Prologue: Exile

"I think I've seen this film before

And I didn't like the ending

I'm not your problem anymore

So who am I offending now?

You were my crown

Now I'm in exile, seein' you out

I think I've seen this film before

So I'm leavin' out the side door"

'It was perfect.'

The thought crossed pleasantly through the young teen girl's mind. She couldn't help but let the smile widen as she held onto her friend's hand, dragging him further down toward the side of the lake that was stationed where she had meticulously planned the 'late-evening-hang-out'. Most of the Hogwarts students and staff should be asleep, or too busy with grading and homework that they wouldn't be found. Sneaking around from Filch was another plan entirely she had crafted to ensure the two Hogwarts students would sneak out undetected. Luck seemed to be on her side as their efforts to sneak out went without a hitch.

"I don't understand why you went through all this trouble just to bring me to the Black Lake. It's nothing new that I've seen, Selini."

The sixth year Slytherin boy was being dragged, nearly against his will, by the hand of the Slytherin girl leading the way. Even with the twisting of his stomach, nervously hoping his palm wasn't too sweaty in her hand, the boy somehow was able to express his disapproval of surprises. His limp, inky black hair fell away from his face from the wind as they both hurried downward toward the bank of the lake, where up ahead the boy was able to make out some sort of small light from the large tree that the two would spend a lot of their free time around during the day. Granted it would be a sunny, fresh day instead of the middle of the night like it was now.

Selini was Maeve Thorne's first name and she absolutely hated it whenever someone had used it for her. She spent the good part of her third year at Hogwarts correcting (more like threatening) her peers into using her middle name. She was no fool about the obvious though; it was mainly for her very weird ability to produce wandless magic that her peers had ostracized her for.

She knew who she was and had held herself to a higher standard for her unique approach to everything in life, especially her magic ability. "Silly Selini" was a foolish nickname that didn't necessarily bring her down, only annoyed her that anyone would associate her with being illogical rather than ingenious. her strange choice of friends, choice of style, and outside-of-the-box thinking; anything they could find a reason for to outcast her she made sure to play the part out of spite.

There was only one person that used her first name that she allowed on the premise of their friendship, besides Lily Evans who only used it whenever Maeve needed a proper scolding.

Maeve stopped momentarily, they were merely feet away from the spot she had spent time setting up when she had turned to look at her friend. The moonlight highlighted his features in a milky glow, and in her opinion, accentuated them rather nicely. A strong jawline defined by the subtle light and contoured by the shadows. Hair had fallen back to show his face that was normally hidden, his dark eyes glistening like polished obsidians as he looked at her.

"Severus," she began with a sigh from their quick paced movements and having to explain herself once more. "I realize we haven't had proper time together, and I'm trying to make it up to you. Besides… don't tell me it's not a little exciting to be breaking a few rules on the account of maintaining a proper friendship, and some fun?"

Severus Snape sighed heavily through his nose and glanced downward to his side. Maeve nearly expected him to roll his eyes at her more optimistic idea of them spending time together. Instead, he looked back to her and shrugged, looking down and away again, almost agreeing with defeat that it was useless to get out of this situation now.

"I suppose it would be… nice."

"It would and will be. Now, come on and let me show you what I've brought." Maeve hadn't released her grip on Severus's hand the entire time they were looking at each other, which was partly responsible for why Severus was having a bit of difficulty looking her in the eyes. He missed in that moment the way the green in her eyes were looking almost brighter in the moonlight.

Maeve started pulling once more, not having to tug as forcefully this time as Severus was more compliant in seeing what all the fuss was about. It truly had been quite a while since the two had time to spend together. Granted, between N.E.W.T's studying, their regular work, and Maeve's newly acquired romantic relationship, the two hadn't been able to see each other as much as they wanted.

In fact due to this new romantic situation between Maeve and, to Severus's annoyance and frustration, Sirius Black, the sixth year boy took a greater hit than his fellow Slytherin thought. Maeve never shied away from telling the two Gryffindor boys that caused the abundance of his misery here at Hogwarts what she thought about their antics, nor did she mind taking it upon herself to interrupt their bullying tactics. That was when they were younger, and while Sirius Black and James Potter reigned in their terror as they grew up thanks to Maeve and Lily Evans' presence. It didn't help when neither girl was around, and the two Gryffindors made up for their terrorizing while out of sight.

