From My Solitude

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except my OC and the plot. However, JKR was nice enough to let me borrow Severus and the Marauders for a while. But, I promise I'll return them...eventually.

Thanks again to my brilliant beta, Meg. It's because of her that this story makes any sense at all.

Chapter 2 Hello, Hello

The night is full of holes
There's bullets ripping sky
Of ink, with gold
They twinkle as the boys
Play rock and roll
They know that they can't dance

At least they know

I can't stand the beats
I'm asking for the check
Girl with crimson nails
has Jesus 'round her neck
Swinging to the music
Swinging to the music

Hello, hello
I'm at place called vertigo
It's everything I wish I didn't know
But you give me something
I can feel

Feel

From the song "Vertigo" by U2

"Where does this box go, Dad?" Sayble called from the hallway.

"Uh, what's in it?" he called back from his bedroom where he was busy sorting through his clothes. He waved his wand at a pair of socks, and they flew unceremoniously into an open drawer.

She placed the box on the counter in the kitchen and opened it, peering inside. "Some china, a few stacks of parchment, quills, and...a stuffed bat?" she said the last part with half disgust, half surprise. "Why the hell do we have a stuffed bat?"

"Watch your language, missy," her dad admonished as he came into the kitchen, standing beside her.

"Sorry," she mumbled, rolling her eyes.

"Just put it in the den, I'll figure out where to put it later," he said, tucking his wand into his robe pocket as he sat down in a chair. Sayble picked up the box and carried it to the den, which was littered with about half a dozen other boxes, some empty but most still full with assorted magical and Muggle objects. Frankie was sleeping in one of the boxes.

"You still didn't answer my question," she said as she came back into the kitchen and sat down in the chair beside her father. "Why do we have a stuffed bat?"

"Oh, no real reason," her father shrugged, standing back up. "Come on, we have to go."

"Go?" she asked, standing up and following her father into the living room. "Go where?"

"Diagon Alley," he said, stopping in front of the fire grate and extracting his wand once again. "Indencio," he mumbled, pointing his wand at the fire place, and a stream of fire issued from the tip, igniting the grate.

"Why are we going to--what was it--? Discus Alley? And what is that place?" she questioned, grabbing her favorite cloak from where it was draped across the chair and threw it over the Muggle jeans and blood-red shirt she was wearing. A pair of dragon leather boots peeked out from under the hem of the cloak.

"It's called Diagon Alley," he said with a smile, "We need to get you new school supplies; robes, books, and all that jazz." He reached for the Floo Powder jar, and took a pinch, handing the jar to Sayble. "Make sure you say it clearly now; you know what could happen if you don't."

Sayble rolled her eyes at his all-too-familiar warning about the wrong usage of Floo Powder.

"Now, I'll go first," her father ventured. He threw his pinch of Floo Powder into the fire, said "Diagon Alley!" and stepped into the hearth, the flames surrounding him as he disappeared.

Sayble sighed. She stepped up to the hearth, and stopped.

"Oh no," she muttered softly. "What was the name of that place...Deices Alley? Dungeon Alley? Curse you, you stupid short attention span. Ah, well, might as well try; if worse comes to worse, I'll Apparate back home."

She threw her pinch into the fire, cried "Dungeon Alley!" before she stepped into the fire and disappeared.

Sayble coughed, ashes clouding her vision and dust mucking her air. Spitting cinders from her mouth, she opened her eyes to find herself in a rather dingy thrift store, littered with what looked like Dark items. She spotted a few things she knew had been outlawed by the Ministry ages ago. At least, they had been in America.

She tried her best to brush the powder from her robes and hair, and made sure her wand was still up her sleeve. 'Better be safe than sorry,' Sayble thought dismally. This sure didn't look like Dicers Alley, or whatever the hell it was.

She stepped from the hearth and took a good look around. The front counter stood a few yards away, and no one was in sight. Behind the counter were a few shelves, crammed with dusty books and rather odd things floating in jars. The shelves and tables scattered about the store had more pickled things well as more books, and an assortment of other dodgy items.

As Sayble ventured over to one of the shelves, her eyes locked on a book. "The Complete Guide to Dark Creatures," she read the title quietly. She flipped open the book and fingered through a few of the pages, impressed with what she saw. 'Hm... Vampires, werewolves, banshees... I never knew acromantulas could talk!'

