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:
