A/N: Another chapter out today, probably won't be able to put up anymore updated chapters until the weekend. My work is calling us essential so I'm still going to work. Not like we've shut down anyway. Stay as safe as you can during this uncertain time everyone.

Chapter Three: Peter

"Sit down. Our conversation is not over yet."

Severus glared for a moment but laid back down.

"I should apologize too, for calling you Snivellus and for making fun of your old undergarment that day. I was just mad because you called me dirty and we were best friends. I just thought maybe you would change before then. That so long as we were friends you would not get that deep, but you did."

"You did not deserve to be called that word. It was wrong of me. I loved you. I didn't want to hurt you."

"You aren't under the potion. You mean that? You always liked me. You loved me before?"

Severus realized what he had just admitted again. He admitted for a second time that morning that he did love her, always liked her. "Yes." Once again, his pale cheeks became crimson.

Lily was becoming even more conflicted as the morning has rolled on. "What are we going to do about this?"

"What do you mean?" He asked with confusion, his hand on her bare shoulder.

"I mean just that. What happens now? With us? We just made love to each other several times. Do we just move forward? Are we friends again? I don't think we can just walk away and pretend nothing ever happened."

"No. I mean, yes, quite bonded, but no, it would not possible to just forget or pretend it never happened."

"You promise me you won't join them? Please?"

He let go and moved away, propping himself up on the bed with his elbow. "I don't know, Lily. You have to understand what a great opportunity it is."
Lily turned onto her back, her arms over the quilt that was covering them. "Opportunity for what? All they want is for people like me to be dead. He wants his power. He only wants to use you. He won't let you have power."

"I don't want you gone. I won't let them touch you."

Lily scoffed in disgust.

"You don't see what it can do for me."

"What? What don't I see that you are seeing?"

"I'll have a job, power, influence."

"You can have those things without becoming a Death Eater, Sev."

"No." He shook his head.

"What do you mean no? You are brilliant at potions. You could be a potions master or something. Do something with that. Or anything. You are too smart to fall into a dangerous road."

"I may be good, but I don't have enough influence. Potter stands a better chance at a good job in that field."

"You are too hard on yourself."

"Well, look at me. There's nothing attractive to see. My messed-up nose, pale skin, dark, greasy hair-"

He found her finger on his lips. "Stop that. Stop doing that. Stop talking about yourself that way."

"It's fact, Lily." The duvet fell from her chest and exposed her breasts. He tried hard to not look, but the memory of caressing and sucking them flooded his mind.

"No. You look fine."

"Easy for you to say. You're completely beautiful."

Lily shook her head and gave a little scoff. "No, I'm not."

"I think you are."

"Don't flatter me." She said, blushing. "I am not."

"I will disagree. You look beautiful. I'm attracted to you. I admit it. So is Potter. He's much better for you. He will always have influence and power and money. He's far better looking, outgoing, athletic, he's perfect. Don't worry about me. We had our moment. He's the better option."

Lily groaned and shook her head in clear aggravation. "You are so stupid."

He was taken aback. "What? Did you call me stupid?"

"If you really think I should be with someone because you perceive them as better than yourself, you are stupid. Basing yourself on a notion of what someone will find attractive is stupid." She huffed in irritation.

"Well, he wants you. You'd be a fool to pick me over him. Just because I wanted you to like me means nothing. I can't offer you anything." Severus paused. "Well, I gave you myself, but that doesn't count."

"Well," She cleared her throat. "I'm glad my first sexual experience was with you. I loved it, though it was awkward and painful to start with. I mean, I have to admit that it was good and-pleasurable, very pleasurable, actually." Her cheeks grew hot after admitting her feelings about their time together.

"I'm glad mine was with you too."

"I am glad that it was with you, an old friend, instead of someone else. I mean, can you imagine what could have happened if someone else got a hold of the potion? Any of the other guys in the club?" She cringed at the thought. "I mean, I know we stopped being friends and all, but we were friends. At least it was not random. I mean, it was random, but at least it wasn't some random person. Does that make sense?"

