Hello, dear readers!

With this episode, we begin the transition to new problems and new action scenes! So I had to squeeze a lot of important info into this chapter. Despite its length, I've tried to make it as fluid as possible!

Enjoy your reading!

"Our faults should give us a quality: indulgence for the faults of others."

Antoine de Rivarol

Severus had been in the infirmary for almost a week. Although he had initially been opposed to the nurse keeping him there for so long, he had to admit, she'd been right to insist. The burns were taking much longer than they should have to heal. Madame Pomfrey said she'd never seen anything like it. The poultices and ointments she applied to them, usually formidably effective, did little to speed up the healing process. As soon as Severus wasn't wholly coated, bandaged, and sedated, he was in agony. Even parts that had already healed sometimes still hurt. He could feel the fire coursing through his veins, licking his skin from the inside, and his heart began to beat so fast it made him dizzy. Was he going to have these symptoms for the rest of his life? He hoped not. His existence was already fraught with pitfalls, suffering a new handicap was the last thing he needed.

Still dazed from the potions Madame Pomfrey had administered, Severus stretched out for a long time in bed. The woman may not have been able to treat his burns, but she had worked miracles on his neck. He felt as if he'd rediscovered his suppleness! It was with great satisfaction that he looked up at the window above his bed. The soft light reminded him of a late afternoon. The little clock on his bedside table confirmed his suspicions. Beside it, a stack of parchments waited patiently. Catch-up lessons deposited every day while he slept. Who brought them to him? Severus didn't know. He'd simply noticed that the style of writing differed from subject to subject. Some had the same small, tight handwriting, traced with such rigidity that the nib scratched the paper in places, and scattered with obscure abbreviations. Yet others were calligraphic in style, beautiful at first glance, but tiresome to read because of the sometimes over-stylized letters. Severus preferred Lily's copies, which were far clearer and complete. The only documents that really served him were the drafts of homework assignments that occasionally topped the pile. However, mysterious notes were added to certain paragraphs, correcting mistakes and proposing developments that Severus thought were very judicious.

The sound of crumpling pages turned Severus's attention. Sitting beside him, Lily was absorbed in reading an enormous leather-covered book. Colorful ribbons sprouted from the top of the pages, presumably indicating points of interest. Judging by their number, Lily seemed to have discovered a new passion, unless she was preparing a presentation. Intrigued, Severus squinted in an attempt to decipher the title finely engraved on the book's edge: "Encyclopedia of Healing Spells".

An irrepressible smile lit up the Slytherin's face. Ah, Lily… She always had to overdo it.

"Is it just me, or is your personal reading getting more and more boring?"

The young girl didn't even raise her head.

"It's funny," she said in a composed voice. "I feel like the guy who's just been flipping through the same old Potions textbook for years is taking the liberty of judging me."

Severus chuckled at the remark. Touché.

"Have you found any interesting spells?"

"Pretty much, yes," Lily replied cheerfully. "Some require a high level of magic, but I now have a good list of spells to learn. If I practice seriously, I could become your personal nurse!"

Lily as a personal nurse? It seemed to Severus that this was already the case. Whenever he fell ill outside Hogwarts, the redhead never shied away from taking care of him, sneaking medicines from her parents' medicine cabinet. There was nothing to take care of himself at Severus's house. In fact, there was nothing at all. Objects and furniture, broken one after the other in the course of countless disputes between his father and mother, had never been replaced for lack of money. The rooms, now practically empty, gave the impression of an eternal move.

Severus did his best to push the thought from his mind. His life at Cokeworth didn't have to follow him to Hogwarts. No matter how much he struggled with it at times, the school remained his haven.

"With your talent, I hope you'll at least become a mediwizard," he finally replied.

"Don't dream," Lily chuckled. "I'm not going to change my career choice for you, either. And stop touching your head, you'll grease your hair."

She finally lowered her encyclopedia to gauge her best friend's hair, wrinkling her nose.

"Are you even using it? The potion I gave you? I took it from my own stock, I remind you! It costs a fortune!"

Severus chuckled again. Lily liked to suffer from invented defects. A problem with greasy hair had recently appeared on her long list. Granted, her hair could be a little oily at times, but to make a complex out of it was a world away. Still, she was ruining herself, scraping together her meager savings to buy little vials at Magic Beauty, supposedly to prevent her hair from looking "wet", as she put it. Severus didn't want to push her into this delusion, but, by dint of seeing her throw her money away, he wondered if he wasn't going to synthesize a new formula just for her.

