Le Chapter Trois: Uh oh, Spaghettios!

Over the next few weeks, Severus had been gathering his courage to ask Lily out. During one particular Potions class, Severus, for one, wasn't paying any attention.

You like Lily. Just ask her out already! thought the predominant part of his mind.

But another part fought back. You don't want this.

You do. You've liked Lily for years.

She's out of your grasp. From the moment you two were in different Houses, you lost all chance of being with her.

Did not!

Your heart isn't hers. You don't like her anymore than you did when you first found out she was a Mudblood.

She's a good Mudblood!

What will your parents think? Their proud son, dating a Mudblood?

Dad's a Muggle.

So? They don't give a damn. And neither do I.

You don't love Lily, Severus! You love-

"AHH! MY FEETS! THEY IS BURNING!" screeched Bella. Severus jerked out of his argument with himself. He realized that, in his preoccupation, he'd accidentally dripped acid onto Bella's shoes, which were now on fire. He rushed to douse the flame.

"S-sorry," he gasped. "I just wasn't…paying attention."

"I'd noticed," she said brusquely. "May I inquire to ask, what was it that had you so lost in thought that you were driven to torch my feet off?"

"Nothing…" said Severus hastily, withholding his blush rather well.

She smiled. "Are you going to do it?"

"Today, I think," he said, voicing the thought that had been running through his mind all day.

"Good luck!" Bella smiled. Severus was so wrapped up in worry that he didn't notice her smile drop as soon as he turned around.

A few hours later

Bella sat, expectantly, in a green armchair that faced the portrait wall. She examined her black-painted fingernails casually as soon as Severus walked in.

"So, how'd it go?" she asked, in the most hopeful voice she could muster. Severus merely stared at her, squinting for a few seconds, then retreated up to his dormitory.

"Uh oh, Spaghettios…" Bella sang under her breath. She knew she should feel bad for her best friend. She knew she shouldn't be rejoicing inside. But over the years, she had grown jealous of the beautiful, red-haired girl with whom Severus obviously besotted. At first, she was just a minor irritation, as Bella had caught Severus staring randomly at Lily in the middle of a conversation, making Bella feel cut-off.

I suppose I should go and comfort him… she thought. Sighing, Bella got up and trudged up the stairs to the guy's dorms.

"Sev?" she asked quietly, knocking.

"G'way," came the muffled reply.

"Oh, honestly, you're so difficult," Bella said kindly, opening the door anyway.

"I said, go away!" Severus said, more loudly. He was sprawled, facedown, across his bed. Bella walked over, perched lightly on the edge of the bed, and laid a soft hand on his shoulder.

"You okay?" she asked.

"What do you think?" Severus replied bitterly, his voice choked with anger and overwhelming disappointment.

"What happened?"

"Well, I asked her after Transfiguration," Severus said. "Quietly, so no one else heard. She told me that I was a friend, and she didn't return my feelings. Then she asked if we could still just be friends."

"Ah, maybe she was a bit dafter than I'd thought," said Bella sympathetically. "That's about the worst thing you can say to someone you're turning down."

"I'll say," agreed Severus. There was silence for a few moments. Then Severus got up and kicked the side of the bed in frustration.

"I don't want to just be friends!" he cried in anguish. He sat down on the side of the bed, his head in his hands. Bella placed a comforting hand on his shoulder again.

"Maybe you should…just let her go," whispered Bella.

"I c-can't," hissed Severus, repressing a hiccup. "I've known her for so long…"

"If you really love her, you'll let her go," repeated Bella.

"But that's the…problem…" Severus trailed off.

Fool! He yelled at himself. How could you not see this coming? Lily letting you down, Bella telling you to let her go! You can't do this, Severus!

Yes, you can, replied that annoying little voice again.

Can't!

Don't say can't. You're just giving up, Severus! Be strong!

I don't want to be strong!

Okay. Just think about it. You barely even talk to Lily anymore. If you were going to ask someone out, it should be someone you know well!

But I've known Lily for-

Seven years. And you barely talked to her in the last four. If you ask anyone out, it should be someone you're very close to and talk to often! Someone like-

"Bella?" he asked suddenly.

"Hm?"

"D'you…" he sighed. "D'you want to go out with me?"

Bella looked surprised, and slightly pleased. "I thought you liked Lily," she asked amusedly.

"I thought I did too."

"Don't force yourself to do this because you can't have what you really want. Be persistent, Severus! Be strong!"

"But I don't want Lily. I've talked to her rarely ever since we came to Hogwarts. I…I need you, Bella."

"Well, I'll say yes, but if I'm not what you need, feel free to say so."

Sev gave her a one-armed hug. "You're the best friend a guy could ask for." Bella smiled to herself.

Cheers to fluff!!!! Okay, I know it was cliché, but it was tempting. I'm writing a sequel, as well, seeing as this was short and not angsty enough. Happy Birthday, FireGoddes13!!!! Also, review please and thanks a bunch!!

Starry