Summary: Severus Snape was the bravest man Harry ever knew. What would of happened had Severus been sorted into Gryffindor instead. What if he only loved Lily like a sister and became friends with the Marauders.

Marauder Era, Gryffindor!Severus, Slytherin!Peter

Pairings: Sirius x Severus x Remus and James x Lily

Warnings: Homosexuality, Mentions of Abuse, Peter-Bashing, and M rated smut later on

Thanks to everyone who followed and added this story to their favorites. Here is part 4 and 5 of my story What If.

Disclaimer: I forgot to do this last chapter so I'll do it now for this one and for those to come. These characters to not belong to me and never will, if they did Severus would still be alive and the Dark Lord would have been victorious. These people belong to J.K Rowling, a brilliant woman.

Authors note: I have no beta so sorry for any grammar mistakes, no matter how many times I go over this I won't be able to catch all my mistakes.

What If

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Part 4: Second Year- The Start

Severus had known the minute he walked into the decrepit building he called his home that his drunk of a father would be there, glaring with so much hate it startled the young boy. The beating that had followed was brutal and had only stopped when Tobias fell to the ground in a drinker stupor. Eileen had been present during the attack and had watched, like she always did with sorrowful eye. This time however Eileen had brought healing potions, which Severus eagerly swallowed. Eileen knew not to use magic or brew potions in the house, but she just couldn't let her son wallow in pain any longer then he had to. Besides, Tobias was unconscious, floating around in a whiskey induced slumber and wasn't likely to be walking up any time soon. This is how it went on in the Snape home for the past two months, were on occasions Severus could sneak out and met Lily, were he had to reassure the worried girl of his condition. It was a miracle in Severus's eyes when it was time to return to Hogwarts. Lily's parents had taken Lily and he to the station, were they ran through the barrier onto platform 9¾. The Hogwarts Express almost brought Severus to tears as they boarded.

The two best friends found an empty compartment to settle down in. In no time at all the door slide open again and James, Sirius and Remus appeared, smiling.

"Hey," Sirius greeted. Lily and Severus returned the greetings and allowed the three boys to sit down with them.

"So how was your summer?" James questioned.

"It was great, mother and father wanted to hear all about Hogwarts. I told them about you guys. Their happy that I made such great friends," Lily replied happily, smiling brightly at James. The bespectacled boy could feel his face heating up in a blush, Lily was just way to cute.

"My summer was fine," Remus stated.

"Fine? That's it?" James questioned.

"Yeah, ordinary, stayed at home, did my homework, boring stuff," Remus replied with a shrug.

"My summer was terrible, my mother was screaming, yelling and raving more than usual. Guess its cause I became a Gryffindor. Saying that I'm a blood traitor and asking why hadn't I turned out like my little brother, perfect boy Regulus. Speaking of Regulus, the little shit starts this year," Sirius growls.

"Sorry about that mate," James consoles. "My summer though was great, my parents brought me a new broom, planning on joining the Quidditch team."

"That's great James," Severus smiles.

"Thanks Sev, so what about you, had a good summer?"

The shift in atmosphere from jovial to awkward was instantaneous. Severus was no longer smiling, in fact he looked down right miserable and on the verge of crying, his beautiful deep onyx eyes were glistening with unshed tears. Lily immediately hugged her best friend while the other boys watched in silence, unsure of what to do or what to say, since they had no idea why the black haired boy was acting like this.

"Sev, hush, it's okay, he can't hurt you here," Lily cooed. Severus was sobbing softly into Lily's shoulder. It had taken a good ten minutes but Severus finally calmed down. The three boys had waited patiently for Severus to stop crying, though they felt saddened to watch their friend break down like that.

"Severus, we have to tell them, their our friends, they need to know." Severus looked up with wide blood shot eyes and same the caring and worried faces of his new friends. Lily is right, Severus though, I have to tell them. Severus began his tale of the abuse and neglect he suffered from his parents, Lily attesting to the validity of his story and even continuing in places Severus cut off because he was crying to hard. By the end of the minor retelling of his abusive childhood, everyone was hugging him in a tight embrace. Severus felt slightly better that he had such amazing friends who love and care for him, unlike his own family. Severus had never cried so much in his whole life, but this wasn't a pained cry, no, it was one of happiness. He finally, after years of searching and almost giving up, he had found the one place he belonged.

