Wow, this story is so weird to write :/ anyhoo, moving on…

Chapter II: Friendship

"Hey, Snivellius!"

Severus groaned inwardly. Hearing James' voice behind him did not improve his already sordid mood.

"Leamme alone, Potter," he growled at the nuisance.

"Ah, come on now, Snivellius," came Sirius's response. "Why the long face?"

"Black – don't bother me."

The loud laughter of his unwelcome companions sounded.

"So whatcha gonna do about it?" asked James mockingly. "'S not as if you can out-duel me," he added challengingly.

"Don't test my patience, Potter," Snape replied warningly.

"Oh, ickle Snivelly is mad now, is he?" Sirius mocked him even further.

The smile froze on the latter's face. One slash in the air from Severus' wand resulted in both James and Sirius being crashed against the wall, and falling face first down on the stone floor.

A small smirk playing on his otherwise pallid face, Severus turned around and continued on his way. Behind him, the angry retorts of Sirius sounded, promising him revenge, but he paid no heed.

For currently, he needed to address a more pressing concern – trying to pull Lily out from her depression and into the world of her sixth year at Hogwarts.

He would need to see her later, however, because for now, he had to attend to his classes.

There was no other outlet for Lily – she would not dare speak to her friends, or they would consider her crazy – as far as they were taught, the time turner she had used was merely a myth.

The more she thought, the better she realized Severus was the only person who knew her well enough to believe and understand her predicament. Deciding to place her trust in him, Lily turned to packing her bag with the essential items for today's classes, and departed from her dormitory.

For she would try to have a normal day; trying to ignore the details of one possible future scenario was a start.

She stepped out in the corridor. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. As she walked, memories slowly seeped back in her mind – familiar faces and details swam to the forefront of her sight; slowly, but surely, she grew more comfortable in her surroundings.

"Hey, Evans!"

Then there was that other wretchedly familiar part of her past – James Potter.

"What is it now?" she turned around in annoyance.

He opened his mouth to speak.

"No, James, I'm not going out with you!" she snapped.

The object of her anger could only open and close his mouth, much resembling a fish out of water. Something flashed in his eyes, but Lily did not have time to identify it.

"Alright then," he had regained his smooth and confident composure. "Better luck next time!"

Lily was about to retort, but she couldn't; James had already walked off.

She continued on her way towards Transfiguration, as per her schedule, which she found on her beside table that very same morning.

Today was certainly going to be a very interesting day.

Severus sat in a chair in the most remote corner of the library – his usual haunt, and scribbled feverishly across a piece of parchment. Too absorbed in his work, he failed to notice Lily coming up to sit across from him.

"Hi," she said.

Startled, his black eyes looked up. "Hello," he said immediately after.

"What are you doing?" Ginny asked him.

"Ah, nothing important…just writing an essay for Slughorn. What are you up to?" he said rather quickly.

"Thinking, mostly," she replied distantly.

"Yeah? About what?"

"Everything. James, school…you," Lily told him softly.

An audible gulp escaped Severus. His heart had begun to pound in his throat – was he the only one who heard it?

"M-me?" he managed to stutter out at last.

"Yes, you," Lily affirmed, with the slightest tone of exasperation and amusement.

"Why should I suddenly be the object of your thoughts?" Severus asked her, in spite of himself.

"Because you're the only one I can fully trust," she said simply.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Then there is something you need to confide in me?" he asked her in confusion.

"There is," Lily agreed, and her eyes looked down.

"Well, then take your time," Severus offered consolingly.

Lily began her tale of what she knew of the future with James, in much more chilling detail than she had previously recounted – her expectation of a son that would now never be born, the lavish marriage, and the absolute love she felt for James after seventh year; yet, she could not allow herself that mistake a second time. She wanted Severus to help overcome her problems, and hopefully, embark on a new path.

"I'll do what I can," Severus said, once she had finished speaking.

"Thank you! You have no idea how much this means to me," Lily said.

"Maybe I do," he countered her argument. 'Don't worry, Lily, everything will be alright eventually."

"Thank you," she said again, and walked around to where Severus was sitting. He looked at her questioningly.

Bending down, Lily gave him a kiss on the cheek, effectively wiping Severus' brain in that mere show of affection.

"I'll see you later," she informed him quietly.

Only nodding dumbfounded, Severus watched her, as she walked out of the library.

A/N No, really, this story feels really weird…I won't be surprised if it reverts to fluff in the later chapters, because I honestly have no idea how to add more essence to the plot…but as always, reviews are welcome :D