Chapter 20: In Three Broomsticks

The inside of Three Broomsticks is just as crowded as the streets – more so, actually, because the space is smaller. But that's to be expected. Lunch on a weekend? It's packed. But the tight chaos kind of adds to its charm.

By some miracle, Black claims us a table, grabbing it the second a group of chatty witches start to rise and collect their bags. He throws himself down in a chair, shouting, "Mine!" A group of fifth years also trying to secure spots groan as Black puts his feet up on another chair and stretches his hand across a third. "Move along," he says. "These are all taken."

Remus grins. "I'll go help him." That leaves James, Peter, and I to fight our way to the counter to order.

It isn't long after we've gotten our butterbeers and plates of hot fish and chips that I notice Severus sitting at a table, alone in the corner. He's trying to pretend he's so immersed in his book he didn't see me, but I keep catching him sneaking me glances.

I glance around at my lunchmates. I want to go say hi, but I'm not sure how to do so without alerting the lot of them to Sev's presence. I would hate for them to make some sort of scene in Three Broomsticks. They wouldn't do that, would they? I'm having a good lunch with them, but past incidents speak pretty strongly.

But of course, James notices.

"Go say hi," he says.

"Huh?" I say.

"Say hi to Snape."

I give him a wary look. "You don't mind? You lot won't make a big deal out of it?"

"Oh, I'm not promising that," he says, grinning. "But you should go say hi, I can tell your dying to." He grimaces. "And I think he's dying for you to come over, too."

James Potter encouraging me to talk to Severus? This is new. I imagine a strip of my cheek feeling much warmer than the rest. "Thanks," I say, touching his arm lightly.

He looks at my hand on his arm, then up into my eyes. His expression softens. I give him one last smile before I get up and cross over to Sev's table.

"What are you reading?" I ask, pulling out the chair next to Sev.

"Oh, it's nothing." He hastily closes his book. Somehow, I've managed to startle him even though he's been looking my way the last ten minutes. I get a good look at the cover before he has time to put it away.

"Wait, is that last year's Potions textbook?" I say in surprise.

He gives me a wary look and nods.

"Why are you reading that?" I say. "You already knew everything in there last year, so I doubt you're finding anything of interest in there this year."

Severus sighs and flicks the book open with one finger. It falls to a page somewhere near the middle. "Nothing of interest that I didn't put in there," he says.

I raise my eyebrows and then lean closer to see the page more clearly. The page it's open to is for the Draught of Living Death and it's heavily scribbled on in Severus's characteristic spiky handwriting, altering the instructions and even the list of ingredients. I peer closer. Crush with the flat side of a silver dagger, he's written under the crossed-out instructions to chop the sopophorous beans.

"Sev, did you do all this?" I say. I turn the page, and the next page is the same, all marked up. "This is amazing! Forget whatever potioneer instincts I have – you're a genius!"

"Thanks," Sev says, his pale face flushing pink. "But don't sell yourself short, did you see the notes on Essence to Induce Euphoria? Adding the peppermint sprig at the end? All you."

I flip to the page, and indeed, he has written it in there. I look up at him, grinning. "Brilliant." He grins back.

I go to keep turning pages, wanting to see what else he's altered, but he makes a noise in protest and stretches a hand out for the book. I sigh and let the textbook slide out from under my fingers. "Fine, take it. Thanks for letting me look though. Way cool."

"Thanks," Severus says again as he stores the book safely in his bag. "I just couldn't stand looking at all the incorrect information any longer, it was driving me crazy."

I laugh. "Fair enough. So, you came into Hogsmeade just to look over your own potion edits?" I look around at the blank table. "You're not even drinking any butterbeer or anything."

He shrugs. "Change of scenery." He glances over my shoulder. "Nice of you to come and say hi when you're running with that crowd." There's a touch of irritation in his voice, and I know he's looking at the table I've just deserted, where all four Marauders are sitting. I wonder if they're watching our conversation. I'm certain James is.

"And nice to not see you running with your usual crowd," I say back. "Where are they, anyways?" I'm baiting him, trying to get a read on him if he knows what his Housemates have been up to today.

But Sev just shrugs again. "Not entirely sure," he says. "I think Regulus was going to Sprintwitches. Evan and Roldophus are around here somewhere... I'm not sure about the rest of them."

"So you have no idea they just cornered me in an alleyway and nearly dueled me?" I ask.

"What?" Sev's eyebrows climb so far up his forehead they disappear behind his curtain of dark hair. "They didn't!"

"They did," I say bitterly. "Potter and the rest of them –" I nod back towards the Marauders' table "- swooped in just in time."

