The marauders made their way inside, still panting after a particularly vigorous snowball fight.

"Hey! No fair, Prongs! We had a strict, no-magic policy, remember?"

James grinned at his three best friends.

"Sorry, mate. Couldn't help it. And what about you, eh, Moony? Charming the snow to make a wall about 15 feet high to cover you!"

Moony just stared at him innocently. "What are you talking about? I didn't do anything of the sort!"

Sirius laughed. "Of course you didn't."

They walked along, making their way to the stairs in the Entrance Hall. There was a huge crowd around the stairs, all the students looking eagerly at the two in the middle. The marauders walked towards the crowd, curious of what was going on.

"Oi! Evans! I hear you're smitten with Potter now! You two will make a lovely couple, an arrogant little boy and a nerdy muggle born," sneered Snape.

"Please just let me through, Severus," said Lily calmly, clearly just trying to get past Snape.

"No! Filthy little mudbloods like you do not belong in our school, Evans. You best watch your back from now on."

"Please. Severus. Do not call me a mudblood," murmured Lily, her temper rising.

"mudblood." Snape drew out his wand, prepared to curse Lily.

"HAVEN'T I TOLD YOU TO NEVER CALL LILY THAT?" James roared. He pushed his way through the crowd, so that he was standing next to Lily, who stared at him with astonishment. He, too, pulled out his wand.

"Aw. Its ickle Potter, come to save the day! Is he your knight in shining armor, Evans? Is he going to save you from me now? Go ahead. Hex me Potter. I dare you to." snickered Snape.

"No, I won't. I refuse to lower myself to your level, Severus," James said through gritted teeth. This caused utter confusion amongst the spectating students, especially Sirius, who stared at his best friend as though he were mental. Lily stared at James, her mouth wide open, as though seeing him in a new light. James gave Lily a consoling look, as if he was trying to tell her, "Its ok. I've got your back."

"Evans rubbing off on you, eh, Potter?" By now, Lily was near tears. She had had it with Snape.

"Please. Just let Lily through, Severus."

"Goodness me, Potter! What a Good Samaritan you are. How ever will little Evans repay you? Maybe by a particularly good kiss?" Lily couldn't take it anymore. She broke out in tears, unable to stop. This just made James even angrier at Snape. James patted Lily's shoulder awkwardly, trying not to set off her temper once more.

"Mock me if you want, Severus, but never criticize Lily again. And I'll be watching you."

James pushed Lily along up the stairs, making sure Snape could not curse her. Lily looked back at him appreciatively, still in shock, hardly able to move. "Th-thanks, er…James," she whispered.

"Don't mention it, Lily," James replied, smiling sweetly. "Now go on up the stairs. I'll handle this."

Lily reluctantly went up the stairs, with Emma following after her, glaring at Snape.

"Now, if you will excuse me, Severus, but I have better things to do with my time than argue with a git like you," James said coldly.

"Alright. But next time, Potter, you won't be so lucky," and with that, Snape sped off towards the dungeons.

"Slimy little git, isn't he?" Remarked Remus.

"PRONGS! YOU'VE GONE BLOODY MAD! WHY DIDN'T YOU HEX HIM, EH? WHY? YOU'RE GOING INSANE OVER EVANS AND-OUCH!"

Lupin had just whacked Sirius on the head.

"What was that for!"

"It was for being such an idiot. Can't you see? Lily finally understands that Prongs is actually a good person."

"She's pretty dense, then, to be just realizing that now."