"I thank you for your massive investment in my scalp's health, but no, I haven't used it yet. What good would it do me? I spend so much time on my cauldron that my hair will get greasy anyway. It's the fumes from the potions that do it. It does the same to my face."

"Yeah, well, too bad for you," Lily retorted, puffing out her cheeks. "One of these days, we can make a vinaigrette sauce with your head."

Severus's eyebrows arched in an outraged expression. Ah, she wanted to play that game? Very well, then.

"We'll just have to add your chicken calves, that way it'll make a Caesar salad," he replied with a big grin.

Lily's mouth opened in a big, silent "O" as she stared at Severus, completely blown away. Then her face flushed, and she hurried to put her book down on the bed.

"That's not true in the first place! I… I don't have chicken legs anymore! I've been working out this summer! Look!"

She hastily removed her shoe and placed her foot on the mattress, forcing her leg down to try to bring out her calf muscles.

"See! Look, it's bulging a bit now! See? Right there!"

The two leaned over to observe in silence the bottom of her poor leg, which, despite Lily's efforts to contract it, didn't let any curves show.

"No, but… It's fine," Severus finally said after a silence, "If you ever forget your ruler in tests, you'll always have something to underline the titles…"

This time the encyclopedia landed heavily on the top of his head and Severus squeaked in shock.

"Hey! I've only just had my neck brace removed, I remind you! You want it to happen again? You're going to finish me off!"

"I'd love to, yes!" shouted Lily, still red with shame. "It's your fault! You can't talk to me about my legs! You know it's a complex for me!"

"Ah, so, me, I can't criticize your calves, but you, you can have a field day with my hair?"

"Rho, but I was just trying to help!", Lily tried to justify herself, "I… Okay, I shouldn't have! I didn't mean any harm! You're naturally elegant, and it would be cool if you improved your presentation! That's all there is to it! Think about your exams and even your competition after Hogwarts!"

"Shit, I'd forgotten you had to do a fashion show to get into the potion academy," Severus joked. "Do you think I could still be first runner-up?" he added, batting his eyelashes.

Annoyed by his attitude, Lily crossed her arms and dropped into the hollow of her chair.

"Stop making fun of me! I know you don't care about looks. I… I was just saying that to make fun of you! There!"

"It didn't sound like a joke, though. Be honest, does it bother you that I have greasy hair?" asked Severus more seriously. He felt he'd struck a chord by accusing Lily. Although he dreaded her answer, he couldn't help insisting.

"Of course not!" replied Lily, almost vexed that Severus could think such a thing. "I don't care personally. You're just fine the way you are. Besides, you know I've got greasy hair too!"

Severus's masterful eye-roll forced her to temper herself, and she resumed in a more hesitant tone:

"Well, less than you, obviously, because I don't spend my life bent over a cauldron… The problem is… It's the others… I just want to protect you. Often, I have the impression that people look at you the wrong way… I can see that they…" she suddenly looked embarrassed and struggled even harder to find her words, "that they…"

"That they're laughing at me?" asked Severus calmly. Lily may have acted tough, but she was sorely lacking in self-confidence, and Severus knew she was sensitive to other people's remarks. She absorbed the mockery of those she loved with equal emotion. Severus had already seen her go ballistic the day a boy had made fun of Mary McDonald's shape. He suspected a form of projection. A way of feeding her own insecurities by appropriating the shame others might feel.

A bad habit he would have to break.

Lily didn't dare answer him right away, looking away.

"Yeah… I hear them talking about you. You know how shallow those idiots can get… Of course, I shut them up every chance I get, but I can't be everywhere at once. And, since the subject of your hair comes up a lot, I was thinking-"

"Lily," Severus interrupted her, "if these morons want to make fun of me, let them, I don't care. Their opinion doesn't matter to me. I know who I am and what I'm worth, no matter what I look like or what other people say. In the end, if it really upsets you, I can make an effort."

He refrained from saying it would break his heart. The rest of the world could laugh at him, Severus didn't care. But the idea that Lily might feel ashamed of his appearance hurt him deeply. He had always been aware of his differences, whether it was his unattractive physique or his particular passion for potions. Knowing that it could affect their relationship was heartbreaking.

