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 18 and 19 of my story What If.

Disclaimer: These characters do 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. I know I have not been on in a long time, but I am back and I will be giving out updates like nobodies business to try and make it up to you guys. Thanks for following and keeping up with the story.

What If

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Part 18: Third Year- September and October

Monday came around much too fast for our five Gryffindors; even Lily didn't want to leave her warm bed. However, they didn't want to miss breakfast, which was made by the ever-loyal house elves. So with a groan the four boys woke up while Lily woke up in her dorm, pink nightdress rumpled as she headed to the bathroom. The five Marauders meet in the common room before heading out the portrait hole and to the Great Hall. McGonagall handed out their schedules. All of them would be tacking the five basic classes, but this year James and Sirius would be tacking Divination, Care of Magical Creatures and Astronomy. Severus and Lily had Ancient Runes and Arithmancy instead of Divination and Care of Magical Creatures, but took Astronomy. Remus however had two conflicting classes on his schedule. Divination and Ancient Runes were at the same time, as were Care of Magical Creatures and Arithmancy. James and Sirius bombarded Remus with questions. They knew he wanted to take these classes, he had talked about them so enthusiastically on the train, but they thought that he would have to choose eventually. McGonagall would clearly see that Remus's schedule didn't make any sense whatsoever. Remus smiled at his friends, winking subtly to Severus and Lily, both who smiled back, knowing looks in their eyes.

From the Slytherin table, Lucius Malfoy, Head Boy badge gleaming on his uniform, studied the five Gryffindors that had so quickly became a pain in his ass with a critical eye. This was his last year at Hogwarts. From here he would be studying under his father, Abaraxus Malfoy, to work in the Ministry. It was a job that would give him the most power and sway, one that kept him in the Ministers circle of friends. Lucius knew that kind of power and influence was something the Dark Lord would look for in a follower. He couldn't wait to be a Death Eater. Lucius subconsciously rubbed the area that would soon be marked with a skull and snake. For now he was going to make those Gryffs pay. At first it had been a fun endeavor, a pass time first started by Pettigrew that he soon joined into, adding his strength and intelligence to their brain dead plans. Now however it was personal. Ever since the youngest and supposedly the weakest had knocked his into the food table at the Valentine Ball last year. Severus Snape was going to wish he had never messed with him. A cruel smile appeared as eyed Severus like a predator would his prey.

Oblivious to a certain blondes lingering gaze Severus laughed along with his friends to a joke James told. Breakfast was wrapping up nicely and soon enough it was time for the first class of their third year. Severus was especially happy, seeing as they had double potions today. Two hours of brewing. He couldn't wait to start chopping and shredding, boiling and simmering, mixing and adding all the new ingredients. Lily and Remus were equally as excited but James and Sirius were moaning and groaning, never having liked not being able to use their wands. The only thing that made that class fun for them was to mess with the Slytherins hard work and watching as Slughorn deducted points from his own house. Severus found their pranks hilarious, but sometimes he wished they took potions as seriously as he did. It also loved learning how to use his wand and produce spells, but Hogwarts wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable if they did not have potions. However Severus doubted they would change their mind much if he ranted on how awesome potions were, so all he could do was hope that they matured with age. He had heard them talking about wanting to be Auror and for that they had to have passes both their O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S in potions with at least an Exceeds Expectations. For now he would let them have their entertainment.

They entered the dungeons and made their way to the laboratories. Lily sat down with another Gryffindor, Alice, the girl that Frank Longbottom was always hanging around. Alice smiled at Lily and they seemed to start a conversation on topics that only girls would ever talk about. Frank was sitting with another guy from Gryffindor, laughing, dimples on his cheeks more prominent then usual. Severus seeing that Lily was sitting with Alice instead of James offered the bespectacled boy to sit with him.

"Thanks Sev, but me and Sirius can work together. Remus will sit with you. I know you love potions and I can't promise that I'll behave when there are so many Slytherins to sabotage." Remus looked like Christmas had come early which confused James, but not as much as the deep frown Sirius was sporting. The atmosphere had turned tense. James noticed that Sirius didn't seem pleased to be placed with James, even though the prospect promised prank and laughter. It was just like last night. Sirius was staring at Remus like he was analyzing him, searching for something, however this time Remus didn't seem to take notice, to busy looking at a confused Severus, whom by the look in his eyes also sensed the thick tension in the air. James had thought that last would be a one-time thing. Apparently he was wrong. He needed to speak to Lily about this, but for now he had to defuse the mess he made.

