A.N. Everyone hate James Potter now? Good, we can move on with the story. Apart from the reviewer who still hates Snape. Yes, because he got physically and mentally abused his whole life to the point of accidentally saying 'Mublood' once, he's clearly evil. He deserves to be tortured and lose the only person he ever loved. Why didn't I see that? Silly author. This chapter is dedicated to my friend who turned eighteen last Saturday, though he still acts like a two-year-old. ;-)
Disclaimer: Well, it's an AU fic where Snape actually gets a break, so if it's not obvious I'm not Jo, you need help. Cutting up food and dressing yourself.
The next morning, Severus drifted hazily into consciousness. He groaned, peeling his agonizing cheek from the pool of dried blood that stuck it to the stone floor. He attempted to rise, but his leg collapsed under his weight, an unpleasant crunching sound coming from it. He moaned and managed to drag himself over to the wall to rest his back against it. He had no idea what to do next. His wand was out of reach; he had no idea what time it was; and he was in a relatively unused corridor. It didn't look hopeful.
After what seemed like an eternity, he heard footsteps. Tensing in case it was the Marauders again, he sighed in relief at seeing Mary McDonald, one of Lily's roommates. Who screamed at the sight of him. He looked bad, then. The girl paused, her hand over her mouth, shaking. Then she turned on her heel and ran. She returned a few minutes later with a clearly terrified Lily, who burst into anguished sobs the moment she saw him. 'Oh, god, Sev, please be ok' she begged no-one in particular, rushing to his side 'Sev, look at me, be alive, you'd fucking better be alive or I swear I'll kill you…' she breathed a sigh of uttermost relief as he turned to look at her. 'Oh, thank god' she mumbled, breathless from fear.
'Lily…' Severus managed. Lily grabbed his hand. 'Yeah, it's me, Sev. What happened?' she seemed frantic. Severus blinked. Well, one eye was black and bloody, unable to open, so it was actually a wink. Anyway, he opened his mouth again, a trickle of fresh blood emerging from it. Lily whimpered. Severus raised an unsteady hand and pulled her down to him, whispering 'Don' marry P'tt'r. Even if he kills me, don' let him take you…only good thin' before he slipped back into the darkness.
He awoke for the second time that day in the hospital wing. Lily was sat beside his bed, her face taut with worry. Severus clenched his eyes in pain, then turned to look at her. She looked scared out of her wits, her freckles prominent on her pale face. 'What time is it?' he groaned, his broken cheek causing him to slur his words. 'Half three' she said tensely 'Now tell me what happened'. Severus looked away. He didn't want to admit the previous night's events. 'Fell over' he muttered sullenly. It was, after all, at least partly true. Lily scowled 'Don't give me that, Sev. Who did this to you?'. Despite her fierce tone, tears were falling thick and fast down her cheeks, making her green eyes sparkle.
He remained silent. Lily grew increasingly angry, mostly due to fear. 'Sev, if you don't tell me right this minute, I'm going to Slughorn for veritaserum. Who. Did. This?' she asked slowly. Severus sighed, defeated. 'You know that deal you struck with Potter a while ago?' Lily nodded. 'He thinks it's void since you're still with me. You ought to be flattered, I suppose; he's clearly willing to kill for you' he smiled painfully.
Lily turned away, her shoulders shaking, her head bowed. 'So it's my fault' she murmured. 'No!' exclaimed Severus, alarmed 'You can't think that. It's not your fault Potter's a jealous maniac'. 'It's my fault you nearly died' she choked. She was fully crying now, tears pouring silently and untamed down her cheeks. She stared at him for a moment. 'I'd…Sev, I'd understand if you wanted to stop seeing me' the words sounded forced, as if she was ripping them against her own will from her throat.
He shook his head. 'Lily, I'm in enough pain as it is. Don't make me contemplate losing you'. She rose from her seat, and for a horrible moment Severus thought she was going to leave him, but she carefully climbed up onto the bed with him and lay down next to him. She rested her head on his chest as she loved to and just lay, her eyes closed. She remained like that, hanging on to him as if he would disappear if she let go, until the nurse came out and squawked at her. 'Miss Evans, this is not appropriate! Mr Snape is my patient, and I must ask you not to manhandle him'.
