Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 5

The next day went quickly for Severus and Harry, they were now waiting in the library for James and maybe a few of his friends. The two boys waited for five minutes when James, Lily, Remus showed up.

"Hey." James said "Sorry, I couldn't get Sirius to come."

"That's alright." Harry said.

"Still need help on potions James?" Severus asked.

"Yeah." James answered.

"I tried to explain it to him, but he never listens." Lily said "maybe you could get him to listen."

"We'll try." Harry and Severus said at the same time. Severus started explaining potion theory to James, while Harry made James take notes so he'd remember and get better a potion grade, Lily and Remus were studying charms together.

"Severus, will you and Harry be my lab partner?" James asked.

"Why?" Severus asked

"Um..because Sirius doesn't care and I want to get a good potion's grade for once when we work with partners." James answered.

"Why not choose Lily or Remus?" Severus asked.

"They are already partners." James answered.

"What do you think Harry, should we be partners with James or not?" Severus asked Harry.

"Sure, I think that's a great idea." Harry answered.

"Then we will be your lab partners whenever we do potions in groups."

"That's awesome! Thanks!" James said.

"No problem, James." Harry said. James smiled and got back to studying his potions notes.

"So, Severus, do you need help with anything?" Lily asked.

"Um...no, at least I don't think so." Severus answered. Harry laughed at what Severus said because he knew he needed help in Transfiguration. "What's so funny Harry?" Severus asked, confused.

"Well, the fact that I know you need help in transfiguration." Harry said.

"I can help with that." Remus said.

"Um..okay." Severus said. Harry smiled at his brother and went to help James with his potions homework. Lily walked over to Remus and Severus and asked if she could join then in studying transfiguration, as she was done with her charms homework.

"Sure." Remus answered.

"Thanks." Lily said. Severus smiled as his friend sat down down next to him. No one noticed Harry and James sneaking up on the group studying silently.

"Boo!" James said right into Severus' ear and Harry into Remus' ear, effectively freaking them out.

"What the hell was that for?" Severus asked.

"Sorry, but your brother convinced me too and dinner time." James said, with a smile on his face. Severus looked over to his brother who was busy talking to Remus, after he had apologized.

"Harry, why did you convince James to scare me?" Severus asked.

"Um...because you are my brother and I wanted too." Harry answered. Severus smiled as the five went down to dinner, talking the whole way.

At dinner, Sirius came over ans sat down next James, who was sitting at the Slytherin table. "So, where were you?" Sirius asked.

"I told you, I was studying in the library with Severus, Harry, Lily, and Remus." James answered.

"Why would you study, when you could have fun." Sirius said.

"Well, I need to get better grades." James told his friend.

"Who cares about grades?" Sirius asked.

"I do and so do many other people." James answered, getting irritated.

"But, it's only the second week of school." Sirius protested.

"Better to learn the stuff now and actually have a chance of passing, than to not study, fail the test and stay back." James said.

"Why are you sitting at the Slytherin table?" Sirius asked, changing the subject.

"Cause two of my friends are in Slytherin and I wanted to sit with them." James answered.

"What am I not your friend?" Sirius asked.

"You are, but I wanted to sit with my other friends, Severus and Harry." James answered. "Oh, and I am partnering with Severus and Severus and Harry in potions when we make potions in groups."

"WHAT!" Sirius yelled.

"You heard him, Black." Severus said, who sitting next to James listening to the whole conversation.

"No one asked you, Snape." Sirius said.

"Why can't we be friends?" Severus asked.

"Yeah, come on Sirius," James insisted "at least give him a chance."

"Fine, I will." Sirius said.

"That's good, cause I could not deal with a rivalry between you and my brother." Harry said sneaking up on them.

"Don't do that ever again." James and Sirius at the same time, gasping for air.

"Sorry." Harry said.

"Why aren't you affected, Severus?" James asked.

"I've lived with him my entire life, so I'm used to it." Severus answered.

"Oh." Was James had to say.

"Hey, can anyone lend me their notes?" Sirius asked.

"On what subject?" Harry asked.

"Potions and Charms." Sirius answered.

"Come to library after dinner and we will help you in those subjects." Harry said.

"Okay." Sirius said.

After dinner Severus, Harry, Lily, Remus, and James were back in the library, waiting Sirius to show up. He finally showed up an hour later and took out his charms and potions book.

"Took you long enough." James said.

"Sorry, I was talking to Peter and lost track of time." Sirius said.

"That's alright." James said. Severus and Lily were helping Sirius on potions and charms, while Harry, Remus and James were helping each other on the subjects they needed help on. The six first years left the library ten minutes before curfew and barely making back to their dorms. The four Griffindors and the two Slytherins were in their respective common rooms one minute before curfew and were relieved.

"That was a close call, wasn't Harry?" Severus asked.

"Yep, definitely a close call." Harry answered. The two boys went to bed and thought about the coming months and what they would hold in store for the young first years.

Summer was approaching closer and closer and that was worrying Harry and Severus, for their father was still a drunk and as much as they wanted him to change, he never did. There was only two months of school left and Harry and Severus did not want to go home.

"What are we gonna do, Harry?" Severus asked

"What do you mean?" Harry answered.

"When we go home for the summer!" Severus said, nearly crying.

"I don't know Sev, but we will make it through," Harry said "I know we will." Severus smiled at his brother's words, which always made him better.

"Hello, Severus, Harry." a voice behind them said. Both Harry and Severus jumped and quickly turned around, only to find it was Lucius standing behind them.

"Oh, hi Lucius." Harry said

"At least it's only you. I thought it was somebody else for a minute." Severus said. "Anyway, we need to talk."

"About what?" Lucius asked.

"Oh, I don't know," Severus answered "anything."

"Okay, what are you going to do over the summer?" Lucius asked.

"Well, we were hoping invite you over and try to get our father to be nice to us." Severus answered.

"I would love to come over." Lucius said.

"Great, we just owl you when ever you can come over." Harry said smiling.

"Anything else you want to talk about?" Lucius asked.

"No." Severus answered.

"Alright then, if you ever need to talk, I will lend an ear." Lucius said and then walked away.

"What are we gonna do, Harry?" Severus asked.

"You do realize that you asked that same question earlier?" Harry answered.

"Yes, I know." Severus said.

"My answer will always be the same, but I will try my damn hardest to protect you from his wrath." Harry told his brother

"Okay then, let's both work together on making dad see the error in his ways." Severus said.

"Yes, let's do that." Harry said smiling. One way or another they would change their fathers way, or at least try.