Author's Note: Hi guys! This is the EDITED version with one important addition (although it's a tiny one). I'm sorry about the ridiculous wait between chapters. This chapter was really hard to write. Anyway, I would like to thank anyone who has stuck with this since I started it. This chapter isn't quite as Lily centric, but I hope you like it anyway!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all things associated to it originate from J. K. Rowling and all rights belong to her or Warner Brothers. The song Halfblood Prince belongs to Split Seven Ways, and since I am not a part of Split Seven Ways, I don't own that either.

To those of you who do not know about them, they are a group in a genre of music called Wizard Rock which is music themed around the Harry Potter fandom. You should check them out. Other bands include the Remus Lupins, Ministry of Magic, and Let's Lumos, all of which sound very different from each other and are very good!

Please Read and Enjoy!

-lillyflower's revenge

No-one cares much for a half-blood Slytherin
So I'll not say a word and I'll keep those mysteries in
That's half the battle won, for nobody to know
But you, just you

-Half Blood Prince by Split Seven Ways

Chapter 4

"No," Lily said curtly and walked away. When Severus turned around he could see his fellow Gryffindors and the Hufflepuffs cringe. The Ravenclaws were shaking their heads and although the Slytherins were too cool to laugh, they did show their amusement through smirks. Severus himself couldn't help but smirk at the sight. You'd think that after being rejected continuously since the start of second year James would move on realize that Lilly deserved better than the likes of him.

Sirius walked up to James and put an arm around his shoulder. "It's okay mate. Maybe you'll have more luck with your seventh time-"

"tenth," James corrected mournfully.

"Whatever. Wait, this is really your tenth time? Never mind. Look mate, I've known your for a while now. When have you ever failed to get a girl? Besides, you have to look on the positive side-at least she didn't curse you this time. That's a good sign, right?"

James pushed Sirius's arm off of his shoulders and his expression brightened. "I always knew that there was a reason I kept you around."

"You mean besides my intellect, charm, and good looks?"

James snorted. "What planet are you living on? On planet Earth I'm the good looking one and you're the slightly less good looking best friend."

"Now you're the barmy one. But that's okay, I'm a good person. I'll let you continue to live in your little fantasy world." Severus grit his teeth as he listened to them talk. How did Potter do it? How did he find a way to be more obnoxious than usual? Of course Severus didn't spend much time thinking about it. Potter wasn't worth that much time. In fact, he wasn't worth any of his time.

He was happy for Lilly-she hadn't given in to Potter yet. Of course, eventually she probably would (but only out of pity) then be too disgusted by him to go out with him again. How he would relish that moment…

After the feast Severus had to part with Lily and went back to the Slytherins. Just as he had walked through the portrait he was confronted by Bellatrix black, who was standing in the hall looking fierce in her Slytherin robes and her hair teased upwards as she was wearing a threatening expression that, if he was correct, betrayed the slightest hint of amusement

"I hear you've defended a Mudblood."

"Where would you hear such a ridiculous thing?"

She narrowed her eyes. "My sources don't lie."

"On the contrary, I suspect that your sources are very good liars."

Bellatrix actually thought that through for a moment. "I suppose that is a possibility. Half-bloods," she scoffed, "they can't be trusted." Then she walked off, presumably to join her sister Narcissa.

Despite the harassment he took from his fellow Slytherins, it felt good to be surrounded by the familiar trappings of grin and silver. This was where he belonged.

He walked down the hallway lined with emerald green to his familiar room-the one he found that he would be sharing with Jonathan Greengrass, Theo Nott, and Erik Bulstrode, all of whom were already arranging their things to their liking.

"Severus," Erik greeted him.

"Hello Severus." Theo nodded in acknowledgment and continued unpacking his carefully folded socks.

"How is your pretty little Mudblood fairing?" Jonathan asked.

Although it passed as a cool attempt at a civil greeting, he was quite adept at the pureblood political tango, and knew quite well how to cloak the meaning of his words.

"That's none of your business. How was your summer?"

"France was quite pleasant. There's something refreshing about the company of the right sort," He paused, "Something I'm sure you know little about. How was yours?"

"I quite enjoyed the freedom of being able to do what I want with whoever I want." Severus smirked for added affect.

"Clearly. Well Severus, I do believe I had plans with a certain brunette named Leila…please do not get too attached to this Mudblood girl. I fear she won't be around much longer…" As Jonathan walked off Severus felt a not so sudden urge to curse him. Not only had he insulted him, he had insulted Lily at least twice during the course of the conversation.

