Pieces of memories fall to the ground.- Feb 15th _ Smut & Viloence.

"Come here, love." Antonin murmured, wrapping an arm around Betta and pulling her close to him so that she could rest her head on his shoulder. "That's it...just cry it out. Snape's an idiot, Betta. I know you like him, but is that worth letting him treat you the way he just did? You don't deserve that, sweetheart. You're a princess; you should be treated like one."

Glad to have a shoulder to cry on, Betta wrapped her arms around Antonin's neck and allowed him to just hold her. "I...wish...I...c-could believe th-that!" she moaned, looking up at him after a moment. "I don't underst-stand why I keep falling for the wrong guys...it makes no sense..." When Antonin lifted her chin to wipe away her tears, she continued. "Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?"

"That doesn't matter, Betts." replied Antonin, holding her tightly. "Snape doesn't deserve you, love. Believe me when I say that. Look at me." he added, gazing into her eyes. "Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are?"

"Not in so many words." Betta replied, blushing slightly. "It's nice to hear it, though." She sighed and looked out at the lake. "This whole relationship thing is not working out for me, Antonin. You know I like Severus, but it's like you said...I don't need to be treated the way he treated me just now. I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

"You're overthinking things, Betta. As far as relationships go, it's better to just be friends with someone first." Antonin replied, keeping an arm around her as they both gazed out across the water. "And even then, sometimes you'll never be anything more than friends with someone. That's something our friend Severus would do well to remember in future." he added, snorting as he looked over at Severus and Lily. "He never had a chance with her, but he's making a fool of himself over her in spite of the fact that she's now engaged to be married."

"I wish I had a chance with him." whispered Betta, feeling tears well up again. "I don't know--maybe I am just a glutton for punishment. Why can't I just tell him to go to hell and be done with it?"

"Maybe you aren't meant to be with him, Betta. Maybe you're meant to be with someone else." Antonin replied quietly. "And maybe you'll find out who that might be if you would just let go of your pride and be what you know you should be." When she opened up her mouth to protest, he covered her lips with his own and gave her a slow, gentle kiss. His expectations and dreams were nothing compared to what kissing her in real life was like; it was oh so much better, even more so since he'd caught her in a very vulnerable state. Perhaps now she would agree to join. Now that someone had shown her a bit of kindness, Betta might be more agreeable to the idea. He could only hope.

Betta pulled away after a moment. "Antonin..." she began, then sighed. "Remember that I like Severus. Not that I didn't enjoy that kiss," she added hastily, "but my heart is with Severus. I've liked him since first year, and I suppose I'll always like him, no matter what. Please understand this."

Blast it all, what is it going to take to get this girl to quit fawning over that greaseball? Antonin thought, letting out a sigh. He forced a sympathetic smile on his face, however, wanting to keep up appearances so Betta wouldn't suspect what he was doing. "I understand that, Betts. You like him. I'm not going to stand in the way of that. Just know that I'm here for you if you ever need to talk to me about things."

All right that's it, " Severus....." I said sighing. " Why...because I care about him. He as changed from how he used to be... I have liked him for a while now and I thought you always being htere for me I would come and tell you this news. Would you have preferred it if I didn't say anything? " I asked him, " I didn't want to make this much of an effect on you today. I apologize. I just figured it was something to share...." I said I was losing my temper. I looked over to him. He was angry, and upset. I pulled my hair into a ponytail. " Severus, this was supposed to be a happy occasion." I said to him as I watched as he looked like he didn't know what he was wanting to say or better yet to word it.

"Oh yes, it's a thrilling occasion." Severus muttered, half to himself. "Congratulations. I'm happy for you, can't you tell?" He stood up and threw another rock into the water. "Where does that leave me, Lily? Oh, wait, never mind. Once again, I'm shoved aside like I'm chopped liver. I never thought that you of all people would do this!"

I furrowed my brows and crossed my arms, " Do what?!" I started getting a little louder. " Be happy that someone cares about me so much and took the chance to propose to me....and me saying yes?!" I finished with a sarcastic look on my face. I couldnt believe Severus was acting like this but I was losing it and this was supposed to be a happy day and we're going to start getting attention as I wouold be almost yelling now... I toned down and tried to keep my voice to talking.

Betta stood up and gave Antonin a hug. "Thanks for talking with me. I'm going to go see about them...maybe try to calm Severus down. He's upset." With that, she made her way back over to Severus and Lily.

"Sev, don't be hard on Lily." she said quietly. "This is a happy occasion for her; don't ruin it."

"I'm sure you'll make lots of pretty babies together, Lily." Severus spat. "If you don't get wiped out by the Dark Lord first. You know how much he just loves Mudbloods like you."

"Severus!" Betta exclaimed, slapping Snape squarely on his left cheek. "What in the world is wrong with you? Other than the whole jealousy thing, that is." She stood there, her mouth hanging open. Lily's a friend, idiot! How dare you call her that?" She sighed heavily. "I really could hate you right now, Severus."