"Can I help you?" a voice behind her hissed. Sayble whipped around, taken off guard, the book dropping to the floor. At first, she didn't see anyone, and then she realized the voice was coming from below her. She looked downward, and was face to torso with a goblin.

"Do you, uh, work here?" she asked, still shaken.

"I do," the tiny creature replied, narrowing his beady eyes at her. His accent was thick. "My name is Grebbins, I own this store. Do you need help?"

"Uh, this book," she trailed off as she bent down to retrieve it. "Uh, how much is it?"

"Ah, a fine read," Grebbins said, taking the book from her, and examined it. "In almost pristine condition. Normally, it would cost quite a bundle...but for you-" he lifted his eyes to hers. "I'll sell it for no more then ten Galleons and eleven sickles."

Sayble bit her lip. That was quite steep, but it was such a fine book...

"Very well," she said reluctantly. She pulled her money pouch from deep within her black robes and followed Grebbins to the counter. She counted the money, and handed it over. Grebbins smiled, and handed her back the book.

"Have a nice read, Madame," he said with a sly smile. Sayble smiled uneasily back.

"Reducio," she muttered, tapping the book with her wand and tucked it into her pocket.

She turned and exited the store, looking around suspiciously. She saw a sign that read 'Dungeon Alley' on a nearby wall.

'Interesting, it's an actual place,' she thought amusedly. She stepped from the threshold of the shop, and headed down the alleyway. It was then she realized she had no idea where she was.

Sayble stopped, starting to feel more and more nervous. She didn't even know if she was even in London anymore. 'Well, the best thing to do would be to find a relatively friendly face and ask for directions,' she thought. Looking around, she discovered that it was easier said than done. Sighing, she set off again.

She wandered the alleys for what seemed like forever. Each store looked darker and darker than the last, and each face grubbier and more intimidating than the one before. Finally, she sat down on the steps in front of an apothecary, pulling her knees to her chest and resting her forehead atop them. She felt doomed to wander eternally in the dark, grungy alleys of downtown wizarding London.

"Excuse me. Move, would you?"

'British accent...good, at least I'm still in London.' Sayble picked up her head, and, seeing no one in front of her, swiveled around. Behind her stood a boy, about her age, carrying a paper bag which, she guessed, was full of potion ingredients from the apothecary.

He was wearing black Muggle pants, with a green button down shirt. Black robes swirled around him in an unseen wind. He had black hair, about shoulder length, a pale complexion, and a nose that was slightly crooked. His eyes were unusually dark. He seemed oddly familiar; she just couldn't put her finger on it. Pushing both thoughts aside, she rose to meet him. He was about three inches taller than her.

"Uh, it seems that I'm rather lost," she said embarrassed.

"I can see that," he said impassively.

"I need to get to, uh, Dialect Alley or something like that," Sayble said, biting her lip.

"Dialect Alley?" He looked at her, a frown on his face. "Do you mean 'Diagon Alley'?"

"Yeah, that's it," she said, recognizing the name at last. Now she was really embarrassed.

He sighed, as though her presence burdened her. "Follow me." He turned and walked down another alley way, seeming to know exactly where he was going. She followed.

"You're not from around here," he stated, his tone of voice making it seem as though he was demanding an answer.

"Huh? Oh, no, I came from Alaska..."

Blank stare.

"...in the States," she explained, with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, America," he said, a tad bit disdainfully. "I should've recognized the accent.

Sayble frowned. "What's wrong with America? It's a perfectly good place to live!"

He sneered. "Yes, if you like country music," he replied snidely.

"Well, sorry if I don't live off calf brains and escargot, Mr. Limey," she murmured. His eyes met hers, and they looked away, both smirking.

"Very good, Madame," he said, extending his hand. She took it, and they shook. "Except," he said, raising an eyebrow, "escargot is French, not British."

"Oh," Sayble blushed, eyeing the ground. "Right. I knew that." They continued on in silence. "So...what's your name?" she asked at last, for the sake of conversation.

He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "Snape. Severus Snape," he said, quietly. She looked at his face; he seemed to be daring her to laugh at him.

