CHAPTER 22: ROUND ROBIN
Flashback
(James POV)
"Hey there, Paddy," said James Potter to a handsome black-haired boy, as he got into one of their compartments. "Have you seen Moony or Wormy yet?"
"Nope, sorry Prongs I haven't," replied his best friend Sirius Black in mock apology, the effect of which was ruined by a yawn. "Haven't seen Wormy, and I'm sure Moony's sitting with the rest of the Prefects, they get a compartment to themselves you know, part of nonexistent school rules and all…though I did see Snivellus sniveling through here a while ago," he added with a dog-like grin.
"Oh," said James, his hazel eyes brightened, like a child who had just seen one of his favorite playthings. "Do you know where he went Paddy?"
"Yeah, I guess saww," replied Sirius, with another yawn. "One of the Prewett twins told me he's somewhere up front putting on the moves on some silver-haired girl."
"I see," replied James . 'So now that Lily dumped him he's going after other girls… like anyone would fall for that greasy hair of his', the hazel-eyed boy added to his thoughts with a smirk. "So, want to go and pay old Snivelly a visit?"
"Sorry, Prongs," said his best friend, who curled up on his seat like the dog he is, as he gave out another yawn. "Can't…too sleepy…you can go by yourself if you want, pal."
"Sure you don't want to come Paddy?" asked the hazel-eyed boy, sounding slightly disappointed. "It would be fun."
"I need some shut-eye Prongs," sighed Sirius. "Took all last night to do the damn homework I forgot to do whole summer."
"That's too bad." said the messy-haired boy.
"I'm sure you'll be fine on your own," replied the more handsome of the two. "You could take on Snivelly on your own easily… and without Evans defending him all the time anymore, it will be a piece of cake…"
End of Flashback
The last time he remembered, Lily Evans had already broken all ties with the greasy-haired git. After Snivellus snarled at her with the M-word, even when the beautiful red-head was actually defending him, their friendship completely fell apart. James had even remembered seeing Lily cry in the Gryffindor common room, being comforted by her friends, telling that it was for the best (Yes it is), that it was impossible for a Gryffindor to get along with a Slytherin (definitely) anyway, and that the greasy haired git was evil (without a doubt).
He recalled that Evans had said that it was high-time, that her former friend had chosen his path, and that it was the opposite of hers. James recalled how hurt Lily was, but as far as he saw, the strong-willed girl had already moved on. Now however…
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF MERLIN!?"
To say that James Potter was disoriented with what he saw would be an understatement. He was furious, shocked and utterly confused, and thus could not help but cry out loud in his unstable state of mind, caused by the sight that greeted him.
-BREAK-
(Severus POV)
Severus was not pleased. One moment, he felt like he was the happiest and luckiest being on the entire planet, as the love he harbored for Ilya was returned, their feelings mutual. The next moment, however…
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF MERLIN!?"
In truth, as train compartments were interconnected, it was only natural that people would pass by from time to time to travel from one to another. However, most people would only go so far as to stare, and would at least show a bit of respect to such awkward situations, by keeping their mouths shut. However, there are some who don't, and actually love to ruin such wonderful moments.
As far as Severus was concerned, it was bad enough that someone actually had the nerve to try and ruin the mood. The worse part, however, was the one who did it.
"Potter," said the raven-haired boy quietly, although the snarl in his voice is still noticeable, trying to control his temper as best as he could. "What do you think you're doing?"
Severus tried not to lose control. His short fuse had always been one of his main weaknesses. In the past, it was true that overall, the war between Severus and his Slytherin companions against the Marauders was, overall, a stalemate. However, they had never won any of the 'trash talk wars', as the Slytherins' temper, including Severus' own, was a tad bit shorter than James and his merry gang, and that made all the difference. In a way it was an insult to the House of Snake, who were supposed to be sly, cunning, patient, and calculating, while members of the House of Lions should be more impulsive, and therefore, supposed to have a shorter fuse. However…
"SNIVELLUS! WHAT IN BLOODY HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING TO EVANS, YOU FILTHY BASTARD!? GET YOUR SLIMY SLYTHERIN HANDS OFF HER!" the boy with messy hair roared.
Severus knew better. Logically speaking, he knew it was best not to let his anger get the better of him. However...
Having such a good moment ruined in such a way, and by one of the people he hated most in the world, the raven-haired boy knew too, logically, that he had had enough, and wouldn't be able to control himself. Therefore…
"WHY Y…" Severus began, about to stand up and charge at the culprit, but a soft hand wrapped itself around one of his arms, in a gentle but very tight grip.
"Let me handle this, Sev," said Ilya in a quiet voice.
In an instant, Severus felt all the tension drain away from him. For some reason, whenever his girlfriend (Which may have been true for a while already, but had currently been official for only half an hour.) spoke, he felt somehow reassured, that everything will be fine. Still…
That smile, thought the raven-haired boy to himself, shuddering slightly.
For Ilya once again wore a beautiful smile on her face, not her true smile, but a chillingly beautiful smile.
The raven-haired young man would have never thought it possible, but, having been on the receiving end of that particular smile for half the summer (Although this time it was slightly different, much more beautiful and frightening than the raven-haired had ever seen it set on himself. The closest Severus had seen Ilya smile this way was when she was looking at the dismembered corpses of the three Death Eaters her Bounded Field had slain.), he actually almost felt sorry for James Potter, one of the people Severus hated the most in the world. Still...
He deserves it, thought the raven-haired boy, completely forgetting the idea of pitying his messy-haired nemesis.
-BREAK-
(Ilya POV)
It had been a long time since Ilyasveil von Einzbern-Emiya had felt such joy. No, in fact, it was the first time she had felt this kind of happiness before. Ilya once had a family, people who stayed by her, but they were all dead now. It was hard for the white-haired girl, to lose everyone she ever cared for.
Thanks to Sev, Ilya had been able to slowly move on from the unending pain and sorrow she had to endure. She was not alone anymore. She now had someone who would care for her and stand by her. This time, however, there was something more.
For the first time in her life, Ilya was in love. She was in love with Sev, and by the miracle of it, the raven-haired young man had also fallen for her. Their feelings were mutual. As they were just starting to show their affection for each other, however…
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF MERLIN!?"
Someone just had to barge in and ruin the moment.
Ilya was, without a doubt, pissed off, and she could tell that her boyfriend Sev was also pissed off. The last time he had seen him like this was during the night they met for the first time. And as far as Ilya can tell, the raven-haired boy's fury at the moment was even worse than at that time. That time, it was unintentional rage. This time, however, said rage had a target.
The white-haired girl had heard from her fri-boyfriend all about James Potter and the Marauders. That was not all Ilya knew, however…
On the night of the 25th of August, Ilya had a dream, no, vision. The white-haired girl knew at once that it was a memory. Having seen the memories of her Servant Berserker before, Ilya knew for sure, and it was probably caused by the temporary prana connection that occurred between her and Sev.
Ilya had seen it. The tree, the lake, the events after the O.W.L.s exam, when James Potter and the Marauders humiliated Sev, using the spells he invented against him. The worst part was that Lily Evans, while attempting (or pretending to be attempting) to defend the raven-haired boy, was actually amused, as far as Ilya could tell, and that particular memory, really angered the white-haired girl…
At first Ilya thought she should just blast the cursed glasses boy with one of her Gandr shots and knock him into next week, or impale him with a sword and knock him out for eternity. However…
"SNIVELLUS! WHAT IN BLOODY HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING TO EVANS, YOU FILTHY BASTARD!? GET YOUR SLIMY SLYTHERIN HANDS OFF HER!" the boy with messy hair roared.
"Let me handle this, Sev," said Ilya to her boyfriend quietly, a smile forming on her lips.
This will definitely do the trick, smirked Ilya to herself, as she decided to take a different, more brutal, approach…
-BREAK-
(Peter POV)
Peter Pettigrew was as scared as a rat can possibly be. He was walking from compartment to compartment, looking for his Marauder companions when…
"…WHAT IN BLOODY HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING TO EVANS, YOU FILTHY BASTARD!? GET YOUR SLIMY SLYTHERIN HANDS OFF HER!" the rat heard a familiar voice roar.
When Peter decided to take a peak, he saw friend Prongs standing on the other entrance door of the train compartment, glaring at…
A raven-haired boy, who Peter immediately recognized as Severus Snape and girl with white hair...
Suddenly flashes of memory briefly went across the rat's mind…
"Hmmm…" mused a voice, which sounded exactly like Lily Evan's. "You've wasted all that magic, yet you can't even penetrate a single layer of the Aius. How disappointing…"
"BOMBARDA MAXIMA!"
The Evans' party…Death Eaters…werewolves…the battle that ensued…there were too many details that the poor rat's brain could not keep up… However, there was one thought that formed in Wormtail's mind.
Oh, n-no…th-those two are d-dangerous, thought Peter, as he began to shake uncontrollably, like the rat he was. James is in d-danger! I w-want to h-help b-but I'm t-too weak.
Creeping silently away from the compartment door, the cowardly rat headed off in the direction of the Prefect's train compartment to get some reinforcement…
Although he was a coward, Peter Pettigrew was still a true friend, and when it comes to helping his friends, his mind works properly…
I better go tell Lily, thought Peter. She's the only one who can help James now…
-BREAK-
(Sirius POV)
Padfoot was starting to feel really irritated. Due to the fact that he stayed awake and drank too much coffee the night before, he was excruciatingly sleepy, but painfully unable to fall asleep.
Moreover, he was getting bored. Had he known he would not be able to even get any shut-eye, he would have taken his best friend on his offer to go and torment old Snivellus. As the Stag Animagus was not back yet, he was sure that James was taking his time, enjoying himself…
Guess, I better go check up on Prongs, then, thought Sirius, as a dog-like grin appeared on his face. I hope I'm not too late to join in the fun…
-BREAK-
(Lily POV)
Lily was not at peace with herself. Thanks to that white-haired bi…girl, she ended up spending the rest of her summer vacation pondering on dark thoughts. Even up to now, her words still haunted the red-haired girl.
"Severus Snape is as true a friend as can ever be…"
"He was true to you, but you were never true to him…"
"…you did nothing. You just stood there, watching, as Sev fought for your sake against seventeen murderers, knowing he could get killed in the process."
"You never even saw Sev, did you? All you ever saw was yourself…"
"As far as you can tell, he was a nice piece of tissue on which you could dry your tears."
"… you only ever saw him as a tool."
"You."
"Used."
"Him."
"I'm right aren't I?"
"Lily, are you okay?" asked a gentle male voice. "You look kind of pale."
"Oh, Remus, sorry…I was just…thinking about something," replied the red-haired girl with a small smile. "I'm just a bit…tired…I think I'll sleep for a bit..."
"Okay then, Lily," the werewolf replied. "I'll just wake you up when the lunch lady passes by."
"Thanks Remus."
They were in the Prefect's compartment. She and Remus, being Prefects, had a compartment exclusive for Prefects. She was just about to doze off when the door of their compartment suddenly opened, to reveal a scared-looking Peter Pettigrew.
"Lily, Remus…James…Snivellus…white-hair…girl…need…help…" the rat animagus stammered.
The red-haired girl, who was hardly ever disturbed by noise, and was thus able to sleep soundly even when there were drills at work near her house, suddenly shot wide awake as she heard Peter talking.
Sev…white-haired…girl…no…it can't be…thought Lily to herself, as she and Remus got off their seats and followed Peter.
-BREAK-
(Alice POV)
Alice was not happy at the moment. According to the letter she received, Frank was sick with the cold, and therefore would not be able to ride the train with them to Hogwarts. He would still be coming to school when he got better, but that would be at least a week away.
As she pondered on these thoughts, not pleased with the fact that it will be a while before she saw her boyfriend, a tiny creature bumped into her.
"Oh, I'm really sorry Alice," the creature squeaked. It was Peter Pettigrew, with Lily and Remus following behind him. "But we're in kind of a hurry."