"Yes, actually. You are glad if you had to have this happen to someone else but you and Potter, you were glad it was me, an old friend, instead of some random guy you barely know. I get that. I'm glad, very glad it was you and not some random girl I barely know."

It got quiet.

"So, this was a quick, crazy and interesting make up."

He laughed. "Definitely unexpected, but it all feels right."

She gasped. "Oh my god."

Severus moaned slightly. "What now?"

"It's nearly ten. We're missing breakfast."

"Well, we were up quite late."

"It's not funny. Neither one of us knew what we were thinking. We are in serious trouble."

"I was gone all night. What will I say when Avery asks where I've been all night?"

"Tell him the truth. I'm sure he'd love the story and be happy for you. All you guys love to brag about sex anyway."

Severus looked at her and shook his head slowly. "No, seriously, I am going to have to come up with a good excuse. Besides, no one would believe me even if I told them the truth."

"No. It is a far-fetched story, but a true one." Lily turned to him. "Sev?"

He grinned at her calling him that. He missed that. "Yeah?"

"We need to talk to Slughorn."

"We can't tell him what happened!" Severus's eyes grew wide and his mouth dry at the thought of admitting to a teacher he just had sex regardless of why.

"No, we need to get into the Slug Club and see if the butterbeers are still in the trash. I'm not telling him what happened. I'll just say we forgot something."

"Won't it seem weird if I'm with you?"

"I'll just tell him I needed to talk to you for a moment. About an assignment or something like that."

"Fine." He pulled back the covers and turned away from Lily embarrassed to have her see him naked and then mentally kicked himself because duh, she already had. Lily tossed the covers back and found her knickers on the floor. As Severus put on his underwear, he saw a bra on the floor. He picked it up and turned to see Lily looking at the floor. Lily turned as he cleared his throat. She turned her head and he handed her the bra. Her face blushed as she took it. They finished getting dressed and started to head for the door.

"I need a shower." Severus mumbled.

"No time. We'll take one when we get back."

"We?"

"You know what I mean. Later and separately." She opened the door. "Let me see if anyone is around first." Lily went on down and investigated the common room. "Coast is clear."

Severus came down and they snuck out of the hole and hurried down for breakfast. She went in first. Severus waited about five minutes before entering so it wouldn't look like they were coming in together and arouse suspicion.

"Lily? The sleepyhead finally woke." James said with a smile.

"I was busy working on potions last night, so I was up really late."

Lily started to eat. She was starving, but part way through, the full weight of what just happened weighed on her. Generally, not one to keep secrets, but there was no way she could ever tell James. How would he ever believe her that it was under potions and she didn't cheat. At least not on purpose and that she wouldn't ever cheat on purpose. Lily looked down to the other end of the table. She saw Severus eating and Avery chatting with him. Her stomach churned. She lost her appetite.

"Are you okay?" James asked.

"Yes, of course, I'm great. Why?"

He gave her an odd look. "You aren't eating, and you have your hand on your stomach."

"Oh, I'm fine. Really."

He turned back to Sirius and they started to chat about something. That was when Lily realized Peter was glaring at her. He stared hard at her, which made her squirm a little. His eyes were narrow, nearly slits with a heavy frown. Why did he look so angry? She hadn't done anything to him.

Lily's eyes became galleons and she almost gasped out loud. Oh, fuck. He was pissed and she could only think of one reason why. It had to have been him. Sirius sat on the other James and they were laughing. He didn't seem at all upset or angry or confused. Just Peter. His eyes bore hard into her as he turned his fork back and forth, back and forth. He turned the fork upright and stabbed it into the table without removing his gaze or even blinking. Her heart dropped into her stomach and she set her own fork down. She cocked her head and glared back into his eyes. He continued to glare daggers into her. She squirmed internally before turning to James, who was still cackling at Sirius's jokes. Based on their behavior, she had a strong inclination that Peter Pettigrew had likely worked solo on this plot. She had to find a way to get back at him somehow. There was no way in hell she was going to allow him to get away with this.