A/N: So, this is a BRAND SPANKING NEW story and I know you're jealous. I got the idea thinking about a former teacher and the kid she just had… it's a long story, actually, but my darling Conscience helped me think up the idea. I don't know WHAT would give you the idea that I'd give up JPiND just cuz I have this because I so totally won't. Oh, I posted this as Sev/James cuz there are too few Sev/James stories but there's going to be some James/Lily too. Don't get too upset, please. Siri/Remie will be in here as well so don't get scared. PEOPLE WHO HATE SLASH, WALK AWAY NOW. It probably won't get to graphic. The rating is more as a precaution because something tells me angsty characters like these swear a lot… and I've been watching anime so that doesn't help anything. Uh, yeah, have FUN with it, people! Oh, and I like reviews. They make me want to update faster.

Disclaimer: Let's see… reasons why I DON'T own this… uh… well, I SO TOTALLY HATE REMUS/TONKS so that would have never in a million years happened if I owned Harry Potter… and, um… oh yeah, there would be lots and lots more slash. Dumbledore's just not enough, Jo!

"Professor, please," Severus begged. Severus Snape never begs. Ever. However, he had a very good reason to beg Albus Dumbledore. He was begging forgiveness. Two minutes as a Death Eater had shown him that the life was not for him to lead. He had been in denial about it the last year, though.

Finally, his mind had come around when he had seen the announcement in the paper. The one that had announced the engagement of one James Potter and one Lily Evans. Severus had known then that he had to get the one he loved back. He had, of course, taken his time in acquiring the courage to go to the good side.

"Severus, how can I know that you truly believe in the cause? How can I know that you're not trying to infiltrate my ranks and send messages to your Lord?" Albus looked at the boy, for he was little more than a boy, standing in front of him. He still had the same long, dark hair that needed a good wash, the same black eyes that appraised everyone and everything calculatingly, the same scrawny stature, that he'd had as a student of Hogwarts. The only thing that had changed was that he'd hardened more to the world.

"Because I love him," Severus replied. He was almost in tears. He didn't know what he could do to prove his loyalty to the good side.

"You love who, Severus? Voldemort is a male, if you've forgotten." Dumbledore watched Severus for a reaction. The one thing that bothered him by the situation was that he could not really say for sure if Severus was lying or not. Snape was gifted in the art of Occlumency and would most likely reflexively shut Dumbledore out of his mind if Legilimency was attempted.

"Potter," Severus admitted as he stared at the floor, almost ashamed. Dumbledore wished, not for the first time, that he were a muggle police officer so he could tell just by mannerisms if Snape were lying or not.

"Would you agree to Veritiserum in order to prove your story, Severus?" Dumbledore asked softly.

"Of course, sir," Severus looked up with passionate eyes.

"Very well," Dumbledore replied. "I'll go ask Horace for some. I'll be but a moment." Dumbledore strode over to the fire and Flooed down to the dungeons. He was back a few moments later with a small vile of clear potion.

Dumbledore dropped a few drops on Severus's waiting tongue. He waited a moment and then asked the first question.

"What is your full name?"

"Severus William Snape."

"What is your birthdate?"

"January 9th, 1960."

"Do you genuinely want to fight against the Dark Lord Voldemort?"

"Yes, for James."

"Did you know that he's betrothed to Miss Lily Evans?"

"I saw it in the paper. That's what spurred my decision to leave the Dark Lord."

"Do you know of a spy within my ranks?" This last question caught Severus off guard.

"Vaguely."

"Do you know who it is?" Dumbledore was desperate. Every time they went to stop a raid the Death Eaters had been tipped off and would flee before Order members could get there.

"I only know that he's short and rather unconfident," Severus replied.

"That will be all," Dumbledore cast a charm to nullify the effects of the potion. "Now, I shall ask you a question that would be troublesome if answered completely honestly." His blue eyes twinkled in an amused manner.

"Why do I get the feeling that I'm not going to like this?" Severus asked in tired, dry tones.

"I need a spy to even the playing field," Dumbledore explained. "You're the only one I have on the inside at the moment." Luckily for Dumbledore, Snape always caught on rather quickly.

"I understand your reasoning behind this decision. I can Occlude. I'm already a Death Eater. It's a very obvious choice. I'll do anything to fall back into your favor, sir." Severus' black eyes met with Dumbledore's blue. They nodded to acknowledge the commitment that shone in their eyes.

"I can't believe you decided on your Best Man so quickly, James!" Lily exclaimed as they went over wedding plans for what felt like the thousandth time.

"How is it hard to believe? Sirius has been my best friend for nearly nine years," James replied. He really didn't see why it was so astounding.

