The wind blew a long, red ringlet from my cheek as I stared out the half opened window. I gazed over the vast open fields as I raced by on a smooth and quiet train. I looked beyond the hills and thought about the world I once lived in, where magic was only an illusion. This train planned to take me back to a castle, but not just any castle.
Up until I was thirteen, I had attended a school in North America called Ilvermorny, Academy of Magics. When I was fourteen, I transferred to Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Both of my parents attended Hogwarts, so it was unknown as to why I started in America.
My mother, Kaori Kuran, was a Ravenclaw, one of the four houses of Hogwarts. My father, never named, was a Gryffindor. My mother told me he killed himself when I was two, but that was all she ever spoke of him. I had a faded picture of him when he was a seventh year at Hogwarts, so maybe I'd learn why my mother wanted to keep him a secret.
"Why do you have so much metal in your face?" My best friend, Gwen, asked me at the beginning of the year; every year.
"Because, it's just... me." I explained. I had snake bites, a nose ring, size zero gauges and a second set of earrings. Few people had piercings, but I've had them since I lived in America.
"Well, next year we graduate. As a sixth year, I would've half expected you to get rid of them by now," next to me, she was top of the Slytherin house.
"Being an adult doesn't mean shit." I said as I walked through the Great Hall doors and found a seat among the Slytherin table. I had no idea how I got into Slytherin, as none of my known ancestors were in it.
I felt a pair of eyes staring at me, so I glanced up in the general direction and scanned the teachers table until my eyes met a dark pair. They belonged to Severus Snape, the Potions Master and also my professor. He, obviously, taught potions, which was one of my favorite classes, to be completely honest. I blushed and turned back towards my plate, hoping that the glare would cease, which it didn't the duration of dinner.
I would be a liar if I said that mysterious man didn't intrigue me. In fact, I've had multiple intense dreams about him... don't judge. I came to the conclusion that it was just an infatuation and I would need to get him out of my mind, as it was morally wrong to have sexual dreams about my professor.
I walked to the common room after Dumbledore dismissed us to bed, when Draco Malfoy came up behind me and wrapped his arm around me, "hey, Beautiful."
"How many times must I inform you, I will not go out with a boy a year younger than I." I flung his arm from my side and continued walking.
"Innocent flirting never hurt anyone." He grinned and moved so he was right next to me.
"You, innocent? Don't make me laugh, Draco." We reached the common rooms when he said, "you're right, innocence is just another term for boring."
I laughed and replied, "then I guess you shouldn't like me, I'm a virgin and-" my smirk felt like it got smacked off when Snape came around the corner and interrupted, "and it's time for bed."
My face turned red with embarrassment before I said, "of course, Sir." Draco mumbled something under his breath and followed me inside the common room where we split and went to our separate dorms.
I got ready for bed and laid down before asking Gwen, "so, scope out the boys, yet?"
"Haven't you noticed? They're men, now," she replied seductively. "You can't possibly tell me no one has caught your eye."
"Sort of." I glanced around the room, not meeting her eyes.
"I can only guess." She raised her eyebrows, hinting at Draco.
"I already told you, I like my men older..." I closed my eyes and waited for her to freak out, knowing who I was talking about, but it never came. I opened my eyes to see a blank stare with a slight smile.
"No way! Still?! You so need to get laid." She laughed as I took a breath of relief.
"And you so need to lay off getting laid." We both laughed. She wasn't a whore, per se, but she did like to party and have 'fun'.
As the conversation died, I turned over and, once again, thought of my professor in a way that would've had me expelled quicker than I could say 'orgasm'.
The next morning, I woke up energized, like I soaked up an energy potion in my sleep. I got dressed and headed off to breakfast early. On my way, I noticed Filch grumbling to himself as he mopped up an unknown substance pooled on the floor.
"Mr. Filch, I don't mean to be a bother, but why don't you force the students to clean up their own mess? Surely, they will think twice before making one again."
"Believe me, if I could, I'd-"
"Yes, you would torture them. As pleasant as that sounds, and seeing as you can't do that, why not make them do it?"
"The headmaster feels it disturbs their education. If you ask me, they don't learn a damned thing, anyway. Magic is a waste of time." He scowled as he continued to mop. I knew he was a squib and felt envious of us that can do magic, but I agreed with him to an extent when it came to punishment. The headmaster does let us get away with more than we should.
