A Snake in the Grass

Written by: Adventure-Seeking-Juliet

For: Round Seven of the QLFC. My prompts are:"But not all dark places need light, I have to remember that." ―Jeanette Winterson, Oranges are Not the Only Fruit, Red nails, and dialogue: "What are you smiling about?"

A/N Everyone thought James and Lily were the golden couple, and they would have been, if it wasn't for Severus Snape. AU.

Halloween 1981

They'd been in hiding too long. Or, at least, that was what James told himself. He and Lily were bored, melancholy in their isolation, that was the reason for all the fights.

He was lying to himself, and what's worse, he knew it.

It all came to a head on Halloween. Baby Harry was playing with some of his newly acquired toys, gifts from Sirius and Peter, while his parents watched on in silence. He was having a particularly fun time with his toy wand, and as James watched his young son twirl it, giggling in glee when it emitted sparks, he was tempted to go find his own wand. Harry loved to watch him spin it around.

"What are you smiling about?" Lily asked, quietly curious. She had been staring out the window, seemingly lost in thought.

"Harry," James replied instantly, "He's so innocent...he never notices the tense silences. Everything's a game to him." He paused before he could continue, annoyed at the note of bitterness that had crept into his voice. A part of him wished he could be as young and naive as his son, despite his age.

"You're right," Lily was quiet for a moment, pausing in her quiet musings to smile at their son, "James...I think we need to talk."

"Isn't that what we're doing now?" James asked, hopefully.

Lily gave him a sad, tired look, "I mean really talk. I need to tell you something, but please, can you promise me you'll actually listen?"

"What are you talking about, Lils? I always listen," James said with mock indignation. He smirked. He was trying to keep things funny. The two of them delved into serious topics far too often for his tastes.

Lily glared at him, "I've been trying to tell you for months now, and no matter what I say, you act like it's a joke."

James jumped to his feet, his glasses askew on his face, "Of course I do! That's how I deal with things, Lily. I thought you understood me well enough to realize that."

Lily, albeit a bit reluctantly, followed his lead and stood up, "I know. I'm sorry, but James I never meant for it to happen..."

"Just spit it out, Evans," James snapped, accidentally dropping into her old nickname, a fact which wasn't lost on Lily.

"Fine," She replied, calmly, "Severus and I-"

James burst into laughter, "Oh, it's him is it? Good old, Snivellus. I should have fucking known..."

"I love him, James." Her green eyes were glassy, shimmering with unshed tears, and for a moment, James paused. Lily never cried. No matter how angry he was, he couldn't help but feel an edge of panic taking over. Lily was his rock, logical and loving, strong, but compassionate. He needed her, and instead, he was making her cry.

"Lily," He said, sadly, "Why? Him...of all people? After what he called you?"

She sighed, "It's always been him, James. It will always be Severus."

James felt his world crashing. His heart was beating erratically, like he was a lovesick teenager again, and his palms were dripping with sweat. He felt sick.

"What was I to you?" He whispered, his voice catching in his throat, "Some sort of sick experiment? A throwaway boy you could use for some replacement for that snake?"

"No," Lily repeated, "Never. I care about you, James, I always have, you know that."

"Then you also know he's the reason we've been stuck in this house. He's the one who told you-know-who about us. He doesn't give a damn about you, Lily. He's a sick, twisted, piece of shit-"

Lily slapped him. He was so shocked, he didn't even feel the sting.

"He's changed," She said, "He's a spy for Dumbledore. He loves me, James."

"Then why don't you go to him? You can leave right now. Right fucking now."

Lily sighed, "You know I can't do that. We have to protect Harry."

James gave her one last, steely glare, "Then, stay, if that's what you want, but you better not expect me to leave and let greasy-haired Sev move in. Harry is my son. He will never be his."

"I understand," Lily replied quietly, "I just wanted you to know. When all this is over, I want to be with Severus. I'm so sorry, James."

"Don't worry about it," he spat, sitting back down next to his son, "At least you can't leave me, " he said quietly, "Not yet, at least."

All the sudden, Lily gasped, "James. It's him. James."

"Lily, take Harry and go! It's him! Go! Run! I'll hold him off!"

A/N I hope someone happens to enjoy this angsty story. My overall prompt was to "destroy someone's ship." I was given a list of different pairing, but in the end, I decided to destroy James/Lily using Severus. Just to give you some background, I ship both James/Lily and Lily/Severus, so this was an interesting fic that I enjoyed writing. Reviews are appreciated.