Okay, okay. I'm a bad, bad girl! I haven't updated in, what, two months? I'm terribly sorry. But now that 'Sometimes When We Touch' (my other fic) is over, I'm only writing two stories at a time. It'll be much less stressful. Okay, so here's Chapter 10:

Mina and Lily went up to Lily's room, where Mina let the tears spill out.

"OHGOD. What happened?" Lily asked.

"It's over, Lily," Mina sobbed.

"What happened?"

"We were talking, and he was about to tell me something… but, I don't know, he just told me we couldn't see each other anymore."

"Why?"

"I don't know, but…" she wiped her eyes, "we weren't together for very long, you know, and… he probably got the idea that maybe I didn't really like him, and… well, I never got the chance to prove to him that I really did care about him. Now I never will."

"Why don't you tell him that? He'll believe you!"

"Maybe he won't."

"Wait, I thought he was the one who asked you out!"

"True… but, he was probably just lonely… and maybe he thought it was a good opportunity, and… maybe he wasn't being serious," said Mina. She rubbed her eyes really hard, until they became red.

"Mina! Stop doing that! Use a tissue, or a handkerchief, or something!"

"I'm sorry," Mina apologized.

"Anyway, Remus had to have been serious. I mean, he did kiss you, didn't he?"

"A kiss can mean nothing or everything, and I don't know what his kisses meant," said Mina.

"Well… are you at least going to go to the dance?"

"Oh. Yes… I did promise Severus that I'd go with him. If my mother had caught me kissing Remus, she'd have killed me- Oh. My. God."

"What?"

"That's it! When Remus was tutoring me, we were, er, snogging, and Sev came in and pulled me away when my mother came in, and… I acted like I didn't even know who Remus was! I even told Mother I was dating Severus!"

"WHAT? Why?"

"My mom wouldn't like Remus… she'd HATE him."

"Why?" Lily questioned.

"My mother just wouldn't find him… suitable for her only child. Well, I guess that doesn't explain much. How should I put this? My mom- and my dad- are deatheaters."

Lily's jaw dropped. Mina knew that the day would come when she would have to tell her best friend the truth, but she didn't think it would be so soon. Now what would she do?

"Lil, I'm sorry I never told you this before, but… well, I couldn't," said Mina.

"That's okay. I understand. But… well, did you tell Remus?"

"I tried to, but I couldn't. You have no idea how hard it is."

"But he'll understand if you told him the truth!"

"I can't risk telling him! He could blackmail me!"

"He's a nice person. He wouldn't do that to you!"

"I- I don't know. I can't do it! I can't talk to him!"

Mina buried her face in her hands and started to cry again- and believe me, she never cries easily. She has too much pride to do that sort of thing. And so, for the next week and a half, she did not speak to anyone, unless it was absolutely necessary. She didn't even talk to Snape, who stayed by her side the entire time.

The day of the dance, however- well, Mina needed Lily's company. You can't just not speak with your best friend because a guy broke up with you.

"Lily… are you going to the dance with Frank?" –her first words since that day. Lily nodded.

"That's great! I'm so happy for you!"

"So happy that you're crying tears of joy?" Lily questioned.

"What?" Mina wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

"You were getting teary-eyed, Mina. Are you sure you still want to go to the dance?"

"Of course. I don't break promises." Liar. Mina wasn't exactly the most reliable person. But she wanted to be. She wanted to be that type of person who could be there for others. She wanted to be there for Remus. Instead, she was doing this for Snape.

"Let's go get ready then. I got a new dress; you have to see it!"

"What does it look like?" Mina tried to sound amused.

"It's pink, silky, off-the-shoulders, and knee-length. It's real cute. My parents bought it for me." Mina's dress was a purple, halter, plain, last year's dress.

"Wow." Lily's parents did spoil her. And those muggle outfits they bought for her could be so damn cute. Mina's mom had no fashion sense whatsoever. They would never buy her a fairy tale type of gown- something she always pictured herself in. Something straight out of the storybooks.

The two girls parted ways and headed off towards their own common rooms. When Mina entered her bedroom, the first thing she noticed was a beautiful black gown lying on her bed. It was strapless, and it had a long, ruffled bottom; something straight out of the storybook. Something she had dreamed about wearing one day.

"Carly! Is this your dress?" Mina asked her roommate, who was busy fixing her hair. Apparently she had a date tonight, too.

"Huh? No… it's on your bed. It must be yours," she said.

"It can't be! It's- it's so gorgeous!" It was then that Mina noticed the note lying on top of the gown.

Pour le belle

"What does this say? It's in French- I don't speak French. I think someone in my family speaks French. But nobody in my family would send me this gown," said Mina.

