Snape: -watches 'Harry Potter Puppet Pals- … Do I really sound like that?

'Course ya do! –pats his back- I'm guessin' you never heard yourself talk before huh?

Snape: -blinks- You're in a rather happy mood today…

That's cuz' I'm gonna see the fifth Harry Potter movie… -faints-

Snape: … Fascinating … I'm guessing that since you don't have anything else to do over the summer, this is one of the biggest highlights for you?

Yup. –waves to readers- I dun' care if some of you have already seen it, I just can't wait till I can!

Snape: -mouthing out 'Please Kill This Ingrate-'-

Eh? –turns around- Did you just say somethin'?

Snape: Nope. –holds up disclaimer to hide face- Harry Potter and it's characters do not belong to RIkku Hikari. Just this fanfiction and some of it's characters.

Like Sam! –hugs Sam plushie-

Snape: I know what you've planned for later chapters you sick minded freak.

-Stuffs Snape's mouth with Sam plushie- Shh! Don't tell anyone you jerk! –waves to weirded out readers- Please R&R if you can! I enjoy them ever so much!

More Author's Notes on the bottom of the page!

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Lily could have sworn that she had looked through every room and (strangely) underneath couch cushions wherever they were. She couldn't help but be nervous. She somehow felt that it was her fault that Snape had left in such a hurry.

Just as she stopped her vigorous search for a quick rest, James approached her from the side. He smiled as he stared at Lily, admiring and fantasizing her form as she stood blissfully unaware. The boy eventually cleared his throat, surprising Lily and causing her to jump up, turning on her heel to see that it was only James.

Whoop de flippin' doo.

She straightened her posture as James walked towards her, an overconfident look conquering his features. Just as he stood a mere few inches in front of her, Lily narrowed her eyes and turned to leave. However, James had other plans. He took hold of her hand and pulled her back against him, closing his arms over her waist.

"James you idiot! Let me go!" Lily fumed as she struggled to rip herself out of his firm hold. He just shrugged and looked up towards the ceiling, mocking the thought of letting her go. "Mmm … Nah. I like how you feel. You're so soft compared to the other girls who go out with me."

"Pig!"

"Only as much as any other guy in Hogwarts."

"Not Severus! He's a lot more mature than you!"

James scowled at Lily's comment as he pulled her even closer to him, so much so that he was literally breathing down her neck. And due to the fact that he was much taller than she was, he could look down her shirt (much to Lily's dismay). "You know, I'm starting to think that you like him more than me… And I mean in the 'Like Like' sort of way."

Lily stopped squirming as James' last sentence sunk in. But she didn't have too much time to ponder it. The boy had taken to moving his arms slowly up her waist, underneath her shirt, towards her--

Instinctively, Lily shoved her elbow against James' gut and practically dove for the doorway, where the rest of the Marauders had been watching. She ran blindly from there and towards the Gryffindor dormitories, crying.

James hugged himself as his friends surrounded him and spoke with comments like 'Wow, mate. You got beat by a girl." Sirius was looking intently at James, who was only looking at his feet, repeatedly asking if he was all right. James' glasses fell off, and broke as they hit the floor. Suddenly, the boys found themselves staring confusedly at James who was laughing hard enough to scare werewolves away.

"So that's how it's going to be then, eh?" He asked aloud, making his way to a nearby bench. "Lily's not going to have much to hope for with that coward when I'm through with him."

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Snape stirred as his sleep was disturbed by the sound of somebody with an annoying voice chattering something about how 'Skipping classes to mope about pubescent things' was a horrible waste. Opening one eye, he looked up to see the ghost of a girl. She looked … pale. Then again, most ghosts were pale. But she looked as if she'd been that way even when alive.

Two pigtails hung limply over her shoulders and thick round glasses seemed to magnify her dark eyes. Not to mention her robes were rather worn out looking, resembling Hogwarts' old style of uniforms.

Mumbling slightly, Snape closed his eye and leaned back against the slick tile wall.

"Hello, Myrtle."

Sticking out her bottom lip, Moaning Myrtle gave him her usual pouty look. "And where have you been all this time?! Find some other bathroom with another ghost to hang around?!"

Snape shook his head. "You know that's not it, Myrtle… I've just been having some problems lately. It'll be over with soon." Sighing, the ghost girl floated down to a position where she was practically standing in front of him. "Whatever it is probably wasn't worth leaving me all alone in this dank, dark, cold, wet bathroom that hardly anyone visits! I didn't have anyone to talk to about my life and how everyone made fun of me!" She held her hands up to her face, moan like sobs escaping her.

Snape didn't open his eyes. "And you somehow find yourself wondering why when all the answers you need are right under your nose…"

Myrtle looked up. "What?!"

Snape stood up without another word, collecting his usual careless look and calm demeanor. He nodded slightly to Myrtle as he left the bathroom to get back to the Slytherin dormitories. He started to wonder how he was going to explain his reason for being awake so late at night to the patrolling prefects. Though, since most of the Slytherin prefects were rather careless and did not abide by the rules most of the time like the other house's prefects did, he had some hope that no one would notice.

