Note: Sorry it's taken so long… This chapter is really short but I hope you all enjoy it!

Chapter Thirteen

Severus wanted so desperately to speak to Lily, yet he thought it was the worst idea he had ever had. Besides, now it was he and Lucius and Narcissa. Narcissa, as though she had no feelings of her own, had immediately quit poking fun at Snape and was now just as close to him as Malfoy was. Severus thought this was sad; it was a horrid reflection of Narcissa's bland personality, but he would accept her as his friend. He needed that comfort.

"Bella wrote me for money again," scoffed Narcissa, powdering her nose as they waited in the corridor for Flitwick to come to class.

"Money? Why? You're loaded!" Severus inquired.

"Father gives us only a small sum during school, and being such a slag, she's blowing everything!" Narcissa declared, obviously not noticing the irony of her words.

Lucius and Snape took one look at each other and burst into hysterial laughter.

Narcissa snapped her compact shut and looked angry. "What? What, boys?"

"Blowing… Ha ha ha…" Lucius let out.

Severus burst anew into raspy laughter, rising up from his knees.

"I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT! UGH! SHE'S BLOWING MONEY! NOT PEOPLE!"

At that instant, Snape realised that the Marauders and Lily were standing not too far away from them, staring.

"Bloody Hell," James said, chortling. "Right pack of perverts."

Lily was staring at Severus, but not saying a word.

Snape stopped laughing at once and wheeled around.

"Whoa, what's your problem?" Malfoy questioned, and looked. "Get your own conversation, prudes!" He turned back to Snape. "You've never acted like that with them before. They're asses, stupid, poor and with Mudblood in tow." He paused. "Wait…" He looked at the Marauders. "Mudblood in tow. Good grief, Severus, you're in love with Lily Evans?" he declared loudly.

"No!" yelled Snape, but it was too late.

"Stop talking about her," James shouted from across the hall. Lily grabbed his arm and muttered something.

"We can talk about who we want, Potter. You just go about your business, 'kay?"

"Shut it, Malfoy!" Snape whispered.

"Huh?" inquired Narcissa, completely baffled.

"Evans, if it's true, you're not even half good enough!" Lucius cried out, pointing.

Snape groaned aloud and grabbed Lucius by the back of his robes. He had enough time to see Lily's face pale, her cherry lips open in shock.

"If what's true, huh? IF WHAT'S TRUE?" screamed Potter. "Just LEAVE then, you scardies! JUST YOU WALK AWAY!"

"Where's everyone going? Why's everybody screaming?" Narcissa pouted to herself.

.A few minutes Later.

"I do not believe you," panted Severus, as soon as he'd dragged Lucius half way across campus.

"I don't believe you either," Lucius declared. "The Mudblood?"

"You don't know anything. It's not her!"

"Sure," Lucius remarked sarcastically. "Look, Severus, I saw your face. You looked like you'd be hit by Petrificas Totalus. I may not be all in tune with the mysteries of your strange mind, but I do know your reactions, Snape and that one was surely not an expression I've ever seen on your face."

"I was embarrassed you'd even think I fancied her," Severus explained, lying through his teeth. If Lucius knew what had really happened, he wouldn't have any friends left. Either that, or he'd never hear the end of it. Or both.

Lucius froze for a moment, studying Snape. "She's pretty, Severus. I'll give you that. But beyond looks, I don't know what would make you like that filthy girl."

Snape acted as though the comment had not stung. Lucius was testing him. If there was one thing Malfoys were good at, it was sensing a liar. A traitor. Sensing fear. "I agree she's cute, Lucius, but why you'd ever think I would go for something like that really irritates me."

Lucius stared, and then loosened up once more. "You really had me going there for a second." He smiled, and lowered his voice to a murmur. "So since we're on the subject and all, how do you feel about being a Death Eater?"

"Lucius, I don't know," Snape shrugged. "You'll have to tell me more, but at the moment, we're probably late to class."