Hey! I want to say thank you to all of you, this story has made it passed the 5000 views, and it means a lot! *hands out cookies and drinks* You guys are all awesome, those who follow, review, favorite... Now let's try to get the review bar up a bit, and get to the 10000 views soon.

HP+Me= Not mine or any other line or scenes from the movies or books

15. Sixth year ends.

The night was short. The next morning Severus woke up before his friends. He remembered the meeting with Eva at eight in front of the small potion lab. He quickly got dressed and left the dorms. Severus hoped that Eva's mother didn't send her some prank books or anything related to pranks in general, although it would seem weird. The woman wouldn't send her daughter books that gave her the ideas to lose Ravenclaw points or risks of expulsion.

Severus made his way to the dungeons, and finally to the lab. He knocked on the door, but no answer. He decided that Eva hadn't arrived yet, and since he had no keys with him, he waited for her outside the door. Luckily, Severus didn't have to wait long. Eva arrived about five minutes after he did.

"Hey Sev, how long have you been here?"

"I don't know, five, ten minutes."

"Good, I was beginning to think you were here for hours. Anyway, you are punctual. It's exactly eight o'clock."

Severus nodded and Eva reached into her pocket to get the key. Once the door was unlocked, he went inside and sat on a chair. Eva went behind him, and reached for an object covered with a fine silver cloak. She brought it out and placed it on the table in front of Severus.

"Alright Sev, you ready?"

"I guess so."

Eva smiled and removed the cloak; under it was a small, very small piano.

"Mother used a shrinking spell on it of course. She, along with my grandmother, placed some family spell on it so if I decide to bring it to it's 'regular' size to play, it won't be bigger than this table."

"I thought you didn't enjoy…"

"Playing piano? No actually I love it. But I can't enjoy it when my grandfather is around. Since he is always looking for that one imperfection. I was thinking of playing later in the music classroom or something. I haven't played since last summer, and I miss it."

"Why not here?"

"That could be good, but no room I think."

"We can move the tables, put your piano here, then return it to its small size."

"Okay, yeah that's a good idea."

They moved the tables to the side of the room, and put the small piano in the middle. Eva used a growing charm on the instrument to give its size. She then put two chairs in front of it, and signaled Severus to sit down.

Once they were both seated Severus wondered what Eva was planning.

"Sev, what are you looking at?"

"Wondering what you are thinking of."

"Ha! Here you might know this, I hope so anyway."

She started to play the melody. Severus saw the minute Eva's fingers touched the keyboard, the emotion she pulled from the music and her enthusiasm. She loved playing. For a few seconds, it was rather disturbing for Severus to see Eva this calm and concentrated.

"Chopin."

Eva continued to play, then slowed down a bit. While still playing she answered Severus.

"Indeed. Which one?"

"I believe its Grande Valse Brillante."

"Yep, bravo Severus."

"How did you know? I mean not to be rude but…"

"It's ok, I started playing when I was five. I went to David's house one day, he had a piano and it hit me. His mother is a Muggle and she had a whole bunch of theses music sheets for the piano. Since we already had one, because Father plays a bit, she gave them to me and I brought them home. I've been playing ever since. I know a few wizard composers, but I prefer the Muggle ones. Mother doesn't like it, but tolerates it, as long as it's perfect when Francis comes."

"I see, well you play…very good."

"Thanks. I got a little mixed up in the middle but this one is harder than the others. I always get mixed up in the middle."

"No, it was great! What else can you do?"

"Wow, thank you Sev, I don't know, tell me."

"Do you know a Muggle man named Mozart?"

"Yes, he wrote a few pieces that I know. Which one?"

"Rondo Alla Turca."

"No problem. How do you know all of this?"

"Muggle primary school, don't ask."

"Alright Sev, don't worry, so here we go."

Eva started the musical piece, with a big smile on her face. Finally happy to be able to play and do the thing she liked the most after Quidditch. Severus could see she enjoyed sharing her love of the piano with him. Severus nodded his head along with the music. It reminded him of the days he went to Lily's house. Her mother would play a few bits of Mozart or Beethoven for them, and even Lily played some melodies. For Severus, Eva was better with this instrument then Lily, but last time he heard her play, was over two years ago.

He watched Eva's hands and fingers glide across the keyboard. If she made a mistake, Severus didn't notice. He was paying too much attention to the sound and the movement of his friends hands on the piano.

Once she was finished, Eva turned to Severus and decided to try something new.

"Sev, would like to…try?"

Severus looked up at her. He remembered that day at her house when she offered to teach him to play, but he refused. This time, he decided to give it try to make her happy.