Lily's gentle voice snapped her out of his sudden anguish:

"You don't have to make an effort with me," she breathed shyly. "Sincerely. I love you just the way you are…"

There was a long silence during which the two watched each other and Severus wondered how much she could mean her words. The vulnerability she exuded at that moment might have given him the impression she was sincere, but he still didn't know which way to go with her. What exactly did she want from him? What kind of love was she talking about? Her steady gaze, the way she leaned towards him, the way her fingers nervously fiddled with her hair… It all seemed to suggest an unspoken expectation, a desire for him to make the first move, but he couldn't be sure. Maybe the secret to success was not to be sure. Maybe he had to bet everything on a single action, forget his fears, all the questions he had about their relationship…

If he'd had the courage, this would have been the moment he'd have chosen to kiss her.

Unfortunately, he was a coward, a terrible coward, and he preferred to carry on as if nothing had happened:

"Thank you. I, too, think you look great just the way you are. Don't waste your time judging yourself. You won't be able to change anyway."

Lily remained silent, continuing to stare at him, and again Severus got the impression that she had expected him to do something. However, before he could even make a decision, she nodded her chin briefly before sinking back into her chair, smiling bitterly.

"I know," she replied, moving to curl her hair around her fingertips, "Still, don't you ever want to change things at home? I do all the time… I'd like to be a little different sometimes…"

"Different how?" asked Severus with a sigh, trying as best he could to hide his own disappointment. "What imaginary flaw have you found for yourself again? Or are we back to the classics? "Blah, blah, blah, I've got too much red hair!", "I've got too many freckles!"?"

Lily shrugged, suddenly grumpy.

"These are not imaginary flaws. First of all, yes, I have too many freckles! It looks like my face is orange and… Tututut! Don't interrupt me!" she ordered, pointing an authoritative finger at Severus, who was already preparing to reply. "That's not the worst of it! I'm, I'm…" she let out a grunt and brought her knees up to her torso, hugging her legs. "I'm flat as a board. And, don't tell me it's not true! I have no shape! I feel like a coat hanger. I don't… I don't even have calves!" she cried, defeated. "When I see Mary with curves, it depresses me. I wish I could be like her. I feel like life would be, I don't know, nicer. Simpler."

Severus ran his hands over his face, rubbing his eyelids before covering his nose and mouth, wearily. Here it goes again...

"Ah fuck, that's right," he declared in a suddenly distressed tone, "I'd forgotten that having big boobs was the number one criteria for becoming a lawyer in the Department of Magical Justice… How are you going to do it, Lily? You'll have such a hard time! We could have swapped careers to live each other's dream, but that's not going to be possible, I've got no breasts either!"

Lily's foot came menacingly in his direction.

"Sev! I swear, I'm going to end up kicking you if you keep this up!"

"I'm the one who's going to kick you," Severus retorted, flicking his shoe. "Because you obviously don't listen to anything I say! Stop belittling yourself! Who cares if you don't have Miss World breasts? You're a knockout! I mean, seriously, it's not like you're light years ahead of today's beauty standards! That's pretty much the case for me. You're super pretty. Even with real chicken calves, you'd be super pretty. You'd be Miss Harpy."

Lily stifled a little giggle, preferring to persist in her misfortune by stuffing her head between her knees. It was Severus's turn to pick her up, his hand gently coming to grip hers.

"Hey," he insisted, "can't you imagine yourself like this?"

Lily's fingers tightened around his thumb, and Severus felt his heart beat a little harder. Perhaps not everything was lost.

"See?" he said, tenderly caressing the palm of her hand. "As beautiful as ever and even more powerful."

"I could lacerate Henry Fergusson's buttocks," Lily agreed.

"Henry Fergusson? The prefect of the Gryffindors? What did that one do?"

"He's a big jerk. He won't take part in the tutoring project I'm trying to set up. Apart from him, all the others have agreed. Well, all except Malfoy, but I expected that. I really don't see why Fergusson was appointed prefect. Okay, he's got very good marks, but he's so annoying! He's always bragging and making fun of other people! Like he's better than them, with his poodle haircut and crooked teeth… He's already made fun of you several times. I'm sure when I'm not around, he's making fun of me too."

"Noted," Severus said, suddenly no longer in the mood for a laugh.

Lily rested her head on her knees to get a better look at him, her hand still firmly clasped in his.