"Severus, huh? Sayble Lynn Greenwood, at your service," she inclined her head.

"Are you a Pureblood?" he said slowly.

"Aha...well, I guess you could consider me a pureblood. Both my parents were magical, and my grandparents too, I suppose. Although I never saw my mom's parents. I think I have a distant cousin who manages a grocery store or something. But other than that, I'm a pureblood."

"So, you might be sorted into Slytherin then?"

She looked at him. "Are you in Slytherin?"

"I am," he replied with a hint of pride. "Have you heard of the different Houses Hogwarts has?"

She nodded. "I have. They all seem interesting. Though I don't think I'm quite suited for Slytherin."

Severus snorted. "Not suited for Slytherin? Look at what you're wearing."

Sayble stopped, and looked down at herself, bewildered. Her attire seemed completely appropriate. "What's wrong with my clothes?"

But Severus didn't answer her. He turned to look at Sayble. "Look at your makeup."

Sayble touched her face self-consciously, her chipping crimson nails trailing and leaving soft white marks upon her cheeks. "What's wrong with my makeup?"

Severus snickered. "If a vampire and a zombie mated, you would be what popped out."

She scoffed indignantly, and brushed past him. Severus easily caught up with her. "I mean no disrespect, Miss Greenwood," he said, his amused tone betraying his forced politeness.

"I'm sure," she muttered, ignoring his forced formalities. "Say, are we there yet?"

At her words, they came to the end of the alley, and into a spot of sun. A sign on a nearby wall read 'Diagon Alley.'

"Finally, that place was giving me the creeps," she shuddered. They stepped into the alley, and Sayble was met by countless number shops, and an equally countless number of wizards and witches bustling about. Some were carrying bags, others were toting children, but each was shopping for the upcoming school year.

"So, this is Diagon Alley," she said impressively as he led her through the crowds towards Gringott's.

"Yes. Where did you do your shopping back in...? Ak-plasta?"

Sayble snorted. "It's 'Alaska', dumb ass, and we went shopping in a wizard mall."

He looked confused. "Wizard mall?"

"Yeah, it was this building enchanted to look abandoned, and it was huge inside. Dozens and dozens of stores and restaurants and such. Of course, it wasn't in my town-- Harper's Valley was much too small for something like that. No, it was in Seward; quite a distance away, but well worth the trip. Great place to shop," she said, with a slight homesick look on her face. "Sean and I went there a ton of times."

"Who's Sean?" Severus asked, his tone implying that he really didn't care, but still demanded an answer.

"Oh, don't get the wrong idea- he's not my boyfriend, he was my best friend. It's kind of a long story. I know, how about we get a drink?"

"A drink?" he asked somewhat sneeringly. "Miss Greenwood, I have much too much shopping to do, and I can't waste my precious time with you. I must really be going--"

"Nonsense!" Sayble replied, brushing away his refusal. "I need to repay you for escorting me out of Dungeon Alley."

"No, really, I must be going--"

"Severus, I insist--"

"Sayble! There you are!"

Sayble whirled around, and saw her dad, rushing towards her.

"Oh, Dad, hi," she said, smiling nervously. She had completely forgotten her father even existed. "I was, uh, looking all over for you."

"Where were you?" he asked, stopping beside her and wrapping her in a crushing hug.

"Oh," she struggled to breath. "Dad, your suffocating me!" He released her, and stepped back, waiting for her reply. Sayble half-smiled. "I said 'Dungeon Alley' instead of 'Diagon Alley'. Go figure."

"What did I tell you about careful Floo usage?"

"It wasn't my fault I couldn't remember the name of the stupid place, Dad!"

He snorted, and looked over her shoulder to Severus, who was standing behind her, looking a bit confused. "Who's this?"

"Oh, Dad," she turned to look at Severus, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "This is Severus. He goes to Hogwarts, and he found me and took me here. If it weren't for him, I, uh, might not still be here," she added, goading her father.

"Severus, huh? I'm Jeff, Sayble's father. Thank you so much for helping my daughter," he extended his hand, which Severus shook, though a bit apprehensively. "I don't know how I can ever pay you back."

"Oh, that's not necessary, sir-"

"Nonsense, nonsense! I know- let me treat you to dinner, it's the least I can do."

