Sirius licked the foam on his lips as he observed the general atmosphere of three broomsticks. Honestly, this is the kind of outing he liked. Boisterous laughter from all over the place, a little commotion here and there, the sound of glass, clinking in cheers. Why in Merlin's pants did he ever choose that lame tea shop over this? Admittedly, the company was prettier there, but at least here he could have his mates with him.

"Pass the chips, Sirius. Sharing is caring."

He snorted, pushing the plate he ordered to James. The chips were immediately savagely attacked by three grubby hands. He understood Remus and Peter - they were barely managing with a few sickles per month. But James had 25 galleons a month for his pocket money, and yet he still acts the happiest when he gets freebies.

Not that Sirius mind giving them freebies - 100 galleons a month was too much for him, anyway.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Remus asked, licking the salt on his finger. Sirius shrugged.

"Not that hungry anymore. How's your shoulder?"

Remus hadn't spoken about that wound again, but Sirius could recognize an act to hide pain from anywhere. Cursed wound was always a bitch to deal with.

Remus shrugged. "It acts up sometimes - when the weather gets a bit cold. But I'll manage. It's just an old wound, anyway."

Peter finally looked up from the chips. "You haven't got any new wounds, right?"

"Still no wound since school started," Remus nodded.

The unsolved mystery of the year. "Your other self must have been busy snoring during your time of the month," Sirius proposed his theory. Remus always tired himself out before the full moon after all.

"Uh-oh," James said, putting his glass loudly at the table as his other hand wiped the mustache shaped foam, "I bet some woodland animal befriended him and he began his journey as a princess. Now he sings instead of shrieking."

"I only showed you Snow White once, James. Once."

James sighs, "and may it be ever engraved in my heart.

Remus looked so done that Sirius couldn't help but grin.

"Or maybe Remus's control over his other self has improved?" Said Peter in deadpan, and Sirius snorted.

"That's the unlikeliest of them all."

"Yeah, don't be ridiculous, Pete," added James.

"You're all idiots," Remus called them out, eyes rolling though a smirk was forming at the end of his mouth.

This was all he wanted. Talking, joking, laughing. They spent an entire hour like this, making ridiculous scenarios out of nothing, and Sirius could feel his magic sing. James, for once, did not mention Evans or her green dazzling eyes, and Peter finally let himself loose as he joined Sirius in teasing James about his deplorable attempt at muggle cheap magic tricks that Remus brought. He was just watching another hopeless card trick while coming up with new insults when he noticed James's eyes were drawn to something at the entrance door.

"Hey, isn't that your brother?"

It was indeed Regulus, his stride quick in closing the distance between them. His blank face looked a bit stiff, while his eyes were sweeping the entire room.

"Are you looking for something, Reg?" He asked when Regulus finally stopped next to him, his eyes still sweeping the room carefully before they settled on his.

"I need your help."

Sirius whistled. "Now this is something we don't see everyday, lads," he regarded his friends.

Regulus finally acknowledged the company that sat with him - who was eyeing the interaction with not a little curiosity - and what did the brat do? He scowled at them.

Great job, Walburga.

Sirius took a sip at his butterbeer and sighed. "So? What is it?

"Not here," said his brother.

They were soon huddled up near the loo and Sirius could only be amused at the disdain on Regulus's face as he scanned the place. Posh kid, he thought fondly.

"Bellatrix is here."

That fondness went quickly down the drain.

Sirius narrowed his eyes. "Did you invite her?"

"Of course not," Regulus scoffed, as if the idea was so ridiculous that Sirius must have been imagining all those times when Regulus willingly invited Bellatrix to their home. "I wouldn't expose anyone to her."

Sirius had to pause to digest that . Why, color him surprised. The edge of his lips went up, "Glad we're finally agreeing on something."

Honestly, Sirius had been waiting for this. Bellatrix was a menace to society, a menace to mankind in general, and a menace to all other beings on earth. And were she sent to hell, she would have been a menace there too. It was about time that Regulus realized this.

"I think she wants to meet Madeline," Regulus continued after a hesitant pause.

Despite the severity in Regulus's tone, Sirius grinned playfully. So that's what made him so bloody anxious. His sweetheart was in danger ~

"Which Madeline? Your Madeline?"

