IT'S CHANGED (SNILY)
CHAPTER 11 Petunia
Another pleasant morning. He had also started liking the incessant, annoying chirping of birds in the morning. The morning breezes were refreshing. His injuries were healed and he was coming home after exercising and jogging and a long walk. He went out every early morning, he was an early riser after all. He thought he would never do so, after his father had kicked him out of the house.
He sat in the kitchen across Mr. Evans whose face was hidden behind the newspaper. He sipped the coffee that Mrs. Evans passed him.
"I would never know how do you make this coffee, Mrs. Evans" he complimented. "It is just so… perfect"
Mrs. Evans laughed. "I mix love in this, Severus" she teased. "And how many times have I asked you to call me Violet. Mrs. Evans sounds so old"
"Yes, Mrs. Evans… I mean, Violet"
Mr. Evans lowered his newspaper and smiled at his wife. "Our elder daughter is nineteen now, Vi. Don't you think we are rather old?"
Mrs. Evans huffed, but before she could reply Lily came in. "Who said you are old?" she winked. "If I weren't your daughter, I would be bound to believe that you both married just yesterday"
Mr. and Mrs. Evans blushed red and Lily and Severus suppressed a chuckle.
Mr. Evans cleared his throat and addressed all of them. "Where is Petunia?"
A skinny figure glided in the room and took a seat farthest from Severus'. "Here I am" she called.
"Okay then, I and Violet are going out for two weeks. I was first going alone for some business-related work but then we thought of extending the trip" he eyed them.
"And then he says, they are old" Lily muttered cheekily, making her parents go red again.
Mrs. Evans cleared her throat, pretending to not be affected by the comment. "We are leaving at ten, it was rather hastily made"
Lily's face shot up. "Today? Today in the morning?"
"Yes, dear"
"Our friends were coming home today. Good" she smirked. "We'll party" she raised her hands and gave them a wave, in a brief dance.
Too many people spoke together then.
"You didn't tell me they were coming today"
"You will not ruin my house, young lady"
"No alcohol, kids"
"What? More freaks?!"
Lily banged the table in exasperation an rolled her eyes. "One after the other. I only have two ears" she sat straighter. "So, first, Sev. The letter came just last night and that is why I forgot to tell you. Selene sent her house-elf"
"Oh. Fine."
"Now, Mum and Dad. We're not really going to party. And I won't be having any alcohol in here"
"In here? Lily-"
"I am joking, Dad. I won't be having it until I am of age, anywhere. Fine"
Her parents nodded, smiling at her daughter's antics.
"Now, Tuney-"
"Don't call me that" Petunia snapped.
"Okay, fine. Petunia. For your question or rather exclamation. Yes. More freaks" she emphasized on the word she most hated.
Severus swallowed a smirk and Mr. and Mrs. Evans shook their heads.
"Now, I want you three to maintain the house and not fight all the time like kids. Clear?" Mrs. Evans kept her hands on her hips, Lily looked so much like her.
"Yes, Mrs.- I mean, Violet" Severus said dutifully.
Lily automatically replied. "Yes, Mum"
"And I am the eldest so I am the in charge of the house" Petunia eyed her father.
"No, I believe you all are grown enough to see for yourselves" Mr. Evans folded the newspaper in his hand and kept it on the table.
"But, Dad, don't you think someone has to keep these two from having sex" she whined and the eyes of others went wide.
"Sex!?" Lily and Severus shrieked.
Mr. Evans choked on the tea he was drinking, spluttering it in different directions on the table.
Mrs. Evans sat down calmly. "Petunia what do you mean to say?" she asked firmly.
Petunia huffed. "That both of them are together and this is what people do when their parents are not home" she shrugged as if this was the most obvious thing.
"We're not together!" Lily and Severus exclaimed together again. They both looked at each other and blushed, suddenly finding their breakfast a too interesting sight.
Mr. Evans eyed them critically, after making sure that they weren't lying he looked at Petunia. "Petunia, you all are to behave and please don't say things that you don't know about" he requested.
"But they have been together since what, nine… do you really believe they will behave" she hadn't lost the battle yet.
