DISCLAIMER: The first part is based on the scene from the pensieve, it you're having a de ja vu moment, or an "OMG! She totally stole that from JK!" Well…aren't we all kinda doing that on here? 0_o Anyway, I own nothing, besides an overactive imagination, a laptop, and the plot. Enjoy!

"Potter! Leave Severus ALONE!" Lily drew her wand, barely missing James' left eye. James went cross eyed looking at the thing. Severus fell in a tangled heap on the ground. Instantly, he was hoisted up into the air by a charm cast by Sirius, who started chuckling.

"Who wants to see…"

"EXPELLIARMUS!" Lily shouted, her face hot with anger. Sirius' wand leapt to her hand. Her wand was back in James' face again.

"Leave him ALONE I said!" Lily was on the verge of crying. "What's he ever done to you anyway?"

"Well, it's more the fact he exists, you know?" James smirked.

"You insufferable toe rag, Potter! You think you're all that because you can pick on someone. You think you rule the school because girls swoon at your feet! Why can't you just leave Sev alone?"

"I could, if you go out with me," James tried to woo her.

"Never," Lily spat. "You're disgusting and conceited. Tell me, why does it take four of you to pick on Sev, huh?"

"Well, technically, it's just Sirius and myself. Pettigrew just looks as if he's going to wet himself and Remus, well…" James gestured to the reading boy beneath the tree.

"So it takes two, plus a cheerleader and someone to watch? You're pathetic Potter," Lily spat. "And you Sirius, you're both despicable." She threw Sirius' wand at him, sparks flying out the end as she did so.

"You alright?" She asked, joining Severus, who shot a dirty look at Potter.

"I'm fine. Why don't we go to the library? Look up hexes or something. Maybe you can hex them all in their sleep." Severus winced and favoured his left leg.

"First, let's go to the hospital wing. You must have twisted your ankle in the fall," Lily helped Severus along.

"Why didn't you hex Potter?" Severus asked as they arrived at the hospital wing.

A small smile crept across Lily's face. Severus' eyes suddenly lit up. "You didn't…did you?" He looked like a child at Christmas.

"Well, let's just say 'blue balls' is now a literal term…and he'll wake up rather furry tomorrow morning," Lily whispered. "I set a time release charm on him."

"I really underestimated you," Severus chuckled.

xXXx

After graduation, Lily walked up to her dorm, possibly for the last time. "Goodbye, Hogwarts. I'll miss you." She whispered, kissing her fingertips and bringing them to the portrait. A tear rolled down her face.

"Password?" The portrait asked.

"Draco Dormiens," Lily said, wiping away her tear.

"My child, why are you crying? Today is the beginning of a new life!" The portrait swung open slightly.

"And the end of a glorious old life," Lily sighed. "Why, right here is where I got my first kiss in fourth year. You were visiting with Vi, and Julius kissed me goodnight after a terrible date."

"Ah yes, I remember it." The portrait chuckled. "You were fuming when I got back."

"And Sev and I used to sneak out to the library to study, or go to Hogsmead," Lily remembered. "We'd always meet right here. I tricked James into telling me a secret passage."

Lily wiped away another tear.

"That boy is a good man. You'd be hard pressed to find another," the fat lady said knowingly, touching her nose.

"Who, James?" Lily looked up in shock.

"You know who I'm talking about. Sometimes people judge by looks and not character. Severus has a good heart. He loves you, you know."

Lily knew that, she loved him too. "I know, but he's like a brother to me," Lily laughed. "Besides, I don't think he loves me like that."

The fat lady knew better. How many times had he heard Severus whisper to the closed portrait, "I love you," after Lily had disappeared inside? How many times had he asked her for advice on how to ask Lily to dances as a date, and not a friend? The fat lady knew more than students gave her credit for.

"You'll see, one day," the fat lady said.

"What do you mean?" Lily asked.

"You'll see," the fat lady smiled.

xXXx

"Sev, wait up!" Lily called. He stopped in his tracks, turning towards her, a smile playing across his lips.

"Lily, the train leaves in…"

"Exactly two minutes, I know Sev! You've reminded me all day!" Lily smiled, breathless.

"Help me with my owl? She's becoming a bit of pain really." Sev eyed her owl, who, at the moment, was in a cage wobbling precariously on top of her luggage. He gracefully took her and his one small suitcase. It never ceased to amaze Lily that Sev could leave with such a small case, whereas Lily, as James Potter put it "Packed as if she were visiting a foreign country for a month". Well, technically she was if you thought about it.

