Narcissa stood at the edge of the Black Lake, the cool breeze ruffling her platinum blonde hair. The serenity of the water offered little solace. Her thoughts were heavy, weighed down by the looming expectations of her family. OWLs were done, and she had two more years before her family arranged her marriage. The uncertainty gnawed at her. Maybe they would finalize the contract by her seventh year. These were times of war; everyone was rushing into decisions more than ever.

She sighed, her gaze drifting to a figure sitting by the lake, looking morose. Severus Snape. He was staring at the water with an intensity that made Narcissa's patience wear thin.

"Quit thinking about that mudblood," she snapped, her voice sharper than intended. She slowly walked to him.

Severus scowled, his dark eyes meeting hers with a mixture of anger and hurt. Narcissa wasn't a stranger to that gaze. He had that gaze pinned most of the times. "Lily is not a mudblood," he retorted.

Narcissa rolled her eyes. She didn't understand the fixation Severus had with Lily Evans. Their friendship had shattered after he called her that name. Yet here he was, pining over a girl who would never reciprocate his feelings.

"You need to stop putting her on a pedestal, Severus," Narcissa said, crossing her arms. She stood over him as she looked at him with a frown. "She's never going to give you the time of day."

Severus's face darkened considerably. "You don't know her like I do."

"And you clearly don't know her at all if you think she'll ever come around," Narcissa replied scathingly. Maybe, he did need to hear the cold truth. Else, he would be moping and pining all his life. "She's already distancing herself from you. Can't you see that?"

Severus flinched but remained silent, his gaze dropping back to the lake. Narcissa felt a pang of something—pity, perhaps—but she pushed it aside. He needed to hear the harsh truth, even if it hurt.

"You'll never win her love, Severus. You're too different. She's moving on, and you're stuck here, moping."

Severus clenched his fists, the knuckles turning white. For a moment, Narcissa thought he might lash out, but then he sighed, the fight leaving his body. "I know," he said quietly. "I know that."

Narcissa's eyes softened, just a little. It was really sad actually. "Then stop torturing yourself over her. Focus on what you can control."

Severus nodded slowly, his eyes still on the water. "It's just… hard."

"I know it is," Narcissa said, her tone less harsh. "But you'll find your way. Just… let her go."

Severus looked at her, really looked at her, for the first time. "Maybe you're right," he said finally. "Maybe it's time I did."

Narcissa nodded, feeling a strange sense of relief. "Good. Now, let's get back to the castle. We've got more important things to focus on. The train's leaving tomorrow morning. I still have to pack many items."

Severus stood, his shoulders a little less slumped than before. As they walked back together, Narcissa couldn't help but hope that he would take her words to heart. They all had their battles to fight, and sometimes, the hardest ones were within themselves.

As they made their way back to the castle, the silence between them grew less oppressive, almost comfortable. Narcissa glanced sideways at Severus, a small smirk tugging at her lips.

"Why are we friends again?" she asked, her tone light and teasing. Something very few people in the Earth got privilege of. She knew what his response was going to be. Still, it didn't help but make things all funnier.

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Maybe because you go Ice Queen on everyone else," he replied dryly.

Narcissa laughed, a sound that was rare for her these days. "I don't go Ice Queen on you, though."

Severus frowned slightly. "That's because I teach you potions. The only reason you're going to get Outstanding in your OWLs."

Narcissa's smirk widened. "Oh, so it's purely transactional then? You tolerate me because I'm a good student?"

Severus shook his head, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips as he looked at her. "I tolerate you because you actually listen when I explain something. Unlike certain other Slytherins."

Narcissa rolled her eyes. "Always the dimwits with you. But seriously, I appreciate the help. Potions isn't exactly my strong suit."

"It is now," Severus corrected her. "You've gotten much better."

Narcissa's expression softened, and she gave him a genuine smile. "Thanks, Severus. I guess I owe you one."

Severus shrugged. "Just don't start messing up now that the exams are over. I have a reputation to uphold."

Narcissa laughed again, the tension between them all but evaporated. "I'll do my best not to tarnish your good name, then."

Narcissa flipped through the latest edition of Witch Weekly. She enjoyed these brief moments of solitude, even though the train was full of students heading home for the summer. The term had officially ended and they had rest for some months. It had been an hour since they had left Hogsmeade station. There were many hours still left before they reached London though.

The door slid open, and Severus dropped onto the seat opposite her with a groan.

She raised an eyebrow without looking up from her magazine. "Rosier and his gang again?"

Severus confirmed with another groan, rubbing his temples wearily. "They never shut up. Same old drivel about mudbloods, the Dark Lord, and how they're going to take over the world."

Narcissa glanced up, her lips twitching into a slight smile as she looked at his annoyed expression. "I thought you might have enjoyed that."

Severus laughed, a rare sound that made her smile widen more. He never laughed like this with others. Maybe, it was why she considered their friendship special. "We both know my faith in that nonsense is near non-existent. Besides, I'm a half-blood. I'm better than nearly everyone in our year and the years above us in a duel. But it doesn't mean I enjoy listening to their stupidity."

Narcissa rolled her eyes. "Keep your inflated ego in check, Severus."

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, the train's rhythmic clatter filling the cabin. Severus stared out the window, lost in thought, before breaking the silence. "So, what are you doing this summer?"

