Vices and Virtues

Severus paused his reading and allowed the words to sink into his mind. He'd drawn the green silk curtains around his bed for privacy; he wanted some solitude before he met Miriam later. It took a lot out of Severus to be around people; Miriam wasn't draining like some others, but Severus knew himself well enough that he needed a recharge.

He turned the book over in his hands and gazed at the cover. Miriam was right—it was a good book. Severus frowned slightly as he thought about last night. It was foreign for Severus to have someone apologize to him, especially as he felt her outburst wasn't that bad. Then again, Severus reasoned, perhaps it was bad to a normal person not used to the amount of anger he was? He simply did not know. What he did know, was that Severus found Miriam as interesting as he found her strange.

Severus pondered Miriam's dilemma about not remembering where everything was. He idly wondered if she'd read Hogwarts: A History. It was a good place to start, though it would be ideal if the castle wasn't sentient and things stayed put. An idea came to Severus' mind, and he drew back the curtains and went to his trunk. Severus opened the lid and first pulled out his trainers and a pair of jeans. He'd endured enough mocking his first few years that Severus purchased a few basic clothing items with some of the money from his apprenticeship. He truly hated Muggle apparel, but he wasn't about to go walking the grounds in his good school clothes—they had to last the year, after all. Severus tossed the items on his bed and dug around to the very bottom of his trunk. He pulled out a folded piece of parchment, grabbed the self-filling quill off his dresser, and returned to his bed as he pulled the curtain closed. Severus unfolded the parchment several times and studied it; then, he began to write.

Ten minutes before three, Miriam sat in front of the large fireplace in the common room as she waited for Severus. The flames glowed brightly as they fed on the logs, and Miriam thought about the upcoming afternoon as she stared into the fire. She felt excited about the outing; it was a beautiful day, and she was anxious to explore the grounds and castle more. Miriam just hoped she could remember everything after today. Severus was polite enough to help her this time, but Miriam had no intention of taking further advantage of his generosity.

Miriam turned towards the staircase as she heard a noise. Severus bounded down the steps two at a time, which he made look effortless with his long legs. She raised an eyebrow as he walked towards her. Severus wore a pair of black jeans, a black long-sleeved t-shirt, and a worn pair of black canvas trainers. She had no idea Severus owned any Muggle clothes; then again, Miriam found it silly to refer to them as such. Miriam's outfit was similar to his. Both were appropriate for their outing, so really, they should just be called clothes, Miriam reasoned. Severus' cloak was draped over an arm, and he carried a book in his hands.

Severus made his way to where Miriam sat. He noticed immediately that she'd pinned her hair up. Free from its curtain of curls, Severus was surprised at how long her neck actually was. Miriam took his advice and wore a black pair of thick-soled leather boots that covered her ankles. They matched her black jeans, and she wore a long sleeved, dark purple t-shirt. "You're early," Severus said as he stopped in front of her.

"I'm always early," Miriam replied. She watched Severus take a seat beside her in the other wing-backed chair.

They looked at each other for a moment. "I have a question to ask you," Severus stated.

"Go ahead," Miriam encouraged as her brow furrowed slightly.

"Have you read Hogwarts: A History?" Severus asked.

"No," Miriam said as she shook her head.

Severus nodded. "Here." He handed the book to Miriam. "You will find it quite interesting, I'm sure. Don't muck it up—I checked it out under my name, and Madam Pince can be really nasty if the school's library books get damaged," Severus said seriously.

Miriam's eyes lit up as she took the book Severus offered her. "Thank you, I shall look after it," Miriam said.

"One more thing," Severus added as he pulled a piece of parchment from his cloak pocket. "This is for you."

Severus saw Miriam's hesitation as she took the parchment from his hands. "Well go on, open it," Severus told Miriam impatiently.

Curious, Miriam unfolded the piece of paper; it was a map of the castle and grounds. "A map! Wherever did you find this?" Miriam asked.

"I made it," Severus replied haughtily. His expression turned smug as he took in Miriam's face; he could tell she was impressed. "I started on it my first year here. I get bored easily in class," Severus added when Miriam looked at him curiously. "I'd forgotten about it until today."

"It's amazing!" Miriam declared as she studied the detailed map.

"It gets better. Take out your wand."

Miriam gave Severus a funny look, but did as he said.

"Tap the paper and say, 'next'," Severus told her.

"Next," Miriam said as she pointed her wand at the map. "Ah!" Miriam exclaimed as the map changed to reveal the second floor of the castle. She looked at Severus, excitement dancing in her grey eyes.

