Disclaimer: All HP characters, resembling spells, lines, and plots belong to J.K. Rowling I only own my OCs and this story's plot nothing else (please don't sue me)

A.N: I present my FIRST Harry Potter fiction; I have had this idea for a while and though why not write it. Hope you like it, now it present to you all…

Edit 2024: Welcome to the re vamped chapter 1. I hope you will continue to enjoy the story as you previously have.

The Ravenclaw girl.

1. Evangeline Easgriff.

It was a quiet Saturday, and Severus sat under a tree his nose buried in a book. A futile attempt to forget the events from the week. Once again, he was the target of the antics of the notorious James Potter. James Potter. He hated the Gryffindor with every fiber of his being. Ever since their first meeting on the Hogwarts Express, they had been at odds. When Potter assembled his group of friends, the group became known for pranks across the school, even garnering a reputation, any time Severus Snape was near he was a target for their mischief.

This time was no different. Severus believed he was minding his own business, but James Potter had other ideas. The Gryffindor used the levitation spell on him, which left him dangling like a fish on a pole. Lily, his dear friend Lily saw this and ran to help him. She tried and got Potter to let him go. Potter had a soft spot for Lily so of course he listened. In a moment of anger and shame, Severus lashed out, calling his closest friend an unforgivable name: Mudblood. The word had barely left his lips before she turned away, the sting of his betrayal evident in her eyes.

Regret was immediate. Mudblood was the vilest insult a Muggle-born witch or wizard could hear. He knew this. He tried to take it back, blaming it on the heat of the moment, apologized, and apologized. Severus was desperate to make amends. He was even ready to sleep in front of the Gryffindor tower to get Lily to talk to him, but she never accepted his words. It was his attraction to dark magic, his easiness around the mere thought of using it. It was his "friends" she said that she drove them apart more than ever before, and calling her that name was the last straw. Severus felt terrible; he had just lost his friend of six years, his only friend, his love. Lily made it clear there was no coming back from what he had done.

Severus decided to get an earlier start to the day compared to his housemates. By 9 a.m. he was now pouring over his potion's textbook. He needed the solitude, a break from the Slytherin lot comprising of Avery, Mulciber, Wilkes, Rosier, and Black's younger brother and their constant comments regarding Lily Evans. They had been hounding him more since that day, filling him with thoughts of Dark Lord, and the ideals he represented.

He took a deep breath as he turned the pages, writing down his notes. The first few exams of the OWLS were completed that week, with only a handful remaining. Monday's exam was his specialty: Potions. With this in mind, he decided to concentrate on the subject the entire weekend, hoping it would provide the needed distraction from Lily. Of course, he knew the material and likely could brew in his sleep, but he was aiming for a perfect O.

"David, what in the name of the Gods of Quidditch are you doing?!" A loud voice rang out, breaking Severus's concentration.

Severus looked up from his work, temporarily distracted by the commotion. The voice was annoying and belonged to a young girl around his age running towards David Frezidoft, a Ravenclaw with whom he had been paired up in Herbology before. Although he did not immediately recognize her, she looked or rather sounded familiar. Another Ravenclaw for sure, Eass something. He could tell by the tone of her voice, that she was in no mood for nonsense. Severus decided to listen to the exchange between the two while letting his eyes look up occasionally. It was a welcomed distraction, perhaps he thought it slightly better than the Potions textbook. He kept one eye on his textbook, pretending to study,

"What does it look like I'm doing?" David retorted a small object in one hand, his wand in the other.

You can't even cast a Hover Charm with your eyes closed. What makes you think you can manage this?" the girl shot back, folding her arms.

"Because. I've been practicing." David insisted.

"Oh, Merlin, you're going to end up hexing yourself… again," she sighed, rolling her eyes. "And this time, you can carry yourself to the hospital wing! Or, if you'd prefer, I can save you the trouble and hex you myself right here. Besides, we've still got the rest of our OWLs to study for. I doubt you want to miss getting a perfect report."

Alright, alright," David conceded "Fine, but I doubt I'll be getting an O in Herbology. That Fanged Geranium practical exam was so difficult, that thing nearly bit me."

