So these are just random one-shots inspired by the new info that J.K. is putting out for Christmas. I wanted to publish something new and this seemed like a good excuse! This one is inspired by her first new writing of the season about Cokeworth. Enjoy!

Out of Place

Lily

"Ugh, Merlin!" Sirius Black said with disgust, though his expression was that of pure amusement. Severus had just boarded the train, and it was obvious he had dressed in a hurry. His billowy top was more gray than white and the lace of his trousers was uneven and untied, jutting out from the blouse awkwardly. Lily blushed slightly at his appearance, but only because in his eagerness to be near her, he lifted his arm in a wave, exposing the top of his trousers and a pale white spans of stomach to the tittering onlookers.

"Lily, hi!" he beamed, and Lily, wanting to be rid of those arrogant toerags that were Potter and Black, grabbed Severus' hand and pulled him down the corridor into the first empty carriage.

Once they were safe inside Lily let go of his hand and rounded on him, somewhat flustered. He was not looking at her, but down at the hand she had just relinquished.

"Alright?" she snapped. Lily was not angry with Severus. He was just so, earnest. So earnest and so awkward. She really did hope he grew into his tallness and his nose, and filled in those billowy clothes, if nothing so they would just leave him alone already.

But what did it matter to her? Severus was her mate, no matter what other people said about him.

"Hey," he finally said breathlessly, settling down in the seat across from her and pushing his long hair back from his face to tuck behind large, jutting ears. She had once asked why he didn't cut his hair, but after seeing what it was hiding Lily never asked again.

Lily did not have a real chance to miss Severus. They had spent all summer together, investigating treacherous businessmen involved in dangerous schemes of their own invention, exploring the sewers below town, jumping roofs and watching stars. Lily would never tell him, but it had been the best summer yet. And now they were going into their fourth year and Lily was excited for the classes they would be taking. She was pleased that Severus allowed her to carry on about their new subjects and the things she'd read in the books. He never once seemed bored or distracted but simply smiled and nodded at her musings.

An hour or so into their journey, the door to their compartment opened. She glanced up to see those silly boys, the "Marauders", grinning down at her.

"Mind if we slip in here with you two?" Remus Lupin asked, though he did not seem hopeful.

"Get out of it, Lupin," Lily said before Severus could respond. She glanced at him hastily to see his skin was pink and had a fine sheen of sweat covering everywhere that was visible. "You aren't welcome."

Lupin nodded and turned, pushing lightly on Potter and Pettigrew's shoulders, as if to guide them away. James Potter only jerked his arm away and sidled into the compartment.

"What do you have against Remus, Evans?" he asked her, affecting an arrogant smirk and ducking his head to bore into her with those blue eyes.

Lily straightened up. "As a matter of fact, the only thing I have against Lupin is his choice of friends. You know why I don't want you sitting in here so you better just move along, Potter."

James leaned back and looked towards Severus.

"You put her up to this Snivellus? Typical Slytherin, getting a girl to fight your battles." Before James could even finish his sentence Severus was standing, his wand at the ready in an outstretched, though shaky, hand.

"I can fight them fine on my own, Potter. Want to have a go?" he jeered and Lily felt uncomfortable. Severus could be so happy, so carefree. But when he spoke of James Potter or any of his cronies, the malice that oozed into Severus' voice was enough to make her skin crawl.

"Stop it, both of you," she commanded, standing up and wedging herself in between the two of them.

James made a mockingly disgusted face. "Ugh, Evans! How can you stand to be so close to him?! Isn't it obvious he hasn't seen a shower in weeks? I mean, look at those clothes! When's the last time they were washed? But then again," James said with a wicked grin, "I've heard you live in a sort of hovel, don't you? Some broken down old town with no running water, surrounded by the poor and the derelict. Is that right? How does your family even afford tuition, living in a slum like that?"

Lily felt fury run through her veins as Potter, Black and Pettigrew all laughed. Before she realized it, her own wand was out, and not only was it pointed at James, but it was digging into his chest.