"What would it be it I were to say yes?"

"Something easier than the ones I just played. How about Fur Elise by Beethoven? The beginning of it? Then we can put this lab back in order and go to breakfast. It's already eight thirty."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Ready?"

"Ready."

Eva showed him where to begin the song. She put her hand on the keys and moved his fingers slow enough for Severus to keep up. He tried the same, but hit a few false notes.

Eva simply smiled and helped him, "No, like this see." She said as she corrected his small mistake. "It's okay, just try again."

Severus tried it again. He got the first five seconds, but made a few more errors.

"It's harder than it looks."

"Yeah, but it's worth it, to me anyway. Here try this." Eva reached over and took his hand, which caused some heat to rush up to Severus's cheeks. She moved it over the keys, and placed his fingers over the ones that made the music. They continued this for about five minutes. During that time, they split parts of the melody. Severus played the small part he could, and Eva the rest. Severus enjoyed the time they spent together that morning, he saw a different side of Eva, which didn't involve talking or yelling at the top of her lungs. The room was quiet with both of them focused. Only the sound of the keys making the soft melody could be heard.

Severus couldn't help but let out a small smile while playing, or trying to play. It was his favorite pass time with Eva; the potion lab.

Eva gazed at her watch for a few seconds, then decided to stop for the day. "Well, how about we take a break for now and get some food. I'm a little hungry."

"Agreed"

They used the same shrinking charm that was already on the piano, and put back the tables. Eva covered the now hand sized piano in the same silver cloak, and put it in the back of the room. Severus was waiting by the door with mixed emotions. Flashbacks from an almost identical scene came into his mind. He shook his head to get out of the daydream, and realized this was the first time in weeks since he has thought of Lily. Not only was Eva rubbing off on him personality wise, but it also seemed his past feelings for Lily were disappearing. He felt being around her was more natural, then with the Slytherin friends of his.

When Eva was finished rearranging the room, she met up at the door with Severus. The pair exited the lab, and locked the door behind them. They walked across the dungeons to the Great Hall. It was nine in the morning and breakfast was still being served, but only for an other thirty minutes. Eva and Severus got a quick cup of pumpkin juice and toast, since their hunger wasn't big that morning.

They walked across the grounds, enjoying the end of May morning weather.

"Hey Sev, can you imagine that in about three weeks sixth year is over, then it's the NEWTs."

"I find it hard to believe it happening so soon. True, that this year has gone by faster then I thought."

"Yeah, I've been going on and on about this to David. Oh and I think I know who he smelled in the Amortentia the other day."

"Why aren't you nosy? No wonder the hat thought of putting you in Gryffindor."

"Hey! Fine then I won't share this information, and keep it to myself, for now that is."

Severus rolled his eyes, and they both continued their walk across the grounds, talking about everything and anything they could. Severus talked to her with such ease, just like earlier in the year, he could feel it becoming a second nature, like when he was with Lily. Eva was more open than Lily. Without knowing, Severus and Eva spent all morning together, from piano to breakfast and now on the grounds of the magical school. He looked up and saw his Slytherin friends glaring at him from a distance. Severus knew that all of them, especially Mulciber, hated Eva with a burning passion, all due to her being a 'blood traitor'.

Severus thought that there must be something else there, since Lucius spoke about her briefly during their meeting in the forest. He found it odd that a previous prefect of Slytherin knew her. Severus remembered the name Easgriff being quite known to all pureblood families in the United Kingdom, but for some reason Lucius knew who Evangeline was.

"Severus, are you ok?"

Eva's question knocked Severus out of his thoughts. In order to avoid Eva getting more insults from the gang of Slytherins, he said goodbye to her for the day and went up to meet his friends.

"Hey Snape, hanging out with the blood-traitor again?"

Severus gave Mulciber a cold look, but did not react to his classmate's comment.

"Actually, yes I was. Do you have something to add?"

Avery cut in. There were more important subjects they should be debating, and Eva was not one of them. The group made there way back inside the castle. Severus cast a glance behind him, and saw Eva go in the opposite direction, towards Hagrid's hut.

Inside the castle, the group went towards the school yearbooks to search for more information regarding their future colleagues in Voldemort's circle. Severus looked at most of the faces and information. Boredom soon set in and he went to get another book which had well known pureblood families throughout the world. Many of these families were either extinct or no longer pure. He sat down with the book and went through it, along with Avery.

"Lot of British families in this section, don't you agree Snape?"

"Indeed."

They went through the pages until they reached W, who had wizard newspaper articles from centuries before.