"That's what happens when you start poking it with your wand." Shaking her head "How about we go meet up with the rest to study in the library? That way you…wait." She paused for a second, and Severus felt the weight of a stare on him "Is that, that boy who Lily Evans was arguing with the other day? You know like in the halls or something? It sure looks like him."

Severus froze and quickly; put his nose back into his book feigning intense concentration as though he hadn't heard a word of their conversation.

"Honestly no idea, though apparently there was some poor sod by the Gryffindors earlier this week. So maybe." David replied.

The girl glanced back at her friend. "Rumor has it he's good at Potions. Save me a seat in the library; I'll catch up soon enough."

"Are you sure?" David asked "You don't know him at all, but fine by me."

"Yes I'll be fine" she replied "Make sure we are as far away from Lockhart as possible!"

"Got it, anything else my lady!" he added with a mock bow.

"Very funny, my lord." she retorted, though a faint smile tugged at her lips.

David nodded and turned back to the castle, while she started walking towards Severus who remained blissfully unaware of her rapid approach until it was too late. Suddenly she was standing right in front of him, with a smirk slightly reminding him of a certain Gryffindor.

"Hi, is there anyone sitting here?"

Severus looked up, his usual guarded expression faltering as he took in the sight of the girl before him. She had long, straight blond hair, and pale skin, and was dressed casually.

"Does it look like it?" he replied, his tone cool and distant.

"I'll take that as a NO then." she said, unperturbed, and promptly seated herself next to him, glancing over at his open textbooks. Severus turned his head slowly.

"What are you doing?" he asked

"Observing." she replied lightly. "I see you like Potions. I'm quite fond of it as well. It's my favorite subject, along with charms of course. Are you preparing for the OWL on Monday?"

"Obviously." Severus muttered, trying to mask his discomfort.

Severus turned to face her fully, noticing how her green eyes seemed to unsettle him in a way he hadn't expected.

"Why are you here?" his voice low and guarded.

"Because I could use your assistance." She replied.

"How nice of you" Severus said with a hint of sarcasm, "but I doubt you need my assistance."

The girl held his gaze, undeterred. She heard rumors of this Slytherin boy, but up close was different.

"Alright," she conceded, "but I thought perhaps you could explain this particular potion to me. I may do well in class, but there's just this one thing…"

Severus was taken aback. Someone asking him for help? It was unheard of.

"And which potion are you referring to?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued despite himself. However, he remained guarded. It could be another prank from Potter and his minions.

"Polyjuice," she admitted, her voice dropping slightly, "It's the only potion that gives me a hard time. And the word around the castle is that there is a chance of it being in the potions exam."

"I see" Severus responded. He thought for a few seconds. If she was going to bother him, he might as well use this opportunity to revise Polyjuice Potion himself. The chance of her being correct meant he had a chance to secure not a decent, but an excellent mark. But did she deserve his help? He thought. Severus took a deep breath before replying "and what exactly makes it difficult…for you?"

"The second stage of brewing," she confessed, a hint of frustration in her voice. "I always get it mixed up the first step, the last one, and everything in between. If I don't get an O or at least an E in Potions, my parents won't be pleased, and of course that means no NEWT classes for me."

Severus remained silent for a moment, studying her. Part of him wanted to dismiss her struggles as irrelevant, but there was also a part of him that recognized an opportunity. Perhaps helping her could benefit him, too. With a reluctant sigh, he reached for his textbook.

"It's not that difficult," he said, his voice lacking enthusiasm. Though his hand hesitated again as he held his textbook. Why should I help her? He thought. She was a Ravenclaw, they were supposed to be clever, adding to that she had to be popular. A perfect combination to lower his guard. Yet, she did not mock him, or leave when he replied coldly. His fingers hovered over the book, an internal battle waging in his mind.

With another sigh, he opened the book, the decision made, though not without a hint of self-reproach. He showed her the pages with a few notes next to the ingredients. "First, it's the boomslang skin, then the bicorn horn. You need to stir three times counter-clockwise."

As he explained the steps, he noticed she was listening intently, even taking mental notes. It was rare for anyone to take him seriously, and though he would never admit it, the attention was oddly gratifying. She asked a few questions and offered her own thoughts, which Severus grudgingly acknowledged made sense.

