Hello all! I realize this story tends to land on darker and more serious notes, and as much as I love to write a serious story, I think there needs to be a little joy thrown in there too. This chapter is pretty much a bunch of fluff, but I figured it made a nice contrast to the last couple of chapters. Plus, Vanessa really does deserve a bit of a break. So without further ado, please enjoy.


I awoke only two days before students were meant to return from the winter holiday, which meant I had been unconscious for almost a month and a half. My father was not happy with me when he found out why I'd been unconscious for so long, but he seemed more relieved than anything. I was released that day, since Madame Pomfrey saw no reason to keep me, and I immediately tracked down my professors to talk to them about the work I'd missed. Most of them were forgiving, allowing me to have their own notes on the material and dismissing the assignments I'd missed during my time in the hospital wing.

My father gave me three weeks to brew him two potions he would have had me work on had I been alright. I didn't expect any less from him. Adrian and Graham were relieved to see me awake when they finally returned, both of them hugging me tightly the moment they saw me. Harry had taken the liberty to fill me in on the things I'd missed from Slytherin house when I was up to listen to it.

After the attack against me the older Slytherins got particularly vicious against anyone who even looked at one of us wrong. I could only find myself touched that my condition rallied them more. He also discussed what happened to Justin Fitch-Fletchley, and how he'd discovered he was a parseltongue by saving the Hufflepuff boy from a snake when Ron Weasley conjured one in a duel. Harry seemed disconcerted by the way the school had turned on him since that night, and I simply ruffled his hair and reassured him. Slytherin house would always back him up.

I'd felt a little lost when classes started up again. Missing a month's worth of material was an awful way to get behind on everything. I spent a lot more time alone in the library, studying frantically so I could catch up. Once in a while Adrian and Graham would join me, but they understood that I needed to work on my own for a time. I also just needed time to sift through my feelings when it came to the people around me. Remembering the abandonment and betrayal I'd suffered made it much harder to trust the people I loved anymore.

There was one person, however, whose presence did not give me conflicting emotions. I barely knew him at all, so I felt justified in my lack of trust in him. It started with him just watching me from afar. I felt his eyes on me in classes we shared, in the Great Hall at meal times, and even in the library whenever I was studying. He spent two weeks just watching me when he thought I couldn't tell. Even Adrian and Graham noticed it.

Of course, they were quite protective of me now. By the time I'd sorted through my thoughts and feelings on them, this boy was being blatant. He started making eye contact with me, chose seats closer to me in classes, and then would sit at a table close to mine in the library. I contented myself to ignoring him, but Adrian and Graham were not having it. The escorted me everywhere, glared at him whenever they caught him, and once they held their wands at the ready for an attack. I'd had to yell at them for that one.

He waited until February 2nd to approach me, when I was in the library alone for the time in the past week. I had a book of historical spells from the restricted section that my father signed off on for me, so I could research the incantation that Dumbledore used on me in my memory. I wasn't having much luck, as most of the listings didn't have an incantation – just the name of the spell and what it did.

I knew he was watching me again, but I ignored him in favor of reading through the 'N' section of spells in the book. When I let out a frustrated groan and dug my fingers into my skull he stood abruptly. Immediately my focus shifted, watching him from the corner of my eye as he came closer to me. It wasn't until he cleared his throat, however, that I looked at him properly.

He shifted his weight nervously "Hi."

The snort that flew from me was beyond me, and my hand quickly slapped over my mouth to stifle my laughter. He just looked more nervous, and I couldn't help shaking my head as my laughter still bubbled at the surface "You've been staring at me all day, every day, for almost a month, and that's the first thing you say?" His cheeks turned a bright red as he shuffled, and I couldn't help but tilt my head in curiosity "Well then, Diggory, why have you finally graced me with your presence?"

The red on his face grew brighter, his eyes turning to stare at my inkpot instead of at me "I, umm, I just wanted to see how you were feeling." I raised an eyebrow, and suddenly I was very aware that I probably resembled my father quite a bit in that moment. It would explain him cowing a little at the sight, and he quickly rushed over his words "You just looked like you were beat up pretty badly when I found you, and then you didn't wake up when you should have and-" He took a breath, swallowing nervously "I almost thought you were dead when I found you."

