A/N: First off, I apologize to all my readers. I was planning to finally update two days of the week as I had planned but that didn't work out. Five days worth of fixing a computer, a three day trip to Maine, and three hours spent trying to find my flash drive... I am finally able to upload a chapter. Anyways, I am hoping that this week I'll be able to update both Tuesday and Thursday as I usually do.

Reviewers:

Nyiko Ndlovu-Maswanganyi: I absolutely love your reviews:D I'm glad you are enjoying the story so far and I'm also glad that you are looking forward to more.

Christinanananana: I know. I have such a bad habit with using Snape instead of Serverus. I do the same thing with Lupin. I will work on trying to fix that minor error considering that I use only those two characters surnames everywhere. It may be because I've just never addressed using their first name and it's a bit odd but I will try to somehow fix that. I'll be doing a huge edit for this story, where I'll be going back and fixing spelling mistakes and such and improving the story in general. I'll make sure to fix that while I'm at it.

Thomatshu: I understand where you are coming from. I have tended to glorify Lily in academics, though it sounds like she would be at the top of her year she really isn't. She is described in my story as an intelligent witch and I like to view her as a normal student, intent on studying, passing, and completing assignments on time, not someone who wants the best grades but I'm afraid it doesn't come off like that. I think I may have taken it too far, especially with the Veritaserum. The Veritaserum in this story was mainly used to show her skill in potions and gain a bit of respect from Snape considering that was one of his best and one of his favorite subjects. We learn from Professor Slughorn in the Half-Blood Prince that Lily was an excellent student in Potions. Though it seems that Lily was better than Snape in potions more than once in fact, I did not intend for that to happen. Snape was merely unsure if he could create the Veritaserum, meaning he had never tried. I like to view both Lily and Snape to be equal in that subject. Also, it may have also seemed that Lily used James saving Snape to keep his silence but we also have to take into account that James is also her friend and that secret is rather big. Sure Snape would have listened to her if she merely asked, but that is a large secret and she was merely taking precautions. ANWAYS.. I'm so sorry this reply is soo long..sheesh. Thank you for reviewing and pointing things out that could be improved. I'll be doing a major edit for this story soon so I'll make sure to take what you said into account.

.5: Ahh...you'll just have to keep reading.:P The whole point of this story in the first place was to highlight their friendship before that event even occurred. Please enjoy reading.

Lily

"James just listen to what you're saying," Lily pleaded for the fourth time on the verge of losing her patience.

For the past ten minutes she had been trying to calm him down from going on a rampage, which probably included hunting down Parkinson and Snape and hexing them senseless. All because of the stupid detention.

When Lily had returned to the common room after her detention James was already there and he was intent on finding Snape and Parkinson. Apparently his detention, whatever they had him doing, had sparked his anger towards the Slytherins again.

"He basically called you a mudblood Lily!" he nearly shouted.

"You're forgetting what house he belongs to!" she hissed back.

"So that gives him the right to say you're a mudblood?" James scoffed.

"Of course not." Lily sighed. "The Slytherin house is filled with blood purists James. Serverus has to to deal with that word being uttered everyday. Our friendship struck quite a bit of negative attention and I don't expect him to stand up to every person," she explained.

"What a friend you've made Lily," James spat at her. He shot her a glare and stalked off towards the boy's dormitories.

Lily heaved another sigh. It wasn't surprising that James didn't bother to listen to any of the facts she had just supplied him with, he would always find things to hate Snape for. James cared enough about her that he wouldn't let anything negative happen to her but some things just couldn't be stopped. For instance, her being associated with the name mudblood.

Before her first year had begun at Hogwarts Lily had been walking through the the Hogwarts Express eager to find a compartment. Unfortunately she didn't know many of the students and most of the compartments had been full. A young boy not much older than her had crashed into her outside one of the compartments, took one look at her and wrinkled his nose before calling her a mudblood. Another boy with messy brown hair had approached her and told the kid to get lost and offered her a seat in his compartment. That was how she had met James Potter. He was sticking up for her, and he was still doing it to this day.

She hadn't known what that word meant at the time but the boys had quickly explained it to her. Lily had been affected at first when the insults were thrown at her but by now she had grown accustomed to it. The word washed over her like any other word in a sentence. James couldn't say the same, and he wasn't even the one being insulted.

Snape

The next morning Snape awaited for the red headed lioness to emerge from her den. As he did every morning Snape would arrive a few minutes before breakfast and begin to escort her down to the Great Hall. Usually he was hiding behind his book or would return glares to the other Gryffindors who stepped out of their portrait hole for breakfast.

