Just a Speck of Gold - Severus Snape

Chapter One - Friendly Beginnings

Author's Note - Before you start reading, I'd like to acknowledge the fact that I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters in this novel. I would also like addressing that many scenes and pieces of dialogue will be used from the Harry Potter books and movies. J.K Rowling owns Harry Potter – I do not support J.K.R in any way. Updates are regular (I hope). Thank you and enjoy! -Rin

Chapter One - Friendly Beginnings

M.S

Professor Snape sighed heavily at his desk, the beginning feast started in a few hours. He never enjoyed the boring speech Professor Dumbledore recited year after year.

The nervous first years were about to board the boats leading the castle, and Maya's heart wouldn't stop slamming against her ribcage. It was her first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Maya was homeschooled since she was ten, using battered textbooks located in their library and her mother's wand until she was old enough for her own.

How Maya managed to get into such a notable school—she will never know. If it was arranged since birth or if her parents got tired of instructing her, it was a question for another day. Maya's mother, Sarabella Gold, woke Maya up on her 17th birthday with a letter in her hand. A Hogwarts Acceptance letter to be exact. Soon enough, she was apparating with her mum and dad to King Cross and kissing them goodbye.

This was the first time that Maya was unsure of what house she would end up in. Ravenclaw? Slytherin? She didn't know what any of them meant, but in a way, she felt drawn to Slytherin.

"Heard of the new girl? Well, I saw her on the train, my, my, isn't she a beauty."

Maya didn't recognize the voice for it was too high and pitchy, not to mention it cracked. Maya smiled when she saw the group of first years turn the corner. Dozens of eyes were cast at her, and she smiled shyly.

"Told ya so." Whispered a short, mousy-haired boy. Maya suddenly noticed how tall she was because the bunch of the soon to be students looked like little ants. The young girl next to the boy elbowed him in the ribs and their eyes turned to something behind Maya. Her heart jumped into her throat when a hand was placed onto her shoulder.

A Scottish, feminine voice spoke, "Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. My name is Professor McGonagall. Students, this is Maya Gold, she will be attending her sixth year here at Hogwarts."

Maya looked over her shoulder to see a more elderly woman. She wore square glasses and her black hair was tied back into a tight bun. Maya swallowed loudly and looked back to the fearful students.

"But before you take your seats, you will be sorted into your houses. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, "Professor McGonagall announced, "Follow me."

Maya and the rest of the first years followed Professor McGonagall into the Great Hall. Maya couldn't help but push her curly bangs in front of her eyes, in an attempted to hide her cherry-red face.

Snape watched the first-year students while maintaining his normal glare. He was soon drawn to an olive-toned girl with unkempt, unruly curly-brown hair. When she looked up from the tile and noticed Snape, she made quite an impression.

In the middle of the staff table sat Professor Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster, had a very long, silver beard, and half-moon spectacles were perched on the bridge of his nose. He sported magnificent green robes with many moons and stars. Professor Dumbledore stood and tapped on his glass to silence the murmuring students.

"I welcome our first years to Hogwarts," Dumbledore beamed. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new arrival! Please welcome, Maya Gold."

Severus watched the girl sit aloofly on the stool that was obviously too small for her. He squinted his eyes and huffed in annoyance.