The last Saturday in May was bright and breezy. Perfect weather for the Quidditch final against Ravenclaw, in James' opinion. In the days leading up to the match, if he wasn't on the pitch, he was talking strategy with Parvana Patil and Peregrine Flint, or rehearsing tactics using the chess pieces he'd Transfigured into miniature Quidditch players. When he slept, he dreamt of flying.

"Captains, if you would," said Madam Hooch. James nodded and extended a hand towards Chester Fernsby, the beefy Ravenclaw captain, who pretended to yawn before clasping James' wrist. James' grip tightened, and Fernsby smirked, clearly expecting an easy win for Ravenclaw.

Admittedly, Gryffindor did need to be at least forty points up before catching the Snitch if they wanted to win the Cup. It was a lot to ask, but it wasn't impossible.

"Great, they've started," said Sirius from the commentator's box as Madam Hooch blew her whistle. "Show of hands, who thinks James is gonna be even more of a Quaffle-hog than usual, in the hopes that some third-rate recruiter is watching from the stands? Just me, then?"

James grinned, urging his broom upwards as the two teams shot into the sky. It was good to hear Sirius' taunts again.

Sirius' voice drifted across the stadium as James and his fellow Chasers set up their first formation. "Looks like Potter's got the Quaffle, surprise surprise, Potter to Peregrine Flint, Flint to Hana Suzuki — nice avoidance of Ravenclaw there — Suzuki shoots… and — GRYFFINDOR SCORE!"

There was a roar of approval from the stands, and several students shot red and gold sparks into the air. As James followed the other Chasers back to the Gryffindor side of the pitch, he hopped to his feet on his broom and bowed dramatically.

"Someone needs to tell Potter this is Quidditch, not Muggle surfing," remarked Sirius. "James, mate, you didn't even score the goal. Ooh, speaking of Muggle culture, ugly hand gesture from Potter towards the commentator's box… that merits at least a penalty, I'd think… Anyway, Ravenclaw in possession, Fernsby to Archibald Bole — looks like the Ravenclaw Chasers are attempting a Howlet's Wing formation — which falls apart thanks to double Bludgers from Gryffindor Beaters Marlene McKinnon and Otis Podmore…"

One of the Bludgers slammed into Archibald Bole's face, and James winced. Bole clapped a hand over his nose, which was gushing blood, turning his royal blue robes into Gryffindor scarlet.

That's why I stick to commentating, ladies and gents," said Sirius. "Can't risk damaging the Galleon-maker… Oh, of all the —" He swore loudly into the megaphone. "Ravenclaw score, didn't even realise they had possession… Professor McGonagall says if I stuck to describing the match at hand, I wouldn't have this problem. She may have a point — bad luck, Gryffindor…"

Within ten minutes, both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw had scored twice more. "They're too good, James," called Parvana from high above him. "Just let me catch the Snitch so we can end on a high note."

"Not a chance," said James, keeping one eye on the Ravenclaw Chasers. "We're taking the Cup if it's the last thing we do."

Parvana reached up to adjust her plait. "Got something to prove, do you?"

"Trust me," he said. "Don't you dare touch the Snitch till we're forty points up."

She looked like she wanted to argue, but she dipped her head and veered away to continue circling the pitch.

"Score's thirty-thirty, Gryffindor in possession," said Sirius. "Suzuki to Potter — Usman Shafiq sending a nasty Bludger Potter's way, and — oh, that's not good…"

James had swerved at exactly the wrong moment, and the Bludger smashed into his chest, forcing the air from his lungs. The blow hurtled him backwards, nearly off his broom, and the Quaffle slipped from his fingers.

Madam Hooch's tinny whistle blew shrilly. "Ravenclaw foul!"

"You alright, James?" asked Hana Suzuki as they lined up for the penalty shot.

James was wheezing for breath. "Ask me again in a minute." He turned the Quaffle over in his hands, watching Sylvia Bellchant, the Ravenclaw Keeper, hover in front of the goalposts. With a grunt of pain, he hefted the Quaffle and flung it at the hoop on the far right. Bellchant dove, but she wasn't fast enough, and the Quaffle soared through the hoop.

"That's better," said James, rubbing his smarting chest. "Ravenclaw's Chasers are good, but Bellchant can't defend worth dung."

"New strategy, then?" asked Peregrine. "Sacrifice our bodies for penalty shots?"

James nodded. "Exactly."

Hana Suzuki got the next shot on goal after she was mowed down by Ravenclaw's Chasers as they sped towards the Gryffindor hoops.

"No good, Ravenclaw!" Sirius cried gleefully, shaking his head. "Can't make a formation when the other team are in the way. Basic physics — that's the Muggle theory of matter, for those who don't know…"

"I'm glad you're well-prepared for your Muggle Studies O.W.L., Black," said Professor McGonagall over the megaphone, "but could you please focus on the match?"

