Chapter 2: Snape unusual encounter
Defeat has dealt a monster blow to Severus Snape. His ego was not dented, but crushed beyond repair. No matter how Snape tried to block memories of his defeat to James Potter, it kept coming back to haunt him, with greater intensity every time it returned. Each time he closed his eyes, he could hear vividly the vicious laughter of James Potter and Sirrius Black, coupled with their merciless and relentless torrent of ridicule and insults. "You will never ever win me in your life time. Never ever. Face it" the voice in his head screamed. He knew very well that he had to leave this episode of defeat behind, however painful it was, and continued with life per normal but he simply could not get over the loss.
His mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Sometimes, he gritted his teeth and promised that he will put in extra effort for the upcoming examinations and beat James flat. "I will wipe that arrogant smirk off his face one day. You mark my words." he thought to himself resolutely. At times, he would sink into despair and exclaim with a fatalistic voice, " I am born a loser. How can I ever compete with James Potter who has so much charisma and charm in him? I have given everything I have and there is no room for improvement. The elasticity of my brain is stretched to the maximum and any further stress added will bound to snap it one day." His mind vacillated between thoughts of victory, hope and thoughts of helplessness and despair.
Today was no different from the rest of the days after the defeat. The taste of defeat was still strong and persistent in Snape's mind, even after one week. The break after Professor Dumas' lesson on Divination was spent moping over his loss. So preoccupied Snape was in his thoughts that he did not hear the clapping of loafers getting nearer by the second.
" Snape.." whispered the person.
No response.
"Snape, are you all right?" the person increased the volume of her voice slightly, at the same time tapped his shoulder gently.
Snape was momentarily jolted out from his thoughts. He lifted his head up and saw a cherubic Lily Evans facing him.
"What a ravishing beauty Lily Evans is!" Snape thought. Her eyes were what endeared and attracted Snape to. Oh Lily eyes. Snape could feel a warm sensation trickling down his spine. Her pair of eyes had a life on its own. How they twinkle with vivacity when she is happy and how they sink into retreat when she is crestfallen.
" Yes. I am perfectly all right." Snape replied coldly, completely devoid of emotion, his eyes giving her a glacial, stony stare. It has always been a wonder to Lily Evans how Snape is able to keep his composure in face of any adversities. Deep down her heart, she knows that Snape is like everyone a warm-blooded creature who is both capable of loving and hating. He has kept his cool demeanour to protect himself from any harm. The multi layers of façade have to be ripped off to reveal his innermost self.
"So what are you here for? To sneer at my loss to James Potter or to show your fake concern ? Go back to James. You belong to their group!" Snape spoke in an irritated voice.
"Why must you build walls instead of bridges with those people who are truly concerned of your well- being? Am I really that detestable? If so, can you please tell me straight to my face so that I will not waste my breath on someone who is incorrigible?" Lily spoke harshly
A moment of silence ensued.
Embarrassed by her sudden outburst, Lily first broke the silence and said regretfully, "Sorry for being so harsh! You must forgive me for my insensitivity. I am here to help you. Really."
"But what if I refuse to be helped? No one can understand what I am going through now, including you."
"How do you know if you are not even willing to tell anyone? I am here to lend a listening ear to all your grievances. Please give our friendship a chance." Lily said in a pleading voice.
" I feel so crushed and lousy after so many defeats to James. I am not willing to accept that I will always lose to him. Compared to the effort that I have put in my studies, do you think that James deserve the success he has ? And I cannot understand why people are deceived by his superficiality. Can you provide a satisfactory explanation to my queries?" Snape poured out.
Lily was grateful to know that the impregnable barrier between them was slowly being demolished. He is finally revealing his vulnerable inner self.
"I am an exception. If I am taken in by the charms of Potter, I wouldn't even be here now. In my eyes, you are better than James in many aspects."
"Really?" Snape interrupted, unable to suppress his smile.
"Of course. Do I look like I am lying? Believe in yourself. I am confident that one day you will surpass James. Don't despair and Stop Brooding over you loss. Remember what Professor Dumbledore said, 'Actions speak louder than words'. You will have my 100 per cent support." Lily spoke in her saccharine voice.
Snape was comforted to hear what Evans had told him. Any self doubts that he had were banished. His confidence restored to know that Lily had such a different opinion from what others had. He was even more determined to prove his self- worth to Lily Evans.
Evans, on the other hand was glad that Snape finally opened up to her. Whatever misunderstandings they had before were vanished after this meeting.
That marked the start of a long- lasting friendship between Severus and Lily.