Severus, at this point, had begun hiding this from both girls due to their alliances now. Convinced that it wouldn't matter what he had to say, he had to accept the idea that somehow Sirius Black and James Potter would hold a higher value in his two closest friends' minds. They weren't 11 or 12 anymore, and Severus did have other classmates this time to spend with. Albeit the company of Mulicber and Avery wasn't ideal, it took his mind off his current predicament. It was clear, at least to Severus, that he would be put on the back burner now that Maeve had been charmed by one the obnoxious members of the Black family, and Lily becoming more comfortable with associating with Potter.

To Maeve, she was trying her best to trust what Sirius said; "I'll lay off as long as he's not being the slimy git that he normally is." She could see the difference when she was around, and Severus even backed the claims that when she wasn't around, James and Sirius would leave her friend in peace. So why did that tiny voice in the back of her head, annoying as it was, tell her that all three boys were downplaying their fighting and spats on her and Lily's behalf? That Severus, of all people, was lying to her, and that's why it seemed like he was avoiding her.

"Now," Maeve said while letting go of Severus and holding out both hands, showing the setup as if a presentation to him. "How is this for a hangout?" A satisfied and triumphant smile spread across her dark red painted lips, her eyes bright with hopefulness and questioning.

Three candles, lit up the area in a soft light, giving just enough to showcase the late night picnic set up, and were lifted above with a small enchantment. It was such a simple idea, thanks to Lily's brilliant advice of trying to not make the situation overwhelming. Maeve almost wondered if the idea was too muggle-centered, and if Severus had heard about it he'd have waved it off. The only solution was to get him there to show off her little idea, so he couldn't immediately brush it off.

Severus scanned the area, taking in the two silver goblets, the two silver plates that were bare of any food, the basket that held presumably the food, the green blanket that looked nearly black if it weren't for the moonlit glow of the night. It seemed rather underwhelming for all the trouble Maeve had gone through in order to get Severus there.

"This…is?"

"What, have you never heard of a picnic before?" Maeve lightly teased; the softened Russian lilt was slightly more noticeable this time around. She didn't feel the need to adjust her pronunciation in front of Severus; something she had been teased for when she first came to Hogwarts. She could be her complete self in front of her friend without the worry of judgment. Maeve took her spot closest to the tree trunk, nearly under the candles and next to the picnic basket. Severus raised an eyebrow in skepticism but decided there was no way of getting out of it now.

He didn't want to admit that at least he was with Maeve and that he had her to himself without the interruption of any of their peers prying her away from him. No matter how hard it was to know who she kept closer to her side now.

"Of course I have," He mumbled, taking the spot across from her as he spoke. "I just figured it would be more, personable, with how you described it."

"Personable is what Severus Snape wants," Maeve chuckled, pulling back one of the flaps of the picnic basket, reaching in farther than the bottom could go ('Undetectable extension charm?' he thought) and pulled out a small bottle of a dark brown liquid inside. Maeve held it up to her and shook it lightly from side to side, giving a sly smile to Severus. "Personable is what he may have."

Maeve was known for her rebellious nature, within reason of not completely messing up her education, all work, and no play made for a moody, and miserable Maeve.

"And just what would that be, exactly?"

"Fire whiskey, all in thanks to the troublesome Gryffindors who owed me a favor."

A twitch of disgust couldn't be stopped by Severus. The thought of any of the four Gryffindors always left in him a sour mood, and while Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew weren't the worst of them, it didn't settle his agitation knowing that Black and Potter would be close by. Maeve had promised that tonight there would be no mentioning of any of them, and by the grace of Merlin, of Lily either. That was already complicated enough.

Maeve had paused when she caught his reaction, realizing her mistake, and cleared her throat lightly before trying to brush it away and put her arm back into the basket. "So now, we're able to relax a little. I have lots of snacks and finger foods too!" She hoped if she had a lighter tone then maybe the segue back to their time together would hopefully soothe her mistake.

Thus began her search through nearly the whole basket full of the foods she had acquired. Lots of candies and small cake squares from Honeydukes, tiny sandwiches from the kitchen thanks to the house elves. Fruits and veggies packed together. Soon the whole area was filled with anything they wanted to snack on and indulge in, even pumpkin juice if the Fire Whiskey wasn't that good. Truth be told, this would be both of their first times trying the Fire Whiskey, and neither knew really what to expect.

