9th January 1976

Lily had not spoken to Severus the entire day following their argument in the morning. They had sat separately in their Double Potions class, whereas they would often sit together. During the lesson, he had constantly tried to catch her eye, eager for a look of approval, a smile, anything that would indicate that she had forgotten about their row and had put it behind her. Unfortunately, she did not return the gaze and was completely immersed in brewing her potion. As a result, Severus could not concentrate on the lesson and pondered as to whether he should approach Lily or not at the end of class. Refusing to apologize, as he was unable to comprehend as to why she was so offended, he decided not to.

After having a quick dinner, Severus made his way towards the castle dungeons where he had agreed to meet Davis Mulciber. He had consented to Mulciber's incessant requests to tell him about his Sectumsempra spell or rather, 'that spell you used on Black' once Mulciber agreed to tell him the secret of the Cruciatus curse, his specialty.

Davis Mulciber, a tall and intimidating housemate with black hair, sharp features and a deep voice, had become one of Severus' few friends. Initially, Severus found his overbearing, precocious attitude unbearable but finally grew use to his ways.

'Did you hear?' asked Mulciber impatiently as Severus entered the deserted and dimly lit classroom.' That Rebecca girl has finally recovered then.' sneered Mulciber in his heavy and hoarse voice.

'Naturally …' replied Severus. The entire school had been taking about it at dinner. 'And the effects of the bracelet, although very harmful, would not inflict permanent damage. You had thought it out, after all, didn't you?'

'True. Though I give you credit for largely being responsible to curse it.'

Severus smirked.

At that moment, Regulus Black walked in. Although he was junior to them, his knowledge of Dark Magic and his cleverness was well beyond his years. He was dark-haired, grey –eyed as and overall quite similar in appearance to his brother, Sirius Black but Severus believed he lacked his brother's arrogance which made him slightly more likable. He was accompanied by Evan Rosier who looked shaken.

'Guess what?' said Rosier irritably. 'That stupid Macdonald, has been telling the whole school we were behind the bracelet.'

Severus felt a jolt of tension in his stomach. What if Lily had heard as well? He did not want another confrontation with her over such matters.

'And what proof does she have?' asked Mulciber. 'Just because of what happened last year – '

'She saw you wrapping the package in the owlery. I heard 'er telling 'er mates.'

Severus fears had been confirmed in that case.

Mulciber, who never failed to look straight-faced, looked tense for a split second but immediately regained his calm. 'You know what? Who cares! I bet she doesn't even have to nerve to tell a teacher – '

'I wouldn't be too sure, Mulciber,' added Severus curtly. 'That mudblood with her big mouth – '

Mulciber let out a humorless laugh, 'Mudblood?' he repeated. '… Coming from the fuckin'mudblood lover himself!'

Rosier and Regulus sniggered.

Severus felt him flush in humiliation.

Mulciber turned to Regulus and Rosier, 'I saw him today, in a classroom with the filthy red head, as usual …'

He felt his insides boil but did not say anything.

'…. And you wouldn't believe it!' he stated exasperatedly '… He was ogling at her - '

Regulus let out a loud bark-like laughter. Severus determinedly looked at one of the empty jars on the shelf. He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut short by Mulciber who carried on with his narration of events.

'I don't blame him though …'he turned to Severus, smiling nastily. 'I mean, whatever she is, she certainly does please the eye – '

At that very moment, Severus jabbed his wand straight into Mulciber's pale neck as Mulciber staggered backwards against the desk behind him.

Behind them, Rosier and Regulus had got to there feet, wands out.

'OY! Relax Snape!' called out Rosier but Severus ignored them.

Mulciber eyed the wand, looking paler than usual and a glint of fear was evident in his eyes, to Severus' satisfaction. Slowly, he looked down into Severus' face and upon regaining his calm, stared at him defiantly. He clutched Severus' wrist with his large hands, baring his uneven, brown teeth.

'We had a deal, Snape!' hissed Muliber viciously.

'Very well then,' said Severus in a low voice. 'Allow me to show you how it's done!' he said as he pushed the wand further into Mulicber's neck, the curse ready on his lips but was sidetracked by another bark-like laughter nearby, a laughter much like Regulus' but louder and more obnoxious in it's nature …

Sirius Black and James Potter were walking past the corridor, immersed in a laughing fit. Upon seeing the occupants of the classroom, the smiles immediately vanished off their faces.

Sirius stepped inside as James leaned against the door, rumpling his hair, with his usual conceited expression.

Bastards! Severus thought to himself.

He felt terribly annoyed and angered at their presence, especially at that of James Potter and slowly, lowered his wand from Mulciber's neck. His attention was now diverted.

'Hello brother.' said Sirius coolly as he faced Regulus.

Regulus flushed and glowered at him. 'You are no brother of mine!' he snarled. 'You blood traitor – '

'– abomination, shame of my flesh!' completed James in a shrill voice that suggested he was attempting to mimic a woman. Sirius roared with laughter.

Regulus continued to grimace at both them, his nostrils flaring.

'You really are mum's boy, aren't you Reg?' said Sirius in a mocking tone.

'Wha' are you doing ere'?' demanded Rosier angrily.

Sirius turned to face him and raised an eyebrow sharply. 'We roam the castles as we please, you git!' He spat.

Rosier opened his mouth to retort but was cut across by James.

'We'd love to stay and chat, you know, only - '

'Now who would want that?' Severus sneered, revolted at his audacity.

James turned on him with a look of purest hatred but then, his thin mouth slowly twisted into a smirk.

'Why, have your mates finally decided to teach you how to wash your hair, Snivellus?'

Severus glared at James, his heart pounding with hatred and immediately pointed his wand directly at James' face while James and Sirius took their wands out of their robes in unison.

'What's going on here?' called out a voice nearby. Frank Longbottom had rushed into the classroom looking alarmed.

'None of your business, Longbottom!' snapped Mulciber who had also taken out his wand at the presence of Sirius and James.

Frank shot at him. 'Everything to do with my business, I'm headboy!' He looked around at the rest. 'It's time you all start heading back to your dormitories. And you two –'he turned to James and Sirius.

'All okay, Frank?' asked James with a grin. Frank looked as though he were trying to suppress a grin but was adamant to remain on topic.

'I think you're about to set a record with the number of detentions you have received – '

'Brilliant!' remarked James.

'Is it?' asked Frank amused. 'Well then maybe one more will do – '

'No worries, Frank,' said Sirius calmly as he rose a hand up to placate him. 'James and I were just heading towards the Common Room anyway.' He said with a mischievous grin which clearly stated they were doing otherwise. 'That's right. See you, Snivellus!' James called out and with that, they both turned to leave.

Severus felt infuriated as he walked out of the classroom with Rosier, Mulciber and Regulus. Had it not been for Frank Longbottom's intervention, he would've surely hexed the living hell out of James Potter. The other boys were immersed in a conversation, clearly annoyed that the whole school had ultimately found out the truth behind the bracelet that was given to Rebecca Abott, but Severus only had one concern regarding the matter.

A thought occurred to him.

Perhaps he could catch Lily just in time before she headed off towards the Gryffindor Common Room.

And with that, he immediately left the group, least bothered to tell them that he was doing so, as he dashed up the stairs into the dark entrance hall and then up the staircase towards the Gryffindor Common Room.

And there he spotted a group of girls, chatting animatedly amongst each other. He noticed Lily immediately, for she stood out for him anywhere with her fiery red hair. Surprisingly, she appeared quiet and contemplative. Usually, she was the life of the group and if she was not talking, she would listen attentively to her friends with keen eyes. Today, however, she seemed distant and aloof.

Severus deliberated over whether he should approach her or not. He hated doing so while she was with her friends for he often received glares from them but he decided to swallow his pride this time in the hopes that she would ultimately speak to him again following what happened earlier in the morning.

He cleared his throat.

'Lily!'

She turned around. The chatting slowly died down as her other friends were now watching him as well, with calculating looks. Severus felt himself grow red, annoyed and uncomfortable.

Lily observed him for a moment, then, ignoring the glares from her friends started to walk towards him. To his relief, the rest of the girls returned to their chatting and set off towards the Common Room.

Lily crossed her arms and looked up into his face. 'How was your get together with your friends?' She asked coolly.

