Author's Note: Ok... I have to warn you that this next entry does get a little mushy. But I am a fan of Severus Snape and I thought he deserved a bit of happiness for a change, so please don't knock it too much. Things aren't always going to be so peachy for him, though I have only a vague idea about where this is going at the moment. So let's just enjoy this chapter for what it is. Thank you.

Severus glanced down at the girl walking beside him, and felt his heart leap with joy. That scene had gone nothing at all like the previous one. Severus thought for a moment about how badly it had gone down before, and a slight frown played upon his face. Lily noticed and tilted her head. "What's wrong, Sev?"

He thought about all of the things he could tell her… after all he had carried his hidden feelings around for so many years. But then he happened to glance back, and spied Potter watching the two of them walk away. It was not over yet. A hint of mockery entered his tone. "Why, nothing is wrong. Nothing at all, Lil." He felt her tense up when he spoke her name, and instantly regretted letting his feelings of hatred for Potter get the better of him.

Lily withdrew her arm from his, leaving him feeling oddly cold where she had touched him. "I thought we were having fun Sev." She said quietly. "I was so sure you were going to do something awful back there… I've been worried about you lately. You've been hanging around with that Avery boy a lot, and… and you're my best friend and I haven't really talked to you in a while…" she trailed off and stared at the ground, obviously uncomfortable and not wanting to make him angry. Severus stopped walking and stared at her intensely with his black eyes, drinking in her every movement. He had longed for her so many years…

They were standing in a side hallway, a large window letting in the light from the late afternoon sun. A few tapestries hung on the walls, and a bust of some forgotten witch or wizard sat in a small alcove opposite the window. It was eerily quiet, and Severus couldn't help but wonder whether fate was working for him this time.

Acting on impulse, he reached out and grabbed Lily's hand in his. It was warm and soft. He trembled from being this close to her, but did not let go. To his surprise, Lily squeezed his hand back and looked up at him. He felt lost in her green eyes and at that moment he knew that he was hopelessly and completely in love with her; knew he would forsake the dark arts forever should she ask it of him…

"I was having fun Lil," He said softly. He thought of all the advanced spells he could have used on his tormentors, and was impressed that he had instead cast so harmless of a spell on his worst enemy. "And you're my best friend too." His face stretched into the semblance of a smile, and the girl's face lit up. This was the moment. Again acting on impulse, he pulled her closer to him, nervously leaning his face closer to hers. She closed her eyes as their lips met and locked, and Severus dropped her hand to wrap his arms about her waist. Lily's arms found their way around his neck, and in the golden sunlight streaming through the window they stood there for what seemed an age.

He did not want to let her go. The scent of her hair was overpowering and the feel of her so close to him was a dream come true. The one thing he had truly longed for so many lonely years… years full of regret. Now, now he would have a chance to redeem his actions.

Lily sighed and leaned against his chest. Not quite knowing what to say, Severus felt a brief awkward moment when his teenage self seemed to get the best of him. Reminding himself that he was finally holding the girl he had dreamed about his entire life, he held her tighter to him. "I love you Lily." The words left his mouth of their own accord. He was astonished at himself, and yet without a doubt knew that he meant what he'd said. Lily pulled away a little and looked at him. "Really?"

Severus knew his face must have looked crushed, because before he responded she hugged him harder and said, "No Sev! I only meant that I never thought you liked me like that! I… I love you too."

Severus couldn't have been happier. He smiled -actually smiled- broadly and then laughed out loud. Lily looked astonished, and rightly so for he was completely out of character.

"Severus Snape! If I didn't know any better I'd say you were in a good mood for a change." She grinned at him and then laughed with him. They walked down the hallway together, towards the hospital wing, still holding hands and laughing like kids, with Lily making fun of his swollen nose the whole way there. That night at supper, she joined him at the Slytherin table.

Down the hallway, concealed in the shadows of an empty alcove, a boy with wild black hair scowled furiously. He stalked off after the couple left, slamming a few doors for good measure. James Potter was angry at being humiliated. He was angry about a lot of things… some would have said his pride was getting the best of him. He would have disagreed. That night at supper, watching Snivellus and Evans sit together, there was only one thing on his mind: revenge.