**2 September, 1976~2:32 pm***

Severus slung his rucksack on his bed and flopped onto his mattress, face first. He was coming down from the emotional high he had been experiencing all day, and frankly, he felt like he needed a nap.

But, there was no time for a nap. He had a letter to write to his mum, not to mention Charms and Potions homework to tackle. Luckily in both cases it was only reading. The only NEWT classes left that day were Muggle Studies and Astronomy later at night, so Severus' school day was done. He wanted to get his reading done quickly because tomorrow his day started early. It began with Ancient Runes at seven-thirty in the morning and ended with Arithmancy at three-twenty. It made for a long day, but his lunch period was sandwiched by two free periods as he was taking neither Transfiguration nor History of Magic.

From the chatter drifting in from the stairway, Severus knew his dorm mates were on their way up. Although he was bone weary, he forced himself out of bed. Severus figured that he should get the letter written to his mother first, else he forget.

Severus was struggling to remove his tie when Avery and Mulciber came in the room complaining about professors favouring Muggleborns—no doubt because, as usual, Lily had just showed out the entire class during the Charm's lesson.

Avery hadn't noticed Severus when he first entered the room. "Well of course, Flitwick is going to play favourites to that jumped-up Mu…Muggleborn," Avery corrected mid-sentence when he finally noticed Severus. "I mean—it's obvious that he's not even a Half-blood. I wonder if he is even fully human."

"Now what the bloody hell is that supposed to mean?" Severus asked, trying to keep his pique in check.

Severus actually respected Professor Flitwick. The diminutive Charms Professor had hosted a couple of Duelling Clubs over the years and had proven himself to be a rather formidable wizard. Severus often wondered why Flitwick didn't teach Defence.

"He doesn't mean anything by it, Snape," Mulciber said as he not-so-subtly elbowed Avery in the ribs. "You know Rowe. He's just talking out his arse again."

Avery rubbed his sore side. Though he glowered at Mulciber, he spoke to Severus. "Come on. Face it Snape. You know any teacher that isn't a Slytherin is going to be prejudiced against us."

"Well, what is it, Avery? Is Flitwick favouring Muggleborns because of his blood status or because he's prejudiced against our House?" Severus asked as he knelt on the floor to open his trunk at the foot of his bed. "As I recall, Flitwick awarded a total of twenty points to our House today between myself, Wilkes, and O'Conner. I don't understand what has your knickers in such a twist."

Avery tossed his books onto his bed as Mulciber sat on the side of his own and pulled out his Defence text. "What does that matter when he gave a total of twenty points to your old girlfriend," he said bitterly.

Avery's words stung and it was all Severus could do to keep from throwing a hex at him…again. But Severus was determined that no one would ever know how much his unrequited feelings for Lily Evans still affected him.

Severus had already found what he was looking for in the bottom of his trunk, but he lingered a little longer so his dorm mates wouldn't see him collecting his emotions.

"Lily Evans was never my girlfriend," Severus said with a deathly quiet as he tossed a small wooden case with brass fixtures on top of his bed.

Mulciber's eyes darted nervously between Severus and Avery, perhaps noticing that his best friend had hit a sore spot with Severus. Before Avery could say something disparaging and thus earn himself another nasty hex and the end of Severus' wand, Mulciber wisely changed the subject.

"Why are you breaking out the writing desk, Snape?" Mulciber asked. "The term just started. Did the new Potion's Master assign an essay so soon?"

Severus stretched out on his bed and placed the case across his legs. It opened up into a small lap desk. He opened the hinged lid and took out a fresh sheet of writing parchment then he un-stoppered the bottle of ink that sat snuggly in its hole and took out his quill.

"If you must know, Mulciber—I'm writing my mother to inform her that the new Potion's Master has offered me a stipend assistantship this year," Severus said somewhat irritably, still aggravated from Avery's comments about Lily.

"You're shitting us," Avery said in amazement, apparently forgetting his diatribe against Lily. "I've only heard of one other assistantship ever being awarded since we've been here. How'd you manage it on the first day? It's not like the new professor has seen your work. Did you get a recommendation from Sluggy after all?"

