Hey y'all! How ya doin'? Well, I know I said that this was going to be a one shot, but then I got to thinking about how I would continue with this story… You have but to thank The Mysterious E and Éclair Stones, as I do, for encouraging me to continue writing. As of now I will be writing this by ear and updating as often as possible, however, I am currently outlining and working on the plot for a multi-chapter Hunger Games / Harry Potter cross over. I know this chapter is a bit short, but that's what you get. I hope to have chapter 3 up within the next few days, but after that… I don't have any clue where this story may be going, I'm just writing it as I find inspiration. I will not be inserting the lyrics into future chapters, however I will be keeping the theme of "what can I say" by trying to fit some variation of the phrase into the chapter somewhere. Anywho, here is chapter 2! [that rhymed! :)]

Disclaimer: This fic uses characters from JK Rowling's best selling Harry Potter book series. I do not own any of these characters. This song-fic is based off of Carrie Underwood's song "What can I say" featuring Sons of Sylvia. What happens in this fic never happened in canon. Sev and Lily never renewed their friendship or made up in any way. Lily has always been and will always be James' other half. I am just playing with an idea that popped into my head.
Nightmares references Chapter 28 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: 'Snape's Worst Memory.'


Chapter 2: Nightmares

Severus's POV

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

"I don't need help from filthy little Mudblood like her!"

Lily stared, her lips parted slightly in shock. Then she blinked once and said calmly, "Fine. I won't bother in the future. And I'd wash my pants if I were you, Snivellus."

I stared at her as she screamed something at Potter before marching away, but I didn't hear what she said. All I could think was how in the world I had let that spill out of my mouth! I wasn't paying attention as Potter yelled after her; all I could do was stare after her retreating figure.

I had never before used that word to describe her! Why now?

I was frustrated and my pride was wounded, I answered myself. I let my temper get the better of me. Damn! Why now?

I was suddenly aware of Potter lowering my pants and my anger surged. I was not about to lose all of my dignity on the same day that I lost any chances I may have had with my best friend, maybe even ruining our friendship forever.

One word may have ruined it all.

As my anger mounted, I used it to channel my magic to summon my wand. Potter jumped back in surprise when my wand appeared in my hand and I sent a nonverbal stinging jinx at him. I released myself from my position hanging from my ankle with a nonverbal liberacorpus. I then picked up my bag and ran from the scene. I didn't give a damn who called me a coward for not finishing the duel Potter had instigated.

I had to find Lily.

What could I possibly say to make her believe that I hadn't meant it? What could I possibly say to amend the damage I had done? To close the rift that had been created between us?

I would have to apologize, but would she believe me? That's what friends do right? They are supposed to forgive and forget.

My greatest fear was that I had finally crossed the line. Lily had been suffering for five years now under the pressure of her friends in Gryffindor to desert me because I am a "slimy Slytherin."

At this moment I saw the truth in their words. Now that I had said the word, I may as well be just another Slytherin to her. She had already complained that my friends from my year were all "want-to-be Death Eaters."

She probably wouldn't even let me talk to her. Right then, I resolved to sit outside the Gryffindor common room until she allowed me to explain and offer an apology. However, all I could do as of now was hope to Merlin that she would understand, and try to think of what to say.

What could I say?

Severus woke with a start.

Wide eyes took in his surroundings as his heart rate slowed. He was lying on his four-poster in his dormitory, the emerald curtains closed around him. His shirt was sticking to his chest and he could feel a cold sweat on his brow.

Severus slowly sat up and put his head in his hands. It was a dream. It had only been a dream.

Severus sighed with relief as he remembered the events of the previous day. He had spent the day with Lily. They had made peace with each other and agreed to forget the incident in their fifth year. Once they had left the dungeons, they had walked through the halls together while everyone else was still in class, eventually taking refuge in another empty classroom so as to avoid getting caught – Lily still aspired to be Head Girl, after all. Furthermore, both had too much pride to walk into Arithmancy together, a half-hour late.

When it was time for lunch, they went down to the Great Hall and parted ways with no one the wiser. Severus had gone through the rest of the day slight smile touching his lips that only faded when he lay down to bed that night. The same thoughts that had been disturbing him the night before came back to him now: How was their relationship going to work? What would happen when others found out? Would people ask questions as to why they were now on speaking terms again? Would Lily be in danger? Would he?

Severus pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind as he got up from his bed to take a shower and get ready for the upcoming day. He would talk to Lily later about what they would say.


A/N: Thank you to The Mysterious E, RavenclawBabe, and Éclair Stones for reviewing my last chapter. Everyone else, follow their example :).