"She's not my madeline," Regulus was quick to deny, then added quietly, "Yet."

Sirius bet he had the world's most shit-eating grin right now, and that exhausted sigh of Regulus was just adding his fuel.

"Look. The point is, Bellatrix knows that I like Madeline and she wants to meet her. And I can't allow it. "

"Why?" Sirius asked challengingly, "Afraid she wouldn't approve your crush?"

"More like I don't want to expose Madeline to our mad cousin," he mumbled in grimace, then shook his head to focus himself. "Thing is, I can't find Madeline anywhere and I've searched every nook of this damn village. Bellatrix is currently with Rabastan and I told him to avoid Tomes and Scrolls, in case Madeline will go there, but it's safer if we find her first and try our best to keep her away from Bellatrix."

"So you want me to help you look for your witch," Sirius concluded. "Should we ask my friends for help? The more people searching for her, the quicker we'll find her."

"No, i don't want your friends near her," came the instant reply, not missing any beat. Regulus's face then twisted as if remembering something sour. "Especially Lupin."

Sirius did not like that tone. "What's wrong with Remus?"

"Will you help me or not?" Regulus hotly asked instead of answering.

Because Sirius was a nice and generous older brother, he allowed Regulus's clear dislike of his friends to pass and happily agreed to help. It was not just about them, after all. There was one lunatic cousin on the loose, lurking on a clueless girl. And no matter what kind of snake Crouch was, she would still be eaten alive by Bella.

Sirius went back to his friends, walking to their table with Regulus following closely behind. He swore he could feel him breathing down his neck. What an impatient brat.

"Lads, duty calls," Sirius said in bid of goodbye. "Meet you back at the dorm."

"Family duty?" James glanced at Regulus who glared at Remus. And Remus, that good bloke Remus, stared back at Regulus with a smile that Sirius call a polite 'fuck you too, then' - What the hell was going on?

"Knightly duty," Sirius replied distractedly as he took out his wand, "Gotta help a damsel in distress."

All his friends stared at Regulus.

"He wasn't referring to me, you simpletons," Regulus scowled.

James shrugged. "Hey, who are we to judge?"

Outside the bar, he and Regulus immediately strategize and settle on a 'divide and conquer' plan. Regulus would search from the west part of Hogsmeade and Sirius would start from the east. In 1 hour, if they couldn't find Madeline Crouch, they would meet in three broomsticks again, which was, coincidently, located in the center part of the village. If one didn't show up by then, then it would mean that he had found Madeline and was keeping her away from Bellatrix until the hogsmeade trip ended.

Admittedly, Sirius was a bit bummed out that his Hogsmeade trip was spent on searching a witch who was impossible to find when one was looking for her - Sirius would know, he spent a couple of months stalking her with his friends last year after that hair prank and the chocolate gift. Still, he tried his best to search every inch of the place, not keen on wasting his time on a half-hearted attempt.

He never imagined that he would find Madeline Crouch in a dingy little shop at the edge of the village. A shop that displayed muggle trinkets, from antique to the newest gadgets, no less.

Sirius took their sight in before he approached them. Madeline Crouch was standing in front of a cupboard full of music albums, braided curls falling onto the back of her dark blue dress robe that stopped just under her knees. Next to her were her two hufflepuff friends - he just knew they were hufflepuffs. He could practically smell it from them.

It seemed that those two were introducing muggle music to her.

And wasn't that curious?

Sirius glided across the floor and knocked on the cupboard's side. The girls paused in what they're doing as they finally noticed him. He smiled at them his roguish smile, the kind that always made Marlene Mckinnon blush, and simultaneously catching the sight of the album Madeline Crouch grabbed. His smile widened. "The beatles? Personally, not my number one pick. But I suppose they're alright."

The surprised look on their faces was always a joy to see.

"You've listened to them?" Asked Madeline Crouch, undoubtedly intrigued.

Sirius walked slowly towards them, eyes never leaving Madeline Crouch's while his smiling mouth sang, "And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain, Don't carry the world upon your shoulders."