My gaze drifted to yellow crest on his robes, and slowly I took a deep breath, frowning at the memory of my attackers "So you're the one who brought me to the hospital wing?" He nodded emphatically, and a small snicker bubbled up in me. He was just too cute like this. Still, I sat up straighter, giving him a small smile "I suppose that means I owe you a thank you. According to my father I really was half dead when I was brought in." I shrugged, looking back to my book "That's what happens when you take a few spells point blank to the face I guess."

He sucked in a breath, sitting down across from me "What?! Why I haven't you done anything about it?"

I smiled sardonically, a sickly sweet tone covering my voice "Those boys have been looking over their shoulder for the past month, and I intend to make them hurt for what they did. But first, I need them to feel secure." My smile turned downward when I was reminded of why I couldn't get away "Besides, I have some more important things on my mind than those two."

He frowned, shaking his head "Sorry, it's really not any of my business."

I nodded briefly, turning back to reading my book with the assumption the conversation was over. He didn't move to get up, playing with the sleeve of his robes instead. After another few minutes of him sitting there I couldn't help but roll my eyes, pulling my nose out of the book and looking him in the eye again "Was there something else you needed?"

He seemed to jolt in his seat, his cheeks growing a bright red once again "I, I, just-"

His stammering trailed off, and his face took on an expression that gave me the impression he was about to run away from me. I sighed, marking my page and shutting the book, sliding it away from me. I leaned forward slightly, tilting my head to the side a bit "Are you afraid of me?"

He reared back a bit, looking quite offended "What? No! I'm not afraid of you! Why would you think that?"

We both winced when Madame Pince shushed us, and I waited for her to be out of earshot before I answered him "Because you're perfectly confident anywhere else in the school, but you've spent a whole month watching me before you could even come near me." I eyed him warily "Really, you look ready to flee the country. Last I checked, you don't ever appear that way."

His eyes widened as I spoke, until my last statement made him break out in a genuine smile that I hadn't expected. The sight of it was enough to daze me, his voice the only thing that broke me out of it "So you've been watching me then?"

Merlin, I'd never been more grateful that I picked up my father's poker face over the years. If I hadn't my face might have been redder than a Weasley's hair. Instead, I merely perked an eyebrow at him "I get out of the hospital wing as a result of two students attacking me, and suddenly there's another one watching my every move day in and day out. I checked in on the behavior you normally exhibit."

He scoffed out a laugh, rubbing the back of his head "I suppose I should have been more subtle." I gave him a pointed look, and he raised his arms in surrender "All right, I could have gone about all of this much better than I have." He shrugged before meeting my eyes again "I'm not scared of you. I just really-"

He cut himself off, pursing his lips in an attempt to seal them shut. I was about to respond when my little brother came bounding up to me with his friends "Vanessa, why didn't you tell anyone your birthday is on Friday?"

I couldn't help the groan that escaped me "Who told you? Was it Graham? I swear, I'll kill him."

Diggory looked amused "What, don't like your birthday?"

Harry didn't even give me the chance to respond "No, your dad told me."

Even I was shocked at that, my eyes turning to Harry and blinking in surprise "My father? My father told you when my birthday is?"

He nodded vigorously, and Nott just sighed behind him "When you were in the hospital wing, they apparently came to an understanding. It's the weirdest thing."

I sighed, ruffling Harry's hair "I never tell people when my birthday is. I just spend it with my father, and that's only for his sake, not mine."

The expression on Harry's face could only be described as a pout "Can I still get you something?"

My mouth opened in protest, but Diggory interrupted him "Oh just let him get you a gift, what's the harm?"

Granger looked curiously over to him, stating very calmly "Aren't you the creep that's been following her around everywhere?"

My hand slapped over my mouth loudly, the smallest burst of laughter squeezing out before I could stop it. No one else appeared to see the humor in the situation, but it still left me breathless trying to hold back the laughter "Oh, Granger, never change." She seemed pleased with my words, but still confused as I continued "Harry, I won't accept any gifts, but if you're so inclined you can join me and my father for dinner on Friday."

