at least Severus believes so. In order to get Hermione more curious about her, Sylvia had performed extraordinarily excellent in just about every of her subjects, especially Potions, well, she was sorted into Slytherin.

Draco Malfoy's open stares, on the other hand, had been welcomed for different purpose. Sylvia was sure that they would meet each other soon, she as herself. But before that, she had to ensure that the boy to be immensely interested in her. She had managed it, quite easily, in fact. It's logic. There is just no way that a Malfoy would not be interested in a newly transferred Slytherin who created so much mystery. Sylvia knew that Draco followed her during the breaks, stared at her in the common room, and always kept an eye on her. She didn't mind it, truth be told, she was quite happy that the boy had been paying attention to her; but apparently, his fan clubs were not impressed. Those annoying brainless girls had taken a strong dislike for her and she was sure that sooner or later, they would give her trouble. That does not concern Sylvia the least bit, she was used to these things, but the only problem was that Sylvia couldn't hurt them……too much. Albus would not allow any of his students get hurt, no matter how irritating they proven to be. Besides, many of them are Slytherin, and their parents won't be too happy if Sylvia did hurt them, even if most of them will be too scared to say anything.

Sacrificing her sleep time had been worth it, she had finally settled all the details with Albus. She had also found a way out of school without anyone noticing, thanks to the Marauders. The only problem seemed to be the map, the Marauders' Map, which was currently at the hand of none the other than the Harry Potter. That was not very good news to them. Sure, Potter will be able to tell when the danger is coming if he has the map, but he may see things that are not meant for him as well. Albus had agreed to look into this; all Sylvia could hope for was that he would be able to remember this before it's too late.

What is he going to do? This question had intrigued her for a while now. She could not forget the cold, high-pitch laugh that accompanied his 'speech', he had just came back, he was restless, he was planning something big, and he was very excited, that is assuming he was still capable of feelings; but nevertheless, he wanted them to be active. This would not be the best of news; more activities for them would surly mean more harm to other people. At least he doesn't want to make it public……yet.

Absent-minded, Sylvia managed to finish her potion quickly, but still as perfect as ever. Turning her head, she saw to her amazement, the perfect colour of Hermione's potion. Not so far away, the cauldron in front of Draco Malfoy was also simmering a healthy colour, although not as ideal as Sylvia's or Hermione's, it was still quite impressive for a fifth-year and a first-timer. His talent for potions, no doubt, would have been inherited from his mother. Narcissa has always been good in Potions……and most of the other subjects.

Speaking of being impressive, Hermione Granger has undoubtedly hit the list. It was certainly very rare to see a fifth……no, to see anyone brew the potion so successfully for their first time with it. If only Slughorn is here, she would surely be in his little club.

-- -- --- -- -- --- ---- --- ---- --- -- -- --- -- -- --- ---- --- ----

"Hey." An even voice said from across the table.

Without raising her head, she had known it was Draco Malfoy, only a Malfoy would wore a school uniform made with such fine material. Kept her head bury in the book, she acted as if she has not heard the greeting, if one could call it that, and kept on reading, but the book didn't seen that interesting all of a sudden.

"Hey, Sadler." Having no choice but to address the girl, Draco felt annoyed, no one, no one except the Gryffindor idiots, dare ignoring a Malfoy, who does she think she is?

"Hello, Malfoy."

……

Unable to bear the uncomfortable silence, Draco removed the books on the bench opposite to Sylvia and sat down. He had to admit, that being alone with the girl was……tense, Draco had only ever felt like that with his father and Professor Snape.

"What are you reading?" He said without the slightest hint of interest.

A question directed at her, although without addressing again, should I teach him to be polite? Glancing at Draco from behind the book, Sylvia decided against ignore him, he probably can't take it anymore. "The Legends, it is a book about Ancient Runes." Her reply had given him no easy way to continue his "small talk".

"Interesting." Draco said, after a few seconds, with a voice that clearly indicate he didn't mean it, "So you like Ancient Runes?"

"Yes, quite." Sensing the blonde's anxiety, Sylvia added, "What about you?" Well, I got to give him a chance, but why the attempt of small talks all of a sudden?

"Me? Quite as well. Um, what is your favourite subject? "He was evidently relieved.

"Potions." Hearing what he wanted, Draco smirked.

"Really? How coincidental, it happens to be my favourite subject as well." Draco, for the first time since the start of this conversation, looked sure, "You know the Potions Project that Professor Snape mentioned yesterday?"

"Yes." Sylvia, with the book now closed, was looking now at Draco with a raised eyebrow. Potions project? Why……

"Who are you partnering with?"

Ah, I see, but still, why?

"I am not sure yet, I mean, I have just came, I don't really know anybody." Smirking, Sylvia looked at the blonde, waiting.

"I was wondering if you would like to partner with me. " It was not posed as a question; of course, Draco had thought it to be an honour.

"Sure, why not. It would be an honour." Sylvia looked pleased, she had guessed it before he asked the question and thought of this as a good opportunity to get to know the boy; however, she was rather annoyed with his almighty tone that said, "Do not refuse".

"May I ask," This stopped Draco, who had got up from the bench and was preparing to leave, "as to why the sudden alliance?"

"We wouldn't want the Gryffindors to get the best result, would we?" With that, the Slytherin was gone, leaving a smirking Sylvia, who knew fully well that was not the entire truth.

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"But Draco... " Pansy Parkinson said with a voice that was enough to make Sylvia's hair stand up. "Anyone would be fine, why her?" Accompanying the sickening sweet voice was the daggers sent to Sylvia, who totally ignored her.

"Why not?" To Pansy's utter displeasure, Draco was almost……amused, "She is a Slytherin, a pureblood, and is good in Potions. I don't see any problem with the arrangement, and I don't see why you would either?"

"But, but, but she is new, who knows what she is like. What if……"

The bell saved Draco from the hassling of Pansy, who was completely oblivious to his darkening facial expression. Sending Draco a sympathetic look, Sylvia walked past them smirking.

Settle down next to the black-haired girl, Draco surprised everybody by greeting her, "Hey, Sadler."

"Hello Malfoy." Seeing the Slytherins exchange significant looks, she smirked again, "How did you managed to escape her?" Remembering the scene in the Great Hall, where Pansy had tied herself to Draco, Sylvia couldn't help but laughed.

Turning his head in surprise, Draco smirked when he recovered from the shock, which took only a split second, "I have my ways."

"Have you started the research about the Potions Project, did you manage to get the information about the poisons and the antidotes?"

"Yes. I am almost finished."

……

"What!" Draco stared at her in obvious shock, "but Professor Snape had only given out the assignment last week."

"I don't have someone tailing me all weekend, fortunately." Sylvia looked pointedly at Draco, whose face has turned to a strange shade of green.

Avoiding her smirking eyes, Draco replied rather grumpily, "It's not my false that she would not stop bothering me."

"You should consider yourself lucky, you know, that someone likes you, so much."

"Not if it's her." Draco looked at Sylvia, who started to grow suspicious as he started to look more and more calculating, "Maybe, we can do something to stop from her thinking that she could be my girlfriend by tailing me, for the project's sake."

"We?"

"Yes, we." The raising eyebrow had received a smirk as a reply.

I apologise for the lack of action and Severus in this chapter, it's mainly backgrounds and thoughts, just thought I might introduce Sylvia better. I promise there would be more action next chapter, and of course, more Severus. And please review, I just love feedbacks, suggestions welcomed. Thank you.

Shadowfia