Chapter 26

"Please come in, professor", said the old professor.

In came the old witch covered in a deep emerald robe, with a pointed hat on her head. Professor's wrinkles deepened with worries as she walked across the room and sat down in a chair. Professor Dumbledore stroke his long white beard while his blue eyes stared from the window. Professor McGonagall waited patiently until the old wizard sorted out his thoughts.

"I heard Mr. Black and Miss Evans have returned from Saint Mungo's." Dumbledore said as he returned from the window to his chair.

Professor McGonagall nodded curtly, staring at the normally sparkling blue eyes.

Dumbledore sighed, eyeing his table with vacant stares. He forced a small smile when he looked up to meet her eyes.

"How are they?" he asked.

Professor McGonagall drew in a short breath before she spoke.

"Fine, I heard. Madame Pomfrey assured me the hospital had removed all poison from their systems. They should be fine within a week."

"Good news at last", the old wizard said nodding his head.

A skinny eyebrow of the old witch quirked, "I failed to see what the good news is that a couple of students have recovered from a severe poisoning which was caused by one of the most dangerous creatures on history. They could have died, Albus. So would the Snape boy if he hadn't been braving as well as smart enough."

A twinkle returned in his deep blue eyes at those word. Feigning nonchalance, Dumbledore held his gaze upon the witch before opening his mouth.

"Indeed, it would have been catastrophic if it weren't for Mr. Snape and his wit."

Catching the unspoken meaning, Minerva quirked her eyebrow, eyeing the sly man like a hawk. A twitch around her thin lips displayed her reapproval against the man's habit.

"I must confess, I have failed to see such talents in Mr. Snape. Though, Horace boomed in pride when I told him what I say to you now. The man insisted that he always knew what a jewel that boy is."

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, breaking off the old wizard's babbling. It was clear from her eyes that she didn't appreciate the way Dumbledore seeing the current situation. Students were attacked in the middle of a road from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts, which means the enemies are getting closer to the school. More lives of innocent children could be in danger and the man's first thought is the idea of excavating a new weapon. It was outrageous!

"Albus, it is imperative that we enforce more security around the castle. We must ban all trips to Hogsmeade and surveil the castle ground at all times. We do not know what could happen next-"

"Of course, Minerva, of course we must do all we could to prevent the next victim." Albus held up his hand, trying to calm her down.

Minerva furrowed her brows, but she quickly smoothed out her face. She knows this man. Of course, he have everything under control. The hearty old witch glared at the old wizard, waiting for him to confide his plan to her.

Dumbledore smiled softly, not particularly looking anywhere.

Professor McGonagall twitched as she grew impatient with him.

"Albus-"

"I shall enforce the protection even further, my dear. And I will inform Mr. Filch to cover all holes in the castle to ensure no one comes in or goes out", Dumbledore announced in an assuring voice.

Professor McGonagall harrumphed, not quite ready to shake off her growing impatience.

"But I must say, it is quite extraordinary that Mr. Snape had killed the serpent on his own."

…...…...…...…...…...…...…..

Sirius was in the dark alone. He did not know where he was, so he walked until he saw a small light from a distance. In a relief, Sirius hurried towards the light and found a small, yet graceful doe standing in the dark. It was beautiful. Awe-struck, Sirius tried to reach for the doe. But she seemed like she didn't even notice Sirius. Before he could touch her, the doe ran forward. Sirius followed her.

No, don't go. Please.

Sirius grew desperate as he couldn't reach for her while he could still see her.

Wait!

He shouted. No, he thought he shouted but no sound came out. Sirius felt frustrated at this loss of his voice. Please don't go, he pleaded silently.

The doe finally stopped. Sirius sighed in relief when he closed his distance with the doe but soon realized what the doe was after. A girl with deep red hair and bright green eyes.

His heart stopped beating and he felt his blood washed out from his body. Sirius couldn't even breathe.

The doe slowly approached the girl and gently, she nudged her nose to the girl's extended palm. The girl stroked her affectionately. The soft coat ruffled slightly as the doe rubbed herself against the girl's gentle touch.

Sirius clenched his fists. His heart started to pound his rib cage as the fiery anger enflamed inside him.

