Thank you for keeping up with this. Thank you.
Saturday could not come fast enough.
He spent his teaching hours thinking about his meeting on Saturday and almost forgot to subtract points from Gryffindors on couple of occasions. He thought about his appearance longer than he had ever had, and tried his best to look normal. He was not trying to impress Lily. Absolutely, positively not. But clean shave and fresh shower have never hurt anyone's chances, right? He decided to leave his traditional head-to-toe black at home and dress in a normal black suit, just like the muggles in Financial District. Lily is a Muggleborn, maybe this way he can show her that he is not prejudiced, like he once was. He kept telling himself that this is just a meeting, and for all he knew, Lily wanted to talk about Harry's performance in school. He didn't get out of his quarters all morning and told Albus that if the entire Hogwarts is on fire, he will still be busy and unfortunately would not be able to help.
He was in front of Three Broomsticks 5 minutes before noon, but apparently Lily had beat him to it, as she was sitting at one of the tables, drinking pumpkin juice. There was another glass sitting opposite hers.
"Sev! You came! C'mon, have a seat! I took the liberty of ordering you pumpkin juice, I can't imagine you not liking it now. You used to love it."
"Thank you, Lily." He said stiffly. Way to show her how happy you are to see her! He sat awkwardly down on a seat in front of hers. Gone was the confidence of the strict Potion Master of Hogwarts. He was in awkward teenage territory again.
"So, Sev! I am so glad you are here! Let's order, shall we? My treat! I dragged you here on Saturday morning, I got to pay. No, Sev, this is not a discussion topic! "
And here we are back, being treated like a child. She was dressed up for the occasion. She always had a style, but with years it had become more sophisticated. She looked absolutely astonishing. And thank goodness she had let her fiery hair loose, just like Severus liked, but never had the bravery to say anything about it. She was wearing dress, a green one, that complimented her eyes brilliantly.
"You look good, Severus."
"Thank you.. You don't look bad yourself." What an arse I am!
"Ever the charmer, Sev!" Lily laughed and helped the waitress put the food on the table. "Be careful, this man will steal you away with his sweet words!" She said jokingly to the girl, who of course recognizing Severus Snape, burst in laughter.
"Yeah, most definitely!"
"I don't go for the cheap sweet tricks."
"Sev, lighten up, we were just joking. You are who you are. If people don't like it, it's their problem. Don't change for them."
"What is it you wanted to discuss, Lily?" This lunch was getting more and more awkward by the minute.
"Sev, I just wanted to have lunch with you. I don't have a hidden agenda. I haven't seen you in more than ten years."
"And what do Black and Lupin have to say about this?"
"Nothing."
"Surely they know that you are lunching with the enemy?"
"They do. And no, you are not the enemy."
"So they have nothing to say about the fact that Lily Potter is meeting Severus Snape, the Death Eater."
"Severus, stop this, people are looking. They have nothing to say, because it is not their business, with whom I meet and what I do."
"That never stopped Black before."
"Well, I have changed my perspective, what I should and should not tolerate. And attacks on my personal decisions are not welcome, even from Sirius."
"What about Lupin?" Severus was trying to figure out if the two were dating. If he asked it outright, Lily would have his head.
"Remus thinks I have to apologize to you."
"What?" He nearly choked on his butterbeer.
"I agree too."Lily gave him a napkin to clean up. " I should have not reacted the way I did to James's cruel prank. I should have interjected earlier and I should have told you I forgave you when I did."
"Lily.. I am confused. You forgave me? We are talking about the same incident, right?"
"I hope so, the Lake and the time you stayed outside the Portrait.. I forgave you that night, over just a bit of tears on a pillow. But I was too proud and too stupid to come over and talk to you."
"You forgave me.."
"Yeah, it's just my stupid pride stood in a way and didn't let me to start talking first, and then you never did either and just went on with that awful company. So I decided that you probably didn't mean your apology anyway and just were happy to get rid of a friend who was a Mudbood."
"Please lower your voice, Lily, people are wondering why are you using such words."
"That's alright, I am one. So it's not offending when I say it."
"If you are intent on going on calling yourself that, go ahead. I don't want to hear it."
Severus got up and walked out. Just wonderful! You just walked out on Lily Evans! Lily bloody Evans was sitting across you and you decided to walk away. I am alone because I am an idiot. She forgave me. This is how world gets rid of the idiots. I need to breathe. And possibly start walking. She forgave me! People wonder what am I doing standing like a statue in the middle of the street.
"Severus I think you are a rare kind of idiot, as Sirius says. Excuse me for my harsh language."
The voice was coming from his right, but there was noone there. Severus whipped out his wand to point at thin air.
"Severus, I am under Invisibility Cloak. Just making sure you don't harm Lily."
"Lupin, I am really not in a mood for this. Leave me alone."
"Guess how many dresses she changed before coming here!"
"What does that have to do with price of tea in China?"
"Severus, what was the last time you got your eyes checked?"
"Lupin, I am counting to three. I will kill you, if you don't leave me alone after that."
"How will you know.."
"One. Two."
"Alright, I am going. So serious about everything!"
"I have a favour to ask." Lily appeared next to him. Here we go, she did have a hidden agenda! Be it as it may, they had a pleasant afternoon and he was not about to refuse Lily something.
"What is it?" Tried as much as he could, to hide his disappointment.
"Could we continue our conversation in your office, if it is not too much trouble?"
"None at all. Follow me and try to keep up."
The walk to Hogwarts was a strange one. Lily just silently followed him, and all he could think was, why was Lily trying so hard to get back their friendship if it was he who ruined everything. There had to be another motive. Finally at his quarters, he ushered Lily in, and closed the door.