A/N: Thanks for your patience on this building relationship! If you're still reading, this chapter will reward you. There are quite a few lurkers on this fic—I'd like to know what you're thinking.

Also, in one of the timelines I've been using to make this correct, I think I misread when the Marauders started becoming Animagi. It's fifth year (but I thought it was fourth). SO, this story is a bit A/U regarding the Marauders' timeline; they've all ready started running about with Remus by mid-fourth year (whoops!). Forgive me! I can't believe I let that detail slip. I may fix it when I go back and edit the entire thing, which will hopefully be soon. (Or I could just say Moony has a poor memory, ha ha.) But, now that I've set it up, I really can't take it back at this point. Hm.

One of the sections ends abruptly, and should be continued by reading DH canon to fill in the rest of the conversation. I didn't want to take up room quoting a conversation you all probably know by heart. (Credit for the quote I used goes to J.)

I also wrote Snape having a very Hermione moment. Maybe you can find it. ; )

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Fifteen: Pretty Good Year

"You won't fool the children of the revolution."

-T REX

Winter Break of Fourth Year Until the End of the Year

Day twenty five.

Potter big idiot, as usual. Lots of "Everyone should support me at my Quidditch game!". Says Regulus is crap player. Must report to Regulus. May make him more urgent to slap Potter upside head with broom. Several mentions of a "her/she"—could either be Lily or MacDonald. Either way, ominous. Mentions of date with MacDonald but refers to it as "the last stand". Lots of poses and messing up of hair. Calls Black 'Padfoot', seems to call Pettigrew 'Wormtail'. What do these things mean? Are they secret code? Lupin nowhere to be found today—check hospital wing at lunch, pretend you're bringing homework to someone sick.

Potter: Weekend plans to sneak out to 'check up on Moony'. What's a moony? I know they've mentioned a moony before. Main point being, must intercept. If done correctly, may get all expelled plus win award for school and perhaps be in running for Prefect, a title which will likely be mine all ready but this would help.

PLAN: Saturday- hide outside Gryffindor tower entrance, and follow them.

"Hi Lily. I think that you and I should become study partners. I'm still a bit foggy with Potions, you see," suggested James Potter cheerfully, popping up behind Lily, who was studying in one of the common room armchairs.

Without turning around, she pursed her lips and sighed. "Potter, I've told you. I don't think it's a good idea. Besides, you're going with Mary and she's quite good with Potions. It makes more sense you'd ask her. Also, you're talking way too loudly. You should really be more considerate of other people." She buried herself in her book and sank down the chair.

Across from Lily, Sirius burst into laughter and flopped backwards on the couch. "This is really fantastic entertainment, Prongs. Keep on going. I want to see what happens next."

Seemingly unaffected by his friend's amusement, James leaned over the couch and poked the top of Lily's head gently with the feather-end of a quill. "Lily. Come on. I'm completely stuck on Sluggy's homework—"

"I told you, no." She swatted his hand away.

"Right, so, not tonight, but maybe tomorrow? I'll keep an hour free for us to study together then," said James.

Lily turned around, slamming her book shut. "No. Potter, NO. N-O. I don't want to study with you so that you can steal my answers—"

"That's not what—" James began, but Lily had all ready turned around again. He sighed loudly as Sirius continued to laugh, rolling around on the couch. "Look, Gryffindor's playing Slytherin this Saturday, as I'm sure you know, and it's going to be a great game. Would you at least go to that?"

"I was planning to anyway," said Lily curtly from behind her book.

"Yes, yes, yes!" James hooted and pumped his arm.

"I think you wet your trousers a bit, Prongs. Stand still a minute, and I can get it for you," said Sirius, leaning forward, his hand stretched toward James' groin.

"Get off, you!" James said, grabbing his wand out. "Chucklelaughia!"

Sirius burst out into heavy guffaws. "HA HA HA HA! Tappio—"

James began to do a sort of tap dance, his feet moving around quickly. "Budgie beak!"

Not surprisingly, Sirius' nose morphed into that of a bird's.

Lily rolled her eyes as the other Gryffindors in the common room cheered and picked sides. James had been difficult to shake lately. Not only was he acting just as rude as usual, now he seemed to think they were best mates. Mary had announced that week that they were inevitably going to be broken up by winter break. She said that they both agreed they made better friends, but was slightly disappointed because she admitted he was finally getting quite good at snogging. Lily still had qualms that Mary would even consider James Potter a friend, but she was impressed to some extent when James completely squashed the nasty rumors about he and Mary's supposed sexual escapades. Beyond that, Lily found him to be possibly the most annoying person in her life. He'd started training for Quidditch in the common room, which meant he would do sit-ups and push-ups in the morning and evening, taking up the floor space and making loud grunting noises. Mary seemed to think this was attractive and unfortunately, so did several other girls. By mid-November, he had a small fan club of squealing, swooning girls. Even worse was when Sirius joined in the showy work-outs, decked out in a sleeveless top, bent over James to spot him. On those days, the common room inevitably became a jungle of raging hormones.

"How can you put up with this? Doesn't it make you jealous?" Lily had barked that past week at Mary as they walked by James doing crunches with five adoring third year girls cheering for him.

"Not at all," Mary had said, waving to James with the tips of her fingers, "I like that he's popular. It puts me in the public eye. Besides, it means I'm top pick."

Lily felt quite oppositely from Mary. One of the reasons she liked Severus was because what they had (whatever that was) was a secret. Lately though, Lily was doubting that they had anything at all. Severus had invited her to coffee for what she thought might perhaps be a divulgence of his feelings. But instead, he'd asked whether James and his friends "ran around" at night. Lily had wanted to scream. Who cared what those boys got up to? And why did Severus think it was so important? She'd been completely nervous to meet Severus that entire day and then he'd gone and ruined it. She considered how pathetic it would be if he'd lost interest in her. She'd never be able to live it down. Since that awkward coffee meeting, Lily had been purposefully avoiding Severus, which was actually not very difficult this time. It seemed that he'd become a bit distant. She was half-disappointed and half-glad. If he can't tell me how he feels, then I can't waste my time with him, she thought but she knew this was not truly what she felt.

Remus served as a healthy diversion from Lily's issues with Severus, as the two were becoming closer as friends. They'd begun to study every evening, and Lily was learning just how kind and interesting a person Remus actually was. They were able to debate about the subjects they were learning in school without bickering the way she and Severus usually did, and Lily was coming to savor the quiet study sessions with him. However, she was mortified when Remus surprised her with some very strange information.

"Do you know what Snape wants with us?" Remus asked casually that day. They were side by side in the library, writing brief essays on the medieval witch trials. Despite Lily saying she'd be at the Quidditch game the next morning, James had come into the library several more times to 'remind' her. He'd only left when Remus had threatened to contaminate his hairspray with potions from the store cupboard.

Lily looked at him oddly. "With who?" she asked, trying to ignore her racing heart.

"James, Sirius, Peter and me," Remus said. Lily stared at him. "So you don't know he's been watching us?"

"Watching you?" Lily asked, instantly remembering the conversation in the café. "Why on earth would he be watching you?"

"Well, no idea—that's precisely why I'm asking. We were walking back from supper on Monday, and we saw Snape in back of us. He was following rather close. So, James asked him what he was doing—"

-"I hardly believe that!" put in Lily hotly. "I'm sure he was obnoxious about it—"

"Well," Remus said mildly, "I suppose you're right. But anyway, he asked Snape what he was up to, and Snape makes like he's going to run, and that's when we noticed he had this notebook. So, Sirius sort of asked to borrow it—" he paused at Lily's doubtful expression—"er, I guess it was sort of more like he took it out of Snape's hands, and before Snape could get it back, Sirius read a little bit of what he'd written. And it was all sorts of notes about us. James, in particular. Snape was writing out everywhere he'd seen James that day and what he was up to, things he said, like he was decoding it, and really- the kinds of things James says don't need to be interpreted, he's a very blunt person—"

-"Maybe it's an assignment for class," said Lily lamely, her cheeks hot with embarrassment for her strange friend. What on earth is Severus thinking?

"I don't think so, but maybe," said Remus in a polite tone. "Do you have any idea of why he'd be stalking us?"

"Stalking you? I hardly think he's stalking you. He asked me if I had any idea what you do at night, and I told him he was acting crazy," said Lily, curling her legs up underneath her and reclining against the arm of the couch.

Remus' eyes widened for an instant. "He asked you that? Did he say why?"

"He just seemed interested, or—I don't know. Why?" Lily put on a smile. "Do you wander 'round at night?"

"No," said Remus hurriedly, "nothing like that. I'm just wondering why he would think that."

"I don't know," Lily replied shortly. "I don't have any idea what he meant or why he wanted to know. He's not quite normal sometimes," she said, a little darkly.

Remus shrugged. "I can relate to that. Anyway, you should tell him straight from the source that all we do at night is sleep. Maybe then he'll stop."

Lily couldn't help but notice that Remus didn't really meet her eyes. He became fully engrossed in his book and they ended their discussion.

The next morning, Lily woke up to a loud scream.

"GRYFFINDOR PRIDE!"

Grumbling, she bolted upright and peeked out of her canopy. Mary was standing in front of her vanity, decked out in red and gold with gold ribbon threaded throughout her long, black curls. "You're coming today, right? James said you were. It's about time, Lily. Get a move on! I'm going to braid your hair—"

"Ugh," Lily moaned and flopped back against her pillow. "Just another half hour—"

"No, we're getting down to breakfast so we can eat and then be early and get great seats. It's going to be a great game today! They've only played Slytherin two other times—Crosspipe's been out with a bad leg, I'm going to boo every time Mulciber does a thing! Get up!" Mary yelled.