He put his hands on the pocket of his robe as he continued smiling. All three girls were now openly gaping at him - a tint of blush marring the two puff's cute little cheeks. He indeed had that kind of effect. That effect plus his singing voice? Sirius was never trained in music, no, but damn, did he win the hereditary lotere of being talented for it. His voice, he knew, could melt even the coldest girl's heart - they didn't really stand a chance.

"I'm currently being educated in muggle music myself," Sirius explained to his brother's crush. His brother's crush, he reminded himself. No need to charm the pants out of the girl. "Elvis, Elton, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Bowie, Queen." He turned to the two other girls, "Sirius black, at your service."

"I'm Bethany," Puff one said, voice breathy.

The other one cleared her throat, not wanting to sound like her friend. "Amanda."

"A pleasure, ladies." He grinned at them, before turning to Madeline. "And you, Madeline. You're a really difficult person to meet, aren't you?"

No response except for furrowing her brows at him.

And a difficult person to talk to, it seemed.

He turned to the other girls. "May I borrow her for a second, ladies?"

"Oh, sure!" Puff one nodded eagerly. "Take her, please!"

He smiled amused as he dragged Madeline to one corner of the shop for a bit of privacy, putting his hand on her back to lead her. The girl, however, turned out to be quite impatient.

"Do you need me for something?"

"Why, yes," he said. He waited until they were in the corner to continue, "I need you to stay hidden in this dingy old shop."

There was no way Bellatrix would visit this shop filled with muggle things, so this place would be as safe as it could be.

The girl frowned, sensing his serious tone. "We're planning to go to the honeydukes next. And Tomes and Scrolls afterwards."

"Nope." He cut in. "You can't. Unless you want to meet a crazy bitch."

Sirius saw her gaze sharpened, and Sirius had a pinch of gut feeling that she already knew who that crazy bitch was. As expected, Bellatrix's insanity preceded her. He grinned and made sure she knew, "Our cousin, Bellatrix, is searching for you."

"Why?"

"You're friends with little Reggie," he shrugged. "That's enough to get you into her sight."

The witch stood quiet, no doubt thinking over his words. She looked like she was considering his words seriously and Sirius was floored. The witch didn't know him quite well yet she readily accepted his words? If he didn't know any better, he would say she's gullible. But he did know better and Madeline Crouch was the furthest thing from the word gullible.

Which meant she trusted him.

How curious.

Did she trust him because he was the brother of her friend? Sirius didn't even mention that he was there on Regulus's request though.

They returned after Madeline seemed to be done thinking, her arms folded and guilt clear on her expression.

"Am, Beth, It looks like I can't join you to Honeydukes or Tomes and Scrolls."

Puff one put back the magazine she was holding to the display shelf, face falling in confusion, "What? Why?"

"Er, that is.."

The witch made a glance at him, eyes uncertain. What, did she expect him to come up with an excuse? Before either him or the witch managed to form words though, Puff two was already clearing her throat, looking like she was sending some kind of signal to Puff one.

Puff one looked at puff two, then looked at him with her eyes wide opened - which automatically made him wink at her - then looked at Madeline. And then her eyes widened some more, seemingly enlightened.

"Oh. OH !"

"We get it," said puff two, clearly the one more articulate despite her throat problems. "Have fun you two."

Puff two - Amanda, was her name, right? - dragged her giggling friend who kept glancing at them as they walked to the exit. He could only guess what kind of assumption those two puffs made, and by the deadpanned look on Madeline Crouch's face, she must have had an inkling too.

Hilarious.

"So, want me to educate you in muggle music?" He said as the door closed, still witch looked up at him and seemed to think over his offer in her pretty little head. She shrugged then and picked up the beatles' album again.

"Do boys like this kind of music? I'm thinking of introducing my brother to muggle music."

"He's twelve, right?" He said as he inspected the cupboard. If he must spend the entire day here, then he better make it count. Helping the witch to get to know muggle music better might just be the way.

"Thirteen by May," the girl said primly, and Sirius gaped playfully.

" Thirteen? Well that changes a lot of things."

A-hah! He managed to get a smile. The witch rolled her eyes good naturedly, "Be serious"

At this point, his grin couldn't possibly go any wider.

"Sugar, I'm always Sirius."

.

Monday found Madeline cooped up in the library, finishing a charm assignment that was due in two weeks. It didn't take her long to finish it - But then one book led to another and soon she was knee deep in a book about advanced summoning spells.

