Hi again!!!

Okay, don't hurt me, I know it's been forever since I've updated this story, but I HAVE A REASON!!! My dad thought that writing was making my grades drop from spending so much time on it, so he told me that if he ever saw me writing again, he'd take the papers and rip them up. So, of course I went and wrote anyway. Here's how I did it: I wrote at school, and I gave the pages to my friend (Corona14) to type for me. Well, she didn't have any time to do it, because she had to watch her brothers. I decided to give the pages to my other friend, who shortly after got grounded. Lot's of things happened in between, but to make a long story short: I got a computer for Christmas, so my parents are letting me type on it as long as I do my homework first.

Told you it was a good reason! Anyway, you'll be getting updates much faster, because all I have to do at the moment is type what I read. So enjoy!

Chapter 6- Love Drunk and Hangovers

Sam blindly ran, her only thought being, "Get to the castle." She felt tears running down her face and let them run unchecked. She ran inside the castle, intending to run to an empty classroom, when she ran into someone. She mumbled "Sorry," and tried to go in the opposite direction, but she felt the person grab her wrists, keeping her there.

"Sam?"

She would recognize that soft, silky baritone anywhere. She opened her eyes and looked into the face of Severus Snape, her newest father figure. She could see the concern in his obsidian eyes, and she hated the fact that it was directed towards her. She looked away, trying to break his grip, to no avail.

"Sam, are you alright?"

Sam nodded her head, looking at the walls, the ceiling, the floor, anywhere but at Snape. The professor let go of her wrists and instead took her shoulders, holding her at arm's length.

"Look at me, Sam," he said in a gentle yet firm tone. She raised her eyes, keeping her head lowered. She brought her hands to her face, wiping her tears away.

"Now tell me what's wrong."

Sam shook her head. "'M fine," she mumbled.

Snape smirked. "If you're going to lie to me, at least do it convincingly."

"I don't wanna talk 'bout it."

"How about we go to my quarters, hmm? Maybe you'd rather talk there."

Sam nodded, and Snape placed a hand on her back, leading her to the dungeons where his private quarters were. The entered through a painting, and Snape directed Sam to a couch, having her sit down.

"Stay there; I'll be back in a moment," he instructed.

He went to another room, returning a moment later with two mugs of steaming tea. He sat next to Sam, handing her one of the mugs.

"Now," he said, placing an arm around her, "why don't you tell me what's wrong?"

Sam remained silent, staring into her mug of tea.

"Shall I guess, then?"

Slowly, she nodded.

"Does it have to do with school?"

Sam shook her head.

"Home?"

Another shake.

"Boys?"

Third time's the charm, they say. Sam nodded.

"Did Josh do something?"

She shook her head.

"Sam, I can't guess all day. Why don't you just tell me?"

After a moment, the girl spoke. "I'm just confused, is all."

"About?"

"Well, I'm Josh's girlfriend, but I'm starting to think I like a different guy, who I know likes me back. Problem is, I know next to nothin' 'bout him, and I can't get Harry, Ron , or Hermione to tell me anythin' 'bout him."

"Does he go to school here?"

Sam nodded.

"Is he in Gryffindor?"

She shook her head.

"Ravenclaw?"

Another shake.

"Hufflepuff?"

Again, she shook her head.

"Slytherin?"

Finally she nodded her head.

"Is he in your year?"

"I think so."

"Well, who is it?"

"His name's Draco."

"Draco Malfoy?"

"M-hmm."

"And how do you feel about him?"

"I dunno, he's a good friend, but..."

"But?"

"But I don't know if I want him to be anythin' else."

Snape held the girl closer, wanting her to feel secure.

"I'm going to tell you this straight off, alright? Right now, I don't know how to be a parent. I'm figuring it out as we go I do know that you should make your decision based on your own opinions, not on what other people tell you. And I want you to know that I'll support whatever decision you end up making. Alright?"

Sam smiled. "Yeah, thanks, Mr. Snape."

"Anytime, Sam. Now come here," Snape replied, reaching his other arm out to hug the girl. She scooted closer, hugging him back. They sat like that for a few minutes before Sam pulled away, saying that she needed to meet her friends in Gryffindor before they sent out a search party. Snape let her go, knowing that he'd made her feel better.