"Actually Sev, I will take you up on that offer." Remus was thrown back into reality and the expression he wore was of someone who was just told that the tooth fairy didn't exist. James, feeling uncomfortable with whatever was going on, grabbed Severus's wrist and pulled him towards a table. No pranks would be pulled in potions today, but James would rather have that then risk whatever consequences would come out of what just transpired. Unbeknown to them a pair of Slytherins had just watched what had gone on and they knew exactly what was going on. They would report this later to Lucius. He would surely appreciate this treasure trove of information they had just uncovered.

Potions class was thick with tension, though only James and Severus felt it. Remus and Sirius sat at the desk behind them and all throughout the lesson James felt their eyes burrowing into his head. On several instances he felt the itch to reach behind to make sure there wasn't a hole or a scorch mark on his head though he knew there wasn't, it just felt like there was. Severus was tenser than James had ever seen him. His once steady hands were shaking and that had affected his work as Slughorn had been disappointed in his best students. Lily had become worried at this point and thinking that it was something James had done was glaring at him, giving him a look that clearly read 'fix whatever mess you have made'. He would have had he known what to do to remedy the situation. Right after class he was going to talk with her. He wouldn't mind being late for Herbology, not a subject he cared much for, and he hoped Lily shared this sentiment enough to listen to him. Since this had affected Severus so much James was sure that Lily would want to hear from him. He wouldn't be able to stand another class with all this tense air and it seemed that neither could Severus. When the lesson ended Severus gathered his stuff and bolted out the door. James watched Remus and Sirius glare at each other before leaving after Severus.

"We need to talk now." Lily immediately stated as she walked up to him. James nodded and they left the lab and went into one of the many hidden hallways that Hogwarts had to offer.

"What's going on? Severus has been like that before. He is a genius at potions, something major must have happened for his to lose his concentration like that." James told Lily what had happened. How after Lily went to sit with Alice instead of his Severus had offered to sit with him. Lily smiled, that must have been Severus's attempt to keep James and Sirius apart so that they focused and not messes around. James then told her that he had politely turned him down and said that he and Sirius would sit together and that Severus sits with Remus instead. He described how Remus looked like he had just received the greatest present ever and Sirius looked like he was about to murder someone, his expression was so thunderous. James then said he had taken back what he said and took Severus up on his offer, feeling that something bad was about to happen if he didn't. Lily listened with a curious expression on her face that James couldn't make out. Then he told about during lessons that he had felt Remus and Sirius both glare at him and the tense air seemed to have jarred Severus's nerves and that was what caused him to botch up his potion.

"Then at the end of lessons Severus stormed off, Remus and Sirius following him after they gave the other a furious glare. Do you have any idea why?" James finished his tale, hoping that Lily had some idea about why they were acting like this.

"Isn't obvious. They both have a crush on Severus and it seems that they know that the other has a crush on Severus. They are competing for his heart."

James gaped at Lily; he just couldn't believe what she had just said. It made sense, kind of, their actions fit. They seemed to be feuding about something and it always had something to do with Severus, but he had never thought it could be something like this. Though he could see where they were coming from. It somebody else had been making advances on his Lily and it was a friend then of course there would be tension. Had it been a random stranger that could be taken care of easily and effortlessly, then this would be different, but since Remus and Sirius were good friends this made things much more difficult. James sighed. He was lucky he was straight. Had he not been then Sirius and Remus would have had another competitor. Severus was immensely beautiful, caringly kind, and wittingly intelligent. No wonder both Remus and Sirius had fallen for such an angel. However this was causing a huge problem, so much so that it was unnerving the one they cared for most.

"We are going to have to tell Severus." Lily spoke. James stared at her like she was crazy.

"You are kidding. He can barely cope without knowing he is the cause of this. How do you think he'll react knowing that both Remus and Sirius hold affections for him and that is why they don't seem to be getting along."

"We have to tell him, and we have to talk to Remus and Sirius and try to get them to cool off so that Severus won't feel so bad."

"I guess your right." James said, resigned to his fate.

