Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers definitely apply, I've no dreams whatsoever of actually owning HP! It's just TOO much work for a lazy bum like moi. Ne, Annak?

A/N: Welcome to chapter 2, Wounded Promise. For all those Snape fans, (I'm one myself.) this is for you, but if you have any suggestions on his attitude, tell me-but to do that, you must review!!! Oh, and Attila, you're not allowed to skip!!!


Chapter Two: Wounded Promise


Echoing steps were heard along the stone-cold hallway lit by small, dim chandeliers. Severus Snape grumpily walked to the Slytherin Common Room, keeping the usual cold expression on his face.

"Black Cauldron," he said to the stonewall in front of him. It instantly opened, revealing the usual gloomy room. He looked around cautiously to see if any of his housemates were still up. Fortunately no one was.

Sighing, he let himself slide down on one of the smooth, black couches. The day had started fairly well, the usual 'Wake-up-go-to-class-bully-the-other- houses' day.

And still, as usual he stayed by Lucius' side, talking and studying at the same time, sometimes with Narcissa, that girl who Lucius favored lately. He'd even forgotten about that stupid incident with Lupin last month. Ever since then he stayed well-away from Potter and his puny gang, but he sneaked up on that Black every now and then, the brainless git.

Severus cursed in the dimly lit room. The fact that James Potter, his rival had saved him from that thing. it was just nerve-wrecking.

Well, he did try to thank him, after all.

That evening after James'd saved him, Dumbledore had told Black, Potter and himself to go to bed after talking to each of them separately.

He had tried to thank him, right before James headed for the Gryffindor Common room, but no words came out. 'Stupid Wizard's Debt.' And now that he had finally said it, he didn't even think James had heard. "Great, just great."

Severus walked over to a large mirror at the side of the room. A pair of indifferent looking black eyes stared back at him, greasy but smooth locks of black hair fell down on two, strongly-built shoulders, and a cold pale face

He clenched his fists as he drew his wand and pointed it to the sharp, right hand corner of the mirror. "Mecuerio"

The small corner began to crack, until it broke off completely from the whole mirror. The tiny, but sharp piece floated in front of Severus and with the slightest bit of hesitation, he used the piece to scratch the skin on his left fore arm until it bled.

"You're going to repay Potter that stupid Wizard's Debt, Snape, no matter what." He said, as a droplet of blood dripped from the wound. ***@*** (A/N: Hey guys, this is a peek into the future, okay?) A dark figure stood in front of the single gravestone, which stood in remembrance of two people full of love, Two people who had once been symbols of joy and laughter.

James Potter
Loving Father
Loyal Friend

***


Lily Evans-Potter
Beloved Mother
Devoted Wife


"You've been paid, Potter. No, not in full, that I admit. But your son's more than enough to keep an eye on."

A smirk spread across the stranger's face as he laid the small bundle of roses on the grave.

"A rule breaker in his first year, I suppose you're rather proud. And no, I am quite sorry, but Albus doesn't want him to know where you're buried just yet. He says he's not ready."

A gentle breeze blew, sending autumn leaves everywhere, the sun spreading rays of pale yellow. "I'm leaving, James, Lily,' He said, straightening up his robes. "I must make it to Hogwarts before supper-and do tell your son by any means possible, be it by Divination or not, that he is not allowed to mold figures of me using banshee clay and lizard tongues behind my back."

With that he stood up after laying a hand on the gravestone where thousands of lilies were carved around the border, his long black robes billowing in the wind.


***@***


Lily Evans was crying.

She had climbed the large chestnut tree and sat sobbing on one of the higher branches where she was almost hidden.

"Mud blood!!!" Lucius Malfoy's sneering voice echoed in her head. She usually ignored Malfoy's mean comments, but today was an unusually bad day. Hearing the crunch of leaves and grass below, she quickly wiped her tears with the hem of her jacket's sleeve.

It was supposed to be Divination, but Prof. Pearlhock had a meeting, so it was now free period for the Gryffindors and Slytherins. Well, like she cared about the Slytherins and Divination, anyway.