At first when the other Gryfindors realized that his appearing every morning before breakfast was going to be a reoccuring event, they always made sure to throw a few nasty comments towards him every time they passed and glares were a constant. Snape understood why, he was a Slytherin in the Gryfindor territory, but he wasn't about to give them the pleasure of staying silent so every morning for the first week he returned their glares or ignored them completely.

After the first week the nasty comments subsided and now all Snape received were a few glares. Other than that, most ignored him. He was foolish to think that it would last of course, because at that moment James Potter was stepping out of the portrait hole and headed straight for him, his brown eyes in slits, his face slightly red, and his brown hair the usual disaster it was. Snape wrinkled his nose in disgust. Honestly he needs to invest in a comb, Snape thought to himself.

"Potter," Snape greeted with a forced civil tone.

James narrowed his eyes. "Quit with the formalities Snivellus. Lily may not have been affected over what happened but I was and I won't sit around and let you call my friend a mudblood."

Merlins sake, he was still upset over this? Snape sighed. "I'm sure that Lily has already provided you with a respectable argument that you've refused to listen to. So if you don't mind, I think this conversation is over."

James had his wand out before Snape could even finish speaking and as always his timing was impeccable. Right behind him, to make sure Snape didn't make a grab for his wand was the rest of his crew.

Sirius and Peter were grinning wickedly and both had their wands out. The only person without his wand was Lupin and as always he seemed to be looking the other way, not wanting to be involved in the messes his friends always seemed to make.

"Move and see what happens Snivellus," Sirius sneered.

Snape could already see the incantations of a hex forming of Sirius' lips as he made a grab for his wand. As suspected, he hit the ground on numb legs and soap began pouring out of his mouth. The bitter taste of bubble gum scented bubbles caused him to gag but he managed to fight back the urge and grab his own wand.

He fired a trip jinx towards the group, hoping it would hit one of three. From Peter's squeak he knew his aim had proven to be true.

Before James could get another spell in Snape muttered the counter-jinx for the soap pouring out of his mouth. Within a few more seconds Sirius hit the floor with a growl and James had his wand pointed at his face with a menacing look on his already red face.

"Guys stop!" a shrill voice cut through the heavy breathing and harsh comments Sirius was currently throwing at Snape.

As if on que the lioness Snape had been awaiting arrived with her untamed hair falling across her back and a disapproving look on her face.

"What is with you two?" she asked with her hands on her hips and her eyes narrowed.

Neither Snape nor James responded and the silence was heavy.

"Be glad she's here to save your arse Snivellus," James spoke at last.

Snape felt as if he'd been slapped. As he watched James lend a helping hand to Sirius and Peter, and stalk off towards the Great Hall he couldn't help but see the truth in his words.

Ever since he had gotten closer to Lily, most every fight that occurred between him and Potter were either stopped or interrupted by Lily. Snape hadn't realized at first but now he couldn't help but think of all their mini skirmishes in the past few months. If any of their arguments evolved from harsh comments to the wands being taken out, Lily wasn't far behind, whether it was fate or not.

He turned towards Lily with narrowed eyes and anger boiling in blood. When exactly had she found it okay to step in and put a stop to his arguments? And why hadn't he noticed it before Potter had said something?

Her freckled face had lost it's disapproving lines and the soft smile was back again as she looked up at him with the bright green globes of her eyes that were just captivating. No, it was definitely not okay.

"Do not," he said calmly but firmly, "think you have the right to put a stop to all of our arguments and jinx casting Evans."

The Gryfindor's eyes winded at the sound of her surname being uttered. Snape hadn't used her surname in months and he could tell by the soft smile being formed into a grim line that she was hurt. He didn't have the decency to care at the moment. He could barely feel his legs and the bitterness of soap still caked his tongue and all this time he hadn't realized that Lily had been the one to put a stop to any arguments that occurred between him and Potter. Whether it was her business or not.h

Lily glared at him. "I don't like to see two of my friends constantly at each others throat Sev," she fired back.

"You knew that he and I shared a mutual hatred way before you decided you wanted to chase me down and claim me as a your friend. Remember that."

Snape turned on his heel feeling like that day in the library was repeating itself all over again but he didn't stop. He continued down the corridor by himself not bothering to look back over his shoulder.

Lily

Lily slammed her books on the table with a loud thud and didn't wait to hastily load food onto her plate when she knew very well she wasn't going to eat any of it.

"What's up with you?" Macmillian asked.

"Why do I make friends with such insufferable gits?" she snapped.

Macmillian raised an eyebrow at her small outburst.

Lily could feel her cheeks warm and knew that she was on the verge of a breakdown but she couldn't stop herself. The scene in the hallway replayed in her head.

