Chapter 17: The Slug Club

Lily's Splinching incident provided a subtle but significant shift in how she and Severus interacted as their sixth year went on. No longer cool and even hostile towards him, Lily was now cordial, polite and soft-spoken whenever she found herself in a social situation with her former best friend. Though any hope or attempt at patching up what had been broken was still a long way off, Lily found little moments to extend an acknowledgement, if not quite an olive branch, in Severus's direction. She was touched that he grasped any and all of these opportunities like a lifeline.

There wasn't an apology for the awful slur he had hurled at her the end of last term. Lily didn't demand one, and Severus didn't offer one up. He had tried that the night he staged a lie-in outside Gryffindor Tower, and it hadn't gotten him anywhere, as the wound was still so fresh.

Still, Lily could still tell that, if not in words, Severus's actions and demeanor seemed to be doing more than enough to convey his remorse. She let that be enough for her, for now. No matter the circumstances, no matter the hurt done, it is never easy to admit when you are wrong – and though, Severus had clearly been in the wrong, Lily knew she had made him squirm long enough. She had been deeply touched that he had been so scared for her enough to carry her like a gentleman all the way to the Hospital Wing.

One of the ways in which the rift between her and Severus were Healing was in Potions. During their estrangement, Lily had switched partners to help Peter Pettigrew, who always needed an extra hand. Potter had tried to fill the void, but she had seen through that in a Hogsmeade minute. Severus had been left to find whatever partner he could get.

Now, though, she and Severus were back to huddling over a cauldron together, almost without any prior discussion, much to James Potter's clear consternation. Lily was thus reminded of the Christmas party Professor Slughorn always hosted for his favorite students. Lily had been ingratiated into the group from the time she was in first year. 'The Slug Club,' as it was nicknamed, was mostly populated by Slytherins, though Severus was decidedly not among these. Of the handful that were Gryffindors and enjoyed membership in Slughorn's inner circle, feelings about the Club ranged from genuine enjoyment to toleration, if for no other reason than appreciating the Club's advantages. Nepotism was hard to see when you were the one benefitting from it.

For the Christmas party just before the holiday break, members of the Slug Club were allowed to bring a guest if they so wished. Chancing a glance at her friend and studying his striking hooked nose as he peered into their cauldron, Lily was suddenly struck with an idea. It was insane, but, thinking back to the magical night they had shared after the Yule Ball coming up on a year ago exactly, she figured maybe it would be enough to begin paving the road back to full forgiveness for past transgressions.

"Severus?" she asked quietly.

He glanced up, attentive and mild-mannered. "Yes?"

"I…. I have a party to attend tonight. The Slug Club, and their annual Christmas celebration."

She couldn't help but giggle at the eye-roll Severus sent up to the ceiling. "Well, you mustn't skip out on that, even with exams and all," he drolled sarcastically.

"I know you don't like it, but I was hoping it might be an opportunity."

"For what?"

"A second chance," she stated bravely. "Would you go to the Christmas party with me tonight?"

Severus' face brightened in pleasant surprise, and Lily thought she saw his cheeks flush pink. "Like a date? Me? With you?"

"Uh-huh." Watching him continue to blush and stammer, she laughed musically. "Sev, it's not like we haven't gone on a date before."

She could see his mind taking him back to the night of the Yule Ball. "True enough." He nodded once firmly, deciding something, before turning back to face her. "Very well. I accept."

She chuckled, leaning in to brush her lips along his cheek. Several rows behind them, she didn't notice James Potter's eyes narrow.

Lily picked out her best dress and met Severus down by the dungeons. It wasn't a far walk to Professor Slughorn's private quarters, which had now been decked out with tables of food, butterbeer, and floating candles. Lily introduced Severus to the professor as her date, though Slughorn did not appear to remember who Snape was at first. Severus seemed to take it all in stride; if he was annoyed, he kept it to himself.

The pair hadn't been there very long when Severus boldly asked her, "Would you care to dance?"

