A/N: Ahem…

Please leave all questions until the end of the chapter

Apologies spelling, grammar and OOCness

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters, those rights go to J.K Rowling.

"…confico demaonium!"

A loud wail of pain and agony screeched out all around them and Godric kept his free arm locked tight around Salazar's shoulders, while the other hand continued to hold his wand out in front of them as bright lights flashed and the screams grew louder before it all went dark and the night air stilled completely.

Salazar kept his head buried in the redhead's shoulder with his arms locked tight around his waist as he shook and trembled with fear while Godric just kept staring wide eyed at the large willow in front of them near the lake as its leaves and branches seemed to glow an eerie bright red before the color faded to a more natural shade of green. It was silent all around them, with nothing but the Gryffindor's harsh heavy breathing echoing all around them and Salazar's sharp quick breaths.

They were both heavily injured and scarred badly, Salazar more so than he since the Slytherin had been weak and severely drained when this battle started out. Godric had multiple wounds bruises all over his body, but that didn't really matter. They're both young men barely over the age of thirty, they'll heal well enough on their own and what didn't heal could be fixed with magic. Although Godric worried that the damage done to his love's mind could be irreversible.

The redhead shuddered at the thought; he came so close to losing him, so close to losing his one true love after only just realizing how much he loved the insufferable man he now held in his arm. Godric dropped his wand and wrapped his other arm around Salazar's shoulders, taking in a deep slow breath of the other man's scent as he pulled him even closer. Almost scared that if he let go, Salazar might disappear, that it was all a dream and he'd actually lost the Slytherin to that-that thing, that monster.

But he didn't, Salazar is safe now, they both are.

"G-Godric, is-is it-"

"Yes, it's all over now. You don't have to be afraid anymore." Godric said feeling his heart leap with joy as the light haired man tightened his grip on his waist and let out a sigh of relief against his neck, "He won't hurt you ever again, my love. Never again."

Salazar sobbed and Godric felt his own eyes begin to sting as he looked up at the willow but held back the flow, it wouldn't do to get too close like this. The spell he used is binding, the creature couldn't possibly hope to ever escape now, but there was a way to break the spell as there is with every spell. Every charm has a counter charm and every curse has its cure, but as long as he keeps the secret. As long as he keeps it to himself, takes it to his grave, then the thing-that monster-won't ever hurt him or his love or anyone else ever again.

The redhead leaned down to press a kiss on the top of Salazar's head and moved in one swift movement to get up off the ground, even as his body ached in protest because of the pain and strain he'd suffered, to lift the Slytherin up into his arms and walk away. Salazar didn't protest the way he normally would have in that situation. Too relieved and exhausted to care about anything other than the warmth and comfort he felt in Godric's arms. To think, he'd almost lost this, he almost made such a horrible mistake, but it's all over now, he'll never have to fear anything ever again.

With each step Godric took away from the willow towards the castle, he felt his chest lose a little bit of the tension every single time. He ignored the feeling of dread in the back of his mind, the thought that something might happen to release the beast someday because that would never happen. He'd never be free, Salazar would always be safe and they'd be happy and in love together.

Forever.

Silly little man…

There's no such thing as forever.

Severus collapsed.

Falling to his knees beside the great willow beside the lake as he fought back hard against the sobs and whimpers that threatened to tear through his form as much as the tears that stung his eyes threatened to fall over his face right at the moment. Instead he took a deep shuddering breath, grabbing at the tethered remains of his clothes as he sat down with his legs pulled against his chest and his back against the willow. He tried to piece together the shredded pieces of material that lay against his chest, tried to ignore the burning sting from the wounds he endured during his most recent assault to instead focus on his robes.

They were brand new.

Or at least they used to be.

His mother could only afford to buy him one new set of robes a year while the rest of his clothes were either second hand items or jumpers and shirts that she'd make herself. A few of the clothes he had were his father's and so they were always too big for him but Severus learned to make due.

His robes however were brand new and they were all his own, he knew that Eileen worked extraordinarily hard to give her child all she could and his robes were no exception. She worked a few odd jobs in Cokesworth, saving up a little bit every time she got paid, before risking Tobias' wrath by taking some of the few coins he managed to bring in as well. All so that Severus could have at least one new pair of clothes every year.

It was meant to be a birthday present of sorts and Severus always treasured the gift, making sure to keep it clean and well taken care of. He'd even wear his older robes, the ones that didn't fit so well anymore just so he could avoid wearing the new ones too often.

