A/N: Sorry it took so long. Had a little visit from Mr. Writers Block.

IMPORTANT: If you read chapter 8 right when it was posted, you might want to go back and check that you've read the right one. I posted chapter 8, then took it down because I wasn't happy with it, and then I put it back up again. So, if Severus just went straight to bed in the end of chapter 8, you might wanna go back and read it again…

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Chapter 9 – Like a virgin

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Severus was happy to note that his little outburst seemed to have scared Lucius. Maybe he was better off losing his temper every now and again rather than just ignoring them. He did know a few useful hexes he had picked up from his fathers old books. They might come in handy. And he didn't need to worry about breaking house rules; it was almost expected of Slytherins to use each other as live targets. Severus had experienced that enough times himself. Avery would probably be proud.

Avery. How did he know about Severus and Lily? It felt like they had taken every precaution imaginable. And he still knew. And so did Dumbledore. How long would it be before one of the students found out? Lucius was suspicious, of course, but he couldn't prove anything. Lily was pretty good friends with Sirius and the guys. Had she told them? No, she couldn't have, he decided. Sirius Black would never be able to keep something this big a secret.

*

"You haven't told anyone, have you?" he asked one evening. Lily's head had been resting on his naked chest, but now she looked up.

"No, why would I?"

"I dunno," he sighed. "It just doesn't feel like our secret is very… secret."

"Just because Avery knows," Lily started.

"It's not just Avery," Severus said. "Dumbledore. Lucius."

"Lucius knows?" Lily looked amazed.

"No," he said quickly. "But he's suspicious."

"He's also an idiot," Lily shrugged. "No one is going to listen to him."

"I hope you're right," he whispered, kissing her.

"I am," Lily assured him. "As long as we continue to be careful, no one will find out."

*

Lily woke the next morning feeling rather queasy. She hope it would wear off when she got some breakfast, but the smell of food only made her feel worse.

"You OK, Lily?" James asked, watching her shove her bacon around on the plate.

"Yeah, I'm just not hungry," Lily muttered, getting up. She hurried out of the hall and into the nearest toilet.

"What on did you say to her, Prongs?" Sirius teased. James didn't answer.

Despite it only being early March, the weather had suddenly decided to show off its best side that morning. Lily threw off her cloak as she, Remus and Sirius walked across the grounds to their Care of Magical Creatures class. The snow had completely melted and some of the trees had started sprouting leafs.

They found Professor Kettleburn standing outside a small paddock. In a corner of it, a white horse was grassing.

"A unicorn," Lily said, amazed. Most of the other students had already gathered around, the girls whispering excitedly.

"Today we'll be discussing unicorns," Professor Kettleburn said. Lily swallowed, something twitching inside her. 

"As you all know," the professor continued, "unicorns are common throughout northern Europe. There are some in the forest here, and I've managed to catch one for today's lesson. They possess magical powers, and their hairs are used in many brands of wands."

Professor Kettleburn went on, but Lily had stopped listening. She had loved unicorns for as long as she could remember, even before she found out she was a witch, and it had always been her dream to be able to get near one. But now she wasn't so sure anymore. One fact kept twirling around in her head. A fact she hoped to God Kettleburn would not mention.

"Unicorns are hard to catch," Professor Kettleburn said. "It is said that they will only trust someone pure and true at heart. They prefer girls, and the female unicorns will for the most part only let virgins catch them."

Kettleburn looked at his students.

"Let's have one of you try and catch this one... Miss Evans, would you like to have a go?" Lily's stomach turned.

"Er, Professor I don't think," she started, but he had already pulled her out of the crowd and was leading her towards the paddock where the unicorn was grassing peacefully.

"Nothing to worry about, Lily," he said calmly. "It won't hurt you."

'Want to bet?' Lily thought nervously. She entered the paddock, well aware that the whole class had come closer to have a better look.

'Great,' she thought, and carefully edged nearer to the unicorn.

"Hi girl," she said softly. It looked up at her, its ears twitching in the direction of Lily's voice.

"That's right," Lily continued in the same, calm tone. "That's a good girl. I'm not going to hurt you." The unicorn was still eyeing her suspiciously. Lily walked slowly, trying not to think about all the people watching her. She was near enough to pat it now, and she reached out her hand slowly. Suddenly the unicorn threw her head back, neighing angrily. Lily jumped back.

"It's ok girl," she said softly, more to herself than the unicorn. "I'm not gonna hurt you. I just want to pet you." But it was no use. With another neigh, the unicorn turned and bolted to the other end of the paddock.

"I guess someone's not as innocent as we thought."

Lucius' voice rose above the murmurs from her classmates. Lily felt herself go flushing red.