Sirius took a sharp breath as he was abruptly brought back to conscious with a jolt of his heart. Springing upright, he gasped and panted, trying to catch his breath. Sirius pushed his palm down on his chest to calm his furiously beating heart. When it calmed, Sirius was able to clear his head and sort out his memory. He was in the hospital, after being poisoned. Sirius looked around. The room was dark, but he could make out a line enough to see that he was in the hospital wing.

He vaguely remembered someone caressing his cheek but there was no one beside him.

Sirius bit his lip hard at the sudden sense of cold.

He breathed out shakily, trying to shake the feeling off. But it failed and brought back more dread to his heart. A doe. A fucking doe. Sirius screwed his eyes shut. A fucking doe. He repeated like a mad man.

Sirius could remember the day when the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher taught them Patronus Charm. He failed to produce one. James Potter conjured up a majestic stag. Lily Evans a doe. Severus Snape- he thought the boy failed as well.

Stupid, stupid me. Sirius chuckled to himself.

Severus Snape, as it turned out, has a doe for his Patronus.

Just like the one Lily Evans has.

A tinge of smile disappeared abruptly, and a pure envy replaced its place. It's just unbelievable that a person could love someone so deeply and so devotedly that no matter what that person does to you, you love her still. Sirius had to give him applause for his devout love for Lily Evans.

When the grey eyes were revealed, there was cold rage burning inside them.

But Sirius can't let him go. He wouldn't let him go.

There was a hollow in his heart whenever Severus Snape was not near him. The boy has taken his place in Sirius' heart and whenever he is gone, Sirius felt dark void inside that he never felt before. Was it really newly discovered feeling? He did not know. What he knew was that he must hold on to Severus and never let go of him.

He won't lose him to Lily Evans.

Never.

…...…...…...…...…...…...

"Now, Mr. Black, you must be cautious at all times. They drained all poison out of your body but still, it would not be wise for you to start your daily routine as you did before. And-"

"Yes, Madame Pomfrey, I heard you the first time. May I leave?" Sirius interrupted the matron's rant before it gets too long.

He was stuck in this room for days after he woke up in the middle of night. He saw Lily Evans, the redheaded bitch, being discharged out of this hospital two days before him. The anger he felt at seeing her leaving while he stuck in this shithole was enough to drive him mad. And the things she could be doing to Sev while he' here were scaring the hell out of Sirius. Yet, the hearty old matron insisted that he required more rest as Sirius drank the serpent's venomous blood.

So, he waited for Severus to come for him, but she wouldn't even let any visitors in. All for his well-being, she said. When he felt like he was going to die inside the hospital out of boredom and anxiety, Madame Pomfrey finally announced his discharge.

Madame Pomfrey didn't appreciate his rudeness, but she said nothing but 'be careful, boy', and let him out. Overwhelmed with joy, Sirius opened the door and felt the happiness evaporating quickly.

The moment he walked out of the motherfucking hospital wing, Sirius thought he'd see Severus right away. Instead, however, he found the marauders waiting at the corridor. Only the marauders. Sirius frowned, looking for Severus but was quickly diverted as James hurried over him.

"Sirius! Finally!" he cried out.

James stretched out his arms and embraced him tightly, making him choke. Sirius returned the hug back, but his eyes kept on wandering the hallway. When his grey eyes met the green ones, Sirius opened his mouth to ask. However, James interjected.

"You look like crap. Let's go to the dormitory." James pushed Sirius' back, urging to him walk towards the Gryffindor Tower.

"Er-, wait-" Sirius wanted to look for Severus, so he tried to stay but James kept on pushing him and Peter pulled him forward, while Remus collected his belongings and walked along quietly.

When they reached to the Tower, Sirius was forced to sit down on an armchair in the common room. James, looking down at him with worrying eyes, sat on the sofa next to it.

"Mate, how do feel? What did Pomfrey say? Are you going to be alright?"

And he started to bombard him with questions.

"What happened? Did Snape really kill that snake? Or was it you? No one tells me anything!"

And followed by Peter, fidgeting like an impatient little eight-year-old.

"Oh, stop it, Peter." Remus chastised him coldly. "Later."

Peter's face fell. James, not giving even a glance to the chubby boy, prodded Sirius on. "So? Are you going to be alright?"

