And here is chapter 2! Thank you to everyone who reviewed/favorited the last chapter and I hope you all enjoy this one! Don't forget to review!

Chapter 2

If the first day of classes was an omen for how the rest of the year would turn out, then I wanted to go home.

It was bad enough when I woke up late, exhausted from my episode the previous evening. Lily shook me awake before she left, and I bolted out of bed into the shower. With no time for breakfast, I hurried down the corridors as fast as I could to retrieve my timetable from the Great Hall. However, Peeves tricked me on the way down. I'd reached for the door handle of a shortcut I knew, but it wasn't a handle. It was like taking hold a rotten banana, and whatever it was fell apart in my hands, leaving a sticky, smelly residue.

"Urgh!" I groaned, shaking my hand to rid it of the slime.

I heard a gleeful cackle from the top of the column next to me, and looked up to see Peeves sitting there, grin nearly splitting his face in two.

"Oh, bugger off, Peeves!" I snapped, clearing the gunk off the door with my wand before bustling through.

I nearly had to run the remainder of the way to the Great Hall after washing my hands in the bathroom (Cleaning charms on skin? Bad idea. Trust me.). Praying that my first class wasn't on the other side of the school, I snatched up my schedule from the Gryffindor table and breathed a sigh of relief. Potions was first.

So I rushed down to the dungeons and dropped into my seat next to Lily just as the bell rang to signal class time. She gave me a sideways glance and laughed. "You lucky little–"

Professor Slughorn bustled in, loudly announcing the start of class.

My next class was Care of Magical Creatures. And for a "first day treat," as Professor Kettleburn called it, we got to feed the baby Grindylows before they were released into the lake. He really should rethink the definition of "treat."

As I lowered a piece of kelp into the tank, the baby Grindylow's beady black eyes got an evil glint. It jumped up, out of the water, and snatched the kelp out of my hand. But in the process, its teeth clamped down on one of my fingers.

I yelped and shook my hand frantically in an effort to shake it off. It finally fell back into its tank with a splash, shooting me a disgruntled glare as it swam to the bottom.

I cursed and held my bleeding, throbbing hand to my chest. Professor Kettleburn hurried over. "Miss Jones, is something the matter?"

"The little blighter bit me!" I cried, showing him my hand.

"Oh, dear, that's no good," he clucked. "Ah, I had a scar from a Grindylow at one point– of course, it's not there anymore, hehe." He gestured to his hand that had only two fingers.

Thank you, Kettleburn. I feel great now, I thought.

"Ah, right. You may want to go to the Hospital Wing and get that checked out, hmm?" he continued.

Lily gave me a sympathetic glance on my way out. I glared. It was her fault I was even taking the class in the first place. It wasn't like I needed it, but Lily wanted to take it and didn't want to be the only Gryffindor there.

Madam Pomfrey was simply shocked to see someone in her care before noon on the first day of class, but when I explained the situation to her, she lifted her eyes to the heavens with an exasperated sigh.

"That man will cause a student to lose an arm one day," she ranted, putting a salve over the cut and bandaging it.

Charms darkened my mood even more.

I was digging in my bag for some ink when I realized who had taken the seat behind me. Now it may seem a little creepy to say this, but I could tell who it was by the smell. For such an insufferable prat, Black had good taste in cologne.

I didn't spare him a glance as I turned towards the front of the room.

And then he had to go and be his dreadful self.

He tapped my shoulder. I tried not to recoil and acted like I didn't notice.

Tap, tap, tap.

I clenched my jaw.

Tap, tap–

"Merlin, Black, what?" I growled, craning my neck around to see him. "What could possibly be so important that, of all people, you have to bother me?"

Black raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk playing at his lips. "I only wanted to borrow a quill, Jones. No need to throw a tantrum."

"I am not throwing a tantrum!" I protested, clenching my fists.

"Whatever you say, Jones."

I huffed. "Go to hell, Black."

"See you there."

