Okay so this is gonna be the next day, just because I love Christmas/the holidays (for those of you who don't celebrate Christmas) so I decided to have a Christmas chapter, even though it might be strategically stupid from a writing point. Whatever, I'm a rebel. ;)
I woke up early, Christmas Day. It was all sort of like a dream; I slowly pulled off my comforter, pushed my orange-red hair out of my face, and stepped onto the cold wooden floor. I could hear the magically-projected Christmas music playing in the common room, as I lightly padded down the carpeted stairs to the tree, swamped with presents.
I felt awfully lonely, staring at all the gifts by myself. I knew that I would probably only have 1 or 2, and as I read the labels it looked like James had about 10. I guessed maybe 3 were from his parents, the rest from his admirers. I sighed, pushing James from my mind.
At that moment he who was not supposed to be in my mind came skipping down the stairs like a freaking maniac, closely followed by Sirius, Remus, and Peter.
"DEEECCKK THHHEEE HALLSSS BECAUSSSEEE CHRIIISSTMMMAAAASSS ISSS HEEERRE FAAALLAAA-" I cut off Sirius's screaming with a silencing spell, regretting teaching the boys muggle Christmas music the day before.
We opened presents, then watched the snowflakes drift like little angels down, down down onto the hard cement floor. The Marauders loved the gifts I had given them, and it soon became apparent that Sirius, Peter, and Remus planned to take credit for James' present to me, as they had forgotten to get any.
After that, we all headed downstairs to eat a grand breakfast in the great hall, our mouths watering just thinking about it. Right as we were about to enter though, I heard James mutter "Oh bloody hell..." Looking up, I saw Severus.
"Sev!" I shouted, rushing to hug him. I didn't think about what that would mean for my friendship with the marauders, but I should have. After I broke out of our embrace, a snide voice came from behind me.
"Hello, Snivilus. How was your holiday? Oh wait, sorry, we forgot that you couldn't tell behind that mountain of a nose you have." This comment (from Sirius) came followed by echoes of laughter from the other three.
I turned around and gave them a look that was trying to say, "what the hell is wrong with you?!" Unfortunately, it was misinterpreted.
"Oh Lily, you don't have to pretend anymore, just ditch the jerk. We're here!"James replied with a smirk.
I gasped, who were these boys, because they certainly weren't the same ones I'd been hanging out with. I looked behind me and saw Severus turn red and his eyes start to water. Anger rushed into me with a burning passion. How was it possible that anyone could change that much in a second?
"He- HE'S THE JERK!?" I shouted. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" The confused look on their faces just made me angrier.
"Lily, what are you saying? You know he's a jackass! Really, if you don't want to be with him anymore, you have us!" Peter said.
I couldn't tell which appalled me more, how mean they were being to an 11 year old, or that they thought so little of me that I would just ditch someone! In my rage I stalked over to James and slapped him. I used all my force and sent him sprawling. Then, ignoring the livid shouts from the rest of them, I grabbed Severus's hand and pulled him away, sitting him down at a table.
"Are you okay, Sev?" I asked gently. He stared up at me with a mixture of awe and amusement.
"Did you just hit James Potter?" He asked, unable to keep the laughter from his voice. I nodded, grinning.
"I don't know why I ever thought those guys were nice, they're all just asses!" I exclaimed. "Why are you back so early, though? Not that I mind, but you weren't supposed to come until right after New Years! You were so looking forward to seeing your parents!"
He sighed shakily. "I- I um. It was nothing." I squinted at him.
"I slap people now Sev, you should be scared of me! Now tell me the truth, what happened?" I demanded.
"Okay. So you know how my mom married a muggle man?" I nodded. "Well, when I got there, he was fine, but then, after a few days, he started drinking. He... He has a bit of an addiction. And he was fine until... Until he saw my mom doing magic."
"I thought he knew though!"
"Yes, but he likes to forget that part of her. So, when he was reminded, he went to the local bar and started drinking again. He got so drunk, when he came home he... He hit her, Lily. My dad hit my mom." His eyes welled up with tears. I gasped, realizing how hard it must be for Severus to say this. "Of course, I had to defend her, but he's still stronger than I am, so... My mom sent me back the next day."
I felt my eyes wide. "Where, Severus?! Show me where!" He raised his long, greasy black hair to reveal a dark purple bruise. Then he pulled up the sleeve of his robes, unveiling another 2 on his arm. "Is that it?" I wondered, getting scared. He shook his head, turning red.
"There's one more, but I can't..." He blushed. Ohhhh, I thought. Then I began to cry. How could anyone do something like this?
This whole incident put a damper on Christmas, but I was determined to make Sev as happy as possible. I gave him presents and sweets and anything I could to try to get a smile, but it was futile.
The marauder's teasing didn't stop, and I fell asleep hating them every night. Boxing Day (British day after Christmas for those who didn't know), I woke up with such hatred that I took the photo album James gave me and stomped on it. I threw it, even tried to burn it, yet nothing worked. The damned boy must have done an unbreakable charm on it. After about an hour I gave up and stuffed it into my trunk, determined never to look at it again.
Whoa, that chapter got deeper than I meant it to, sorry! I just had to make her hate James again.
Anyway, I'll try to write more often now that I'm on winter break, but no promises! (If anyone wants me to write more regularly please review! I REALLY want these reviews you can see! :))