"News flash, everybody, Professor McGonagall is not a fan of Muggles," said Sirius loudly into the megaphone. "You heard it here first — okay, okay, sorry Professor... Ravenclaw in possession, Bole passes to — ouch, the Quaffle hits Gryffindor Beater Podmore in an unfortunate spot… not likely to do any permanent damage, though — you'd want a Bludger for that, a Quaffle's the wrong ball… excuse the pun, Podmore…"

Peregrine Flint managed to fall dramatically off his broom after being jostled by Fernsby, earning Ravenclaw their fourth foul and Gryffindor their fourth penalty shot.

"Now, Parvana!" called James.

"Eighty-forty, Gryffindor in the lead," said Sirius from the commentator's box. "The Cup could go to either team, now — Ravenclaw in possession, Fernsby and Bole doing something weird with their brooms… Shafiq joins them, holding his Beater's bat in a funny way — ooh, they've made the Dragon's Egg formation, that's going to be tricky for Gryffindor to break… Fernsby narrowly avoids a Bludger from McKinnon, they're closing in on the Gryffindor hoops now… Wait a moment, MERLIN'S ULCERATED —"

There was a dull thump as Professor McGonagall put her hand over the megaphone, muffling whatever Sirius was about to say next.

"Parvana Patil of Gryffindor has gone into a steep dive," announced Professor McGonagall, a slight tremble in her voice betraying her excitement. "Ravenclaw are nearly at the hoops now —"

"PATIL'S SEEN THE SNITCH!" screamed Sirius, drowning out Professor McGonagall.

James' heart leapt into his throat as Parvana dove, arm outstretched, towards the ground. She cut in front of the Ravenclaw Chasers, who slammed into her, turning her nosedive into a tumble as she grappled with her broom.

The Snitch was skimming across the grass of the Quidditch pitch. Parvana was still in a free fall, barely ten feet from the ground. She flipped upside-down on her broom, hanging by her knees as she reached both arms towards the Snitch —

"SHE'S GOING TO CRASH!" yelled Sirius. "Someone get Madam Pomfrey — HANG IN THERE, PARVANA!"

Parvana plummeted off her broom. She somersaulted over the grass once, twice, and crumpled in a heap on the ground. The stadium was silent, watching her limp form.

Slowly, she raised one arm above her head, a glint of gold between her fingers.

"SHE'S GOT IT!" screamed Sirius, and an enormous roar went up from the stands. "FINAL SCORE TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY TO FORTY — GRYFFINDOR WINS THE CUP!"

Madam Hooch blew her whistle three times, signalling the end of the match, and James nudged his broom towards the ground. Marlene and Otis Podmore had already landed and were helping Parvana to her feet.

"Alright, Patil?" called James, placing a hand on her shoulder. Her neat plait had come undone in several places from her dive.

She flashed him a triumphant, bloody grin. "Never better."

James plucked the Snitch from her hands and pocketed it before she could protest. "If Madam Hooch asks, tell her the Snitch got away from you in all the excitement."

"We're keeping it forever, aren't we?" said Parvana.

"'Course we are." James rolled the ball between his fingers. "Gryffindor wins the Quidditch Cup for the first time in over a decade? This Snitch is part of history."

After showering in the changing room, James joined the rest of his teammates in a triumphant parade back to the castle, holding the Cup high over their heads. As they reached the first floor landing, he paused.

"You lot go on," he said. "I'll meet you in the common room."

"Off to do the dirty with the Cup, eh?" Peregrine Flint laughed and slapped him on the back. "Your deepest fantasy finally realised…"

"Piss off, Flint," said James, but he was smiling. The rest of the team continued up the stairs, Otis and Marlene carrying Parvana above their heads, and James ducked around the corner, towards Professor McGonagall's office.

He knocked on the door, but there was no answer. McGonagall must have been with the other teachers, doing whatever they did after a Quidditch match. Rubbing Gryffindor's win in Professor Slughorn's face, he hoped.

The door to the office was locked, but James had expected that. He pulled his wand out of his robes and pointed it at the Cup.

"Alliago," he muttered, and the Cup flattened, turning into a sheet of parchment. He slid the parchment under the door and, with another flourish of his wand, Untransfigured it back into a trophy.

Next came the hard part. He waved his wand blindly, hoping to send the Cup in the direction of Professor McGonagall's desk. A series of loud crashes came from inside the office, accompanied by the sound of shattering glass.

In the end, he was fairly certain the Cup was sitting comfortably in the display case behind her desk, although he may have broken the case's glass front in the process.

James pulled a quill and a scrap of parchment from his bag and scribbled a brief note, which he slid under the door.

Professor McGonagall,

Found this old Cup lying around. Thought you might like to have it.

- JP

P.S. Wild storm we had the other day, eh?