I turned around again and glared at the chalkboard. Stupid Black. Stupid Standard Book of Spells: Grade 6. Stupid non-verbal spells.

Tap, tap, tap.

"So how about that quill?" Black.

I chucked a quill over my shoulder and hoped it poked his eye. He merely laughed, so I assumed it didn't. Too bad.

o0o0o0o

Two weeks later, the school routine had returned. Gone were the lenient days of post-summer haze.

Ha. That rhymed. Days. Haze. Days, haze, days, haze– Merlin, Alyssa! Focus!

I gritted my teeth and focused on the paragraph I was trying to read. Slughorn had assigned an essay on some law on antidotes. I peeked through my eyelashes to see where Lily was at, only to find her scribbling furiously across her scroll, which was already half filled with her tiny writing.

I sighed and stood from the table we'd claimed, telling her I would be back in a minute. That old book wasn't getting me anywhere.

The back of the library was a dusty, deserted place. Usually the only people who ventured there were those who had express permission to go into the Restricted Section. Well, them and the truly devoted Ravenclaws.

I found myself in said deserted place, skimming the shelves devoted to Potions. A few minutes of searching earned me a leather bound copy of All About Antidotes. Well, that would be handy. For good measure I added in a book titled Lexicon of Herbs and Remedies.

As I began to make my way back to my table, a conversation met my ears. Now I'm not one to eavesdrop, but way back here? It was an uncommon thing. Not to mention it was between Brooke and Potter.

"I… I just like it back here," Brooke was saying in a very soft voice. "I can work without being distracted."

"That's not very fun," said Potter.

"What are you doing here anyway? I don't think I've ever seen you in the library before."

"I've been in the library plenty of times! I love the library!" Potter said indignantly. I held back a snort while he paused. "No, I don't. That's a lie."

An awkward silence descended, so I figured that was as good a time as any to take my leave.

"Hey, why don't you sit with us?" Potter suddenly offered.

Brooke was obviously just as shocked as I was. I peeked around the corner. Her face was tinged pink, eyes set on the table as she bit her lip. "Oh, I…. um…" she stammered.

"Come on, no one should study alone!" he pressed.

The words spilled out of my mouth before I realized it. "Oh, just leave her alone, Potter. She obviously doesn't want to." Lifting an eyebrow, I leveled a stare at Potter. "Can't say I blame her, either."

Potter scowled at me, but then his expression changed from sulky to curious. "Brooke, are you sure you don't want to come over to sit with us?"

She offered a barely-there smile. "I'm sure. Thanks, though."

He hesitated a moment before nodding and turning to go back the way he came.

Brooke visibly relaxed, shoulders slumping forward, but I wasn't done yet. I waited while Brooke noticed that she wasn't quite alone.

"I couldn't help overhearing some of that." I shifted the heavy books in my arms, blowing out a puff of air. "He's kind of right, you know. No one should be completely alone."

She didn't answer, so I kept talking. "I'm not trying to force you into this, but you're always welcome to sit with me and the other girls. I know the Marauders don't mind you being with them either."

Brooke coughed. "Alyssa, I–"

"Please, I'm not finished," I interrupted. No longer able to look her directly in the eye, I let guilt cast my gaze to the ground. "What I'm saying is… Well, I know we haven't really been friends over the years… I mean, we've lived together for going on six years and barely know each other." I paused. "I'm sorry for not really making a huge effort at that. But maybe we could change that this year."

"It's not your fault. I kind of avoid people…" The words seemed to tumble out of her mouth against her will, if the sudden paleness and pursed lips were anything to go by.

I scrunched my brow and looked up. "Why is that?"

Brooke didn't look willing to say anymore, so I let it go, though the words gnawed at my mind. "You don't have to tell me," I amended. "But the offer still stands. You could sit with us tonight at dinner, if you like."

Slowly, reluctantly, she nodded. I smiled at her, hoping that was enough encouragement to quell any reservations she might have had.

