If Someone Cared Enough

by Shain-of-Ireland

What if Snape had received some better guidance when he was young from people who cared enough to notice what he was going through and looked deeper than the surface? What if there had been Slytherins who weren't aspiring Death Eaters? Would their assistance be enough to help a few young and hot tempered teens? (Slow burn romance)

43. Chapter 43: It's a Date?

Another chapter, huzzah!

Thanks again for the awesome reviews.

About the way the girls were talking in the previous chapter. I'm sure some of you noticed that they weren't talking very...British 70s. I'll be honest, I have no idea how people talked in the Seventies short of movies and even less about how it differed in England. So you'll have to bare with me for the creative license I am talking here in having the girls talk more modern. Think of it like how if I wrote a fantasy medieval story, I wouldn't write it all in the "thy, thou, and hear ye, hear ye" sort of way because it would probably require a ton of explanation for out of date idioms and what they mean (If anyone recalls reading Romeo and Juliet and having to look in the margins for the translation to statements like "Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?", then you can understand how tedious it gets for a reader to constantly go "What the fuck does that even mean?!"

Anyway, let's move on to the big day. The "is it? is it not?" date!

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If Someone Cared Enough

Chapter Forty-Three: It's a Date?

"Don't you look handsome today," Simone observed as she waltzed into the boys dorm.

"Don't you ever knock?" Severus asked snidely as he pulled an emerald sweater over his head.

"If I did, you wouldn't let me in," Simone pointed out.

A boy coming out of the bathroom yelped when he saw Simone, clutching tightly to the bath towel wrapped around his waist.

Simone rolled her eyes, "Don't flatter yourself; you've got nothing worth seeing."

The boy flushed angrily, darting back into the bathroom with a rueful glare.

"So anyway," Simone said, once she and Severus were alone again, "Your hair is clean, it's combed, you're wearing your best sweater," she leaned forward, sniffing slightly, "Is that cologne I detect?"

Severus stepped back with a sneer, "I'd prefer you respect my personal space."

Simone ignored him. She grinned broadly, "Are you seeing someone today?"

Severus turned away, picking his cloak up off the bed, "I don't know what conclusions you're drawing. I'm only going to Hogsmeade to do some gift shopping."

"And you're going with..." Simone asked expectantly, her grin growing ever wider.

Severus sighed, "...A friend..."

"It's Evans!" Simone cried, cackling madly. She looked excitedly at Severus, "It is isn't it? You sly dog, I knew you had it in you!"

"It's not a date," Severus said hastily, "I didn't even ask her. She invited me."

Simone gasped, "Even better. You Casanova, you! She's sought you at."

"As friends," Severus elaborated, "She said she wanted to spend time together as friends."

Simone waved him off, "That's just what she wants you to think."

"Someone how I doubt she's hiding ulterior motives for this invite," Severus drawled with a roll of his eyes.

Simone crossed her arms over her chest, "Why is it so hard for you to believe someone might actually fancy you?"

Severus snorted, "If you're implying I lack self-esteem, you're mistaken. I have no doubt there are probably some witches out there who have their eye on me. No one is completely undesirable. However, they're more of what you'd call…my level of attractiveness. Bland, dull eyed, never one to stand out. The reason they set their sights on me is because I look like an easy catch due to my own unpopularity and poor luck with love. Unfortunately for them, I have standards, such as brains, and talent." He adjusted his cloak in the mirror while adding under his breath, "Unfortunately my standards just happen to be out of my league."

"So you assume," Simone interjected, "That doesn't mean you're right. Has it ever occurred to you that Evans might like the tall, dark, and mysterious type? I mean, you tendency to avoid a scene must be rather relaxing to her compared to Potter's embarrassing ploys for attention from everyone and anyone around him. I imagine she would be more incline to want someone who can enjoy the quiet and simplicity rather than the over the top and extravagant."

"Plus, she's known you for years," Simone added, "You're someone she trusts and enjoys the company of. It isn't that far a stretch for her to start liking you on more romantic levels."

"Don't you have first years to scare?" Severus asked, changing the subject.

Simone shrugged, "I did that before breakfast. I actually stopped by to see if you wanted to hang out, but now I see you have prior arrangements," she waggled her eyebrows.

Severus ignored that comment, "Don't you usually spend time with Thea?"