Seeming to breathe a sigh of relief that he quelled the tension between Severus and Avery before Avery ended up with a pair of bat's wings for ears, Mulciber said, "Well, it's about time Slughorn recognised your genius, Snape. You've been the best in Potions for our Year since we arrived here. This must make up for all of the times he snubbed you. "

"Slughorn recognised nothing," Severus said as he dipped his quill into the ink and then began to scratch upon his parchment. "It was Dr O'Conner who so quickly recognised my abilities. He was impressed by my performance during today's lesson as well as my past record; it was as simple as that," he added, unable to stop an insufferable smug lift the corner of his lips.

"Well this will definitely make you look all the more impressive when you go before the Dark Lord and ask for an apprenticeship recommendation," Avery proclaimed presumptively. "I know Lucius Malfoy has stated that he would gladly endorse your candidacy into the ranks, but any accomplishments you can boast on your own merit wouldn't be amiss either. Let's face it. Your blood status puts you at a disadvantage and you will need all the help you can get."

Severus could bear no more of his present company. He hastily finished his letter and put his lap desk back into his trunk.

Mulciber at least knew how to make pretence at being amiable, but Avery just didn't know when to keep his gob shut. Severus was tired of everybody making assumptions about his future path…his House mates, Lucius Malfoy, the Marauders, Lily. Severus desperately wanted to tell them all what to do with themselves, and especially the Dark Lord, but he shared a dorm room with four of You Know Who's most ardent advocates in the school and Severus very much wanted to wake up in the morning with his gonads intact.

As much as Severus would love to take his frustrations out on Avery, he had already hexed his fellow Slytherin once the year before. Although at the time, Severus had the backing of his House mates, he was afraid if he hexed Avery again the act could backfire on him.

Severus said nothing as he rolled up his parchment and gathered his books. He knew if he stayed much longer and Avery continued with his pap, that curses would be flying about the room soon.

"Where are you going?" Avery asked, his expression bewildered, obviously clueless about over the offence given to Severus.

"To the Owlery," Severus answered gruffly.

As he marched out of the room, Severus could hear Avery ask Mulciber, "Did I say something wrong?"

To which Mulciber replied, "Don't take it personally, Mate. You know Snape always wears his pants too tight."

By the time Severus came down from the Owlery, the last classes of the day were just letting out. He had agreed to meet Lucy just outside the main door after she finished Muggle Studies and they would study Potions and Charms together. The day was fine and like many other students, Severus preferred to study under the shade of the rowans by the Black Lake and he knew a secluded spot where they were unlikely to bothered by the Marauders, or anybody else for that matter.

There were already dozens of students gathered at the front gate awaiting their friends, or in some cases, lovers. Severus had no desire to wait with the herd, so he ducked behind an oak tree that was far enough away to afford him privacy but where he could still see who was coming out of the castle. He reached into his pocket and retrieved an apple that he nicked from the bowl of fruit provided in the common room.

Severus leaned against the tree and casually ate his apple as he watched the throng of students pour onto the castle grounds. Regulus and his Quidditch teammates exited the castle as well, brooms in hand and training gear donned, wasting no time getting their first flying practice of the term. It was still another two weeks until try outs for team replacements, but that didn't seem to concern the rest of the team. Severus noticed that Black's parents had bought him a new Nimbus 1500.

Severus did feel a slight pang of envy. He loved to fly and had always wanted to play Quidditch. Over the years, Severus convinced himself that the only reason he didn't try out for the team was because his academic schedule didn't allow for it, but the reality had been that he knew he couldn't afford a decent broom. Of course, thanks to his summer business, Severus could have bought a new broom instead of clothes if he wanted to, but now most other players his age had vastly more experience in the game and he wasn't about to provide James Potter with another means to humiliate him. Severus would stick with what he excelled in—Potions and Defence.

He was actually a bit surprised that he was able to discern Lucy out of the mass of humanity at the top of the entrance stairs. Unlike Lily, the colour of her hair wasn't very distinctive but Severus had come to associate Lucy with her long double braids and softly curling fringe. She was smiling and talking to two other students. Severus could only see the back of their heads, but even from his distance, he knew the tall, sandy-haired boy and had a fairly good idea who the dark-haired girl not much taller than Lucy was.

