Alasrianna sat alone in the Ravenclaw common room, working on her Potions essay. She had about a foot of parchment done already. Frustrated she rolled it up and stuffed in into her bag. She stood up and walked out of the common room. She walked through the hallways, alone, and clearly troubled. She knew something was bothering Severus. Something had changed in him. She could feel it, but she didn't know what it was. She descended about 10 flights of stairs until she reached the ground floor. She walked through the large double doors into the Great Hall.
She could see Snape sitting at the Slytherin table, surrounded by his friends. They were all engrossed in a conversation, so she went to her own table. On her way to the Ravenclaw table, she smiled at Lily Evans, another sixth year, from Gryffindor house. Evans was one of the smartest girls in the sixth year. Alasrianna sat down next to Andromeda Black, who was in her seventh year.
"Hi, Moody." Black said.
"Hey."
"Did you ever finish that essay you were working on yesterday?" Black asked
"For Professor Slughorn? No. Still not done. Still have about another foot of parchment to do."
"Are you having a difficult time with it?"
"It's pretty easy. I've had my mind on other things lately, is all."
"I understand that. What the—"
Whatever Black was about to say was cut off by the arrival of four boys, all sixth year Gryffindors.
"Hey Andromeda!" one of the boys said. He was tall, with black hair that came just to his eyes.
"Hello, Sirius." She said, grinning. She turned to Alasrianna.
"You know these goofs, don't you Moody."
Alasrianna smiled. "We've met."
"Aw, Moody," one of the boys said. "Are you still sore about losing the big Quidditch match?"
"James Potter, never in your life." Alasrianna said.
The boys all laughed.
"I try to tell him that there's more to life than Quidditch. But he doesn't believe me." One of the other boys commented. He was slightly shorter than James and Sirius, and less attractive. He looked tired, and his robes were considerably more worn.
Andromeda poked him in the ribs. "Still trying to be the positive influence, eh, Remus?"
"Someone has to be," he kidded.
Alasrianna saw Snape standing distantly behind the boys, with a dark look on his face. He jerked his head in a manner that said 'let's go'.
"I have to go," she said as she stood. "See you later, guys."
Potter turned and saw Snape. "I don't get what you see in that slimy little git." He said.
"Never mind, Potter." Snape said frostily. "That is, after all, her business, not yours. However much you may like to believe that everything is your affair."
"Severus, let it go." Alasrianna said in a strained voice. She grabbed his hand and together they left the Great Hall.
The minute the double doors closed behind them, he turned on her.
"Why were you talking to them?" he demanded.
"Severus, I can speak with whomever I like." She said hotly.
"There's a difference between talking to whom you like, and associating yourself with supercilious bastards like James Potter."
"Severus—"
"Shut up!" Snape spat. He grabbed her upper arm and pulled her to him. "Do you love me, Alasria?" he demanded.
"Of course I do, Severus." She said incredulously.
He relaxed his hold of her arm, but did not let go. "Then do as I say."
"I can speak to whomever I please, Severus. Dating you doesn't dash the list of people I can socialize with."
Snape grabbed her other arm and shook her. "Did you hear what I said?" he hissed vehemently. "Do not speak to Potter or his friends!"
"Ouch! Severus, let go! You're hurting me!" she gasped. "What is wrong with you? These last couple days you've been so different. What happened to you?"
Snape released his hold and kissed her. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I got so angry when I saw you with Potter. You know what it's like between him and I."
Alasrianna touched his arm sympathetically. "It's all right, Severus. I'm the one that should apologize. I forget how horrible they are to you. I'll try to please you." She said.
"I love you, Severus." She said
Snape only closed eyes and took her hand in his.