2nd year
I hear Lily behind me. "Hi." She walks beside me, greeting me.
"Hi." I answer back, looking back at her. "Want to study together at the library?"
"Or course." She smiles as we walk together to sit down at the library. Lily opens her book about potions. "I failed that last potions test really badly."
I sit across from her, mentioning. "I can help you."
"Thanks." I sigh as she glances at the book I have opened.
"Dark Arts, eh?"
I gulp and close the book. "I was just interested in reading, that's all."
She nods okay but I can tell she's uneasy because of her long sigh. "I know. It's just, why dark arts?"
I don't reply. She won't like what I have say. That I love learning about it. I sit next to her now as we study her book together working through the chapter. I lean in without even realizing it. I don't want to make a move so I just focus on teaching.
She stares at me every time I speak, smiling softly which feels like the world to me. Her eyes glare back at me almost in a loving way. She moves her hand closer to mine, laying hers on top of mine. I feel my heart skip a beat as we look at each other intensely. She's so beautiful. I love her so much. If only she really did love me. I can't chance it. She probably is disgusted if I told her I liked her.
James Potter slams his book on the table in front of us. "Hey, Lily, want to go with me to the dance?"
"I'm good but no, thanks." She states which made me smile.
James's face drops and I know it is over when he glances at me, grinning. "Snivellus, shouldn't you be getting to class?" I don't respond. "Go!"
"James-" She says to him.
He pulls out his wand as he looks around the library trying to spot a teacher. There is no adults so he flicks his wand and says a word under his breathe. I feel my whole body leave the ground; my heart is racing as I am in the air. "Stop it!" Lily yells where the whole library hears her. He just laughs until he hears another person step in.
Across the room, I see of all people, Lucius and Narcissa, two classmates of mine standing side by side looking up at me. Lucius steps in instantly, running toward James. "You brat!" He pulls out his wand and disarms James. I fall to the ground, hitting my leg on the chair, in the process injuring myself. James just grabs his wand from the ground and leaves before they can say anything else. Lily stands in silence, glances at me one time and quickly follows James. That's the first time she followed him. I chuckle to myself.
Narcissa reaches over to pull me up. "Thanks." I say. She says nothing.
"Snape, why do you let that Gryffindor do this to you? Fight back!" Lucius speaks.
"I don't want Lily to think of me as a bully like James. She's too scared for me as it is because I love learning about the dark arts." I tell them.
"That muggle born mudblood?" His mannerism definitely rubs me the wrong way.
"Don't call her that." I say as my anger heavily overwhelms me.
He scoffs. "We'll that's what she is, a filthy mudblood."
"Take that back!"
"Whatever." He rolls his eyes and then questions. "You want to study with us?"
"Okay." I say. The two sit down on the other side of the table. "So tell us, Severus. You like that mudblood?"
"What?"
"He said do you like that mudblood?" Narcissa questions with a smile.
"Stop calling her that!" I yell when again the library can hear.
"Fine, do you like Lily?" She uses her name this time which calms me a little better.
I can't help but smile at the thought I can finally tell someone. "Yeah, maybe." I tell her shyly.
"Aww, Snape has a crush on Lily." Narcissa laughs at herself as she elbows Lucius. "I guess it's okay. After all, you are a half blood."
Lucius mentions. "Then go ask her out to the dance."
"She doesn't like me like that." I say, my head lowers, staring at the table in front of me.
"Nonsense. Any girl would like you. You are super sweet." Narcissa speaks until she sees Lucius frown. She quiets down, knowing what she just said out loud was a disgrace to her pure blood roots and to the boy next to her who obviously liked her. "Sorry." She clears her throat. "Just try to ask her out to the dance." I shake my head no as I sigh, grab my books, and leave.
~
Later tonight, I'm in my bed, thinking. I think of Lily. Mainly her bright eyes, smile, and her long fiery red hair. I imagine dancing with her at the school dance. She's looking in my eyes in a caring way and I'm doing the same. We know how each other feels just by the way we look at each other. She reaches for my hand, leading me elsewhere. We leave the main dance floor to hide behind the curtain in a corner. I dream of it being quiet now and a darker scenery. I run my hands through her red hair as her fingers linger on my cheek. We don't have to say any words. The distance slowly closes between us as our noses touch. I make the final move pressing my lips on hers. I imagine her smile she makes and then her laugh.
I wish I could tell her how I feel but I don't want her to stop being friends with me if she doesn't love me.
In my imagination no one is bothering us, not James, not Sirius. I know it's only a dream because James will always be there.