"Really, I must be going. I have to head home- my aunt is expecting me."

Sayble frowned. "Are you sure, Severus?" she smiled at him. "I would be delighted if you would join us."

"I really must be heading home," he looked at her, and then replied with somewhat forced politeness, "Perhaps another time?"

"Okay, we'll have to take a rain check on that drink then. So I guess I'll see you on the train?"

He nodded. "Yes, see you then. Goodbye, uh, Sayble, Mr. Greenwood," he nodded in his direction, took one last look at Sayble, and Disapparated with a pop.

Sayble sighed, and turned to face her father to find him smiling mischievously at her. She frowned. "What?"

"You like him, don't you?" her father asked with a sly smile.

"What? Dad, of course not! I just met him, for Merlin's sake."

"Uh huh, yeah, okay," he said, unconvinced.

"Dad! I'm serious!"

"Okay, sure, whatever you say."

"Father!"

"Come on, let's get your school supplies, then we can head home." They started off. After a few moments...

"...Dad, I do not like him."

"All right, Sayble, if you say so."

"Dad!" she groaned. He laughed, and ruffled her hair.

"I'm just kidding. Come on, let's go."

She reluctantly followed him, grumbling all the way.

"Oh Hell's bells, Hell's bells, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late..."

Sayble stumbled, gripping her cart for support. She caught her breath and continued, gaining speed. People flew out of the way, yelling at her to "Slow down!" or "Watch where you're going!"

She skidded to a stop, nearly running into the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10. Frankie hissed from her carrier at the sudden stop, but Sayble was too preoccupied to care. She took a few steps back, away from the barrier, and looked around. People were everywhere, but none of them looked like they were heading for Hogwarts. She looked at her watch. Why, oh why did her father have a job interview today, of all days?

"10:50...the train leaves in ten minutes! I'm going to miss it!"

"Excuse me? Could I be of some service?" said a silky, familiar voice behind her. She turned, and smiled.

"Severus!"

Severus, toting his own cart full of oddly sized packages and a pet hoot owl, sneered and replied, a bit annoyed, "What's the matter, Greenwood? Lost again?"

"I...oh...uh, how do you get to the platform?" she asked uncomfortably.

He let out a tiny sigh, as though her stupidity pained him. "Walk right through the barriers dividing Platforms 9 and 10. It's quite simple, Miss Greenwood. I thought you might have been able to figure it out."

She laughed, rubbing her forehead. "I should have known."

"I'll accompany you, then. The train leaves in ten minutes; if I leave you now, you might get disoriented and not arrive at Hogwarts until mid-October."

Sayble frowned at his impertinence, but nodded and lined her cart up with Severus'. "On the count of three then?" Sayble asked.

Severus nodded. "One...two...three," and they set off together, gaining speed as the barrier drew closer and closer. The butterflies in Sayble's stomach began fluttering more nauseatingly as they neared the barrier, but they passed through without a problem. Sayble gasped at the giant scarlet steam engine in front of her, with Hogwarts Express printed in gold letters across its side.

She just noticed that Severus was no longer anywhere around her, and glanced up to find him heaving his trunk aboard the train. She hurried after him, dragging her trunk behind her, just barely making it on as the train set off. Looking around, she saw him heading towards the back of the train, alone, lugging his trunk behind him.

She followed, still dragging her trunk which slowed her progress a bit. Glancing around at the other compartments, she noticed many of them were filled with students. She wondered why Snape chose to sit by himself.

Unbeknownst to him, she arrived at the compartment where he entered. She looked through the glass door to see him sitting on the seat, a rather large copy of Potion Ingredients of the Fifteenth Century propped up against his knees as he read intently. She opened the door and entered. He looked up, and shot her a surprised and angry look.

"What are you doing here, Greenwood?" he asked, angrily closing the book.

"I decided I'd sit with you for the train ride up to Hogwarts," she replied, levitating her trunk up to the baggage hold and sitting down across from him. "That is, if you don't mind."

"Actually, I do," Severus replied, picking up his book once again and delving into it. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if you would leave." When she didn't move, he looked over the top of his book to stare into her eyes. "Now."

She frowned at him. "Why are you being so rude?" she asked.