They were late for Herbology and Professor Sprout deducted 10 points each from Gryffindor. James and Lily were lucky they didn't get detention. Severus looked up at them in confusion. James was usually late to class, especially if he had Sirius by his side, but Lily was a different matter. The girl had never been late once in her years of being here. Something was wrong. He would be talking to her later. Lily saw Severus look at her with a 'will talk later' expression. She smiled at him and he returned it. James noticed that Remus and Sirius were on either side of Severus and even though they were on the opposite side of their loved ones there was a metaphorical storm cloud above their heads. It seemed that Severus noticed it to because he was as tense as he had been in potions. He felt bad watching the smaller raven-haired boy. They were definitely going to have to talk to Remus and Sirius and get them to cool it down a bit. Professor Sprout told them that they would be cultivating some Gurdyroot, a foul smelling green onion type plant. Lily took her place besides Remus and James sauntered next to Sirius, flashing him a smile that was promptly ignored. James sighed softly and proceeded to the task that was laid before him.

After class they had Defense Against the Dark Arts. Nothing interesting happened. Professor Krakens was a crackpot, an ex-Auror that had gone slightly mental for being put under the cruciatus curse and was let go. He was sane enough that he didn't have to spend the rest of his days at Saint Mungo's, but he talked like a raving maniac and sometimes divided behind desks with his wand drawn because he heard something creak. Other than that he was a relatively okay teacher. He gave them work to do like normal. They were learning about the theory behind dark curses and reading about why they were illegal. The image of the Intestines expelling curse had many gagging and looking quite sick, even calm Severus Snape looked ready to spew his mornings breakfast all over the desk. The Slytherins however were giggling and snickering as if they were looking at porn instead of bowels exiting someone's mouth. The class left for lunch, though half the class was feeling very hungry anymore.

"I know none of us are going to be eating after seeing that so how about we go to the library. James and I have something we need to discuss with you three."

They arrived at the library, Ms. Pince giving them a calculating look, most likely wondering what they were going here instead of at the Great Hall eating lunch. She didn't inquire; just let them get on with it. Lily found a secluded area that they could talk privately without being over heard. Lily sat down with Severus next to her and James on the other side of Severus while the two boys sat on the other side, though not without sending the other a glare. Severus looked torn and absolutely confused as to why his friends were acting like that.

"Remus, Sirius, if you care even a speck for Severus you will stop this foolishness." Lily hissed. She hated seeing her best friend like this. Sirius and Remus looked up with a frown, clearly not liking being told that they didn't care enough for Severus.

"Lily, why does this concern me?"

"Because these two fancy you and their silent fighting is freaking you out. You messed up in potions, something that has never happened and in herbology you looked beyond tense, like if you made one wrong move you'd be hexed." Remus and Sirius looked properly scolded at this, but their sense of betrayal was winning over slowly.

"So you do fancy him." Sirius growled. Remus stared back with an 'of course I did you idiot' expression on his face.

"He's mine."

"No he is not." Remus growled back, his eyes turning gold.

"I am neither. I do not belong to either of you and I am disgusted you think so little of me." Severus stood up, a sneer disfiguring his pretty face. "This will stop now, you two are fighting over me like I am a piece of meat and that I would belong to whoever wins this little mental showdown of yours, regardless of how I feel." Tears were gathering in Severus's deep black eyes and Remus and Sirius felt a pang of guilt.

"James move." Severus commanded and the bespectacled boy did as he was told. Severus left his sit and stormed away. Behind a bookshelf, dark gray eyes were alight with delight.

A month went by. Severus was not talking to Remus and Sirius, spending all his time with Lily and James. He even made friends with Frank and Alice. Remus and Sirius after Severus had left had also left, ignoring the desperate cries of James and Lily. They knew they had to talk this out, but they were two angry to do so. The friendship between Remus and Sirius became strained and it was sad to see once good friends at odds end. James tried to talk with Sirius on several occasions, but was ignored every time. Same thing went with Lily and Remus. Another month went by and nothing was resolved. James and Lily were going crazy watching Remus and Sirius distance themselves. Severus seemed not to care either way and Lily didn't know if she felt like hugging the hurt little boy or slap him upside the head for being an idiot. All three of them needed to talk but Severus wasn't having it. Until Remus and Sirius realized he wasn't a prize to win he was going to stay right were he is. Lily had never seen her friend so stubborn before and it shocked her, but there was nothing she could do so she never brought up the topic again. Their close-knit group was falling apart and this was the perfect opportunity for retribution from their worst enemies.

