Sorry guys I was away the whole month of April but read and comment, feedback really helps me. Thaaaaaannnks.

The rest of summer flew by and after a few conversations Tom and Severus had stopped acting like the most awkward of teenagers and had a semblance of normality considering their relationship and now as Severus boarded the Hogwarts Express, a supportive Lily was firmly attached to his side as always. A heavily glamoured Tom smiled in farewell from the back of the station and for once Severus felt a pang of sorrow stepping on the gleaming red train. Lily smirked at him in a triumphant little way and rolled his eyes and muttered

"Yeah, yeah you told me so I know."

" 'Course he's here, he's missing you already I bet." Severus blushed as they sidled into the last empty compartment with a sigh of relief. Their peace didn't last long as soon after the train rolled out of the station a sheepish-looking Sirius Black rapped on their compartment window and Lily beckoned him in before Severus could go and tell him to shove off.

He stood in the entrance, rocking back on his heels slightly as the silence grew awkward. After a time he scratched the back of his head ruefully and said "Hey?"

"Hullo Sirius."

"Black." Sirius seemed to take the curt greeting as an invitation and sidled in beside Lily.

"So, how was your summer?"

Just when Severus' eyebrows couldn't raise any higher, the messy haired pureblood held up his hands in a surrender-like gesture.

"OK, OK I'm sorry I was a prat for four years?"

Severus and Lily shared secret, quick smiles before folding their arms in unison.

"And..?" Lily asked stiffly as her eyes gleamed with mischief.

"Is that it?" Severus wrinkled his nose in distaste.

"Wha-bu-I-Uh.." Sirius floundered beginning to look a little pale. "Aw whaddo I gotta do to make it up to you guys?" He whined.

"Here now Black I thought you liked pranks." Severus smirked, resting his hands behind his head.

Sirius broke out in bark-like laughs and when he calmed down and wiped his eyes he grinned and stated "This is going to be fun."

They were half-way through their 7th game of Exploding Snap when the door was flung open and in sauntered James Potter, his cronies never far behind.

"Pads! There you are! Come on, I'll deal with Evans myself." He waggled his eyebrows at Lily who gagged in disgust and took out her wand, copying Severus whose fir wand was already clutched in his palm and inclining towards Potter. Sirius stood. "Get out Potter. When I said I was done with you I meant it!"

"Yeah, yeah very funny." He pushed passed Sirius and, ignoring Lupins weak protests- the werewolf could see Severus' face he knew it wasn't going to end well- leaned into kiss Lily, going to move his hands all over her.

He didn't get very far. With a well aimed kick through his legs and hex to his head Potter fell and scrambled back howling.

"You little bitch!" He turned on Severus and ran at him, missing and stumbling into a seat. "You did this you-"

He was swiftly cut off as Sirius swung a right hook and knocked him clean off his feet before Severus could get to him-much to the Slytherins displeasure. He ran off down the corridor yelling "Dumbledore will have you all expelled for this." With Lupin and Pettigrew snivelling after him.

As his footsteps tapered off Lily looked at the boys worriedly. "What if he does expel us? You know he favours Pothead. I mean T-our parents can't come they're muggles."

Sirius shook his head. "Don't worry Lily my parents hate Charlus Potter they wouldn't let that happen. Honest. Besides you and Sevvie are too smart to get expelled."

"Wha- Black you insolent fool do not call me by such a ridiculous name."

"Whatever you say Sevvie."

Lilys worry was constant throughout the sorting and the feast and it wasn't for nothing as McGonagall pulled the trio aside on their way out the doors.

"The Headmaster would like to see you all." She spoke curtly glancing at Severus with disdain, not pleased her lions had befriended such a dark Slytherin. Lily gripped Severus' hand as they walked towards the gargoyle and, by the time they reached the twirled ascending stairs, his fingers were an odd blue colour. Standing in the knick-knack scattered office were two very different sets of people. Orion and Walburga Black stood, the picture of cool and calm, facing an irate Charlus and Dorea Potter.

"Albus! I demand you expel the little cretins who attacked my poor boy. Beating him up for no good re-"

"Actually sir Sirius and Severus were defending me from Potters unwanted attention."

"According to Hogwarts rulebook injury or threat of another student is liable for suspension-"

"Yes and you little brats-"

"Were defending ourselves. Potter attacked first."

Severus' voice was calm and even, his argument rational as the Lord and Lady Black nodded in agreement.

"Now now" Dumbledore soothed. "I'm sure if Severus and Lily just apologise to poor James this will all be resolved."

"Or I will charge you for assault." Lord Potter puffed up his chest imperiously.

Lord Black stepped forward and put a supportive hand on his eldest sons shoulder with a deadly smirk on his face.

"Oh please do Lord Potter. I'm sure Ragnok would love to assist my son and his friends in any legal proceedings you may pursue." Lord Potter paled, the Black family goblin were ruthless and everyone knew it.

"Very well." He snapped. "James son, you know you're better than all those cowardly dark wizards." "Clearly..."Lord Black gave a thin smile "he doesn't get that from you."

Dorea Potter dragged her husband through the floo before he physically leapt on the Black Lord. As the Potter heir stormed out in a huff with the Headmaster "escorting" him to his common room.

Lily turned and gave the Blacks a small curtsey. "Thank you for your help, sir, ma'am."

Walburga sniffed . "What an unruly boy that Potter boy. Do associate with better company this year Sirius. And make sure you study and look out for Regulus and-"

"Yes Mother."

He blushed as red as his Gryffindor robes when his parents fussed over him in their own formal way. With another curt nod they flooed back to their own manor and the teenagers exited the room, grinning each other mischievously.