Lily jumped off the bed, but glowered at Miss Pomphrey. 'You're not doing a very good job of treating him' she sneered. Severus was amazed. She was never rude to teachers, and she had never worn an expression like that before. Like a favourite of his, in fact. The nurse was clearly shocked 'Miss Evans! If you cannot be civil, you will have to leave my hospital!'. Lily pushed past her and started rummaging through the various potions the middle-aged witch had brought for Severus. 'Rubbish…crap…a first year could do better…' she muttered derisively, sorting through them.
'Excuse me?!' demanded the nurse 'I will not be told how to do my job by a student!'. Lily strode forwards. 'You will' she hissed 'Because if he doesn't get the very best care possible, I'll make you pay'. Miss Pomphrey backed away from Lily's wand. 'Fine!' she stormed 'If you think you can do better, by all means, try!' she marched back into her office and slammed the door, just as Lily yelled 'FINE!' back. Severus was speechless. 'Sorry, Sev' she apologised, panting slightly 'But she has no idea. I'll be right back'. She did indeed return about ten minutes later with her cauldron, a massive stack of ingredients, and her potions book.
She started setting up the cauldron on the hospital wing floor, grumbling about incompetent nurses and useless potions. Within the hour, she had a little row of vials filled with some very complex potions. 'Here' she said shortly, handing the first to him 'It's an improved version of that sludge she was trying to feed you'. He hesitated. Not that he doubted Lily's potions ability; he was just worried by how angry she seemed. Mistaking his hesitation for pain, she unstoppered the vial and tipped it against his lips. A warm tingling sensation spread through his body, numbing the agony.
She continued through her creations until he was able to rise from his bed unaided. Unfortunately, there is no potion to remove scar tissue, though it can be transfigured. As a result, Severus now had a new selection of white marks across his face and body. He looked like he had done ten rounds with an enraged werewolf. 'What now?' he asked. 'I'm walking you to Slytherin. Then I'm going back to Gryffindor and murdering Potter' she replied calmly. Severus became alarmed. 'Don't be stupid, Lily. He'd win easily'. She glowered at him. 'You know it's true' he said defensively.
Lily shrugged. 'Maybe' she admitted 'But I could have lost you. I don't know what I'd do without you. I don't want to think about it. Do you reckon anyone would find a corpse in the forest, or should I use the lake to be sure?'. Severus hoped she was joking. She waited, watching him make his unsteady way to her side. 'It's really not necessary, Lily' he muttered, irritated by his ungainly walk caused by his recently-broken leg, 'He'd get in trouble if I actually died. Probably'.
Lily scowled. 'No. He's not going to get away with it. I'll go to Dumbledore. Or Slughorn. Or McGonnagal. Anyone'. Severus grabbed her hand as she stomped off. 'They won't believe you. Or they won't care' he insisted 'Potter's dad's rich. You know we got a new Quidditch pitch the year Potter came? Not a coincidence. He can pay for a hell of a lot of looking the other way'. Lily screamed in frustration. 'What am I supposed to do then, Sev?' she cried 'He can't do this to you! To me! Why won't he leave us alone?' she broke down and sobbed into Severus' shoulder, clinging to him desperately.
He wrapped his arms around her and made vague soothing noises. He hated when Lily cried. It was like he had failed. She took a deep, shaky breath and drew back ever so slightly, not moving from his embrace. She met his black eyes. 'You know' she said quietly 'I've never understood your fascination with the Dark Arts, but when someone you can't do anything to stop is threatening to kill someone you love…'. Severus raised an eyebrow. 'Lily, I know you're never going to approve, and you're never going to use them. Because you're going to promise me you won't. Now'.
His dark eyes burned with intensity. It felt as if they stripped away everything but her soul, which lay bare and unprotected before him. She stared back defiantly. 'And just why should I do that?' she demanded 'If you can use them, I don't see why…' he cut her off 'Because I'm already tainted, you're not. Promise me'. His voice wasn't raised, but it carried a definite warning. It was an order. Lily looked away. 'I promise' she whispered. She almost always won, but very occasionally, if he got an inkling she could do something that might put her in danger, Severus would insist.
