Chapter V: A cherry for Severus
Severus spent the next few days waiting for the new flyers to be posted in the common rooms. He was eagerly awaiting a new Hogsmeade trip and was getting impatient. Finally, two weeks before the holidays exams were scheduled to occur, relief came in the form of a notice. The next weekend was this Saturday. He had two days to put his plan into motion.
He ascended the stairs from his common room and reached the Great Hall, where breakfast was being served. He quickly scanned the tables and quickly noticed Lily sitting down with James. Severus felt a sweat break over his forehead and he quickly set off to the Gryffindor tables. His presence was greeted with raised brows and frowns from some Gryffindors, all the same , he pressed on.
He spotted Lily and grasped his wand tightly, his mind focused on the coming spell. Closer he came to Lily & James, he carefully hid most of his wand up his black sleeves.
Severus performed the non-verbal spell and it successfully fell upon Lily- a barely noticeable white glimmer was wrapping around Lilys' fiery red locks of hair.
He smiled as she took up her gobletful of juice, but his smile fell just as quickly as his body. Severus felt his body lock up and he fell face first to the ground. He felt the cold floor as it crushed his nose under his weight.
Severus saw James and Lily's feet swivel around as his fall sounded. Severus heard a coarse laugh come from behind and he groaned in annoyance.
"Well look here Prongs, ole Snivvely dropped by to say hello." Sirius Black said while clapping his hands in excitement.
A squeaky voice came from somewhere behind Severus, "I saw him James! Coming up behind you! Sirius just beat me to him! Or I would have…" Spoke the little man that was Peter Pettigrew.
Sirius interrupted him and spoke jovially "…Turned his greasy hair yellow, Wormtail? I told you, do not perform such advanced magic without studious practice!" Sirius laughed again.
Severus was stinging with embarrassment as Pettigrew muttered about not being valued. He heard James say "Relashio" and Severus got to his feet.
He first noticed Lily once he had righted himself. Her face seemed to empower him ; the eyes- always the eyes, and her perfectly curved nose, right to her light pink lips.She whispered in James' ear and Severus' heart trembled as she left the area.
He hadn't planned on that, but he couldn't stop now.
"So Snivelpuss," James spoke harshly once Lily had left. "I know you'll never give up but my answer is still no. I'm not going to let you use my shampoo, clean up on your own."
Severus kept his cool while Pettigrew, Black and Potter laughed at his expense. Severus made a clear show of putting his wand away and then stepped closer and closer to James.
The laughing ceased abruptly and Black stepped closer to James. 'Always the two of them,' Severus pondered as a smile played across his face. 'This will work wonderfully' He thought.
Pettigrew hunkered back a few feet and slunk into a sitting position at the Gryffindor table.
Severus gazed upon the face he had grown to hate over time. He saw the black stubble on Potters' chin, the high cheek bones , those damnable eyes that emanated dislike. His lips pressed together as his arms fell across his broad chest.
"Potter…" Severus spoke, using considerable amounts of control, as James stared on. "For seven years I have tolerated you. Never have I made an attempt to provoke you. And I've realized, if I leave this school and never get the chance to see what you're really made of…Well…I just wouldn't be able to sleep at night." Severus placed his hand boldly on James' shoulder. Sirius looked taken aback and James simply sneered. Severus nodded and gave a slight 'hmm' noise. He then slapped James' cheek.
James, infuriated, lunged at Severus, but was too slow. Severus had jumped out of his grasp just as James hands latched onto nothingness.
"Snivvly! You're mine you pathetic bigot!" James exclaimed as he reached his hands out to Severus.
"No, Potter." Spoke Severus calmly. "Hogsmeade is this weekend. I extend to you, a wizards duel, to settle this argument on who is the more talented wizard. Be at the Shrieking Shack…" Severus spoke in cold tones now. "You may well remember it. Meet me there midday with your second. No one else needs to know. Should you win, I'll confess openly to your superiority."
James looked at Severus with an incredulous expression on his face. Sirius laughed and patted James on the back loudly.
"Of course he'll be there you git! Prepare to dangle by your dainties Snivvelpuss!" Black goaded as Severus stared at him intently. James seemed to find himself and nodded profoundly.
