Disclaimer: I own nothing. J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter.
A/N: This is a Wishlist fic from a prompt provided by moondansr.
A/N2: Reviews are Good. This has been a subtle hint from the author - Please return to your regularly scheduled reading
Spoilers:Spoilers: Hmmm, I suppose up to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

part four: natural state

"…and the ingredients you gather should be stored in a cool dry environment…," he intoned blandly, this lecture as familiar to him as the back of his hand. Snape was almost bored with it himself and wasn't surprised to see some students hiding yawns as they jotted down notes.

It was almost startling when a hand shot up and seeing it's owner, he didn't even resist giving a sigh of annoyance which made much of the class duck it's head so as not to incur any wrath just by being in the way. But if he was to go on, he would have to call upon her.

"Yes, Ms. Lovegood," he said crossing his arms and raising his eyebrows – almost disappointed that this had no effect on her, she even smiled at him a bit instead of being the least bit quelled.

"Professor, are you referring to materials that are already dead?" she asked.

"Of course, Lovegood. We won't be working with live materials until Fifth Year Potions," he told her, turning away, glad that it was done with and he could continue.

"But Professors what about live creatures? The ones that are stored for future use? Would a living being be negatively affected by abrupt changes in temperature or being kept in low temperatures for a prolonged period?' she asked watching him, her quill held loosely in her hand.

He studied the girl, intrigued by her questioning, despite himself. "It is always best to keep live beings in a habitat as similar to their natural one as possible. If the creature is harmed by it's environment prior to the time it is needed, there are many potions and spells that - if it is found and treated soon enough - could revive it immediately. But I fear, Ms. Lovegood," he ended his smirk firmly in place again that you are asking questions in the wrong, forum. I am not your Care of Magical Creatures Professor, in case you failed to notice while you were busy looking out into space."

Some of the other students giggled nervously but there was no effect on Luna who continued to stare at him with her large silver eyes. "I know who you are Professor Snape," she said guilelessly, "and I asked because I trust your judgement more than most educators I have encountered within this school."

And there was a weight to her words (as well as a compliment) that left him feeling almost ashamed at what he had said to her. Snape ignored it and walked back to the front to finish the days lesson.

Opalia pulled back startled.

"No. No, no no no," she cried, many arms waving wildly (and it would look comical if she weren't clearly, so very upset).

Luna murmured comfortingly and tried to reach out to calm her new friend but found she could not move. She was so very heavy – and now, oh now she was starting to feel the cold.

"If you are to be my friend. And you are – I do not doubt your intent," the Giant Squid assured. "But I must not keep you here. You will not survive, you are not built for it as I am."

"I will visit you," Luna made sure to get out, although it was now difficult to speak.

She felt a surge of surprise and joy from Opalia (Did she think Luna would forget her so soon? Friends were important). "We will just make it on the bank next time then, Luna, hmm?" the squid joked happily.

And with that she moved swiftly - a tentacle wrapped securely around Luna and she was yanked not into memory but out –.