"I have a feeling you're going to want to make him pay, and, normally, I'd have to talk you out of it. But, he gets me so pissed that I'm willing to let you do it for once…"

Before Severus could reply, small knocks sounded against the infirmary door, suddenly causing them to pull away from each other, followed by the suave voice of their potion teacher.

"Hello, children! I hope I'm not disturbing you! I was just checking in!"

Professor Slughorn stood majestically in the doorway, dressed as usual in an elegant suit, today in khaki green velvet with a checked bow tie. He held in his arms what looked like a basket full of sweets, and it was with a lively step that he approached them.

"Mister Snape!" he exclaimed in a jovial tone as he advanced towards him. "You seem to have recovered well from your injuries. I'm glad to see it! I've been so worried about you! Plus, I see you're in delightful company," he added, smiling at Lily. "Miss Evans, it's always a pleasure to see you! You're in luck, you'll be able to taste these fruit jellies I've brought back. I expressly picked them up at Honeydukes. Ambrosius himself prepared them at my request. A fine boy. Like you, he was a member of my club when he was your age. Did you know that?"

"Professor Slughorn," Severus greeted him warmly, "I'm glad to see you! Thank you so much for your gift! And, yes, you had already told us. He was as good at potions as he was at cooking."

"Very nice to see you too!" added Lily as she rose from her chair to make room on the bedside table. "That's really nice of you! Let me take that!"

Slughorn let Lily grab the basket and, after thanking her, flicked one of the infirmary chairs towards him to sit down and continue his story:

"As good at potions as he is at cooking, indeed! You'd think they'd go hand in hand, but I can assure you they don't. Not to brag, but I was the one who introduced him to his first employer, Cicero Harkiss, the great pastry chef. He was looking for an apprentice and wasn't sure whom to choose, so I said to him, "Cicero, my friend, stop hesitating! Choose Ambrosius! The boy has gold in his hands!". Ah, I wasn't wrong…"

His gaze shifted to Lily, who was busy putting some fruit pastes on a small plate, and he shook his head slowly, obviously lost in old memories. When the plate was full, he picked up one of the sweets, observing it for a long time before huffing, admiringly:

"Gold in his hands, yes. Look at these beauties… You know, you've got gold on your hands too. Both of you!" he insisted, pointing to Severus and Lily in turn with an emphatic gesture. "It's not for nothing that I spotted you. You're destined for great things. You proved it again this week when you stood up after a hard blow! I can see that!"

He let out an amused chuckle as he patted the encyclopedia Lily had left on the bed.

"That doesn't surprise me coming from you! That's how the greatest become the greatest. By never giving up! As soon as they fall down, they get right back up! Instead of giving up, they always learn from the accidents along the way! That's… that's why I'm here… I… I wanted to talk to you about what happened in class… A regrettable, yet extraordinary situation."

He paused to eat his fruit paste, approving its quality by nodding his chin, eyes closed to concentrate on its flavor. Beside him, Lily gave Severus a puzzled look, not understanding what their teacher was getting at. Severus was lost too. Slughorn liked to make a spectacle of himself and there was nothing exceptional about his presence here. However, he sensed from the honeyed tone of his voice that all this was just a long introduction to one of his fantastical plans, of which he had the secret. The man had a knack for taking advantage of every situation.

"You're probably thinking, 'But what can our dear Professor Slughorn be talking about?'" resumed Slughorn, swallowing his last mouthful. "Well, I won't keep you waiting any longer. Mister Snape, I'm speaking mainly to you. As you know, what happened in class was as unpredictable as it was impressive. It's the first time in my entire career that I've seen such a reaction! So I took the liberty of keeping the rest of your potion, and I think analyzing the ingredients that fell into it to deduce its composition would be a very interesting subject of study. I mean, those flames only attacked you. They didn't hurt any of your other comrades and left the furniture untouched. I know you've already started working on new uses for draconite sulfur, but this strange blue fire has never been described before! It could be a one-of-a-kind discovery! You could even try to reproduce the process and see how it can be exploited!"

"Wait," Lily cut him off, "are you asking him to try and replicate the explosion that failed to kill him just a few days ago?"

