H is for HOBBIES
Lily's quasi-Hatstall was the topic of conversation among the first-years for nearly a week. Students from other Houses approached her to ask where she'd almost ended up, and why the Hat chose Gryffindor, and whether she wanted to be friends anyway since she shared traits with all the rest of the students.
And for nearly a week, Lily was miserable.
Because not only was she overwhelmed by this new world and these new rules and this new fame, but she was also without Sev.
"Don't worry about him, Evans," James Potter said at breakfast one morning, draping an arm around her shoulder. She shrugged him off. "He's a Slytherin now. He's not allowed to associate with people like you."
She set down her fork with a clatter. "People like me? Muggleborns, you mean?"
"Yeah, that."
"Severus is my friend. And he will stay my friend, no matter what. You don't know anything, Potter."
And to prove her point, she jumped up from the table and marched to the Slytherin side of the Great Hall. "Lily?" Severus said when he saw her. "What are you doing over here?"
"I came to talk to you."
"About what?" The people around him had started to nudge each other and whisper.
"Are you the Hatstall?" a wiry fifth-year asked.
"No," Lily said - a little more sharply than she'd intended, but she was tired of answering this question. "A Hatstall is someone who takes five minutes or longer to Sort. I took four minutes and fifty-nine seconds. I'm just complex. Not a Hatstall."
The fifth-year let out a low, sarcastic whistle. "Look out, everyone, the Sorting Hat made a mistake," he said with a grin. "It put a know-it-all in the House of Buffoons!"
Lily blinked. "Severus? I really need to talk to you."
"Go on, Snape, your Gryffindor girlfriend needs to talk to you!"
"Shove off," muttered Severus, but he followed Lily out of the Great Hall. "What is it?"
"I wanted to know if - you know, we could spend some time together. Like we used to. I haven't seen you at all since we got here. I thought we could practice some magic, maybe? Or play Gobstones?"
He kept his face carefully arranged in a scowl. "Gobstones is a game for children."
"Oh. But we had such fun when you taught me back home!"
"We don't do that here, though."
"What about flying? You said you'd teach me how to fly."
"First-years aren't allowed."
She sighed. "Then you decide what we do. I'm not fussy about my hobbies."
"Your only hobbies are Gobstones and annoying me," Severus said dully.
She raised her eyebrows. "Excuse me?"
"You made me look like a fool in front of my House! I can't let people think I'm dating a mudblood."
She narrowed her eyes. "I have a number of hobbies outside Gobstones and you," she said. "I like to read, for instance. I like to bake. I like to wander around with my friends and do nothing at all but talk about what the future holds for us. And that last one, I thought you liked it, too, but I suppose Slytherin is bringing out the brat in you, so fine. Go back to your table and don't bother with me anymore."
He sighed. "No, Lily, I didn't mean it like - "
"I don't care how you meant it, it came out rather rudely!"
"I just - my reputation means a lot to me."
"I thought our friendship meant a lot to you."
He said nothing for a few seconds, then: "I'm sorry. I would love to wander around with you. Maybe on the weekend? We could walk around the Black Lake, I've heard there's a Giant Squid inside."
She gave him a small smile. "That sounds lovely. Thank you." She took his hand and squeezed it hard. "Really. Thank you." And she skipped back to the Gryffindors.
[Fiddler on the Roof Character Challenge: Constable - write about Severus Snape.]
[Collect a Collection Competition: Severus Snape. Word Prompt: Fame]
[So You Think You Know Your Character Competition: Lily Evans - what are your character's hobbies?]