Evans.

He'd called her Evans. The last time he had addressed her using her surname was before Christmas and she'd be lying if she said it didn't hurt. To be honest, she didn't realize she was involving herself in every fight her two friends ended up in, but when she looked back at the past few months she could truthfully say that she had put a stop to many of them before they got out of hand. No wonder Snape had addressed her so coldly. His pride had been wounded and James brought it to his attention. But that didn't mean he had to go completely stone on her. Lily was always scolding James whenever she caught him teasing some other students and she just couldn't help but involve herself in an argument between her two closest friends that she knew would end badly.

"You tell me," Macmillian said with a grin.

"All I did was break up a few fights," she insisted to the confused blonde haired Gryfindor by her side. That's a lie, her brain hissed at her.

"Slow down there firecracker." Macmillian looked like she was on the verge of laughing.

Lily turned towards Macmillian. "Do you understand how difficult it is to see two friends go at each others throat every day?" she asked her friend.

Macmillian, fortunately, stayed silent and shook her head instead.

Lily sighed and rubbed her temple, trying to rid of the headache that had formed as she had been trying to find a solution to her problem. The simple answer, there was no solution. Snape and James were never going to stop hating each other, never going to stop their nasty comments or glares in the corridors. Hatred couldn't be cured.

"Maybe you shouldn't get involved," Macmillian offered.

Lily looked up at her. She was right. To make both friendships work out, it would be easier to leave the two be. Let them strangle each other and insult one another on each others appearances for godrics sake. As long as she kept to herself during one of their tiffs no one's pride would be injured and the friendships she had wouldn't be on the line.

Spitting out a quick thanks, Lily gathered her discarded books and walked out of the great hall. She'd begin going to the library as often as she used to. If one of them needed to find her, then they would know where to look.

Snape

The red headed lioness was obviously fuming as she practically ran out of the Great Hall. Her face was flushed red but she obviously had something she intended to do. He could tell by her intent focus on the exit out of the Great Hall.

After he had calmed down somewhat Snape found he was rather sorry for the way he had spoken to the Gryfindor but didn't she think of what the friendship between her and himself would entail? Not only did he hate the one and only saint Potter, king of the Gryfindor house, but Potter also hated him. Lily decided to become friends with both himself and James.

"What happened between you two?" Bohemian asked, glancing in the direction Lily had just gone.

"No arguing with Potter," Snape grunted.

"Ah." Bohemian understood and nodded his head absently. "You and Potter have some issues," he commented.

Snape pinned him with a withering look.

"I could talk to her," Bohemian offered excitedly.

Snape sighed. "I'm capable of handling it." He definitely did not need another person stepping in and solving his problems. Besides hadn't he and Bohemian agreed that their friendship wasn't even a friendship at all? The most they had done in the past five years was trade notes and now all of a sudden, Bohemian was intent on fixing his problems?

Bohemian shrugged aside Snape's sharp tone and focused his attention on his Transfiguration book. "I have your notes for you." He grabbed three scrolls of parchment and slid them over to Snape.

"Why so many?" Snape asked with raised eyebrows.

"O.W.L.s this year," Bohemian said as if it were obvious. "McGonagall loads on work this time of year. I kept these from last year so they're all yours."

Snape grumbled what he hoped was seen as a thank you and returned to picking at his oatmeal. Because of the fight he'd gotten in with James earlier he had missed Lily giving him information on the music she listened to.

Yes, he acted like he wanted nothing to do with it. Which in a way he did. But he had to admit that muggle music just seemed fascinating. On his way back from his detention yesterday evening, he had learned she used large discs called records to play her music. Something he learned was old fashioned for her. Snape himself never listened to music. Books were more his thing and his parents obliged when he would request a few more galleons in order to purchase another book or two, as long as they didn't have to see him.

His parents. Snape's thoughts dropped Lily all together to think of his small but not knit-tight-family. The school year would be over within two months and then he'd have to go back to that wretched house of his. Unless of course...No. He would not let his thoughts wander to that important piece of information.

Snape cleared his throat and tried with much difficulty to clear his thoughts. Since when did his life become so difficult? And since when did he start caring?

Lily

Later that evening Lily was by the portraits. She wanted a chance to talk to Lethina again. If someone had told her she'd be seeking out portraits to talk to among the walls of Hogwarts once again she would've thought them crazy, but here she was looking for company in Lethina the calm elegant sister of Rowena Ravenclaw and Sir Cadogan the knight, if he was there of course.

Lily had avoided this place altogether for a few months. Reason being, she'd had no reason to visit the portraits anyways and this particular spot for Lily seemed to be the hot spot for attracting visitors. The first one being Lupin, who she now knew to be on his way out of the castle during that walk, and Eleanor Parkinson.

