Lily was on her way to the library. As always she rushed slightly, anticipating all the studying she was going to do. The common room was always crowded and noisy. She loved the peace and quiet she found in the library it was like her sanctuary. She rounded a corner a little too fast and… BAM. She was in the floor and books were everywhere.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Let me help you." Lily reached out-

"Ugh get off me. You filthy-"

"Look Narcissa, I said I'm sorry. There isn't a need for vile language."

"There is not a need for your kind here either." With that she marched off with her nose in the air.

"What a…a-." Lily mumbled to herself.

" I believe bitch word be the right word." James interjected.

Lily jumped so hard she dropped her books again. "James! How many times do I have to tell you?" She nearly shrieked. "Stop sneaking up on me!" She bent down again to pick up her books.

James chucked "Sorry, I just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out." He also bent down to help her.

Lily snatched her books out of his hands. "No I do not want to hang out with you. Why would I want….just go away. I have to study." Lily hated when she got flustered. "The O.W.L.s are this year. I DON'T HAVE TIME TO HANG OUT." Lily stormed off. Why couldn't everyone just leave her alone. James was so pathetic. He chased after her when everyone could see that she was not interested. All those stupid slytherins hated her because she was muggle born. Lily finally made it to the library. She settled in. It would be a long evening; she would enjoy every moment of it.

***

Narcissa made her way to the common room. Fury almost radiated off her body. How dare that filthy thing run into her . Down the corridor she saw a familiar figure leaning against the wall with enough grace that it could only be one person.

"My dear Narcissa, you seem to be sneering more than usual today. What happened darling?"

"Do not get queer with me Lucius. " She poked his chest as he caught her arm.

"Darling." Lucius kissed her fingertips. "What happened?"

Narcissa sighed and leaned into him. "That stupid filthy mud blood ran into me. She had me knocked down, sprawled on my back, like a common prostitute."

Lucius' eyes gleamed. "I hardly think that would be her motive. Calm down my sweet. Let us make our way into the common room."

They entered the common room and sat down next to their friends. "Sissy what's wrong?" asked her sister Bellatrix. She was sitting next to Crabbe, Goyle, and Cassandra, all lounging like royalty. Crabbe and Goyle as always had blank faces. Bella on the other hand looked poised and graceful, with hate in her eyes that could only match the devil's. Cassandra on the other hand looked bored as always, running her fingers through her thick chestnut hair.

"That mudblood ran into me. I do not see how they can allow her kind in here."

"Dippet is soft. Same as the Headmasters before him. Salazar had the right idea." Bella chimed in, as she flipped her long black hair over her shoulder. She completely understood her sister's fury. If that mudblood had ran into her she would have hexed her through the castle walls.

"I agree. Dippit is a blood traitor like the rest of them, but do not worry. They will get theirs." Lucius sounded so sure of himself. "This is our last year Narcissa. Soon we will be able to stop complaining and do something about it. "

Cassandra's shrill laugh cut through the moment. "Please, you are so piteous…pitiful… pathetic …" Cassandra smiled and her eyes glinted with trouble. "Aren't words fun." She leaned toward Lucius and batted her eyes innocently.

"You are a lunatic. "

"That might be so, but my lunacy has nothing to do with that fact that you are pathetic." Cassandra laughed again. "What are you going to do about it…huh? Nothing. You Malfoys are all talk. You know, all bark and no bite."

"How dare you compare me to a dog." Lucius stood up and drew his wand. "You are no better than any of them."

Cassandra snorted. "How 'bout this… all hiss no bite. Would comparing you to a snake be better. Now that I think about it." Cassandra pondered thoughtfully "It is more fitting. Your family is always scheming, sneaking, slithering around to get your way." Cassandra stepped right in front of him. The room seemed to still and went deadly silent. "What is your next plan, almighty Lucius? Let me guess, world domination complete with a purification of our race?"

"You are dead." Lucius only had to whisper the words. They sent chills down Cassandra's spine. Lucius could see a flicker of fear before she got herself under control, her hazel eyes no longer glinting with amusement. Cassandra said nothing and retreated up the stairs to her dormitory. Lucius sat back down. The room was sent into a flurry of motion. No one wanted Lucius to see them listening in on his conversation. "Stupid girl. Her father will be so unhappy when she does not return home."

All the while Severus sat in the corner. He wanted so much to be like Lucius. He could only imagine how it was to yield such power. For now he could only hide in the corner and study for his O.W.L.s.