Weeks passed quickly, leaves changing colors and the weather turning colder, Sam complaining about the temperatures constantly. Everything was fine until one Saturday when Sam's life came to a standstill. She was sitting in the Gryffindor Common Room, talking with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Ginny when her cell phone vibrated.

"Sorry, I've got a text, hold on," she said, pulling out the little device. She flipped it open, and her five friends watched her expression change from contentment to disbelief to finally despair. She looked back up at her friends with tears in her eyes.

"I need a minute. See y'all later," she said, standing up and running out of the room The five friends looked at each other for a moment before standing up and following her. They saw her go into an empty classroom, slamming the door. They went to the door and heard her talking to someone on her cell phone.

"Are you sure, Ricky? That don't seem like him..."

They could hear the reply. "Yeah, I'm sure. Look, Sam, I'm really sorry."

"S'okay, EB, it's not like you told him t'do it."

"True that, true that. Guess you wanna chew him out now?"

"You know it. I'll text you later."

"A'ight, 'bye Sam."

"'Bye Ricky."

There was silence for a few moments, then they heard ringing as Sam called someone else.

"'Lo?" Harry, Ron, and Hermione recognized Josh's voice.

"Hey, Josh, what's up?"

"Sam! Uh, I'm good, how 'bout you?"

"Oh, great, just great. I just got an interestin' text from Ricky. D'you knkow what it's 'bout?"

"Uh, no, what's it 'bout?"

"It's a picture of you makin' out with Petra Santina, that's what!"

"...Oh."

"Oh? Is that all you gotta say? I'm over here thinkin' everythin's great; school's fine, I've got you, I'm keepin' up with the boys, and then Ricky sends me a picture of you suckin' face with pretty, preppy, popular Petra behind the school! The hell is that all 'bout?"

"See, there's a reason for that--,"

"Oh, I'm sure there is! And you know what? I really don't give a damn! The point is, I thought I could trust you, but now I know that I can't!"

"What are you gettin' at?"

"I can't be with someone I can't trust."

"...What are you sayin'?"

"It's over, Josh."

"You know what? Fine. Petra'd make a better girlfriend than you anyway."

Sam gasped. "Oh, no you did not just say that. You effin' bastard! If I was over there right now I'd--,"

"Yeah, but you're not here, are you? You left us for some frickin' private school! The hell were you thinkin'? You never went to school before if you could avoid it! Then some British people show up, and two days later you're gone!"

"Look, Josh, I'm not gonna sit here and listen to your shit, 'kay? I left 'cause I wanted to, not 'cause anyone showed up. I was sick and tired of bein' scared of my dad. This school had nothin' t'do with it. And if you ever talk shit 'bout Mr. Snape, Harry, Ron, or Hermione again, I'm gonna make you wish you were never born, ya' hear?"

"Whatever, bitch. I'm outta here. Have a nice life."

"I will! Without you. Oh, and by the way, do yourself a favor and go eff yourself. That's right, I said it. Have fun."

They heard her slam the phone, and a few moments later heard the scraping of a chair. Harry opened the door and was shocked at what he saw. He saw Sam sitting at a desk, crying her eyes out. The five friends didn't hesitate in walking over to her and patting her on the back, but Sam ignored them, burying her face in her arms and resting them on the desk in front of her.

"Neville," Harry said softly, "go and get Professor Snape. He'll know what to do."

Neville paled, but nodded and left. A few minutes later he returned, Snape following close behind. The man instructed the teenagers to move away from the girl to give her space.

"I told him what happened," Neville told Harry.

Harry nodded, patting Neville on the back. "Well done, Neville."

Meanwhile, Snape had sat down next to Sam and was patting her on the back. He leaned closer to her, speaking softly.

"It's okay, Sam, it's okay."

He got no response, and he scooped her into his arms, getting no resistance. He sat her on his lap and hugged her. Sam reacted, burying her face in his chest, holding onto him like he was a lifeline. After a few minutes her tears ran dry, and she loosened her grip on the man, sniffling.

"Feel better?" asked Snape. Sam nodded.

"Good, then come along." He stood her up, then, placing a hand on her back, led her out of the room. The five friends watched them go, feeling helpless for their friend. They left the classroom, heading toward Gryffindor Tower.

Sam and Snape had just entered Snape's quarters. They were heading to the couch when Sam suddenly stopped, turning around and leaning into Snape, who had to stop walking quickly in order to not run her over. He felt her arms encircle his waist and looked down at the girl who was currently burying her face in his chest. It took him a moment to realize she was crying. He held her close, stroking her hair with one hand.

"Sh, it's alright. Don't cry anymore. Hush now, child, everything will be alright."

Unnoticed by the two of them, the portrait hole to Snape's quarters opened, admitting a certain fair-haired boy holding a letter.

"Professor, I've gotten a rather strange letter from my father, maybe you can help...," he said, stopping when he looked up to see the two embracing. "Erm, am I interrupting something?"

Sam, hearing the voice, looked up, gasping at who she saw in the doorway. She buried her face once again in Snape's chest, wishing very much that she could go invisible. Snape gently disentangled himself from her grasp, holding her at arm's length.

"I'll only be a moment. Go on and sit at the couch while you wait. I'll just be in the next room."

Sam sniffed once. "'Kay." She turned and walked to the couch, sitting on it and bringing her knees to her chest.

"Come, Draco," Snape said, motioning to the boy. "What did you want to talk about?"

Draco waited until they were safely in the next room to ask. "Sir, what was that about?"

Snape sighed. He should have known Draco would ask. "Sam has just had a particularly nasty falling out with her boyfriend."

Draco's eyes widened. "What happened?"

"I don't know everything yet, but I understand that he went and snogged a girl Sam greatly dislikes. She only found out because one of her friends took a picture on his cell phone and sent it to her."

"Oh, poor Sam, she must be heartbroken... No offense, sir, but why did she go to you? You're not even her Head of House."

Snape knew he could trust Draco, but first he had to make sure. "Am I right in assuming that this will be confidential?"

"Of course, sir."

"Good." Snape went on to tell the boy of going to America and getting Sam, leaving out anything that had to do with her abuse or criminal record. He also told the boy of how he was now her legal guardian. He then asked Draco about his letter.

"Oh, yes, I don't understand it... Father told me to keep an eye on Sam, but I can't figure out why."

Snape thought for a moment. "I don't know either; I'll try and find out."

"Thank you, Professor."

The two returned to the living room to find Sam asleep on the couch. Snape went and sat on the edge of the couch, brushing her bangs away from her face.

"Get up, Sam. Come on, wake up."

Sam groaned, turning away from him. "Five more minutes. 'S all I need."

Snape chuckled. "No Sam, you'll never get up then."

"Point." Sam sat up and rubbed at her eyes, yawning. It was then she noticed Draco.

"Uh, hey Draco," she greeted, holding up a hand.

"Hello Sam, how are you doing?"

"Okay." She looked up at Snape, questioning in her eyes.

"I told him everything Longbottom told me."

Sam nodded. "Does he know about...?"

"Yes, I told him about that as well."

"'Kay. Draco, why y'all still standin'? 'S alright for you to sit down."

Draco came and sat down on Sam's left side. The girl smiled at him.

"Sam? Would you tell me what happened?"

The girl nodded. "I was hangin' out in the Common Room with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville when Ricky texted me... that picture. I left the Common Room and went to an empty classroom, and I called Ricky to make sure I knew what had happened. After I was done talkin' to him, I called Josh. I pretty much just cussed him out for the first few minutes. Then he started cussin' back."

"What did he say?" asked Snape.

"Basically that I had it comin'. He tried to blame it on y'all, 'cause of how I left two days after y'all showed up."

"And what did you say?"

"That I'd bash his face in if he said anythin' like that 'bout y'all again. I ended pretty soon after that when i told him to go eff himself and hung up."

"Shall I go kill him for you?"

"Nah, it's too much paperwork."

"Can I at least seriously injure him?"

Sam laughed. "Nah, that's one of those things where it don't mean as much if someone does it for me. It's less personal, you know?"

"Ah, I see."

All of a sudden, Sam's phone started vibrating. She pulled the little device out of her pocket.

"Speak of the devil. Y'all mind if I answer?" Seeing that neither did, she opened the phone, pressing the SPKR button as she did so.

"What?"

"Sam, I need to talk to you," came the semi-deep voice.

"No shit, Sherlock. What 'bout?"

"It's 'bout the boys."

Seeing Draco's look, Sam shook her head. "Later," she mouthed. "What 'bout the boys?"

"They got nabbed."

Antarctica was warmer than Sam's voice. "What?"

"And Ricky got shot."

"What? How?"