"This," Severus spoke more clearly, drawing out the word slowly. "Has all of my favorite foods, candies… you did make this personable, didn't you?" Severus mistook this at first as some half-hearted attempt, but after seeing all the work she had put into not only setting this up before they got there, but making sure they wouldn't be caught, and even bringing nearly all of his favorite snacks along with something that surely would've gotten her in quite of bit of trouble had the Fire Whiskey been found and confiscated. It dawned on him just how she was going well out of her way to show up for him.

The fluttering in his stomach, nearly ever present when Maeve was around, returned at the realization.

"Of course…" She didn't look up at him this time, finishing setting up the snacks in an aesthetically pleasing fashion. "I meant it when I said it would just be about us. I wanted you to see that I meant it, too." This time looking up at him she could see the ghost of a smile on his face as she continued to finish her setup. He brought his gaze up to her, holding it for a moment. She caught the sight of him swallowing, his Adams apple moving as he continued to try and think of what to say.

"Thank you, Selini."

"You're welcome, Severus." She replied softly, a small smile on her face as she held his gaze. It was at moments like this that Maeve could see how he truly was, someone who never expected the best from anyone and rarely saw himself worthy of a gesture of kindness, or thoughtfulness. Maeve enjoyed proving him wrong, showing him just how worthy she thought he was.

His dark eyes were almost too much to look at in the moment, something bubbling in her stomach and chest that made her feel nervous caused her to look down and around.

"Now," she said, looking over her food set up trying to find the bottle of Fire Whiskey she set to the side, along with the two goblets. "Ah! Here we go. Now, let's toast, shall we?" as she spoke, she poured the goblets and handed one to Severus, who gently took the silver goblet.

"And what should be toasting?"

"I think we should toast to us." She said, holding her goblet up, having the same soft smile on her face. "To our lifelong friendship so far, to many more years to come, and to being the most clever and cunning that Slytherin has ever seen!" She couldn't help but snicker at the end of her sentence, feeling slightly childish for her small toast speech. Severus raised his eyebrows, shaking his head as he looked down at the content of his goblet, but the same small smile on his face formed. She loved the moments where she could get him to even smirk, let alone a smile or laugh since it did wonders to show the handsome features, he had rather than his scowl.

"Yes, we've truly outdone ourselves as Slytherins' poster children, I suppose." Maeve couldn't help but laugh at his agreed response. "May our friendship live long."

The two clinked their goblets together and drank. Both teens had strange feelings in their stomachs as they spoke of their friendship. Although, it could've been the harsh Fire Whiskey sliding down their throats and settling in.

The time passed between them, enjoying their sweets and finger foods, and catching up with each other over the last few weeks. Maeve did well to avoid the red and gold elephant in the metaphorical room and only spoke of her studies, which with her known abilities she was having to work with each teacher differently again this year on how she would be able to test. It was the same as it was last year during her O.W.L's, but the stresses of accumulating more work for N.E.W.T's made last year seem like a cakewalk. She spoke of her parental issues that Severus was all too aware of.

"My father just seems so miserable; I don't understand why he wouldn't try and move on… Merlin knows that's all you can do for yourself after something like that…"

Her annoyance with Arithmancy and how her cat, Poptart, wasn't faring too well. The latter of information weighed heavier on their conversation than it did with her father's grief of his wife's infidelity, even with the uplifting of the Fire Whiskey.

Severus knew how much she adored her feline companion, having even taken to the creature himself. Poptart ("I'll never understand why you named him something so strange.") was a very calm, and cuddly cat. Though he was as independent as they came, he almost required double the affection time when it mattered to him. It was similar to Maeve's affection, which is why the two seemed like a bonded pair in Severus's and Lily's eyes. Severus could only reach over to squeeze her hand, unsure of the right words before quickly moving back to where he was.

Severus was able to talk about his struggles with keeping up with the N.E.W.T preparations, how Mulciber and Avery were keeping him extra company now ("Of all the people in our house, those two imbeciles are the ones you choose to associate with?") that since his mother's death, his father's usual unpleasant behavior seemed to ramp up from the letters he would rarely receive. This didn't bode well for the elder Snape's health at this rate, either.