Sirius hesitated, as he was struggling inwardly whether to stay here, indulging his friends or to go out and search for Severus. He really wanted to see Severus. But the three pairs of worrying and caring eyes pressed on his guilt. Of course, they worry him. They are his friends. Gulping down the urge to leap from the chair, Sirius faked a smirk. "Oh, Prongs. I knew you has hots on me, mate, but this is unbecoming of you and little bit creepy."

James face fell and he coughed unnecessarily. "I see you are exactly the same."

Remus chuckled softly.

"Yeah, I am. They drained the venom out so I'm good as new." Sirius said with a reassuring grin.

James pouted before breathing out a sigh of relief. "Well, you'd better get inside so you can take some rest."

"Well, actually I was going to-"

"You are not seeing Severus Snape." James cut him across with a stern look.

Sirius closed his mouth, dumbfounded. When he opened his mouth to reject, James pulled him forcibly from the chair and led him to upstairs. Remus and Peter followed silently. Sirius stumbled slightly into their dorm room as James pushed him from his back.

"What are you doing?" Sirius asked bewildered by their bizarre behaviors. They acted as if they knew what he was thinking and pushed him by the shoulder to make him sit down on his bed.

Sirius felt the annoyance bubbling up. "I had enough sleep over the past week. I'm fine."

"Yeah, well, you never know." James blatantly replied as he searched Sirius' drawers for nightwear.

Sirius snatched his pajamas from the air as his mate tossed it. "What do you mean by that?" He frowned as James did not response. Out of frustration, Sirius turned to Remus, who knew of his intention and worries. Surely, he'd be sympathetic with him, Sirius thought.

But when his grey eyes found the green ones, Sirius found nothing. Screwing up his face in an anger, Sirius turned to Peter who was exactly the same as Remus.

"What are you guys talking about?" His pajamas scrunched up in his hand, Sirius studied their faces.

They all looked at him with a certain look which Sirius could not grasp. After a moment of staring at each other's, James finally gave in to his own frustration and anger.

"You were poisoned by a fucking Runespoor, Sirius! A Runespoor!" He busted out.

Sirius snorted, "yeah, I know. So what?"

James let out a frustrated chuckle, putting his hand on his forehead. Sirius felt the odd sensation seeing his friend in such state.

"You really don't get it, do you?" James asked, staring straight to his eyes.

Sirius admitted he wasn't following what James meant. James waited for something, but it was clear that Sirius was clueless, he snorted.

"You could have died, Sirius. You could have died", James told him. "Runsepoors are lethal. Their blood is pure venom, one drop of it could kill a Centaur. And you stupidly tore the Snake's head with your canine", James gritted out every word, his hazel eyes glazed with tears.

"You could have fucking died!" James cried. "And all because Severus fucking Snape! You could have died right there and then just to save Snape and you want to see the fucking git? Fuck no! You stay out of that motherfucker, or I swear to Merlin, I'm going to kill that cunt!"

Sirius couldn't say anything but watched the other marauder storming out of the room after screaming his gut out. Bewildered as he couldn't process everything that crosses his mind, Sirius stared at the door. A warm hand was laid on his shoulder. Sirius looked up to find Remus with rueful smile adorning his features.

"He's been out of his mind lately after seeing you lying there on the road. And with what's going on with Lily…. He's just worried, Sirius." Remus explained, gently squeezing his shoulder.

"Evans broke up with Prongs and she refused to see him afterward. He got kicked out when he visited Evans." Peter joined, a dark look falling across his features.

"Visited her?" Sirius repeated curiously.

Peter nodded with a grave look. "Yeah, she got admitted to the hospital, too. Didn't you know? She was attacked by the snake, as you did."

"He wasn't attacked by the snake, Peter", Remus corrected automatically. "Anyway, James thought you were going to die and so did we. You've got to understand how terrified we all were, Sirius."

Sirius fell silent. He roughly brushed his hair back, breathing out a sigh. Sirius' grey eyes met Remus'.

"Don't worry about Severus. You should rest for a while to regain yourself." Remus said.

Sirius bit his lip, objection caught in his throat. He wanted to tell him how he feel about Severus, and therefore, the urgency of the matter. However, Sirius found himself couldn't as he watched the concerns palpable in the green eyes.