"We're best friends!" Lily and Severus almost yelled in annoyance again, looked at each other and their faces burnt redder.
"And Petunia they've been behaving since nine, why do you think they will do anything now?" Mrs. Evans tiredly asked.
"Correct!" Lily and Severus agreed together and now vowed silently to not speak again.
"I must see that you don't bring Vernon home, Petunia" her mother said, amusing herself.
It was Petunia's turn to look flustered. She cleared her throat. "What do you mean?" she diverted her gaze, flushing.
This amused Lily and Severus, both openly smirked.
"Can we end this conversation, please?" Mr. Evans sensed her elder daughter's uneasiness. "And please behave. Lily and Severus, no parties and no alcohol or smoking, no such thing" he said strictly.
Both of them shook their heads in affirmative and showed a thumbs up, while they had food in their mouths.
Mr. Evans nodded. "Petunia, dear, I believe you can handle things"
"Of course, Dad" Petunia's face shot up, proudly. "Two weeks then" she muttered under breath, in a very malicious tone.
Mrs. Evans nodded. "Now, then, we need to get moving, David" she said getting up.
"Ah… yes" Mr. Evans got up from the seat too and exited the room, leaving three teenagers together, glaring at each other.
*Page Break*
"What are you making, Sev?" she jumped and hung on Severus' shoulder from the back, peering from the curve between his shoulder and neck.
He jumped, startled, laying a hand on his heart and breathing heavily. "What, Lily? You almost gave me a heart attack" he resumed his work.
She laughed and kissed his cheek, making him blush. She liked him see like that.
"So, what are you making, Mr. Chef?" she raised a playful eyebrow, rounding him and sitting on the kitchen counter beside where Severus was working.
"Indian cuisine" he answered not moving his eyes from his work. "And this is the hardest part"
"You are making Indian food!" she squeaked in excitement. "I love you, Sev"
He blushed and his heart fluttered. She said those words, though not in the sense he wanted, but she did. A huge grin, though a bit shy, plastered on his face.
He cleared his throat. "You like it?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Oh… I love it! Indians perhaps went to gods to get these recipes… I never was able to resist it" she poked a finger in what Severus was making and he swatted her hand, giving her a mock-warning look.
She rubbed her hand with a mock-pout and continued. "Mum don't know how to make it and well… Dad suck at making it" Lily suddenly acquired a high-pitched voice. "Tuney doesn't like it! I mean how can one not! She has to have her tastebuds fixed!"
Severus laughed, she surely imitated Petunia well. "Good, now that I can make it"
"It's brilliant, Sev. Now, until Dad takes over his kitchen again, you can make Indian cuisines every day for two weeks for me" she leaned on the wall behind her happily.
He could do something Lily likes. Happiness bubbled in his chest. Keeping a grin from view became even more difficult. He had to biting his lip to contain it.
"What are you two up to, now?" the real high-pitched shriek met their ears, making them wince. Petunia entered the kitchen, sneering at them.
"I thought making food is a productive thing to do. I got the inspiration from you, Petunia" Severus shrugged innocently. Lily suppressed a chuckle.
Petunia pursed her lips and stood a feet away from them, as if they would infect her.
"Indian!?" she shrieked gain, making them wince. "Who told you to make this!?"
"Do I have to ask Mr. and Mrs. Evans what to make for lunch?" He looked at her innocently, disregarding the mirth playing in his eyes. "Fine. I'll go ask them" he shrugged and started to leave.
"Snape!"
"Yes?" playing the innocent gentleman was so crazy. Now, he knew why Shane loved it so much.
"What do you think you are doing?" she rested her hands on her hips.
He shrugged innocuously, taking the phone in his hand. "Call Mr. Evans?"
She ignored him. "And who gave you the permission to cook in my kitchen?" she narrowed her eyes.
"I'll take the permission now" he called Mr. Evans before Petunia could ask anything else.
Lily ran to Severus' side, her face full of excitement and mirth, she was enjoying his and Petunia's conversation.
"Hello, Mr. Evans" he greeted after Mr. Evans picked the phone up. Petunia looked irritated in a corner, he smirked.