That morning however it was his birthday and he decided to wear his new robes.

What a terrible mistake he'd made.

Severus shut his eyes tight fighting back against the urge to cry as his hand clenched in the ruined remains of his clothes, before looking up into the branches of the tree around him and he briefly thought back to second year when this used to be his favorite place to go to read or rest or just be for a few hours. Before the marauders ruined this spot for him, Severus used to sit under the tree's branches and just think, sometimes he'd catch himself even talking to it since the most serene feeling of warmth and comfort would always wash over him whenever he did and he couldn't help but wish it were alive. Wish for that warm calming presence he always felt around the tree to be more alive, more human. He'd wish for arms to wrap around him in a protective embrace the way his mother used to do, stroke his hair and listen to all of his troubles before promising that everything would be alright. And so he spent all his time under it when he wasn't in class or studying in the library. It was his place of solitude and comfort.

But then the marauders happened, they humiliated him in front of the entire school and Severus managed to drive away his one and only friend in his embarrassment. All of that, he did in front of his beloved tree. Afterwards Severus felt too ashamed to ever go back. It was a silly thought but he felt he'd disappointed it, that he could never go back to his place of solitude because of the humiliation he'd endured in it, like he'd shamed the most important person in his life that day and so he couldn't return.

But that day, after what happened in Flitwick's class Severus ran and ran wishing that he could have somewhere to get away somewhere that he could escape the jeers and the taunting and finally just have some peace until he finally found himself at the lake, right under the tree that he used to love so much.

The rest of the school was probably at lunch and from what he heard Flitwick say as he rushed out the door, the marauders would probably be hauled up with Dumbledore for the next hour. Not that that would do any good. Severus knew that nothing would come from it. The headmaster would probably just give them some laughable excuse for a scolding before sending them on their merry way and Severus would be pushed aside. His feelings and the pain he repeatedly endured was never considered. All Dumbledore cared about was his precious Gryffindors and so they could get away with virtually anything.

Even murder, the incident last year proved that.

Severus would always be pushed aside. Pushed down, knocked over, spat on and left in the dust.

He'll never have peace.

At that thought the raven haired boy turned back, crawling closer to the tree until he was right against its great trunk and rested his head against it.

Somehow it didn't feel as rough as he thought it would have and for a moment Severus could almost feel the tree soften beneath him cradling his form and rise with a warmth that almost caused him to break and release the tears he'd been holding in since he managed to get away.

It was a rare day in which Flitwick had both Slytherin and Gryffindor in the same period. Apparently the charms professor had an important spell to teach them and seeing as how the Slytherin class was just before the Gryffindor class, both classes were combined so a longer two hour period could be achieved.

It was also Severus' birthday and up until that point, things were going well for the raven haired Slytherin. That morning at breakfast he received a gift from Malfoy, who'd graduated a year earlier but still had some affection for the younger boy. It was a collection of books, dark books that Lucius had shrunk and sent in a small box thinking that they would be of interest to his younger friend along with a premium bottle of Bourbon charmed so it wouldn't be detected when sent to the school. Narcissa was in the same year as he was and the girl gave him a new set of ink pots and quills, Regulus decided to skip the gift deciding that Severus would probably be able to do more with a pouch of gold than any gift he bought him. Severus hadn't wanted to accept it but Regulus said that he didn't mind, giving a wicked grin as he explained that it came from Sirius' inheritance anyway so no loss there. But most surprising of all had to be Evan Rosier who'd actually gotten him something that year. Usually Severus never got anything from his dorm mates; usually they'd ignore him and pretend like he wasn't even there. The only friends that Severus could ever count on were Lucius, Narcissa and Regulus, the rest of his house deemed him unworthy of their attention since he was just a half-blood. So he didn't really expect anything from any of them, so of course Rosier's gift was quite a surprise and oddly lovely.

It was a box of chocolates.

Severus loves chocolate, but he can rarely ever afford it.

The box wasn't wrapped and Rosier had basically thrown it at Snape's face as he left the room. Severus had stared at the box before looking up at his dorm mate who was headed towards the door.

"Rosier what-"

"I remember in first-… you like chocolate right?" Severus just nodded dumbly as the blonde paused in the door to glance over his shoulder before he turned back and left the room, "Happy birthday."

It was a good day.

But then came charms and everything went to shit.

