"I know I saw her come this way after dinner."
"Yeah, I think she was supposed to be meeting Batty."
Lily's eyes widened in horror as she quickly distanced herself from Severus; but he put his arm around the back of her neck, pulled her in close to him, and slightly brushed his lips across hers while his tongue slithered out of his mouth and caressed her lips. He then released her and gave an arrogant smile.
"There you are!" Sirius exclaimed, rounding a shelf of tomes. James, Remus, and Peter filed in behind him.
"Evening boys," Severus smiled cockily.
"What's the matter, Bats, have to study in the dark to hide your deformity from the rest of us humans?" James retorted.
Severus gathered his books and made to leave. "Perhaps you are merely jealous, Potter, that I have seen your girl in the dark and you have yet to."
James shot a deadly stare at Severus as he retrieved his wand from his robes. "I'm going to kick your ass for that, you hook nosed little nerd."
Remus pulled James aside. "Maybe we should take it outside, away from the scrutinizing stare of Madame Pince." Remus nodded towards the librarian who harrumphed as James looked over his shoulder at her.
Severus sat his book back down, unsheathed his wand, and began unbuttoning his robes, revealing a well-tailored black dress shirt and trousers. "I'd love to exercise my knowledge of hexes on you, Potter. Lead the way."
Lily, who had been staring silently in astonishment, shot up from her chair. "Severus, sit down!" He looked at her but stood firm. "James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter, Severus and I came here to work on our History of Magic project. I would appreciate it if you four gentlemen would grant us the privacy to accomplish that."
"But--" Sirius protested.
"Shut up!" Lily cut him off.
Madame Pince left her desk to approach the group. "Will I have to put all of you out or hush you with a silencing charm?"
Severus took his seat and Lily offered an apologetic smile. "Neither will be necessary, ma'am, these four were just leaving."
The disgruntled librarian turned form Lily to the unruly four. After a few "yeah"s and "sorry"s, they left with Madame Pince brining up the rear to return to her post.
Lily propped her elbows on the table and covered her face with her hands. Severus stared awkwardly at her. He opened his mouth to say something, but it was she who broke the silence.
"Why can't all of you just get along?"
"It's quite simple, Evans," came his reply. "There's a girl involved."
Lily's mouth fell open in shock. Quickly, she regained herself and snapped it shut. "Why are you like that?"
"Like what?"
"One minute you're a scared Slytherin, desperate for sincere affection. The next, you're a heartless creep who only wants to get in my robes."
"Scared Slytherin? I must say I've never heard that term before." Lily glared at him impatiently. "Do you honestly believe even one of those four fumbling fools are any different? Or any boy for that matter?"
"I refuse to believe that all any guy wants is sex, that not a single one is interested in love or companionship. I mean, sure, you're all still really young and immature, but once you get older . . ."
"We remain the same. Men are driven by the most carnal of urges, Evans: lust, violence, greed. Love?" He paused to smirk. "It's obsolete. Companionship? That's what pets are for. Many guys try to fool themselves and even attempt monogamy. I'll not belabor the outcome."
Lily stared speechless at him.
"I suppose that, being a virgin, all this is rather shocking to you, hmm?"
Lily nodded and then shook her head. "I beg your pardon, but that's none of your business!"
Severus crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. "Gryffindor pride, nothing like it."
"I guess not," Lily smirked. "Just as nothing compares to Slytherin arrogance."
Severus inhaled audibly through his mouth. "Animosity becomes you, my dear Evans."
"Look, Snape, I don't understand what your little infatuation is with me, but can you just spill it so we can deal with it and begin our project?"
"Certainly," he said, arching an eyebrow.