It wasn't long before he was sitting in the Slytherin den, staring into the black tiled fireplace and feeling the warmth resonating from it. Not surprisingly, he wasn't tired. He just liked to think to himself when no one was around to bug him about school or his social life.

The fire was welcoming and reminded Snape of his mother. A pang of guilt abruptly interrupted his thoughts as he remembered that he hadn't seen her for a while.

'Oh well…' Snape thought, pulling out his wand and casting a spell to keep the fire going. 'Summer's almost here… that means that I can visit her as many times as I want… not like Dad's going to do anything…'

Yet another unpleasant thought came up. Mr. Snape.

The boy glared at the fire as he remembered how his father had reacted when he had received his letter to attend Hogwarts. Severus couldn't help but shiver to think what his dad would do to him one he got home. Mr. Snape knew that his son couldn't use magic outside of school due to another letter containing the rules and regulations of each student's limitations.

Knowing that Severus could do him no harm magic wise, of course, pleased Mr. Snape. He even planned to kick Severus out one he turned sixteen, and somehow made a pact with a member of the Ministry of Magic to protect him, should Severus return to his home and attempt to kill him.

Muttering to himself about how unfair it was that his father would get away with anything he did to Severus, he quietly stood up and walked towards the large fireplace. Kneeling down, Snape remembered a story his mother had told once when they were sitting in front of the fire.

"Once upon a time, there was a prince. But not just any prince," Eileen had said to a younger Severus Snape, who was sitting on her lap and staring up at her curiously. She went on, "This prince was treated poorly by everyone. Because he was not the youngest in the family, or the oldest like every successful prince was. This prince was an only child, and very much alone. His father never had any high hopes of him, except to embarrass the family for not being like the other princes."

"The prince's mother was a witch-"

"Was she pwetty like you?"

"… No she was far prettier than me…"

Little Snape shook his head. "Nobody can be pwettier than you!" Eileen rolled her eyes to the ceiling. Snape did the same, but he didn't see anything. "Do you want me to go one or are you just going to interrupt me again?"

Snape clapped his little hands over his mouth, muffled protests to go on somehow audible. His mother smiled her usual one and hugged her toddler son close to her.

"As I said before, the prince's mother was a witch. That also made him a half blood… Nobody liked witches, for they were cruel and ugly. Or so it was assumed. But the prince, not being like other princes, still loved her so much."

"Thanks to him being part witch, nobody wanted to be his friend. The only one that would talk to him was his mother. One day, she couldn't bear the sight of her son being so sad. So she sent him away, to a very special school."

Little Snape couldn't stop himself from speaking anymore. "Hogwarts!"

His mother smiled. "That's right. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While there, the prince found his princess. She was beautiful, even more than any other princes on earth. But she was guarded by many other princes who sought for her hand in marriage."

Eileen looked down at Snape directly, lifting her leg slightly so that the boy was just inches away from her face. "Do you want to know what the prince did?" Snape nodded eagerly. Lifting her wand, Eileen murmured a little spell and waved her wand. A bright blue light in the shape of a fairy suddenly darted around both of them, soon joined by many more. Snape giggled as one of the fairy like beings defended one and drew out a small sword, swiping it at any of it's brothers who dared to fly close.

"He fought them all back!" Snape's mother was getting excited, also laughing with her son. Both their laughter echoed throughout the dark room, as the small fairies started to dance around the room, each happily darting from different areas.

Opening his eyes, Severus looked deeply into the fireplace, half expecting it to jump out and dance. But it didn't. The fire crackled and popped as it always did. The boy lifted up his hand, holding it in front of the fire and staring at that for a moment.

"That also made him a half blood…"

"…nobody wanted to be his friend…."

"Once upon a time there was a prince…"

"Do you want to know what that prince did? … He fought back!"

Closing his hand to a tight fist, Snape chuckled quietly. He suddenly thought of a name that he could take up.

"Severus Snape, The Half Blood Prince…" He whispered, "Has a rather nice ring to it…"

Snape stood up once more and looked up at the portrait above the fire, staring out as though interested in Snape's new name. It didn't move. The picture was painted by muggles and posted up in the Slytherin dormitories due to the fact that the headmaster was interested in them and wanted to see the student's reaction to a muggle painting.

The portrait portrayed a young man, just barely knighted from the looks of it, staring proudly into space in his new glistening armor. For a moment, Snape saw himself in that armor, bearing the new name 'The Half Blood Prince' just as a knight was given one.

He yawned, realizing how late it must be and how hard it was to get up in the morning when one stayed up this late. Cursing to himself, he walked hastily up the stairs, still thinking about his new name and how this would help him to overcome his fear of the Marauders. But mostly James.

