Apologies for the late update guys, the darn Writer's Block got me for a while… not to mention me moving house and college related stuff. Thank you so much for your patience! I will never give up on this story!

Also, before you begin reading this wonderful fanfic, I wanted to say if any of you are into Roleplaying Harry Potter, there's this Marauder's Era RP thread I'm a part of, we could do with more people so follow this link if you're interested: forum/Marauders-Era-Roleplay/155225/

Well, on with the show! Sorry if it's short, I wanted to get something out as soon as possible for you guys! I promise I'll try to write a longer chapter soon, perhaps as a Christmas present? ;) Anyway, enjoy!

Warnings in General: Homosexual relationships, multiple pairings (SSxJP, SSxSB & SSxLM), Crack moments, slight OOC? And MAYBE DESCRIPTIVE SEX LATER IN STORY, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.

Warnings this Chapter: Homophobic slurs, bullying, protective!Lucius, kinda filler chapter in a way

Chapter twelve – Curse and Protect

The weekend passes me by quickly, the end of it somewhat uneventful as James, Sirius and even Lucius give me space, I'm feeling slightly guilty for running away from both James and Sirius, but grateful they understood my need to think, alone. My outburst in front of Lucius must've made him realize that too.

"Sev?" Lily's quiet voice breaks me out of my thoughts, I look up into her green eyes, the eyes that usually made my chest flutter, but the gleaming emeralds no longer affected me like they used to. "You might want to pay attention before McGonagall notices…"

I nod, looking towards Professor McGonagall to try to get some sense out of her words, my mind is too jumbled to pay much attention though. The hour lesson seems to pass slowly, I'm almost stir-crazy as the clock turns to ten, when we're let out of the classroom.

"What's wrong with you today?" Lily asks in concern, as we're sat outside in the courtyard on our free period. "You didn't pay attention to one word McGonagall said!"

"Sorry Lil…" I mumble, not really up to saying the whole truth to my bestfriend... but I had to, who else could I confide in? "I guess I have a lot on my mind…"

"Such as…?" Lily probes, but seems worried I'll have another go at her for being concerned about me. Letting out a sigh, I continue.

"I might as well tell you," I finally say, fidgeting with my hands. "I need to figure everything out and you might be able to show me some clarity… well, you obviously know that Ja…-Potter, Black and Malfoy have been acting weird around me, because of that potion..."

"Yeah," Lily nods. "They're being creepy with you Sev… you sure you can handle their "attentions"...?"

"Well," I start, blushing a bit and thinking of how I could even explain this, without sounding like a maniac. "I've come to not mind... them..."

"What is it Sev?" Lily says gently, a look in her eyes seeming to already know. "You can tell me."

"I know I can Lil…" I laugh sadly, biting my lip in stress. "But what I'm going to tell you is probably going to make me look insane…"

"It won't," Lily says, with pure determination in her eyes. "Nothing you can say can make me view you any differently, Sev…"

"Fine," I grit out, willing myself to confess. "I found myself… to not mind their attention… at all, if I'm completely honest with you, I've gained some sick affection for them… all of them… I feel so disgusting…"

"Oh…" Lily mumbles, digesting the information I gave her. I expect her face to turn in complete disgust but she simply smiles softly. "That's unexpected, don't get me wrong... but don't beat yourself over it too much Sev…"

"Don't beat myself up over it?" I gape, looking to Lily with utter shock. "I've gained immoral feelings for three boys who have no interest in me, the only reason they are giving me such attention is because of a potion! It's sick to want to take advantage of that… isn't it?"

"It's certainly… strange," Lily admits, but gives me a warm hug. "But your feelings are your feelings, Severus, who's to say you can't like them?"

"You don't understand," I say, with pure guilt knowing at my voice. "I want to… be with them, now… when they're under the influence of the potion… I've already taken advantage of it…"

"It's definitely a problem you need to solve," Lily shrugs. "I personally think you could do better than them… but do what feels right, do what your heart tells you, okay?"

"Okay…" I quietly sigh, confused by the acceptance but I send Lily a thankful smile anyway. "Thank you for understanding, or at least trying to. I don't feel so alone now in this situation."