"Ah, they are known."

"Who, Avery?"

"You don't know? Surely you've heard of this family, just as famous as the house of Black."

"Turn to page 556."

Severus rolled his eyes, and turned to the page 556. His eyes widened. He had overheard his mother speak of this family before, but never in detail.

"Wickford."

"Yes, Wickford, that is one old family. They moved to America long ago before that Muggle war for freedom or whatever. They are…just read."

Severus didn't look or listen to Avery. He read out loud the details of a family that could be traced as far as the House of Black.

"House of Wickford can be traced to the middle ages…dominant family in America… during in the late 17th century. The house of Wickford was mourning a great loss." Severus stopped reading the book and looked at the article instead 'The Wickford family never had a hard status on Muggles, but this changed dramatically when Elizabeth Mary Wickford was burned alive at the stake early this evening. The young woman of 18 was forcibly taken from the streets, ripped of her wand and taken by Muggle authorities."

Severus stopped reading the article knowing what it meant. He turned to Avery who was giving him a face.

"See Snape, that's why Muggles have to go. There were some cases like this in Scotland and England too, but this one was like a bomb. Ever since, that family practices dark magic and wandless spells. The Dark Lord says he wants members from that family to join, but they are hard to find here."

Behind them, Rosier overheard the pair talking about the Wickfords. He went towards them, to add information about the ancient name.

He placed himself over Severus and Avery, and stared down at the article.

"Oh yes, the infamous Wickford case. We found something interesting though, but I doubt she's still living here."

Mulciber came along as well holding a yearbook from the 1953-1954 school year.

"We found this, but its no use. Let's go, I'm tired of going through books and records."

The group all nodded. Theyput the books away, and followed Mulciber out of the library. Before doing so, Severus caught a glance at the list of head boys and girls from 1954. He read it quickly with interest to understand what his friends meant.

"Alexandrina A. Wickford appointed Head Girl."

Severus shook his head. He quickly put the records back in their section, and went out to the Slytherin gang who was waiting for him in the hall.

As the weeks went by, the students of Hogwarts were confronted with end of year exams. Fifth and seventh years were now experiencing the joys of the OWLs and NEWTs. The other years were going through their exams as well. Severus was sure to succeed in all of them since when his friends went on and on about the usual conversation that he knew by heart, he took out his book and studied.

The exams for the sixth years were difficult in some parts, but the were mostly practice for what they were going to have next year, since it was the NEWTs they would have to pass. Severus and Eva considered the DADA exam easy since it was mostly dueling and magical skills that were tested by Olympus. During the exam, Eva admitted to Severus she would kind of miss the poor professor, since he resigned and was going to teach at Salem next year for unknown reasons.

"I'm going to miss this guy." She said while Severus and herself were waiting for their turn.

"Why? I thought you hated the man."

"I do, but he was perfect, now who will I torment?"

"Well there is Filch you enjoy bothering."

"Not that, I mean a professor. You see I will have no one to torment. This is bad! I'm not going to bother McGonagall, that's suicidal and Mother made me promise not to. Dumbledore, are you insane! I'm not going to risk expulsion. Sprout is harmless and I don't have her. Slughorn is too easy but, good enough. Flitwick isn't a good idea either."

"Your choices are limited. Maybe the new teacher next year will be good for you to, as you say, 'torment'"

Olympus signaled for Eva, since it was her turn. The professor never said or explained his reasons to leave suddenly. The Ravenclaw student was not the reason for his departure, but he felt an unwanted presence and heard of the jinx on the post, and decided to leave before something could happen. Since these last two weeks were his final ones at the school he decided to get revenge on the person responsible for his blue hair day, turning his robes neon yellow, using the Muggle prank of salt and sugar switch on his morning coffee… The professor's way of revenge was softer, mostly an enormous point deduction and multiple hours of detention scrubbing the class flooring with a toothbrush without magic and making her write lines.

"Miss Easgriff, get over here at once! You too Mister Snape! Miss Easgriff, you can discuses your tormenting ways with your accomplice later!"

The sound of his voice made Eva and Severus both jump. She went directly towards the professor for her exam while Severus, was still in shock. Not only was he indirectly being yelled at while not paying attention (which for him was a first), but he was also called an accomplice. It seemed to him, that everyone associated with Eva were called by Olympus accomplices, since Mariana and Grace got the same title, while David was called the right hand man. Severus snapped out of his shock quickly, and could hear the Marauders and Lily behind him, but paid no attention as it was his turn to pass as well.