"You know, you and Potter are sort of made for each other," Lily said, yawning and stretching her arms, pulling up her pajama shirt over her cleavage.

Mary made a noise that could only be described as a squeal. Muruvi and Scarlet could be heard grumbling from their own beds. "I didn't tell you! Oh my! It happened so late, and when I got back, I tried to wake you but you were out cold, I can't believe I forgot I didn't tell you!"

"Good lord, Mary! WHAT?" Lily snapped, sitting up.

Mary pranced over and sat next to her. "James and I broke up last night—"

"Oh, I'm sorry," said Lily, hoping she was doing a good job masking her enthusiasm. No more seeing Potter every second! she thought happily.

"Don't be," Mary declared. "It was rather funny, how it happened. Well, I told you we'd been discussing it. We just don't think we're right for each other, but you are right in that we're sort of like, kindred spirits or what have you. We stole food from the kitchen and went out to the lake and made a sort of fancy picnic and then on the count of three we both broke up with each other at the same time. It was fantastic! That way, neither of us has a damaged ego! Isn't that great?"

Lily had to laugh. "It's sort of ridiculous, Mary but I suppose I see why you did it like that."

"Yes," said Mary, tugging Lily's arm and pulling her out of bed, "and now you and I are going to look positively sexy at the game because, let's face it, you need a little bit of excitement. I can't believe you're still waiting to be back in Cokeworth for that neighbor of yours. I'm telling you, he must be perfect. I'd have had six new boyfriends by now!"

Lily refused to wear red and gold, but she let Mary braid a few ribbons through her hair. They ate a quick breakfast and headed off to the bleachers, where they slipped in next to Sirius, Remus and Peter who were all ready in the front row.

"Hello ladies," grinned Sirius. "Would either of you like to place a few bets on the game today?"

"What kind of bets?" asked Mary, and Lily picked up on a bit of a flirtatious tone in her voice. Not again, she thought.

"Well," said Sirius scooting closer to them, "I've only got one better so far. That's James, and he's bet one hundred Galleons on himself that he will be the best player in the game—"

Lily wrinkled her nose. "He can't do that—how can he even judge that while he's playing?"

"That's the point. He can't. So, all of you should be my eye witnesses and pick someone else you think was better and then he owes me one hundred," said Sirius merrily.

Remus laughed from behind his novel. "Split it with me, okay?"

"No way," said Sirius. "You'll have to find your own way of taking Prongs' money. Which should be easy. Just tell him you'll bet fifty Galleons he's not amazing—I've tried it before—"

"And he actually gives up the money?" Lily asked snappishly.

Sirius gave her a dark grin. "If I can convince him well. We do it for a laugh. He has enough to spare."

"I think it sounds stupid," Lily said. "Obviously, you all need to find hobbies." Mary jabbed her hard in the side.

"It's called humor. Have you heard of it?" asked Sirius, but their argument was interrupted by the roar of the crowd.

Xing Chang was announcing, and it was odd to hear his normally quiet voice magnified over the crowd. "Here comes the Gryffindor Team, undefeated so far this year—GO GRYFFINDOR! Er, not that I'm biased or anything! Bestwell, Goofshood, Dormy, Patil, Pelvin, Smorts and POTTER!" The crowd screamed as the Gryffindors flew onto the pitch, Potter drawing attention to himself by doing a sort-of acrobatics routine on his broomstick. Mary screamed and Lily crossed her arms, sighing.

Sirius scratched his chin. "I might not get my Galleons today…"

"And emerging from the opposite side we have the SLYTHERINS! Pretty good, but not quite tops—sorry McGonagall, what I meant was rather good and second place in this year's lineup! Rookwood, Craven, Marks, Crosspipe, Higgins, Black and Mulciber!"

Across the pitch, the Slytherins screamed and rattled their bleachers, stomping and pounding. "Ssss," a large group of them hissed in unison. "Vipers, pythons, boas—unite! Snakes have fangs! Serpents… BITE!"

"Prats," muttered Sirius. "Oy! Eat dragon shit!"

"Yeah!" put in Peter, who until this point had been silently staring at Mary and Lily. "What Padfoot said!"

"And right off, Potter scores a goal! Gryffindor's ahead—oh! Mulciber is taking a nose dive—has he seen the snitch or is he just taking the piss, looks like he was kidding, but Patil fell for it! Patil's lost control of his broom—he's righted himself but—Slytherin beater Craven has just gotten past Potter! Ten points for Slytherin—"

"Perhaps Craven is more amazing than Prongs today," mused Remus. Sirius grinned and punched him in the shoulder.

"Look at James! Look at James!" squealed Peter. They all looked up to see Potter doing graceful circles around the goal post and then dipping in quickly to play again.

Sirius sighed. "I don't know… That was pretty good."

"What's he doing?" asked Lily in irritation, as Potter swooped down to the Gryffindor bleachers and pumped his fist in the air. The crowd cheered loudly. Several second year girls screamed so loud Lily jumped in her seat. He grinned most audaciously and one of the girls burst into tears.

"Being a twat," answered Sirius simply.

"Hello," said a desolate voice.

Lily jumped even more than before and turned to her right, where Severus was standing awkwardly, his hair falling in his eyes.

"Severus! What are you doing here?" Lily whispered, her heart pounding.

"Thought I'd see the game, see how Mulciber and Black play," he muttered, and of all things, he sat down beside her. "Here to cheer on Potter?"

"No way," she said, making a face. "It's awful, isn't it?"

Severus grinned. "The worst display I've seen. You're not impressed, right?"

Mary nudged her. "What on earth is he here for?" she whispered loudly. So loudly, in fact, that the three boys turned to look.

"Ah, look! It's Snape the Snoop!" Sirius cried out in mock-delight.

"Snoopy Snapey!" Peter added, giggling.

Remus closed his book delicately. "Act right for once?" he suggested, but Sirius pushed them all aside to sit closer to Lily and Severus.

"Hiya Snivellus," he said, "Moony says that you think we get up to shenanigans at night. Why don't you mind your own drippy, snotty business?"

"Who is Moony?" asked Severus. His tone was as sharp as knives.

"Er—" Sirius paused.

"I know you know what a Moony is!" Severus said frantically. "Tell me what it is!"

Lily stared at him indignantly. "Calm down, Severus! Moony is Remus!"

"Moony is REMUS?" Severus burst out, his eyes widening in sort of a scary way.

Remus ducked in. "Yes-Moony's a stupid nickname they call me, Snape, sort of like the one James unfortunately made for you, I can sort of relate—"

"Yeah, it's entirely James' doing. It's just a dumb name," put in Sirius.

But Severus did not seem to want to relate to Lupin. "Why do you need to be hung out with at nighttime?" he went on excitedly.

"Severus," Lily pleaded, "What are you talking about?"

"I don't need to be hung out with at nighttime," said Lupin. "I think you've been misinformed. Maybe some of these blokes have been screwing around with you." His voice was kind but his eyes were narrowed.

Severus leaned across Lily even farther, his shoulder pressed against hers. Despite herself, Lily went scarlet. He sneered. "Your face looks awful. Why are you all covered in scars?" Remus' face fell.

Her mouth dropped out. "Severus!"

"Your face is covered in ugly," said Sirius. "You really should do something about it." Peter laughed and clapped his hands together.

Lily pushed Severus off of her and glared at Sirius. "Would you all shut up? No one runs around at night, Severus. And Sirius, don't call him ugly—"

"You know he's ugly," Sirius said. "You're just too polite to say so."

Lily saw Severus out of the corner of her eye staring at her intently. She bit her lip, quickly trying to debate what to say. "Severus is not ugly," she finally said firmly.

Sirius clapped loudly. "You're positively the best liar I've met! Congratulations!"

"Right, well, I'm going," said Severus dully. "You better believe I will find out what you do, and there will be trouble." He hurried off, his too-large robes billowing out behind his skinny body.

"Severus!" cried out Lily.

"Wallies, assholes, losers unite! In the head, you're not quite right!" yelled Sirius after him and hissed loudly.

Remus glowered at Sirius. "Well played," he whispered sarcastically. "You completely blew my cover—"

"He's too thick to work it out," Sirius replied. "And if by some miracle he does, he definitely won't talk. I'll make sure of that, Moony."

"Work what out?" Lily asked.

"Stop talking," Mary urged. "Gryffindor's winning!"

"You were supposed to kill him," Severus told Mulciber and Regulus stuffily when they returned to the common room. "You were supposed to put him in a coma and he was supposed to die, but instead, you didn't even win the game."

"Shut up, Snape," Mulciber said strongly. He was covered in sweat and looked aggravated. "You get out there and try playing against him. He's fucking brilliant."

Severus glared. "Don't say that. Have you no house pride?"

"Kill him yourself, Snape," barked Mulciber, and pushed past Regulus, running toward the staircase that led to the dorms.

Regulus shrugged at Severus. "He is rather hard to beat," he said quietly, and then his tone brightened. "How'd you think I played, Snape? Wasn't I good?"

"Didn't notice. Now go away, you're bothering me," Severus growled, looking back at his notes on James Potter.

Regulus slunk off toward the staircase and then turned back. "Guess what? I'm going to be in the Slug Club like you! Now we can hang out more often! My brother didn't make the Slug Club. He says it's not cool enough for him but I know he's actually very upset—"

"Don't you understand basic English? Get out of here! I have important work to do," Severus said, waving a quill half-heartedly in Regulus' direction.

"Okay! Bye, Snape!"

