A/N Sorry for the wait! I wrote an especially long one to make up for it :D Thanks for all the reviews I've been getting, I really appreciate them. Twenty people have this story on alert, so I assume twenty people are reading this… please review, everyone!

Nathpollen, I've thought about your comments, and they were in the back of my mind writing this chapter. I hope this one is better :)

Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 10 – Pottle and Snare

Once Sirius had eventually finished his dinner, there was only ten minutes of lunchtime left before afternoon lessons began. Deciding not to try and find Lily – I didn't want to seem too eager – I stayed in the Great Hall with Sirius, Remus and Peter.

When the bell rang for the next period, the four of us were the only people still in the hall – except for Snape. He was sat alone at the Slytherin table. As our eyes met, he hurriedly looked back down at the Daily Prophet lying open on the table.

I nudged Sirius as we stood up to go to our next lesson. "Look at Snape. How dumb does he think we are? It's obvious he's just been sat there eavesdropping."

Sirius laughed. "Why would he? All we've been talking about is Quidditch and girls, neither of which he gives a fuck about."

I shook my head, unconvinced. "Why else would he stay at the table, alone, after finishing his lunch ages ago?"

"Snape's mind works in mysterious ways, Prongs. He's a weirdo, end of."

I didn't reply, but I was deep in thought as we left the hall, closely followed by Snape. I suddenly remembered the look Snape had in his eyes when he saw Lily and I, and how he had looked depressed ever since. Why the hell would he care that Lily and I were getting along now?

Then it hit me.

"Remus," I said quietly, turning around to check that Snape wasn't in earshot. "Y'know how Lily and Snivellus are friends? Well, you don't think he… likes her?" I muttered, a sick feeling in my stomach.

Remus looked at me in surprise, then narrowed his eyes, obviously thinking.

"It would explain a lot," he said dubiously, his brow furrowed. "But it seems unlikely."

"I know it does," I replied impatiently, raising my voice. Sirius and Peter were also listening now, and Sirius looked at me sceptically.

"This isn't about what you said before James is it? About him eavesdropping?" asked Sirius, one of his eyebrows raised. "You think he wants to know what Lily thinks of you?"

"Yes! That's exactly it!" I replied, almost shouting by this time.

"Well, he won't get that from us. We don't have a clue either," he chuckled.

I clutched at my hair in exasperation. "It's not funny!" I said dramatically. "What if Lily likes him back?"

"Yeah," Sirius snorted. "That's gonna happen – when hell freezes over. You're talking a load of shit, mate. No one would ever fancy Snivelly. Ever."

Before I could reply, Remus interrupted. "James, just calm down. Of course Lily doesn't like Snape."

"Yeah," said Peter timidly. "Who would go out with Snape when they could go out with you?"

Sirius snorted. "James, if it doesn't work out with Lily, I think you have an admirer here."

"I didn't mean it like that!" Peter protested, turning red.

"It's fine, Peter. We don't mind if you're gay. I've always had my suspicions…" he replied, smirking.

"I'm not gay!" Peter insisted. Sirius only shook his head knowingly, patting Peter on the shoulder.

"Denial."

Peter turned to Remus and I for support, but we were both trying not to crack up. I was biting my lip to stop a laugh escaping, my worries about Snape evaporating. Remus took a deep breath, and tried to wipe the grin from his face.

"Come on Sirius, stop teasing Pete," Remus said, his shoulders shaking with laughter.

"Ooh," replied Sirius, his face deadpan. "Is someone jealous? You got a little crush on Peter, Remus?" Remus stopped laughing and opened his mouth to protest, but Sirius continued. "I'm feeling a little left out here. No one has a gay crush on me. Unless your proclamations of love for Evans are just a cover, James?" he said, faking sincerity.

"Nah. You're not my type." I said with a smirk. "Maybe Snivellus has been hiding his secret love for you though? Shall I ask him?"

Sirius stopped dead in his tracks, his expression truly serious. "You say one word, you die? Understood?"

"Don't like it when the tables are turned, huh?" I replied, grinning.

"No, I don't! None of you are gay, okay? Happy now?"

"Ecstatic," replied Remus as Peter nodded.

"As much as I've been enjoying your ramblings," said a sneering voice from behind us. "Can you move, Black, so I can get to class?"

Sirius turned around, his features hardened, with a glint in his eye.

"Is there a problem, Snivellus?"

"Yes. You're it. Move."

"Make me," Sirius replied, pulling out his wand. I did the same, albeit a little reluctantly – I'd made a vow to myself to try curse Snape a little less often. Yet, here I was, my wand pointed at him on the first day of lessons.

"Believe me, I will," Snape replied.

Sirius smirked. "Do your worst."

Before Snape could even lift his wand, Professor McGonagall walked up behind us.

And boy, did she look mad.

"Snape, Black, Potter, what on earth do you think you are doing? Put those wands away at once," she commanded, her lips thinner than ever.

The three of us immediately shoved our wands back in our pockets, Sirius and Snape still glaring at each other.