She was not alone. Barty was currently picking up a book in the nearby shelf, his own assignment sprawled next to her completed one. Today they planned to go to the room of requirement after dinner - and Madeline would chew herself off before she let Barty do any kind of supplemental study without finishing all of his assignments first.

Barty was progressing well in his OWL course study - he was well into the fourth year courses now. But of course, his independent study lacked the practical aspect of the courses. Which was why he needed her - they studied together in the room of requirement almost everyday now, much to their delight.

With so much of her time spent with her beloved brother, the amount of times she stressed over dark tomes in her private library lessened greatly. It was really good for her, to be honest. She hadn't made much progress in some of them, so a break was probably needed. There was still time, anyway.

Someone dropped on the seat next to her.

"Did you really go on a date with Black?"

She looked up from her book, finding Lily already sitting, her book bag opened as she pulled out some parchment and quill. "I swear everyone is talking about it. They said someone saw you two talking and laughing, looking cozy with each other in hogsmeade - and you're linking your arm together or something, then he helped you get into the carriage in the evening. And then some other version said he kissed you - "

"What did Sirius say?" She interrupted her, because the last one was definitely not true, which means the story would only get wilder from there.

Lily turned her whole body at her, "That he was just saving you from a certain pest-"

"Shhh!"

Lily covered her mouth in reflex.

She proceeded to stay still for five whole seconds - Madeline would do that too if Madam Pince shushed her, in the hope that she would turn invisible therefore wouldn't be thrown out of the library. When five seconds passed, Lily finally relaxed.

"He said you're his damsel in distress and he saved you from a certain pest," she whispered.

Madeline huffed.

"Of course he would see it that way. And no - we didn't go on a date. And there was definitely no kissing. He just accompanied me, that's all. You should know better than to listen to rumors."

Lily shrugged. "Oh, I know. I just had to confirm it with you." A pause. "Er - I also heard that you're working on a huge potion project and you plan to be published?"

Madeline frowned. She definitely didn't plan on anyone knowing about this. "Where did you hear that from?"

Lily seemed to observe her for a moment, before her eyes widened. "It's true isn't it? Even though I heard it from old Sluggy, I was sort of hoping that it wasn't true - I mean, if you have a project that big then you would have told me about it, right? We met at least once a week so why must i hear it from old Sluggy? Why didn't you tell me?"

"My sister doesn't owe you anything."

That sneering voice came so suddenly from behind Lily that the red headed girl jumped in her seat. Barty stood, two books in his right hand, as he looked down at Lily in scrutiny. Lily acted so much like a deer caught in a red light that Madeline hat to purse her lips to stop herself from smirking in amusement.

"Lily, this is Barty, Barty, Lily."

Lily smiled, a bit awkward as she twisted her body to face him. "Hi? I've heard so much about you."

Barty hummed and took his seat on Madeline's other side. "I wanted to say it was a pleasure but I'm not sure. I didn't hear much about you, but I did hear you speaking just then. Let's just say I'm not impressed."

Madeline sighed, choosing to ignore her brother's biting words. She turned fully to the mildly offended girl.

"It wasn't in my plan to inform anyone about it. The only ones that were supposed to know are my team and Slughorn."

Barty cleared his throat.

" - and the immediate family of me and my team, because family is, of course, an important part of us."

Madeline could sense her brother nodding in approval and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

Lily huffed before she dropped her bomb, "I want in."

Madeline didn't hit her head numerous times on the table, but it was a near thing. She just knew it was going to be like this. "Lily, my team consists of Severus Snape, and Regulus Black ."

Enunciating each of their names was done in the hope that Lily understood what was implied from those names alone. But of course, Lily understood. She just chose to ignore it as her green eyes narrowed.

"I can be professional. Can they?"

"Lily, I didn't choose the team," Madeline tried again. "Slughorn did. He must have wanted an all-Slytherin team, knowing it would make him and our house look good if our project succeeded. Besides, you don't even like potion that much. Potion is Snape's thing while you prefer charm."

