True colours by BekaJWP

Summary: 'Of course he didn't insult Lily Evans. He didn't need to. If he ever chose to reveal the truth, that- well that would do far more damage than any insult'

Pairing: LE/SS and LE/JP

Rating: PG-13

" I'm on the outside,

I'm looking in,

I can see through you,

See your true colours

Cause inside you're ugly,

You're ugly like me,

I can see through you,

See to the real you "

Outside by Staind

*****************************************************

The 'study' group in one corner of the library had been getting steadily rowdier since they arrived.

Black was lip-locked to some blonde girl…a fifth year Hufflepuff he thought, that was who he had seen holding hands with him yesterday. Then again it wasn't likely to be the same girl after a whole twenty-four hours. He wondered idly what Black would do when he'd been out with every girl in the school.

Lupin had finished his work, and he, Pettigrew and Potter were talking avidly. Well, Potter was punctuating his statements with over-dramatic role-playing, reaching out to poke Lily and get her attention every few minutes.

She, on the other hand, was trying to work on the History of Magic essay due in for the next morning. Between her and the librarian's glares, he was surprised Potter hadn't dropped dead already.

Severus had been in the library reading up for his own essay when they had entered, and when finished decided to stay watch for a while. It wasn't like he had anything better to do after all. He was betting on Lily snapping before the librarian did.

Sure enough, a few minutes later she stood in a harsh movement, hands splayed on the table. Whatever she said to them, it certainly worked, because they packed away somewhat shame-faced and left. Potter hung around a little longer, finally took the hint from her pointedly turned back, and with a frustrated look upon his face followed the others.

Severus removed the book he had been 'reading' from his lap and slid back into place on the wooden shelf. Casually, he walked over to table where Lily sat, stopping just behind her. Her quill paused in its hasty slide across the parchment and her shoulders perceptibly stiffened.

"Look James, I just told you I am BUSY so…"

She turned but stopped halfway through whatever admonishment was to follow as she realised who it was, eyebrows rising a little.

His mouth twisted wryly.

"If you were looking to insult me, then well done, that's just about the worst thing anyone has ever called me."

He sat on the chair directly opposite, fished in his bag, and then slid a small book across the table towards her.

"You'll need that for the information on early wand-making in Asia"

She tilted her head quizzically, then smiled.

"Thanks. You don't like to owe favours, do you?"

"I don't like to be indebted to people, certainly."

He spotted her letter from home, on the desk amongst her work.

"Oh I saw you got a letter…how is your father? Better I hope."

He half-smiled at her, keeping his expression clear of any suspicion or clue that he knew. Obviously she didn't see anything amiss as she, with just the right amount of worried-rue, answered.

"You know, not too bad, not too good."

The word 'Petunia' was one of the few words he could make out upside down, at the top of the page.

"Petunia? Plant or person?"

Her glance was slightly reproving as she slid the letter out of sight.

"Person. Just. My older sister- we don't get on all that well".

He pulled his bag up onto his shoulder, stood slowly, and gave a drawn out sigh. His eyes darkened in humour.

"Well… makes me glad I haven't got any siblings. Be thankful there's only her Lil. See you around".

Her lack of reaction was nothing short of astounding, as he smirked, turned on his heel and walked towards the exit. He never thought the day would come when he would quote Potter…but that had worked well, if he did say so himself. He was a good few strides down the corridor when he heard his name, turned, and saw her leaning on the stone arch of the doorway.

"I'll see you in Potions"

Her careful smile was somewhat spoilt by the laughter dancing in her eyes, then she turned and slipped back into the quiet library.

He stood for a moment, before resuming his walk to the Slytherin tower, with the nagging feeling that he was still less in control of this…situation, than he liked to think he was.

**********

He did indeed see her in Potions, though she was, of course, surrounded by the usual entourage of Marauders and giggling girls. He glanced her way several times during the lesson, but either she didn't look up, or he kept missing it. It was shortly before the end of the lesson, when the Professor called the class to attention to make an announcement.

