-What is the most effective herbal treatment?

-Stinging nettles on your ass.

"It's cold out there, take a jacket," Severus dropped on the bench next to Viv eyeing her outfit disapprovingly. "I am not giving you my jumper again."

"Yes, mother," Viv groaned. Why was Sev nagging so early in the morning. Their Hogsmeade trip was scheduled for nine in the morning and she hated the person who arranged it for some that time. She barely slept, trying to process the events from previous night.

"Why are you so tired?" Sev helped himself to toast and orange juice.

"Had a late night,"

"What were you doing?"

*Making out with one of Potter's friends.* Viv thought biting the inside of her cheek.

"Viv?" Sev touched her hand trying to get her attention. "You are dozing off,"

«Ugh, I'm so tired," she exclaimed. "Seriously, I am tired to the point where the tiredness inside me is tired of being tired of the fact that I am tired."

The look on Snape's face was unreadable. "Just...get some food inside you,"

A group of people burst into the dining hall and immediately it became noisy. Was Potter really that funny to the point where his sidekicks laughed at everything he said? Viv rested her cheek on her hand and watch the group of Gryffindor's walk to their table. Potter shooed a first year away from Evans and sat beside her. Black made space next to him and Lupin with Pettigrew sat opposite them. It was their usual arrangement. Potter leaned closer to Evans with a stupid grin on his face. It was so obvious that Evans liked him too, to the point where it was nauseating. Viv glanced at Snape who was staring into his plate and playing with his food. She could almost see a dark cloud hovering over his head ready to pour down with rain. From the bottom of her heart, she felt sorry for him. Potter brough a goblet to his mouth and Viv could not resist. With a sneaky poke of her wand, she whispered a spell and directed it at him. The contents of the goblet poured out as he drank and splashed all over his clothes. The Gryffindor table erupted in laughter. Viv quickly glanced at her half empty plate, fighting a smile. When she looked up again Potter was gone.

"You didn't have to do that," Sev said.

"What are you talking about? It wasn't me."

Snape eyed her suspiciously but refrained from arguing.

Severus was right once again. She forgot her jacket and he had to give her his sweater. It was black, large, and very warm. Viv rolled up the sleeves and glanced over her errand list. "I'll catch you later at Three Broomsticks okay?" Snape nodded and they went separate ways.

Viv walked out of the Scrivenshaft's and transferred the package into her bag. She ticked off the shop and made her way to Tomes and Scrolls. A pleasant old man greeted her at the door, and she handed him the list of books she needed. As the man witched the books his way, the bell over the door rang and someone walked in. Viv looked around to see Lupin staring at her from the door.

"Here are your books Miss," the shopkeeper said, piling them up on the counter.

Viv's eyes caressed Lupin's lips before she forced herself to look away.

"Thank you." She paid and picked up the stack.

"If you wish, we have them delivered to you, just leave your name." the old man smiled. Viv scribbled her name and handed him the paper. She thanked him once again and hurried out of the shop. Her heart was beating somewhere in her throat when she walked past Lupin.

"Can I help you, young man?" the shopkeeper directed his attention to the new customer, but the lanky guy was already out of the door.

Lupin caught up with her when she turned to a small alleyway behind the bookshop. He grabbed her hand and gently pulled her back.

"Lupin, this is not a good time." She pulled her arm away.

The feeling of loss swamped him. He forced out a smile. "Sorry. I just wanted to ask if you will come tonight?" Lupin waited patiently for her answer studying her face. His gazed slipped to her sweater, it looked out of place. He knew it was not hers. The sweater gave off a strong herbal smell, which he recognised as Snape's. Relief and irritation washed over him hand in hand.

"I'll be there." Viv finally responded. "Hey, Lupin are you listening to me?" she waved her hand in front of his face, snapping him out of his thoughts. He did not realize when she stepped closer. He wanted to kiss her again. He wanted to touch her. Viv looked around making sure there was no one around. Her fingers locked on his collar and she pulled him closer. Their lips met in a quick kiss. His hand instantly landed on her waist, pulling the girl closer. When she wrapped her arms around his neck and he lifted her up, Viv knew that she was a goner.

"Wow, Viv, in broad daylight, I am beyond shocked." Someone chuckled. Lupin and Viv jumped apart. "Oh no, please, do not stop on my account." Tall dark-haired female leaned on the wall of the house with a huge grin on her face.

"Elle?" Viv could not believe her eyes. "ELLE!" she screamed jumping at the girl and pulling her in a bear hug. Elle laughed and held Viv tightly.

"Hello, princess." Elle's lips touched Viv's temple in a gentle kiss. Her eyes narrowed at Lupin, who watched them with an awkward smile.