"But you've been friends with Remus and Peter for just as long," Lily pointed out.

"Actually, Prongs and I met first," Sirius said as he barged into the Potter family kitchen. James and Lily had agreed not to move in together until after the wedding. "And then, twenty minutes later, we met Remus. About seven minutes after that, Peter came into our compartment and the rest, they say, is history." Sirius grabbed an apple from the basket on the table and bit into it as he sat on the table.

"Besides, Sirius is like my brother. Period." It was true. He and Sirius were like troublesome twins separated at birth.

"Well, it's starting to feel like I'll never figure out who will be my Maid of Honor. Honestly, I think I always expected Petunia to fill the role," Lily sighed.

"Why don't you ask her to," James suggested. "I mean, none of your friends would take offence to family obligation. Actually, if you do it this way, you won't hurt anyone's feelings." He was growing tired of all the wedding talk. Everyone knows that the bride should plan the entire wedding and let the groom only make minimal decisions.

"Hmmm, I think I'll go visit Mum and see what she thinks," Lily muttered. "Don't get in too much trouble, you two." Her emerald eyes twinkled in amusement at them. She knew they'd get in too much trouble no matter what she said.

"Yes ma'am!" Sirius shouted but remained seated on the table. As soon as he heard the front door shut and the lock turn, Sirius turned to James. "You sure you want to do this, mate?"

"What do you mean am I sure?" James shot Sirius a look. "I wouldn't have asked her to marry me if I wasn't sure."

"So you're positive this is what you want?" Sirius continued to stare at James questioningly as he took a bite of apple.

"Sirius, why are you asking that? Isn't it obvious? Besides, if you'll recall, the moment I met Lily I announced that she'd be my bride." James got up from the table and shook his head at his friend.

"I believe your exact words were 'I'm going to marry that girl someday,'" Sirius replied effortlessly. "That was when she and Snape asked if they could sit with us on our first train ride to Hogwarts and you demurred because… hmm, I can't even recall what excuse we made. But the point is, as soon as she was furious with you, you said that." Sirius swung his gaze around to where James was now standing.

"Your purpose in that retelling has been lost on me," James replied.

"Well, you were eleven. And then, four years later, you decided you fancied Snape," Sirius pointed out. "And the two of you were madly in love for a time. He even let you date Evans because the two of you couldn't be seen together. His friends would kill him and you knew your grandfather would cut you out of the will for being with a boy." Sirius took an emphatic bite of apple.

"What are you saying, Sirius?" James sighed. He was tired of Sirius' roundabout way of getting to his point.

"Well, you're still in love with him, aren't you? You don't just stop loving a person. And how can you marry one person when you love another?" Sirius watched his friend closely.

"I'm madly in love with her, too, Padfoot," James admitted and sunk back into his chair. "That's how I can marry her."

"So you love two people. You should be with the one you love more." Sirius was staring unflinchingly at his friend's confused eyes.

"First, I love them both equally," James insisted. "Second, I'm with Lily right now. Third, he made his choice and I wasn't it." James' eyes grew hard with anger.

"He was afraid, James. His father's a crazy muggle. You know how muggles are about such things. They're still trying to come around to the idea. We have the luxury of fertility charms and potions. He was friends with purebloods who publicly look down upon such concepts as that particular brand of fertility magic is rather recently discovered. What would you have done in his position? You were just as afraid of what society would think of you." Sirius gave James an unrelenting look.

"I'm not you, Sirius. I was always James Potter, golden boy of Hogwarts. You were always Sirius the sexy rebel. From day one you were a rebel. From a family of Slytherins, you became a Gryffindor. You befriended a werewolf (unbeknownst to most, of course). You denounced Slytherins. Sirius, you were allowed to shun society's expectations because you always had. I didn't have that option." James shot Sirius a fierce look.

"Wonder what he thinks of your engagement," Sirius replied airily. James hated that. He hated that Sirius could just pretend like they hadn't just been fighting if he wanted.

"I wouldn't know! I haven't spoken to him since he chose those crazies over me!" James snapped and left the kitchen.

"I've planted a seed," Sirius said to himself in a sing-song voice.

"Hi Mum," Lily greeted as she slumped into the Evans' living room couch.

"Lily," her mother commented. "Wedding planning is exhausting. I remember when I planned my own wedding." Mrs. Evans got a faraway look on her face.

"MUM!" Petunia exclaimed excitedly as she entered the house. She ran into the front room and looked ecstatic.

"What is it, Petunia darling?" Their mother raised her eyebrows amusedly.

"Vernon proposed," she said with feeling.

