Heredity vs. Solidarity (S. Snape)

Chapter One

Selena Burke – as usual – was spending her entire break in the library. Her nose was buried in her book, and if it had been anyone else, someone would assume she was quite possibly asleep. However, she was not. She was wide awake, her eyes sweeping the page like a cat’s eyes following a whizzing object, and she would not look away until she finally memorized the properties of the Polyjuice Potion.

A soft groan escaped her lips, but she didn’t peel her eyes away, and if she could help it, she would stay here all lunch as well. Because, that’s who Selena Burke was – the top Ravenclaw student, perfect marks in everything – no friends.

Well, she did admit that she had one or two, but they were nothing to brag about. The only time they actually talked to her was if they didn’t understand something, but in truth, Ravenclaws weren’t the same socially as the rest of the school. If they could help it, they would spend their free time studying, not galumphing around like the rest of the idiots.

She did have to admit, though, N.E.W.T. year was proving to be quite cumbersome, but she had figured if she got ahead of everything, maybe she would prove quite successful in her final examinations… however, if anything, she had a bigger headache just scanning these pages than actually thinking about the tests ahead.

Eventually, Selena threw the book down, settling for pressing her forefingers to her temples as she attempted to massage her troubles away. If there was one thing she was not, it was a quitter. Slowly, she ran her hand through her dirty blonde locks; contempt and frustration wheedled into her usually calm and docile expression as she released a heavy sigh.

What she didn’t notice, unfortunately, was the boy at the opposite end of the library, watching her every move as if studying her for being some puzzling enigma. His eyes were black, and glittering with a gluttonous savagery; she was the only thing preventing him now from being a Death Eater, and if he was correct in his assumptions, she was stumped over something she was reading.

He fixed his features, knowing she was a very smart, wise Ravenclaw, and kept his expression unreasonably tolerant. His pale lips curled into the faintest of smirks, and he tucked the smallest strand of his ebony hair behind his ear, preparing himself for his advancements.

It was then that she ducked behind her book once more, and he chose this moment to make his move. He walked with an easy lope, though his robes gave the odd impression of some sort of overgrown bat, with the bottom hems too short to flow completely to the ground, thus leaving several inches of space to clearly view his trouser pants and scuffed shoes.

But, this didn’t matter to him; she wouldn’t see that part of him.

He fixed his green and silver tie quickly before he was suddenly standing in front of her, and casually, he leaned forward, pleased when he realized she was perusing through Advanced Potion Making – one subject he was definitely topnotch at.

“Need help?” his voice was exceedingly suave, with the words rolling off in a velvety tongue, causing Selena to furrow her brows before slowly lowering the book, and looking up at him in faint curiosity and confusion.

Yes, he knew she would be a difficult candidate.

His dark eyes were the first thing she noticed; bottomless tunnels of black, with little warmth and little consolation. It made no sense that this heartless man would consider offering help – when she could clearly see right through it – but she smiled, and he seemed to brighten very faintly.

Politely, he outstretched a single, thin hand – lack of nutrition, she noted – however, she was never one to be impolite. Gently, she extended her own hand of welcoming, and shook his softly.