Taken aback, Lily said Yes, letting him guide her out onto a small dance floor. Feeling his strong, burly arms take her by her waist and pull her tight to him, Lily felt her breath hitch.

"I…. I thought you said at the Ball that you didn't like dancing."

"Oh, I like dancing. I like dancing very much, thank you…. but only when you're my partner." Severus's cheeks turned an adorable shade of red.

And indeed, there was something different about the way Lily and Severus glided about in each other's arms than the way it had been at the Yule Ball. Severus's face was quite close to hers, his eyes and smile smoldering; it made Lily's heart race to be this close to him. Surprised but nonetheless terribly pleased by this new, sultry side to Severus – one that she had only briefly glimpsed during their very brief attempt at being romantically involved before it all came crashing down – Lily surrendered herself to it.

Maybe…. as she gazed into Severus's eyes…. maybe things could be the way they were before. She had always cared for him….

"Mind if I cut in?"

Lily and Severus snapped out of whatever trance they were under, turning their heads to see James Potter right next to them, a curious expression on his face as he glanced between them.

Severus let out a long sigh, making it clear just how much his mood – indeed, entire evening – had been ruined. "Potter. What are you and your merry band of layabouts doing here?"

"Heard the music. We thought we'd drop in on the party."

"You mean you crashed it," Lily revised for him, eyebrow raised. "James, you were only supposed to come as a guest of someone in…"

"What? That high-falutin' club of Slughorns that is mostly just for Slytherins anyway?" And he sent a soft glare in Severus's direction. Lily frowned, annoyed.

"In case you weren't aware, I'm the guest here under Lily's hospitality, not the other way around. Slughorn thinks as little of me as he clearly does about you and your… band. That he would care for any Gryffindor at all is rather a happy surprise; though, of course, no one besides Lily deserves it more." Severus smiled at her proudly and Lily felt herself flush pink at the praise.

James smirked. "Well, Snivellus, if you're so sure my mates and I are going to be kicked out so soon for gate-crashing, then you wouldn't mind my asking Lily for a dance? I'll have to grab it quick, you know, seeing as I'm on limited time."

Severus was about to say no, just to spite the bastard, until he remembered that he didn't speak for Lily. "What do you think, love?"

Lily's heart palpitated at the casual way Severus used the word 'love,'; she could feel the corners of his mouth crinkling all the more at how it caused James to scowl. Finally, she sighed and stepped out of Severus's arms to take James' hand. "One dance, Potter." And she dragged him by the hand deeper onto the floor.

Severus was heartened that, though Lily had acquiesced, she didn't look too happy about it. He floated over to the edge of the floor, by the punch bowls, watching James and Lily like a hawk and making sure Potter kept his hands where he should.

"Oi! All right, there, Snape?" And here were Avery and Mulciber, sporting drunken grins. Still keeping a watchful eye out for Lily, Severus didn't even turn his head.

"Let me guess: you lot crashed this party too, cuz I know bloody well Slughorn doesn't fancy either of you." He allowed himself a snicker at that.

Avery pouted dramatically. "Boo-hoo. Now I don't feel special…."

"Well, it certainly isn't one of your most original ideas, especially seeing as James Potter and his lot went and imitated it…" Off in one corner, he could see Sirius sodding Black kicking up his robes while Peter Pettigrew roared with laughter. Lupin was nowhere in sight – no doubt he was off somewhere with his little mate.

"We have news, Severus!" Mulciber clutched his arm excitedly. "The Dark Lord has officially accepted me and Avery here into his esteemed culture. Take a look at this, boy-o!" And both he and Avery pulled back their long sleeves with sinister grins, to reveal the tattoo of the Dark Mark imprinted on their skin.