Maeve apologized to him for his misfortune. He shook his head and waved her off, but it meant more to him than he could say. Severus had plenty more to say about the state of what was going on in his life, more like what was going on in his head, and normally this need to express how he was feeling would be suppressed, concealed even. Even Maeve wasn't immune to the privacy that Severus implemented in his life, however, he was proving himself a little loose-lipped by the next topic of conversation; her.

"I genuinely thought we weren't friends anymore."

There was a moment of silence before Severus broke it, and by the time he realized what he said he knew he couldn't take it back. It was almost like he didn't care if he said it or not, but the words required themselves to be told. He became aware of the heat in his cheek, whether alcohol-induced or not, vulnerability to that degree was hardly shown. Maeve was an exception when he could muster up the courage.

Maeve, who had just finished laughing a moment before at an old inside joke between them, looked up at him as she processed what he said. The air filled with silence instead of their chatter and laughter. Her eyebrows shot up for a second before a look of surprise washed over her, causing her to scoff. "There's quite a bit to take from that, Severus. What made you take such a wide jump to that conclusion?"

Maeve had her ideas of why Severus thought such a thing; Sirius Black was an easy one, somehow thinking she would spend all of her time with him or completely drop Severus after getting a boyfriend. In reality, she did seem to spend more time with Sirius than she had imagined, almost tipping the balance of equal time together in the Gyffindor's favor. Her piles of homework didn't help, and her little time with Lily and Severus was more drastic than what it had been before. Maybe a combination of the sort, but it genuinely did confuse her why he would take such a drastic perspective on their friendship.

It almost didn't make sense to Maeve why Severus would think that after everything they went through together since they were little meant so little to her. It wasn't fair to her, nor was it fair that he wouldn't even talk to her about it, but Maeve did her best to push away the slight irritation to give him a chance to explain.

Severus shifted a bit more comfortably, realizing the weight that his statement had made may have been proven to shift this entire night if he wasn't careful with what he meant. There wasn't enough Fire Whiskey in the bottle, nor the world, that would get him to admit what he truly meant by what he said, but there could be a way to turn this around in his favor.

"I know we've both been busy with our studies and our issues with family…" Severus nervously took another swig of the nearly empty goblet before finishing, his heartbeat quickening as he thought of what to say

'Don't mess this up, Severus' he thought before finishing his sentence.

"I just didn't realize how often we'd be apart and allowed my… thoughts to carry to the worst."

Maeve felt herself at ease, the feeling of understanding Severus and his idea that their ever-busy school lives meant she'd left him neglected and abandoned. Even though he'd do his best to find other words, she didn't need him to say anything different to understand where his head was at. Her previous thoughts were quieted and allowed herself to relax.

"Oh, Severus Snape." She giggled before getting to her knees, carefully (although not as gracefully) walking on her hands and knees as she continued to giggle her way over to sit right next to Severus, their bodies close that she may as well have been sitting in his lap. Maeve put one hand behind her to balance herself and the other on his forearm. Her many rings glistened in the moonlight, her face illuminated within the moon's glow highlighting even the rosy color in her cheeks, and the glassy look in her eyes that twinkled with her full smile. She looked straight at him as she spoke.

"Once our schoolwork is done, summertime comes, you'll remember this moment and think of how this was all fleeting. Compared to our lives, we have so much time together." She bit her lip while she smiled, a habit of hers when she was this comfortable and sentimental.

Severus was completely wrapped up in the fact that she was so close, her hand and body touching his own that he almost didn't hear what she said. All Severus could take in to pay attention was her smile, her normally dark green eyes lit in the light, and her voice with her peculiar accent. The way her hair was so close to him the smell of roses filtered into his sense of smell. Her whole presence made his senses vibrate with ultra-awareness.

Severus looked into her happy and mischievous eyes, feeling a smile spread across his face as he did think of their summer. They lived in the same neighborhood; no way Sirius Black could have her as much as Severus was able to. The fact that Maeve made it sound like she wasn't going anywhere, that they would always be in each other's lives no matter the situation. The smile that came across his face was partially due to the feeling of triumph, but mainly due to the thought of being able to have more time with her than anyone else.

Maeve giggled which turned into a laugh, burying her face into his shoulder in a giddy fashion. The act caused Severus to laugh as well, not entirely sure what was funny but unable to stop himself. After a moment of laughter, Maeve lifted her head in a gasp, a flash of excitement on her face as she looked at him. "You know what we should do right now?" her voice low, giving a mischievous smile.