"Right. For part of your coursework this year, you are required to work on a project, with a partner…"

Severus scowled briefly. Wonderful.

"…you will be working on this project both in lesson times and in your own free time…"

Time that he could have spent doing his own potions quite happily.

"…and it is as much a test of your team-working abilities as of your potions expertise…"

She wouldn't. She seriously wouldn't. She was not going to say what he thought she was going to say.

"…to that end, you will choose a partner who is not from your house. If you do not, I will place you, and you will not like it if I have to pair you up."

Argh! And he had thought she liked him! He wondered if she might bend the rules to let him work on his own, he was well ahead of anybody else in the class anyway. Looking around the room, it was clear many people would rather work on their own. The Marauders were looking outraged, the Slytherins were glaring at the Gryffindors, who where glaring right back.

The Professor stood, her arms folded expectantly at the divided room.

He couldn't help but look over at Lily, and as he did she looked back at him challengingly. He raised one eyebrow a fraction, and she stood up…

"Would you be my partner, Snape?"

Her voice was sweet as sugar, and behind her Potter's eyes nearly bulged out of his head, while Black's jaw dropped. He stared dumbly back at her, before answering, his voice hard.

"Fine".

The Professor beamed at Lily.

"Excellent Miss Evans, 10 points to Gryffindor. Now the rest of you get on with it. You've got 5 minutes left."

Severus went over to the empty desk that he normally worked at, ignoring the poisonous looks from Black and Pettigrew. Potter was busy trying to talk Lily out of what she'd just done, with very little effect it seemed. Gradually, begrudgingly, the rest of the class paired off. Lily, having gathered her belongings, walked away from Potter and arrived at the seat next to Severus. He made a point of not looking at her, and gazed around the room. It was quite funny actually- pairs of people sat at each desk, as far apart from each other as possible, belongings at opposite ends of the tabletop and steadfastly not looking at each other.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Lily lean her head on her hand, propped up to face him. And staring. He waited a few agonising minutes before finally turning to face her.

She looked ever so slightly bothered by his ignoring her- though he had learnt the risk of taking her expressions at face value. She smiled charmingly before she spoke.

"So…I bet you have all sorts of interesting Potions we could work on"

"Probably"

"So we should probably meet to work on this every week"

"We should"

"How about here, every Thursday at eight?"

"Okay"

She raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Are you going to talk in monosyllables for this entire project?"

The lesson ended, and Severus stood up to leave the classroom, carefully putting his belongings into his bag before he met her enquiring eyes.

"Maybe"

He slid past her as casually as he could fake, turned on his heel, and left the room before Potter managed to get over to him, a smug smile remaining on his face all the while. She might be good, but damn it, he was good too.

---End chapter 6---

Argggh…why the delay? Several reasons. One was writer's block. Another is that I am the most critical person IN THE UNIVERSE about my own work, and I went through a stage recently of hating everything that I write (just before I had to hand in a portfolio of work, actually. Fun.) Also, just a lot of work, been having essays to hand in every week and been getting a bit stressed about it really.

So sorry about that, hopefully you haven't all lost interest…*tumbleweed blows past* well, 'twill be my own fault if ya have I guess. Hope you enjoyed this installment…clicky on the review button and tell me eh?

PinkJen – Thanks hunny ^_^

Leah – Thanks, she is isn't she. I try.

Gusha – Maybe he does…maybe she's just letting him think he does. Thanks for reviewing again :)

Kateri1 – Got it in one ;)

TheBlackCrayon – I will try to convert you by the end! Thanks for the lovely review. It's hard to be original in such a huge fandom but I'm trying.

sillygoodwriterhehheh – erm…ok…not so much about my story really. I do have an email address you know… (if anyone's wondering- very bad writer who maliciously flames other people. I felt riled enough to tell her exactly what I thought of their story and them)