Thank you all for reading my story! This chapter is from another interesting perspective, not much about our different Hermione Granger, but has to do with our one and only beloved Severus! Some recollections that have long been forgotten! I hope you enjoy it and don't forget to review!

:- )

Chapter 5

Whoever said that being a 4th year in Hogwarts was an easy thing, well he ought to be punched in the face. Maybe it was easy for some students; for those who didn't study and didn't care much about their academic performance. Such guys destroyed the whole image of the school. They cared for nothing, except from walking around in the yard, proud for breaking all the rules and teasing the girls. Smarties.

He despised them all. Except from one; that one he hated most of all. James Potter was his name; his friends and followers called him Jamie. He was so stupid that everyone thought he was clever. He kept showing off his new cloak, wand, owl, ink, and magic tricks he'd learned from a book he had stolen from the Forbidden Section in Library. Whenever he opened his little mouth, everyone laughed and gazed in appreciation. And he was puffing like a peacock for being the Potter, the popular guy of Hogwarts. Potter had everything…

And he had nothing…

"What's wrong Severus?" a sweet and a little high-pitched voice came from his left. He turned and looked at her, and then he remembered. He had her.

She was smiling at him full of kindness and friendship. He responded.

"Nothing in particular, just… thinking" Severus said, putting his hair aside from his forehead. The girl sat next to him on the ground and followed his gaze to the despiteful gang of Potter that was standing a few meters away from them. She sighed and looked sadly at Severus.

"Have you studied Herbology yet?" she tried to alleviate the heavy atmosphere, but Severus didn't seem to notice. He kept looking at Potter and his friends like he was casting all kinds of curses with his eyes only.

"Severus…" she whispered. "Let it go. You know how Potter is... He'll never change"

Severus looked at her.

"Sometimes I wonder why people keep hanging out with him. Can't they see his full of nonsense?" the boy wondered to himself.

"Why would you care about the others? Do you need them? Do you need their appreciation? Am I not enough for you?"

Severus looked at her. His eyes burning. "You…" he repeated.

"Me… I'll never leave you"

"You won't?"

Lily laughed loud and patted the boy's head.

"Of course not, silly! Now stop the chit chat! We have to study for Herbology! Gryffindor and Slytherin students will sit together for tomorrow's exam!"

Severus smiled thinly. Her red, like fire hair reflected the sunlight. Her green eyes glanced like emeralds. Yes, he had her and he would never let her go…

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"Wake up! I said wake up, you lazy pup!"

Severus yawned and opened his eyes with difficulty. He saw Lily standing over his head. She was blushing of enthusiasm and she was literally jumping out playfully around his bed.

"What time is…"

"Oh, forget about the time! Look here! Look!" she put an envelop into his hands. "See?" Severus read the letter inside the envelop. It was an invitation by professor Slughorn.

Dear Miss Evans,

I would be grateful if you do me the honor of your attendance on the oncoming fiest that I am proud to organize on the account of the Christmas Holidays. Your presence is considered desirable, if not say necessary. Find yourself a respectful partner and I will be waiting for you on December the 20th, at 9 sharp in my office opposite the statue of the Dancing, Drunk Troll on the 4th floor.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Horace Slughorn.

Severus calmly closed the envelop and avoided looking at Lily's exciting eyes.

"Well?" she asked impatiently

"I'm very happy for you, Lily. This is a huge opportunity for you to come in touch with classmates equal to you"

"Equal to me? What do you mean?"

"The private parties arranged by professor Slaghorn are famous for their attendance by the elite of the school. The excellent ones only attend them after receiving a special invitation by Slaghorn himself. Thing that just happened to you. You are one of the elites of Hogwarts"

"I… thought everyone received that invitation…I'm the elite?" she murmured

"Seems so. I'm very proud of you Lily"

"But, I'm not good at anything at all… Maybe perhaps at Potions class but it's only thanks to you. You helped me pass the essay upon the Preparation of the Tickling Elixir, remember?"