((((((((
Defeat has dealt a monster blow to Severus Snape. His ego was not dented, but crushed beyond repair. No matter how Snape tried to block memories of his defeat to James Potter, it kept coming back to haunt him, with greater intensity every time it returned. Each time he closed his eyes, he could hear vividly the vicious laughter of James Potter and Sirrius Black, coupled with their merciless and relentless torrent of ridicule and insults. "You will never ever win me in your life time. Never ever. Face it" the voice in his head screamed. He knew very well that he had to leave this episode of defeat behind, however painful it was, and continued with life per normal but he simply could not get over the loss.
His mind was a whirlwind of emotions. Sometimes, he gritted his teeth and promised that he will put in extra effort for the upcoming examinations and beat James flat. "I will wipe that arrogant smirk off his face one day. You mark my words." he thought to himself resolutely. At times, he would sink into despair and exclaim with a fatalistic voice, " I am born a loser. How can I ever compete with James Potter who has so much charisma and charm in him? I have given everything I have and there is no room for improvement. The elasticity of my brain is stretched to the maximum and any further stress added will bound to snap it one day." His mind vacillated between thoughts of victory, hope and thoughts of helplessness and despair.
Today was no different from the rest of the days after the defeat. The taste of defeat was still strong and persistent in Snape's mind, even after one week. The break after Professor Dumas' lesson on Divination was spent moping over his loss. So preoccupied Snape was in his thoughts that he did not hear the clapping of loafers getting nearer by the second.
" Snape.." whispered the person.
No response.
"Snape, are you all right?" the person increased the volume of her voice slightly, at the same time tapped his shoulder gently.
Snape was momentarily jolted out from his thoughts. He lifted his head up and saw a cherubic Lily Evans facing him.
"What a ravishing beauty Lily Evans is!" Snape thought. Her eyes were what endeared and attracted Snape to. Oh Lily eyes. Snape could feel a warm sensation trickling down his spine. Her pair of eyes had a life on its own. How they twinkle with vivacity when she is happy and how they sink into retreat when she is crestfallen.
" Yes. I am perfectly all right." Snape replied coldly, completely devoid of emotion, his eyes giving her a glacial, stony stare. It has always been a wonder to Lily Evans how Snape is able to keep his composure in face of any adversities. Deep down her heart, she knows that Snape is like everyone a warm-blooded creature who is both capable of loving and hating. He has kept his cool demeanour to protect himself from any harm. The multi layers of façade have to be ripped off to reveal his innermost self.
"So what are you here for? To sneer at my loss to James Potter or to show your fake concern ? Go back to James. You belong to their group!" Snape spoke in an irritated voice.
"Why must you build walls instead of bridges with those people who are truly concerned of your well- being? Am I really that detestable? If so, can you please tell me straight to my face so that I will not waste my breath on someone who is incorrigible?" Lily spoke harshly
A moment of silence ensued.
Embarrassed by her sudden outburst, Lily first broke the silence and said regretfully, "Sorry for being so harsh! You must forgive me for my insensitivity. I am here to help you. Really."
"But what if I refuse to be helped? No one can understand what I am going through now, including you."
"How do you know if you are not even willing to tell anyone? I am here to lend a listening ear to all your grievances. Please give our friendship a chance." Lily said in a pleading voice.
" I feel so crushed and lousy after so many defeats to James. I am not willing to accept that I will always lose to him. Compared to the effort that I have put in my studies, do you think that James deserve the success he has ? And I cannot understand why people are deceived by his superficiality. Can you provide a satisfactory explanation to my queries?" Snape poured out.
Lily was grateful to know that the impregnable barrier between them was slowly being demolished. He is finally revealing his vulnerable inner self.
"I am an exception. If I am taken in by the charms of Potter, I wouldn't even be here now. In my eyes, you are better than James in many aspects."
"Really?" Snape interrupted, unable to suppress his smile.
"Of course. Do I look like I am lying? Believe in yourself. I am confident that one day you will surpass James. Don't despair and Stop Brooding over you loss. Remember what Professor Dumbledore said, 'Actions speak louder than words'. You will have my 100 per cent support." Lily spoke in her saccharine voice.
Snape was comforted to hear what Evans had told him. Any self doubts that he had were banished. His confidence restored to know that Lily had such a different opinion from what others had. He was even more determined to prove his self- worth to Lily Evans.
Evans, on the other hand was glad that Snape finally opened up to her. Whatever misunderstandings they had before were vanished after this meeting.
That marked the start of a long- lasting friendship between Severus and Lily.
((((((((
