"This is gonna be good," whispered James, watching Severus from his hiding spot behind some bushes.
"As always, I'm going to voice my concern about doing this that you will promptly ignore," said Remus.
"Yeah, don't you remember what I told you over the summer?" asked Sirius. "If we keep harassing Snape like this, he may decide to listen to his friends who follow You-Know-Who."
"Surely you don't think he's that petty," said James.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he was," said Remus. "People have joined him for less, I'd say petty revenge is right up there with good reasons to join up with Dark Wizards."
"Besides, you don't actually think Lily would still like you if you keep messing with Severus, do you?" asked Sirius.
"Wait, what? Lily doesn't like James in the first place," said Peter.
"Did neither of you tell him?" asked Remus.
"No, why?" asked Sirius, before realising something. "Wait, when did we tell you?"
"You didn't, until now," said Remus smugly.
Sirius stared at him in confusion. "You sly bastard," said Sirius once he realised what just happened.
"Wait, didn't tell me what?" asked Peter.
"Nobody tell him," said James. "It's funnier this way. And Sirius, you have a point. I'll leave him alone…for now."
"Why?" asked someone nearby to them, causing them all to jump. Severus stood before them, smirking. "Scared, Potter?"
"You wish," said James, reaching for his wand. Unfortunately, Severus already had his wand in his hand.
"Wingardium Leviosa," said Severus, hitting James square in the chest. James felt himself being lifted off the ground. "I really can't be bothered doing much right now, so I'll just hook you on a tree branch and be on my way."
"Big mistake," said James, grabbing out his own wand. "Expelliarmus." Severus's wand flew out of his hand, which James caught. Unfortunately, the levitation spell broke at that moment too, causing James to fall. James scrambled to his feet and pointed his wand at Severus. "You know, I was going to leave you alone. But now… Wingardium Leviosa." Severus could do nothing as he was raised off the ground towards the nearest tree branches.
"James, what are you doing?" cried someone behind him. James spun around and saw Lily storming towards them. "Why do you keep doing this to him?"
"Hey, come on, he started it," said James, as Lily pulled out her own wand.
"Flipendo," said Lily, pointing her wand at James. There was a blue flash, and suddenly James flew back about ten feet. Severus fell to the ground as the spell was broken. "Are you okay Severus?" asked Lily, running up to him.
"Get off me," snapped Severus, far more angrily than he normally would talk to Lily. "I don't need help from a filthy little Mudblood like you."
There was a sharp inhale of breath from Remus, while Sirius just stared at him in shock and concern. Peter looked uncomfortable, and Lily just looked confused. Only James took action.
"Apologise," said James, getting to his feet, and pointing his wand at Severus. "Apologise right now, you absolute a…"
"And why should I?" sneered Severus. "What are you going to do about…"
"Severus," interrupted Lily, causing Severus to snap around to look at Lily. "What did you call me?"
For the first time, Severus seemed to realise what he said. "Lily, I…" he stammered, trying to figure out what to say. "I…I didn't mean…"
"Maybe you didn't mean it," said Sirius. "But the fact that you said that, even when you were angry, means that you've at least thought it at some point."
"Oh, shut up, you," snapped Severus. "What would you know about…"
"He's got a point," said Lily, clearly upset. "You know what that word means. I know about your friends from Slytherin, and how they feel about witches and wizards from non-magical families. I thought you'd be different, but clearly that's not the case." At this point Lily was trying her hardest not to cry. "I…I have to go…" Lily charged past the group, not wanting to look at any of them.
"Lily, wait," cried Severus, getting back up and trying to catch up to her.
"Just stop, Severus," said Remus. "I think you've done enough damage."
Severus just glared at him. "Screw you," he said, flipping them off as he left.
"I can't believe what just happened," said James. "I honestly never saw those two breaking off like this."
"On the plus side, Lily's yours for the taking now, right?" asked Peter.
"PETER! Not the time," snapped James.
"Yeah, too soon," said Sirius.
"Just trying to be helpful," said Peter.
"Then don't be," said Remus. "Come on guys, let's go."