Disclaimer: I only own Katya, the plot, and anything else you don't recognize.

A/N: A thank you to all three of my reviewers. Madame Moony, Weasleylover, and Carpathia! Also, to those of you who read chapter ten when it was an author's note, sorry, I changed my mind about the Snape age thingy. Enjoy and please R&R!

~ These Foolish Games ~

After the fight in the Diggorys' gardens Katya and Severus experienced a drift in their relationship. (No really! *rolls eyes*) At meals Katya would purposefully come early enough to find a seat not by Snape, but late enough to avoid the chance of him sitting next to her. During the hour that was once her potions lesson she would either write in her journal or wander aimlessly about the halls. She spent more time writing than wandering since she usually found herself heading for the dungeons. It had almost become a habit to head down to Snape's room at 4:30 everyday. And it didn't help that she desperately wanted to see him. But she didn't dare, not after what she had said. Besides, he'll think I'm just there out of pity, she told herself.

* * *

On a Tuesday, one month after the party, Katya was sitting in her room writing in her journal. She had written more in the past month then in her entire twenty-eight years of living. Putting her journal aside she sighed. She needed to do something besides sit here on her couch and write day after day after day. Once in a while she had tried to liven things up by sitting on her bed but to no avail. She was bored and she wanted to see Severus. The combination of the two nearly caused her to give in. No, I can find something to do. I still haven't graded those papers I assigned my fifth years. Rising from the couch she went to her desk and pulled out the papers written by her fifth years students.

The Difference between Liar Detectors and Lie Sensors and the Advantages and Disadvantages of Each.

"The title in and of itself tells the entire bloody essay," she murmured to herself. Had she just said bloody? The British dialect was definitely beginning to have its effect on her.

The differences between a liar detector and a lie sensor are easily noticed. By simply paying attention to the names one can discover one difference: One detects liars while the other detects lies. Other differences between the two can be observed by the way they react to the liars and lies and their design. The lying detector is small enough to be held and can go unnoticed. It begins to silently blink a red light whenever a liar gets within a fifty feet radius. The blinking quickens the closer it is brought to the dishonest personage. The lie sensor, on the other hand . . .

"Don't they believe in separate paragraphs?" She asked herself. Katya set the paper down and stretched her arms. "I need to leave this room!" she cried. Well then why don't you? a voice in her head asked. "I think I will," she replied, then added, "Oh Merlin I'm talking to myself again!"

Walking out the door and into the corridor Katya paused; pondering what she should do. Is that someone crying? Deciding to investigate she turned left and followed the muffled sobs until she discovered the Head Girl, Hermione Granger sitting on the floor crying.

"Hermione? What's wrong?" Katya asked.

"It's Crookshanks," she said motioning towards the cat lying on the floor next to her. He was making a low, moaning sound and every once in a while jerking his legs. "I don't know what's wrong with him," she cried, "He was fine until a last night."

"What are you doing out here with him?"
"I was going to bring him to Hagrid, the care for magical creatures teacher, but on the way Crookshanks began to twist around trying to get down. I thought maybe he was feeling better and set him down. He just laid down and won't let me pick him back up."

Katya looked at the poor, crying girl with pity, "Well let me see if I can figure out what's wrong." Slowly she approached the sick animal, softly mewing as she went. Crookshanks picked up his head and mewed back. Katya smiled and Crookshanks began to purr. Picking up the orange monster she whispered something in his ear. To Hermione it looked almost as if Crookshanks nodded in agreement with whatever Katya had said.

"He should let you take him to Hagrid now," she said, handing the cat back to his rightful owner, "I hope he gets feeling better soon."

"Thank you so much professor, " Hermione breathed, still in awe at what she had just witnessed.

"No problem, but might I suggest making sure he doesn't eat anymore of the goodies you bring back from the kitchens? Especially those custards."

Imagine Hermione's surprise when, a few minutes later, she was told the exact same thing by Hagrid. How had Professor Poiston known?

* * *

While Katya was spending her free hour writing in her journal and healing cats Severus was continuing the work on the potion he and Katya had started. But it wasn't going so well. For one thing, in matters such as creating potions, two heads are always better than one. For another Severus often slipped into daydreams about Katya. He would review in his mind all the conversations they had had, particularly their last quarrel. He would picture her in his mind. Long, lustrous hair blowing in the breeze and bright blue eyes dancing in delight. A perfect smile revealing her straight, white teeth. And always, always in these daydreams she was running to him with her arms open. Stop it! Get a hold of yourself! You shouldn't torture yourself this way, Merlin knows you torture yourself enough with other things. Snape brought his attention back to the potion he was stirring, but five minutes later he was thinking about her again. Did I blow my chances with her? No, no I never had a chance with her. I learned long ago that I'm not the kind of man women fall for. Of course part of it could be the fact that Lily was four years older than me and she had that prat of a boyfriend, James. But no matter, if older women won't have me who's to say the younger ones will? Especially ones as beautiful and pure as Katya. Oh for the love of Merlin! Why must she torture me this way?!

