Title: Christmas at Hogwarts - Chapter 3: Of Pain and Potions

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.

Disclaimer: JKR owns everything, I'm a humble admirer

Specific to this chapter: Sorry for all those who wanted to see 'what happens next' that will come later...this is mostly flashbacky. Sorry for those of you who think James Potter's a nice guy...cuz he's not here...and remember I said in chapter 1 that names were important..they still are...

Chapter 3: Of Pain and Potions

At that Potter punched Severus squarely in the eye. There was a dull thud, and Severus staggered back a couple of steps, knees buckling under him as he fell to the stone floor.

"Stop it! Potter!" Lily screamed, as she ran over to them, "Why are you doing this?"

"Stand back, Evans," Potter yelled.

Lily glanced down at Severus. He was touching his left eye tenderly, and still wore the most horrific look of surprise.

Potter lunged at him again, and he flinched back, holding up this free hand defensively.

"Potter! Stop it!" Lily shoved him hard, and stood between Potter and Severus. She looked down at her poor friend, and extended her hand to help him up. She was reminded of the first time she ever laid eyes on him. It hadn't been that day in Potions Class, but her mind was immediately drawn there, when she had actually met him.

The problem was Potions Class.

In her first year at Hogwarts the Potions' Assignments were relatively easy. For the most part it was mainly bookwork, with a few very simple potions here and there. She did not have any trouble and got high marks.

In her second year, Potions Class became quite a bit more difficult, and she struggled through much of the work, while others seemed to pass the class with ease. Many of here peers even found the class fun. Lily could still do the bookwork perfectly, but when it actually came to making potions…she was dreadful.

She had no trouble in any class except Potions, and it was in third year that she started really having problems. Every potion she made in class was rubbish, with no exception. Not only was it embarrassing, but also she knew she must be getting very low marks in the class. She was so frustrated she considered giving up altogether, but it was a required class until fifth year.

The last straw came in double potions while making a Giggling Draft. Her potion had turned an angry magenta, while all the other student's brews were varying shades of purple. Professor Slughorn had asked her to stay after class. The Slytherins in earshot laughed at that, even though he had tried to speak in a low voice. Lily was mortified. For the rest of the period she had a knot in her stomach.

At the end of class, she sat in her seat waiting for other students to file out of the room. When the room was clear she met Professor Slughorn at the front of the room, leaving her things in her book bag at her seat.

"Professor? You wanted to see me?"

"Ms. Evans," Slughorn said quietly, "You're not up to snuff on your coursework lately…"

"I know, sir, I'm sorry."

"I hate to say it, but you are failing this course."

Lily looked down at the floor. She had figured as much, but hearing it confirmed made her feel horrible. Her eyes welled up with tears, which she tried to blink back. She'd never failed anything in her life.

"I want you to pass my class, Ms. Evans," Slughorn assured, "So I'm giving you another chance. I've comprised some extra credit homework for you. I'm giving you a second try on some of those potions that didn't come out…so well."

"Thank you, Professor," Lily said, but while she was grateful, she knew it was hopeless.

"Just follow the book," Slughorn suggested, "You will do fine. You've always been a fine student. Just put a little more effort into it."

"Alright, sir." But she had been trying to follow the book. It was a problem with subtlety that she did not seem to possess. If she wasn't burning her potion, she was putting ingredients in too soon, or stirring to quickly, or who knew? Understanding potions was not her problem, execution was.

"Now, I think it's time we get to lunch. Good luck. I expect a big improvement," Slughorn gathered his things and headed off to the Great Hall.

Lily walked back over to her desk and began collecting her things. This was useless. She had already tried to follow the book. Of course she would try again, but to what end. She didn't know how to make her potions come out correctly.

She felt her eyes burning. A tear slipped out and she wiped it away absently. How was she going to fix this? She sat down in her seat, put her head in her hands, and sobbed quietly. There was no use going to lunch now, she thought, with red eyes and tear stained face. When she felt like she could compose herself, she raised her head.

She jumped back and gasped. Someone was staring at her with narrowed eyes. She hadn't heard anyone come in the room. How long had he been watching her? She looked at him, noticing his ill-fitting robes, hanging loosely on him. He had a thin face framed with dark hair that matched his dark eyes, and contrasted startlingly with his ivory complexion. He looked like he had seen only scant amounts of meals or sunlight.

"I will help you," the Slytherin boy said quickly. He seemed sincere in what he said, but he was glaring at her warily.

Surely, she'd seen him before, but had she ever met him? She wasn't even sure she knew his name. From what she knew of him he was quiet and a little odd. As he didn't vie ostentatiously for attention like some of the other students she had never really payed much attention to him. She wiped her eyes. "Why would you want to help me?" Lily asked for she was not sure of his intentions.

"Never mind," He grumbled angrily, and turned and walked to the back of the room.

Following him with her eyes she noticed all of his potion things still set up. She had falsely concluded that he had snuck in on her when she was crying, now she realized that he had been there the whole time and she hadn't noticed him.

"Wait," she pleaded, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

He looked at her irritably.

"I mean…how can you help me? Are you making up work too?" She motioned towards his cauldron.

"No." he scoffed.

"Oh," she said. There was a long silence, as he went about writing whatever he was scribbling ferociously on parchment.

"I'm the best in the class in Potions. The best in the school, perhaps," he said finally, still writing.

"Why are you doing extra credit?"

"Why do you think I'm the best in the class?" he snapped back at her. "This isn't extra credit."

"Do you do this all the time? I mean…don't you go to lunch?" but she hadn't ever remembered seeing him at lunch before. She already knew the answer, wishing she hadn't asked the question.

He shot her a fierce look that let her know that she was dangerously trying his patience, and went back to his notes. Lily didn't know what to do, so she decided to start over.

"I'm Lily Evans," Lily extended a hand politely, "You can call me Lily."

"I know who you are," he said without looking up.

She left her hand extended, and like the silence it hung there awkwardly for a moment, but he didn't even glance at it. She cleared her throat thinking he may look up.

"Severus Snape," he said curtly. "Don't call me Severus. Only my friends call me Severus"

Lily was stung at that. It seemed unnecessarily cold. Then she had a wave of pity as she wondered if there was anyone he would allow to call him Severus.

"What shall I call you?"

Snape didn't answer. Her hand wavered, and she finally dropped it, giving up. She looked at him quizzically; still slightly embarrassed that he saw her crying.

"What potions do you need help with?" Snape asked in a more even tone.

Lily's stomach turned, as she remembered her plight, "All of them!" she said miserably.

"All of them?" Snape asked skeptically. He looked up at her again.

"It's okay, you don't have to help me. I would understand." Lily mumbled, "It's my problem."

"I said I would help," Snape asserted impatiently. "I keep my word." He lowered his voice, "Besides you helped me once."

Lily had no idea what he was talking about. She opened her mouth to say something, but he gave her a look that suggested she should not.

"Well," Snape said looking up at her for the first time in a while, "Figure out what you want to do first, and meet me here tomorrow at lunch."

"Thank you," Lily said with a nervous smile.

Snape muttered something under his breath looking flustered, and went back to his work.

She had picked up her books and left, feeling very confused.

Severus looked up at her extended hand, as if he was almost afraid to take it. He seemed to think that doing so would bring about further retribution. He brought his hand down from his eye, revealing a crimson trickle of blood. He got back to his feet without her assistance, but did make an effort to give her a look that said it wasn't personal.

Lily really hated Potter right now, and she turned to glare at him defiantly.

-End Chapter 3-