"So why are we here again?" Buffy kept asking her red-haired friend. It wasn't like Willow to insist on Bronzing. Usually Xander or Buffy herself did that.

"To have fun?"

Buffy nodded. Something was up here. Willow was trying too hard to be innocent. And the strange lack of Xander and Anya being invited had also not gone unnoticed.

"Wills, is there something you need to tell me?"

"What?" Willow replied sounding a bit startled. "Why would I need to tell you anything? It's not like I did something you'd be mad about."

Which, Buffy thought, was a sure sign she had, in fact, done something. "And this something you didn't do, Willow, if you had done it, would be what?" Buffy tapped her fingers against the table while she watched Willow struggle for an answer.

"Um, well, it most definitely wouldn't include having gone to Sirius Black's house and—"

"Willow! I can't believe you did that! It's bad enough he never called, but now I look like the most desperate person ever, and—"

"His phone is busted."

"What?"

"His phone, it isn't working. That's why he didn't call. So, I invited him to meet you here tonight instead. Are you mad?"

Buffy had a second to register the scared look on her friend's face before she wrapped the other girl in a fierce hug. "Thank you."

"I'll take that as a no then." Willow said.

After the grand confession was out of the way Willow and Buffy chatted easily about school, Xander, the latest apocalypse, whatever came up. It was a nice change from the hurried conversations they'd had after patrols or between classes, and Buffy found she was glad to have come even without the Sirius factor.

Then she heard his voice behind her, in fact, he had spoken almost directly in her ear. She should have known Sirius was there by Willow's grin.

"Sorry, I couldn't call, Buffy, but would you care to dance?"

She was out of her seat in less than a second and leading the older man to the dance floor. She stopped halfway there though and glanced back at Willow. Should she really just leave her friend there all alone?

The question became moot though because Willow shot her a big smile and a thumbs up. Buffy smiled back and started dancing. She didn't intend to stop for quite a while.

***

Willow watched Buffy lead her latest infatuation away and resisted the urge to sigh. She felt a little silly feeling abandoned when she'd arranged this in the first place, but it had been nice to talk to Buffy again. Lately they rarely had time for more than a hurried conversation. Still, Buffy had looked thrilled when she heard Sirius's voice and Willow wasn't going to begrudge her even the slightest happiness. So, when the blond turned and looked at her questioningly, Willow was touched by the consideration, and unhesitatingly smiled and gave Buffy a thumbs up.

Which meant now she was sitting here alone. It wasn't really that big a deal. She'd spent lots of time just sitting here, at this very table, while Buffy and Xander danced, or Oz played. Nothing new really.

So why did she suddenly feel like a third wheel?

Willow shook her head. This was ridiculous. She'd come here with a mission, which had been accomplished. Now she could either kick back and relax or leave a note for Buffy and head home. Heck, maybe she could even stop at the ice cream shop on the way. Nothing like a little Butter Pecan to end the night on a high note.

It was a good plan, some ice cream, a little gloating over her good deed. There was just one hitch. Severus Snape was slumped over his drink at a table near the door. And Willow had asked Sirius to bring him.

At the time her reasoning had been sound. Sirius shouldn't be out at night alone. It's just she hadn't considered that coming would leave Severus sulking alone. Not that one usually sulked with people, well Xander sometimes, but that wasn't usual. Severus needed company, and it was Willow's fault he didn't have any.

So, there was only one thing she could do.

"Um, hi. Remember me?" she said as she slid into the seat across from him.

***

Severus looked up as a voice reached him. It seemed the annoying little redhead was back.

"Yes," he responded to her question, "I remember you quite well. You're the one responsible for me being back at this abysmal place."

"Um, well, yes, but I just wanted your friend to be safe. I'm sure you don't want anything to happen to him and all."

Severus restrained a slight chuckle at that thought. Not want anything to happen to Black indeed. Only every other second. "It is generally unwise to make assumptions."

He watched confusion etch itself on the girl's face. "You don't like him?"

Severus took a deep breath. To her it must have seemed an innocent question, but it was one that related to a long past and could lead to questions he'd rather not answer. Like why he lived with a man he hated. "We have had our differences in the past."

"Oh. Well, I'm sorry that you got dragged here. Especially since it looks like Buffy's going to make sure your friend gets home safe."

"What makes you say that?" And why do you think she could? Severus added to himself. Buffy certainly seemed to be just another girl, perhaps even flightier than most. Nothing to inspire such confidence in the redhead sitting with him.

"Well, I know her, and she's kind of smitten. She hasn't looked that way in awhile, but it still shows. So, she'll probably keep him out late and then walk him home."

There was something more going on here Severus realized. This same girl, Willow, he reminded himself, had been adamant that Black not be out at night alone. She showed none of that concern for her friend. Either she really didn't like Buffy much or there was more to the blond than showed on the surface.

Severus had always loved solving mysteries, and with nothing else to do in this forsaken town it seemed he finally had something of interest to explore. He just needed to figure out where to start.

"So, Willow," he said, trying to keep his voice as friendly as he knew how, "tell me about Buffy. After all, she is going to be dating my roommate it appears."