"Sacrifice for Love"
Laughter roared in the Great Hall as Lily and her friends took their usual seats at their usual spots, which was very far from where James and the Marauders were sitting.
It wasn't that Lily and her group of friends were social outcasts; no, in fact, it was just the opposite. Lily and her friends were considered popular girls at Hogwarts...not very much far behind the Marauders. But Lily's friends were nothing like the Marauders at all...they didn't prank people and treated everyone, even the Slytherins, with the utmost kindness and courtesy.
James looked up and saw Lily helping herself to a piece of toast. Sirius nudged him painfully.
"Go on! Tell her good morning or something," Sirius urged him. For a moment James felt afraid that Lily might say something rude to hurt his feelings...but then he remembered that he was no longer James Potter. Well, physically he wasn't. He was Pierre Pottiloo!
Standing up with a great smile, avoiding the curious stares of fellow students, James made his way up to the rear of the Gryffindor table.
"Pierre, is it?" Lynn Bersket asked coyly, as the group finally noticed James.
"Yes." James said. Lily turned around and instead of seeing her typical morning scowl, she was smiling brightly.
"Pierre! Good morning. How did you sleep?" Lily asked as though she were the manager of a hotel and James was a very important guest.
"Like a baby. And yourself?" James asked.
Lily blushed a deep shade of crimson red. "I slept well, thank you."
"What's your first class, Pierre?" Ana Jenkins asked him.
"Err, Transfiguration," James stumbled. He had been so thrilled by Lily's attitude he had completely forgotten his class schedule.
"Great! We have transfiguration first too," Bethany Pessi said.
"We meaning...you too?" James asked, focusing his attention back on Lily, who nodded. "Simply wonderful. I'm delighted,"
Lily's friends all giggled. Lily smiled weakly.
"Well, I should finish up breakfast. See you all in class," James addressed the group.
Glancing at Pierre Pottiloo's back as he headed back to the Marauders, Uma Ricket leaned forward and said, "Well Lily, looks like you've got an admirer,"
"Don't be thick, Uma. He's just being nice because I've been showing him around," Lily shrugged it off, sneaking another glance at Pierre Pottiloo, who of course, was watching her as well.
"It's remarkable how nice she can be." James said dreamily, staring at his favorite red-head in his History of Magic class.
"Yeah, when you're not you," Sirius snorted. James felt his face drawing to a frown.
Sirius was right; Lily hated James Potter. She was as nice to any other person who wasn't James Potter. Especially to people she really liked; people like Remus.
James turned the other direction and watched Remus taking his notes carefully, Peter on his other side. What's Remus got that I don't?
"Hey, Sirius..." James began.
"Yeah," Sirius said, his eyes remaining glued on Ana Jenkins, who was sitting next to Lily.
"What's Remus got that I don't?" James asked him.
Sirius moved his head so he could look at James.
"What are you talking about?" he finally asked, thoroughly confused.
"Last night, when Lily and I were talking...she confided in me that she had a thing for Moony," James explained.
"WHAT?!" Sirius leapt out of his seat. The entire class turned their heads to get a glimpse of another spectacular show performed by Sirius Black. Sirius grinned.
"What in the bloody hell do you mean..." Sirius squinted at the board where the notes were being displayed. "...that turket bings are only found in Germany! I swear I saw one in Snape's bag the other day! Can you get arrested for smuggling turket bings, Professor?" Sirius finished, only to receive glares from Severus Snape and Lily.
"...turket bings are very foul creatures," Professor Binns continued airly. "They're almost as foul as Dementors," Professor Binns continued, with no knowledge that Sirius Black had further more interrupted his lecture.
"I should've known she liked him!" Sirius snapped his fingers. "I mean, the way the way they talk to each other. It's so casual, and warm...a bit too warm," Sirius said, his eyes narrowing.
"Do you think Moony likes her back?"
"Moony is our best friend, James. He wouldn't like the girl you have been crushing over since our 1st year," Sirius said irritably with a sudden glance at Remus, who was curious to know about Sirius's sudden outburst.
James found his eyes wandering once again to Lily, but this time her eyes met his.
She was eyeing Sirius and James suspiciously, before meeting eyes with James and returning to her notes.
"I'll ask Moony," Sirius declared. "Then maybe we could spread a little rumor that Remus doesn't like Lily-poo and she'll realize she likes you and..."
"Don't. Don't spread the rumors about Lily," James told him. "And don't ask Remus, either,"
"Why not?" Sirius seemed disappointed.
"Because...just because, Sirius. Just drop it," James said in an urgent tone.
James and the Marauders rushed out of the classroom especially ready for lunch. Looking behind him, James said that Lily had departed from her friends and was going in the other direction that led to the lake.
