This story is set both in Maruaders time, during the first war and in HP time. It uses flashbacks to show certain parts of the story. I'll try to always put the time of chapters and scenes in to cut down on confusion. Please R&R. This is my first attempt at a Marauders' era fic. Also, it has become A/U since I started it. Lily and Snape are friends from childhood, but not in love.
JuliaBeth

Sunday Dinner at the Potter's~ 1979

Severus Snape slowed his steps as he approached the Potters' house. He didn't know how Cherry had talked him into this. He loathed family togetherness, since his family could not be together with hexing one another.

He also, as a rule, tended to avoid places where he would be in close contact with James Potter and his friends.

Of course, Cherry, clever little witch that she was, knew that mentioning Sirius Black's presence would play a part in stirring up his jealousy and motivating him into coming.

"Why hello, Snivellus," James smirked as Severus walked up onto the veranda. He and Lily were sitting on a swing.

"Hi, Lily, where's Cherry?" He asked, not even bothering to give James a contemptuous look.

"Last time I saw her she was in the kitchen with Sirius," James replied.

Lily jabbed him in the ribs, playfully. "She was not. She is in her room. I'll get her."

"Don't bother," he replied. "I'll find her. I know where her room is." He went inside, leaving James to scowl.

"What's wrong with you?" Lily laughed.

"That is total bull, Mum would have never let us be alone upstairs together before we were married. They let Cherry do whatever she pleases."

"We got married when we were eighteen," she replied. "Cherry is twenty. They can't really tell her what to do or not do. Besides, you only complain because its him. If it were anybody else, you wouldn't say a word."

"I wouldn't like it."

"Maybe not, but you don't like Severus and you never have." She shrugged.

"I liked it better when you were still mad at him."

"I'm sorry that we decided to act like adults and work out our problems ," she answered. "But even if I still was mad, I'd still refuse to treat him the way Petunia treats you. All that will accomplish is pushing Cherry away."

She grinned, wickedly. "Besides, I told you to be nicer to her at Hogwarts. If you had helped her catch up with her potions work when she out for so long in her 5th year, then she wouldn't have had to ask Professor Slughorn for help and he wouldn't have given the task to Severus and she probably would have never even seen him."

"So it's my fault now, is that it?" He asked, tickling her.

"Pretty much," she laughed.

Cherry's Fears~ 1979

Cherry was asleep when Severus reached her room. He stood in the doorway, watching her. So peaceful and serene. Not like anyone he had known.

She had one arm flung over her head, the other hanging off the side of the bed. Her black curly hair fanned out over one pillow, her black cat, Perservus, curled possessively and protectively on the other.

He walked over to the bed and swept Perservus up and set her on the floor, then gently stroked Cherry's arm.

"Wake up."

She stirred slightly and opened her eyes. When she saw him looking down at her, she shot to her knees and threw her arms around his neck. "Severus. You're safe! You're alive!"

"Of course, I am," he replied, though he couldn't deny that her concern felt good. "Has someone been spreading rumors otherwise?"

"No. It's just when you left last night…," she hugged him tighter. "I was so worried."

"I have to go, Cherry. We've been all through this."

"Why does it have to be you? If he found out… if he even thinks… you are… betraying him…, he'll kill you," she kissed him softly. "No one has the right to ask that of you. Not even Dumbledore."

"It's my only chance," he replied. "If I was to try and get out now, the Dark Lord would have me killed. I'm the only one who can do this for the Order. If we were to try and send someone else in now, they would be killed. I'm already in and in deep. No one else would be allowed to get this close this late. He is growing suspicious of everyone and everything. As I said, we've been all through this and I don't care to discuss it again."

"I know. I worry about you though." She laid her head against his shoulder.

"I'll be fine." He sat down on the bed and let her sit on his lap and kiss him.

"Did you miss me?" She cooed. She knew he hated all that lovey-dovey stuff. He thought that they could express their feelings for each other and still sound and act like adults. However, she loved teasing him and he knew it.

"Like a toothache," he responded, dryly.

"Oh, how romantic," she gushed sarcastically. "Kiss me senseless, tough guy."

He brought his mouth to hers and after a few minutes of kissing, he pulled away and set her back on the bed beside him.

"Settle for breathless."

"You have a long way to go to either," she smirked.

"Later." He reached out and pulled her necklace away from her chest. "I see you still haven't told them."

She caught the ruby and emerald ring at the end of the chain and stuffed it back in her shirt. "I will. I swear. I just couldn't last night."

"Why not?"

"Just couldn't, that's all." She got up and disappeared into her closet.

"Couldn't? Or wouldn't?"

"Well, wouldn't, but not because I didn't want to or anything." She pulled a pair of jeans, a fresh t-shirt on, and put lavender robes over them before coming back into her room and sitting down at her vanity.

"Why, then?"

"Because before I got the chance to say anything, Lillie and James told us that she is pregnant, and everyone was so happy and excited for them that I didn't want to overshadow their moment. I'd be pissed if they did that to me. So, I kept my mouth shut. Besides, you're in an awful hurry to get into a fight with James, aren't you?"

"I'm not afraid of James." He answered. "What I am; is tired of pretending. Do you want to marry me?"

"Yes," she turned to face him. "I wouldn't have accepted your proposal if I hadn't."

"Then take the damn ring off your neck and put it on your finger and tell your family. Today. At dinner," he commanded. "Quit hiding it, like you are ashamed."

"Fine. I'm not ashamed, Severus, I love you."

"Come here." He caught her wrist and pulled her to him. With one hand on the back of her neck and the other still holding her wrist, he brought her mouth down to his.