My True Colors

"Miss Eliza Liynn, is it?" Severus looked the girl up and down before she uttered a determined "Yes, Sir" in response to his inquiry. A transfer student, one of the first at Hogwarts, but he'd been informed that a relative whom she was living with had attended the school, and wanted to see to her attendance there for at least a short time. Severus couldn't help but notice that this young woman was barely fit for Slytherin, and marveled inwardly at just how she'd been sorted into his house. 'Just as I wondered when I was an adolescent' mused the young professor with the greasy black hair. He was noted for that, he knew, along with his abnormally long nose and mysterious if not foreboding temperament. One thing that made him even more mysterious, though it was not well known, was that every one of the features he was famous for weren't included in his original appearance. He'd changed himself willingly, and could remove the curses he'd used to destroy his former life with little difficulty, in fact, he thought about doing so often. One thing stopped him from doing this, from going from present to past by way of appearance. He couldn't for the life of him accept the memories that flooded him when he looked into that youthful face, the one that lived on only in well-hidden photographs, which were the only reminder of his past. He remembered, as if it were yesterday, when he was that teenage boy. Carefree, almost. Not that anyone knew him as such. By the time he'd twisted his heart and soul, along with his appearance, he'd performed so many memory charms on each of his classmates that no one would ever place him as a very handsome young man at any point in his life. As for his temperament, that was, as much as he hated to admit it, mostly a very well acted façade. Though he's always been somewhat cold on the surface, and could be a very distant and dismissive person, he wasn't the dark, heartless, emotionless monster that his students believed him to be. In fact, his current state was owed to the fact that his well-hidden emotions had been torn to shreds. The thought pained him so that he shuttered. Being shaken very abruptly out of his personal reverie, he now noticed that they'd passed the Slytherin Common Room. Cursing himself, Severus thought up an excuse to cover for his mistake.

"I thought you may want to see some of your classrooms before you enter them for lessons," he said darkly. "After I've made a brief stop in my office, we can stop at about seven of the rooms that serve as hosts for the different class choices that are open to you here at Hogwarts, then we will make our way up to the Common Room. If you like, I might take you directly there from the Great Hall, as not to confuse you more than necessary."

"Thank you very much, Professor," whispered the young lady at his side. She didn't appear or sound frightened, merely overwhelmed and meekly shadowed by her new surroundings. He'd been acting very out of character, quite a bit more than usual in the few minutes he'd even known this girl existed, what with falling completely into oblivion with his own thoughts, to covering a mistake with a friendly gesture to familiarize her with her foreign surroundings. He didn't stop his strange behavior there, however. He actually, with or without being aware of it, he couldn't tell, struck up a conversation with her.

"I've been informed of the impeccable marks you've earned in all of your subjects. Would you like to enlighten me further by telling me of the courses you revel most in, so that I may tend to your scheduling for tomorrow?"

"Oh yes, Sir." She stammered, looking him straight in eye as no student had ever done before. "I'm very intrigued by all of my subjects, but my favorites? There are so many, but of the ones offered here, one would be Arithmancy."

"Continue, Miss Liynn. Eliza, isn't it?"

"Yes sir," she pierced him with her gaze again. "I also enjoy any Defense Against the Dark Arts lessons, as well as Transfiguration. All of the very bold and straight forward branches of magic, also Charms."

Severus was becoming more and more convinced that this young woman was a Gryffindor up and down, until she broke his train of thought once more.

"But Sir," she said, questioningly, "the one thing I really and truly enjoy every aspect of? It would have to be, without a doubt, Potions."

"Potions?" Severus rounded against his wishes in utter amazement, wondering how such a seemingly devout Gryffindor could be so in love with a subject that had Slytherin written all over it. He could tell the subject was her passion, her tone was immediately betraying. "May I ask what so interests you in Potions?"

"Well sir, I very much enjoy self expression and such, I suppose, and there are very few things in basic magic where this can be executed. But Potions? Potions is so diverse and precise at the same time, so exquisite; the very human soul can literally be poured into a cauldron. So much can be created or destroyed with a shockingly simple or dangerously difficult concoction, and, if you're brave enough, or naïve enough, depending on whom you consult, you can make something happen, something no one ever would have dreamed of happening, with a variation any existing mixture. It's an art, a beautiful craft that involves all aspects of a person's being to reach perfection, and by far it is the most laborious of all the branches of magic. Also, it's most definitely the only branch where one must know anything and everything about each and every item you use in your art. Knowledgeable and compassionate is the person that teaches one such an art, and eager to become this is the person who seeks to be educated in the skill. In my opinion, it's the most amazing type magic that has ever existed, and I find it most intriguing. Worthy and honored is a Potions Master and every Potions Apprentice, for they have the ability to pass their love for their skill on to a new generation, and I am simply lucky enough to have been part of that new era."

