What I wanted more than anything was to crawl back to bed and put the day behind me. But at dinner Emily kindly reminded me that I had a very disgruntled Professor Snape to deal with first.

"Professor Snape was really mad when you left class this afternoon."

"I noticed." I grumbled pushing food around on my plate.

"I think it's brilliant what you did." I glanced up at Draco, he shook his head as if to say I didn't tell her anything.

"What are you talking about?" I leaned in, interested in hearing her theory.

"Well, I realized pretty quickly that you were trying to get detention. I know that sometimes when you in a bad mood, you give the Professors a hard time, but potions is your favorite subject, and when we have that class you try really hard to behave. So it was really obvious that you were trying to get detention. What Hermione and I couldn't figure out was why, but when Cedric came in and said that you had to leave for photos, I figured it out. I remembered that you had told Draco and me that students aren't allowed to ask professors for help with anything to do with the Triwizard Tournament, so I figured you were using detention as an excuse to talk to Professor Snape without raising suspicion. It's Brilliant, even though it lost Slytherin one hundred house points." Once again Emily surprised me with how well she was able to see through my schemes.

"You've been thinking a lot about this haven't you?" I asked. He cheeks grew pink with embarrassment.

"Well, I've never really been included in any of yours or Harry's adventures…and then last year when you guys let me come along after Sirius, well it was nice to be included. So I want to help you with anything I can." Once again Emily pointed out something I had never realized before; I took advantage of my best friend. She was right that I never included her in any of the things that Harry and I did while Ron and Hermione were right beside us the whole time.

"Oh Emily, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to exclude you from anything. Things have been so crazy here all the time…I never really thought about…we should have…I'm so sorry!"

"You said that already." She smiled. "It's ok. I know things are hectic for you. That's why I've never really said anything before, but I think this year, you're going to need all of the help you can get."

"Especially since we still don't know how you name ended up in that old cup." Draco added joining in.

"I thought you'd be sporting a 'Team Cedric' badge by now." I turned to Draco changing the subject slightly.

"And have the cup won by a Hufflepuff? House loyalty trumps following some tournament rules any day in my book."

"Is that what you're going to tell your dad when he asks you about it in his letters?"

"Oh no, you know my dad. He doesn't even think we should be going to the same school; imagine if I told him I was supporting you?"

"It's sort of sad that you two can't be friends because of stuff with your parents. I've told my parents all about both of you, and they think you're fantastic, in your own ways." That explained where Emily gotf her incredibly accepting personality from. "You guys think there will ever be a time where blood status won't matter?" she asked us sincerely.

"No." I answered shaking my head.

"Yes." Draco replied at the same time surprising both of us. I looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Nothing last forever, they'll have to give up on it eventually, but who knows if we'll live to see it."

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything…" Severus' ever familiar voice bellowed from behind me. I wanted to tell him that he was essentially ruining an otherwise decent dinner conversation by lurking around, but I didn't bother as he continued to speak. "I merely wished to remind you Miss Potter that we must meet after the meal to discuss your detentions."

"Of course Professor Snape, I wouldn't dream of missing it!" I was expecting him to sneer a comment through his teeth, but instead he exited the Great Hall without another word. "I wonder what's got him in such a good mood." I grumbled playing with my food again.

"Alice why do you bother putting any food in your plate if you're not going to eat?" Emily asked. Either I was acting pathetic and annoying, or over the summer Emily decided to become much more vocal than she used to be.

"Sorry." I answered putting my fork down. "Hey guys, I'm going to duck out before dessert. Like Emily said I'm not really eating anything anyway, and maybe I can catch Snape before everyone's even out of dinner." I collected my bag and heading towards the door without waiting for them to reply. I stood in front of Severus office door for several seconds before knocking. His face was surprisingly void of all expression as he slowly opened the door, holding it open so I could pass through. Without saying anything I sat down in one of the two chairs across from his desk. He silently crossed the room to join me in his seat at the desk. Knitting his hands together, he placed them on the desk before speaking.

"As always, I've no idea where to begin. Leaving me no choice but to ask you what exactly you were doing this afternoon. Addressing me with such disrespect in front of your fellow students, speaking out of turn, forgetting potions ingredients, and let's not forget the near irreplaceable ingredients you managed to wreck."

"I'm sorry about that; I can pay for those…"

That's not the point Allison. What's going on?"

"I was trying to get your attention…I came to you on Sunday, I wanted you to listen to me for once. You never listen to me. You make up your mind about something, and once it's made up there's nothing anyone can do to change it! I know it's usually Remus' job to listen and you get to make all the decisions, but Remus isn't here so you're going to have to try listening once in a while too."

"Do you think I enjoy mistreating you for even one second?" he asked me honestly. "Do you think I enjoy anything I'm forced to do? Young lady my life is in danger every day, and you storm into this office, and have the nerve to shout at me? To tell me that you think I'm 'a bitter man who hates all children, especially you'. Need I remind you that also said I was selfish, and it was no wonder no one ever had anything nice to say about me? I expect this sort of behavior from my students Allison but not from you. I thought Remus and I had taught you better than that."

"Sev, I'm Sor…"

"Sorry doesn't take back what you said Alice. You need to learn that you can't run around this castle doing as you please, not caring who gets in your way, and then thinking that all damages will be repaired with an 'I'm sorry'. Sometimes, the word sorry isn't enough to repair damage caused by poorly chosen words. If either of us has been selfish it has been you. No matter what I do for you, you somehow manage to find your way into the most dangerous of situations."

"I do not always…"

"DO NOT interrupt me." Severus bellowed before returning to his even more terrifying even tone. "You have impressed even Dumbledore by getting yourself into a situation where no one can help you. The rule prohibiting Professors from helping their students is very real. There is truly nothing I can do to help you in this Tournament. You've left me completely unable to ensure your safety, and there's nothing either of us can do about it."

"Severus please…" but he raised his hand to stop me. Small tears welled in my eyes. A shouting Severus I could handle. An angry Severus I was used to, but this ghostly calm Severus was truly terrifying. His deep voice was void of any emotion and I had no way of knowing how truly angry he was with me.

"I meant what I said yesterday. You will not be able to visit me while we are at Hogwarts. There are far too many eyes on you. You are on your own, good evening Miss Potter." Stood and crossed the room holding the door open for me. I stood watching as his face changed from Severus to the scowling Professor Snape in an instant. I paused just before the doorway looking up his long hooked nose.

"I love you Severus and I'm sorry."