Severus Snape's Sister

IV. Christmas

Natasha Prince

Slughorn was going to have a Christmas party. Natasha knew she couldn't get out of it. She was allowed to bring someone, but she didn't really have anyone to bring. She went alone with her hair falling in loose curls down to her waist.

The party was pretty boring other than watching Hermione run from Cormac and talking to Neville. "Neville, if you wanted to go so badly, I would've taken you," Natasha said to Neville.

"Lovely to know now," he whined.

"I'm sorry. Anyways, has Snape laid off you?" she asked.

"Shockingly, yes. I don't know why," he said thoughtfully.

"I might've told him to," she teased.

"You didn't!" He looked at her with his mouth open a little.

"I did. Anyway-"

They were interrupted by an angry Mr. Filch. He dragged in Draco by the ear. He started to go on about Draco claiming to be invited to the party. Natasha and Severus cut each other looks. He wanted her to keep him out of trouble, and she knew what to do.

She rushed forward. "Draco? I thought you weren't feeling well. What happened to going to bed early?" she pressed and took his hand in hers.

He didn't miss a beat in saying with fiend embarrassment, "I felt bad for leaving you. I changed my mind." He added a half-smile. She rolled her eyes with a smile like this all pleased her immensely.

"I assure you both, Mr. Filch and Professor Slughorn, he's with me," she swore in her quiet voice that made Slughorn think she was innocent and most definitely honest. 

"Simple as that, Argus," Slughorn chuckled. Filch muttered and left.

Natasha grabbed Draco's other hand and pulled him back into the crowd. She batted her eyelashes as everyone glanced at them. She leaned close to Draco and muttered, "I expect ten galleons for pretending to be with you. Ginny's never going to let me live this down."

Since people were still staring, Draco pulled her close to him and swayed with her. "Why'd you even do that?" he asked in a rather aggressive tone.

"Well, I figured you'd rather this than looking like a total idiot with no excuse or a desperate attention-whore who planned on party crashing." She pried herself from his arms now that no one was watching. "And the house points, much more pressingly than your feelings. That would've been beautiful to see."

"Ten galleons is too expensive for a favor like this," he muttered lowly.

"The way you act, I just figured you were made out of money," she said innocently. "Isn't that why Pansy chases after you?"

"You seem innocent, but you're actually a-"

"Finish that sentence, and you're going to be dumped dramatically by a girl a year under yourself in the middle of a party full of 'important people.' "

"Fine. Who even are you?"

"Natasha Prince. As I said, year under yourself. Of course a Slytherin," she explained shortly.

"I've never seen you...anywhere with anyone."

"Yes, well, that's to be expected. Everyone (especially in Slytherin) hates me."

"Why? You're not actually a Mudblood are you?"

"Say 'Mudblood' one more time and I'll show you why I was invited here. And, pure-blood maniacs like yourself are arrogant asshats that need to be taken off their high horses before the muggles shoot them off. The Americans love doing that."

He looked at her dumbfounded. She smiled and raised her eyebrows. As Severus came up, she disappeared into the crowd.