"Seriously?! Snivelly a partner in crime with Evangeline Easgriff, man does Olympus love to joke!" Cried Sirius.

"My point exactly Padfoot, I find it hard to believe that Slytherus Snape is even capable of doing other things then hanging out doing Dark magic with those want to be Death Eaters."

"Indeed Prongs, I so agree with you."

"But it seems that he has changed a bit don't you think?" Said Remus, as he cut in his two best friends conversation.

"What are you talking about Moony?"

"I know you never pay attention Prongs, but I keep a small eye on Eva sometimes, and when he is with her, he smiles, it's scary to be honest."

Sirius made a face "Ewww, Snivelly can feel?"

"Oh shut up Sirius, can't we talk about something else other than Snape and Easgriff?" Lily said.

They were interrupted when Olympus went to get James and Sirius since it was their turn. Lily saw Eva and Severus go to the back of the room. It was true; Severus was looking like he had been friends with Eva for years. She saw Eva reach out and grab something out his hair, which seemed to be a small insect or something. A gesture that Severus ignored as if it didn't bother him.

"Something wrong Lily?" asked Remus seeing she was staring at the pair in the back of the room.

"No, nothing is wrong Remus. Do you still speak with Evangeline?"

"Yes of course I do. I still don't understand why you don't either. You never hated each other."

Lily didn't say anything; she just looked back at Severus and Eva who were now laughing at something.

"And now she and James are civil to one another, who knows maybe they will put their differences aside. They could get along with their love of pranks." Remus added.

Class ended when the bell rang, and all the students left the room. Severus and Eva separated, him going with the Slytherins once again, and her the Ravenclaws.

The two weeks went by at a great speed. All the exams were finished and students were, for the most part, looking forward to going home for summer vacation. Severus was part of that small minority that dreaded going back home. He didn't feel like seeing his father at all, sitting around drinking and beating everything he could find. He was still very interested in the Dark Lord's promises that Lucius talked about.

When the last day of school came, all of the students went crazy. Most of them were celebrating their last day in the magical place. The seventh years took many tours around the old castle to remember every aspect of the school, which was their home for seven years.

In the Slytherin dorms, Severus and his friends finished packing their trunk but left out the necessities for one night. The group walked around the halls, avoiding most of the students, mostly Eva and her friends. They discussed their plans for next year, taking the Dark Mark once they finished at Hogwarts so they would be able to focus completely on the Dark Lord's duties. During the whole talk, Severus had many scenarios going through his mind. If he took the mark, what would happen? Would he still have Eva's friendship? He would have power and control, which was appealing for someone who had to fight to get to where he was.

The gang spent their afternoon sitting outside the castle on the grass. Severus could see in a distance Eva and her friends going to Hagrid's hut once again for afternoon tea. This brought a shy, almost invisible smile on his face. Avery saw him staring down at the blood traitor, and his suspicion started to grow more and more. He went closer to Severus to try to get him to stop looking at the claws.

"Hey Snape, what are you looking at now?"

"Nothing, and if I was, I assure you Avery it's of no importance."

"Yes of course, if there is something going on with Easgriff?"

Severus tried to hide the small blush that was forming, and succeeded in doing so using his part of the Occlumency skills he learned this year. They were not very powerful, but good enough to hide his emotions from his Slytherin friends.

"No there isn't, she is merely a friend."

"If that's what you think Snape, as we said earlier, be careful. The Dark Lord doesn't like blood traitors."

~~~~~~~~Time gap, later that evening ~~~~~~~~

All the students headed inside the Great Hall for the House Cup, and end of term feast. When they walked in, the colors were different from the ones of last year. They were yellow and black; many students couldn't believe it that it looked like Hufflepuff won the house cup that year.

Severus sat with his house. He saw Eva come in with her friends, and they had a surprised, but happy look that that the puffs won.

Professor McGonagall, as she did at every feast, rang her glass to get their attention. When silence reigned in the Great Hall, Dumbledore went to his stand, and gave his famous speech.

"Another year has gone by. Exams are finished, and I do hope you all succeed. I hope your heads have been filled with more knowledge than ever before. For those who graduate tomorrow, I do wish all of you to find your career. This year may have been for some of you the opening of new friends in your life. Now, as I understand, you are all wondering about the House Cup, who needs awarding of course. In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and eighty five points; in third, Ravenclaw with three hundred and ninety two points; in second place, Slytherin with four hundred and thirty points and finally, Hufflepuff with four hundred and thirty eight points. Hufflepuff wins the House Cup!"

Applause came from all tables, not only the Hufflepuffs. Being fair play, they didn't expose their joy like Gryffindor did the previous year. The Slytherin table wasn't thrilled; they were beaten by eight points. When Dumbledore presented the House Cup to Professor Sprout, there was a loud cheering coming from the Hufflepuff table.

"May the feast begin!" announced the headmaster once the Cup was given to the winning house, and all the students started their last meal in the castle until the next year.

