"Hi." Sybil cleared her throat gently as she nestled down onto the floor beside Severus. He visibly tensed. He had purposely wedged himself in the least frequented section of the library he could find. Severus didn't want to be disturbed, forced to interact with anyone, yet, there was Sybil.

"Hi." Severus murmured back, brushing his hair back from his face with his fingertips.

"I know, Severus. You don't have to talk to me about it but I thought maybe it would make you feel better to know that I know." Sybil pushed her glasses up and gave a sniff before smoothing out her skirt over her knees.

"What do you know, Sybil?" Severus furrowed his brow, refusing to look at her.

"You know." She replied solemnly. Severus gave a heavy sigh. "It's alright to be upset, I understand, anyone would really. She knows how you would feel about everything that's why she's pretending so hard to not be interested in him."

"She isn't pretending hard enough if we both saw it." Severus tried to bury his face deeper into the book he had been pretending to read.

"I can read your tea leaves again…maybe something changed." Sybil was trying so hard to be kind but Severus didn't want the pity he heard in her voice.

"Sybil, no, I don't believe in that shite." Severus slammed his book closed.

"I know that. I just thought that it may help." Sybil shrugged.

"Do you think it's changed at all? Honestly?" His head snapped towards her as he locked eyes with her.

"No, I don't." Her voice was small as she dropped her eyes. "But maybe…just maybe…you wouldn't be so miserable if you did believe, Severus. Is it really so bad to know that you'll get what you want eventually, just not from the person you want it to be right now?"

"For Merlin's sake, Sybil, just let it be!" His voice rose before jumping to a harsh whisper. He didn't want to be thrown out of the library.

"I can't let it be! Look at yourself! You're going to end up doing something stupid if you don't get ahold of yourself, Severus! I'm your friend and I don't want to see that happen. You're being your own bully right now!" Sybil set her mouth in a firm line as she stared at him.

"I am not being my own bully." Severus huffed as he crossed his arms over his knees.

"Yes, you are. You can love whoever you want, but you cannot make a person love you back. If what we saw is truth there's nothing we can do to stop it. She's her own person. Lily decides who Lily is interested in, no matter how much you may not like who she chooses, the choice isn't yours to make. I'm sorry she only feels a friendship for you, but you have to admit she's not exactly the same person she was first year. She's changed and you've changed. Severus, you need to get out of your head and open your eyes. The Lily you love doesn't exist anymore and the sooner you see it and accept it the better it will be for all of us. I can't stand to see you beat yourself up over something that's out of your control." Sybil stood, turning back to look down at him. "I know you don't believe in Divination or in my abilities but I know you believe in fate. I'm sorry, Severus, I really am, but she is not fated for you."

She turned on her heel and walked away from Severus who sat slack jawed. Sybil was becoming bolder the older she got. He dropped his head onto his crossed arms and squeezed his eyes closed.

He knew she was right. He couldn't admit it though, it hurt too damn much to consider everything. What would the future hold for them if she continued down this path? Would he stand there and watch her marry him, could he? Hell, would they even remain friends? No. Potter hates him too much to allow that.

He could feel everything slipping away from him. All of his hopes and dreams were now like fog in his hands. If she starts to date him all is lost. Severus knew he couldn't compete with Potter. Lily looked at him in a totally different way than she did Potter. The way her eyes softened when she saw him. The way her cheeks flushed when she caught him looking at her. Her mouth was saying one thing to Severus but her actions were screaming something entirely different.

If he didn't act soon, very soon, she would be lost to him forever. He would cling to the friendship for however long she permitted it until she would cut him free to pursue her life with him. Look at Lucius, he married right after finishing seventh year. They were in fourth year. If they started dating now…

Severus lifted his head and took a slow deep breath, opening his eyes.

This could be the beginning of the end.

He stood up, shaking his legs a bit to get the circulation to return to his extremities. Adjusting his robe on his shoulders and straightening his tie he nodded to himself.

Maybe she was looking elsewhere because she thought he only looked at her as a friend? Perhaps if he told her of his true feelings for her she would smile and return the sentiment?

She could also shoot him down. Severus froze.

He couldn't bear the thought of revealing his soul to her just to have her deny him, but if he didn't he could lose her forever.

Bending down he grabbed his satchel and shoved his belongings into it.

The choice was really made for him. He had to tell her. Now the only problem would be getting her alone long enough to tell her.