Severus spent the day stewing over the events that had transpired. On one hand, Lily had said he wasn't ugly but she had also not seemed particularly happy to see him. And why was she at the Quidditch game? She never went to games! He'd overheard Mary blabbering about how the two of them were going, and he'd been flabbergasted. Potter had to have something to do with this. Despite being an egotistical bastard, Potter was a very persuasive type of person. Throughout the years of knowing him, Severus had seen him charm professors and students alike, getting out of homework assignments and study groups every week. All day, Potter yapped about his Quidditch games, and Severus knew that was why Lily had gone. Why else? Lily hated Quidditch. She hated stupid things, just like Severus did! Potter needed to be brought down. Also, he'd discovered that Moony was Lupin. This made Severus connect a few things together. First off, 'Moony' supposedly needed company at night, so Severus figured there must be a connection there (Moony, moon?). However, what Black and Lupin had said seemed correct. Potter had made ridiculous nicknames for everyone else and none of them seemed to mean anything much.

The only upside was that Lily had said she wasn't there at the game for Potter in particular, but Severus was worried all the same. Whatever was going on, Severus would find out. Tonight was the night.

Around eight-thirty, Severus was unable to wait any longer. He crept to Gryffindor Tower as quietly as he could, but the portrait of the Fat Lady greeted him loudly.

"Aren't you in Slytherin? Don't you come around a lot for that Evans girl?" she asked. She was holding a glass of sherry and looked mildly drunk.

"Shh!" Severus said.

"Don't hush me, boy. It's my job to know who's lurking around! Have you got the password tonight or not?"

"Not," Severus replied. "I'm waiting for some people… Er… You know Potter, right? He's supposed to meet me out here. I'm—I'm Moony. We're going to run 'round."

"Damned if I know what you children talk about these days," the Fat Lady stated noisily, sloshing her drink. "If you don't have the password, you need to push along and wait for your friend somewhere else."

Severus rolled his eyes and slunk off to the opposite end of the corridor where he was out of sight of the Fat Lady's portrait. He was at least a bit more inconspicuous here, but still, he attracted weird stares from passing Gryffindors. A prefect asked if he was lost. He had to duck and roll underneath an old suit of armor to avoid being seen by Lily and Muruvi, who were walking by talking about how obnoxious the new DADA professor was. Soon, no one was in the halls, and Severus was beginning to consider himself a bit of a fool. He'd come too early, and now this plan seemed outlandish. Just as Severus was losing hope, around nine-thirty, there was the sound of the portrait swinging open. This was not special aside from the fact that the Fat Lady shouted out: "Who's there?"

There was dead silence. Severus slowly peered around the corner, and sure enough, there was nothing, just air. The portrait snapped shut, and the Fat Lady fell back into her drunken slumber. Severus stared, trying to decipher what had gone on. Perhaps a gust of wind had blown the portrait open? Except there's no wind up here. It would just be like the Gryffindors to have a shoddy entrance to their common room.

But then, Severus detected what sounded like a human laugh, only it was very, very quiet. He slumped back against the wall. Am I hearing things?

"Snaaaape," said a voice in a ghastly wail.

"Severus Snaaaaape," said a second voice in a very creepy, dry whisper.

"Who's there?" Severus called out, and his voice echoed against the empty hallway's walls.

The quiet giggling echoed off the walls as well. It was as if the room was filled with ghosts. And then, Severus' coat was being tugged at by an unseen force! He let out a yelp and moved backwards, slamming against the wall.

The laughter was louder now.

"Oooh," said the first voice in a high shriek. It did not sound human! "Severus Snape, this is your conscience speaking. Leave this hallway before it's too late! Too late… too late… too late…"

"Show yourself!" Severus commanded, scrambling off the floor and reaching out in the direction of the voices. And that was the last thing he remembered. He woke up several hours later staring into the raw-boned, gray face of Argus Filch, Hogwarts gamekeeper. Mrs. Norris, Filch's faithful cat, was licking his hand.

"'ello, laddie," grinned Filch darkly through his rotting teeth. "'ad a bit o' a spill, did we now? 'nd, looksie, Missus Norris, it's a Slytherin tie on this lad, too, in the Gryffindor's hallway of all places!" He clucked his tongue while shaking his head slowly from side to side. "Tell me, laddie. What's doin' out so late at night?"

"People up to no good!" Severus said instantly, feeling woozy. Had he been hexed? Had he fainted after surveying some horrific sight he could no longer recall? He shook Mrs. Norris off his hand because she had begun biting it violently. "I came to check it out—sneaking out at night, not right! Ghosts showed up—maybe? Fell down, head hurts…"

Filch's expression changed drastically. "You say students was plottin' to sneak out?"

Severus nodded slowly. "Potterblackpettigrewlupin," he said, in one word, and closed his eyes.

"POTTER?" Filch snarled. "Did you say POTTER? And BLACK?"

Severus opened one eye. A bit of drool was glistening on Filch's lip. He nodded.

"Every day, pranks!" Filch shouted. "Duels! Laughs! Ice mice! Belch powder! Slime! Hallway fightin' and 'orseplay! Public displays of affection everywhere! Engorging other students' ears! Lighting socks aflame! Then Dumbledore and McGonagall gives 'em detentions, and 'oo do they usually get detention with? ME! And they joke the entire time! Make fun of me! Call Missus Norris nasty names! No rest for me!" The man looked close to tears. Severus stared at him, unblinkingly. "You say they sneak out at night?"

"I think so," Severus nodded, sitting up. "I keep hearing them say they go outside and chase rabbits, or run around the forest—"

"THE FORBIDDEN FOREST?" screamed Filch, looking excited and furious all at once.

"Is there any other?" asked Severus quietly, but Filch did not seem to hear him. Mrs. Norris had begun nuzzling around in Severus' hair, nibbling it like she was grooming him.

Filch was nodding to himself. "Yes, I've wanted to catch them doing something awful for quite awhile. I'll speak to Dumbledore about it but he likes them—imagine it—likes those foul, spoiled brats! If he does nothing, I'll find them! Mark my words!"

"Whoa," said Severus appreciatively.

"What's your name, boy?"

"Snape," he said, hoisting himself off the ground. Mrs. Norris rubbed herself on his legs and purred. He resisted the urge to nudge her away because he figured the gamekeeper wouldn't like it much.

Filch grinned. "Well, my dear lad, you've made my night pleasant. Let's get you to the 'ospital wing to rest your 'ead. Perhaps we can find out who wronged you."

"It's not funny, Padfoot! He was really close to ruining everything, doing that voice!" Remus was saying quietly.

James grinned and ruffled his bangs. "Nooo, I wasn't close to ruining anything. He thought I was a bloody phantom! Honestly, he's way dimmer than I thought. He's one of those people who's so smart, they're stupid—"

"Did you just call him smart, Prongs?" asked Peter, cocking an eyebrow.

"No, I called him stupid," James laughed.

Remus shook his head, clearly not amused. "James, you're fine with messing up everything around you as long as you come out on top."

"Do I detect a hint of actual disdain in your voice, my dear Moony? Or is it merely the time of the month?" James chided.

"Enough with those time of the month jokes!" Remus said tersely. "I mean it, James! You really could have blown it last night. Obviously, he's not dim and he's not stupid. He was there, wasn't he? What if he'd have pulled it off of you? Then what? Did you have a back-up plan? I'm guessing not."

"I knocked him out," Sirius exclaimed. "You're forgetting the brawn of the operation." He gave a bow. "Besides, you'd understand James' brilliance if you'd have been there. It really was quite a good voice."

"Mmm… Why, thank you, Padfoot," said James in a mock-posh accent, also giving a bow. "Watch out, Moony," he said in a whispering-shriek. "Some night while you're sleeping, I'll get you. I'll get yooooou."

"Oh bugger," said Remus. "You really can't take anything seriously, can you?"

Mary and Lily entered the common room. "Ew," said Mary. "Why were you talking like that, James? If you'd have done that while we were going out I'd have slapped you."

"It's this new thing I'm trying," James whispered creepily. "Girls in Slytherin seem to really go for it."

"Yes, keep it up! It will certainly get you laid!" Sirius exclaimed. They gave each other a high-five. Peter burst out laughing.

Lily sighed and rolled her eyes. Remus caught her eye and shrugged, giving her a tired smile. He really was all covered in scars, though it was still rude of Severus for pointing it out in front of everyone.

"Lily! I need to speak to you for a moment. Will you please talk to me?" Severus asked desperately at the end of Potions class. She'd been ignoring him again, and it was two days before winter break. If they didn't solve this spat, Severus would have to spend time alone, or worse, with his family.

To his horror, it was Potter who answered. "Keep your pants on, Snivellus," he grinned. "Evans is going to Hogsmede with me tonight and she can't talk to you because she's got to go get ready—"

Lily turned around, frowning at Potter. "I am not only going with you." Her eyes met Severus' but he could not read her expression. "It's Alice's birthday," Lily explained quickly, "and she's invited some of us along to have dinner with her parents—we got permission to go tonight—"

"How special," simpered Severus, a wave of jealousy sweeping over him. More than ever, he wished they were in the same house. Potter and Black had every opportunity to spend time with Lily and what did Severus get? Regulus trailing him like a lost puppy! Not to mention, his worries about Lucius graduating had been confirmed. Without someone popular to defend him, Severus had fallen again into the ranks of the super unpopular. It did not help that Potter and Black lost no opportunities to make fun of him. It was as though they knew his every move. They'd taunted him about falling and hurting his head outside the portrait of the Fat Lady. Severus would guess it was them if there was any way it could have been.

Lily glared at him and his stomach turned. "Yes," she said angrily, "it will be special. Thanks for your support." With that, she brushed past all of them and slammed the classroom door.

"Good going," grinned Potter. "You've once again proven what an unlikable person you are!"

Severus lost no time in grabbing his wand, holding it in the air above Potter's head. "Don't. Mess. With. Me," he spat through gritted teeth. "I know that despite everything you say, you're up to something."

Potter threw a glance behind him, where Slughorn was busy in his office. He turned back to Severus. "Look. Snivellus, I'm sorry to break it to you, but you're not really an important part of my life. But if this is what you want, I can play too." He drew his own wand, pointing it at Severus' middle.

"You really need to find better ways to entertain yourself, Snape the Snoop," said Black quietly, leaning over Potter's shoulder. "Let's take this someplace a bit less conspicuous and settle things—"

"Nope, not today," said Lupin calmly. He put his arms around Potter and Black and steered them out of the classroom.

"GET AWAY FROM ME!" shouted Severus after them. "BUGGER OFF!"

"Buggering off!" was Potter's buoyant reply. The classroom door snapped shut.

Severus kicked a desk, and a set of vials shattered. He spent the next few minutes cussing and putting them right.

Day twenty six of observation. Small break due to head trauma and finals for all classes. Seems they don't plan to sneak out all the time—have not heard any word of it lately. But still, other ridiculous things have been discovered. Lots of Potter bragging to all who will listen about how Lily went out to dinner with him. Black and Lupin very quick to point out that the dinner involved fifteen people. Still hate Black and Lupin but grateful to them for this, although Potter seemed quite un-phased. It would seem his ego is even larger than I previously thought. Potter spent afternoon doing squats and stretches in the corridor below Transfigurations room, excuse being there is snow outside. However, I have a theory he only did so to attract attention, and that he did. Spent great length of time asking girls in our year to feel his arm muscles. Want to kill him. Must resist urge. If I find Potter doing something bad, then greater chance of Lily disliking him more AND of me getting recognition! A win-win plan.

Lily tugged the hood of her cloak over her face as she and her friends passed a compartment on the train full of Slytherins. She hadn't seen Severus board yet, and she was set on avoiding him. Apparently, he had better things to do than hang around her. Things like obsessing over James and Sirius, and making rude comments at her whenever possibly. Well… That wasn't exactly the truth. He only made those comments when he felt threatened, but he didn't do much to appeal himself to any of the others. Lily knew James and Sirius were obnoxious, but really, Remus didn't deserve to be treated poorly. Severus was quite rude to everyone, and it was getting a bit old.

"Hello, Evans!" called out James. "Hi, you lot! Come sit with us!" He waved from a compartment he was sharing with Peter, Sirius, Remus, Xing Chang and Frank Longbottom. Alice, Muruvi and Scarlet instantly entered the compartment, giggling at the boys and arranging themselves around them. Lily made a face of protest, but Mary gripped her arm.

"Why have you been acting so off?" Mary whispered into Lily's ear.

"No offense, Mary, but I don't like Potter. You know I don't! Sirius is only a bit better but they're both annoying and smug," Lily hissed.

"You're friends with Remus, though!" Mary whined. "Please! I need to talk to Sirius—we're going to correspond over break about our project—"

Lily raised her eyebrows. "Correspond, eh? Don't tell me you're going after him again. Mary!"

Mary gripped her arm harder. "Sh! I'm doing nothing of the sort. He's been flirting with me lately. You should go in there with me and watch, tell me if it's really happening."

"I think you're smart enough to judge that for yourself, Mary. Besides, I think Sirius would get with anyone, the way he talks," Lily scoffed.

"Oh, hush it. Besides…" Mary's expression became a cheeky grin and she loosened her grip. "I know someone who likes you!" she said in sing-song.

"Who?" demanded Lily.

"I can't tell you. And if I did, you'd be weird about it like you always are. So, I'm just going to watch it happen!" Mary smiled and waggled her eyebrows.

"Mary, stop. I want to know. Is it someone in that compartment?" Lily asked, glaring at her friend deeply. "If you tell me it's Potter, I'll be upset. Actually, if you tell me it's anyone beside Remus, Xing or Frank-"

"Lily. Stop it," Mary said, rolling her eyes. "For getting very-nearly-fingered, you're so hoity about boys. Let's go in." She grabbed Lily's hand and pulled her into the compartment, where the two of them collided. The boys (except for Frank and Remus) broke up laughing loudly. Mary ended up falling in Peter's lap, which Lily figured she sort of deserved.

Once that got all sorted out, Potter and Black wasted no time bragging about some prank they'd pulled that morning on a fourth year Hufflepuff during which they'd made bogies the size of Galleons come out of his nose. Luckily, Lily had opted for a seat beside Remus, and they spent the ride to London doodling back and forth on pieces of parchment.

At the Evans household, things were as normal as usual. Lily's parents were delighted with her stories about Hogwarts, Petunia seemed sour, and it was rather boring. Lily wanted to call on Severus, but she was still irritated. She'd heard he'd hit his head that week, and she honestly wanted to know how he was doing but she felt he should be better at reaching out to her.

The fourth day of winter break, Lily ran into him by accident. She'd been taking a walk by the river to get out of the house and saw him smoking against a tree by the water. Despite wanting to resist speaking to him, Lily knew she could do nothing of the sort.

"Sev!" she cried out, her voice sounding strangely loud against the light blanket of snow that had fallen.

He turned around, flicking ash. "All right?" he greeted in a low voice.

"Look," she said while walking toward him, "I'm very sorry I haven't been speaking to you. But really, you haven't been speaking to me, either. And I wish you wouldn't watch people in my house the way you are. They said you're keeping a journal on everything Potter says! And really, that's sort of lunatic behavior, Severus!"

"Great," he said dryly. "So, I'm a lunatic now on top of everything else. I'm not watching them! I think they're up to no good, and I don't like it!"

Lily folded her arms. "Yes, you've mentioned that. It looks peculiar though, Severus—keeping a journal on—"

"There isn't a journal!" Severus exclaimed, suddenly looking very red in the face. "Of course, pompous Potter probably wishes everyone kept a journal on him!"

"Remus said he saw you with a journal, and I trust him—"

"Yeah, I'll bet," Severus said sharply. "Remus Lupin. I saw you two getting all close on the train!"

Lily's eyes widened. "Close? We were drawing, trying to shut out the stupid stuff that Sirius and James were saying! If you have something to say to me, you should come out with it!"

Severus' eyes flashed. "Is there ANYONE in Gryffindor who doesn't like you?" he shouted. The echoing boom of his voice ricocheted off the trees and nearby houses.

Lily stepped back a few paces. "What are you on about?"

He was breathing rather rapidly. "Nothing," he said, putting out his cigarette. "Nothing at all. I've been having a terrible time at home. I don't want to argue with you—"

"I'm sorry you've been having a bad time of it," Lily said strongly, "but I think you're acting strange and I'm tired of the way things have been going! I don't want to talk about whatever Potter and them are up to, which for the record is nothing."

"All right," said Severus, and it was hard for Lily to determine how he was feeling, but it was evident from his body language that he wasn't pleased. "All right," he said again, and slowly walked off. And for the first time, Lily did not feel much like chasing him.

Dear Mary,

Don't be too excited. Yes, I finally saw him but it didn't go as I would have wanted. I'm tired of making everything happen. He's being a little bit hard to deal with, and I don't want to put up with it! He hasn't even told me he fancies me yet, and we've been hanging around each other for years! I'm very frustrated. I'd tell him I like him, but I've all ready said enough, I think. He's AGGRAVATING!

Lots of love,

Lily

Dear Lily,

In my opinion, you should go after him. Some boys have no idea how to ask people out. They are very shy and need some help. Do what you'd like, but I think you need to take matters into your own hands. Still, there's someone at Hogwarts (not saying who) who is brushing up to ask you out, so if this falls through, there's always him. You may not think much of him (again, not saying who) but I could see you two being cute together. So be open-minded!

XOXO,

Mary

Lily sighed at Mary's response. She was rather convinced it was Potter who fancied her, though she'd been trying to ignore it for the past while. Now, if Mary was trying to set her up with him, the two of them together would be relentless.

Severus spent most of his Christmas break outside. It was cold, but it was better than the alternative of being cooped up in the house with his once again unemployed father and gloomy mother. They seemed to be so low in spirits that they didn't even have the strength to fight with each other, let alone speak to Severus. Of course, they were both still drinking, and when Mum wasn't at home, Tobias had struck Severus several times. So it seemed like a better idea to keep to himself. He wondered if Mum's retaliation last summer had anything to do with the quiet ambiance of the house, but he didn't really want to talk to them to find out.

As far as Severus was concerned, life was fucking awful. He had utterly cocked up with Lily (they were still fighting, and he couldn't bring himself to tell her his true feelings), and beyond reading books he'd taken out from the library, there was absolutely nothing worth doing. He poured over his notes on the Fabulous Four, looking for any possible clues he could find. If Potter got expelled, he'd be sent away and then he wouldn't be able to pursue Lily. As for Lupin, it seemed he was at the heart of the problem, and would probably get a worse break than Potter, which was perfect because Lily actually seemed to like him.

Severus had been thinking a lot about killing himself, and different ways to do it if he decided to. There were quite a few good curses. He hoped that his luck would change with Lily soon, or else he very well might do it. There wasn't much else to be excited about beyond her, save for dueling club and class sometimes. He tried writing to Mulciber and Avery, but their responses annoyed him. They seemed so excited about break. Even writing to Lucius proved obnoxious. All he wrote to Severus about was how fond he was of Narcissa, and how great it was to see her over Christmas. Gag me, thought Severus miserably and enviously, and ripped the letter up at once. More than anything, he wanted a relationship like Narcissa and Lucius had. He was fairly certain that Lily did not think he was as gross as Avery and Mulciber seemed to think the rest of the girls did. It was all so infuriating that Severus tried to put all of his focus into working on the spells he'd been trying to invent that past year. He'd perfected Langlok so that the person's mouth stayed completely shut, and he'd gotten much better at what he called the Sectumsempra, where dozens of scratches pulled up all over the opponent's body and face and bled. There were several others he'd been thinking about, all detailed in the same little journal he'd been writing about Potter in.