***

The next day after dinner Lily was done with her homework, and decided to work on he brewing. Lily went down to the dungeons to find that it was already occupied. "Hello Severus." He was not so bad as long as there were no other Slytherins around. Severus was never very social, but everyone needed a friend right. She watched him as he kept his head down and stirred his cauldron. He was so pale. His skin contrasted so much against his slick black hair. He also had a paranoid air about him, looking around all the time. Lily guessed he had no choice. She would not exactly be a calm person if she had to be in the presence of Slytherins all the time.

"Good evening Lily." Proper as always, he kept his head down. Severus always did a good job of controlling himself when Lily was around. He twitched slightly as he got the familiar feeling of butterflies in his stomach. How he wished those stupid butterflies would burn and die already.

They worked in silence as the door opened. Narcissa walked in. "Oh dear. Severus I'm rather disappointed in you. Why do I always seem in to find you in bad company?" Lily immediately cleaned out her cauldron and started to pack her things.

"We are not….I'm not… alone. We were working alone…not …together." Severus finished in a small voice. Narcissa's glares alone could burn holes in steel. He did not want her to see the fear in his eyes. Lily left without a word. She did not want to have another confrontation so soon.

"God Severus. You are absolute filth. I cannot believe you lust after that thing that pretends to be a witch."

"I do not lust after her. She is disgusting." Severus could not hide the growing color in his face.

"Do not lie to me. I am very observant. You would not believe how obvious you are. I am not the only person who notices the way you look at her when you think no one is paying attention. It is best to remember that someone always is." Severus bowed his head. There was no point in denying it. That would only anger her and everyone tried to avoid that at all costs. "Look at me when I speak to you." Severus lifted his head. "Soon enough the likes of her and all like her will be dealt with. Now is the time to decide which side you will be on. You have plenty of time to think, but it is wise to start acting like you want to be on the winning side. Personally I have no faith in you, but Lucius seems to think that one day we might need you. Do not be a disappointment." Narcissa left the room so Severus could get his thoughts together. She walked down the corridor to her common room.

Lily was pressed against the wall praying Narcissa would not spot her. She had left her book in the room and went back to retrieve it. Even she could not resist the temptation to be nosy. Lily walked into the room like nothing was wrong. Severus looked slightly shocked to see her, but tried to hide it the best he could. "There it is ." She grabbed her book and left.

Severus cleared out his cauldron. There was no point in trying to work anymore. He tried so desperately to stop shaking, but failed miserably. He was well aware that the world around him was shifting, but he did not expect having to pick sides so soon. On one hand having so much power was unimaginable. Lucius had talked to him many times already, but on the other hand the cost was high. Did all muggles deserve the fate Lord Voldemort held for them? Could Severus trust that Lord Voldemort was seriously a powerful wizard that could lead them to a better future, or was he a complete lunatic?

***

Lily dropped everything on the floor in her room. She flopped down on her bed and felt so confused. Narcissa was bad news. Her conversation with Severus must mean nothing good. Poor Severus being dragged down with all that evil. Alice entered the room and flopped down beside Lily.

"What's wrong. You look a bit off."

Lily told Alice about what happened in the dungeons.

"That does sound a bit fishy, doesn't it? Those Slytherins should be expelled with talk like that."

"Alice that is a bit harsh. We do not even know what she was really talking about."

"For being such a smart girl you are very daft sometimes. They hate you, because you are muggle born. Obviously they have some maniacal plan to rid the world of your kind."

Lily hit Alice with a pillow. "I'd love to see them try." They both fell into fits giggles.

***

"I spoke with Severus. I do not know what you see in him, and he was with that filthy mudblood." Narcissa sat down on the loveseat next to her boyfriend. He set down the book he was reading and gave her an amused look.

"Was he with her or were they in the same room. You are always very quick to jump to conclusions."

"They were both in the potions dungeon, but that is not the point. You see how he looks at her."

"Sounds like you are jealous."

"Don't you dare Lucius."

"Darling." Lucius grabbed her by the waist. "Severus is young and naïve. He will see how muggle lovers and blood traitors are dealt with. Ms. Evans on the other hand is no one. A filthy no one that you should not concern yourself with. Soon enough she will be eliminated." Lucius kissed her. " Now let us go sneak up to my room."

"Oh Lucius." She hit him playfully. "What If your roommates are there?"

"We will easily get rid of them in any case." Lucius pulled her up the stairs and into his room. No one was there so he locked the door. He turned around and saw her robes were already on the floor. He slipped into the bed where she awaited him