Lucius Malfoy sat up staring at his friend.

He hadn't meant to do it. But Severus just wouldn't listen to him. He never listened to him. Or took him seriously for that matter. Severus seemed to always be putting him down and looking down upon him. Well he had had enough. This was his one opportunity to gain some sort of power, some sort of importance and he had chosen Severus to share it with him.

But Severus treated the whole thing like a big joke.

Lucius's face became hot and he clenched his fists.

It wasn't his fault.

Yes.

Severus was asking for it.

But Severus had his back turned.

It was *not* his fault!

Lucius was the one who raised the wand.

-------------------------------"Consumo."------------------------------------

Severus didn't even know a great blow had been dealt to his body.

~~**~~

"Severus! Psst."

"Is there something you want to share with the class De Salis?"

"No Professor."

"Well keep working on that write up."

"Yes Professor."

Aeolus screwed up and piece of parchment and threw it at Severus who was sitting across the room with Lucius as per usual.

The Potions Master didn't see this- Thank god for them.

Severus looked around in irritation.

He had had hardly any sleep in a week.

Damned Cold!

He scowled at Aeolus before continuing with his work. He wasn't able to concentrate and the damned write up for the last potion practical was due at the end of the lesson.

He muttered softly.

"damn.. what's that other name for aconite…"

"Monkshood." Lucius whispered softly in reply. Seeing as he was talking to himself Severus was rather surprised that he got an answer.

****

"Sorry Lily I was just talking to myself again. First sign of insanity."
"No no Severus, everyone talks to themselves. Its when you start getting answers that you should worry."

****

"Snape perhaps you would like to go to the hospital wing?"

"No Professor."

"Well then don't come to my class in such an appalling condition in future."

"Yes Professor."

Severus was sure he didn't look that bad. Apart from the sleep obvious sleep deprivation he thought he looked relatively healthy. But it's funny how some people see themselves completely different from how everyone else sees them. Whether it be good or bad.

Lucius looked guilty

~~**~~

"I wonder what is for lunch."

Severus threw his books down on the Slytherin table and sat down. Aeolus was a little more elegant with his movements but did the same as Severus.

"You were tossing and coughing all night last night Severus. We were thinking about tying you down and gagging you but.."

"Who is we?"

"Evan and myself. Lucius was awake for 2 minutes then he dropped off again."
"Nice to know he is concerned about me."
"But you claim there is nothing to be concerned about."

"Its true. I was being sarcastic."
"Oh ."

They scanned the range of food before them.

Severus flipped open his books and began working as Aeolus helped himself to everything in his sight.
"I wouldn't eat that De Salis. It is probably home to every bacteria in exsistence. Even the undiscovered ones."

Aeolus peered down at some pieces of cold chicken on his plate.

"Thanks Snape. And I was hungry too." Aeolus pushed away his plate after grabbing a piece of bread off it."What are you doing?"

"Tranfigurations Homework. I completely forgot last night."

Aeolus jumped up."I completely forgot full stop! I'm going to get my books I'll be back."

Severus didn't say anything in reply.

"Hello Sevvy."

It was Akira Black.

She had draped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his hair.

"Ah." Severus shut his Transfigurations textbook book and placed his quill down alongside it. "Just the person I was hoping to talk to."

"Really? I feel special. Everyone wants to converse with me today." She flashed a bright smile at Severus and slid down next to him. He forced a small laugh.

Morganna I was hoping we co- I almost called her Morganna.

"Yes Akira I was hoping we could talk about what happened at the start of term. I've been thinking and this and I'm beginning to wonder-"

"If there is anything between us?"

She is a mind reader…I hope she isn't

"I was going to put it differently but yes."

Akira looked off into the distance and Severus stared at the cover of his transfigurations textbook.

"What do you think Severus?"

I think there is

"If I knew I wouldn't be asking."

She smiled faintly and got up.

His eyes followed her.

She leant over and kissed his cheek then strolled off.

~~**~~

"Hey there Akira."

"Aeolus"

"Something the matter Severus?"

"No."

Severus completed his homework and handed it to Aeolus to copy, without a word.

"Where are you going? Fine ignore me."

~~**~~

Severus stood by the lake where he went often to dwell and brood alone.

His black hair fell in his face and he made no attempt to move it.

He wondered if life was this unfair to everyone else- just as confusing as it was to him.

"Severrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrruss!"

Severus looked up.

Lily

A Lily was flying in his general direction from the castle.

He went back to gazing over the lake.

"Good afternoon Evans."

Lily ran at him and didn't stop, instead she barrelled right into him and knocked  him over.

Severus laughed as Lily hugged him.
"Sorry if I hurt you but.. I got you to laugh!!!"

"Yes I'm badly wounded now Lily." Severus played dead and Lily very suddenly became very serious.

"Sev?!" She shook him and he opened one eye.

"What?" This prompted Lily to whack him hard on the arm.

 "Prat! I though you were serious!"

Lily rolled over and sat up.

"Lily when am I, Severus Snape ever serious?!"

