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"Slimy, heartless asshole!"

"Alex!"

"What? It's true! First he breaks your heart and dumps you-"

"Thanks for the reminder."

"And then when you're finally ready to move on, you find out that it was all a lie, that he still loves you and he breaks your heart again."

Sighing I looked around the almost empty Ministry cafeteria, where Alex and I had met for a coffee. We hadn't seen each other since I had been back from Hogwarts and the first thing she had wanted to know when we met was what had happened with Severus .

It wasn't entirely true though, what she said. I didn't know for sure that Severus still loved me. I knew all the signs were there but still it didn't mean that it was true.

"Liz… I know what you're thinking", my best friend said, reaching for my hand. "I know you don't want to give yourself any hope, but he still loves you, a blind person can see that."

"Why would he push me away then? Why break up with me in the first place? It doesn't make any sense."

"I can't answer you that, only that overgrown bat can…"

"You know I don't like it when you call him names."

"He broke my best friend's heart and as long as he doesn't beg her for forgiveness, I'll call him every damn name in the book."

A small smile stole itself onto my lips. I was so grateful to have her. She had been nothing but understanding when it came to me talking about Severus. She knew that even after over three years I still hadn't let go, was still searching for answers. Alex had been the one who had encouraged me to volunteer to go back to Hogwarts for the Triwizard Tournament to face him again, to find out the truth – or at least get some closure to move on.

"Enough of me – how are things with Ed? Is he still frantically planning your wedding?"

"He is. And still getting mad whenever I am late to one of his ridiculous appointments… like I can plan when an Auror is needed", the brunette woman answered frustrated. "But don't think that I don't know what you're doing. We are not done with you. You finally need some answers from that git."

Another sigh escaped my lips. "Alex, let's just forget it. He will not give me any."

"Well, maybe not verbally…", she said and her gaze fell to the few people at the buffet. "You're going back to Hogwarts for the Yule ball, right?"

Confused I looked at her and nodded. "Yes, unfortunately I have to fill in for Mr. Crouch… why?"

"Do you have a date?" Oh no. I knew where this was going.

"Alex no, I am not going to drag some poor guy to a school ball-"

"Not just any poor guy", she interrupted me and I finally saw who she was staring at.

"No! Not Oliver!"

"Oh yes, Oliver Scott. Considering your history, he will drive that Potions bat crazy. And after all it's the easiest way. He still has a thing for you."

I rolled my eyes. "Bullocks. He has dated about a dozen women since we graduated."

"Seriously how can you be so blind, Liz. I know you only have eyes for one man but how can you bluntly ignore all other men who are interested in you? Do you know how many have asked me to put in a good word for them with you?"

"You… what?", I asked surprised. "Why did you never tell me?"

"Because you are still in love with that slimy, heartless, overgrown bat!", she hissed and stood up. "Scott! Over here!"

The young man smiled at us before making his way towards us. He had grown a little more since we had left school and was just as tall as Severus was; the only thing the two had in common.

"How are my lovely Slytherin ladies today?"

"Great and the number one Quidditch referee?", Alex answered while Oliver sat down between us.

"Fine. Although I have to say the day just got better being in such lovely company."

I wanted to roll my eyes but was kicked in the shin by Alex.

"Liz here wanted to ask you something. Isn't that right, Liz?"

"Um…" Another kick in the shin followed. "Ow! Um… yes, I… do you want to accompany me to the Yule ball? It's a work thing but I thought maybe you want to come with me and see Hogwarts again and…"

"Are you finally asking me out, Liz?"

"No, it's really more a work th–ouch! Yes, I mean yes."

A grin appeared on the young man's face. "That I still get to experience this after all these years…"

"Okay, calm down, I get it, you don't want to."

"Oh no, I'd love to get another chance", he said smiling. "So the answer is yes, definitely yes."

I tried to return the smile but couldn't help feeling incredibly bad. It was wrong to use Oliver this way, completely wrong. And still… if it gave me any chance to find out the truth… it was worth it.

I am ridiculous.

Frustrated I looked into the old, cloudy mirror on my closet, running my fingers over the expensive fabric of my dress robes again. It didn't look any different than my regular ones, just the colour and material was different. Dark-blue instead of black – even though it wasn't far off – and silk instead of the regular cotton. It had cost me a small fortune. Just for the small chance that she would notice.