After her talkative period, Eliza fell silent, leaving Professor Snape to his thoughts. She was ambitious, a Slytherin trait, and loved Potions, but she was brave to speak to him so openly without even knowing him for half an hour, like a Gryffindor. She was educated like a Ravenclaw, he could tell, and seemed loyal and friendly, like a reserved Hufflepuff. Then why was she randomly chosen for Slytherin? And she claimed that he was an honorable, worthy, compassionate, and knowledgeable person to teach such an art? He took a few seconds to bathe in the glory of these words before she discovered what an unworthy, dishonorable person would be educating her in her passion this year. Then she broke the silence once more.

"Professor," she asked politely, "may I ask who teaches some of the subjects I will be taking?"

"Well," Severus searched for a suitable way to describe a few teachers without openly uncovering the low opinions he 'harbored' for many of them. And though, for some strange reason, he felt that he could be honest with this girl, he knew that he could not forget any part of his act, even one so slight; it could ruin everything. "Professor McGonagall is an extremely knowledgeable teacher from whom you can learn a vast amount of information. She will be your kind, yet strict, Transfiguration witch. Professor Flitwick, your Charms wizard, is very passionate about his topic and is very skilled; another teacher you can learn much from. Professor Vector is your Arithmancy instructor, and knows Arithmancy up and down; a very educated person all around. Professor Dumbledore, the Headmaster, is a mentor to many of the students, and if you happen to form a strong bond with him, as only a select few can say they have, cherish it and trust to confide in him. He is the strongest, wisest, most compassionate wizard of our age, of all time, in my opinion, and to be under his guidance is a gift beyond any materialistic item."

Severus stopped for a moment. Why had he spoken so deeply to this girl he barely knew? What about her made him relax? He knew what, but he hadn't the nerve to admit it to himself. For the same reason he couldn't bring himself to describe the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to her. They both looked so much like Noël it was painful. Severus was thinking about this when Eliza once again broke the silence after thy had finished in the dungeons and Snape's office.

"Professor, you are the Potions Master, aren't you?" She said this as if she'd known all along that what he taught, and as he hadn't confirmed her suspicion, she had to be sure.

"Yes, Miss Liynn, that is my position." Severus looked away from her, nervously busying himself with her records, which he was still carrying.

"I figured," she commented knowingly, yet respectfully. "You fit the position well, Professor. I can tell."

Severus stared at her in shock and amazement. All of the anxiety, well-hidden anxiety, mind you, he'd felt about this new pupil feeling as horrified as his other students at learning he taught Potions, left him. He looked her square in the eyes, trying to read her expression. Failing to do so, he whispered in a blank tone, void of any feeling, wicked or otherwise, "What makes you think that, Miss Liynn?"

"Professor," she steadily replied, "I've already disclosed all of the traits of a exceptional Potions Master, and I can tell that you exceed all of my expectations and fulfill many more." She paused. "Besides," she continued, "you can see it in your hands."

This threw Severus off by a mile. The girl was unafraid of him, of anyone, if he had to guess. Yet there was something other than the obvious that was strange about this girl; she seemed to be very self confident and aware, as well as extremely bright, insightful, and relaxed, though very assertive and able to express herself respectfully. She also gave the impression that, unlike most Slytherins, she was kind, thoughtful, and considerate of others. She was one in a million, he could see that much. Whatever was strange about her, though, didn't keep Professor Snape from inwardly gravitating comfortably to her presence at that moment. He felt that at last, perhaps someone could defy the Slytherin stereotype and bring honor to the great house, as he had tried and failed to do so many years ago.

"This is the entrance to our Common Room, Miss Liynn," Professor Snape said quietly, "I believe the password is 'Basilisk.'" The gigantic Manticore statue stretched out menacingly, growled at being disturbed, and leaped out of the way to reveal a small crack in the wall, which immediately expanded with an irritating noise into the entrance to the Common Room.

Severus walked through the entrance to a room full of young witches and wizards busy with gossip about the winter holidays, which were quickly approaching, and preparing for the next day's lessons. He cleared his throat loudly as Eliza followed him into the open area. Everyone in the Common Room became silent immediately.

