Chapter 1: Paths

"Sev, I can't believe we are starting our fifth year at Hogwarts," Lily exclaimed brightly as they walked through Platform 9 ¾ to Kings Cross Station.

Severus Snape and Lily Potter were an unlikely duo to many who saw them. Lily was a Gryffindor, popular, bright, and was known for her fiery red hair and brilliant green eyes. Severus, on the other hand, was in Syltherin. He was not popular and did not have the best hygiene skills, which you saw in his lank, greasy black hair. However, Severus and Lily have known each other since they were little. Lily saw the good in Severus, but lately she has been wondering why Severus has been quieter and more distant over the summer.

"I know it's hard to believe," he said with little enthusiasm.

Severus had a rough summer. He had to endure watching his drunken father abuse his mother repeatedly over the summer and he could do nothing to stop it. He could not use magic to stop him since he was still underage, and every time he tried to take the blows his father would just get angrier and beat him and his mother worse. Severus continually asked his mother to leave, but she would not his father because for some sick and twisted reason she still loved him. Severus wanted so badly to punish his father, which resulted in Severus's interests in the Dark Arts. He felt that he had a right to meddle in the Dark Arts because his father deserved to suffer once he could use magic outside of Hogwarts. However, his interest in the Dark Arts has taken him onto a path that he was finding difficult to extract himself from. He had befriend many of the soon to be Death Eaters from his House. Through, these friendships he has been asked to join the Dark Lord once he graduates. He has not committed yet, but they become ever so appealing since they would not see the problem of stopping his Muggle father from hurting his mother.

"Sev, what is up with you? You are so quiet lately. Did something happen at home?" Lily asked with concern.

"I'm fine. Nothing happened at home," he lied while tugging on his sleeve to make sure the bruise was covered from where his father had grabbed and threw him against the wall.

Severus also did not want Lily to know that anything was wrong. He had told her once about his situation and she had been so concerned over it that he felt weak around her. He resolved to not mention anything to do with his family again, because he wanted Lily to see him as a strong individual. He loved Lily, even though she didn't have a clue. He wanted to impress her and he definitely did not want to seem weak.

Lily however, had no clue that Severus saw him as more than a friend. She didn't believe that Severus was fine, but she knew better than to push it. Even though she did not know he was in love with her, she could read between the lines of most of his comments.

"Okay then. So what big things do you think this year will hold? I hope that we will have Potions together again. You know that I love having you as a partner!" she said happily. She was hoping that talking about Hogwarts would get Severus out of this slump. It seemed to work has she saw a small smile form on his thin lips.

"Yes me too. You know that I am the better potion maker though," he stated waiting for her comeback.

"Yes well you might be ever so slightly better than me," she said smiling while she pushed his shoulder.

By this time they had reached red engine of Hogwarts Express. Lily had been made Prefect this year and would not be able to sit with Severus. They parted ways. Lily did not realize that this would not be the last time where she and Severus would take different paths.

"See ya, Sev!" she said when she gave him a quick hug.

"See ya," Severus mumbled turning slightly pink and walking away quickly.

He walked away slightly dazed and not really paying attention to where he was going. He walked right into James Potter. He hated James more than even his father, which was saying a lot. James took the opportunity to humiliate Severus whenever he had the chance. James could tell that Severus liked Lily, which infuriated him because he, too, liked Lily. James would often make a fool of Severus because James saw that Severus was close with Lily and that was something that James wanted so badly.

"Well if it isn't Snivellus in the flesh," remarked James to Sirius. "Wasn't I just saying how nice this summer was to not have a greasy haired know-it-all around."

"Why yes I think you did, James, and I think that trend should continue," Sirius said as he pulled out his wand.

Severus looked callously at the two of them, fumbling for his wand and said "Well I must say it was nice to not have an arrogant prat around, especially when I over at Lily's."

James eyes narrowed, Snape had hit below the belt. James pulled his wand and yelled, "Scougify!"

Severus's mouth was filled with the harsh taste of dish washing soap. He tried to speak but great bubbles where coming out of his mouth. He finally produced the countercurse, but it was too late. Potter and Black had already left. Severus was humiliated, but proceeded to find an empty compartment to sit and be thankful that Lily was not around to see that.