"I'm not being rude, I'm being frank. Now go, before I forcefully remove you." He turned back to his book, intent on ignoring her.

She paused, and considered leaving. 'But why?' she questioned herself. 'Why should I leave? He doesn't own the train; I can sit where I want.' She nestled down further in the seat and propped her feet on the seat across from her, next to Severus, and sat back, firmly planting herself in place. "No," was all she said.

Severus looked up, a bit of surprise showing on his otherwise stony face. "Excuse me?" he asked.

"I said, 'no'. I'm not leaving," she repeated. "You're just going to have to forcibly remove me."

He smirked. "Very well," he said, pulling out his wand. "Volate Ascendere," he chanted, aiming his wand at Sayble. She suddenly was lifted several feet of the seat, and her eyes widened in horror, arms flailing madly.

"Whoa there, trigger! I was just kidding! Hey, Sev put me down!"

His eyes visibly darkened as he jerked his wand downward, resulting in Sayble falling unceremoniously to the floor with a thump. He loomed over her, pointing his wand between her eyes dangerously.

"Never, ever call me 'Sev', do you understand?" he growled venomously. Sayble opened her mouth to protest, but Severus had already turned and stalked back to his seat, once again burying himself in his book. Sayble, now rather angry, pulled herself into the seat next to Severus and yanked the book out of his hands, throwing it to the floor.

"Hey! That book was very expensive. You don't just throw a thirty Galleon book on the dirty train floor!"

Sayble scoffed as she leaned back in her seat. "Get over it Severus, it's only a book." She frowned at him. "Say, I noticed that a lot of the compartments were practically overloaded with students. Why are you in here by yourself?"

"I like my solitude," he said shortly.

"How many friends do you have, Severus?" she asked quietly.

"That is none of your information, Miss Greenwood," he hissed between clenched teeth. She pursed her lips, but continued pressing.

"How many friends do you have Severus?" she asked again, her voice still low. His head snapped up, and he glared at her.

"I believe I already gave you an answer to that question, Miss Greenwood. Now, if you don't mind, I would appreciate it if you would please leave." She watched as he summoned his book back and hastily opened it again.

"Uh, Severus?" Sayble whispered. His eyes flashed as he glared at her.

"What!" he growled. "Why can't you just leave me alone? Why must you continuously pry into my life, when I've made it quite obvious that I want nothing to do with you! Just go away!"

Her eyes narrowed. "I was just going to point out that your book is upside down," she whispered. "But, it's obvious that your knowledge of reading far surpasses my own, so I'll just leave you alone now." She Summoned her copy of The Complete Guide to Dark Creatures from her trunk and disappeared behind it. The minutes passed by silently, before Severus spoke.

"Um."

"Yes Severus?" she said, her eyebrows raised inquisitively.

"I was just going to say...well..." he cleared his throat. "I've read that book, and the information about the werewolf is very outdated."

She smirked. "Apology accepted," she said. Severus bristled with anger again.

"I don't remember apologizing," he snapped. Sayble shrugged.

"You might as well have," she said simply. A few more moments passed.

"Not many."

Sayble looked up, a bit confused. "Pardon?"

"I just answered your question. I said 'Not many'." He wasn't looking at her, but was instead gazing out the window.

"As in, not many friends?"

"I am not repeating myself, Greenwood."

She nodded thoughtfully. She bit her lip, and then smiled as an idea struck her. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, enveloping him in a hug.

Severus stiffened. "What- the- hell- are- you- doing!" he hissed, pushing her off with a bit more force than he intended. She toppled off the seat and landed on the floor, laughing.

"I'm hugging you, stupid," Sayble stared at him, eyes twinkling mischievously as she leaned back against the seat. "I figured you needed one."

"I don't like hugs," hissed Severus quietly.

"You're serious?" she laughed. "Well, if you're going to be my friend, than you'd better get used to it."

"Hey, I never said I wanted you to be my fr-"

Suddenly, the door was blasted open. Sayble shot up from the floor, and Severus, whose back was to the door, swiveled in his seat to face the intruders. His face darkened, his features twisted in absolute loathing.

"Potter...Black..." he growled, leaping up from the seat, his hand already inside his robes for his wand.