Severus and Evanna sat in the quiet library, poring over potions books.

"You know, we really should get started on McGonagall's essay," suggested Severus.

Evanna gasped. "I almost forgot! It's due this Thursday, isn't it?"

Severus nodded, briskly.

"Oh, but this is so interesting," she said, referring to Magical Drafts and Potions.

"Come on, we need to get started on it," said Severus as he pulled Guide to Advanced Transfiguration out of his bag. "McGonagall's essays are always difficult.

Evanna sighed. "Yeah, you're right," she said, whilst pulling out her own copy of the textbook.

It was only the third week of their sixth year, and already they were beginning to feel the heavy burden of all their homework. Severus and Evanna had only managed to squeeze in two of their tutoring lessons together amongst the forever growing pile of assignments. Their transfiguration essay seemed particularly difficult, 'Describe the exact techniques required for animal transfiguration. No less than 2 feet and 6 inches.'

However, as Severus pretended to be reading his textbook, his mind wasn't on animal transfiguration at all. He honestly thought that after Lily, he would have no real friends ever again. Never before had anyone except Lily wanted to have anything to do with him. A narrow ray of hope lightened his depression a little. But Evanna was only hanging around him because she needed help with potions. She would never want to become his friend. He guessed that the only 'friends' he'd have would be Avery and Mulciber and to fit in with them, he'd had to become obsessed with the Dark Lord too.

But Severus couldn't help but feel that she understood him almost like Lily had.

"Severus?" said Evanna, a little concerned, "are you alright?"

Severus jumped up in surprise. He had almost forgotten that she was sitting right next to him.

"Yes, yes of course I am," he replied a tad too quickly.

Evanna analysed his face. "You just look a bit ... dejected."

"I'm fine, honestly. I -"

"You mustn't follow the Dark Arts, Sev," Evanna interjected, "It's the wrong thing to do. You know it!"

Severus was flabbergasted. How did she know? "Who said I was going to follow the Dark Lord?" Severus said, not quite meeting her eyes. Now Severus was certain. She understood him just as well as Lily had. Whether this was a good or bad thing, he didn't know.

When Severus didn't answer, she said, "You really like Lily, don't you?"

Evanna was truly starting to scare Severus now. "Liked" he corrected, stressing the 'd'.

"No, no. You still do. I can see it in your eyes. Take potions class, for instance. Don't think I didn't notice how miserable you looked and the way you kept glancing over at her."

When Severus continued to have a lack of words to say, Evanna spoke up again.

"Look, maybe I could knock some sense into Lily and let her see how harsh she is being to you," she suggested, "And possibly even prove to her what a bunch of ratbags Potter and his friends are."

This was truly an offer that Severus couldn't refuse. A second chance. Or a shot at it anyway.

After eating as much kidney pie as possible, Evanna made her way up the moving staircases to Gryffindor tower. She had promised Severus that she would talk to Lily tonight and convince her to the best of her ability.

Evanna entered the portrait hole and scanned the room for Lily. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw her sitting by herself at a table in the far corner, struggling with some homework.

"Perfect," she thought to herself and made her way towards the table.

"Hey, Lils," Evanna greeted her. "Cruel teachers, eh?"

Lily looked up in surprise. "Oh, hi Evanna," she said sleepily. "Yeah, but whoever invented N.E.W.T.s is even crueller."

"I have to agree with you on that."

At that moment, the 'Marauders' climbed through the portrait hole. Evanna let out a quiet sound of disgust and eyed them angrily.

"Probably just come back from one of their clever pranks," said Evanna, sarcasm highly evident in her usually kind voice.

"Mmm. But I do think that they're becoming less severe with their pranks now," Lily said quietly.

"Less severe?!" exclaimed Evanna through gritted teeth, "Don't tell me you've forgotten that afternoon we finished our Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.!

"How on earth could I forget that? Or the consequences of that? But anyway, it happened last year."

"Last year, meaning two months ago!"

"But they would have matured over the summer. Well, a little."

Evanna raised her eyebrows. "If you say so ..."

After a short pause while Evanna tried to think of the best way to bring up the topic, she said, "But don't you think that you're being a little unsympathetic towards Severus?" as casually as she could.

"What do you mean?" questioned Lily, a little apprehensive.

"Well, you know, you were his first and only friend for about five years, weren't you?"

Lily gave her a peculiar look, as if daring her to continue. Evanna noticed this look and threw caution to the winds.

"A-and, don't you think that since you have known each other for so long, you will be able to, er, forgive and forget?" Evanna said tentatively.

"Actually, it's quite the opposite. You see, after all these years, I thought we were the best of friends, and then he goes ahead and insults me! Right after I had tried to help him!"

Evanna was beginning to think more and more that this was a bad idea and desperately tried to take a different turn on the matter.

"Well, what about Potter? Humiliating Severus in front of half the school! It was like torture! How could anyone be so cruel? And what was the reason he gave for it?" said Evanna in mock puzzlement, "Oh, I remember. 'It's more the fact that he exists.' And then he thinks that he can just go and ask you out in exchange for leaving Severus alone! I've never seen anyone so conceited!"

Lily was so shocked by Evanna's unexpected outburst, that she was speechless for a few seconds. Suddenly, she stood up and for a split second, Evanna thought she was going to snap.

"You're right," she finally said, "I've been far too forgiving with James. Thank you, Evanna, for bringing me back to my senses. I don't know what happened to me over the summer. I must have been so glad that the holidays were here ..." she said as she wandered off, heading for the portrait hole.

A sigh of relief escaped from Evanna.

"Hey Evans, care for a game of Exploding Snap?" James called out.

"Go away, Potter! I don't want to talk to you!" Lily shouted back, without turning around.

Evanna, who was still recovering from her outburst, heard James say to Sirius, "I don't get it Padfoot, one minute she comes and joins us of her own accord, and the next, she runs away from us. It's as if I've done something wrong."

"Oh really?" Evanna said under her breath.