I felt like such a loser—I was sitting with Severus again. It wasn't the greatest having the biggest oddball for a brother, but don't get me wrong; I love him a lot. It's just that, it would be cooler if Regalius Black was my brother instead. It would be a lot easier to make friends that way. I might not have been as much as an oddball as Severus, but I still was not popular. I didn't even have any friends other than Severus, who was a year older then me, causing me to be alone in all my classes, except potions. I excelled in my class so they moved me up to the sixth year class instead of my fifth year class.

I didn't look that much like Severus; I was more like our mum. I had her curly, black hair and her stunning turquoise eyes. The rest of me was just plain, including my nose that was straight, unlike Severus', which was hook shaped. The worst thing about me was my name—Salal. But, everyone called me Andy, 'cause you did not want to mess with my temper. There was a reason I was in Slytherin. My temper often caused problems for me and everyone around me. Which, come to think of it, might be another reason I have no friends.

Nevertheless, back to the story. Severus was seriously a great guy, even if he didn't talk much to anyone but me or his Slytherin cronies. He did enjoy arguing (and dueling) with the Marauders often, especially James Potter, which always made me laugh. Even now, he had not uttered a word all lunch. However, if you took the time of day to talk to him and get to know him, you would realize he was more than just a greasy-haired boy with a love for the Dark Arts. We had a great relationship; he was my best friend in the world. I loved him (as a brother) more than I loved myself.

No matter how hard I tried I could never make friends. No one wanted to talk to me, no one would even associate with me, except for Quidditch. The regular gang of Slytherins (Malfoy, Lestrange, Crabbe, Goyle, Black, etc.) didn't bother with me. Severus would sometimes hang out with them, but I was never invited—I think he was trying to protect me. I knew that they weren't the nicest people in the world. None of the girl Slytherins thought I was cool enough to spend time with them; they would just strut off whenever I would try to talk to them. Even the other houses didn't care about a quiet, plain, Slytherin girl.

I scanned over the rows of food and my eyes fell on a familiar sight. I laughed and smiled inwardly, it was just so hard not to laugh at how stupid I was to forget over the summer about it.

James Potter appeared to be asking Lily Evans out—again. He was on one knee, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. It was almost every day that this would happen; it was almost a ritual. During at least one meal James would plead and beg for a chance with her, and always she would decline. I wasn't surprised that Lily was finally fed up with him.

"Potter, I don't like you! I never will! I like someone else." As she said this, I saw her eyes flicker at Severus. Lily turned her back on James and barged out of the Great Hall, leaving it quiet, for once, and, for some reason, Potter didn't run after her. He just turned to his friend, Sirius black, and talked to him. They seemed to be having a deep conversation, for no one could stop them from talking. As they talked, a mysterious smile played across James' perfect face.

My attention turned back to my brother. He was eating, not paying attention to anything else. I wondered if he even noticed the random outburst of the prefect Lily Evans. Then, Severus looked up and caught my gaze, his black eyes almost dancing.

"Sev," I said, using his nickname, "I think that Lily Evans likes you." I had mentioned this so many times that it no longer fazed him at all. He looked up again, smiled, and shook his head. He smiled; I could tell that he wished it was true.

"Well, maybe that Potter boy likes you," Sev said, scanning the hall, "See? He's looking over here." I didn't believe him, I mean, why would the famous James potter be looking over at me! However I looked anyway. He was waving at me, and his friend Sirius looked to be holding back laughter. I shyly waved back. I quickly looked down, feeling a red blush spreading over my pale skin.

"Pfft! That'll be the day! He'll never give up on Lily; I know it. Well, not unless you've stolen her heart away, that is! Which, like I have told you countless times before, you have." We both laughed at how stupid we were, both loser Slytherins secretly in love with Gryffindors. Pathetic? I know.

I know what you're thinking. Everyone likes James; it's no big deal! Well, that's what I told myself. I would tell myself "you'll be over him next week…Next month…Next year?" And how did that work out, you might ask? Let me put it this way—it's been five years and I'm still screwed. But, not this year, 'cause I am so over James Potter! I'm not even going to think about him, let alone talk to him! I'm going to spend this year completely James free.

Lunch was perfect—food wise, although I didn't eat much. The rest, as you know, could have been better. But, seconds later, I had Quidditch tryouts. I was chosen as Captain! Sev, who— no matter how hard I tried to teach him—could not fly, was racked with jealousy and didn't talk to me for a week. He is so much like our father. I smiled to myself as I started to head down to the pitch, holding my precious Cleansweep.

