Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the invention of Ms. J.K. Rowling. I don't own the characters in any way, shape, or form. I do, however, claim Armina Wilkins, her family, random students, and the plot.

A/N: Hooray for Chapter 8! I must say, I received my favorite review soon after I posted chapter 7 originally. It was from Celesmoon and I got quite a kick out of it. Never have I had anyone tell me to "stop slacking off" and "go work". Very amusing! Thank you for that Celes. So, let's see, we left off with Snape brooding over his feelings towards Armina. Things start to get quite interesting in the next few chapters, but for now, let's stick to this one, shall we? A chapter that completely focuses on Snape! Isn't it grand! Now, for your reading pleasure, I present to you Chapter 8 of Dismal Photographs of Yesterday. Enjoy! (bow)

Dismal Photographs of Yesterday

Chapter 8: This Should Be A Sin

Snape sat at the bar of the Three Broomsticks, swirling the glass of Fire Whiskey in his hand. He stared blankly at the wall of liquor before him, completely lost in thought. Madame Rosemerta eyed him suspiciously. He hadn't moved in at least an hour, and it was beginning to worry her.

"Can I get you anything else?" she questioned.

He promptly tipped back his glass and swallowed the remainder of his alcohol. "Yes," he stated, pushing it toward her.

"If you don't mind me asking, is something bothering you, Severus?" she asked as she refilled his glass.

He looked up at her skeptically, mulling over the prospect of hearing her advice on the matter. What could it hurt? All I have to do was beat around the bush, right? He took a sip of the whiskey she placed in front of him before beginning.

"I do have a rather interesting dilemma. I suppose you could help me."

"Sure I could." Rosemerta leaned against the countertop, ready to take in every word. "Fire away."

Snape let out a sigh a took another sip from his glass. "I know this woman. She's an intriguing individual, but she makes me crazy. Every time she speaks I feel as if I want to kill someone."

"Tell me about her, love," Rosemerta urged, seeming to hang upon every word.

"Well," he began, feeling slightly uncomfortable, "she's not much to look at: dull blonde hair, rather petite, loads of freckles. However, she has the most amazing pair of blue eyes. Looks aside, she's clumsy, nosy, quite forceful, and very careless, but quite brilliant. She knows how to read people. Doesn't give up on anything."

"Oh! I see where this is going!" she exclaimed happily. "Go on, dear. How did you meet?"

Snape's eyebrow raised. "Why am I telling you all of this again?"

"Because I am going to help you. Now, come then! How did you meet her?"

"She was clumsy. That's how I met her."

"Really! Well, what's the problem?"

"The woman makes me crazy! That's the problem! Weren't you listening to a word I've said? Every time I'm near her I want to kill someone. And that voice! Oh how I loathe that voice! It's always so-----cheerful." He sneered and took another swallow of the fiery liquid, pausing as it burned his throat unpleasantly. "Just looking at her makes me feel disgusting."

Rosemerta smiled. "Well, well, aren't we head over heels?"

"What in the world are you going on about?"

"Severus, dear, it's quite obvious that you're in love with the girl!"

"What?"

"Will you open your ears, man! You are in love with her!"

"No! That can't be! Most of the time I want to injure her! How can that be love?"

"Don't ask me, love. I just call what I see."

Snape stared at the remaining liquor in his glass. He downed it, and looked back up at Rosemerta. She was smiling like a giddy schoolgirl as she took his glass.

"I'm cutting you off, Severus. You're supposed to be setting an example after all."

"What in the world am I supposed to do?" he thought aloud, entirely unprepared for such a realization. "I can't be in love with her! It isn't possible!"

"Oh shut your mouth and face facts! You're infatuated with this girl!"

"How can you be sure?"

"How often do you think about her?" Snape was silent. "My point exactly. If you think about her all the time, you are obsessed. It's not healthy to keep those emotions inside you, you know. It can make you crazy."

He thought about it for a moment. I have been very on edge since the beginning of term. It seems to make sense, but how could this happen? She is one of my students! It seems almost sinful! It can't be!

"I don't love Armina!" he scolded himself under his breath. "I can't. No, it's impossible. It would never work, and it just can't happen. I don't love her!"

"Who are you trying to convince, love?" Rosemerta asked. "Me? Or Yourself?"

A/N: So, the truth comes out. How delightfully problematic! So, now everything from here on out will be brand new. Thank you so much for your patience with me. Remember to review. They make me happy and give me a reason to procrastinate by writing a chapter. Just for you all, I think I'll crank out a new one before I go to bed. It's now 1:10am, so I hope it won't be too bad.