He shook it off. A Slytherin never lets his temper get the best of him. Why did he bother getting upset? He knew what he had to do. He had to warn Lily, even if it proved to be nothing; she deserved to know about the threats ahead of time. The only question was how to find her. He didn't have an owl, and he couldn't very well just march into the Gryffindor common room and demand to see her-they'd curse him into oblivion! He might be at the top of his class, but even he couldn't fight off such a large number of people. It looked like he would have to wait for a meal to warn her. He was most defiantly not looking forward to having to approach the Gryffindor table- imagine the trouble he'd get from both sides if, no, when he did it for the second time in a row! Lily was his friend, and abandoning her to whims of plotting Slytherins was not an option. He'd grit his teeth and endure, just as he has always done.

He began pacing in agitation as he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. Damn it, why was it so hard to avoid acting on his impulses like some idiotic Gryffindor!

Instead of continuing to pace he retrieved his cauldron and his ingredients from his trunk and began to brew his troubles away with a simple pepper up potion. He wasn't sure what to do with it. It could be useful. Nobody could possibly get though Binn's class without some added help. Or maybe he could sell it to his class mates for some extra money…Nah, he'd it keep for the summer when he really needed it. Lately things had been worse than usual at home.

Although he'd never admit it to the other Slytherins, he actually missed his classes. Not only did they provide a distraction, they were actually sort of…fun. Transfiguration provided him with a decent challenge, charms was enjoyable, Herbology came naturally to him and he found it interesting, but potions was by far his favorite. Despite his difficult relationship with his mother she had begun teaching him how to brew potions behind his father's back as soon as he was old enough to stir. His lullabies and nursery rhymes were all about potion ingredients or potions. She said that a Prince must be properly educated in the art of potion making.

Because of her he was well ahead of his year. Although he was loath to admit it, it was the one good thing that his mother had ever done for him. His skill had won the respect of the majority of his house and most of Ravenclaw. Things would have been much harder because of his blood status if not for them.

Once he was done with the potion he bottled it and put it in his trunk before walking into the soft leather chair and opened up his copy of Hogwarts a history. It was battered and dog eared, and probably a bit out of date because it was a copy he bought from a second hand book shop, but it was among his most precious possessions because he had scrimped and saved all of the year he was nine to pick out a book from Diagon ally, eagerly purchasing the book that would become his only real connection to the wizarding world outside of his home before he met Lily.

Before he could open the book his good acquaintance, Narcissa Black walked up to him. He was actually surprised. She never really sought him out. Sure they'd exchange friendly words or pair up on a project every now and then, but she normally spent her time with that gaggle of very attractive (and very wealthy) pureblood girls. Quite frankly, he found them a bit unnerving.

"You're not reading that old thing again are you?"

"Yes, I am." He shut the book and looked up at her blue eyes.

She leaned over and took the book from him. "Although I admire your academic talents, you really should have more fun. If you're ever going to get anywhere you need to start making connections now, and what better way to do that than a party?"

Severus cocked an eyebrow. "Aren't you going with Lucius?"

"He's busy. He said he had some sort of..." She reached out her hand as if to grasp the word she had forgotten. "…gathering planned with some close friends. Besides, we're supposed to bring someone at least a year below who is worthy of being in an exclusive party. Only the best will be there and despite your appearance, I couldn't think of anyone else better than you." Was that a compliment or an insult?

"Meet me in three days in the common room. I suppose you'll need my help getting ready." She sighed. "We'll have to handle this in just the right way because of your…handicap." She had obviously meant the first part as a compliment if she had referred to his blood status as a handicap. Although he didn't like hearing his blood status referred to in such a way, he'd take it from Narcissa because it meant that she was trying. Besides, that was really what it was. Being a Halfblood Slytherin leaves you in a peculiar position. You don't quite fit into Slytherin, but you don't fit into the other houses. In society you're looked down upon for being in the 'wrong house' even though one of the biggest prejudices was against purebloods, not half-bloods.

Severus considered for a moment, because as a general rule, one should never count on a Slytherin to be straightforward. For now it seemed harmless, and she did have a point. What harm could it do to show up and 'make some connections' as Narcissa had said.

"I will go with you if that if what you want."

"Of course you will go with me. You're far too intelligent to turn down this opportunity." She looked up at the clock above the mantel. "I need to leave now-I'll be late for ancient runes if I don't. Please do remember, you must not forgetto meet me here in three days. Farewell for now." She gave a girlish, yet somehow elegant flutter of fingers as a wave and proceeded to leave the room, setting the book on a table on the way out.

The semester had barely begun and he was already going to a social gathering. Severus had a feeling that this more than just 'a party'. He just hoped he wasn't about to be in over his head.

Author's Note: I hope you've enjoyed this chapter. I'm so very sorry that it took so long. I'm working on some many things right now (including large amounts of homework) that I have a hard time keeping up. It's hardly long enough to justify the wait, but maybe it's written well enough? I hope so. I'm pretty proud of this chapter. I think it turned out well considering I haven't written Snape in a few months. Please Review and let me know what you think! I beg you, I need reviews to know what you like, what needs to be fixed, and where you think I should go from here! Thanks to all who have read and reviewed this (or will review and read)!

-lillyflower's revenge