Time flew by, it was already 10:30 when a few Ravenclaws lead by David came out of the castle, clearly searching for her.

"It seems they've started a search party for me." She said with a chuckle "Ah that David I tell you." She stood up, then paused and turned back to Severus. "Wait, we never had a proper introduction. How rude of me, mother wouldn't be pleased."

"I already know who you are," Severus replied curtly, not really in the mood for formalities.

She raised an eyebrow "Really? How so?"

"We've shared classes before, and you play Quidditch. Your accent is painfully recognizable. American" he said, his voice still tinged with reluctance as he justified his answer. "Your last name starts with 'Eass,' doesn't it?"

He had never cared enough to pay attention before, too absorbed in his thoughts of Lily. But now, as he pieced it together, he realized he had known who she was all along, even if he hadn't bothered to notice.

"Well, that 'painfully recognizable' American Quidditch player from Ravenclaw does have a name, you know," she replied with a smile. She extended her hand "Evangeline Easgriff, pleased to meet you."

Severus started at her hand, after a moment's hesitation, he took it "Snape, Severus Snape."

"Well Severus, thank you for helping me. I hope we cross paths soon."

"There's no need to thank me." he muttered, still uncomfortable with the exchange. "And doubtful we will cross paths again" he thought.

"I think there is," she insisted. "You just saved me from nearly two hours of listening to Lockhart glorifying himself. If anything, that guy is better off in the stands than as a Seeker. He spends more time flirting and boosting of his many talents than on the pitch. I have no idea how he made the team."

"I'll agree with you on that point," Severus said, a rare flicker of amusement in his voice. "He seems to be quite the handful."

"Seems to be is putting it mildly" she laughed. "Try sitting at the same table. He just goes on and on about his hair, his smile, his strength… One day someone will take care of his ego. I would but I'm on the line as it is. Hopefully next year I'll be captain, and I'll give him a one-way ticket to the Ravenclaw stands. That way we can finally beat Potter and the Gryffindor's a lot easier."

Severus smirked at Evangeline's words. This girl was nothing like Lily at first impression: bold, outspoken, and far from subtle.

"I take it you are not particularly fond of Potter?" asked Severus, his voice laced with curiosity.

"He's alright I suppose. More of a jokester and popular lad as some might say" she replied with a shrug; "But his friend Black, Sirius Black he is the real troublemaker, always finds a way to push me towards the edge."

Evangeline sighed "Anyway, I really should be going. See you around, Severus" She gave him a warm smile, waved, and walked toward her friends.

Severus watched her as she left, still processing the encounter. Evangeline Easgriff was an unusual combination of friendliness and perhaps a tad too blunt.

He had heard about her before, rumors of her sharp tongue and wit, with a tendency of foul language, mixed with kindness.

As he stood up and gathered his things, Severus couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. Someone had not only approached him but had asked for his help. They did not ridicule him, a rarity in his life. For once, the thought of the Marauders possibly watching didn't fill him with dread.

It was a satisfying feeling. With a final glance in the direction Evangeline had gone, Severus took a deep breath and headed back to the castle, his thoughts now a peculiar mix of potions, Lily, and a certain Ravenclaw Chaser.

He did not understand how or why Evangeline Easgriff entered his mind. He knew he had muttered earlier he doubted they would cross paths again. Now though he wondered, perhaps it would not be so bad to be wrong.

~~~~~~~~END OF CHAPTER~~~~~~~~

Well there is the first chapter. I hoped you liked it; let me know what you think. Don't flame me because of an OC, just skip the story if you don't like them.

If there is anything weird about this chapter PM me and I'll change it a bit to make clearer for you. First chapters are always a bit of a challenge than the others, but now that my OC has been introduced, things might be easier to write.

Until next time *takes floo powder in hand* "Diagon alley!"

Edit 2024: the End of chapters will remain the same, some canon aspects will be modified due to this story such as Lockhart's age. I hope you all again enjoy this story with the rest of the edited chapters to follow in pairs every few weeks. Thank you again (The originals are kept in my records)