"Don't look now, but it's the dream team," Sev muttered as he pushed Lily's case in with his onto the train.

"Pretend you don't see them, I do," Lily whispered back, following Sev into a compartment. James and his gang decided to follow them, making Severus scowl.

"Lily! Wait up! Will I see you this summer?" James made to high five her. "Oh, come on sourpuss! Did you and Snivellus eat a lemon or something?" His gang all laughed at his lame joke.

"James, this compartment is cramped, you should go," Lily answered firmly, starting to close the door on him. He stuck his foot out, and wedged himself between the door. "Lil, I just want to talk, is that so bad?"

"Yes," she answered. "Because every time you open your mouth an insult or something hurtful comes out. PLEASE leave me alone!" Severus helped her push the door, but it wouldn't budge. James suddenly gave a yelp, and the door slammed shut. Sev quickly cast a locking charm on the door.

Lily laughed. "What did you do?"

"Simple shocking spell to his, um…well, not that he should be allowed to breed anyway," Sev gave a small smile.

"You're evil," Lily grinned. He blanched. "Oh Sev, I didn't mean…"

"It's okay, Lily…forget about it."

"I am sorry Sev, I didn't mean any harm…"

"Yeah," he grinned lopsidedly.

"My Witch Weekly came in today," Lily smiled, starting up a new conversation.

"Yeah? Anything good or just the usual drabble?" Sev didn't like her magazines, but what man could?

"Actually, there's spell in there I'd like to try. Would you be willing..?"

"It depends what it is, Lils," Sev looked cautious.

"Well, it's a hair trimming spell," she said nervously. "Would you mind if I gave it a go? I mean, I am good with charms, and you do need a haircut. I was thinking something still long, but shorter…like Sirius', but less man-whore…"

"Lil!" Sev looked shocked. "I do not want to look like Sirius Black!"

"You won't! I promise!"LilyI looked at him and batted her eyelashes. "For me, please?"

"Oh alright," Severus crossed his arms and closed his eyes. Lily conjured a mirror, and cast the spell. She smiled at the results.

"Severus, you look…"

"Different," Severus touched his reflection. "Wow. This is so…"

"Weird? I know," Lily felt her face flush. With his hair shorter, it fell into silky pieces, and no longer looked greasy. He now had bangs that just brushed his eyebrows, and swept to one side, and his hair was choppy and layered, making him look more mature. Lily had never really noticed how attractive Severus could be. It was almost hard to look him in the eye.

A knock at the door made them both jump.

"Anything off the trolley dears?" The lady asked. "Head boy and girl get first pick!"

Severus gave the lady a timid smile and mumbled, "I'll have a chocolate frog, and some pumpkin juice. And a pasty."

He handed her a few Knuts and a sickle.

"I'll have a pumpkin juice," Lily handed her a few Knuts. She'd packed a lunch.

"Sev, can you believe we're done? I mean, it's the end of the year, we're all grown up and ready to conquer the world!" Lily smiled as she sipped her juice.

"Lily, what do you want to do with your life?" Sev asked her, polishing off the last frog.

"I dunno," she shrugged. "I know I want to do something with people. Like, be a healer."

Severus looked out the window, dreading what awaited him at home. He knew he would come home to his parents fighting, and he'd stick up for his mother. His father would hit him, he'd over power his father, and his mother would break them apart. Then, he'd end up at Lily's, staying on the sofa. That's how it had been for years.

"Dumbledore offered me a job," Sev mused. "Wants me to be Potion's master."

"Oh Sev! Do it! That's a wonderful opportunity!" Lily smiled.

"I couldn't," Sev said. "It would mean being an apprentice for two years, and then living in that dungeon." He shuddered. It also meant that he'd be away from Lily, and hardly ever see her.

"Can I tell you something?" Lily looked at her friend in the eyes.

"Anything."

"Dumbledore wants me to apprentice as the new charms professor!" Lily smiled. "If you accept your position, I'll accept mine. I couldn't stand being there alone."

"Done," Severus said. "We'll write Dumbledore. Can we use Cleopatra to send our letters?"

"Of course," Lily pulled two quills from her bag. "I didn't tell anyone, not even Mary."

Headmaster Dumbledore,

We are pleased to inform you that we, Lily Evans and Severus Snape, have accepted your proposal for the positions of Charms Professor and Potions Master. We look forward to hearing from you with details soon,

Lily and Severus

Severus smiled inwardly as he signed his name beneath Lily's. This was going to be a good year.