"Erm, All the time?"

"Correct."

"So what is your point?"

"My point is I don't have one!!"

Lily whacked him again.

"Well then Severus that's the point I've been trying to point out for years, but that's not the point."

"Right… Enough of this banter. What are you doing here?"

"Me? I'm about to torture what is wrong out of you."

"Why does everyone seem to think there is something wrong? I am quietly minding my own business,thinking and everyone thinks I'm going to attempt to drown myself in the lake."

"Yes I heard a rumour like that. Are you?"

Severus glared and Lily threw her hands up. "I'm kidding Severus."

"Well if you tell me whats on your mind I'll tell you whats on mine."

"Lily, I don't even want to know what is on your mind."

"Please?!"

"Okay I'll tell you something or rather ask- Why are you girls so confusing."

"Women thank you very much!"

"Okay women , not girls."

"What do you mean?"

"Akira, she confuses me. First she throws herself onto me and then she hardly talks to me."

"I don't know what is her problem, I've never liked her personally."

"No I'm not saying she is a bad person or anything- she just confuses me."

"Maybe she is playing with your delicate little mind Sev."

"I have to get away from it all. Move to India and change my name to Sevlin Snake."

Lily laughed and shook her head.

"You are definitely someone I'm going to miss when we graduate Severus Snape."

~~~**~~~

Severus ran along the hallways on his way to the library.

"I'm late, I'm late" He muttered.

Tomii was walking in the opposite direction.

"Ah! Thomasina!" He said as he ran past.

"Tomii!" She yelled back. He turned and attempted at running backwards so he could face her.

"The Great Goblin rebellion was in 1612, not 1652." He grinned and turned around again and she muttered as he ran off.

~~**~~

"Ebony. Sorry I'm late."

"Nice to see you could actually bring yourself to come this time."

"I was busy last time, I have more important things to do instead of intervening with a Gryffindor's potion brewing abilities. I still say just because you can't pass potions doesn't mean the potions Master can take this out of the rest of us."

"I'm not happy about this either. You know how humiliating this is being tutored? And by a Slytherin of all people."

"Well you are the one failing here so you can't be choosy about who tutors you. Furthermore be grateful I'm wasting my time with you, seeing as you as so far beyond help."

"Well I know who I'm voting as prat of the year. Sorry that you've had to take your head out of your arse to help me Snape."

He glared death at her and she could feel it piercing her skin.

I'd love to kill you

"What were we revising last?"

"You mean last time- you actually turned up"

Brat

"Stop being so childish."

"We were doing ingredient compatibility."

I was doing ingredient compatibility, you were sleeping

"Aha did you read the chapter of the text book I told you to to?"

"You didn't tell me to read anything!"

Lazy little….

"Yes I did."

"No you didn't"

"Yes I did"

"no you didn't"

"I remember completely and I do recall telling you to read chapter 6"

"No! You didn't"

"Yes I did"

"You did not!"

"I did to!"

"You did not! I'm sure!"

"I did!"

"You didn't"

"I did!"

"didn't!"

"did!"

"didn't!"

"Stop contradicting me!"

"I'm not.."

"You are!!!!!!"

"I'm not!"

"Argh stop! Just read it now then"

"Alright! Jeez!"

Severus had been asked at the start of the year to tutor Ebony Moon in potions because of her poor grades. They weren't in the same class as Severus had gone into Advanced Potions unit 8 while Ebony was still on intermediate unit 6.

They had been at each others throats every session they had together.

Ebony was no better off.

And Severus was just crankier.

But sometimes, sometimes they could be friends. Only for about 3 seconds but they agreed on a lot. Shared the same point of view.

But she was a Gryffindor and a mighty annoying one at that. He had no intention of developing any sort of friendship with her.

"I don't get any of this."

Dumbarse

"Then read it again!"

"I've read it a million times"

Incredibly Dumb Arse

"Well then make it a million and one times."

"I've read it a billion times Snape! I still don't understand."
"you have not!"

"I have to."

"you have not!"
"I have not!

"Have not!"

"have to!"

"Read it again"

"fine!"

They were forever contradicting each other.

That is one of the main reasons they got no where.

~~**~~

"And I'm trying to talk Dumbledore into allowing us to have a ball."

"… he is going to be the end of Hogwarts I swear!"
"Don't be mean!He will make a great Headmaster"

"Anyway what is this ball for?"

"Nothing! That's the best bit."

 "A ball for no reason. Where is the logic in that? Plus why weren't the prefects consulted?"

"Well who doesn't want a ball?"

"Me for a start."

"Well apart from you."

Lily and Severus were strolling along the corridors of Hogwarts, idly chatting as they stalked peeves lazily.

"I still think it's a bad idea."

"Why? It's a chance to socialize with the other houses, you know… School spirit!"

"Lily everyone knows what happens at these balls. It's a chance for everyone to 'hook up' and before you know it the prefects' council will be working on setting up a day care centre."

"Don't be disgusting Severus!"

"Its true. This was James's idea wasn't it?"

Lily gasped and hit Severus-hard.

"You stop talking like that this instant Severus Snape."