"Lemme see," said Carly. She took the card, and took out her wand, saying some sort of incantation.

"Here, the language should change to English now," she said. Mina read the card.

For the beauty

"The beauty? Me? There's no way someone in my family sent this to me…"

"Well then, somebody must really be smitten with you," said Carly.

The dress fit Mina perfectly. It looked great on her, too. The black against her fair skin tone made her face stick out more; her eyes, her hair, her lips- they glowed. She couldn't wait to show Lily. She had to get over to the Gryffindor common room.

Mina flew down the stairs and bumped into Snape. He grabbed her hand and kissed it.

"Mina. You look amazing," he said. Mina blushed.

"Why thank you, Sev…" she then noticed what he was wearing. He had on a grey dressy shirt, black tie, and black pants. His hair was combed- it even looked clean- his face was clean, too, and he was smiling widely.

"Is something wrong?" he asked. Mina realized her jaw was slightly ajar. She shut it tight.

"No."

"Well, are you ready?"

"Oh. Yes, I am. By the way… you look good tonight," she couldn't go without complimenting him.

"Thanks," he leaned in to whisper in her ear, "You look good in black, belle."

"You- you sent me this dress!"

"I did," he said.

"But it must have been so expensive, and- you didn't have to do that!"

"Don't be ridiculous. Of course I did. Now, let us go to the dance. You will be the belle of the ball," he said.

"O-okay," Mina let Snape lead her to the Great Hall, where it was surprisingly crowded.

"It looks like the entire school came tonight," said Mina.

"Do you want to dance?" Snape asked.

"I didn't know you could dance," Mina said.

"There are a lot of things you do not know, Mina," Snape said as he swept her into his arms and began to dance with her. There wasn't even any music playing, but they were the first students to dance.

"So, Sev, now that we're here, at this dance, just like you wanted, we're even, aren't we? You saved my life, I went to a dance with you," said Mina.

"Yes, yes, we're even now. But do not talk of such things, my belle, you're ruining the moment…" Snape put his arm around Mina's shoulder and slowly swayed her back and forth.

"Um… okay, Sev, don't get all weird on me, now," said Mina.

"Shh…" He put a finger to her lips, and then kissed it. Mina blushed and pulled back.

"Okay… that was not a part of the deal," she said. Snape shook his head.

"Just shut up," he said.

"Fine! Just don't kiss me!" Mina shouted. A few heads turned in the crowd. She sighed and closed her eyes, laying her head on Snape's shoulder. If he wanted her to be quiet, then she would be quiet. She would give him the silent treatment.

Mina opened her eyes. Had she dozed off? She felt a little lightheaded. Where was she? Okay… she was still at the dance, wasn't she? She was sitting at a table. Ah yes, there was Snape, right next to her.

"Sev, what happened?" she asked innocently.

"I think I bored you to sleep. I'm sorry," he stroked her cheek.

"Oh. That's okay. I'm sorry I fell asleep on you." She looked around and, spotting Lily, got up.

"I'll be right back," she told Snape, and strolled over towards Lily.

"Hey, Lil!"

"Hi, Mina, what's up? How's your date going?"

"Well, I fell asleep on him while we were dancing," said Mina.

"How embarrassing! It's a good thing you don't like him! That'd be even worse!"

"Where's Frank?" Mina asked.

"He's getting me some punch. Hey, did you see Phoebe yet?"

"Nope. It's too crowded in here. I don't think we'll be able to find her."

"Hey guys!" Phoebe just sprang up from behind Mina. Just like that.

"Hey, Phoebs! Did you come here with Sirius?" Lily asked. Phoebe nodded.

"Wow, and I thought he'd have another date by now. But I guess he must really like you, Phoebe. Good luck," said Mina.

"Uh, thanks, I guess. By the way, Mina, did you know that Remus is here?"

"What, really? That's so strange! I thought he didn't like dances! Is he here with a date?" Mina asked.

"No, he's alone. But still, I find it strange that he would come, don't you?" asked Phoebe.

"Yeah."

Frank came back and handed Lily her punch, then asked her to dance with him. Phoebe and Sirius danced as well. There was some classical music playing this time. Why classical music, of all the music in the world, Mina could not guess.

"Mina! What's up?" Mina spun around to see Regulus- wearing a suit.

"Regulus? What are you doing here? This dance is for fourth years and above!"

"And my date is a fourth year," he explained.

"Really? Who?"

"Carly." So that's who Carly's date was.

"Regulus, you stud! I didn't know you were dating Carly!"

"We're not dating yet, but I did ask her to the dance. I was surprised she said yes."

"Well good for you. I hope it works out," Mina said sincerely.

"Hey, do you think I can snag a dance with Sirius' date?" Regulus asked. But before Mina had a chance to answer- which she would have said 'no'- he had already cut in on Phoebe and Sirius' dance.

