Prologue – A Pureblood's Decision

Prologue – A Pureblood's Decision

"Eileen! Wait!" Tobias Snape ran clumsily down the front steps of the house before the black-haired witch could disapparate. She stopped and slowly turned around. Her dark eyes were impenetrable.

"What do you want, Tobias?" she said softly. She had been waiting for a goodbye all week; hoping, and hating herself for it.

He looked back at her and blinked once.

"You didn't say goodbye."

She raised an eyebrow and stared him down. They stood at eye level, because she was so tall and thin. She drew herself up even higher and lifted her chin.

"Neither did you." Her eyes were cold black pools, threatening to well over. Tobias reached out and grabbed her hand.

"I couldn't," he said, "because it means I'll never see you again."

"Tobias," she pleaded, but it was no use. She jerked her other hand up and wiped her eyes with the back of it. "You know it wouldn't work - you know my family. You know my friends."

His eyes narrowed.

"They aren't really your friends, Eileen! You don't have any except for Tabitha. It's a wonder you even talk to her – she's only a half-blood!" he spit out bitterly. "Does your family know about that?"

"Stop it!" she said, "just stop it! You know it's different – marriage is different. You're different. It would mean losing everything. And it's quite a lot to lose, Tobias! My family and my inheritance – I will be completely cut off, and you're not even out of school yet! What about university? Do you realize what you ask of me? How long I will have to wait? I will be alone in a world I don't belong to!"

"That's not true, Eileen, you would still have Tabitha and my aunt and uncle. You could make new life – you could! Maybe I don't have to go to university – I'm not sure that I want to."

This only caused her to shake her head and sigh.

"Oh, Tobias . . ."

He looked down at her hand in his. "Not all wizards are like your family, and you know it. You're not like them. You love me, but you're too scared to admit it." He dropped her hand and took a step back, looking angry. "You're just a spoiled rich pureblood like Aunt Helena has been saying all along. She warned us, you know. She told me I was a fool." He walked away, wounded, but proud. She could see him trembling with anger. Tears poured down her cheeks as she made her decision.

She ran after him.