Disclaimer: I don't own Sev (don't make me think about it, I might cry), Lily, James, Remus, or the rat fink Peter. I don't own anyone or anything that you've heard before. I'm not sure if I own the plot, as someone has probably written something quite close to it. However, I can assure you that I do NOT own my brain or my writing hand, as they have both been taken over by my ravenous plot bunnies (who just arrived yesterday).

A/N: This takes place in fifth year for Marauders, etc. When in fifth year will become apparent through dialogue in the story.

The Last To Know

Chapter One: The Last to Know

He paced.

He had become quite proficient at pacing, as it had recently become one of his frequent pastimes. He paced at night, between classes, in alley at Hogsmeade. He paced while he waited for her.

She ran.

She was easily becoming a very skilled sprinter, as lately she was called on to run often. She ran at night, between classes, down alleyways in Hogsmeade. She ran so she could get to him.

"Severus!"

She flew into his arms, almost backing him into the stone wall behind him. He buried his face in her darkly flaming hair, breathing in the smell of cinnamon. Reluctantly, he let her out of the restricting embrace, and she looked him in the eyes.

"It's been too long, Sev," she said, frowning, a deep crease forming in her forehead. "It's been much, much too long. I was under the distinct impression that you were avoiding me."

"After that stunt you pulled? It was only necessary that we not be seen together. If you run around defending me, everyone's sure to find out…I can't risk that." He tried hard not to meet her gaze. He knew the all-too-familiar round of questions was approaching.

"Remind me why we have to hide. What's so wrong about us? We're just kids! Is it James you're afraid of? Because if it us, you should know by now, I feel absolutely nothing for that conceited little -,"

"Please. Severus Endymion Snape, afraid of pitiful Potter? You know better than that. But you know as well as I that NO ONE would be happy to find out about us. It's just how people are. We already tried it once, with your friend -- what was her name? Alice. It really didn't go over well. It was a superb memory charm though….."

Lily simply sank down the opposite wall to stare up at him. After a few seconds of his piercing gaze, she turned her head away, and a silence washed over them Severus turned away, staring down the corridor, when he heard her give a small cough. She spoke in a voice that was trying hard to be both a whisper and a scream. "You didn't have to call me that, you know."

A brief look of confusion washed over his pallid face. Staring down his crooked nose, a badge of his father's heathen rages, he turned to face her, only to find the back of her head.

"Call you wh --?"

She whipped her head around, and her feeling were written all over her face. Her eyes told him everything he needed to know.

"You can't…..You know….. I didn't mean it. I had to say something, it was the first thing that came. Blame it on the filth I bunk with every night, and the way they go on." Her face was unchanged, and he continued to flounder under her gaze. "Please….Lily!…..You know I would never honestly call you that. How can I talk about blood, when my father, may he rot in hell, was as much a Muggle as your parents are?"

"It doesn't change the fact that you said it. I swear sometimes I think you're as bad as the others…." She raised an eyebrow, determined to look intimidating, but a wide grin gave her away. Her emerald eyes twinkled in the dark corridor, and a smirk crossed Severus's lips.

"Well, I could be worse."

"And how's that, exactly?"

"I could be Potter."

The two laughed, a blend of her light, tinkling twitter and his strange, barking laugh. Severus slid down the wall near her, and as she laughed, she took his face into her hands.

"Kiss me, before I die laughing."

Peals of laughter could be heard through the large wooden door. James Potter backed slowly away, shocked. He rumpled his hair, trying to make sense of what he had jut heard. Realization washing over him, he broke into a run. He attracted many stares as he raced quickly towards Gryffindor Tower, alternately muttering "Snivellus and Lily?" and "Kiss me?"

He panted the password to the Fat Lady, who was looking very disapproving as he held his knees, coughing until the portrait swung open. He quickly climbed up through the hole and spotted his friends, seated in the spots closest to the fireplace, which sat unused on this warm day. He managed to slide to a stop, and frantically waved his arms in front of their faces.

"Padfoot….Moony…Snivellus…..with Lily….laughing and….kissing…..how?" He had caught his breath by now, but he couldn't seem to put together a full sentence in his bewilderment. Remus Lupin tilted his blue eyes upward and simply shook his head.

"Tell me, Prongs. How's it feel to be the last to know?"

A/N (Again): Well, that's chapter one. I have started up a second chapter, with no idea of where this is going. My question is, do you think I could leave it like this? I really think it's quite funny if I end it here. Tell me if you want more, or if I should leave it a one-shot.