Disclaimer: I only own Sofi.

Chapter 11:
Blood, Genetics, and Bullies

"I don't get it Snape. Why do you hang out with that Mudblood so much?" Mulciber said on Saturday as the fourth-year Slytherin boys sat down to breakfast. "I mean, sure, she's got nice assets, but she's dirty blood. You're above that."

As they had walked in Severus had greeted Lily before sitting down at the Slytherin table prompting Mulciber to start complaining.

"Hell, even Winegrove would be better than Evans," the jaundiced boy continued.

"Sod off," Severus growled.

"Speaking of Winegrove," Avery said from his place across the table. "Where is she?"

'The Marauders had better not be harassing her,' Severus thought. He scanned the Gryffindor table only to see three of the four Marauders present. 'Where's Lupin?'

It was just then that Sofi and Narcissa Black walked though the doors of the Great Hall chatting animatedly. It wasn't until they got closer that the boys could hear what they were saying.

"That's a rather radical thought, Sofi," the youngest Black girl said.

"Maybe to some. But there's science behind it. Evidence," Sofi replied as they sat down.

'Science? What's Sofi doing talking about science to Black? What the hell are they talking about?"

"What evidence?" Regulus asked the two girls from his spot next to the seventh year Quidditch captain.

"Nothing important to you. Don't you have Quidditch tryouts soon?" Narcissa replied casually.

Theo Strong the Quidditch captain nodded, stood up, and said loudly, "Team tryouts are starting in twenty minutes on the Quidditch pitch. If you're not there by then, you miss out."

Severus looked up at Regulus and said gruffly, "Good luck." 'Not that you'll need it.'

Regulus grinned. "Thanks! Wanna watch?"

"Can't. I promised Lily that I'd study potions with her."

Regulus rolled his eyes. "Sure. Have fun."

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Sofi looked up at Regulus and said, "There's nothing wrong with studying instead of watching a mindless sport, Regulus."

"Quidditch isn't mindless, Sofi," Severus said flatly. "But Lily asked first." With that he got up and headed towards the doors where Evans was waiting rather impatiently.

Regulus grinned. "I think you insulted him. He might not act like it but Severus loves Quidditch."

"Really?"

"Go Regulus. You'll be late," Narcissa interrupted. After Regulus left, Narcissa turned to Sofi and said, "Severus tried out for Seeker in his second year. During the match against Ravenclaw, Sirius threw a splintering jinx at Severus' broom. It shattered the broom, and Severus' left hip. He had to have his bones regrown."

"That bastard," Sofi growled.

"I hope you're referring to my cousin," Narcissa said.

Sofi looked horrified. "Of course I'm referring to Black… er… Sirius. I would never-"

Narcissa laughed. "I know. I was teasing. So what are you going to do today?"

"I want to go to the library and work on Charms."

"Alright. I'll walk you there."

"Thanks."

Twenty minutes later, Narcissa left Sofi at the entrance of the library. As Sofi made her way to the Charms section, she saw Severus and Evans sitting at a table next to a window. After picking out three books, Sofi made her way over to a table near Severus and Evans. Sitting down, Sofi opened the first book, Charms of the Mind, to its index and began to read. Finding what she was looking for, Sofi flipped to page 243. She was about to begin reading when she overheard Severus saying:

"No Lily, the Arrach Leaves are only there because the skin of the berries. The leaf coating is what makes the juice accessible. But if you just crush the berries you don't need the leaves."

"And the potion still works?"

"Yep! I tested it."

"Wow, Severus! You're brilliant!"

Sofi stared at Severus in shock as he took full credit for the modification. Evans noticed.

"What are you staring at?"

"Oh… ah… nothing," Sofi said as she saw Severus pale. "I was just wondering if Wizarding Britain has copyright and patent laws like in the US."

Severus' eyes widened and he visibly swallowed. 'Good,' Sofi thought. 'He got the hint.'

~}~}~}~SC~SS~{~{~{~

'Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!' Severus thought. 'What was I thinking! I've got to explain. I hope Sofi forgives me.'

"Magical Law books are over there. Not here," Lily said pointing to the section on the other side of the library.

Severus frowned. 'Why is Lily talking like that to Sofi?'

"Thanks. I'm going to finish what I'm working on first," Sofi replied evenly.

