DISCLAIMER: JKR owns everything but the plot.

A/N: You better like this chapter because I stayed up until 2 this morning to write it and got up at 7 to finish typing. Please review, and let me know what you think of their new "friend".


Chapter 12: Lunch by the Lake and…Friends?

After Harry and Ron had played a few games of wizards' chess (one of which Harry almost won), the three of them headed down to the lake with Neville, Luna, Alex, and Garrett.

When they got to where Harry's parents had spread out the blankets for the picnic, Lily was lecturing the Marauders. "You will not curse him, understood?"

"Yes, Lily," the Marauders all replied.

"You will not hex him."

"Yes, Lily."

"You will not prank him."

"Yes, Lily."

"You will not throw food at him."

"Yes, Lily."

"You won't throw him into the lake again."

"Yes, Lily." James seemed to pout a little more at this stipulation.

"Who aren't we throwing in the lake," Harry finally interrupted.

"Lily's invited Snape to lunch," Remus explained.

Hermione started with shock. "Professor Snape" At lunch? With the marauders?"

"Yes, and they will be perfect gentlemen," Lily replied threateningly.

"Yes, Lily," they chimed.

"I'm not all that hungry after all," Neville bolted toward the castle.

"What's wrong with him?" Lily asked with concern.

"He's absolutely terrified of Snape," Ron explained. Lily looked a bit guilty as she watched Neville disappeared into the school.

"Who's this young lady?" James asked when he noticed Luna.

"Oh, this is Luna Lovegood," Harry introduced. "Her dad runs the Quibbler."

"How delightful," James said, shaking the teenager's hand.

"Charmed," Luna responded dreamily.

James looked at the first years. "You two were just in my class. Alex and…Garret, right?" He shook their hands.

"Yes, sir," they confirmed in unison.

Lily smacked James's hand when he tried to steal a grape from the bowl in front of her. "Not until Severus arrives," she scolded.

"Sorry I'm late, Lily." Professor Snape seemed to appear out of nowhere. "One of the third years managed to catch the ceiling on fire."

"How'd they do that?" Sirius seemed strangely interested.

"I have no idea how she managed that stupidity; there wasn't anything left of her potion to examine."

"Shame," Sirius said wistfully. "Imagine the chaos if we set the hallway ceilings on fire."

"I'm sure it would be very amusing" Snape muttered coldly, "until the molten rock started dripping on people."

"I hadn't thought of that," Sirius was appalled.

"Sit down, Severus," Lily said brightly. "Everyone dig in." She handed each of them a plate to fill.

After a certain amount of suspicion, Snape relaxed and turned out to be fairly human. For a while, they discussed Order business, but soon their subjects became more commonplace. By the end of lunch, Severus had warned the new professors about problem students.

They all talked and joked until the bell rang; signally that it was time for afternoon classes. They all stood and prepared to return to the castle.

"I had a surprisingly good time," Snape shook Lily and the Marauders' hands. "I will see you all at dinner."

After he had left, Sirius turned to James. "I've just realized something: Snape really is human."


A/N: hope you love it! Reviewers will be given magical, imaginary cookies!