Chapter Four

Change of Heart

"Hello, Selene. I.. well I sort of um wanted to apologize." Draco quickly said in a rush.

"I thought you said that Malfoy's don't"

"Well, I've decided to make an exception."

"Oh how kind of you" Selene said crossing her arms.

"I thought so." Draco smirked. Selene wasn't smiling.

"You really hurt me Draco, I thought you were my friend"

I was. Look I don't know what to say. I still like you but well you know my Father..."

"Forget your father" Selene practically yelled. "He cannot dictate your life forever, and I...I still like you too but you can't let him control you. If you fear him you and Des can come and stay with me and dad"

Selene took a few steps closer to Draco and took his hand in hers. When she spoke her voice was gentle.

"Drac, I want to be your friend and I still want you to be mine. It is possible for us to be so, I mean look at my parents. Dad is a Slytherin, and mom was...a Gryffindor you should have seen them they were so happy together. Please Draco don't let our friendship be over."

"You're right. We can still be friends." Draco agreed. Until my father finds out...he thought.

Selene gave Draco one of her best smiles, and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Drac yours and Des's are two friendships I do not want to lose. "Selene never let go of his hand since she had taken it in her own.

He wanted to hug her. What was wrong with him? Malfoy's were always supposed to control their emotions. Draco attempted to smile but it didn't look any less cold than usual. "Well, I better go. I have Transfiguration next and I'm sure Professor McGonagall wouldn't mind in the least taking points from Slytherin if I was late."

"Yeah i suppose she wouldn't mind at all" Selene said laughing lightly.

Draco smirked. "Hardly. Where are you headed?"

"I was going to go back to the common room. I have a break right now."

"See you later." Draco told her.

"Yeah, see you latter Drac" Draco opened the door slowly to make sure no one was lurking about. "All clear. Bye, Selene."

"Bye" Selene watched as Draco slipped out of the room. ' well at least he is speaking to me' she thought as she waited a few more moments before leaving the classroom. she then proceeded to the stairs to go to the common room.

Draco entered the great hall. His eyes swung towards the Gryffindor table. Selene was sitting with the Dream team again. He made a mental not to discuss her friends later. Perhaps he should go over there under the pretenses of insulting them. That would be fun.

"Well, well if it isn't the famous trio."

"Something you want, Malfoy?" Harry asked.

"There are lot's of things I want but that's not why I came over here."

"Please just go back to your table, Malfoy. You've caused enough trouble already." Hermione pleaded.

"Like I'm going to listen to a Mudblood like you, Granger. "Selene gave Draco a look only he could see' what in the world are you doing' but then gave a slight nod figuring out what he was up to. "Why don't you go shove off Malfoy" 'of course she didn't really mean it.

"Or what? Planning on tattling to daddy?"

"You know that might not be such a bad idea. I can just see it now. 'Dad did you know that Draco is now insulting me'

Draco smirked. "Dentations don't bother me in the least. "Harry and Ron burst out laughing.

"Forgotten about the Forbidden Forest accident already?" Harry asked.

"What of it?" Draco asked coldly.

"You know what. You were practically crying." Ron retorted.

Draco felt himself stiffen. Crying? Now that was absurd. Malfoy's didn't cry. Especially not him. "That isn't even a very good lie, Weasel."

"What's the matter? Can't handle the truth?"

"I could handle it. If it were true." Draco snapped.

Hermione said, "Maybe you didn't actually cry but you have to admit that you were scared."
Just then Professor Snape walked up to them. "What is going on over here?" He said very sternly. "Hi dad nothings going everything's fine right" she said with a slight edge to her voice.

"Everything is splendid. I was just apologizing for my behavior earlier." Draco fibbed. Ron looked like he was about protest but Hermione clamped her hand over his mouth.
Snape looked at his daughter. "Is this true?""Yes its true Draco just apologized and I accepted. "Snape nodded told Draco to go back to his table and he went and joined the other teachers.

"For someone who is supposedly a coward, I always manage to talk my way through sticky situations." Draco said coldly.

"I'll be going now. See you around." He said threatengily.

"Go on you silly thing " Selene mouthed to Draco a smile lighting up her eyes.
Draco smirked as he headed towards his table. Now to get back on his sister's good side before she blabs to the entire school about my buying my way onto the Quidditch team. He thought.

Once he was gone Selene just smiled and shook her head.
Hermione said, "Sorry I stopped you Ron but chances are you would have just made things worse."