"It's charmed to show everything, including the dungeons and seventh floor. I updated it this morning before I copied it for you, so it's current, for now," Severus finished.

"Severus, this is brilliant!" Miriam gifted him a genuine smile, and she noticed how his cheeks turned pink at her praise. "I can't remember the last time I received something this thoughtful. Thank you," Miriam said earnestly.

"You're welcome," Severus said quietly, his disquietude evident on his face. Miriam's display of emotion, though positive, made him very uncomfortable. He stood, and Miriam followed suit. "Best keep it in your cloak pocket; you're going to navigate our little excursion today," Severus told Miriam as he looked pointedly at the map and her cloak draped across her arm.

"Testing my abilities already?" Miriam asked.

Severus smirked at Miriam; the witch had no idea how hard he was going to push her today. He was curious how she'd take it; Miriam needed to navigate the castle on her own successfully. Nothing less was acceptable, and Severus felt he knew how to get Miriam there. Something told the wizard Miriam didn't like it when people doubted her capabilities, and he was willing to exploit that trait. Severus didn't doubt her resilience, but he'd wager she was not prepared for how exacting he planned to be. Severus shrugged. "Most people learn by doing, but obviously that hasn't helped you in this instance. Now, you're going to learn visually with the map and by doing—hopefully after today things will stick."

Miriam nodded. "I certainly hope so." She followed Severus down the Dungeon Corridor. As they walked, Miriam surveyed their surroundings. "I never thought I'd be living in the dungeons under a lake," Miriam mused before she sighed heavily.

"Is Beauxbatons less austere?" Severus asked, a hint of sarcasm in his words.

Miriam rolled her eyes. "Well, it's a palace, if that tells you anything. Our common room and dormitories here are lovely, but the dungeon itself is quite austere, yes."

They began to walk up the tight spiral staircase. Severus didn't know what to say, so he kept quiet. He put all his concentration on maintaining a good amount of space between them; the spiral was so tight that without distance he'd have Miriam's bum stuck in his face the whole time, and that would be awkward.

At last, the pair reached the top of the stairs and stood side-by-side in the Viaduct Entrance. Miriam took in the large windows and high ceiling before her eyes were drawn to the center of the room. A large Hogwarts Crest was carved into the stone floor. Miriam walked over and stood on the large H in the center, while Severus remained where he was and watched her silently.

After looking at each of the houses that surrounded her, Miriam looked over to find Severus watching her, a questioning look on his face. "I'm just thinking about what Professor Slughorn said yesterday," Miriam told Severus. She stepped over to the Slytherin quarter of the crest and looked at the other three houses.

Severus walked over and joined Miriam on the Slytherin piece. "What was it like, having the Hat take so much time with you?" he asked.

Miriam thought about his question for a moment before she answered. "It was uncomfortable, and exhausting. The Hat touched on things I've never told anyone, and that unnerved me. He likes to argue, too," Miriam said with a small laugh. "The first house he touched on was Ravenclaw, but I was adamant about not going there."

Severus remembered the conversation he had with Rosier, and his comment about her brother being a Ravenclaw. "What was the next house?"

Miriam's face took on an exasperated expression. "Gryffindor." Severus chuckled drily, and Miriam chanced a glance at him before turning her attention back to the crest. "I couldn't see myself there, even if Professor McGonagall is their Head of House. The Hat and I argued a bit more over him sorting me there."

Severus nodded. "So, the real debate was between Hufflepuff and Slytherin?" Miriam nodded and Severus raised an eyebrow. "That's—"

"Strange?" Miriam interjected.

Severus hesitated. "I was actually going to say interesting, but strange also works."

"I don't think you realize how many times you've used the adjective strange to describe me, or my actions since we've met," Miriam said to Severus as she looked at him. "It's a bit hurtful, even if it is truthful."

Severus' eyes clouded slightly as he frowned; once again, he didn't quite know what to say. Suddenly, Miriam's wand was in her hand. Before Severus could follow her gaze, she'd wordlessly cast her spell and disarmed the person behind them. His shock at her nonverbal magic quickly changed to anger once Severus turned and narrowed his eyes at Potter, Black, Lupin, and Pettigrew.

Miriam caught Potter's wand in her left hand and kept hers trained at the four, but particularly Sirius, as his wand was drawn. "Put your wand away Sirius," Miriam said sternly. Sirius scowled at Miriam and tightened his grip on the slender piece of wood. Lupin and Pettigrew stood slightly to the side, while Potter's eyes shifted from Sirius to Miriam. Miriam tried again. "It seems you never learn your lesson. Put your wand away, Sirius, if you know what's good for you."

