News soon got round that the beautiful Lily Potter had been asked out by Severus Snape, and yet for all the teasing he got, Severus didn't care, because he had the most beautiful girl he had ever met on his arm, so to speak. It drove James insane with jealousy to see Lily laughing at Snape's jokes, smiling fondly as he helped her in potions, or she assisted him in charms, and most of all, the fact that Severus was becoming more and more popular because of Lily, now even friends with the ever steady couple, Alice and Neville Longbottom and also Rubeus Hagrid. It drove James wild.

Lily, on the other hand, loved bringing friends to Snape and watching his face light up if he had something in common with them. She felt herself slowly falling for his natural naivety and vulnerability and couldn't wait until next week, when they would go to Hogsmede together.

She made her way to transfiguration the next day, almost willing the end of the lesson so she could speak with Dumbledore.

"Professor, you were completely right! I've never been so happy as when I am with Severus and it makes me so happy to see him with friends. The only people determined to dislike him are Sirius and James." Lily gushed, excitedly, barely stopping to breathe.

"I'm glad to see you so happy, Lily, but I must warn you. Severus is showing an unhealthy interest in the dark arts, not just the defence of, and I want you to show him that it isn't right without estranging yourself. Can you try for me, Lily?"Dumbledore looked concerned.

"I'll try, Professor, anything for you and Severus," she promised.

Lily found Severus in the library, reading a book which she couldn't see the title of. He smiled when he saw her but when she didn't return it, he looked confused.

"Is there a problem, Lily?" he asked, curious, with a hint of worry in his voice.

"Actually there is"She responded,"I've heard, from a very reliable source, that you are dabbling in Dark magic, Severus, and I've come to warn you, if it is true, you will lose all your friends, but most of all, you will lose me. I'll never look back, and will have no contact with you, because above all things, I hate the dark arts."

Severus looked shocked yet it dawned on him that she was telling the truth and if he lost Lily, life wouldn't be worth it to him anymore.

"I give you my word, from now until the end of time, Lily, I promise," and Lily saw no reason to doubt him, because he looked utterly terrified at the prospect of returning to his previous life. Lily smiled and whispered, "I knew I could count on you", before leaving.

Entering the Gryffindor common room, Lily's heart felt considerably lighter until she saw, standing across the room, James Potter, staring at her.

"So, been with lover boy have you?" He spat at her. She knew he wouldn't talk to her in such a way if his precious friends were there, so Lily saw no reason to feel intimidated.

"Actually, yes, so if you don't mind, I'm tired and would like to go to bed." She said, not flinching at his tone of voice.

"Yeah, well, I wanted to take you out but we don't always get what we want. I really liked you, Evans."

"I'm sorry, but I can't date someone that I don't have feelings for, just like you won't date any of those other girls."

"So you have feelings for old greasy hair?" James taunted.

"Well, now you mention it, yes" Lily told him."Look, if you aren't going to get out of my way, I'll just have to go elsewhere."

"Anywhere you go I'll follow" James said, quite menacingly but Lily simply found him tiresome.

"Fine, but just don't carry on the conversation." Lily sighed. She made her way down the stone steps to the portrait, James followed her and as they got out of the Gryffindor tower, he grabbed her by the arm.

"Don't try to ingnore me, Evans" He snapped.

"Get of me, Potter!" she struggled, not seeing who James did just turning into the corridor.

"In fact, I might just give you a kiss" He smiled and there and then, James kissed Lily. After moments of squirming to get free, she stood there shocked, then turned round to see Severus drop the Lilies he was carrying and bolt down the corridor.