Title: Christmas at Hogwarts - Chapter 2: The Blackest of Christmas Cards

Background: This is Christmas, 4th year, from Lily's Point of View. This is not related to some of my other fics. It's more of a 'what if 'rather than the way I actually see it. I guess it's the way I wish it was, but personally do not think happened. Still...I like the idea well enough. (and whoever said the Yule Ball wasn't every year was...of course...right. But it's a school and they need a dance! So I revived the Yule Ball :-)

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Specific to this chapter: Hmmmm...poor Evans and her feelings for this lad. Gosh, I don't know what to say about this one. It gets a big more angsty, and I start really feeling bad for the characters...my husband said I can't feel bad because I make it happen. But it's not me, I promise it's THEM. Also, yeah, Sirius, still evil. James, getting there. Sorry Sirius and James lovers. I just don't see them as that nice. I'm sure they get nicer as they grow up, if that's any conselation prize for you.

Special thanks...to all my reviewers...how very sweet hugs you all

Chapter 2: The Blackest of Christmas Cards

"Black!" Lily said, having trouble checking her anger and shame, "Please…"

Black paid no attention to anything Lily was saying, but took a couple steps back and re-read the card. He made disdainful noises as he perused it.

Black cleared his throat and read aloud, " Dearest Severus," He paused for effect, while the hallway buzzed with whispers, and laughter.

Potter scowled, and Black went on even louder.

"Dearest Severus," he repeated, "Thank you so much for helping me in Potions Class this year. I hope that you will have a lovely Christmas. Are you staying here over vacation? If so maybe we could study together. Are you going to the Yule Ball? Just wondering. I'm not sure if I'm going, nobody's asked me yet. Yours, Lily Evans." Black put the emphasis on certain words in a way so that the whole things sounded scandalous.

"You're going with Snape!" Potter gaped at her, tousling his dark hair in an uneasy way.

"I didn't…" Lily began, but was drowned out by the crowd.

The throng of students was talking excitedly to one another, and a group of Hufflepuff girls were giggling loudly. The fair-haired Slytherin who Lily had seen many times with Potter spoke, "No self respecting Slytherin would be seen with you, Mudblood." A couple of first year girls gasped at the obscenity, a few Slytherins laughed, but mostly people shot angry glances at the blonde.

Lily was on the verge of tears. She looked at Remus for support, but he would not meet her eyes. He was staring benignly at his feet. She was looking around for any one of her friends, but everyone seemed wicked at this moment. They were all people whom she didn't know, or didn't like, and all laughing at her expense.

"I thought you had taste," Potter spat. He looked at her furiously, but behind it there was a hint of damaged pride.

"I think it's rather adorable," Black said callously, "He's doing your homework, and your paying him back."

Lily seethed. The nerve of Black! First, to read her personal feelings meant for someone else's eyes. Then to show everyone else, and misinterpret the whole thing, make it all seem foul. How dare he!

"First of all," Lily tried again, "I never said—"

She was interrupted by a sudden uproar from the rear of the bystanders. She looked to see what was happening.

A scrawny boy was stealthily trying make trying to make his way past the crowd. He had his head down, his hair covering his eyes, and had not even bothered to glimpse what the commotion was about. He looked like he was doing his best to blend into his surroundings, and not because he sensed that the fuss had anything to do with him, but because that is what he always did.

Lily's stomach gave a lurch. She knew that Severus had no idea what was going on. He had, after all, not asked her to the Yule Ball. He was very shy, and she didn't think that he would be able to work up the courage, which is why she had been dropping hints to him.

She also felt sudden remorse because she knew that students from every house gave him a hard time already, and this was not going to help. He was a little strange; it was true. She probably wouldn't have noticed him herself under regular circumstances, but now that she knew him, she liked him quite a lot.

"Snape!" Potter called, and she watched the raven-haired student go rigid. He didn't look up, but she could see his features tighten beneath his rampart of hair. He stood as if he were waiting to be struck, or perhaps as if someone had said his name by mistake, and he would find out that all the eyes in the hallway, were indeed, not on him. He looked up very cautiously, eyes wide. The crowd parted Black and Potter walked toward Severus.

"What?" he said quietly, his hair lying limply on his face.

"Severus! Dearest Severus!" Black chided. The Hufflepuff girls sniggered obscenely at that. Severus looked confused; his eyes darted around warily. When they rested on Lily he looked pleadingly at her. Lily's heart ached for him, now, her poor friend who just wanted to be left alone. Lily wished she could give him an answer, but she was just as much hostage as he was to this torment.

"So, Snape," said Potter, "Going to the Yule Ball?"

Severus looked at Potter with bewilderment. He seemed to not be able to make a connection between the Yule Ball and this sudden scrutiny he was under. He opened his mouth a little, but didn't seem to have a voice. Lily watched pitifully as he tried to grasp something to say.

The group around them grew silent, straining to listen to him; he opened his mouth again. "What do you mean?" he asked uncertainly.

"Going to the Yule Ball?" Potter repeated.

"I'd think you'd need to get some proper robes then," Black said to the delight of Peter Pettigrew who was bursting with amusement.

Severus shook his head as if he was unsure what he was being asked, but didn't say a word.

"Understand English?" Potter spat, he had lost his temper completely by this point, and had a look of utter contempt for Severus. He took a step towards Severus, and poked a finger into his chest, "Simple question, Snape."

Severus glared back at Potter, "Why do you care?" He tried to sound tougher than he looked, for shock and hurt were still written plainly on his face. He looked back to Lily, and she could feel her cheeks burning, and the dread rising.

At that Potter punched Severus squarely in the eye.

-End Chapter 2-