"Twenty points from Slytherin, Snape, and forty from Gryffindor!"

"But that's not fair!" I protested. "Why do we get forty off?"

"There are two of you," McGonagall replied simply.

" I wasn't even doing anything!"

"You had your wand out, Potter. There is to be no magic in the corridors, and NO FIGHTING! I thought you three might have learnt from last year that I have no tolerance for fighting between the three of you, or anyone else for that matter. So get to class, all five of you, and sharpish!"

"Yes, Professor," we all mumbled, hurrying down the corridor.

Once we were out of earshot, Sirius turned to Snape.

"Thanks a bunch, Snivelly. You just made us get forty points taken off of Gryffindor. You must be so proud."

Snape shot Sirius a look that would curdle milk, but ignored him. We walked in silence along the corridor, Snape slightly in front of us. We were at least five minutes late to class by now, but we only had History of Magic with Professor Binns. He still called me Jacob Pottle, so I doubted whether he'd notice I wasn't there.

"By the way, Black," called Snape from a couple of feet in front of us. "I do have a huge crush on you. I just can't hide it anymore."

He smirked evilly at us and raised his eyebrows.

"And Potter, you can stop worrying," he continued. "I would never fancy a Mudblood."

Remus pulled me back as I moved towards Snape, prepared to punch the living daylights out of him. Firstly, he was listening to our conversations. Secondly, how fucking dare he call Lily a Mudblood?

"I thought she was meant to be your friend, Snivellus," said Sirius, glaring at Snape.

Snape didn't know how to reply to this, and he had the grace to look ashamed.

"Yeah," Sirius sneered. "You should be ashamed."

Snape's expression became fierce once again, and he turned to me. "She'd never go out with you though, Potter. All she does is complain about you. Even if she is a… muggleborn, she's too good for you."

"Say that again," I said threateningly, getting closer to Snape until we were almost nose to nose.

"I'll spell it out – Lily. Hates. You."

Less than a second later, Snape was hanging in the air from his ankle, my wand still pointed at him.

"How fucking dare you, Potter," he snarled. "That's my spell."

"I borrowed it. That okay?" I said sweetly, putting my wand back into my pocket for the second time.

"No," he replied.

"Tough."

And with that, I walked into our classroom, which was less than a foot away, a smirking Sirius, Remus and Peter not far behind.

"Mr Pottle," wheezed Professor Binns as soon as I entered the class. I was surprised he'd noticed we'd come in, until I realised that we had been making a fair bit of noise outside. "And Brack, Luben and Pettifer. Would you care to explain why you are all late?"

We could hear faint shouts from outside the door, as could the rest of the class. The four of us looked at each other. No one spoke, so Professor Binns asked again.

"Well? Why are you late? I don't have all the time in the world you know, so kindly hurry up and explain."

I was about to explain that, as a ghost, he did in fact have all the time in the world, but I realised that Professor Binns wouldn't take too kindly to that.

"We just lost track of time, sir," said Remus apologetically.

"Just lost track of time?" repeated Binns. "That's a rather feeble excuse. And do any of you know where Mr Snare is?

The rest of the class peered around the door that Peter was holding open. He hastily slammed it shut so Snape was hidden from view, but muffled shouts could still be heard. Everyone (apart from, apparently, Professor Binns) could hear the noise and I bet everyone knew who was outside. Most people grinned appreciatively.

I looked around for Lily's face. At that moment, it could've rivalled McGonagall's.

"I have no idea where Snare is. Maybe he's just…hanging around," said Sirius, grinning. The rest of us, including the class, rolled our eyes.

"Fine, fine. Just sit down, all four of you. I actually have a class to teach, you know, and they are waiting for me to continue my explanation of events in the twentieth century!" He looked back down to the notes in his hands. "During the Goblin Rebellion of 1962…"

As Binns droned on, the four of us sat down in our seats at the back of the room.

"Hanging around?" I whispered incredulously to Sirius as we sat down. "That has to be the worse joke I've ever heard."

"Agreed," whispered Remus, taking out his quill.

"Well, that's what he's doing isn't he?" Sirius protested. "Nice one, by the way Prongs. Levicorpus…hitting him with his own spell…classic."

"Don't you two feel a little…bad?" asked Remus as he began to take notes.

"No! You heard what he was saying!" I replied.

"Yeah, I know he was being a jerk, but now he's going to miss his lesson. And all the blood is probably rushing to his head, then he'll pass out, then he'll die – "

"Merlin, Moony. Are you sure all your blood hasn't rushed to your head? Calm down! He'll be fine." Sirius replied calmly.

Lily spun around in her chair and threw a piece of parchment at me. Surprised, I picked it up.

Potter, you better tell me what's been going on, or I swear I'll jinx you right here.

Are we back to Potter?

Yes, until you tell me why you cursed Severus.

Because he was being a prick!

Narrow it down.

I can't tell you.

Why not?

Because… it involves you.

TELL ME NOW, POTTER!

Well, it's a long story. But basically, he told me you hated me.

And why the hell did that mean you cursed him? Him saying it doesn't make it true!