"That's what bestfriends are for," Lily beams, hugging me once more before standing up. "I have Herbology with the Hufflepuffs in a few minutes; I'll meet you at lunchtime?"

"Sure," I nod, watching Lily walk off to her next lesson, I had Ancient Runes, but I have a feeling I won't be able to pay attention in that lesson either. But I feel a little better, with the thought that Lily knew about the whole messed up situation yet didn't judge me a little bit, even though I feel like I should be treated with disgust… it can't be right to accept affections from somebody under the influence of a love potion…

…is it right?

I shake myself out of my thoughts, walking towards the castle for my next lesson, I can mope more about this later...

As I walk through the corridors, passing groups of students, I can feel their gazes on me, I ignore them however, it isn't until the whispers start that I get worried…

"Isn't that the freak Sirius Black sang to?"

"I don't see what he sees in that ugly guy… I mean, Sirius could do better, like me!"

"What a faggot…"

"Yeah, I bet you that he gave those three dudes that potion. What a weirdo…"

"You can say that again, as if anyone would find him attractive."

"Freak..."

Gritting my teeth, I speed up my pace. I should've expected this, after Sirius' bold song, Lucius' possessiveness of me… James taking me on a date to Hogsmeade, visibly holding my hand… of course people would work it out, they were idiots but they weren't that dim. I try my best to ignore the sneering girls and boys, most shouting homophobic insults at me.

However, when a stinging hex hurls my way, I decide to retaliate.

"Oh piss off!" I shout, dodging the hex and turning around. The attacker a 7th year Slytherin, a boy Lucius hung with sometimes, I couldn't quite remember his name. The hallway falls silent, students waiting with baited breath for the fight that was about to happen.

"What did you do to Lucius, huh?" The boy sneers, pointing his wand threateningly at me. "He was never a faggot like you before so what did you do!?"

"I did nothing!" I growl, the hand holding my wand shaking with adrenaline. "Just leave me alone you arsehole!"

The boy opens his mouth to yell something, raising his wand, but in what feels like seconds, Lucius appears from behind me, disarms the bully and protectively puts himself in front of me, acting as a shield for anymore possible curses.

"Oh for fuck sake…" I groan, Lucius protecting me isn't going to help the rumours and suspicions.

"Are you alright Sev?" Lucius asks softly, his cold eyes glaring daggers to the Slytherin he disarmed. If I'm honest, the soft tone of Lucius' voice takes me aback… he has really changed lately, and I'm not quite sure why.

"Yes, I can fight my own battles you know," I grit out, crossing my arms. Lucius lets out a chuckle at my response, but before he can say anything, the Slytherin who decided to attack me interrupts.

"Go get a room you fairies!" He sneers, not seeming to notice the darkening look in Lucius' eyes as he spouted these insults. "How could you let that freak manipulate you Lucius? You liked women, you were normal!"

Letting out a shout of anger, Lucius sends a curse to the Slytherin, watching his form collapse with no emotion. I let out a quiet gasp, barely registering Lucius dragging me away from the scene, to a empty hallway.

"You didn't kill him did you!?" I nearly shout, pulling myself away from Lucius, as much as I wanted to hurt that bully killing him wouldn't make things better.

"Unfortunately not," Lucius sighs, a dark look still in his eyes. I find myself wary of this Lucius… if this is even him.

Noticing my slight fear, Lucius lets his stony expression relax, his eyes becoming not so harsh as he tentatively approaches me, like I was a cornered animal. I gulp but I don't step away as Lucius wraps his arms around me, nuzzling his face in my neck, as if he didn't just curse and injure someone for my sake.

"I won't let anyone hurt you Severus," Lucius eventually sighs, planting light kisses on my neck. "You must understand this. I would do anything for your safety."

"Even kill?" I respond quietly, not even sure why I was asking such a question.

I can feel Lucius smile against my neck at my question.

"Of course."

-x-

a/n: I know it's short, so apologies! I will work on the next chapter when I can find time to, I'm busy with college AND a job. But I hope you enjoyed the chapter anyway, Review or whatnot of your opinions!

Until next time!