A.N. Wow, thanks for the encouraging reviews, I thought you'd hate reading the last chapter, it wasn't normal 'smut'. I got my provisional driving licence today! YAY! Anyway…
Disclaimer: Jo can have the money, if she'll just let me borrow Draco Malfoy.
The next morning Lily was woken up altogether too soon. She got up reluctantly and got dressed yawning. She shoved her new nightshirt under her pillow for the next night, smiling to herself. Her roommates couldn't help but notice. 'Ooh, someone's happy, isn't she? You had that date with James Potter last night, didn't you?' Lily nodded, even that unpleasant memory failing to remove her smile. Jennifer nudged Mary. 'Didn't come in 'till late, did she? Don't blame you, Lily; he's almost as good as Sirius Black. Not that I would know anything about that' she added hurriedly.
Lily ignored them and made her way down to the common room, not hearing the two girls snatching the shirt from under her pillow. They stared at the collar, embroidered not with the initials JP that they were expecting, but SS. They exchanged gleeful glances. Wait until Potter heard about this. Blissfully unaware down in the common room, Lily was surprised to see James Potter waiting for her. 'Good morning, my princess' he greeted, kissing her hand. She snatched it away. 'Haven't you got to go and practice for the match, or something?' she asked, disgusted. A look of panic spread across his face, and he dashed outside. James ran all the way the broom shed, flying at full speed to the Quidditch pitch. He was surprised to see Severus Snape sitting by the lakeside, idly grinning and gently lobbing stones into the water. Out of habit, he turned and landed next to the other boy with a loud thump.
'Snivellus!' he greeted, leering at the Slytherin. Severus looked at him briefly, then went back to tossing rocks into the deep water and grinning like an idiot. 'Go ahead, Potter. Take your best shot. Nothing you could do or say could upset me now' he invited. James was taken aback by this, but regarding it as not being a breach of the rules if he was given express permission to torment him, began in a taunting tone 'You're going to have to get someone else to hang around with, except no-one else'd have you, you filthy snake. Because I've taken Ev…Lily. I was her first kiss last night' he announced proudly. Evidently he expected this to destroy Severus.
Severus turned to him, still beaming. 'I know, she told me. Thanks' he clapped a bewildered James on the shoulder and set off to the castle for breakfast. Lily had wandered down once she had gotten away from the eager questions of her roommates. When she spotted Severus coming in, she waved to him and he nodded at her, not wanting to attract any unnecessary attention. They didn't speak, just met each other's eyes and grinned knowingly at each other from opposing house tables. They left together and wandered around until they found a decently secluded spot. However, before either could summon something to say, Professor McGonnagal hurried up to them, looking agitated. 'Mr Snape, Professor Slughorn will see you in his office. Straight away'.
Lily turned to him, confused. 'What's that all about?' she wondered aloud as Severus rose to leave for the dungeons. 'No idea' he said honestly 'I haven't done anything wrong'. She raised an eyebrow at him. 'Well, nothing that bad'. Her expression didn't change. 'Recently'. She smiled. 'Well, whatever it is, I'll see you outside when you're done. Good luck!' she waved to him as he started descending one of the many staircases that fell below ground level.
When at Slughorn's office, he knocked and was surprised to see his potions master pacing up and down nervously, waiting for him. 'Ah, Severus, my dear boy' his large red face was creased in discomfort 'Do take a seat'. Severus sat opposite the desk obediently. Slughorn glanced at him, looked away and sat at the other side, clearly deeply distressed. 'My boy' he began with a deep breath 'I'm sorry, very sorry that I am the one to tell you this, but…your father passed away yesterday. Liver failure. I understand if you wish to cry'. The look of panic on his face indicated that, although he was obviously sincere, he hoped very much that Severus would not cry.
Severus sat, his face impassive, for several minutes. 'Thank you, sir' he managed. 'Ah' said Slughorn in relief 'Shock. Only to be expected, I suppose…do you wish to be alone?'. Severus nodded and left the office, his feet in autopilot. His father was dead. Neither he nor his mother would ever have to be afraid in their own home again. On the other hand, his mother was a mere shell of a human being; it was unlikely she would notice.
He blinked, surprised to find himself in bright sunshine. Oh, of course; he was to meet Lily here. 'Oi, Snivellus!' roared a voice from behind him. He jumped in shock, and turned to see a grinning James Potter. 'Heard you got sent to Slughorn's office. What've you done this time, you filthy snake?'. A crowd was, as usual, gathering to watch the entertainment. 'I haven't done anything, Potter' he said wearily 'My father's dead'. A gasp resounded around the assembled students. Potter scowled at the mood of sympathy and compassionate, if pitying, looks Severus was now receiving.
Lily shoved her way through the ring of people and launched herself into Severus' arms. 'I heard!' she exclaimed, hugging him tightly. 'Yeah, so what if his Father's dead?' Potter sneered 'He probably murdered him, knowing Snivellus'. Lily turned to him for the first time, her eyes blazing. 'Potter' she began as he ran a hand through his hair, his attention diverted 'If that were true, my only regret would be that I didn't get to kill the bastard myself' the crowd breathed in sharply 'Sev's father beat him and his mother since he was born. I'm ridiculously happy he's dead. I'm sorry if it's hard for a spoilt brat like you to understand. Now' she drew herself up with dignity, and grasped Severus' hand 'If you'll excuse those of us that live in the real world' she pulled Severus out of the ring of people and away from the gobsmacked James Potter.
'What the hell d'you think you're doing?' he yelled after her 'You're supposed to be going out with me!'. Lily turned to him. 'It was one date. I held up my end, you hold up yours. It was a deal, that's all. You couldn't possibly have thought I'd stop hating you?' she asked witheringly. James spluttered something almost uninteligable. 'You thought I'd start liking you?' she asked in astonishment. She laughed and turned from the furious and embarrassed boy. 'Mad, I tell you, Sev' she snorted 'Come on, let's go and celebrate your dad'.
A.N. Sorry it's short, but it's quick. Tell me what you prefer, short and quick or long and slow (in chapters! Minds out of the gutter, please), and I'll write accordingly.