A/N: First of all, I do not own anything, it is all owned by the superlative J K Rowling. Second of all, thank you for the support with this story words cannot describe it! Third of all, you may have noticed that this is the third chapter I will have uploaded today, this is because I have so much homework to do so I probably won't be able to upload tomorrow and Monday. Finally, I hope you enjoy this chapter- it's a long one!

OWL Exam- Defence Against the Dark Arts

James' P.O.V

"Five more minutes," Flitwick's head bobs up from his desk which is piled high with paper.

I close my own paper. Easy. I reread the last question anyway, just to make sure. Yawning, I rile up my hair some more. I turn around and grin at Padfoot. Padfoot's even more laid back than I am; he's lounging in his chair as if he's on holiday or something. I watch Marlene stare at him, with a certain loathing. I nod my head in her general direction, Padfoot shrugs.

I turn to find Moony, he's completely absorbed in the last question. I watch Wormtail, cheating as usual. I pick up my quill and start drawing a Golden Snitch on a spare exam paper. I write her initials – L.E on the Snitch.

Flitwick squeaks that the exam is over and collects all the papers which knock him off of his feet. Flitwick dismisses us and I stuff the spare exam paper in my bag before racing after Padfoot.

"How did you like question ten, Moony?" Padfoot asks as we emerge into the Entrance Hall.

"Loved it," Moony says briskly. "'Give five signs that identify a werewolf.' Excellent question."

"D'you think you managed to get all the signs?" I mock concern.

"Think I did," Lupin says seriously. We go through the front doors into the grounds. "One: he's sitting in my chair. Two: he's wearing my clothes. Three: his name is Remus Lupin."

We all laugh, with the exception of Wormtail.

"I got the snout shape, the pupils of the eyes and the tufted tail but I couldn't think of anything else."

"How thick are you, Wormtail?" I say impatiently. "You run around with a werewolf once a month –"

"Keep your voice down," Moony implores.

We stop walking just opposite the lake.

"Well I thought it was a piece of cake," Padfoot says. "I'll be surprised if I don't get an 'Outstanding' on it at least."

"Me too," I pull out the struggling Golden Snitch from my pocket.

"Where'd you get that?"

"Nicked it," I say casually.

I let the Snitch fly just a little bit before catching it. We walk under the shade of a tree. I look over at the lake, Evans is there with her friends and they've taken their shoes and socks off and dipping their feet in the water. The sun shines on Evans' hair, giving her a halo of sorts.

Moony pulls out a book and Padfoot stares at the passers-by. I continue playing with the Snitch, letting it zoom further and further away before grabbing it at the last second. Wormtail applauds every time but it's not his attention I want.

I glance over at Evans again, rumpling my hair.

"Put that away, will you," I make an amazing catch and Wormtail cheers. "Before Wormtail wets himself with excitement."

Wormtail turns pink but I grin at Padfoot.

"If it bothers you," I stuff the Snitch in my pocket.

"I'm bored," Padfoot says. "Wish it was a full-moon."

"You might," Moony says darkly. "We've still got Transfiguration, if you're bored, you can test me. Here…"

Moony holds out his book and Padfoot snorts.

"I don't need to look at that rubbish, I know it all."

"This'll liven you up, Padfoot," I say quietly. "Look who it is…"

Padfoot's head turns, he sniffs the air, never quite getting out of his dog-like habits.

"Excellent," he says softly, "Snivellus."

I watch Snivellus walk across the shadows of the bushes like the little creep he is. Padfoot and I stand up but Wormtail and Moony stay seated. Moony stares at his book, burning holes through it with his eyes. Wormtail looks between all of our faces with a look of great anticipation.

"All right, Snivellus?" I ask loudly.

The pathetic worm reacts fast, dropping his bag and grabbing his wand from inside his robes. He almost had his wand out half-way through the air.

"Expelliarmus!" Snivelly's wand flies 12 feet in the air and falls with a thud on the grass. Padfoot barks out a laugh.

"Impedimenta!" Padfoot yells at Snivelly who gets knocked off his feet. Students start to gather round. Perfect.

Snivelly lies on the ground panting while Padfoot and I advance, wand out. I quickly glance at the water's edge to Evans before turning my attention to the sorry excuse for a human in front of me.

"How'd the exam go, Snivelly?" I ask.

"I was watching him, his nose was touching the parchment," Padfoot jabs viciously. "They'll be grease marks all over it, they won't be able to read a word."

Several students laugh. Wormtail sniggers shrilly. Snivellus struggles under my jinx.

"You – wait," Snivelly pants, he looks at me with a mutual sense of repugnance. "You –wait!"

"Wait for what? What're you going to do, Snivelly, wipe your nose on us?" Padfoot says contemptuously.

Snivellus screams out a whole stream of swear words and hexes.

"Wash out your mouth! Scourgify!"

Pink soap bubbles pour out of Snivellus' mouth, making him gag. Padfoot laughs sadistically, an uncanny likeness to that of his charming cousin Bellatrix's laugh.

"Leave him ALONE!"

I whip around, I move my hand to my hair. Evans looks so beautiful when she's angry.

"All right Evans?" I ask her, smiling broadly.

"Leave him alone," she repeats. "What's he done to you?"

"Well," I say, "it's more the fact that he exists, if you know what I mean…"

Padfoot and Wormtail laugh but Moony, who's still reading and Lily don't.

"You think you're funny. But you're just an arrogant, bullying toerag, Potter. Leave him alone."