Simone looked away, a frown on her face, "We had a little tiff, unfortunately. I thought she'd spend the majority of winter break at my home like usual, but apparently her parents have some big dinner planned for the week of New Years and expect her home all week in preparation for it. I told her she could tell her ruddy folks to stuff it; she didn't appreciate my candor."

"You two don't speak of her parents often," Severus noted, "Are they not the pleasant sort."

Simone huffed, "Let's just say they're not the warmest bunch. Anyway," she said pushing off from the wall and heading for the door, "I suppose I better apologize at some point. In the meantime, have fun with your date."

"It's not a date," Severus called back to her.

Simone just waved over her shoulder at him as she disappeared down the stairs to the common room.

{page break}

"What do you think of this for Tuney?" Lily asked, turning to show Severus her find.

It was about an hour into their outing and Severus and Lily had spent much of their time meandering from one shop to another brainstorming about gifts to give Lily's family.

In previous years, Severus couldn't say he ever really celebrated the holidays aside from the customary exchanging of gifts with Lily—with Lily's presents for him outnumbering the one for her thanks to what Lily's mother snuck into the mix like sweaters and sweets. Severus stopped expecting a present from either of his parents long ago, his mother lacking much of the funds for it and his father lacking the desire to be thoughtful in the first place. Seeing how uncomfortable his mother felt when he managed to get her something—mirroring Severus' own discomfort at the Evans's generosity when he had nothing to give in return—Severus eventually stopped gifting his mother anything. Occasionally he managed to give her a least the gift of stress free evening by cleaning the kitchen and preparing a simple meal, but that was it.

Now Severus lived in a much different scenario. Essentially adopted by Lily's parents Severus received a modest allowance same as Lily, oftentimes based upon how well they did in school and any extra credit they earned, making up for the fact that they could not do chores around the house for an allowance while away at school.

This left Severus with a decent enough amount of cash to work with for the holidays, ensuring he could at least find something for his new family and give Lily a gift he could be proud to give her. As for Severus's own mother, he hadn't heard much from her since their meeting at Kings Cross, and Severus honestly had no idea where she was living these days or what she was up to, making sending a gift to her a tricky task.

"Sev?" Lily called, bringing Severus back to the present, "What do you think?"

In Lily's hands rested a portrait of a meadow. Covered in wildflowers and cast in a purple glow, the sunlight streamed down through the trees to splay across the back of a grazing unicorn, her foal tucked under her suckling. Every now and then, a butterfly would fluttered through the scene and the wind would lightly rustle the flower petals as the unicorn flicked its ear and swished its tail. The picture was incased in a bronze frame.

"It's fitting I suppose, "Severus mused, "Simone did say Petunia had become quite smitten with the creatures after seeing one in person."

"It comes in cheaper frames," Lily explained, looking over the picture fondly, "And she could hide it when he friends came over. As it is, everything moves so little in it, I doubt her friends would noticed unless they stared at it."

"They might just think it was some new kind of foreign electronic," Severus pointed out, "Plenty of muggles rationalize away what they do not understand, even if the explanation makes even less sense."

"I guess someone would sooner think it was something electric than magical," Lily agreed, "So, should I buy it?"

"Did you even check the price yet?" Severus asked.

"Oh right," Lily turned the portrait over, examining the price tag. Her smile fell, "Oh…"

Severus leaned over her, "Is it expensive?"

"It's just a tad out of my budget," Lily confessed, "If I get it, I won't have an even amount left to buy both mum and dad something." She worried her lip between her teeth, "I've already grabbed some small things for our friends, so I don't have to worry about that, but…oh, do you think my parents would mind a joint gift?"

"How about we split the price," Severus offered, examining his own money, "It's not like I can think of a suitable gift for Petunia on my own anyway. We could just say it's from both of us."

"Are you sure?" Lily asked, "Wouldn't Petunia get less gifts than us if we just give her one? I'm sure she's getting something for each of us."

"If she's wise, she won't bother getting me something," Severus quipped, "she doesn't have to give me a gift to make me feel part of the family. Her and I not snarling at each other is more than enough of a gift."

"Still…" Lily looking longingly down at the painting, torn between getting her sister the perfect gift or something more affordable.

"If you want, we can work on a brew together to give her as well," Severus suggested, "I'm sure she'd enjoy that potion that makes ones skin practically glow. She'd be the envy of her friends back home."

