Chapter 2: Potions
Summer had been very lonely for Severus. He spent most of his time reading over his second-hand copy of Advanced Potion-Making in his dusty bedroom with cobwebs on the wall and flies stuck on the ceiling. He had found that this copy had not been up to date, and made many changes in the book.
As he boarded the Hogwarts Express, he watched the happy, carefree students who greeted their friends happily and felt a twinge of jealousy. Until a few months ago, he might not have been as energetic as these students but at least he had a friend- and a real one, not like his fellow Slytherins.
He joined Avery, Mulciber, Rosier, and Wilkes in a compartment. As they discussed the Dark Arts, Severus' mind wandered to Lily. Soon enough, he saw her walk by, having an animated discussion with her friend Yolanda. Their eyes met for a second and she glared at him and then stalked off, her dark red hair flying behind her.
XXXXX
The Slytherins and Gryffindors filed into the dungeon where they usually had Potions.
Severus sat in his usual spot. Lily usually sat next to him. She had been avoiding him in the past day, so she sat with the other Gryffindors.
Lily had always liked Remus as a fellow prefect, but she disapproved of his choice of friends. The two Gryffindors were chattering about their O.W.L results when Professor Slughorn called the attention of the class.
"Take out your scales and potion kits, everyone, and don't forget your copies of Advanced Potion-Making…"
The class proceeded on, Severus had already made changes in his book that he found here and there, and he followed his cramped handwriting. As he brewed his potion, he remember one moment in their first year…
"You know, Sev," said Lily had said as they walked out of the same dungeon after Potions, "you should teach Potions one day."
"What?" he said distractedly. "Me?"
"Why not?" said Lily. " I mean, no one in our year is as good as you at Potions anyways-"
"No one except you," he said quietly.
She blushed slightly at this.
"I can't imagine myself as a teacher, though. But you-"
"Hey Snivellus," Black interrupted, "Has old Sluggy's invited you to his little party? I assumed you had to be grease free to enter, but I guess I was wrong-"
"Shove off, Black, leave him alone," said Lily.
"Defending him, are we, Evans," said Potter, who had been lurking behind Black, his faithful sidekick, "why do you let him drip so much grease on you-"
"Ignore them, those prats," Lily whispered as they made their way to the Great Hall.
Severus cursed himself as he finished brewing his potion. Lily had always defended him from Potter and his cronies; she was only trying to help. Why had he been so stupid not to realize that?
That afternoon, Severus settled himself in the grass next to the beech tree. He had been just doing his Defense Against the Dark Arts essay when he caught sight of the familiar dark red hair. Potter was yards away from Lily, rumpling his untidy black hair.
"What is it to you, Potter?" Lily snapped. "Will you please stop stalking me?"
"I will if you go out with me, Evans," Potter replied and Severus groaned very, very quietly.
"For the thousandth time, when is it going to get through your thick skull that I'm NOT interested?" Lily said crossly.
"Why are you so averse?" said Potter. "I'm smart, funny, good at Quidditch-"
"In other words, an egotistical, attention seeking prat," Lily finished.
Severus watched them until they were out of sight. He sighed. It would be a while until Potter gave up on her, but eventually, he would…or so Severus thought.