The first week of school flew by rather quickly. Being a fifth year was a lot nicer and harder than being a fourth year. Sure, it was just the weekend after school started, but I was already backed up on my homework. I really didn't want to have to deal with Quidditch today—I hated dealing with everyone on the team, but just being able to play made it worth the bickering and squabbling. You would think that, being the only Keeper able to block Potter, I would have some friends, but no one cared about stupid, old—

"Andy!"

"What, what's going on?" I yelled, startled by the sudden call.

"Tryouts," Mr. I'm-So-Perfect Malfoy sneered. Lucius definitely was not the best player on the team, but we couldn't let him off. He bought everyone new brooms, cleaning supplies, the nicest robes, and more every year. That was the only reason Louise, the old Captain, kept him on the team. If it weren't for his "generosity," he wouldn't even have been able to tryout. I looked around, hoping to see someone I knew, and somewhat liked, was trying out. No one was, or at least it seemed that way, only stupid brainless guys where here.

Tryouts, if you can even call them that, were horrible. We only needed a Seeker, (Louise had been ours in previous years) and yet Beaters, Chasers, and even Keepers had shown up. After we shooed them away, the Chasers—Malfoy, Lestrange, and Regalius Black—tried to score against the potential new Keepers. Whoever was able to catch the snitch first was on the team. After all twenty-six applicants (most of the people who showed up as Beaters, Keepers and Chasers ended up trying out for Seeker) Kyle Camacho, a fifth year, who I actually didn't mind much, was chosen.

"Gather 'round, everyone," I told the team, "I don't want any slackers. Louise might have allowed it, but I don't. Miss two practices, or be late by more than an hour, and you're off the team, that's including you, Malfoy. First practice will be Tuesday at 5:30, see you then." I clapped my hands as if to signal that everyone was free to go as they wished.

I walked off, not giving Malfoy any time to badger me about my choice of keeper, or the fact that this year there was the possibility that he would be kicked off the team. Even though I was almost running, I felt someone suddenly tap me on the shoulder. I automatically thought it was Malfoy; no one else would talk to me.

"Malfoy, leave me alone! I don't care what you think! I was made Captain for a reason!" I yelled behind me.

I felt the persistent tap on my shoulder again. Reluctantly, I turned around, but, instead of Malfoy's ugly face, I saw James Potter looking stunned but amused at my sudden outburst. I blushed and snapped at him in a harsher voice than intended.

"What do you want, Potter?"

"No need to be harsh, can't a guy just come up and talk to you?" he asked, smiling mischievously at me.

"Yeah, normally, but, when it's you, then no," I told him. I almost laughed at myself. I was talking, even flirting with James Potter and I didn't even care. Maybe I really was over him. "So, what is it that you want, then?"

"Well, first off, I think you're wrong. I just wanted to compliment you on the amazing team you've put together." He stopped. I doubted that that was all he needed to say, so I stayed quiet. "I'll be going now then…" he trailed off.

"Wait!" I yelled. What was I going to say? 'I love you, James, marry me!' I didn't think that would quite work out.

"Yes?" He turned to look at me. His face looked doubtful, but he smiled at me all the same.

"Thanks. And it'll be a pleasure to beat you at the next match. That is, if you ever get around to putting your team together. You procrastinate so much that last year you didn't have a team until a week before the match." I couldn't tell him. It was too much right now. Not like it would matter, anyway, everyone liked him, and yet all he wants is Lily. All he will ever want is Lily. Why her?

"Yeah, well this year I'm going to get the best team in the world, you won't know what hit 'ya!" James looked content as he told me this. I was sure that he meant every word of it.

"I'm sure, I'm so scared now Potter. Too bad I've got me on the team. You know, I'm the only person who has ever blocked you, the only person to catch the Quaffle during all of your pitiful attempts at scoring. I think that makes my team better than yours, any day." I looked at James with a small grin on my face. I did enjoy talking to him, too bad it was about Quidditch. Wait, what am I saying? I don't like him anymore. I don't! I don't! I don't!

We waved goodbye. I turned to the castle. Every step I took was difficult, I wanted to run back and hold him so much I could hardly bear it. Okay, I guess that proves I'm not completely over him. Nevertheless, either way, I know nothing will ever happen between James and me other than me betting him at Quidditch.

By the time I was back at the castle, dinner was over, and I was starving since I had hardly eaten anything today. The Slytherin common room wasn't far from the kitchens; I could sneak out later and badger a meal out of the house-elves.

However, I needed to go the common room first. I was going to tell Sev everything that happened at tryouts. He was a great listener. He would not talk, but you could tell he was listening. He did not bother about talking anything until I mentioned what happened with Malfoy.

"You should leave him alone," he told me. "He could kill you in a moment, you know."