Severus took one last taste of his apple but stopped mid-bite. His eyes narrowed when he noticed Lucy's face sober. Approaching the trio from the bottom of the stairs were the Marauders—well—three quarters of them, which only confirmed to Severus what he already knew—Remus Lupin was the boy talking to Lucy which meant that the girl was most likely Alice Blishwick.

Severus tossed his apple aside, gathered his books, and made a bee-line for the castle steps. The other Marauders were already standing behind Lupin by the time Severus made it to the stairs, and even from the bottom, he could make out every word of the tense conversation. He paused to listen for a moment so he wouldn't break in just making assumptions.

"Don't fly off your broom handle, James," Severus heard Lupin say as he approached. "We're just discussing ideas for our Muggle Studies' projects."

Potter took Lupin aside, though he was hardly inconspicuous when he said, "Well can't you study with someone else? She's the one we told you about."

Lucy stood with her arms crossed and said in an accent only made more pronounce through her ire, "You know, She is standing right here and can hear every word you say."

"Well you're nothing but a dirty snake," Pettigrew retorted artlessly with a gormless look on his face. He then grabbed Alice Blishwick around he bicep and tried to pull her away. "Come on, Alice. Lily would throw a wobbler if she knew you were talking to her."

At the same time Lucy asked, "Who's Lily," Alice jerked her arm back from Pettigrew. Severus decided he better make his presence known before too much was revealed about Lily.

"Let go of me, Peter," Alice said hotly. "O'Conner is nice and I don't see what Lily has to do with any of this."

It was obvious that Black could no longer stand to keep his yap shut, because the tall boy broke into the conversation, stood over the group grimly and said, "Because she's friends with him."

Lucy and Alice looked even more confused. Alice looked up defiantly at Black and asked, "Him who?"

"I think Black is referring to me, Blishwick."

If the tension had been thick before, it was now so concrete that it almost seemed that nothing more than a Blasting Curse would break it. The world had suddenly become deathly silent. Even the other students in the vicinity who had been previously minding their own business now stopped what they were doing to see what was going on between the two Slytherins and five Gryffindors.

Severus ruefully thought that it was a shame that Regulus and his Quidditch team were over at the pitch. Severus wouldn't have begrudged the backup right about now.

When she saw Severus, Alice Blishwick crossed her arms across chest and took a step backwards. Her almost indiscernible, "Oh," rang through the silence like a bell.

Lucy never lost her dignity, but Severus couldn't help but notice the sadness that clouded her eyes at Blishwick's rebuff. As it would never cross Severus' mind to hit a girl, he turned his anger from Blishwick towards the Marauders.

His fist was clinched tight and Severus knew that if the Gryffindors said one more disparaging word to Lucy, he would not be held accountable for his actions. Fortunately, Severus did not have to worry. Before he realised what was happening, a small hand grabbed his upper arm. He was pulled backwards and nearly off his feet. Severus was lucky he managed to keep hold of his books.

"Let's go, Severus," Lucy stormed. "They're not worth it."

Severus glanced back long enough to see Lupin arguing with his fellow Marauders and Alice looking down at Lucy and Severus hastening down the stairs, with something akin to regret in her eyes.

Lucy had already dragged Severus down the steps and onto the lawn, when Severus heard Lupin call out, "O'Conner!"

"Is everybody so damned territorial over their Houses around here?" Lucy fumed as she continued to stalk off towards the vicinity of the Forbidden Forest and ignored Lupin's calls.

"No more so than rabid nundus guarding their territory," Severus admitted offhandedly. "By the way, Lucy—where are we going?"

Lucy stopped and dropped Severus' arm, apparently realising that she did not know where she was going.

"I think you have a point," Lucy said, panting from the physical and emotional exertion. Lucy scanned the grounds, her eyes looking as if they were trying to discern exactly where she was.

Shielding her striking turquoise eyes from the bright sun she asked squinting back up at Severus, "Do you have any suggestions?"

Severus began to rub his arm now that his circulation had returned. For a small girl, Lucy had an iron grip.

"I know a quiet spot where we can study down by the lake," Severus said, pointing back towards the vast body of water.

Lucy gestured in the direction Severus had indicated and said, "Lead the way."