"Yes, Severus. Is everything alright?" Mr. Evans suddenly tensed and Severus heard Mrs. Evans mumbling something about 'not leaving teenagers alone' and 'it's been only two hours since we left'.
"Everything is fine, Mr. Evans" he assured. "I just wanted to ask if I can step into your kitchen and cook?" he batted his eyelashes.
"Of course, Severus. Don't tell me Petunia is troubling you" he huffed.
"No, Mr. Evans, she is totally fine by the idea" he said looking at the hanging jaw of Petunia and Lily giving a silent chuckle.
"That's fine"
"And, Mr. Evans, is making Indian dishes okay too?"
"You are making Indian?!" Mr. Evans practically yelled at the phone. "Vi, he is making Indian food just after we left!" he addressed his wife.
Mrs. Evans probably snatched the phone from his hand. "Severus, you never told us you are so talented. You are staying with us for more than one week and you never mentioned it"
Lily snatched the phone from Severus' hands. "HA! Mum! Dad! I am going to eat it everyday until you come, and you get to have nothing" she teased.
"Don't overwork Severus, Lily. Let some energy be left in him when we come back. God, you have both Petunia and Severus" her mother groaned and she laughed.
"Yeah… Petunia makes the best desserts" she eyed Petunia, smiling, making her blush. "I am going to enjoy every day" she sighed happily.
"We are going to enjoying too" her mother said that made his father cough in the background and the others laugh.
Mr. Evans snatched the phone from her wife. "If that is all, Lily, then I am keeping the dropping the call"
"Yes, bye, Dad, Mum"
"Bye"
Severus sighed and looked at Petunia. "I asked for the permission, now I am allowed"
Petunia pursed her lips. "Fine. But I am going to make the dessert" she sniffed.
"Absolutely, yes" he shook his head. "I don't possess the caliber to make something so exceptional"
"If you think, you are going to play this mature role and irritate me, then you are sorely mistaken" she sneered at him and he made a mock-heart-broken face.
"I am sorry, Petunia. I was trying for a new beginning" he looked down to hide a mischievous smile while Lily choked out a laugh. "Do you need water, Lily?" she shook her head, cheekily.
Petunia wasn't buying anything, just as he expected. "Shut up, Snape! Stop this!" she shrieked. "I have no idea why Mum and Dad even allowed you in our home, never think you are a part of the family"
The place went too silent for a moment. He didn't respond. He couldn't respond. What she said was the reality. Harsh reality. He went to resume the thing he was cooking. For the first time since coming here, he realized how big of a burden was he on the Evans'. He should have never agreed to come here.
He had no family and it would be easy for him to live as soon as he accepts the fact. He was alone at the moment. He was just living with the people who were too kind to take him in.
"Petunia!" Lily's eyes flashed anger and disbelief. "How can you say something so cruel!?"
Petunia walked away not paying heed to anything Lily said, her chin in the air.
Lily kept staring at the place Petunia had just been with disbelief before walking to Severus. She engulfed him into a firm hug.
"Don't pay attention to what she said. She doesn't know anything" Lily tried to coax. "You are a huge part of my life and I see you as family" she looked him straight in the eye. "You know that?"
He nodded and gave a small smile. She would never know how much comfort she always gave him.
A grumbling voice came from the door, both of them turned their heads to find Petunia standing there. She was looking at the floor when she cleared her throat.
"I-I am s-sorry, Snape. I shouldn't h-have said that" she stuttered, looking genuinely ashamed. She fled away just after she said that.
Lily looked at Severus and laughed. "Well, that was odd"
He shook his head to rid himself of the moment's disbelief, when the door-bell rang.
"It's them, perhaps" Lily gave him a hasty kiss on the cheek and muttered a quick "Love you" before running to the door.
Severus smiled to himself and went back to his work.
*Page Break*
Lily ran through the house, ignoring Petunia's disapproving hisses from the stairs and Severus's chuckle from the kitchen. She opened the door and found the people she expected to.
"Hey, guys" she exclaimed.
"Hi, Lily" came a chorus of four people.
"Come in" she showed them the living room. "Sev, is busy in the kitchen right now, he will be here just after sometime" she smiled.
