Hey everybody, this is my second fanfic. Though the starting may look a bit serious, the rest of it is not that serious. set in post Hogwarts era. Hope

you guys like it.

DISCLAIMER: Anything you recognize belongs to JKR. She's the boss!

PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW EVEN IF IT IS TO TELL ME YOU HATE IT.

Chapter 1

The room was dimly lit, the flickering candle light casting eery shadows on the walls. The walls, which were adorned in green and silver shades. There

were newspaper clippings, all carrying articles on He who must not be Named. At the far corner of the room was an arm chair, a man with long black hair

resting on it, facing the fireplace.

I swallowed as I approached him, my heart pounding,

"Severus?"

He acknowledged my presence by a curt nod, still not facing me. I continued in a somewhat braver voice,

"Sev. You don't have to do this. We are not at Hogwarts anymore. This is the real world, Sev. You can change your ways before it's too late."

"Lily, it is too late. The Dark Lord has accepted me. I am one of them now." he said softly pulling the sleeves of his robes up.

Even in the dim light, there was no mistaking the mark on his forearm, ominously visible, sending shivers down my spine. I closed my eyes and stifled a sob,

"Well then, I'll be fighting against you Sev. "

He stood up and turned angrily to face me, his face looking even more sallow in the candlelight.

"What the hell are you talking about, Lily? He didn't, Dumbledore didn't-"

I nodded my head, tears rolling down my cheeks.

"Yes, Severus. I'm in the Order of The Phoenix."

He cursed furiously under his breath as he held me by my shoulders, looking into my eyes with his black beady ones.

"Lily, listen to me. You are barely 19. The last time I checked you were training to be a Healer."

"I am, Sev. The course will get over soon and I can start rendering my services to the Order."

His face turned red as he processed the information'

"Potter will be there too? Blasted Auror that he is now?"

I glared at him like I used to back at Hogwarts. He hasn't changed. Not even one bit.

"What does Potter have to do with this? We are talking about you Sev, your life ! And the choices you have."

"I have no choices Lily." he said as he slowly let go of my shoulders.

I gazed into his eyes, begging him to reconsider his options, hoping that he'll relent. But he didn't. His face remained impassive.

"Then I guess, neither do I Sev."

I said turning around to disapparate far, far away from him...

"Lily, you look pathetic." Katy greeted me.

"'morning, Kat." I replied, rubbing my eyes as Katy poured me orange juice.

"No seriously, Lils. What's up?"

"Unlike some people, I had to stay up all night studying Forensic Healing, Anatomy, Antidote-"

"K, K. I get it." said Katy, passing me pancakes.

Katy Sparks has been my best friend since first year at Hogwarts. Soon after graduating, her dad bought us this apartment. The location's perfect, such

that it's close to 'our world' and the muggle world. Because whatever said and done, nothing beats muggle clothing!

"Oh, by the way. Guess who's on this week's cover of Witch Weekly?" said Katy excitedly.

"Not me." I commented, helping myself to some waffles.

"James Potter!"

I glared at Katy . She knows how much I despise that good for nothing, fat-headed , egoistic, arrogant berk!

"Oh come on, Lils! He's one of the youngest and best Chasers England has ever had!"

"So what?" I retorted, sipping the orange juice.

" ...and he's super sexy."

I nearly spat the juice as I laughed, "Kat! Look closely. I'm quite certain he's part Troll !"

Katy gaped at me as if I was a troll and shook her head sympathetically.

"Look, what I don't understand is how he can do two things at the same time. I mean, both Quidditch and Auror training!"

I said critically

"Oh, more about 'The Potter Secret to Success' on page 15!" she said pushing the glossy magazine towards me.

"I don't read that garbage!" I retorted.

"Oh, you better read my articles." said Katy as she got up, pointing her wand at the plates.

"Scourgify."

Katy was a reporter at the Daily Prophet. Her job was to interview famous people and write articles about them for the Sunday column. She loved her job

except for one thing, her nosy bitchy boss Rita Skeeter.

"I love your work, Kat!" I said smiling at her.

Merlin! This was just my second day of internship at St. Mungos and I was already feeling so drained. The senior Healers are bloody brutal ! I've hardly sat down for like 2 minutes the whole day. I checked my watch. Just one more hour and I can go back home, take a bubble bath, probably go for a deep tissue massage...

"Evans! Room 103. Quick!"

Or maybe not. I hurried towards the ordered location, panting slightly as I reached the right corridor. Fixing my gown, I walked inside and nearly died on the spot.

Fuck!

James Potter was lying on the bed, his eyes closed and Mr. Linn , a senior Healer writing reports on a parchment stuck to a clipboard.

I cleared my throat, "Sir?"

"Ah, yes Evans. Mr Potter fractured a few ribs and most of the bones on his right hand. Most of them are in the process of mending, but unfortunately he lost a few bones on his left hand. I've given him Skele Gro. Alas, I'm running late. Just stay overnight and look after him. Here you go, kiddo." he said warmly as he handed me his board and quill.

I stared at his retreating back in shock as I sank down on one of the arm chairs.

Oh my God..

I glanced at Potter's sleeping form. He was dressed in his Quidditch robes, blood splattered on his sides. I got up, sighing. Come on, Lils. You are a professional. You can do this !

As I walked towards him, I couldn't help but let a tiny smile form on my lips. Afterall, I haven't seen Potter since we left Hogwarts. I remember the last thing he told me as I was boarding the Hogwarts Express,

"Some day, I'll marry you Lily Evans."

I smiled even more as I thought of my reply,

"In your dreams, Potter! In your dreams.."

And here he was, James Potter. Lying on the hospital bed, sleeping..looking so vulnerable, so..real. I lowered myself on my knees as I pointed my wand to his face, cleaning the blood stains. His right hand was half hanging off the edge of the bed. I moved my hand forward, wanting to place his arm back on the bed. However, I had barely touched his arm, when I found myself being turned around roughly, a hand clapped to my mouth as he spoke in a hoarse voice,

"Who are you? What do you think you are doing?"

His other hand was tightly wound around my waist. What the fuck?

He turned me again, more roughly this time and my hair which I had tied in an immaculate bun fell loose around my shoulders as I stared into his hazel eyes in fear.

His eyes widened as he saw my face, "Evans?"

"Let go of me." I said under his hand. Atleast that's what I think I said.

He lowered his hand and continued staring at me, his hot breath tickling my face.

"Potter, you are at St. Mungos. You were injured and I guess unconscious so you were brought here." I explained.

"You work here?" he asked, least bothered that he had faced a near fatal injury.

"Yes. I'm doing my internship from St. Mungos. For now, my job is to watch over you, overnight."

I said uncomfortably.

"So, you and me will spend the whole night in this room?" he asked, not sounding the least bit uncomfortable.

"Yes. Now lie down, please." I ordered.

He obeyed me, smirking as he lay down on the bed his mind probably already busy thinking of ways to torment me. I realised it only when he pulled away,

that I had been holding my breath the whole time...

Wow. This was going to be a long night..