Chapter Five

The first half of school went by very quickly, Severus thought. He and Lily had every class together. They were NEWT students and were taking Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, and Astronomy. They wanted to be prepared for anything when they finally joined the Order of the Phoenix.

"Sev!" Lily screamed as he was walking into the great hall. "My parents have invited us for Christmas! You want to go?"

"Oh, Lil. You should know by now that I will go where ever you are," said Severus. He was very happy to be invited to the Evans for Christmas. He wasn't too fond of staying at Hogwarts alone this year or spending it with his father. His mother had passed away a month after he returned to school.

Lily smiled and the marched into the Great Hall for the last dinner before they left. Severus sat at the Gryffindor table with Lilly and all of their friends. Everyone was so impressed with how much he had changed. But they all knew why. He was madly in love with Lily Evans. His fellow Slytherins had started to play pranks on him. They got so bad that Professor Dumbledore had to set up a separate room for him to stay in. Severus didn't mind. It was like having his own place. Lily could visit him anytime she wanted as long as it was before curfew. Severus was happy. For the first time in a long time, he was blissful at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Renold, who was also sitting with the Gryffindors a lot more now, passed Severus the mashed potatoes. A few seats down sat Potter, Black, Lupin, and Pettigrew. Severus came to like Lupin a lot more now. Even if he was a werewolf. He was a nice werewolf. Potter and Black still look at Severus with medusa eyes. Pettigrew just agreed to everything that the two boys said. Severus shook his head and waved to Lupin, who waved back.

Lily and Mary were talking about wedding details. It looked like Severus would be at two weddings in less than two years. Mary and Renold wanted to hold their wedding during the fall after they graduated from Hogwarts. And Petunia, Lily's sister, was having her wedding the coming summer. Severus just smiled and held Lily's hand until dinner was done.

Severus walked Lily slowly back to Gryffindor tower. "Well, I will see you tomorrow. Night," Lily said.

"Good night, my petal," Severus said. He kissed her good night and watched her as she walked through the portrait hole.

Severus walked back to his room, hands in his pockets and whistling away. He didn't bother looking out for Potter and his gang as Lily and Lupin always stopped them before they could do anything. But tonight was different.

Potter was alone in following Severus. He was determined to get him back for that little stunt at the train station. He was sure that he was an evil little git. Some people had a bad streak that never went away. He would prove that to Lily Evans and win her heart.

But Potter had forgotten about the trick step. His foot sunk in and he let out a yelp. His wand and the map fell out of his hands and down the stairs towards Severus. Severus had turned around at the sound. He saw the map, picked it up and saw that Potter was right in front of him, stuck in the trick step.

"Hello, James. Are you stuck?" Severus asked. "Would you like some help?"

"Not from and evil git like you!" he snarled.

Severus walked up the stairs and took off the cloak that Potter was wearing. "You want to know something, James?" whispered Severus. "I stopped fighting you the day that you flipped me upside down. Why can't you?"

"Because Evans deserves better than you!" yelled Potter.

"I know she does. But it's her choice, not mine. I can't help but to love her," said Severus. "Now, would you like some help or not? I can't imagine that your leg is feeling too good."

Potter just glared at Severus. He could see that it was hopeless. Potter was never going to give it up.

"James!" yelled a voice further down the corridor. Severus looked around Potter and saw that it was Lupin, who was closely followed by Lily and Black. "Severus, you okay?"

"Yeah, Remus. Thanks. I think we should help James get out of this step, though," said Severus.

"Since when have you two been on first names?" demanded Black.

"Since he tripped James at the station," answered Severus.

Together, Severus, Lupin, and Black lifted Potter out of the step. Severus handed Potter his wand, map, and cloak.

"Can we at least agree to stop fighting with each other?" Severus asked. "We don't have to be friends. Just, no more fighting. We are going to be on the same side soon enough."

"For now, Snivellus," threatened Potter. "But one step backwards and you will wish you never came to Hogwarts."

"Ok, James, Sirius. Let's get back to our dormitory," said Lupin. "Night, Severus."

"Good night, Remus." Severus sat down on the steps and Lily sat next to him. "You knew that Potter was going to try to ambush me?"

"I found Remus tied up in the common room. Black tried to stop me but I had a few hexes up my sleeve," Lily laughed.

"Well, you always do. Why do you think I agree with you all the time?" Severus asked.

"Sev!" she exclaimed. Lily slapped his shoulder lightly.

"You know, I heard about these abusive relationships-"

Lily and Severus laughed themselves to tears. Lily put her head on Severus's shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her and smelled her hair.

"I love you," said Severus. This was the first time that he had actually said it to her.

"I love you too, Sev," Lily whispered back. She leaned her head back and looked into his eyes. They lost their coldness over the last few months and now reminded her of a warm fire instead of long tunnels.

Severus leaned down and put his lips to hers. He knew, at this moment, that he was going to marry her. Lily was going to be his petal, forever.