Chapter 6
A/N: Hello! I know it'd been FOREVER, but I had some time and thought I'd post this chapter! Hope you enjoy!
Checking his watch as he walked through the vast halls of the Ministry of Magic, the small time-piece read as forty-five minutes late. Just wonderful. It really didn't matter if he was late he supposed, after all this was a social event and nothing more. But still, he had hoped to show up on time, if not just to leave all the much earlier. Nevertheless, Severus walked through the opened heavy black doors about fifteen minutes until seven that evening.
Severus' first observation was how empty the grand room looked, even with the countless amount of people within. Compared to the usual crowds of witches and wizards within the building, such a large room looked bare without its usual amount of occupants. All the witches and wizards within chatting, drinking, and laughing, Severus drew in his breath shortly before walking towards the many clumps of people. A few familiar faces giving him nods or greetings in passing, Severus stopped here and there politely for a minute or two before continuing through the crowd. It wasn't until Severus saw a woman only slightly shorter than himself, with dark curls of hair and olive skin, that Severus relaxed however. Coming up beside her, the woman spotted him just as he reached her side. "Severus Snape," she laughed, looking particularly surprised to see him. Severus replied with a nod, "Esmé," as the woman continued, "I didn't know you would be here tonight?" The woman surveyed Severus with amusement as she spoke. After all, this was not his usual scene. Raising a brow, Severus replied, "I could say the same to you." Giving the group she stood with a once-over, Severus recognized most of the faces: Chase Lightwood, Dumbledore, Holden Randell, a man he recognized but had never bothered to learn his name, a woman he believed was named Hanna Clarkson but couldn't be sure, and a few more. Saying an inclusive greeting towards the others, Severus had to restrain himself from rolling his eyes. Holden Randell–an annoying specimen, if there ever was one. Just the presence of the man annoyed Severus to the core. "Oh come on?" Esmé Sinclair said with another laugh, "You must've assumed I would be here?" And in truth, when he thought about it, Severus really should've assumed she'd be there. Her speciality was, after all, medicine.
Severus had known Esmé Sinclair for many years by this point, both going through similar training for their careers, both had run into one another enough times through the years that Severus would go far enough the say she was, perhaps, one of his few friends. Though, as she attended Beauxbatons Academy in her schooling days (despite her English roots) they'd never come across one another within Hogwarts. However, they had met briefly in school during the triwizard tournament, which happened in their fifth year. This discovery arose many years after they'd first met, but both were reasonably confident they'd never spoken during those months of cohabitation within the Hogwarts grounds.
"I try not to assume–" Severus began, stopping mid-sentence as another figure said enthusiactically, "Healer Sinclair!" Severus felt as his body go cold. He knew that voice…. Esmé gave a look towards the voice, before she smiled and waved the red-head over. Severus' eyes shifted to the new woman as she approached the group. Looking to a woman beside himself as she said informatively towards him, "An apprentice. From St. Mungo's." Lily's eyes spotting Severus as she approached the group, she faltered for only a moment before she said promptly with a smile towards Esmé, "I thought I'd see you here" Lily's eyes gleaming over the rest in the group, just as Severus had done, she looked a little disheveled Severus observed. Smiling back, Esmé said, "I, however, didn't think I'd see you here?..."
"Oh, yes, well..." Lily began, "I just figured since I fit the criteria…I'd check it out." Severus observed how she shrugged unsurely at her own statement, which surprised him. Lily's high held confidence was one thing Severus had assumed would never change about her. Esmé laughed, "That is true." Apparently remembering she wasn't alone, Esmé said, "Well as you're here, let me introduce you to some of the key figures in this program. I assume you already know Dumbledore, and than this is Chase Lightwood, and Holden Randell," Esmé listed, going around the group. Lily smiled and nodded, shaking hands as Esmé introduced new people, greeting others she already knew. It was hard to read much into her behavior, Severus noticed as he stood there, although as to whether this was because he was no longer atoned to her mannerisms or because she was naturally this reserved now, Severus knew not. "And then this here," Esmé said, Severus only than realized Esmé was referring to him, "Is Professor Severus Snape, who currently teaches potions at Hogwarts. Which, if I recall correctly is your alma mater?" Severus who had been doing his utmost best to focus on his drink in hand, glanced up as Lily replied. And, for the first time in years Severus took in Lily's presence fully. She looked the same, he decided, if not perhaps a little older. Her face, which had once been rounded now was chipped which made her cheekbones appear sharper. Her hair remained as he knew it always would, and the polite smile she wore was just as he remembered it was from when she was a child. "Uh, yes. We, um, actually were in the same class..." Lily said weakly, giving Severus a weak nod, looking to him directly for the first time since she'd arrived. Giving a short nod in return, Severus said, "It's been a while."