"I'll catch up with you in a bit," James grabbed Sirius's arm.
"Where you going?" Sirius asked.
"I forgot something," James said as he dashed off.
James ran up to Gryffindor Tower and pulled out his Invisibility Cloak. He was sure Lily had gone to the lake...but why?
Approaching the lake, James's heart sank as he saw who she was accompanying, and ducked into a bush.
"It's beautiful," Lily murmured as he showed her the sketches he were drawing.
"I couldn't resist. I mean, we're out here all the time...in front of wonderful scenery." Severus sighed, as though he needed to explain his actions.
"You have a talent," Lily nodded approvingly as Severus flipped to the next page.
The two of them, and James lurking in the bushes, sat there quietly for a moment before Snape spoke up. "Lily, you'll love me no matter what, right?"
Snape must've caught the look of hesitation on Lily's part and clarified, "I mean, you'll always love me. As a person...as the brother you never had,"
Lily breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "Of course Severus. I'll always love you," She looked at him again, and finally asked, "Why?"
Severus stared at her for a moment, before looking away. "You must be careful, Lily," Snape started in a sort of rant, "The Dark Lord is rising. He is looking for strong wizards and witches to destroy."
"I know that, Severus," Lily said kindly.
"Especially you...you're a big threat to him, Lily." Severus said, his voice growing louder.
For the first time in his life, James sensed fear in Snape's voice. It surprised him that such a useless and tacky thing like Snape could ever feel so deeply about one person.
"...You're a great witch, Lily. And you're Muggle-born...he's bound to come after you," Severus continued.
"I know that, Severus. I know," Lily said softly. "But I'm not afraid..."
"But I am," Severus stopped to grab ahold on Lily's hand.
"Do you know something, Severus?" Lily tilted her head questionably.
Severus didn't answer immediately, before finally saying, "Yes,"
"You're going to join him," Lily said flatly. James held his breath.
"Yes," came Severus's small voice.
Lily finally looked away, as if she didn't know what to say. Severus was watching her carefully. The silence was akward. Finally, Lily stood up.
"I should really be getting back." Lily said, her voice very distant.
"All right," Severus said numbly, watching her stand up and leave unexpectantly.
James didn't know if he should go after Lily, or continue to watch Snape. If he went after Lily and tried to comfort her, she'd probably know he was spying on her. And if he continued to watch Snape...well, he didn't know what the outcome would be.
Snape stood up and made his way back to the castle, unaware of the Head Boy at his tail.
"Finite Ullatrus," Snape said clearly as he entered the Slytherin common room.
His pace quickened as he reached the fireplace. Reaching in, he threw some rocks and debris into the flames. And suddenly, out of nowhere, Lord Voldemort's head appeared. James nearly gasped, but didn't.
"Severus, do you have an answer?" Lord Voldemort's voice boomed.
"I have considered your offer, My Lord," Severus said meekly. "But I have a request,"
"A request?" Lord Voldemort asked. "No one has ever asked for a request before,"
"Well, I am different," Snape said rather stiffly. "Lily Evans,"
"Muggle-born. A very powerful witch," Lord Voldemort said, acknowledging to Snape that he was familiar with her.
"I want her safe. I want her out of harm's way."
"But she is a threat to us! She's a target..."
"She will remain safe. From you and from your Death Eaters." Snape said firmly.
"Severus, I want you on my side. You have great powers and great talent. I need you to join me. But your request is too much of a threat."
"Lily Evans will not be harmed, or I will kill myself." Snape vowed.
James, huddled in the corner, watched in amazement as Snape risked his own life for Lily's safety. For a minute, the man in the fire did not say a word.
"And if I ensure you Evans safety...you will join us?" Voldemort asked in a wicked voice. It was quite clear he was certainly considering the offer.
"Yes. If you ensure that Evans is safe, then I will join you," Severus said.
Voldemort's eyes flashed. "Evans is safe. She is as safe as you and I." Voldemort told him.
Severus took a deep breath. "Then I am on your side,"
James didn't know how he managed to sneak out of Slytherin Tower without anyone's knowledge.
He sank against a wall and dropped to his knees. The scene he had just witness was absolutely horrifying. Voldemort was right there in that room. And Snape had sacrificed himself. For Lily.
The words kept repeating themselves over and over in James's head.
"I want her safe. I want her out of harm's way."
"But she is a threat to us! She's a target..."
"And if I ensure you Evans safety...you will join us?"
"Then I am on your side,"
James felt himself grasping for air. He didn't know which was more shocking to him; seeing Lord Voldemort's face in the fire, or the fact that Severus had given his life at the expense of Lily.
It was love; and James knew it. Because if James was in the same position, he would've done the exact same thing.
Author's Note:
I hope y'all liked it!!! PLEASE RR!!!