Lily huffed. "Come on, Sev. Let's find a quieter place to study," Lily said standing up, grabbing her things, and flouncing away.

Severus frowned. 'It's not like Sofi was bothering us,' he thought as he stood up and grabbed his books.

Severus paused by Sofi who had gone back to reading.

Sofi looked up and raised her eyebrows. "Yes?" she asked.

"Umm… I- I'll explain later. Promise," he said.

Sofi nodded and turned back to her book.

Severus took his leave and hurried after Lily.

He finally caught up with Lily at the entrance to the Library.

"What's wrong Lily? It's not like she was doing anything wrong," Severus said.

"I don't like her, Sev," she replied.

Severus scowled. "Why not? She's really nice."

"She's dark."

Severus stared at Lily for a moment before shaking his head vehemently. "No she's not. Her parents were killed protesting the Vietnam War. How can she be dark?"

Lily frowned. "Maybe she's not dark like Mulciber and them, but she's dark. She's probably using you."

Severus snorted. "Don't be ridiculous, Lily." 'I'm the one using her.'

"Fine," Lily huffed, "Don't believe me then. Let's just go outside for a little bit."

Lunch time rolled around and Severus made his way inside with Lily. After saying good-bye to her he headed over to the Slytherin table. Nervous was an understatement of how he felt. He was downright terrified that Sofi would never forgive him.

Despite what Severus told Lily, he didn't consider Mulciber, Avery, Rosier, and Wilkes true friends. He was well aware that they would turn on him the moment it was to their advantage to do so. It was easier to just act like he believed in their ideals than to get hexed or even cursed for not doing so. 'I don't want to need to watch my back all the time. It'd be exhausting.'

But Severus knew that Sofi was different. She just wanted to be his friend. This is why he was terrified.

'Please, please, please let her forgive me!'

Sitting down at the Slytherin table, Severus filled his plate and began to pick at his lunch.

"So…" came Sofi's hard as granite voice, from Severus' left. Severus swallowed anxiously. "Explain," she said.

"I- I- Imsorry! IwasjusttryingtoimpressLily!"

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Sofi stared at Severus with raised eyebrows. She thought she knew what he said, but she was really upset and didn't want to let him think she was a pushover.

"I don't speak 'Condensed and Pressurized English,'" Sofi said flatly.

Severus swallowed and tried again. "I'm sorry," he said and then mumbled, "I was just trying to impress Lily."

Sofi heard his last mumble clearly, but still didn't want to let it go that easily. "Speak clearly, Snape," she demanded.

Severus cleared his throat. "I was just trying to impress Lily. I'm sorry."

Sofi studied him silently. Apparently she took to long in making her decision because Severus blurted out, "It won't happen again! Promise."

Sofi sighed. "I hope not. I don't want to lose you as a friend, Severus. I want to be able to trust you."

"You can!"

"Good. I don't mind you taking some credit. After all, you did do the brewing," Sofi said.

"Thanks," Severus said awkwardly. "So… as you know, the potion worked."

Sofi smiled. "I'm glad."

"Do you want to study charms together after lunch?" Severus asked.

Sofi was prevented from responding by Regulus and Narcissa sitting down across from them.

"I got the seeker position!" Regulus exclaimed happily.

Sofi smiled at the carefree look on his face. "Great job!"

"Did we interrupt something, Severus?" Narcissa asked the scowling boy.

"Oh! Sorry!" Regulus said with a grin.

"It's fine," Sofi said. Turning to Severus she continued, "I'd love to study with you."

Severus looked rather relieved at this.

"You should study outside while it's good weather. Nice weather will be hard to come by soon," Narcissa admonished.

"That's a great idea Narcissa. Thanks," Sofi said.

After finishing lunch, Sofi and Severus made their way outside.

"So… what were you looking up this morning?" Severus asked as they made their way to a lone standing oak tree by the lake.

"Oh, I was doing some research into making a three dimensional image appear in mid-air," Sofi replied.

"What for?" Severus asked sitting down beneath the tree.

'Because it'd be cool make a hologram like in Star Wars: A New Hope,' Sofi thought. However, knowing that Star Wars didn't exist yet, Sofi quickly came up with another reason. "It's helpful to have a 3D image if you're designing something."