So, it's not true?

It used to be. Not anymore though. But right now, you're not one of my favourite people!

You don't hate me though?

No! But I wish you wouldn't go around cursing all my friends.

That's a slight exaggeration. I've only ever cursed one of your friends, even though it's happened a couple of times.

A couple? MORE LIKE A HUNDRED TIMES!

Ooh. I can feel your anger, and we're not even talking.

Stop messing around James!

Good, it's James again now?

It is if you go outside, let Severus down, and APOLOGISE!

No fair! He has to apologise too!

I'll make him apologise later, just go let him down!

Okay, I'm going, I'm going.

I chucked the parchment to Lily to read before carefully moving back my chair and standing up. Sirius looked at me quizzically, but I just shook my head at him and walked towards the door. Thankfully, Professor Binns kept droning on and was oblivious to the fact that one of his students had just walked out of the classroom.

I shut the door quietly and walked over to Snape.

"Come to gloat?" he said when he saw me.

"No, to let you down. And to apologise."

Snape looked surprised and raised his eyebrows. "James Potter? Apologise?"

"Yes. I'msorryileftyouhanginghereandiusedyourownspellonyou," I garbled.

"Sorry?" smirked Snape. "What was that?"

"Don't push it," I warned. "I'm sorry, okay?"

"Fine. Now let me down?"

I pulled my wand out and cast the counter-curse. Snape fell to the floor with a thud.

"Ow," he moaned. "Thanks for the soft landing."

"Oh, I am sorry. I left my mattress and pillows in the classroom."

Snape looked like he was about to laugh, but thought better of it.

"For what it's worth…I'm sorry too. Maybe Lily doesn't hate you anymore," he said quietly.

"No. She doesn't." I said confidently. "Anyway, we should get back in. What're you gonna tell Professor Binns? He asked us where Snare was."

"I won't tell him anything. I'll just skip, class is nearly over."

I looked at him in surprise. Snivellus, not take up a chance to get me into trouble?

"Oh. Well, thanks I guess." I said nonchalantly. Me, saying sorry AND thankyou to Snivellus in one day?

"Whatever. You guys have already lost enough points."

"You got that right," I snorted.

"Potter…" he said hesitantly, his tone suddenly serious. "If you do go out with Lily… treat her right. Okay?"

I just nodded, dumbfounded, as he walked off down the corridor.

I pushed open the classroom door slowly, still thinking about Snape. Maybe he's actually… decent?

I walked into the classroom and slipped back into my seat, Binns still completely oblivious. Lily looked at me, scribbled something on another bit of parchment and threw it to me.

Where is he? What did you do to him?

Relax, Lils. He just decided to skip class. I brought him down, and we had a nice little chat. I think he may have given us his blessing, by the way.

What? Given us his blessing? What on earth are you talking about James?

Erm… never mind. Didn't mean to write that.

Okayyyy. You're one strange kid, Jam Pot.

Strange kid? I'm only fifty-seven days younger!

Wow. You worked that out fast. And how do you know when my birthday is?

Of course I know when your birthday is. I pay attention.

I'm impressed :)

I'm impressive.

And modest, too.

Ouch. That hurt.

Ooh. Papercut? :P

You're funny!

I try.

Anyways, shouldn't you be paying attention and taking notes, or whatever it is Lily Evans does in History of Magic?

Correction – what Lily Evans USED to do. From now om, Lily Evans passes notes to her friend Jam Pot. Far more entertaining.

We're friends?

Of course, you prat.

Oh. Good :)

Now, let's stop being soppy and talk about important stuff.

Like?

Like… when were you planning on telling me about Remus being a werewolf?

HOW DO YOU KNOW? WHO TOLD YOU? HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN? WHO HAVE YOU TOLD?

Now who needs to calm down?! Number one – I'm clever. Number 2 – Nobody. Number three – Since the end of last year. It was obvious. You were never around at the full moon, and you kept going on about his 'furry little problem'. And number four – Nobody, of course.

Wow. You're a clever little witch, Lily.

I thought we've established I'm fifty-seven days older? Therefore, you can hardly describe me as little. And thanks.

Aw. There goes the bell. I was having fun, too.

Walk me to Transfiguration? I'm happy for them, but Alice and Frank are acting really lovey-dovey, and frankly, it makes me feel slightly sick And I don't wanna play gooseberry.

Sure, who in their right mind wouldn't want to escort a pretty girl to Transfiguration class?

There were so many bizarre things about that sentence; I won't even start to list them. We're the last in here, and I'm sure you don't want to be late for your third class in one day. So let's go.

I couldn't care less if I was late again. But whatever, let's go.

Stop passing me notes and talk to me! We're stood right next to each other!

Fine!

Stop then!

Why don't you? We're walking out the door now, just talk to me!

Why didn't you say that instead of writing it?

Arghhh!

A/N In case you're the dimmest person alive and didn't realise this, Lily wrote in italics, and James just normal. I'm pretty proud of this chapter :) Please review and let me know what you thought!