Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the wonderful wizarding world and all credit must be given to Ms. JK Rowling, however, anything unrecognisable is of my own creation.

Chapter 38: A Friendship Broken

Sirius had persuaded me out of the library and we're now sitting under a tree beside the black lake. It's turned into a lovely afternoon, considering it's still February. I am sat watching James and Remus playing wizard's chess, with Peter who's attempting to help James. Sirius is lying with his head on my lap, which usually means stroke me, so I'm raking my fingers through his hair.

'You're such a mutt sometimes.' Sirius opened his eyes to stare towards me.

'You think I haven't heard that before.' I smirked, gazing out towards the mountains. The peaceful scene was interrupted when Lil appeared with tears streaming down her face. She threw herself into James's arms, and scattered the game of chess everywhere. James looked helplessly towards me, meaning I spoke.

'Lily, what's happened?' Lily's face appeared from the position where it was buried into James's shoulder.

'He... he...' That's all Lil managed to splutter out, meaning I moved forward and placed a hand on her shoulder.

'Who?' This time, Lily looked up and spat out the name.

'Severus!' Oh. I glanced towards James, who seemed to be holding his tongue: Sirius opened his big mouth.

'What's the greeseball done? Did he ruin your favourite cauldron?' The glares Sirius received were well deserved: Lily snapped at him.

'No! He called me a mudblood!' There was a deafening silence, though, James looked furious. Lil wiped her eyes: and I watched her bravery kick in. Her voice was steadier as she continued describing the event. 'Severus doesn't approve of the company I keep, he said I need to stop hanging out with blood traitors.' James interrupted.

'Me?' Lily glanced towards the wild-haired boy, flushing red as she realised how close she was to him.

'Yes... well, all of you. He said it would've been easier if I were in Slytherin. I yelled at him... and he called me a mudblood.' James pulled Lil back into his arms at this point.

'He obviously doesn't realise how great you are if your friendship is too much effort for him.' I don't think the Marauders noticed, but I noticed how Lily shuffled closer to James as he hugged her.

By the time Snape found Lily, the tears had gone from her eyes. He hesitated, before approaching us: with good reason because each of the Marauders reached for their wands. Lily climbed to her feet.

'What do you want, Sev?!' There was acid in her tone and it made Snape flinch.

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... it... it just came out.' Lil lost it at this point.

'It just came out! Severus! We're best friends! It shouldn't just come out! You're just like the rest of them!' Snape flinched again, before sneering.

'... and you're... you're a jumped up Gryffindor.' The next second, Lily had attempted to hex Snape, before any of us could make a move. Snape dodged the first hex, but Lily was furious by now and continued casting hex after hex towards him. The Marauders were speechless at Lily's wrath: I knew she had it in her from the stories I'd heard, but I was still amazed. Snape was having a difficult time blocking some of the hexes.

'I love these jumped up Gryffindors, they're far from perfect, but they'd never... never!... hurt me! They're family! Reducto!' Snape blocked this curse, though it rebounded off of Snape's shield and blew up a nearby boulder. Sirius flinched: I doubt any of the Marauders have seen this side of Lily. Lily froze as the boulder shattered into a million pieces. I knew she didn't want to hurt Snape, even if he deserved it. 'Don't ever come near me again.' Lily's voice had gone cold, and there were tears in her eyes. Snape attempted to plead for Lily to forgive him, but then she delivered the final blow. Lily turned to James. 'James, walk back to the common room with me.' James managed to smile, even though; he was still in awe over Lily's impressive display of defensive hexes. He offered his arm, which Lily accepted.

'Sure Lil.' James and Lily walked off towards the castle. I watched Snape, who just stood there looking heartbroken. A moment passed, before Snape lost his temper and aimed a hex at the three remaining Marauders. I blocked the hex.

'Severus Snape! You've only got yourself to blame!' Snape sneered at us, before storming off. Peter's voice appeared.

'Thanks, Hermione.' I smiled towards the Marauders.

'It's alright, Peter... though James will need to watch his back.'

A/N: I know it's short, and I've been spoiling you all with longer chapters recently, but hope you all enjoy this chapter. Sorry to any Snape fans out there, but this day was bound to come eventually: and next few chapters might see Snape not fairing so well, though, haven't decided yet. Thanks to katiek121 and Dragonfan47 reviews from the last chapter, both of whom I must admit are on the ball :P... and in answer to MaeSilverpaws1's question as to whether the three Black sisters will be blessed with the Black Family Curse, you'll have to wait and see, but I have written future chapters that involve them. Anyway, remember to review. Love RoxannetheLaugh x