Unbeknownst to the four boys, Severus—small and shadow-like—had slipped out of the Great Hall after Lily. He found her sobbing in an alcove on the third floor behind a statue of a one-eyed witch, her back to him.

"Lily?"

She jumped at the sound of his voice and he hastened into the roomy recess to apologise.

"I didn't mean to startle you. Are you alright?"

She shook her head, too overcome by tears to speak.

"Is it that prat, Potter?" he asked gently, placing an arm around her and ignoring the fluttering feeling in his stomach as she placed her head on his shoulder. Her tears were beginning to stem a little now.

"Partly, but mostly I just feel in the wrong place. Everyone in Gryffindor is nice—kind of—but you're not there and it feels weird. It's not how I imagined this going."

Severus nodded. "I know, me neither. But I guess we can't change what's happened, can we? We just have to carry on, I suppose."

Lily was still for a moment before she nodded slowly and sniffed.

"That's true…"

"For now I'd just try to ignore Potter," he advised, stroking her shoulder with his thumb to reassure her.

"It really wasn't his fault," Lily protested. "I was just in a bad mood."

"And he should have respected that!" Severus announced, slightly louder than he'd meant to; it made Lily sit up and look at him in surprise. "Sorry," he added. "I just don't see why you need to put up with people who are going to make you feel like this when you don't have to, it's not fair on you."

She considered this for a moment before slumping back against the stone wall.

"I suppose you're right. I'll stay away from him for a while, I think. Give myself some breathing room."

Severus nodded evenly. "I think that's a good idea. And you'll always have me if you want to talk to someone!"

At that, Lily smiled. "I will. Thanks, Sev. I should be getting back," she added, standing up. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah," he nodded, returning her smile as she left. As soon as she was gone, however, the smile faded into a frown.

The next week mainly consisted of the boys keeping a close eye on James but there ended up being no need; both he and Lily seemed to be avoiding each other to the point that even in the same lessons they never made eye contact. Meanwhile, the four of them had been exploring the castle in the evenings before dinner and had been delighted to discover one or two nooks to hide away in should the need arise.

"You know what?" James began as he and Sirius were walking back to the common room one evening.

"No, I don't," Sirius replied, flashing James an innocent smile, who rolled his eyes.

"I think this is exactly the kind of castle to have a secret passageway."

Sirius stared at James and let out a bark of laughter. "You think? There have to be at least a couple!"

"More than one?"

"I don't see why not, this place is huge!"

"Well," James started, so deep in thought that Sirius had to pilot him manually through the portrait-hole. "We could find them, right?"

"Find what?"

Remus and Peter had found a table and shuffled up to let the newcomers on.

"Find what?" Peter repeated impatiently.

"We want to find the secret passageways in the castle," James stage whispered to the clustered heads around him.

"How do you know there are any?" Remus asked sceptically.

"Look at this place!" Sirius reiterated.

Remus nodded in agreement. "Fair enough. How are we going to find them?"

James opened his mouth but after a moment of silence, closed it again. Sirius snorted quietly and leaned in closer.

"We could go to the library?"

James looked at him, shocked. Sirius was the last person to suggest such a thing.

"It's probably the most promising place," Remus concurred.

"But what are we even looking for?" Peter put in.

Remus frowned, thoughtfully. "I'm honestly not sure. Histories of Hogwarts, although there isn't anything in Hogwarts: A History so we'd have to go to other books. We can go tomorrow lunchtime and have a look? Maybe Madame Pince will know, but obviously we won't mention what we want them for."

The others nodded—albeit warily at bringing the vulturous librarian into things—and started to bring out scrolls of homework.

By the fire, Lily scoffed at the four of them to Alice Fortescue, who had been sat next to her at a circular table.

"They're planning something."

Alice looked up to where Lily had indicated and sighed. Since the incident at dinner the week before, Lily seemed to have both ignored him and stewed on the episode to the point that she'd convinced herself that it was entirely his fault.

"So?"

"It probably won't be good."

"Aren't you next to Remus for History of Magic?"

"Yeah," Lily admitted. "Remus is nice, but Potter and Black seem like absolute—"

"Okay, okay," Alice interjected, making a calming gesture with her hands. "I get that James didn't start off on a great foot—which again, I think was just a misunderstanding on his part—but why do you hate Sirius now?"

"He hangs around with Potter. And," she continued when Alice remained unconvinced. "He's a Black."

Alice stared at her friend open-mouthed. "Lily, I can't believe you of all people would be prejudiced against anyone!"

"It's not prejudice, it's reputation. His family are notorious, you said it yourself! And Sev says that the Blacks are conniving and tricky."

"Firstly, I regret telling you that because clearly you can't see past it anymore; I haven't really spoken to him but he seems nice enough. Secondly, Severus doesn't seem like the most reliable narrator from my point of view. No offence," she added hastily as Lily glared at her. "But it's got to mean something that no member of the Black family has ever been in Gryffindor until now! Don't let your random hatred for James spread to his friends just because they enjoy his company, otherwise you could end up with very few of your own."

Lily was somewhat taken aback at Alice's monologue, mostly because it was the kind of thing she'd say to Petunia if she ever had the chance, or the courage.

"Oh, no. I've become a monster!" she exclaimed, quite seriously.

Alice laughed and slapped her friend's arm lightly. "Of course you haven't, idiot. You've just let your sudden—and quite frankly unnecessary—hatred for James Potter cloud your judgement. Fool."

"I'm not usually like this!" Lily exclaimed. "Do you really think I've got the wrong idea about Potter, too?"

"You may be right to be distance yourself, they're creating quite the gang over there," Alice conceded. "But honestly, I think he just made an error of judgement in the hall. Maybe consider giving him another chance when the opportunity arises?"

Lily contemplated her friend's words for a moment, absent-mindedly gazing at the group in question.

"Fine. Once chance," she caved.

Alice grinned. "Once chance."

Hi hi!
I really hope you're enjoying this so far: if you are then let me know in the reviews or follow the story to stay updated! Alternatively, go check out some of my other work! Thank you :)

Stay safe and stay tuned,
Amelia x