Warnings: Character Death, language, depression, mention of thoughts of suicide.

Disclaimer: James Potter, Lily Evans/Potter, and any other recognizable characters are created and owned by J.K. Rowling, and I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of Harry Potter. No profit is made from this.
It is merely for entertainment purposes only. Meridith Booth was created by me as a tool to play with in the Harry Potter world.

Chocolate Frog

"Lily!"

Meridith didn't respond at first as she continued to walk down the hall arm in arm with Mary. Not that she had much choice to be arm in arm with the girl. She'd latched onto Meridith as soon as Potion class was over, telling her that the Marauders took up enough of her time and that she wanted all the details on her relationship with James.

There really weren't any details to share, beyond the fact that their first and only date ended up with the both of them in the Infirmary. (A place that Meridith hated as much as Harry had in the book.) Most of the time she spent with James was in the presence of his friends, or him completing her homework for her. As far as physical contact, beyond the times she used him as a shoulder to cry on, the most that had been achieved was holding hands as they walked between classes. Not that Meridith felt inclined to share this with Mary.

Really, Mary and Alice were sweet girls, and didn't seem to mind the distance that had developed between them as of late. They seemed to blame her relationship with James for that distance, and Meridith couldn't find it in her to set them straight. The thing was, though, she didn't know them.

She didn't want to know them.

As terrible and frightening and obsessive as it was, Meridith was afraid to make friends outside of the Marauders, especially with girls that had bunked with Lily for almost seven years. She walked such a thin line that she was amazed she could even get through each day without having a mental breakdown.

"You mean you haven't kissed him yet?" Mary's sweet voice interrupted Meridith's thoughts, and she blinked, her face burning.

It was times like these she missed Rob. To be accurate, it was times like this that she slipped and thought of him. It was a painful, gut wrenching experience every fucking time.

"Lily!" The name was called again, and Meridith realized that it was her someone was calling for. Mostly because Mary had stopped and was giggling like a school girl, or a mad scientist, as she watched James Potter running toward them, shoving past some third years.

He caught up to them easily, though he was panting a bit, and was grinning down at her. Meridith couldn't help but blush as she stared up into his hazel eyes. He was a handsome boy, especially when those little dimples formed in his cheeks.

"James," she said his name breathlessly, almost reverently, so overwhelmed with gratitude at his timely appearance. His eyes darkened and his boyish grin twisted into a cocky smile as he reached out to take her hand.

"I've come to tempt you away from MacDonald with chocolate," James said, holding up the Chocolate Frog. Mary squealed in Meridith's ear and tugged unnecessarily on the sleeve of her robe, causing her to wince and stumble.

"Chocolate?" She asked hopefully as she regained her balance despite the girl hanging off her arm.

"Yes, Lily, chocolate." James waved the Chocolate Frog in front of her face enticingly. "You have to skip class with me to get it, though."

I shouldn't, she wanted to say. I really shouldn't, because I can barely get through all this shit, and I'm so fucking behind, and what about the study plan I came up with this morning in the shower?

"Moony will take notes, I'm sure," James offered reassurance, his eyes searching her face hopefully.

"She'll go! Of course she'll go!" Ever the faithful friend, Mary pushed Meridith forward as she replied for her. James caught her easily, his arms wrapping around her waist protectively.

"Brilliant!" James cried, and with a wink and a wave to Mary, he swept Meridith away.

Severus gripped his quill tightly, black eyes glaring with loathing at the backs of three Marauders. And at the empty desk were Lily and Potter usually sat. Thoughts of the Chocolate Frog that Lupin had given to Potter mocked Severus as he continued to stare at the empty chairs. Lily didn't even like chocolate. Even when they were children, she had hated the taste. She'd always said the texture felt like she had dirt or sand in her mouth, no matter the brand of chocolate.

He didn't hear a word the professor was saying, not that it mattered. This time next year, a different witch or wizard would be teaching the students. DADA professors never stayed long.

Something stung his leg, causing him to yelp in surprise. As he rubbed his stinging calf, his eyes darted knowingly toward the Marauders, only to find Black staring at him. The handsome boy smirked cruelly, eyebrows waggling suggestively as he nodded at the empty desk. Oh, how Severus wanted to curse him into oblivion.

Lupin nudged Black in the side rather roughly, and when he made eye contact with Severus, the werewolf's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. With a slight nod, Lupin turned back to face the professor, but not before his eyes darted toward the empty desk that was taunting Severus.

When Pettigrew turned to look his way, his face twisted in perverse pleasure and making kissy faces, the quill in Severus's hand snapped in half.

A/N: I'm sorry, Severus. James isn't around to police Sirius, and Peter has to do whatever Sirius does.
Also, please note that while I've had this written for some time and have been distracted from posting, I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Alan Rickman, who portrayed Severus Snape so beautifully.