Through his anger, Severus wondered how she knew Sirius well enough to use his first name. He tabled that thought as Lupin looked critically at Miriam, then turned to Sirius.

"Sirius, lower your wand," he implored quietly.

"What?! No!" Sirius hissed as he stared at Miriam.

"Damnit, Sirius, Miriam's not playing! She's wearing her Doc Marten's and if she doesn't hex you, she'll give you a right kicking the old-fashioned way!"

Miriam grinned wickedly at Lupin's words. "Too right. Ask Remus how it worked out for Archie."

Sirius hesitated, but did not lower his wand. He cast a quick glance at Remus, who folded his arms and said, "I don't think he'll ever have kids after what Miriam did."

"I did the world a favor. There are already too many stupid people breeding," Miriam shot back. "Make your choice, Sirius." Sirius swallowed hard, looked at Remus, and dropped his wand. He angrily stuffed it in his pocket. "Good boy," Miriam cooed mockingly as she lowered her wand but did not pocket it.

Miriam crossed her arms and looked shrewdly at the three boys across from her. She looked over at Remus. "Hi, Remus," Miriam said as she smiled brightly. "Is this your group?"

"Yeah," Remus said. He shifted his weight to his other foot and rubbed the back of his neck with his left hand.

"Huh." Miriam looked and sounded unimpressed. Her expression changed to a skeptical one. "I pictured them differently, in my head. Less…motley."

"That's rich, coming from someone hanging out with Snivellus Greasy," Sirius sneered. Pettigrew and Potter snickered and Lupin lowered his eyes to the floor, but said nothing.

Miriam stole a glance at Severus' pissed off face, then she tilted her head and pursed her lips together. Since her arrival at Hogwarts, Miriam had avoided Sirius like Dragon Pox; the two were oil and water, and never got on despite their family's best efforts to make them. Miriam decided she was going to make Sirius regret his words, simply because she could. "I don't get it," Miriam said, and she made sure to sound confused.

"Oh, come on, Miriam, it's a joke," Sirius rolled his eyes at the witch.

"Jokes are supposed to be funny by definition," Miriam replied. "What's funny about what you just said?"

"Are you being serious right now?" Sirius asked Miriam. "I mean—," here Sirius made a sweeping gesture at Severus as though that would explain everything.

"Well, Sirius, only three people here out of six laughed. So, either your delivery is shite, or you aren't joking." Miriam's eyes narrowed. "I don't think you are joking, and I also think the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Your snide remark sounds exactly like something that'd come out of your mum's mouth."

Anger clouded Sirius' face. As his face turned red, Miriam noticed a vein on his temple pop up. She knew comparing Sirius to his parents would set him off. She decided to take it a step further. "Then again, your mum at least has the stones to admit she's being malicious," Miriam added quietly. Sirius turned a shade that Miriam didn't know was possible for humans, and she smirked.

"That's pretty out of pocket," Miriam heard the boy she disarmed say loudly.

Miriam frowned and looked at him. She took note of his messy black hair and round glasses as he puffed himself up in an attempt to intimidate her. Miriam rolled her eyes. "You must be James Potter. Deflate yourself; you aren't a cobra, and I'm far from impressed," Miriam said flatly. "Frankly, if I wanted your opinion, I'd have given it to you." She stared hard at James until he got so uncomfortable, he snapped.

"What are you staring at me for?" James demanded.

"I'm thinking. I haven't decided if I'm going to toss your wand down the staircase—maybe you could use the time you waste looking for it to reflect on how you shouldn't be a coward and raise your wand to another person's back. Or, will I be polite and give your wand to Remus?" Miriam inhaled deeply, then exhaled, her decision made. "Today's your lucky day, Potter. Seeing as how Severus and I are on an errand for Professor Slughorn, we need to get on, and you've wasted enough of our time."

Miriam twirled Potter's wand around her fingers and held it out to Remus with the handle extended. Remus took the wand from Miriam. "I guess I'll see you later?" Remus asked shyly.

"You will," Miriam said confidently. She turned to Severus and nodded towards the Tapestry Corridor. As they started to walk away, Sirius just had to get in the last word.

"You know, Miriam, I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave," Sirius called after her.

Severus saw Miriam's cheeks tinge red as she caught his double meaning. She turned around and continued walking backwards. "Keep staring at my ass, Black. It puts you in prime position to kiss it." Miriam flipped him off with both hands, and Severus' eyes about bugged out of his head at seeing her pull off such a rude gesture.

They left the four in the Viaduct Entrance and walked down the Tapestry Corridor. She loved this part of the castle, but Miriam was too angry to appreciate all the beautiful art on the walls. She stopped walking and looked at Severus; he still appeared angry as well.

