A Sliver of Change | S. Black

Part 2: Chapter 40

Part 2:

Chapter 40 –

February 14th, 1978

Lia skipped through the yard, excitement on her face as she realized what had just changed within her. She was looking to tell the good news to her boyfriend, knowing that they were meeting up later for their anniversary but not wanting to wait.

She had a bit of trouble after losing Fleamont, only starting to deal with it over the past couple of weeks and the happiness she felt today was something she hadn't felt in a while. She wanted to cherish it and just hoped that it would continue.

But apparently the world was against her.

She wasn't looking where she was going, and it caused her to knock into a figure, looking up she noticed the greasy black hair of Snape. Not wanting to argue or start anything between the two to ruin her mood she stood up, holding a hand out for him.

But Snape slapped her hand away and Lia scoffed as she watched him struggle to get up.

"Sorry," she muttered, not caring anymore to be nice and instead decided to just walk around him, but Snape stopped her in her tracks with his words.

"You should be, Potter," he hissed at her, "you and your gang of merry friends seem to always be getting in people's ways."

Lia turned slowly towards him, her eyes narrowing into slits at his words.

Insult her, cool. Insult her friends too, not cool.

"Maybe if you were noticeable," Lia taunted with a smirk, "people would be able to see you. But unfortunately, that's not the case."

Snape bared his teeth at her, and Lia watched as Alecto and Barty Crouch Jr came to stand by his side. Looking at their cold faces, she wondered how anyone in their right mind could ever believe that they had an ounce of good in them.

"I wouldn't say much, Emilia," Alecto said to her, "you managed to be a whore for the biggest traitor Black."

Lia rolled her eyes at her lazy insult, and she stepped closer to the three.

"Alecto honey, when you look the way that you do," she spoke with sympathy, "I wouldn't talk."

Alecto surged forward but a hand came out of nowhere and her pulled her back. Lia was shocked to see Regulus squeezing her arm tightly, a glare on his face as he shoved Alecto and the rest behind him.

His back was turned towards her as he yelled at them, "you think little fights like this are worth your time? Get out of here before I make you regret it."

Barty Crouch jr scurried off in a hurry, fear on his face. Alecto ripped her arm away from him and sent Lia a glare over Regulus' shoulder before huffing and walking away, but Snape continued to stand in his spot defiantly, his eyes suspiciously scanning Regulus.

Apparently, Regulus didn't like that as he got into Snape's face, growling out, "you have no leg to stand on here Severus. We may be friends, but in his," he accentuated the words his, causing Lia's stomach to drop, "eyes, I am superior to you. Back off and walk away."

Snape snarled at the two of them before turning on his heel, his robes blowing in the wind behind him. Lia watched as he turned the corner into the castle, leaving only Regulus and her in the courtyard.

She wasn't sure what to say to him. She was still upset over what he did a few months ago to her and Sirius and wasn't even sure exactly why he did it, which was why she continued to stay quiet as he turned towards her.

"A thank you will suffice," Regulus drawled as he moved to stand in front of her. His body towered over her, and she realized just how tall he was, a mix in between Remus and Sirius.