There were plenty of things Severus was hoping whatever brilliant idea crossed her rebellious mind, most of them he was sure she would object to or even anger her, but he couldn't help but let his mind wander for a slight moment. "What, exactly, should we do?" Severus asked in his own playful way.

"We, should, dance." She impersonated his playful tone right back to him. The response was definitely not something Severus expected, his expression reflecting his confusion and surprise that Maeve couldn't help but laugh again before hoisting herself up and pulling on his forearm with both hands. "C'mon, dance with me!"

Severus wasn't exactly a dancer himself, in fact there would be no point in him knowing how to properly waltz, but even then, he wasn't sure what she had in mind with no music playing around them. His body moved without much thought though, allowing his dark-haired friend to pull him a little away from their picnic spot. "Dance? Is the Fire Whiskey getting to your head, Selini?"

"Nooo, well… maybe, but I think it'll be fun to just dance!" She took both of his hands in hers held them up and moved them back and forth between the two of them for a bit, going with whatever rhythm she thought of. Severus wasn't sure what she was expecting from him, and as foolish as he felt at the beginning of their very awkward movements, soon he was smiling and even laughing with Maeve as they continued to move together. The two teens enjoyed whatever music they made up in their heads, the sometimes random funny moves Maeve would do that left them both laughing harder than they probably should have been. It was the feeling of being free for both of them that truly made this moment special; Maeve was able to finally spend time with one of her favorite people, if not her most favorite person at Hogwarts, and Severus was alone with her and able to be truly happy.

"Okay twirl me, Severus!" She beamed holding up her hand, the teen boy meeting her hand and holding it in the air at the height she held and letting her twirl. The black dress she often sported on the weekends spun with her a few times.

"Woah!" She exclaimed before losing her footing and tripping over her own feet. Her reflexes weren't as quick as Severus, who was able to catch her and allow her to fall into him. Even with the alcohol they had for the first time evidently showed he was handling it better than her.

Maeve couldn't stop her giggling and laughter as she leaned into her friend who was surprisingly sturdy against her sudden body weight falling into him. Her arms curled in toward her chest, letting her head fall to the side on his shoulder. Severus loved this kind of laughter from her where her nose would scrunch up in giddiness. After Maeve steadied her weight more firmly on the ground and calmed her laughter she didn't move away from Severus's hold. She was far too comfortable in this position as Severus held her with both hands around her waist. The Fire Whiskey must've been losing its effect because Severus became all too aware of just how intimate this position had become, almost losing the feeling of joy he was feeling withholding her to his nerves.

"You know," she finally said before turning fully to face him, saying nothing about how his hands were now resting on her lower back. She stared up at him and took in more of his features, trying to imprint the look of his face in her memory of this moment so it could last forever. His eyes were shimmering from the bright full moon, the very light pink in his cheeks made him look alive, the way his lips were lightly parted showed classic signs of nervous Severus. She knew him too well to not notice otherwise.

"I care about you so much, Severus." The tone in Maeve's voice became serious, almost as if she were confessing something that her friend should've already known about. To Severus, this registered differently, because knowing his friend for as long as he had, he could tell when she spoke more affectionately than matter-of-factly. Severus couldn't believe the situation the two of them were in, how this night went from going back and for between anxiousness and annoyance; preparing himself for the worst and thinking this was how she would cut him off completely.

Now he was holding her in his arms, their bodies touching even closer now that she wiggled both arms to slide around his neck to hold on to him more easily. With her affection coming out so boldly rather than her subtle ways, it was like Severus had suddenly lost his voice. He was almost sure he was growing hot from the touching, closeness of their faces, instead of the Fire Whiskey now.

Her eyes were happy, her lipstick smudged from the rim of her goblet, but her smile couldn't look more delicious in Severus's eyes. Whether it was the Fire Whiskey, or some sort of magnet needing to be locked with its counterpart, the feeling that arose within Severus to act on impulsion won over his logic.

Severus moved to close the space between their faces and kissed her, almost shyly without so much as a word. There was a moment where Severus could feel Maeve pause and stiffen slightly but softened and moved to deepen the kiss between them. The way her lips were so soft against his own, the taste of Fire Whiskey on her breath made him believe this was real. Maeve moved with instincts of her own as the fluttering in her stomach became vicious waves. Severus had moved to press his arm firmly against her lower back, the other running up smoothly to the back of her neck as she deepened their impulsive kiss.

