36 – Earthquake Weather

Snape had every intention of making the journey to the Lost City to warn Voldemort about the twist in the Christmas Challenge, but Slughorn was waiting at his Slytherin room, immediately snapping him back to reality.

"Severus, m' boy, good day to you. How's Lily?"

Snape sighed. He wanted to return to his, mostly, sweet memory of the Cambridge train ride with Lily, not exchange pleasantries with the Slug Club king. "She seems to be recovering well."

"That's excellent news. I was afraid she'd be cooped up in that infirmary and miss the big event. Speaking of which, I could really use your help setting up."

"Well, Professor, I need to—"

"Nonsense, m' boy. Nothing could be more important than the education you'll experience with the Christmas Challenge. What a splendid opportunity to showcase your skills, but you can't show them off if the room isn't setup. " Slughorn patted him on the shoulder while Snape begrudgingly followed him to the classroom.

For the next several hours, he helped Slughorn rearrange the room, so that the tables were put into a circle, clearing the center of the room for a stage, which Slughorn provided and instructed Snape how to put together. Every detail in the room was inspected, none of them being too small for a mini-makeover. (Even the bust of Merlin which had an anti-dust charm was polished.) "I'll repay you later, Severus. I'm sure I can dig up some more of that butterbeer with that rare killer bee honey."

"I could use a fire whiskey," said Snape.

Slughorn tilted his head back and gave a hearty laugh. "Oh Severus, quite the charmer today, are we?"

"I'm not kidding," said Snape, quiet enough so Slughorn couldn't hear. The whole event was maddening. Was the professor intentionally doing this to him? Voldemort believed that Dumbledore was prepared for the Dark Tourist, but how much did he know? And had he already warned Slughorn, and was Slughorn purposefully keeping him under watch until the Challenge? Normally this menial classroom labor was reserved for the Quidditch dynamic duo, which endeared James and Sirius to the pudgy, little professor all the more.

By the time Snape got back to his room, it was getting later in the day, but he still had enough time to get to the Lost City, warn Voldemort, and return to Hogwarts, except this time Lily was waiting at his door. "You said you were going to come visit me," she said in a pouty voice. "And here's your record." She handed him the Peggy Lee vinyl, "I've Got a Crush on You."

"I'm sorry, Slughorn needed my help to prepare for the big event. Are you feeling better?"

"Is he going to the Yule Ball?"

"Oh," Snape shifted uncomfortably. "He was talking about the Christmas Challenge. Lily"—he took a deep breath—"about that. Something's kind of come up."

Lily didn't say anything, and if she had any idea of what he was about to say next, she didn't show it. She was twirling her hair, not a care in the world.

Snape glanced at his desk, his eyes trailing to the journal where he'd placed his portraits of Lily in coal, the same journal where he'd liberated his emotions by putting everything into words, constructing dreams of her where some had somehow become true. And now… "I can't go to the Yule Ball with you tomorrow."

Silence. Like before, if Lily was feeling anything, she didn't show any emotion. She simply looked back at him.

Snape waited for a reaction— anything—but she wasn't showing one. "Something has come up, and I don't want you to worry—"

"Why would I worry? I'm sure you have a very good reason to cancel on me." Her green eyes, which had so often turned to jade spears when she was upset with him, remained soft and noncommittal in the late afternoon sun shining through his window. She didn't seem to be bothered in the least by his cancellation.

"Of course," said Snape. "I feel really awfully, but I'm glad you can trust me. And I'm sorry I'm the reason you won't get to go."

Lily tilted her head to the side a little, as if this last statement didn't register. "Severus, you don't need to feel awful. I'm still going to go."

"Oh…" The room started to spin a little for Snape.

Harry silently mouthed the word, "O-U-C-H."

Snape was doing his best to hide the emotional tidal wave that had just hit him, but he has having difficulty keeping a deadpan expression. "You're not… upset at me? Are you going with—"

"Of course I'm not upset with you. You must have your reasons."

"Yes, well… Well, I'm still very sorry."

"It's okay. Before I leave, I want to give you something." She handed Snape a second vinyl record she'd been holding. "It's the 'Claire de Lune.' I thought you might like it. You could listen to it if you're alone tomorrow night."

Snape was speechless.

"Well, Severus, I should probably go. One more thing. Since you can't go to the ball with me, I'm going to accept the invitation from James."

Lily didn't wait for a response. She quietly left Snape's Slytherin room, leaving both he and Harry alone, and it was more difficult to tell who was shocked more.

The Philadelphia Orchestra's version of the Clair de Lune from Ocean's Eleven:

www youtube com/watch?v=s2Uo5kcDpyg