The sad thing is, I knew it was true. I just nodded, making a mental note not to ever make Malfoy too mad. I continued and almost left off the part about James, but decided against it. Once I was done, Sev was laughing hysterically. He normally barely ever laughed. Even so, his laugh was one of the best things about him. It was happy and loving, like the way he was around me.

Now that I was done, I thought it would be a good time to go down to the kitchens. I didn't need to do anything else other than homework, but that can wait.

"Sev, I'm gonna go down and get something to eat. I'll see you later," I told him, getting down from the arm chair. I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to make it look somewhat better.

"Do you want me to come with you?" he asked, lifting himself halfway off his chair.

"No, you can't handle getting in any more trouble. It's after nine, and you would be safer here. You already have a week of detentions for cursing Potter in the hall yesterday."

"Speaking of Potter, are you sure you're not going to go meet him? Are you ditching me for him?"

"Well, about that…" I opened the portrait hole and went through. I walked as fast as I could without making any noise. I was at the kitchen in minutes. I tickled the pear; it giggled and a doorknob appeared. I opened it, but instead of seeing house elves rushing around, I saw James Potter standing in the doorway.

"Hello, nice seeing you again, Andy," James said, smirking that sexy smirk of his. He was looking me up and down, which made me uncomfortable. I didn't look good, my hair was messy, and I was wearing some short shorts and a t-shirt, which is what I would normally wear to bed.

"Nice…yeah, I'm sure. Well, if you'd excuse me, I have some important business to attend to," I said, pushing him out of the way. The house-elves were bustling around preparing food for tomorrow. Did they ever sleep? If not, then I know I couldn't stand being a house elf. I like my sleep way too much.

"I'll join you," James said, completely out of blue. Why did he want to "join me"? Being a Slytherin, I should be mean to him. I should tell him to leave. But…it's not like he would listen anyway.

"Whatever, Potter. Do whatever you want." My voice was harsh and cold. Very Slytherin-like.

"Okay, what is this business? Anything you need help with?" James asked, pacing around the kitchen. He turned and mumbled something to one of the elves. They skipped off, smiling.

"Well, I slept through breakfast, played through dinner, and someone made a big scene at lunch so I couldn't eat much, I was laughing at that stupid bloke most of the time," I informed him. I smiled at him and asked an elf for something to eat. All the house-elves rushed forward and offered me every type of food I could possibly imagine.

"Thanks," I mumbled, taking a bite of chicken. I sat down on a stool and was given a plate and utensils. Once I was done, I was half-surprised to see James staring at me intently. "What?" I asked, giving my dirty dishes to a house elf.

"Nothing, nothing at all …" James said, smirking at me, again. He looked so perfect messing up his hair! However, I sadly needed to go. It was almost midnight and I was falling asleep already! I also had homework, and Quidditch plays to look at, I also was going to have to tell Sev everything that happened, he won't be able to stop laughing for so long.

"I need to go," I told James, walking out the door. I was rushing so fast down the hall that I knocked down a suit of armor. I automatically knew I was screwed. James was running after me. I tried to run away, but Filch was coming, fast. I could either run towards James or filch, I think I have a better chance running to James.

"Hey Andy, can you keep a secret?" James yelled, making even more noise.

"I'm in Slytherin, what do you expect?" I replied. He looked at me in disbelief. "Just kidding, I can." James pulled something out of his robes and put it over the both of us. We were close to each other, but I couldn't see his face. Actually, I couldn't see any of him.

Filch walked by but didn't seem to see us. Once he and Mrs. Norris were gone, I heard James turn to face me.

"I'll walk you back," he said. I wasn't sure if it was a question or a statement. I didn't care much, anyway. I wasn't sure if I wanted him to walk me back; I wasn't sure how much I could trust him.

"Why?" I doubted he had any idea what that meant to me, I doubted he knew that I liked him, or actually, come to think of it, nothing about me. I was so confused!

"I've always wondered where the Slytherin common room is."

"Why?"

"You know, pranks. Mostly on dear old Snivellus."

"Well, in that case I'll be going, without you. You know, everything is always about Severus! Either people don't talk to me 'cause of it, or they talk to me only because they're wondering about him. It's horrible!"

We had stopped, and the cloak was off. James looked sympathetic, but I doubted he truly was, and what he said next proved it.

"Well, what is Snivellus like?"

He laughed as if it were a joke. I looked up and caught his gaze. My purple eyes were filled with rage and pure anger. I had hoped that for once I could just do something without Sev being involved in some shape or form. Too bad, but I'll survive anyways.

Once I was calm enough to talk, I said, "James, James, James, if only you knew him!"

I barged off, leaving a bewildered James Potter behind.