"Like a physical model?" Severus asked.

"Exactly," Sofi said. "I also want to be able to manipulate the image so if I want to change something, I can. Therefore making it quicker and easier to use than a physical model.

"Sounds interesting."

"So what do you want to study?" Sofi asked.

"I'm having trouble with-"

"Hey, Snivellus!" Potter called out.

Severus went for his wand just as Black said, "Chinches Koka!" Sofi was immediately overcome with the urge to itch everywhere.

While Severus was distracted by Sofi, Potter yelled, "Diaboli Aspectus Addem!" Red Devil horns and a red Devil tail sprouted from Severus' head and backside.

Ignoring the humiliating transfiguration for now, Severus turned to Sofi and said, "Finate."

The itching stopped, enabling Sofi to pull out her wand, waved it in a circle over her head and cried, "Cole Mogen!" causing the next two hexes sent her way to be absorbed. Sofi immediately cast another spell that was bluish in color and split into two and hit both Potter and Black at the same time, causing them to fly backwards about twenty feet.

"A banishing charm?" Severus asked.

"It worked didn't it?" Sofi said. "Come on. Let's get out of here before the idiots get their bearings. I'd fix you but I don't know how."

"Right."

Once inside the relative safety of the castle, Severus asked, "What was that shield charm? I've never heard of it."

"Oh. Um… I just made it up."

"What!?" Severus asked, his devil tail pointing straight up, showing his shock.

"Calm down, Severus," Sofi said, laughing. "Your tail is acting up."

The tail curled up on its self tightly and quivered with suppressed energy. Looking back at Severus' face, Sofi was met by a black scowl. "You're no better than Black or Potter!" he spat. "Go on! Laugh at my humiliation!"

"I wasn't laughing at your humiliation!" Sofi snapped. "I was laughing at your reaction to my inventing a spell."

"Oh." The tail relaxed.

When they arrived at the entrance to the infirmary Sofi said, "Though, even you have to admit that the way your tail shows emotion is a little funny." When Severus began to scowl, Sofi quickly added, "But I really wish Potter and Black would just leave you alone."

Severus relaxed a small smile forming on his face. Glancing back at his tail, Severus noticed that it was tail was swaying to and fro on its own, showing that he was happy. Blushing, he conceded, "I suppose you're right about the tail."

"Come on. Let's get you fixed up," Sofi said, opening the infirmary doors.

Madam Pomfrey was not amused. "What spell did those hooligans use this time?!"

After explaining what happened Madam Pomfrey kicked Sofi out saying, "I need to concentrate, and this could take a little while."

Sofi said good-bye and headed towards the common room to relax until dinner.

"Hey, Sofi. I was wondering if we could continue our conversation from this morning," Narcissa asked sitting down on Sofi's right.

"Yeah," Regulus said, sitting down on Sofi's left.

Sofi raised her eyebrows and said, "It wasn't your conversation."

"Narcissa told me about it," Regulus said.

Narcissa had the good sense to look contrite.

"Fine," Sofi said. "But can we talk somewhere less public?"

"Sure," Regulus said. "Follow me."

After finding an empty dungeon classroom that didn't look like it had been used in a few decades, Narcissa cleaned off some chairs and a desk for them to sit around.

"So… What evidence were you talking about this morning?" Regulus asked earnestly.

"Genetics."

"Gen- wha?"

"What is genetics?" Narcissa asked.

Sofi smiled. "It's the muggle science of inheritance… Bloodlines if you will."

"And this Genetics tells you that keeping your blood pure is wrong?" Regulus asked.

"Not quite," Sofi replied. "It gives evidence that inbreeding and incest amongst humans and many animals leads to bad results."

Regulus looked skeptical. "So how does this science work?"

"I won't be able to teach all this in one sitting, you know," Sofi said.

"Then we had best get started," Narcissa declared.

A/N: You should know that I may purposely shift years around for the genetic discoveries/usage to fit my timeline (Sofi knows about genetics since they were used in the 80's and 90's).

Thank you so much to KizuNii for being so kind as to review last chapter. I give you a virtual coupon to the candy store of your choice!

But seriously, please review. Reviews help keep me inspired and writing! They also make me very happy. 'Till next time!