She'd hated him, at first.
He was everything she wasn't: Popular, handsome, naturally brilliant, but also untidy, arrogant, and a downright bully. Not to mention completely comfortable with this alien world of witchcraft and wizardry.
So yes, Lily Evans had disliked him from the start.
It changed to hate when it became personal; when he warped Sev with his perverse mockery. That's when she started loathing him.
When he started incessantly asking her out, in third year, she'd ignored him, naturally.
But Sev hadn't.
"You don't like him, do you Lils?"
"About as much as I like Mulciber."
Sev's eyes had darkened as he'd noticed her disapproving tone, and he'd changed the subject, so Lily forgot the conversation. That was until she'd noticed how much Sev was changing.
"How could you Sev? How could you watch them, your friends, hurt that poor little boy?"
"They were just playing."
"Really? Would you let them 'play' with me? I deserve it. I'm muggleborn. Wait – you call them Mudbloods now, don't you? People like me."
"Lils, no! It's not like that."
"Isn't it?"
He'd looked away, and she'd sighed.
"Whatever Sev. See you in Potions."
It wasn't Sev's fault, she'd decided. It was Potter. After every bout with the prat, he sought refuge with the Slytherins. After every sly comment, he wanted revenge. After every interaction between Lily, his Lily, and Potter, he was filled with the burning desire to hurt someone, something.
And so he did.
Not directly, never directly – she'd never forgive him for that – but he'd started watching when Mulciber frightened the first years. Soon, he was present at every attack. Sometimes he blocked their way with a succinct smile; a participation in a sport he detested. He needed to do it, needed to see someone in more pain than he was. What he really wanted, needed, was payback, but the Marauders were untouchable.
Other students weren't.
Lily Evans saw all this and said nothing. Potter was a toerag, no doubt, but Sev was her friend.
Right?
Wrong. It happened in Fifth Year, but it wasn't a surprise. It had only been a matter of time til Sev turned on her.
Mudblood.
The word rang in her ears, and that's when she realised. Sev was no longer Sev. He was Severus Snape, Slytherin, and it had nothing to do with James.
Initially, she'd chosen Potter because she thought it would annoy him the most. She had told herself it was nothing to do with the fact that since that day, over a year ago now, he'd really grown up. Even deflated his head a bit,
She wasn't sure when, but sometime around their third date in their final year at Hogwarts, she'd started to like James Potter.
He had been everything she wasn't: Popular, handsome, naturally brilliant, but now he was adorably scruffy, friendly, and downright kind too.
He'd completed her, more than she'd ever thought anyone could. She didn't think she hated him anymore.
In fact, Lily Evans was beginning to feel like she was a little bit in love with him.
A/N A very quick story about why Lily resented James all those years. I hope you liked it .
~ Ellie