The common room was completely empty by the time James got back to Gryffindor tower, save for Remus' battered old trunk, which was lying rather conspicuously in front of the hearth. James knelt beside the trunk and flipped the latches, humming to himself.

As he opened the lid, shouts and whistles rose from inside, accompanied by loud music. He climbed into the trunk and straightened up, grinning. The trunk's interior was the size of a ballroom, covered from floor to ceiling in red and gold hangings and filled near to bursting with what looked like the entirety of Gryffindor House.

"The man of the hour!" Sirius bounded forward and pressed a goblet full of dark red liquid into James' hand. He swept his arms out, indicating the room. "What do you think? Impressive, eh?"

"Remind me to never underestimate your spellwork," said James. He took a long swig from the goblet. The drink must have been one of Sirius' concoctions; immediately after he swallowed, scarlet-coloured steam began to pour from his ears. "I didn't realise Undetectable Extension Charms could make things quite so… extensive."

"Well, not normally," said Sirius. "We had to finagle it a bit, which had the unfortunate side-effect of making the trunk a little… magically unstable."

"No duelling, in other words." Remus appeared at James' side and held out a hand. "Your wand, please, Sirius."

James frowned. "You're confiscating our wands?"

"Nah," said Remus with a grin. "Just Mr Magically-Unstable over here. He's nearly blown us all up twice already."

"I maintain that exploding the punch bowl was an accident and doesn't count," said Sirius, but he shoved his wand at Remus anyway and whirled onto the dance floor.

"You two are getting on well, then, aren't you?" asked James as Remus' eyes tracked Sirius in the crowd. "If you're back to pushing the limits of spellcasting together…"

Remus lifted a shoulder. "He said he was sorry. Can't ask for more than that, can I?"

"'Sorry' doesn't mean that everything goes back to normal."

"James," said Remus, sounding pained. "He's your best mate."

"I mean, yeah, but that doesn't — you didn't have to…"

Sirius was dancing exuberantly with Marlene McKinnon. His movements were large and exaggerated, yet somehow still graceful. Remus watched them, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"I've chosen to believe he means well," he said finally. "For the good of us all."

James opened his mouth to protest, but Remus jerked his head towards the punch bowl. "Come on. Enough mopey Moony. Let's celebrate your victory."

Bella called for a special ritual to be held during the first week of O.W.L.s. She didn't give any details, only that they'd meet at midnight on Monday. Severus knew what was about to happen, though: Lucius Malfoy was going to dose them with Veritaserum.

Severus could barely keep his eyes open after taking both the theory and practical portions of his Charms O.W.L. The material hadn't been overly challenging, but the sheer length of the exams left him exhausted. Edmund Avery, on the other hand, appeared to be staying awake through sheer anxiety, muttering to himself when he thought nobody was listening. Mulciber didn't show any signs of fatigue at all.

As they were leaving the common room for Dungeon Thirteen, Severus pretended to have forgotten his wand and dashed back to the dormitory. Once he was safely hidden behind the curtains of his bed, he pulled a small vial of golden liquid out from under his pillow.

His stomach turned, like he was about to drink troll snot instead of Liquid Luck. He'd stolen Lily's Felix Felicis while she was taking the Charms practical. The theft had been astonishingly simple: he'd disillusioned himself and slipped into Workshop Five using the little bronze key he'd copied the previous week. Nobody had been any the wiser.

He was nauseous with guilt, but he unstoppered the vial and tipped his head back as the potion slid down his throat.

After another queasy minute, a feeling of warmth began to grow inside of him, like he'd swallowed a candle. His intestines untwisted themselves, and a sense of well-being settled over him. Lily would forgive his transgression. And he had been foolish to worry about Lucius Malfoy and the Veritaserum. Severus' mental defences were strong, nearly as strong as Bella's. Nobody would suspect a thing.

No longer anxious about the evening's ceremony, Severus stowed the empty vial under his pillow and rejoined his fellow Intents, who were waiting for him in the corridor.

Inside Dungeon Thirteen, Lucius Malfoy was lounging in a high-backed white chair at the head of a table inlaid with gold. In front of him were seven crystal glasses filled with clear liquid.

Bella was in the chair beside him. She smiled at the Intents as they filed in. "Sit," she said grandly, gesturing towards the empty chairs at the table.

"Sev," hissed Avery as they took their seats, "is that — are they —" He gestured meaningfully at the seven potions.

Severus inclined his head a fraction, and a whimper escaped Avery's throat.

Severus locked eyes with Bella, who was draped in so many layers of silver silk that she looked part-Veela. She narrowed her eyes, and he thought he felt a little nudge at the edge of his consciousness. He lifted his chin a bit, daring her to probe deeper. Keep looking. You will find nothing here.

Bella broke eye contact and settled back in her chair, a small smile playing around her lips.

