This is my 1st HP fic so be gentle...

FYI: I made this fic long before the last book was published. Why I didn't post it long before..I dunno. Maybe I didn't think it was good enough. (shrug) You decide.

This was my gift for my very good friend who is forever a Snape fanatic fangirl (hugs and kisses). I must say I didn't find anything attractive about him until she bugged me to make her a fic for her birthday since she knows I write for the heck of it. Getting to like the guy was hard and finding a partner was harder (Sorry Snape fans). But once I got the hang of it, he not such a bad guy afterall. Cute and a bit sad. Awww...Anyways, I got inspired when I was reading the portion when Snape was bullied by James and was recused by Lily (sweet girl) when they were still in school. Thus, this fic happened before Lily became Potter and Harry never existed (which there wont be any HP books if this would happen) But I honestly love the pairing so don't ruin it. Sorry about the madeup potion names. I suck at Biology.

I must say I did a good job discovering Severus' secret crush (wow since childhood) since I made this long before book 7 came. Cheers mate! Reviews are so appreciated


Finding the Right Potion To Say I Love You

By: Reichkun

Severus woke up with a start. Rubbing his eyes, he glanced at the clock on the wall. It was 6 in the morning – barely 4 hours of sleep. He tried stifling a yawn as he stood from his desk where rolls of parchments were left scattered and flattened from his fitful sleep. Grabbing a beat-up looking basket, he strode out from the cottage.

Outside, faint sunlight colored the sky with a pinkish glow. Sounds of stirring coming from the woodland surrounding his home gently announced the new day of endless possibilities. Severus could still feel the cool night breeze softly caressing his face. He stood from his spot, savoring the early morning scenery.

He didn't quite understand why people prefer to wake up late and miss out this everyday beauty. Although there is barely anything to see in the town, except perhaps the usual bustling crowd on the street, so probably the more reason to stay inside and curl up in quiet comfort. Choosing this spot had been one of his better, if not best, decisions, far from the crowded town – at a very good bargain as he may care to add. Though it doesn't look certainly of great appearance, it still retained its function as a place for him to stay until school starts. Still, living in isolation has its bad perks – like running out of food stocks, or worse, out of essential ingredients for brewing potions. Now, that is crisis.

Before Severus could take another step, he heard a sound coming from behind him. He poised in a defensive stance – his wand ready. A figure appeared from the foliage. A woman of flaming red hair and startling green eyes smiled and moved towards him. He lowered his wand.

"Thought it was you," she grinned.

"Lily Evans," he sighed, "what were you thinking being here at this hour?"

"Funny, I was going to ask you the same question," she shot back as she stood beside him, catching her breath.

She looked radiantly beautiful. Her red hair, reflecting from the sun's rays, framed her glowing smiling face, making her appeared angelic. Emerald green eyes that sparkles every time she smiled. Her fair skin glistened from her trek upward from who-knows-where. Her well-endowed chest, rapidly taking in lungful of air, proved to be a difficult task of not staring into, especially since she was wearing one of those tight blouses. By god, sweat has never looked this good.

"I – I was going to buy some stocks, ah...for...brewing," he hastily explained, careful to look anywhere else but her. "Besides, I live here," he added indignantly.

"Who are you talking to?" she asked, amused. She held his face so he could look straight at her. "I'm here, silly." She giggled.

Severus blushed. Her hands felt pleasantly warm on his skin. "What are you looking at?" He pushed her hand away and strode off in the town's direction. Lily hurried to catch up.

"You know, when walking with a company, normally you don't leave them behind," she commented.

"Don't you have better things to do aside from tagging along?" he asked.

"I thought you wanted some company," she answered.

"As a matter of fact, I abhor company," he replied dryly.

"Oh, I see," she teased, "then I'll just be your beautiful stranger stalking you."

Severus shook his head in exasperation. Seeing that nothing can persuade her from not following, he continued onward. The path was rocky and steep. Bits of rocks ranging from minuscule to gigantic were scattered everywhere, making the journey difficult and tiresome. Severus was careful in choosing his step. His boots were not made for extreme outdoor hiking and cost a good deal of money, which he cannot afford to spend right now. He stopped once in a while to check on his stubborn unwelcome pursuer. She walked a bit slower than him, pausing every now and then; making sure her ankles doesn't get scratch from the rocks' jagged edges. He wondered how she had ever hiked up that hill with those shoes. He sighed and offered his hand to her. She looked at him imploringly.

"At the rate you're going, we might as well reach town by noon," he explained. "I don't plan on traveling back up in the noonday sun, mind you."

Lily smiled and took his hand. Her touch felt cool yet warm at the same time. He watched her make her way towards him, his hand guiding her along. Her hair bouncing along as she daintily skipped from rock to rock. She made it seemed like a game, like in everything else she does. How many times have he looked at her and still see her smiling? Even during lectures, she never failed to make the professor smile along with her witty remarks and stubborn ways. Has she ever felt sadness, or even loneliness? He didn't even want to think about it. To see her sad, even in his mind, makes him ache inside. What is he thinking? Who is he to consider of such things? Is he starting to develop feelings for her? He shook his head, trying to shake away that absurd possibility. He must think of the things he must accomplish today, and that is to gather the necessary ingredients before the brew boils beyond it's supposedly reactions.

