Warnings: Character Death, language, depression, mention of thoughts of suicide.

Like Meridith, I am an American, and apologize for misuse or lack of British slang and/or customs.

Disclaimer: James Potter, Lily Evans/Potter, and any other recognizable characters are created and owned by J.K. Rowling, and I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of Harry Potter. No profit is made from this.
It is merely for entertainment purposes only. Meridith Booth was created by me as a tool to play with in the Harry Potter world.

The Dangers of Befriending Severus Snape

"Why are you with him?" The voice was low, deep, and angry.

Meridith looked up from the third year charms spell book she was reading, green eyes wide in shock. Black eyes stared back accusingly. She shrank back in her chair, her fingers tightening around the book.

The teenager had sallow skin, a slightly crooked nose, and long black hair that fell limply around his face. Severus Snape. She'd only seen him from a distance, when Sirius had pointed him out one day as the Marauders walked with her to class. Sirius had tried to convince James to hex the Slytherin, but he shook his head, shooting a look in her direction.

Snape had never sought her out before, that she was aware of. But since she had agreed to date James Potter, there had almost always been a Marauder at her side. Tonight was different. Tonight was a full moon.

"I.. don't think that's really your concern." Two and a half months of being in this world, and this kind of thing was still shocking. And not good for the ever failing grip she had on her sanity.

His dark eyes narrowed in anger and frustration, and he sat down uninvited across from her. "You said you would never date Potter. You said he disgusted you," Snape bit out, accusingly.

"And again, I say, that's not your concern." She retorted, anger and frustration eating away at her. There were bigger problems for her to deal with. Worse things to be concerned with other than who she dated.

He looked ashamed for a moment, but then his face became a mask, hard and cold. "He's not good enough for you. He's cruel, nothing more than a common thug." She ignored him, turning back to the book in her hands. "Lily, please."

"Look, I forgive you, Severus Snape. I forgive you for tossing friendship and love aside for blood purity. But we are done. I can never be friends with you. Not with the company you keep." She felt cruel, so very cruel. He had always been a fascinating character, so deeply in love that he risked it all just to make things right.

But he had connections, dark connections, that she didn't, couldn't be a part of. If it was discovered who she was, what she knew..

Meridith suddenly gasped. Snape was a Legilimens. She didn't know when he had developed that skill, but it was a risk she could never, ever take. Shaking, she began to hastily gather her books. She needed to escape the library, hide in the Gryffindor common room. Give herself time to figure out a plan.

Snape was saying something, begging, but she didn't hear him. He grabbed her wrist, stopping her, but she tugged away. "I.. I have to go!"

She would never look Severus Snape in the eye again.

A/N: I love Severus Snape. He is one of my top favorite characters. Hopefully I won't have trouble with formatting this time around. (SO BAD AT THE FORMATTING.) Also, I think I'm going to start putting the titles of the snapshots directly in the chapter, because some (like this one was) seem to be too long.