Lucius leaned forward, his hands steepled in front of him. "Tonight is a special night," he said, his eyes sweeping the table. "I count myself fortunate to be among you, as this is my favourite of all the Rituals of Intention."

"Mine as well," said Bella. "Some of you may have already guessed, from the potions on the table — tonight, we will be drinking Veritaserum."

"We, Bella?" asked Evan Rosier. His eyes darted towards Lucius, looking unsure of whether he was allowed to speak.

Bella winked at him. "Of course. Don't I partake in every ritual, as your mentor? This will be no exception."

Mulciber and Avery looked impressed, but Severus knew better. Bella was an accomplished Occlumens and had already been exposed to Truth Potion when she was an Intent. Taking Veritaserum now would hardly leave her vulnerable. Her willingness to participate made a good show, but that was all it was.

"Let us begin," said Lucius, nodding at the potions. "It is time to expose the things you would rather hide."

Bella smiled beatifically at the Intents and raised her own glass in a toast, then downed its contents. Everyone else followed suit, though Avery looked distastefully at his potion before swallowing it.

The crystal glass was cold against Severus' lips as he took a sip. The Veritaserum had no smell, no taste; it could have been water. In fact, after he had drunk the entire potion, he felt no different than he had a minute before.

He raised his glass to eye level, examining the way it refracted with the light. Was it possible there had been a mistake? Could his glass actually have been full of water?

Caution, warned a voice in the back of Severus' mind. Things are not as they seem. He nodded to himself, agreeing with the voice. He straightened, feeling suddenly proud. He was so clever, he always had been. He only needed to trust himself.

"That's better," breathed Bella. Her eyelids fluttered open as she swallowed the last of the potion in her glass. She gave the Intents a benevolent smile, flashing every one of her square teeth at them. "I will go first, I think, to show how this is done. If you are in agreement, Lucius?"

"I am." Lucius inclined his head. "Bella, if you would tell me, what form does your Boggart take?"

My father, thought Severus. The words were on the tip of his tongue, and he had to fight the urge to blurt them out. It's Bella's turn, he reminded himself, but that didn't satisfy him. He needed to speak, he craved it. Perhaps Veritaserum had been in his glass after all.

Bella hummed, tilting her head. "My Boggart takes the form of a Muggle with a torch who wants to burn me alive."

"Enlightening," said Lucius. Privately, Severus thought it was awfully coincidental that Bella's Boggart doubled as a demonstration of her devotion to the cause.

"My turn, then." Bella scanned the Intents. Avery had his hands clapped over his mouth to prevent himself from speaking. "Rabastan?"

Rabastan Lestrange's head snapped up. "Yes, Bella?"

"Tell me, Rabastan," purred Bella, "who in this room do you hate the most?"

"I hate you, Bella," said Lestrange, looking surprised at how quickly the words tumbled from his mouth. "There are lots of reasons why. My brother courts you, and you say that you love him, but I know he's not the only one you're seeing. And you make us — the Intents — hurt each other. We should be hurting other people, not ourselves. It's wrong."

"Oh, Rabastan," said Bella. "You're giving away secrets that are not your own. Don't worry — I'm not angry. But I think I shall not comment on my relationship with your brother. Does that sound fair?"

"I guess," said Lestrange.

"How does it feel to speak the truth? Does it feel good?"

"It does," said Lestrange, though he was frowning deeply.

"It does," agreed Bella. "Now, do you know why I have you practice on each other, Rabastan? It is so you don't embarrass me when the Dark Lord gives you unpleasant tasks to perform. Our rituals teach obedience, discipline, and trust. Have any of you come to permanent harm under my guidance?"

"No, Bella." Lestrange looked somewhat ashamed now.

"So will it be when you swear allegiance to the Dark Lord. Obey and trust, and no harm will come to any of you." Bella leaned back in her chair and arranged her silver robes, looking quite pleased with herself. "Aren't you glad we had this talk, Rabastan? Do you have more confidence in my leadership?"

"I do," said Lestrange. "Now I think I hate Malfoy the most. That is —" He flushed scarlet. "Not that — I don't know him well enough to —"

Bella's laugh was high and sharp. Beside her, Lucius smiled graciously. "You've got a little problem with authority, don't you, Rabastan?" he asked. "From what I know of your father, it runs in the family. No matter — I am not offended. Now then, which of you would like to go next?"

"Me," said Avery at once. He was bouncing with eagerness, though he also looked vaguely confused, as if he wasn't quite sure why he was volunteering himself.

Lestrange smiled, seeming relieved to no longer be the centre of attention. "Right, Edmund," he said. "Erm… what did you think about the last time you, er, polished your wand?"

Avery's ears turned red, and Mulciber snickered. Severus shifted uncomfortably in his seat. For all Bella's talk, Lestrange had a point: most of these rituals were humiliating.

