As days went by, Madeline and Severus slowly grew apart. The girl just couldn't shake away the feeling he was about to let her down; she knew he was obsessed with Remus. He definitely wanted to find out where he went one night a month. She could read it in his eyes that he was extremely curious about his situation.
Severus, on the other hand, couldn't accept the fact she would defend her friends so strenuously. She had been acting detached since their last quarrel. And he knew that if their differences continued weighing down on them like that, they would eventually fall apart. He was aware it was his fault.
They kept spending time together, laughing, kissing and chatting, like nothing had happened. But Severus could see Madeline wasn't so spontaneous, genuine, or instinctive, anymore. She now appeared more controlled; she looked like she was afraid she could reveal something he didn't want him to know. She looked like she couldn't be herself with him ever again.
The situation got on his nerves terribly. So much that he started seeing her less and less. The idea of reading on Madeline's face how much she didn't really trust him, hurt him badly. He would made up excuses not to spend too much time with her.
He began spending most of his time with Mulciber and Avery. Even if they were now officially Death Eaters, the Dark Lord wouldn't let them get involved in his affairs until they finished school. Severus was actually relieved by the fact; he didn't think he could handle homework, Madeline and Lord Voldemort, all together.
As February gradually approached, some things changed among the sixth-year students. Sirius and Marlene became an item, for instance.
The Marauders and Madeline felt so happy about that; Lene was the first girl in a while who really captured Sirius' attention. He liked her.
Poor James, on the other hand, continued asking Lily Evans out. He was always unsuccessful. Madeline knew Lily was very convinced that the boy was still a hot-headed, immature Gryffindor Pureblood who had nothing better to do than to annoy her. He had been that, once, for sure. But now, James was… Growing up. He wasn't so childish anymore. He wasn't so egocentric anymore.
Sooner or later, Lily would see that too. And she would fall for James. Of that, Madeline was sure.
The Gryffindor girl continued seeing Professor Rathbone, at least once a week. He was a very kind man, and he had begun telling her about his past as a war journalist. He had so many fascinating stories to tell…
Nobody knew about their meetings; she just didn't want to betray the man's trust. He was risking so much just by accepting to spend that much time with her.
"You know, Madeline, you can call me Alastair when we're alone." He had said, one day, and she had smiled at him.
"Thank you, Professor" she had replied, before correcting herself. "I mean, Alastair."
His green-grey eyes had lighted up when she had pronounced his name.
Rathbone was indeed a mysterious man; Madeline sometimes felt like he was trying to prepare her for what was about to come.
He had exposed her his theory according to which wars were games, and every single person who fought in them was a player. He had told her everybody had to choose a side; and that, in wars, nothing was forbidden. Madeline always found herself thinking deeply about the things he told her. He knew she wanted to fight. She knew that, even if he couldn't admit it, he was proud of that. Rathbone looked like a man who wouldn't run away from a battle.
One evening, when she had entered his classroom, the familiar scent of lemon cake had stricken her nostrils.
The Professor was waiting for her at his desk, as always, and a plate filled with her favorite dessert was placed right next to him.
She felt like they had become friends. He wasn't much older than she was; he had admitted having turned 30 the previous November. He had grown on her, in a way. He was a very sophisticated man, who liked to provoke her and filled her mind with questions she couldn't find the answer to. She understood he did that so she would come back, and ask him for the answers.
She couldn't shake away the feeling of Rathbone's eyes on her… They were so difficult to read; but Madeline knew he was as fascinated by her as she way by him.
St. Valentine's day came. Madeline hadn't seen Severus in a while, and she didn't expect him to do anything for her. That's why she was so surprised when she and the Marauders walked outside of Charms classroom and found him there, waiting for her.
"Hello, Madeline" he said, with that deep, velvety voice she liked so much. He was leaning against a well, and he was watching directly at her. Sirius, who was walking with his arm around Marlene's shoulder, shot him a disgusted look.
"Oh, Snivellus' gracing us with his presence!" he mocked him, arching an eyebrow and sizing the Slytherin boy up and down.
Madeline sighed, and elbowed her friend. "Piss off, Pads."
Marlene gave her a sorry look. James, who was some steps ahead of them with Remus and Peter, observed the situation, before suddenly saying: "Come on, Padfoot, let's go to the Quidditch Pitch. We shouldn't waste our free time with Snape."
