Summary: What would the Wizarding World be like if Voldemort hadn't existed? How would everyone cope without a Dark Lord ruining their lives? In response to Blackthorne6's challenge "Harry Potter and the Mundane Life".

In Absentia

By Phoenix1001/Phoenix Phyre

Prologue
Beginnings

Running down the tunnel in the direction he had come from, Severus stumbled several times. Mentally, he cursed Sirius Black for getting him into this situation, even as he cursed himself for listening to Black. As he reached the end of the tunnel, he looked back before hastily climbing the ladder out through the Whomping Willow and running to the school.

"I am sorry, Severus, but there is nothing I can do," Albus Percival Wolfric Brian Dumbledore said. "There is no substantiated proof that Sirius Black led you into a dangerous situation. Unless you can supply a witness…"

"I told you, there were portraits all around that saw what happened. Ask them!" Severus snapped at the Headmaster.

"And I told you, Mr. Snape, that portraits cannot be used as witnesses in a court of law. Now, I understand that you are afraid that Mr. Black will attempt to harm you again and rightfully so. What he did is inexcusable. Unfortunately, I cannot expel or suspend him, but what I can do is have the staff keep a close eye on him from here on out. I will do what I can to keep you safe," Albus said. "Please, though, do not expose the fact that little Joseph Gasper is a werewolf to anyone else in this school. If it comes out in the open, current Wizengamot law is to have all werewolves executed, thanks to that toad, Delores Umbridge."

Just then, a knock sounded at the door, taking both Severus and Albus by surprise. "Come in," Albus said.

A timid-looking Remus Lupin and the shockingly beautiful Lily Evans stepped into the Headmaster's office, accompanied by Peter Pettigrew. "Ah, Lily, Remus, Peter. Good to see you children," Albus said.

"Sorry to interrupt, Headmaster, but Prof. McGonagall said we could find Severus here," Lily said. "We have something important to tell him."

"Ah, well, then. Remember what I said, Severus. I bid the four of you good night," Albus said, his eyes twinkling merrily.

"What is this about?" Severus snapped as Lily dragged him by his arm into an unused classroom near the Headmaster's office.

"We heard what happened, Severus, and wanted to apologize about it. Sirius should have never tried anything of the sort. There was sort of a large argument over it in the Common Room over it, and of course James sided with Sirius…"

*~*~* Flashback *~*~*

"How could you try to get Severus killed like that?" Lily shouted. "He has done nothing to you!"

"It's just poor little Snivellus. I don't get what you see in him… his hair is greasy and long, he wears second-hand robes, and as you saw in the courtyard last week, doesn't even seem to wash his underpants," James said.

"Like being poor is a crime," Remus spat. "I better turn myself in to the authorities, then. Or ask you to sic a werewolf on me or spin me in the air. Most of us here at Hogwarts are from middle-class families. Not everyone can be from rich upper-end families like you two. Now Sirius, tell me you will apologize to Severus!"

"Me? Apologize to Snivellus? Never!" Sirius spat.

"Well, I, for one, refuse to associate with pompous fools such as yourselves," Lily said. "Have a good life, Potter, Black." Lily stormed off to find Professor McGonagall.

"I also refuse to associate with you," Remus said, and Peter agreed with him. The two of them followed Lily out of the Common Room.

*~*~* End flashback *~*~*

"The three of us are on your side, Severus," Remus said.

"We would like to be your friends. We promise to always be by your side," Peter added, speaking for the first time since leaving the Common Room.

That really shocked Severus. Three Gryffindors siding with a Slytherin? Had Hell frozen over?

"Shocked much?" Lily laughed. "I would be if three Slytherins came up to me and said they wanted to be my loyal friends. Really though, Severus. You and I grew up together on Spinner's End. Remus went to the same Primary School as us. You should have expected that Remus and I, at least, would always side with you, regardless of House."

"While I may not have known you before Hogwarts, Severus, I trust Lily and Remus' judgment, and I will be loyal to you as long as you don't do something to betray my trust, like James and Sirius did," Peter said.

"I… thank you," Severus said, still shocked. "I promise that I will be loyal to the three of you, as well. I am sorry that you got into it with Potter, though, Lily."

"Why? He has always been an arrogant toe-rag," Lily said.

"I thought you liked him, as in like-liked him," Severus said, using a Muggle phrase he picked up in Primary School.

"Me? Like HIM? Yeah right! I like…" Lily trailed off, looking nervously toward Remus, who didn't notice her look.

"Oh… well…" Severus said. "Another mistaken assumption. How about you, Remus? Peter? Is there anyone the two of you like?"

Peter shook his head in the negative, while Remus shot a nervous look toward Lily.

"Well, there is someone," Remus said, "But what I don't know is if she likes me. Or even thinks of me in that way."

Severus chuckled and said, "Lily, do you like Remus?"

"Yes. You know I do, or else I wouldn't be friends with him," Lily said, slightly nervous.

"Do you like-like him, though?" Severus said, making a barely-noticeable gesture for Lily to look at Remus, who had a nervous expression on his face, waiting for Lily's answer.

Noticing Remus' look, she took a deep breath before saying, "Remus, I like-like you, and have since Primary School. Would you like to go on a date with me the next Hogsmeade Weekend?"

Remus let out a breath he didn't even realize he had been holding. "Of course I would like to go on a date with you, Lily. I have been in love with you for as long as I have known you…" He blushed when he realized the last thing he had said. "Well, what about you, Severus? Is there anyone YOU like?"

Severus blushed deeply and mumbled something.

"I'm sorry… we didn't catch that, Severus?" Lily said jokingly.

"Lucius," Severus repeated, a little louder this time.

"Lucius? You don't happen to mean Lucius Malfoy, do you?" Peter asked.

Severus nodded. "He graduates next year, and we have been seeing each other on and off for the last two years. He said during my seventh year, he would come and see me during every Hogsmeade weekend. I think he is really the one for me."

"That's great!" Remus said.

"Now we just need to find someone for you, Peter," Lily said.

"I'll find someone eventually. I am in no rush," Peter said.

The four of them sat down on the desks thoughtfully, before Peter spoke again. "I think we should make a pledge."

"What kind of pledge?" Severus asked.

"A pledge of friendship… to always be there for each other," Peter said.

"How is this: 'By my magic, I vow to always be there for my friends, to never betray their trust, and to always keep their secrets and uphold their honour, so mote it be!'?" Remus asked.

The other three all nodded, and the four of them knelt and took the vow. A flash of golden light lit up the room as magic accepted their vow, and the four of them promised to meet up again in the morning before heading off to bed for the night.

TBC…