Severus was so lost in thought that he missed Avery's answer. From the way Mulciber and Wilkes shifted their chairs away from Avery, though, he had a good guess as to what Avery might have said.

"Interesting," said Bella, her eyes sparkling. "So you like to think about other people's wands. Do you feel better, letting us know your secret?"

Avery was biting his lip in an effort to keep himself from responding. He was silent for nearly ten seconds, and a trickle of blood ran down the corner of his mouth. "No," he said at last. "There's a reason I was keeping that to myself."

"But if we don't know the secrets you hide, how will we be able to protect you as Followers?" said Bella, as if talking to a child. "It wouldn't do for us to be caught off guard. That's how Death Eaters get compromised. You don't want to be compromised, do you, Edmund?"

Avery didn't meet Bella's eyes. "No."

"It's good that you've shared," said Lucius. "This is information that your brothers need to know. And not to worry — no Death Eater will raise an eyebrow at your" — he coughed delicately — "affinities, so long as they don't extend to Muggles. Now, who would you like to question?"

"Mulciber, I guess," said Avery. He lifted a trembling hand to his mouth to wipe away the blood there. He looked like he was about to cry, but he seemed unable to stop himself from turning towards Mulciber. "Augustus, have you ever… I mean, would you be interested in… We spend a lot of time together, and…"

"No," said Mulciber at once, and Wilkes laughed. "Absolutely not."

Avery looked like he wanted to sink through the floor and disappear. If Severus hadn't been focused on emptying his mind of emotion, he would have felt very sorry for Avery.

"On the same topic," said Mulciber, "I have a question for Severus."

Severus took a slow breath through his nostrils, willing himself not to react. He had known this was coming, whether from Mulciber or Bella or another Intent. There was no escaping it.

Calm, said the voice at the back of his mind. He had nothing to hide. He was detached from emotion, from memory, from self.

"So, Sev." Mulciber leaned forward in his chair. There was a vicious glint in his icy blue eyes. "Care to tell us about Lily Evans? See, I don't know if I can trust a brother who finds Mudbloods attractive."

Severus' lip curled, though inside he felt like jumping for joy. Stupid, stupid, Mulciber. Didn't he know Truth Potions needed specificity to be effective?

"Lily Evans," he said, dragging the words out, waiting to see what memories rose to the surface of his mind. Nothing. "We met in Potions class during our first year." Not a lie; they had met in Potions class, and other places besides. "We shared an interest in the subject. In the years that followed, our friendship persisted, even as the political climate grew considerably more… hostile."

Lucius smirked at that, and Bella giggled a little, giving Severus a moment to collect himself. His heart ought to have been hammering out of his chest; Felix Felicis was the only thing keeping him calm.

"Recently, though," he said, "our relationship has been… tense. You may find it hard to believe, but she has a certain distaste for the Dark Arts."

"Get to the point," growled Mulciber. "Who is Lily Evans to you?"

Severus looked not at Mulciber, but at Lucius, who was listening attentively, head cocked to one side. "Lily Evans is my Potions partner and a Mudblood," he said flatly. "She is someone of little consequence."

Felix Felicis thrummed in his veins. He felt elated and slightly out of breath, like he'd just run a marathon. He examined the contents of his mind, but no thoughts of Lily rose to contradict what he'd just said.

Lucius nodded slowly. Beside him, Bella caught sight of Mulciber's expression and laughed.

"Oh, Augustus, no need to look so disappointed!" she said. "We can't all be harbouring secrets as juicy as Edmund's. Severus, who do you have a question for?"

"Lucius," said Severus immediately.

Lucius Malfoy blinked. "I haven't taken Veritaserum tonight, Severus."

"As is your right," said Severus, letting Liquid Luck guide his speech. "Nevertheless, I hope you will answer me honestly. Who here do you think has the most potential?"

A slow smile stretched across Lucius' thin face. "Excellent question," he said. "I admire your nerve. And I must say — every time we interact, I find myself more and more impressed by you, Severus. Does that suffice for an answer?"

Severus inclined his head and settled into the high-backed armchair. The questioning continued, but he paid the ceremony no mind.

He'd done it. He'd actually done it. He felt light-headed and loose-limbed with victory, as if he'd just run a marathon.

There was another small nudge at the back of his skull. He couldn't tell whether it was coming from Bella, or one of the potions he'd taken that night, or, God forbid, his own conscience — if he still had one.

That's right, you've done it. Now to pay the cost.

Something was wrong with Lily's potion.

She knew it as soon as she let herself into the workroom, an hour before her Potions O.W.L. began. There was no movement to the liquid, no burbling golden drops, and the colour had turned a deep bronze.

The protective charms on her Felix Felicis had been activated. She'd set them to overheat the cauldron if anyone other than her disturbed the surface of the potion. It would have taken less than fifteen seconds for the Liquid Luck to spoil.

