I claim no content belonging to Rowling.

-Greay

The school year continued, Mrs. Prince finding herself right at home within Hogwarts walls, never contemplating the idea of leaving. She had worked with the prefects, picking out a suitable set of rooms right on the edge of a very large courtyard. There were seven rooms, met in the middle with a large meeting area that had a door leading out into the courtyard. It had been decided that each room would be designated for each year of students. The spacious area in the middle would have many sofas, chairs, and several studying areas. The courtyard had a few trees and many benches, with a fountain in the middle. On top of the normal prefect rounds, a new chart was added to designate a few nights where two teams of prefects would be patrolling the common grounds. These prefects were mainly sixth and seventh year prefects, ensuring that the younger prefects would not be intimidated by any students. Thankfully, Mrs. Princes' office and rooms were located just a few feet beyond the common ground, giving her easy access should something go wrong. The remainder of the year was spent cleaning up the neglected wing, the Library being the only room of interest down that particular passage. Soon enough, Mr. Filch fetched Mrs. Prince, showing her the work he had put into the area. The windows were sparkling, and floors practically acting as mirrors. The courtyard was absolutely stunning, the broken down benches and inoperable fountain replaces and fixed. Mrs. Prince was ever so grateful to Mr. Filch, making sure to send him a very large box of sweets as a thank you.

As for Severus and Ember, things were going by at a slow pace. They had every single class together, often paired with Gryffindor's. Severus was becoming irate as Lily kept glaring at Ember, unsure of the reasoning behind such actions. Ember seemed to ignore the girl completely, engrossed in her studies. The breaking point hit one day as they were leaving Potions, Lily giving Ember an exceedingly nasty look as they packed their school bags up.

"Hey Ember, go on ahead, I'll catch up, ok?" Severus said quietly, his eyes on Lily.

"You Ok Severus?"

"Yeah I just need to ask Lily something personal. Meet you in transfiguration in a few."

As Lily went to leave, Severus pulled her into an alcove just passed the potions room.

"Lily, what in the world is going on? Why are you being so weird towards Ember?"

"I'm not being weird Severus. Like you would even notice anyways." Lily said, her face turning red from anger.

"What's that supposed to me? I do notice! I notice all the nasty looks you keep shooting Ember when she's done nothing to you!"

"Oh Ember this, Ember that! We used to be friends Severus! Now I don't even get to hang out with you!"

"That's not true, I've tried asking you so many time to come study or hang out with us, and you never want to!" Severus practically hissed, his irritation reaching its limits.

"Yeah, US. Not just you and I!"
"Look, you are always hanging out with James and Sirius, how is that any different?"

"You never make any time for just me and you. I thought we were best friends Sev!"

"We were Lily. You are the one being weird. Ember is my friend too, and if you can't accept that, I don't know what to tell you. I'm not going to just drop her because you don't like her. She has never once said a mean word about you. Why don't you think about that, and when you have made your choice, come and find me." Severus said, his voice deadly quiet.

The bell rang, signaling their soon to be late status. Lily glared at him one last time before swinging around, practically running from him. Severus' stomach felt as if he had swallowed a ton of bricks as he watched her run. He was startled out of his thoughts as a hand came down on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw Professor Slughorn standing there, looking sad for him.

"Professor, do you think I can get a late pass? I need to go talk to Mrs. Prince."

"Of course Mr. Snape. Tell her I sent you." Slughorn said quietly, watching the boy walk away with his head tilted towards the floor.

Severus stood outside his mom's office, not sure if he should knock or not. He put his hand on the knob, twisting and opening it, his gaze meeting his startled mothers.

"Mom, I don't know what to do…" he said, before the tears overtook him and he flung himself into his mother's arms.

Ember wasn't sure what to think as she saw Lily come into the room, her face red as she shot Ember another dirty look. She honestly did not know what to do with the obvious hatred that emanated from the girl, unsure what she had done to raise her ire. Her worry began to increase the later Severus was to class. He had never been absent before, and she wasn't sure what to do. Her panic was raising as Professor McGonagall set out paperwork, still no sign of her best friend. She turned around, trying to get Lily's attention, who seemed determined to ignore her. Finally she stood up and walked to the girl's desk, needing to know if her only friend was safe.

"Lily, do you know where Severus is? He's never missed a class before." The girls face turned an ugly shade of red before she started to yell.

"I'm not Snape's keeper, and if you're such a GOOD FRIEND you should know!"

"MS. EVENS, MS. KEARNS, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS DISRUPTION. COME HERE IMMEDIATELY." the professor yelled, snapping Lily out of her anger.

Lily shot Ember another glare before stomping up to the desk, Ember following quietly behind.

"What in Merlin's name are you yelling about Ms. Evans? And Ms. Kearns, why are you out of your seat?"

When Lily refused to answer, Ember spoke.

"I'm sorry Professor, I'm just really worried about Severus. He was talking to Lily before class and not he isn't here, and I just don't know what to do. I was hoping Lily would know, but…" Ember said, on the verge of tears.

"Ms. Evans?"

"I don't know where Severus is. He was mean to me, and then I came to class. That's all I know." Lily said snottily, glaring at Ember.

"Ms. Even, Ms. Kearns, you will both serve detention with me tonight. Ms. Kearns, I received word from Ms. Price, Severus came to see her after his last bell. Both of you return to your seats, immediately, with no more disruptions in my class, do you understand?"

Both of the girls nodded, returning to their seats. Ember worked on her classwork quietly, her mind racing. She had no idea why Lily hated her so much. As soon the bell rang, Ember raced from the room, heading towards the Library wing that housed Ms. Princes' office. She barreled through the door, her eyes searching for Severus. As they landed on him, Ember let out a sob and launched herself into his arms.

"Severus I was s-so worried when you di-didn't come to class! I asked L-Lily and she yelled at me and I ju-just d-don't know why she ha-hates me so much!" Ember cried, stumbling over her words as she face planted into his shoulder. Mrs. Prince looked shocked, never having seen Ember look anything other than happy.

"Ember love, what's going on?" Mrs. Prince asked, trying to pull Ember off of an extremely worried looking Severus. Ember refused to let go of him, gripping him tighter and sobbing louder.

"Mum, just let her be. I've never seen her this upset."

Mrs. Prince threw a pinch of floo powder in her office floo, and called out loudly for Elora. Emily was the first to respond, looking worried.

"Miss, what's wrong? How can I help?"

"Please collect the Lord and Lady. Somethings happened to Ember. She's not hurt, just hysterical."

Mrs. Prince closed the connection, handing Severus a few tissues, who wiped Embers face gently. The floo flared to life, Elora and Galen practically falling in their haste to get to their daughter.

"Emmy love, what's wrong?" Galen crooned, his hand on her back. Ember looked up from Severus' shoulder, looked at her father, and threw her arms around his neck, continuing to sob.

"Eileen, what on earth is going on?" Elora asked, worry etched on her face.

"She came flying into the room, saying something about being worried about Severus, and Lily yelling at her. Other than that, she's been inconsolable." Eileen said, unsure of what else to do.

"That would do it. Before this school year, the only people Ember had ever been around was Galen and I, and her Grandfather. This is her first experience with other children. In all honesty, I don't think she's ever been yelled at. She was such a good child we have never really had to punish her."

"Well Bellatrix yelled at her on the train after she ripped Embers book apart." Severus stated, his eyes on Ember.

"When did this happen?" Galen said, his voice barely containing his fury.

"That day we met. Bellatrix called her a mudblood, and ripped her grandfather's book in half. She didn't really cry then, she was just really upset that she thought her book was ruined. Lucius fixed it though."

"She never told us. I don't like this one bit Galen." Elora said, worry laced in her voice.

"Lily and I had a fight before I came here. Lily had been really mean to Ember for no reason. Lily said I never spent time with her anymore. Mum says she's jealous because she isn't used to me having any other friends, and that I should try to get her used to me hanging out with Ember slowly. If she asked Lily where I was, then Lily probably yelled at her because she is mad at me." Severus said, his eyes downcast.

Galen and Elora stared at each other, seeming to communicate silently.

"Ember Rowan Kearns, I need you to calm down and listen to me little miss." Galen said, his voice soft but stern. Ember took a few deep breaths and lifted her head, looking at her father in the eyes.

"What has got you so upset? No more crying now, I need you to speak calmly." Ember took a few deep breaths, calming herself down before answering.

"I was worried that Severus was hurt, so I tried to get Lily's attention. She ignored me, so I stood up and walked to ask her if she knew where he was. She got really angry and yelled at me. We both got in trouble and I have detention with her and Professor McGonagall tonight. I'm sorry father." she said in a rush, the last bit making her fidget.

"Are you more upset that you got yelled at, or that you got detention?"

"A little of both I guess. I don't know why Lily hates me. And I feel really bad for getting us both in detention, and I was worried you would be mad at me."

Galen smiled at his daughter, patting the chair in front of him. Ember sat down, her eyes downcast.

"Ember, we told you before you came to this school that not everyone you meet was going to like you. We told you that some people may even hate you for no reason. It's not a good thing, but sometimes it is unavoidable. You cannot let people roll over you. I know how much of a spine you have, and what kind of temper you have down inside of you. You need to start standing up for yourself. I am not saying you have to pick fights, or be mean, but I am saying that you are going to have to show people that you aren't going to let them decide how you feel. If someone is being mean to you, react accordingly. If someone is bullying you, stand up for yourself. Your mother and I aren't always going to be around girl, and you're going to have to take care of yourself. As for detention, I am not angry. Maybe next time if someone doesn't want you to talk to them, do not do so. Ask the professor first, ok?"

"Ok dad." Ember said quietly, already deep in thought with her father's words.

"Ember I do have to warn you that if this is going to continue to be a problem, we may need to look at switching you schools." Elora said, her voice final. Ember looked panicked, not wanting to leave her best friend.

"No mama, it won't be a problem, I promise!" Ember said quickly.

The two parents left a few minutes later after a few words with Ms. Prince. Severus and Ember were released to dinner. They walked slowly in silence. Finally Severus broke the tension.

"Lily is mad that she and I don't hang out by ourselves. She's mad I always hang out with you."

"I see. Maybe you should spend time with her alone."

"I don't see why I should have to. You're both my friends."

"Yeah, I don't know Severus. It's going to have to be your choice, but I won't be mad if you want to hang out with her alone."

"Yeah I guess. I'm not even sure she wants to hang out with me anymore."

"I bet she will once she cools off."

They entered the Great Hall in silence, sitting down and eating, both deep in thought. Soon enough, Ember got up and headed to detention. It was a quiet affair, Professor making them copy lines.