"Fifth Years," Severus declared, "you will be adding one more to your number this year. This is Miss Eliza Liynn, and I'll expect that each and every one of you will show her the respect any Slytherin deserves and make her feel welcome, as well as assist her in adjusting to her surroundings. Miss Parkinson, Miss Liynn will be in your dormitory, please show her up when she is ready, and be hospitable. If there are any problems, I personally will see to it that all of you are punished. I expect that you all will be present tomorrow in class, as I hope that your Potions marks will greatly improve for this term. Good Evening "

With that, Professor Snape swept out of the Common Room, his midnight black robes billowing behind him.

"Eliza, huh?" Pansy scoffed. "So, why are you in Slytherin? You don't look like Slytherin material."

"You don't look like Slytherin material either, Pansy, wasn't it? Seems to me more like some cross between a bitch and a cow. Or a hippopotamus, you know?" Eliza said casually without a second thought.

Pansy mouth dropped, and she turned bright red. Everyone in hearing range stared with dropped jaws and shocked expressions painted vividly on their facial features. No one had ever insulted Pansy on being introduced to her. Millicent Bulstrode came up to Eliza. "Oh, come on Pansy, you deserved it!" She turned to Eliza. "Welcome to Slytherin, Eliza. I'm Millicent, I'm in your dormitory as well."

Eliza smiled slightly. "Thanks, Millicent." Then she turned to Pansy. "No hard feelings, Pansy. I tend to get very, out spoken, if you will, when I'm forced into new surroundings."

Pansy eyed her curiously for a few moments until reluctantly replying, "Yeah, no hard feelings."

Eliza looked around at her new comrades, taking everything in. There were Pansy and Millicent, then a quite looking girl about her age with yellow braids, pale skin, and watery blue eyes. She looked up at Eliza and smiled sweetly, though very discreetly. Then she saw a very attractive young man with silvery blonde hair, almost platinum looking, with piercing, grayish, sliver-blue eyes that seemed to penetrate her very soul. He looked at her, not through her as would be expected from a juvenile young man, but at her, taking everything about her in. Eliza's eyes roamed from this boy to the massive giants that loomed near him, both looking utterly incapable of intelligent thought. She pondered them a moment before glancing back to Millicent.

"Millicent," she said, "if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you show me up to my dormitory, I'm very tired and I want to be able to provide a suitable impression in my studies tomorrow."

Millicent appeared taken aback that this girl took her lessons seriously. "Sure Eliza, come with me."

Eliza followed Millicent down a damp staircase lighted by the occasional torch mounted to the wall. When they reached the bottom, there were two large black doors, one with a glistening silver snake with emerald eyes, the other with a sparkling silver and emerald 'S'. Millicent stopped in front of the 'S' and whispered "Silica Salamandastron" to the door. It unlocked and swung open for the two of them.

"'Silica Salamandastron' is our dormitory password, she was a great female Slytherin from the 1700's. No other house has dorm passwords, you know; we Slytherins just thought that we deserved and were entitled some privacy and security, you know?" Millicent explained. They walked along a damp corridor until they reached a large arch opening with a door that bore a looming silver encryption, "Girls' 5^th Year Dormitory."

Millicent turned the knob and threw open the door to reveal five four-post beds, each made of stone, obsidian, if she wasn't mistaken. Slytherin banners hung as decoration, a different version of the crest for each wall. There were five separate dressers and night stands, along with drapes for each bed. There were two windows in the room, and three mirrors. There were various other items; such as magical textbooks, various makeup and cosmetics, some of which appeared to have been created by the occupants themselves, magazines, and a few Muggle items, giving the room a complete look. Eliza felt that she would enjoy living here for the remainder of the school year.

"Thanks Millicent," Eliza said as Millicent turned to leave in order to return to the Common Room.

"Sure Eliza, any time," Millicent said as she left the dormitory.

