A/N – This story comes from a very bored author who home had been robbed and left with only a VCR along with 2 VHS; Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Don't criticize too hard please, this is just something I'm doing in my spare time.
I do not own anything that you recognize and all the memories in this chapter are from the great J.K. Rowling herself, they are not my own.
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Memories came flooding back to the red head as she lay there while sleep alluded her. Each memory merrging into another, creating a vivid tale that made up her not-so-simple relationship with her best friend.
**
The boy looked at the two girls with excitement.
"I know what you are," he said very low, as to not let the other one who was lingering by the swing set hear.
"What do you mean?"
"You're...you're a witch," he whispered.
The tiny girl he was talking to was angered.
"That's not a very nice thing to say to somebody!," She turned, head high, and began walking to the other girl.
**
The memory shifted to a memory of the boy and girl weeks later.
**
"How are things at your house?" She asked the boy she was sitting next to on the leaf-covered ground.
"Fine," he said.
"They're not arguing anymore?"
"Oh yes, they're arguing," the black-haired boy said.
"Severus?"
"Yes?"
"Tell me about the dementors again..."
**
The images faded. She felt bad of course,though it truly couldn't be her fault that the two men she loved hated each other. She didn't choose this.
She curled in close to the sleeping form next to her. He unconsciously wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in closer.
Yes, she had chosen who she could live without. It broke her heart truly, picking only one. But this man, the one she simple couldn't live without, brought her comfort and happiness and stability, something the other could only try to bring.
Even with this knowledge, she couldn't help the memory that came flooding back to her of the other man.
**
"I thought we were supposed to be friends?" Severus had said. "Best friends?"
"We are Sev, but I don't like some of the people you're hanging around with! I'm sorry, but I detest Avery and Mulciber! Mulciber! What do you see in him, Sev, he's creepy! D'you know what he tried to do to Mary Macdonald the other day?"
The girl, Lily, had leaned herself against a pillar, staring up into his thin, sallow face.
"That was nothing, it was a laugh, that's all --"
"It was Dark Magic, and if you think that's funny –"
"What about the stuff Potter and his mates get up to?" demanded Severus.
"What's Potter got to do with anything?" she asked.
"They sneak out at night. There's something weird about that Lupin. Where does he keep going?"
"He's ill," Said Lily. "They say he's ill --"
"Every month at the full moon?" asked Severus.
"I know your theory" said Lily coldly. "Why are you so obsessed with them anyway? Why do you care what they're doing at night?"
"I'm just trying to show you they're not as wonderful as everyone seems to think they are."
Her voice dropped low. "They don't use Dark Magic, though. And you're being really ungrateful. I heard what happened the other night. You went sneaking down that tunnel by the Whomping Willow, and James Potter saved you from whatever's down there --"
Snape spluttered, "Saved? Saved?! You think he was playing hero? He was saving his neck and his friends' too! You're not going to – I won't let you --"
"Let me? Let me?!"
Lily's eyes, bright green, were slits now, her temper getting the best of her.
"I didn't mean – I just don't want to see you made a fool of – he fancies you. James Potter fancies you! And he's just not what everyone thinks he is."
"I know James Potter's an arrogant toe rag. I don't need you telling me that. But Mulciber and Averys idea of humor is just evil. Evil, Sev. I don't understand how you can be friends with them.
**
This memory dissolved, leading the woman into the only memory she wanted to truly bury. The memory that could tear her standing form to her knees and wrack her body with sobs. The memory that she treasured as much as she detested, for it was the last time she spoke to her best friend.
**
"I'm sorry."
"I'm not interested."
"I'm sorry!"
"Save your breath."
It was late. Lily stood in her dressing gown with her arms folded in front of her chest. She stood in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady, the entrance to the Gryffindor Tower.
"I only came out because Mary told me you were threatening to sleep here."
"I was. I would have done. I never meant to call you a mudblood, it just --"
"Slipped out?" There was no pity in her voice. "It's too late. I've made excuses for you for years. None of my friends can understand why I even talk to you. You and your precious little Death Eater friends – you see you don't even deny it! You don't even deny that's what you're all aiming to be! You can't wait to join You-Know-Who, can you?"
Severus opened his mouth as if to speak, but closed it without muttering a word.
Then she muttered the sentence that had been on the tip of her tongue for weeks.
"I can't pretend anymore. You've chosen your way, I've chosen mine."
"No, listen – I didn't mean --"
"-- to call me a mudblood? But you call everyone of my birth Mudblood, Severus. Why should I be any different?"
He struggled to speak, but Lily knew there was nothing more to be said. With a contemptuous look, she turned and climbed back into the portrait hole.
**
A lone tear escaped the present day Lily's eye. That was the last civilized – even if it was an argument – conversation she had had with her best friend. Though during the time she was more angered than anything, all she felt now was resentment for herself and extreme remorse whenever she thought of the memory. She missed her best friend.
A finger on her cheek wiping away her tear started her, and her eyes jumped to the mans whom as holding her. His eyes were questioning, and though he did not have his glasses on, he could tell she was upset.
"What's wrong?" he asked, sleep still evident in his voice.
Lily simply shook her head and pressed it into his chest, sighing deeply. The times were dark, no one was safe, but for some reason lying there with him made her feel as if she were the safest person in the whole world, muggle and wizarding alike.
He squeezed her closer to his frame, reassuring her of her last thought. He kissed the top of her head, mumbling "I love you."
She snuggled in as close as physically possible and whispered, "Love you more, James." And with that she closed her eyes in contentment, all because she was loved. The blessing of sleep came to her then, clouding her mind and allowing her brain and conscious rest.
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A/N: Very short and very little information on the plot, I know. I'm going to try to stick as close to the books as I can, but along with the fact that I'm not a Harry Potter major, (wouldn't that be awesome if they had that!?!) things are vaguely described in the books. This is just my own interpretation of the James and Lily saga that seems to be sweeping the Harry Potter world. [: