Quicksilver

Settling himself under a tree overlooking the lake to read, Severus Snape pondered the irony of seeking solitude again at the scene of his very public humiliation two years previous. Engrossed in his thoughts and the book in front of him he is brought swiftly and painfully from his reverie by a solid object colliding with his leg. He looked up, furious, to find a Ravenclaw girl with her head in a book.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there. Are you alright?" she babbled, apologetic. "I didn't think anyone else came here."

"I am fine." he cut her off with a tone that implied he would rather not engage in conversation.

"Well, I'll just sit over here then." She gestured to a spot over to his left. "I won't bother you again." she promised.

He went back to reading the large leather bound book as she settled herself with a small but thick book of her own. However, he could not escape the feeling he was being watched.

He hazarded a quick glance in the girl's direction and caught her staring at him. She seemed to take this as an invitation to break her vow of silence.

"What are you reading?" she asked pleasantly.

"Ars Maleficarum, a text well beyond your understanding" he sneered, wishing silly little girls would mind their own business.

"I've already read that one." She replied hotly. He looked up in shock.

" I highly doubt that. This is a dark text well beyond the level of a mere 5th year." he said, incredulously.

"Actually, I'm a 6th year. And I've been through almost all the library. There's just some of the Restricted Section and most of the Muggle Studies section to go through." she replied, a little irritated at the condescending tone of this Slytherin boy who stole her reading spot.

"Very well. If you have indeed read it, kindly explain the subject of the seventh chapter." He said, laying down the heavy tome in order to properly observe this unusual girl.

"Yes, it's simple really. Blood Magic. It states when live sacrifice is used in Dark rituals, the power of the magic increases proportionally with the size and intelligence of the sacrificial subject. It goes on to state that the Dark wizards of South America discovered centuries ago that willing human sacrifice created magic so strong and powerful that they could not be stopped." She explained, matter-of-factly. His jaw dropped, but he recovered himself quickly.

"What are you reading now then?"

"The works of William Shakespeare. I'm currently reading the poetry." she replied with a smile.

"Poetry?" he scoffed. 'How like a girl' he thought to himself.

"Yes, it's not bad. Old Bill Shakespeare was a dirty old git. Teachers don't consider it filthy though coz it's written in old English and most of the idiots here wouldn't understand it or be seen dead reading for pleasure anyway." She laughed.

"So from the Dark Arts you have progressed to dirty poetry?" he quizzed mockingly.

"It's not all rude. Some of it is quite beautiful. There is one that you remind me of though." She said, wishing after that she hadn't finished that sentence.

"Really?" he questioned, raising a brow in disbelief.

"Yes, Venus and Adonis," she admitted after a pause, blushing.

"Hardly," he replied sardonically. "Adonis is fabled to be the epitome of physical perfection, something I have never deluded myself to be."

"No, I mean he is young and yet so cold and hard hearted, impervious to the treaties of the beautiful goddess he meets in the woods." She gushed enthusiastically, then realised what she has said and flushed again.

He gave her a hard look, but noticed the flush brings out the sparkle of her eyes, clashing green against the pink. Just like Lily's. No, not like Lily's. Darker, like the dark of winter leaves. He noticed a strand of her hair has fallen into her eyes while she was talking, wavy rivulets of brown, almost black like the finest dark chocolate.

He snapped out of this dreamlike state, changing the subject he asked her name.

"Elektra Marshall." She offered her hand and he took it.

"Severus Snape."

"Look what we have here, Snivellus has found himself a girlfriend." A loud voice called from the path behind them.

"Black." Severus spat with venom, pulling out his wand defensively.

"Ah, the delectable Miss Marshall. Ladies like you should stay away from Slytherin scum."

"What do you want now Black?" Elektra snapped with equal animosity, shocking Severus.

"Look James, my lovely lady has abandoned me to take up with a greasy Snape!" he called behind him to his friend.

"I am not now, nor ever shall be, your lovely lady. My friend, along with everything else in my life, is none of your god-damned business." she shouted, incensed.

"You know you're sexy when you're angry." Sirius continued.

"Get stuffed. If you don't get lost right now I'll make sure your name for the rest of the year is Sirius Pink!" she threatened, pointing her own wand at him.

"Leave it Sirius, if we get caught duelling I'll lose my badge and Lily will kill me." James cut in trying to pull him away.

"I'd listen to Potter if I were you Black. Even you have enough sense to see when you're outmatched." Severus taunted.

"Stay out of this Slime Ball," Sirius shouted.

"Now Elektra, when are you going to give in to yourself and kiss me?" he asked.

"Thank you for that Black. In the event I should imbibe too much alcohol this weekend, the mental image of you sticking your tongue down my throat should be enough to induce vomiting, thereby ridding my stomach of said alcoholic excess." Electra replied drily, causing Severus to smirk.

"Ooh, harsh. Come on Padfoot, I told you to quit while you're ahead." James said, dragging his friend away to nurse his bruised ego.

"Thanks for sticking up for me." she said when the Gryffindors had gone.

"Same to you." Severus replied, smiling.

"Wow! I get a smile. There's a rarity." She teased playfully.

"What do you mean?" he asked, reverting to his scowl.

"Well I've seen you about before, and you always seem a bit cross or glum." She stated simply.

"I have no particular reason to be cheerful." he said defensively.

"I know how you feel sometimes." she said sadly, a shadow passing over her face.

"Cripes, I'm late for Transfiguration! Maybe I'll see you here again?" she said running off.

As he picked up his own bag, he noticed she had forgotten her Shakespeare book in her haste. He considered it for a while, then slipped it into his bag.

Later that night, as he was sat up in bed, he came across the little book and thought of the strangely compelling girl who had left it.

"Elektra." he whispered softly to himself, pondering what possessed her to decide to talk to him. He flicked to 'Venus and Adonis' and began to read.