So I should really be working on my other story, the fact that I started writing it in January and are only 11 chapters in is sad, it never takes me that long to write and update, but my writer's block is very much effecting that story—sorry to all those that are reading it—but not this one apparently.

Thank you sweet-tang-honney, SapphireDreamer26, poscdm, JollyLoser, amusant, notwritten, and toriashley for the reviews

Disclaimer: I'm not talented enough to have written HP, if I was the world would view the Slytherins very differently

After his examination of her books, Dumbledore told Hermione to see him after her classes were finished for the day and then took them away with him, presumably to his office. When the Transfiguration class was finally dismissed many of the students attempted to corner her. 'What's going on?' 'Where are you from?' 'What does Professor McGonagall want to talk to you about?' 'What does the Headmaster find so interesting?' Hermione was able to escape them and lose herself in the river of students headed to their next classes. Unfortunately, there was no refuge there either as the younger students began asking her questions concerning some rather ridiculous rumors. 'Are you a spy from the ministry?' 'Are you a teacher's illegitimate daughter?' 'Are you related to You-Know-Who?'

Hermione actually responded to that last question. "Who's You-Know-Who?" she asked the fourth year Hufflepuff boy.

The boy with brown hair that brushed his shoulders looked at Hermione incredulously, "You must have amnesia." The boy then dashed back to his friends' sides and left a confused Hermione wondering who on earth the boy was talking about.

"Oi, Hermione!" a voice called her attention and with a glance over her shoulder was revealed to be James Potter, closely followed by his crew with Lily in front of him.

Sirius wrapped an arm around her shoulders and began apologizing. "We didn't mean to offend you or anything, anyway I can make up for it?" he asked with a grin.

Lily rolled her eyes and pulled Hermione away from him, "I think she'll pass." The two girls hurried away to a girl's bathroom and the redhead checked that no one was there. Once she confirmed that the bathroom was indeed empty Lily turned on Hermione. "What on Earth is going on?"

The brunette let out a groan of frustration, "Lily, I know as much as you do."

"Yeah right, you are covered in battle scars and have weird books that have managed to surprise the two teachers in this school that are never surprised. Dumbledore knows everything, the castle tells him everything, and McGonagall is pretty much unflappable. What was in those text books?"

"I don't know! I haven't even looked yet! All I know is that I woke up here a few days ago in the infirmary. And even if I did know something I am pretty sure that I have the right to my privacy, I don't even know you!" Hermione then jerked away from Lily and left for the exit.

"Hermione I'm sorry, this whole situation is weird and if you are involved with something dangerous I think I should know since I do live with you."

Hermione kept walking and said to her, "Don't worry, if you were in danger you would know. Dumbledore wouldn't risk your lives."

XXXXXXX

Hermione and Lily arrived at NEWT level potions at the same time but separately; Lily fuming about Hermione's secrets and Hermione about Lily's nosiness. Lily immediately went to the Gryffindor area of the classroom that consisted of Remus, Sirius, James, and one girl from Hufflepuff. The rest of the class was filled with Ravenclaw and Slytherin students. There were many open seats in the class, away from Lily, but taking any of those would leave Hermione isolated and she was already without supplies so that wasn't an option. After about a minute of debating and ignoring The Marauders' waves, Hermione took a deep breathe and sat down in the back next to the pale Slytherin she had noticed at the Welcoming Feast.

He barely had time to look at her in surprise and suspicion when Professor Slughorn came in. "Welcome class, I'm so glad that you all have chosen to continue your studies of potions. You all already know who I am so let's get started. Unfortunately, today will be a reading day so everyone please open your text books to page ninety-seven and begin reading." The large man was about to sit down and let his students do as instructed when Hermione raised her hand. "Yes Ms. Jean?"

"I'm afraid my school supplies won't be here for another few days."

"Oh, of course I completely forgot," he said, "Mr. Snape would you please share your book with Ms. Jean?"

For a split second Hermione wondered who Snape was before logic told her that it was the Slytherin boy she was sitting next to. Once that mystery was solved she was hit with the awareness that everyone was looking on with curiosity. As well as they could, at least, since they were in the back. 'Is there really nothing more interesting than the new girl sharing a text book?' as she casually scanned the curious—and in the Marauders case, furious—looks on everyone's faces her intuition kicked in. 'They don't care that I am sharing, they care about who I'm sharing with.'

Hermione turned back to her partner to see that he did not appear to be too happy about the situation. Up close she saw that his hair wasn't as greasy as it appeared but still lank and generally uncared for. His large nose was not naturally hooked but shaped that way after at least two breaks. His pale skin was sallow and his dark eyes were literally black, it was almost impossible to distinguish the pupil from the iris. Thin lips opened and a deep smooth voice that belonged to a man spoke, "You had better be a fast reader."

Hermione's eyes narrowed in annoyance at his attitude. "I am actually," she snipped. He did not respond, instead he leaned over his text and began to read. He didn't bother adjusting the book's position so Hermione was forced to scoot closer and look over his arm to read. When she came closer he flinched ever so slightly at the intrusion of his personal space and slid the book between the two of them before adjusting his body accordingly. He leaned away from her and took on a more casual position to read that kept him as far from her as the situation allowed. Hermione was a little offended but did not complain. A few minutes into reading she was nearly done with that page when Snape picked up his quill and began scratching some notes in the book. He appeared to be changing some measurements and stir count when he remembered she was there. It was obvious that he wanted to change more but opted instead to turn the page while giving Hermione a pointed look. After a quick glance at his indifferent face and irritated eyes she returned to her reading, her concentration only broken when the corner of her eye picked up on Snape's movement as his reached for then retracted from his quill.

XXXXXXX

"What is she doing sitting with him?" Sirius asked irately. He had an empty seat right next to him so why did she choose to sit with the greasy git when could have sat next to him?

"Well maybe you scared her off earlier, you flirt," Remus answered, trying to lighten the atmosphere though he was also hurt that his new friend didn't choose to sit with him.

"Why would she want to associate with that git? She knew she was going to have to share," James said, ignoring his blonde friend.

Remus knew his attempts would be pointless and decided to ask Lily what happened since she had to know. "Why were you two so angry with each other when you came in?"

"Because we don't trust each other," Lily said irritably, visibly ignoring Hermione and Severus. "I don't know if I buy the whole amnesia story but either way there is something weird going on here. I don't trust her."

"Why though, what happened?"

"I woke her up today," Lily whispered as she leaned in closer to not be overheard, "she was covered in scars, bad ones. Whatever she went through to get them no one should go through. Then in the bathroom I asked that she tell me what was going on and she got all defensive saying she didn't know and that she definitely wouldn't tell me."

"Maybe she has a good reason."

"Maybe she has a 'furry little problem'," James suggested.

Remus shook his head, "Dumbledore would have told us and what does that have to do with text books?"

"We'll find out soon enough, like we always do. In the meantime I hope Hermione steers clear of Snivellus," Sirius commented, "Did you see how she had to lean over him to read earlier? I bet he did that on purpose."

"I doubt it, Sev-I mean Snape isn't one to flirt…" Slughorn cut off Lily and all the other gossipers.

"As fun as socializing is I'm afraid that must wait until lunch, please return your attention to your texts."

AN: Sorry Lily lovers if she seems like a bitch (this is rated T, I can say that) but that is because from what I picked up in the stories she kind of is one. Oh and random trivia-like question, if you could have any job in the wizarding world what would it be? I personally would be an unspeakable

Now it is review time :)