So yeah, been really busy especially the last few days: prom on Saturday, edgefest Sunday (for those of you who don't know aka anyone who doesn't live in DFW, it's this awesome huge concert with 15 bands, look it up) and I had a job interview Monday(no job but at least I'll have more time for ya'll)

Oh and I have a Pottermore account, Go Slytherin, please add me= IceFeather13196 and leave a message here saying what your username is so I can give you a nickname

Anyway thanks for all the support, reviews, and such and for waiting for my slow butt. As ya'll know I do not own HP now onto the story

After Severus finished writing back to Lucius, he watched the regal bird fly away into the night to deliver it. He had made sure to convince his friend that he had no interest in Hermione—which he didn't—and that he was well aware of his position. He knew that in Lucius' pure-blooded point of view that his friend was just looking out for him and attempting to help make up for Severus' status as a half-blood. He also mentioned that while she was intelligent and very talented for a muggleborn the only thing that was truly interesting about Hermione was her seemingly non-existent past.

The rest of the letter was filled with pleasantries, news, and another refusal to attend a dark revel. Of course his refusals were worded carefully so that the option stayed open for the future. His Slytherin nature showed him that this might be a good opportunity in the future; one never knows what might happen next.

For now though he was his own man and he wanted to sleep. He wanted to sleep in tomorrow morning to make up for the nightmares he would have the next night. Nightmares about the full moon.

XXXXXXX

Hermione was woken up Sunday morning by the sound of giggling gossips. As she crawled out of her bed—after applying the proper glamour charms of course—she saw Lily and her other roommates sitting by the windowsill making those annoying, aforementioned noises.

When the girls heard Hermione getting up Lily put on a superior self satisfied look as the other two attempted to stifle their conspiratory giggles.

"Good morning," Hermione said politely, or as politely as she could just after being woken up.

"Good morning, Hermione," Lily replied in a saccharine tone. "Did you have fun last night?"

"As much fun as you can have working in the Forbidden Forest I suppose," the brunette answered warily.

One of the other girls, a blonde Barbie doll looking girl by the name of Penny, spoke up. "Hermione you have to tell us the truth since Lily refuses to say anything," the girl said with a roll of her eyes.

"That depends, what do I 'have' to tell you?"

"About you and Remus of course!" Penny squealed. "Cindy and I saw you guys talking in the common room the other night, are you two dating yet? Why are you keeping it a secret? I mean, he's so cute and smart too."

"Remus and I are just friends, nothing more. I'm sure Lily could have told you that."

"Yes but they wouldn't have believed me," Lily said, "besides I think you might like somebody else." Cindy, a short brunette girl, and Penny erupted with countless questions about the identity of this new mystery boy.

Hermione of course knew who Lily was referring to and she narrowed her eyes at the red head. "Actually Lily, I'm not interested in anybody at the moment. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get ready for the day."

Hermione swept into the bathroom and attempted to get ready as slowly as possible to prevent going back to her room and the gossips any sooner than she needed to. But she could not stay in there forever and eventually she came out fully dressed with her wild mane pulled back into a ponytail. The room was empty now and Hermione assumed that they were finally going to breakfast. She grabbed her shoes and left to go down to the Great Hall herself when she heard some familiar voices coming from the Common Room.

"I bet he's using some sort of potion," James' voice announced soon followed by Lily's reply.

"No, her eyes would be clouded over. Besides I don't know for sure if she likes him, but I know he likes her. He would not tolerate her otherwise."

"Didn't you hear her defending him?" Pettigrew's voice whined. At this point Hermione could see the entirety of the common room and saw Lily and the Marauders—minus Remus—were alone in front of the fireplace. She decided to hang back in order to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"I used to do the same thing and I never liked him like that."

"Why did you ever associate with that loser?" Sirius asked.

"I meet him when were kids and he taught me what magic was, told me that I was a witch and not a freak."

"So you felt obligated?"

"Does it really matter? Besides you guys did start your little war."

"Well guys we better get down to breakfast, we need to eat before tonight," James said.

Pettigrew looked confused, "Why?"

"Full moon, remember? Which reminds me, do you think Snivellus will tell her?"

"No. After I saved him from your little prank I heard Dumbledore threaten him with expulsion should he ever tell anyone." The group seemed relieved and a little happy about this news and left the room. Hermione wasn't sure what that last part was about, only that Severus was being forced to keep some secret of theirs, but she knew who the first part was about and was quite irritated about it. What a great way to start the morning.

XXXXXXX

Much later in the day as the sun was beginning to set Hermione was found in a secluded corner of the Library reading. She had lost herself in the book hours ago and had no intention of resurfacing anytime soon. Alas she rarely got what she wanted.

Her soft brown eyes were reluctantly pulled from the pages as she sensed the approach of a certain Head Girl. Hermione had to admit that Lily truly seemed to believe she was in the right and she was persistent about 'saving' Hermione so she couldn't be all bad. But that did not change the fact that she was wrong and was testing Hermione's last nerve.

"Hermione," the red head greeted in an almost sad tone.

"Lily."

"Look, I know what you are going through…"

"No you don't and as I said last night I don't care for your opinion." Hermione abruptly stood up and fixed Lily with a stubborn and defiant stare. "I will choose my own friends with or without your unwanted approval. Now if you'll excuse me I have better things to do with my time."

Lily stepped in Hermione's way blocking her path. "I don't know why you are so stubborn about this! I used to think he could change but he proved me wrong and he'll prove you wrong, too."

"At what point did I say I was trying to change him?"

"Maybe you do have a crush on him, but I am telling you right now he isn't worth the trouble!"

Hermione stood there silent, how did you respond to that? Did Lily really think so little of him? Lily continued thinking she was winning, "It's impossible to have a real relationship with since he's so anti-social and he just isn't worth the effort."

Finally Hermione stepped around Lily and, without looking back, said, "Don't talk to me about this again, if at all."

I know this is short, it's the first half of a planned chapter, and that it has been a while but I promise the next chapter will be done by tomorrow, Monday at the latest. I have to leave my laptop momentarily and just felt like a good stopping point and I feel bad not posting anything. Please review.