"That could work," Lily agreed, perking up a little, "You're sure you don't mind?"

"I insist," Severus replied, handing Lily a portion of his allowance, "Ask them for a wooden frame; they're cheaper but durable."

"And they'll gift wrap it for free," Lily said excitedly, "Thank you, Sev!" She wrapped her arms around Severus's neck in a brief, but fierce hug before skipping off to the counter.

"You certainly made her happy," drawled a voice from behind Severus.

"Regulus," Severus sneered at the younger Black heir lingering by one of the displays, "What do you want?"

Regulus raised his hands in surrender, "I'm not here to cause trouble, so rest easy. I'm just finishing up my shopping."

"I thought your family let the house elves taken care of the holidays prep," Severus said.

"Not that it is any of your business, but it happens to be for a house elf," Regulus said sardonically, "As you know, gifting an elf with clothes frees them. Seeing as Kreacher would probably throw himself from the tallest window in grief were I to give him even a scarf, I thought he might like something for his sleeping area," Reg looked away awkwardly, "There's a family picture that he's always hidden under his blanket. It could use a frame so it doesn't get further damaged; I just thought I'd pick out a nice one."

"Are you sure he will accept any gift from his masters?" Severus questioned, "He might think he isn't deserving of it."

"If it's from me, he'll take it," Reg said confidently, "if it was something from Sirius, probably not, not that my thickheaded brother is capable of showing consideration to the help."

"I doubt your mother will think highly of you giving presents to a lowly house elf," Severus said sarcastically.

Regulus closed his eyes, "I respect my mother, but that doesn't mean I have to agree with all her opinions."

"Meaning you're not going to tell her and just sit in silence pretending while she goes on treating her servants like inferior creatures," Severus sneered, "While you give Kreacher a gift in secret. What lukewarm sentiments."

Regulus scowled, "It's easy to judge someone when you haven't lived their life, Snape," he growled, "You don't know what my mother is like."

"Yes, but I know what my father is capable of," Severus said lowly. He pulled the neck of his sweater down slightly to show the crescent shaped scars embedded in his neck around the scar from the train, the lasting imprint of his father's nails digging into his skin as the drunkard's hands wrapped around his throat.

Regulus paled, taking in the sight of the awful marring as well as some lingering welts peeking up over Severus's shoulder.

"Considering how eager you are to stay on mummy's good side I doubt you've truly been on the receiving end of a parent's cruelty," Severus stated, "Unlike you're brother who's actually had the guts to stand up to them, loath as I am to give him credit for anything," Severus grimaced, "Loathed."

"The difference between you and I, Black," Severus continued, "Is that while you wallow in self-denial and complacency, I fought back." He bore down on Regulus, his voice an icy hiss, "I saw something wrong and I did something about it. I got out, and even if it meant having to leave in pieces, at least I stood up for myself instead of letting myself be controlled. I'd sooner bite off my own tongue than allow myself to be groomed into the monster my father was. Meanwhile you're content to follow your bloody family to war and ruin for ideals you clearly don't even believe in."

"You don't know a damn thing about what I believe in," Regulus whispered back sharply, "I may care about Kreacher, but don't think that changes a thing when it comes to mudbloods and muggles."

"I'd watch my tongue if I were you," Severus warned dangerously.

Regulus's eyes darted to Severus's side, keeping an eye out for his wand.

"You've all but proven my beliefs right, Snape," Regulus hissed, "Your own father did that to you. A muggle."

"Perhaps," Severus conceded, stepping back. Holding his head high, he looked down his nose at Regulus, "But it was also a muggle who saved me from him. Two of them, in fact."

Severus and Regulus stared each other down in silence, neither one blinking.

"Sorry it took so long," Lily apologized, hurrying over with her package in her arms, "The line was enormous—oh…hello, Black." Lily eyed Regulus warily.

"Evans," Regulus said curtly.

Lily looked back and forth between the pair, "Is everything okay?"

"Yes," Severus answered, "Everything's fine. In fact, Regulus was just wishing us Happy Christmas," he narrowed his eyes at the boy, "Weren't you, Reg."

Regulus eyed Severus, his lip curling.

"Yes," he said after a moment, "Happy Christmas." Without another word, he pushed pass Severus and weaved his way further into the shop.

