Author's Note:

Okay everyone so a few things:
1. I am not a big Snape fan. Personally, I think Lily was okay here because she was feeling frustrated and defensive. I know we see in SWM that she can really cut people down when she's angry but I do worry that she may come across as overly antagonistic. If you think I made her too mean, tell me please.
2. There's a lot of things going on here because the other chapters have seemed too short for me. If it seems choppy, let me know in the reviews and I'll try to work on that too.
3. I am NOT a fan of this chapter title but I also couldn't think of anything better but I really wanted to go ahead and post it so oh well.

Thank you for taking the time to read at all! I really appreciate it.

The aftermath of Avery's attack was taking more of a toll on Lily than the attack itself had. Though Kiara had begun teaching all of the girls self-defense, Lily doubted she would ever be allowed to use the techniques she was practicing. Everywhere she looked, one of her classmates was following behind or checking up on her. It had taken screaming at Benjy Fenwick, who the Gryffindors had recruited to stand in for them during Herbology, in order for Lily to get enough alone time to cast her Tongue-Tying charm on Avery, rendering the Slytherin incapable of saying the word "Mudblood".

Her friends had even taken to following Lily down to the kitchens or the empty Potions classrooms, where she most liked to think. Even when she was able to shake them off, the boys in her year somehow had an uncanny ability to locate Lily when she was alone.

"I am perfectly fine brewing a damn potion!" She shouted one weekend afternoon two weeks following the attack, not bothering to look up from her work.

"I would assume so," Severus drawled as he entered the room. "However, this room does not exist solely for you."

"Sorry," Lily mumbled, feeling completely wrong-footed. "I thought you were someone coming to check up on me."

"I needed some newt eyes from the stores," Severus responded as he held up the ingredient in question.

"Right," Lily nodded, hoping desperately that her ex-friend did not attempt to stay, ruining any chances of her brewing her intended potion in secret.

"Do you need someone to stay with you?" Severus asked, looking as concerned as he ever was able.

The comment made Lily's blood boil. The other Gryffindors, at the very least, she knew would stick up for her if ever needed. How dare he try and place himself in the same category?

"No," spat Lily. "What use would you be if something did happen, Severus? What, you'll make a nice cheering section for whatever pureblood fanatic decides to go after me?"

"Lily..."

"Shut up. If it were any other muggleborn in this school who'd been attacked, you wouldn't think twice," she rose from her seat in anger. "Don't you dare lie to me and pretend you give a damn about blood rights."

"Oh? Is that what precious Potter and his Gryffindor lackeys have told you?"

"Don't you dare bring them into this! Any of them is a better human being than you've been lately."

"Are you sure you can categorize all of them as human beings?" Severus sneered. "I believe you know my theory."

"Of course I know your ridiculous theory," Lily rolled her eyes, maneuvering her body in hopes that her ex-friend would not notice the ingredients or book she was using. "I've also heard the theory that you don't use shampoo."

"Potter and his friends are heading down the wrong path. They'll all end up dead before they're 30."

"At least it would be for the right reasons," Lily argued, sweeping her things back into her bag and heading to leave. "You're a coward, Severus." Shaking with anger, she stomped out of the dungeons.

At least he didn't seem to notice the pain-killing potion I'm working on for Remus, she consoled herself. It'd be a bit hard to explain why I want to perfect that before the full moon without agreeing with his theory. This thought was little consolation, as Severus had once been one of Lily's best friends. He'd been the one to first tell her about magic, to tell her that it didn't matter if she were muggleborn.

He's friends with Avery,Lily reminded herself, and he didn't care at all when it was Mary being attacked. Resolutely, she headed for her dormitory in order to eat the last of her dark chocolate, reminding herself that the Severus who would've once enjoyed sharing that treat was now gone.

As the next few weeks passed, Lily was able to finally sneak down to the dungeons enough to perfect her newest project. While it was not uncommon to see Lily Evans working on a personal interest in the Potions dungeons, she did not want others questioning her sudden interest in muscle relaxing potions, particularly those typically used after human transfiguration. It took some experimenting but she was able to a strong potion whose taste would be masked by tea just in time for December's full moon.

"Good morning, Remus!" Lily cried when he finally arrived in the Gryffindor common room Tuesday morning. "Fancy a cup of tea?"

"Er... No thanks," the lycanthrope replied. "Not that hungry, actually. Think I may go lay down until time for Potions."

"Nonsense!" Lily carried the mug to him. "It's my mum's recipe, she's only just sent it to me."

"My stomach's feeling a bit off..."

"A cuppa will make you feel better. Try some, I insist."

"Er... Alright," Remus gave his friend an odd look before accepting the drink. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome," Lily beamed. "And be sure to drink the entire thing. Mum's tea has a way of making everything nicer."

"Can I have some tea as well?" Mary asked, though Lily had not seen her come in. "I'd rather not walk all the way down to the Great Hall."

"Er... Of course!" Lily smiled awkwardly, sneakily vanishing the remaining liquid.

"Oh, nevermind," sighed Mary. "It's all done. I'll head down to breakfast with the others."

"Spiffing," Lily nodded, turning her attention back to her lab rat. "So, Remus, feel any different?"

"I do feel a bit more relaxed," Remus replied, swinging his arms back and forth. "I was a bit sore before. From, er, a late-night Quidditch scrimmage with the boys, yes, Quidditch-"

"Of course, I know how you lot enjoy Quidditch."

"Right, exactly, so I was sore, from the Quidditch of course, and now I feel much less sore. Thank you, Lily."

"Oh, I'm so glad you like it!" Lily smiled, attempting to hide her glee. "I just knew you would."

"Right. Er, let me get my things and I'll walk with you to Potions."

Lily could not believe her luck. It had worked! Of course, Potions was one of her favorite subjects, but she hadn't been sure how well the ingredients would help a werewolf. And Remus hadn't even noticed! She'd have to make it again after Christmas hols, though it was a pity that she wouldn't see Remus for the January full moon.

For the rest of the day, Lily remained on cloud nine. She could not stop smiling, even when she sat down in the library that evening to revise for her Transfiguration exam. In fact, she was so wrapped up in her victory that she never heard Gideon Prewett approach.

"Lily?"

"Oh, hello, Gideon."

"Are you planning on going to the Slug Club Christmas social this Saturday?" he asked, sitting in the chair beside her.

"I'd almost forgotten about it, to be honest."

"Well, remember last term when you were studying for O.W.L.s and I helped you prepare for Astronomy? Which you scored an Exceeds Expectations in, if I remember correctly."

"Yes, Gideon," she laughed, thinking that she had an idea where this was going.

"And you wrote me when you got your score and promised that if there were any way to repay me, any way at all-"

"What do you need?"

"Would you be my date on Saturday?" Gideon asked pleadingly. "I'm sure you'd rather go with a bloke you actually fancy but if you'd nearly forgotten then surely you aren't planning to ask anyone special."

"Of course," Lily agreed readily, privately thinking that she knew why her friend was unable to invite who he wanted. "I think we'll have fun."

"It'll be the time of your life," Gideon smiled, squeezing her hand. "Thank you!"

"Meet me in the Common Room at eight!" Lily called as he left the library.

Across the room, James stared at Gideon's retreating form. All he'd heard was that Lily was going to have the time of her life and that Gideon was going to pick her up at eight. Without realizing it, James snapped his quill in half.