"No," Severus exhales, eyes wide. "They wouldn't do that. They know... Well, it must have been a misunderstanding." He flits his eyes back to the Marauders and scowls. "Potter probably wound them up, stirred up trouble where there wasn't any."

"Yeah, no, that's not what happened," I say, thinking about how tense and panicked I'd felt before James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter had shown up, the way Rosier's malevolent stare made me feel pinned up against the wall, all four of their wands drawn and no way for me to escape... I shudder. "Definitely not." I shake my head before Severus can protest further. "But in any case, doesn't matter. I'm just glad you're not hanging around them as much. That's the second time this week I've spotted them being shady and you haven't been with them."

"Oh?" Sev asks. "What was the other time?"

"I saw them Thursday night – remember I was out on rounds? By myself? I ran into them not too long after I talked to you. I tailed them up to Slughorn's office. Do you know anything about that?"

Severus is quiet for a minute, looking like the wheels in his head are whirring. "No..." he says slowly.

"It was so weird," I say, thinking back to that night. "Like, it was so late, you know? What could they possibly want from Professor Slughorn at that time?" I look at Severus. "And why not take you?" I ask. "Slughorn loves you. Whatever they wanted, you probably would have made it easier for them to get." I shake my head. "Not that I wanted you to be there. Like I said, I'm glad you're giving those guys some space."

Severus just nods, his eyes narrowed like he's thinking, too.

"Did you..." I begin hesitantly. "Did you mention to them though that I'd been kind of looking into them? Rosier said something that made me wonder..."

"Of course not!" Sev says, coming out of his reverie and snapping his attention to me. "You know I wouldn't!"

I relax. "No, of course you wouldn't. Sorry." Someone else could have tipped them off that I was investigating the Slytherins... though who, I'm not entirely sure.

Again, Sev flicks his gaze to the table behind me. Again, he can't help a scowl from spreading across his face. "I think your friends –" he says it with heavy sarcasm "- are waiting for you."

I turn and see all four Marauders watching me. Well, watching Sev and me. Sirius rolls his eyes when he sees me looking, like he can't believe I'm wasting any time at Sev's table. Remus looks tense, his eyes flicking between us, but Peter grins and stuffs a chip – one of mine, I think – in his mouth. James just looks unreadable.

But none of them are on their way over here and none of them look like they're waiting for the opportune moment to pounce on Severus, so that's a win.

I turn back around. "I think they're feeling a little protective of me after earlier."

Severus frowns at me. "You're being careful too, right Lily? You're always so concerned about who I run around with, but are you sure it's a good idea to hang around those... those..." He can't stop his eyes from roaming over to the Marauder table, and he apparently can't think of a derogatory enough term for them.

"I'll be fine, Sev," I cut him off. I may not be sure of the Marauders' characters, James Potter's included, but I trust them all not to be evil. I trust them all to not attack me in a deserted alley, at the very least. "And I'd better get back over there before they eat all my chips," I say, starting to get up.

Severus shifts uncomfortably in his chair. "You still remember he's an arrogant, self-centered prat, right?" he bursts out.

I pause. "Yes..." I say slowly. "I remember that he was." I turn my head to look at James. He's still watching us, and he tips his head questioningly when I meet his gaze, wordlessly asking if I need anything. I turn to look back at Severus. "I'm not sure he is anymore though."

"Lily -" Severus starts, sounding almost angry.

I shake my head. "Drop it, Sev. Monday free period for Potions homework good?"

Severus's jaw works, like it's taking everything he has not to criticize James more, but I fix him with a steely look until he relents. "Of course," Sev sighs. "See you later Lily." He says it warily, his eyes sliding once more back to James's table. His face hardens, and that's the image I'm left with as I walk away.

"Good talk?" James asks when I slide back in my chair.

I shrug and look past him. "Peter."

"Yes?" he says, pale blue eyes wide and innocent.

"Keep your hands off my lunch."

His expression doesn't change. He looks like a little kid who still believes in Father Christmas. "But I was doing you a favor."

"Oh really?"

"I was only eating the chips Sirius sprinkled giggle powder on."

I whip my head to look at Black, who cackles. "I don't believe you!" I exclaim.

"Oh you should," Peter says cheerfully. "I expect the side effects will kick in any minute."

"Padfoot!" James protests. I look at him.

"You didn't notice?" I say.

"Of course not!"

"He was too busy keeping eyes on you," Sirius says, still laughing. Peter joins in, though I suspect it's at least partially because the giggle powder is kicking in. Bloody Zonkos and their rubbish products...