Laughter roared in the Great Hall as Lily and her friends took their usual seats at their usual spots, which was very far from where James and the Marauders were sitting.
It wasn't that Lily and her group of friends were social outcasts; no, in fact, it was just the opposite. Lily and her friends were considered popular girls at Hogwarts...not very much far behind the Marauders. But Lily's friends were nothing like the Marauders at all...they didn't prank people and treated everyone, even the Slytherins, with the utmost kindness and courtesy.
James looked up and saw Lily helping herself to a piece of toast. Sirius nudged him painfully.
"Go on! Tell her good morning or something," Sirius urged him. For a moment James felt afraid that Lily might say something rude to hurt his feelings...but then he remembered that he was no longer James Potter. Well, physically he wasn't. He was Pierre Pottiloo!
Standing up with a great smile, avoiding the curious stares of fellow students, James made his way up to the rear of the Gryffindor table.
"Pierre, is it?" Lynn Bersket asked coyly, as the group finally noticed James.
"Yes." James said. Lily turned around and instead of seeing her typical morning scowl, she was smiling brightly.
"Pierre! Good morning. How did you sleep?" Lily asked as though she were the manager of a hotel and James was a very important guest.
"Like a baby. And yourself?" James asked.
Lily blushed a deep shade of crimson red. "I slept well, thank you."
"What's your first class, Pierre?" Ana Jenkins asked him.
"Err, Transfiguration," James stumbled. He had been so thrilled by Lily's attitude he had completely forgotten his class schedule.
"Great! We have transfiguration first too," Bethany Pessi said.
"We meaning...you too?" James asked, focusing his attention back on Lily, who nodded. "Simply wonderful. I'm delighted,"
Lily's friends all giggled. Lily smiled weakly.
"Well, I should finish up breakfast. See you all in class," James addressed the group.
Glancing at Pierre Pottiloo's back as he headed back to the Marauders, Uma Ricket leaned forward and said, "Well Lily, looks like you've got an admirer,"
"Don't be thick, Uma. He's just being nice because I've been showing him around," Lily shrugged it off, sneaking another glance at Pierre Pottiloo, who of course, was watching her as well.
"It's remarkable how nice she can be." James said dreamily, staring at his favorite red-head in his History of Magic class.
"Yeah, when you're not you," Sirius snorted. James felt his face drawing to a frown.
Sirius was right; Lily hated James Potter. She was as nice to any other person who wasn't James Potter. Especially to people she really liked; people like Remus.
James turned the other direction and watched Remus taking his notes carefully, Peter on his other side. What's Remus got that I don't?
"Hey, Sirius..." James began.
"Yeah," Sirius said, his eyes remaining glued on Ana Jenkins, who was sitting next to Lily.
"What's Remus got that I don't?" James asked him.
Sirius moved his head so he could look at James.
"What are you talking about?" he finally asked, thoroughly confused.
"Last night, when Lily and I were talking...she confided in me that she had a thing for Moony," James explained.
"WHAT?!" Sirius leapt out of his seat. The entire class turned their heads to get a glimpse of another spectacular show performed by Sirius Black. Sirius grinned.
"What in the bloody hell do you mean..." Sirius squinted at the board where the notes were being displayed. "...that turket bings are only found in Germany! I swear I saw one in Snape's bag the other day! Can you get arrested for smuggling turket bings, Professor?" Sirius finished, only to receive glares from Severus Snape and Lily.
"...turket bings are very foul creatures," Professor Binns continued airly. "They're almost as foul as Dementors," Professor Binns continued, with no knowledge that Sirius Black had further more interrupted his lecture.
"I should've known she liked him!" Sirius snapped his fingers. "I mean, the way the way they talk to each other. It's so casual, and warm...a bit too warm," Sirius said, his eyes narrowing.
"Do you think Moony likes her back?"
"Moony is our best friend, James. He wouldn't like the girl you have been crushing over since our 1st year," Sirius said irritably with a sudden glance at Remus, who was curious to know about Sirius's sudden outburst.
James found his eyes wandering once again to Lily, but this time her eyes met his.
She was eyeing Sirius and James suspiciously, before meeting eyes with James and returning to her notes.
"I'll ask Moony," Sirius declared. "Then maybe we could spread a little rumor that Remus doesn't like Lily-poo and she'll realize she likes you and..."
"Don't. Don't spread the rumors about Lily," James told him. "And don't ask Remus, either,"
"Why not?" Sirius seemed disappointed.
"Because...just because, Sirius. Just drop it," James said in an urgent tone.
James and the Marauders rushed out of the classroom especially ready for lunch. Looking behind him, James said that Lily had departed from her friends and was going in the other direction that led to the lake.
"I'll catch up with you in a bit," James grabbed Sirius's arm.