The others let out stunned faces. "Severus can cook?" Charm asked, her eyes wide.
"Umm hmm, yes, he can and please don't tell me any of you don't like Indian food" she affirmed but then deflated.
"Indian!" Shane squeaked. "I eat that every day, my mum is an Indian. Can I go there?" Shane edged on the couch.
"Only if you want a swat on your hand by Severus, I tried too"
"Oh… fine" he sat back again.
"Well… I have had it before at Shane's. I like it" Selene prompted.
"Me too" Austin spoke up.
Then the eyes went to the choosy one. Charm looked at them, her face ignorant. "What? I'll obviously have it" she huffed. "I am not a little girl who grimaces on food"
The others laughed. "Right, Charm" Austin agreed teasingly, gaining a swat from Charm on his head.
Just then, Petunia walked in the living room and all eyes went in her direction. Lily was still in the dilemma, if she must be introduced or not. She decided, finally.
"Well, this is my sister Petunia Evans" she told them. "And Tu- Petunia, this is Charm, Austin, Selene and Shane" she pointed out.
Petunia kept her nose in the air, lowered her face to only look properly at Shane's face, she cleared her throat and extended a hand with a strained smile in Austin's direction who took it and smiled pleasantly.
Charm as known was a bit uncomfortable with a muggle. Selene just eyed her critically, working out for any weapons on Petunia before shaking her hand that made the others roll their eyes.
Petunia hesitantly extended an arm towards Shane, who in turn to fluster her more, took it and brushed his lips on it. "Nice to meet you, Miss Evans. You look gorgeous" he said in a low and slow tone, that dropped her confidence to her feet.
"Uh… nice to meet you too" she took her hand back, flushing.
Selene was twirling her wand in her hand with an exaggerated smile and a glare in Shane's direction while the others were suppressing a laugh. Shane was doing it again.
Petunia dared to look at Shane's face. Her face flushed even more when she saw his perfect smile and genial eyes. "So… umm… you are one of… one of them?" she whispered the ending.
Shane frowned. "One of them?"
Lily rolled her eyes. "Yes, he is a wizard" she supplied.
"Oh? I thought all of your kind are rude and horrible as that Snape boy or pathetic and idiotic as the one with glasses we saw at the station" Petunia sneered mildly; dare she look ugly now. "But you are not like them"
Shane ignored the last statement. "I wouldn't comment on the one with glasses, but care to tell me why is Severus horrible?" all signs of smile escaped his face.
"You like him?"
"I love him as a little brother and I'll never falter to admit it. What's wrong with him?" he felt rather protective of Severus.
Petunia seemed out of words. She sputtered. "I-I don't- he is rude and he doesn't have… manners and he lived down Spinner's end… his father's a drunk and all of his freakiness…" she waved her hands in the air to add some meaning to her words.
"Petunia, I-" Lily began but paused when Shane silenced her by raising a hand.
"You know, you are like a Death-Eater; we call in our world? They know nothing more than what they see, supposedly the ignorant lot" Shane's voice was calm but his eyes were spitting fire. "In all that you mentioned, what is his mistake? Perhaps, a baby is responsible to born in such a house, isn't he? He is responsible for his father being a drunkard? And if you want to know, he was never rude to me, irritated, yes, but never did he hurt me" his eyes blazed contempt.
Petunia looked more and more unsure of herself with every passing word. He continued.
"Treat others like you want them to treat you. He is sarcastic and snarky sometimes, but he has a beautiful heart even after living in the circumstances he has. He yells about self-preservation but he will be the one who will go head first in danger, if he loves you" his voice dropped to several decibels.
"Y-You don't know him" Petunia argued lamely.
Shane smiled and held pity in his eyes. He gestured Petunia to sit. She did.
"You know, Petunia, we don't need to know a person to hate, however to love. I'd say you don't know him. If something is out of your comprehension level then it doesn't mean it's wrong or shouldn't exist" Shane shifted and his eyes flickered to Lily. "You don't think the same way about your sister?"
Petunia cleared her throat. "I-I- she is also one of them, freaky, not normal" she sniffed.
Shane gave a silent laugh. "Not normal? What's normal for you?"