"Oi!" James shouted, trying to back up, but the compartment was too crowded and he was stuck between her and the doorframe.

"I'll have you know, you arrogant waste of breath," she growled, "that Severus and I live in the same town. You could even say we are neighbors. So anything you say about him, or his family, or where they live, you are saying about me. And you lot might have been given a final warning from the Headmaster for fighting, but my record is clean. Just give me a reason. I dare you."

Lily heard a sizzling sound and looked down to see that her wand had burned a hole in James' shirt.

"Woah, woah now!" Remus Lupin said, wedging himself into the compartment door and putting an arm out to separate the two of them. Lily glared at him mutinously.

"Like you said, Evans," Remus said rationally, "your record is clean. Don't ruin it over something stupid. Apologize," he added, turning to look at James.

James was frowning, looking both concerned and somewhat disappointed. Then, as if nothing happened, he slapped a wide grin on his face. "Yeah, c'mon now Evans, I didn't mean anything by it! Cokeworth is lovely, isn't it boys?"

Sirius nodded enthusiastically. "Oh yeah, top notch living quarters," he said, giving Lily a thumbs up before moving swiftly down the hall away from the tense scene.

"No harm done, yes?" Lupin said and Lily jerked her head in agreement before sparing another glance for Severus. His face was blotchy and his eyes were red and glassy. It was clear he was holding back a fury she could never match.

She watched as Lupin steered Peter Pettigrew back out into the hall and waited for James. He gave her another smile, this one a little shier and backed out of the compartment.

"Take care, Evans," he said, sounding almost genuine before running it with a rude hand gesture directed at Severus and following his friends down the hall.

Lily slammed the compartment door and pulled the blind before turning to assess Severus. He was hastily wiping his eyes as he looked pointedly out the window.

"They are the absolute worst people at Hogwarts, ay?" she said, plopping back down across from him. He did not answer.

"I mean, what was all that nonsense, is Lupin some sort of bodyguard now? I swear, if he hadn't been there I wouldn't ruined that little-"

"Forget it," Severus cut in, still staring out the window. Lily watched as his breath fogged up the glass ever so slightly with every exhale.

"Sorry, what? If you think I'm going to lie down for those bullies-"

"Just leave it!" Severus snapped and Lily jerked back in surprise. They sat in silence for a moment before Severus sighed and looked at her. When he next spoke his voice was calmer and more measured. "Lupin is right. It's not worth you getting into trouble. It's between me and them."

"Oh, four on one is ok, is it?!" she countered, feeling exasperated with the lot of them. "It's ok for that arse to stand there and make accusations about my friend and his family because I have a clean record? I don't think so!" Severus didn't look at her but she could swear his mouth turned up in a smile.

"But they are right, aren't they?" he finally said. "We come from nothing. Cokeworth is shit Lily and you know it."

Lily sighed and leaned in towards him. "So what? That isn't who we are. Those gits would love to have the adventures we do. I wouldn't ever trade where we live if it meant giving that all up."

They stared at each other for a while in silence. Lily watched as Severus' skin returned to its normal pale pallor. Finally, he wiped his hands on his dingy trousers and said, "I would. I hate it there. We could have those adventures somewhere else. I just want to be rid of it."

Without thinking Lily reached out and took Severus' hand. It broke her heart, knowing what he went home to every night after their days of exploration and delight. "I know. And we will. We can go anywhere, after school."

Severus blinked at her for a moment. "You mean it?"

Lily laughed and let go of his clammy hand before leaning back in her seat. "Of course! Four more years and the world is our oyster! We can travel the world, see everything there is, and then pick the best place ever. Even if it's just London!"

Severus looked speechless. Lily would've laughed if he didn't look so bloody earnest.

"When you say we, you mean…together?" he asked cautiously.

Lily furrowed her brow. "Well, yeah! Our big adventure! You and me, together!" she said, giving him a warm smile which he eventually returned.

"Yeah," he stammered, looking out of the window again. "Together."

Tomorrow I'll be posting two stories: one about Florean Fortesque and one about the Leaky Cauldron! Stay tuned!