"Happy birthday, Sev."

Severus about jumped out of his skin. It was the first week back at Hogwarts, and Lily was standing behind him before the start of Charms. "Guh—er—thanks? How'd you remember?"

"Don't be an ass," she said, but she was smiling slightly. "You've had the same birthday since I've known you, right? Of course I remember."

"Er, thanks," said Severus quietly, trying not to smile too much.

"You're fifteen," Lily said. "You're quite old now."

"You're not much younger," he retorted. "So, what's been happening?"

Lily's smile faded. "Oh, not much. You know. Same."

"Everyone, take your seat!" squeaked Professor Flitwick from the front of the room.

"See you. I guess," said Lily quietly, and joined Mary in the far back corner.

Severus' heart kept beating quickly and he turned around, hunching over. Maybe she doesn't completely hate me then! he thought excitedly.

Mulciber elbowed his side so hard he winced. "What was that about? I've never gotten a Mudblood birthday gram—"

"Fuck you," Severus said out of the side of his mouth. "That was nothing."

"Didn't look like nothing," cackled Rosier from his right. "Happy birthday, Sev! Sev? Really? I half expected you to hex her face off. Or maybe you like being called Sev. Can I call you Sev, Sev?" Avery laughed from behind them, apparently thinking Rosier's dumb sense of humor was charming.

"We had a study group last term," said Severus. "She perhaps thinks we're friends, or something."

"It's too bad she's got rotten blood," said Mulciber. "That's the most I've ever witnessed a girl talk to you!"

"Besides me," Rosier said.

"Yes, but we all know you don't count," Severus put in and then focused straight ahead at Flitwick.

It proved to be rather busy in all of Severus' classes, and he only saw Lily two or three times a week. He couldn't even focus too much on following Potter and Black, though he still listened to them in class whenever he could. They said nothing of interest until halfway into the month, just as Divinations was ending. Lily had waved goodbye to him, saying she was off to a study group with Scarlet (at least they were being cordial to each other!), and the only students left were the so-named "Fabulous Four".

"Tonight, then?" whispered Pettigrew excitedly. "It's got to be—Remus, you look awful! No offense—"

Severus quickly ducked under one of the tables as the boys packed up their belongings.

"I'm used to it," sighed Lupin.

"Yeah, I'm surprised you came in today. You all right, mate?" asked Potter.

"I wasn't about to miss that test," Lupin replied, "but now I think I'm off. I need to rest. I feel it coming, you know. I'm due to meet Pomphrey, but I'll see you lot later."

They walked behind the last row of desks, dangerously close to where Severus was hiding. There was a pause.

"Shhhh," one of them said. Severus tried desperately not to breathe.

The trapdoor opened, there was a sound of scuffling for a moment, and then it shut.

Severus feigned sickness, instructing Mulciber to take notes in Charms in his absence, and then snuck out of the Great Hall at lunch to wait outside the nurse's quarters. He'd peeked in and seen Lupin napping in one of the hospital beds, so he knew he was closer than he'd ever been. Around four in the afternoon, just was Severus was feeling as though his bottom might merge with the cement floor, he heard voices in the infirmary. Quickly, he jumped up and hid around the corner by a statue of a mermaid.

There were footsteps in the hallway, and Severus peered around the corner to see Madame Pomphrey walking with her arm around Lupin's shoulder. They were walking rather fast, but Lupin seemed to be having a hard time of it. At once, Severus sprang to action and began to follow them. He had to be still ever so often in order to keep cover, and spent time dodging under tapestries and skirting around statues. Finally, Pomphrey and Lupin went out the front entrance. The sky was all ready dark, and no one was about on the grounds. Where are they going? Severus thought. And why in the blazes is Pomphrey escorting him this entire time?

He followed them across the grounds, past the greenhouses and the gardens, past Filch's shed and the pen for Care of Magical Creatures. Finally, they reached the western part of the grounds, and Lupin and Pomphrey began to walk toward the Whomping Willow, a strange tree that Severus had witnessed take out several students with its bewitched branches.

Severus started forward, and tripped on the soggy ground. He instantly tensed up.

"What on earth?" Pomphrey whipped around. "Severus Snape, is that you? Get back to the school! Off with you!"

"Yes… yes, m'um," Severus nodded. Lupin turned to face him and Severus stared. His face was horrifically pale. In fact, it was just as pale as the faint moon that was forming in the sky above all of them. An evil sort of smile claimed Severus' face, and he ran back to the castle.

"Every month!" Severus burst out excitedly, waving around his Defense Against the Dark Arts report from second year. "Don't you get it?"

"I don't see what you mean," Lily said, shrugging. She yawned loudly. "I was sort of in the middle of eating. Could we discuss this later?"

"No! Now!" Severus shouted.

"People are watching," Lily winced.

He looked around them. Sure enough, every fourth year from Gryffindor was staring, including Black, Pettigrew and Potter. Of course, Lupin's not there! "Sorry," whispered Severus. "Maybe we should go somewhere more private—"

"Private? Severus, it's seven in the morning! It's the middle of breakfast! You should go back to your table and eat! Why are you being like this?"

"You obviously don't understand. Lupin is… well, I'm fairly certain he's…" Severus pointed wildly to the title on his report.

But Lily hardly seemed interested. "Don't tell me what I don't understand," she said. "Get that paper out of my face!"

"Lupin is Moony!" Severus said quietly, while popping up and down on the balls of his feet. "Moony is Moon! Lupin's a—"

"Don't," Lily said, her eyes blinking quickly. "Just leave him alone!"

"Just let me say what I wanna say!" Severus erupted.

Lily tossed her hair behind her shoulder. "I'm tired of this! You never want to talk about anything normal!"

"But, Lily!" Severus said frantically.

"See you in Potions," she said bitterly. "Oh, and maybe you forgot, but today is my birthday. Some friend you are!"

"Lily—" Severus choked out. "Happy birthday!"

But she was all ready stomping back to the Gryffindor table.

"I don't see why you're surprised. He's quite mental, Lily. Besides, you don't need him to have a good birthday. I told you, we're going for ice cream and it will be loads of fun. I think James and Sirius are planning on serenading you—"

"Mary!" Lily snapped. "You didn't invite them!" At Mary's guilty expression, Lily shook her head. "I'm not going. This day is all ready awful, and I don't need it to get any worse."

Mary opened her mouth to speak, but instead made a strange sort of expression. Her eyes widened, and she looked scared.

"Mary?"

Mary's face had gone rather pink, and she seemed to be unable to speak. Lily realized that she was desperately tugging down the front of her skirt, which seemed to be pulling itself upward.

Lily's own eyes got large and she put a hand around Mary's shoulder. "What's happening? Are you all right? What's going on? HELP!"

Her shriek interrupted the Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, and Professor Mullingsberg halted one of his infamously boring lectures. "What seems to be the issue, girls?"

Mary's mouth un-pried itself, and she burst out coughing. "Nothing, sir," she said breathlessly, and cleared her throat. There were tears glistening in her eyes. She leaned into Lily and spoke quieter than she ever had before: "It was like someone… or something… had its hand… up there."

The lesson was resumed.

Lily gazed at her, terrified, and did a quick scan around the classroom. Severus was in the front row, bent over his notes and writing feverishly. James and Sirius were busy pinning a note on the back of Ethan Middleton's shirt. Peter was picking his nose. Rosier and Avery were whispering together. But Mulciber was staring right at Lily, his dark blue eyes glistening. He sneered, and then looked away.

"It was Mulciber," Lily whispered. "I know it was—he was looking at us!"

Mary bent her head to wipe the tears out of her eyes. "I'm sure it was. He bothers me every day, he does… But he's never done this before—"

"We're reporting him," Lily said hotly.

"No!" Mary said. "No, Lily, I don't want anyone to know, besides I don't know for sure it was—"

"You said it yourself! He's terrible—he's the one who'd do it!"

"Girls!" squawked the professor, drumming his hand upon their table. "Ten points from Gryffindor for being gossipy little gremlins!"

Mulciber cracked up, along with several other Slytherins.

Lily held Mary's hand under the table. "We won't let him do those things anymore," she said firmly.

Mary nodded into her shoulder.

"I meant to tell you, I used that spell I was talking about, Snape," Mulciber leered as they filed out of Transfigurations. "The one I found in the book in Hogsmede where you can manipulate someone to make them feel like they're being touched—"

"Oh yeah?" Severus asked. "How'd you do it?"

"I did it right in the middle of Defense Against the Dark Arts," he whispered silkily. "On Mary MacDonald. I directed it up her skirt."

Severus raised an eyebrow at him. "You did what?" he grinned. "What the hell?"

"Not only that, but I did the Langlok on her so she couldn't shout. I'm getting really good with non-verbal spells, thanks to you, Snape," Mulciber replied.

"Wish I could have seen her face," Severus laughed shortly.

"Well, I'm on to meet Avery," Mulciber said.

"Oh yeah? Later," replied Severus.

"Snape!" called Black in the hallway, patting Potter on the shoulder and walking away from the cluster of popular Gryffindors who were all talking and laughing.

Severus gripped his book bag. "Not now, Black," he snarled. "I'm late for a Runes study group. And if you try and hex me, I'll tell. McGonagall's right over there!"

Black chuckled but continued trailing him. "It's nothing like that, Snape! I just wanted to talk to you!"

"Oy! What're you doing, Sirius?" called Potter from behind them, but Black ignored him and continued following Severus.

"Come on," he begged. "I need to talk to you—I promise I won't try anything!"

Severus whipped around, one hand on his hip. "What's so important?"

"Snape, I know you think something weird's going on with us, especially with Remus. I just wanted to even things out between all of us, okay?" he asked sincerely. "There's nothing going on, and I can prove it to you if you'll listen!"

"Oy! Sirius!" called James.

"Shut it, mate!" Sirius yelled behind them playfully, waving James away.

"And how, pray tell, will you do that? I've got evidence, Black. Evidence!" Severus made a fist and hit his open palm with it. "Ev-i-dence!"

"You think you saw what you saw, but you didn't quite see what you saw—"

"Fuck, Black, out with it!" Severus said.

Sirius shook his smooth black bangs out of his eyes. "Now, listen carefully, Snape. Tonight, you should go to the Whomping Willow around eleven. Go there, and run under it before it can smack you with its branches. Get to the trunk fast as you can, and press the knot on it. You may need to use a long stick, but just get the job done. A passageway is going to open—are you memorizing this?"

Heart beating, Severus nodded, his dirty hair flipping around. "Eleven, run under tree, use stick, open knot, passageway," he recited.

"Right. You're going to go through the passageway, and you'll see where Lupin goes every month, all right? And let me tell you, it's hardly as exciting as you think it is," Black said.

Severus' black eyes narrowed into miniscule slits and he clenched his teeth. "And why would you tell me this?" he murmured.

"Because I'm bloody well fed up with you bothering me and my mates!" Sirius declared. "I want you to see it for yourself, and then keep to yourself, snoopy!"

Severus watched him depart. It seemed to be that Black was telling the truth, and besides, at this point Severus was hardly able to resist quelling his curiosity.

That night, at approximately ten-thirty, Severus snuck out onto the school grounds and waited until the school clock tower tolled eleven. He then crept toward the Whomping Willow until he was close enough to make a run for it. Using all of his strength, Severus booked it to the base of the tree. It was as though the thing had woken up from a slumber. Its branches writhed and twisted, snapped and shook and it let out what could only be described as a guttural moan which was an odd way to consider a tree.

"Shit!" Severus yelped, his heart racing as the branches started swinging. He was far enough under the tree that he wasn't getting clobbered but he had the distinct impression that he was confusing it and making it angry. He reached up to press the knot, but he was too short! He hopped higher, but was only successful in touching it very gingerly with the tips of his fingertips. "Long stick, long stick, long stick! I don't have a long stick!" he shouted to himself, "aaaargh!" He paused for a moment and then slapped his own forehead. "OH, RIGHT!"

He withdrew his wand, pressed it into the knot, and true to Black's word, the trunk of the tree opened up, like a door. A staircase lay just below. It was narrow and twisted down into darkness. Severus grinned hungrily and lighting his wand up like a flashlight, he proceeded down the passageway. He wondered exactly what it was the Lupin was down there doing, because, as his recent theory had gone, it was the full moon. He'd been completely certain that Lupin was either a werewolf, or had been partially infected by a werewolf bite. And, the strange sounds that were coming from the bottom of the passageway certainly sounded inhuman. But, Sirius had said it was nothing. Maybe he just told me that to shut me up! Maybe he didn't think I'd be brave enough to go see! thought Severus triumphantly. Yes, that's it!

It was getting to be quite a long walk, but the strange creaking noises and yowls were getting louder. At long last, there was dim light seeping into the stairway from under a door. There was a clattering sound from some way up behind Severus on the staircase, but he didn't care about that—not right now. Not when the answer was so entirely close.

Severus stepped down and slowly opened the door. He stared into the dim room and after his eyes had adjusted, he found himself looking at a beast he had only seen in his school textbooks. With gray patchy fur, long legs and enormous claws, the thing was at the opposite end of the plank wood floor, chewing savagely on its own arm. It threw back its head and gave a long, piercing howl that made Severus' blood run cold. Even from his place by the stairs far across the room, Severus could see the glint of its extensive teeth. The sound from the staircase got louder just as the werewolf raised its head and sniffed the air. A growl issued from deep within its throat as it turned its huge head to face Severus. Its' eyes were bright yellow. It let out another howl, and just as Severus was wondering exactly how he was going to get out of this, a person tackled him from behind. "DON'T!" they screamed.

Severus let out a shout, and the werewolf loped toward them, drool dripping out of its jaws.

"Stay back, Snape!" yelled the voice, and the figure from behind him shoved him back onto the stairs. The person ran to the door and slammed it. Hideous scratching sounds came from the other side of the door. "Come on, it won't hold up long! Come on, get up, Snape— quickly, get up!" The person grabbed Severus up by his cloak, and Severus looked into his face.

"POTTER?" he boomed.

"No time for that, come on, we've got to run!" Potter commanded, and for once, Severus did not wish to argue. The two boys ran up the stairs. Severus was panting and breathing heavily, and Potter had to keep grabbing him and pushing him along. Severus begrudgingly supposed all of that Quidditch training came to good use after all. Finally, they emerged into the moonlight. Severus flopped against the Whomping Willow's trunk, sighing and wheezing.

"Snape! Next the tree will get you, come on!" Potter yelled. Severus shook his head, out of breath. "Oh, honestly, Snape." Potter seized him by the shoulder, and charged them forward, dodging one of the Willow's savage branches. Holding onto Severus' middle, he launched them by making a diving jump and they landed in a pile just meters outside of the Willow's reach.

Still panting, Severus shoved Potter off of him and glared. "That was hardly necessary," he said evenly, as though nothing out of the ordinary had occured.

"Are you crazy?" Potter yelled. "I just saved your life!"

Severus shook his head back and forth as though lifting himself out of a daze. "Lupin's a werewolf," he said firmly. "I KNEW IT! What were you thinking, I was an idiot? I knew it!"

"You are kind of an idiot," said Potter bitterly, dusting himself off. "I can't believe you actually trusted Sirius! I can't believe you were stupid enough to come here! You could have been killed!"

"You wanted to murder me!" Severus hollered, pointing at Potter.

"No," snapped Potter. "I didn't. I'd rather like it if you just disappeared, but I don't want you dead. Now, Sirius on the other hand—he could have… well…"

"I'm going to Dumbledore," said Severus. "I'm going to report all of you. Black for attempting to murder me, Lupin for being a werewolf, and you and Pettigrew for aiding him!" Severus jumped up and ran toward the castle.

"Snape! Stop! Dumbledore knows! He knows, all right? He lets Lupin go down there so he won't hurt anyone. Get it through your head! You're not going to get special recognition, or whatever it is you've been writing in your diary about, okay?"

Severus blinked. "He knows? You're lying! YOU'RE LYING! I'm going—"

"Do whatever you want. It's obvious you're psychotic. I'm not going to try arguing with a psycho, honestly, I feel like that's all my life has amounted to lately. GOODNIGHT, Snape," Potter snapped, and shoved past him.

"It is true, Severus," said Dumbledore calmly. "Lupin is here because he is an excellent student. The fact that he is also a werewolf has nothing to do with that. And I trust you are an empathetic enough soul to keep what occurred tonight a secret."

Severus grumbled under his breath. The entire conversation with Dumbledore had been absolute rubbish. The old man was insane—that much was clear.

"Hm. Well, I must ask you to promise to keep Lupin's identity a secret, or else you will be facing something far worse than detention. I don't like the idea of any of my students interrupting one another's privacy—"

"But Headmaster," urged Severus, "Lupin could have killed me tonight! He could kill everyone!"

"Not if people aren't prying around at night, Severus, which as you and I both know is against school rules," said Dumbledore serenely. "Lemon drop?"

Severus balled his fists and tried not to scream with rage.

"We need to talk!" Severus called after Lily. He'd followed her out of the greenhouses where she'd emerged with her class, and she'd been trying to ignore him. She was searing with anger. According to rumors that were circulating around Gryffindor tower, Severus had not only been trying to spy on the boys, but he'd gone as far as to try and see if there was something awful hidden beneath the Whomping Willow! And not only was the tree dangerous, but according to Black, Severus was trying to use whatever was down there against them and Potter had saved him from getting hurt! Not only was it evident that Severus had been thinking insanely, it was also embarrassing that he'd had to have been saved by Potter. She was even more irate that they still hadn't discussed fancying each other yet, and that Severus had made little effort to touch her or be close in ages—not since the Astronomy Tower months ago.

"Stop it, Severus," Lily called behind her, the wind whipping her hair around. The week had been awful. Mulciber hadn't tried that spell again, but he'd been merciless toward Mary, and classes had been excruciating. "I don't have time!"

"Lily, please talk to me!"

"It seems to me you say that a lot lately," she said furiously, and twisted around to face him. Her heart dropped at his desperate expression. "What do you want?"

"Look, I know we haven't seen much of each other, and I know you're mad. But I want to say that I need to explain what's been happening—"

Lily shifted her pile of books, readjusting her stance. "And what exactly has been happening?" she asked him.

He walked after her, and she strode a pace ahead of him, heading through the castle courtyard.

"Come on, hear me out. I… thought we were supposed to be friends? Best friends?"

[p. 673- 674. Deathly Hallows.]

"So how've you been otherwise?" Severus asked breathlessly, after it seemed they had ceased arguing. Lily had made it very clear that she was not going to be interested in Potter any time soon, and despite her complaints about his Slytherin friends, Severus felt lighter than he had in weeks. If only I could tell her the truth about Lupin. But that sodding Dumbledore'll get me into trouble if I do.

"I've been busy, as it seems you have," she replied. There was still an edge to her voice that Severus did not understand. "If you promise you're finished following around those boys, we should really try to at least study together soon—"

Severus nodded. "I agree. How was your birthday, anyway?"

Lily's face broke into a smile. "It was all right. It would have been better if you'd have been there."

Severus grinned, and they headed to class side-by-side for the first time in months.