"Old Man Pearson got himself a gun."

"And how did you not get nabbed?"

"I was ahead of 'em."

"So lemme get this straight. Y'all decide to rob Old Man Pearson, who we both know always kept a knife in the register. You run out first, leavin' Ricky to get shot and Alan, Bobby, and Zack to get nabbed while you get off completely free?"

"Um, yes? But Ricky's alright, he's just in the hospital."

"Oh, is that all? He shouldn't have been hurt at all! D'you know where he's goin' when he gets out? He's gonna have to go home! You should've stayed and left last; I'm not there anymore, you gotta make sure everyone's alright!"

"Oh, yeah? Don't you go blamin' me, I'm still gettin' used to this leadership crap. If you were still here, you'd be able to help. But oh yeah, some frickin' British dude came along and you left!"

"Shut the hell up! I told you not to bring Mr. Snape into this! He has nothin' t'do with any of this!"

"Yeah, well guess what? I brought him into this! If he hadn't shown up, you'd still be here! I know you; there's no way in hell you would leave us for some private school. The hell did he have t'do to get you to leave, anyway?"

Sam shuddered. "Ugh, get your mind outta the frickin' gutter. You know as well as I do that I had my own reasons for leavin'."

"Oh yeah? So this dude had nothin' t'do with it? Pure coincidence, I'm sure."

"Now you're just bein' a smart-ass. I'd been lookin' for a way out for years, and he showed me which way to go."

"Way out? What're you talkin' 'bout? What were you lookin' for a 'way out' from?"

"I was lookin' for a way to get away from my dad, and you know it. I was sick and tired of worryin' 'bout when he's come home next, of worryin' 'bout how mad he'd be, ot worryin' whether or not he'd be pissed enough to stay longer than a day. I was tired of bein' scared, and I leapt at the chance to leave that."

"...Wow. You just sounded like one of those Hallmark Channel movies. I didn't know you could do that."

"Why do I even bother with you? God, I swear I must've been drunk when you asked me out."

"Not drunk, exactly... That came after."

"Are you tryin' to tell me somethin'?"

"Well..."

"Spill."

"Well, see, no one thought you'd say yes if you were sober. So we waited 'till you ran out of cigarettes, then Bobby gave you one he made."

"So now you're tellin' me that I spent the last two years of my life with a guy that had to get me high to ask me out? Now I know it was a complete waste of time."

"What? You've gotta--,"

"No, don't even start. This conversation is over."

"You know what? Fine. I'm sorry I ever tried to fill you in 'bout the boys. I'll never make that mistake again. Have a nice life."

"I will! You wanna know why? 'Cause you're not gonna be in it! I said it before and I'll say it again: go screw yourself, 'cause that's the only action you're ever gonna get!"

Sam slammed the phone shut, in her anger throwing it across the room. She grabbed a pillow that was resting on the couch and buried her face in it, screaming into it. She soon stopped, but Snape and Draco could tell she was crying by the shaking of her shoulders. Snape lifted his wand and banished the pillow. For a split second, they were able to see her tear-stained face before she gasped and covered her face with her hands.

Snape placed a hand on the girl's back, rubbing small circles on it. Suddenly he had an idea.

"I'll be right back," he stated, standing up and heading to another room. As he passed Draco, he leaned down and whispered, "Help her," before leaving the room altogether.

"Er... Are you alright?" the boy asked, feeling very much that it was a stupid question. Sam lifted her head, looking at him.

"Truthfully? No, I'm not, but I will be... And I'm not upset for the reasons you think. I really don't give a damn that he cheated; I'm upset 'cause I thought I frickin' loved him!"

More tears fell, and Sam wiped them away, looking angry that they'd fallen. Draco was at a loss at what to say, so he gently wrapped his arms around the girl, comforting her.

"I would never hurt you like this," he said quietly. "Why don't you--,"

Sam cut him off. "Draco, I'm sorry, but I'm just not ready for that yet."

The boy nodded. "I understand." He gently kissed her forehead. "I'll be here when you're ready."

She leaned into the boy. "Thanks, I'll remember that."

From just outside the room, Snape smirked to himself. He knew Draco could help her.

Chapter 6- End

There!

Was it worth the wait? I hope so! Please be nice and review; I need to know if you liked it and if I made any spelling/grammar mistakes. Thank you all so much!

3 artyluvr