"Where you going?" Sirius asked.
"I forgot something," James said as he dashed off.
James ran up to Gryffindor Tower and pulled out his Invisibility Cloak. He was sure Lily had gone to the lake...but why?
Approaching the lake, James's heart sank as he saw who she was accompanying, and ducked into a bush.
"It's beautiful," Lily murmured as he showed her the sketches he were drawing.
"I couldn't resist. I mean, we're out here all the time...in front of wonderful scenery." Severus sighed, as though he needed to explain his actions.
"You have a talent," Lily nodded approvingly as Severus flipped to the next page.
The two of them, and James lurking in the bushes, sat there quietly for a moment before Snape spoke up. "Lily, you'll love me no matter what, right?"
Snape must've caught the look of hesitation on Lily's part and clarified, "I mean, you'll always love me. As a person...as the brother you never had,"
Lily breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "Of course Severus. I'll always love you," She looked at him again, and finally asked, "Why?"
Severus stared at her for a moment, before looking away. "You must be careful, Lily," Snape started in a sort of rant, "The Dark Lord is rising. He is looking for strong wizards and witches to destroy."
"I know that, Severus," Lily said kindly.
"Especially you...you're a big threat to him, Lily." Severus said, his voice growing louder.
For the first time in his life, James sensed fear in Snape's voice. It surprised him that such a useless and tacky thing like Snape could ever feel so deeply about one person.
"...You're a great witch, Lily. And you're Muggle-born...he's bound to come after you," Severus continued.
"I know that, Severus. I know," Lily said softly. "But I'm not afraid..."
"But I am," Severus stopped to grab ahold on Lily's hand.
"Do you know something, Severus?" Lily tilted her head questionably.
Severus didn't answer immediately, before finally saying, "Yes,"
"You're going to join him," Lily said flatly. James held his breath.
"Yes," came Severus's small voice.
Lily finally looked away, as if she didn't know what to say. Severus was watching her carefully. The silence was akward. Finally, Lily stood up.
"I should really be getting back." Lily said, her voice very distant.
"All right," Severus said numbly, watching her stand up and leave unexpectantly.
James didn't know if he should go after Lily, or continue to watch Snape. If he went after Lily and tried to comfort her, she'd probably know he was spying on her. And if he continued to watch Snape...well, he didn't know what the outcome would be.
Snape stood up and made his way back to the castle, unaware of the Head Boy at his tail.
"Finite Ullatrus," Snape said clearly as he entered the Slytherin common room.
His pace quickened as he reached the fireplace. Reaching in, he threw some rocks and debris into the flames. And suddenly, out of nowhere, Lord Voldemort's head appeared. James nearly gasped, but didn't.
"Severus, do you have an answer?" Lord Voldemort's voice boomed.
"I have considered your offer, My Lord," Severus said meekly. "But I have a request,"
"A request?" Lord Voldemort asked. "No one has ever asked for a request before,"
"Well, I am different," Snape said rather stiffly. "Lily Evans,"
"Muggle-born. A very powerful witch," Lord Voldemort said, acknowledging to Snape that he was familiar with her.
"I want her safe. I want her out of harm's way."
"But she is a threat to us! She's a target..."
"She will remain safe. From you and from your Death Eaters." Snape said firmly.
"Severus, I want you on my side. You have great powers and great talent. I need you to join me. But your request is too much of a threat."
"Lily Evans will not be harmed, or I will kill myself." Snape vowed.
James, huddled in the corner, watched in amazement as Snape risked his own life for Lily's safety. For a minute, the man in the fire did not say a word.
"And if I ensure you Evans safety...you will join us?" Voldemort asked in a wicked voice. It was quite clear he was certainly considering the offer.
"Yes. If you ensure that Evans is safe, then I will join you," Severus said.
Voldemort's eyes flashed. "Evans is safe. She is as safe as you and I." Voldemort told him.
Severus took a deep breath. "Then I am on your side,"
James didn't know how he managed to sneak out of Slytherin Tower without anyone's knowledge.
He sank against a wall and dropped to his knees. The scene he had just witness was absolutely horrifying. Voldemort was right there in that room. And Snape had sacrificed himself. For Lily.
The words kept repeating themselves over and over in James's head.
"I want her safe. I want her out of harm's way."
"But she is a threat to us! She's a target..."
"And if I ensure you Evans safety...you will join us?"
"Then I am on your side,"
James felt himself grasping for air. He didn't know which was more shocking to him; seeing Lord Voldemort's face in the fire, or the fact that Severus had given his life at the expense of Lily.
It was love; and James knew it. Because if James was in the same position, he would've done the exact same thing.
Author's Note:
I hope y'all liked it!!! PLEASE RR!!!