Narcissa sighed, closing her magazine as she looked at the boy. "Bellatrix is getting married in December. I'll be home, helping with the preparations and such. Nothing new, really."

Severus nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds busy."

Narcissa tilted her head. "And you? Any plans?"

Severus shrugged. "Just the usual. Maybe try to make some money."

Narcissa nodded, knowing Severus was always tight on funds. It was apparent from his worn clothes and second-hand items. She decided to lighten the mood. "Maybe you should invent something grand and sell it for a fortune."

Severus looked at her, puzzled for a moment. "What do you mean?"

Narcissa sighed, realizing he hadn't heard the story. "You know how Fleamont Potter invented that hair care product? Sleekeazy hair potion. He made tons of money with it. You could do something like that. You're brilliant with potions, Severus. Imagine creating a product everyone wants."

Severus's eyes lit up as if a switch had been flipped. He had considered the idea before but never quite in this light. "You're right... How could I have been so stupid!... I've always thought about inventing some miraculous potion and selling it. But maybe... maybe I should start with something smaller. Something like a product against baldness or something trivial yet essential."

Narcissa nodded encouragingly. "Exactly. Start small and build from there. You'll never have to worry about money again." Maybe, he did get the gist of it.

Severus seemed to be lost in thought, his eyes distant. Narcissa watched him for a moment before snapping her fingers in front of his face. "Where did you zone off to?"

He blinked, coming back to the present. "Just... thinking. You're right. Maybe I should start with something more practical."

Narcissa smiled, pleased that her idea had sparked something in him. "Good. You've got the talent, Severus. Just need to put it to use."

Severus nodded, a determined look settling on his face. Narcissa could see the determination in his eyes. He was clearly thinking on some things. "Thanks, Narcissa. I'll think about it seriously."

She leaned back, opening her magazine again. "Anytime. Just remember me when you're rich and famous."

Severus snorted, but there was a genuine smile on his face. "I'll try not to forget the little people."

Narcissa laughed, the sound mingling with the steady rhythm of the train. For a moment, everything felt lighter, the weight of their respective burdens easing just a bit.

Narcissa closed her magazine and looked up at Severus, a sudden thought crossing her mind. "How are you getting home, Severus?"

They both knew what she was referring to. Severus always hitched a ride with the Evans family, but with his friendship with Lily over, that was no longer an option.

Severus shifted uncomfortably. "I've been saving up. The others pay for potions tuition, and I've made some extra brewing potions for the upper years—like calming draughts for the NEWTs. It's given me about 400 galleons by the end of the year."

Narcissa whistled, impressed. "That's quite a sum. But then again, most of the Slytherins come from well-to-do families. So Knight Bus?"

Severus nodded slowly. "Yeah."

It was a moment, before Severus added. "You know, I've been thinking about what you said, about creating something practical. I have some plans now, thanks to your insight."

Narcissa leaned forward curiously. She couldn't help but think of what he could have thought of "What are you thinking?"

Severus hesitated momentarily. "It's risky, but it could be worth it. I'm not sure how much it will pay off in the end, but it's a start."

Narcissa raised an eyebrow. "Risky how? It's not illegal, is it?"

Severus fell silent for a moment, his gaze dropping to the floor. Finally, he sighed. "It's bordering on certain things. If only I didn't have the Trace, it would be a lot easier."

Narcissa's expression softened. She knew how the Trace limited underage wizards. "There are ways to bypass the Trace," she said thoughtfully after a moment.

Severus looked up, intrigued. "How?" He knew of the ones in magical areas. That was obvious.

Narcissa leaned back, considering how to explain. He might know of the magical places interfering with the trace. "The Trace is designed to detect magic performed by underage wizards in non-magical places. But in magical places, like Hogsmeade or wizarding homes, it gets muddled. The Ministry can't pinpoint who did what spell."

Severus nodded. That was common knowledge for every upper year student.

"Exactly," Narcissa continued. "But there's more. Magic performed by creatures, like house elves, doesn't register on the Trace at all."

Severus's eyes widened a little. Now that certainly was a surprise. "You mean... I could use a house elf to perform the magic for me?"

Narcissa nodded. "It's a loophole. House elves can perform magic without setting off the Trace. It's how some pure-blood families get around certain restrictions. You fill the paperwork and then they can do it for you."

Severus's mind was clearly racing with possibilities. "But where would I get a house elf? They're not exactly common." He could actually use this loophole. It was a tricky one, but he could actually do it.

Narcissa smirked. "There are ways. Some families might be willing to lend you one if you offer them something in return. Or you could find other ways to work with them."

Severus nodded, absorbing the information. "I hadn't thought of that. It could work."

Narcissa reached across and placed a hand on his arm. "Just be careful, Severus. It's one thing to bend the rules, but don't get caught up in something you can't handle."

He gave her a small, grateful smile. Her advice was mostly sound, but then again, she had the advantage of being in a perfectly magical home. "I'll be careful, Narcissa. Besides, the Ministry's focused on Dark Lord."

She looked at him softly before sighing aloud. "Anytime. Just remember, sometimes the simplest solutions are the best."

Severus nodded, a determined look settling on his face once more. They sat in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts, the rhythmic clatter of the train providing a comforting background noise.

The ride was comfortable. Each with their own thoughts and struggles as they went back to their homes.