Chapter 5: The Beach Tree's Magic

Disclaimer: It's all JKs

A/N: Hey I noticed that my story has gotten almost 700 hits but only two reviews. Please I'm getting really put down and I think that it's fair to ask a little "good job" or "I think you should work on……"

If you review I might take your advice and change my story to meet readers' needs a little, like more sevlily, less oc, or something like that. Hey I could even promote your story!

The sun had yet to rise and the air was cold, but Faolan Lowell walked with purpose. She moved swiftly through the grounds along the edge of the Forbidden Forest with an eagle owl perched on her shoulder and an unaddressed letter clenched in her hand. The dark forest would have scared most girls her age, but Faolan had seen things, been places that made it look like a meadow.

Her violet eyes and her owl's orange ones were focused on a large beach tree near the lake. It must have been her destination as that was where she stopped. The young woman looked out over the water for a few moments before tying the letter to the owl's leg.

She held the owl close to her face, and whispered "Nyx, please find father. I miss him so. And please don't take any risks. Be safe."

The owl named Nyx hooted softly and spread its wings flying across the lake and into the sunrise.

Now that her mission was completed Faolan admitted to herself that she hated these weekly reports to her father. They had to keep in touch, had to make sure that the other was safe. They were all they had. Although it was chilly and Filch was prowling Faolan Lowell had to take the precautions. Her and her father would both be in mortal danger if anyone discovered their secret, if anyone discovered who they actually were.

xxxxxxx

Alice was pacing around the big beach tree near the lake. She was starving, but barely noticed. She was just too anxious.

Ten minutes ago she had recieved an owl from Frank Longbottom, a fellow Gryffindor, telling her to meet him by the beach tree to talk about things. This didn't surprise her. She'd been avoiding him all week. He was her best friend, well he used to be, that is until the end of last year.

Last year was when things had changed between them. That was when she had started to notice how tall he was, how his blue eyes always sparkled when he was practicing Defence Against the Dark Arts, and how deep his voice had gotten. That was when he stopped being just Frank and became a real boy, or man. The kind of guy a girl such as herself might have a crush on.

And then summer came. He invited her to come to his parents estate like she had every year, and of course she accepted. Things had gone pretty normally, but on her last night there she and Frank had gone down to the beach to have a bonfire. As the cliché goes they had stared into the fire, talked about their hopes and dreams, and finally shared a kiss. Just a little innocent peck, but Alice was sure it was each of their first kisses.

The only problem was the morning. They had been sweet and romantic that night, but the next day within the hours before she left, it had been so awkward they had barely spoken, tiptoeing around each other afraid to bring up what had happened.

Since school had started all she had said to him was a polite hello. He hadn't talked to her either, although she admitted to herself, it wasn't like she had given him a chance. Every time he was near she quickly made some lame excuse and ran for dear life.

How could one little kiss change their friendship so much?

And now he said he had to tell her something important. It was her intense curiosity that made her stay and wait for him. She could be eating breakfast right now, but no, when someone said they had a secret or something important to tell her she could never refuse.

What was it they said? Curiosity killed a cat. Oh great, he was probably going to tell her that she was a nice person and friend, but her didn't like her like that. Or maybe he no longer wanted to be her friend because it was too awkward between them now. Maybe he was about to tell her that she was a bad kisser. He better not use the stupid "it's not you, it's me" line. Serena had warned her about that. And it was definitely not good.

Alice looked up at the castle and saw Frank walking down the grounds to the beach tree. Oh, he looked so cute. She didn't know wear to look as he came closer so she just looked at her feet until Frank said, "Hey Alice."

She tried to look into his eyes and mumbled "H-hey Frank"

"So", he said "How was the rest of your summer."

Right then Alice really wished she was Serena. She usually didn't think much of the ditz, but if there was one think she was good at was finding out the hidden meaning in what guys said. But since she was the tomboy she was all she could do was reply "Fine,you?"

"Great, we went Paris for a while. It's a really nice city, the city of lo-"

They were silent again, both of them looking nervously around appearing like they wanted to say something but just couldn't get it out. They were like that for a few minutes when Alice couldn't stand it anymore. She was an impatient person.

