I watched as the trio walked back into the room, their faces different from when they had left. Hermione looked at the box in my hands as though it was a piece of some severed animal. "What was that all about?" I asked as they sat back down around the towering tree.

"Nothing," Hermione said, waving her hand as though that would get rid of my suspicion. But I really couldn't really concentrate with a present from Ares in my hands. I was rather nervous. What if there was some embarrassing gift that the trio would laugh at? I bit my lips and reached to rip off the paper.

"Wait!" Hermione said, whipping her hand and slapping it down on the box. I looked up at her. Her face was scarred and nervous.

"What?" I asked. Hermione's eyes shifted and she quickly let out a very anti-Hermioneish giggle and smiled.

"I just wanted to hear the story behind this Ares person before you open his present." I blinked. It didn't seem very true, but maybe there was a more girly side to Hermione that Rowling had not captured. I paused and looked at Ron and Harry. Both of them were looking at me and I could tell that they wanted to know about Ares as well.

I placed the box aside and leaned forward toward Hermione. I felt like a teenager again, talking with my friends at a sleepover. It was a feeling that I had missed and I enjoyed telling Hermione the story of Ares.

"I met him at a Halloween party that Dumbledore held for the staff," I started. "Everyone was required to wear masks so I didn't see his face."

"That explains a lot," Ron muttered, but Hermione shushed him.

"Anyway," I continued, "I spilled my drink on him and we got talking and well…dancing." I blushed at the memory and smiled to myself. He really had been a very good dancer. "And things kind of fell into place."

"What does that mean?" Hermione asked, getting into the story.

"Well, he said that he was not coming back to Hogwarts and he…he said that he wanted to say goodbye to me." The trio gave me confused looks and I looked away.

"I guess you could say, me and Ares kind of were found of each other."

"You fell in love with him!" Hermione shrieked. I jumped and quickly held up my hands.

"Well, no, I mean, kind of, well, alright yes. It was one of those one night things."

"One night things?!" Hermione screamed. "What do you mean? What does that mean? Oh my…!" I saw the shocked and scarred look on her face and spluttered.

"What? No, no we didn't…you know…no, I didn't have sex with…" I couldn't stop blubbering. The thought was freaky. Okay, so I had kissed a complete stranger, but I would never…DO it with a stranger!

"We just…kissed, that's all!" I said, trying to calm Hermione down. But this didn't seem to help. Her mouth dropped open and Ron started to laugh! Harry just starred at me, wide-eyed and shocked.

Hermione was pacing around the room, talking to herself, a crazed look on her face. "This is all wrong…what does it mean…of all the dirty little…"

"Hey," I said, standing up, "don't worry about it! I haven't seen him since! And anyway, the guy is a first class jerk." I said, not really meaning it.

"If he is such a jerk, then why is he sending you presents?" Hermione asked, picking up the box, ripping the paper. I snatched it back.

"I don't know." I snarled. Hermione was only eleven, but she had the guts of a full gown women. "And it's none of your business anyway!" Hermione crossed her arms, glaring up at me. I looked over at the two boys who were watching the cat fight like it was a TV show. I stomped out of the common room and slammed the portrait behind me.

The fat lady let out a "REALLY?" but I just kept walking. I couldn't help but feel angry at her. She was nosy know-it-all. Then I started to channel my anger at Ares. He was a jerk. Sending me presents when he said he would never come back, using me.

Sure, I had written to him first, but he was just leading me on. What a total, absolute…

But my retching was cut off as a rounded a corner and rammed into a very tall person. "Watch it!" I snarled and I looked up to see Snape. He cocked an eyebrow and looked down at me with a sliver of annoyance.

"Excuse me Miss Evans." He said with false sincerity.

"You know what." I said, standing on my tip toes and pointing at him with the box. "I have a right to be angry at you." I hissed. He was always looking down on me like I was dirt, and that pissed me off real bad. Snape's eyes were not on me however, his dark eyes were on the ripped box I held in my hand. His mouth open slightly and he shut it.

"I understand now." He said.

"Sure you do." I muttered.

"Lily." That was the first time that I had heard him say my name. It shocked me so much I froze, looking at him. Was it just me, or did Snape actually look…sad?

"Please, I…I was stupid. Please," he whispered. My mouth was open, shock on my face. What was going on with him?

"What are you talking about?" I said. Snape's eyes shot to mine.

"The…box, you have in your hand." I looked at it then back to him.

"I haven't opened it yet." I said. Snape's jaw went ridged and his eyes narrowed. He was obviously angry. "You and your mood swings." I muttered, pushing past him. I usually wouldn't have been too rude to Snape, but I was not in the mood to talk any more. I ran the rest of the way and muttered the password to Xavier.

"Merry Christmas." He said sneering, obviously seeing that I was not in the mood.

"Ya, you're a real clown fish." I said with a sneer. Xavier tweaked an eyebrow.

"Wow, never heard that one before." I smiled and flopped down on me bed, tossing the present from Ares under it. Screw him; I just wanted my life to lie low for a good, fifteen minutes.

Dear Readers.

I'm sorry that it has been such a long time, but I was in surgery and recovery for a while. I hate wisdom teeth. But I am back and just want to let you know that I love you all. What is a writer with out readers? Anyway, I'm working double shift on these stories and I will certainly make sure you enjoy the next chapter even more.

Love,

Melanie Myers