Disclaimer- I don't own Harry Potter or anything to do with him... but I wish I did

Chapter 9- Lily POV

Right after Christmas holidays was another trip to Hogsmeade. This time I didn't see Sev at all! I made sure to keep as far away from the marauders as possible. I considered going to the Hogshead, but it just looked hmm how shall I put this... well not nice. So we risked the 3 Broomsticks. Thank Merlin the marauders were at their own table and didn't disturb us. Once again, we returned with dozens of treats.

XXX

A month of studies passed and soon it was approaching Valentine's Day, which was to be another trip to Hogsmeade. This could be potentially problematic, I thought.

"Evans, would you be my valentine and go to Madam Puddifoot's with me?" A voice asked behind me during breakfast on the day of the trip.

"No." I answered, not bothering to turn around. I'd know that voice anywhere and not in a good way.

"Oh come on. It's valentine's day." He said, plopping down next to me. Honestly! Could he really not take a hint and just leave?

Across from me, Alice laughed, while Sophie raised her eyebrows at him.

"I don't care if it was St. Patrick's Day. I'm never ever ever in a million years going to go anywhere on a date with you!" I shouted. Half the hall turned to look at me in disbelief. Whoops. Didn't mean to shout that loud. Across the hall, I caught Sev's eye and saw him give me a thumbs up.

"I'm going to go get ready." I said stiffly to my friends, and without a second glance, I got up and left the hall.

Outside the hall, Sev ran to catch up with me.

"Great job in there." He said, patting my shoulder. "Think he'll finally catch on that you don't like him?"

"Doubt it. He's too full of himself, too dimwitted, too- too- uhhh! He's a bully who will never grow up." I ranted while Sev chuckled.

"That's true. If he's not hunting me down, then it's some other poor kid."

"I try to get him to stop. You'd think he'd listen to me, but nnnooo. Idiot." I replied.

"It's alright Lil." He answered.

Suddenly, another Gryffindor girl (a first year by the looks of it) crossed our path.

"Get out of the way mudblood." Sev sneered. The girl gasped and rushed off.

"Why did you call her that?" I asked, outraged. I'd first heard the term last year when some older Slytherin had called me it. Sev had been quick to tell him off and reassure me that he was an idiot. Mudblood was a fowl name for someone who was muggle-born. It meant dirty-blood, filth, unworthy to study magic.

"Because she is." Sev answered, looking taken-aback.

"So then I'm a mudblood too?" I questioned, raising my eyebrows.

"No! Of course not! I would never call you that! You're top witch in our year!" he stammered.

"But I'm still muggle-born." I answered coolly. "I think I shall continue on alone."

I turned and speed walked to the Gryffindor common room. I steadily ignored him the entire day in Hogsmeade. I ignored Potter as well, but once again, he just didn't get the message.

XXX

As I was leaving the great hall after dinner with my friends, Severus stepped out from a small nook in the wall.

"What do you want? With me a filthy mudblood?"I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"I'm so sorry Lily! I didn't mean to call that girl a mudblood! And I would certainly never call you one!" he said.

"Why not Severus (he flinched as I used his full name)? After all, that is what you and your friends call others of my blood-status. I didn't think such a thing would matter to anyone but you-know-who and his death eaters."

"But Lily! I'm sorry! Please, being friends with you is what partly makes Hogwarts, Hogwarts. Please, I'm begging you, forgive me please." He even got down on his knees and clasped his hands together. I felt a muscle in my jaw twitch. It was hard to stay mad at one of my best friends.

"Promise, you will never ever call someone a you-know-what again?" I asked. His face split in a huge smile.

"I promise! I soooo promise." He said getting up.

"Ok. See you tomorrow Sev." I said, heading back towards my common room.

"You won't regret forgiving me Lils!" he called.

"Lil, why would you do that?" Alice hissed.

"He's bound to go back on his word." Sophie added.

"Why can't you two accept that Sev is a good person and a great friend? If you wouldn't get so hung up on the fact that he's in Slytherin, you'd see it too!" I huffed. I walked up the stairs to our room and slammed the door. I was livid.

"Well, someone's got quite the red-headed temper." Black said in an exaggerated whisper that even I could hear.

I lay awake in my bed and pretended to be asleep when my friends came in.

The next morning, I was awoken by someone poking me in the ribs.

"Lily?" Alice whispered. I cracked open an eye, Alice was on one side of my bed, Sophie on the other.

"We're sorry Lily." Sophie added. "We'll try our hardest to get along. Please don't be mad."

I rolled over and looked at their expectant faces. "Oh alright." They beamed and jumped in my bed to hug me.

"Oh we were so worried!" Sophie said.

XXX

The rest of term flew by. Soon it was once again nearly exams. He-who-must-not-be-named was getting worse and everyone was a wee worried about summer. There was blind panic all over the country.

It was as us third year Gryffindors were on our way to charms, that we stumbled across Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall in quiet discussion.

"Shush." Remus said, holding up a hand. "Listen."

"But sir, are the students safe anywhere?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"The only safe place is Hogwarts Minerva. But we cannot keep the students over the summer."

"Why ever not? They'll learn quicker and be safe."

"He'd eventually come to Hogwarts in a full blown attack. The castle, although powerful... he just has too many followers. The Order's doing everything we can Minerva."

"But Albus, what of the children?" McGonagall asked.

"We will have to let the children go home. Some may not return. Most families are heading into hiding to escape the death eaters."

Their voices drifted down the corridor as they moved further away. We all looked at each other in fear. And being Gryffindors that was saying something.

XXX

When I got home, my parents informed me that I was not to leave the house. After the ground rules were set, they were delighted to hear of Hogsmeade and my year.

A/N Ok I know I rushed it but eh, it'll all come together in the end :) Keep reading