He pondered on it for a moment before nodding "Okay, I'll be there."

He and his friends left, and I turned back to Diggory, amusement still dancing in my eyes "Sorry about that, I know exactly who she's heard that from and it's unlikely that any one of them will stop saying it."

He seemed confused "Who's been saying that?"

I shrugged, re-opening my book and scanning the page I was on to find my place "The whole of Slytherin house. They're all a bit protective of me right now, Adrian and Graham more than anyone else. I suspect they're ready to do to you what was done to me." His face seemed to grow paler as I said my next words "Whatever you have to say to me, you might want to do it soon. They'll probably be arriving soon."

His throat cleared, and he suddenly looked very nervous again "Well, I, umm, I-" He took a deep breath, closing his eyes tightly as he spoke "Would you like to join me at Hogsmeade this weekend?"

My eyebrows shot up, and suddenly his behavior towards me made so much more sense. He wasn't scared of me, he was scared of my response. I frowned a little "Are you asking me on a date, or just to be my friend?" He flinched, which was all the answer I needed. My gaze softened a bit "Tell you what. Saturday at 10am, I'll be at the entrance hall before I go to Hogsmeade. If you can work up the nerve to ask my father if he's alright with you taking me on a date, you can meet me there."

He looked up at me hopefully "Really? That's all?"

I snorted, ignoring my best friends freezing in the doorway of the library "You say that now, just wait. If you think my friends are protective, my father reaches levels far above that. Now, speaking of my protective best friends, you may want to go before they hex your face off."

He looked over at the door, standing abruptly and glancing back at me "Right, I'll see you Saturday then."

I waved him off, only because he practically bolted from view when Graham pulled his wand out. The two of them pestered me the rest of the day about it, but I refused to tell them what he wanted. There was no point getting riled up about it when there was no surety that I'd be going on a date. It didn't stop the rumors from spreading. It also made Diggory a bit more blatant than he already was, only now he would just give me a knowing smile.

It was actually infuriating in the strangest way. Every time he gave me that stupid smile I could feel my face try to heat up. By Thursday I found myself wanting and hoping that he would manage to ask my father. When writing an essay for Transfiguration in the common room during my free period I zoned out, thinking of his stupid face. It was ridiculous, I couldn't have a crush on him. I've never thought of anyone that way, not once. How could Diggory get me to develop a crush on him, practically over night?

Regardless of how, it happened. He gave me a wink in History of Magic on Friday, and I was forced to duck my head as the blush won out this time. A glance in his direction when the burning calmed down told me he'd seen it, if the smile fighting to find its place on his face was any indication. Adrian and Graham were dozing off, so luckily they hadn't seen any of the exchange. When class was over I took my time packing my things up, waiting to wake my friends so I could run. They'd both annoyed me in their sleep, and I intended to get my payback.

I didn't expect Diggory to come up to me when he did, but the moment the room was empty he leaned against the desk in front of mine "Happy birthday, Snape."

My eyes shot to his, and I quickly checked to make sure my friends couldn't hear. It also allowed me to hide my face again "Are you trying to announce it to the whole world?"

He chuckled, an amused smile playing at his lips "Not at all, but your reaction is quite amusing."

I frowned over at him "You seem to be in a much better mood than when we last spoke."

He shrugged, standing up tall as I packed my inkpot carefully away "Well, last time I was nervous. This time I already know you're my date to Hogsmeade on Saturday." I tried to turn away so he couldn't see my face, but he caught my arm to stop me "Why do you keep trying to hide from me?"

I sighed, forcing myself to look him in the eye as I spoke "Actually, I'm trying to get back at my friends." His brow furrowed, and I grinned a bit in glee "Get ready to run, they've gotten faster thanks to Flint's drills." He seemed to understand, letting me go and clearing a path to the door.