There was also one other important reason why she adamantly refused to allow Lily entertain any idea to join this project. This painless potion, she predicted, would undoubtedly be classified as a dark potion once they were done. Pain perception was needed for the brain to realize any harm done to the body, and without it, one could be harmed without one's knowledge. Not to mention that to test this potion, she would have to experiment with the cruciatus curse - the cruciatus curse, after all, activates all the pain receptors and only when the painless potion succeeded in working against the curse that the potion could be considered complete.

Not to be prejudiced, but Hermione had been a Gryffindor once. She knew they wouldn't tolerate anything dark - not before they learned the mortal truth of war and found themselves standing in a sea of grays.

"She doesn't want to join for the research," Barty quipped, apparently still listening to their conversation. "She wants to join for Snape."

There was a pause as Madeline observed the older girl. That guilty look seemed to match Barty's word well.

"And you said you can be professional," Barty mocked, and he made sure to glance quite judgmentally at Lily as he tutted.

Lily deflated.

"Okay, I miss him," the red head finally admitted. "I miss my grouchy friend, go on, tease me. Call me a fool."

Madeline frowned. "Did your friends tease you about it?"

"Of course they did," grumbled Lily. She read the parchment she pulled out before as the grumbling continued. "Severus is all-thorns from a distance, so they don't understand where I'm coming from."

"He's prickly up close too," snarked Barty.

She just can't with her brother, honestly.

A glowering look was sent at Barty, a signal of order so the boy could be more sensitive about the matter, before she finally returned to Lily.

"I'm sorry to hear that. To be honest, I intended to talk to Snape - just to help him smooth things over, you see. I could also try to make him understand his mistake while I do that. I really am sorry for my part in this conflict, Lily. I just hope I can be of any help."

"What did he do anyway?" Barty asked, finally stopped pretending that he was reading his book.

Without more prompting, Lily started telling Barty her story, and despite using her quiet library voice, she still managed to sound angry and passionate. Barty frowned when she finished.

"So he doesn't like gryffindor. What's the problem?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "I am a gryffindor, Sherlock."

"The name is Barty," her brother glowered, clearly offended. "Sherlock isn't even close!"

Madeline snorted.

Barty frowned at her. "What? Did I say something funny?"

A chuckle escaped her, and she had to cover it with her hand. Her brother was just too cute. Lily too seemed to be holding back amusement, though the grin was kind of giving it away.

"Anyway, I'm a Gryffindor and he says a lot of hurtful things about Gryffindor, and that hurts me. I don't like most of the slytherins too you know, but I never say anything bad about your house, never in his face, never on his back. I just demand the same thing from him."

"And Lily should have been allowed to befriend whoever she likes," Madeline added. "If she wants to befriend James Potter, then Snape must accept it."

Barty looked at her like she had grown two heads. "You're kidding. Even I know James Potter and Severus Snape won't ever get along. He's his bully."

She huffed. "No one expects them to get along."

"But you said -"

"They treat Lily as if she's an object to be owned, and therefore their enemy can't have her. Well, newsflash : Lily doesn't belong to anyone. She just wants respect and boundaries."

"What she said!" Lily exclaimed in her library voice.

Barty scrunched his nose.

"So you just want them.. to share."

Madeline hummed. "Basically."

Her brother sniffed as he stared down Lily. "Frankly, I don't know why they bother with you. There isn't any appeal."

Lily glared at him in return before she turned to Madeline, "I thought your brother was sweet and lovely."

"He is." Madeline protested. "Usually."

"Alright. I'm off," said Barty as he stood and collected his things. It was Madeline's turn to frown at him.

"Now where would you go?"

"Somewhere with better company, I hope," grumbled her brother, before setting her a look. "Don't forget our plan." To Lily, he said, "it's Barty. Not Sherlock."

Before she could form a reply, he left the table without looking back. Madeline couldn't help her smile. She probably should buy the Sherlock Holmes series for her brother - and perhaps she could read it again. A refresher was apparently much needed - She remembered about Watson and the general concept of the novel, but she had completely forgotten about the plots or who the villain was.

But that was to be expected. She probably read them before Hermione got her Hogwarts letter, and her memories from that time were, sadly, non-existent.

Lily grimaced as something finally occurred to her. "Did i just leave a bad impression on your brother?"

Madeline thought this over and promptly shook her head.

"No, He's just being a little brother. He didn't want to share me with others, I think."

