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
Disclaimer: Is this really necessary? They ain't mine, except for OCs and maybe the plot. I just like to play with 'em.
"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
*****************************************************
Time was passing, in the annoying way that it always did – i.e. too quickly. Exams were looming in the very near future, and Severus was all too aware that he had spent many a lesson paying little attention to anything, except thinking about Lily.
More to the point, the deadline for their potions assignment was only a few days away. There was no problem with the work, which was a definite 'O'. However, it took away Lily's only legitimate excuse to see him.
He couldn't help but smirk at Potter's stupidity. His girlfriend was spending two/three nights a week now ('extra work') with another male, no one else there with them. And because it was Snape, whom they considered too ugly, nasty, afraid of them, - whichever- he had never once wondered if anything was going on.
Other people had. Members of his own house has questioned him quite thoroughly (thankfully only verbally) about his spending so much time with Lily Evans. Throwing around a few choice phrases- 'filthy Gryffindor mudblood' being the most useful- had got him out of that quite effectively.
Perhaps more effectively then he had intended.
He had the uncanny feeling recently of being 'sized up' so to say, by some of his house members. The same members who had been meeting secretly for something or other for nearly a month. He said secretly…well nothing was secret for very long in Slytherin. The only reason that nobody knew what they were meeting for was that no one was interested. There were so many little conspiracies going on in Slytherin at any one time that you would be hard pressed to keep track of them all. Mostly they were aimed at other houses anyway.
But he knew what it felt like to be watched by people who were planning something for you. He'd had plenty of experience after all.
Lily was above suspicion in her own house of course. In fact he doubted they would believe it even if she told them out-right.
His chain of thought was broken by said person storming into the room. She slammed her bag onto the desktop, with such force that she very nearly toppled some of his equipment over.
James. He'd bet 100 galleons on it. He raised an eyebrow at her.
She raised her eyebrows back, saying very clearly, and what do you think?
"What's he done this time then?"
She let out a frustrated sigh.
"The same as ever. Kept me up really late last night trying to get into my knickers. When I pushed him off- for about the 16th time- he got annoyed with me."
If he smirked, she would undoubtedly kill him. He kept his face expressionless.
"Why don't you just tell him you won't until you're married?"
She gave him a peculiar look.
They had avoided ever talking about long-term plans. To him, it was just so miraculous to have her at all he tried not to think about it. He wasn't sure why she wouldn't talk about it. He liked to hope it was some self-doubt about the whole plan. He decided to give her the easy way out.
"Married in general I mean. Not specifically to him."
Slowly the look turned into something like a smile.
"You'd love the irony of me telling James that, when we're… wouldn't you?"
He smiled back.
"So would you."
She made a mock-horror face in reply, before turning her attention to the work laid out on the desk.
**********
"Snape."
He paused at the far end of the common room. So close to freedom! So close…
Turning reluctantly, he saw Macnair, sat with three of his friends, looking expectantly at him. They had rather obviously been waiting for him to return from his evening work with Lily. Ignoring them was always an option. It appeared they had decided it was time to complete whatever it was they had been considering. Hopefully all they wanted was a potion and then they would leave him alone. With that thought, he walked back across the room and stood before them.
A self-important look appeared across Macnair's features.
"Have you thought about what you're going to be doing after Hogwarts Snape?"
What? Since when had his future been of any interest to anyone? He shook his head slowly.
Macnair exchanged glances with the other three.
"We have an…opportunity for you, if you want it. Someone we think you would like to meet very much."
Severus continued to look at them, calculatingly. He didn't know exactly what was going on here, and that bothered him. More than that, the use of the pronoun 'we' was sending warning signals straight to his brain.
"When exactly would I have to meet this person?"
He kept his voice neutral, knowing they were trying to gauge his reaction.
"Tonight. Only it's off school grounds. We have to portkey there."
He couldn't stop the disbelief entering his eyes. They honestly thought he was going to go anywhere in the middle of the night with them? Still it was intriguing…There was one thing he could try. Looking Macnair dead into the eyes, he concentrated. Legilimancy was a spell that could be used both with a wand and without, the casting was more of a catalyst than necessity. His basic skill allowed him to tell simple thoughts- such as whether or not someone was lying to him.
And it appeared he was being told the truth.
In that case, it was probably worth the risk. He would have his wand ready, in the worst case scenario he could out-duel them. Possibly not all four at once though, which could be a problem.
"So you up for it Snape?"
He met Macnair's challenging gaze coolly.
"What are we waiting for then?"
Macnair and one other stood- he gestured for them to lead the way. He most certainly wasn't leaving his back open for them. Only two though, and that improved his odds. Following them cautiously, he crossed across the darkening grounds. Right outside of the gates, Macnair picked up an empty cup- the portkey. They each touched it.