"No, of course not!" Slughorn hurried to reassure her when he saw her incensed look." Firstly, he doesn't have to start right away. I mean, time could alter the composition of the potion, so it'd be better not to drag it out, but he can allow himself another week's rest! Next, it's not a question of recreating the explosion, but just the fire! Fire, only fire! Now, I realize that to get to that point, we may have to go through some new detonations, but…"

"What do you mean 'but'?" snapped Lily. "You're asking him to study an extremely dangerous unexplained phenomenon! With all due respect, Professor Slughorn, that's completely insane! He's only in his fifth year! You can't ask him to reproduce this alone in the depths of a dungeon! What would happen if another accident occurred?"

"I'll do it," Severus suddenly decided.

Lily's expression at his declaration sent a chill down his spine, and even Slughorn felt the need to step in.

"Miss Evans," he hastened to say, "I understand your concern for your friend. However, just imagine, for a second, the doors this work could open for him! The Potion Academy competition is extremely selective and places the emphasis on the candidates' personal research. Two-thirds of the grade is awarded to the study project presented. While applications are accepted straight from Hogwarts, the majority of participants are older and already have considerable experience. Fresh graduates have a hard time holding their own against these seasoned competitors. The jury doesn't expect simple presentations, but innovations," he insisted, brandishing his chubby arms in the air, "work nourished by personal experimentation, often outside the norm! By studying a situation never encountered before, moreover arrived at by accident, and by managing not only to reproduce it, but also to master and exploit it, our dear Severus would stand out from the crowd! He could even be the competition's valedictorian! If he doesn't succeed, there's always time to go back to his original project. As you mentioned yourself, he's only in his fifth year. He has plenty of time to experiment and bounce back if the results aren't satisfactory! He can even work on both projects simultaneously. I can arrange with Albus to accommodate his schedule. I'm sure he'll agree. Of course, I'll be there to guide him in his work, like a tutor. It would be a great opportunity for him to get a taste of the studies he'll be doing to get his thesis!"

Slughorn concluded his speech by placing a fatherly hand on Severus's shoulder, giving Lily his brightest smile. He'd been so caught up in his tirade that his face had taken on a rosy hue and fine beads of sweat were pearling down his forehead. In his garish costume, he looked like a performer at the end of a show, awaiting the audience's ovation, breathless with excitement. Severus would have gladly applauded him. Although he'd never liked show-offs, he had to admit that the Slytherin's Head of House oratorical skills commanded admiration. Moreover, he was right about everything. Studying this phenomenon could give him an edge in his competition. Slughorn deserved his old fox reputation.

Putting on his most cheerful face, he decided to face Lily's opinion. And, by Merlin, it was going to be an uphill battle. If Severus had been asked to draw the human equivalent of a spiked Magyar, he would have been drawing a portrait of Lily at this very moment. She looked like she was about to spit fire out of her eyes. To say she was raging mad was an understatement. She was seething so much she couldn't even think of what to say, gritting her in her chair.

His showman grin still plastered on his face, Slughorn leaned slightly towards Severus to whisper between his teeth:

"Anyway, we don't need her approval, do we?"

"No," Severus muttered back as he tried not to show his fear, "but, I'll be hearing about it at least until N.E.W.T, I can feel it."

Before Lily could come to her senses and set them alight, the infirmary door slammed loudly against the wall, revealing the massive figure of Sirius Black. It was the first time Severus had ever been glad to see him.

"Is he awake?" asked Black from the far end of the infirmary, probably not realizing he was screaming. How could the Blacks have spawned such an ill-mannered kid, Severus wondered. Especially when he observed his younger brother, much more in keeping with the standards of their noble lineage.

"You can see that he is," Slughorn replied, pointing at Severus, already annoyed by the Gryffindor's presence.

This was one of the reasons why Severus liked Slughorn so much. He wasn't like the other professors at Hogwarts, he didn't allow himself to be charmed by the deliciously immature behavior of the Marauders. Slughorn was often criticized for valuing talent alone, but this was not true. He also emphasized dedication and hard work. He gave a lot of himself to his students, whatever their homes, and expected them to do the same. The superficial charm of the little clique didn't get to him, quite the contrary. Seeing his facial features tense up at the sight of them gave Severus a sense of justice. Slughorn had his faults and he might seem insufferable to many, but he was the fairest teacher Severus had ever known.

Black stared at Severus in confusion before almost barking:

"No, not him, Remus!"

