"You know, if it makes you feel any better, Lily is never this nice to guys. You must be special."

"Please be quiet."

"Actually, She's a good kid, so she's nice to everyone, but not as nice as she's treating you right now!"

"Please be quiet."

"I mean, saving her AND her father's life? You're not that bad either, son."

"Mr. Evans, i really appreciate you saying that, but can you please be quiet for a just few minutes?"

Mrs. Weasley boiled some water for them when they returned, Everyone was quiet in the parlor.

"That's a nice set of cuts you've got there, Severus." Sirius said after what seemed like hours of silence. "That's something to tell the kids."

Severus narrowed his eyes at Sirius.

"Sorry," Sirius said with a sluggish grin. "Just trying to defuse the tension."

Severus and Frederick were sitting on the parlor's couch, Frederick wrapped in a thick blanket, Severus having his arm taken care of by Lily.

Lily placed the cloth in concoction she made, ringed it out, and placed it on Severus' arm.

"Ow!" Severus said, reattaching his arm from under the cloth. "What is that stuff?"

Lily pushed some of her dark red hair out of her face. "It's an old family recipe, i just mixed a few magical elements into it to help you heal faster."

"Well, it hurts." Severus said, keeping his arm close to him.

Lily stared at him. "If you kept still, it wouldn't hurt as much!"

"Well this wouldn't have happened if you didn't run away!" Severus said, a mocking smile on his face,

"IF YOU HADN'T FRIGHTENED ME, I WOULDN'T HAVE RAN AWAY!" Lily snapped back, her green eyes slits.

Severus opened his mouth to retort, but stopped to think. "Well you shouldn't have been in the West Wing!" He pointed out.

"Well you should learn to control your temper!" Lily said, staring him right in the face.

The servants gave each other tense looks, Frederick sat silently, drinking the tea Mrs. Weasley youngest child, Ginny, gave him.

"Now hold still." Lily said calmly, dragging Severus' arm out to her level. "This might sting a little."

She placed the cloth on Severus's arm, Severus clenched his teeth in pain, Lily glanced at him.

"By the way," Lily said quietly. "Thank you, for saving my life…"

Severus looked at her, his other hand on his face, "You're welcome." He said, his voice a bit confused.

"Hear, Hear!" Sirius and Frederick said, raising their hands. Frederick gave a nasty cough.

Severus looked to his left at Frederick. "I see you're reacting well to the potions."

"Well, when the maker knows what they're doing," Frederick said with a cough. "It makes all the difference."

Lily gave Severus a thankful smile.

Remus and Sirius exchanged silent grins at each other.


It was daytime, the snow storm had stopped, Frederick was taking a nap, Lily was talking her horse out for stroll around the gardens, and Severus was taking in the scenery.

Severus looked down at Lily from the second-story balcony, mesmerized by how her dark-red hair flowed in shining waves down her back, or how distinctly her bright green eyes sparkled, even though they were at a distance.

Severus rubbed his hand against the bandages on his right arm, and felt a great sense of guilt at lashing out at her earlier.

"I've never felt this way about anyone." Severus said to himself, with a note of confusion in his voice. Just then, a stroke of inspiration came to him. "I have to do something for her." This time, Severus' voice was full of determination.

"Oh yeah? Like what exactly?"

Severus jumped and turned around, to see Remus standing behind him, with a small smile on his face.

Remus walked over to him and gave a sigh. "So, what were you planning on getting her?"

Severus thought for moment. "I-i don't know..."

Remus shook his head. "Well, there's the usual things, Flowers, Chocolates, ...Promises you don't intend to keep..."

"Ah Remus, You're like Marlene, Always a ray of sunshine."

Severus looked to his left to see Sirius had joined them, with a wicked grin on his face.

"See, that's the problem with you two, you don't know what a girl REALLY wants." said Sirius.

"And what, YOU do?" Remus said, raising an eyebrow at Sirius.

"Well i dare say, i don't see why i wouldn't." Sirius responded.

"You're only a couple of months older than me." Remus said, annoyed.

"Still counts." Sirius said with a shrug.

"Will you two stop bickering like an old married couple and help me?" Severus said, his temper flaring.

"Okay, Grumpy-Gills," said Sirius in a somewhat-soothing voice, "Whatever you're getting her, it has to be something special. You know, something that sparks her interests."

"So, what are you suggesting then?" Severus said.

"You're a smart guy, Severus, it'll come to you. Trust me." Sirius said, patting Severus on the back.

"Does that mean 'No" to my chocolate idea then?" Remus said in a small voice.