Severus knew from how low the sun was in the sky, that they would have to make their way back to the castle soon. Dinner would be served until seven thirty and it had to be sometime after six. Their studying had ended about a half-hour ago.

They had focused mainly on Charms since Lucy's father had only assigned further reading on Golpalott's Third Law. After a quick scan through the pages, they saw no point reviewing the subject yet again. Not only could they both recite the law in their sleep, they actually had a thoroughgoing understanding of it—unlike the rest of the class who would probably be pulling their hair out over the weekend just trying to understand the jargon.

For the past twenty minutes, Severus had been asking Lucy questions about her father as he skipped stones on the lake and she walked up and down on a fallen log like a gymnast on a balance beam. Every now and then she bent over, steadying herself on one leg as the other extended behind her as a counter balance, to inspect an interesting insect or speck of fungus. She reminded Severus somewhat of a clumsy ballerina, if there were such a thing.

She had told Severus that her father was born without his optic nerves, which was why his potion was ineffective on him. He had no nerves to regenerate. There was nothing for the potion to replicate. Dr O'Conner wasn't even a candidate for one of the new prosthetic eyes that had recently been developed. The potion was strictly for the benefit of others. Severus found that to be a bit of a sad irony, yet somehow, made the Professor all the more heroic to him. The Professor created the potion so others would not have to suffer his fate.

Lucy had told Severus some of what he could expect, learning under her father. Dr O'Conner had learned the art of Potioneering by using his other senses—smell, touch, hearing, and even taste. Severus never thought about it until Lucy had mentioned it, but one could taste the difference in the lingering fumes if say…one added too much hellebore to a Draught of Peace. The Professor could tell if a flame was set correctly by feeling the heat radiating from the cauldron. Lucy had said that her father had taught all of his children how to distinguish the difference between various potion ingredients by smell alone.

"Get comfortable to working with a blindfold," she had warned.

But as sunset approached, they simply kept each other company, and Severus almost hated to admit, the silence wasn't awkward in the least. When he was alone with Lily, Severus always felt that he had to fish for something witty to say.

He watched as his last stone skipped across the water and plopped into the depths on the fifth skip. He looked up into the sky and gazed as the waning crescent moon finally made its appearance in the approaching dusk.

"You really ought to keep your distance from Remus Lupin," Severus said, nearly startling himself with the break in the silence.

"Why's that?" Lucy asked looking up from where she now knelt beside the log, inspecting some yellow lichen. "Not that we're likely to be chummy or anything, but it seemed to me that he was at least standing up to his friends."

It would be a first, Severus spitefully thought to himself.

"Well," Severus began, searching for a tactful way to broach the subject whilst at the same time not appearing to be paranoid. "I've noticed a few years back that Lupin tends to get sick at least once a month."

Lucy chuckled as she brushed the dirt off her hands, stood up and said, "You're not suggesting that Remus Lupin gets menstrual cramps every month, are you?"

"No," Severus said as he rolled his eyes in exasperation. He sat down on the log and looked up at her. "I'm saying he gets sick once a month during the full moon."

Lucy's face dropped. Her expression was a mix of horror and concern. "You're saying that he's a werewolf? Are you sure?"

"Of course I don't have any definitive proof," Severus admitted regretfully. "But he is never in class on the day of the full moon and he is always sickly for that entire week. And his temper leading up to the full moon…the only way I can describe it is…'wolfish'."

Lucy ungracefully sat herself on the log next to Severus. She didn't seem to notice how close she was, but stared blankly into the distance. Severus scooted twice to the left put a respectful distance between them.

"Your assumption makes sense, Severus, but I just can't see Uncle Albus allowing a werewolf to roam about the school. That would be grossly irresponsible," Lucy said perplexedly. "I mean…during the rest of the month, I don't see a problem, but where would he put Lupin during the full moon? In America, the law states that during a full moon werewolves should be secured in a location at least ten miles from the nearest human population. "

"Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of open space here in Great Britain like you do in the States," Severus said. "I'm not even sure what the law is concerning werewolves attending school."

Lucy said, "In America, there's a school in South Dakota that caters to werefolk or they have private tutors. The school is rumoured to be very good and it has a three year waiting list. Grandma is friends with a Gullah witch back home that adopted two young werewolves. Miss Sarah teaches Amy and Ben at home. During the full moon they stay in a cabin deep in the Edisto."