* * *

One week after the incident with Hermione and her cat, Katya was on her way to the Great Hall for dinner when she saw Severus walking towards her. Don't talk to me, don't talk to me!

"Good evening Professor Poiston," he said cordially.

Oh Merlin! "Good evening," she replied; looking into his eyes, but upon seeing the pain there she quickly looked down again. Am I the cause of that pain?

"And how have you been?"

Please just go away before I break down and cry! Please just go away.

"I'm fine thank you, and you?" Her gaze remained locked to the floor.

"As good as can be expected," he said coldly.

Oh frog eyes! Why does he have to do this to me? Why must he torture me? she inwardly questioned. Because you are torturing him, she answered herself.

Breathing deeply in an attempt to calm her nerves, Katya began to walk towards the Great Hall. Just a few more steps, just a few more steps.

"Professor Poiston," Severus said as he fell into step with her, "aren't you going to ask how the potion is coming along?"

"Erm . . ." Why can't he just leave me alone? "Yes, as a matter of fact, how is it coming along?"

"It's not. I've been so distracted lately that I ruined it."

What could possibly be distracting him? It's obviously not me. I haven't been down there in nearly two months! But what if . . .

"How's that?" she asked as calmly as she could. They had entered the Great Hall by this time.

"I stirred it for too long, added too much or too little of ingredients . . ."

"No, you misunderstood me. I was asking what your distraction has been." she corrected as she sat down.

Severus had been about to sit beside her but stopped at this comment. He straightened up and stood silently next to her waiting for her to look at him. Finally she turned around and looked into his cold, sorrowful black eyes.

"I think you know the answer to that," he said quietly and then walked away to take a seat beside Professor Binns.

Katya took another deep breath. Ignoring the twinge of disappointment she had about him not sitting next to her she focused on the relief she felt. He was gone and she could breathe freely again. Smiling at Professor Trelawney, who was giving her an inquisitive look, she began to heap mashed potatoes onto her plate.

* * *

Snape stared at his food morosely. He didn't feel like eating but knew he needed to. He had eaten so little in the past month and a half that he had lost nearly twenty pounds. Not that that was necessarily a bad thing, he thought grimly to himself. But he was constantly weak from the lack of nutrients and knew that if he didn't eat anything he might faint on his way back to the dungeons. Forcing down a bite of chicken he glanced at Katya. She was sullenly pushing food around her plate with her fork as Professor Flitwick tried to have a conversation with her. Feeling Severus's eyes upon her she looked at him defiantly. Then, after taking a huge bite of vegetables she animatedly replied to Professor Flitwick's comment.

So that's the way it's going to be is it? Well I won't rise to the challenge and act like a lovesick teenager. You go on and play your childish games! Severus attacked his food like a starving man (which he was) fully aware that what he was doing was contrary to what he had just told himself.

* * *

Dear Journal,

It's me again. I know I promised that I wouldn't talk about Sev- Professor Snape, anymore, but how can I keep that promise when I continue to fall further in love with him even when I never talk to him? I guess the old adage is true (at least in this case). Absence makes the heart grow fonder. But that's not what I want to write about. On my way to dinner tonight I ran into Sev. He was very formal towards me but I could tell his heart was hurting just as much as mine if not more. I mean, towards the end of the conversation he practically told me he was distracted by thoughts of me! I don't know, maybe I should just give in and apologize. But that would mean risking having him push me away again. But it would be better to be with him and run that risk then to continue in this dismal existence. But if he were to push me away again it would double the pain. Honestly! You'd think we had been something more than friends at one point the way I carry on! This is ridiculous, I'm going to bed.

Katya angrily shut her journal and threw it across the room before crying herself to sleep.

* * *

Severus had lain in bed for almost two hours before sleep had finally overcome him. It wasn't two hours later though when the familiar sharp pain in his arm awakened him. Lifting his sleeve he looked at the angry red skull with the snake coming out of its mouth that had been tattooed on the underside of his arm just below the elbow.

"Can't a man get a good night's sleep?" he muttered. Crawling out of bed he grabbed his deatheater robe and mask. Hurriedly he dressed and then headed to Hogsmeade from which he would apparate to the deatheater meeting.