Eliza lay down, thinking about her old school, and her old friends. Come to think of it, Mistlethwort really wasn't that different from Hogwarts. Set in a mountainous backdrop provided by the Tennessee Appalachians, Mistlethwort also had houses: Manticoria, Tigresion, Drangonia, and Manatium. The houses there, as at Hogwarts, represented different virtues. Tigresions were to be brave, strong, and self-confident, willing to bend the rules to see justice served and to help anyone they considered worthy of their aid. They tended to be conceited and domineering, always fishing for praise to the point where it often became annoying. Manatiums were characteristically very friendly and approachable, always willing to help anyone in need and to give advice. They were trustworthy, honest, and loyal. They were humble and worked for what they had, being very self aware and appreciative, though a bit shy at times. Their downfall was in their naiveté, for they believed almost anything, and were extremely gullible at times. Dragonians were exceedingly talented, but unlike what she had heard of Ravenclaws, flaunted their abilities openly. They were unafraid of confrontation; in fact, they created a lot of it willingly. They were the ringleaders, as far as they were concerned, but many people looked upon them as egotistical and rude. Manticorians, on the other hand, were intelligent, cunning, compassionate, helpful; a model student, besides the fact that they also had a knack for rule-breaking and undermining authority. They also valued camaraderie, and used it to their advantage. Tigresions and Manticorians were very similar, in fact, almost identical. Yet, it was a fact that Tigresions were much more full of them selves, due to their excessive glorification, though Manticorians truly deserved the praise, or so was the popular opinion of all but the Tigresions themselves. She knew much of this, being a proud Manticorian in her days at Mistlethwort. Which is why her current position inwardly troubled her.

She knew of Hogwarts, she wasn't stupid; it was one of the best European schools of magic; and she'd actually written a report for it in History of Magic last year when their topic was International Magic. So, naturally, she knew about the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts' Professors, and European Dark Magic; particularly Lord Voldemort. What had truly intrigued her was the similarity in Mistlethwort's and Hogwarts' School Houses. Only the virtues of each house differed slightly, and her current home was infamous for Dark Magic and evil, something she never before stood for, and didn't plan on starting to do so now. And Professor Snape certainly acted differently than what I'd heard of him earlier this evening... She thought to herself. I wonder why...

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Instead of beginning your study of Truth Potions," Severus started his 5^th year lesson, "today we will be reviewing many of the facts you are already supposed to have learned. Also, I will be asking some more grueling questions that contain facts you have not yet learned in my classroom. This is to judge how much independent study you have completed over your time here, and also what I must drill into your thick heads in next few months, as well as in the two years you still have ahead of you at Hogwarts."

All of the students moaned lightly, and Severus shot a few of them dark looks. He hadn't planned on changing his lesson, but he was curious to discover what this Eliza girl knew. Besides, his incredibly inattentive class could use to brush up on their potions knowledge.

"From where exactly is the subject name 'potions' derived?" he barked to the class.

Hermione Granger's hand, as well as Eliza Liynn's, shot up.

"From the Latin word 'potio', meaning drink," stated Eliza after being called upon. Her answer interested Severus, so he continued drilling her.

"Who, Miss Liynn, would be the appropriate person to ask if I were in need of a lunaelvae?" A more difficult question, but not impossible.

"An African wandmaker. For lunaelvaes, also known as Manticore teeth, are only found in the cores of African wands, particularly ones from Deion Lebrea, a wandmaker in Zimbabwe." A perfect answer, so he decided to ask one of even more difficulty, one most witches and wizards were uneducated of.

"At what time of the month must I begin a Polyjuice Potion if I wished to turn into a hybrid of two people or animals?"

"On All Hallows Eve, or Halloween, at exactly twelve midnight." She was flawless, so he asked the one question no one had ever been able to answer correctly, that only a handful of witches and wizard in the Wizarding World knew remotely about. If she could answer this, well, she wouldn't, so what did it matter?

"Where would I be able to procure a beaumink from and what is one use for it?"

"From the lung tissue of a common Muggle dog that was killed with a Basilisk fang between three and twenty four hours before. When combined with unicorn horn, fairy wings, phoenix tears, dragon eggshell, centaur tail hair, and a single Acromantula eye, and brewed until it reaches a colorful, silvery hue, it is considered the key ingredient in the most complicated potion know to the Wizarding World, Micomaliftoriuos, more commonly known as the Second Chance. It can save lives and is thought to be able to bring back the dead. Only once has it ever been recorded to have possibly been successful, and that was the time Professor Albus Dumbledore cooperatively prepared the solution with a particularly diligent student, whose identity is unknown to the public, for another publicly unknown student from the school. No one can prove that this instance was in fact successful, for no one has yet disclosed the subject the potion was used on, but it is believed to have at least saved a life, if not to have brought the student back from the dead."

Severus stared wide-eyed at the girl, amazed at her knowledge on this particularly unknown topic and this completely unpublicized incident, the incident that involved him, and had started the hell that was his life. The way she returned his gaze, he could tell that she suspected something, though what, he didn't know. "Thank you, Miss Liynn," he said to her quietly and swept majestically away.