Loved By You. (A Severus Snape Love Story)

Chapter Twenty-One: Friends

My talk with Snape annoyed me all day and I had to talk to someone about it but I wasn't sure there was anyone I could truly trust. Eventually I settled to tell the gang but leave out some specific details so I wasn't giving everything away.

I met up with Harry, Ron and Hermione later that day to tell them everything.
"Can I ask you guys some advice?" I said, when we were all sat in the courtyard after dinner.
"Sure, Aria, whatever you need." Hermione, answered.
"Ok, I don't really know how to say this, and I would appreciate it if you kept this between the four of us." I asked.
"Of course." Harry agreed, not really knowing what to do.
"So I know I've just broke up with Draco but I kind of started seeing someone-"
"What?" Hermione gasped.
"Who? You only just ditched Malfoy the other day."
"I know it's soon but I met him before Draco and we were kind of flirting for a bit before Draco asked me out. Anyway, I was talking to him today and he wanted to know what we were, how do I respond to that?"
"He's a bit keen, isn't he, you've been seeing him for what 2 or 3 days?" Ron observed.
"I know but I didn't know what to say."
"I wouldn't know what to say Aria. It seems you have the most experience, Ron and I are hopeless, we've never had a girlfriend in our lives." Harry stated.
"Yes, and I wouldn't really say Viktor was the relationship type, he never wanted to talk." Hermione added.
"Believe it or not Draco was my first proper boyfriend, and he always knew where we stood, most of the time it was him who decided what was going on."
"Who is it, Aria." Hermione pushed.
"I... I can't say, he doesn't want anyone to know."
"But he's pressuring you into defining your relationship?"
"Well no, before Draco I was kind of playing him, I was trying to seduce him to embarrass him, but then I really did like him and he turned me down so I went out with Draco, now he thinks I'm doing the same again and he doesn't trust me."
"That's understandable, he's just insecure." Hermione went on.
"But I really do like it to him, how can I prove that when he thinks I'm using him?"
"I really don't know, Aria, I guess just show him your in it for the long run. Give him some space and if that doesn't work shower him with affection, try everything." She suggested.
"Yeah." Ron cut in. "Or you know, just tell him what he want to hear, where are you in the relationship."
"We've been seeing each other for 3 days Ron, I wouldn't even say we're dating it's not like we've been on an actual date." I exclaimed.
"Tell him that then." Ron proposed, pulling out a bar of chocolate from the inside of his robes and stuffing it in his face.
"What, that I want to go on a date with him?" I screwed up my eyes, and furrowed my brow, considering his proposal.
"Well, do you?" Harry wondered.
"I...I'm not sure. I don't think he'd want that anyway, he's pretty reserved, likes to keep to himself."
"I think next time he asks, just tell him what you think, be honest." Hermione resolved.
"Isn't there a way I can just avoid it all together." I asked.
"Not if you want to be with him." Hermione shook her head.
"She's right." Harry spoke. "You need to talk to him."
"Ok." I nodded, over and over again. "I'll think about it."

And I did, I went over the conversation I would have with Snape over and over in my head. I wanted to be with him, I did, but what would be the point if he couldn't trust me, If every time I showed him affection he would try and shrug me off. These were things I would have to discuss with him, there was more we needed to talk about before we took anything further.

I was on my way to go and find him that night when I was intercepted by a little blonde girl.
"Miss Dumbledore." She squeaked, catching my attention.
"Please, call me Aria, I'm a student just like you." I told her.
"Of course, Aria, I...I think I've decided on which potion I would like."
"Oh, OK, what can I get you?"
"Nothing." She answered. "Professor Snape's right I don't deserve a reward, I was just doing my work like everyone else."
"Well if that's what you think, then fine, I won't get you anything, but you should know, you really do deserve it." I assured Lucy.
"Thanks." She accepted humbly before running off down the corridor.