I lifted my bag over my shoulder before pulling Adrian's history book off his desk and lifting it over my head. I let it drop with a little extra force onto the space between their desks and sprinted out of the room behind Diggory, laughing at the shouting behind me. Before he could keep running just to get caught later I grabbed his arm, yanking him around the corner and into the space behind the tapestry closest to us. I had to clasp a hand over his mouth before he could say another word, forcing him to wait as I peered out into the hall. Once my friends sped past and out of sight I let go of him, backing up to give myself more space.

I almost didn't notice the look he was giving me, too focused on making sure neither of them turned around to catch me. I only glanced back for a second, but it was enough to see the smitten smile on his face. I turned back to peeking out from behind the tapestry as he spoke "I didn't realize you had a playful side."

If I'd been walking I would have tripped over my own feet in outrage. My need to watch for my friends was overruled in an instant, and I whirled around to glare at him "What? Am I not allowed to have fun once in a while?"

He raised his hands up in surrender, grinning cheekily "No, you are. I've just never seen you have fun." I crossed my arms, giving him a look that demanded he elaborate. He was kind enough to oblige "You rarely laugh, and you've always got your nose buried in a book. It's hard to equate you joking around with the Vanessa I've seen for the past four years."

I rolled my eyes, turning back and stepping out from behind the tapestry "And yet you still asked me on a date this weekend."

He followed me out, the grin never leaving his face as he spoke "A date that I'm getting." At my questioning look he just shook his head "Come on, I can't be the first person who's asked." I stayed silent, and his eyebrows raised "Seriously?" I nodded "Well, lucky me then. Give me time and you'll get to know all the reasons I asked. But for now, I've got to head to quidditch practice, and you've got a birthday dinner to enjoy. Happy birthday, again. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

He leaned forward, placing a delicate kiss on my cheek and grinning as I turned red. He quickly turned around, hurrying off towards the entrance hall. I probably stood stunned in the hall for a half hour before I found a reason to move my legs. It took me all of three minutes to make it to the common room, only to find Harry waiting for me. I carried my bag to my room in a rush, running back down to grab Harry and head to my father's chambers.

I didn't bother knocking, just made my way inside and called out to him to let him know Harry was with me. To my surprise, he actually smiled when he saw both of us. I didn't say anything, but I'm sure the confusion was written all over my face as they exchanged a rather pleasant conversation. It was surreal to watch, but I wasn't going to complain. I contented myself with the fact that I wouldn't have to play peacekeeper with them anymore and jumped in where I could.

Shortly after we were finished eating my father slid a book over to me, and one look at the title had me staring at it in awe. I looked up at him "Dad, where did you find this?"

He looked over at Harry pointedly "I didn't. But a letter from Mr. H.J. Potter had the owners of Flourish and Blotts searching for a book of this kind frantically."

I gaped, my eyes switching between the two in my shock "But, dad, Harry, this is-"

Harry cut me off, smiling at me "Something we would have gotten for you anyway. Happy reading, Vanessa."

I couldn't help laughing at his choice of words "Thank you, both of you."

My father hummed, waving his wand to have some tea poured "Just don't let that Diggory boy stick his nose in where it doesn't belong."

I gave him a wide-eyed look "He didn't."

My father nodded, bemusement written all over his face "Oh, he did. Immediately after Potions yesterday, I was greeted by his nervous muttering. I must admit, I'm impressed you got him to ask at all."

Harry looked between us confusedly "I'm sorry, what happened?"

My father spoke slowly, allowing the words to drip with absolute mirth "My dear daughter managed to convince Cedric Diggory to ask my permission to take her on a date. And he did it, stumbling over his words like a fool, but he did it."

Harry watched him curiously "And what did you tell him, sir?"

This time my father did smirk "No."

I choked on my tea, placing the cup down on the table as I coughed violently. Once it finally subsided I looked at my father "You gave him the run around."

"I did no such thing."

I laughed "You liar! You messed with him!" Even Harry was smiling knowingly at him "Dad, seriously, what did you tell him?"

He rolled his eyes at me "I told him yes, of course. If he hurts you, I'll be only one of the many he'll have to answer to. I'll be the worst, but still only one." I could only agree.