A/N: Standard issue disclaimer-Potter ain't mine. 'Sides that, I've got nothing to say. Enjoy.

That damned letter. Every summer ended the same way; Petunia and I would be eating breakfast, an owl swoops in the window, letter tied to its foot.

"I've lost my appetite," Petunia would say, and the summer truce would be over. She'd storm off somewhere, and from then 'til June, I'd be Freak, Loser, or the beloved classic, just You. She couldn't stand magic—I was magic. This year was exactly the same. I didn't even bother calling after her this time. Whatever. As my mom bustled into the kitchen, I reached across the table, and roughly grabbed the parchment.

"Oh, is that your letter? I have to go to London anyway, do you want me to drop you and Severus off at the Leaky Cauldron?" Mom was peering over my shoulder. She grinned. "He's really got it bad for you, honey."

"Ugh, Mom! You know we're just friends!" I could've have smacked myself, that sounded so lame, like I wished we weren't just friends. Which, to be utterly clear, I don't. Argh! I mean I don't like him that way. At all. He's my friend but…we're just not…we just don't fit that way, y'know? Apparently my mom thought my response was lame too, because she rolled her eyes.

"Mom! Are you getting sassy with me?" I teased her.

"Just go ask him, Lily," she laughed, as she shooed me away from the table. I laughed too as I skipped out the door. I nearly tripped over the doorframe in surprise; Petunia was leaning against the wall just outside. Who the hell waits right outside the door? Was she listening in?

"Mother is so proud," she sneered. That figured. She stayed to eavesdrop. I always told her that was the reason she was born with such big ears—because she was destined to be the nosiest girl on Spinner's End. This was one conversation I could definitely afford to skip. So I did.

"I wasn't done talking!"

At the other end of the street, something breakable flew out the front door of the Snape house, just missing a lanky teenage boy.

"Let's go, Lily," he muttered. The thing that always struck me about Sev was how he never turned around to look at his mum when she did that.

We stomped off together, equally peeved. Sev slid me a grin. "Petunia?" he asked.

"Yup."

"Ah." I could tell he was trying not to laugh. His face always bunched up, and he looked really sour. I sighed and cracked a smile, poking him in the ribs.

"Fine, let's hear it." I said, eyebrow raised. He exploded into laughter.

"She's just so prudish! Seriously, why do you even care what she thinks? She hates you! The two of you will spend every break avoiding each other like hell, fighting when you can't, and then you'll just run on back to her the moment she smiles your way!" That really stung, especially from Sev.

"Sound familiar Sev?" He sobered up.

"Lils…" I glared at him. I hate to be called that. "Lily. You know it's not the same."

"Yes, Sev! Yes, it is! You tell me, you promise me that you'll quit, that you won't practice the Dark Arts anymore. And for a week. It's fine. Because that's the longest you can avoid them for. The minute they come calling though, you scurry on back, kissing the ground. Face it Sev. You're a coward." His expression went flat, and I turned and stomped away.

Yelling at Severus was awful. He's my best friend, and I can feel him slipping away. I'm always telling him what a coward he is, but he's just trying to do the same thing as me. He's just clinging as tightly as he can to the pieces as the whole thing falls apart. I slowed my pace, and he caught up. He looked at me carefully, a smile just barely visible on the corner of his mouth.

"I can still come with you to Diagon Alley, right?" he asked. I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah."

Diagon Alley was possibly my favorite place in the world, after Hogwarts. The shops twisted up and down the street, with all sorts of trinkets in baskets by the sales windows. The only thing that ruined it for me was Sev. Since the end of fourth year, he didn't want to be seen with me anymore, thought his mates might give him trouble—like it was ever an easy ride for me either. Did he honestly think the Gryffindor girls just tolerated him? Marlene positively loathed him.

So I sat at Florean's, sipping my milkshake apparently alone, the perfect target for unwelcome males, while Sev sat nearby, too cowardly to openly be in my company, and too jealous not to keep an eye on me. I laugh it off when my Mom brings it up, but I think Sev has a serious crush on me. It's actually probably for the best that our relationship's heading down the toilet anyway, because otherwise it might be difficult to tactfully ward him off. I've already got one awkward suitor I need to fend off with a stick; plus, Severus is (was?) my friend. Not a "potential boyfriend candidate" friend or a "maybe this thing could work out" pal, but a definite buddy, planted in friend zone and way too big to transplant.

