"Elira, can you stay behind for a moment." Her mother asked after class. "No, I said I would attend the lessons but it doesn't change anything." Elira seethed, glaring into her mothers eyes with anger and hurt. Gwen sighed as the door slammed shut and a ripple of frustration flowed through her veins.

"Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Harry shrieked when Elira caught up with him and Ron. "In a way I have, because my mother is dead to me." Elira groaned, moving her bag to her other shoulder.
"You cannot possibly mean that! Do you know how lucky you are to even have a mother?" Harry spat, an unfamiliar fury plastered across his face, "Harry, I didn't mean it like that but you have to understand.. you have no idea what she's like!" Elira defended herself in desperation, also trying to calm her friend down.

"I'm sorry Elira, but cheating on your dad a few times doesn't mean she loves you any less. I think you need to give her a break!" Harry snapped, storming away leaving Elira stood there with her mouth agape in shock.
"Don't worry, he'll calm down. It's just a touchy subject and you know.. he's stressed with stuff." Ron told Elira as he saw the guilt flush over her face.

"I know, but I should have been more sensitive what with..." Elira sighed, "look, he's just over sensitive right now. Don't think on it too much, anyway I need to find 'Mione I have no idea where she disappeared too so bloody fast." Ron chuckled before zooming off into the distance.

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

"Elira.... are you alright? I didn't see you at dinner an...." "I'm fine Sev, I just banged my antlers with Harry a bit. I thought it best to keep out of his way." Elira smiled gently, wrapping her arms around Snape's neck. He reached down to plant a gentle kiss on her lips and sighed, "don't worry too much for Potter, he's an insolent little chit anyway."
"You really need to give him a break Severus, I can't understand why you hate him so much. He's done nothin to you!" Elira sighed, becoming annoyed by his constant bitterness towards Harry.

"He exists, he's done enough." Snape scowled, before getting a grip on himself and turning to look at Elira. "I didn't mean that." He mumbled desperately trying to remove the sickened look for Elira's face. "I know you didn't, but maybe it's about time you explained to me what this is all about? Hmm?" She smiled gently, as if trying to reassure him.

"Potter's father James made my life hell when I was a student. He was an arrogant, nasty piece of work. Harry looks so much like him, so much it makes my stomach turn... but..."
"Sev?" Elira pressed, anxious to hear the rest of the story. "His eyes are just like his mothers! Lily... my sweet Lily..." Snape croaked, looking towards Elira with the most painful look she had ever seen.

"I'm guessing that you loved her... I can see how it would hurt to see the child of the woman you once loved and wishing that you were the father." Elira smiled, Snape could see that she understood.

"I'm not, and i never would have been. I lost her friendship, she never knew how I felt and that's my fault. I pushed her into his arms and now she's dead because of his idiocy. If I wasn't such a fool she would be alive right now Elira..." Snape explained, Elira shook her head in disagreement. "It's not your fault Severus, how could it possibly be? You're just trying to take the blame for her death to punish yourself for letting her go!"

Snape was silent for a few minutes, Elira knew she had said something that may or may not have caused him offence, so she didn't speak again.
"How can it be possible? You're so young and yet so wise... I hope this doesn't change anything between us, Lily is in my past. I'm in love with you now." He whispered, taking Elira's hand in his. "It doesn't change a thing, I promise."