"That's wonderful, dear!" her mother exclaimed.

"That's great Petunia." Lily beamed. "I offer you my best wishes."

"Oh, you're here," Petunia scowled.

"Um, Petunia, I was wondering if you could do me a huge favor and be my Maid of Honor. It would mean a lot to me." Lily gave her sister an earnest look.

"Only if you'll do the same for me," Petunia said through gritted teeth. Lily could tell it took a lot for her sister to neglect her pride for this much.

"Of course I will!" Lily exclaimed before hugging her sister.

"Thank you," Petunia whispered. Lily smiled even wider.

The rest of the afternoon, the Evans women spent their time planning Lily's wedding and brainstorming ideas for Petunia's. Lily decided on china colors and linen colors and the typeface to be used on her invitations. Petunia decided she wanted a small wedding in a cute little church.

"James Andrew Potter!" Mrs. Potter screeched from the top of the stairs.

"What do you want, Mum!" James shouted back, to lazy to actually get up and go towards his mother's voice.

"Get over here this instant!" she shouted,

"Yes Mum," James replied grudgingly and reluctantly got off the couch, set the sports section of the Daily Prophet down and made his way to the stairs. "What?" he called up to her.

"You need to get proper dress robes for your wedding. I would just go out and buy them but we need them tailored." Mrs. Potter glared down at her son.

"Mum, I have months until the wedding," James whined.

"No, you have A month," she replied. She was quite used to whining.

"Be a man, Prongsie and get the robes tailored today. Evans is out trying to find the perfect dress today anyways." Sirius materialized next to Mrs. Potter.

"I want a muggle tux," James replied. "I'll look stupid standing next to her in dress robes."

"Fine, but we're still getting them at Lady Cassandra's. She's the best tailor in the country," Mrs. Potter insisted. "And she'll make just about anything. Perfect for my crazy son and his ridiculous friends."

"We need to call Moony and Wormtail," James insisted. "They're in the wedding party too."

"Already called. We need to leave now or everyone will be waiting for us." Mrs. Potter came down the stairs and tried her best to straighten her son's hair. While she was distracted, Sirius slid down the banister. "Sirius, what have I told you about sliding down my banisters," Mrs. Potter chided nonetheless. She was a mother, after all; she had eyes in the back of her head.

When the three arrived at the tailoring shop, Remus, Peter and Lady Cassandra were all waiting for them. Remus was sitting on a bench reading a book, Peter was pacing nervously and Lady Cassandra was staring out the window with a glare.

"Well hurry in," she ushered them in. "Honestly, you don't think I want to go out of my way for you just because you're a Potter, boy." She glared at James.

"Too bad I'm not getting married. I do so love receiving glares," Sirius smirked toward his friend as he plopped down next to an oblivious Remus and put his arm around the werewolf.

"Hey Sirius," Remus greeted without looking up.

"I would have landed in your lap had you not been sitting with your legs crossed," Sirius pouted.

"Mmhmm," Remus replied.

"Bet you didn't even hear my getting married comment. Perhaps I'll find me a lady to settle down with because you're always reading, dear Moony."

"No you won't Sirius," Remus said semi-distractedly as he placed a bookmark in his book. "You'd grow far too bored with a woman."

"Too true," Sirius replied with a sigh. "That's what I've got you for, isn't it?"

"Would you two lovebirds shut up," James said as he was being measured by Lady Cassandra. Lady Cassandra did the best work partially because she took all measurements by hand. Madame Malkin usually used a magic tape measure.

"I refuse to be quiet when I'm so very in love with Moony. He's the peanut butter to my jelly." Sirius tugged Remus closer.

"Pads, we're in public," Remus pointed out.

"I realize that," Sirius replied with a smirk.

"Remus, darling, I don't see why you don't stay with us. It would be one thing if you were still living with your parents but you're living in a flat by yourself. You really should stay with us, dear," Mrs. Potter insisted. Of course, she insisted this every time she saw the werewolf.

"I couldn't, Mrs. Potter. I'd be too much trouble," Remus demurred shyly. He didn't want to hurt her feelings but he had yet to tell her about his furry little problem and he didn't plan to do so any time soon.

"You're coming over for dinner after this and we're talking about it. That's final, do I make myself clear?" Mrs. Potter said threateningly.

"That would be lovely, Mrs. Potter. It's been ages since I've had a home cooked meal." Remus smiled at the thought.

"What're we having tonight, Mrs. P?" Sirius asked lazily.