'Fine. Listen to me – 'he snapped.

She seemed taken aback by this at first, as she raised her eyebrows but nevertheless, continued to listen.

He hesitated, not knowing how to start conversation.

'What's the matter with you?' he said finally refusing to sound apologetic.

'What's the matter with me?'She asked defiantly.

Severus retraced at once. 'No – that's not what I – Look! You've ignored me all day– '

'And very rightly so,' snapped Lily coolly. 'First you tell me off, then you call Mary a mudblood, it's almost as if you're insulting me!'

'You know I didn't mean it that way!' he said defensively.

'That's besides the point! And I've told you before, Mulciber and this gang you're hanging around with – I mean – '

'Gang? What about Potter and his gang?' he asked unable to control the angry he was beginning to feel at the mention his name, especially now that he was in Lily's presence. He had always felt in the back of his mind, that Lily fancied James Potter. Often, he had noticed, to his utter annoyance and disappointment, Lily blushing at the mention of his name … eyeing him out of the corner of eye during a Quidditch match … even defending him at times …

'They can strut about the castles as they please, right?' he demanded harshly.

Lily nodded her head in disbelief as she clapped a hand to her forehead. 'Potter and his mates! Always taking about Potter and his mates as if they are my company and I'm constantly defending their behavior! '

Severus opened his mouth speak but closed it immediately.

She continued 'I'm only telling you what I honestly think, I mean, I've heard they were responsible for that bracelet. It was cursed, Sev! Cursed! '

'It wasn't cursed; it was merely jinxed so as to inflict temporary pain, to see if – 'He quickly caught himself.

He had not meant to say it, it had slipped out of his mouth in his agitation, in his frustration, but he knew very well, that he had given himself away.

Shit! He thought to himself.

Lily looked up at him alarmed, a crease appearing between her eyes.

'You were in on it, weren't you?' she asked in a low voice.

'N- no, I wasn't!' he said hastily. Lily wasn't convinced.

Fuck!

She had turned to leave but Severus quickly grabbed her wrist. She stopped in her tracks and turned to face him, her green eyes narrowed in anger.

'Must you always jump to conclusions?' he demanded boring into her green eyes, softening the grip on her wrist.

She hesitated before she opened her mouth to speak but closed it again, evidently at loss of what to say.

'Look,' he said earnestly trying to keep a straight face as he released her wrist but did not break contact with her gaze 'I swear … I had nothing to do with it - '

'Then how do you know exactly what it did?' she asked fiercely. She was looking flustered now.

'I asked them. That was all. I was curious.'

She looked down at her feet, scowling. 'Fine,' she muttered.

For a couple of moments, neither of them spoke until Lily looked up to face him.

'Look … I just wish you would give it some thought, the things I tell you.' She said sincerely.

Severus immediately looked away, glaring at a portrait. He despised these conversations with Lily.

'Sev, Listen to me! 'And with that, she placed a hand on his cheek and turned it in her direction so that he was facing her. Her fingers brushed his lips as she pulled her hand away. He stiffened at her contact.

'I'm just concerned, so please … '

And then he saw it. The concern, the pleading, it pierced at his heart. He did know what it was about her, that made Lily Evans have such an effect on him but he found it hard to look away and looked at her intensely. So consumed was he by his own irritation earlier, that he had not even noticed how close he was to her face. He studied her eyes, her striking eyes …

She diverted her gaze, slightly red but he continued to search her, narrowing his eyes and noting in that back of his mind, that she had blushed.

'Okay?' she asked quietly as she stared down at her feet.

'Yes.' Said Severus softly but he was hardly listening anymore, his mind was somewhere else now.

And with that, she bade him goodnight as she set off towards the common room.

Severus watched Lily intently as she walked off, hair falling into his eyes, his hand on the wall against which Lily was leaning with a heavy weight lifted from his chest. He felt his hand unconsciously move towards the spot on his mouth where her fingers had brushed his lips. Her touched, although less than momentary and accidental, was soft and gentle. Only once Lily was out of sight did he set off towards the castle dungeons, towards the Slytherin common room, a new spring in his step, eager to get a good night's sleep after a tiresome day.