Heredity vs. Solidarity (S. Snape)

Chapter Five

Selena shivered with anxiety as her and Marcy made their way up to Professor Slughorn’s class for Advanced Potions. She was well aware of the fact that someone would be sitting two tables ahead of her, because lately, that’s where he always sat – but today would be different.

“So, I was thinking…” Marcy began, her lips tugging back into a nervous frown. “That Snape guy? A few classmates have had some suspicions for years…”

“Oh?” Selena asked, trying hard to hide her interest as much as possible. “What’s that?”

“You know the new couple, right?”

“Lily and James, I would assume?” Selena questioned, raising a brow. “What would they have anything to do with –?”

Marcy looked around shiftily before pulling Selena straight over into an alcove, their faces just inches away as Marcy stared straight into Selena’s eyes.

“People suspect that the Snape bloke has had a crush on Lily for years,” Marcy whispered, in a very conspiratorial fashion. “If this is true, he may be looking for a strategic way to get together with her – not to mention the fact that James has been his rival since day one.”

“What do I have to do with any of this?” Selena asked, frowning. “I have nothing to do with this equation at all –“

“Not everything is some Arithmancy equation,” Marcy sighed. “I was just thinking, that if this is true, he might be involving you in everything to get back at her – just a thought.”

“But, that isn’t even logical!” Selena complained, pushing her way out of the alcove. Marcy began following, with a tiny frown curved at the corners of her lips. “I mean,” Selena continued, voice now a whisper. “Even if it was true, and he did want to have his way, what could he –“

“He’s a Slytherin!” Marcy hissed. “Think about it, Selena!”

Cunning… Sly… Ambitious…

“He’d use you!” Marcy finished, when Selena said nothing. “He’d be trying to become your friend so he could get back at them – how, I have no idea, but it makes perfect sense!”

“But, it doesn’t!” Selena replied, sighing in aggravation. “It doesn’t work! Why me?! He could choose anyone – anyone – but he chooses me? Why?”

“I don’t know,” Marcy whispered. “Just a thought.”

Selena smiled softly, and placed a gentle arm around Marcy’s shoulder. The two finished their journey straight into Slughorn’s classroom to sit in their normal spot, and Severus was – of course – two tables up.

The black orbs looked back, and when they met eyes, he quickly looked ahead again. Selena frowned – was that a flash of smugness that she caught in his eyes?

“Welcome!” Slughorn boomed, his jovial voice resounding across the room. “I have a new plan for today. A student earlier requested something new; becoming partners with different houses for a change!”

Marcy and Selena exchanged worried glances, and suddenly, Severus’ smugness made perfect sense. He was the one who requested it – but that didn’t mean she would be paired with him! If she could help it, she would choose one of the two Gryffindors in the room, or one of the three Hufflepuffs, but not a Slytherin!

Not that Slytherin, anyway.

“I will be coming up to each table, and giving each person a number. The number they have will give them a slimmer amount of people to be chosen from. You will be given either a one, or a two.”