Not having anything else better to do, the girl decided to follow her friends to see what was up…
-BREAK-
(Remus POV)
"We have to hurry," said the werewolf to his companions, and lead them to quicken their pace.
Moony was feeling really worried. According to one of his best friends, Wormtail, Prongs had gotten himself into an argument with Severus Snape and the girl called Ilyasveil von Einzbern-Emiya. He did not know how it was possible, as Remus had never even seen her in school before, but there was no one else who could fit the description, and Peter would never lie about something like this.
While it was true that the two went out of their way to save them, Moony was sure that it was only because of Lily that they came to the rescue, whatever the true circumstances actually were.
The problem, right now though, was that James was apparently picking a fight with the raven-haired gi...boy and the white-haired girl, and as far as Remus' wolf instinct was concerned, as well as what he had seen, those two were on a danger level that Prongs wouldn't be able to handle (Not to mention the fact that Severus Snape absolutely hated James).
We have to hurry before things get out of hand, thought Remus, as they moved on to the next company. Only Lily will be able to stop them.
-BREAK-
(James POV)
James tried, tried as he might, but there was no point in struggling. The spell cast on him was still in effect.
"I...I think we should stop for now," said Severus to the white-haired girl gently, panting, his face red, breaking off from their passionate kissing session, which had been on for several minutes. "If we go on a bit longer, I might not be able to hold back anymore…I'm not yet ready, and I don't think you are as well…"
"I…I understand, Sev," replied the white-haired girl, who was also red in the face and panting. "I…I'm also not ready." And the white-haired settled by leaning her head on the raven-haired boy's shoulder.
Flashback
(James POV)
"SNIVELLUS! WHAT IN BLOODY HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING TO EVANS, YOU FILTHY BASTARD!? GET YOUR SLIMY SLYTHERIN HANDS OFF HER!"
James Potter aka Prongs was livid. He knew it. He knew what the Slytherin bastard was like. There was no doubt in his mind what had happened.
Lily Evans ended up hating Severus Snape, so the greasy git undoubtedly used some kind of spell on her to get her back. He even turned her hair silver. There was no doubt that Dark Magic was involved. Was it a Love Potion? Imperius? Confundus? To Prongs, it wasn't important which. All that matters was…
'HE'S GONNA PAY FOR THIS! DON'T WORRY LILY, I WILL SAVE YOU FROM THIS SNAKE!' roared James Potter in his thought. Convinced that Lily was probably under a spell, he concluded that it would probably be useless to talk to her right now, so he decided to take out Snivellus first, then ask questions later. Taking careful aim, James pointed his wand at the greasy git, and roared, "EXPE…"
"Expelliarmus!" cried the white-haired girl, as the wand in James' hand flew and the girl caught it.
James was shocked, not at the fact that Lily Evans used wandless magic, but at the tone of her voice. Prongs had never heard her sound this cheerful before, and it only confirmed his suspicion. 'Snape did something!'
Before he could so much as take a step, however, another jet of red light hit him straight on and he lost all consciousness…
End of Flashback
'WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS!?' thought James Potter, as he helplessly watched Severus and Lily in front of him, in each other's arm, unable to turn away, unable to speak, unable to move even his eyes, apparently as a Full-Body Bind Curse and a Silencing Charm had been cast upon him.
-BREAK-
(Severus POV)
At first Severus Snape was shocked by what happened. His girlfriend, Ilya, used a Disarming Spell and then a Stunning Spell on his hated nemesis James Potter without hesitation, and without even using a wand. She then used a Silencing Charm and a Full Body-Bind Charm on the raven-haired boy's messy-haired foe.
He was awed and amazed at the progress that Ilya had gone through. He had not asked yet how Ilya managed to get herself accepted into Hogwarts, but Severus was now sure that she won't have too many problems. In three weeks time she managed to learn what many others (excluding Severus, of course, who had learned under Ilya's guidance) could not, even in full seven years of wizarding education, and one of those is the use of wandless and verbal magic (she had cast the Stunning Spell and Full-Body-Bind Spell without muttering the incantation.).
Still, this was nothing to the shock he received when Ilya suddenly kissed him again. Well, he was reluctant at first, but the girl was persistent, and he was unable to resist. However...
