"Malfoy, I was under the impression you were just leaving."
"Potter." Malfoy snarled.
"Lucius, let's go!" muttered Seve- no Snape. His eyes met mine for a second, but I looked away sharply.
"Ah, Malfoy, Avery, you should leave now, Snape, we have some unfinished business." Black spoke clearly, but a menacing edge to his voice sent Malfoy and Avery away, shooting Snape apologetic glances.
"So…Snivellous." James spat.
I smirked at the nickname. Snape looked at me, clearly disturbed and dejected.
"Ah, seems like you're actions have sent Lily onto the right path." Remus smiled at me.
"Lils, please! You have to help, they're the marauders. They're evil."
"Not as evil as you-know-who." I murmured frostily, finally realising the truth.
The marauders stepped backwards; clearly realising I would upset Snape more than they ever could.
"W-what?" Snape's whisper of fear was for my ears alone.
"You know full well, and we do too. You can't wait to be a death eater, can you snivellous?"
He flinched, eyes widening in horror and pain as I joined those who mocked him.
Black gave an approving nod, and Remus couldn't hide his smirk at the expression on the pale face.
"Anyway, Snape. You- and your little pureblood friends are off to you-know-who. We all know it!" I spat the words at him, and he stepped back as though they could cause him physical pain.
"Lils!" Snape cried. This one word caused rage to shoot through me, infecting every inch of my body. How dare he?
"Erm…Lils? You dare to call me the name my friends give me. Just shut up, I've done what I need to. I think I should let these boys behind me have their…turn."
I stepped backwards, Black and James stepped forward, wands raised. I felt James's hand brush my own for a split second. It was an oddly friendly gesture.
Maybe I could give him a chance?
"Lily?" James whispered.
"Yeah?"
"You can leave, if you want. We'll understand if you don't want to watch this."
"Thanks, James."
"YOU'RE ON FIRST NAME TERMS! HOW DARE YOU CALL HER LILY! HOW DARE YOU CALL HIM JAMES!"
I fled the scene, feeling eyes on my back as I did so.
Then I heard my name called again, and I heard footsteps behind me.
"Wait!" I turned around to see Remus Lupin speeding towards me. I smiled, though confused.
"Hey, Remus? What is it?" Curiosity entered my tone.
"Well, you heard Malfoy and Avery. I doubt you'll be left alone by us or your friends ever, now!"
I groaned, realising it was true.
"What are they gonna do to Snape?" I questioned.
"Probably torment him about you." He responded quietly.
"Of course." I muttered as we set off in the direction of the castle.
"Predictable, yet effective." Remus' tone surprised me.
His voice was tender, and I could sense regret seeping into his voice. Feeling my questioning gaze, he sighed.
"I don't want to be a bully, you know, I have a sense of right and wrong, and Snape may be in the wrong, but what we'd done even before he called you a…you-know-what…that was wrong too."
"You aren't a monster, Remus." I smiled.
He stiffened for a second, before a barely audible whisper came from his lips. "Oh, but I am."
I heard a grunt of pain coming from the direction I had just left, but Snape wasn't my friend anymore, and he didn't deserve my pity.
A companionable silence followed as we made our way past the rocks and onto the grassy field.
I felt eyes on us, and I knew Remus sensed them too.
"Why are they so surprised?" He questioned. "We've always gotten along. It's James, Sirius and Peter that you always had an issue with."
"Well, not everyone has common sense, Remus." I snickered.
I felt his eyes watch me as though he were considering something.
"You'd make a fair Prankster, Lily Evans. You have the right mind."
"Why Thank You, Mr. Lupin. But there is more to the world than practical jokes, you know."
"I'm aware, but why live if you cannot enjoy yourself?"
"You can enjoy yourself without pranks." I smirked.
"Well, I find that I always wish for humour. If there is none, why not create it?"
There was a long pause, before I spoke again. "You win."
Remus grinned, and I couldn't help mirroring his expression.
"Pranksters always win. Always."