Lily watched the boy go with concern, "Did he say anything to you?" she asked worriedly.

"Probably less than he wanted to say," Severus stated cryptically, "But I wouldn't let it bother you. He's just being a prat. It runs in the family; I hear."

The corner of Lily's mouth twitched, "I might have heard something similar."

"Like I said," don't let it worry you," Severus repeated, "Now where would you like to go next? I believe we haven't shopped for your parents yet."

Severus gently led Lily away, ponderings about what her folks would like leaving their concerns over Regulus forgotten.

{page break}

When they finally stopped for dinner, the pair made their way over to the Three Broomsticks' crowded venue, pushing their way through the noisy patrons of students and staff alike to lay claim on a booth in the far back corner. Laden with bags and their faces stung pink by the frosty air, it was a relief to relax before a crackling fire.

"Finally a place to sit down," Lily sighed with relief, dropping into a chair, "I thought my arms were about to fall off."

"I told you to just shrink the bags," Severus reminded her, "Then you'd have less weight to carry."

"That's not the same," Lily whined, "Christmas is about bustling about with your laden with gifts for the people you care about; like a labor of love. Like in that song, 'As the shoppers rush home with their treasures.' That's just how it works."

"I think it's the thought that counts, not breaking your back lugging it all home," Severus pointed out with a wry grin.

Lily huffed, "You do things your way and I'll do them mine."

"Fine," Severus relented, "But remember, we still have to walk back to the school with all this."

Lily groaned pitifully.

"What would you like to eat?" Severus asked with a smile.

Lily shrugged, squinting at the specials board, "I think I'll have the Colcannon. I love buttered cabbage. How about you?"

"The bacon joint sounds particularly appealing," Severus said, "I guess Eugene is cooking tonight; the spreads rather Irish this time around."

"That's right, the new assistant isn't from around here," Lily commented, "Is that why he keeps trying to sell Guinness when he comes to the bar."

"Whether muggle or magic, Guinness is a go to if you're Irish," Severus mused with amusement, "Too bad his customers prefer Firewhiskey."

Lily hummed in agreement, "He better not let Rosemerta catch him selling to minors again. She'll have his hide if he gets the place closed down right after she took over."

Lily rested her head in her hands, staring at Severus contently, "So, think you've got your shopping all squared away?"

Severus nodded, "For the most part. I don't think most of our friends will mind receiving candy or trinkets for the holidays, and I'm relatively pleased with the stationary set I got your father."

"And mom will love the new gloves;" Lily said approvingly, "The embroidery you picked will be right up her alley."

"Are you satisfied with your purchases?" Severus inquired.

Lily nodded happily, "Yes. Mom will love the shawl and I bet dad will get a kick out that refilling coffee mug."

"Make sure to tell him he'll need to be near a kitchen in order for it to magic the coffee from the pot,' Severus reminded her.

"Right," Lily said, "Soooo, what did you get me?"

Severus quirked a brow, "Funny, I thought the point of a Christmas present was that you don't know what it is until you get it on Christmas."

Lily pouted, "Oh come on. At least give me a hint."

"You want a hint?" Severus asked, "Here's your hint: you'll probably love it."

"That's not a hint!" Lily insisted petulantly, "Please, Sev."

Severus leaned back in his chair, "You'll just have to wait until Christmas."

Lily huffed, slumping over the table, her bottom lip sticking out, "You're no fun."

"As if you would have spilled what you got me," Severus quipped.

"That's different!" Lily insisted, "You don't care if you don't know what it is."

"Indeed I don't," Severus agreed, "I suppose I should be grateful we stay in separate dorms. Otherwise I would have to worry you'd go snooping for your gift."

Lily looked away, pout still in place, "I wouldn't do that."

"Petunia tells me otherwise," Severus replied.

Lily groaned, "That blabber mouth. I only snooped once."

"Once is enough," Severus said.

Lily rolled her eyes, "Whatever. Let's just enjoy our day."

Severus smirked, "I was thoroughly enjoying our disagreement, but if you insist."

Lily stuck her tongue out at him, "Brat."

"Pot calling kettle," Severus shot back.

Lily laughed, warm and full of mirth. It filled Severus with a sense of accomplishment; he always enjoyed being the one to make Lily happy.

