I'm beginning to feel guilty. Brooding orbs narrowed, looking past the words in his textbook. What's wrong with me?

It had been a day since Severus had been "put in his place" by the idiotic Gryffindors. A day and already the rumors were beginning to spread throughout the school like fire, it didn't help that he had hidden away from prying eyes and skived off all of his classes. In fact it only seemed to lend fuel to the gossiping dunderheads, such extravagant stories were being told in his absence.

The most farfetched of them all had to be the juicy rumor that Harry Potter and Lily Evans were now a happy couple.

It was impossible to believe, James would never allow it for starters, and Severus would never allow it, so no worrying there.

The most bothersome and embarrassing rumor was that Severus and Harry had been seen snogging at Hogsmeade. It was true of course, but still by far the worst gossip drifting about the halls in Severus' opinion.

To make matters worse, he hadn't seen his "boyfriend" since the painful incident with his brother. Truthfully, Severus was a bit timid to venture out of the safety of the Slytherin common room, who knew what fiendish prankster was lurking about the dungeons.

He'd had some type of revenge on the Gryffindors though, when he had been found at Hogsmeade by Professor McGonagall, the elder witch had been fuming at her students. Detention for both Black and Potter had been given since they were the only ones to actually cast a spell against him, and they were due to serve it with Filch for two weeks straight.

Serves them right. Severus glanced toward a group of studying third years. They undoubtedly shared classes with Harry; Severus wondered what they would say about the shy Slytherin given the chance.

He then realized who he was thinking about and grimaced in disgust, he was beginning to have feelings toward the younger wizard. How that had happened he wouldn't be able to say, but it would have to be dealt with accordingly.

Damn it all, I don't even like boys. He shifted deeper into the cushions of the couch and glared forward. He was a bit confused when it came to Harry, in the beginning of this ruse he had been out for revenge. The Polyjuiced Lily hadn't worked as well as he had hoped and the two weeks of detention wasn't exactly his idea of revenge.

He had spent time with Harry, he had gotten to know the young wizard and he couldn't say that he liked everything about him, but there was something in that emerald gaze that called to Severus. It didn't hurt that Harry's feelings ran deeper then Severus' own, it made him feel wanted whenever the younger teen looked up at him, it made him feel loved.

Perhaps if he could find those aspects in a girl, then he wouldn't need to worry about Harry or his confused emotions.

What are the chances that I'll meet someone like Harry, it's not as though –

"Excuse me?" A timid voice whispered.

Severus turned as his thoughts were broken and eyed the young witch standing before him.

She was pretty, as he allowed his eyes to roam across her features. Her peach shaped face was slightly pale against hair raven enough to have been stolen from the bird itself. Her figure was thin, delicate almost.

"Hello." She murmured softly once she had caught his attention, her dark eyes crinkling with her bright smile.

Green eyes, just like Harry and Lily.

Severus nodded in greeting, he didn't usually talk to presumptuous strangers who came up to him, but the petite Asian witch was in his House, she deserved a chance. Her looks didn't hurt either.

"I haven't seen you before." He regarded her with a tilt of his head. "Are you a transfer student?"

The young witch blushed prettily. "Yes." She clasped her hands nervously. "I just wanted to thank you for the other day."

He frowned slightly. "What other day?"

"When those nasty Gryffindors tried to hex me, you saved me." She replied happily. "Thank you so much." She bowed her head politely.

Potter and his crew? Merlin, they were trying to hex me, what is this girl on about?

"What is your name?" Severus asked, setting his book to the side, having long forgotten it anyway.

She grinned. "Mia."

"Hm, it suits you." He acknowledged. "My name is Severus if you did not know."

"Of course I know who you are!" She gushed. "You're the best Potions student beside that mudblood Evans. I found that out my first day, you're amazing."

A dark brow was raised in silent question. "You don't like Lily Evans?" Severus managed to keep his voice calm despite the clashing thoughts in his head.

Mia grimaced. "She's going out with a Slytherin, it's disgusting. I can't believe the bloke going out with her; he must have some nerve to go against his own House."

Severus froze, heart plummeting in his chest. "Who is it?" He contained the growl rising in his throat.

"Harry Potter I believe." Mia cocked her head with a short nod. "Yes, I'm pretty sure that's his name. He's the one with a brother in Gryffindor isn't he?"

"Yes." Severus murmured, eyes loosing their focus in shock. Harry was dating Lily? How in the hell did that happen? No, it couldn't be true; Harry wouldn't betray him like that, it couldn't be more then a rumor.

Wait, why do I care? This solves my problem; if he's dating Lily then he won't bother me anymore. A strange tightening in his chest caused him to question his logic but he pushed it aside, he didn't care if Harry left him, there was nothing there to begin with. I'm just angry that he chose Lily, she was mine. Yes, that's it.

"Severus?" Mia's worried voice distracted him again. "Are you alright?"

He shook his head, pulling himself away from such thoughts. "I'm fine." He muttered, waving his long fingered hands.

Mia smiled. "That's good, because I wanted to ask you a question."

Severus merely stared at her, waiting for her to ask whatever was on her mind; she obviously thought the question was worth his time.

Suddenly she became nervous again and fidgeted in place. "I was wondering if you would…if you would go out with me." She rushed, closing her eyes tightly.

…

"What?" He blinked in surprise.

"I know you're older then me and probably have a million other witches asking you to date them, but I like you, you're so brave and strong." She whimpered. "Please, just give me one chance, I'll do anything."

Anything he was about to say died on his lips as her words echoed in his mind and awakened a past memory. Harry had asked the same thing, Harry who had betrayed him and stole Lily.

A leering smile spread its way across his thin lips. "Of course I will." He murmured darkly.

Mia's eyes lit up happily. "Really? Thank you so much, I promise you won't regret this!"

Severus inclined his head with a disarming smile. "How can I with a beauty such as you?" He laid his praise on thick. "I assure you, I will not regret any of my actions."

This will teach Harry to go behind my back. He watched bemusedly as the young witch ran off toward the girl's dorm, probably to write in her diary or something of the sort.

He'll regret ever betraying me.

AN: Sorry for the long wait, Zoomi (my beta) abandoned me. Lol, she's been busy with life :scoffs: who has one of those these days? Mm, but u guys r spoiled with quick updates, so this must suck. Sorry, I'll try harder next time. I'm working on the next chap as we speak…er, read.

-Red