After Severus had calmed down, no one uttered another word about Severus's past and for that he was grateful. The ride went on as planned, they talked and they laughed. James and Sirius joked about what kinds of pranks they would pull and how to get one over on those nasty snakes. Lily and Remus didn't want to be apart of the planning or the execution, but they wouldn't say anything, they didn't think much of Slytherine, especially after what had happened with Peter. Severus listened intently to James and Sirius, adding in his own two cents to the plan whenever he thought necessary. It was about two hours into the trip that they got some unwelcome visitors. Peter Pettigrew and his two stupid minions, Crabble and Goyle.

"Afternoon Severus," Peter purred seductively, or at least tried to, it sounded more like a dying frog croaking for the last time. James, Sirius and surprisingly kind and calm Remus were out of their seats, towering over the wider teens, glaring at them with monumental hatred. The three brave Gryffindors were going to protect the two beautiful teens behind them even if it cost them their lives. Peter and his cronies weren't going to touch, mush less look upon the teens behind them.

"Get out of here Pettigrew," James sneers. Peter glares at the obviously taller and stronger male, but he wasn't scared, there had been a reason he had befriend such bigger males to protect, no matter how stupid they were.

"This is your last warning you dirty worm," Sirius hisses. Peter smirks, turning cruel eyes onto the figure of a beautiful raven hidden behind three vicious lions.

"Mark my words my dear Severus, you were meant to be in this house and we will not stop until you become ours; mind, body and soul," Peter announced, licking his lips hungrily. Crabble and Goyle laughed foully and that was what set Remus off. Blue eyes now a vivid golden Remus tackled the three pudgy boys, hitting and kicking whichever one he could. James and Sirius instead of stopping their friend joined in. Lily and Severus screamed, rushing to get their friends to stop. It wasn't until the Ravenclaw perfects came running that the fighting was resolved. Each side came out with cuts and bruises, though James, Sirius and even Remus were smirking smugly that they had done the most damage. In the end, all six of them bad been given a weeks worth of detention and once they arrived at Hogwarts were going to have to speak with their head of House.

"Remus, what the hell was that?" Sirius asked after they had all calmed down. James and Sirius had seen Remus's eye change from sky blue to molten gold in an instant before he jumped the three Slytherine. Remus blushed and looked away awkwardly.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Remus mumbles. Sirius and James snort while Severus and Lily look confused but worried. Remus stares at the beautiful raven haired boy with his petite figure, feminine frame, long shoulder length black hair, pale marble skin, wide onyx eyes and amazingly sweet personality. What would Severus think if he told them the truth, the real reason why his eyes had turned gold and why he was often absent the day after the full moon? It was bound to come out eventually, how long could he possibly keep this a secret. Besides these were his best friends and crush. He just hoped they took the news well and didn't turn their backs on him for being what he was, especially Severus. It would break his heart if his yearlong crush decided to avoid and despise him. It had been that fear which had prevented Remus from telling them last year when he knew he should of.

"I'm a werewolf," Remus finally said, a very noticeable tremor to his voice. Remus waited for the backlash, the cruel words and obvious dismissal of his friendship. None came. James and Sirius were shocked looking but there was not a trace of disgust or even mistrust. Lily looked as if she was trying to connect the dots in her head and Severus, most shockingly, was smiling.

"Severus?" Remus questioned.

"I already figured, you were gone every full moon and even before today I have seen your eyes change to the color of smelted gold when you get angry. I never told you of my suspicions, just in case I was wrong, I didn't want to hurt your feelings. I wanted to wait until you said something to us on your own free will." Severus stated giving Remus an encouraging smile and Remus couldn't help the blush that stained his cheeks or the stupidly happy grin that made its home on his face.