There was only one possible conclusion. Someone had attempted to steal her Felix Felicis, and she knew exactly who it had been.

She went to Professor Slughorn immediately and notified him that there had been a breach in the protective enchantments surrounding her workroom. When he peered into her cauldron, his expression confirmed her fears, and it was all she could do not to cry. An entire year of work had been ruined. Sabotaged.

Stolen.

She swore up and down to Professor Slughorn that she had no idea who might have tampered with her potion. Privately, she wondered dully why she was even bothering to protect Severus anymore. He'd shown her all year who he was, and now the evidence was undeniable. She was so naive. So stupid.

In the end, she managed to convince Professor Slughorn that someone must have ruined her potion as an anti-Muggle-born prank; she didn't tell him that at least a thimbleful of Felix had been stolen. There was no use upsetting Professor Slughorn further, not when she knew who the perpetrator was. Not when she could enact a vengeance sweeter than any detention he could give.

It was in this mindset that she entered Dungeon One, where her Potions O.W.L was being held. Severus was seated in one of the upper tiers, next to Mulciber; interestingly, Avery was a couple of rows down, sitting alone.

"Is this seat taken?" she asked.

Severus looked up, startled. His black eyes searched her face, looking for a sign that she was angry. That she knew what he did.

She gave nothing away.

"Go ahead," said Severus at last, still regarding her warily.

She smiled sweetly at him. "Thanks, Sev."

Their examiner was an ancient wizard, so tall and thin that he looked like a ghostly scarecrow. He waved his wand slowly through the air, and examination booklets drifted onto each desk, along with a blank scroll of parchment.

"Good luck," said Lily brightly to Severus as the examiner turned over a large hourglass. "I'm sure you'll do well — you're brilliant at Potions."

"Thanks," said Severus. He was still eyeing her as though at any moment she would turn into a Chimaera and wreak havoc on the dungeon. "You, too."

Theory of Potions was easier than Lily had expected, which she was thankful for; sitting so close to Severus made it difficult to concentrate. The sound of his quill scratching against the parchment made her want to snap it in half and drive the pieces into his eye. In between questions, she fantasised about upending his chair and tossing him bodily across the room. Maybe she really was part-Chimaera.

Something knocked against her hand, startling her. Her inkwell was rattling violently, threatening to spill its contents across her parchment. She took several deep breaths, and the inkwell stilled. She couldn't afford to make a scene with accidental magic; it was better to be patient. She would have her revenge.

Her moment came that afternoon, during the practical portion of their Potions O.W.L.

"Oh, well done, well done," said the examiner, bending slowly over her cauldron and wafting the fumes towards his pointed nose. "A beautifully brewed Alihotsy Draught… and do I smell citrus?"

"Yes, sir." Lily gave her potion one last stir. "I add limewort to balance the side-effects from the moondew, which causes flushing in a minority of wizards who take the Draught."

"Splendid improvisation," said the examiner. "I daresay you've got quite a future in Potions ahead of you, Miss…?"

"Evans," she said. The examiner raised his eyebrows at her Muggle surname, but she pretended not to notice. "Actually, sir, I've been working on an independent study this year, too. I've been brewing… well, can I show you?"

She smiled brightly, and the examiner chuckled and nodded. Lily reached into her bag. At the desk beside her, Severus stiffened.

"Let me see…" said Lily. "Got it!"

She pulled the little vial out of her bag and held it up so it caught the light. Inside the vial, her ruined potion was the colour of rotting autumn leaves. "Felix Felicis," she said with relish. Beside her, Severus was as still as if he had been Petrified, one hand stretched over his cauldron.

"If I may…" said the examiner, holding out his hand. Lily nodded and dropped the vial into his palm, smiling so broadly that her cheeks hurt.

"This… That is…" The examiner made a humming noise. "I suppose you added the rue during the new moon?"

"Always, sir," said Lily.

"And you used a female Ashwinder egg, not that of a male?"

"Of course," she said. "I followed the instructions exactly. Would you like to try a drop? Not too much, though, or you might not feel like marking our exams…"

"Ah… though tempting, I'm afraid I must decline," said the examiner. He set the vial delicately down on her table, as though afraid it would explode.

"Then I'll have to be the one to try it," said Lily, and the examiner's indulgent smile changed to a look of horror.

"Lily…" said Severus at last, and she had to fight to keep the grin plastered on her face.

"This is exciting, isn't it, Sev?" she babbled, breaking the seal on the vial with her thumb. "I've heard it's an amazing feeling, taking Felix…"

"Miss Evans," said the examiner weakly, "I don't know how to tell you this, but that sample… It might be better to leave it alone…"

"Oh, no, I couldn't do that," said Lily. "I've worked so hard all year — I need to know how it turned out! Felix is a tricky potion, you know, disastrous effects when improperly brewed…" She winked at the astonished examiner and raised the vial to her lips.

