Authors note: This fan fiction is a product of my imagination which is trying to compensate for Snape's unfortunate life. Since Snape is one of my favorite Harry Potter characters I thought it would be fun to write a story which allows him happy moments and a little romance. So this story focuses on his Hogwarts school years with Lily. I have not yet decided whether their relationship will end as it did in the book or conclude with a Snape/Lily happily ever after. Any suggestions or comments are welcome. Enjoy!

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The steam circulated throughout the dungeon classroom, making it difficult to tell whether the beads of sweat on the students' faces were caused by the stuffy heat or the pressure to finish a particularly difficult potion.

"Times up!" professor Slughorn called out as he wiped his face with his handkerchief and began to circulate the classroom, checking the contents of his students' cauldrons as he passed. He stopped at the last table and after taking a couple of seconds to analyze the potion within looked up, a large smile on his face.

"Excellently done Miss. Evans as always you continue to impress." He announced, calling the attention of the entire class.

"Thank you professor but I couldn't have done it without Severus's help. He's really brilliant" she replied as she turned to the dark haired boy next to her. He gave no acknowledgment that he had heard her, only continued to hide behind his dark hair and looked down at the table.

"Yes I'm sure" replied professor Slughorn in obvious disbelief as he stared and the motionless Snape.

"Did you hear that Sirius? Did you know Snivellus was brrillllliant? Here I thought the only thing he was good for was collecting grease in his hair." James called out from across the room as the rest of the class erupted in laughter.

"Yeah, I heard he was a really genius among the trolls" Sirius replied with a grin. Lily watched in anger as the boy next to her crouched lower into his stool. She turned towards James who had now taken it upon him self to mime a scene depicting Severus as the king of trolls for his laughing audience. He winked at her from across the room which only served to fuel her anger. She meet his eyes, a suggestive smile slowly spreading across her face, her green eyes twinkling with mischief as she raised her wand and with a quick flash his stool crumbled beneath him. She smiled genuinely now as he looked up from the floor in confusion and his classmates erupted with a new source of laughter.

"Gee Potter I didn't know you were so clumsy or is it that your seat just couldn't take the weight of that big head of yours." She said as she collected her red hair on her right shoulder and turned away from him.

"Enough already, we have all had our laugh now class is dismissed. Hurry along before I lose all my furniture." Slughorn yelled over the loud laughter. Snape packed his books with unbelievable speed and stormed out of the classroom. Lily packed her belongs as well and chased after him.

"Sev wait up! Sev! Sev!" she called out but he refused to look back and continued his brisk walk through the corridors.

"Please …don't… be mad at me Sev" she gasped when she had finally caught up and had gotten a hold of his arm.

"You didn't have to say that Lily" he replied as he lead her towards the wall and out of the crowded the hallway.

"There's nothing wrong with what I said it's the truth! You're the smartest guy in there only Slughorn doesn't see it because you're always so withdrawn."

"Yeah but…"

"No buts! It's not my fault Potters' such a Toad… Look I'm sorry they laughed but I was only trying to show off my best friend a little bit is that so wrong?" He smiled at that and mumbled thanks.

"You look a lot cuter when you smile you know." She said as her cheeks blushed slightly. She reached out and bushed his hair behind his ear. Anyway do you think you can help me study for the O.W.L s later?

"Sure I can meet you in the library after dinner today" he replied. Lily looked way from him and across the hall to a couple of Gryffindor girls who were waving her over and point towards their wrist. She smiled and returned the wave before returning her gaze to the boy in front of her.

"I have to go or I'll be late but I'll see you later" she said as she quickly placed a kiss on his check and began to walk towards her friends. Severus reached up and cupped his burning check.

"Can you stop doing that!" he called after her.

"Do what?" she replied with a wink and a large smirk.

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"AGGGHhhh, I'm tired of studying" she said as she dropped her quill and lowered her forehead onto the table, her red hair fanned out above her. Severus was silent as he stared at the back of her exposed neck.

"Sev, what happens if you fail?" she said without looking up.

"Don't worry you wont fail, besides I'll help you with anything you don't understand" he replied without removing his gaze from the back of her neck. She angled her head so that she could face him without having to lift her head from the table.

"Your right with you as my tutor how could I go wrong? You know what? I think I learned half of what I know from you."

"Only half?" he chuckled as mirrored her position on the table so that they where eye level.

"Are YOU trying to be funny?" She accused him with a smile. She reached out and placed her hand on top of his on the table. She was surprised by how quickly he stiffened but only widened her smile in response. "After exams are over we should go celebrate"

"Sure" he whispered. His black eyes were now staring at her fingers which had begun to softly trace his hand.

"Good it's a date then" she whispered as she continued to trace the lines on his hand. "Alright lets' do two more hours and then go to bed!" she said with excitement as she quickly pulled her self up and grabbed her quill. Severus kept his head on the table while he tried to calm his panicked heart. What could she have meant by that? He thought to himself as he pulled himself off the table and began to flip through his books. Surly she didn't really mean it was a DATE? We're friends and she couldn't be interested in me? These questions circled his mind until it dizzied him and decided to push it out of his head and concentrate on the exam.