"I think Rudy is making a pot roast. I'm not sure if I should have left him in charge of dinner but I could not leave him in charge of my son's wedding attire. I will suffer through a terrible meal if I have to in order to have my James looking his absolute best on his wedding day." Rudy, or Rudolph as everyone else called him, was James' father. He was raised on old-school pureblood traditions and had thrown all of them away as soon as his own father was no longer in control of him. Some things though, like always looking his best and charming, misleading smiles, were habit and had remained long after his father had passed on.

After an hour of Sirius fighting with Lady Cassandra over the fit of his pants and another hour of trying to get the right measurements from a ticklish Peter, the boys were back at the Potter household.

"I wish I could stay for dinner, Mrs. Potter, but I really do have a date," Peter was sweating from the pressure of trying to convince James' mother to let him go. After having a son like James, she was used to dealing with the stubborn fairly well.

"Seriously, Mum, Petey here has a date and it really would be a shame to leave his love life as stagnant as it's been," James tried to coerce his mother.

"Fine, but Peter you're coming over for dinner sometime this week. Do I make myself clear?" Mrs. Potter was always trying to make herself clear. It was her favorite thing to ask.

"Yes Mrs. Potter." Peter looked almost ashamed of himself.

They all sat down for dinner and Sirius immediately started in on an animated conversation with Mr. Potter about crazy muggle inventions like gay bars. Remus rolled his eyes before commenting on Mrs. Potter's newest additions to the house. James found he liked neither conversation and busied himself by telling everyone (even though they weren't listening) about how amazing Lily was.

Mrs. Potter had a solemn face on as dessert came. James knew from experience that she saved all heavy conversation topics for dessert. "Remus, if you'll recall, we have a conversation to finish."

Remus let out a deep sigh before replying, "Yes Mrs. Potter."

"Why do you always refuse my offers to house you, Remus. You can hardly pay for that apartment and Sirius is here." Mrs. Potter gave Remus a serious look.

"I have some very personal reasons why I won't," Remus replied, staring at the plain linen tablecloth.

"Oh Remus, do you honestly think that I hadn't already figured out you're a werewolf?" Mrs. Potter laughed. "Sweetie, it's kind of obvious." Remus looked up hopefully, angrily and fearfully all at once.

"If it helps any, I didn't figure it out until Alice told me," Mr. Potter admitted.

"And you're not afraid of me?" Remus' eyes shone with fear. James was positive that Sirius' hand was gripping his under the table.

"Of course not. You're harmless 27 out of every 28 days," Mrs. Potter smiled warmly at him as she always did.

"96.4 percent of the time," Sirius added with a huge grin. "And the other 3.4 percent you're a sexy wild beast."

"Something tells me I don't want to know why you know those percentages," Remus shook his head.

"Sirius, what have I told you about saying 'sexy' at the table?" Mr. Potter said in his 'all business' voice.

"Not to do it?" Sirius replied sheepishly. "I'm sorry but when Remus is around I just can't HELP myself," Sirius said in a dramatic voice.

"I'm trying to eat DINNER here, Sirius," James scowled.

"You do remember that you're bi, right James?" Sirius raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah but you two are like my brothers and it's just sick to think about your romantic… stuff." James cringed at the thought.

"Since when are you bisexual, James?" his father asked.

"Uh, I figured it out when I was sixteen, I think," James replied, pretending to be confused. He could recall the exact date when he'd fallen (hard) for Severus Snape. He knew this; Sirius knew this; Even Remus could tell.

"Honestly, Rudy, you couldn't tell? I knew that as soon as he was mentioning Lily once per letter or visit home that he was into someone else. I also knew how pretty that girl is and I knew it must be someone completely different and therefore completely male. I also knew this because he refused to mention the boy." When James was little he could have sworn his mother was a Legilimens. He wasn't quite sure now. He figured she was just far too perceptive for her own good.

"Oh he mentioned him, just never in a way that you'd realize it was his romantic interest he was talking about," Sirius smirked smugly.

"Padfoot!" James shouted in dismay. He knew that his mother would never let it go now. And that was exactly what Sirius had wanted, of course.

"Who was it, James?" his mother asked, watching her son carefully.

"Severus Snape," James mumbled into his pastry.

"Why were you always so cruel to him?" His father asked, oblivious.

"Because I liked him! That's what kids do when they get crushes. They crush those crushes just to be near them." James was tense. He never shouted at the dinner table and very seldom in the presence of his parents.

"Well, I think I'm going to turn in. Moony, darling, you're staying the night." Sirius gave them all a devilish grin before dragging his boyfriend out of the dining room.

"I think I'm going to go to bed too," James said, forcedly calm.

"Of course, sweetheart," Mrs. Potter said softly. She knew she would tread carefully around this topic in the future.