'Now say you won't try to kill Potter' he said, more lightly. Lily grinned 'What, you want to do it yourself? Now you're just being selfish'. Severus laughed 'That's the best I'm going to get, isn't it?'. She nodded rebelliously 'Yep. What're you gonna do about it?' her eyes glinted playfully. He smirked. 'I don't know…shove you against a wall and snog you senseless, perhaps?'. Lily tipped her head thoughtfully. 'That sounds reasonable. Although…' her mouth became otherwise occupied as Severus pushed her backwards against the cold stone, putting his hand behind her head so she didn't hurt it.
His body pressed hers firmly against the wall, so she was lifted a few inches from the ground. To support herself, she wrapped her legs around his hips, making her skirt ride up. Instinctively his hands grasped her thighs, making her grin into the kiss. She pulled away. Unfazed, Severus turned his head and began sucking on the soft skin below her ear. 'Mmm…no, we can't do this…oh, Merlin that feels good, keep doing that…here' Lily said without conviction. 'Alright' he agreed reluctantly, dropping her gently to the ground. Lily was slightly disappointed. She had not expected him to give in so easily.
Mary returned to the hospital wing just as Lily and Severus were leaving. 'I was wondering how you were' she said awkwardly, not looking at the Slytherin. 'Much better, thank you' Severus replied courtly, polite for Lily's sake, and because the girl had probably saved his life that day. Lily smiled at Mary. She knew her friend disapproved of Severus, her relationship with him and Slytherin in general, so it was nice of her to make the effort. There was an awkward silence as Lily's friend took in their messed-up appearances, their flushed faces and clasped hands. She blushed and looked away. 'I'll just be…ah, back at Gryffindor' she said to Lily 'Hope you feel better, Severus'.
Lily giggled as they watched her go. 'Come on' she sighed 'Let's get you back to Slytherin. Unless…'. Severus raised an eyebrow. 'Unless what? Miss Evans, I do hope you're not about to suggest anything…unseemly'. Lily grinned 'Why, Severus, I am of course horrified by the mere insinuation. I am, as you may well have noticed, a Good Girl. Unseemly thoughts are purely beyond my innocent mind. I was simply suggesting we find a suitable place for me to shag you until you can't remember your name'. Severus laughed. 'Oh, well, that is reassuring. As long as it's nothing indecent'.
Lily shook her head. 'Certainly not. You have very little faith in humanity for someone of such a tender age, Severus'. He smiled. 'Lily, I'm three weeks older than you'. She gasped sarcastically. 'You are? Oh, then you're the dangerous older man, leading poor naïve little me to the depths of depravity'. He smirked and leaned to whisper in her ear 'I wouldn't have it any other way'. Lily shivered. 'Me neither. Come on, you cruel bastard, you can't turn me on and leave me'. She grasped his cold hand and dragged him rather randomly through the halls.
'Do we have a direction, or are we simply going to wander until an appropriate area presents itself?' he asked, making her lick her lips and grin. 'Eager, are we?' she said, her eyes sliding up and down his slender body 'Alright. I've got a plan. I've got a list of places around Hogwarts I want to have shagged you in by the time we leave; how about we start crossing them off?'. Severus' eyebrows were somewhere around his hairline. She laughed at his shocked expression. 'Oh, come on' she persuaded 'It'll be fun. It's good to have a project. The room of Requirement's on there. We could use it for kick-off, it should be easy enough'.
Before he could express an opinion one way or the other, she had led him to the secret room and was already lying on the large, comfortable bed before his head stopped spinning. She was bouncing, giggling. 'This is almost two in one' she said happily 'It's given us my bed. Not my real one, of course, we'll have to do that some other time, but it's pretty close'. It was indeed a maroon four-poster, with heavy velvet curtains.
He raised an eyebrow. 'Lily, I'm a Slytherin. There's no way I could get in Gryffindor. You'd better give up on this'. The redhead propped herself up on her elbow and grinned. 'Never. Your bed's on there too. You think mine'll be difficult; who knows what'd happen if I got caught in Slytherin'. Severus shuddered in horror at the thought. Lily laughed. 'Hey, at least Slughorn would go easy on us, we're his little wonder duo. McGonnagal would have our heads on a spike'.
Severus laughed uneasily. The redhead rolled her eyes. 'Get over here, you stupid git' she ordered. He hung his head in mock-shame and joined her. 'This is awkward' he muttered. Lily shook her head. 'No, it's not' she refuted 'It's the easiest thing in the world'. Before he could contradict her, she stuck one hand in his long hair and pressed her lips against his. Without breaking contact, she began to shove his robes roughly from his bony shoulders, unthreading his Slytherin tie with quick, deft movements.