"Did you get lost?" Lily joked when I returned. I didn't reply, so she looked up for the first time and grew serious. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"Do… do you think there's something off about Brooke?" I asked.

"Well, she's always been a bit… introverted," Lily mused. "And she's always avoided us for some reason."

"That's exactly the problem," I said. "I've thought the same thing, but she basically told me a few minutes ago that she goes out of her way to avoid people– all people, not just us."

Lily frowned. "But… but why? No one actually isolates themselves simply because they don't like other people… right?"

I rubbed my temples, where a headache was forming. "No, I don't suppose they do. Not without very good reason."

Something about Brooke Moore didn't add up. And it seemed so glaringly obvious, like I should be able to name it without a second's hesitation, but at the same time it was just out of reach. But whatever it was, it didn't sit right with me. Not at all.

o0o0o0o

When I was suddenly yanked into an alcove while walking back to Gryffindor Tower alone, my first thought was something along the lines of: Oh my Merlin, I'm about to be kidnapped and sold to a cult of vampires like in that book Lily told me to read.

Fortunately, the situation wasn't quite that drastic. Close, but not quite.

I wrenched my arm free of my assailant's grip, turning and drawing my wand in one smooth movement. It was only when the tip of my wand rested at his throat did I fully realize who it was.

"What do you want, Severus?" I spat.

He raised an eyebrow and used his finger to nudge my wand away from his neck. "I need a favor, Jones."

Oh, of course he did. I didn't see that one coming.

I stowed my wand and turned my back to him, already knowing his so-called favor. "If this is about what you said to Lily last year, you can forget it."

"Alyssa, please." That stopped me in my tracks, but only for a moment. Never had he called me by my name, much less begged me for something. Before I could continue on my way, his hand closed around my arm again in a surprisingly strong grip.

"Let me go!" I growled, pulling and twisting in an effort to break his hold. But Severus held on.

"I need you to talk to Lily, convince her to let me explain myself," he insisted.

I stopped struggling and stared at him. Was he actually serious? Did he really think that was a possibility?

"Listen here, Snape," I said lowly, coldly. "I don't like you. I have never liked you. The only reason I put up with you is because my best friend liked you for some reason that is beyond my knowledge. And now she has finally decided that you're not worth all the crap you put her through. What could have possibly given you the idea that I would help you?"

His expression turned remorseful. "At least tell her I'm sorry. I–"

"Oi, Snivellus!" a voice interrupted. "Bothering Jones is my job exclusively!"

I closed my eyes and stifled a groan. Please, no. Not him. Anyone but him.

Sirius Black sauntered up to us, obnoxious grin in place. "Now if you'd like to join the effort," he continued, still speaking to Severus, "there is a lengthy application process available in my office, located in the Gryffindor common room, from one to four o'clock on Tuesdays and Thursdays." He frowned, studying Severus's silver and green tie. "Or, in your case, outside the Gryffindor common room, considering you're… that."

Snape released my arm as though he'd been burned. "Stay out of this, Black."

Black pretended like he hadn't heard, looking thoughtful. "I think we'll need a name for our little group. I am, of course, open to suggestions. What do you say, Snivelly?"

Snape finally growled under his breath and stalked off. Black called after him, "Well, fine! I guess I'll throw out that scarf I made you!" He turned to me with a chagrined sigh. "Shame, really. I worked really hard on those nametags."

What just happened?

I stood in shock for a moment before finding my voice. "My situation hasn't improved! I've merely traded one evil for another!"

"A simple 'thank you' would be nice," he replied drily.

With one last heated glare, I said, "Sirius Black, unless one day you pull my unconscious body from a burning building, I will not be saying thank you."

As I strode away, all I could think was how badly I wanted to smack that smug grin off his stupid face.

And that's it! I really liked writing that last scene haha.

As I said before, please leave a review and tell me what you think! Also, check my blog for updates on the writing process throughout the week:

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~AMQ