Enemy of Reality
By luvnmarauders
Severus stood in front of Lily's numerous friends, including her newest boyfriend, James Potter. His friends Sirius Black and Remus Lupin lurked in the background, regarding Severus most disdainfully. Lily acknowledged Severus' presence; she just didn't seem to want to address it.
"And so, he was like-" one of her friends chattered on, obsessively overusing the word "like". Lily smiled lightly, but was still unnerved by Severus standing in front of her. Finally, she turned to him quite coolly.
"Yes, Snape?" she remarked coldly, using his surname. It stung Severus when she did so; he remembered times in the past where she had brightly called him "Sev". But that was a long time ago.
"Er, Lily-" Severus started, but was immediately interrupted by James Potter, the boy who definitely did not deserve Lily.
"Don't address Lily like that, you scum!" he snarled, whipping out his wand angrily. Severus narrowed his eyes at the insolent boy and quietly murmured a simple spell and soon enough, James-fat head-Potter was lying on the ground, immobile. Good thing Severus had mastered non-verbal magic the summer before.
Lily stared at him with wide eyes; they contained shock and even fear. Severus felt like he'd done something terrible- well, he had but it wasn't something that was morally wrong for him. He never wanted Lily to be afraid of him, not even for one second.
"Lily, I-" he started again, wringing his hands nervously. Lily looked down at James who was glaring up at Severus venomously. He was still frozen, thank goodness, or he would've taken the liberty to strangle the very life out of Severus.
"What?" she snapped furiously. "What do you want?"
Severus swallowed loudly, unnerved by Lily's sudden wrath, but he had something to say. Something very important.
"Lily, I- I- I really- I- I love you., he stammered, staring down at his hands. He couldn't bear to look into those emerald green eyes, bright with life.
When he peeked up at her, she was staring back at him with a blank stare. All her friends were snickering scornfully, saying, "You? Go out with Lily? Pul-eeze." This had all been a mistake, hadn't it? He was being an idiot. He should've never-
"I love you too, Sev," Lily suddenly whispered softly, her eyes filling with tears. Happy tears?
"R- Really?"
"Lily, no way!" her friends cried, staring to protest against this odd pairing, but Severus didn't care. Lily wasn't controlled by her friends; she had her own opinions and as much as she cherished other's advice, she would do what she wished to do.
"I do love Severus," Lily remarked boldly, taking his hands warmly. "I'm sorry James, but you were only someone I needed to forget him." James widened his eyes, expressing pure shock without making noise. "Severus, let's go."
Lily then started to lead him away to the grounds and into the deeply hidden bushes where privacy would be ensured. And in this place there were so many opportunities. So many.
"Severus," Lily moaned, breathing heavily. He tucked a single finger under her chin as they started drawing closer and closer together, so close he could even feel her breath-
Beep! Beep! Beep! the alarm clock screamed out mercilessly. Severus' eyelids snapped open immediately.
He was stretched out on his bed, clutching tightly a small pillow. His hair was mussed like someone had lain beside him all night. Tear marks dotted his pillow. How weak of him.
No one hated the alarm clock more than Severus. The alarm clock was what took him away from his Lily, ripped away the illusion that he so wished for, and returned him to the cruel reality that was playing out all around him.
Who wouldn't hate the alarm clock after that?