Chapter 2

Lily Evans had been popular since she first came to Hogwarts. Girls surrounded her wherever she went. They envied her, for her blazing green eyes, for her long, red hair, for the way boys' eyes seemed to follow her. Professors adored her for her punctuality, for her perfectly worded essays. There was one professor in particular who favored her greatly.

It was nearing the end of the year when Slughorn approached Lily after Potions. Students could be found lounging about on the grounds, soaking up the sun and warmth, forgetting with ease about the end of year exams.

"Ah, Miss Evans, a word if I may," Professor Slughorn called. Lily nodded and, picking up her bag, approached his desk.

"Yes, Professor? Is it my essay? Was there something wrong with it?" She furrowed her brow, adjusting the strap on her shoulder nervously.

"No, no, nothing like that." He smiled in what must have been an attempt to be sympathetic. "This Friday... ah, I'm having a bit of an end-of-the-year party, if you would grace us with your beauty." Slughorn wrung his hands together.

"May I bring someone, Professor?"

"Of course, of course," he said with a wave of his hand. Again, he smiled at her. "Now let's not be late for our next class."

Lily rushed into the library later that day, throwing herself into a chair across from her best friend.

"Sev!" She whispered hoarsely, grinning. "Slughorn invited me to one of his parties this Friday, and he said I could bring anyone." She paused, eyeing him hopefully, twirling a lock of hair around her finger, and Severus looked up at her carefully. "Come with me, Sevvy? Please?" She pouted and batted her eyelashes playfully.

"You know what they'll say when they see you with-"

"Oh, Severus, don't be ridiculous! Do you really think I care what anyone else thinks? You're my friend. Please come with me!"

"Fine, I'll go," he said sourly, but was unable to keep a smile from spreading across his lips.

"You're the best!" Lily beamed at him, leaned over the library table and pecked his cheek. She left the library, leaving a stunned and dazed Severus.

Friday evening came too quickly and yet too slowly for Severus. He stood before a mirror. The dress slacks were a few inches too long, but at least they fit in the waist, he thought bitterly. These were his father's clothes, out of date muggle attire; they were the only dress clothes he owned. He threw his cloak over the ugly clothes. Surely everyone would laugh at him, especially if he tried to kiss Lily. Perhaps he should do something with his hair, he thought, peering into the mirror. Severus grabbed the comb off his dresser and, with a bottle of hair gel, slicked back his hair.

"That's a little better," he muttered to his reflection. He checked his watch; Lily had told him to meet her in the Great Hall at eight o' clock. It was ten to – perhaps he should go early. He carefully sheathed his wand into his belt. Holding his breath with excitement, he hurried through the green bedecked common room and out into the corridors. His heart beat wildly in his chest – he was going on a date with Lily! Severus could barely contain himself as he entered the Great Hall. And there she was. Lily was wearing dress robes of green that matched her eyes, and her hair was pulled back into a ponytail.

"You look…erm, very pretty," Severus mumbled, his eyes immediately dropping to the floor. Lily smiled. His hands shoved in his pockets, he stood there awkwardly. Lily held out her hand, and Severus blushed at merely the thought, but determinedly took it with his own.

"You aren't really nervous, are you, Sev?" She looked at him dubiously as they walked to Slughorn's office.

"Er… of course not." He swallowed, forcing himself to stand taller.

"Because if you're worried about Potter being there," she continued. "You can just forget about him."

"Of course I'm not!" he retorted defensively. They walked in silence, Severus mulling over the idea of Potter being there. How he'd love to curse him… but now was the time to think about Lily. Here he was, holding her hand like he'd wanted to for so long. Lily's hand was warm and soft in his own clammy one. All too quickly they reached Slughorn's office, and too soon did Lily take her hand out of his to open the door. They entered. The large office seemed to be crammed with students, talking, dancing, or otherwise sampling h'ourderves carried on large silver platters by house elves. Music was drifting through the crowd played by a live quartet nestled in the corner. Severus and Lily budged their way through the crowd. She waved to her friends and smiled, but continued on until they found a small, secluded corner. Severus stood with his back to the wall.

"Miss Evans!" Professor Slughorn approached them, beaming. "So glad you could make it. And this must be Mr. Snape. Yes, yes, how lovely, both of you being two of my best students!" Lily offered a smile.

"Thank you, Professor. We're glad we could come."

"Well, do enjoy yourselves!" Slughorn turned to find other students he had yet to greet. Lily turned back to Severus.

"I'm really glad you came with me, Sevvy," she smiled at him. "See? Nobody cares that you're with me." She gestured to the crowd of students, none of whom were paying attention to them.

"I guess you're right." He grinned sheepishly at her. With a rare surge of boldness, he took her hand, and waited for her to protest. But the protest did not come. Lily simply smiled at him and squeezed his hand. He took her other hand, still waiting for her to rip her hands away and tell him to leave her alone.

