A/N: So now for something completely different by PlanA :)
Apologies if it starts off a bit slow, took me a few paragraphs to get into it. But once I did I really loved it, 1,000 words in a few hours. Pretty happy with it, back up to standard I hope :) Enjoy. R&R.
Today. He would do it today. Things were changing and he had to take his chance.
The exam period was approaching fast and for those in their fifth year at Hogwarts this meant Ordinary Wizarding Levels. Though it had to be said, he felt pretty prepared actually – Potions, of course, came naturally to Severus Snape and Defence Against the Dark Arts would be pretty easy: he spent most of his time these days with his fellow Slytherin's practicing dark spells and what good was knowing them if you couldn't counter them?
Anyway, it wasn't the exams that were on his mind. It was something completely different.
On the occasions when he wasn't meddling in dark magic, he would visit the girl he loved – the Muggle-born Lily Evans. Of course, this completely undermined everything Slytherin stood for – purebloods were supreme, there was no place in this world for Muggles, least of all those masquerading as wizards and witches. And because of this he had been helping her with her defensive spells.
Lily was a great witch; she didn't need any help to prepare for her exams, of course she didn't, but everyday Snape had to endure hours of his "friends" discussing ways they were going to curse or torture, or during particular impassioned occasions, kill all Muggle-borns: when the time came he wanted her to be able to defend each and every vicious attack the Slytherins were going to throw at her. Lily knew as well as Severus did that he wasn't really there to help her revise, she was fully away of what he and his housemates got up to, but for the sake of their friendship she kept up the pretense, they'd decided that together...
"So let me get this straight, you want to help me, a mere Muggle-born, with my Defence Against the Dark Arts revision?" Lily said jokingly and looked down at her friend who was lying still in the grass beside her.
Severus could feel her looking at him with her stunning green eyes but focused his gaze on the branches of the Whomping Willow criss-crossing the blue cloudless skies above and nodded. Lily had used the Freezing charm to stop the tree thrashing around so it was safe for now; besides it was the only place they wouldn't be disturbed.
"I know my stuff Sev, I'm not in the Slug Club just on my looks you know."
He smiled. "No, but they help," he said pushing himself up on his right arm to look at her.
Lily rolled her eyes at her best friend but was grinning all the same. "Anyway back to the point ..."
"Sorry, yes. I just think it would be ... beneficial for you to be prepared and ..." Snape searched for the words, wanting to make it clear he wasn't just talking about the upcoming exams; "... er ... and aware of the dangers that you might face, you know ... outside the classroom."
Lily snapped her head to face the front and stared up at Hogwarts. Her jaw tensed as she understood, "We're not just talking O.W.L.'s are we?" She didn't need to be looking at him to see Severus shake his head.
For a while they were quiet and Lily, while trying to compose her thoughts, watched as an owl flew out of the Owlery at the top of the West Tower; she could just make its talons clutching at a tiny envelope. She followed its path as it swooped and swerved through the still, summer air until it was just a spec in the distance.
"Lily?" Severus sat up straight and placed his hand tentatively on Lily's shoulder.
The 16-year old took her friends hand in hers and squeezed it appreciatively. "What if your lot ... I mean, the "examiners" find out you're helping me – they'll kill you."
Severus shrugged, "It couldn't feel any worse than seeing them hurt you."
All of a sudden, Lily leant over and kissed him on the cheek. Severus recoiled a bit, her actions catching both of them by surprise.
"Thanks," Snape couldn't hide his happiness, a grin spread across his male face making even his black eyes light up.
Lily knew how vulnerable she was being a Muggle-born, especially nowadays with more and more wizards and witches joining the Dark Lord.
"Well you are lovely when you want to be Sev. I don't know why you get involved in all this Dark magic nonsense; it doesn't suit you ... certainly not the 'you' I know."
He opened his mouth to respond but knew he couldn't justify his behaviour. Fortunately, Lily saved him the hassle of coming up with an excuse:
"So, these ... ahem ... revision sessions then ... where are we going to go? If we're seen practicing magic together, it won't take long for it to get around that something's going on."
"I think I've found somewhere that will suit our requirements," he replied, emphasising the last word, "7th floor corridor – look for me – want to find me and you will."
What the hell? Lily thought this sounded mad, but then magic was more-or-less based on madness, so she nodded, assuming all would be revealed.
Silence fell between them again as they watched the Sun disappear behind the turrets of Hogwarts, casting slanting shadows over the grounds. As if sensing the drop in temperature, the Whomping Willow shuddered, awaking from the Immobulus charm. One of its huge branches fell lethargically, hitting the ground only feet from Lily with a loud thud and sending vibrations through the ground.
Severus grabbed Lily's hand, pulling her to her feet and, casting only a brief look back to see the willow stretching its limbs for a proper assault, they ran.
The sentient tree reached out as far as it could, angered that these small creatures had been trespassing on its ground for the last few hours. In its final effort it managed to surround the intruders with the tips of its twigs and leaves, grappling about trying to get a grip but they were soon out of reach. Admitting defeat, the tree withdrew its branches, twisted them back into position and sighed.
Fifty metres away, a red haired witch and a black haired wizard were bent over, hands on knees trying to catch their breath. Eventually they stood up straight and looked at each other. Then he saw it and Severus Snape couldn't help but laugh.
"What?" Lily demanded, suddenly self-conscious.
"You look like a baby Whomping Willow!" Severus motioned for Lily to lean forwards and he began to remove the numerous bits of tree from her hair.
This was a good day, he thought to himself.
I'm afraid I can't promise when the next chapter will be up as I really need to finish my Consequences fanfic. Will see how people react to this one :)
