Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowlings, various publisher including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books, and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright and trademark infrigment is intended.

Please excuse my spelling, grammar and any misuse of words and expressions. English is not my first language.



A Little Manipulation



It was a quiet evening in the library, the kind of Severus liked most. The Gryffindors were celebrating their victory over the Ravenclaws in Quidditch. Ravenclaws were in too bad mood to occupy the library as usual. Slytherins were celebrating that the Gryffindor victory gave them to little points to seriously endanger Slytherin heading position (Potter caught the Snitch a little too quickly this time). Hufflepuffs were too busy with being good little students and going to bed early. Perfect evening for studying long at night, for which a sixth-year Severus, Slytherin prefect, had a permission from Madam Pince and Professor Andermin, his Housemaster.

The only interruption was a seventh-year student, sitting across his desk and babbling excitedly.

"And did you see how he caught the Snitch? With both hands! Another would have fallen off the broom!"

Severus shut his eyes praying for patience. He didn't know what was worse: an essay on the origins of the Ministry of Magic in Great Britain for Professor Binns, or Victoria's rumblings about James Bloody Potter. He regretted that he went to the match. Quidditch was last on his list of interests, especially when Slytherin wasn't playing, but Victoria could be very convincing when she chose to.

"He was so focused this time, did you notice? As if this match was more important to him than the rest, I wonder what caused that... how do you think?" His best friend became thoughtful. This was one of her most recognizable traits, this drive to analyze people. A trait they both shared and one that made them close. Yet, it was becoming annoying when the object of her analysis was Potter.

"I'm certainly the best person to ask, Victoria. It's my goal in life to watch James Potter." Severus sneered. "If you didn't notice, I'm trying to study here."

"You don't need to; Professor Monday looks healthy this week, you will not have to cover his lessons."

"This is for Binns."

"You can take my notes." She dismissed the issue with a shrug. "He smiled to me when they were announcing the score."

Severus put his quill down on the parchment, resigned. "I seriously doubt it. Potter doesn't smile at Slytherins."

"Just because you can't stand Gryffindors doesn't mean he's the same."

"Of course he isn't. He's worse. I just think Gryffindors are fools. He and his gang think Slytherins are Death Eaters in waiting. I would advise not dealing with them at all."

She looked at him shrewdly. "You deal with them quite a lot. One might think that your goal in life *is* to watch James Potter and his gang."

Severus raised an eyebrow. The statement was true enough. From the Gryffindor point of view, his favourite pastime was mocking them and trying to make their life a living hell.

"But I am not in love with James Potter." He couldn't keep certain bitterness from his voice.

Did she even realize what it meant to him that she had fallen for Potter, of all people? She was his best friend. His only real friend, probably. Kind of an older sister he had just found out he would like to have instead of Augusta. The only person he didn't act with.

He hated it when she was talking about Potter. James this, James that... He was jealous and he knew that. Jealous of the time she was spending watching the Quidditch practices, instead of studying with him. Jealous of her praises.

Thanks Merlin it wasn't Sirus Black. He didn't think he would be able to handle that. Victoria's infantuation with Potter made him detest Potter even more than before, but had she fallen for Sirus Black, he would have hated not Black but *her*. Another argument for the theory that he knew nothing about true attachment. Friends were supposed to stick together no matter what, right? So, what kind of friend was he?

Why couldn't she choose somebody else? One of their own? There were many in their House interested in her. Evan Rosier for example. Why not somebody more... Slytherin? A Ravenclaw? Even a Hufflepuff, for Merlin's sake! Why somebody so Gryffindor to a bone? The mpersonification of all the traits he despised and didn't understand? All of them, this showing off, this stupid 'bravery', this silly fair-play (the best way to loose a battle, according to Severus), foolish trust, pointless compassion, inefficient loyalty... They were totally alien to him. He had never experienced them and had difficulty grasping them intellectually. It was all weakness, and weakness was not something a Slytherin like him cherished.

Victoria was responsible for the only glimpses of trust and loyalty he had ever displayed in his life; he didn't know he was even capable of them. He still didn't understand them and considered them a weakness he should get rid of.

He just... didn't want to. It was... nice to feel that way.

If only she would get over Potter.

He observed her face. His last comment seemed to go deeper than he intended. She looked positively miserable.

"I'm pathetic, ain't I?"

As the matter of fact he thought she was, but had learned enough about normal social interaction to know that saying so would be of no comfort. His face however, must have been more than an answer for she smiled sadly.

"I would like to get over it too." Victoria said; her euphoria evaporated. "I don't know, if I just could try him... I'm sure he's not all that wonderful. He's Gryffindor, after all. A Gryffindor can't be good for a Slytherin, right?" She glanced at him for confirmation and continued, "I guess it's the want for something you can't have, a forbidden fruit, a curiosity for something different... But right now I love him and I can't help it..."