"It has" Lily said with a weak smile. Studying her presence for only a second longer, Severus gave another uncertain nod before looking around the room as to avoid looking at her any longer. Severus was grateful when Esmé said casually, "Did you really? Wow, small world, huh. So Albus taught you both?", so that neither Lily nor Severus had to say anymore.
"That I did, mind you Esmé," Dumbledore began smiling brightly, "Lily's always been an immensely talented witch, nearly as good as Severus with potions too!" Color rising in Lily's cheeks slightly, clearly embarrassed, Severus simply rolled his eyes. Esmé apparently found this exchange amusing as she said, "Is that so?" her gaze looking expectedly at Severus, she added teasingly, "Do you agree with that Severus? I know how you are with your potions." Looking blankly at Esmé, Severus said carefully, "I wouldn't disagree with that assessment, assuming Mrs. Potter–"
"Lily" Lily interjected kindly, "No need for formalities, it's not as though we're strangers." But they were, Severus thought rather darkly. Severus' gaze glazing over her as he looked to Esmé, Severus continued, "Assuming her skills haven't changed since our days in school." Lily's expression hardened at this comment. She watched him like a puzzle she couldn't solve or a mathematics problem she couldn't read. This was a look Severus was used to getting. "They haven't." Lily said, sounding sure of herself for the first time that evening. Locking gazes with Lily for only a second, Severus wondered if she thought that had been a challenge of some sorts. Her eyes were suddenly fiery and determined. Contemplating this, Severus took another sip of his drink, dragging out the motion to avoid further conversation.
As the conversation continued, Severus remained quiet. Checking his watch, he sighed internally as he realized he needed to wait at least an hour before leaving due to social construct. Standing there, in the group, with Lily across the circle from him, Severus realized how much he didn't know her. She was quieter than he'd remembered, he thought as he caught snippets of what she said. As he recalled, she'd always been a bit on the louder, or "more excited", side. But now, she barely spoke and when she did it seemed shy. Of course, it didn't occur to Severus that this was because she was just as uncomfortable with the situation as he was. Although Severus hadn't been sure how'd he react if he did ever come across Lily again, this wasn't what he had imagined.
How was one supposed to act around a long ago estranged friend? Was there a protocol? Moreso, although Severus found himself curious about the girl, he found himself uncomfortable around her. It was a weird phenomenon, being so cautious around someone he'd once considered his closest (and only) friend. After all, it was virtually like being with a stranger except ten times more strange. Severus didn't know how to stand there and act like everything was normal. Part of him wondered if she thought he was being cold, or cruel. Maybe he was? But what else could be expected of him, Severus wondered.
Eventually Severus managed to drift from the group without drawing too much attention, murmuring some excuse as he left and made his way across the room, he searched for other familiar faces, doing his best to stay occupied. He ran into Gretchen Andersen and Thomas Erickson and for the first time ever Severus was glad to be dragged into a conversation with them. Anything to keep him busy. Unfortunately, he could only listen to Andersen talk for so long before he got annoyed and made a feeble excuse to leave this conversation as well.
He spotted Lily a few times more throughout the evening, but made a point each time to duck the opposite direction as to avoid any more awkwardness. This alone was out of character, Severus didn't consider himself someone who ran from situations, but from this, he mercilessly did so with no shame. And more than once, Severus was sure Lily had seen him turn the opposite direction as they crossed paths. Although he knew it wasn't the case, at times it felt as if Lily was trying to run into him.
Part of Severus found it infuriating. Here he was, surrounded by experts and people of like mind within his field, and he was hiding from Lily. Absurd, truly. Was he not a highly regarded and respected potions master? Had he not been published in several papers about potion brewing and the medical properties of the art? In fact, more than once the Minister of Magic had asked (through Dumbledore) for Severus' help on projects. Tonight, Severus mused dryly was a good example of this. It seemed backwards, Severus deduced, his behaviour that is. It was as if the last 12 years hadn't happened, as if he was back on the Hogwarts grounds, trekking back and forth just to avoid seeing Lily and James. His lips curled into the slightest of sneers at his own sudden degradation, and so Severus was relieved when he finally saw his watch strike eight. Trying not to look too hasty, Severus left the event, only stopping to say farewell to Esmé who to Severus' relief was not longer with Lily.
"Oh, wait. What did you think of her?" Esmé said suddenly, reaching out and stopping Severus as he turned to leave after their farewells. "What?" He asked, although he didn't look confused. "The girl. Lily Potter?" Esmé laughed, "For the program?"
"I'm not sure." Severus said in what he hoped was a careless tone. Nodding, Esmé nodded, "Hmm, well, I think she really has potential. Just something to consider when we choose the applicants." Nodding blankly, Severus said, "Right, okay." Laughing at Severus' indifference, Esmé nodded, "Okay, consider it, Severus. She's good." Giving a short nod, with that, Severus turned and left.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter! It might take a little for me to get back into the swing of the story but I hope this was a good start. Feedback is always welcomed, and thanks again for reading!