The wind was cold and harsh, and Lily hugged the lime green jacket she had worn over her school robes. Curious, though not wanting to be seen crying, she looked down at the person beneath the tree's shade, still sniffing uncontrollably.

Some leaves and branches were on the way, so Lily really couldn't see the person's face.

"What're you doing up there?!"

Lily looked down, brushing aside one of the branches. "What do YOU care?!" She asked haughtily, still sobbing, though she was trying very hard not to.

"Well, I-" The person looked up, revealing a pale face and a pair of black eyes.

"Lily?!" Snape said, raising an eyebrow. "You're crying?" He squinted up at the tree. He knew she was in Gryffindor, which irked him, but to see her crying was quite a different thing. H had never made a GIRL cry before, and had no plans to, either, even if the girl was from another house.

"What makes YOU think I'M crying, what, just because your BESTFRIEND Malfoy called me 'mudblood?"

Lily, as he could see, was holding back the tears, but a few fell on her cheeks, anyway. "Er," he said, not trying to make her feel worse, but at the same time determined not to let his façade down. "Doesn't he always call you that?"

"Well for your information, SNAPE, today is worst than usual and I've no time for fancy pale boys like you and Malfoy!" Lily was shouting now, still crying, and Severus was panicking, though he didn't show it.

If Potter and his gang caught them at the moment, they'd think he'd made her cry and then he'd get stuck with that stupid debt.

Hesitantly he climbed the tree and sat down beside Lily. Maybe, just maybe, if he calmed her down, those Gryffindors, or perhaps those stupid Marauders would at least be a BIT thankful towards him. THEN maybe he wouldn't have to bother about the debt.

"Alright, alright, stop crying, will you?" wrong move. Lily practically screamed her head off.

"Leave me alone, won't you?" She definitely wasn't crying anymore. Oh, no, why do that when she could behead the Slytherin next to her? "Well, why are you so fired up, anyway, Evans? I'm only trying to help!"

"And why is that? Why do you suddenly care about us Gryffindors? Or Mudbloods, for that matter?"

Severus opened his mouth to reply, looked at those TERRIBLY furious green eyes and hesitated. If he told her, would she think him pathetic and tell the rest of her house how suddenly soft and kind Severus Snape had become?

Severus looked at Lily again, and saw that the look on her face was more of curiosity than anger.

"I owe one of your housemates." He said, avoiding her eyes. "And I think you know who. You're a friend of his, after all."

"And you are trying to pay him back through other people? Like me?"

Severus jerked his head towards Lily. There had been a hint of amusement at the statement.

"Is there any other way? What would YOU do if you were in my place?"

Surprisingly, Lily laughed. "I never knew Slytherins could be so dense." She said teasingly. "And I never knew Gryffindors could be so SHALLOW." He snapped. "I'm not being shallow, Snape. I just-well, don't get offended, but I don't think this is the right way of repaying James Potter.

"You're not suggesting that I start being all buddy-buddy with Lil' Black idiot, are you?" Snape demanded.

Lily grinned. "No, not exactly.No, I don't think a blooming relationship between you and Sirius would be decent. If you know what I mean." Severus raised a brow. "Of all the disgusting things to say. You had to suggest me and Black puckering up?"

In spite of himself Severus joined in Lily's laughter.

"Don't you think potter would be jealous if I took away his, er, lover?" Severus asked.

"No, I think James is satisfied with Remus."

"Evans, please stop!"

Lily smiled at that. "Alright, alright." She fingered the tips of her hair and stared at him sheepishly. "Er, thanks by the way."

"For what?" He asked. "Giving you that mental image of me and Black?" Lily's eyes widened.

"No, you git, I meant for making me feel better." Her voice dropped to a more serious tone. "I mean, you may be a Slytherin, but you've helped, really."

Snape managed to keep a straight face, his eyes showing mere indifference as he nodded. "I'd better go, I'm late for Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Lily nodded too, as her newfound acquaintance climbed down the tree.


End of chapter 2: