First of all I'm so sorry for taking forever to update, but I have good reasons, I can't explain further right now, because I don't have time but wanted to publish this now, so you won't have to wait any longer!
Thanks to CookiSpells, who never disappoints me and another big Sorry for taking so long!
PLease review, guys!
Warning- Lemon ahead
The next few months went by quickly as the OWL's approached and all the fifth years experienced chronic nervousness.
Joline's nerves were always at the edge of snapping, what turned eventually into a fit of hysterical giggles, anger tantrums or crying fits.
Twyla had the ungrateful task to not only prepare herself for the exams, but also care for her (about two minutes) younger sister and prevent her from skinning some random student on a whim.
The new relationship of Oliver and Imogen was put to the test, as the usually calm girl turned into a nerve-wracking dictator, who shooed her friends to one revision after another, turning all of them into babbling, non-responsive zombies.
This tumultuous environment was ideal for Aerwyna and Severus to actually 'forget' about the incident at Slughorn's party and their friendship finally returned to its former state.
After months of preparation, desperation and emotional devastation, the fifth years found their selves finally at the end of their last exam.
Aerwyna saw Joline burst into tears of release and Twyla hurried over to hug her close.
Imogen sighed beside her and rubbed her temples.
"It wasn't that bad, was it?", Aerwyna asked her as they left the Great Hall.
"It was Defence, of course you didn't find it too bad", Imogen grinned.
"Ey, remember Tuesday and the Transformation exam, you little geek", Aerwyna laughed.
They made their way out and sat down in the grass, enjoying the sun on their skin.
Aerwyna had fun taking the mick out of Imogen by complaining about her kingly behaviour during the last months.
Suddenly Imogen froze in the middle of a fit of laughter, her jaw dropping.
"Gen?", Aerwyna touched her shoulder lightly.
"Aer!", Imogen pointed towards a crowd of people, that had gathered around the Marauders.
Severus was just rising from the ground and a shock of red hair bounced in front of Potter's face.
Lily, the hero, Aerwyna thought.
Both girls hurried across the grass, but stopped dead as Severus' voice reached them:
"- from filthy little Mudbloods like her!"
For Aerwyna it felt like the world had stopped rotating for a moment, the birds stopped chirping, the wind stopped stroking the grass stalks.
When the shock of his words lessened, she saw Lily storming off, while Potter pointed his wand at Severus again.
"Who wants to see me take off Snivelly's pants?", Potter grinned as Aerwyna stepped behind him, boring her wand into his neck: "One tremor and you can wish your balls farewell."
Imogen sighed as Oliver pulled thistle after thistle from her hair, while Twyla pressed a cloth against the scratch on Aerwyna's cheek.
"You should work at your duel abilities", the twin sighed.
"I could have handled it myself", Severus spat.
Aerwyna could practically feel how her patience vaporized:
"Oh, yes! All of us were able to see that, you little prick!"
Severus stopped in front of them gaping at her.
"You heard right", she growled and jumped up, hurrying to the entrance of the common room.
"Where are you going?", Severus yelled after her, but she didn't respond.
"Lily, please", Aerwyna sighed.
"What makes you think, you are in any position to make me forgive him?", the redhead fired back, obviously still furious, "You made it clear, what you think of me."
"I am sorry, how everything between the two of us turned out, but Severus wasn't in his right mind and you know that. Merlin, he hates Potter like nobody else and it doesn't make it easier for him as this idiot is permanently hitting on you!", the words had left Aerwyna's mouth before she could stop them, but Lily didn't seem at all surprised.
"How are you doing?", the simple question took her off-guard.
"What do you mean?", The Slytherin replied, hoping to sound calm and collected.
"You don't need to pretend, Wy. We might not be talking at the moment, but I know you and it doesn't make me forget, what I have known for years", Lily smiled sadly.
"I'm doing okay. I have put it behind myself", biggest lie, I've ever told.
"You are lying", damn.
"Look, I'm working at putting it behind. But could we get back to the subject? You know, he didn't mean it. He's… hurt. He didn't want to seem weak in front of you of all people."
"I know that, but it doesn't change the way he's looking at people, who have the same background as me. It's getting harder to be his friend."
"He loves you, Lily."
"That makes it even harder."
"So you feel nothing for him?"
"If you refer to friendly affection as nothing…"
Aerwyna balled her fists in anger, spun on her heel and left Lily staring after her.
This evening Lily Evans wore a plain white dress beneath her open robes, at least until a certain angry Slytherin girl used her new-found abilities to soak her through.
Her revealed attributes caused reactions of completely different kinds.
The Slytherins laughed, the Ravenclaws were embarrassed, the Hufflepuffs couldn't decide between helping the furious girl or acting as if nothing had happened.
And James Potter decided, that he would marry Lily Evans.
Three Years Later
It was a Friday night and the Hog's Head was crowded, at least by its standards.
A young man was vigorously fighting with the bartender over his next drink, while another took the opportunity to steal his wallet, a smile stretching his thin lips at the expectation of a boozed-up night, he wouldn't have to pay for himself.
One of the tables was occupied by a young couple, saying nothing to the other, but staring so intently at their drinks as if they expected them to reveal a nerve-shattering secret to them.
Finally the woman opened her mouth to release a deep sigh and said:
"So you really are considering it."
"Yes", the man stated simply.
"That's madcap", the woman shot back, revealing piercing blue eyes as she raised her head, glaring at Severus Snape.
"Is it?", he smirked.
"You can still prove your loyalty to one side as soon as you know for sure, that it's the one, that has won", Aerwyna Rivers snorted.
The dark haired man let out a loud, barking laugh, that caused some people to eye them suspiciously.
"That's the Slytherin spirit!"
"I mean it, Snape."
"Deciding now, could boot! Look at Oliver!"
"Or backfire!", she thought of Imogen, who was currently living in Stockholm.
"I don't have to ask you for permission, Wyna!"
"But it could be helpful to listen to my advice once in your lifetime!"
"You don't need to decide now, because you are leaving the country!"
Aerwyna stared at him for a moment, obviously in thought, then:
"Come with me."
"What?"
"I said, come with me. It's a great opportunity. The letting and finally selling of my mother's house had left me with a decent budget and we could visit Imogen together.
You should see the world, before you decide what you want for it."
"So you say, you are inviting me to a round-the-world trip?", he smirked.
"Well, I won't pay for everything as I'm far away from being a Malfoy, but I am completely able to support you", she laughed, but turned serious again as she saw doubt rising behind his eyes, "If you decide to get the Dark Mark, there will be no such chance again."
When he rose his glass to her she knew, she had won. For now.
A windy night at a deserted beach in Greece
Aerwyna stared at the waves, reflecting the twinkling stars, and smiled. She had her arms wrapped around herself as the wind had gotten stronger over the day and she hadn't bothered to put on her cloak.
"Are you cold?", his deep, voice rocked through her as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing himself against her back. It send a pleasurable shiver down her spine.
"Not anymore", she whispered back, brushing her lips against his.
He reacted immediately by pulling her body tighter towards him and blowing feather light kisses across her neck. She mewled gently.
He smirked against her skin, what sent another shiver through her.
The tent was functional, with no unnecessary décor and neatly organized.
When her back hit the pillows and blankets, that served them as a bed, she had the same thought she had had every other time this had happened.
Am I dreaming?
It definitely felt like she was.
His hands did wonders to her, as they pushed her shirt apart, goose pumps rising on the exposed skin, both from cold and anticipation.
When his lips found her breast, the first moan escaped her lips and she arched into him, burying her hands in his hair.
As he didn't stop playing with her, she grew more and more impatient and rolled them over, straddling him. His hands on her hips were strong and he smirked once more at her flushed appearance.
The smirk froze on Severus face, when she slipped her hands into his trousers and squeezed.
Aerwyna could have laughed the perfect 'o' his lips formed, if not one thought had manifested in her mind.
I'll never stop loving you.
She thought about the countless other times, they had done this since they were on the journey. They avoided the sunlight and would never talk about what had happened during the night. Both of them knew, that it didn't mean they were together as a real couple.
They were together as two friends seeking closeness. At least for Severus.
Aerwyna shook these thoughts off by ripping his shirt apart and trailed kisses up his neck, ending at his mouth.
The sensation of his lips and tongue against hers rocked her entire body and she started to grind against him, causing both of them to gasp.
Soon enough Severus laid her down on the blankets again and both removed their own remaining clothes. It was always like this, giving the other still the chance to run.
He kissed her gently this time, caressing her cheeks as he made them one.
His hips moved agonizingly slow and she wriggled beneath him, desperate for more friction.
"Severus", she gasped.
He hummed against her shoulder, but another smirk formed o his lips.
"Se-", she started again, but suddenly he slammed into her with such force, she buried her nails in the skin of his back and scratched him.
He growled and bit down, leaving a mark above her collarbone.
She encouraged him by moving her hips against his and he fell back into the fast, hard pace, staring at her face as he worked her up higher and higher.
Aerwyna wrapped her legs around him, locking them above his ass and causing him to groan as he went deeper than before.
The moment he licked up her ear lobe and squeezed her butt, she knew she was lost.
Her body started to shudder forcefully, while he pounded into her.
She opened her mouth to a silent scream, squeezing her eyes shut and let go.
Flying up and crashing down.
Her toes curled, her nails scratched, her neck twisted and the sensation exploded.
When she came back to her senses, Severus was still lying above her, his arms wrapped around her body. She wrapped hers around his hips, entangling their legs further as he pulled a blanket over them.
Aerwyna smiled, when she fell asleep. She knew, that she wouldn't let go for the night.
They had travelled further East and were currently at a small inn, that belonged to a village, squeezed between two mountains.
Severus brushed his teeth, while Aerwyna admired his naked torso, as an owl tapped against the window. It was small and grey, ordinary.
Aerwyna took the letter and opened it.
Her heart lost track and she thought she might collapse.
"What is it? Wyna!", he hurried over to her, but she just handed him the parchment and turned to seek hold on the window sill.
Lily was dead.