The last thing that dwelt one his mind, that he didn't pay more than a minute towards, was Lily. But Severus was too tired to think much about her, and with that done with, he slid into bed unaware that Lily was hurt badly and needed someone to help her.

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The next morning was dull, as most mornings at Hogwarts were. As Snape quietly read through his homework assignment once more, Sam plopped down on the seat across from him. "G'mornin'!" He said happily.

Severus didn't look up. The last thing he'd ever do was greet somebody. Especially when that somebody happened to be a natural born morning person. Sam didn't notice though, he was too busy piling his plate with enough food to feed half of Hogwarts.

It didn't take long for Sam to talk about how wild his night was when a few boys from his class got in trouble for drawing mustaches on random pictures. He ranted for what seemed about an hour, food spewing out of his mouth onto everyone else's breakfasts.

Finally, unable to take anymore of Sam's hyperactive attitude, Snape stood up and walked as far away as he could from the other boy. Unfortunately, Sam followed after him, trotting like a playful foal after him.

It was almost a bit like a cat mouse chase. Snape was the mouse and Sam was the cat. Every now and then though the situation would switch when Snape would turn on a heel to give Sam a cold look and scaring him off for a moment. But Sam would come back sooner and try to catch up with Snape even after each attempt.

With one final hope that this time Sam might leave him alone, Severus stopped and looked over his shoulder, just in time to see Sam bump lightly against him.

"Sam?" Snape asked solemnly.

"Yeah?"

"I would greatly appreciate it if you would leave me alone. You know, for about … the rest of our time in Hogwarts."

Sam stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest and shaking his head like a stubborn child. "But I'm your friend! And true friends stalk each other!"

Severus groaned quietly. How the heck was he going to get it into Sam's thick skull that he didn't want any friends or need any? Just as he was about to tell Sam off again, but with a bit more force this time, he heard James laughing aloud.

Completely abandoning his anger, Snape turned his gaze towards the hallway to see the Marauders and a small group of girls. While the gang of troublemakers seemed to be gloating about something, the girls seemed upset.

"Aren't you even sorry for what you did to Lily!?" One girl nearly shouted in frustration. James gave her a crooked smile albeit a smug one.

"She was asking for it the whole time if you ask me!"

"No she wasn't! Lily doesn't like you! Get that into your stupid head!"

At the very mention of Lily's name, Snape curiously moved closer to them, hiding behind a few pillars every now and then to be safe. 'How far could that idiot have gone now…?' He asked himself, hoping it wasn't quite as bad as the girls had made it out to be.

"Do you want to know who the real stupid one is?" James asked the girls spitefully. Each of the girls gave him exasperated sighs. He took that as a sign to go on.

"Lily."

Snape's eyes widened and he clutched the pillar hard enough to whiten his pale hands.

"She completely denies that she likes me. No, loves me. All girls are like that. They all think that they can live without a guy in their lives! But the truth is they aren't anything special without one there to open their eyes!"

Before now, Snape was positive that James was quite possibly the one most lacking in the brain department. After he said this, the dark haired wizard wasn't sure what to think of him. A few words came to mind, but not one seemed to exactly describe James.

He didn't notice that Sam had been just beside him. And hardly even noticed that the other boy had been standing in plain sight. Strangely no one noticed. Lily's friends angrily spat at the Marauders with angry remarks, but none seemed to have any affect on the boys.

All but one turned to leave, too mad to express their utter hate for James and his friends. Eventually, the one that had stayed behind left with her friends in a slow and sad pace.

As the boys laughed and celebrated their small victory, Snape couldn't stay quiet anymore. He muttered a curse as he pulled his wand out and pointed it directly at the Marauders.

Without even meaning to, and due to the fact that he was too angry to exactly say a full spell, Snape murmured a spell that he just made up.

"Sectumsempra!"

A loud scream erupted afterwards, followed by the shouts for help by the Marauders.

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Wow… I'm makin' everyone seem OOC-ish… Durnit.

Snape: Not to mention the fact that you wrote most of this last night until 5 in the morning.

What? I'm nocturnal! –Waves to people- Anyway… Thank you Cheese and Crackers for pointing out some of the mistakes I missed…. –feels stupid-

Snape: Yes. I thank you for that so much. You've exploited Rikku's weak side. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! –twitches- Er…

Dang. You are evil Snape… -pulls out Sam plushie- Prepare for the burning affection of plushies!! –Makes them hug-

Snape: Nuuu!!! –Faints-

Oh yes! About the movie … See I wrote the first couple of pages on the day of the premiere for 'HP5' a while ago… so I've already seen it… -stops making Sam plushie hug Snape- It wasn't quite as good as the other ones… well 'cept Fred and George… they make me happy! … Er… Back to the point… The movie was a bit darker than the other ones (same with the books too I suppose) but it would've been nice if it could be, oh I dunno, a little more funny?

Snape: You're asking for too much there. –suddenly revived-

Yeah… And the story is supposed to get darker… Well, anyway! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and with continue to R & R this story. Until the next chapter! n.n