A/M: Thanks so much to everybody, for reading and reviewing! This is a relatively short chapter, I know, but I promise things really begin to kick off next chapter. Bear with me!

Dorcas's Warning

1972

"I can't believe it's really over," Lily breathed.

They had just come out of their last exam: potions. For the first time, Lily was sure she had gotten a perfect score. Her Strengthening Solution was the exact color and consistency necessary; Slughorn positively beamed at her as she left the dungeon.

"That exam wasn't bad at all," said Snape, walking alongside her. "I saw your solution, it was perfect."

"Oh, stop it," said Lily, flushing. "Yours was perfect too."

Snape didn't say anything, but a little smile curled his lips. They had entered onto to the castle grounds, where a few older students were still scattered about, doing some last-minute studying. The grass shone in the bright afternoon sun, and the sky was a clear cerulean.

"Look, I think I saw the giant squid!" said Lily, pointing at the lake. Sure enough, there was a splash in the water, and something large seemed to have disappeared back into the deep.

"Just a myth," said Snape dismissively. "There're only merpeople down there."

"Completely untrue!" Lily retorted, and the two good-naturedly bickered about the existence of the giant squid until they reached a giant oak tree.

"So much better," Lily sighed happily, diving into the shade and sitting herself against the thick trunk of the tree. Leaves and branches shaded her from the sun, and for the first time in a long time she felt completely relaxed. There were no more exams to worry about, no more studying to do.

Snape soon was sprawled on the ground, his body facing upward and his hands stretched out behind his head. He too felt content, and for a while they both silently savored their time spent underneath the shady tree leaves on that bright summer day.

Presently, Snape rolled over onto his side and turned to face Lily, who was gazing, glossy-eyed in the direction of Hagrid's hut, at nothing in particular. "I wish we didn't have to go back," he said quietly.

Her green eyes found his. "I know, Sev," Lily sighed. "But let's not think about that, we still have the feast to look forward to."

"I know," Snape muttered, his voice still full of bitterness. Lily frowned, and looked deep in thought. In that moment, Snape knew she was thinking about Petunia, and she knew he was thinking about his father.

"Let's not think about that," she said again, breaking the silence. "Not today, today we should be happy that all our exams are over!"

When Snape still looked unhappy, she sprang up.

"What are you doing?" Snape asked, looking up at her.

Lily smiled, eyes glittering. "Come on," was all she said. She offered him her hand; he took it, and pulled himself up. Wordlessly, she led him across the grounds, and back towards the castle.

A couple of Slytherins that were standing by the door entrance shot him jeering looks as he passed with Lily. Snape could distinctively hear one of them muttering insults at him, but he pretended not to hear. Lily, however, frowned. "Was that directed at you?" she asked sharply, turning to look at him once the Slytherins were out of earshot.

Snape stiffened. "No," he lied. "It doesn't matter anyway, I don't know them."

She looked suspicious, but to Snape's relief dropped the matter.

As they turned the corner Lily halted, and they were inexplicably standing in front of a giant painting of fruits. "You know, it's not that I don't find paintings ridiculously fascinating..." Snape said dryly.

"Don't be silly," Lily giggled. With her right hand, she reached up and touched the pear, wiggling her finger back and forth. Snape watched, wide-eyed, as the painting slowly swung open, to reveal an open doorway. He could hear clattering inside, as well as many high-pitched voices.

Comprehension dawned on him. "The kitchens," whispered Snape. "How did you find this place?"

Smiling, Lily grabbed his arm and led him inside. Immediately they were greeted by three house-elves, all of whom were bowing. Short as Lily and Snape were, they were nothing compared to the elves; the top of their heads only reached Snape's waist. "Hello, madam and sir!" one of them squeaked. "Welcome to the kitchens! Can I get you anything?"

As if in response, Snape's stomach rumbled; they had not eaten anything since breakfast, and their potions exam was during lunchtime. "Oh, yes please!" said Lily, beaming at them.

Immediately they rushed off, and came back with an assortment of desserts and sandwiches on a huge serving plate. Both Snape and Lily munched on various foods, trying a bit of everything. The elves watched them with glowing looks on their faces.

"Oh, thank you!" said Lily kindly once she was full. "That was absolutely delicious."

"We is glad you likes the food, madam!" an elf chortled.

They briskly shuttled the serving plate away, and as Lily and Snape left the kitchens the elves pressed more food into their arms, as much as they could take. As the painting swung shut, Lily was holding so many desserts she could barely walk.