Maeve had let one arm slide down to rest upon his chest while the other cupped the side of his face, just as she had done so she couldn't control the desire to slip her tongue into his mouth. The action caught Severus off guard which caused a light moan in reaction. The sound of his voice being pleased along with him grasping the hair on the back of her neck for more control caused Maeve to whimper in pleasure as well.

'Is this seriously happening?' Her thoughts nearly broke her of her impulsive behavior to savor the moment she had thought of for quite some time. It wasn't until Severus lightly bit her lips (which did feel exciting to Maeve) that she realized what she had thought.

'Seriously… Sirius!'

"W-Wait!" She broke from him abruptly and used her hand to push him back from her, the reality of her situation sobering her quicker than any passion filled kiss could've. Her head was spinning, lips tingling and Maeve's heavy breathing all from their kissing but also from panic at the thought of her boyfriend's face popping up in her mind. A reminder of her situation, and how he would absolutely be livid to know what just happened.

A sick thought of her resembling her mother's infidelity crossed her mind.

Severus felt like he was pulled from the most preciously desired dream, the firm push from Maeve and the coolness from the absence of her lips caused him to also come back to reality in a stark nature. He looked at Maeve with confusion, even worry, before the thought had messed up clicked in his mind. "Selini… Selini, I–"

"Severus…" Her voice cracked as the guilt of her pleasure and silent betrayal overtook her, putting a hand over her mouth to try and hold back the tears creeping into her eyes and the sob that accompanied them. This type of behavior not only disgusted her but reminded her over and over of the broken heart her father had after what her mother did to him. To the household. It didn't help that this kiss was something that made her feel so good, so lost in their touches. It was a battleground with her emotions in her mind, the creep of a headache conjuring itself within.

Severus couldn't have imagined this going worse than what had occurred.

"I-I wasn't thinking, Selini, I'm sorry–"

"Severus, what just happened?!" Maeve's voice rose as she put her hand over her chest to try and ease her beating heart. There was too much happening in her head to think as calmly as possible. Severus Snape just kissed her so passionately, and she was in a very public relationship with his enemy, Sirius Black.

"Selini, please listen to me, I just felt… I just wanted to–"

"Severus, I'm with someone–"

"You're with an arrogant, idiotic–"

"I'm with someone I care about, Severus!" Maeve was losing composure quickly, shaking her head as the tears fell down her cheek. Maeve was a lot of things; she didn't care what a lot of people thought of her and would in fact encourage the strangest gossip on the principle of "humor". Strange, evil, heathen, bitchy even, but there was one thing Maeve was not and that was disloyalty. She was not unfaithful to those she dubbed worthy of her alliance or friendship, let alone her romantic partner. She couldn't stand the idea of breaking a solid principle she had no problem living by. She swore to herself after her family was broken from her mother's selfish desires that she would never be deceitful, a traitor, or a cheat to anyone she cared for. Now, this was compromised by someone she truly cared about and would've never guessed would put her in such a position.

He knew of her broken home and yet subsequently put her in such a traumatic position.

Severus took a step back from her outburst, but possibly from how her words stung him. She just told him she cared about him, too, so why was it not enough for her to see him the same way she saw Sirus Black?

"You care so much about him after all he's done to me? To you for that matter?"

"People change, Severus–"

"He hasn't changed at all!" Severus was coming out of his own startled feelings in retort. He couldn't hide it from her anymore. "He's still mocking me and making me look out to be a fool! He just lies to you about it and you… of all things, you believe him!"

Maeve looked at him dumbfounded, not sure what to believe. Was this just an attempt to sway her to his side of the situation, or was he telling her the truth? All of these feelings mixed together at once, it was almost too much for her to even stand there anymore. Maeve shook her head, not wanting to believe her trust was ruined by Sirius or her ruining it by allowing herself–no–encouraging this kissing by doing it back. Maeve felt her stomach turn in a nauseous way.

"I can't do this." She finally spoke before turning away to the picnic area and making quick strides toward everything she brought. She had to get everything and get out as quickly as she could, to run away from this whole problem that arose. There was tingling in her fingertips that enveloped in the red energy and glowed as she headed there. With her heightened emotions it was almost too easy to extend her energy to the items strewn about, lift them along with the lid, and throw them all within the basket with clattering sounds and dishes clanking, and shattering, as they were thrown in. The candles blew out from the rush of wind that carried them.