"Yes mother."

"That's better. I think it's a good idea."

"Well at least one of us does.. Ow!"

~~**~~

The Slytherin watched Severus and Lucius argue all dinner.

'Their' group sat up the far end of the table watching and listening to the debate.

Narcissa was sitting in between Severus and Aeolus.

"Stop them before they kill each other 'Lus"

"Sorry Cissa, just not my place."

Lucius was too big headed to admit he was wrong and Severus was too childish to stop without proving he was right.

Akira decided to be the voice of reason.

"Lucius shut up before I force feed you mash potatos. And I'm not talking about via your mouth. Severus shut up before I cut your hair unevenly and give you a fringe!"

Severus shut up mid sentence and Lucius stood up a dangerous glare forming on his pointed little face.

"Did you just threaten me Black."

"I believe I did yes. Well actually no that's just how you took it." She smiled and went back to eating. Lucius took out his wand.

"You stupid little rat. Just like your brother aren't you. You belong in Gryffindor with the other riff –raff"

"How dare you Malfoy, they aren't riff raff at all!" At this point Akira was standing.

"They are the same as us just with different qualities, beliefs and goals. So don't go masking your jealously with insults Malfoy. It just makes you lower in my sight."

"And how would how I appear in your sight concern me?"

"Well obviously you don't care that people think you are an evil basterd, a worshiper of the darkarts and follower of Voldemort" She hissed softly.

"You little Bitch." Lucius raised his wand but it flew out of his hand. Severus was now standing too.

"What were you planning to do Malfoy? Kill her?"

"That's right Severus defend her choose her over your best friend."

"What are you talking about?"

Lucius sat down and Severus stared at him trying to figure out what he had meant.

He too sat down after Akira and that end of the table ate their meals in silence.

~~**~~



"Lucius! Wait."

Narcissa Ran after Lucius who left in a flash after finishing his meal.

Aeolus wandered off with Gina as he talked with Evan.

The students poured out of the Great hall.

Severus got up and wandered out heading to descend the staircase to the dungeons with the other Slytherins.

"Severus!"

He spun around, one foot resting on the top step of the stairs.

Akira stood there, looking nervous.

"Would you walk with me? … Please?"

She held out the cloak that he had left in the Great Hall.

She smiled weakly and he returned the smile as he walked over to take his cloak off her.

"Alright"

~~**~~


"It was good of you to defend me like that. I mean I thought you were going to take his side of the argument"

"I know Lucius, he does stupid spur of the moment things that he regrets later. I was doing both of you a favour I suppose."

"He got so touchy when I mentioned Voldemort, I didn't really mean it but his reaction…"

Severus glanced around and then lead her into a small classroom they used to use to keep creatures for DADA practicals before they banned it.

I should tell her, she is so loyal to me, and right. I have to tell her

"The truth is… And you mustn't tell anyone. Not a soul. Not even god…. He is a Death Eater."

"I thought so.."

Severus threw his cloak back a bit , unbuttoned the cuffs of his left sleeve and pulled his sleeve back to reveal the ugly black mark there on his skin.

"And so am i."

Akira stared and blinked for sometime.

Definitely not the reaction he was expecting. But it was better than 'OH MY GOD… he is an evil death eater ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!'.

She reached out and traced a finger over the mark.

"Severus….."

"Don't…"

"But why…?"

"Don't…"

He pulled his sleeve down and she stared at him with icy blue eyes.

"Did you.. want to be?"

Severus paused for a moment and asked himself the same question.

"No…"

Akira suddenly threw her arms around his neck.

"That is fine then…"

Severus who wasn't a very physical contacty person patted her back and stood rigid.

~~**~~

They walked until they found themselves in the Slytherin common room.

Akira started up the steps to her dormitory. They put the common room underground and yet our dorms are at ground level she mused.

"Akira!" Severus called her softly, half not wanting her to hear him.

"Yes Severus."

She turned around and waited for him to say something. But he didn't need to.

She came back down the steps and stopped in front of him.

They stared at each other for moment.

 Don't do it Severus. This is the worst possible thing you could do short of throwing yourself into a pit of werewolves.

Severus Snape embraced Akira Black in a kiss.

And all confusion about what was going on between them was removed.

Many minutes passed before they finally let each other go.

Then they retired to bed.

~~**~~

Nights passed. Weeks passed too

~~**~~

"How long has he been like that?"
"I don't know I just woke up and he was like that then."

Severus Snape's bedsheets lay twisted and tangled on the floor and he lay on his bed, coughing- not asleep, but not awake.

The sun had not risen.

Lucius sat on his bed watching-guiltly-

Evans was off getting some water.

Narcissa was sitting on Severus's bed questioning Aeolus.

Aeolus was standing around Severus's bed

And worst of all Madam Pomfrey was on her way.

~~**~~

"Narcissa Go back to your Dorm."

"Yes Madam"

"De Salis, Rosier. Get back to bed! You too Malfoy."

~~**~~