"Sev, help me," Lily laughed, adjusting the mounds of eclairs balanced on her arm.

Snape took several from her, and bit into one of them. "Just when I thought I couldn't eat any more..."

Giggling, Lily also bit into an eclair. "Wuzznat deshis?"

Snape couldn't help but smile. "Yes, it was delicious."

Lily gave a laugh as she swallowed her food. "Only you would be able to decipher my gibberish."

Smiling to himself, Snape walked alongside her as they spent the rest of the afternoon together. He had forgotten all about the prospect of going back to Spinner's End, and walked for the rest of the day with a new spring in his step.

The train ride back to King's Cross felt much too short for both Lily and Snape, who sadly bade goodbye to the castle on a sunny Friday afternoon. Their last few days of their first year had brought on opposite experiences for them. Lily spent time with Mary and Marlene when she wasn't with Snape, and Snape often saw them walking about the castle, laughing and chatting happily. She was becoming closer with both girls, and though she still spent most of her free time with Snape, she loved Mary and Marlene and thought them good friends.

On the other hand, when Snape wasn't with Lily, he was downright miserable. His patience was wearing thin as Avery, Mulciber and Travers muttered rude comments and insults at him throughout the day. Though they seemed too scared to confront him in a duel, because they were scared of how many curses Snape knew, they nevertheless made sure nobody forgot that he was friends with a muggle-born.

Snape resented them, but he couldn't help but remember how pleased he had been when he led them on the prank against James Potter and his friends. He couldn't help recall how powerful he felt when they regarded him with a mixture of fear and admiration. A part of him wanted desperately to regain their approval, but he knew there was no way to do it while Lily was still in the picture.

When he left his room with his trunk to head to the platform, he did not speak a word to anybody. He sidestepped Avery, who tried to trip him on the stairs. The common room was deserted, save for Dorcas Meadowes, who was crouched on the floor, adjusting items in her trunk.

Suddenly, Snape remembered the short conversation he had with her months earlier. On impulse, he gravitated toward her, as if a magnetic force was reeling him in.

"Hello," she said, watching him approach. She stood up; her face was passive and unreadable.

"Hello," Snape said uncomfortably, unsure of what to say. He was beginning to regret approaching her.

Dorcas stood up straighter. Her dark hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, and her eyes reminded him of steel. "You came over here to tell me that you haven't yet given in, and it's making you miserable."

Snape gaped at her. "How did-"

"I stand by what I said before, Snape," interrupted Dorcas, reaching down to close her trunk. "But let me give you some advice. If you want them to stop calling you Muggle Guardian, you'll have to work a bit harder than trying to ignore them."

"What do you mean?" asked Snape, frowning.

"Power, Snape, power," said Dorcas quietly. Her eyes glittered in the dim light of the common room. "That's the only thing that'll win you any respect in this House." Without another word, she picked up her trunk by the handle and brushed past Snape towards the common room door.

"Thanks," Snape called out as she reached the exit.

Dorcas stopped, and turned to face him. "I'll see you again someday, Severus Snape." She gave him a small smile, and swept quickly out of sight.

As he sat in his seat on the Hogwarts Express, Snape thought long and hard about this conversation. He mulled it over many times in his head, and he seemed to hear her low, clear voice as if it came from the air around him. Power, Snape, power, she had said.

"Sev, are you alright?"

At Lily's voice, Snape snapped out of his thoughts. "I'm fine," he said, turning to her.

She was lounged comfortably in the compartment seat opposite him, but now she leaned forward, eyes full of concern. "You've been awfully quiet. Are you thinking about home?"

For a moment, Snape contemplated telling her about Dorcas, but then realized he would have to explain just how miserable he had been lately. He had too much pride to admit that to her. "Yes," he said, hoping his voice sounded nonchalant.

Lily sighed. "Oh, don't," she said imploringly. "I don't want to ever get off this train."

Time seemed to fly by, and before either of them knew it the train was halting to a stop. Snape was dragging his feet as he reached for his trunk. It finally began to sink in that he wouldn't see the castle walls for three months, that he wouldn't be able to practice spells in his bedroom at night or spend time with Lily whenever he wanted. The thought of his father made him feel sick.

Slowly, they stepped off the train. Snape and Lily stood facing each other on the platform, and though Lily's mother was calling out to her near the platform entrance, she pretended not to hear. She didn't want to go back to reality. Not yet.

"Promise I'll see you often?" said Snape, gazing intently at her.

Lily smiled. "I promise."

In unspoken words they both understood just how much they would need each other to get through the summer.