I nodded in acknowledgement before heading to the Great Hall to meet up with Gwen. Almost immediately after sitting down, Draco joined us at the table. Draco Malfoy really was odd for Slytherin. He had the assholeness going for him when it came to Gryffindors, but besides that, he was a normal student. His family was not only pureblood, but they'd been in Slytherin for centuries. My family was pureblood, as well, just not in Slytherin.
"Hello, Ladies." He coolly stated as I rolled my eyes. "I must keep an eye on my lady, here," he placed an arm around my shoulder. "Wouldn't want her making friends with the wrong sort." He smiled.
"I think I already have, Draco dear." I sarcastically said as I continued to eat.
As my hair draped over the sides of my face, I secretly glanced up at Snape, who was talking with Minerva McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress. Suddenly, both of them looked over at me as I snapped my eyes to my plate, zoning out of the conversation between Draco and Gwen. I slowly looked back up to see McGonagall walking toward me.
"Miss Kuran." She said as she tapped my shoulder. I shifted my body so I could view her properly.
"Professor McGonagall." I acknowledged with a bow of my head.
"Would you please come with me a moment?" She asked. I looked up at Snape, curious as to why the Gryffindor head of house needed to speak with me rather than him, Slytherin's head of house, but instead of an answer, he gestured me to follow her by tilting his head down.
"Uh, sure." I stood up and followed her outside the doors.
"I apologize for pulling you away from breakfast, but it seems the Headmaster has new plans for your schedule," she cleared her throat, "it was brought to his attention that you had excelled in every class last year beyond that of a seventh year. He has suggested to me, as you are a fan of potions, that you become an assistant to Professor Snape for the duration of your time here."
My eyes begun to glow with excitement, "oh, that'd be brilliant!" I contained my mature posture, despite the urge to jump with joy, when she said, "now, I would hate to see you waste this opportunity, so please try your hardest. I know how Professor Snape can be, especially now that he hardly sleeps and is under so much stress. Not only is this for you to learn more with the subject you wish to pursue after graduation, but it is also a chance to relieve some of the work."
"Yes, ma'am, of course. Will that be all?" I asked, peering into the hall at Gwen.
"Just one more thing. I've been meaning to ask how your animagus is coming along? If I remember correctly, you successfully transfigured yourself into a wolf at the end of last term." When I first arrived here, McGonagall was so impressed with my ability to transfigure anything, that she took me on for private lessons for becoming an Animagus. We worked hard all that year, but it wasn't until the end of last year that I was able to successfully change. My animagus and patronus was a wolf.
"I haven't done it recently, but over the summer I made sure to keep my skills in check. I'm still extremely grateful that you took the time to teach me." I smiled with appreciation.
"Nonsense, Dear, It was really my pleasure. Now, let's finish eating before classes." She nodded her head and led me back into the hall.
I noticed Draco wasn't present, but I didn't have time to look around before Gwen jumped down my throat, "what was that about?"
"You don't waste any time, do you?" I chuckled before sighing, "I guess the headmaster feels I don't need to attend the normal courses. Instead, I get to be Snape's assistant."
'This should make getting over him easier... Not!' Honestly, I wasn't just excited to be working with Snape, I was also excited to learn more about potions as I wish to be a Potions Mistress when I graduate.
"Wicked! I wish I didn't have to attend classes, although, I'm not sure that Snape is the better option. I assume that being his assistant means helping him even outside of class. Then again, maybe you can make it into a fantasy?" She snorted as I choked on my eggs.
"Gwenyth Winters! I hate you for the simple fact that now I will think about that all day! Honestly, he's not as bad as everyone thinks. In your case, he'd leave you alone if you did your work at least fifty percent of the time!"
"I'd come back with how much you get detention with him, but you probably beg for it." She laughed before taking a bite out of her bacon.
"I do not beg him for detention! I just have an attitude problem... That's all." I said defensively as I eyed the bacon she shoved in her mouth, "hey, weren't you on a diet?"
"You try eating my mother's vegan burgers all summer." I gave a half-hearted laugh, knowing vegan burgers were better than the nothing I got at home.
My mother had been an alcoholic for as long as I could remember, but my grandmother states it was because of my stepfather, which made sense. I was mostly raised by my grandmother until she passed away when I was ten. My stepfather was a muggle and was freaked when he found out about the magic. He would hit my mother anytime she brought up magic, saying it was the devil's hand at work. He claimed to be catholic, as well, but I knew that was false the first time he molested me. As sick as it sounded, I was just grateful that he wasn't low enough to rape.