The marauders had been in attendance along with the rest of the Gryffindors in their year but Severus barely paid them any attention, determined to go about his day as peacefully as possible. Unfortunately he arrived late, the class was already full when he got there and all the desks on the Slytherin side were occupied leaving just one spot open, the seat beside his ex-best friend.

Lily.

Severus stared at the seat before reluctantly sitting down, just knowing that he would hear all about this from both houses soon enough. Despite his heartache at losing the girl, things have gotten somewhat easier for Severus since he stopped spending time with her. The students from his house weren't as cold towards him although they still weren't very welcoming either and the only Gryffindor's that bothered him were the marauders. So he missed her of course he did, but he didn't miss the side effects that came along with their friendship either.

After he sat down he heard Bellatrix make a snide comment about filth sticking close to filth and it started a murmur among the Slytherins until Narcissa intervened in a way that only she could as she said,

"Would you like to take his place Bella? You were almost late too. Consider yourself lucky, Snape is sparing you from the indignity." It was somewhat insulting but it quickly caused the snakes to hush so Severus was grateful. Unfortunately not everyone felt the same way.

Class started Flitwick started his lecture and Severus could feel the eyes burning into the back of his head, glaring with anger and hate but he tried to ignore it as best as he could. Making notes as the professor spoke when Lily suddenly passed him a note and Severus hesitated, glancing up at the girl for a brief moment before he slid it over his notebook and opened it.

'You look nice today, happy birthday'

Severus looked up and found the girl wearing a warm smile as she glanced at him before bringing her attention back to the front of the class. Severus felt his cheeks warm just a bit and quickly looked away.

A few moments later, Flitwick had them all stand up and cast the first part of the charm, the result was meant to be a bright light appearing above each student, aurora lights of bright purples and blues each centered above the student that cast it before they moved on to the next step.

And that's when it happened, Severus had just cast his spell and he looked up in triumph after he got it right after the first try only to gasp when he suddenly felt a sharp sting against his back and he turned around just in time to see Potter, Black and Pettigrew each fire a hex at him. Severus gasped in shock and barely had any time to react as his robes were shredded apart, this caused the class to break out into a loud roar of commotion and Flitwick fought to get them all quiet until the it finally stopped and Severus looked down to find his clothes shredded beyond repair with some of the cuts cutting down to his skin to let blood trickle through.

What got Snape more than anything else was how close it was to a spell he'd been working on for the past two months. It was an advanced form of his sectumsempra; only this one could deal out multiple cuts all at once instead of just one. The execution was weak though not nearly as powerful as it should've been so Severus didn't suffer too much damage but it was still enough for the class to raise and roar with laughter and taunting jeers.

He ran from the classroom, briefly catching Lily's gaze of shock and sadness and Narcissa's rage as he left.

His robes were ruined, he was humiliated and Severus just knew that despite all the pain he experienced absolutely nothing would come from it. That's why he won't go if the headmaster calls him to his office, what would the point be if he just knows that the marauders are just going to get off scot free anyway?

Severus reached down to clasp at his clothes, his skin still burned where he was cut and the cool breeze that rose chilled his skin. Severus felt miserable.

"It's never going to change is it? It's always going to be this way." He said softly letting his hand go back up to the tree to run his fingers over the bark. "All I wanted was one day; one day to just be quiet and peaceful but I can't even have that."

The leaves above his head rustled in the wind and somehow the breeze felt warmer as it blew over his skin almost seeming to brush his hair to the side and whisper quietly over his ear.

Severus' jaw clenched, he could almost feel the phantom touch and suddenly realized exactly how lonely and pathetic he was. He was so alone that the only comfort or anything close to affection that he could find was from a tree but he still didn't pull away.

"I don't think I can take this anymore." Severus' voice cracked as he leaned into the tree a little more, "I just want it to stop hurting, why can't I be happy, just once?"

The breeze moved through his hair again and Severus felt warm, warm enough to let his guard down, warm enough to let his walls crumble, warm enough to let the tears fall.

Severus cried, sobbing into his hand as his body rocked with tremors of heartache. He kept his eyes shut tight but it didn't stop the tears from streaming. He isn't sure how long he was out there but it was long enough for the sun to start to set and night to fall over the lake. Severus grew tired and weak in his exhaustion. He soon fell asleep, resting his head against an exposed root growing thick from the base of the tree and just before the last rays of sunlight disappeared over the horizon one final tear slipped from his eye rolling down his cheek to slip and fall onto the root of the tree quickly sinking into its thick bark.