**********
They re-appeared in a darkened room. A man was stood, watchful, by a wooden door. His countenance was distinguished- his hair just greying, eyes sharp behind small spectacles. Severus felt sure he recognised him from somewhere. The man gestured towards the others to leave, before speaking to him.
"Severus Snape, I presume? I've heard a lot about you."
He made as if to lead through the door and Severus remained still. All of his senses were alert. Going somewhere with classmates was one thing. Strange old men- who he probably couldn't out-duel- where another thing altogether. He tightened his grip around his wand.
"Then you have me at a disadvantage, because I know nothing about you."
Good smooth reply, it looked like the old man was knocked slightly off-balance. He recovered quickly though, and gave a small smile.
" I believe you do Severus. My name is Professor Clayton."
He felt his jaw go to drop. Of course he knew that face- it was in the Potion's Journals frequently enough! Clayton was a renowned Potion's Master, one of the youngest ever when he had passed. Clayton beckoned him once more through the doors, and this time, Severus went.
Inside was a huge workshop- Potion's bubbled away in different sections of the room, large glass jars lined the shadowy walls, and papers were strewn across various benches. It was perfect. This was what he wanted for his future. He had already known he had wanted to become a Potion's Master, and if this was what you got to do, then it only deepened his desire to do so.
Clayton was looking at him knowingly.
"Now let us talk shall we, about your future."
**********
When Macnair knocked tentatively on the door hours later, Severus' mind was whirling. He couldn't comprehend that he was being offered this chance. There had to be a catch. There had to be. He had a suspicion that he knew what it was as well.
"One last question Sir. Who do you work for, exactly?"
Clayton looked at him shrewdly.
"I expected as much. My employer is Voldemort- you have heard of him in the papers, of course."
A chill seeped into his gut. Voldemort. If half the stuff the papers said was true…the disappearances, the people calling themselves 'Death Eaters'…
"Of course all we do is make what potions he wants- and in return we have free reign with everything we could need plus pay. You must not let what those hacks at the Daily Prophet write affect your judgement here Severus."
He had to leave; he had to think about this. He noticed how Clayton had very carefully not denied what the papers had reported, just made it sound doubtful. Yet if they were like that, surely they could have forced him to work for him. Why offer jobs and wages when you could kidnap people and get it for free?
"I'll think about it Sir."
He wasn't going to commit himself to anything immediately.
Clayton nodded, with a hint of self-assurance that said he knew Severus would be back.
The journey back to the Slytherin Tower was silent- not only because it was way after curfew. He was unable to sleep when finally back either, in the end only getting a few hours.
**********
He hated mornings, more specifically this morning. His limbs still felt heavy with sleep as he slumped into his seat for breakfast, still considering the events of last night. What happened next though, woke him thoroughly.
At the opposite end of the hall, James Potter had climbed onto the breakfast table. He knelt down in front of Lily, ignoring the teachers' protests, and pulled a small box out of his pocket.
No…
"Lily Evans, I love you more than anything in the world, and I don't ever want to let you go. Will you marry me?"
Jealousy, misery and anger crashed down into his heart, as a blushing Lily quietly replied.
"Yes."
~~ End Chapter Eight ~~
Tada! Not long left for this story now I'm afraid. Hope you all enjoyed the latest part. Hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year too. Chocolate frogs for everyone!
Now come on, you all know how fast bunnies breed….REVIEW! Feed the bunnies! *sings* feed the bu-nnies, let them know it's Christmas time…
As extra incentive- I have the final chapter already typed. If I get say (how hopeful can I be here? Not very.) 5 nice reviews, then I'll post it by the end of the week. Deal?
Ahem. Please?
Kateri1 – Thankee kindly! Sibling rivalry. Gotta love it ^-^
Mysticblackfary – Thanks for your review :)
The counter – If you had read further than the first chapter, I think you may have been pleasantly surprised. Ah well, such is life.
Caity – thanks! Have a bunny. I have too many.
Optimistically miserable – my new fave person ^_~ thank you- I always hope I'm keeping in character, or at least true to the character I've made for them.
Kristen – thank you, will do!
Snuffles55 – awesome. I can live with that. Thanks again!
Verygreatkate – speaker of evil! *bashes on head with HP book* Young Snape is not greasy! Pay attention, she's kissing him coz he's GREAT. Sadly, I don't think the University has the same priorities as you, I think work will have to continue to come before fanfiction. As for Williams…I think she flew into that tree deliberately so that Snape could rescue her, and is harbouring a secret love for him. 'The lady doth protest too much'…