* * *

Moments later he arrived in a clearing of a heavily wooded area. He was one of the last deatheaters to arrive.

"Snape," Voldemort hissed, "You're late."

"I'm sorry my lord," he said through his mask, "I had to leave Hogwarts grounds before I could apparate. I came as soon as possible."

"Very well"

Severus went to take his place in the circle.

"One moment Snape," the snakelike figure said, "I'm not through with you! I understand that a couple months ago you took it upon yourself to punish one of my deatheaters."

Severus gulped, he had thought he had gotten away with it when nothing had been said at the meeting following his encounter with Lucius. He should've known by now never to feel safe around the Dark Lord.

"In all respect, master," he said, "I did nothing. In fact, I am the one who got wounded."

"Yes, but his was in defense. You raised your wand," Voldemort clicked his tongue, "You should have come to me with the problem. I would have taken care of it for you. In fact, I already have. Lucius has received his dues for his insolence. Now you must do the same. Crucio!"

Snape tried to hold back a cry as he was overcome with great pain. He had been under this torture enough times to withstand the temptation to scream in agony. But that didn't keep him from crumpling on the ground and convulsing with pain. Seeing that the curse wasn't bringing the desired affects Voldemort chose another curse. One that he had spent years perfecting. "Interfectio accuro!"

Severus shrieked in agony. His mind went blank, all he could think about was the pain. He wanted to die, just die, he couldn't take the pain much longer. Then, just as suddenly as it had come, it left. Snape laid on the ground breathing heavily as perspiration dripped down his forehead.

"That should be enough to teach you a lesson," Voldemort hissed, "Lucky for you that you are one of my best supporters.(If he only knew) Otherwise I might have killed you off. You may all go."

Having tortured Severus and dismissed the deatheaters, Voldemort disapparated. One by one the deatheaters left until Severus was completely alone. He was so weak he was barely able to get into a crawling position. His stomach convulsed and he threw up what little dinner he had eaten. Using a tree for support he stood up and disapparated just outside the gates of Hogwarts. Severus stumbled under his own weight and grabbed the stonewall to keep himself from falling to the ground. Must get inside, he thought. Saying the password, he staggered through the gate as it swung open. He didn't make it much farther before falling unconscious to the ground.

* * *

Katya awoke with a start. Blinking her dry eyes she tried to see through the darkness. It must be around midnight, she surmised looking out her window and into the darkness. Only the moon provided light.

After crying herself to sleep three hours ago she had had a dreamless sleep. That is, until she had the nightmare that had roused her. Even then it hadn't really been a dream. She hadn't seen or heard anything. She had just been overcome with an unexplainable fear. A movement outside, near the gate, interrupted her thoughts. Curious as always she grabbed her cloak and wand and went into the corridor.

"Lumos," she whispered. Instantly a small light was emitted from the tip of her wand. As quietly as possible she made her way through the corridor, down the stairs, and out the main doors. Once outside she broke into a run, she didn't know why but she had a feeling that she needed to hurry. She was so intent on reaching her destination that she nearly tripped over Professor Snape. Quickly she turned him over and looked into his pale face. His eyes were closed and his hair covered half of his face.

"Severus!" she cried, "Oh, darling, what happened?!"

When he didn't say anything she realized that he was unconscious. Quickly she transfigured a rock into a floating stretcher and raised him onto it by magic. Standing up, she guided the stretcher into the school and up to the hospital wing.

"Madame Pomfrey! Madame Pomfrey! Wake up!" she screamed at the woman sleeping on a chair in the waiting room.

"What? Is it time for breakfast already?" she asked groggily.

"No, it's Professor Snape! I found him unconscious just within the gate."

Poppy didn't even ask what Katya had doing outside at such an ungodly hour. She quickly drank down a bit of an awakening potion and set to work getting Severus situated.

"Go and get the headmaster, he'll be wanting to know about this," she instructed Katya.

Katya remained standing where she was. Poppy turned around to find her still there.

"Go along lass"

"I don't want to leave him," she replied.

Poppy shook her head. "Alright then, you stay here and keep this cold compress to his head and I'll go get Dumbledore. If he wakes up before I return give him some of this potion," she said handing a small, green bottle to Katya, "I'll be back with the headmaster."

As soon as Poppy was gone Katya sat on the side of Snape's bed. "Don't worry Sev. Everything's going to be alright." But this reassurance was more for herself than for the unconscious man in the hospital bed.

A/N: Well? How was it, I know it's way longer than the others. I hope your satisfied Shelly Ball! :) Anyway please review. Flames will be returned ;)