January 15th, 1977
While friends of James and Lily were very happy that they had gotten together, none of them was as happy as Harry was. For a very long time, he always had the doubt whether his dad changed or not. He always wanted to see his parents together. And he saw that yesterday. He had seen his father change. His father had changed to become the man Harry always thought his father was. His parents truly loved each other. Harry finally had the closure he had wanted since seeing Snape's memory in his fifth year. Ginny too was happy, because she knew how much Harry had needed that.
Severus as roaming along the corridors of the Hogwarts. His mind was on what had happened yesterday in the great hall. Since that kiss between James and Lily, his mind had been replaying it, messing with him. He was feeling a mixture of emotions. Anger, jealousy, hatred, sadness and many other emotions. He couldn't believe that Lily had kissed James, that they were together and were a couple. That was wrong. It was supposed to be him and Lily. Just like they had been since their childhood. She was meant to be with him, not James Potter.
It seemed fate was playing with him, because as he was walking, he saw James and Lily come out of a broom closet. It was clear from their appearance and looks that they had been snogging. And it seemed it hadn't been enough, cause James kissed Lily again.
James and Lily had just pulled away from their kiss when they saw an angry and scowling Severus come in front of them. He gave James a look full of hatred, anger and even a bit of jealousy. He then looked at Lily and said, "You got together with him? You know how he is Lily. You are nothing but another conquest for him. Another mark in his log. He will leave as soon as you begin to bore him. He doesn't care about you or your feelings. He just wants your body. I thought you knew what kind of guy he was. He isn't the one who deserves you or your love. All this niceness he is showing is just a ploy to get you."
Lily stopped him midway with just a look of her eyes. Severus was shocked. That look, he had seen it only once, when she had broken their friendship. Lily turned to James and said to him, "Go to the tower James. This is between Severus and me." James didn't even protest and left, knowing anything else would mean risking Lily's wrath on him. She then turned to Severus and said, "Do you think that I am some naïve, clueless girl who needs someone else to make choices for her and cannot think for herself. How do you know that James hasn't change? As far as I know, you both haven't even been near each other this entire year. I have seen the changes in him. And I like him because of that. He was there when I needed comfort. I don't remember you being there"
Severus said, "Because we both know you don't want me be near you. You have made it very clear by ignoring me, pushing me away. But you didn't do that to James. You have forgiven him, but not me, despite me apologizing every day since that day." Lily said, "And why should I? I told you that your friends from Slytherin are following the path of Voldemort. I asked you to not do it. But what did you do? You began studying it. When I helped you by stopping James, what did you do? You called me a mudblood. How do I know you won't say it again? Afterall, I am a mudblood. So why should I forgive you Severus?" Severus didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say to her. Lily seemed to understand this and left.
Shock and sadness turned into anger and jealousy. His friendship with Lily got damaged because of him. He stole Lily from him. No one knew but Severus loved Lily. He wanted Lily to be with him. Seeing her with James made him very angry and jealous.
It was in this anger and jealousy that Snape decided to join the death eaters. He remembered his friend Lucius Malfoy's offer of joining the death eaters and follow the dark lord. This had been in his 5th year, when he was still friends with Lily. So, he refused the offer. But now, joining them seemed better. He could join them and become a trusted follower of the dark lord. He could make a name for himself. He could take revenge on the marauders. He would protect Lily, by hiding her somewhere. Without thinking what he was about to do, he sent a letter to Lucius, telling him he wanted to join the death eaters.
May 26th, 1977
It was a day of both happiness and sadness for the 7th years. For that day marked the end of their 7 years stay in Hogwarts. And it had been 7 years full of great memories for them. So, while they were sad knowing that they would leave the castle tomorrow, they were also happy for all the memories they would have about Hogwarts.
It was with these thoughts that all the 7th years entered the Great Hall for the Graduation Ball. The hall had been arranged just like how it was arranged for the Halloween Ball. But the décor was different. Where the Halloween décor was more orangish, the décor for this ball was a mix of the color of Hogwarts houses. The seating too was smaller, but that was because the ball was only for the 7th year and invited 6th year.
It was with these thoughts that all the 7th years entered the Great Hall for the Graduation Ball. The hall had been arranged just like how it was arranged for the Halloween Ball. But the décor was different and the number of tables was less. Once everyone was seated, Dumbledore stood up and began speaking. "Every year, whenever this day comes, we teachers always feel sad, for we knew students whom we taught and mentored for 7 years would leave us the next day. This happens every year. But this year, that feeling is felt even more. And that is because you all have come to mean very much to us. You seventh years are special. During the attack on Hogsmeade, you all bravely helped and fought. The marauders are in this year as well. And I am sure that all of us while miss the various pranks and mischief they caused. But today, we are not here to feel sad. We all are ere to spend this last night of yours remembering all your memories of this castle and its people and enjoying." He then opened the ball and dinner. Unlike the Halloween Ball, this ball was more informal. Some were dancing, some were eating, some were talking with their professors. James and Sirius even danced with McGonagall.
Harry and Ginny themselves were observing everything. So many things were different from the Halloween ball. They were a couple. So were James and Lily, who were doing a slow dance. Sirius and Marlene were engaged. Peter was in a relationship. And the way Patricia was dancing with Oliver McMillian, a Hufflepuff pureblood, looked as if new relationships were going to form in near future.
Their attention then shifted to Teddy. Unlike last time, Teddy was awake. Looking at the décor and pointing them happily to Harry and Ginny. Now 13 months old, he was able to speak few words. He had stared Harry as dada while he called Ginny mama. The first time he called them that, both of them been both overjoyed and sad. Overjoyed that teddy had called them mama and dada, sad that Remus and Tonks would never get to hear Teddy call them that and that he would never get to call them that. That night that they had promised to each other that they would tell Teddy the truth when was old enough to understand.
They musings were broken when they saw James and Lily come to them. They both asked Ginny and Harry for a dance. Both Harry and Ginny had been surprised but accepted. Remus and Dorcas told them that they will look after teddy and to go dance for a while. During the dance, James and Lily both thanked Ginny and Harry for all the help they had done to them during the year. After the dance, Harry and Ginny began dancing. After having their fill of dance, they were going back to their seats when they saw Remus playing with Teddy. Remus and Dorcas were playing peek-a-boo with Teddy, who was laughing and clapping happily. Both Harry and Ginny were over the moon that they brought Teddy with them. Otherwise, he would have never gotten this chance.
James and Lily where meanwhile sitting outside in the rose garden, talking about various memories of Hogwarts they would remember for a long time. Coincidentally, Lily was sitting at the same spot where she had sat during the last ball. Back then, she had filled with jealousy and anger. But now, she was sitting there with James, feeling content and happy. When she realized this, she laughed. When James asked her why she was laughing, she told him what she had realized. James too laughed for a while before kissing her. Lily smiled as James kissed her. Her seventh year had a been full of ups and downs. But at the moment, she was only thinking about the happy memories, majority of which were caused by the boy kissing her.