Severus watched surprised at the tears that shone in her eyes. She leaped to her feet abruptly and left the library without another glance at him. He didn't call after her; he knew tears made her uncomfortable. Well, they made him uncomfortable too, when they were shed by Victoria. Otherwise they made him disgusted.

And it wasn't as though he could offer any comfort. He knew nothing of love. Less than nothing.

*The want for something you can't have... curiousity for something different...*

Well, if she wanted him, she would get him. And she would hopefully get *over* him. A little manipulation here and there, a little persuasion, some blackmail if necessary... He was her friend, wasn't he? And if this was what it took to make her forget about Potter... then so be it.

***

On his way to Professor Monday's Potion lab Severus split from Evan Rosier and Alicia Wilkes and rushed to the most influential student at Hogwarts, who was standing with her friends in one of the niches.

"Narcissa, a moment of your time?" His cold voice echoed in the dungeon corridor.

The appreciation group around Narcissa stepped back cautiously. Every Slytherin knew that Severus Snape was better not to be crossed. Some of them found out the hard way, though it was the commonly known fact that he was easier on the girls. And he seemed to have some sort of understanding with Narcissa.

"What is it, Snape?" Asked Narcissa distractedly. "I don't have much time. Though we could meet some later this evening, the prefects bathroom is going to be free after eleven... " She gave him a seductive smile.

He didn't return it. "Not this time, Future-Mrs-Malfoy." A reminder for her to keep her mouth shut. True, Lucius graduated two years ago, but he made Robert Lestrange his eyes and ears. "I need an information."

"What kind of information?"

"Nothing you would like to keep secret, don't you worry. I know all your secrets anyway." Actually he knew not only hers secrets, but it was something he kept for himself. "You have many classes with Lockhart."

The mention of the name made her grimace with disgust. She had made a mistake of accepting his invitation to the Graduation Ball. After all, the Slytherin Head Girl needed a company of the best, and Lockhart was the most popular male at school. Unfortunately he begun to spread the rumour that she had fallen in love with him, and the arrangement had to be cancelled. Graduation only half year away, and she still had no suitable partner.

"That idiot? I will help you any way I can to bring him down."

"I don't plan to bring him down. I need to use him. What class is he weakest at?"

Narcissa laughed. "All of them."

"Charms?"

"Especially."

"Would he accept help?"

"Not from a Slytherin, unless an attractive girl. Or a popular one..." She trailed off. "Wait, I'm not going to - "

"I'm not asking you to. Thank you." Severus turned on his heel and begun to walk away.

"Er, Snape..."

"Yes?"

"About our next... encounter?"

"Not this week, Narcissa. Perhaps later." He left her with her friends. He didn't have time this week, what a pity. He needed a practice, but the books Professor Andermin borrowed form the University of Avalon were to be returned in six days and he was not through them yet.

***

The plan was not going smoothly. Lockhart's head was so thick that he had problems with understanding Severus more subtle taunting. Snape had to make his words brutally transparent for him to catch the insinuation that the whole school laughed at him because of his lack of skill in Charms. It slowly begun to gnaw Lockhart, that there is something he wasn't a star at.

Too slowly to make him ask Lily Evans for help.

Time for plan B; target Evans.

***

The dinner in the Great Hall was a little less than peaceful. It was Snape again, picking on the Gryffindors. His cruelty rose to the new hights as he was commenting Lockhart's amorous misfortunes and insulting half of the school's female population for having a crush on him.

"Good one, Snape!" Robert Lestrange called from his seat at the Slytherin table. The statement earned him a punch from his girlfried, Monica Rowlings. Evan Rosier stiffled a laugh; his eyes off of Victoria Morley for once.

"Truth can be painful." Severus purred silkily, and his 'friends' laughed at such hypocrysy. It was a well established fact that Slytherins treated truth very, hm, openly. Snape shot a look at the Gryffindor table and was stisfied with the reaction he saw there.

"Did you hear what he said?" Lily was seething. "How could he; he really hurt poor Gilderoy!"

"What did you expect from Snape, Lily?" Sirus shrugged. "He's a bastard and we all know it."

"But Gilderoy is not his league! What business does he have to ridicule him so?"

"Calm down Lil; we had a couple good laughs about Gilderoy too. He's an annoying moron."

"But you were never cruel! And it's not his fault that he's so handsome!"

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Sirus. Good she didn't compare him and Lockhart, he hated it. Remus laughed at this.

"Good James isn't here, Lily. He might get jealous."