Suddenly it began to glow, a bright green surrounded the large tree and soft whispers started to fill the night air. The warm breeze turned ice cold and Severus shivered in his sleep but didn't wake, the glow surrounding the tree suddenly seemed to separate itself from it moving away to concentrate and form a shape that grew brighter and brighter until a young man was left standing in its place once the glow had disappeared.

"Freedom."

Long white hair and sharp red eyes, those eyes darted around him for a moment until he caught sight of the boy sleeping just a few feet away at the foot of the tree and a warm smile spread over the young man's face. He stepped closer going down to a crouch to take hold of the teen and pull him into his arms, Severus stirred but the man quickly hushed him, whispering in some ancient language against the teen's ear causing him to fall asleep and the man's smile grew wider still.

He brushed his fingers against Severus' cheek brushing back the somewhat greasy strands of hair back behind his ear before letting his fingers trail down to the teen's lips.

"I've heard you talking to me little snake. I've heard your pleas for help and your cries of pain. So sad, that such a beautiful soul should suffer under all this torment. Something must be done." The man's smile grew wider as he leaned down to press a kiss on Severus' cheek. "I'll give you all you've ever wanted. All the love and happiness you so desperately desire… And you will be mine forever. No one will ever stand between us again, not even Godric." Red eyes grew even brighter and the man nuzzled the teen's cheek as he whispered against his ear.

"Salazar."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Narcissa had been meddling with him all morning; trying to find out where he disappeared to while trying to cheer him up after the incident in Flitwick's class the previous day but it wasn't working and honestly all Severus wanted to do was crawl into his bed, charm the curtains shut and just stay under the covers for the rest of the year. But he couldn't do that.

Despite everything, Severus refused to let the marauders have the satisfaction of knowing just how badly they'd almost broken him. How he'd cried himself to sleep and didn't even know how he ended up in his bed before hiding away in the Slytherin dorms because of what they'd done.

No.

He might not be attractive or popular or have any athletic ability to speak of but if nothing else Severus is a survivor, his mind is brilliant and he is exceptionally talented when it comes to creating and casting spells. The marauders might have taken a lot away from him but they can't take that away.

That's what he told himself when he woke up that morning and had to brave the halls so he could get some breakfast before starting his first class. Not that he was all that hungry to begin with, but he knew that Narcissa and quite possibly Regulus would nag him about it for hours if he didn't show.

Severus forced back a smile when the girl beside him subtly slipped one more piece of toast and a sausage onto his plate, before lifting the cup of tea in front of her to her lips.

"Honestly Snape, just because you're look like a bird doesn't mean you need to eat like one." Narcissa said causing one of her friends beside her to start giggling; Severus couldn't find it in himself to be angry. She's one of the few people he could count on and call a friend after all, even if the gesture annoyed him a bit, she was looking out for him and right now Severus could do with a little support. As long as she didn't go overboard then he didn't mind too much.

Narcissa watched the raven haired boy beside her, arching a brow when Severus didn't immediately start eating. Severus fought against the urge to roll his eyes as he picked up the piece of toast and took a bite before sipping on his tea. The blonde seemed to nod to herself before speaking.

"Will you be in the common room after lessons today?"

Severus shrugged, "There's an essay I need to work on for transfiguration so I'll probably be in the library."

Despite his talents in almost every single other subject that Hogwarts had to offer, Transfiguration was his worst subject a fact that frustrated Severus to no end since Potter and his band of brainless followers did so well in the class.

"Hmm," Narcissa hummed as she sipped her tea, "Agatha and I plan on studying for potions and we were wondering if we could pick your brain."

Severus gave a snort, "Narcissa if you want me to write your essay for you all you have to do is ask."

"That's not why I was asking." Narcissa let out an indignant huff, "I thought we could spend some time together, get you out of that stuffy old dorm room of yours and out into the open air. We're going to study in the courtyard today."

Severus almost sighed since she almost sounded like Lily whenever she wanted to spend time with him before they had their fall out. He glanced up at the Gryffindor table and saw caught sight of Lily sitting next to her friends, although her back was turned towards the Slytherin table, she never used to sit that way before. Suddenly a loud obnoxious laugh caught his attention on the other side of the table and he couldn't help but glare at the sight of a certain group of Gryffindor's laughing and joking like they didn't have a care in the world.

"I'd rather not."

"Why not?"