Ridiculous.

I didn't know why I made such a big deal. I didn't even know if she would come to the Yule ball. After our fight she had only been there for the first task and even then I had barely seen her. She had avoided me, had not even participated at the meals during that day and had left before I could've talked to her again. But then again what could I have said?

Annoyed I grabbed my wand and cloak. It was no use brooding over it. She probably wasn't there anyway. And even if she was, what did it change? I couldn't be with her.

With another deep breath I left my living quarters and made my way up to the Entrance Hall, which was filled with students making their way into the Great Hall. Quickly I swept past them, to one of the round tables that had replaced the Head table. The biggest one was already occupied by Dumbledore, as well as the judges. My eyes wandered over the people at the table and to my surprise and relief I saw that Crouch's seat was occupied by none other than Elizabeth. The young woman wore a beautiful dark red dress which contrasted with her blonde curls. I couldn't take my eyes off her while I made my way to the teacher's table, even though she didn't seem to notice me since she was in deep conversation with the man to her left.

No. No that couldn't be.

Scott?!

"It's nice to be back in Hogwarts, a pity we never got to experience the Triwizard Tournament", Oliver continued his monologue while I simply nodded and smiled, as I pretty much had during the whole conversation. I couldn't concentrate one bit since Severus had entered the Great Hall. I had noticed him right away, had noticed his dark blue dress robes. It suited him incredibly.

He had taken a seat on the table just to the right of ours and I could swear that he had been staring at me ever since. Even though each time I turned around he seemed to study the meal in front of him.

When the feast was finished, the champions had the first dance and quickly their schoolmates joined them. It didn't take long for Oliver to pull me onto the dance floor as well and for a second I actually forgot about Severus, just enjoyed dancing.

"I am so glad that you gave me another chance, Liz."

Surprised I looked at the young man, while he turned me around my own axis. "Oh, um… is that so?"

"Yes. I thought I could never make up for my cocky teenager dates. I would've really regretted it", he whispered while he pulled me close again. "You were the one who got away after all."

I could feel myself blush while he came closer and quickly stepped back and let go of his hands.

"I… need some fresh air!"

I didn't wait for his answer. Quickly I rushed out of the Great Hall, fled from the bright lights down to the dungeons. The dark, cold atmosphere instantly calmed me down and with a deep breath I leaned against the wall.

What had I been thinking? Why had I let Alex convince me that this had been a good idea? How had this helped me in any way?

"Already had enough of your enlightening company?"

The voice made me almost jump. Severus was standing in front of me, his eyes narrowed, his arms crossed in front of him.

"Good evening to you too, Severus", I answered and tried to gain a little composure again. "I just needed some fresh air, nothing more."

"Of course", he replied sarcastically. "The dungeons are the obvious choice for that endeavour. Being full of fresh air."

Angrily I looked at him. "And to express it in your wonderful words: how this is any of your business? What are you even doing here? Did you follow me?"

I could see a flash in his dark eyes, expected him to burst out in anger, but his voice stayed calm when he spoke.

"You might have forgotten it but this is my office."

He gestured toward the black door I was standing across from. I hadn't even realised that my feet had carried me here, even though I wasn't surprised. His office had been like a home to me, had been where we had spent the most time together, where I had learned to love him even more.

"I didn't know you liked red so much", he whispered, nodding at my dress robes. "Or are we just expressing our new found love for Gryffindor now?"

"And even if I was – what do you care?"

I could hear him growl lowly while he stepped closer, his dark robes shimmering in the dim lights of the torches. "Scott? Really? I thought you didn't like arrogant blokes who don't even know from which end to open a book."

"Maybe I was just sick of complicated Slytherins", I snapped back. "Maybe I am ready for someone who knows what the fuck he wants."

Severus stepped closer again, trapping me between him and the wall, only centimetres separating us. His gaze seemed to devour me and I could feel my heart beat faster.

"Green still suits you better."

"Maybe I don't-"

I couldn't finish my sentence anymore. Severus's lips were firmly pressed against mine and I couldn't help it and sighed into the kiss, while his arms wrapped around me.