"I thought you said unicorns only let virgins catch them, Professor," Lucius continued.

"Well, one can never be certain, Mr Malfoy," Kettleburn said, but Lily thought he sounded a bit amazed himself.

She hurried out of the paddock, well aware that everyone was looking at her. The girls were muttering, Lucius was looking unusually pleased and Remus and Sirius looked amazed. Professor Kettleburn, sensing the sudden tension of the class, tried his best to save the situation.

"Miss Saunders, why don't you try," he offered. A brown haired Rawenclaw girl hurried forward. Professor Kettleburn lead her into the paddock too, and Lily's heart sank further as she watched the girl go right up to the unicorn and start stroking it.

"Guess some still have it, and some don't," Lucius whispered to Narcissa, just loud enough for Lily to hear.

*

When class was over, Lily hurried back into the castle. Instead of heading for her next class, Transfiguration, she turned in the other direction, heading for Gryffindor Tower.

"Aren't you supposed to be in class, young lady?" the fat lady asked.

"Not feeling well," Lily muttered, which wasn't a complete lie. "Quidditch Cup."

The portrait swung open, and Lily went in. She hurried up to the dorms, and pulled her Pensieve out from underneath her bed. She poked the liquid with her wand, and Marianne's face swam into vision.

"I'm here for you, no matter. I always will be," her voice echoed.

"I wish you were here now," Lily whispered. "I could use my best friend back."

How long before the rumour was all over school? That Lily Evans wasn't a virgin. How long before people started asking themselves who her boyfriend was? They would all assume it was James, of course. Everyone already did. But if James denied it, what then? Would they figure it out? Lily's thoughts were interrupted as her stomach turned and she was forced to hurry off to the bathroom again.

*

"Way to go, Potter."

"Good going, James."

"Well done."

"What on earth is going on?" James sighed, dropping himself down next to Sirius at lunch. "People have been patting my back and congratulating me all day."

"I'll tell you later," Sirius muttered. James looked down the table.

"Where's Lily?" he asked. Sirius shrugged. "Haven't seen her since care of magical creatures."

"And for good reason," Remus added silently.

"OK, someone tell me what's going on," James demanded, looking at his friends in turn.

"Not the place," Sirius said quietly.

"Well, then let's find one that is," James said, getting up and dragging Sirius with him. Remus and Peter hurried after them.

*

"You're joking!" James stared at Sirius.

"I wish I was," Sirius sighed.

"Well, they can't say," James started. "I mean, it's not a safe bet, the unicorn."

"It's safe enough for Lucius," Remus pointed out. "And anyone else who wants to believe it."

"Poor Lily," James muttered.

"Er, Prongs?" Sirius said carefully. "They're not right, are they?"

"What do you mean?" James asked.

"Well, you and Lily haven't."

"Oh for crying out loud," James interrupted. "How many times do I need to tell you guys? There is nothing between me and Lily!"

*

"Ey, Evans! Fancy a quick one?"

Lily ducked through the halls, trying to avoid the rude suggestions she was being hailed with. She turned a corner, and hurried into an empty classroom, slamming the door shut.

It had been a week since the incident with the unicorn, but it had far from died down. The rumour had spread throughout the school in a matter of hours, and Lily had been forced to deal with comments and suggestions since.

'I don't know how much more of this I can take,' she thought, sitting down in a corner of the room, rubbing her stomach. Lucius was by far the worst. He had tried to hit on Lily before (why she had never really understood), but since the unicorn his suggestions had become much more graphic, and disgusting. She wasn't sure how much longer she could go without punching him. Maybe it was just as well she did.

The door creaked open.

"Leave me alone," Lily snapped.

"Ok then," Severus' voice said.

"No, wait. I didn't mean you." Lily looked up at him. He smiled, joining her on the floor.

"I know you didn't," he whispered, kissing her. "How are you holding up?"

"I feel like jumping of the Astrology tower," Lily muttered. He put his arm around her, kissing her brow.

"It'll die down," he whispered. "Just don't let them see that it's getting to you."

"That's easy for you to say," Lily pointed out.

"You think it's any easier for me?" he asked. " You think I like hearing some of the things people say about you? I'd gladly stand up for you."

"Don't you dare," Lily interrupted. "It's bad enough as it is."

"How about if I hex Lucius in his sleep?" Severus suggested, earning himself a slight smile.

"It'll be OK, Lily," he whispered.

"I know," she nodded. "I love you."

"And I you," he assured her.

"Shouldn't you be in class though?" Lily pointed out.

"Probably," he nodded.

"Well, off you go then," she shooed, kissing him. "Don't let me keep you."

"Will you be alright?" he asked carefully. She nodded.

"I'll see you tonight."