Severus shook his head and Narcissa let out a quiet hiss underneath her breath as she leaned in a little closer, "You can't let those arrogant toads control your life Severus, don't let them have the satisfaction of even thinking that they've upset you."

Severus looked up at the girl as she gave him a small smile that he couldn't help but return. "Now after your last class, you come and find me and we'll go outside. We can even make a day of it. Maybe even have the elves make us a picnic."

"What about Pomridge?"

Narcissa rolled her eyes, "She won't mind, believe me Agatha will just be grateful that you'll be there to explain the blasted difference between powdered dragon scales and crushed dragon scales since our dear head of house has proved to be so useless in that respect."

Severus let out a snort at the comment before taking another bite of toast, "Alright, I'll see you two at three then."

"Good." Narcissa said with that small smile when the head master suddenly spoke, drawing all of their attention.

"Good morning students." The man said with a warm smile and those twinkling eyes, Severus couldn't help but sneer at the ridiculously bright purple robes he wore as he raised his arms to bring the students to a hush before just going back to his breakfast.

His confidence in Albus Dumbledore was shattered months ago, on that very night that he was tricked and almost murdered only to be sworn to silence while absolutely nothing was done in his defense. He has no interest in anything that the man has to say.

"Before you head off to your classes there is some business we need to take care of." The hall stilled and Dumbledore lowered his arms to speak, "Although we normally don't have house sortings this late in the year, this morning a student from the Durmstrang institute of wizardry and magic was transferred here to Hogwarts to join our seventh year class and as such we will have a short sorting ceremony before classes begin. Welcome lord Sebastian Sorin Cristea the fifth."

The hall suddenly filled with excited whispers and gasps as the head master raised his arm towards the back and a young man stepped out from behind the table where the professors sat. Severus didn't raise his head until he felt Narcissa nudge him with her elbow.

"Well well well, it seems we have some new talent." Severus merely arched a brow at the girl and she nodded towards the stage. The teen went to stand beside the headmaster and Severus couldn't help but blink in surprise at the teen's appearance.

He was tall and pale, with long platinum blonde hair going down to his back, kept out of his face by two long braids going from his temples all the way to the back, a strong defined jaw that looked like it could probably cut glass and sharp ice blue eyes that scanned the large room while his lips twitched up in a faint smile.

The teen was simply put, beautiful.

Severus could hear the girls around the large room whispering to another excitedly while some openly swooned and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Granted lord Cristea is beautiful but it certainly didn't warrant the reactions that he was getting. Severus took a sip of tea as he looked up at the stage as Filch brought in a stool and professor McGonagall came closer with the sorting hat in her hands, only to almost choke when those ice blue eyes suddenly turned to look right in his direction, seeming to lock onto Snape just as his smile grew even bigger causing a shiver to rush down Snape's spine.

"Severus, are you alright?" Narcissa asked in slight alarm and Severus quickly tried to catch his breath as he nodded his head, "I'm fine."

"It's an honor to be here headmaster." The teen said in a smooth sultry voice that earned a few more swoons and caused a few faces around the room to suddenly go pink. Severus had to fight back against the blush threatening to bloom under his skin since the blonde teen hadn't taken his eyes off of Severus when he said it.

Narcissa frowned, "Do you know him?"

"Now, let the sorting begin." Dumbledore said before Severus could answer and the sorting hat started to sing its song like it did every year at the beginning of the year before lord Cristea was guided to sit down on the stool and professor McGonagall moved closer.

A chatter immediately rose with the students trying to guess where the blond would be placed but it was short lived as the hat had barely even been brought close enough for it to touch the young man's head before it gave a shout.

"SLYTHERIN!"

The students at the Slytherin table clapped and some of the less restrained snakes cheered while the rest of the hall clapped a little more calmly with some of the girls from Gryffindor wearing mournful pouts as the blonde's tie turned green and he gave a smile as he walked over to the table.

"Now that that is settled, breakfast can continue and classes will begin once the meal is over." The headmaster said as he took his seat and professor McGonagall did the same.

"Slytherin could do with some nice clean blood." Severus could hear Bellatrix say a little further down the table, closely followed by a chorus of hums from the students sitting around her and he didn't need to look up to know that her gaze was on him when she said it. Narcissa's eyes narrowed down at her sister, "We don't know that he's pure Bella."

"Cristea is a pureblood name." Avery suddenly said from his seat across from Severus, "Actually, from what I understand, the bloodline died out decades ago. Apparently they still had an heir hiding away somewhere."