Time had practically flown by, and it was suddenly mid-March. Lily had spent time studying with Severus, and avoiding Potter, whose intentions had become more and more clear by the day. She and Severus had spent Valentine's Day mocking Sirius and James, who kept getting tearful confessions of love from first years. Classes had been strenuous as ever, with little leisure.

Lily snapped out of her daydreams to find Slughorn at the front of the Potions classroom, beaming widely and twirling his mustache. She'd been preoccupied with thoughts of Severus, and had been trying to ignore it. He had either lost interest or was too bashful to make any more moves on her. They sat next to each other in Defense Against the Dark Arts now, and she'd pray internally he'd brush her with his hand, rub his leg against hers, anything.

"Announcement!" cried Slughorn merrily. "It's finally come! Spring has sprung, my dear students, and Dumbledore has given me permission to throw a formal dance."

At the word 'dance', the room erupted in shouts of elation, booing, gasps, and above all of it, Mary could be heard shrieking from the back of the room.

"Silence!" he cried, and amplified his voice over the noise. It seemed he was just as excited as his fourteen and fifteen year old students. "I've been begging your fine Headmaster to let me plan one of them again, and he's entrusted the task to me once more despite the unfortunate happenings of 1968." Slughorn twirled his mustache most worriedly as though recalling a nightmare, and then went on happily. "But I digress. The dance will occur two Saturdays from now! Partners are encouraged but optional. Food and drink shall be served—"

"THAT'S HARDLY ENOUGH TIME TO BE READY!" screamed Mary.

"Yes, so, I am now deaf," said James. Mary patted the top of his hair in apology.

"What are colors? What's the theme?" burst out Muruvi.

"Do we have to dance?" asked Avery, and Rosier punched him in the knee.

Nervously, Lily looked over to the opposite end of the room, hoping to catch eyes with Severus. But, not surprisingly, he was bent over his stupid notebook and still copying out notes off the board as though nothing out of the ordinary was happening around him. Lily crossed her arms and sighed.

"I don't want a date," Mary was saying loudly that next Friday in the Gryffindor common room. "I don't want to be held down." She made eyes at Sirius, who winked at her.

"I understand that," he said. "Here. Get on my dance card." He handed her a piece of parchment that had at least a dozen names of girls on it. To Lily's annoyance, Mary wrote her name out hugely with stars around it.

"And you, Evans? Are you also a fan of not being held down?" asked James, flopping next to Lily on the couch.

She scooted away from him. "I'm fixing for someone else to ask me," she said. It was partially a lie—she wanted Severus to ask, but she didn't really want to go with him and be seen by everyone at school. She hadn't spoken to Severus in days. But she wanted to keep James at bay.

"Who?" he asked. "I'll bet you one hundred Galleons I'm a better dancer than him—"

"Take him up on that," Sirius said. "You'll make money easily!"

"I don't want to bet," Lily said, turning away from them.

Remus settled in an armchair across from Lily and James. "I'm not a very good dancer," he said quietly, "in fact, I don't really dance at all, but I can try."

"Inspiring words, Moony," James said, grinning and rumpling his hair. "Now, Evans, I'm not kidding. I want to take you to this dance, and I can promise you we will be the most fetching couple there—"

"How could a couple be fetching with you in it, Potter?" Lily retorted. The rest of them burst into guffaws.

James smiled and shook his head at her. "C'mon!" he urged.

"I'd try to dance," went on Remus, "and I also have dress robes I specifically bought for occasions like this. So I guess what I'm wondering is if you and I could possibly go to the dance together, Lily? Of course, you don't have to if you don't want to."

"Funny joke, Moony. Now, Evans—"

But Lily held up her hand to silence James. "I'd like to go with you, Remus," she said cheerfully. "It's a plan."

There was a beat of silence.

"This obviously belongs to you," said Sirius, and dumped his week's winnings from James into Remus' lap.

"Did you hear about that ridiculous dance that Slughorn's throwing?" whispered Severus dryly to Lily during Potions. "Rosier's going with Avery. I want to choke myself every time I look at them."

"That's mature," Lily muttered.

"What?" Severus asked, and she shook her head. "Anyway," he continued, "I was wanting to know if you'd like to study with me this Saturday night and then go and make fun of all the idiots that are going to be there."

"Can't," Lily said. "I'm going to be one those idiots, Severus." She glared at him.

"Wha—you're joking," he said. "All right, well… You know I don't dance, but I'll go with you—"

Lily drew in a breath and shook her head. "I'm going with Lupin."

Severus' entire body went rigid. "Lupin? LUPIN?"

"Don't shout," she snapped. "He asked me, and I said yes. I'd have thought that, with all your spying, you'd know that—"

"You can't go with Lupin! He's not safe!" Severus cried, feeling on the verge of tears.

"Yes," Lily said sarcastically, "but he's agreed to dance and he asked me. On time!" She turned away from him and focused on their bubbling cauldron.

Severus punched the table, and then turned around to send his most hateful glare at Lupin.

Unable to concentrate on his History of Magic essay, Severus found himself yet again thinking about the Winter Ball that was, by this point, most likely in full procession. Naturally, Severus had opted to stay back and study but he couldn't help but keep worrying about how Lily's time with that blasted halfbreed Remus Lupin was going. Unable to stand it anymore, he slammed shut his textbook and bolted to the Great Hall.

"Doing well, Severus?" nodded Headmaster Dumbledore, coming out of the hall juggling two cups of punch and a large slice of what appeared to be a rather lumpy piece of cake in his hands. Dumbledore noticed Severus eying him, and he cast an amused look to the drinks. "Oh, these aren't both for me. I'm trying to call a truce with Professor Zabini. She still hasn't forgiven me for an ill-timed joke I made about Salazar Slytherin. It was rather tasteless I'm sorry to admit, but it usually makes people laugh, and in all actuality, a Slytherin student told it to me first. Ah, but you have other things on your mind. I can't blame you." Dumbledore gave a merry wink. "Have fun!"

Severus nodded in response, trying to imagine Dumbledore telling a dirty joke. He wondered fleetingly if he'd heard it first from Bellatrix, who seemed to enjoy that kind of thing. He rounded a corner and peered into the Great Hall. It looked significantly different than usual. The tables had been removed, for one. Students were everywhere, dancing, talking, and laughing. There was a large table of refreshments with ice sculptures shaped like mermaids, and large cakes, and an enormous cauldron of punch. A large oak tree stood in the centre of the room, and makeshift wind blew green leaves around them. The stars on the ceiling twinkled above.

Severus spotted Narcissa first, looking exquisite in white dress robes and dancing with Evan Rosier who was wearing dark blue wizard's robes, her hair slicked back. Mulciber and Avery were standing with a large group of Slytherin girls and all of the girls were giggling. Xing Chang was making eyes at Yuko Kimura, a pretty Ravenclaw chaser who stood a head taller than him. Across the room, next to a table set up with what looked to be party favors, were James and Sirius, both in matching powder blue dress robes. Peter seemed to have ripped his own power blue robes on something because he was walking about clasping his backside.

Severus scanned the room, and finally he saw her. Beside Lupin was Lily, her long red hair free and glossy in the candlelight, flowing over her shoulders. She was wearing royal green dress robes that were form-fitting and so long that gold sandals were only just visible underneath the hem of her robes. Throwing back her head and laughing delightedly, she took one Remus' hands and he twirled her stiffly. Severus' chest seized up with loathing as he watched them both laugh. When they broke apart, Lily continued to dance, spinning by herself, her dress robes flowing with her every movement, her eyes joyful.

Severus felt intensely jealous and aware of his want for Lily. He longed to be like Lucius, acting suave and uninterested in public, but here he was, nearly having a heart attack in front of most of the school. He was suddenly very aware of the heat rising out of the Great Hall, that there were too many people, that his robes were much too tight. It felt like such a heavy epiphany that Severus felt the whole room being sucked clear of oxygen. He was ready to get the hell out of there, when…

"Severus!" shouted out Mulciber, knocking Severus out of his realization with such force that he actually felt his knees buckle. Severus gave a half-hearted nod, and only when several other people turned, he headed toward his dorm mates, not wanting to make a scene. He was so busy trying to not look like he was watching Lily that he tripped over Chang's foot and made him spill his drink on Kimura. Luckily, Mulciber and Avery seemed to think that this was planned and they each slapped him on the back when he joined the group.

"Where've you been, then?" Avery questioned. "Not working on homework, I hope?"

"History of Magic," Severus blurted out. A few of the girls sneered at him, while others looked away. "Well, I just think dances are rubbish," he explained but none of the girls were listening anymore.

"Hardly,"Mulciber said in his ear. "Cleo's half in love with me. I spiked her punch with a controlling potion I learnt from one of the books you leant me. We've been snogging all night." Now that he mentioned it, Cleopatra Sparks, a very pretty black girl in fifth year, was shooting Mulciber rather saucy looks.

"That's probably against at least ten rules," Severus said, but he had to hand it to his friend—he always had a knack for getting what he wanted.

"Oh, don't go being all Snivellus on us tonight, Severus, you've come so far," Avery hissed, putting his arm around Jasmeet Patil. Across the room, her older brother was looking at them, beside himself with fury. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "You're brilliant at whipping up potions—you could get any girl in this room." He said it as though it was something Severus had never even been crazy enough to dream about, getting any girl in the room. Honestly though, it was true. Severus hadn't dreamt about that, up until now he'd reassured himself that he had better things to think about but now he wasn't so sure. Severus considered it for a second, but that only made him think about how strongly he'd just felt about Lily, and that made him feel quite nauseous. He didn't want Lily to like him because he'd whipped up a potion. He'd had butterflies in his stomach before about girls, even butterflies for Lily, but these were gigantic worms, writhing around… It was one thing to fancy her, but it was another entirely to fancy her and see her on the arm of Remus Lupin.

