Know Thy Enemy

This story is based on characters and situations owned by JK Rowling, and various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books, and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No copywrite or trademark infringement is intended.

Chapter 1

My first meeting with Severus Snape was completely by chance. I was making a late night stroll through Hogwarts' halls and as I am a prefect, which I took full advantage of, I was deducting house points left and right as well as issuing out multiple detentions with Filch. The chance encounter with Snape happened as I rounded a corner, coming face to face with a most despicable scene. It wasn't the fact that one boy was being bullied by two others. The problem was that it was two Gryffindor's bullying a Slytherin (house colors really made my job easier). That was completely unacceptable.

"What is going on here?" I ask silkily as I stride into view. The two Gryffindors turn at the sound of my voice and I recognize Black instantly for his family does a lot of dealings with mine. It takes a few seconds but Potter's identity becomes clear after a moments thought.

"Nothing, Malfoy. We were just helping Snape to his rooms," Black says hastily as he turns to face me, trying hide the figure of Severus Snape who was leaning against the stone wall in a broken pose.

"Is that so?" I ask, moving a few steps closer until I am about a yard away from the darkly clad form of Snape. Potter nods his head, looking a little nervous though he is looking at Black to save him and I suppose the boy has probably told the blood traitor about our family's dealings with the Blacks.

"Twenty points from each of you for being out after curfew. Now Mr. Snape, what is going on here?"

At hearing his name called Snape straightens up his slender frame and trys in vain to smooth out his black robe though it is clear from my vintage that the drab garment is beyond repair. "Everything is fine, sir," Snape says in a soft voice as he hides his face behind a curtain of jet black hair.

From the corner of my eyes I see the hopeful looks on Black's and Potter's face. And even if those two are purebloods I can't let them get away with the harassment of a Slytherin. After all, those two are Gryffindors and there is nothing I abhor more than Gryffindors (and mudbloods and bloodtraitors of course).

"I do not tolerate being lied to, Mr. Snape. You look as if Mr. Filch's cat dragged you in," I say, taking in the rips and tears of Snape's robes.

Snape huffs before yanking a lock of greasy hair behind his ear and his onyx eyes pierce mine. Unconsciously I take a step back. Never have I seen eyes such as his and I am completely mesmerized. "Mr. Malfoy. I have dallied in this corridor for long enough and wish to return to my room as soon as possible. Those two haven't done anything worth losing sleep over, Mr. Malfoy, and as I have an advanced potions exam at the end of the week sleep is the last thing I wish to lose." With that said Snape swiftly leaves the premises and I am so awestruck that I don't do anything but watch.

When Snape is out of eye site it is as if my senses have returned and I turn my focus once again to the two Gryffindors. "Eighty points each for ganging up and fighting against a fellow student and a week worth of detention for ruining said student's property."

"That is completely unreasonable!" Potter grumbles out and I smirk at him because there is nothing he can do to get the points returned.

"No, what is unreasonable is the number of robes you will buy for Snape in order to replace his damaged property."

"You don't have the authority to ask this of us and we never damaged Snape's robes--not anymore than they already were." Black says as he folds his arms across his chest, scowling at me. Again I smirk, but this time it's directed at the Black boy. "If you don't want to tell head Black about why a marriage contract with the Malfoys was rejected then I would suggest you replace Snape's wardrobe as I'm sure you have damaged more than one pair of his robes."

The face of both boys is an angry red but they keep their mouths shut as I order them back to their room. With the Gryffindors gone I focus my thoughts back to Snape. Even though the fourth year Slytherin isn't a pureblood his name is known all throughout the school. Not only because he is a potions protege but because of the infamous feud between Snape and the Golden Trio (plus the little pudgy boy). Indeed, Snape's level of potions surpass even mine and I am two years ahead of the boy. There was even that one rumor of Pierre, the world renowned potions master from Beauxbatons begging Snape to apprentice under him though the boy must have refused because he's still currently at Hogwarts.

As I finally make my way towards my room I can't stop thinking about Snape and somehow I know that this night has irrevocably altered the course of my life.

Tbc...