As a smile slowly spread over Severus's face, Lily was feeling her own sense of contentment.

"You know, Sev," she began hesitantly, "I'm really glad you agreed to come with me today."

"Oh?" Severus inquired.

Lily nodded, "Yeah," she fiddled with the hem of her blouse, "We haven't spent much time together lately and I was starting to miss it. It's been ages since we've hung out…just the two of us."

"…I see," Severus said for lack of something better to say. Inside, his mind was a mess, his heart speeding up as Lily reached across the table and grabbed his hand. Simone words from earlier came back to him then, making him suddenly feel very self-conscious.

"We've been through practically everything together Sev," Lily continued, "When you aren't around, I honestly miss you. It feels so weird to not be able to turn around and see you there. Then all the time we spent together this summer…it feels so different now to be apart for even a few days."

"I know what you mean," Severus blurted out.

Lily looked up hopefully, "You do?"

Severus gulped, nodded eagerly, "I'm so used to us being around one another, being back in school where things are separated by houses…it drives me made that we can't just spend time together like we used to."

Severus squeezed Lily's hand, "I miss being able to go for walks with you whenever we felt like it, and talking for hours without having to be anywhere important. I like our friends and I guess I'm glad I have so many now, but I miss the times it was…you know…just us."

"I do too," Lily said, a smiled spreading across her face, "Don't get me wrong, I love our other friends. Mary, Nesme, they're all so important to me. But I think you mean the most to me, Sev. When I'm happy or sad, when something amazing has happen and I just need to share it with someone, o-or if I'm so mad I could scream and I need some support…you're the first person I think of; you're the one who always comes to mind."

She stared into Severus's eyes with open-faced sincerity. Dressed in a jade green blouse fitted black pants, snow still melting from her hair and clothes, she looked like a vision sitting there, back lit by the fireplace giving her hair an ethereal, firey glow.

'Kiss her,' urged a voice in Severus head, one that sounded eerily like Simone, 'Ask her out at least. Don't let this chance slip away!'

"Lily?" Severus ventured.

"Yes, Sev?" Lily said expectantly.

Severus fumbled for the right thing to say, "Would you…I mean, do you want…That's is to say, have you ever considered…would you be obliged to—"

A playful tussle at a neighboring table got out of hand, sending a seventh year boy into Severus's back, nearly knocking him off his chair and making their whole table scoot a few inches.

"Sorry," the seventh year wheezed between laughter, "Didn't see you two there."

"It's fine, Lily said quickly, blushing from head to toe. She tucked her hands into her lap, staring down at the table in embarrassment.

'Get a hold of yourself,' she chided, 'it's not like you were doing anything indecent.'

The seventh year returned to his seat, smacking one of his snickering friends over the back of the head with a chuckle of his own, "Bloody hooligans!"

"Glad we're in agreement on something," Severus muttered under his breath, righting himself.

He and Lily stared at the table in uncomfortably silence, neither knowing what to say.

"So…" Severus started, the moment lost.

"So…" Lily echoed, "I'm…just going to place our order at the counter."

Lily stood up quickly, her chair awkwardly scraping along the floor as she went.

Reaching the counter, Lily placed their order. Too nervous to go back to the table just yet, she stood at the counter waiting for their food to be ready.

'I guess so far so good,' she thought uncertainly. True, things could have been smoother, but at least she hadn't made a fool of herself. Severus seemed just as unbalanced as her, which was surprisingly comforting. At least she knew she wasn't the only one unsure where they stood.

Sticking to Marlene's advice, Lily had played it safe and kept what she had to say about her feelings vague and open to interpretation. She didn't want to just blurt out that she might want more from Severus than friendship when she didn't yet know how he felt.

Lily smiled inwardly; hearing Severus say he missed their time alone made her heart beat a little bit faster.

But where to go from here? Biting her lip, Lily lingered by the bar, stalling for time before she'd have to return to the table and make her next move.

Feeling entirely out of place among the older men and women at the bar ordering firewhiskey and other liquors , her eyes scanned the room looking for something to occupy her time when she spotted a familiar face coming her way.

"Alright there, Evans?" James asked, swaggering up besides her. There was a dusting of snow across his shoulders, his hair more wind swept than usual.

"Hi James," Lily greeted politely, seeing no point in being rude when he ad yet to do anything wrong for the day, "You here with your friends?"