"What was all that about?" Miriam hissed at Severus.

"I was about to ask you the same thing," Severus clapped back.

Miriam hesitated. Obviously, there was history amongst the five that Miriam wasn't privy to. Then again, the same was true on her side regarding Sirius and Remus. Her anger was too fresh to have an objective conversation, Miriam realized. "Look. Can we set aside what just happened and talk about it later? I'm too mixed up right now, and I really do want to learn from you about the castle."

Severus thought about Miriam's words. "Fine," Severus decided. "Take me to the Transfiguration classroom." He folded his arms and looked pointedly at Miriam.

Miriam straightened and pulled out her map and wand. "Follow me, good Sir," Miriam said theatrically.

An hour later, Miriam and Severus exited the main doors of the castle. They decided to take a break from the inside and walk the grounds for a bit. Severus really put Miriam through it; he had her going from classroom to classroom as they walked their schedule. Then, Severus mixed it up and had her navigate to random places he demanded she take him. Miriam's legs felt tired, but Severus told her they would explore more of the castle after the grounds and dinner.

They walked down the stairs and across the sweeping lawn towards Hagrid's hut. "How am I doing?" Miriam asked Severus.

"You're doing well. A better question would be, how do you think you're doing?" Severus asked.

Miriam looked at her map. "Everything makes so much more sense to me now that I have this map. I owe you one, Severus," Miriam mused. "Do you like biscuits?" she asked abruptly.

"Well, yes," Severus answered.

"What's your favorite?"

"Either hobnobs or jammie dodgers."

"Strawberry or raspberry jammies?" Miriam asked.

"Yes," Severus answered confidently. He smirked at Miriam as she laughed.

"The best answer is both," Miriam agreed. "Perhaps I shall make you some biscuits then, as a thank you."

"I didn't know you baked."

"I don't just bake, Severus. I bake deliciously," Miriam stated piously.

The pair skirted the Forbidden Forest, and began to climb a hill. They stopped at the top; out of breath, Miriam inhaled deeply as she glanced back down the hill. "Merlin's beard, I need to get outside more," Miriam said as she took in another large breath of air. Severus nodded as he caught his breath, his cheeks pink from exertion. "Oh, that's beautiful!" Miriam breathed when she turned to look at the view.

Severus looked out over the loch and the trees that surrounded them. It was beautiful, and Severus realized he really should be more appreciative; he'd taken Hogwarts for granted since it was so familiar to him. Miriam's fresh eyes made him see several things differently today.

Miriam walked over and sat down by an outcropping of rock. She leaned against it, brought her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. "Is taking a break allowed?" she asked Severus.

Severus rolled his eyes and sat beside Miriam on the ground, his legs out in front of him. Miriam rested her chin on her knees and gazed out at the loch. Several minutes passed, then Miriam turned her head and looked at Severus. "Are you a snitch, Severus?"

Severus gave Miriam a weird look. "Hardly. What the hell kind of question is that?"

"Oh, thank Merlin!" Miriam's eyes lit up as she reached for her cloak. She dug around in her cloak pocket and pulled out a silver filigreed case. It was thin and long; Miriam opened the hinged lid and pulled out a fag. "I figured you weren't, but I had to ask." She cupped her hand around the cigarette and lit it magically. Severus watched as she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. As Miriam exhaled, the scent of cloves filled the air. "Do you smoke?" Miriam asked Severus.

"No," Severus answered.

Miriam gave him a measured look, before a sly smile crossed her lips. She took another drag and offered the cigarette to Severus. He looked at the fag, then at Miriam. "Go on, give it a go," Miriam teased.

Gingerly, Severus grasped the cigarette between his thumb and pointer finger. He put it to his lips and inhaled. It wasn't an unpleasant sensation, until the air he drew in hit his lungs. It kicked off a coughing fit which had Severus doubled over as he hacked his lungs out. He handed the fag back to Miriam. "I don't see the appeal," Severus wheezed out as he shook his head.

Miriam smiled wryly. "Best you don't start. Then you don't have to quit," she added.

"Maybe if you quit, you wouldn't be so out of breath climbing hills and such," Severus pointed out.

Miriam shrugged as she took another drag. "Perhaps," Miriam conceded. "However, this is my vice, and you can pry this fag out of my cold, dead hands, thank you very much. Besides, you were just as out of breath as I was." Miriam reached into her pocket once more and pulled out a sack of assorted nuts and dried fruit. "Hold out your hand," Miriam instructed Severus.

