Summary : Everyone believed that Lily and James Potter were the perfect couple. Or at least that's what everyone told Harry Potter. Everyone except for Snape, that is. Does he know something Harry doesn't?

Legal disclaimer: Check the prologue.

A/N= This takes place the night of graduation. I'm super sorry it is so short, but I don't know where the rest of this chapter was really going, so we're gonna have to deal with it. K? K.

Chapter Three: Memini amarus vetustas

James emerged from the forest with a triumphant grin. Spotting the Marauders, he strolled over to see what was going to happen after the school-sponsored party.

"Cooled off yet, Prongs?" a jovial Remus asked, lightly shoving his friend.

James laughed and pushed his friend back, replying, "Yea, I'm cool. So, what's happening after we ditch this place? Who has the Firewhisky?"

"Apparently, that would be me," piped Sirius, "but the party is at dear ol' Wormtail's place." Peter grinned furiously and mumbled something about his parents leaving that night for some fancy event. James then spotted Lily and Snape together and made his way towards her.

"Snape, are you blushing?" Lily laughed. Apparently, Snape was quite proud of his accomplishments in Potions, but didn't want others boasting about it. At least, that's why Lily thought he was blushing. "Is there anything else, Severus?"

"Actually, there was..." Snape stared at the ground, stunned that he was about to ask this of Lily Evans. Finally he worked up the courage to look her in the eyes. "Lily, I was kinda hoping, sometime you would like to..."

"Like to what, Greasy?" James strolled up to the duo. "I believe, Mister Potions Expert, that you have stolen my girl for long enough. Let's go, babe," he finished, pulling Lily away from a speechless Snape, who quickly fixed his face into a menacing glare before stalking off, grumbling under his breath about a ruined opportunity.

"Was that entirely necessary, James?" Lily snapped. "Snape was about to ask me something."

"Let me guess, 'Would you like to add more grease to my hair to make me even more unappealing?'" James said, chuckling. "Anyway, there is a party at our darling Mister Pettigrew's tonight. Would you honor me so much as to accompany me?" James invited, bowing so low, his hair swept the ground. Giggling, Lily forgot all about Severus as she swept off with James to one of the numerous portkeys being used to transport the student to the Pettigrew home.

One particular graduate sat grumbling on the Hogwarts Express. He and the other Slytherins who had decided against being caught dead in a Gryffindor home were returning to platform 9 and ¾ for the final time. If one were listening very quietly, they could hear jus what Snape was saying...

"Stupid, sodding, bloody ponce; he always has to ruin everything; the one time I finally get my chance, my one shot at something great; bloody Gryffindorks, inconsiderate...doesn't know how good he's got it... make him pay for it..."

...But even as he sat there making unheard threats, Severus Snape knew he had lost something, something he would miss dearly. Something that would change his entire persona...

First off, I would like to say I am sososososososososososo sorry! Don't throw things at me! Hides behind computer from barrage of pointy objects OK, I guess I deserved that. But I had the worst writer's block! I had no idea where I wanted this chapter to go. It's like, I have the beginning, and I know how I want it to end. I just don't know what to put in the middle! Plus, school started and I have a LOT of crap to do. Honors courses suck. I have the next chapter ready though, I just needed to squeeze this miserable thing out. Hope it was good enough!

Just another Harry Draco fan – Hey! I left you my screen-name in one of my reviews, so it's there. Umm, I don't think I'm gonna have the fic go in that general direction, but we'll see how this goes. It wasn't even supposed to start in Hogwarts, so that shows how well my planning goes. Either way, we won't know til' it gets there. Thanks for the encouragement though!

storm-of-mind – I don't mind blabbing! Long reviews are fun! I don't think I'm gonna make him good. That would just suck. I would not enjoy that. But I did take what you said into consideration. If you couldn't tell Lately, my reviewers have been swaying what I write. But that's ok! I need it most of the time, because I won't know what to write. I don't like preachy dialogue either; it ruins a fic. Thanks for everything else you mentioned!

High-Temp'd – Thanks for your reviews; I'm glad you think it's good. Eventually, it will all make sense. I went to read your story, and it said you didn't have any. If you want to, leave me the web address in a review and I'll check it out. See ya!

Hey guys, eight more reviews, or no new chapter! (Let's see if this works...)