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Part 19: Third Year- November

Lucius Malfoy was having a grand time watching the Marauders fall piece by piece. The information Mulciber and Avery had given him had been gold. He hadn't need to anything for them to be at odds end with each other. He had been there that day in the library, watching with sadistic glee as Severus Snape stormed off, tears in his eyes. Watched as Lupin and Black glared at each other before leaving, blaming the other for the misery the put the boy through, too young and stubborn to realize that they both were the cause. Potter and the Mudblood were helpless to do anything, floundering about like fish. It was amusing to watch, but soon would be the time for action. There was already a chip in their friendship; the only thing keeping them together was Snape. Remus and Sirius were doing everything they could to reconcile with their crush, though they were going about it the wrong way. Instead of apologizing they were constantly bashing the other and telling Snape how they were much better boyfriend material. It was sad to watch really. Potter and Evans were trying to talk some sense into the dense boys but their pleas were getting them nowhere. This was the perfect time for him to strike.

November 13th was a Friday and the Marauders were in their last class of the day, except for tonight, which was Astronomy. Professor Slughorn was coming around to check up on everyone's potion.

"Ah, brilliant work as always Mr. Snape." Slughorn complimented. Severus nodded. The potions professor scrunched his nose up at the boiling concoction that Sirius and James came up with. Remus and Lily both got an approving nod from their teacher. Once class was over Severus made his way over to Lily, a bright smile on his face. It faltered only for a sec as he passed by Remus and Sirius. James sighed. Lily frowned and Severus pretended like nothing was wrong with the world.

"You three really need to talk this over." Lily whispered harshly to Severus.

"Not until they apologize. All they are doing is antagonizing the other and it is peeving me off."

"Shouldn't you be at least a bit more sympathetic? You have to understand that they both have a crush on you. Don't you realize how hard this is for them? Their friendship is teetering into nonexistent and I simply can't watch this anymore."

"Then you should be talking to them about it, not me." Severus replied. Lily made a frustrated noise.

"I've tried. They aren't listening. They think that if they let up then you'll pick the one who is fighting for you."

"Idiots."

"They are idiots, but they are idiots in love with you. You have to tell them straight up that what they are doing is not only pushing you away, it's breaking our whole group."

"But I did, that day in the library. I was pretty clear on my view of their fighting over me." Severus speed up with that last statement and disappeared from sight. Lily sighed. She and James have been doing that quite a lot lately. They were thirteen, though Sirius was fourteen, where did all this drama come from?

Lucius spied a certain raven haired Gryffindor all by himself. This was the perfect time. The other Gryffindors were in the common room; the library was totally empty except for a few studious Ravenclaws and a lone Gryffindor, his prey. Walking up calmly to the desk he took a seat on the other side, signaling his arrival to the other. Severus Snape looked up with dark eyes, which narrowed to slits when he saw who was bugging him. Lucius smiled to himself.

"What do you want?" Severus stated through clenched teeth. The raven-haired boy wasn't in the mood for this.

"Thought I'd come over, chat a bit. You don't mind, do you?" Lucius fluttered his eyelashes mockingly. Severus's lips curled into a sneer.

"I do mind, quite a lot actually. Leave my premises."

"How rude. Surely you don't mean that."

"With all my heart."

"Pity, I just wanted to talk to you. I noticed the once headstrong Marauders are nothing more confused little flies. Sources say it's you fault. Something about Lupin and Black being heads over heels in love with you or some bull like that."

'Leave. Now."

"So cute when you're mad." Lucius teased, eyeing Severus with a lusty gaze. Severus's cheeks grew red but he still looked pissed off.

"You know I could help you with your little problem."

"Why should I listen to you?" Severus spat, venom lacing every word.

"You want your friends back, you want them to act the way they did before all this. You want them to appreciate you, not treat you like a prize to be won. They're just so stubborn, just like you." Severus got up abruptly, and turned to leave. Lucius was having that. He grabbed Severus's wrist, pulling him onto his lap.

"What are you doing?" Severus hissed.

"Ruining your life." Lucius smirked before covering Severus's quivering lips with his own.

Lily watched as Severus sped up in the direction of the library. This was getting out of hand. She couldn't take this anymore. She had to talk to Remus and Sirius. She knew they would be in the common room with James, so that is were she headed first. Telling the Fat Lady today's password Lily entered to common room. She spotted James and Sirius playing Wizard's Chess while Remus sat in a corner with a book in his hands.

"Sirius and Remus, can I talk to the two of you?" Lily called out. Sirius looked up and Remus closed his book and got up. James shrugged to Sirius who looked at him questionably. Sirius got up and joined Remus who stood in front of Lily.