Lily considered this, and in acceptance she sighed. "At least he spends some time with you. I swear, my older sister is driving me nuts these days. We never even talk anymore!"

Madeline hummed. "Perhaps you can tell me the story after we both finish our reading?"

A sheepish grew on the older girl's face as she suddenly remembered her reason for going to the library.

"Right. Let's do that."

.

Madeline deliberately aligned the next potion team meeting with the Slytherin quidditch team practice, before the idea of practicing on Friday even came to Burke. How, you might ask? But of course, she planted the idea in the captain's mind, and made sure to make it a mandatory practice for all the players. Regulus came to her with the news that morning, telling her that he would be a bit late, and Madeline pretended to be displeased as her plan worked perfectly.

"If Black doesn't grace us with his presence in the next ten minutes, then do not expect me to stay," stated Severus Snape after five minutes of waiting, eyes glowering at her.

As she said - perfectly.

Talking to Snape privately was proving to be difficult, much thanks to his continuous avoidance. But it was never an impossible feat for her. And now, in this empty classroom located in the most deserted part of the dungeon, she finally managed to corner the older boy.

"That is fine by me," she smiled, sharp and sweet, before turning serious. "But while we wait, there is something I would like to discuss with you."

The look he threw at her was one of distrust.

"Speak."

"I heard Lily sent you a christmas gift," she started, noticing how his shoulder instantly stiffened. "What do you think of giving her an olive branch?"

"Did Lily put you up with this?" Snape said, eyes narrowed.

"Not at all," she assured him. "If I remember correctly, you blamed me for this fight. So I wanted to do anything I could to help."

"Well, you've done enough," he sneered, already standing and walking towards the door, apparently done with her conversation. Well, she can't have that. One flick of her wand and Snape found the door snapped shut, at which he scoffed.

"Alohomora."

The sound of someone struggling to open the door made her smile. "Please, do sit. There are 9 minutes left."

"What did you do to the door?" Snape snarled, still trying to open the door forcefully. "Why can't the unlocking charm work against it?"

She rolled her eyes. The unlocking charm was a first year charm, for goodness sake. Of course she would use something that could be countered by a mere first year charm. Honestly, she didn't understand why even the ministry used a locking system that could be opened by this charm. Even though she knew they could track the wand used for opening those locks, it still would have been damage control instead of prevention!

"Do you not wish to reconcile with Lily?" She asked instead of answering, arm resting on the table.

Snape exhaled harshly as he sent her a glare, still facing the door. "I will reconcile only when she apologizes."

"But she didn't do anything wrong."

"As if befriending James Potter isn't the gravest mistake one could ever make."

Her patience snapped as she scoffed. "Piss off. She planned on making him stop bothering you once she befriended him. Isn't that beneficial enough for you?"

"Oh, I suppose I should thank Lily for her sacrifice on my behalf then?" He sneered back at her.

She leaned back at her chair and folded her arms, calming herself by breathing slowly. They wouldn't go anywhere by screaming at each other.

"You should thank Lily for many things," she said calmly. "There are very few people who like your company genuinely, Snape. Lily is among them. Does that not count for something?"

Snape closed their distance and stood looming over the table, eyes looking at her with long buried resentment.

"There are people who appreciate the things I could do, Crouch. The contribution I could bring by joining them. I do not need Lily."

The muscles in her jaw stiffened. They were already approaching Snape? This soon?

"And I suppose they'll keep you around when you stop being useful?" She snarked, aware how tight her voice sounded. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Lily wants you around even when you make a mistake. While they will threaten you, punish you, if you slight them. Whose company sounds better, do you think?"

"Theirs," Snape replied without missing a beat, complete with a snarl, "as their company would be more advantageous than the company of a muggleborn gryffindor."

They both kept their silence as tension coiled as a result of his words, both stayed unrelenting. It was truly disheartening to hear those words, and Madeline almost felt like giving up.

Almost.

But she saw the hurting hidden behind his resentment. Noticed his constantly stiff shoulders, as if he was always on defense.

She softened her gaze.

"And will you be happy? Will they offer you friendship, and intimacy, - and understanding?"

Snape gave her one last sneer before he threw his face away, choosing instead to glare at the dim room. "Feeling sentimental, Crouch?"