Ever since, I had been weak when it comes to defending myself sexually. Not just the physical act, but even comments about my appearance broke down my esteem and strength. It was one of the reasons I never had a boyfriend, I was sexually too weak. Yet, it never stopped my desire for my professor.
After being dismissed for classes, I headed straight to Potions with time to spare. Snape glanced up and stated, "miss Kuran, early I see."
"Obviously, professor McGonagall instructed that I help you the best I can." I walked to the front of his desk and awaited his command.
"Well, as you can see, I have already done so. If you wouldn't mind, I would appreciate it if you took a seat over there until I ask for your assistance." He drawled as he motioned to a smaller desk on the opposite side of the room.
"Fine, then." I growled as I stomped to the desk and sat down.
'What the fuck? I was assigned to help and he decides to be a prat.'
As I got comfortable, the students started to pile in. Each found their seat and took it without a word, knowing not to breathe unless Snape gave them permission. The first years followed and were chatting away before Snape glared at them. Soon, they realized it was best to keep quiet like the others.
"Class has begun," Snape said just as the last student took her seat. "As you may have noticed, the second year half-wits that failed my class last year have to share the course with you, first years. How embarrassing." I glanced around the room to witness the majority of the first years shaken up.
'Well, isn't this amusing,' I laughed in my head.
Snape's head snapped in my direction before gliding over to the desk in which I sat, "for the remainder of her time here, sixth year Arabella Kuran will be my assistant. She may not be the smartest," I glared at him as some of the second years chuckled, "but she is still considered a teacher when it comes to respect. If she is mistreated in any shape or form, you will find out just how much worse detentions with me are compared to filch. That is, if she has not already punished you." He gave me a look that silently gave me permission to do so.
I felt the curious stares of a couple students, most likely wondering if I was daft enough to become Snape's assistant. I creased my brows together and glared at them, making them turn their heads quickly.
'Pfft, I can pull this off easily!' I bragged to myself when Snape slammed a book on my desk to get my attention.
"Are you listening, now?" He asked, bent over the desk, only inches from my face.
"S-sorry, sir?" I gave my answer with a startled expression as I silently begged him to pull his face away from mine.
Snape had a way of frightening students, even when his attention wasn't directed at them. When he had slammed the book down before me, multiple students in the front row leaned back in their chairs, fearing his next course of action. Fortunately for me, and not for Snape, I had never been afraid of him, but he always had the ability to startle me.
"Do you have the capability to hand out books, or would that be too much work for you? Seeing as you hardly pay attention." He lifted an eyebrow. I stood up and after a second of glaring at him, I walked over to the books and began handing them out.
'This is what I'm being used for?! Is he that lazy that he couldn't take out his wand and hand this shit out himself? If all I am is his slave, I swear, I'll-' I was cut off by Snape clearing his throat, wanting my attention once more.
"What, now?" I snapped at him, "need me to fetch you a glass of water, as well?" I had no idea where that came from, but I immediately regretted it when I noticed the students had held their breath.
He walked over to me in the most calm manner, which made it even more frightening, and pressed against my side, making me close my eyes in fear. As he towered over me, he said in a low and angry tone, "in my office, now!"
I quickly walked to his office and anxiously waited for the dismissal of class, fearing the worst from Snape.
After he finally walked in, he sat at his desk without saying a word. The silence nearly drove me insane, "Professor, I'm really-"
"Don't," he held up a hand to silence me. I waited as he pinched the bridge of his nose, I assumed to relieve the stress that I was building up, "do you have any idea how difficult it is to educate those idiots when my supposed assistant thinks it is okay to talk back to her professor?"
"I'm sorry, but of course I'm going to lash out. You had me doing slave work!" I tried to defend myself.
"I admit, it was rather ridiculous to ask that of you, but I will not tolerate disrespect." He laced his fingers together and said, "however, I will not be assigning you detention, on the assumption that this will not happen again." My heart skipped a beat as his eyes locked with mine. I kept staring until he repeated, "would that be safe to assume, miss Kuran?"
"Oh, yes, of course!" I nodded as I shifted uncomfortably in the chair.
"Good. You are dismissed." He waved me out, as he didn't have a second period, and I didn't hesitate.