Disclaimer: All mentioned characters are property of J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 8. The Order

Days passed, and Lily was still turning James' words in her mind. Worse: Even Sirius' words seemed to be on repeat in her head 'The man's got a point... Just so you know'. She knew. Of course she knew. But she still wasn't sure she wanted to risk it. This whole situation was taking its toll on her. Marlene and Dorcas kept telling her she was being stupid. That she should just be with James. As for the Marauders they didn't quite know how to act around her. They were her friends and they understood that she was trying to protect James. However, they cared about James and wanted him to be happy. They were also evidently sharing his beliefs that Lily's not being with him, was as good as declaring forfeit and letting Voldemort win. They didn't want to pressure her though. Basically, the situation was a mess.

In a desperate attempt to get away from it all, Lily had discreetly made her way to the Great Lake. After a long walk along its shore, she had found a quiet place to sit and watch the sunset, as she fiercely tried to get things straightened up in her mind. Distracted as she was, she never noticed the upcoming footfalls, until she heard his low voice behind her.

"Maybe you should be taking him to St-Mungos."

"What are you going on about Snape?" She snapped, slightly startling but not moving from where she was sitting, not even wasting energy to look back at him.

"Well. Clearly he's delusional if he thinks you told him you love him." Came his sneering response.

"I think you're the delusional one. If you think you still - or ever actually - had the right to speak to me this way." She kept her voice low, void of emotion. But he knew better, knew she was actually seething. He couldn't bring himself to care though.

"You deserve better than him!"

"Yeah? Tell me Severus. Who exactly would fit the bill?" And if she would have looked at him then, she would have seen him debating. Would have seen his inner-turmoil. But she didn't turn around, and she continued, voice cold and steady but full of rage. "Don't forget now. Mudbloods don't get much pick."

Her words stung worse than any hex she could have sent him. His voice was broken when he tried. "Lily - "

"You need to leave."

He could feel her boiling, but he didn't care. He was not going to let that Potter-git win. She was supposed to be his. And so he tried again "I could protect you Lily."

A humourless chuckle escaped her. "I don't need your protection Snape! It's your people that are making this mess to begin with!"

"Lily - "

"Remember my friend Mary?" She hissed, cutting him off but still refusing to look at him. "Mary MacDonald? You know - the one that told me you were intending to spend the night outside our common room?" And suddenly his Lily, his strong Lily's voice was cracking as she fought to keep her composure. "She's gone Snape, disappeared. Her entire family! Do I really need to remind you what was found floating above her house? Who did that to them?"

"Lily -"

"You need to leave!" She all but shouted, this time whipping her head around to meet his black gaze.

"No. Lily, you need to - "

"I think she was pretty clear mate. You need to go." It was James' voice that cut him off this time. His voice had been steady, low, but full of authority and venom. His gaze was hard. His hands were by his sides, but Lily could see his knuckles were white around his wand, ready to react at the slightest indication.

As Snape turned towards James, raising aggressively his wand in the process, both Lily and James were quick to raise their own, James' wand directly between Snape's eyes. "Two against one. I wouldn't try it Snivellus. But then again, you lot aren't the brightest are you? Plus... I'd love a good reason to hex you again. It's been too long hasn't it?"

Lily could sense more than she could actually see her old best mate debating the question. It wasn't just being caught at the end of a wand that enraged him. It was Potter's wand, and he loathed the whole situation. Lily knew that he felt betrayed by her in the worst possible way. She didn't care though, she had stuck by his side through thick and through thin. He was the one that had betrayed her, he had made his choice. And so she moved forward, resting the tip of her wand directly between his shoulder blades and whispered in his ear. "Don't give me a reason to hex you Snape."

At those words, he seemed to deflate entirely, dropping his wand to his side. And in the split-second he turned around to look back into her eyes, she saw a hint of her old friend, as well as something else she couldn't quite place. Longing? It was quickly gone though, and without another word he had spun around and was striding back to the castle, robes flowing behind his bat-like body.

"You ok?" Of course James knows Snape would never physically hurt Lily. Because despite his twisted little mind, James knows exactly how Snape feels about her. He knows he tries to hide it, but James sees it in the way his black eyes linger on her, how they devour her as if she was his. But even if he knows Snape would never raise a wand or a hand to Lily, he also knows the effect the slimy Slytherin still has on her. He knows exactly how much his words can cut her, even after all this time.

"Yeah" Her voice was strained but she tried to regain composure as she continued. "What are you doing out here anyway?"

"Dumbledore wants to see us." He replied, turning away briskly and marching back to the castle. Lily followed behind, trying to keep up with his long strides but failing miserably. He was still upset with her. And she couldn't blame him.

Upon entering the headmasters office, Lily was somewhat stunned to see the number of people that were already there. Some were current students, such as Caradoc Dearborn, Benji Fenwick and of course Dorcas, Marlene and the Marauders. Some she barely knew but recognized as former students such as and Frank and Alice Longbottom, the Prewett brothers and even Emmeline Vance. As the door closed behind her, Dumbledore stood, looking quite pleased.

"Ah miss Evans! I see that Mr. Potter has been able to locate you. Perfect, we shall begin then."

Mary MacDonald: Gryffindor student that attended Hogwarts with Lily. She's the one that told Lily of Snape's intention of spending the night outside the Gryffindor common room after calling her a mudblood in fifth year. Mary is believed to be a muggleborn or if not, a muggleborn supporter, as she was attacked by Mulciber while at school.

Caradoc Dearborn: Was part of the original Order of the Phoenix. He disappeared somewhere in 1981-1982. His body was never found.

Benji Fenwick: Was part of the original Order of the Phoenix. He was killed in the second half of 1981. According to Moody, the only found 'bits of him'.

Frank and Alice Longbottom: Do I really need to go there? ;)

Prewett brothers: Were both part of the original Order of the Phoenix. They were both killed in 1981 by five Death Eaters. Brothers to Molly Weasley.

Emmeline Vance: Was part of the original and second Order of the Phoenix. She was part of Harry's guard when they retrieved him from Pivet Drive. Died in 1996 after an attack from Death Eaters near the residence of the Muggle Prime Minister.

All information can be found on Harry Potter Wiki.