"Lily, I…" He paused. How long had he wanted to tell her how he felt? His heart was pounding. Was he really ready to do this? Lily looked up at him expectantly. "I…Iloveyoulily." The words came out in a tumbled mess.

"What?"

"I love you! Okay?" He swallowed hard, still waiting for a slap across the face. But again, she smiled. She remained quiet for a moment with a calculating look on her face. Slowly, she leaned towards him, reaching up on her toes. Severus froze. He hadn't expected this response. He hesitated, and then determinedly pressed his lips to hers. All too soon, she pulled away, looking bashful. Severus stood there, stunned. He had never kissed anyone before.

Severus and Lily, after sampling a few h'ourderves here and there, began to make their way to the door. Lily tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to the door, which opened on its own. Suddenly, there was a bang as a dungbomb went off and stench filled the entire room. Still holding Lily's hand, Severus reached forward and grabbed at what appeared to be thin air. What he did get a hold of, however, was a fistful of watery fabric that came sliding off two boys.

James immediately took in what he saw.

"Lily! You're here with him?!" He made a gagging sound. Lily, however, marched forward and slapped him across the face. Sirius stared at her, half in disbelief, half in amazement. He quickly recovered himself, then whipped out his wand, pointing it at Severus. James followed suit.

"Levicorpus!" bellowed James. Severus flipped over into the air, his cloak dangling above his hand.

"STOP IT, JAMES!" Slughorn finally made his way to the source of the commotion.

"That is enough! Detention, both of you!" James let down his wand, and Severus fell to a heap on the floor. Lily bent down to help him up as Slughorn ushered James and Sirius out the door. He looked quite furious that his party had been ruined. People were filing out the door, muttering complaints about the dungbomb.

"Come on, Sevvy, let's go." Severus angrily brushed himself off and headed out the door with Lily.

The fire was dying in the Gryffindor common room. James, Sirius, and Remus were sitting about. James sat there, slouched in his chair, his arms crossed.

"She can't really be dating him, can she? I mean, doesn't she see what a git he is?"

"You can't force her to date you," said Remus calmly, looking up from his book.

"I know that! I'd rather she date anyone besides Snivellus!" he snapped. Then he added, as an afterthought, "Although yes, preferably me."

"We could just curse him," said Sirius.

"That seems too easy, somehow." Just then, the portrait hole opened, and a rather flushed Lily entered the common room. She marched passed them toward her dormitory.

"Lily, you know he's a slimeball, right? I mean, he's in Slytherin of all places!" demanded James. Lily stopped in her tracks and turned to glare at him.

"He's a hell of a lot better than you are, you self-absorbed toe rag." At that, she turned back around and stalked off to the girls' dormitory, leaving an opened-mouthed James. His brow furrowed, he crossed his arms even tighter across his chest and gave a small humph.

"Ouch," sniggered Sirius. Remus merely shook his head, still bowed over his book. James scowled, the swiftly rose out of his chair. Sirius watched him with an eyebrow raised.

"I'm going to bed," snapped James. Angrily he stomped off to the boys' dormitory. Remus sighed and shut his book, looking up to study the way the dying firelight flickered on Sirius.

"You know, we do have O.W.L.s on Monday," he said after a few moments of silence. Sirius remained quiet. Remus felt a flutter of panic in his stomach. Had Sirius finally figured out that he was in love with him? He was sure Sirius would be somehow furious; perhaps he would just never speak to him again.

"Do you ever…er…" Sirius began awkwardly. "Nevermind."

"No, no, what is it? You can tell me." He tried to hide his eagerness as he set his book down and leaned towards him. Sirius was never one to divulge secrets or share what some might call tender moments. This was a very rare occasion indeed.

"Well… uh… you're going to hate me after this… I think…" Sirius swallowed hard, as though he were choking on his words. "I think I might be gay, Moony."

"What?" This was the last thing Remus was expecting to hear. But it made sense. Why else would Sirius be so raucous and over-zealous when it came to women? He was trying to hide it! Remus felt his heart inflate with triumph.

"It's okay, Sirius! I am too." Sirius looked up at him, doubt apparent in his eyes.

"You…are? I mean… I always knew you weren't the… most manly person, but still…" Sirius stared at him, his eyes bright and eager. Some sort of mania was setting in now that he had shared his burning secret. "I mean, you can't tell anyone about this! Especially Prongs! What would he say? He'd laugh at us!" Remus was almost startled at this side of Sirius. Everything was always a joke with him. But for him to be so serious, so honest… it was startling and exciting for Remus.

"I promise, it'll be between just us." Sirius looked like he could have cried with joy.

"Thank you, Moony! You're the best." He grinned and flung himself onto Remus to hug him.