He did so, and Miriam shook some of the mix into his hand. Miriam finished her cigarette while Severus ate quietly beside her. For several minutes, the pair enjoyed the view and the silence, each lost in their own contemplation.

Miriam vanished the remains of her fag as she spoke. "So, Severus Snape, if you don't smoke, what vices do you have? Do you drink?" Severus frowned and shook his head no. "Well, I've seen you work, so I know you aren't slothful. You don't eat much, either, so that leaves out gluttony as well." Miriam took a handful of mix and chewed thoughtfully as she looked at Severus.

"It sounds like you're just naming the Seven Deadly Sins," Severus interjected.

"Isn't that basically what a vice is?" Miriam asked with a small laugh. She shifted against the rock and crossed her legs. "I'm assuming pride is one, given we're both Slytherin. Oh, I know! Is it lust? Have you left a trail of heartbroken witches behind you these past five years?" Miriam teased.

"Hardly," Severus scoffed with a deep scowl. "You caught a glimpse of what I put up with just this afternoon," Severus said darkly.

"We're back on that now, hmm?" Miriam said quietly.

"It's not my fault you've been avoiding the conversation. You said later, and that's now." Severus gave Miriam a measured look. "Besides, it's rather hypocritical of you to say that, given the running around you've got up to in your short time here."

Miriam's pale eyes widened, then narrowed as she looked hard at the wizard beside her. "What the hell are you on about?" Miriam spat out. Severus sat straighter and gave Miriam an impassive stare. Recognition dawned across Miriam's face. "Are you talking about Regulus?"

"And Lupin," Severus said curtly. Severus had braced himself for Miriam's outburst of anger, but instead, the witch went another way. Severus watched as Miriam began to laugh.

"Oh, Gods," Miriam managed to get out between laughs. She saw Severus' confusion, and took several deep breaths to reign herself back in. "You seriously think I'm seeing Remus? Oh, no, no, no," Miriam shook her head in disbelief.

"Well, it certainly looked that way in the courtyard," Severus said silkily.

Miriam sighed. "Remus was just taking the piss, Severus. He knows how unhappy I've been, and he was just trying to cheer me up."

"How do you know Lupin?" Severus asked.

"We are neighbors—well, were, I guess—seeing as how I don't live with my parents anymore," Miriam explained. "Dating him would be like dating my brother," Miriam added as she wrinkled her nose in distaste.

Severus looked shrewdly at Miriam. "And Regulus?"

"You're such a Nosy Nelly," Miriam drawled. "All Pureblood families know each other, Severus. I see him and Sirius when Gramie drags me along on her social calls."

"Is that how you knew what to say to rile Black up?" Severus asked.

Miriam noticed the grin Severus couldn't suppress. "Yeah," Miriam said with a small laugh. "Sirius has always rubbed me the wrong way; I find Regulus much easier to relate to. He's very dear to me, like a little brother," Miriam added. Miriam looked at Severus. "I didn't realize I was being watched so closely; the rumor mill is alive and well at Hogwarts, it seems."

"It's prolific," Severus agreed.

"People will lose their minds, then, when Regulus kisses me on the cheek," Miriam mused. "And before you ask, no, I don't allow just anyone to greet me that way," Miriam added as she shot Severus a stern look. "Regulus has that privilege, but no one else here does."

"Not even Sirius?" Severus teased.

"Especially not Sirius! I'm sure he'd like to, but he knows I'll slap the snot out of him if he tries," Miriam declared.

"I'd like to see that," Severus muttered under his breath as he shook out some more snack mix into his hand. Miriam must have heard him, because she laughed lightly.

"We've scuffled before, believe me. He never knows when to back down," Miriam added. "Oh, speaking of earlier today, who was the rat?"

"The what?" Severus asked.

"You know, the boy that looks like a rat." Miriam held up her hands like tiny rat paws and made her teeth into an overbite.

Severus laughed at Miriam's impression. It was a spot-on description of Peter. "That was Peter Pettigrew, the Marauders' fourth-wheel. Has Lupin not spoke of him?"

"No," Miriam said with a shake of her head. "We usually don't talk about his Hogwarts friends," Miriam admitted. She went silent as she stared at her hands. At length, Miriam turned to Severus. "Shall we explore the grounds a bit more before dinner?"

"Sure," Severus agreed. He stood and waited. Miriam got up and brushed off her backside, then grabbed her cloak off the ground. "Take me to the Whomping Willow," Severus demanded once Miriam turned to look at him. Miriam gave Severus an exasperated look, but he saw the amusement in her eyes. She unfolded the map, studied it, then began to walk down the hill. Severus followed closely behind her.

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A/N: Thanks for reading!