After the shock of Remus's discovery everyone came around to the idea and scolded Remus for not telling them earlier and telling him he was an idiot for thinking they would just abandon his for being a werewolf. Remus had been so happy to be accepted, even more so that Severus didn't mind that we was one, in fact Severus was quite curious. Remus answered all the little raven-haired boys questions to the best of his abilities. This was the course of topic for the rest of the train ride. They soon reached Hogwarts and exited the train after changing into their uniform. Hagrid, the grounds keeper for Hogwarts, was calling all first years to follow him to the boats. This year however the five Marauders headed with the rest of the students to the horseless carriages where they nicked one for themselves. In no time at all they arrived at Hogwarts and followed the crowd into the Great Hall were they sat at their respective table.

The new first years walked nervously into the great hall and the five Gryffindors watched them stand before the hat, looking sick and nervous.

"Did we look that nervous when we were first years?" Sirius questioned.

"No, you and James were confident beyond belief, standing their all smug looking, as if you already knew," Remus remarked teasingly. James, Lily, Severus and Sirius laugh goodheartedly. The sorting was kind of boring to watch, it was the same thing over and over again, nervous looking eleven year olds sitting down on a three legged stool with a way to big talking hat on their head shouting out what house they belonged. The five Gryffindors weren't really paying attention, only clapping when someone was placed into their house and Sirius and James sneering at anyone who was sorted into Slytherine. Once everyone was sorted Dumbeldore rose and gave the same speech as last year, congratulations, new defense against the dark arts professor (Professor Angelus), more items added to Filch's banned list and the forbidden forest is still forbidden. After that inspiring speech the food appeared and everyone dug in, talking amongst themselves about what they had done over the summer and what was to come this year.

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Part 5: Second Year- September and October

When dinner was all said and done the five Gryffindors followed the rest of the house who were following behind the two perfects. They made it to the portrait of the Fat Lady and gave her the password, watching her swing open and expose the hole in the wall that led to Common Room. It was late and all the Gryffindors decided to go to bed, some stayed up, like the five Gryffindors, who picked a nice little corner to converse.

"It's great to be back," Sirius sighs as he flops down onto one of the armchairs.

"Yeah, I can't wait for class, we're passed first year beginner crap and onto actual lessons," James comments.

"You, James Potter, excited for class, the world must be ending," Lily joked with a mischievous smirk. James grins at her and they all start laughing.

"Though I have to agree with James, we can finally start hands on practice, not just theories. They have even given us a wider range of ingredients for us to use in potions," Severus stated happily, bubbly bouncing on his seat. Sirius and Remus stared dreamily at their crush, happy to see Severus happy after that little experience on the train where they saw the adorable raven-haired boy at his most vulnerable. Lily caught the looks the two boys sent Severus and it confused her; it was the look she received from James whenever she caught him staring at her after a particularly close moment. Lily had never been able to tell what those looks meant but she had enough evidence to say that whatever made James look at her like that, it was making Sirius and Remus look at Severus. She really didn't know what to make of that so instead she filed it away for later, maybe one day the answer would come to her.

They didn't stay up long, not wanting to be too tired for class, although James and Sirius had wanted to stay up and play Exploding Snap but Lily had scolded them. Not wanting to further anger their hot-tempered friend James and Sirius agreed to head to bed. The four boys shared a room together as always. There were four huge beds with sheets of crimson and gold. The four of them each took turns getting ready for bed. Once they were all settled they gave their goodnights and fell asleep. James dreamed of a beautiful wedding with a lovely redheaded bride with vivid green eyes. Remus dreamed of a picnic date, laughing and smiling with a beautiful raven haired Gryffindor. Sirius dreamed of showing Pettigrew a thing or two and having a dazzling Severus running up to him and clinging on to him, announcing that Sirius was his hero. Severus however had the most innocent of dreams, one where he was a potions master and was doing something he loved.

