Chapter 5

The next few weeks following the trip to Hogsmeade were spent studying for end-of the year finals. Since it was also OWLs year for the fifth years, even the Marauders were swamped with studying. Silver and Severus spent more time together during those few weeks, studying and generally being comfortable with each other.

The school noticed the two students together more frequently, though they were not incredibly outward with their affections towards each other. Many thought Silver had been Imperius'd, and thus gossiped about the two whenever they were seen together. The Marauders, for the most part, remained oblivious to their relationship since they were stuck in their own lives.

"Silver?" Silver looked up from her table in the library and saw Remus hovering.

"Yes, Remus? Did you wish to join me?" Remus nodded, before sitting. It was quiet for a few minutes as the two studied in silence.

"You and Snape have been...rather chummy lately. I hadn't realized you two were friends."

"Yes. We haven't been friends terribly long, but I enjoy his company."

"Are you aware of what people are saying about you two, though?" Remus asked cautiously.

"That he has me under the Imperius Curse? Yes, I've heard the rumors." It was silent for a few moments as Remus waited for elaboration. When Silver realized this, she continued.

"I assure you, Remus. I am with Severus because I wish to be and he has shown no ill will towards me. His views are a bit...unconventional to most, but he isn't truly lost to darkness and contempt. At least, not that I am aware of. I appreciate your concern, though." He nodded in response, before returning to his studies. It was quiet between the two of them, aside from the scratching of their quills, before Silver spoke again.

"I didn't take you as someone who liked to gossip, though, Lupin. What does my relationship with Severus have to do with you?"

"Me? Absolutely nothing. Peter, on the other hand, would likely be a bit put out that you were on friendly terms with someone considered his enemy. He thinks highly of you."

"It's not exactly a secret, so I'm not sure what you're worried about."

"He can be oblivious sometimes, especially when he's focused on something else. I would suggest you tell him before someone else does." At Silver's inquisitive look, he clarified, "I think if you tell him, he'd be less likely to blow a gasket as opposed to finding it out from someone who put the relationship in a...less favorable light."

"Ah. You mean so that he doesn't misunderstand that I am doing this of my on violation rather than coerced. Hmm. Thank you for the information, Remus. I'm going to go find him now. I'll see you later." Remus nodded, already immersed in his book once more.

Peter wandered the castle during a much needed study break, when he collided into an increasingly familiar figure. Unlike before, neither crashed into the ground. Instead, he found his arms around Silver in an steadying embrace, staring into eyes. Silver stared into his eyes as well, eyes wide and surprised, before hastily stepping back. He smiled at her, his face flushing slightly as he stammered an apology.

"You really need to start watching where you're walking, Peter." Silver's eyes were alight with laughter, before she started walking a bit down the corridor. When Peter didn't follow her, she continued until she came upon a bench. Sitting, she looked at him and gestured to the seat next to her.

"How is your studying going, Silver?" Peter asked, beginning their conversation.

"It's going as well as can be expected. And yours?"

"I feel like my brain's going to explode if I read another word on the history of the Ogre Wars."

"Hmm," Silver hummed in agreement. Peter found himself staring at Silver again; he couldn't seem to help it.

"Do you remember that I told you I went on a date for Hogsmeade?" Silver asked, after a few moments.

"Yes. We haven't talked much since that, what with classes bombarding us with review sessions." Tentatively, he continued, "How did it go?"

"It went well. We've been spending a considerable amount of time together since. He's already talking about us getting together over the summer."

"Oh! That's great." Peter had a hard time keeping the disappointment out of his voice, but tried to mask it with fake cheeriness. "Is it anyone I know?"

"Erm. Yes, it is." Silver was suddenly nervous, recalling what Remus had said about them being enemies of Severus's. She had observed their rivalry over the years, of course, but their tiffs had become more subtle than in years past.

"Well? Who's the lucky bloke who's won your good standing, then?"

"Severus Snape." Peter burst out laughing, long enough that he began tearing up. Silver looked at him incredulously, before her face fell momentarily. She hadn't expected that reaction. After a few moments, he sobered up when he caught sight of her face. She was looking at him stoically.

"You were...serious?" Peter asked, horror lacing his voice. "What could you see in a greasy dungeon bat like him?"

"He happens to be an excellent conversationalist and we have a lot in common," Silver replied with a sniff. She was being aloof with Peter in a way she hadn't been since they first met.

"He's obsessed with Dark Magic, Silver! He's selfish, arrogant, and a foul git. You deserve much better than him." Peter's voice was filled contempt, and his hands started shaking.

"I'll have you know, he's been nothing but a gentleman to me. And you have no right to pass judgment over someone you've never even bothered to get to know. All you know about him is who he is to you and your friends, who treat him horribly for things he has no control over. I thought you'd be happy that I found someone who makes me happy, Peter. Clearly, I was mistaken in what kind of friend you were."

"He's a bad seed, Silver! He called Lily the worst thing you can imagine, and is one of the cruelest people I have ever seen. I know what kind of person he is, and he's not worth your time. He's scum!" Silver stood up, placing her hands on her hips.

"Oh, that's rich, coming from you. You encourage bullying and belittling pranks with the Marauders, while believing you're on enough of a pedestal that you can't be touched. You are an enabler, Pettigrew, simply because you're too much of a coward to stand up for what you know is wrong. Your prank ideas get shot down because you're nothing to them except a fan who happens to share a dorm with them. So don't you dare make remarks about someone you do not understand, or even bother trying to understand." Silver turned on her heel and stormed away.