Sirius turned his grey eyes from Madeline towards James. "Yes, none of us should…" he stated firmly. "Snivellus' not worth it." He added, and gave Snape one last, long, hateful look, before storming off in James' direction. Marlene struggled to keep up after him.
Severus, who had been looking at Sirius with an annoyed expression, observed the Marauders walk away, stunned. "What was that?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why did Potter stop him?"
Madeline rolled her eyes, "Don't get me started, love. What's up?"
He turned to look at her, then. "Mmm?"
"Why were you waiting for me?"
Severus took a step in her direction, and raised an eyebrow. "Because it's Saint Valentine's day."
"You mean you care about this dreadful festivity?"
Severus laughed lightly at that. "I don't. But I thought you did..."
"Oh, and why? Because I'm a girl?"
"Well…"
Madeline laughed in front of his embarrassed expression, and shook her head. "I forgive you for that, love."
"Thank you, love" he replied, mocking her use of pet names and wrapping his arms around her waist. She put hers on his chest.
"Do you think I'll let you be this sweet and caring with me after all these weeks you spent avoiding me?"
"I wasn't avoiding you."
She knitted her brows. "Don't lie to me…" She pushed him away. "I can't… Not think about that, Sev. I mean… I would love to pretend nothing's happening, but…"
"I know we've been having problems… But I just want this day to be nice."
"One day won't change things…"
"That's true, Madeline, but… Things are changing nonetheless. We can enjoy this day… Or we can let it go. Your choice."
"You know what I want."
Severus smirked at her. "Thank you" he whispered, and hugged her again. She hugged him back, then. He was holding her like his whole life depended on it. She drew circles on his back, soothingly. "Sometimes I forget how much of a child you are." She muttered against his ear.
He giggled. "I'm not a child."
"Sure you're not…" she ironically said, and he did nothing but held her tighter.
"I'm sorry." He stated, after a while. She knew he was referring to the whole situation that had created between them. She knew he felt guilty. And he actually was.
"Don't say it… It's like saying "I love you". It doesn't feel right if you don't mean it…", she stated.
Severus separated from her at that. He was about to reply, but she put a finger on his lips. "I decided to trust you, Severus. Time will prove if I did the right thing. Now, stop saying you're sorry and start showing it. What are we doing today?"
He sighed deeply, and took her hand in his before answering. "Pretty much all Slytherins will be on a date somewhere tonight…"
"What? All of them?"
"I said pretty much…" he replied, "At least, all of the students from the sixth year up. Pureblood families combine marriages. So, most of the Slytherins have a date since they're fifteen…"
"I come from a Pureblood family, Sev. Combined marriage is an ancient tradition…"
He raised an eyebrow. "You know the kind of Pureblood families I'm referring to. They live for ancient traditions."
Madeline laughed, but the thought of her parents choosing a husband for her gave her the creeps. "I guess you have a point… so?"
"So, I could convince the younger Slytherins to leave us the Common Room." He explained. "They wouldn't deny me that..." and Madeline knew the reason why they wouldn't deny him anything. He was one of them, now. Plus, Severus could be quite scary when he wanted to. "It's quite magical at night." He added, observing her thoughtful expression.
Madeline smiled, "I've never seen it, but Sirius and James told me it's awful."
"What?" Severus questioned, surprised. "They've been in our Common Room?"
"Yeah, for that prank in third year, when they put Zonko's potion-proof stinging powder in your beds!"
Severus' eyes widened at that. "How did they-?"
She shook her head, "Not telling."
"Of course…" he sighed. "Well, they were lying."
Madeline nodded, "Yeah, probably. They hate all things related to you snakes..." she said, and giggled. "I would like to see your Common Room, though."
The side of the boy's mouth twitched with pleasure. "Well… See you tonight, then? We can dine there."
"Sounds like a plan."
The boy stepped closer to her to give her a peck on the lips. "I can't wait for tonight to come…"
Madeline laughed. "I'm afraid you'll have to… See you tonight, Sev." She said with a smirk on her gorgeous face, and walked away, leaving him standing there, in the middle of an empty corridor, watching the girl he liked disappear from his view.