It's insane how many views this story is getting lately. Thanks for all reviews! This chapter is another lighter one. The next chapter will be...heavier.
littleLaralevin- I haven't decided, but it will either be at the very first scene with the letter or at Severus's death. I like the idea of ending it at the first scene because it's symmetric, but I love the part when Severus wants to look at Lily's eyes before he dies. I know it will be after Lily's death because I'm eager to show how it changes him as well as have his perspective on certain scenes, such as Harry's Sorting. I already have an epilogue planned, but I don't want to ruin it. Maybe I'll end it at the letter scene and use part of his death as the epilogue.
the reader- I agree completely. I know I read somewhere that JKR said Snape joined the Death Eaters to impress Lily, and that will definitely be one of Snape's main reasons in this fanfic. Right now, I'm focusing on the being someone aspect and the never having to worry about being abused or bullied. I know I wrote briefly about impressing Lily in an earlier chapter, (18? I think?) but that won't become a major reason, arguably the most significant, until fifth year when Severus worries about James/Lily and hopes to regain the respect she had for him when they were children. James is seen as a hero, whether it's Quidditch or fighting for the Order, which I think would make Snape dislike both even more, just on principle. It's just my idea, but I imagined that he pictured himself as James's complete opposite and hoped to win Lily over that way, which would mean becoming a Death Eater. If that makes sense. And third year will have slightly more jealousy, which should slowly build up. Fifth, sixth, and seventh years are when it will become most intense.
ALSO- My username used to be angeoudemon1. I changed it to "xitsrealforusx" because that happens to be one of my favorite quotes.
Chapter Twenty-Nine- The Departure
1973
As spring continued, the battle of Defense Against the Dark Arts escalated. Severus could never decide which side he wanted to lose more. As much as Caldwell had butchered his favorite subject, the Marauders were still the Marauders. He did know that watching the vein throb in Professor Caldwell's forehead was mildly entertaining, but then again, she was the only adult, other than Filch, who seemed to call them out on their antics. As long as Caldwell was miserable and the Marauders were sent to detention, he was satisfied.
"She looks like she's going to explode," Lily whispered, her green eyes fastened to the reddening professor in fascination. "Or murder them."
It had been a long lesson for Professor Caldwell. Once she finally managed to undo the Sticking Charm that Potter had set on her chair, Black had set off a few Filibuster fireworks, twice. As soon as Caldwell had succeeded in clearing the room the first time, Black had gleefully set off the second batch.
"I reckon she will do both," Severus murmured back. "I hope she murders them first."
"Sev!" Lily admonished. But then she gave a rueful smile. "Me too."
Severus couldn't help but grin.
Lily glanced toward the gaping spot where Lupin usually sat. Perhaps it was because the Marauders rarely left each other, but it seemed emptier than usual whenever he was absent. Severus felt grim pleasure that he was gone, only to have it vanish at Lily's next question. "I wonder where Lupin is."
"He's taking care of his furry little problem," Potter informed her as if she had addressed him, smirking ever so slightly. Lily stared at him in bewilderment for a second, opening her mouth to respond, and promptly shutting it when she remembered it was Potter.
"I don't know and I don't care," Severus told Lily as if Potter had not spoken, wondering why Lily cared. Lupin's absence in class was not new. Anyone could see why judging from the boy's sickly appearance. Rumor had it that his mother was even frailer, which was why Lupin constantly left Hogwarts to visit her.
But Severus didn't believe it. There was something off about Remus Lupin. There was something off about all the Marauders.
"Oi! Professor!" Potter sang out jauntily, interrupting Severus's sullen thoughts. He rumpled his hair in his usual arrogant manner, causing Severus to sneer. He wondered momentarily if there was a spell that would make Potter's mess of hair fall out. If not, he could always invent one. "Your hair is on fire!"
Severus observed Professor Caldwell's smoking hair with sudden interest. Hair on fire. That was an idea.
"Enough!" Caldwell's shrieked with sudden shrillness, causing Severus and several others to wince. "I've had enough. I'm a good teacher. I don't deserve this!" She held her wand to her hair. The flames vanished, but the hideous burning scent remained and so did her singed hair. She then pointed a menacing finger at Potter and Black. "You…beasts!"