When he saw that James Potter was awake and staring at them, he decided to stop, realizing for the first time after all thought was driven from his mind that there was someone else with them in the compartment, as well as the fact that people might come passing by at any time.
Severus then realized Ilya's plan. Yes, it was a good strategy, a good way to hurt his hated enemy, to hurt James Potter, and watching them was probably more painful for him than any Cruciatus Curse but…
He couldn't risk losing control. While he was okay with letting other people see them hugging, kissing, holding hands, and other forms of public display of affection, there was no way he would let anyone see when he and his girlfriend did "it." Besides, they were not ready yet, and Severus was determined to hold off his urges until they are ready, or better yet, until he and Ilya are married.
His honor as a gentleman would not let him. He would not allow himself to be the reason that the name and image of Ilyasveil von Einzbern-Emiya, the one he loves, is shamed, in any way…
(Ilya POV)
The white-haired girl on the other hand, upon recovering her wit, also thought along the same lines, though more concerned for Sev's reputation than her own. She already knew, from Sev's stories, that people viewed him as a Dark Wizard, and seeing him doing lude things to a girl in public would only add to the fire, instead of helping to diffuse it.
Still, if the raven-haired did not regain his senses, Ilya wasn't sure if she would have managed to regain hers. She was, in the term of the word, feeling hot, and she would not have been able to control herself.
She felt a bit ashamed of herself for it. Her plan, with which Sev played along with, was to get back at James Potter by letting the messy-haired bastard see them being affectionate (Including the fact that they have been wanting to do so in the first place, had not said person interrupted them). However, Ilya absolutely did not want anyone else to see her in "that" particular moment except for Sev. Only the person she loved would be allowed to see.
Then again, everything was fine. Just seeing her and Sev cuddled closely together, as Ilya saw with satisfaction, was more than enough to make the spectator's hazel eyes fill with rage and envy, as he helplessly watched them, unable to do anything…
-BREAK-
(Ilya POV)
"I must admit, you really do make the best meals, Ilya," said Sev, as he bit into his curry bun (In other words, bread with curry stuffed inside it.)
"I'm glad you like it, Sev," said Ilya, as she smiled gently (James Potter, who was still forced a full view of them, sat forgotten.).
Suddenly, the train seemed to have hit something rough, as it shook a little too violently. Taken by surprise, Ilya lost her balance…
"KYAAAA!"
"ILYA!"
CRASH
"Nnnnn…" voiced Ilya, still a little dizzy from the experience. "Sev, are you all right?" worry in her voice.
Sev had somehow managed to get below Ilya to stop her fall, and she ended up landing on top of him, while he in turn slammed flat onto the train floor.
"Yes, I think so," replied Sev, who was wincing slightly. "Anyway I think we'd better…"
The sound of the compartment door opening was heard, as a cheerful male boy spoke.
"Hey, Prongs, finished with Snivelly yet?" asked a barking male voice, as he entered the room. "I know I should've gone with you ea…" but he suddenly froze, seeing Severus and Ilya lying on the floor, and James sitting on the floor in a corner of the compartment, just as the door opposite also opened. "Prongs?"
"Are you sure they're here, Wormtail?" inquired another male voice, though this one was somewhat familiar, as though Ilya had heard it shouting before.
"Yes, I am. I'm sure they're over…" squeaked another voice, but then it froze.
"What?" asked a female voice. "But I don't see any…" but then it also froze.
"Sev, Ilya," breathed a cold female voice, which sounded so much like Ilya's.
"Lily?" gasped the raven-haired boy, a note of surprise in his voice.
"That's Mr. Snape and Ms. Emiya to you, Ms. Evans," replied the white-haired girl, her voice also chillingly cold, as emerald eyes locked upon emerald eyes.
The temperature in the room suddenly seemed to drop below freezing point, as Ilya and Severus got up from the floor, their clothes disheveled in such a way that could easily cause a misunderstanding.
Well, this is an unexpected turn of events, thought Ilya, as she both sighed and smirked inwardly. But at least I won't be bored for a while…
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Another chapter out then people. Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!