"Selini, you won't believe me?" Severus felt a pain in his chest that he could only associate with his disbelief and rejection of her reaction. After everything they had been through, she wouldn't even listen to what was happening?

"I don't know what to believe anymore!" She snapped back as she turned fully to him, reaching down to yank the basket up before looking back at him. Her eyes were fiery, and if not mistaken by Severus he looked at her as if wincing in pain, a light glow of red in them no doubt from the recent display of her magic. All of her emotions boiled in the single one that she knew quite well, anger. Even seeing Severus in such a pained expression would normally have her do anything she could to fix whatever damage was done. This time her hurt and anger were in control of her.

"First you tell me everything is fine, Sirius tells me the same, now you're snogging me after weeks of what felt like you were avoiding me, and finish with telling me what I've been told are lies?-"

"-None of this would've happened if you'd just told him no!" Severus cut the distance between them quickly thanks to his long legs. He towered over her as usual, but this time it wasn't in the protective and almost comforting way that she was used to. "If you actually cared you'd never let him be anywhere near you the way that he is!"

Maeve wanted to deny it immediately, pursing her lips and shaking her head and unable to look at him she hung her head in denial. Deep down she knew that he was right. She should've gone against her better judgment. "So, now you think you mean nothing to me?" She lifted her head and met his gaze with her look of disgust. "Now, you tell me I don't care about you. Guess I was only telling you the truth when you could get something out of it, right?" Her voice lowered but was firm.

Severus scoffed and automatically reached to pinch the bridge of his nose, unable to comprehend how she was able to skip from one conclusion to the other. "How can you be so brilliant yet so completely oblivious to logic all in that brain of yours?"

"I'm not the one forgetting their place." She retorted cooly.

Severus's face contorted in disbelief at her hypocrisy. "Yet, you are the one to bring me here, bring whiskey and cozy up to me? I wonder just how Black favored the idea you must've told him about?"

Of course, Maeve didn't exactly tell Sirius about her plans with Severus, more so avoided the reason why she wanted the Fire Whiskey and kept on about how "you owed me one, anyway." At the time she felt guilty for how she skipped around questions, but Maeve knew she wasn't up to no good. She knew she was faithful, and even the idea of Severus actually making a move was ridiculous to her anyway, let alone the idea of her accepting the said move. However, her dodgy behavior came full circle with what events had just played out for her. Was she more deceptive to those she was loyal to than she thought?

It was the tone that Severus used and what the implications behind it meant that hurt her the most. She stared at him til the look in her eyes turned into a glare. To look at someone she just spent her late night with such distaste pained her. It made her heart hurt, and that was a more powerful emotion that overtook her and once again was displayed in tears that could not be stopped.

"I just wanted to see you… and be with you–"

"But not enough to just be with me, then?" The words slipped from his mouth before he could stop himself. As heated as the argument had become, he felt where they stood mattered more. He had to know what her true feelings were about him. If this is how the ship went down, then at least he had a clear understanding…

Maeve's expression changed and melted into a shocked expression that left her speechless. Her mouth dry from such a direct question that she couldn't even process where to begin on how to answer. "W-what do yo–"

"Don't play dumb, Selini, it was never a good look on you when you tried." The quick witted, harsh Severus Snape had addressed her this time. The person he'd display to predominantly anyone other than Maeve or Lily. Yet now, the sharp tongue had a mind of its own in self-defense of his dignity, and heart.

Maeve winced from the tone and broke eye contact, looking to the side while trying to find the best words to answer his question. There was always something there with Severus that Maeve couldn't quite explain. As hidden as Devil's Snare it could only survive within the dark of her mind, any time she brought it to light the subject of her feelings about Severus would only hurt or kill those feelings.

There was plenty about Severus that Maeve liked, even loved, about him. Just as much as there were things that she didn't care for at all. It was true she would be there for him no matter what, but Severus's passive nature on trying to defend himself was quite frankly irksome to Maeve. Not because she ended up having to save the day, but because she saw what he was capable of doing and couldn't understand why he would be so yielding to the harassment he received.

She had caught herself many times thinking that the little effort he had to stand up for himself was weak and had to brush it off to not sit on such a cruel mindset. It was Severus after all, someone who had been ever present in her life. Someone who didn't have anyone else other than Lily and Maeve.