"That's okay, Mione." Ron mumbled.

"I don't imagine that will be the last chance you have to get him trouble." Harry added darkly.

Nearly Headless Nick suddenly appeared. "My, my. It's actually true? Little Lady Snape is truly back at Hogwarts."

Selene looked at nearly headless nick and smiled. "Yup its true im back and this time I'll be staying longer"

"Good, good. Does this mean you're all grown up though? Who on earth will I tell stories to? "Selene laughed i would still very much like it if you would still tell me stories i always loved it when you and the baron would try and tell one together"

Nick's face light up as much as possible considering that he was a ghost. "That would please me very much." He said with a wink. Turning towards the others he said, "You just have to know how to handle the baron, I tell you."

"They would always tell the best stories"

Ron said, "Really?"

"Wonder if any of them involved Peter Pan and Captain Hook." Harry whispered to Hermione jokingly.

"Who?" Nick asked

"A Muggle's children story." Hermione explained.

"Hum. Can't say I know any Muggle stories." Nick admitted.

"Your not the only one." Ron told him.

"I suppose I'll leave you to your eating." Nick said looking at the food longingly.

"Its ok Nicholas"

"Well, I'm pleased that you had the good sense to land yourself in my house. I'll be keeping an eye out for you, Miss Snape."

"Thank you, Sir Nicholas"

"Yes, very nice indeed. I'm afraid most people around here don't call me by that name. Farwell, my friends." Nick floated away.

"I really missed him"

"The bloody Barron really told you stories?" Ron asked sounding amazed.

"Of course he actually told me some really funny ones"

Hermione said, "That sounds nice. Honestly Ron, you act like you just learned the world was flat."

"Isn't not?" Ron whispered to Harry.

"Of course not. Sheesh. "Hermione sighed and through up her hands looking exasperated. "I give up. "Selene laughed.

"Are you surprised that the Barron used to tell me stories"

Harry said, "Well it is a bit odd."

"He's not very friendly." Ron added.

"Really?"

"He always liked me"

"Well maybe it's because you are Snape's daughter." Ron suggested.

"I don't think so "Hermione said, "Perhaps he's just misunderstood, Ron."

Harry groaned. "I have a bad feeling they are about to start bickering."

"I think your right"

"We are not." Hermione said huffily.

"Speak for yourself." Ron muttered. Selene just shook her head. Hermione turned to glare at him. "Oh? Did you have some scaving remark about how the Bloody Baron couldn't possibly be a nice guy?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. He's the Slytherin ghost."

"So?"

"And your point is what exactly?"

"Oh nothing." Ron stammered after catching the look on Hermione's face.

"No i really want to know"

"Well just take a look over there." Ron said gesturing towards the Slytherin table.

"Ron!" Hermione said angrily.

"What about them"
"None of them are smiling. It's all cold glares and mean laughter over there."

"Well you know Ron, not all Slytherins are like that" Selene said looking at him.

Harry said, "She's right, Ron. I mean Des seems nice."

"I must be hearing things. Malfoy's are not nice." Ron told him looking like he had swallowed a sour lemon.

"Des is a mess, I cant count the number of times dad would get mad at the two of us"

"I think we spend too much time worrying about the Slytherins." Hermione sighed.

Ron said, "I suppose you think we should be worrying about our lessons?"

"Well...yes." Hermione admitted.

"Do you two always do this?"

Ron said, "She starts it."

"Well it seems like you trade off each time"

Hermione said, "I started it? I started it? I am not the one who continually has to start trouble by talking about how rude other people are. Maybe you are the one who's horrible, Ron Weasley!"

Harry groaned. "Note to self. Agree with everything both of them says so they won't wind up blowing up at each other."

"It's not your fault that little Miss Know It All has to express her opinion about everything."

Hermione stood up. "Good night. Don't talk to me until you grow up."

"Hermione sit down, Ron behave"

"Look Mione, you don't have to get all bent out of shape. Err I guess I'm sorry."

"Well Ron has apologized, how about you Hermione"

Hermione sunk back into her chair but she still looked huffy. "I'm sorry that I said you were horrible. But that's it."

"I give up. If it upsets you so much I won't talk about anyone...without good reason."

"Good."

Selene looked at Harry. "I think that is the best we are going to get"

"Yea, maybe if we leave them alone they'll settle down a bit."

"So how was your day"

"Pretty good."

"What do you think of Hogwarts?"

"Its the same old Hogwarts to me"

"Oh right. Forgot about that for a minute. But, it's the first time you've taken lessons here."

