The half-blood Prince wanted to erase the images from his brain. He really did. But as much as he hated it, he had to accept the fact that he had the picture of his worst ennemy shagging carved in his memory forever. What a cruel fate. When he had calmed down enough though, he found some amusement in the situation, who would have thought Sirius Black was gay ?
Gay people weren't likely to get murdered or even harassed in the wizzarding world, but they still faced loads of prejudices. People tended to insult them, and paint them as effiminate, weaker beings, which was why coming out was still hard for many. However Black wasn't one to care about what other people thought. Heck, he had turned his back to his family, one of the most powerful and feared amongst purebloods. No, it must have been that he wasn't paying attention. Now, it was Sirius Black and Severus really didn't care much for James' mutt. Did James know ? He had to. They were best friends, even closer than him and Lily were, though he would only ever admit it in his head. Severus hated not knowing anything. He was going to pay more attention.
The morning after, he sat as far away from the Marauders as possible, he even avoided Lily in the corridors, because though he had no reason to, he felt embarassed seeing Black. The picture from yesterday had dimmed a little but it was still fresh in his mind. Lucius was okay with letting him on his own and took advantage of it to break fast with Narcissa, Black's cousin. Regulus almost always missed breakfast anyways. Moody Black brother. Shite ! Why was he surrounded by his people ?
From his place he had a clear vision of them though. James was wolfing down waffles and Lupin calmly sipped on tea. Pettigrew was... there. Severus kept his attention on Black though. The usually cheery, loud boy was gloomy, pushing around what seemed to be cereals. Heh, he deserved it for what he had put Severus through.
Weird. Black seemed to throw glances towards his and Lucius usual seats every few minutes and would look away looking frustrated every time. The slytherin didn't have time to ponder on it as Lily sat down just two seats away from the group. Severus frowned as James magically retracted the space between them so they were facing each other. From his point he could see them all and he frowned when he noticed that she was only midly annoyed instead of raging as she rightfully ought to. He had to act fast if he wanted to avoid losing Lily to that cad.
Then he noticed it. Black was glaring at Lily. Again.
How often did he do that ? Often enough now that he thought about it. The black-haired gryffindor didn't like Lily at all. Severus was certain that he hated her just as much as he, if not more. He was always either ignoring or... glaring at her. The only time he interracted with her was to back up James' insults.
And then it all became crystal clear.
Black didn't have any reason to hate Lily. Not that he had any to hate him, but he was a slytherin and well maybe he didn't so much hate him as he enjoyed having someone to pick on with his stupid friends. The only plausible reason was... No... How could he have missed it ?
oOoOo
It was crazy. But he had been turning it in his head for two days now. Thank Merlin for the week end, he had successfully avoided all the marauders, minus James Bugger who had managed to pop in once or twice to annoy him during his alone time with Lily. It had only strengthened his resolve. Yes, it was crazy, but it could work. It had to. Which is why he was there, following Sirius Black into the forbidden forest on a Monday afternoon.
"Okay, you're the worst of spy. Come out Snape."
"I didn't try to be discreet," Severus answered, a little embarassed because he had been indeed.
"Sure," the taller boy smirked. "So where have you been hiding these last few days ?" He asked, and Severus could have sworn that he saw concern and something else entirely indescribable in his grey eyes.
"Relax, I don't care about your escapades enough to blab," Severus waved off, kicking a rock.
"Yeah, that's what I wanted to hear..." Black mumbled making Severus frown. He was being weird.
"Ok, let's not beat around the bush," Severus straightened his back and looked Black in the eyes. "I know your secret."
"W-What ?" He asked eyes wide.
"Yeah, once I discovered you were gay everything clicked. Your attitude toward Lily, or should I say jealousy ?" Severus almost cut himself off then. The look on the other boy's face wasn't what he had expected, it was almost like... hope ? "Your closeness with James, the way y-"
"What does James have to do with anything ?" Sirius cut in, forwning.
"Don't play dumb. It has to do with everyting ! After all, he's the one you love right ?" Severus said trying to keep in his smug grin but failing completely.
"What ?" Sirius got out, looking shocked.
"Yes, I figured it out. I've got to hand it to you you're doing a great job at hiding it. No one could guess by looking at you two together."
"Then how could you come up with that ?!" the gryffindor sounded angry.
"Well, the way you look at Lily every time she gets close to James."
"Bollocks !"
"I'm not judging you, twat," Sirius shook his head. "I'm here to offer you help. Well, we're going to help each other," He got out hesitantly. It was crazy.
"What the fuck is going on ?" Black whispered looking Severus straight into the eyes.
"We could..." His throat tightened, his whole being rebelling against what was trying to work its way out of his mouth, but as small of a shimmer it had been a second before, it was now a blinding light, the plan clearer than anything else in his mind. When he picked up where he'd left on, his voice was firm and clear. "We could help each other. You want Potter and I Lily."