"People who are like us, go to a normal school, live normally and don't have this freakish problem" she crossed her arms on her chest, daring him to argue and Shane took it.
"I find her normal. I find you normal. We all are normal in a different way and are unique in a different way. Don't take it the wrong way, but you have pointless arguments, Petunia, just like the people in our world who kill muggles because they are not like them" his eyes still showed pity for Petunia's ignorance.
"We have a small life" he went on. "Why waste it in such petty differences? I hope you'll give a thought to my words. You are a nice human, just clear your heart up a bit, you'll find plenty of warmth inside. That is what makes people respect you and I'll be the first to do so if you forget about the unnecessary hatred" he smiled.
Petunia looked ashamed and impressed at the same time. She got up and nodded. "I'll go see, if Sna- Severus is destroying my kitchen" she left.
Shane looked at their stunned faces and frowned. "What?"
"You just lectured my sister and she did not shout even once!" Lily's voice was laced with disbelief and content. "And you just met her. You are brilliant" she breathed.
Selene brought a hand to his forehead and then jerked back. "You are fine, aren't you? The last time you gave such a speech, you were sad and ill"
"I am fine" Shane said irritatingly, brushing her hand away. "She just hadn't realized that how wrong and pointless her hate is, she'll come around"
"Only if Severus had heard how protective you are of him" Austin sighed happily.
Shane shrugged. "Yeah… I never realized I was"
Charm sat on the arm of the couch; Shane was sitting on. "Do you think Mr. you-look-gorgeous, that you just found another person who has a crush on you?" she batted her eyelids dreamily.
"I would say so" Lily prompted with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"As if that's a new thing" a familiar voice spoke from the doorway. "Just don't tell me that's Petunia"
They chuckled. "What would you think, Sev?" Lily winked but before she could make room for him to sit, Charm ran and hugged him.
Severus stiffened. He patted her back awkwardly. This sent a wave of glee through Lily; he properly hugs her every time. She smirked.
Charm broke apart and gasped. "Don't you look different, Severus?"
He frowned. "I do?"
"Yeah" other voices came.
"I think he looks just same" Lily shrugged looking at him. He blushed under everyone's intense gaze.
"You see him every day, Lily" Austin pointed out.
"What's so different?" Severus asked exasperatedly.
Selene answered. "You have just built a bit of muscle and gained some weight and… your hair doesn't look greasy anymore" she winked.
He flushed at the first statement. The exercises and three meals a day are doing their jobs, then. His eyes widened on the hair comment.
"It was supposed to be our little secret, Selene" he hissed.
"Uh huh, I didn't tell anyone, merely pointed out"
"It can only be used when you have a perfect bathroom and not the public one…" he trailed off. How could he let that slip?
"What are you talking about?" Shane narrowed his eyes.
"I-uh… I reckon Petunia's calling me" he left, giving Lily the last pleading eyes that said 'please, explain it to them, I won't be able to'.
All of them looked confused. Lily sighed and addressed all of them. She told them about them about all the events that had happened in the past couple of weeks.
Austin was already in tears and Charm looked close to. Selene had her wand gripped tightly on her side and seemed ready to curse the first person who crossed her. Shane face was buried in his hands and looked exhausted.
"So, he's been living with you, ever since then?" he asked tiredly.
Lily nodded. "Yes" she sighed. "He feels as if he is a burden, though I have assured him many times that he isn't. then Petunia's cruel remarks" she closed her eyes. "However, I don't know what possessed her before she apologized to him, today before you all came" she gave a dry smile.
"How can his father do that?" Charm choked out. "Pathetic"
Lily kept a comforting hand on her back and in turn Charm wrapped her arms around her neck, weeping. Lily sat perplexed. Charm never hugged her? She patted her back and pulled away.
"At least he has someone to count on" Charm wiped her tears.
Selene leaned back in her seat and sighed heavily. "If I come face-to-face with that bastard and not chop him into pieces, alive, I swear to Merlin I'll-" she seethed but was cut off.
"Calm down, Selene" Austin said, wiping his tears.
Petunia walked into the room, visibly uneasy by the look on their faces.
"Am I disturbing something?" she asked.