Lily's eyes darkened. "It might do him some good. He takes me for granted. I'm his trophy girlfriend."

Remus shook his head.

"You know it's not true. It's only Snape's malicious comments. James loves you, respects you for your talents and would give you moon and stars if you wished."

"I don't need moon and stars." Lily said irritably. "I need a boyfriend who doesn't spend all his time at the Quidditch field."

Sirus and Remus looked at each other. Trouble in paradise. Again.

***

Severus watched his plan develope beautifully. Evans was mad at Potter because he spend more and more time practicing Quidditch. Armin Tansale, a captain of Slytherin team, was gently encouraged by Snape to make fun of Potter's skill as a Seeker. Gryffindors were so easy to work on.

Lockhart was so dim that he would never, ever realize that somebody was manipulating him. It was enough to hint that he would be more popular if he started to date the most popular Gryffindor girl, and he started showing interest in Evans. The last, but not the least, was the insinuation that she would be willing to help him in Charms, discreetly. If he knew what the word meant.

Evans was much more a challenge that this seventh-year nitwit. She and Potter were besotted with each other, nauseatingly so. It was going to take some effort to break them up.

Severus was on his best way to do so. With a little help of Lockhart.

***

"How dare you!" Evans shrieked. "You Slytherin scum!"

So much for the image of a perfect lady, Snape thought. She had too much of a Gryffindor temper and to little self-control to be one. He knew she would jump to Lockhart's defense, it was her nature to protect the weaker. Such a trusting, naive little creature she was. Pity she fraternized with Potter and his gang. Pity she had to be his enemy. He wasn't keen on hurting her.

Surprising. Since when was he considerate of other people's feelings? Victoria. It was all her influence. How she could be so friendly and open, given what she had to endure at home, Snape had no idea. She was a little unstable emotionally, but nothig compared to what his family did with himself.

"Oh, Evans, that was a very vocal defense of yours." He sneered. "Carrying a torch for Lockhart, don't you? I'm never going to understand girls, are you Potter?"

James was pale. He was ready to duel with Snape for what he said to Lockhart, but this mention of carrying a torch... It hit a little too close home. The way Lily was always defending that idiot... she thought him handsome, for crying out loud!

It was Sirus who took up a bait.

"Jealous, Snape? Gilderoy has people admiring him, people caring for him, unlike you, you greasy-haired git! If girls like Gilderoy perhaps you should be learning from him!"

Snape's face twisted into a grin.

"You mean I should drop to the bottom of my class in Charms, so that Evans could tutor me? I would if I was still required to take Charms. If I try hard enough I can fail Care of Magical Creatures, it's your second area of expertise, isn't it, Evans?"

Lily clenched her hands into fists.

"Don't you make it sound like a crime, Snape! The fact that I help Gilderoy is nothing to be ashamed of! And I would never tutor *you*!"

Snape's grin broadened at the expression on Potters face. So the cat was out of the bag. "Well, lucky me, I'm safe from you. Although I don't know about *poor Gilderoy*... You should guard your girlfriend better, Potter. Now, if you excuse me..." And Snape was marching down the corridor towards the dungeons. James and the rest of Marauders were too stunned to go after him and try to hex him. Lockhart disappeared somewhere in the middle of the *discussion*.

"You tutor Lockhart?" James's voice was incredulous, tinted with the smallest amount of anger. "I never thought you would do something like that to me..."

Lily saw red. "Something like what?!"

"Seeing Lockhart behind my back! All those times you had no time for me after I was back from the practice!"

"I was tutoring Gilderoy, not seeing him! And I was the one who had no time? Well, I had to find something to do when you were out every single afternoon!"

"You lied to me!"

"No, you never asked what I was doing! You weren't interested!"

"So you took up with Lockhart!"

"I didn't - , at least he shares his activities with me!"

Remus cleared his throat. "Listen to yourselves, guys..."

"Shut up!" Lily and James both yelled.

"I see it doesn't work, James." Lily stated firmly. "You are not thinking clearly. Perhaps a short separation would do us good."

"What?" There was a chorus of amazed gasps from James, Sirus, Remus and Peter.

"You want a girlfriend to rub your sore back when you come off your broom, find another one!"

James looked almost scared now.

"But Lily, listen..."

"Not another word, James. I don't want to see you at the moment." Lily begun to walk away from the stunned boys but turned back for the last word. "And don't you dare to get back at Gilderoy for this. None of this is his fault!"

"Fine!" James yelled after her. "You can go to Lockhart, see if I care!"

When she was gone from his sight, James looked at his friends helplessly.

"How did it happen?"

