AN: Hey! This is a Harry Potter fanfic that takes place when the marauders were at Hogwarts. The main characters are Sirius and Lupin, but it will probably also heavily feature Peter, James, Lily, and Snape. In this story, James overhears Snape bad mouthing Sirius to Lily, and he stands up for Sirius. Then, out of anger, he places a bet that Sirius can get Remus Lupin to ask him out! I actually started posting this story almost 10 years ago, but never continued on with it. I decided to repost an improved version of it, as my writing has (hopefully) improved since middle school.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything or anyone you recognize. Thank you JK Rowling for the amazing gift that is the Harry Potter Universe.
Rating: T (this is in anticipation of future events)
After packing up his bag, Severus Snape walked out of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. He scanned the brightly lit corridor and smiled as he glimpsed the beautiful auburn hair of his best friend.
"Hey Lily! What did you think of the lesson?" Severus asked, as he caught up to her.
"It was so much fun, Sev! Definitely the best class of the year!"
"I told you wand dueling would be fun," Severus replied with a grin.
"Yeah, it was awesome," Lily said, returning his smile.
Her smile always had an effect on him. His body filled with a warmth that had nothing to do with the sunlight streaming through the corridor windows.
Wow she is so beautiful, Severus thought. I don't know how I got the prettiest girl in school to be MY best friend. "Did you see Potter and Black?"
"Oh my god, are you talking about when James caught on fire? Yes, I saw that! That was so funny; James needed something to deflate his head a bit!" Lily laughed.
Upon hearing her insult James, Severus seemed to carry himself a little taller, as a small smug smile played across his lips. Lily, however, seemed oblivious to this change in her friend.
"Yeah, same with that Black. Ugh, he's just like the rest of his family. Conceded," Snape groaned while rolling his eyes.
"Aw, c'mon, Sirius isn't that bad. Just a tad immature."
"A tad immature? Listen to yourself, Lily. He's Potter's best friend! They're both air-headed, juvenile imbeciles. People are too forgiving of Black to recognize it though... And it's just because of his last name... or because he's handsome..."
"Handsome?" Lily replied, raising an eyebrow. "I never thought you'd be the one to notice whether or not he's handsome, Sev."
Severus shot her look.
"Oh, come on. I was just teasing," Lily said smiling. "But really. Sure, Sirius can be a pain, but I've always gotten the feeling that there's more to him than he lets on."
"More to him than he lets on? People like him and Potter don't have any depth, Lily." Snape paused before adding darkly, "If he is hiding something, it's not anything good. I swear, the pair of them are going to end up in Azkaban."
"That's not funn-" Lily began to protest before being cut off.
"Listen here, Snivellus. Don't you ever bad mouth Sirius again or... well, let's just say you don't want to find out." James was storming toward them.
"You think you're so great, don't you Potter? You and your stupid friend Black. You're both pathetic," Severus spat. He felt his anger boil inside of him, but was not sure what exactly sparked it. Was it James Potter's presence? Being threatened by him? Or the fact that he had interrupted his time with Lily?
"You're lucky Evans is here; I don't punish in the presence of a fine lady," James replied, raising his eyebrows suggestively at Lily.
Severus felt another wave of anger, but he knew the cause of this one. How dare that swine make advances on Lily? That foul, disgusting, conceded-
"Ugh! James, stop being such a creep. I can guarantee that I will NEVER date you!" Lily shrieked then walked away.
"See, Potter, you're just not the ladies' type. People see right through your act. You and Black will never have any worthwhile relationship," Severus said with a smirk.
"Oh yeah, Snivellus? Like you're the one to talk... Remind me, how many girlfriends have you had?" James replied coldly. He could feel the hatred coursing through his veins.
"That doesn't matter. At least I can talk to Lily without acting like some idiotic jerk! And Black's relationships only last what? Two days?"
"It turns her on! And, maybe Sirius' relationships don't last long, but it's only because so many girls fancy him. What do you even know about love? Your own mother doesn't even love you!"
The last comment hit Severus like a slap in the face. It took all of his self control to not pull out his wand and hex James.
James took a step toward Severus. "Unlike you, Snivellus. People actually like Sirius. He could get ANYONE to ask him out."
"You want to bet?" Snape asked slowly as he collected himself. "Loser pays the winner 5 galleons."
"Sure! Just try not to touch the money, I don't want grease stains all over it," James said snidely.
"Okay! It's a deal... Black has to get... Lupin! to ask him out by... the end of the year!" Severus said with a smirk on his face.
"Easy money, like stealing money from a baby!"
"If course only you would do that..."
"So, is it a deal Snivellus?"
"Definitely."
James and Severus shook hands...
"You WHAT?!" Sirius bellowed. "How Could You, James? Get Loopy to ask me out? He's the most socially awkward guy in school!"
James smiled. "Exactly! It's going to be easy! You're going to be the only person to act interested in him! He's probably gay anyways. I mean, come on, the guy's a freak!"
"James, that's so... wrong..." Sirius frowned disapprovingly.
James threw a pillow at Sirius' head. "Who are you? Lupin? Since when were you the one to set rules?
Sirius grinned at his best friend. "Good point... But seriously, gay people aren't necessarily weird. But I guess saying that is so... you..."
"So me? How could you dare say such a thing?" James said with mock of shock.
Sirius laughed. "Well, at least you know it's an insult... You're not as conceded as I thought, James."
"I? Conceded? ... It's not being conceded if you're right, Sirius," James said with a grin.
Sirius did not hesitate before throwing the pillow at James. "Don't think that I forgot about the deal you made... I mean, seriously?!"
"Look, we're gonna win it. You are the ladies' man," James said wiggling his eyebrows.
"Lupin is not a lady though, in case you haven't noticed..."
"He's not?" James asked jokingly.
"James, I'm serious!"
James smiled. "You've been my best mate for ages. Don't you think I know you're Sirius. Wait, don't tell me, your last name is Black too!" He let out a fake gasp of shock.
Sirius hit James in the head with a pillow again.
James smiled. "I'm sorry Sirius, but I had to say that. I'm a natural comedian!"
Sirius rolled his eyes and replied, "ha... ha... ha..."
"See, I'm funny!
"Suuuuuuure, James... Why don't you use this witty charm on Evans, but first... Help me with this stupid bet you made!"
"Well, young Sirius, welcome to Professor Potter's class of loooove"
"I don't even know why I am asking you. You have been trying for Ages and you still haven't gotten Lily to go out with you."
"Shut it, Black… Unless, you don't want my help."
"What? If I don't want your help? James, you're the one who should really care!"
James looked puzzled before replying, "Wait, what? Why me?"
Sirius laughed at James' stupidity, "Because, young Jimmy-" while ruffling James' hair.
"-HEY!" James yelped
"-if Loopy doesn't ask me out… You lose the bet with Snivellus!"
"Oh yeah… Well, it isn't my fault we have a bet!"
"Oh, right James… It's totally not your fault. Not your fault at all," Sirius said with an air of sarcasm.
"Well, Snivellus has to learn a lesson. He needs to learn how to treat his superiors. Plus, he was bad mouthing you! Do you think I would just brush it off my shoulder if someone insults my best friend?"
"Still, Lupin?"
"Don't worry, the Love Doctor will come up with a plan!" James said with a suspicious grin.
AN: Well that's the end of the first chapter! Let me know what you guys think! Also, other than my brief attempt at this story before, this is my first time writing a fanfiction. So, let me know how I can improve!