I'm guessing that this moment changed everything because for one thng, Severus didn't go to the Malfoys. He decided to go on a date. Then on this date he found out that Anna really wanted to go out with him. She wasn't trying to get out of going with someone else. She wanted Severus and he realized that someone liked him for himself. I can see where knowing Anna would raise his self-esteem and he wouldn't need that from the Death Eaters. Wonderful story.

Author's Response: Thank you for reviewing! I'm glad you liked it. That was pretty much the point, yes - that if someone had let Snape know they liked him, and he had responded, who knows how much might have changed. Thank you so much for reviewing and letting me know I got my point across!

Wait - what do your end notes mean?? There's another story there, I know it! The Slytherins get her, don't they?? Nooo! You should write it - I like Anna. She's a spunky little 'Puff to fall for a guy like Snape. You set it up nicely, too. What I liked best was that her friends were so loyal to her they didn't mind her dating Snape - and even better, Snape liked that too. Very nice little tale, here! ~Gina :)

Author's Response: Actually, Gina, at the moment I'm not sure where it goes from there and I have several possible ideas. A happy Snape might be something of a boring Snape, but then again, maybe just very very different? Not sure anyone can really accept that. But I may just let you all speculate... I like Anna, too. She's the kind of spunky gal a clueless guy needs! And she is already sort of forcing him to see that different is not necessarily less - she is no dab hand a potions, but she is artistic and good at a number of other things... Thank you again for this review!!!