Chapter 11 – Miss You

Rhia boarded the Hogwarts Express to go home two days later. Finally. She desperately wanted away from her social hell at that moment. She wanted to be back with her aunt and uncle again. She wanted to be able to sit in a comfy chair and read her book, which had been neglected as of late.

With a heavy sigh, she trudged into an empty compartment at the back. She slammed the door behind her in frustration.

In the past couple days, she had been hounded by girls asking her about her relationship with Sirius Black. Black had also been trying to talk with her, but she had eluded him every time thus far. Not to mention that, when she finally befriended Snape, Black had to kiss her and ruin that. She and Snape hadn't spoken since the dance. He hadn't even looked at her. She knew because she had checked often. He acted like she didn't even exist.

Rhia pulled out her book and tried to read but couldn't concentrate hard enough. The words just weren't making any sense.

She had already spoken to Monica about her Sirius Black predicament, though there was no mention of Snape. Rhia was glad that Monica didn't know about Snape. She didn't know what her friend would think, but it couldn't be good.

The compartment door opened just as she chucked her book at the wall angrily. She was about to apologize for possibly startling the person when she saw who it was. Instead, she muttered an inaudible apology and slumped back against the wall.

Severus Snape sat down across from her, mumbling something about everywhere else being full. Other than that, he made no action that proved he even noticed her there. Rhia groaned at this prospect.

Several hours later, he was still ignoring her. He was being nearly as much of a prat as Black was. And it wasn't even like she had done any wrongdoing. "He was the one that kissed me!" she yelled finally.

Snape started and looked up at her. "You didn't seem to want to push him away either."

"I did too!"

"Not enough."

"I was startled."

"That's no excuse."

She groaned. "What does it even matter?"

"It doesn't."

"Well, it sure seems to."

"Because he's the enemy."

"The enemy?"

"He's always a prat, and he and Potter are such narcissistic—"

"I know what they are and what they do, but how does that make them the enemy?"

"I misspoke."

She looked at him suspiciously. "If you say so."

They were silent for a while, during which Rhia refused to allow herself to even glance at him.

Finally, she got up and moved beside him. With a deep sigh, she tried speaking. "Look, Snape. I know we haven't always gotten along—at least, not very well—but, this last semester, the times I spent with you were fun." She leaned forward, sighed, and looked back to him. Their eyes were locked. "I'm going to miss you, Severus Snape."

They just looked into each other's eyes for a while, and she couldn't look away until the train came to a halt.

"You're a horrible friend," she said, "but you're still my friend. I do hope that we can remain as such even if we hardly see each other."

He gave no response.

The door to the compartment opened, and Monica sidled inside. "What's going on here?" she asked cautiously, glancing between the two.

Rhia cleared her throat and stood up. "I was just saying goodbye."

She nodded. "I'll wait for you outside." And she left them alone.

Snape stood beside her and pulled out his suitcase. "Goodbye," he said, and he left her.

Rhia was at a loss. What was with him and his mood swings? The next time she saw him, how would he act? When would she see him next? They had graduated. She was going to be a Healer, and she had no idea what he would be. The only way to see him would be to arrange a meeting (or for him to get magically wounded somehow). And she doubted he would consent to that. But maybe… maybe he would.