"We prefer Marauders," Black chimed in modestly, triggering Caldwell's accusing finger to tremble. It was obvious that she had expected them to cower or repent, but both regarded her with bored expressions. Black even simulated a yawn as he casually leaned back, folding his hands behind his head, blue-gray eyes half closed. But Severus and the rest knew better. The Marauders thrived upon these moments.
"The Marauders, actually," Potter corrected him in a much more superior tone.
"Detention! For the rest of the year! Detention!" Any threat was lost in her air of desperation. Nothing could disguise it. The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was terrified. Severus almost pitied her. Almost. While the Marauders were known for being troublemakers, no teacher had suffered nearly as much as she had.
"You mean we get to see you every day after class?" Black asked with a hint of a smirk, the artificial apathy already shattering. Like Potter, he was savoring every second.
Professor Caldwell stared at him, the realization dawning on her, the horror that twisted her once cheery features only intensifying. With renewed vigor, she slammed her pointed hat on the desk in front of her.
"I quit!"
Potter and Black looked at each other triumphantly, their faces both cracking into identical smirks. That had been their aim all along. Severus's disgust grew as Potter held out his palm expectantly. An awestruck Pettigrew handed over a silver Sickle. Potter pocketed it with satisfaction and turned back to Black. "Remus owes us a Knut. I still can't believe he bet against us."
"Such brains yet such stupidity," Black said sagely. "He'll learn."
Caldwell looked as if she wanted very much to say something, but somehow she refrained. She pursed her lips together, and with as much dignity as she could muster, she marched out of the classroom. Her exit was met by cheers, mainly on the Gryffindor side, but a few Slytherins seemed to have difficulty in restraining themselves.
While the others crowded around a gloating Potter and Black, Severus and Lily used the departure as an opportunity to leave class early and escape Potter's swelling head. "I can't believe she actually quit," Lily marveled as the door fell shut behind them.
Severus quickly looked at her, not liking the expression he saw. He could not keep the contempt from creeping into his voice. "You don't think it's impressive or anything, do you?"
"Of course not," Lily said, the wonder swiftly draining from her features. "They were horrible to her. I'm just surprised they managed."
Severus relaxed at her response. Everyone else seemed to worship the Marauders, except for the Slytherins. The Slytherins simply loathed them because they were Gryffindors. Only Lily seemed to see the Marauders for what they truly were, and despised them for it.
"Leaving so soon?" Professor McGonagall's clipped voice rang out, causing Lily to jump as she and Severus turned around. She was looking at them expectantly, as if waiting for a reason to take off points.
"Caldwell is running for her life," Severus said rather sourly. "Everyone else is still celebrating."
"Professor Caldwell, Mr. Snape."
"Potter and Black, Professor," Lily interrupted, knowing that would explain everything. "Professor Caldwell quit."
McGonagall's nostrils flared in realization as she drew herself up to her full height. "Thank you, Miss Evans." Without another word, she swept past them, her chin held high, her steely eyes narrowed.
Severus half-smiled with sudden satisfaction. Hopefully the Marauders would have everything they deserved.
1973
Professor Caldwell's departure made the Marauders more renowned than ever. Unfortunately for Potter and Black, they didn't have much time to luxuriate in their escalating fame. McGonagall had made sure of that. To Lily's delight, they were to clean every classroom in the castle, the Muggle way.
Defense Against the Dark Arts became considerably duller without the Marauders' constant pranks, even if the lectures became more interesting. The other teachers took turns teaching and there were far less notes to be taken. Lily would have been anxious about their final exam, but she had Severus as a best friend. He taught her everything that he suspected might appear on the test, with the skill and fervor of a dedicated professor.
Even now, as they lounged underneath the shade of their tree, parchment blowing in the breeze, Lily could not miss the way his coal black eyes glittered with sudden life as he delved deep into his favorite subject. She knew that familiar sparkle well. His eyes used to gleam that way when he was telling her stories about Hogwarts.
"You should be a teacher, Sev. You know more about this stuff than anyone I know."
"Stop stalling," Severus said sternly, but from the way his lips twitched, she could tell that her compliment had pleased him.