"Mate, it wouldn't do good for Severus if you were to see him like this." Remus added, with an exasperated sigh.

Sirius quirked an eyebrow, "why?"

"No offense but you look like a corpse, and Severus needs to be assured that you are absolutely alright. Looking like you've just came back from death isn't going to help him do that. Just take some moment to heal yourself and then see him. Severus needs his own rest as well." Remus explained.

Sirius jerked, "What? Why? Did something happen to him?"

"No, he just- well, let's just say that he's been worried about you too." Remus stuttered.

"Why would he worry about Sirius?" Peter asked.

Remus rolled his eyes.

…...…...…...…...…...…...…...

Severus Snape was an odd boy living next to her town. Lily was living in a beautiful house with a green roof on top. Her town was vigorous place filled with laughter. Everyone in the town was the nicest people you can find, and she loved living there.

But just across the small river, there was a town called Spinner's End. That place was the opposite of her town. It was grim and dark and dangerous. But she loved going there, as did all the other kids. Like all children do, Lily loved adventure, especially to the other side of river where there was completely different life.

All parents warned their children of the danger lies in that town. Children, however, understand the word 'dangerous' as 'exciting' or 'mystical'. They often ignore the concerned parents and try to explore the unknown, while getting themselves into trouble more than often.

Lily was like them. She wanted to explore the unknown place called Spinner's End.

Spinner's End was actually not mystical at all. It was just an old town where the lower class resides. The working poor, so to speak. Though, Lily was sure most of them were jobless.

It was a ghetto, and young Lily did not understand what that means.

The first time Lily met Severus was when she went on her 'adventure'.

Later, she began to notice a boy peeping at her whenever she went to Spinner's End.

Then, a boy wearing mis-matched tatty old clothes reached for her the first time under a large tree.

That boy was Severus Snape. She thought Severus Snape was an odd boy wearing odd clothes. He was dirty, scrawny, and shy. Severus knew less about normal things but knew a lot about magical world. He never cries when hurt, yet, he shy away whenever Lily smiles.

But she liked Severus.

It was like having a little brother or a duckling following every step of hers, believing she's the mother duck. Severus clung to her like a desperate man in the dessert for water and Lily pitied him.

She never knew a pity could be directed to a friend. A friend should be about having fun together, laughing. That's what she knew about friends. But Severus taught her there could be millions of things more about being somebody's friend.

The first time she saw him bleeding from his forehead, she was introduced with the feeling of her heart aching. She felt protective of the boy. She saw that she was the only one who would care about the boy. And then, they grew up to be Hogwarts students, split up by house names. Severus was alone, even in his house. She was, again, the only one to be his friend. Severus clung to her and she held him tightly.

Responsibilities, that was another thing Severus taught her. Or rather, being Severus Snape's friend taught her.

She was the only one.

That gave astounding amount of pressure upon her shoulder. It was smothering, even. Severus clung to him as if he'd die without her and she felt like her world shrinking to a tiny circle where only him and Lily can fit in.

A jealousy Severus felt whenever Lily hang around with other students made Lily to refuse many offers of friendships. A desperate thirst for her attention made her ignore most of other activities.

Lily couldn't count how many times she rejected her friends asking her to go out. The times she had to change her plan to suit Severus' need were beyond numerous. Lily was an outgoing person who likes to enjoy a sunlight whereas Severus was reserved and indoor person. She likes watching Quidditch games, but she hardly remembers the last time she had watched the game.

But all these shouldn't be an excuse to leave a boy who was going to all alone without her. Lily tried to understand him, she honestly tried. Lily knew of his dark secrets and she knew Lily was the only one.

However, Severus kept on testing her patience.

Friendship should be both ways not one. If Lily Evans gave up a lot of things just to be his friend, Severus Snape should give up something to accommodate her. That is what a friend should do.

Lily chose Severus above all the others.

Severus at least should have chosen her over his obsession with the dark.

Lily tried to persuade him, talk him out of that stupid dark arts. But Severus was adamant. And in the end, he called her 'mudblood', letting her know every effort she put to help her friend failed.

So, she let him go. She let him walk away from her.

But why she wasn't feeling so good?

