Written for the September event at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Also written for the Hard-core Marauder Fan Competition; vague prompt: ribbons.

Words: 766

A shoutout to Blackwing13 for looking this over for me! Thanks a lot!

Multicolored Ribbons and Dungeons

Lily POV

I smiled happily as I looked at the ribbons of white fumes coming out of my potion.

I was in the dungeons, modifying a potion along with Sev. We were already done with Draught of Living Death, now we were working on the Sleeping Potion. Currently its effect was such that as soon as a person took it, he/she will be asleep then and there. While this was helpful in some cases, it was also somewhat unhealthy as it shut down the body functions completely without any prior warning.

My endless research on muggle medicine confirmed this. Thus, we were working on a cure where the body's function would stop as it does normally by introducing a time-delay and making it such that the body would consume the draught in small amounts. By the time it's completely consumed, the person will be asleep.

Of course this was easier said than done. We had had to get permission from Professor Slughorn for use of the private labs and from our respective head of houses to be allowed out after-hours.

The private labs were situated in lower levels of the dungeons, beneath the Slytherin common room. I had of course grumbled about it, "Why do Potions have to be done in the dungeons only? There were many empty classrooms in the upper levels where we could set up our cauldrons."

Severus had explained to me, "The Potions need to be prepared in cold conditions, and where there is not too much temperature variation. While this can be easily done by upholding a Stasis bubble, it is much easier for we, as students, to practice here in the dungeons. Also the Stasis bubble is somewhat hindering when we want to add something in or stir the potion. It could get tedious to remove and add a Stasis bubble for each step."

"That's easy for you to say. You are not the one who has to get up at ungodly hours and come down more than 10 flights!" I said jokingly.

"That's for your own good. You Gryffindors could do with some exercise," sneered Sev, though I could see be was amused by the warmth shining in his eyes.

I played along. Putting my hands on my hips and trying to be as intimidating as possible, I mock whispered, "Severus Tobias Snape! Are you saying the Gryffindors are fat? That I am fat?"

"No, no, Lily-flower, of course not." He was trying to hold in his snickers.

"Ugh! Stop right there mister! I am not Lily-flower, just Lily." I stomped my foot, giving in to the childish urge.

Ever since James bloody Potter had asked me out in the Great Hall in front of the students and the faculty, it had become somewhat of a replacement of my name. The reason I had rejected him so harshly had been partly that. He had spelled multicolored ribbons to form the words 'My dear Lily-flower, will you do me the honor of accompanying me on the next Hogsmeade weekend? - The one and only James Potter at your service.'

I was infuriated that he called me Lily-flower and was so arrogant, so egoistic to think he could propose in the Great Hall, obviously expecting me to fall at his feet like other girls.

I had called him a toerag and then stormed off to the dungeons, confident in the knowledge no one would be able to find me there. But the dark walls had made me further upset and then I was too embarrassed to face the teachers and the students. What would they be thinking? I would be known as a frigid bitch for turning down their adorable Jamie.

I thought of the next few days, where the Slytherins would no doubt love to rub their noses in, the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors banded together in their mutual love for James Potter. This had made me burst into a fresh wave of tears, knowing I would be hated by more than half of the school. All just, because James Potter couldn't leave me alone.

And then, Slughorn had found me. Knowing that Sev and I were friends, he had led me to his office, where he and Severus had been discussing potions over tea. Pretty soon, I had forgotten my worries, immersed in the plethora of knowledge and the endless possibilities; the hot cup of tea a balm for me. Never had I been more grateful of the Slytherin house. This was how our idea for research came up.

Review guys! Also, this is a series of 15 one-shots revolving around the Marauders! So wait for more:-) Let me know what you think...

Love, Rainbow