Vicky noticed that Erica wasn't her usual self at dinner. She wouldn't make even look up to the staff's table, which Erica always did, just to stare, glare, or flick off Snape.

Vicky thought maybe Erica did a prank on him, and was afraid he was on to her, like in their fifth year.

Last year

Erica and Vicky were walking down the halls to the garden outside when Vicky got an idea to poke Snape repeatedly. Erica lit up like she saw Jesus.

They waited till the next Quidditch match, they walked up into the Slytherin Pitch, Erica sat beside Snape and Vicky sat on the other side of Erica.

Erica turned to face Snape; he looked at her then back to the field, then back to her and raised his eyebrow.

"I don't believe you two are allowed up here, so I suggest OW! Don't touch me! STOP T...OW" Snape kept hopping up every time Erica poked him.

"Professor Snape, are you ticklish?" Her grin so evil, he saw this insane glint in her eyes.

"No... stop, OW! STOP! 20 Points from Gryffindor! OW..."

"Professor Snape?" Erica asked now that he had calmed down and was now staring back at the game.

He didn't answer. "Professor Snaaaaaaaaape..." he went on.

He didn't answer.

She poked him in his side. He jerked his head towards her. "YES MISS BARTON?"

She grinned; she loved this more than anything. "Professor Snape I was wondering what team you were rooting for Slytherin or Gryffindor?"

He looked at her as if she were a complete idiot.

"Be so kind as to vanish from my presence, is something funny Miss Atkins?" his gaze went from Erica's to Vicky's. Vicky stopped laughing and coughed. "No sir".

He once again went back to the game.

Erica poked him.

"What?" the slow mumble of the word told Erica he was about to slit her throat.

"You didn't answer my question Sir, Slytherin or Gryffindor?" She asked, waiting for her death. 'Better start filling out my last will and testament' Erica thought to herself.

"Slytherin." It was a sort of mumble. Erica nudged Vicky's side and they stood up, with their Gryffindor scarves. Snape looked at them.

They took off their scarves and threw them down, spat on them, then stomped on them. They started chanting "GO SLYTHERIN GO-GO, GO SLYTHERIN GO-GO" Snape hid his face in his hands, praying that this was a dream.

present

Vicky looked to Erica was picking up and dropping soup in her spoon. She was quiet, very unusual. "Not hungry?" Vicky asked.

Erica looked up and gave her a half smile "not really..."

Vicky stood "want to ditch this place? Go throw random objects at a certain giant squid, you know, not to narrow it down or anything..."

Erica smiled. "I'm afraid I'm going to call it a night, I need some sleep..." She stood and was about to go but Vicky grabbed her arm, Erica turned around.

Vicky smiled "alright dude, but if you need me, scream at the top of your lungs, and hope I can hear you, no telling what kind of sounds giant squids make, but I'm damned sure to find out." Erica smiled and waved good-bye to everyone and headed towards the showers.