"Okay, I get it! I'm your friend but that's all! I'm not the kind of girl you would want to date." She blurted out and started stalking away back to the school. Maybe she could still make breakfast.

"No, Alice, wait, please!" He called after her.

His pleading voice made her stop. "Why?" she asked, turning around.

"Because, that's not how I f-feel" He said stuttering, "I mean I really like you, I mean like-like you" He finished looking down.

Alice was so surprised she just looked at him.

"Don't tell me you don't feel it," He said gaining a little confidence, taking a step towards her and continuing, "Remember the beach…."

"Yes, Frank I think I might feel the same way about you."

"Really" he said with astonishment

"Yep, is it really that surprising" she said cocking her eyebrow

"No, I mean yes! I don't know what I mean"

Aw, he looked so cute frazzled like that. Alice hadn't noticed how close they had gotten. Even though it was a major cliché (Alice hated clichés) they both looked into each others eyes, leaned forward, and just as they were about to kiss…

BRINGGGGGGG!!!

They both pulled back and Frank said, "Darn, we'll be late for class."

And, with as much ease as they had always had together they ran, holding hands across the grounds back to Hogwarts laughing hysterically.

xxxxxxx

"I just don't get it!" Winry cried, "Why is Brett being such a jerk. He barely talked to me. He didn't even meet my eyes once!"

"Well," Serena said munching on an apple, "After all my years of boy experience I have two theories. One good, one bad"

"Start with the good please!" Winry said anxiously

"Well, you haven't seen him in a month, maybe he's just nervous. He's always been very shy. Plus, you changed your look a lot this summer." She finished taking another bite of her apple.

"I only cut my hair and got new glasses. What does everyone keep saying that? Why does it even matter? Tell me your bad theory!" Winry said even more anxious than before.

"Wow, calm down." Serena commanded, "Stress like that is so not good for your health"

"I will stop stressing when you tell me what your bad news is. Stop stalling!" Winry said angrily

"Okay, okay" Serena said taking one more bite of her apple before throwing it into the lake, "It's not news, just a theory. Maybe you guys are you, know…over"

Serena braced herself for an attack that wouldn't come. Winry was surprised how calm she was. She felt it too, but was scared that hearing it would make it worse. But surprisingly facing the facts felt good.

Almost eerily calm Winry said to Serena, "Thanks for your thoughts and only between you and me, I kinda might agree. Now" she said changing the subject, "How did your mission go?"

Serena looked relived that she didn't yell at her. She also seemed relieved that she didn't have to keep in her news and happiness any longer "My plan work so well. Sirius looked so jealous. And you know that Andrew bloke I was talking too. I saw Sirius hex him before Transfiguration!"

As she listened to Serena gush, Winry couldn't help thinking that phase one of the mission completed. She was still very confused about what to do with her Brett situation, but that would come later. Now she was just going to sit back, eat her lunch, and focus on Serena's problems instead.

xxxxxxx

It was Friday and classes had just ended and Lily and Severus were walking down to the beach tree by the lake like they always did. It was the only place they could hang out other than the library. Since they didn't like Madame Pince breathing down their necks they decided they'd meet outside as long as the weather allowed it.

After a week of being with Sev every afternoon and an hour a day for potions (not to mention of double potions today) Lily was sure that she had feelings for Sev, real feelings.

She had finally admitted it to herself that afternoon after accidentally bumping hands with Sev for the tenth time during potions. She just couldn't ignore the fact that her whole arm tingled every time it happened or the fact that after number five the hand bumping was no longer an accident.

Alice had told her of what had happened with her and Frank that morning during charms and now that she had finally accepted that she had feelings for Severus she wished some of that beach tree magic would work for her.

xxxxxxx

Severus and Lily plopped down underneath the shade of the beach tree. He was about to strike up a conversation about the potion they'd been making when he saw that Lily was lying flat on her back looking up at the clouds in deep concentration. Her brow was furrowed and she seemed oddly tense.

