Heredity vs. Solidarity (S. Snape)

Chapter Twelve

Beside Matthew Smith’s bedside, a small table was covered in chocolates, flowers, cards, and an assortment of goods that Marcy was already digging into. Her face contorted into a frown when she read a ‘Get Well’ card from one very pretty, very smart Ravenclaw girl named Michaela Thomson.

Being in her year for the past seven years, Michaela was the type who became friends with pretty much everyone in her year – save for the Slytherins. With beautiful blonde tresses, and sparkling blue eyes, she was easily 5’7”, and as slim as a stick. She could ace any test without so much as opening her book, and the simple batting of an eyelid got her out of detention faster than you could say “Quidditch” – save for McGonagall’s classes.

“Michaela,” Marcy hissed, and Selena smiled in faint amusement as she watched her friend battle her jealousy. “This means nothing, right?” Marcy’s head whipped up, and Selena quickly ceased her smile, replacing it with a comforting stare.

“Have you ever heard Matthew mention her?”

“Well, no…” Marcy admitted, hesitancy. “But, it’s not too late for him to notice her!”

“Relax,” Selena sighed. “He’s not about to leave you for some snobby, too-smart-for-her-own-good rich kid.”

“Easy for you to say,” Marcy snorted. “Nobody wants Snape.”

Selena’s eyes widened exponentially, and just as quickly she was frowning, wondering how she would get herself out of this one…

“I don’t like him,” Selena hissed. “I never have. He’s just helping me out. Besides, I’m not the one who told the whole Ravenclaw student body that Matthew Smith is my boyfriend, now am I?”

Her skin turned an easy scarlet, and she quickly avoided eye contact, letting her eyes remain on the bubbly, and very intimate card within her grasp. Realizing she wasn’t making matters any better, Selena sighed, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly.

“Just throw the card out,” Selena suggested. “He has enough stuff that he could just as easily lose it. The only one who would care would be Michaela, right?”

“No…” Marcy sighed. “It wouldn’t be right. Besides, maybe this will… test him. I’ll really see if he likes me or not, you know?”

Selena, unable to resist, smiled. She couldn’t help but be pleased that despite how Marcy felt about Matthew, she would be willing to let her very own rival have her own share of admiration. It really gave Selena insight into how much Marcy truly liked Matthew.

“So, when are you going to tell him?” Selena questioned, sitting back casually with a pleased smirk on her face.

“Tell him?” Marcy blinked, but it was clear that from the way she flushed, she completely understood Selena’s question.

“Yeah, you know, that you like him,” she lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, and gave her friend a cheeky wink. “You have to eventually.”

“I could never,” Marcy shook her head in declination, and awkwardly looked down, her face now easily as red as a tomato. “Besides, if he doesn’t like me back, I’ll just make a fool of myself.”

“Never,” Selena chuckled. “If anything, he’ll respect you more. It shows that you have moxie.”

“Selena –“

“Look, you won’t know unless you try. I’m not saying to come right out and tell him, but if there’s ever an opportune time, just tell him.”

There was a long moment of silence between the two, and while Selena had a knowing, yet sympathetic look on her face, Marcy looked rather hesitant. Her flush returned when she gave the slightest nod, and faintest smile.