Disclaimer:I do not own anything Harry Potter. I also don't own any of the characters or events from the books or movies. This story is written purely for your entertainment and nothing else. This story is rated M for Strong Language, Sexual Content, and dark depressive thoughts.

Authors Note: If you have read OOTP then you will notice a lot of the same scenes, but changed. This is because I love the way J.K. Rowling writes this scene so beautifully I just couldn't change it. I did add quite a bit of extra information in it to make it more exciting and build some background knowledge. I know I have a lot of people reading my story and I wish you would please leave me a review. Tonight I will be adding the next chapter so please follow, favor, or at least review.

Chapter 2- Adversity Ascending

The hour glass was just about empty and everyone was trying their hardest to write down their final answer. Severus Snape was already finished with his test, but he couldn't help but keep adding more and more to his answers. He was so close to the parchment that he might as well have been kissing it. Severus just couldn't help himself; the test was too easy from him. Meanwhile, James Potter had been doodling on his exam. He was drawing a picture of a Golden Snitch and the letters L.E.

Snape was startled by the sudden demanding voice of Professor Flitwick, "Quills down, please! That means you too, Stebbins! Please remain seated while I collect your parchment! Accio!"

More than a hundred rolls of parchment zoomed into the air and into Professor Flitwick's outstretched arms, knocking him backward off his feet. Several people laughed. A couple of students, including Lily Evans, went over to help Professor Flitwick off the ground. Snape admired that about lily, she had always been the compassionate type, always helping others. Lily would always try to stand up for Snape which usually made things worse for the both of them. Severus hated it when she would get involved in his battles because he felt it was a sign of weakness.

"Thank you… thank you," panted Professor Flitwick. "Very well, everybody, you're free to go!"

Without hesitation, all of the students stood up immediately and put their exam question paper away. Snape was probably the only student that kept his exam questions out. He wanted to make sure he did a great job while his answers were fresh in his mind.

Snape wasn't paying attention to where he was walking; he was too excited about how he did on his O.W.L. While his mind was elsewhere, the Marauders were focusing on something completely different.

"Did you like question ten, Moony?" asked Sirius as they emerged into the entrance hall.

"Loved it." said Lupin vigorously. "Give five signs that identify the werewolf.' Excellent question."

"Do you think you managed to get all the signs?" said James in tones of mock concern.

"Think I did," said Lupin seriously, as they joined the crowd thronging around the front doors eager to get out into the sunlit grounds. "One: He's sitting on my chair. Two: He's wearing my clothes. Three: His name's Remus Lupin…"

Wormtail was the only one who didn't laugh. He just walked next to them with a confused look on his face and added anxiously, "I got the snout shape, the pupils of the eyes, and the tufted tail, but I couldn't think what else."

James, Sirius, and Remus looked at each other in amazement. "How thick are you, Wormtail?" said James impatiently. "You run round with a werewolf once a month."

"Keep your voice down," implored Lupin. He seemed uncomfortable by the whole conversation. Lupin didn't want anyone to overhear about his "condition" or as James calls it, "his furry little problem."

Snape remained close by, still buried in his examination questions. The Marauders strode off down the lawn toward the lake; Snape followed still poring over the paper and apparently with no fixed idea of where he was going.

"Well, I thought that paper was a piece of cake," Sirius said. "I'll be surprised if I don't get Outstanding on it at least."

"Me too," added James. He put his hand in his pocket and took out a struggling Golden Snitch.

"Where did you get that?" Wormtail asked James with admiration.

"Nicked it," said James casually. He started playing with the Snitch, allowing it to fly as much as a foot away and seizing it again; his reflexes were excellent. Wormtail just watched him in awe.

They settled down in the shade of the large beech tree on the edge of the lake, the very same tree where Snape and Lily frequently study under. That tree held many bittersweet memories between them. Snape had settled himself on the grass in the dense shadows of a clump of bushes. He was as deeply immersed in the O.W.L. paper as ever. Snape made sure to find a place well hidden to relax; he didn't like bringing attention to himself. When people would gander at him, he felt they were either were making fun of him or felt sorry for him; neither of which Snape wanted people to perceive him. Snape knew that his clothes were tattered and his appearance was unappealing, but no one ever taught him how to look presentable. At home his father was always drunk and rarely bathed. His mother's emotional state was unfilled and hid her beautiful features behind her long raven black hair. Snape was embarrassed by his own appearance, he couldn't see how anyone, especially Lily would ever want to be near him.

Lily always see's the best in people, even if they don't see it themselves. She is uncommonly kind and doesn't judge people by their appearance. She is the only girl who ever acknowledges Snape's being, which is odd because she is also the prettiest girl in school.

The sunlight was dazzling on the smooth surface of the lake, on the bank of was a group of laughing girls who had just left the Great Hall as well. They had their shoes and socks off, cooling their feet in the water. Sirius couldn't help but wink at the group of girls; he was always great at attracting the opposite sex. Lupin on the other hand couldn't care less about girls. He was more worried about his own personal issues. Wormtail had no chance getting girls to like him, mainly because of his rat features and his height. Often times Sirius and Lupin questioned his sexual orientation. James on the other hand, didn't have to lift a finger to try and impress girls. Girls were just obsessed with him, but James was only set on impressing one girl, Lily Evans.

Lupin had pulled out a book and was reading under the beech tree with the rest of the Marauders. Sirius stared around at the group of girls looking rather haughty and bored, but very handsomely so. James was still playing with the Snitch, letting it zoom farther and farther away, almost escaping but always grabbed at the last second. Wormtail was watching him with his mouth open. Every time James made a particularly difficult catch, Wormtail gasped and applauded.

"Put that away, will you?" said Sirius finally, as James made a fine catch and Wormtail let out a cheer. "Before Wormtail wets himself from excitement." Wormtail turned slightly pink but James just grinned.

"If it bothers you," he said stuffing the Snitch back in his pocket.

"I'm bored," said Sirius. "Wish it was a full moon."

"You might," said Lupin darkly from behind his book. "We've still got Transfiguration; if you're bored you could test me… Here." he held out his book.

Sirius snorted. "For Godric's sake Moony, you are never going to get laid. Besides, I don't need to look at that rubbish, I know it all."

Snape looked up from his exam paper and immediately noticed the group close by. The Marauders were sitting under Lily's and his study tree. He immediately got up from his spot to get away from there before they noticed his company. Snape knew that if James or Sirius noticed him there, they would make a huge scene and torment him.

"This'll cheer you up Padfoot," said James quietly. "Look who it is…"

Sirius's head turned. He had become very still, like a dog that has scented a rabbit. "Excellent," he said softly. "Snivellus."

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