Even When You Didn't

Chapter Ten: Promise Me

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

-l-Lily-l-

He was in trouble.

I went back to the Fat Lady, thinking that maybe it was just a nightmare.

Maybe I could just sleep it off.

I was shaken awake by Mary, my dorm mate.

"What?" I asked groggily. She herself looked half asleep.

"It's Snape, he's been asking for you all night. Now, he's threatening to sleep at the Portrait Hole if you don't come down," Mary said.

I sighed, getting up.

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not interested."

"I'm sorry!"

"Save your breath," I snapped coldly, crossing my arms.

Then I sighed. "I only came out because Mary told me you were threatening to sleep here."

"I was. I would have done. I never meant to call you Mudblood, it just-" he began.

"Slipped out? It's too late. I've made excuses for you for years. None of my friends can understand why I even talk to you. You and your precious Death Eater friends-you see, you don't even deny it! You don't even deny that's what you're all aiming to be! You can't wait to join You-Know-Who, can you?" I glared at him.

He looked like he would protest, but then closed his mouth.

It stung, it burned, but still I had hung on. But now I was going to let go. "I can't pretend anymore. You've chosen your way, I've chosen mine."

"No-listen, I didn't mean-"

"- to call me Mudblood? But you call everyone of my birth Mudblood, Severus. Why should I be any different?" I asked.

"It's different because I love you."

I stopped. I turned back. After everything? He still loved me?

"Still?" I asked.

He nodded. "Always."

"How long?" I asked.

He smiled slightly. " Always and forever."

"Why did you use Sectumsempra again?" I asked.

He sighed. "They were jinxing me."

"So? I forbid you to ever use that spell again." I drew my wand.

"What if it is for good?" he asked.

I blinked. " Good?"

"Yes, for good. What if it was for good?" he said.

I pondered. "Not for anything Sev, please don't."

He sighed, rolling his eyes. "I promise Lily Evans...Potter."

I whipped around, eyes widened in surprise. "W-what?"

"Lily, I can see it. I'm surprised you haven't realized it yet."

"Realize what? I don't like James," I said stowing my wand away.

"Sure Lily. Keep saying that, but I think that's a lie. You love him, and just to let you know, I'm going to let you go. Because you deserve better than me. I'm a Death Eater, and you'll be safer with him," he said smiling now, sadly.

"I'm sorry. Goodbye Sev," I said. Then I leaned in, whispering in his ear.

He pulled back smiling. I whispered again and then pushed him away, then turning and leaving.

-l-Remus-l-

I waited, watching as she walked back in. She jumped slightly.

"Hey Remus," she said.

"So are you still Severus's friend?" I asked.

She shook her head, "No."

I rolled my eyes. "I would think a brilliant girl like you could lie better."

"I'm not his friend!" she protested.

I nodded, disbelievingly. I walked over, taking her left wrist and pulling up her sleeve, I holding her wrist up.

"Then why do you keep this?" I asked pointing to the charm bracelet.

She gulped. "Fine, but you can't tell. We are best friends, we made that vow when we were seven. We said that we would be best friends, forever no matter what. We gave each other these charm bracelets. His is black, with green. Mine is red and green, and as long as we keep them, we are friends. But we made a vow, so always we will be friends. He wears his, and he actually has it on his ankle I think. Boys aren't supposed to wear jewelry or something."

I nodded. "I knew."

She gaped, "How?"

I smirked. "I knew you had to have gotten that charm bracelet for something important. Then when we were dangling Severus upside down I noticed his too. I just put the pieces together. "

She nodded. "Promise you won't tell?"

I smiled, "Would I ever?"

"You better not Remus Lupin," she threatened playfully, drawing her wand.

I just laughed. "Don't make me hex you Lily Evans," I said whipping out my wand as well.

"Go to sleep, Lils."