The group stilled when the blonde finally reached the table, with some eager faces near the group of fourth and fifth years moving a bit to the side to make some room while others attempted to watch the young man discreetly as they ate.

To Severus' complete and total utter shock lord Cristea was walking right towards him and the Slytherin couldn't help but glance at the empty seat beside him. It was always empty, the only ones that sometimes sat beside him at meal times were Narcissa, Regulus, Lucius when he was still in school and Rosier when it seemed like he and Avery were at each other's throats again. His blood status usually made the rest of his house mates stay away.

Severus tried to take a deep breath to calm his nerves; he couldn't be coming over to sit beside him. He wouldn't.

"Is this seat taken?"

Severus almost froze at the voice that spoke up beside him and he looked up at the older teen through his hair to find that same slight smile on his lips.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Bellatrix suddenly said twirling a spoon between her fingers as she kept a steady gaze on the blonde with her eyes flickering to Severus for just a moment, "It's not exactly the cleanest seat at the table, if you get my meaning."

Narcissa glared at her sister and Severus fought back against the heat that rushed to his cheeks in humiliation when the teen spoke surprising all those that heard him.

"It looks absolutely perfect from where I'm standing." The blonde said as he slid onto the bench and his smile grew a little more as he held out his hand towards the boy beside him. "Lord Sebastian Sorin Cristea the fifth, and you are?"

Severus just stared at the hand in surprise before he took it and gave it a shake, "Severus Snape, it's a pleasure to meet you lord Cristea." Before pulling back or rather trying to pull back as the hand around his own suddenly tightened. Cristea smiled

"Severus Snape, the pleasure is all mine." The blonde said as he raised Snape's hand to press a kiss on his knuckles and Severus couldn't stop the hot blush that suddenly spread over his face at the action, "Please, call me Sebastian. I have a feeling that you and I will become good friends Severus. May I call you Severus?"

Severus just stared back at the other, at a complete loss for words until he suddenly heard Narcissa giggle quietly behind him and he quickly cleared his throat, "Severus is fine."

"Then Severus it is." Sebastian said pressing another kiss on the boy's hand before letting go and turning back to the food spread out on the table. The raven quickly looked away, brushing his hair behind his ear when he felt Narcissa nudge him as she whispered.

"Good friends, hmm?"

"Shut up." Severus hissed back at her and his eyes briefly caught Bellatrix scowling at him from her seat while Narcissa just smirked.

Unbeknownst to any of them three pairs of eyes were watching the scene across the hall. One brown, one blue and another amber gold.

Sirius was scowling at the scene repeatedly stabbing his bacon with a fork before he finally spoke, "What the hell was that?"

Remus glanced over to his friend before letting out a sigh despite the way his hand clenched around his goblet as he spoke, "Sirius don't start."

"Start with what?"

"You know what, its Snape's right to make friends with whoever he chooses to be friends with." Remus said trying to take a deep breath before looking down at his plate of French toast. While Sirius growled, "That didn't look like a friendly gesture to me Moony."

"It's none of our business."

"The hell it isn't!"

"Why do you care?" Remus suddenly hissed looking up at his friend with a glare, "You hate him remember?"

Sirius stuttered for a moment before he managed to pull himself together to answer, "Of course I do."

"Then why do you care?"

"I don't." Sirius said defensively as he shoved a piece of bacon into his mouth, "It just figures that lord Cristea would be a slimy snake, he's probably a death eater too. No wonder Snivellus is the first person he talked to."

Remus sighed again as he glanced over to James who was sitting on his left and frowned at the way the Gryffindor's jaw seemed to have clenched and his eyes had suddenly darkened.

"James, are you alright mate?"

James seemed to blink as he looked back at his friend in surprise.

"What?"

"I asked if you were alright." Remus explained with a tilt of his head, "You've been glaring at Slytherin for ages."

James quickly cleared his throat and sat up a little more in his seat, "It's nothing. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

James gave him a smile, "Positive."

Remus watched his friend for another moment before going back to his breakfast. James on the other hand just lifted his gaze so he was looking across the hall all over again. Bright hazel narrowed down in anger as something unpleasant stirred in his chest as he watched Cristea lean in to say something to Snape, the raven's cheeks colored with a light rosy flush as he nodded his head before answering and that feeling in his chest got even stronger.

A/N:

Yeah. Two chapters including this one. This was meant to be a one shot but it sort of got out of hand, so I'm not going to draw this out too long.

Anywho, please review.