"Yeah it is"

"Defense Against the Dark Arts is my favorite. I don't care much for the new professor though. However, Hermione seems to like him."

"Isn't his name Lockheart or something, I have him tomorrow"

"That's him. Personally, I think that's why Ron has been fighting with Hermione so much today. He's jealous. Of course, he will never admit it."

"Your more than likely right"

"Yea."

"I guess dinner is almost over huh"

"Looks like it. I should go ahead and study. Don't really feel like hearing one of Hermione's lecture's." Harry joked.

Selene laughed. "Remind me not to get on her bad side"

"Will do."

Des said, "Hey Selene, can we talk?"

"Sure Des"

"Bye, ladies." Harry told them.

"Bye, Harry see you guys in the common room"

Des waited until Harry was out of ear shot. "Draco told me all about his stupid plan to be 'secret friends' with you."

"And?"

"I think that is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. That's like saying he's embarrassed by you or something. But I'm not going to argue with him anymore. It's not worth it."

"Des its ok Drac and I..." Selene started to say something else but changed her mind. "For now this arrangement is fine"

"Well whatever. The important thing is Draco isn't going to owl Father. He'll be mean enough to us next time we see him, anyways." Des said darkly.

"Well like I told Drac, the two of you must come and spend the summer with me"

"That would be nice. However, there's something you don't know. Your father told Draco that he's supposed to owl ours anytime anything happens to either of us. Which means we are already in big trouble and can't do anything else at all." Des complained.

"I don't think dad will in this case"

"I don't know. Further more, Father didn't do that last year so it's because of me. He hates me."

"Des it will be ok you'll see"

"I wish Mother would stand up to him. She should turn him into something horrible. I guess so."

"Oh I would love to see that your dad gives me the creeps"

"I think he gives nearly everyone the creeps. You know why." Des said carefully upon spotting Percy, who was walking by them.

"Yeah I know, I know"

"Dinner is over. You girls best go back to your common rooms at once." Percy told them.

"I'm not supposed to take orders from Weasley's. More like the other way around" Des said innocently.

Selene tried not to giggle.

"I am a prefect. You do realize that I can take points away for name calling?" Percy said stiffly.

"Name calling? The only name mentioned was Weasley. Isn't that your last name?"

"She's right though"

"I'll be watching you, Miss Malfoy." Percy said sternly as he briskly walked away.

Des rolled her eyes. "He's pathetic. At least the others have some spunk."

"Believe me you have no idea how right you are about that, I was sure that Ron and Hermione were going to kill each other tonight at dinner. In fact I'll be surprised if they aren't arguing when I get back

"That's interesting. Speaking of which...what were you talking to Harry about?"

"The two of them and I told him to remind me not to get on Hermione's bad side. And I thought dad was scary"

"Your Father is a sweet heart compared to mine." Des snickered.

"Don't let dad hear you call him that."

"Oh I wouldn't."

"I think I had better go Percy is glaring at me"

"Bye then."

"Night Des, see you tomorrow"

Selene watched as Des walked away before turning to back to the tower. Trying to ignore Percy.

Percy said, "You can't be too bad if you're in Gryffindor but if you keep hanging around with them...you might as well consider yourself a death eater already."

Selene glared at Percy. "How dare you say something like that about my friends that I have known my entire life. A part of me still says that this is just some freak accident. Now if you will excuse me, Prefect I'm going to go say goodnight to someone" Selene said walking away and going over to her father and told him goodnight.

He whispered something to her and she whispered back. Then he gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead. Then as she walked past Percy she gave him a hard look. She did not stop until she made it back to the tower and went up the portrait hole and into the common room.

"Miss Snape, I don't believe I was through talking to you. The nerve of a lousy first year speaking to a prefect that way. I will be taking five point off Gryffindor."

"Fine go right ahead" Selene said an edge to her voice.

"Like I told your friend. I will be watching." Percy threatened.

"Go ahead and watch if you want"

"You'll be singing another tune the minute I find something to tell Dumbledore. Like that you and your friends are in league with you know who."

"Oh good one yeah you go right ahead, in fact I dare you"

"Consider it done then." Percy said before striding away.

"What was that about?" Ron asked. Having entered the common room with Hermione just in time to see him leaving.

Hermione said, "I never saw Percy look so mad before."

"I swear your brother is one of the most infuriating people I have ever meet"

"Tell me about it." Ron muttered.