Mulciber let out a low whistle. "Check out that rack on MacDonald. And your little Mudblood birthday gram doesn't look half bad, either."

Severus drew a deep breath, the worms wriggling tighter, and then turned to the floor, where Lily and Mary were dancing together. Mary was in deep purple robes, her dark curls scooped back into a French braid, and her robes cut just low enough that her cleavage peeked through. Severus' stomach gave another jolt when he realized that James and Sirius were trying desperately to cut in; they kept dancing around the girls, who would promptly turn their backs, laughing. Lupin watched calmly, smiling slightly.

Evan sidled up, her eyes alight with mischief as usual. "Hello boys. How's the witch hunt?" She gazed around at the half dozen slack-jawed, smiling girls.

"Thought you two were fixing to go out," whispered Severus at Avery who shrugged.

"I'm not really on about her," he said, but Severus had the distinct feeling he was lying.

Severus turned back to the dance floor where Mary Macdonald was now dancing with Sirius Black, her face pressed so deep into his chest that Severus wondered whether she could breathe, but that didn't matter, because Potter and Lily were bantering and laughing. She swatted him away and he continued to dance around her, Sirius jeering him above Mary's head.

"What's that stupid Potter trying to do over there?" Severus grunted, despite telling himself not to draw any attention to Lily. The words were jumping out of his mouth like people abandoning a sinking ship. "He's crazy to think he has any chance, she hates him—"

"Yes, but, Severus," Avery said darkly," Mudbloods are easily impressed. Oh, Potter, show me some of your Quidditch moves?" he said in a high, hopeful voice. He and Mulciber burst out laughing, and so the girls around them did too.

"They'll probably do it tonight on Potter's broom," Rosier put in, always willing to go the extra mile for a laugh. She made a very grotesque gesture. "He'd better watch out that he doesn't get mud all over his dick!"

Severus' face burned. "That's disgusting—stop—"

"Oh Jaaames," said Mulciber deeply, grabbing Severus' shoulder, popping up his foot as though in a romantic embrace from an old film.

"Lick my Quaffles!" Rosier cried out orgasmically, clutching Severus from the opposite side. "Find my snitch! Ohhh!"

Severus frowned and pushed both of them away. "That's repulsive. Right, so I think I've had enough. Not to mention I'm getting in the way of your little harem."

"What's the matter with you, Sni—Severus?" Evan asked loudly, putting her hands on her hips. "Just because you couldn't find anyone who'd go with you to this ball doesn't mean you should take it out on us."

"I. Don't. Care. About. Balls." Severus spat, turned on his heel, and charged past the refreshment table. His Slytherin group cracked up laughing behind him.

"Well, at least we know he's not gay," Rosier called out.

Severus sighed hugely, sticking his hands in his pockets. He turned angrily toward the dance floor, and stared. Lupin and Lily were dancing close now, and his hand was on her waist. Without thinking, Severus grabbed the first thing he saw, (a spoon), and chucked it as hard as he could at Lupin's head. Given his terrible athletic ability, the utensil instead hit Lily square in the chest. Instantly, they dropped hands, and Lily whipped around. Mulciber, Avery and Rosier cracked up. "NICE ONE, SNAPE!" shrieked Rosier.

Severus met Lily's eyes, blanched whiter than Narcissa's dress robes, and ran out of the Great Hall. He turned left, into an empty hallway that led up to Professor Binn's classroom. "AAARGH!" he shouted, and hit the wall. "Fuck, ow, ow, ow!"

"Hey! Stop it right now—stop hurting yourself! Are you completely crazy?"

Flexing his fingers, Severus hunched over so that his hair covered his face. "Get out of here, Lily," he said quietly. "Go back to Lupin, I'm sure he'll miss you—"

"Oh, please," she said shortly. "You really need to grow up. Throwing a spoon at me? What on earth was that for?"

"It was meant for him!" Severus said. "And… I didn't mean to do it, I just did it!" He peered through his hair at Lily. She looked concerned. That was worse than her being angry. Severus felt the wriggling in his stomach getting worse and worse. He shook his hair out of his eyes and backed up against the wall. "You should go," he said, biting his lip.

"I won't go until we sort this out and you quit being such a prize idiot," she said. "You're mad at me for dancing with Remus? You didn't even know there was a dance!"

"Look, I hate dances!" Severus said, gesticulating wildly. "I hate them so much! They make me anxious. I don't like wearing clothes that are fancy. I like my own clothes. I hate talking to people, and I cannot dance! Not to mention, I had no idea there was a dance until Rosier mentioned it—"

"I may have gone with you if you'd have asked earlier," said Lily softly.

"I wish I'd have known," Severus stated pedantically. "I wish you didn't fancy Lupin of all people."

Lily reached out and grabbed Severus by the wrists. "We were there as friends. Not as a couple. Just as I've been telling you."

"He fancies you, though. So does Potter. Everyone probably does." Severus' tone was getting frantic.

"Everyone does not fancy me," Lily said, dropping his wrists and folding her arms. She paused. "You don't," she said sharply.

Severus ran his hands over the front of his shirt, trying to wipe off the sweat. Everything was perfect about the way she looked in her striking green robes. He felt his mouth going dry and he swallowed a few times before he spoke. "Well, you're a prize idiot too, if you really believe that," he said rudely, and then put his head in his hands and sighed loudly. "All right. Yes. Okay. I do, all right? You look—well—you—and Lupin—and I was angry, all right, and I was only watching Potter because he said he fancied you and I thought you might go out with him if he asked enough."

It was as though a bomb had dropped. They'd been friends six years now, and Severus was fairly certain he'd been interested in her forever. He felt it was possibly the defining moment of his existence and he waited, breathless, for Lily's response.

"You really must find me stupid if you think I'd go out with that foul show-off," said Lily. Her cheeks were red and her voice was quiet. She turned around, as though checking to make sure they were alone. "Severus…"

They were silent, and the music from the Great Hall seemed very overwhelming. A slow song had begun. Lily's eyes brightened. "It's Emotion," she said, and Severus gave her a quizzical look. "The name of the song," she explained. "We're on our own. I'd really quite like it if you'd dance with me."

Severus stared at her, his heart pounding. "Okay," he said uncertainly, "but I don't know what I'm—"

"All you have to do is act like we did when you first taught me dueling," Lily informed him. "Put your hands on my waist," she instructed, pulling his hands down and placing them there, "and I'll put mine around your neck."

Severus was beside himself. He nodded, and tried to think of a response, but he choked on his words. Instead, he just focused on the fact that they were touching, and they were quite close. He could feel her hips brushing his waist, and she squeezed his neck tenderly, all the while staring into his face with her almond-shaped doe eyes. He was so overwhelmed he had to close his own eyes to collect himself. It was as though he'd been doused in ice water and then set on fire—it was that extreme of a change. They had not been close for what seemed like forever, with months of quarreling and stupid fights, and now, now… This. He knew faintly that they were swaying slightly, but this dancing thing, this was more like embracing. If he'd had known this, he'd have wanted to do it ages ago. Severus felt the pull of an erection starting up but he was too happy to even be self-conscious about that. He opened his eyes, and Lily was still staring up at him, an intense sort of expression on her face.

"Do you… er… want to stop?" he asked uncomfortably.

Lily was quiet, and then brought her arms down so that she was holding him around his chest. They stopped swaying and just stood there like that, holding each other. He could rest his chin on the top of her head; he hadn't known they'd gotten that much of a height difference. It felt so good to feel her pressed up against him while he was hard. And then Lily looked back up at him again, and tentatively ran her hands up his chest as though she was trying not to mess something up. He shivered slightly out of excitement, and lightly squeezed her hips with his hands.

She tossed her hair out of her face and they both stared at each other for some time, touching and embracing. And then, Lily stood up slightly on tiptoes and raised her head toward his. He had no idea what she was doing at first, and then his heart began to pound faster.

Lily closed her eyes then, and so he figured he'd better, too. Slowly, they brought their lips together and both kissed for the very first time. It was nothing more than a peck, really, but then they broke their lips apart and made eye contact, and instantly kissed again, this time for longer. Together, they staggered back toward the wall, so that Severus was pressed up against it. They continued kissing, Severus pulling on her bottom lip with his own lips and Lily searching his face with one hand, stroking his features as though she was trying to memorize him. They rearranged themselves so that Lily was up against the wall now, and Severus held her hands up against the tapestry, kissed her harder, his heartbeat pounding against her chest. He could feel her heartbeat, too.

"Well, I never!" exclaimed a portrait of an old, stuffy aristocrat in irritation. "Young people these days!"

Severus and Lily both sort-of laughed, a kind of embarrassed sound, and Lily opened her mouth a bit more, kissing him harder and wrapping her arms around his neck again. He kissed her cheek, and her forehead, and stroked her back. They kissed again, this time Lily slipping her tongue in between his lips so that it lightly touched his bottom row of teeth. Severus brought his hand down to re-adjust his groin in his trousers, and touched his tongue to hers. They kissed like that for awhile, not letting go of each other.

And then all too soon, there was the roar of the crowd of students filing out into the corridor. The dance was over. Instantly, they broke apart. Lily was smiling, but Severus had a stoic look on his face.

"I'll see you again, right?" he asked hurriedly.

"Of course, stupid," she said, laughing, her face reddening again.

"So…er… you fancy me, too, then?" he clarified.

Lily grinned and shoved his chest lightly. "Don't be daft. I made that clear enough ages ago. I've got to… well, I'd better go—so… I'll see you soon. Okay?"

"Yeah," he nodded hurriedly. "Okay!"

He watched her head off down the hallway, and he sighed happily, leaning back against the wall and smiling more than he felt he had in his entire life.

A/N: You made it this far. What do you think? I don't need lengthy reviews—just a simple one would suffice! Hope you enjoyed it!