Very hesitantly, as if he expected her to suddenly come to her senses and push him off in disgust, Severus threaded the top button of her shirt through the hole. Clearly resisting an impulse to roll her eyes, Lily guided his hands to her hips and ripped the blouse open in one swift jerk. Plastic buttons scattered across the bed. 'Now are you going to participate in this, or am I going to have to do all the work?' she grinned, grabbing his belt buckle, setting his heart racing.
'Erm…' he said uncertainly. She laughed. 'Got my answer, haven't I?' she wrenched his belt from his trousers, brushing him briefly with the back of her hand, making him groan 'Lily…'. 'Hmm?' she asked, working on the zip. He grasped her hands and pulled them away from him. She pouted. 'You don't want me' she muttered, upset. 'No!' he said quickly 'I just don't want to cheapen this. You're too…I mean, I'm not…we're…'. Lily smiled fondly at him. 'You're hopeless, Sev. You talk like a Jane Austen character until you try to say what you feel, and you suddenly sound like a moron'.
'I just…I don't want you thinking this is all I want' he struggled 'I'd never make you…I…'. Lily sighed. 'Sev?' 'Yeah?' he asked, glad for the lifeline she was throwing him. 'I know you love me, I know you respect me, and I know you have difficulty saying it because you think I don't feel the same and even after I've told you I do you don't believe it. That doesn't mean you have to treat me like I'm going to break if you touch me'.
Severus was rather taken aback. He had no idea how she always managed to understand what he was trying to say. Lily smiled and reached behind her back, unclipping her bra. 'There. That's the only bit you should have had trouble with. The rest's up to you' she said firmly. The black-haired boy honestly had no idea what to say. His best friend of six years was lying back on the bed, naked from the waist up, an excited and loving look gracing her extremely pretty face. There was nothing to suggest she was in the least bit self-conscious or embarrassed.
Heart thumping so hard he was sure it would break out of his chest, Severus curled his long fingers around the top of her skirt, drawing it slowly off her legs. He hesitated, hands flat on the silky skin of her thighs. It wasn't that he didn't desperately want to feel her warm smooth skin on his, to touch her where no-one else had, to kiss her beautiful face, to memorise every dimple, freckle and curve. He just didn't think he deserved it. He felt like he was desecrating a temple.
Unaware of the internal battle going on inside the Slytherin, Lily wriggled under his touch, encouraging him to continue. She blushed lightly as her knickers were pulled from her hips and dropped off the side of the bed. Her breathing became shallow as his black eyes drank her in. The intensity of his gaze set her heart racing in anticipation.
She lay beneath him, smiling demurely. 'Just take me' she whispered 'I'm yours'. Severus raised an eyebrow. 'Whatever happened to all that modern feminist stuff?' he asked, surprised. Lily laughed. 'I'll make do with being the boss in every other aspect of our lives. Besides, you got beaten half to death last night. I'm not sure you could survive another attack'. He snorted. 'If you say so. Let me know if I'm too rough, ok?' he asked, concerned, lowering his head to kiss the sensitive spot under the jawbone. 'Ha' Lily said, as if it were a ridiculous idea 'You're such tease. Too rough my arse'. He cocked his head. 'Try me'.
'Wrong way round, Sev' she grinned 'Have me. I trust you. Whatever you want, do it now. Every fantasy, every dirty dream, every guilty thought. Get your own back on Potter. You have one thing he never will'. Severus' expression changed as memories from the night before flooded back. 'I am going to win her' James said confidently 'You're just slowing my progress. She's going to be mine within the year, I swear. And I'm going to take such pleasure in spreading her legs, making her mine. Oh, and there's no way I'm taking precautions either' his face was lit by the flickering torchlight, a wild grin taking over it 'She'll have to marry me then. She's mine'.
A desperate, possessive look took over his face.
Severus kissed her, his hair draping down to form a curtain around them both. He drew away slowly, unable to believe his luck. 'I do love you, you know' he reassured her anxiously. Lily laughed. 'I know. Now prove it'. A smirk passed over his thin lips. 'Gladly'.
