Antlia lay in Sirius' old bed, staring at the wall beside her. A poster of a scantily clad muggle woman on a motorbike seemed to be staring back at her, and honestly, the stupid thing haunted her. She had grown accustom to the moving portraits that lined the walls of Hogwarts, but the poster also served as a reminded to the fact that she hardly knew her other brother Sirius. Never would she have guessed that he would have such a decoration for his room, but beyond that she found herself surprised by his magic.. Even she, a BellaSera, was unable to counter the sticking charm he used to keep the poster there. She liked to imagine that he had charmed it to spite Walburga and Orion, considering that they were far from quiet about their distaste for muggles. It was hardly a secret that it and their blood supremacy ideas had been the very thing that had driven him away from his family. She was severely disappointing to not have him around and be able to get to know him. Maybe one day she would take Remus up on his offer.

The situation with Sirius didn't bother her near as much as the one she currently had with Severus did. She had written to him. Multiple times. Not once had he answered her owls though. With a groan, she rolled over and buried her face in her pillow. How stupid she had been, to tell him that she loved him. She had thought he felt the same way about her, but clearly she had been wrong. Why else would he be ignoring her? And why had she kept sending him more letters? Merlin, you're a fool, Antlia. A helpless, lovesick fool.

She took a few deep breaths but she felt like the pillow was starting to suffocate her. Rolling back over and pushing herself up, Antlia stared longingly into the darkness outside her window. She had been trapped inside for at least a week now and she hated every moment of it. Her father had brought her fresh flowers every day from Walburga's garden to bring life to her room, but it wasn't enough. She missed going outside. She missed being among the tress, feeling the sun on her skin, and breathing in the fresh air. Each new day felt more and more like she was trapped inside of a prison. The walls of Grimmuald Place no longer felt safe and inviting, but cold and mocking. Thinking logically, she knew it was her best interest to let the house hide her, but it was far from what she wanted. Her heart and soul cried to be free and escape her confines. To hell with Dumbledore and the Ministry; she wanted to lose herself outside in the open. She didn't belong caged up and protected. BellaSeras were went to be free and independent. Their magic was the way that it was to protect themselves. She didn't really need her father, Tom, or any other wizard to protect her.

Antlia carefully got off the bed and put her cloak on over her nightgown. She didn't bother grabbing her shoes before she apparated away from the room. At first, when her bare feet landed in the grass, she wasn't sure where she was. She had shut her eyes and let her spirit guide her. When she opened her eyes, she found herself standing under a streetlamp just inches in front of a certain dark haired teen. She blushed immediately.

"Annie?" Severus breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. "What in Merlin's name are you doing here?"

She hesitated, unsure of that answer herself. Before she had apparated, her mind had gone briefly to being with Severus, getting answers from him. Of course she didn't meant to actually go to him, but there she was. Her spirit had led her to such an awkward and cruel position. "Where is here?"

"Spinner's End. My home. Why are you here?"

She could feel her blush spreading. She couldn't tell him it was an accident, could she? Would he even believe her? "I just desperately needed out of that house. I guess my first reaction was to find you."

Severus acted like he was going to say something but shook his head. "You shouldn't be here. You should be home, where it's safe."

Antlia frowned deeply. She was there now, so why not speak her mind? "Why didn't you write to me, Severus? I've been worried. Did Dumbledore connect you to me with Jorkins? Have they singled you out for being my friend? I-"

He cut her off quickly. "Antlia, this is not safe. None of this. Go home before they realize you're gone."

"Severus, I care about you! I need to know that you're okay!" I love you. You promised me you wouldn't leave me again.

He took a step back from her. "We can't see each other anymore. It's not smart. Go home."

Antlia stared up in shock at him. Did he really mean it Was he that mad over her leaving during the Christmas party that he hated her? Had they targeted him? Was that why he had refused to answer any of her letters? Did he really want nothing more to do with her? It couldn't be because of the fact that she had told him she loved him, could it? "Please. I need you. You're my best friend. Talk to me."

An unrecognizable look swallowed his features. "Just how dimwitted are you, witch?" He hissed, making her immediately tense up. "I told you I was done with you. It was foolish enough for us to get involved. You're not welcome here, Antlia. Go. Away."

She took a step backwards, tears welling up in her eyes. "Severus, you promised," she whimpered, knowing how pathetic and weak she sounded.

"And I was a fool for entertaining you for as long as I did! But you know what? Now I'm done. I want nothing more from you, Antlia Black. Was my lack of response to your letters simply not clear enough? Leave me be, stupid witch!" He shouted furiously, throwing his hands up.

Without another word, Antlia vanished. The moment she reappeared in her room, she couldn't help but to collapse on her bed in tears. Severus Snape most certainly did not love her back.