Severus moved uneasily. "That doesn't mean you didn't deserve the mark"

"Severus, will you be my partner at the party?"

The boy froze. He looked at her dashing emerald eyes. He felt his heart leaping for a moment and his chicks blushing.

"Please!" she prayed childishly. He couldn't do more; he just nodded. Lily's face got lightened by a huge smile that revealed her beautiful white teeth. She hugged him almost violently and patted his head. He smiled shyly.

After a few minutes they exited the Slytherin Common Room and ascended the stairs from the dungeons.

"You frequent the dungeons now, Evans? Aren't you afraid you get mired by the sludge of the Slytherins?"

The two friends turned towards James Potter accompanied by his one follower Remus Lupin. Severus noticed he hold an envelope on his right hand; an envelope similar to Lily's. The girl scorned him and continued her passing by the hall. Severus still gazed at his right hand, James noticed.

"What are you looking at, Snape? Didn't you get one of those invitations for the elite Slughorn party? Don't look at me like that; you are ready to cry on your friend's shoulder like a baby?" James sneered. His friend laughed loudly.

Severus turned away his eyes and started walking towards Lily, who continued walking but in a lower pace so that he could catch upon her.

"Just look at him! Such a pathetic little insect. Not worthing anything, hiding under a girl's cloak"

"Stop it Potter!" Severus heard Lily throwing at Potter. James froze for an instant. He didn't expect Lily to attack him.

"Did you hear that, Remus? The ginger head just told me to stop. This is how you keep your little pet controlled? Giving him commands? Well, I tell you this dear girl… I-take-no-commands-from-anyone. You get this? Now, continue walking before I turn your dirty friend into a toad"

Lily grabbed Severus's hand and disappeared behind the door that led to the Upper Tower of Astrology.

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This was no right. Lily shouldn't have stepped before to protect him. She embarrassed him more than Potter did. Now, every student in the school would now that "Snape let a girl speak for him before Potter". This was wrong. He should have moved forward and insult that despicable bully, instead of Lily. It was NOT her business to tell Potter to stop.

But, now it was too late. The damage was done. Every time Severus walked through the corridors he listened to whisperings; everyone was talking about him. And laughed. He was made the ridicule of all class. And worse, the ridicule of Potter. That was the most difficult part of all. And because of that, he couldn't attend the Slughorn party just like nothing happened. Thinking only the murmuring and the gazes of the rest of the attendants, Snape was feeling sick. Let alone Potter would be there too, reminding everybody how he managed to squash him out and force Evans to take hi side. Maybe, even professor Slughorn wouldn't accept his entrance, considering him a disgrace of the party.

No, he wouldn't let that happen. He wasn't going to the party by no means.

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"What do you mean you aren't coming to the party with me?" Lily repeated confused.

Severus rolled his eyes sadly

"I have to complete an assignment"

"No you haven't. It's about him, right? Potter… what happened last week. You are afraid everyone's going to mock you out. That's why you keep avoiding me the last few days. Am I wrong?"

Severus stayed silenced. Lily sighed and looked away angry, but when she turned back to him her eyes were wet and sad.

"Did I do something to hurt you?"

Severus couldn't stand her gaze and looked at the floor while answering "No, it's not you. It's just…It's better to avoid being in the same room with Potter for a little while. Up until the whisperings stop"

"Since when you start worrying about whisperings? I told you, I'd be there for you no matter what"

"I know, Lily. But maybe keeping company to me is not the best thing for you. You don't have any other friends. You're lonely"

"Who told you I care about the silly chickens of Gryffindor?" Severus smiled faintly. Lily looked at him courageously. "So? You are coming right?" He once again stayed silenced.

She sighed. "Ok, I will not force you since you are such a stubborn-head donkey. But, here's the thing, after Slughorn's party you will not avoid me ever again? Hear me? Ever! Deal?"

Severus nodded.

"I'm going alone to the party. I hope Slughorn won't mind to accompany me in a couple of dances"

Lily burst in laughing. He smiled.