"Lily," said Severus urgently. Beside him, Mulciber was gazing at her like a cat watching a mouse. "Don't. Now isn't a good time —"

"Don't be jealous, Sev," she said. "It's not a good look on you."

"You ought to test it on an animal, to make sure it's safe." Severus' voice rose. "Or a couple of willing first years, or — or give it here, and I'll —"

"Thanks but no thanks," said Lily, locking eyes with him. "I made this potion, and I know I followed the steps correctly. So I have nothing to be afraid of, right?"

Severus stared at her, mouth ajar. She smiled back at him. She hoped her performance was good enough, that Severus couldn't see the heartbreak that lurked just underneath.

Silly Severus. He was so predictable. He had expected her to rage at him, but that wouldn't satisfy her this time. Nothing she said could hurt him worse than his own internal commentary — he hated himself, after all. Yelling at him was a waste of time.

So she would hurt herself instead, and it would be his fault for tampering with her potion. That would twist the knife deeper than any insult or admonishment could.

She winked at him. Then, before either Severus or the examiner could stop her, she swallowed the contents of the vial.

She ended up spending two days in the hospital wing while Madam Pomfrey regrew her spleen. As a result, she missed both her Arithmancy and History of Magic O.W.L.s. Luckily, the Mediwitch assured her that, due to the extenuating circumstance of having nearly blown herself up, she would be allowed to retake the O.W.L.s she had missed during the second week of examinations.

On Thursday, Lily emerged from the infirmary just in time for dinner in the Great Hall. She sat between Mary and Marlene, who nearly suffocated her in a hug. Towards the end of dinner, she finally glanced at the Slytherin table. Severus looked awful; his stringy hair hung in clumps about his face, and he was paler than ever.

Lily stared at him coolly, daring him to acknowledge her. He looked away in response.

In the week that followed, a rumour spread through Gryffindor House that Severus had tampered with Lily's potion. She wasn't certain who had started it — perhaps Marlene, who had guessed what had happened before Lily had even told her.

When curious students asked if the rumour was true, Lily would merely nod and return to her Arithmancy notes. She wasn't interested in spreading gossip, but she had no problem confirming what Severus had done.

There was a saying in the Muggle world, after all, that the truth would set you free.

James Potter came for Severus after their Defence O.W.L., like Severus knew he would. The entire school somehow knew that Severus had ruined Lily's potion. Even his fellow Intents heard about it, and they congratulated him on successfully 'putting a Mudblood in her place'. It was too much to hope that the rumour had bypassed James and his lackeys.

They found him on the grounds of Hogwarts, behind a cluster of bushes at the edge of the lake.

Even though Severus had been expecting an attack, James Disarmed him immediately, and Sirius hit him with an Impediment Jinx before he could cast a curse of his own. A small group of students noticed the commotion and clustered around to watch.

Come to see the show, Severus thought nastily.

"You're so predictable it's pathetic," he spat, struggling uselessly against the Impediment Jinx as James and Sirius loomed over him. "Hexing me when I'm alone, surrounded by sycophants who can back you up… your mother must be so proud to have a son like you."

James levelled his wand at Severus' head. "Leave my mother out of this, Snape."

"I must not have made myself clear," sneered Severus. "I was speaking to Black. You're growing up to be quite the mummy's boy, aren't you?" he said to Sirius, who scowled. "Cruel streak a mile wide. If I were you, I'd try the Sorting Hat on again, now that you've become a proper Black —"

Sirius cracked his wand like a whip, snarling. Pain seared into Severus' back in long, burning stripes, like he'd just been flayed by a cord of flames, and he collapsed into the grass.

"My... point... exactly," said Severus through gritted teeth. His limbs twitched as he fought to stand up. "Duel me like a wizard and we'll see who wins, you inbred waste of space. Ventrum Mortis. Crus Crura — let me up, you blood traitor. Mutatum Carnifero..."

As James had Disarmed him, nothing happened.

"Wash out your mouth," said James coldly. He stepped in front of Sirius, who looked murderous. "Scourgify!"

Severus gagged; soap bubbles rose up his throat and poured out of his mouth. His hand flew to his neck as he struggled to breathe. James raised an eyebrow, smirking.

"Leave him ALONE!"

Severus' heart stopped. Lily.

It couldn't be. Surely she had gotten the message after he'd betrayed her, surely she knew to stay away, that trying to save their friendship was futile…

"All right, Evans?" said James.

She glared at the Gryffindor boys. "Leave him alone. What happened is between me and Sev. I don't need you intervening on my behalf, like some knight in shining armour…"

"Rest easy, Evans," said Sirius. "I can't speak for James here, but I'm acting on motives entirely my own. You don't factor into it."

"Is that right?" said Lily, hands on her hips. "What's he done to you, then?"