Lucy sat in quiet contemplation for another moment and then turned to Severus – her eyes meeting his. She said seriously, "Severus…are you sure he's a werewolf? That's a mighty powerful accusation."

Severus nodded his head. What Lucy said was true. It was a serious accusation—but he knew in his gut he was right on this. "Did you notice the scars on his face?" he asked her sombrely. "It doesn't happen every time, but when he shows up with new ones, it's only after a full moon."

He could see the realisation dawn on Lucy's face. "I noticed them," she admitted sadly. "Wizards don't retain scars except through curses. I only just met Lupin. I thought it would be rude to ask who cursed him. But if he was chained up during the full moon, it would make perfect sense that he did them to himself."

"Last time it happened, Potter and Black claimed they did it," Severus said as he picked up a rock that sat on the ground next to his foot, then flung it as hard as he could into the far-off leaf litter. "Claimed it was an accident whilst practicing for DADA."

"Well, that would explain why Lupin hangs out with those jerks," Lucy said heatedly. "I wouldn't doubt if they're blackmailing him."

Severus had never thought of that. But he honestly didn't want to think about werewolves anymore. Although the full moon was still three weeks away, all of this talk about werewolves and the approaching dark was giving him the willies.

He got up from the log and dusted off the back of his trousers. Severus offered his hand to Lucy and she gladly accepted his help.

Severus and Lucy quickly gathered their books together and started the long walk back up to the castle. Severus estimated that by the time they got back, they would only have a little less than half hour to eat their dinner.

Lucy grinned and said, "You see—that's the advantage of being a teacher's daughter."

Severus looked at her and asked, "How do you mean?"

"There's a small kitchen down in our family quarters. Mama's bound to have something in the cooling cabinet I can whip up quick. I promised Daddy I'd come down and say goodnight to Mama, anyway. He didn't say I couldn't bring company."

"In that case, we don't have to be in such a hurry," Severus said happily.

It was a truly fine evening. The hottest part of the summer was gone and the air had not yet turned chill. Away from the bright lights of Manchester there were already more stars in the sky than he could count and the sun hadn't even set as of yet. It was even more gladdening to know that he wasn't sharing such a brilliant night alone. He was like any other student at Hogwarts, spending his time with a friend. It felt very normal and Severus couldn't remember the last time he felt normal.

There were still a few older students lingering outside the castle, enjoying the last bit of daylight before they were required to go in.

Lucy slowed down as they approached the castle. Even in the fading light, Severus could see a question forming on her face.

"Severus—do you mind if I ask you something?" Lucy finally asked.

"I don't see where that has stopped you before," he answered.

Lucy looked as if she were having an internal debate with herself. She finally elaborated, "Well…the question might be a bit personal. I just don't know."

Severus debated himself, wondering what Lucy could possibly ask that could be so personal. "I suppose you can ask," Severus finally said. "I just don't know if I'll give you an answer. It depends upon the question, really."

Lucy nodded, still looking unsure of herself. But she nearly knocked the air out of Severus when she asked, "Who's Lily?"

It was too soon.

Severus had never spoken of his feelings for Lily to anyone. He couldn't see how he could explain her to Lucy without pouring his heart out and Severus wasn't ready for that. He honestly didn't know if he ever would be.

Lucy gazed up at him, searching for an answer he could not give her. For the first time since he met Lucy, Severus caved into panic.

He stumbled for his words. "I…I…I have to go!" he said and then ran into the castle as fast as his feet could carry him, leaving a very confused and heartbroken Lucy in his wake.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hey folks.

I hope everybody enjoyed their holidays and had a happy and safe New Year. Thank you everybody for your wonderful reviews. They really help keep me going. RL hasn't been going quite so well lately and has kept me away from the computer.

I want to once again, thank my wonderful beta, Tambrathegreat, and wish her (and Severus of course) a very happy upcoming birthday. Tambra, you rock!

Any typos you see are my doing because I added some scenes after she sent the chapter back.

Please, feel free to comment or review, because after all, Review-es feed the Muses.

TTFN
~Missyann