"I'm going to go," he said. "I'll see you later."

Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop was busy with happy couples enjoying their dates. Viv rolled her eyes and sat down. She offered a coffee and refused a slice of carrot cake which Elle so generously offered. "I don't remember your boyfriend from our house," her voice sounded amused.

"You've graduated two years ago. You could have forgotten." Viv retorted. She did not want to talk about what happened in the alleyway, but Elle would not leave it alone.

"You know that that is impossible. I have a great memory for faces, which means," she smirked. "That he is not from Slytherin."

Viv watched the steam from her coffee dissociate in the air. "I must say, I'm surprised," Elle continued. "He is not the type of guy you usually go for,"

"Meaning what exactly?"

"Well, he is rather plain Viv. So which house is he from?"

Viv's heavy gaze forced Elle's mouth into an o-shape. "Seriously? No, no, Viv, look me in the eyes and tell me, that you are dating a Gryffindor."

The blonde pursed her lips. "We are not dating,"

"Sleeping with a Gryffindor,"

"We are not sleeping together,"

"Viv, he's a Gryffindor!" Elle was still smiling. There was no judgement in her eyes, only curiosity and amusement. Viv rubbed her temples. "Well, as I always say, listened to your inner voice and then go with the flow."

They chuckled.

"Well, my inner voice no longer talks to me, because it's busy screaming in my head from not understanding what is happening." Elle held her hand gently and Viv knew she was there for her.

"I didn't expect to see you here." Viv said enjoying her second cup of coffee. Elle smiled widely.

"Actually, I came to see you, I have something to tell you and I couldn't wait." the excitement in her voice was contagious. "Rabastan proposed."

The teacup slipped out of Viv's hand and hit the table with a loud thud. The people around them stopped talking and looked in the direction of the noise. Viv swallowed the lump in her throat and forced a smile. Elle watched her carefully. The way Viv's eyes dulled as she avoided her gaze. She set the cup aside and locked her fingers.

"Are you not happy?" Elle asked carefully.

"No, of course not." Viv squeezed her hands together. Rabastan Lestrange was her older brother and a man she feared almost as much as she feared the Dark Lord. He was a perfectly disguised sociopath with a sister complex that everyone seemed to discard as "care". Ever since she was little, she tried to stay away from him, to get out of his excessive protection. He charmed Elle from the first day they have met. Rabastan was courteous and considerate, but Viv knew it was just a façade. When Rabastan wanted something, he was willing to do anything to get it, disregarding the consequences. "I'm so happy for you." She took Elle's hand in hers and gave it a light squeeze. Elle returned the squeeze, looking into Viv's eyes, searching for answers to the unasked questions.

"Will you do me the honour of being my bridesmaid?"

Viv's mouth twitched and she smiled defeatedly. "You can count on me. I love you Elle."

The tables around them went silent again. Many pairs of eyes stared at the two females holding hands. Elle and Viv looked into each other's eyes and burst out laughing.

"I thought you forgot about me." Sev said grumpily when Vivienne finally joined him in Three Broomsticks. Four empty glasses from butter beer were lined up in front of him and the fifth one was still in his hand. Viv ordered a gillywater and sat opposite Snape. The tension in her movements did not escape him. "What happened?"

"I've met Elle," she said.

"Enjoy dear," Madame Rosmerta placed her order in front of her and winked.

"Thank you." A weak smile crossed her lips. "So, Rab proposed to her, she came all the way here to break the news to me. Even asked if I wanted to be her bridesmaid."

Snape straightened up on his place. "Did you agree?"

Viv nodded. "Shit, I know he is up to something." She nibbled on her thumb the way she always did when she was stressed. Sev's winced when her tooth pierced her skin to blood.

"Stop this," he pulled her hand away from her face and wiped the blood from her lip. "Elle is a big girl; she can take care of herself."

"If anything happens to Elle..." Snape caught her hands and forced her to stop moving. He was rarely so persistent.

"Nothing is going to happen. Viv, you are overthinking it."

Viv eyed their hands and the looks they were getting from the other customers of the pub. She chuckled and then burst out laughing.

"Wow...guys, Snape's proposing," Potter's voice ruined the moment.

"Piss off Potter," Severus hissed under his breath as they pulled away.

"Why, please, continue," Potter grabbed a chair and sat at their table. Black followed his lead. Pettigrew and Lupin remained standing. Viv nodded at Severus and they stood up simultaneously.

"Well, Potty, Black...the other two," Viv smiled thank you for the treat. "Madame Rosmerta," Viv yelled. "These kind gentlemen will be covering our bill." She grabbed Sev's hand and stormed out of the pub.

"Get back here!" Black yelled but the two were already gone.