Severus lifted an eyebrow, impressed. "Well, I suppose it's for a good cause…"

"What's for a good cause?" Lily suddenly appeared at his side, looking thoroughly relived to be done with that one promised dance for James. "Sev, I'm feeling a right bit famished. Would you care for some pasties….?" Her voice trailed off and she stopped short, green eyes widening in horror and revulsion as she got a good look at Mulciber and Avery's arms. Avery's grin just broadened, trolling her.

"Enjoy the sight of it while it lasts, Evans."

Lily didn't even have to speak. There was suddenly a flash of light and pustules were suddenly draining all over Avery's face, causing him to shriek. Her revenge taken with a little bit of clever non-verbal magic, Lily made a very obscene gesture in Mulciber's direction, before seizing Severus's hand and nearly frog marching him out of the party.

Severus could feel all the hope he been building up swept away as though in an angry tide… all because Lily had caught him standing with the wrong people in the wrong place at the wrong time. "Lily, I can explain…."

"So you think that is for a good cause, do you?!" she rounded on him, fuming, her fiery hair whipping behind her head like tongues of flame and her green eyes burning. Severus couldn't fathom how she could look so incredibly attractive, even when she was furious. "How can you even call those racists your friends? How can you even stand to associate with them?!" A sudden flash of inspiration hit her. "Roll up your sleeves."

Severus's heart broke. "Lily…."

He suddenly found the tip of her wand nearly up his nose. "Roll up your sleeves now, or I hex you! Wanna find out how much worse I can do? You won't have to ask Avery!"

Severus almost frantically rolled up his sleeves and held them out to her. The skin all the way along either arm was bare, his milky-white skin pale. Lily frowned hard, then performed the counter curse to the Concealing Charm over each arm. Nothing happened.

"So you haven't gotten the Dark Mark yet."

Severus shook his head, realizing his mistake too late. Lily pointed a triumphant, quivering finger in his face.

"Hah! I said yet. You may not have gotten it yet, but you want to, don't you, Severus?"

Severus stayed frozen to the spot, not even trusting his own skull not to betray him now. How to get out of this trap? How to make her see that he wasn't a monster?

"You meant what you said that day, didn't you? Down by the lake."

"No! No!" Severus cried out desperately, panicked.

"Yes, you did. If you hadn't, you wouldn't let yourself be seen with such filth as those…. Those…. Death Eaters!" she spat. Softening just a little, she reached out to touch his face. "Why would you ever want to be like them, Sev? I know you're a better person than that. So I want to know why. I want to understand. Why do you aspire to be like them?"

Severus was quiet for a long moment. Finally, he got out:

"To protect you."

She blinked, dumbfounded. "How is supporting the eradication of Muggle-borns like me protecting me?"

"He'll protect some! Some who are talented and who he thinks are worthy! Some Muggle-borns who are special…. Like you."

Lily cocked a skeptical eyebrow. "Voldemort. And he's told you this. Spoken of it."

"Well…. no. But I know he would! I've sensed it."

Lily broke into derisive laughter, shaking her head. "Never believe the charismatic rhetoric of a fascist, Sev. You'll just get taken in and be left with nothing."

"He promised I could have revenge on my enemies!"

"And who would that be? Potter and his crew?" Severus's answering silence said everything. "Because of how they tricked you?" Lily's voice had softened again, but slightly. Hanging his head, Severus nodded. "Revenge isn't healthy, Sev, no matter whether the person in question deserves it or not. And I honestly can't insert myself with any authority into what's going on with you and James – that's between you and him."

"Oh, so he's James now?" Severus sneered.

"Don't be cute. You know, Sev, sometimes you can be so obvious! You want to be part of something that's just one big, dangerous scam, but you can't even give me good reasons why you are! You're only able to rationalize it, because deep down, wanting to advance the discrimination of people of perceived lesser blood is WRONG! You know it is, Sev!" Backing away from him, Lily threw up her hands. "You know what? I'm done. Figure it out, Severus: Voldemort or me. Decide. Because whatever you decide, after that? ….. No more chances." And she turned on her heel and flounced away, leaving a heartbroken and dejected Severus in her wake.