At lunch the following day, I was strolling around the grounds with my sister, Bellatrix. It wasn't long before we spotted Severus being tortured by a few Gryffindorks: James Potter (a messy haired, quidditch playing, show-off), Sirius Black (our rebellious cousin who had ran away from home just last summer), Peter Pettigrew (a chubby boy who always seemed to be following Potter around), and Remus Lupin, my patrols partner.

As soon as we reached the group, Bellatrix took a jelly legs hex off Severus and growled at Sirius, "Would you stop it? He's done nothing to you!"

Severus was not keen on being rescued by two girls. He snarled at Bellatrix, "I can fight my own battles."

"Oh?" her eyes flashed dangerously and as she opened her mouth to tell him off, Sirius interrupted:

"Careful there, Snivelly," his tone was mocking," Don't want to get your girlfriend mad. By the way, Trix, I am so proud of you."

"For what?" she rolled her eyes.

"Think about it," Sirius laughed,"That's your homework, to figure that out, and you, Snivellius, buy shampoo. They sell it at most grocery stores, you know."

"And it comes in a bottle," Potter chipped in, "Usually labeled S-H-A-M-P-O-O. That spells shampoo."

"Brilliant, James," Sirius snickered,"remind me to tease you about that later."

"Hey," Potter protested, defending himself, "I thought he might be a little confused. I mean, maybe he couldn't find it at the store."

"I'm sure dear Severus isn't that stupid," Lupin put in,"Maybe he does have the product. He just doesn't know how to use it."

"Lather," Sirius grinned.

"Rinse," Potter could hardly contain his laughter.

"Repeat," Remus finished, "but for you, dear Severus, I'd repeat a few times."

A bit of laughter almost escaped my mouth. I covered it with my hand, but a squeak still sounded. I blushed bright red as the group turned their attention to me.

"Alright there, 'Cissa?" Sirius asked mischievously.

"Hiccups," I lied, blushing more.

"Right," Potter said sarcastically.

"Hiccups suck," Lupin said thoughtfully, "Try standing on your head and holding your head for awhile."

"I think they're gone now," I hid a smile.

"You sure?" Potter turned his wand on me, "'cause I could flip you upside down."

My eyes got really huge. Lupin looked quite alarmed that Potter had changed his cure for hiccups into a way to torture the Slytherins.

"Levi-" he started.

Lupin cut him off, "Now, now, James. Let the innocent hiccuppers go."

"Fine, Rem," Potter rolled his eyes.

Potter and Sirius turned back to Severus and Bellatrix. Lupin, however, kept his attention on me.

"Sorry," he mouthed.

I glared at him icily, just as a good little Slytherin should. He arched an eyebrow. I kept my face stony. He crossed his eyes, stuck out his tongue, and touched his nose with it. I squeaked behind my hand again.

"Awful thing hiccups," he nodded at me.

I blushed.

That night, before patrols, Severus pulled me into an empty classroom, saying that we needed to talk. I could tell that he was upset easily. All pleasant demeanor had left him, and he hadn't mocked anyone all through dinner.

"Severus, what's the matter?" I asked quickly, desiring only to fix whatever it was.

"Darling," he sighed, l"We can't go on like this."

Hope swelled inside me,"I agree. We should march right up to mum and dad, tell them that the Malfoys, save Lucius only, should go fall off a cliff, because I have no intention of ever being involved with their son in anything but a platonic manner."

"No," Severus shook his head sadly, "That's not what I meant at all."

My hear sunk to my stomach and a knot formed in my throat. A cracked, defeated voice escaped me when I asked, "Surely you don't mean-"

"We need to stop seeing each other, darling," Severus said gently, seeing my shock and dismay.

"Severus, no!" I gasped, stepping towards him.

"Yes," he said firmly.

My eyes started to water. How could this be happening?

"But, Severus," my voice shook, "I love you."

"I love you too Narcissa," he wouldn't meet my eyes, "But your parents want you to be with Lucius. They'll never want you to be with me. I'm only a half-blood. Did you honestly think that we could go on like this forever?"

"Well, yes," I said quietly, "I mean, we'd tell people eventual-"

"Be sensible," Severus interrupted me,"I am a half-blood. Your parents would never approve."

"Then screw them!" I said wildly, "Who cares if you're not pure blood?"

"I care," Severus said sharply, "You deserve better. You deserve Lucius."

"But I want you!" I protested.

"But we are not meant to be!" he protested right back.

"Says who?" I demanded loudly.

"Society," Severus said just as loudly.

"Screw society!" I shouted.

"No!" Severus shouted back. Then in a gentler tone, "I won't let you wreck your future for me and that's that. End of discussion."

He walked out of the classroom. I stood there crying, fuming, and shaking. Society had broken me and my Severus apart. Suddenly I loathed the teachings my parents had brought me up with. I didn't care about blood. It was ridiculous. After a few minutes, my watch beeped. It was time for patrols with Lupin.

When I arrived in the Great Hall, Lupin was there reading a book. As soon as he saw me, he slipped the book in his pocket.

"You're late," he said simply. He did not seem to be upset about it.

"I'm so sorry," I gushed sincerely. I had tear stains on my cheeks and my eyes were red and puffy. I had cried the whole way there.

Lupin seemed a little surprised at my sincerity and more surprised at the state I was in.

"It's okay," he said slowly, looking me up and down, examining my wrecked appearance, "Are you okay? I know being late is upsetting, but crying about it, Ms. Heat-of-Stone?" He raised his eyebrows timidly as if not sure that he should be teasing me.

I managed a weak smile, "Funny."

"Seriously though, are you okay?" Lupin looked concerned.

"Not really," I said truthfully," But it's a long story."

"Well," Lupin prompted, "We do have an awful long time to patrol."

"You really want to know, don't you?" I asked.

Lupin nodded, "Yeah,'Cissa, you're making me worry about you."

"Sorry," I said quietly, "I didn't mean to."

He immediately grabbed my hands,"Don't be sorry. I want to worry about you."

Lupin was really sweet.

"Now let's start patrols," he continued, "And you can tell me every little thing that is making you sad."