"I will, if you go out with me," I watch her face. "Go on, go out with me and I'll never lay a wand on old Snivelly again."

"I wouldn't go out with you if it was a choice between you and a giant squid."

"Bad luck, Prongs," Padfoot says, turning back to Snivellus.

"OI!" Padfoot shouts, suddenly.

I feel a stab of pain, a massive slash appears on my face splatters my robes with blood. I whirl around, sending Snivellus up-side down from his ankle. His robes fall over his head, revealing his grey boxers. I look at Evans, her mouth almost twitches into a smile.

"Let him down!"

"Certainly," I let Snivellus fall into a crumpled heap.

Padfoot shouts 'Petrificus Totalus' and Snivellus keels over.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Evans takes out her own wand, Padfoot and I watch it wearily.

"Ah, Evans, don't make me hex you," I say.

"Take the curse off him then!"

I take off the curse.

"There you go," I tell him. "You're lucky Evans was here, Snivellus –"

"I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!"

Evans blinks slowly.

"Fine, I won't bother in future. And I'd wash your pants, if I were you, Snivellus."

"Apologise to Evans!" I roar at him. How dare he insult my future girlfriend, I point my wand at him threateningly.

"I don't want you to make him apologise. You're just as bad as he is."

"What? I'd NEVER call you a – you-know-what!"

"Messing up your hair because you think it looks cool to look like you've just got off your broomstick, showing off with that stupid Snitch, walking down corridors and hexing anyone who annoys you just because you can – I'm surprised your broomstick can get off the ground with your fat head on it, You make me SICK."

She turns on her heel and hurries away. Is she crying?

"Evans! Hey, EVANS!"

She doesn't look back.

"What is it with her?" I try to make the question casual.

"Reading between the lines, I'd say she thinks you're a bit conceited mate." Padfoot says.

"Right."

How could she think that? How could I let her think that?

THAT EVENING

LILY'S P.O.V

I've been sobbing since I got back to Gryffindor Tower. I'd never thought that Sev, sorry Snivellus, would call me the m-word. I thought he was different, I thought he was my friend. I trusted him with everything I had and I depended on him for such a long time. At Spinner's End, he was my only refuge. I valued our relationship higher than I valued the relationship I have with Mar and Alice. Suddenly, I can see how stupid and unobservant I've been. Sev's changed and I suppose I have too and we keep trying to live in our old shells but we're different people. Hogwarts has changed us and I don't think we can be friends anymore.

As for Potter, I hate him most of all. In a way, it's a good thing he provoked Snivellus otherwise I may not have realised how much he has changed but even so, Potter's a complete idiot. I'm lying on my bed and I haven't talked to anybody in hours.

Alice enters our dormitory.

"Lily! Snivellus is outside! He says he refuses to move until you come out! He's says he's going to sleep there all night unless you come out and see him."

"Hasn't anyone told him to fuck off?"

"Of course, be he's still there."

I groan and get off my bed, stalk down the stairs, push people away from the portrait hole and step outside the tower.

"What are you doing here?"

"Look, Lily, I am so sorry."

"I'm not interested."

"I really am sorry, I didn't mean to call you a –"

"Mudblood? You call every one of my blood heritage a Mudblood, why should I be any different?"

"Lily, you're my best friend and I didn't mean what I said. Potter, " he spits, "made me angry and confused. I didn't mean –"

"Save it, Severus. Save it for your Death Eater friends because I'm not putting up with your shit anymore."

"Lily," he sounds desperate, "do you know what will happen when I go back to Slytherin house? They'll kill me for coming here but it's worth it Lily. I need you, Lily. I won't be able to cope if you're not my friend at Spinner's End."

"Don't do that, Sev. Please don't guilt trip me. I can't handle it, not anymore. I've done this too long and it's exhausting."

I slam the portrait door in his face. As soon as his face is obscured from view, I collapse into sobs. Even though I ended the friendship, I can't help the tears. It's hard losing a best friend and its hard keeping yourself together. Merlin, why do I keep crying? It's getting pathetic.

Even though I know everybody has left the common room, I feel a presence behind me.

"All right, Evans?" Potter. Just great.

"I'm fine, Potter," I wipe my eyes quickly, and breathe.

"No, you're not, Evans. Even I can tell that with my, what was it? Fat head?"

I splutter out a laugh in spite of myself.

"I really hate you, Potter," I wipe my eyes again but more tears fall.

"Well, I don't hate you."

"Are you sure about that? You've been nothing but a pain for the last five years."

"No, I haven't."

"Yes, you have. Didn't you listen to anything I said earlier?"

"I listen to everything you say, Evans."

"Right, that doesn't sound creepy at all," I mumble into my sleeve.

"I know that you're upset because Snivellus is a twat but I shouldn't have egged him on, I suppose. Do you want to talk about it?"

"I don't feel comfortable talking to you, Potter."

"Maybe we should rectify that. I'm not a bad person," Potter says.

"Well, I've been friends with Sev for so many years and now he's sort of left me. Not that you'd understand."

"I'd never leave you."

"Careful, Potter, someone might think you fancy me or something."

"You know, I would hug you at this point, but I'm slightly terrified that you might gouge my eyes out."

I smile. "Thanks Potter. You're not quite as a big of a charlatan as we all thought."

"I'm touched, good-night Evans."

"Good-night, Potter."

I walk upstairs to my bed, mentally cursing myself for complimenting Potter.