FILTHY LITTLE MUDBLOOD

A/N: So I was recently re-reading Harry Potter 5 and the idea for this story just came to me. The first part of the chapter is taken, mostly from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 28.

Filthy little Mudblood: three words that would change Lily Evans life forever.

Lily Evans had just finished her final OWL exam, Defense Against the Dark Arts. As it wasn't one of her strongest subjects she didn't expect her normal 'Outstanding', but still felt confident she had passed. She was now sitting with two of her closest friends Dorcas Meadowes and Mary Macdonald, by the lake. Across the water, Lily could see the 'one-and-only' James Potter showing off with a snitch.

"Where did he even get that?" Lily wondered aloud. Her friends looked to where Lily was staring. "You know," Mary began, "He is attractive and he likes you…" Dorcas nodded in assent. Lily glared at both girls. "If he was interested in me, I'd take him," Dorcas put in with a smirk. Lily however, had not noticed this comment. She was staring at the horrific events unfolding before her. Lily's mouth fell open and she stood up, running towards the increasing crowd on the lawn.

Lily couldn't believe her eyes. "Scourgify," James cried. Soap bubbles began to stream from Snape's mouth. He was gagging; choking. "Leave him ALONE!" Lily shouted mortified at what she saw. James and his brother-in-crime, Sirius Black turned around. "All right, Evans?" James asked in a tone that would make most girls swoon. But not Lily. "Leave him alone," her words oozed with dislike, "What's he done to you?"

James smiled at Lily. "Well," he addressed her like a small child, "it's more the fact that he exists, if you know what I mean…" Lily was taken aback. She knew James was a bully but this was dreadful. And people were actually laughing. "You think you're funny," Lily said coldly, "But you're just a arrogant, bullying toerag, Potter. Leave him alone."

"I will if you go out with me, Evans," James replied quickly, "Go on… go out with me and I'll never lay a wand on old Snivelly again."

James had to be insane to think Lily would go out with him after what he had just done to one of her oldest friends. "I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and the giant squid," Lily cried.

"Bad luck, Prongs," Sirius teased, elbowing James in the ribs, "OI!" Snape had recovered from the Impediment Jinx and aimed his wand at James. A deep gash appeared on James' cheek. Lily gasped.

James sent a curse back at Snape, who ended up hanging upside-down, midair, with his robes hanging around his ears. People in the crowd cheered while James, Sirius and Peter Pettigrew roared with laughter. Lily's face twitched into a would-be smile before twisting back into an expression of fury. "Let him down!" she screamed.

"Certainly," James waved his wand and Snape landed in a heap. He quickly got to his feet, raised his wand, but Sirius was quicker. "Petrificus Totalus!" Sirius yelled and Snape keeled over once again.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Lily shouted hoarsely. She pulled her own wand out from her robes. James and Sirius eyed it warily for a moment. "Ah, Evans, don't make me hex you," said James earnestly.

"Take the curse off him then!" James sighed, and then did as Lily asked.

"There you go," James said to Snape, "You're lucky Evans was here, Snivellus –"

"I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!"

Lily Evans woke abruptly in her dormitory at Hogwarts, covered in sweat. The memories of that day still fresh in her mind. It was nearly the end of year but she still couldn't get over it. Severus (or Snape, as he liked to be called) was the first wizard she knew. Lily had felt a connection to Snape because they shared the magical abilities. She would never have thought he would turn on her, especially not after she had gone to his rescue. Whenever they passed in the hall, Snape would stare coldly through Lily, like she was a piece of garbage.

"Are you alright, Lily?" Emmeline Vance pulled aside Lily's bed hangings. Lily plastered a confident smile on her face. "I'm fine," Lily said, "No really, I'm fine. Just a bad dream." Her friend eyed her suspiciously. "Lily, it's nearly holidays," Emmeline said in a warm tone, "You need to forget about it all. Have some fun; go on a date. I know someone who'd be willing to take you." she ducked just in time to avoid being hit by Lily's pillow.

"I will never, ever go out with James Potter!" Lily said angrily.

"Suit yourself," Emmeline left Lily alone with her thoughts.

Lily walked down to find Emmeline, Dorcas, Mary, Alice Fortescue and Amelia Bones all eating their breakfast at the Gryffindor table. They were in a deep conversation as Lily sat down next to Amelia. "So what's going on?" she asked, taking a spoonful of eggs.

"I think Alice should be the one to say," Dorcas smiled. Alice sighed, dramatically.

"Well," she said cheekily, "Frank asked me out." Lily spat her eggs everywhere.

"What?" she stammered, "I mean that's great Alice. Did you say 'yes'?"

"Of course I did," Alice said confidently.

Lily felt a deep sadness growing in the pit of her stomach and she didn't quite know why. "Did I just hear right?" Marlene McKinnon asked, taking her spot on Lily's other side, "Has Alice finally been asked out by Frank Longbottom?" Alice tried to hide her red cheeks but everyone saw. "I'm so happy for you," Emmeline hugged Alice.

"Thanks," Alice replied sheepishly. Lily really was happy for Alice but her stomach kept flipping and she had completely lost her appetite.

"I think I forgot my Charms book," Lily stood up and ran out of the Great Hall. She heard someone running behind her and wondered which of her friends saw past her lie. "Evans," a deep voice called. 'Oh boy' she thought. "Hey, Evans wait up!" James called, finally catching up to Lily. She realized she'd been running so slowed to a brisk walk. "Potter," she tried to say with as much annoyance as she could, "I really have no time to deal with you." He grabbed her arm, gently but firmly.

"Well, Lily," it was the first time he used her first name. She'd begun to wonder if he even knew what it was. "The holidays are nearly here, so there'd be plenty of time to 'deal' with me then," he said.

Lily dropped her book bag. "I'm sorry, what?" she spat. James caught her bag just before it hit the ground. He handed it back to her. "Never mind," he looked at his feet, "see you around, Evans." He walked off, leaving behind a very confused Lily. 'What the bloody hell was that all about?' she muttered.