'The words of love I speak to you will echo in your mind'

During class the next day, I wasn't allowed to assist the students with their potions. No doubt Snape feared I would cause one to explode. He was probably right.

Afterwards, the class entered the assembly room to work on their notebooks. Harry and Ron kept talking during class. Snape had to keep whacking them in the head to get them back on track. For some reason, it didn't bother me when he hit the students.

I found it rather funny. It was just Snape being Snape. I know it doesn't make sense, but it gets a laugh out of me every time.

"Professor?" Hermione asked, raising her hand.

She looked at me and I glanced at Snape. He gave me a brief nod, allowing me to answer Miss Granger's question.

"Yes?" I asked, standing behind her.

"Are you attending the Yule ball?"

I glanced at Snape, and he was staring at me. "Y-Yes, Miss Granger. Why do you ask?"

"I was only wondering because if you didn't have anyone to go with, you could've accompanied Harry or Ron." she replied, giggling.

Ron fake laughed. "Very funny."

I couldn't contain myself from smiling. "Thank you, Miss Granger. As it seems, I am going with someone."

Her eyes brightened. "Really? Who's the lucky gentleman?"

My eyes shot up at Snape. He was still staring with a grin on his face. I rolled my eyes and cleared my throat. But, then I got an idea.

"Well, I wouldn't call him a gentleman, exactly." I said, eyeing Snape.

His grin turned into a frown.

One point for Team Arabella.

"Why not?" Hermione asked.

"He's got a rather untold story. But, we all have one. He isn't exactly an open book, you see." I explained.

"Miss Strauss," Snape said, suddenly appearing next to us, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't distract the students with your glorious tales of mischief."

Hermione looked between Snape and I.

"Forgive me, Professor." I said, walking away.

And, that's two points for Team Snape….

After class, I headed to my room to prepare for the ball. I put on a beige colored dress. Beige was my mother's favorite color, so I tried to wear it when it came to formal occasions. When I arrived at the ball, all the students looked wonderful.

They had worn their best clothes and brought their dates. I spotted Snape, not wearing anything particularly formal. He wore a buttoned cloak that curved at his waist. I had to admit, he looked handsome, but it wasn't very different from his usual wardrobe.

He saw me and held out his arm for me. I took it and he walked me in. Dumbledore saw us and kissed my hand.

"You look lovely, Arabella. Enjoy your first ball at Hogwarts." he said.

"Thank you." I said, timidly.

The champions walked in with their dates, and everyone applauded. They were to dance first. I couldn't help but giggle at how Harry danced with his date. Other student were allowed to dance with their dates and teachers joined too.

Hagrid joined in and even Dumbledore joined with Professor McGonagall. They waltzed wonderfully. The ball was decorated beautifully. Ice sculptors surrounded the room and from the ceiling came small bits of snow.

Very magical.

I stood by Snape, admiring the room. Suddenly, I felt someone rush behind us. I was pushed forward and I slipped. I landed on my wrist and ankle wrong and felt a small pain spark. Dumbledore and Snape bent down, scolding the student who ran by me.

"Are you alright?" Dumbledore asked, scanning me for any obvious injuries.

I hissed from pain. "I think I've sprained my ankle. I don't think it's broken."

"Can you stand?" he asked.

I tried to stand, but the pain in my ankle began to increase. I shook my head and sat back down.

"I'll take her to the infirmary." Snape offered.

"I believe Madame Pomfrey attended the ball, Severus. You better take her to your classroom and assist her there."

Snape nodded.

"I think I can stand, if I-"

Suddenly, I gasped as Snape lifted me off the ground in his arms. He wobbled but managed. I wrapped my arm around his neck and held on.

"Careful." I said, gritting my teeth from the pain.

He carried me out of the ballroom and towards a door that would lead us to the Slytherin quarters. He lowered me down to open the door. It was locked.

"Just use your wand." I said.

He frowned.

"You forgot your wand?"

"I didn't forget it. I just thought it would be improper to bring a wand to a ball."

"Out of all the things you've done this year, this has to be the stupidest." I scolded.

"Maybe so, but seeing as you didn't bring yours either, you have no right to throw out any accusations." he said, coldly.

I had to put my hand against the wall to stand on my good ankle. He sighed and shook his head at me.

"Sit. It's unwise to stand with an ankle like that." he said.

"I don't like to sit in a dress. Plus, I don't want to deal with the struggle of trying to sit." I replied.

"Locked out, professors?" Filch asked.

I didn't realize Mr. Filch was standing a few feet from us. Snape stepped aside as Mr. Filch opened the door for us. Snape lifted me up in his arms again and we headed to his classroom.

Once we were there, he set me in a chair and helped bandage my injuries. For some reason, as it got later, Snape grew silent. We weren't having a large conversation, but he slowly grew more silent and angry, it seemed.

He left me alone, telling me to leave when I felt ready. My wrist started to feel swollen, but my ankle wasn't hurting as much. Snape had entered one of his stores, closing the door behind him.

Slowly, I stood, trying not to put so much pressure on my ankle. I stopped when I heard something break. The noise came from Snape's storeroom. I shrugged it off and continued struggling to stand on my own.

Another crash made my head shoot up. Then, I heard a small cry.

"Professor?" I called out.

Nothing.

"Professor, can you hear me?"

Still nothing.

Panicking, I hopped towards the door on one foot and opened it. Snape was sitting on the floor with a bottle in his hand. His face was stained with tears and his eyes were a pale red color.

"Professor.." I said, near a whisper.

He looked like a wreck. I slowly approached him, trying to meet his eyes.

"Don't come near me.." he said, struggling to speak.

He took a long drink from the bottle in his hand. I would never have dreamed of seeing him in such a state.

"Professor...what's wrong? You're not well."

"You don't know who I am. You all think you do." he said, starting to smile.

"You're drunk, Professor. Just listen to yourself." I said, kneeling beside him.

He laughed. "Listen, she says. Well, I did my listening. I heard her scream and fall to the floor...when she died."

Then, I got a thought. "What day is it?"

"I believe it's Tuesday..the date she came into this world." he said, with a garbling voice.

Lily…today's her birthday.

"And, you're honoring...her memory by drinking away?" I asked, nearly disgusted.

"Can you think of a better way?" he asked, taking another drink.

Anger boiled inside of me. How could he do this to himself? I slapped the bottle out of his hands and it broke, spilling alcohol onto the floor. He looked at me, shocked. Then, his shock turned into anger.

He grabbed me by both arms and leaned into my face.

"Why did you do that?" he hissed, shaking me.

I had never experienced dealing with a drunk, but I supposed it was my lucky night.

"You're drunk, Professor." I defended. "You're not thinking straight."

"How could you possibly understand?" he asked, bitterly.

"Because I lost someone I love too!" I cried.

He fell silent and let my arms go. Then, he started to cry silently. I wasn't sure how to respond, but I put my arm around him. I sat beside him and sang quietly.

Who can say for certain?

Maybe you're still here

I feel you all around me

Your memory's so clear

To my surprise, Snape started to fall asleep. Slowly, I got up and left him alone for the night. As I struggled to my room, Snape's face wouldn't escape my mind. He always seemed so severe and cold, but he was just another human.