Shane looked at her and smiled. "No, Petunia. It's fine. What is that you wanted to say?"
She seemed fazed. "Uh… Sn- Severus is calling you all lunch"
They got up. "Of course" Lily said excitedly.
Shane stopped beside Petunia and gave her an arm. She blushed furiously, but took it hesitantly. Selene glared daggers at his back while the others giggled.
*Page Break*
Severus placed the food on the table and slumped in one of the chairs, tired. How do Mr. Evans make food every day, anyways? Perhaps, Lily wasn't going to get dishes made by his hand so frequently. Petunia cooks so energetically too. How? This had to do something with the Evans genes.
Good, his and Lily's children would get them. His eyes widened. Did he just think that? He flushed at the realization and kicked himself mentally. He was a fool.
He eyed the doorway, where Shane and Petunia were coming together. Petunia's hand draped over Shane's. What the hell was wrong with the day? He had lost his mind, perhaps.
He shook his hand and waited for all of them to seat and serve themselves.
"Mmm… Sevvv… wow, you are such a great cook" Lily leaned towards him and he grinned. "I see, why potions come so natural to you"
He huffed "Lily, potions are way different then cooking, yes, tad similar. Still potions are dangerous, cooking is not"
Shane's eyes twinkled. "Just what Lily said"
"True" Selene was busy eating.
"Agreed" Austin didn't take his eyes off his plate either.
They looked at Charm. She scoffed. "Of course, I like it. Don't look at me as if I am a little girl who would throw a tantrum on food" she continued eating.
Severus appeared embarrassed after everyone's compliments. He wasn't sure what to do when someone praised you. Lily leaned towards him again and whispered in his ear. "Say, you are glad they liked it" he glared at her but she continued smiling sweetly.
He cleared his throat. "I am glad you liked it" he said awkwardly.
"We loved it, Severus" Austin said, putting another bite in his mouth.
"Uh… Thank you"
"It's good" came from a corner of the table. Petunia was met by bewildered looks. "What? It is good"
"But you didn't like Indian food, Petunia" Lily found her voice.
"Yes, and now I do" she said confidently.
Lily suppressed a smirk. Severus leaned towards her.
"Is this something to do with Shane's mother being an Indian?" he whispered.
"I have no idea" Lily hardly suppressed her glee.
"She also said what I made was good?" he looked at her in disbelief.
"Yeah…" she said frowning but then relaxed. "Shane had her a small lecture; it is the effect of that"
"Huh?" he blinked. "Today's day was surely unnerving"
"True" Lily agreed.
"She first apologized to me, then called me Severus and then complimented me" he shook his head and Lily bumped her into his, telling him that she agreed.
*Page Break*
"I researched about this in my father's study. Fiendfyre can destroy it" Austin whispered.
"Fiendfyre is too difficult to control, it will blow us up before the horcrux" Selene faulted.
"This is what I got" he shrugged.
"So, if we see, a goblin-made thing, basilisk venom and Fiendfyre can destroy it" Charm summarized.
"Urgh… and we have none" Lily groaned.
"May I give you an idea?" a voice came from the back. Petunia was leaning on the door way, her arms crossed on her chest.
"Petunia…" Severus breathed. "But you- I mean…"
Shane seemed pleased. "You understood the situation, Petunia?"
She shook her head. "No"
"Then, Tu- Petunia, how… I mean, you didn't like magic- what…" Lily appeared totally bemused, her eyes wide while she viewed Petunia with disbelief.
Petunia in turn simply shook her head and gave a low chuckle. "I am just trying to get involved, to know your world better, even though your plans seem overly obtuse to me" she shrugged. "So, may I?"
Austin and Charm made room between them to let her sit and she did. All of them looked at her in anticipation and expectation.
"So, you have to destroy a soul? Hmm?" She asked, already knowing the answer.
Severus narrowed his eyes. "So, you were spying on us?"
"Haven't we accomplished that at an early age, Severus" she gave casually. Severus sat back in the couch, arms crossed, waiting for her to propose what she wanted too, pouting.
She sighed. "I don't know if this is going to work, but this is one of the things Severus boasted about to Lily when we were young" she smirked.