*

Lily waited until she was sure class had started before she dared leave the classroom. The hallways were empty, apart from the odd ghost floating along. Instead of going back to the common room, Lily turned and headed for the hospital wing.

She found Madam Pomfrey at Nitgales desk.

"Miss Evans," she said, looking with surprise at Lily. "Shouldn't you be in class?"

"I just… is Madam Nitgale here?" Lily stuttered.

"No, she's in Manchester," Pomfrey said. "She'll be gone for a few days. Can I help?"

Lily didn't answer.

"Why don't you have a seat, Lily," Pomfrey suggested, pointing her wand at the door, slamming it shut.

"I've been hearing some of the rumours going around in school lately," Pomfrey said.

"Who hasn't?" Lily muttered.

"I'm not going to ask you if it's true or not," Pomfrey continued. "That is none of my business."

Lily gave her a small, thankful smile.

"I am, however, concerned about you," Pomfrey said. "There is a reason why Slytherins."

"Not you too," Lily sighed.

"Lily, I just don't want you to do anything you regret," Pomfrey said softly. "Some times, when you're in love, you can be a bit blinded. People aren't always as nice as they seem."

"There is nothing going on between me and Severus," Lily protested.

"Who said I was talking about Severus Snape?" Pomfrey smiled. Lily cursed silently.

"You won't tell anyone, will you?" she asked anxiously.

"Of course not," Pomfrey assured her.

"I need to talk to someone about his," Lily sighed. "It's driving me crazy."

"Well, I'm always here," Pomfrey said, "even if you just want to talk."

Lily shifted in her chair. Should she tell the nurse about her concerns? Saying it out loud would mean coming to terms with it, and she wasn't sure she was ready for that.

"Lily, is anything wrong?" Pomfrey asked carefully. Lily hesitated.

"I… I'm late," she said finally.

"For what?" Pomfrey asked, bewildered.

"You know," Lily muttered. "Late late."

"Of course," Pomfrey said slowly, Lily's words dawning on her. "You think you're pregnant."

Lily nodded, looking down at her feet.

"Well, haven't you been using protection?" Pomfrey asked.

"Of course we have," Lily said hurriedly. "But that's not 100 percent safe, is it?"

"No, sadly it's not," Pomfrey agreed. "But finding out for sure is an easy enough matter. Give me your hand, Lily."

She did, and Pomfrey conjured up a needle and a small glass. She pricked Lily's arm, and a few drops of blood dripped into the glass.

"I'll know in a couple of hours," she told Lily, swishing her wand over Lily's arm to stop the bleeding. "Why don't you go up to your dorm and have some sleep. I'll inform McGonagall you're not feeling well."

"You won't tell her about," Lily started.

"Of course not," Pomfrey assured her.

"Thanks," Lily said, getting up.

"I'll send an owl with the result," Pomfrey said. "And remember; I'm here if you need to talk."

Lily just gave her a grateful smile.

*

When Lily woke up, it was six o'clock at night. She sat up in bed, and jumped as she realized a large, tawny owl was sitting on her trunk. Lily took the letter in its beak, and the owl took off again. She stared at the envelope. She knew what it was. But she wasn't ready to find out yet. In fact, she was terrified. What if she was? What would she do? What would her parents say, and most importantly; what would Severus say? Lily tucked the letter into a pocket in her robes, getting up to go meet Severus.

*

She had only just sat down on the sofa when he came through the door. Lily jumped to her feet, greeting him with a kiss.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Better," she lied.

They sat down, Lily crawling into his arms. She wondered how he would react if she told him she might be pregnant. The thought had never crossed her mind, that she might be that unlucky. Somehow, she didn't think he would be too happy about it.

"You weren't in class today," Severus pointed out.

"I wasn't feeling well," Lily excused. "I went to see the nurse, and then I went to bed."

"You did look a bit pale earlier," he agreed.   

"No one saw you, did they?" she asked. "I mean, earlier today. I wouldn't want them to think… it's bad enough what James has to go through."

"Once again, James Potter gets the glory," Severus muttered.

"Excuse me?" Lily looked up at him. "So that's all I am? Glory?"

"Lily, that's not what I meant," he started, but Lily had already gotten up.

"You're no better than the rest of them," she spat.

"Lily wait." The door slammed shut, cutting him off.

***

Say it with me: MEN!

Right, I've decided some thank you's are in order;

Anariel, thanks for constantly nagging me about when the next chapter is up:) You keep me going.

All my SBMB buddies; Thanks for putting up with all my questions. What you I do if I couldn't ask you about all the things I don't know:)

All my reviewers. I admit it, I'm a sucker for reviews. Keep them coming, they make my day.

Oh, and if you like Severus, please check out my "Words" fiction. Not in any way related to this one