He pointed to the bed opposite them, and Severus was surprised to see that Remus was indeed awake. How long had he been up? He hoped for Lily's sake that he hadn't heard anything of her long complaint about her complexes. However, judging by his exasperated expression, he must have been conscious for quite some time. The werewolf's ability to make himself forget when it suited him was disconcerting. In fact, the more time Severus spent with him, the more intriguing he found him. Remus was nothing like the rest of the Marauders. He was quiet, discreet, and had a lot to offer intellectually. In fact, he was a formidable chess player – the Muggle version, as Remus couldn't stand the explosions of the wizard one – capable of analyzing any situation from many angles. Initially mortified at the idea of being stuck in the infirmary with him, Severus had eventually found their conversations refreshing, far from the superficial banalities that seemed to occupy most people their age. They'd even ended up helping each other with their homework.

They had Muggles Studies together, so perhaps he should invite him to a future group assignment. Lily would surely be delighted. She'd really enjoyed him too. Unfortunately, they'd surely have to put up with Black, who, for undoubtedly "sentimental" reasons, had also chosen this option…

The aforementioned Black strode up to the Gryffindor, chattering loudly around him. The rest of the team soon arrived, too, Peter slipping through the door, immediately followed by James. Severus's heart sank at the sight of him. Earlier that week, he'd told him he didn't want him to disappear. A seemingly stupid sentence, which had nevertheless touched him to the depths of his heart. Unfortunately, it was also the last thing James had said to him. He'd ignored him ever since. He never looked at him, never raised his head in his direction. Even to get to Remus's bedside, he took the longer way, carefully avoiding passing his bed.

What had Severus done to deserve such treatment? He didn't know. He only hoped James was doing all this out of embarrassment, and not because he'd resolved not to speak to him again. Certainly, logically, it was the right thing to do. All you had to do was take a step back from their relationship to see that. But James wasn't the type to make reasoned decisions, was he?

Severus silently prayed that the idiot was incapable of making such a rational choice. He hoped that somewhere deep down, James felt the same pain as he did, the same sadness at the idea of this sudden separation. Shit, here the Slytherin was talking about "separation" now. He was the one losing his mind… Yet he couldn't help hoping. Maybe, just maybe, this period of silence was necessary for things to calm down, for them to find common ground and pick up the pieces… A new relationship, with a little less violence… A little more, just a hint more, kindness…

Severus, too, didn't want James to disappear… Not from his life… Not like this…

Not after what he had finally confessed to him…

In despair, he looked up at James, seeking his gaze, but the latter stubbornly turned his back on him.

"Ah, Mister Lupin, I hadn't seen you!" exclaimed Slughorn with a smile, "I suppose you're here to… Yes, well, let's not talk about that. If I'd known, I'd have brought you something back to… Oh, but I see someone's already taken care of that. A good initiative…"

He had grabbed a package from the bedside table. It appeared to Severus to be anti-fatigue sweets, a common treat for students during exam periods. Before Slughorn could say more, Black seized the gift in turn, almost snatching it from his hands.

"Who's it from?" he asked abruptly, "Remus, do you know who gave it to you?"

He sounded pretty pissed off all of a sudden, and Severus soon guessed he was just jealous. He would have laughed his head off if the Gryffindor hadn't seemed so emotional. They might have made a non-aggression pact, but he was sure the fool would still be able to jump him.

Unaware of the turmoil that had seized his friend, Remus shrugged.

"I've no idea. I must have been asleep. That's pretty much all I do these days..."

"It's got something on it, doesn't it?" asked Peter.

Eyebrows furrowed, Black grabbed the label to read the inscription in a big voice:

"For when you need it. When you're feeling better, I'll come and talk to you. Cheer up. J.B."

The words made him raise an eyebrow, and he reread it several times as if trying to find some hidden meaning.

"Who's J.B?" he finally blurted out in an exasperated voice, "Do you know a J.B, Remus? How come you never told us about him?"

"Ah, no, but I don't know who that is," Remus defended himself, taken aback by his friend's sudden vehemence, "Apart from you, I don't talk to many people…"

"Well, in any case, this person seems to care about you. Maybe you just have an admirer," Slughorn joked.

"Maybe even a GIRL!" added Lily in turn.

The sudden possibility of amorous intrigue had roused her from her furious muteness and now seemed to command her full attention. Severus couldn't prevent a cruel sneer from escaping his lips at her outburst. He knew Lily too well to know that she wasn't going to leave it at that. She loved to play Cupid. Finding out who was in love with whom, connecting them and helping them confess was her hobby. She wasn't always the best at it, and some of her attempts had ended in disaster, but a few couples owed her a debt of gratitude.