"I'm not! I really mean it," Lily protested, but she returned to scribbling down everything she knew about vampires, hoping it would meet Severus's rare approval. He may have been her friend, but when he was tutoring her, he was even more rigorous than Professor McGonagall. "Finished."
Severus inspected her answer, his swift eyes scanning the parchment in a quick yet thorough motion. Lily felt an unexpected twinge of anticipation. Defense Against the Dark Arts was one of her weaker subjects, and Severus had insisted they spend the entire afternoon reviewing until she felt confident. She thought her answer had been decent, but she had been mistaken several times over the past two hours.
"Excellent, Lily!" Severus said, his dark eyes lighting up with pride. "You remembered everything."
Lily exhaled, not even realizing that she had been holding her breath. She beamed at him, feeling a rush of relief wash over her. "I told you, you should be a teacher."
Severus brushed away her compliment, but his lips twitched again. "We should go over jinxes next."
"Break first," Lily announced decisively, leaping to her feet before he could protest. "We've been studying all afternoon."
"That was the general idea," Severus said dryly.
Lily pretended to not hear him and waltzed down to the lakeside without a second thought. Severus had been even more solemn than usual over the past few days, and Lily had decided that he needed a break even more than she did. He would come after her, sooner or later. Lily eyed the lake anticipatively. The water sparkled beautifully, cool and inviting, and it was such a hot day…
"Lily Evans, you get back here!"
Lily shook her head rebelliously, looking over her shoulder to a secretly amused Severus. "You'll have to catch me first!" Without a second thought, Lily kicked off her shoes and swung her legs into the delightfully chilled water, immediately feeling refreshed.
It didn't take long for his cool shadow to loom over here. Lily bit her lip to keep from smiling, the rest of the plot already forming in her mind.
"We still have to go over jinxes and we haven't even started on countercurses."
"Fine, Sev," Lily stood up reluctantly, facing him with feigned resignation. As her lips quirked, Severus's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but he was too late. Lily had mirthfully pushed him in. He let out a strangled shout and disappeared beneath the surface.
Lily giggled, pleased with her work. But as the surface of the lake returned to its former smooth as glass appearance, a sliver of worry trickled down her spine. She crept close to the edge, falling to her knees to where he had been moments ago. "Sev?"
There was no answer. Lily swallowed, wondering if the giant squid had found him. It was her fault if it had. She glanced around nervously before inhaling deeply, unable to keep the dread from surging through her, cold and unbearable. She would have to go after him.
All of a sudden, there was a noisy splash and Severus soared above the water victoriously, only to seize her arm and drag her into the lake with him. In half-fear, half-delight, Lily tumbled into the water with an even louder splash.
Once Lily had finished spluttering, she glared teasingly at him, her red hair swirling around her, completely soaked. Her robes were clinging to her uncomfortably, but she couldn't have cared less. Even in her mock angry state, she couldn't keep her lips from turning up. Her little scheme had worked out perfectly. "I can't believe you!"
"You deserved it!" Severus cried out. "I can't believe you pushed me in!"
"I can't believe you tricked me!"
"Call it even?"
Lily pretended to consider it and without delay, dunked him under the water. When he surfaced, spitting out water with a disgusted face, she smiled angelically at him. "Now we're even."
Severus sent a spray of cold water toward her in response. There was an unusual playfulness in his behavior, an aspect that had become even more uncommon since attending Hogwarts. While Lily had always admired his seemingly endless shrewdness, she liked him best when he let his guard down and acted his age. It made him seem free and, overall, happier. "Now it's war."
Lily shrieked with laughter and valiantly fought back, sending an even more massive splash his way. It fell over him in an icy sheet, causing him to sputter all over again. Once he had pushed the drenched curtains of hair from his eyes, he sent a dangerous look her way, a look Lily knew all too well.
She braced herself just as the lake engulfed her in its frigid waters. When she finally emerged, she glowered at Severus, who was looking rather proud of himself. He looked even more gratified when he took in her disheveled appearance. "You'll pay for that!"
As they became lost in their own mischief, their laughter resounding loudly throughout the grounds, the world around them was forgotten. If they had looked back, they would have seen a flock of Slytherins on one side of their tree, and a band of Gryffindors far on the other.
Both were watching them.
Neither looked happy.