"You think you don't need those things, but every human does," her words soft as she stood and went to his side. She needed to see his eyes, and he needed to see hers, if only to convey the truth that their words alone could not manage. "Do you really not miss Lily at all?"

"Why do you care?" Snape snarled, this time with less bite.

She sure hoped her next words would manage to convince him.

"Because, Severus Snape, someone could care for you and your happiness, and we don't care whether you like it or not."

His furrowed brows seemed to be a reflex. "We?"

"I've invested a lot of time and thoughts in you and Lily," she said wryly. "Do you think I would do this if I do not care?"

There was a silent pause as Snape stared at her, still with a hint of distrust. But it seemed that something had shifted in his eyes - and then a calculating glint appeared, and Madeline froze in realization.

Did he think she only considered Lily as her friend all this time? Had he not considered that she could be his friend?

Madeline recalled their conversation rapidly in her mind. She had presented him with the sentimental appeal, but maybe she could also appeal to his Slytherin nature - and if it was an advantageous friendship he sought, then Madeline could start from there. "How about you consider this," she said, breaking the silence, "Lily's friendship and mine, in exchange for you to turn down their undoubtedly vague offers?"

Snape's disbelieving stare was an amusing sight to see.

"You, Madeline Crouch, are offering your.. friendship to me?"

She tilted her head in curiosity. "Is that so hard to process?"

"And what would Black think?" Snape sneered, and Madeline frowned.

"Why mention Regulus all of the sudden?"

"I meant Sirius Black," Snape snapped and now it was her turn to send him a disbelieving look.

"You believed those rumors?"

"I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see you being escorted by him to the carriage."

Madeline huffed and plopped back to her seat as she pouted and grumbled.

"The one time I abided by that troublesome custom, and what did I get? Rumors and slanders, apparently."

"You shouldn't have made it known how much you were against that custom, then," remarked Snape, and was that a hint of amusement she detected from his tone? "It would be less suspicious if people saw you being escorted by other people more often."

They went from arguing to giving each other advice in less than ten minutes - if they were not friends already, Madeline would bite Father's hat off.

She huffed again. "Noted."

A pause.

"Just - take time to consider this," Madeline said again, and this time, Snape finally looked at her without making it seem that he was forced to do it. "We could be your friend, and if it's advantages you seek, then use me. We probably could come to a mutually beneficial relationship. I'm Madeline Crouch, after all."

"So you are," Snape agreed as he finally gave up his pride and took a seat. Black eyes still watching her keenly.

"Just know that I won't let you dictate who I must befriend and avoid," Madeline felt the need to clarify. "But as your friend, I wouldn't let anyone bully you around."

Snape hummed calculatingly.

Just in time, a sound came from the door, which sounded like someone trying to open the door. There was a pause when the door failed to open, and then it was followed by a more desperate attempt to open it.

"Madeline?" Called Regulus Black. She looked at the clock - exactly 15 minutes from their agreed time. "Madeline, are you there? Why is the door locked? Are you alright?"

She blinked.

"I'm fine, Regulus," she exclaimed quickly as her wand already worked on the door. The door instantly opened to a tense looking Regulus who went relaxed when his eyes met hers.

"I thought for a second - " He finally caught sight of the figure across from her and the tension returned in full force. "Snape?"

A silent pause, because of course Snape didn't bother to deign Regulus with any reply.

"Why was the door locked?" Regulus asked, suspicion coloring his words as he narrowed his eyes at Snape.

... Did it never occur to him that it was her that locked the door?

She sighed and shrugged. "No reason. Come sit, Regulus."

Regulus quickly obeyed and sat next to her, though his eyes were still observing the older boy with increasing suspicion.

"I suppose I mentioned the wrong Black," Snape mused and Regulus definitely heard it.

"What was that?" He still asked.

"Nothing. Let's not waste anymore of our time, Black."

The discussion went swimmingly for the whole night, much to her delight. It was very productive, and they found a list of ingredients worth trying for their potion. Regulus's eyes, however, were watching Snape closely the entire time and Madeline honestly didn't have it in her to reprimand him. The sound of his concerned calls from outside the door stayed in the back of her head.

It was nice to know that she had someone like Regulus Black.