Sun shone through the windows of 5th year Gryffindor boy's dormitory. Remus Lupin woke up to his muggle alarm clock ringing and went around the room to wake his best mates, who were also his roommates before fetching his toothbrush and clothes to get ready for the day. A week has passed since their new DADA professor had come and so far he was awesome. And he didn't ask them to write long essays, which was the best part. The five best friends made their way to the Great Hall after getting ready for breakfast before it was time for classes.

"Guys did you by chance saw professor Swan on Saturday?", asked Sirius Black as he sat on Gryffindor table filling his plate.

"No, why?", asked Remus reading and eating simultaneously.

"Nothing. Wonder what he was doing?", asked Sirius with a wink as he resumed eating. Remus just rolled eyes behind his book.

"Did you guys practiced the spells taught last week in DADA?", asked the meek member of their group, Peter Pettigrew.

"Already did." Answered Remus monotonously.

"Down to earth, Potter!" said Sirius waving his hand in front of his friend, James Potter who was abnormally quiet.

Startled James nodded and they all became engrossed in chatter to miss a pair of eyes observing them. Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived was watching his father chatting with his friends equally engrossed before shifting attention to his beautiful mother, Lily Evans who was eating and reading simultaneously just like Remus. How he wished to run like madman to his parents, hug them and tell them that he was their . . . . Suddenly his eyes trailed towards one Slytherin, who was just like his mother, was eating and reading at the same time. Severus Snape, the bravest and the most intelligent man Harry Potter had ever known. After knowing the truth Harry was ashamed of himself, he couldn't fathom how could he have hated someone such a man when in truth it should have been other way around. He had wanted so badly to bring Professor Snape to life. After his death Harry had spent months thinking about Professor Snape and at last he had come to a conclusion; all the time in Hogwarts, Snape had acted like a pseudo father to him and the fact that Snape loved his mother practically all his life always made Harry doubt his own biological father, could he have loved his mother even after knowing that she chose his enemy over him? Harry himself couldn't.

The bell rang indicating the breakfast was over and classes had begun. Students and teachers alike rushed to their respective classes. Harry was enjoying his new routine- teaching children; being called professor. It was all well and good until 5th years came. His emotions would go wild when he saw the marauders and his mum. As always, the bell rang and 5th years poured in, excited. Harry smiled at them and waited patiently for everyone to get settled.

"I hope you all remember the spell because today I am going to test you." Said Harry in an almost singsong voice waiting for groans to erupt anytime but was surprised when none came.

"Okay you got me there. Thought you would complain but since you didn't I take that as 'we-are-ready'. Yeah!" Said Harry happily. He started looking at the class for suitable candidate, then his eyes suddenly fell upon Severus Snape and he nodded to himself.

"Mr Snape would you show us how to cast Expecto Patronum." Said Harry smiling at him.

Severus Snape being shocked would have been an understatement. He was never paid much attention by any professors, masking his shock he stood up gracefully and closed his eyes to recall his happy memories and said "Expecto Patronum" loudly. The white light then transformed into a sleek fox and jumped around the room before disappearing. Severus opened his eyes to awed students and grinning as well as clapping Professor Swan.

"Well done, Mr Snape. Let's see who can match your talent." Said Professor Swan gesturing him to sit down.

Harry again looked around before an idea popped in his mind; smiling mentally he gestured Lily Evans to stand up.

"Miss Evans, I would like to see you perform Expacto Patronum." Said Professor Swan.

Lily Evans, the brightest student, a muggleborn, and best friend of a Slytherin nodded before closing her eyes to recall her happy memories and said "Expacto Patronum" loudly. The white light morphed into a fox, which jumped around the room before disappearing too. Opening her eyes she saw awed students, shocked Sev and confused marauders.

Severus and Lily looked up at Professor Swan who just gave them a sly smile before continuing the test.

"Mr Lupin, since you seem to be the intelligent member of your group, I want you to cast Nox." Said Professor Swan smiling, making the class erupt in laughter. "Alright, calm down."

Remus Lupin, as pointed out by professor was the sensible, intelligent member of the marauders. Remus stood up and closed his eyes imagining the whole room dark before casting Nox. Few minutes later Remus' concentration broke and he opened his eyes to look at professor.

"Very well done, but can improve." Said Professor Swan as Remus sat down.

And the rest of the class went on till the lunch bell rang.

Remus was happy would be an understatement because if he could he would have been jumping with joy so, instead he settled with grinning like mad effectively pissing off his best mates.

"Oi! Would you lose that grin or want me to do it for you!" said Sirius walking towards the Great Hall.

"Yeah mate! Seems to me your face will split off at the size of your grin." Said James sulkily.

At the comments of his mates Remus' grin became even more prominent and wide making his friends sulk even more. The matter was that whole marauders were trying hard to impress and get appreciated from their DADA professor since the past week so the moment professor joked about them while appreciating Remus it didn't set well with them.

Severus sat under a tree from where the whole castle and grounds could be seen. It was his and Lily's spot where they studied or just chatted. It was still afternoon, the sun was yet to set and so he decided to do his homework while waiting for his childhood best friend to come and join him. Suddenly someone stood in front of him, blocking the sunlight. He smiled before opening his mouth to say something.

"Get out of the way Lily, you are blocking the light." Said Severus lightly.

"As always you started before me. Sev can't you wait?" Said Lily hitting Severus lightly on the arm as she sat.

"Can't you save your little chit-chat with your girlfriends for night?" Answered Severus with a question, slowly looking up to meet her eyes, smiling.

"Yeah right! I am oh-so-interested in gossiping." Replied Lily rolling her eyes as she opened her own books.

Few hours passed as they completed their homework in silence, occasionally exchanging some words. It was still before curfew and the sun had just started to set when both the friends completed their work. They both closed their books to watch the sun set as always; both reflecting in their minds the happenings of DADA class. Finally tired of silence Lily broke it.

"You can't escape it. Sooner or later it is going to come up." Said Lily turning to look at Sev.

"I am not trying to escape it Lily, just was waiting for you to say it." Said Severus turning to meet her eyes.

"According to books, your patronus form only matches others if they . . eh share a deep connection. So, where does that put us?" asked Lily looking into those pitch black eyes.

"We are best friends, aren't we? Or are we something more?" asked Severus looking into those intense green eyes mysteriously, asking them to answer him.

Lily blushed at his intense gaze and together they returned to watch the sunset.