Lily awoke in the bedroom she shared with her older sister to find that Petunia's bed was already made. She then looked at the alarm clock on her sister's nightstand. It read 9:55.

"Oh my, I overslept!" Lily squeaked to herself. She hurriedly got dressed and did her hair and makeup while muttering a freshening charm. After she made it all the way to her day planner and started opening it she realized she had nothing to do that day.

She went downstairs leisurely and got herself a small breakfast. Petunia sat at the table eating her own breakfast and watching Lily carefully. "This came for you," Petunia handed her an envelope with green writing on it. Lily recognized the neat writing instantly.

It was a note from Dumbledore. It asked to meet her at the Hogwarts Headmaster's office at the Order of the Phoenix headquarters. Lily swore under her breath. It sounded urgent so she assumed something was wrong. She quickly informed Petunia that she was off on business and didn't know when she'd be home. Petunia nodded dully, and Lily ran up to her room and Disapparated.

"Hey Lily," Alice Longbottom greeted when Lily entered.

"Hey Alice, Dumbledore called," Lily said smiling. She was trying not to fret too much.

"Ah, go on. I'm just watching the door today." Alice rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

"Sucks," Lily said sympathetically. The only reason Lily relished in the door duty was it gave her time to look at bridal magazines. The redhead then when to the back of the house they were using as headquarters and knocked once on Dumbledore's door before being bid to enter.

"Ah, Miss Evans. You've finally arrived," Dumbledore smiled at Lily. Everyone seemed to be smiling that day.

"Hello Lily," a deep, dry voice said from the corner of the office. Lily whipped around to see Severus Snape standing there. He was a little broader, though not much, than she remembered. He seemed to be outgrowing his awkward teenaged phase though he was still a tall, thin man.

"Severus," she said in an icy tone. She twisted her engagement ring around her finger nervously.

"How many times must I say I'm sorry, Lily? I was a fifteen and I was far too young to know what I was saying." Severus looked truly repentant and Lily almost cracked right there. She'd never been able to say no to Severus' black eyes when she was younger. Of course, his eyes had been a good deal warmer then too.

"A thousand more before I even begin to consider it," Lily said, crossing her arms. "What was it you wanted, Professor?" Lily calmly moved her green-eyed gaze to the silver haired man behind the desk, watching the interaction amusedly.

"Actually, I wanted to inform you that Severus is a spy for the side of the good." Dumbledore wore a manipulative smile. Of course, it wouldn't be construed as a manipulative smile by a casual observer. No, one had to be well-versed in the ways of Albus Dumbledore to spot the hint of not-quite-innocent intentions.

"That's nice. Why would I care?" Lily looked more than a little cross. Her arms were crossed, she had a leg jutted out and her emerald eyes were staring at the two men in the room icily.

"Lily--" Severus started but was cut off.

"No. I don't want to hear it, Snape. I can't believe I defended you all those years. James was right about you." She glared at him. His eyes had hardened at the mention of James.

"He hasn't always hated me," Severus replied guardedly.

"What are you talking about? He used to hex you in the halls for walking to close to him!" Lily shouted. She continued to glare. Her grudge for one Severus Snape wasn't going to end here, if she had anything to say about it.

"Ask him. Although he may not admit it, he and I got on quite well for a few years," Severus bit out in his dry tones. He was trying to be condescending and aloof. He was trying to be his normal self but somehow, just thinking about James and Lily together made him angry beyond belief.

"I don't believe you. He might just play it off as a joke anyway," Lily glared.

"Ask Lupin then," Severus replied. Lily looked at him oddly.

"How well did you get on?" She gave him a suspicious look.

"About as well as Black and Lupin," Severus replied. He then turned to Dumbledore. "I must be going. I've potions to brew." He turned to leave, his cloak twirling up.

"Wait," Lily said, a hand on his arm. "Are you serious?"

"Why would I kid?" He said, turning back to see her heartfelt, questioning glance; it was almost pleading. His eyes were as cold as ever. It didn't feel good to be rejected for friendship.

"Severus, I'm sorry I've been so harsh," Lily muttered.

"Oh really?" Severus snapped, an eyebrow quirked almost interestedly.

"Well, if James thought it worth his time to be nice to you, even for a short while, I'm sure there's some good in you." Lily smiled warmly at him. Severus sighed; that was Lily for you. If there was any remote possibility that you had a shard of good in you she'd trust you.

"I really do need to brew those potions," Severus replied but his face had softened slightly. Lily knew that things were better between them. Not good, no, things would never be quite 'good' again probably but they were better. That's all that mattered.

"You know how to reach me," Lily replied with a bright smile on her face.