"Lets go somewhere a little more private." They two boys followed Lily into their dorm room. Apparently girls were allowed to enter boy's dormitories but if a boy tried to climb the girl's stairs to their rooms the stairs turned into a slide. Sirius smirked. He remembered James pouting about the unfairness of that. Remus said he could understand the reasoning, since girls were more mature than boys were. He smiled to himself at the memory before remembering that Remus was his rival for the love of the fair Severus.

"You two need to stop this." Lily stated as soon as they were alone.

"Not happening." They both growled.

"You're pushing him away. He wants nothing to do with you two if you keep going on like this."

"I don't understand, I nothing but nice to Sev." Sirius defended.

"I'm sure you are, but he knows that you are only doing so to upstage Remus and that goes for you too Remus. He feels more like a prize then a person. That once he chooses one of you that you'll no longer be interested. He thinks that this is a competition and that your feelings aren't real and if they are than their fleeting. You have to remember that Severus didn't come from a very loving home, his father mad sure of that. Severus sees love differently than we do. His mother loves her husband despite the beatings, but his father loathes his wife. You can see how confusing this is for him. He doesn't want a man that will treat him like nothing but an object. His father did that to his mother and it scares him more than he will let on. You two need to talk with him. Better understand him feelings. If you love Severus then go to the library now and speak to each other. Don't glare and try to out do the other he won't appreciate that. Talk out your feelings." Lily finally finished her rant. Hopefully some of it would have penetrated their thick skulls and at least set them on the right track.

"Alright, we will." They conceded and Lily felt the weight of the world lift off her shoulder. Remus and Sirius left for the library, determined to make things right with their loved one.

They realized how stupid they had been and how it wasn't fair on dear Severus. They would apologize and hopefully things could go back to they way they were. They entered the library, knowing exactly where Severus would be. He preferred the right back so no one could bother him while he did his homework or studied for upcoming tests. Passing several rows of books Remus and Sirius stopped dead once they rounded the last corner. They couldn't believe their eyes. There was Severus planted on Lucius's lap, kissing the loathsome blonde. The hurt and betrayal exploded in their chests. Severus knew how they felt about him. How could he kiss their worst enemy? Tears blurred golden brown and gray eyes. Anger was the next emotion to settle in. They were torn between beating the crap out of Malfoy for kissing their Severus or Severus for kissing Malfoy. Both seemed like a good idea. Sirius couldn't watch this anymore so he turned and left. Remus however wasn't ready to give up. Following after Sirius he stopped the boy from leaving. Taking him to a secure spot that was hidden from view but still in hearing range they waited for something to happen.

"How dare you." Severus roared. The sound of flesh hitting flesh sounded in the air. Lucius's head was jerked to the size, a violent red handprint appearing on his cheek. Severus immediately jumped off the blondes lap, wiping his lips on his sleeve. The bastard just stole his first kiss. He was so going to pay for that. He had wanted to save that for that special someone, not an evil asshole whose only goal in life was to murder people. Lucius smirked at the enraged look on the black haired boys face. He really did look cute. No wonder Lupin and Black seemed so taken with the young one.

"I wonder what Lupin and Black think of you now? Probably disgusted. Wait until they tell Potter and Evans, how peeved to you think they'll be? You're finished."

"Wha… what do you mean?" Horror dawned on Severus.

"That's right, Lupin and Black saw us. I bet they've already run back to the common room, hurt and upset, screaming to the top of their lungs what they just saw. You'll be an outcast. No one will believe you, especially when I tell everyone that it did happen. That you seduced me." Lucius was smirking wickedly at the broken raven.

"No, no, no." Severus screamed. Tears poured from his eyes as he ran away. Lucius laughed cruelly. Finally he had defeated the Marauder. This was sure to break them.

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Authors note: Another chapter done, please review. The more reviews the faster I go, they give me the inspiration to keep writing. Sorry it took me so long, I just moved from the States to the U.K. and I have had to start my life all over again. I need to find a job, earn some money and buy a car. I haven't been able to return to this as often as I would have liked. I wanted to know who I should put Severus with, Remus or Sirius. At first I wanted it to be a threesome between them but now I don't think that is going to happen. Remus and Sirius don't seem too interested in the other. I'll maybe try to do a threesome between them in a one-shot or something but not here. Which brings me back to what I wanted to say. If Remus doesn't get Severus I plan to put him with Regulus Black, I don't know how I'll do that but I will make it work somehow. However if Remus gets Severus then I'll pair Sirius with Rabastan Lestrange.