Only she could make that expression beautiful Severus thought to himself. He was feeling oddly happy. Something that was quite uncharacteristic of him. He preferred brooding over his pathetic existence. But what could he say, he'd just spent two hours over a potion bumping hands with Lily, the two things he loved most. On top of that Potter had gotten himself into the hospital wing when trying to hex a particularly talented third year Slytherin. Life couldn't be better. Well, unless you counted Lily suddenly realizing her love for him and them living happily ever after. Like that could happen he thought looking at Lily.

As if she'd sensed his gaze she looked over at him "What's up Sev" She asked

"Just thinking" about you he mentally added, "You?"

"Just thinking" and although he didn't know it she mentally added the same thing to her reply.

Lily got up looking as if she was making a decision and turned to him with resolution in her eyes. "Sev, I really think that-"

"Hello my flower!", She was cut of by Severus's least favourite person in the world with a sling on his arm.

"Potter!" Lily spat, was it just him or was she much angrier than usual, not that he minded. Potter deserved it.

"Now why don't you leave this slimeball and join me for a walk around the grounds?" He said hopefully not even bothering to look at Severus.

"You complete idiot, can't you see- you know what I don't even want to waste energy on you! Let's go Sev!" She said grabbing his hand.

"Can't I see what? I mean, I'm a great guy you're not with anyone else. I don't see why you shouldn't give me a chance. Unless your in love with 'Sev' here" he said laughing glancing at Severus for the first time but faltered as he looked back at Lily and saw the blush creeping onto her cheeks.

"Oh my gosh you don't mean. Him. You. Your not.." he trailed off too shocked for words. Severus felt the same way.

"It is none of your business if I like Sev or not. Just leave Potter!" Lily commanded.

James just nodded and stumbled away. He looked too shocked and hurt to even string together a thought, or a sentence for that matter.

After James had left Severus and Lily just sat their looking at the ground. After a few moments they both spoke questioningly at the same time.

"Sev?"

"Lily?"

"You go, ladies first!" Said Severus relieved for the excuse to not be the first one to talk.

"No, you go" said Lily, pleading.

Severus, never one to disappoint Lily decided he should speak. "What Potter said, is it…?" He trailed off looking into her eyes desperate to find the answer.

"Yes Sev. It's true." She said almost defiantly looking down at her feet

"Why didn't you say something?" he questioned trying to keep his voice calm, he was so exited he could barely contain it.

"I didn't want to ruin our friendship, I didn't know if you felt the same way…"

"To hell with friendship" Sev said with rare braveness

Lily started laughing hysterically and to his surprise kissed him on the cheek.

"Well" she said seriously "Since we have that cleared up I think there's only one logical thing to do"

He hoped to god she didn't mean stop being friends, or forget that it ever happened. The downside of being intelligent was that he had an abnormally good memory and didn't forget easily. Also, she was his only reason for living, without her friendship he'd be lost.

She got down on one knee. What the heck was she doing? She grabbed his hand and said dramatically "Severus Snape will you be my boyfriend"

Even though he had imagined this moment so many times in his head, (well not quite like this, Lily could be quite a drama queen sometimes he had to admit) even though he had so many romantic and clever replies in his head all he could manage was a simple, speaky "yep!"

Three hours later Lily and Sev sat with their backs against the beach tree looking out over the lake. Her head was on his shoulder and even though she had piles of homework to do she decided it could wait. As she looked at her new boyfriend she couldn't help thinking that she never would have thought that Potter would be the one to finally get Lily and Severus together.The beach tree's magic sure did work in strange ways.

A/N: Thank-you so much for taking the time to read this (and hopefully reviewing).

It was my longest chapter yet!

I know my characterization of Severus is off a little bit, and I'm hoping to perfect him by the next chapter!

(When Faolan compared the Forbidden Forest with a meadow it was all I could do not to write: "a golden meadow with beautiful wildflowers, little elves, and dancing unicorns, in the land of happiness, and rainbows". I think I might be insane!)

Also don't be too hard on Winry for being so OoTP mean. She's just upset about Brett (that rhymes)

P.S. I commend you for reading my long authors note (please review)