"Something matter?" she inquired. He realized that he hasn't moved from where he stood.

He shrugged. "Interesting shoes you have. Exactly what was on your mind when you decided to have a nice stroll in the forest?"

Lily turned pink at his remark. "I once saw a Rhodium Capsicum blossoms somewhere nearby. I was hoping to get few petals for my Cooling Steam Draft. I must have hit some of the Forgetfulness Potion Spray, so here I am."

"You don't look disappointed"

"I am. But I've got you, don't I?" she grinned.

Severus smirked. "And what do I have to do with your blossom problem?"

"Well, for starters, you're one of the few people I know whose expert at brewing potions—even with eyes closed, as if you didn't know," she pointed out, "Searching for the right ingredients must be a cinch to you, especially since you've been staying that place brimming with endless stock of most, if not all, ingredients."

"You flatter me," he mocked.

She shrugged. "There are times that the truth pill is more appealing to look at than swallowing it."

"And sometimes you amaze me, woman"

Lily blushed. "No, just talked too much"

They walked further on in silence. The path they strode on became wider and smoother as it gradually joined with a well-traveled path. The green meadow surrounding the forest was soon replaced by cobbled streets with rows of shops on either side. People were jostling about, minding their own business. Few greeted them as they passed by. Finally, they stopped at the Witch's Shack, a wider cousin store of the Apothecary.

Severus walked towards the counter and started a muffled conversation with the person-in-charge. The guy motioned him to follow and they disappeared in the Restricted Room. He emerged later with his tattered basket overflowing with assorted murky bottles and herbs. He found Lily looking at the displayed charms section. He gently tapped her on the shoulder.

"Oh! Done already?" she exclaimed in surprise.

"It's already half past nine. We've been here for more than an hour. Buying anything?"

Lily hesitated. "Umm...no, I'll pass."

They walked back out and up to the path they had left. Severus noticed his companion's attention was not on the road since she didn't seem to mind bits of jagged stones giving more than just dust and dirt on her boots. Concerned, he began striking up a conversation, something he wouldn't normally do. Still this wasn't what you call a normal morning.

"Huge stones up ahead."

Lily glanced absentmindedly at the trail and managed to sidestep some rocks—barely.

That was stupid. Lame, Severus. And you call yourself ready for teaching? He cursed at himself silently in the head. He cleared his throat for courage.

"I know a clearing somewhere near, with lots of Rhodium Capsicum blossoms. It's a bit far off but I think I could, ah...get you some blossoms...for your brew."

Lily looked up and stared at him. "Would you really?" she beamed. "Oh Severus, that would be delightful!"

Severus grinned sheepishly. "So, what were you looking back there in the shop?"

Lily blushed. " 'Tis nothing really. Just browsing on some stuff. It's not like I was going to buy or anything."

He scratched his cheek in amusement. "You were looking at acertain bracelet."

She grinned in embarrassment. "Well, there is this certain bracelet I wanted ever since I saw it last summer. But, you know...ah...its nothing."

"It was the charm bracelet wasn't it?" Severus inquired

"Was it that obvious?" She looked alarmed

"He chuckled. "Not really. But I can sort of tell what someone's thinking."

"Occumency. I bet that's how you aced that quiz on Bogus Hexes and Wizarding Messes of the World," she teased.

"For your information, I studied for that test." He shot back playfully.

"Oh really? Well smarty pants, guess what am thinking right now."

"Let's see...that you can't believe you're actually walking here in this bloody sun with a creepy wacko, who takes a crummy basket and goes to a potion store instead of a grocer."

She laughed. "I bet you think I'm being silly for coming up here with my casual shoes, looking for some twigs and fancies a bracelet that is way beyond her yonder years, while still having a fun time trying."

"I think you're beautiful"

She blushed and stopped walking. He had never seen her, this up close. He watched her eyelashes fluttered softly down as she fiddled with her skirt. She looked like a fairy that came down to offer him a jar of deliciously cool and refreshing water from the spring. An oasis from the hot desert.

She slowly looked up and their eyes met. Those startling green eyes searching the truth from his words. Without realizing what he was doing, he gently brushed strands of her hair out from her face. They felt soft and silky to touch. He drew closer to her and felt her turned away.

Without looking at him, she stammered, "I have to go now." Forcing a smile, she continued, "I had quite a pleasant chat, thank you very much. I'll see you at school." She walked away and Disapparate.

He stood there for a long time, wondering what when wrong, unaware of the burning heat. Slowly, as if in a dream, he turned and resumed walking, cursing himself every now and then.


1st romantic HP fic and I'm giddy insid out. What do you think?