Severus colored. He never did that.
"Just spit it out, Petunia" Lily said impatiently.
"Yes, so, you mentioned an object, a potion and a spell and those all are out of question" all others nodded testily. "That remains one thing- a creature"
There was total silence in the room for a few moments before Selene decided to break it.
"Which one?"
Petunia scoffed. "Dementors. Don't they feed on souls?" she rolled her eyes.
"If you were a witch -as much as I loathe to admit- you would have made a very fine Slytherin" Severus muttered, making Petunia smirk smugly.
"I agree" Charm responded, her jaw hanging.
"Her idea is sensible" Austin looked impressed.
"But there is a problem again, we don't have dementors in our fists" Selene said taking her head in her hands.
"Easy" Charm came in. "I'll write a letter to a prisoner to break away. I'll spread a rumor that he is in Hogwarts. Dementors will come there to catch him. We'll feed them the diadem" she shrugged jokingly.
"You are not helping, Charm" Shane mumbled.
"Sorry"
"I don't think Charm's idea is that bad" Severus said rubbing his chin in thought making Charm beam proudly. "Every year one or the other prisoner break from Azkaban, what we have to do is spread some rumors" he leaned back in the couch.
"And how are we supposed to do that?" Lily asked.
"Don't we all have common rooms" Austin winked. "That is the easiest place to spread rumors and with two Purebloods and three Slytherins the task is just easier"
"Fine. That means that has to be done after school reopens" Selene banged a fist on her palm. "All the drama of next year, there's going to be so much excitement"
"What excitement?" Severus frowned.
"Ah… only we know that means Selene and we won't tell" Charm stuck her tongue out. "Perks of your parents working at the Ministry" she said in a sing-a-song tone.
"So, you really won't tell us?" Austin made his best puppy eyes.
"Nope" Charm said with the teasing smile.
"Please, Selene" Shane got his hands together, in a begging position.
"Forget it, Shane" Selene mock-dismissed him.
"And I thought you were our friends" Lily ran her fingers through her eyes to the jaw pretending fake tears.
"You are learning to be a Slytherin, Lily" Selene winked. "I see Severus is rubbing off you"
Lily blushed and Severus tried to ignore the one creeping on his neck.
"Please, Selene, Charm" Severus creased his eyes and spoke in a very hushed, low voice. "You have no idea about the curiosity getting on the brains and pinning people to insomnia"
Selene laughed and Charm looked ready to give out, that earned her a smack from Selene on the back of her head.
"Oh, Merlin" Selene waved a hand as if to fan herself some air, in front of her face. "I have no idea how you still don't have a girlfriend. With those eyes and voices" then she threw a warning look to Charm. "And you dare reveal it"
Was it normal for friends to complement each other? It was all new to him. Severus blushed but tried to still keep a serious face. "Isn't your heart melted yet, Selene, Charm?"
"Stop this, Severus. You'll make a girl attain orgasm like this" Well, it got more flushed faces than expected. "And no, I am not telling. You'll have to wait like everyone" she crossed her arms on her chest.
"Fine. Don't say"
Nobody had noticed yet that Petunia was still sitting there, amusement dancing in her eyes, broke out laughing.
They all turned their faces towards her, apparently forgotten she was still there.
"What?" came a common response.
"You all are hilarious more than you'll ever know" she laughed. "Now, clear all this up and I believe it's getting late, you all must take your leaves"
All of them flushed. Then gave a mumbled answer of "Yeah", "Right", "Home better than insults" and "Muggles".
Lily and Severus walked them till the door, when Selene leaned to Severus ear.
"If you don't know, you look hot and then your brooding personality will make anyone fall for you" she winked and he flushed redder.
"Don't tell me, you are over Shane?" he muttered teasingly, gaining a smack on the cheek.
"No" she said stiffly. "I was talking about Miss Green-eyes, fool"
"I gathered that" he returned dryly.
"Selene, what the hell are you doing? Come fast, you will be Appareting Charm this time, we already rock, paper, scissored it" Shane called.
"Coming" she responded. "Good luck, Severus" she gave a last wink.
This vanished in thin air.