Title: Christmas at Hogwarts - Chapter 6: Cessation

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: Not my characters, but they do my bidding...

Specific to this chapter: Oy, this is a intermediary chapter...it needed to be done, and I like how it turned out, but it's really short. (shorter than chapter 2 by a bit) Also, not 100 that McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey were at the school at the time, but let's say they were... I've noticed a common theme among my reviewers...you want Lily to punch Black in the face... I'm not saying she shouldn't, but she won't... it's too bad really. Other than that...

Thanks: So much for all of the lovely, lovely reviews I got for the last chapter...I did not expect it to go over as well as it did, and I'm glad it did. I like the idea myself, but you never know how it will be received, I daresay that this chapter will be a bit of a let down from last chapter, but I have a couple of future chapters up my sleeve that should be great... Thanks to everyone who read up to this point too...that's a lot of words!

And as always, comments are appreciated!

Chapter 6: Cessation

When Severus came up his wand was drawn, angrily.

"How dare you!" he said through gritted teeth.

"How dare I?" Black mocked.

For a moment Black and Severus faced each other, wands raised, hatred etched on each face, in a stale mate. Potter had pulled out his wand and was also pointing it at Severus. He looked less hateful than full of revenge.

Severus didn't back down. He held his wand ready and stared at them. Lily wondered where he had gotten this sudden courage. She had never seen him fight back.

Black looked unconcerned. He simply switched from pointing his wand at Severus to Lily. "Lower your wand."

Lily found herself trembling a little, despite trying to be brave, and she took a step away. Severus faltered for a moment. He looked unsure of what to do next.

Instead of lowering his wand, he took a step in front of Lily, blocking Black. "Very low, even for you," Snape spat, regaining his composure by the minute.

Black feigned hurt. "Oh, that's rich…coming from a Slytherin."

A few of the Slytherins in the crowd bristled at that backhanded remark, and there was low murmuring throughout the crowd. Others seemed to nod in agreement. Lily could not believe anyone would agree with Black at this moment. Lily could not see Severus' face but he was standing rigid.

A low voice spoke, startling everyone, "I think you should stop, Sirius." Black and Potter both turned at that. It was Lupin, who'd stood silent the whole time.

He looked determined, but a bit like the fight had been kicked out of him. Lily tried to catch his eye around Severus, but he was staring at Black, who looked surprised.

"Come on, Remus!" Black said, laughing a bit. "We're just having a bit of fun."

"It's not fun anymore." Lupin said in a way that made in quite clear he never thought this to be fun.

This change in his friend's attitude seemed to disturb Black, who scowled disapprovingly, "Oh, Remus, always such a good-"

"Look out!" Pettigrew shouted.

That was the bit of distraction that Severus was waiting for. He hexed both Potter and Black so fast it seemed simultaneous. Potter flew across the hallway, hit a few bystanders, tripped and fell on the stairs. Black knocked Lupin over as he sailed into the wall, striking his head hard on the stone, and fell into a heap on the floor.

He didn't move. Lily wondered for a moment if he was dead, horrified by the face that it wouldn't bother her if he were. She could see him breathing though, which meant he must be unconscious.

Potter stood up slowly. He had lost his wand, but did not look like he has in a hurry to find it. He looked at bit dazed as he cradled his elbow tenderly.

"Mr. SNAPE!" the stern voice came from down the hall. There was a succinct tapping of heels as Professor McGonagall approached. Lily turned toward her, ready to explain everything.

"Mr. Snape," She repeated, "I would expect better from you…practicing magic in the halls…why…" At that McGonagall realized that Black was unconscious. "My…my?' she said walking over to him, and checking to make sure he was still alive.

She pointed to an older Hufflepuff girl, and indicated that she should get Madame Pomfrey, immediately. The girl moved quickly from the scene.

"Why are you all standing around here? Get to class," McGonagall scolded. Students were only too happy to leave now that trouble had arrived. "Not you, Potter!"

Potter was slinking away with the rest of the crowd. "I would think, Mr. Potter, that you'd want to stay with your friend." She eyed him suspiciously.

"Right," Potter said trying to look innocent, and rubbing his arm.

"And you may want to get that arm checked out as well."

Lily spoke now, "Professor McGonagall…"

"Ms. Evans," McGonagall said, "Why are you still here? You need to be getting off to class as well."

"But-"

"Well, off to class. Now."

Lily looked up at Severus, who gave her a look that said he shared the opinion as McGonagall. Lily frowned, but didn't leave.

Professor McGonagall surveyed the situation. "Alright, Mr. Potter, you stay with Mr. Black until Madame Pomfrey gets here. I will be talking to you two later. Mr. Snape - come with me. Ms. Evans, get to class." She said for a third time.

McGonagall led Severus down the hall. He did not look all together unhappy to be leaving the scene, and did not protest. Lily assumed they were going to her office. She watched them disappear as they turned a corner at the end of the corridor. Lily was left alone with Potter, and Black who was still unconscious.

She didn't look at him but gathered up her belongings from the stairs.

"I'm sorry for all of that, Evans," Potter said quietly.

"It's a little late for that, isn't it?"

"I was just…upset."

"The world doesn't revolve around you, contrary to your opinion." She was livid, and looked up at him for the first time, eyes blazing.

"Are you really going to the Ball with Snape?" Potter implored.

Although Potter looked very wounded, Lily held no sympathy for him in this moment. She wasn't normally the type for meanness, but couldn't resist saying, "I'm not going with you, and that's all you need to care about."

She instantly regretted it, seeing the trampled look he gave her, but she pushed it aside. Why should she feel bad for him? He never stopped to think how she felt, not once.

She picked up her bag and followed down the hall that McGonagall and Severus had headed. She had to talk to him.

-End Chapter 6-