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8:51

Any minute now the students invited will be heading to the statue of the Dancing, Drunk Troll. Lily would be alone, without him. That was the best for her. What would professor Slughorn say if he saw him accompanying one of his best students?

However, Lily was right. It was thanks to him she had obtained High Pass at the assignment. He never thought he was better than her, because she always seemed so confident, so sure about her knowledge and capacities that she kept overshadowing his existence. But , it was one of the things he liked in her. One of the things…

Her image sitting alone in the huge ball room burst in his mind. He shivered in sadness. Beautiful but all alone. She didn't deserve that. He sighed.

8:59

He stood up, almost ready to leave his Dormitory. No. He said he wouldn't come and he had to stick to that. What was best for her? Being lonely or being humiliated by his existence?

Some random laughs were heard from outside. Holidays were there; gifts were exchanged, laughs and hugs everywhere. And he was alone. She was alone. Exposed to the judging gaze of the rest attendants. No. It wasn't fair for her. She had helped him. Stood for his ground. And him? He was hiding in his lair waiting for…nothing. He had to be there. He had to be there for her.

9:12

Hopefully, it wasn't too late for him to join his partner. He accelerated his pace. He was pounding. He felt excited. It was the first time he was going to a party, and especially with Lily. And the best of all, she had invited him, no she had insisted on him going with her. He smiled to himself. Maybe it was time for him to tell her how he felt for her. To tell her how he needed her and how he admired her. Yes. It was definitely the best time. She would be so happy the moment she'd look at him entering the room without notice. And they would be dancing all night, not caring about Potter's jealous gaze.

9:20

"I'm telling you I can not let you pass that door!"

"But, my partner is inside all alone and I should be there with her"

The tall black haired boy looked at Severus from top to bottom, doubting he even had a partner in Slughorn's elite party.

"I'm sorry, mate, I can not allow you enter the party. Professor Slughorn gave us strict orders. The party has started 20 minutes now"

Severus sighed desperately. He was late. The boy, he must be a 7th year student because he was much taller than Severus and seemed much more experienced in his behavior, stared at him skeptically.

"Look, I don't say it's a solution, but if you go on the other side of the corridor there's a huge door that leads to the balcony connected to professor Slughorn's office. If you get there without being seen and spot your girlfriend, she may be able to convince the professor to allow you entrance. But, I say again, it may not work!" the boy shouted the last words because Severus had already started running towards the direction he had indicated.

9:29

He hid himself behind a huge plant, similar to a palm tree but smaller. He stayed there for a few moments, his heart pounding like crazy and gazed at the ball room behind the glass door. He could see many familiar faces, dancing, chatting, eating and drinking but nowhere Lily.

Suddenly, Severus caught a glimpse of a familiar ginger head. Her red, flaming hair drawn in an elegant bun, like a small tiara. Her long, windy, rose dress decorated with small white flowers waving around as she twirled around dancing. She was beautiful. Actually, more than beautiful. She was like a fairy. She moved slightly, like she was flying. Her gestures smooth and gentle. Severus stared at her enchanted. He almost collapsed, bewitched.

Despite her dazzling appearance, Severus noticed she was taking hold of another boy whom he couldn't see well. He half closed his eyes and saw her dancing with that stranger, who seemed rather elegant himself and very confident in his moves. His heart stopped beating for a moment. He felt his knees unable to sustain his body weight. His ears turned red and his face blushed. Severus stared at the couple dancing and laughing like they were alone in the room. Like no one watched them over. She was looking straight at his eyes, and he was looking back at hers. Her hands gently rested upon his shoulders, and his palm tenderly squeezed her wrist. Severus almost screamed.

Lily and James Potter were dancing together…

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Lily with Potter. His Lily dancing with James Potter! And it was her telling him to accompany her. It was her swearing she would be together forever,no matter what. She had stood her ground to defend him, she claimed her hatred for Potter, and now she even looked in love with him!

He must have casted a spell upon her. Yes, that was it! She was bewitched! She was confused! But how be it? She seemed very conscious when she looked at Potter. She looked…happy!

Severus grabbed the tankard from his dresser and threw it violently on the wall, making the sound of a wounded animal. "Keep quiet in there! We are trying to sleep!" heard a voice of his next door roommate. He hid his head in his palms and felt the burning tears running down. He abandoned himself to fell down on the floor. He sobbed so hard his lungs hurt.

Why? With his worst enemy? Everything was a lie after all… She had betrayed him. Their friendship. Their love… No, his love. She was only a lie and nothing else. A deception. She had played with him. And now he had to take revenge. He would kill them both.

Lily? Kill Lily? He loved her. No, he didn't love her. He despised her as much as he despised Potter. They were the same for Severus. The same enemies. He would take revenge upon them, soon enough. And then he would laugh like they laughed at Slughorn's party…

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Severus was sitting under the shadow of a big tree in the yard, waiting for Herbology class to begin. He heard laughs and happy voices approaching. He lowered his head and wished he could vanish. Potter's gang appeared waving their wands around like crazy. Behind them Potter and Lily walked drowsily holding hands. Severus's ears blushed from anger.

When they passed him by, Lily stood for a second. They hadn't talked since that night. Severus had been avoiding her deliberately and Lily wasn't stupid so as to ask him why. She knew. That was a kind of relief for Severus.

"Come on Lily, let's go" "Wait, Jamie" she whispered and approached Severus. She sat down next to him. Potter and his gang watched a few steps away.

"Severus…" she murmured with a smile on her face trying to be friendly. He didn't respond. He kept looking away to the lake. She sighed. She searched for his look and forced him to eventually look at her. His eyes were cold, scornful. She felt frightened. What had happened to him?

"Will you join us for a walk in the yard,please?"she asked politely but still frightened. Severus sneered.

"You and Jamie?" stressed ironically. "No,thanks" he added with arrogance.

"Please, Severus. He's a nice guy after all, and he's sorry for all the times he insulted you"

"Has he told you that?" Severus asked with a glimpse of hope in his eyes, but it was soon disappeared. "Well, I guess even pigs have feelings once in a while" he raised his eyebrows.

Lily looked desperately at James, asking silently for help. Her boyfriend raised his shoulders indifferently like saying "Told you so" and didn't move at all. He had agreed to accept Snape to his company, only because of Lily. But, adjuring him to do so, no…That was out of the question. He still hated him, and it was time for Lily to see his true, fake face.

"Please, Severus. Do this for me. For our friendship" she tried once more, but Snape suddenly turned to her violently, angrily, with eyes burning like fire. He was speaking with hatred, trying to hold back his tears from falling. He didn't want her to see his pain…

"Friendship… There's no friendship between us. There never was. I just tolerated your stupid and naïve behavior…."

"No, that's no true. We were friends Severus…"

"No, we were not. And don't you call me like that ever again. I'm not Severus for you any more. Get off my sight now, Evans" he growled and turned his gaze back to the lake. He sensed the girl crying next to him. Lily sniffed and replied coldly with decency.

"I guess you'll now start hanging out with those friends of yours, the Slytherin Death Eaters"

"Better than with a filthy Mud-Blood like yourself" slipped his tongue and immediately he felt Lily's hand slapping his left chick so hard, that his ear hurt. Frightened, shocked, sad and repented looked at her, but she had already stood up. Potter and Black had approached and asked menacingly what had happened.

"Leave him Jamie. He's not worth it" Lily said scornfully, looked at Severus for the last time over her shoulder like looking at the most pathetic and disguising insect.

And left with Potter on her side…

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Like coming back from a coma, the grown man with the crooked nose, now professor to this School full of bad memories, tried to regain his consciousness.

He stood up from his chair. The cuckoo clock on the wall signed 02:16. He approached the door. Put his ear on it. Someone was apparently fumbling it from the other side. He opened it abruptly. What he encountered didn't surprise him at all.

"What is it that you want in the middle of the night and can not possibly wait till the morning light?"

That was it guys! Thank you so much! Next Chapter will be up soon! Review!

Cheers! xD