"Sort of," James replied, "The guys and I split up so we could have some time to ourselves," he jerked is thumb over to a table by the window.

Following James's direction, Lily spied Jess and Meldonna sitting together, heads bent close whispering excitedly to one another.

Jess was wearing considerably more make-up than what was normal for her, her usual tans and 'natural' hues being replaced by a subtle pastel purple over her eyes complimenting the blue in them. Her lips were lacquered in a bright bubblegum pink. She was wearing her best long sleeved dress, a pair of high leather boots on her feet. It was impossible to tell if the pink to her cheeks was make-up or from the sheer joy she was feeling as she giggled with Meldonna.

Sitting next to them at their table was some tall boy in a Gryffindor scarf, staring disinterestedly out the window, obviously Meldonna's neglected date for the day.

"How're things going with you two?" Lily asked, giving her friends a little smile when they waved at her before returning to their conversation.

James ran a hand through his hair, "Pretty good, pretty good. Great even. She really, you know...gets me," he smiled at Lily, "We have so much in common."

"Glad to hear it," Lily said.

"Yeah, we both love quidditch...she thinks I'm incredibly talented," James went on, "Really, it's been a dream."

Lily nodded politely, feeling a little weird listening to James brag about his date, "So who's Meldonna date?"

"One of the Prewett twins, Fabian," James said. He squinted at the boy, "Or maybe's its Gideon. They keep switching names on everyone. I suggested Meldonna ask one of them out. She looked really glum to have no one to go with so I thought I'd offer a double date, nice guy that I am."

Lily resisted rolling her eyes. Bragging aside it was nice of James to included Mel, "Well whichever twin it is, he doesn't seem to be enjoying himself."

James grinned, "He's miffed we haven't been to Zonko's yet. It isn't really Jess's thing so we've been going to places that interest her. He's just mad he can't get more dungbombs to set off in Filch's office."

Lily smirked, "Sounds more like your specialty."

James shook his head smirking, "Nah, too amateur. If it were me, I'd hide them in that wanker's underwear drawer," he winked at Lily, making her laugh.

"That would certainly be worse," Lily agreed.

"So what brings you here?" James asked.

Lily shrugged, "Just finishing up my Christmas shopping with Sev."

"Oh," James nodded and was it Lily's imagination, or did his smile slip just a little? "That's nice. You two having fun? Somehow I don't see him as the sociable shopping type."

"Well he isn't with other people," Lily admitted, "But he's always been more open and easy going around me." Lily let a shy smile slip onto her face, a blush rising to her cheeks; she got to see more of the real Severus than anyone else.

{page break}

Across the room, Severus had been scowling since Potter walked in.

It would be just his luck that the second he missed an opportunity with Lily, Potter would appear to steal her attention from him. Of course he understood that Lily was probably feeling a little awkward and confused about their near-kiss—if she even realized that what he had been intending—but he couldn't help but worry he'd botched everything up when she chose not to return to their table straight away. Seeing her strike up a conversation with Potter just made things worse.

With a sigh, Severus picked up one of his shopping bags, shifting through his purchases. Finding what he was looking for, he held the item carefully in his hands.

He'd found it in a less frequented jewelry shop at the edge of the village. He and Lily were wandering the streets on their way to pick out a gift for her father when he saw it in the window; a blown glass orb hanging from a simple chain. But it wasn't the orb that caught his attention, but rather the image meticulously etched inside it's center; a single doe in a snowy forest. The outside of the glass had white speckles dotting its surface; like snowfall.

Severus didn't know why he was so drawn to the necklace, but he was. Something about it just seemed...perfect. He knew he had to buy it for Lily. So, when Lily was distracted chatting with Professor Flitwick as he made his rounds through the village, Severus ducked into the little store. He'd been so proud walking out of the shop with the small, gift wrapped box hidden safely in one of his shopping bags.

Now, however, the trinket seemed tiny and insignificant. Surely someone like Potter could afford any extravagant gift Lily desired. A glass bauble couldn't hold a candle to the sorts of golden chains and expensive jewels Potter could buy.