***

Next day at the breakfast James was sitting at the table picking in his food miserably, while Lily, on the other side of the table, was explaining something to Gilderoy Lockhart. James was doing a tremendous effort not to look in their direction.

"Poor James." Victoria said seeing this. "He looks so sad... He's taking it really badly..."

Severus almost choked on his pumpkin juice. Poor James? Serves him right for caring more about the Quidditch than his girlfriend! If his list of priorities was in the right order nothing would have happened. How Victoria could still be pining for him was beyond Severus, but all was going towards straightening things out.

"Well, Victoria, he's free again. All yours to comfort."

It didn't took Victoria long to realize what he was saying. She smiled sunnily. "This is all your doing? You hate James... and now half of the school hates you for this thing with Lockhart."

Severus shrugged. "Half of the school hated me anyway so nothing has changed. You said you wanted him, you have him. Little price to pay for the best friend to come to her senses."

He was surprised when she hugged him; it was rather nice feeling though.

"Thank you, Severus. You're the best friend a girl can dream of."

"Don't forget it when you see what kind of an asshole Potter is." He replied gruffly.

"I won't." She inhaled deeply, glancing at James. "Wish me luck."

"He doesn't stand a chance. You're a Slytherin."

Severus watched as Victoria approached James and put her hand on his arm. Than she sat beside him and started a conversation. He winced when she hugged Potter comfortingly and left the Great Hall. He'd better make sure Evan doesn't see Victoria and Potter, he would hit the roof.

***

Severus skimmed through his notes on Potions. Nothing difficult tomorrow, Professor Monday didn't have particularly ambitious plans for his fifth-year Hufflepuffs. Good he didn't have to take Potions for the last two years, he would have gone mad if he had to endure the classes the good Professor prepared for his students. Assisting him was bad enough.

Well, he could concentrate on 'Paths of the Dead' by Leonardo Miriani he had taken from home this vacation. Oh, he knew the huge volume almost by heart, but the last time he read it he noticed several interesting references to the books he discovered in Restricted Section. He wondered if he could get Professor Andermin to sign the permission for borrowing those books from the library; he couldn't risk showing 'Paths of the Dead' to Madam Pince (or anybody else) and he had to make some comparisons...

The loud knock on the door interrupted his musings. Damn it, he agreed to be a prefect mostly for the luxury of his own room, so that he wouldn't be disturbed at two at night!

"Who is it?"

"Victoria." Came a muffled reply.

Victoria? He almost didn't talk to her for the last two days, she was so busy with Potter.

He went to the door and let her inside. She looked... awful. Her hair was tangled, her nightgown rumpled, tears run down her cheeks.

"What happened?" gasped Severus. "Potter?"

She broke into sobs, not being able to choke out a single word.

"What did the bastard do to you?!"

"He... I... we... and he..."

"He came on you?!" Severus snatched his wand from under the pillow on his bed and was ready to sprint to the Gryffindor Tower.

"No, nothing... nothing like that..."

"So what?"

He saw he wouldn't be getting an answer anytime soon. He went to his trunk and took out a bottle.

"Here." He gave her the bottle. "Drink some."

She did, and spluttered. "Merlin, what is his stuff?"

"Vodka. Don't tell anybody I have it. Did it help?"

She sat on his bed and hugged her knees. "Yeah."

"Now can you tell me?"

She nodded. "But first give me some more of this vodka." She took a couple of sips and than laughed to herself, bitterly. "I was so stupid... I thought he could love me."

Severus waited patiently.

"I slept with him."

"What?!" Severus was stunned. Victoria was not the type of the girl to sleep with somebody after two days of dating, and he was sure as hell she and Potter weren't exactly dating.

"He was really nice, when I talked to him... and it was much easier to talk to him than I thought, he's so easy-going. He was so depressed about his break-up with Lily. He said I deserve better than him... Don't say it." Severus held his tongue and didn't say that she did deserve better than Potter. "I told him he deserves better than Lily who could leave him for a worthless piece of shit like Lockhart... I told him I loved him."

"And?" Severus prompted when the silence prolonged, although he had a fair idea what happened next.

"We went to his room... and then it happened."

Severus greeted his teeth. "He took advantage of you!" he hissed.

"I wasn't exactly unwilling, you know. In fact, I was ecstatic. We... made love. It was really wonderful, Severus, there is nothing more beautiful in the world than making love to a person you love." Tears shone in her eyes again.

He wouldn't know about it. "So what's the matter?"

"The matter... when we made to the moment... the moment... you know... the moment he..."

"He climaxed." Severus filled in. Victoria winced at the clinical term.

"Yes, it would be it... he screamed... he screamed: *Lily*."

Severus closed his eyes for a moment. Oh, shit.