At first, she felt relieved to be free. She could choose whatever she likes to do, according to her preference. She was free to hang around with other friends, she was free to watch Quidditch and talk about boys and…

her mind just kept returning to Severus Snape.

A moment in her daily routine, a small object or some particular subjects, everything reminded her of Severus Snape. Of how she used to make potions with Severus or study in a library or walk along the lakeside or…. Of the things she could be doing with Severus. Those kinds of things just popped into her minds unannounced.

Then she becomes melancholy. Sad that she could no longer be with him, Lily mourned the lost.

She was so used to being with Severus that when he was gone, he left a hole in her heart. It hurt her deeply and the pain was so grave that she couldn't endure on her own. So, she placed the blame on Severus. She blamed Severus for ruining their friendship, accused his inability to change for the sake of her as the culprit of her pain. That made it easier for her to bear the pain.

But she still felt incomplete.

So, she tried a relationship with a boy who claimed to love her. But James Potter did not make her feel the way she felt when she was with Severus.

Then, she found out Severus had gotten himself alienated from the dark side. Severus finally detached himself from that wretched crowd. The knowledge gave Lily a tremendous amount of joy and a fear. She was glad but not entirely glad as she didn't know what to do with the truth. Lily already parted with Severus and was with James.

But when she saw Severus Snape strolling the Hogsmeade road with Sirius Black, holding their hands, something clicked inside her mind.

She cannot accept it. She wouldn't accept it that there was someone else taking her place beside Severus Snape.

She just finally found out that she loves Severus.

It was time that she set things right again. Lily broke up with James Potter right there and then and followed Severus. She waited for Sirius Black to leave when she saw the two departing and make a beeline to Severus before she was attacked by a snake.

Even in her poisoned state, she saw Severus coming to help her. Lily saw the Slytherin boy conjuring up a beautiful doe, the one very much like hers. There, lying on the cold ground, Lily witnessed his love for her. They were meant to be together; she was sure.

And when she opened her eyes at the hospital, Lily hoped to find Severus. Yet, she met a pair of worried hazel eyes, instead. A disappointed must have shown clearly, for James frowned in offense.

"I was so worried, Lily", whispered James.

Lily felt the tinge of guilt in her stomach at the soft-spoken voice, but she refused to indulge him. It wouldn't do any good for either of them to drag this relationship.

"Thank you, James, I appreciate it."

James smiled; tears welled up in his eyes. He tried to reach for her hands, but she withdrew them.

"But I think it is time for you to leave." Lily said.

James' face fell. He started to tremble as he lowered his gaze. Lily ruefully watched the round back of his head, her fingers twitching to stroke dark locks. She clamped her hands tightly to each other. Lily should not be soft with this. It would only hurt James.

"Why are you doing this? Tell me what is wrong, Lily. Tell me what I have done to you?" James snapped his eyes up, his hands clenched into fists.

Lily watched his hands shaking.

"This isn't about you, James. I'm sorry."

James let out a howl of laughter. "Then who's fault is it? Hmm?" His handsome face was scrunched up as if in pain, "I did everything I could, Lily. I love you; I love you", he repeated emphasizing every word.

"Lily, Lily. Tell me because I don't understand at all. Why we must be separated, why do we not belong to each other when I care about you so much! I've tried to understand you, I've tried to make this work." James screamed his pain.

Lily felt her own eyes welling up as well. She bit the inside of her cheek trying not to cry in front of James. This was her fault. She knew. Lily shouldn't have started this relationship from the first place.

"I know you did, I'm sorry, James. I am so sorry-"

"Stop saying that and tell me why!" James yelled.

Lily flinched under the intense glare James was shooting at her. She gulped. "I don't love you, James. I'm so sorry, but I don't", Lily sobbed. "I wished I did, that would have made things much simpler, I know. But I love Severus-" She confessed.

A drop of tear rolled down her pale cheek.

James shakily breathed out a sigh. He turned his head to the side, hiding from her stare. The Gryffindor boy nodded. "Alright. Alright, Lily."

"James, I'm so sorr-"

"It's alright, Lily. I understand now. And thank you for telling me." James turned his head to meet her gaze. He tried to smile but all came out was a crooked one.

"Goodbye."