Driven by Challenges
Lady Countryrose
Ch. 13
It had taken a couple of days. But all the makeup work for the classes were done. They went to each of their teachers and handed their work in. Only for the teachers to be surprised. But the two had been seen with a book in hand, out on the grounds, enjoying what, they believed, to be the last nice days to be outside.
Lily had managed to drag not just Hermione, but also Lyra, out of the castle. Each of them have felt uneasy for some reason. They didn't know if it was because of the Gryffindor boys were hard at work with their pranking. Or the setble feeling from Slytherin that something big was going to happen.
Hermione may know what happened in the future. But with her and Lyra being there. Those things could have changed. Even Lily seemed uneasy for some reason. Once the three found a place to hide from other students.
Hermione asked, "Alright, what's going on? Even you seem jumpy lately. Which is something to point out. You, Lily, are anything but jumpy."
The natural redhead glanced around the surrounding area. Before looking towards Lyra. "I'm sorry, if I seem cold to you at times. But I wanted to warn you. Last year, Severus Snape had called me a Mudblood. After seeing him in the hallway, just now, with the Slytherins, really had me on edge."
Lyra nodded her head. "Tell me Lily. When he did call you that word, what happened before he uttered that word? Was he being bullied?"
Lily nodded her head. "Yeah. Potter and Black had him up in the air. With his pants slipping down his hips. Showing off his underwear…"
Hermione nodded her head. "We are not saying that he shouldn't have said Mudblood. But where was his mindset during that time? Was he afraid and lashing out, the only person that was kind to him? Because he wanted to prove that he could take care of himself."
Lily's emerald eyes flashed in understanding. "Oh, no." She shook her head. "I… they made me lose a friend, because of those two." She turned towards Lyra with a pleading look in her eyes. "What do I do?"
Lyra sighed, "That is up to you, Lily. Do you want to have a friendship with Severus, or do you want it to slip away? I can not make that choice for you. That is something you need to do for yourself."
Hermione saw the hurt in Lyra's eyes. But she noticed that she was not upset about Lily wanting to be Severus Snape's friend. No, just upset that Lily would hurt him again. So was Hermione, if she was to be honest with herself.
Severus Snape had a hard life, or still will have one. If he kept on the way he was going.
"Is there a place known for anyone to meet without others getting suspicious," asked Lyra.
"Yeah," Lily nodded her head. "The chapel."
Lyra smirked evilly. "I will get a hold of him." Then she got upon her feet and slipped away. Only to lose her through the tall reeds.
Hermione shook her head. "Why the chapel? No one used it in the 90's."
Lily looked surprised. "The Frier is a great guy to hold sermons. He never seems to stop learning in the faith. He even provides insights in other religions. But he does that, about once a month."
Hermione sighed, "I didn't even know there was a chapel. If I had, I might have gone." It had bothered her, she had thought that she knew everything about the castle from Hogwarts, A History.
A couple of moments later, Lyra came back. "Tonight, seven." It was all she needed to say. So the three headed back inside.
They had walked the grounds until dinner. Then they went up to the chapel. Where they had met up with not just Severus Snape, but with Regulus Black.
Severus Snape for the most part, looked bored. "You asked me to be here." His voice droned out.
Lily sighed, "I was wrong, Sev. I shouldn't have pushed you away." She closed her eyes and groaned. "They were bullying you, and I didn't like how you lashed out at me. So, I am sorry, Sev."
Severus gaped at her for a little while. Before he looked towards Lyra. Who kept her eyes down. It was up to him to make a decision.
"I have already said my apologies, I will not say them again. But… I will not make our friendship easy. Yes, I had hurt you but in return, you have done the same with me. It will take some time."
It was from there. They had gone inside the chapel to watch the end of the service. Took the emblems and prayed for things to change. Then split their ways. Time to face the world around them.