Memoirs of a Muggle-born Witch

Chapter Two


For two years I adjusted and spread my wings as a witch. Third year I began to butt heads with Remus's 'friends', James Potter and Sirius Black. Both good looking, popular and arrogant as Hippogriffs. I didn't like them off the bat because they reminded me of those awful boys who tormented me in primary school. But mostly I'll admit it was because of their taunting Severus. I hexed Sirius' lips shut one day and gave him horns for making up the awful nickname 'Snivelus'. It would be years before he figured out it was me.

Fourth year I finally made the connection between Remus's scars and the full moon. We learned about Werewolves the year before. I was afraid to mention it seeing as he kept it as a closely guarded secret. Instead I sought out a way to help him. Which is how I finally came to having a conversation with the infamous Severus Snape.

Up until then he'd spoken less than three words to me. I went to him for potions' help. Not that I had trouble with them myself, but it was well known that he excelled in them. I wanted to make something to help with Remus's scarring each month. And to make his recovery less painful. Werewolves are unfortunately allergic to many basic pain killers and healing droughts.

At first Severus outright rebuffed my attempts at conversation. Looking down his long nose at me with disinterest and indifference (a perfected look). It took nearly three tedious weeks of me dogging his steps before he would even consent to acknowledge my lowly presence. Did I mention that SNOBS are an even greater occurrence in the wizarding world? Admittedly I could have figured out some sort of concoction for Remus on my own (in time) but this was too good an opportunity to pass up. When else would I ever have a legit reason to speak to Severus?

Finally I got his attention and he found my request for assistance intriguing and the least bit flattering. So began our tentative acquaintance. While it was clear he was still insulted by my parentage, he managed to keep the common, derogatory comments to himself. Lucky for me he couldn't find anything lacking in my intelligence which I think helped. That didn't keep him from insulting other aspects of my physical being. Well cloaked of course. Sometimes it was difficult to tell whether or not I HAD been insulted. Clever prat that he was.

It took us nearly three months to perfect the base and then another five weeks to create the right mixture that would not only decrease scarring but help with pain. I believe my request for such an odd potion intrigued him. I wouldn't give him any names but he had his suspicions. I like to believe we became friends during that time, Severus and me. I use that term loosely of course. At least now he would answer me in the halls with a nod and a courteous, “Miss Evans” to my “Hello Severus”.

We'd completed our task just before Valentine's in which I gladly presented my gift to Remus on the next full moon. Deer in the head lights doesn't cover his reaction. I'm surprised he didn't break out running. Considering the prejudice against dark creatures I wasn't surprised and did everything in my power to express that my own feelings were only of a positive nature. Never a more grateful person will you ever see. I couldn't dream of a better wizard on which to bestow my kindness. Remus and I were very close friends from that day on. And at the end of the year, he was my very first kiss.

By Fifth year I'd liked to say that I'd finally... well not quite 'blossomed' but my petals had started to open at least. My dreadful freckles had begun to fade leaving a fairly smooth complexion behind. I couldn't BE more pleased. My hair, though still very red and would never hold so much as a wave, was longer and more manageable. Alice said when I parted it to the side, it gave me a air of sophistication. Being a lovely looking young witch herself, I took her words to heart.

Remus's initial attentions... a bit of hand holding and a few flushed kisses... tampered off with little explanation. The reasoning, it became clear after several weeks to everyone who bothered to pay attention, was that his best mate James had taken a liking to me. Imagine; James Potter, the arrogant prat fancying me, a mere mudblood. What a laugh. Though despite my dislike for him, I had to admit it was flattering. He could have very well become my next crush... if only he'd learnt to keep he mouth shut.

Severus decided he would extend the hand of friendship to me... or at least accept mine and we made a habit of studying together on a regular basis. The summer had not been kind to him and he looked even worse for the wear. I wanted to ask but he made it very clear that his home life was to never be up for discussion. One afternoon after we'd witnessed James and Sirius mouthing off to some Hufflepuffs, I referred to the be-speckled bully as “the sand in the chewing gum of life”.

Severus graced me with one of his rare (like unicorn blood rare) smiles. “What did you say?”

I blushed. “It's what my sister Pet used to call the boys who picked on me in school.”

“Are the two of you close? You never speak of her.”

“We used to be.” I answered quietly.

“She's a muggle?” I nodded. “And she has a problem with your NOT being one.”

I shrugged. “I think it was easier when she thought I could be cured.”

“Cured.” Severus scoffed. “Your parents?”

“Oh, they're very supportive.” I assured sensing a dark mood coming on. “They tend to think of my magic as a special talent or something.”

“Indeed.” He shook his head, lanky hair brushing his shoulders. “Something should be done about muggle-borns.”

“Excuse me?”

“I mean about integrating them into our world. The majority have never even heard of magic, outside of fairy tales, before they receive their Hogwarts letters. Then they're simply thrown into this world and expected to catch up with other wizards who have been learning all this from the moment they could breathe.”

“True.” I nodded thinking of my own acclamation.

“Then on holidays you're sent home to families who have never met another of your kind. How are you meant to mix in both worlds? Magic isn't some quirk you're born with... it's who you are. Are you expected to simply ignore it when you're not here?”