The next morning the five of them meet up in the Common Room, their bags in hand, ready to start the first day of classes. All of them would be starting with double potions, Severus favorite class, although they had to have it with the Slytherine and that slimy git Pettigrew would be there. The seating was difficult, as both Remus and Sirius wanted to seat with Severus, Lily and James didn't have that kind of trouble as they decided to seat together. Severus finally decided after watching his two friends argue over who was sitting with who and went to go seat next to another Gryffindor, Frank Longbottom, who seemed to need the most help in potions. This left Remus and Sirius to seat together, both of them put off because they couldn't sit next to their crush, silently blaming the other for this unfortunate turn out, though neither wanting to ruin their friendship by voicing their thoughts aloud.

Remus and Lily were able to keep the two trouble makers, Sirius and James occupied for a short while, but once they caught Peter Pettigrew staring menacingly at a oblivious Severus, it was on. James smirked as Sirius got up and walking over in the direction of Pettigrew, hiding a handful of diced newt guts, sneakily added to the dunderheads caldron. No one had witnesses it, the teacher; Professor Slughorn was too busy praising Severus and Frank to notice. Peter was too busy making disturbingly sinister faces at Severus while speaking to his partner, Henry Parkinson, whose pug face was scrunched up in a nasty smirk. The other students had no clue either as it looked like Sirius was just passing by on his way to retrieve more ingredients. Remus and Lily however knew better and despite themselves couldn't help but feel what was about to happen justifiable. Remus thought so because he hated the way Peter kept looking at Severus and Lily because she felt a sisterly pull towards the raven haired boy and she'd be damned if she let Peter get within speaking distance of her little brother.

Sirius returned to Remus's side, looking smug and Remus couldn't help but smirk as well. He knew what was about to happen and he would relish the moment. James also looked quite keen on what was about to happen, and even Lily, who normally would be against something like this was waiting patiently with a small, satisfied grin curling her pink lips. Slughorn had just finished praising Severus and giving the two ten points each when the smell of burning gnomes reached his nostrils. Turning around Horace caught Pettigrew and Parkinson ignoring their potions, which was now an icky Halloween pumpkin color instead of a happy baby blue. In no time at all the potion exploded, covering Peter and Henry in thick slimy orange goop. Professor Slughorn sighed, took thirty points each of Slytherine and ordered them to Madam Pomfrey's. The goop was slowly eating away at their cloths and everyone knew that they would be running naked from the dungeons to the infirmary. It added to the amusement of everyone in that class that classes were about to end and that students would soon be filling the hallways were two very naked boys would be jogging down, red faced and very embarrassed.

Every class that the Gryffindors had with the Slytherine, James and Sirius would take the time out of their day to insult and prank the little rat known as Peter Pettigrew. This caused the pudgy boy and one or more members of his disgusting gang to end up in the infirmary with about ten to twenty points deducted, depending on the teacher, for making an idiotic mistake. Severus by now had caught on as to why Pettigrew always managed to muck up some how and end up with Madam Pomfrey. He loved watching Peter get yelled at by a teacher, get points deducted, which would no doubt piss off his house mates and have to leave due to having some kind of medical problem. However funny it was Severus decided to talk to James and Sirius and have them keep their pranks few and far between, besides he felt bad for Madam Pomfrey who would have to treat the nasty boys. They two prankster agreed reluctantly, but when they did prank, they vowed to go all out.

A month went by and the homework was finally coming. Severus, Remus and Lily had no problem knocking out the multiple essays they got from their teachers. James and Sirius however weren't. The two of the barely listened to the teacher's lecture and then when the time came for them to attempt the spell, they royally mess up and have to be given more homework, which they would bitch about until someone helped them. Severus had still kept his promise on tutoring Sirius, but demanded that Remus help to, because the extra work that Sirius got for mucking up wasn't very high on his list of things to do. Remus seemed quite happy to help, but Sirius seemed sulky and when Severus asked what was wrong, was promptly ignored.

"Fine then, see if I care if you fail. Ask Remus for help because I'm certainly done helping. There are tons of other things I could be doing with my time, like reading my potions book." Severus angrily got up and left the Common Room, to the second year rooms where his trunk sat next to his bed, potions book waiting to be read inside his trunk.

It had taken only a few days but Severus finally forgave Sirius after the boy begged for hours at a time with his signature puppy dog look. However, Remus was to be a permanent addition to their group and although Sirius didn't like it, would but up with it just so he'd never have his dark angel mad at him again.

The group's favorite class had to be defense against the dark arts with Professor Angelus. Maria Angelus was a woman in her mid forties with dark brown hair and light hazel eyes. She had a kind disposition, was very tolerant and a good teacher. The complete opposite to there last year's teacher Professor Drakens, who taught via terror and long monologues.

"Alright class, settle down," Professor Angelus ordered sweetly. "Good, now then, today we will be continuing with the Expelliarmus charm." Excited chatter erupted and Angelus let them have their few seconds of fun before they got down to business. Once the class had settled down, Professor Angelus seperated them into pair. James and Lily paired off, Remus happily got Severus and Sirius was stuck with Frank, who looked slightly nervous.

"Good, now say the inchantment and swish your wands like this," Angelus said, pulling out her wand and giving it a distinctive swish. With that the Professor started to walk around, helping all those that needed it. James was having a hard time trying to hit Lily, wither because he couldn't do the spell or he wouldn't, in fear of hurting her. Lily rolled her eyes, took out her wand, gave a simple swish while yelling out "Expelliarmus". The teal colored light hit James and was thrown back several feet onto his back. Lily giggled as James got up with even more unmanegable hair than before. James huffed and seemed to be out of his funk for when he tried again, Lily was thrown back onto her butt.

"Good job you two," Professor Angelus praised before walking over to help Longbottom.

Frank Longbottom was having a hard time at casting the spell and it was slightly pissing Sirius off. Know usually something like this wouldn't piss him off this much, but it was frustrating watching your friend and crush having such a great time, especially when you suspect that your friend just might also be crushing on the lovely Severus. Hell, a lot of boys were, it wasn't just them to. Severus got attention from both genders were ever he went, however they were hardly competition. Remus unfortunately was and no matter how close their friendship was, he wasn't going to lose Severus to him. He wasn't going to cheat though, he wasn't a creepy Slytherine, he would be honorable and win Severus the right way. Watching the two having so much fun together was a little disheartening and he couldn't even show odd his skills to Severus because he was paired up with timid Longbottom and it would look more like him picking on the boy tha anything. The last thing he needed was for his love interest to think he was some kind of heartless bully. That didn't stop him from being internally frustrated and a little bit more forceful with his Expelliarmus.

October went by quickly and they were only two days away from Halloween, which would be celebrated with no classes and a larger than normal feast. There was a Halloween party but that was only for forth years and above, so the five Gryffindors would have to wait another to years before they could go. Professor McGonagall had been relentless in her homework assignments, even assigning extra to James and Sirius for not being able to transfigure their needles into quills. Flitwick was a little more understanding and held back on giving out too much and Professor Angelus, being to nice for her own good, gave out none. The current Mauraders could be found in their last class of the day, Herbology with Professor Sprout. They were studying devils snare, learning that they hated light and heat. Sprout was a kind woman so she only gave out a small assignment on the nuturing of devils snare, due tomorrow. Remus, Severus and Lily were headed to the Library to get there homework out of the way and James and Sirius usually would have reluctantly gone along, but not today. Today was the first ever Quiddich practice session for the Gryffindors and the two new beaters had to head down to the pitch.

"See you later," Lily stated, when James and Sirius parted off from the group.

"Wish us luck."

James and Sirus wouldn't shut up about their amazing Quiddich skills and how their seventh year Captin and keeper, Maxius Wood had complimented them on their so called amazing skills. They wouldn't even stop talking about it during class, which often then not resulted in points being taken. The rest of the day when on in this fashion, the studious trio listening halfheartedly to whatever the excited dynamic duo had to say and agree and nod in the right places. Tomorrow there were no classes and there was the feast to look forward to. The prospect of Halloween finally caught up to the Quiddich drunk duo and they swich from talking about their broom riding techniques to what prank they would pull for Halloween. Last years had been hilarious, even Lily and Remus had to agree. They didn't know how James and Sirius had done it, put for the whole entire day, everyone, including teacher had had their hairs dyed bright orange, green or purple. It was funny seeing the fuming McGonagall with a tight bun of neon green hair and Dumbeldore with bright orange hair instead of its mystic white. The students though were the funnist to watch as they scrambled around, trying to undo whatever had made their hair like that. It was James and Sirius flawed plan of leaving the five of them dyed hair free that told everyone it had been their plan. James and Sirus lost fifty points total, but the two pranskers had found it as a minor price to pay for a good laugh.