Severus's eyes narrowed to slits, and he betrayed a smile. "See. You. There." He spoke with emphasis on every word. He turned on his heel and went to the entrance hall heading towards the grounds.
He opened the doors leading outside and Severus felt a wonderful breeze caress his exposed skin. It was not yet winter, but it was close, 'My last winter here…" He thought sadly.
He took quick steps towards the gates with the winged boars, all the while reaching in his robes for his wand. Finding it, he tapped his own head and felt a cold sensation flowing over him- making him invisible.
The wrought iron gates towered in front of him and he tapped the locks.
"Alohamora!" He shouted, but it did nothing. "I should have known better." He thought to himself. He shrugged and aimed his wand at his own feet and thought 'Levicorpus!'. He rose swiftly into the air and was flung over the gates.
He landed roughly over the gates and shook himself free of dirt and leaves. Finally free of castle protections he turned on the spot, and felt himself forced through nothingness, he disappirated.
He appeared a second later on a familiar street that was littered with muggle cars and decorations of coming holidays. He didn't remove the disillusionment charm until he had reached a nearby forest. He removed his robes and donned muggle-attire. 'These clothes always feel so wrong" He thought as he put them on. He left his robes near the base of a familiar tree and lef the forest.
He walked slowly down the street wehre he and Lily Evans had so often played. He hadn't been to this part of town for two long years, though his mothers home was only a few minutes away.
He passed a stretch of open lot and memories swam through his mind. He saw a younger version of himself crouching behind a tall oak tree, carefully sneaking up on his playmate. He leapt from the shelter of the tree as Lily came close, he heard her excited squeals of surprise. Leaves were falling from the tree, a rainstorm of colors appeared, as they played in the leaves. The smell of fall seemed so strong to Severus as he came back to the present.
He came closer to the end of the street now, he even saw Lily's home. He looked in her backyard that had hosted so many games and long talks. The wind blew and rustled up leaves that had been resting under a tree swing.
His mind fell back to three years ago…He remembered how Lily had smelled of strawberries that day before they went back to Hogwarts. Her hair was almost floating in the wind as the swing moved back and forth.
It was one of the last days of August and the two were spending their days being excited as ever, about returning to Hogwarts.
"I remember McGonagall told us we would be transfiguring some much larger creatures this year." Lily spoke to him.
"Oh yeah, but I want to get back to Flitwick's class myself! Charms for fourth years are supposed to be great fun! And we'll have it together again!" Severus spoke happily.
"There's also the Yule Ball to look forward to." Lily said, her eyes alight with anticipation.
"Yeah," Severus said, his mind racing with possibilities.
"Bet I know who you're going to take Sev!" Said Lily playfully.
"Oh Yeah?" He spoke, nervously, hoping his admiration didn't show too much.
"Yeah, it's just a shame they don't allow first years to come. Otherwise Amaline Higgs would be great for you!"
Severus looked up at her, unbelieving his ears, until he saw her beautiful smile crossing her face. He laughed and pushed her playfully.
"Oh come on now Sev, you've known me for years now, ya can't just hide your feelings from me." She said, placing her hand around his shoulders.
"I would take you, if you would have me Lily."
Her face froze and she scanned his face, and he conveyed sincerity as he met her eyes.
"Why, well, yeah Sev. I'd always go with you." Lily said, reaching her hand now, and placing it on his.
"Lily." He spoke seriously. "It's just that though."
She furrowed her brow and he continued.
"I have hid my feelings for you. But I can't do it anymore Lil." He clasped both his hands on hers and stared into the green pools that he loved so much.
Their lips met and no spell created generated as much power as their first kiss. The world fell away and all that remained were the two of them. One soul divided into two bodies, joined in one glorious moment of righteousness.
Severus heard a voice from a girl, which promptly brought him out of his memories. Back to the world where Lily Evans and Severus Snape no longer dated. Where Severus Snape didn't exist for Lily Evans.
He turned and saw the very girl he had hoped on seeing. Her brown hair, so unlike her sisters, was done up with braids. Her pink flowery dress flowing in the cool breeze.
"Just what are you doing here, Snape?" Petunia Evans asked with her hands on both her hips.
"Petunia," He began, extending his arms in a show of peace. " I come to you for advice." He held his head up, no matter how much he wanted to drop it.