"It's been quite a while since we've seen your face around here," Lethina's soft butterfly voice drifted from the portrait.

Lily smiled. "I've been busy."

The old woman in the next portrait over who surprisingly wasn't screeching at unwanted visitors this time, sent Lily a look of loathing before she wandered out of her frame, probably in hopes of escaping her presence.

"What brought you here?" Lethina asked.

Lily thought about the question. She wasn't even exactly sure what had brought her here. All she knew was that she had wanted to get away from the over crowded common room, and though the Room of Requirement had been a desireable choice, it didn't feel right that she should be in there without Snape. It had become their spot.

"Just to say hello I suppose," she finally answered at last.

Lethina smiled and tilted her head, causing her waist length of hair to fall into her sparkling eyes. Lily had to admit that this young woman looked like a goddess. She could just see the glow around her.

"Well I believe someone else would like your company," the young witch said with a smile.

Confusion dawned on Lily. Who would want her company right now? Macmillian was with Arthur doing Godrics knew what somewhere in the castle, Snape hadn't spoken a word to her all day, and James was still upset with her about taking Snape's side all the time. Something she truly didn't think she did. All she wanted was the end to the argument.

Before Lily could question what Lethina said the witch stepped out of her frame and into another unknown one. Lily turned around and the confusion was gone. Bohemian stood leaning against the same wall Parkinson had been leaning against when they had encountered each other.

Godric, this really was a place to attract unwanted company.

"Hi Bohemian," she greeted cheerfully. It had been awhile since they had actually spoken to one another. Since he was a year above her they shared no classes and she definitely was not going to start eating at the Slytherin table again. That would cause an uproar.

"You converse with portraits in your spare time?" he asked with a grin that lit up his face.

Lily laughed. "Sometimes. They are actually very entertaining. Have you ever met Sir Cadogan?"

"Is that the knight who runs through all the portraits declaring war?"

"Yes, that's the one."

Bohemian laughed. "I may have to follow your lead and start conversing with some paintings then. I have my eye on a young woman dressed in velvet," he whispered to her, as if there were people around and he were telling a secret.

"Oh really?" she said with raised eyebrows. "Dare I ask who?"

Bohemian grinned. "She resides near the Great Hall on the left side of the corridor. She has three faithful cats for companions."

"I'll have to introduce myself to her one of these days," Lily teased.

Her and Bohemian began walking together down the hallway, no destination in mind.

"I actually was seeking you tonight. I wanted to talk," he said seriously a few minutes later.

Lily eyed him from the corner of her eye. His brown hair was a shade darker than James' and whereas James' was always ruffled and windblown, Bohemian's was neat and tidy, not a hair out of place. His features held a sense of a smile even when he wasn't wearing one and Lily couldn't help but wonder why he didn't have more friends. Other than Snape, she knew he didn't converse much with anyone else, but he was such a loveable guy. It took weeks for to get Snape to even acknowledge her and even longer after that to warm up towards her. Bohemian was always warm and inviting.

"What did you want to speak to me about?"

"Snape," he said bluntly.

Lily stopped in her steps and turned towards Bohemian. Was he against their friendship too? "Why?" she asked suspciously.

As if reading her mind Bohemiam rushed to continue talking. "I have nothing against your guys' friendship," he assured. "I just wanted to say to take it easy on him."

When she stayed silent he began speaking again. "Snape is a cold person because of the life he's lived and he's like me, he doesn't want to let anyone in. Not even me. You're the first person he's ever actually befriended and it's difficult for him," Bohemian explained.

"What are you trying to say?" she asked.

"Because you're a muggleborn things have been more difficult for him. Early into his first year, he earned the respect for his housemates, mainly because he invoked fear when the other students realized he wouldn't be swayed by their bullying, and because Ara had made a point to speak to him on more than one occasion. His reputation in the Slytherin house is a big deal and when one girl whom many dislike because of her blood, swoops in and befriends him, they find it disgusting and traitorous."

"His pride gets in the way," Lily commented.

Bohemian smiled softly at her. "Everyone's pride gets in the way one time or another. Gryfindors and Slytherins seem to have more problems with it than most."

Lily nodded again, thinking about what Snape had to go through to maintain a friendship with her. If it was that difficult why didn't he just drop her? It wasn't like he wanted to be friends in the first place anyways.

"Just take it easy on him," Bohemian said, interrupting her thoughts.

"I will," she said. But she already was, and even that didn't seem enough to break down his walls.

Bohemian waved goodbye and she started towards her common room by herself. Somehow, she'd figure out Snape.