Lily laughed at something Potter said and Severus felt his fingers digging into his palm painfully. She seemed so relax, so carefree with that git; so at ease with his presence. Severus sort of wished Lupin hadn't ordered his fellow Marauders to back off so that he'd get bullied openly again and Lily could have something to despise about Potter like she used to. It would seem Potter's feigned maturity had Lily willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Potter said something to Lily and she looked down, smiling shyly. Severus scowled heavily, watching the faint blush spread out over Lily's face.

While Lily wasn't looking, Potter turned Severus's way and catch his eye. Seeing Severus looking at him, Potter smirked cockily, leaning closer to Lily. It made Severus want to hex him on the spot.

Lily and Potter exchanged a few more words before hers and Severus's orders were ready. Waving at Potter, Lily grabbed the two baskets of food and headed over to Severus, but before he could say a word to her, she darted back to the counter for their drinks. Potters met her halfway, drinks in hand and a charming smile in place. Lily took them with a 'thank you' and a smile and returned to the table.

"Sorry for the wait," Lily said as she sat down, smile still in place, "Bumped into James on his date and thought I'd say hi. Didn't want to be rude."

"Yes, we wouldn't want that," Severus said stiffly.

Lily tilted her head, her smile fading.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, concerned, "You seem tense."

"I'm fine," Severus lied.

Lily stared at Severus curiously. She glanced over her shoulder at James's, back at his own table with Jess and Meldonna.

"Is this about James?" Lily asked with a frown, turning back to Severus, "Are you upset I talked to him? I was just being polite."

Severus shook his head, schooling his face into a more neutral expression, "No, it isn't that. Honest, I'm just...my mind was elsewhere."

Lily raised a brow skeptically, "Really? Then what were you thinking about?"

Severus avoided Lily's gaze, "I was just...rethinking my gift choice for you. I want to make sure I get you something you'll like."

Lily smiled, "I'm sure whatever you get me, I'll love." She leaned forward conspiratorially, "So does this mean you're returning what you bought me? Might as well tell me what it is then."

Severus snorted, "I haven't decided yet if I'm returning it. I might stick with this gift, I might not."

"So is that a no?" Lily asked.

"It's a no," Severus answered.

Lily huffed, "Meanie."

The air seemingly lighter, Lily and Severus tucked into their meals; enjoyment of their dishes bringing much of their conversation to a stop aside from some idle chit chat. Potter and his group finished up and left before they did, which helped to lift Severus's spirits some.

When their meals were finished, the pair headed back out into the cold, braving the wind to lug their bags back to the school. They made their way through the halls relatively undisturbed, only waylaid a few times by a student or two lurking about where they shouldn't and needing Lily to send them on their way.

Finally, they made it to the portrait hole outside Lily's dorm.

"This was nice," Lily said after moment of silence, "I really enjoyed spending time with you today, Sev."

Severus smiled, nodding, "I did too. We should...we should do this again sometime. Just the two of us."

Lily nodded as well, "Yeah we should. We really don't get enough time alone these days."

"That we don't," Severus agreed.

The pair chuckled softly, at what, they didn't know.

"So..." Lily said hesitantly, "I guess I'll see you at Slughorn's party..?"

"Yeah," Severus said, ducking his head, "Right. I'm looking forward to it."

Lily smiled, all teeth, "Me too."

They stood there in awkward silence, both looking at their feet, at the floor, anywhere but each other.

"So I guess this is good night," Lily said after a while.

"Right," Severus said. He continued to stand there.

Lily bit her lip, "Um..."

Severus took a step towards her, only for Lily to do the same. They laughed nervously again.

"So..." Lily started again, looking bashfully at Severus.

Severus shifted awkwardly. His eyes trailed up to Lily's eyes, then down to her lips.

Lily waited, but Severus didn't move again.

Finally Lily stepped forward and hugged Severus.

"Thanks for today," she said, "It really meant a lot to me."

Before pulling away, Lily kissed Severus on the cheek, her lips lingering for a minute.

Severus stiffened up in her arms, but didn't pull away.

After a moment, Lily stepped back.

"Goodnight," she said softly, too nervous to meet his eyes.

She stepped through the portrait hole without another word, leaving Severus standing frozen in the hallway.

---

So that could have gone better, huh?

Severus is going to have a hard time letting go of his insecurities...partly because it is so hard for him to admit he has any to begin with.

And Regulus makes a reappearance. Anyone been wondering where he's been?

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

Read and review! :)