Besides, if it would annoy the shit out of Black…

"You should investigate Lily!" he proclaimed with falsely exaggerated gusto, "You're very good at it! If she signed, it's because she wants us to find her! You could stage the meeting!"

"Yes, you're right! I could organize a picnic!" enthused Lily, letting all her corny side show.

Black's expression was worth all the gold in the world. He was livid, as if his soul had left his body. Remus, too, seemed on the verge of unease, clearly not thrilled with Lily's idea. A necessary sacrifice if Severus was to continue to drive Black round the bend.

"Wait," Slughorn tried to calm them, "let's not get carried away. Miss Evans, I think it's up to Mister Lupin to decide what he wants to do, and I don't think it's his priority at the moment… He needs to concentrate on his health first. You know," he says, this time addressing Remus directly, "the proposal for the position of prefect is still on the table. It's only the beginning of the year. If your health improves and you finally accept, there's still time…"

"The post of prefect?" the Marauders asked in chorus, incredulous.

"THE POSITION OF PREFECT!" roared Lily in turn, "WAIT, YOU WERE OFFERED THE POSITION AND YOU REFUSED? YOU LEFT ME ALL ALONE WITH THAT IDIOT FERGUSON?"

"Ah. You didn't tell them… I made a mistake…" murmured Slughorn, suddenly uncomfortable.

For answer, Remus glanced nervously at the assembly before letting out a little squeaky laugh.

"It's just that, since I refused, I didn't think it was worth mentioning to you…"

"No, but you're completely mad!" Sirius snapped "They make you an offer like that and you refuse? Can you imagine all that we-" A brief glance at Slughorn made him quickly change his sentence in a hurry, "all that YOU would be able to do! It would be great for your career!"

For once, Black had a point. Being named prefect at Hogwarts always looked good on a resume. Remus, however, didn't seem to agree.

"I can't even go to class anymore, how can I assume the duties of a prefect?"

"I'll assume them for you!" declared Lily, "Believe me! I'd rather go it alone again this year! You could just give me a hand with my homework club!"

"Oh, yes, that's right!" exclaimed Slughorn cheerfully. "How's your project coming along? I think it's a wonderful idea!"

"Ferguson refused," Lily replied more dryly, "Malfoy too. I'm also short of volunteers, but I won't despair. I'll get there."

"Well," Slughorn replied with a sneer while pointing at the Marauders, "You've got some good souls here who had been put in detention by your headmistress. We could always ask her to involve them in your project, so that their punishment is constructive…"

Neither the Marauders nor Lily seemed too keen on the idea. Which was understandable, given the little group's propensity for making a mess wherever they went. However, before she could reply, James's deep voice echoed through the infirmary:

"That's a very good idea. Outside of my training, I'm willing to participate. We'll all ask Professor McGonagall."

"Wonderful!" chained Slughorn, "I'll talk to her about it too, to back up your proposal!"

He royally ignored Lily, who was staring wide-eyed at Severus, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of spending time with James. Severus, too, put on an annoyed face, but not for the same reasons. James wouldn't say another word to him, then hurriedly agreed to help Lily? He was taking the piss, wasn't he? Was he upsetting him on purpose?

If Sirius had felt the same jealousy as Severus at that moment, he was almost sorry to have inflicted it on him…

"Great," Slughorn resumed, clapping his hands, "we'll do it this way. Don't worry, Miss Evans, I'll help you too. I know Mister Malfoy and his family well, I've met many of them in the course of my career. If I ask him, I doubt he'll refuse me the favor! As for you, Mister Lupin. I suggest you eat all those sweets and get back on track! At least come to the Great Hall tomorrow! We're celebrating Halloween!"

"Halloween, yes," Remus murmured, suddenly white, "I've never really been a fan of it…"

Slughorn launched into a long, persuasive monologue that Severus listened to with only one ear, still consumed by the bitterness of seeing James prefer Lily to him. In a daze, he was observing the infirmary without really seeing it, desperately seeking an escape from his anger when a movement suddenly caught his attention. The moment was brief, too fleeting for Severus to be sure he hadn't dreamed it. Yet he could have sworn he saw a figure peering at them from the front door. A young man with long blond hair, a stack of copies in his hands.

Lucius?