I slurped on my shake. Chocolaty. The people who strolled by were pretty much families and students. I recognized a couple Ravenclaws, especially one tall, brunette Liam Abbott. Needless to say, I waved—and I even smiled too, just for kicks. Marlene says my smiles make men want to rip their pants off. I kind of hope that's true, because I'd bet that Liam has a very nice butt. On that thought, I leaned around the sudden obstacle between myself and Liams's arse, hoping to catch a glimpse. Of his robed butt, I mean. Jeez, you'd think I was some kind of pervert or something.

"Lily? Lily! Hey, eyes off the arse, kiddo!" I glanced up at the person who dared interrupt my ogling. It was Marlene, naturally. Only Marlene talks like that. "Can I sit?" I grinned. She sat down without waiting for a yes, and snatched my milkshake, taking a long chug. "Chocolate? I prefer strawberry, personally."

"Yeah, well next time you can personally buy your own!" I grabbed the glass back, and poured it down my throat to keep Marlene from stealing it again. I know, not my most lady-like moment. We laughed, and she handed me a napkin.

"Wipe your beard, honey," She said, snorting. "So, how was your summer?" My eyes flicked over to Sev's table, and her eyes followed. "You two finally split?" She asked almost eagerly.

"Err, no..." She slumped in disappointment.

"So he's just too much of a coward to sit with you?" Marlene hissed loudly. I saw Sev scowl over in our direction, and I knew that he'd heard.

"Well," I began, ignoring her remark. "I finished my homework already, and I just have to buy some new robes before I go…" Sure enough, Marlene was distracted. Sometimes I worry for her safety with that level of focus.

"Tch, of course you've done yours already. I'm still only halfway through charms…" Marlene's voice faded into the background as I watched other arses walk by. I know, I'm shameless.

"Yeah," I agreed vaguely with whatever Marlene was saying. There was a really fit-looking butt over by Flourish and Blotts… Hm… Marlene started to speak louder. My eyes traveled up and down over the back of my unsuspecting victim. He seemed about our age. Marlene wrenched around in her seat, following my gaze. She turned back to me with a horrified expression. At least, I think it was horrified. My eyes were a bit preoccupied…

"POTTER? Really?" Marlene yelled. The boy turned around and looked directly at me. Oh shit! It was Potter! I looked frantically back at Marlene, but not before he managed to wink at me. I tried to engage Marlene in a conversation to save my dignity, but she saw through my ruse. "Honestly, Lily? Ugh. Whatever." Was she sulking? I seriously didn't get her sometimes.

I looked back over to check on Potter. Aw crap. He was sauntering on over here. How could I not have noticed Potter? How could I have thought he was attractive? He was just so…not. Not at all.

"Hello, ladies," said Potter suggestively, pulling out a chair for himself. Marlene sat stiffly across from me. Sev glared from tables away. I rolled my eyes. Could Potter really not read this atmosphere? He glanced at my company, eyes hardening when he saw Sev. Then he smirked. What…? "How was your summer, Evans?"

Marlene looked over at me, it was the same question she had just asked me.

"Oh, you know. The usual." Potter looked interested. Damn it. My reply was calculatedly vague on purpose! It was supposed to make him feel awkward, not… fascinated! He leaned in towards me. I couldn't breathe. From disgust. C'mon.

"Really? Are you and Snape still…" I held my breath. Please don't ask. Please don't.

"Prongs! Let's go!" Sirius called him from across the street. That was the first time I have ever been grateful to Black. Potter looked over at them.

"Coming!" He shot a glance back at me before getting up to join them. I sighed. Not in relief, or course, because it's not like I was trying to hide my friendship with Sev from him or anything.

Marlene raised her eyebrows at me, and I felt like she was following my thoughts just as well as she followed my gaze. Sev's glare was practically burning holes in my tank top.

"Good thing Potter's gone," she said. Sev sniffed in agreement for once.

"I've got to go get the rest of my things," I said, as I stood up. I hugged Marlene and waved to Sev. They scowled. "See you on the train! Sixth year! Can you believe it?" I put on my most cheerful chirpy voice. I would never let Hogwarts see me act as awful as I do in the summer. Only my best friends could see me like this—shit, didn't Potter…? Ugh. Whatever, I give up.