The grounds of Hogwarts castle were very beautiful this time of year. It was already nearing Halloween; just two and a half weeks away. The year just seemed to fly by. Students lately felt overloaded with work, especially the fifth and seventh years who were either busy studying as much as they could or procrastinating until the very last minute. Severus Snape was not one of these people, obviously. He sat alone under his favorite tree, reading Moste Potent Potions, a very difficult read. But, Severus Snape liked a challenge, and he liked having the ability to choose them as he pleased.

For example, he liked the fact he finally had the choice to spend Christmas at the school. He could not stand his father; his mother…his mother he was very sad to be around. Therefore, any chance to stay away from her and her sickly nature, he took it. Not because he was a spiteful or spoiled boy; but because his mother was dying and he could not bare to see her in the state she was in. Now, the Marauders were a different story. Them he could not control. They'd come up to him whenever they pleased and would curse or beat him up, leaving him alone once again. And most of those times Severus couldn't stand up for himself, let alone bother to even try. He knew it would just be worse next time. The Marauders were stubborn gits, yes. However, they were not stupid. They could come up on him any minute.

Like now, for example.

"Oy, Snivellus!" James Potter hollered.

Severus groaned and shot his head up just in time to see Sirius, James and Peter running in his direction. Severus noted that Remus Lupin was not present. That' was funny to him. But he did not have time to contemplate such silly things, as he drew his wand and pointed it at the three boys. Smirking, they all stopped in their tracks and wielded their wands as well. Three against one, per usual. Taking the opportunity, Snape called out a stinging hex, and James cried out in shock, clutching his arm. But, instead of a nasty look sent Severus' way, James grinned.

"Ah, I guess Snape doesn't feel like playing nice today. Is baby Snivellus just not in the mood? Aww." James said in a mock-baby voice.

As always, a chuckle came from Sirius and Peter. If Remus were here, an annoyed sigh would follow. It was always like this; James, the ring leader, and Sirius and Peter at his heel. Lapdogs, they were.

"Ah, Severus, my friend; we only wanted to, ah, talk to you. But since you insist we fight, I guess we could put talking off for a fe-"Sirius began, Snape cut him off.

"You wanted to talk to me?" He asked in a sincere and polite voice, lowering his wand just a little in confusion. Then, raising it back up again, he spat, "What of?"

Sirius grinned along with his friends. Their plan was moving into action, finally, and they were going to see it succeed; using the greasy-haired Slytherin, of course. He was so easy to use, to mold. It would be hard for the three of them, but like Severus they liked challenges, and Severus Snape was certainly a big challenge.

"Well, Snape, it appears that our dear…dear friend has been fraternizing with your girl Michelle-"Sirius began.

"-and we don't like it too much. She has been spending a lot of time with him and we are quite worried for his own well being. We just want you to tell her that, if she knows what's good for her, she'll stay away from him. We don't want to have another Slytherin/Gryffindor couple running around."

Severus laughed. "Me? Do you a favor? I don't think so. Besides, he is your friend where as Michelle is not mine. He'd listen to you better. It would be entertaining to see what would happen, how your dear…dear friend Remus would act if he heard you were trying to break him and Michelle up? They are such a darling couple, aren't they James? I don't think he'd take it too lightly: his best friend, in a fit of jealousy, taking away his little piece of heaven? Tut-tut Potter; I thought Gryffindor students were better than that. Now, stop acting like a child; stop trying to use me, as it will not work; stop and think about where this may lead. Not that I care much about you and your friends, but Remus is your friend and you should treat him better," Snape paused in his speech, angry. "You have no idea how lucky you are to have him as a friend. You certainly don't deserve them. For once in your life stop being such a selfish arsehole!"

James, who was fuming as well, opened his mouth to retort, but Severus cut him off and finished the conversation.

"Now leave me alone. I have become bored talking to you."

"Mate, lets go. We'll get him back later. A teacher is watching." Sirius whispered. "Come ON!"

Pulling him by the arm, Snape sneered. He didn't need any of their bull today and he was not going to put up with it. He had better things to do that to ruin a friendship between two people h didn't even care about. James, once well out of Snape's earshot, began yelling obscenities about him.

"How dare he talk to me that way? How does he know what's best for Moony? He doesn't! He doesn't even care, he said so himself! Damn git, I'll get him back." James hollered.

Sirius and Peter, Peter of course following Sirius' lead, stayed silent. Then, Sirius added his two cents. "He's right, mate. It isn't fair to Remus. Leave them be; Remus is still our friend at the end of the day and I am positive he wouldn't let some girl, let alone a Slytherin girl, come between us." He smiled. "You have nothing to worry about; from what Remus tells us, Michelle is just a lonely girl who is also very nice."

James huffed angrily; he didn't think of it that way. Maybe he was a selfish arsehole.

Over on the other side of the castle, Michelle and Remus sat quietly over a book about Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Both classes the student had similar interests in. They, too, wanted to pass the tests with flying colors. Ignoring the taunts and glares from the other students, they continued their civilized study together. For the both of them, it feels awkward being friends now. Remus, not taking no for an answer almost wishes he had for his friends act strangely around him, as do many other's. Michelle, someone who has a vague idea on how friends are supposed to act just continues to act like herself; which is exactly how friends were supposed to act: sincere. Remus liked that aspect of this shy wallflower the most. Even Sirius, James and Peter tended to mask their true feelings about him and he knew it; they feared he may turn on them one night, during one of his werewolf phases. Pushing those thoughts out of his mind, he looked up to Michelle to speak to her and was shocked to find her staring at him.

"Um…Hey Michelle?" Remus began

"Yes, Remus? What is it?" Michelle replied, giving him a sly look.

"I need to go home for a week, starting tomorrow. Due to my…ah…'sickness'. So if you can't find me, that's why."

"Ah, I understand." Michelle signed and nodded in understanding

But in truth she felt a slight pang of discomfort at the thought of him not being around. He was the only one that bothered to continue his attempts to befriend her; so he was really her only friend. Being introverted, she didn't just walk up to people asking, "Hey, would you be my friend?"

"Maybe try hanging out with Severus for a while? Oh, come on; don't give me that look. Yes, he may not be a very trustworthy person, but in the Slytherin house he may very well be the most trustworthy person there. With the exception of you, of course. He'll….take care of you Michelle. He is good to Lily and once you become his friend, if you ever do…he'll treat you well, too. You have to trust me. I won't always be around, so there have to be others you can run to when you are bored, or need a shoulder to cry on."

The last few words had a strong meaning in them….

Right before they became friends, on the very same day, Michelle had fully opened up to Remus about the details of her parents' deaths. Thinking, of course, that she'd be able to express them in full detail, annoyed so many people continued to ask her about her parents and how they were doing. But, in doing so, she realized a few darker memories of that day…and the tears just came. Remus, being the kind-hearted boy he was, welcomed her into open arms and held her; Michelle then realizing she could trust this boy…

"I understand, Remus. I'll try."

The bell rang, and Michelle's heart sank. This would be one of the last times she'd see him for a week….

"Why does this bother me so?" Michelle thought angrily.

Remus walked over swiftly and gave her a warm hug and a swift, friendly kiss on the forehead. Pulling away, he smiled,

"I'll see you next week, 'Shell."

Yah...not that great of a chapter. I do think James would act somewhat that way if his friend were "dating" a Slytherin. (You probably know this, but they aren't dating. :D)

Just a chapter to fill things up a bit. Yes, Michelle attempts to approach Severus in the next chapter. Lets see how well that goes.

Again, Reviews are appreciated and thanks to everyone who did last chapter! I hope that this one is not much of a disappointment.

~Almost Harmless