"Well," said James, pretending to think, "for us it's more the fact that he exists, if you know what I mean. . . ."

Some of the onlookers laughed, and Severus spotted Mulciber, Lestrange, and Bella watching from a distance. Lestrange's wand was half-raised, as if he wanted to intervene, but Bella's hand was on his arm, holding him back. She met Severus' eyes and tilted her head, like she was curious about what he would do next.

Severus cursed inwardly. He'd denounced Lily under Veritaserum, yet she was coming to his rescue. He had to get rid of her somehow — he couldn't afford for the Intents to guess his true feelings.

James and Lily were arguing; they seemed to have forgotten about Severus. Neither noticed as he crawled towards his wand. He pointed it at James, who was still fixated on Lily. Sectum, he thought, aiming at James' face.

There was a flash of light. James stumbled as the skin of his cheek split open, blood speckling his robes and the grass at his feet. He turned on Severus, and the world around Severus spun as he was hoisted upside-down into the air.

My own hex, he thought bitterly, fighting to keep his robes covering his pants. The bastard hits me with my own hex —

"Let him down!" said Lily, but she sounded less insistent, like she was biting back a laugh. Severus fought the urge to vomit, nauseous from vertigo and shame. She shouldn't see him like this — exposed, ridiculed, half-naked —

James lifted his wand, and Severus collapsed onto the ground. He scrambled upright, but Sirius hit him with another curse, and he keeled over, as stiff as a board. He hit the ground face-first, cheek pressed into the dirt. His nose smarted from the impact, and something warm and wet filled his nostrils.

Bella, Mulciber and Lestrange had drawn closer and were standing at the edge of the crowd. Bella's hand hovered casually over the wand at her hip.

Severus met her eyes, begging her silently to intervene, but Bella shook her head. She pointed her chin towards Lily, who had begun to argue with James again, and the implication was clear. Her or us? We can't both be your saviour.

"Take the curse off him!" demanded Lily, who looked like she was ready to pull out her own wand.

James hesitated; then he sighed and pointed his wand at Severus. "Finite."

The jinx lifted. Severus got unsteadily to his feet and cast an imploring glance at Bella, but she widened her eyes innocently and didn't move. Her voice from months ago rang crystal-clear through his skull, as if she had used Legilimency.

Honestly, you will have to choose between her or us at some point, but the choice will be easy.

He should have known Bella was lying. It was never going to be easy.

"That's better, isn't it?" James asked Severus, eyeing him with distaste. "You're lucky Evans was here to save you, Snivellus —"

All the rage and humiliation of that afternoon welled up in Severus, and the words poured out of him unbidden. "I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!"

There was a beat. A couple of the students whispered to each other, and James raised an eyebrow. Behind him, Bella was smiling as she drew her wand.

Lily stared at Severus as if seeing him for the first time. "Fine." Her voice was flat. "I won't bother in future. And I'd wash your pants if I were you, Snivellus."

"Apologise to Evans!" shouted James, advancing on Severus. "After all you've put her through, you dare —"

Lily whirled on James, fury blazing in her emerald eyes. "I don't want you to make him apologise! You're as bad as he is!"

"What? I'd NEVER call you a — you-know-what!"

"Messing up your hair because you think it looks cool to look like you've just got off your broomstick, showing off with that stupid Snitch you didn't even catch, hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can — I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with that fat head on it. You make me SICK." She turned on her heel and stormed away without so much as a glance at Severus.

Before Severus could slip away, there was another flash of light. The contents of his stomach rushed into his throat as he hung upside-down in the air once more.

"Who wants to see me take off Snivelly's pants?" James asked the crowd. Sirius laughed and advanced on Severus, wand raised —

"That's quite enough, dear cousin." Bella stepped forward and levelled her wand at Sirius' chest. Mulciber and Lestrange flanked her, wands drawn. "I think you've had your fun for today."

James eyed them warily. He jerked his wand upwards and Severus fell to the ground. "Fine," he said shortly. "Come on, Padfoot —"

But Sirius was nose-to-nose with Bella. "I'm not afraid of you," he growled.

Bella laughed. "That's because you're stupid." Before Sirius could react, she flicked her wand. Sirius went flying backwards, knocking students out of the way. He hit a nearby tree with a crunch and crumpled into a senseless heap.

Bella turned her wand on James. "No more bullying," she said lightly. "You won't like what happens to Sirius if you do."

James regarded her for a moment and nodded curtly.

"Let's go." Bella put an arm around Severus and steered him towards the castle. "We'll have a nice dinner in Dungeon Thirteen. We'll celebrate."

"Celebrate what?" said Severus, his mind still on Lily. Salazar's fangs, she'd seen his pants — and he'd called her a —

"You, Sev," said Bella, drawing him closer. "Celebrating you. You chose us. Like I always knew you would."