"Regulus, you little!" Sirius tried to go after his little brother, but Regulus had put a hex on him that caused his feet to turn into molasses.

"So, what's you name?" he asked Phoebe.

"Ph-phoebe. Um… just who are you?"

"Regulus Black. But you can call me 'Sexy Daddy,'" he said.

"Hey, Sexy Daddy, get lost!" Mina pulled Regulus away from Phoebe. "Sorry about him, Phoebe. He's a pest, I know. Hey, where's Lily?"

"I don't know," Phoebe shrugged.

Mina looked around the crowded hall. Lily was still dancing with Frank, when Mina saw James go up to them.

"May I cut in?" He asked.

"Sure," said Frank.

"Sure? Frank, you're supposed to say 'back off, buddy, she's my date!'" Lily complained. But it was too late. James already had a hold of Lily. He spun her around, jokingly, until she got dizzy. Then they were both lost in the crowd.

"Lily!" Mina swam through the crowd, trying to find them. "Lily!" A pair of hands grabbed onto her shoulders.

"She's over here," a masculine voice said. Mina recognized that voice. Remus. She couldn't turn around to see him, but he led her to where James and Lily were. Then he was gone.

"Lily, are you okay?" Mina asked.

"I'm a little dizzy, actually," she answered. She was holding on to James with one arm, and rubbing her forehead with the other.

"I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to make you dizzy," said James.

"Well, you did! Are you and idiot, Potter?" Mina scolded.

"Yes. I'll admit to that. I am sorry, though. Let me take care of it, okay?"

Mina sighed. "Alright." She headed out of the crowd, hoping to find Snape. He was probably wondering to where she had gone off.

"Mina!" Snape's eyes lighted up.

"Hey. Sorry about that," she apologized.

"It's okay. One more dance?" he asked.

"I'm tired, Sev. I'm sorry. Maybe next time?"

"Next time?"

"Yes… if there is a next time."

"I hope there will be. Let me walk you back to the common room," he offered.

They began walking towards the Slytherin common room. Snape had his arm around Mina. Mina was too tired to notice. Or care.

"Good night, Mina. I love you," he said, taking her hand and kissing it once more.

No you don't, you idiot. You don't know what you're saying, Mina tried to say, but the words weren't coming out. Why was she suddenly so tired? It was only 8:30. Her eyelids fluttered closed. She felt warm lips on her cheek, and then on her lips. Her body was being lifted up. Severus was laying her down on the couch in the common room. She had fallen asleep.

Ah… short, isn't it? Too short for a lot of your tastes. But not mine! I like to keep the suspense going! Not sure what I have planned yet for the next chapter, so be prepared for at least a month before I update. I'm terribly sorry, but that's how it must be.

-Also, I'm really sorry that the chapter title had nothing to do with the chapter- i don't know if any of you were disappointed about that or not...

To the faithful:

Dan-Radcliffes-girl: thanks. I take it you're a Dan Radcliffe fan obviously… but Harry's not necessarily in this fic. Who's your favorite character in this story?

PaulC: do you have me on your author alert list? That way, every time you log on, you'll know if I've updated or not. And- I never really finished reading your story! I'm going to have to do that. I have a week off of school, so I'll have some time to catch up on everything in the fanfiction world.

Light Sorceress: thankyou so mcuh. ;) Please keep reading!

LupinLover99: so… you didn't get to finish reading it then? Bummer.. I can see you like lupin a lot. A lot of people seemed o be disappointed in the way I portrayed Lupin, and to be honest, I'm a little disappointed in myself. I rushed through the first couple of chapters. I also sort of rushed through Mina and Lupin's relationship, and so that is why they are teking a break.

Rocker-chick101: well, you might not like this chapter if you don't like Snape. He seems to be getting what he wants from Mina… and now especially since Remus broke up with her. Tell me what you think, though!

Demoness13: Gracias! Thanks, (I don't know why I'm speaking Spanish all of a sudden)

Kayhera: Are you a marauders fan, too? Not a Snape fan, though, it would seem. But he keeps the story interesting, wouldn't you agree?

Potterpunkchick: merry christmas to you too! Wait, yeah, it's february, isn't it? Hehe.. thanks for reviewing!

Mehgan: Yes, Remus is almost perfect, it would seem. But there's a lot more to this story that fits in with his "once a month" transformation.

Schnebz: Yes, Mina is, er, special. That's what her parents told her, too. Hehe… thanks for reviewing!

Crazayladay: are you really crazy? Hmm… hehe, don't worry about Remus. He has issues. And they will all be worked out soon enough.

Keep on reading and reviewing, guys! I appreciate it!

-Mina