"You're not making this easy for me, Severus–"

"Don't give me that, it is an easy question, do you choose me or Black?" There was no sound of patience in his voice, if anything it was a plea for her to just spill her answer. If she truly felt the same as him then they could maybe they could make this whole night turn around, but if she didn't then he needed her to break him. Shatter his heart in order to sever the tie to try and live without her.

How could he not understand? How could he possibly not comprehend the position she was in now because of him? The disgrace of disloyalty was repugnant to her. Her morales were being compromised all because of a passionate kiss, and his demands for clarity in a friendship that wasn't going to change!

'A friendship that was only that way because of you.' Maeve shook her head and tightly closed her eyes, more tears streaming down as the makeup burned her eyes. She couldn't possibly shame herself; she knew she was in the right by choosing someone other than Severus. It may have been vanity, Maeve justifying herself that she wanted the best out of everything in life, but she was being true to herself.

'Are you really being true to yourself if you have to lie?' That ugly voice wouldn't shut up.

"Severus…" Maeve tried her best to hold this round of tears in, but with her emotions being all over the place, it was proving useless once again. "... I can't be with you." Her voice sounded small and spoke the words before could stop herself.

The break wasn't clean enough for Severus. "Can't, or won't?" His voice lowered with a tone of antagonization. Any hope left within him had to die or it would drive him mad.

Maeve winced painfully before a sob escaped her. She couldn't bring up how she saw him. She knew he didn't have an easy life, but why couldn't he do more for himself? Why couldn't he just stand up and be braver? Do something more than just hiding from the world? It wasn't like he didn't have anyone to look up to since she was with him through this journey of life. It wasn't like he wasn't incapable of great magic. Yet, this was a big reason why she was charmed by Sirius. The difference in the two made it an easy decision for her head. Thinking with her heart would be harder.

As more tears slid down, drawing lines of murky black down her face before she opened her eyes and spoke. "I won't."

"Why?" Severus pushed further.

At this point, Maeve decided that she would rather be known as vain than to betray the loyalty of her lover. Even if it meant being stuck on her moral high ground.

"Siris may be arrogant, and foolish, and yes even immature at times but at least I can see he's going somewhere in life." Maeve bit back, practically snarling at Severus now. "He knows what he wants and doesn't hesitate to go for it, he'll achieve anything he wants because he gets it done. He doesn't just wait for a moment to sneak and get what he wants by deception!" Maeve took a step forward her face glowering.

"He isn't a coward, like you."

There it was, a clean break for Severus to be free. It didn't hurt any less by no means hearing her say those words, nor did her tears bring him any type of spiteful satisfaction as they should have for causing him this sadness. It wasn't like the love he had for her was going to disappear that very moment.

'A coward…' the word haunting his mind like a ghost desperately wanting to be heard.

His tears prickled their way into his eyes which expressed loss. His throat tightened as his chest ached, hands squeezing tightly by his side, and he accepted his fate. Before his tears could fall, he turned away from her.

"Thank you, for proving to me how right I was." The sound in his voice betrayed composure, and before anything else could be said from her Severus stormed away from her. He couldn't bring himself to hear anything more from her.

Maeve instantly regretted the words she told him. She called out to him, once and then again even louder in desperation. All she could do was watch as he quickly disappeared toward the castle. With her grief hitting her hard in her chest she couldn't stand anymore, overcome by her choices, her words, and what he left with. Maeve dropped the basket and fell, holding her arms to her chest in a feeble attempt to comfort herself.

She had let go of Severus Snape with claw marks on his memory.

A/N: It's been years since I've written anything that's inspired me so much! After a dream I had about our favorite grumpy, tragic anti-hero I haven't been able to do much of anything else. The prologue is set during the Maurader's era, and chapter one will reintroduce Maeve during The Goblet of Fire.

This is going to be a slow burn, enemies to lovers' type of story. As you've read above the two Slytherin's are not on good terms after their falling out, but people change, and now that they'll be in their 30's when they meet it'll give them much time to reflect upon the past events. This story is going to focus a lot on the relationship aspect to Severus and Maeve, but of course showcasing action and adventure. Some canon events will change (because... why not? It's my fanficition spin-off lol) and potential character deaths are in store. Just not the characters you may think at first. ;)

I hope you all enjoy the story of Maeve and Severus being completely tortured lovers.

With much thanks and love,

TJ 3