Fudge was captivated by the tale, no matter how reluctantly. "So…you were friends with Lily Potter? And you didn't hate James Potter on sight?"

The man smirked. "Of course I didn't. Why would I hate someone for no reason? Not logical, is it?"

"So what was the reason?" Rita Skeeter asked, all the while making busy little notes on a piece of parchment.

"Let me ask you this…have you ever heard the expression 'All's fair in love and war?'"

Fudge nodded, and Rita said impatiently, "Of course. But what does that have to do with – "

The man cast his eyes downward thoughtfully. "Well, that's how it all started. James Potter and I each discovered that we were madly in love with Lily Evans, and she would have nothing to do with either of us romantically, as time went by…"

As you all know, I was sorted into the Noble House of Slytherin. Potter, Black, and Lily, beautiful Lily were sorted into Gryffindor, which came as no surprise to me. I had felt an irrational longing that Black be Sorted into my house, but that didn't come to pass, obviously. And I understood him, strangely enough. I understood his feelings towards his family and the Dark Arts, and anything tainted with the Dark. I understood why he had felt it necessary to become a Gryffindor, to become a part of a new world. I felt as though Black could have been me, had he made different decisions at certain points in his life.

I kept to myself as usual; I was immensely absorbed in schoolwork and my own reading. The library was my realm, I knew every cobwebbed corner, every hidden reading nook. I had no friends; when those in my House came to me, I turned them away firmly. I wanted to be alone.

And somehow, two years passed by in this fashion. Study, study, study, think of Lily, study, eat, think of Lily, sleep. This was my existence.

Potions in those days was taught by one Professor Slughorn, a former Slytherin who thought he possessed a great deal more intelligence than he did in reality. I hated him as he hated me, of course. Smug bastard, always favoring the Gryffindors over us for some reason. This was made obvious to the entirety of Slytherin, as Double Potions has always been Slytherin/Gryffindor. It was always, "Excellent, Potter, 10 points to Gryffindor," for a horribly incomplete answer, while when I gave a perfect textbook solution, I got a hard glare and a stiff nod.

One day in Potions stands out in my memory clearly. It was the day I felt truly alive for the first time in my life. We were making Polyjuice Potion, I believe. Lily and I were partners. By then she'd learned that all she'd get out of me while my fellow Slytherins were around was cheap verbal abuse and glares. We were cleaning up, and she handed me a piece of folded parchment before walking away. My forehead creased in puzzlement, I walked into the hallway and unfolded the note. It read simply, in flowery feminine handwriting, "Meet me by the lake at midnight. – L.E."

I'll confess that my heart stopped. Lily wanted to talk to me? Perhaps she saw through my insults, saw that the walls I'd built around myself were for protection, not spite or arrogance, saw that I worshipped her as a goddess? I was so happy, and of course I planned to go. But then, a part of me said slyly, "Wait, Severus. This could be a trap, a trick. Maybe Potter…" I waved the voice away. It didn't matter. If there was a chance that Lily loved me, hell, even liked me, I would be there, wouldn't I? Oh, this was wonderful, this was –

"Snape." I looked up to see a tall blond-haired boy in green robes smiling at me insincerely. I racked my brains, seeing the prefect button on his collar. I had an excellent memory and rarely forgot a name. Hmm…ah. "Lucius Malfoy," I nodded at him. He raised an eyebrow.

"That's right," he acknowledged, sounding slightly surprised, "I'm Lucius Malfoy. 6th year prefect," he added, thrusting his chest out proudly. "Pleased to meet you," I said tonelessly. I'd heard many things about Lucius Malfoy, none of them good.

"I'm acquainted with your parents," Lucius said quietly.

"Yes," I said, "I know."

"Ah. Well, the thing is – this is a bit awkward, Snape, but some of the boys feel that – you aren't a true Slytherin. Something about consorting with that Mudblood girl…Evans I believe her name was?"

Drops of sweat were standing out on my forehead. I wiped them away nervously. If Lucius had said anything to my parents – "Whoever told you that?" I asked disinterestedly. "I'll make sure they know exactly how pleased I am with them."

Lucius smiled coldly. "Then it's not true?"

"Of course not. Why would I consort with a creature of such filthy blood, so beneath me?"

Lucius' face broke into a true smile. "I'm pleased to hear it, Severus…may I call you Severus?"

"Sure," I said, quite relieved that he'd believed me.

"Well, tonight, as I'm sure you know, is the celebration of the birth of Salazar Slytherin. We're having a bit of a party in the common room tonight. You'll come, won't you?"

There was an unmistakable challenge in his question. Are you with us, or against us? He was asking.

"Of course. What time?"

"Midnight."

My face went pale, I'm sure. "Mid – midnight?" I repeated.

The cold look returned to Lucius' face. "It's tradition, Severus. You don't seem like one to break with tradition…unless you have a previous engagement?"

I was sweating again. Did Lucius know?

"N-no, I'll be there."

"Very well. I'll be expecting you," he turned to leave. "Oh, and Severus?"

"Yes?"

"You really ought to go to Madam Pomfrey. You're sweating like a pig." And he was off, leaving me heartbroken. And extremely sweaty.