“There are muggles out there who are accepting of their children's gifts Severus.” I pointed out. “My parents are quite proud and brought me to Diagon Alley every year for my school supplies until I was old enough to go on my own. Dad even keeps a sack of galleons and knuts for emergencies.”

“They're the exception. Most muggles aren't fit to raise a magical child. Have you any idea how many muggle-borns are despised because of who they are?”

Thinking of the prejudices I faced in school everyday I simply rolled my eyes. “I have a pretty good idea.” At his shrewd look I redirected. “So what do you think should be done with us poor, maladjusted muggle-borns? Since you're so clever.”

“You should be taken and placed in full wizarding homes at birth.”

His tone was so unnaturally light hearted that it took me a second or two to realize he wasn't kidding. “You're serious?” He nodded. “Take us from our parents just because they are unable to do magic?”

Another nod. “Who better to raise a magical child then a couple who are capable of it themselves. No more of this traipsing from one world to the next. Not only is it confusing and unfair to the wizard or witch in question but it's also a security risk for the secrecy of our world. What if your sister, who clearly despises what you are, decided to spread your...” He paused. “INCURABLE condition to the muggle authorities?”

“Aside from being laughed at and locked away in a padded room?” I snapped back. “And she doesn't despise me.”

“Of course she doesn't.” He countered, his tone dripping in sarcasm. “I'm assuming that the rift between the two of you has nothing to do with the fact that you can give her a fancy pair of antlers with the flick of a small wooden stick.”

“I can't believe your nerve!”

“Tell me I'm wrong.”

“You're wrong.” I snarled. “what gives you the right to decide whether or not a couple are capable of loving and raising a child who is different than they are? I have no complaints. If I had been placed with a wizarding family at birth, it has no true bearing on whether I'd be a better person than I am now. I may have been more knowledgeable but who's to say I would have been loved? My parents at least gave me that and it's far more important to me than they're sparse knowledge of wizarding culture. What right have you to judge muggles like my sister for their fear and ridicule when you pure bloods are just as guilty of it? I've experienced as much prejudice here as I did out there... if not more. At least THEY have they're ignorance as a reason for their lack of understanding. You have no such excuse which makes it all the more pathetic.” By now my cheeks I'm sure were glowing and Severus seemed taken aback by my outburst.

He finally conceded with a nod. “Touche'.”

Knowing this was the closest to an apology I'd ever receive from him, I nodded as well and swallowed back my annoyance. In a lighter tone I continued. “I do find it hypocritical... the dislike of muggles, considering their importance to magic.”

“How so?” His raised an eyebrow in genuine curiosity.

“Well, a muggle couple can give birth to a witch or wizard, right? How is that? There's no knowledge of wizardry in my lineage, so where did my genes come from?” His confused expression (another rarity) prompted me further. “Take pure bloods. It's been proved that they're producing more and more squibs each generation because of their inbreeding. So who's more powerful? My parents for creating a magical being out of absolutely nothing, or someone like... well the Malfoys?” I almost said Black or Potter but wanted to avoid a distracting argument. “Two wizards having a wizard isn't anything special... if anything it's expected that the baby will be as powerful as it's parents. But we muggle-borns...” I smirked. “Now THAT'S power.”

“Sacrilege.” Severus scoffed but I could tell he found my logic amusing.

“It poses the theory that magic just might originate from muggles entirely.”

“I'm not listening to this drivel.”

I chuckled. “If muggles can create magic without any prior history of it, I'd say they're far more important than the purest of wizards in our world and inter...” Pausing for the correct word. “racial, I guess, breeding is the best way to strengthen our world for generations to come.”

By now Severus had a slight flush on his cheeks and I laughed to see him so flustered. “Lily Evans,” He shook his head and narrowed his dark eyes at me. “It's scandalous the things you say.”

I must say, despite his prejudices and sour demeanor, I was quite taken with one Severus Snape. By Christmas I think it was safe to say he was taken with me as well. Unable to wait any longer and willing to risk his utter disgust, I kissed in him in the library as we put away our books. I'll never forget the complete befuddled look on his face. Pleasant surprise warred with suspicion and mistrust before I slipped in for a second.

I suppose in hindsight I might have told him how I felt about him before daring such a physical declaration. Or at the very least picked a far more private spot. We were interrupted by a few sixth year Gryffindors who seemed to have made it their lives mission to make war with every Slytherin on the planet. If the immediate teasing wasn't enough, Severus seemed to think I was in on it. That my kiss was nothing more than a way to poke fun at his awkwardness. After trading a couple hexes with the others, he ran out of there, leaving me with no time to give an explanation.

It was all over the school by the end of morning classes the next day. How something as innocent as a kiss could turn out so bad, I had no idea. Never had I hated house rivalries more than that day. Severus refused to speak to me and sent more than one letter back to me in flames. James, feeling as though his territory was in danger of being pillaged, took it upon himself to make Severus' life absolutely miserable. Honestly, he might have saved more energy and time if he's simply urinated in a circle around me like some mutt.

After countless attempts to apologize, I gave up. Severus and I weren't simply back to non speaking terms... he was down to looking at me with pure loathing. Never had he been so hateful and he knew all the right buttons to push. I didn't think I'd ever forgive HIM for his awful, unnecessary insults and actions. Such is the life of a teenager. Wizard or not. It was another two years before he and I shared a civil word.