How Not to Befriend a Slytherin

Okay, so, I've decided that since this story was started almost two years ago, it was super awful and I disliked it greatly. So I'm going to rewrite it following the same basic plot, but hopefully improving characterisation, grammar, etc. etc.

And so, on with the show.

One last thing, disclaimer! I do not own the Harry Potter series because if I did I would be writing an eighth book and not a fanfic.

Chapter 1- Defence Against the Dark Arts

"Good afternoon." The low voice of Professor Snape echoed across the silent classroom, lip curling as the sixth year students, yawning lazily in the summer heat, failed to answer. He snapped, long teaching robes swirling as he turned on his heel. "I said 'good afternoon!' Custom dictates that one should answer if one does not wish for a surprise test, custom-tailored to ones weaknesses in the course!" His eyes swept across the class, students making noises of protest as they jumped to attention in their chairs.

"...Good afternoon, sir." They replied after a moment of fuzzy-minded hesitation. It was too early in both the term and the day for the teenagers to be fully-functional.

A stack of parchment on the heavy dark-wooded desk at the front of the classroom began to make it's own way between the rows of students, distributing one to each pupil and there was more than one groan of complain at the essay title in spiky handwriting at the top of each sheet.

"You have an hour. Page three hundred and ninety in your textbook. Get going." The professor stalked up and down the aisles, contempt marring his features as he scanned a hastily-scribbled paragraph over the shoulder of a quiet Ravenclaw girl. "If you had revised at all over the holidays you would know that there is no counter curse to the Cruciatus. Detention. See me at the end of the class." His tone left no room for argument and, not fond of the idea of any more time with the notorious Snape, the girl didn't reply aside from the slight narrowing of her eyes as she stared at her parchment, ink from her quill dripping onto the desk.

The class continued in much the same fashion, with many of the students losing their house vital points. When the bell rang, the others packed up hastily before they, too, could be given a detention and scurried out as Professor Snape turned back to his desk. The single Ravenclaw remaining, a Holly Evergreen, stood awkwardly at her desk for several long moments, shifting from foot to foot before she spoke.

"Sir?"

Visible tension entered the man's shoulders as he clenched and unclenched his left hand. "Yes?" He hissed, voice soft and dangerous.

"About the detention..?" She prompted, biting down on her bottom lip for a moment.

"Tonight, nine. Do not be late." He scribbled something on a scrap of parchment and turned to thrust it into her hand, the impatient gesture making her blink in surprise. "That is your excuse should anyone pull you up for being out after curfew."

Holly cleared her throat and nodded, eyes flickering to his face before dropping to her hands at the thunderous stare she was rewarded with. "Thank you, sir." She murmured before turning to leave, footsteps quickening the further from the professor she got.