He licked along her collarbone, making her shudder. 'Oh fuck' she swore, her breathing laboured 'I can't believe we waited so long to do this. We hit puberty at what, thirteen? If I'd known what I was missing…'. Severus pressed a long finger to her lips. 'Shh' he silenced, his voice silky 'You talk too much, Miss Evans'. For once in her life, Lily did as she was told. Satisfied, Severus turned his attention back to the task in hand. He snaked his hands down her ribcage, along the curve of her waist, resting on her hips, where he dug his nails in lightly. She gasped, though in surprise rather than pain.
He glanced up, black eyes meeting green. He was relieved to see they sparkled mischievously. 'Go on' she breathed 'I like it'. Smirking, he bent down and lightly kissed her barely curved stomach. Unconsciously, Lily found herself squirming as the blood pounded in her hips. 'Mine?' Severus asked hoarsely. She nodded. She would have agreed to anything at this point. 'Yours. Please, Sev' she begged. 'Who'd have thought?' he teased 'There's something Lily Evans wants she won't just take for herself'.
Lily groaned in frustration as he swept his slender fingers over the insides of her thighs, careful to just miss where she needed him most. 'Not if you keep messing me about like this' she growled. 'Ah ah' he chided 'I thought I was in charge here? Someone as beautiful as you needs time, attention, devotion. I'm not going to rush'. As if to prove his point, Severus lowered his head over one of her breasts and caressed it with his tongue.
'Gaaah. You're such a Slytherin' she managed, breathless. 'Clever, cunning and cautious?' he suggested 'Thank you'. Lily shook her head, her eyes closed. 'Unnecessarily cruel. You're just doing this make me lose control, aren't you?'. He raised an eyebrow. 'But of course. Anyway, this from the Golden Girl of Gryffindor. Impatient, demanding, racing to the finish line. You want quick satisfaction, you date another Gryffindor. You want the job done properly, date a Slytherin'.
The redhead's breath hissed as it escaped her lips 'Don't care what house. Want you'. Severus smirked 'Well, I suppose it would impolite to refuse, since you asked so nicely' he mock-sighed, resting between her thighs. Lily closed her eyes in anticipation, waiting for him to stop tormenting her. 'No' he breathed 'Look at me'. Her green eyes snapped open, meeting his black abysses. Gaze not moving, Severus slid fluidly into her, eliciting a relieved moan from the Gryffindor.
She wrapped her arms around his slender body and clung onto him as he pulled out and thrust in again, making her gasp as her walls were stretched. He plunged deeper and deeper, invading the very centre of the redhead. Lily dug her nails in his back and screamed as waves of pleasure crashed over her, her muscles spasming out of control and her mind full of nothing but flashing lights and feeling. Severus' one concession to ecstasy was to bite his lip and groan 'Lily…' as he came.
She slumped back onto the pillows, panting heavily. 'Oh, fuck' she gasped 'That was…amazing. Wow. Gaaah…'. Severus could not help but smirk. 'Ah, so coherent, as always' he said, rolling off her. She turned to face him, grinning 'You're even grumpy when you've been laid. What am I gonna do with you?'. He shrugged, his expression as close to a grin as it would ever get. 'I get the impression this means that met with your approval, then?'. Lily laughed. 'One way of putting it, I suppose'. He raised himself on his elbow to face her properly. 'So why now?' he asked seriously 'What brought this on? Not that I'm complaining, obviously, and I know better than to inquire as to your reasoning when you've got your mind set, but why?'
Lily spoke, her voice distant. 'When I saw you in the dungeons earlier, covered in blood, I thought you were dead. It was like the whole world had collapsed. You've always been there when I needed you, and the idea of you not…' she sighed. 'Since I was ten you've helped me with homework, you've gone along with my insane ideas without complaint, you've made me laugh, defended me, been there for me through everything. Potter and his mates nearly killed you last night and you didn't give me up. I dunno. I suppose I just needed to reassure myself you were still here…still there for me'.
Severus half-laughed. 'Lily, I'll always be there for you, I swear' he promised, threading his fingers gently through her hair. 'Always?' she asked softly. 'Always'.
A.N. Ok, ok, so it took ages, and I apologise, especially after leaving you on a cliffhanger like that. I've just had so many ideas. You know how sometimes you can't think of anything to write next? Well, I've had the opposite. A million plot bunnies nibbling me to death, each demanding to be written next. Doubly long chappie to make up for the wait.