"he said that if I keep hanging around with Des and Draco I might as well consider myself a death eater"

"Well I don't know about that." Ron said carefully.

"Surely Percy wouldn't say that. He's a prefect." Hermione told them looking scandalized.

"Oh believe me he did, and there was no way I was going to let him insult my friends, oh yeah and he took away 5 points"

"Hermione, that doesn't matter. They can make any bloke a prefect. I wouldn't be surprised if they made Malfoy one! Five points? From Gryffindor? Has he gone mad?"

"And he's going to Dumbledore when he has proof"

Hermione said, "Ron, he can't not take points from his house. It wouldn't be fair. Proof?"

"that the three of us are in league with the dark lord"

"Oh my. I just can't believe Percy would behave this way."

Ron snorted. "Yea well, I guess appearances can be deceiving. Who knew Perfect Prefect Percy had it in him?"

"Ron!"

"Its his brother so he has all right to say that if he wants"

"Oh well, he wouldn't get any proof. At least not on Selene." Ron muttered this last part quietly.

"I heard that"

"Oh come on, Selene. Everyone knows that Malfoy is going to be a Death eater."

"even if that is true there is good in him its that father of his"

Ron glanced at Hermione who looked like she wanted to tell him off. "Okay. At any rate, he is a bit young to become one."

"Of course and Percy knows that." Hermione shook her head.

"Well, I'm going off to bed. Going to stay up and study for Lockheart's class, Mione?"

"Im going to go upstairs if anyone needs me"

Hermione glared at him. "I don't know what you are insinuating, Ron. But I am staying up to study for Potions. Okay, good night."

"Oh now you have a crush on Snape?" Ron asked bitterly.

Hermione grimaced. "Don't be absurd, Ron."

"Just checking. Night, Mione."

"Good night."

"night Hermonie im going up stairs""

Hermione sighed. "I might as well go, too. I wouldn't be able concentrate."

"How come"

"Percy and Ron have both upset me too much."

"Hey do you want to borrow my potions book"

"That would be very nice. Thank you, Selene."

"Hey not a problem come on I'll take you to get it"

Hermione nodded and followed Selene upstairs to her dorm.

Selene opened the door open and walked to the trunk by her bed and began to search threw it.

Hermione glanced around the dorm. It didn't look much different from her's. Then she nearly gasped as she spotted the pictures by Selene's bed. There was one of Snape with a pretty woman and he was smiling! The picture next to it showed three children smiling. Was that Selene, Des and Draco? He looked happy. Hermione smiled. Ron would have to eat his own words if he saw those pictures.

"You should show Ron those pictures so he'll learn to keep his big mouth shut."

"Huh?, oh the pictures, you really think so?"

"Yes, I do."

"is that your mother?" Hermione asked quietly while studying the picture that had Snape in it carefully. Selene looked a lot like her.

"Yeah, it was taken about... a couple of weeks before mom..."Her voice trailed off.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

"Its ok you didn't know, its been so long since she was killed I'm starting to forget certain things about her. Dad has never forgiven himself for not being there that night but some relative was sick and he had to go"

Hermione didn't know what to say. "That must have been horrible."

"It was but at least she didn't suffer long"

"Well that's good." Hermione said slowly. She wondered how Selene's mom died but didn't want to ask. Hermione looked at the other picture again. "How old is that picture?" She asked while gesturing towards it.

"the one with me, Draco, and Des?"

"Yes."

"That was about a couple of years ago I think we were nine and Draco was ten that was taken at the manor"

"So he was happy until he came here?" Hermione asked.

"He was happy until he had to go home"

"Oh." Hermione said quietly.

"its their dad, I know it is but nothing can be proven"

"Professor Snape is friends with their father?

"Along with Harry's parents." Hermione said thoughtfully.

"yeah, I think so now do you know why I try and defend Drac and Des?"

"I do."

"I've known them my whole life, they will always be my friends"

Hermione nodded. "My best advice is to ignore Percy. I'll handle Ron."

"No guaranties, but I'll try"

"I'm sure Percy just got carried away. The Weasleys have never gotten along with the Malfoy's..."

"I bet, well here is that book I don't care how long you borrow it but can you leave it here in the tower when your not looking at it"

Hermione nodded. "No problem. Maybe you could show those pictures to Ron tomorrow? I really think it might help."

"Sure"

"Night Hermione"

"Good night." Hermione said as she started to head for the door.

"Thanks for listening"

"Any time." Hermione told her before leaving.