~~~~~~~~Time gap, next day ~~~~~~~~

The next morning, all the students were at Hogsmead station getting ready to board the train back home. Severus and his friends had already put their trunks in the loading compartment and started to get on the train. He went with his friends inside a compartment and caught a quick glance at the school as the train started to move back to London.

The journey back was tiring. Severus read one of his potion books for most of the time, while his friends were discussing how close this time they where to winning the House and Quidditch Cup this year. The voyage back was calm, until they heard someone yell from across the train. Severus put down his book. He and his friends looked out the compartment window. Lockhart was running and screaming like a girl.

"Ahhhhh! Get it off! Get it off! Get this thing out of my beautiful locks!"

Eva was running after him, trying very hard not to laugh more then she was. It looked like Lockhart was ready to jump of the train, and run all the way to London.

"Oh shut up! It's not even real! It's a Muggle toy you wimp, you didn't even take two seconds to see if it was moving!"

Since she was now of age, Eva took out her wand, and undid the glue charm she put on the small object. She then levitated it back into her hands. Severus saw it was a Muggle plastic spider, which in Lockhart's defense, looked real. She turned around and went back to her compartment saying "Wuss!". Many students gave a round of applause, as they hated Lockhart. The Ravenclaw walked back to his compartment and did not look at anyone.

Hours later they arrived at King's Cross Station. All the passengers exited the train and got their luggage. Severus waited for his mother and said goodbye to his friends.

"Boo!"

Severus jumped, and saw Eva behind him laughing.

"Don't do that!"

"Oh Sev, chill, relax. So your mother isn't here yet either?"

"No."

"Me too. Normally she's never late, but I'm not going to complain. So how was the ride back? Sorry about Lockhart's outburst, couldn't resist using the pastic…"

"Plastic Eva, it's called plastic."

"Thanks Sev. It was stronger then me to use the plastic spider. What a fun Muggle toy! Must come in handy on April fool's day."

"Let me guess, an idea for the next Defense professor?"

"No, not yet." She said smiling

The pair turned to the entry to the platform, and saw both their mothers walking towards them.

"Severus." Said Alexandrina as she tilted her head.

"Madam."

"Come on Eva, we must be going. Your grandmother has arrived from Vermont and will be staying for the entire summer vacation. She is very exited to see you, and I won't keep her waiting."

"Yes Mother." Eva then turned to Severus and gave him a hug "See ya Sev, I hope to hear from you, and if you want to come don't hesitate."

"Yes Severus, you are welcome in our home, now come on Evangeline, I don't like dawdling."

"Of course, see you Sev, good seeing you Mrs. Snape."

"Pleasure Evangeline" replied Eileen

Evangeline took her trunk and followed her mother out of the platform. Eileen helped her son with his bags, and they went to the car. When everything was put inside, they pulled out of the parking spot and drove away. After two hours of driving, Eileen broke the silence.

"I had a very friendly chat with your friend's mother Severus"

"Did you now?"

"Yes, she attended Hogwarts four years after I left, and she was in the same year as one of your professors."

"Really? Do you know which one?"

"I believe it was…I don't remember sorry Severus. She mentioned it very quickly. I do hope you will see her daughter during the holidays, she seems to be a very nice girl."

"You say that often Mother, and she is…nice"

Eileen smiled at her son, who was staring at the window, looking at the scenery go by. She needed to be reassured, because if anything went wrong between her and Tobias, she wanted Severus to go to a friend's house, and not be locked up in his room. Eileen learned a few things about Alexandrina and her family ties in the wizarding world. She wanted Severus to hold on to his friendship with Eva, because for the first time in a while she saw him smile in the presence of a person who was not Lily Evans.

~~~~~~~~END OF CHAPTER~~~~~~~~

I hoped you liked this chapter. Thank you for reading this and following it as well. PM me if there are some things that aren't clear, or weird.

Yes, you may recognize the scene of Hermione teaching (or trying to) Ron piano. I liked that scene and thought it would be a nice addition to the chapter. I hope I'm right.

If you have a request tell me and I will find room for it in later chapters :)

Don't forget to leave a review :) Reviewers get imaginary waffles

Until next time *points wand at Lockhart* "Colovaria"