"Me!?" She laughed derisively. "What would a ..a…" She acted like she was having trouble chewing. "…Muggle…like me, possibly be able to do to help you?"
"You can give me truth!" He cried desperately as he fell down to his knees. Her eyes dropped to his submissive form and was clearly surprised. She motioned quickly for him to get up.
"Honestly!" She huffed. "What would my parents think if they saw us like that?"
He arose and felt ashamed of himself. "Please, Petunia. I haven't much time. How often is…" He struggled. "James Potter, coming over during the holidays?"
She looked confused and Severus could barely contain his eagerness for her response.
"Well…what does that matter?" She said and made a 'tch' noise. "He's a prat."
"Please Petunia." He begged and his mind throbbed with the effort of it.
"Okay…" She seemed frightened. "He is over every day usually. Amusing my parents and impressing them with his boasts. Always laughing and making an arse of me!" Her cheeks reddened now and she looked upset.
"Petunia," Snape said compassionately. " I need you to help me during the holiday break. Would you be willing to help me if it meant getting rid of Potter? Not in an illegal way!" He added quickly, noticing her face as it drained of color.
She didn't answer him right away and he considered pleading, no matter how dishonorable it would be.
"Petunia," He stepped closer , she didn't back away. "He is ruining her. I know you still care for her on some level. Please, help me bring her back!"
Petunia Evans looked at her feet and didn't answer for several miserable minutes, during which, Severus knew to remain silent. At last she put her hand on his shoulder and nodded.
"I don't like him…that boy…Potter." She said. "I don't like you Snape. But you are the best match for Lily, Severus. I will help you."
Severus almost hugged Petunia, but felt it would be too much for her. It was incredible enough that she had agreed.
'Everything is ready now!'´ He thought after he explained to Petunia what she must do. He put his robes back on and then quickly returned to Hogwarts. He raced inside the castle and rushed to the common room and knocked on the door.
The serpent knocker hissed in greeting and its' ruby eyes glittered in the light of the torches.
"Severus Snape, son of a muggle man, and bloodline of Prince. Tell me truth. The wise wizard at the top of the world; if it were you. Would you kill those who opposed you? Or would you charm them with your talents?" The snake writhed around, its' tongue flitting outwards.
Severus removed his wand and spoke calmly. "Langlock." The snakes mouth snapped shut and it's eyes grew wide in surprise.
"Bugger for your propaganda, you vile wretch. Open the damn door or I'll melt you to nothingness." Severus spoke, with growing desire that the snake would disobey.
However, the snake quickly obliged and Severus removed the jinx and stepped in the door, eager to get some rest. He heard the snake scolding him even after the door had closed.
He walked into the cool of the green dormitories, and sat on his bed as he reflected over the days events. He heard a knock on his door and Amaline Higgs entered the room. Severus was surprised as she sat down beside him.
"Sev,…" She began, her voice timid, obviously worried about him. He held up a hand to forestall her, suddenly inspired by a great idea.
"Amy." Severus spoke and he looked into her hazel eyes. He laid his hand on hers and leaned in close to her. "Come with me to Hogsmeade Saturday. We'll have some fun with…"
Amalines face drained of color, so similar to Petunias had earlier, and she cried out with glee. "Oh Severus! Yes! I'll go with you!"
Before Severus could explain further, Amaline closed the gap between then and had then skipped from the room merrily. She could be heard from far away, shouting with joy, "Severus asked me out! He finally asked me out!"
Severus had a few seconds left of peace before he was surrounded by Slytherin boys. His expression frozen in disbelief, his mouth frozen in an O shape, rendered that way by Amalines' kiss.
Mulciber, Pritchard and Avery were swarming over him, demanding answers. His thoughts raced 'How could I have done that! Why didn't I phrase that better!?' He thought, angry at himself. He saw that his carefully laid out plan had been thrown dangerously off course. He just shook his head in disbelief until the other boys finally grew tired of it and left him alone…left him with his thoughts…left him with cherry flavoring on his lips….and a damned feeling in his stomach.
[A/N: So I hope this chapter was able to amuse you, as well as portray Lily & Severus' early friendships. I'd love reviews on this chapter especially, letting me know why you liked it, or why you did not. It will help with the next few chapters. Thanks for all the reviews so far, you guys are very encouraging!