Lily, Remus and Severus never really found out what James and Sirius had planned for today but they were bubbling with anticipation. Since there were no classes they day seemed to go by faster. It had snowed heavily the night before and the five Marauders, along with most of the Hogwarts students went outside to play in the snow. There was magical snow ball fights, who can make the best snow castles competiotions and ice skaiting on the frozen lake. The five of them were currently in a snow ball fight, hiding behind a fort of snow, waiting and planning their next course of action. They were playing against five other Gryffindors and for the last hour and a half had been in a stalemate. They were freezeing but neither side wanted to give in. It was Severus who broke the stalemate with a brave leap of faith, brandishing his wand, flicking it to make several snow ball that went flying at the enemy. Four of the five other Gryffindors were hit, but that one managed to dodge and hit Severus with a barrage. Feeling brave after Severus sacrifice, the four Marauders lept out and summoned as many snowballs as possible and launched them at the last player. Unable to dodge all of them, the other Gryffindor was pelted with balls of snow, making the Marauders the winners.

The feast had finally arrived and no one was freaking out with temporarily permaently dyed hair in hidiously bright Halloween colors. There was nothing that hinted that the two pranksters of Gryffindor had done anything note worthy at all. This caused the three studious Marauders to become slightly nervous, what where those two boys up to? The dinner went on calmly, everyone digging into the dinners of turkey and steak, potatoes and beans, pumkin pie and candycorn. The Great Hall was amazingly decorated with floating jack-o-lauterns and their were walking and talking skeletons and the the usual ghosts flying about. The whole place just screamed Halloween spirit, even the headmaster in his orange and purple robes and muggle style witches had with a live spider hanging off the edge. All too soon the festivities ended and everyone third year and below was shooed out for the Halloween party.

"No prank this year?" Lily asked, looking at James for an answer.

"Of course there is," was James's vague relpy.

"Then what is it?" Remus prompted.

"Can't tell, you'll find out tomorrow," Sirius interjected.

"Aww," Severus pouted, he had really wanted to witness another hilarious prank.

The next morning the three Marauders found out what their friends had done as a prank. They had somehow mixed in a bottle of Babbling Beverage, a potion that cause the students to speak nonscence, which was quite hilarious, into the pumpkin juice that was served at the party. Fourth year students and above were talking like they were only two years old, causing them to panic and make it even more funny. Severus had wondered why the two had needed him to make that potion, they had said it was for extra credit for Professor Slughorn and boy did they needed it, but never did Severus think that this was actually there true intent. He had to give the two of them credit were credit was due, especially since they made it less likely for the teachers to single them out as all years below four were uneffected. James and Sirius got away scott free because all the teachers agreed that they absolutely couldn't brew a fourth year potion and that no one else in their group would dare think to do something like that. Remus and Lily had also agreed to the brilliance of the idea and they all agreed that they couldn't wait for what the rest of the year would have in store for them, especially with James and Sirius around.

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Authors Note: All right, this is chapter two, parts 4 and 5. Please review and

tell me what you think. Is it good, bad, inbetween? Is there something I should change or add? Are my character okay, I know they might be a little (read: a lot) OOC, but they have to be. Severus is a cute Gryffindor, Lily actually tolerates James, the Maraduers are nice to Severus and Peter is an asshole Slytherine: they have to be OOC, it wouldn't work any other way. So thanks for reading, again don't forget to review and I will hopefully have another chapter out in a week to a week and a halfs time, depending on homework and if I don't get writers block.