"And your excuse, Remus?" I ask, turning to the last boy at our table. He tilts his head. "Peter had it under control."

Peter giggles even more furiously, face turning red.

"You," I tell him, "just became my new favorite Marauder." He doubles over, laughing uncontrollably into his arms.

"Ah, c'mon Evans," Black says, reclining back in his chair. "It was a harmless prank."

"Tell that to Peter," I say, nodding at the other boy, whose face is hidden in his arms but his shaking shoulders a clear enough indication that he's still suffering the consequences.

"Wormy knew what he was getting into. Really, you're being far too generous to him – he was just looking for an excuse to pilfer your lunch."

"Peter!" I exclaim at the back of his head, and he cackles much like Black had a minute ago. I roll my eyes and push my plate away. I don't trust anything on it anymore. I should have known better than to leave food unattended with these idiots. "I changed my mind. The lot of you are rubbish dining companions."

"Even James?" Remus asks, slyly.

I frown at him. I'm a little surprised he's here today – he's been ill again, and out of classes all of Thursday and Friday. He's got deep circles under his eyes but seems to be in relatively good spirits from spending the day out with his mates. He quirks a smile back at me.

"Fine," I say. "Potter gets a pass." I look James's way, and he looks relieved. "Thanks to his ignorance only," I add, and the rest of the Marauders crack up, Peter loudest of all. James gives me a reproachful look and I raise my eyebrows and shrug, like, what can I say?

I mean, he may have saved my life today, but he also did skip rounds on Thursday and I'm still smarting from his refusal to tell me anything. Can't let him think everything is all tickety-boo between us just because he showed up in the alleyway right on time, or got me all flustered with that little cheek-brush thing...

And speaking of Thursday night...

"Where's Carol?" I ask him while the others calm down, Peter included (the giggle powder must be starting to wear off).

"Carol?" he says, looking bewildered. "I dunno. Off with Mary?" He squints at me. "Is this some kind of trick question?"

I shrug. "I just thought since you guys are... you know... seeing each other again, you might want to spend some time together at Hogsmeade today."

James tilts his head to the side. "Seeing each other? Lily, what in the name of Merlin are you talking about?"

And then, just like they say (speak of the devil and all that), Carol, I swear, materializes out of thin air to slide an arm around James's shoulders.

"James!" she squeals. "I've been hoping we'd run into each other today!" Mary stands next to her, hanging back and looking a little uncomfortable as usual while Carol does her thing. She gives me a small, awkward smile when I catch her eye.

"Uh, yeah, good to see you too, I s'pose..." James says, allowing Carol to hug him for a moment before politely shifting out from her grip. He shoots me a look and I raise my eyebrows like, this is what I was talking about. He rolls his eyes when Carol isn't looking.

Carol pulls him into conversation, inane chatter about what she and Mary have been up to all morning, effectively ignoring the rest of us. I'm annoyed by her interruption and the way she's treating us like we don't exist. I don't know why, but when I slide my eyes over to Remus, Sirius, and Peter, I'm surprised to see my irritation echoed in all their expressions. Black watches the interaction with narrowed eyes and Peter's nose actually wrinkles in disgust. Remus wears a slight frown.

I scoot my chair closer to them. "I take it you're not fans of this?" I refrain from tacking 'either' onto the end of the question; no need to give away my own distaste.

"Not exactly," Remus begins, but Sirius cuts across him.

"No." He says it bluntly.

I glance to James and Carol, who are still chatting, then back to the rest of the Marauders. "Is there a... reason?" I ask.

The three boys share a look. Remus's frown deepens and Peter, unusually serious, shakes his head.

"They're... just not a great match," Sirius says slowly.

We all turn to look at James and Carol again. Carol laughs at whatever James just said and gives his arm a playful shove. I refrain from rolling my eyes. After all, I'm pretty sure I've been guilty of that same shove at some point or other. It's just a hundred times more annoying and stupid when I have to watch Carol do it.

"I mean, I don't disagree," I say, scowling in distaste. "But why, exactly, do you think they are not a good match?"

Sirius cuts his eyes to Remus, who stares urgently back. I have the feeling they are having an entire conversation in their gazes alone. Peter looks anxiously between the two of them, chewing his lower lip.

Ahh. I see. I've inadvertently stumbled right into Marauder secrets again. Possibly the same ones James and I keep having spats over. Watching the three of them, I'm a little surprised. And humbled. Part of me, I guess, had assumed that Potter was using his mates as an excuse not to tell me things. But seeing how serious and private they are also being makes me wonder if James has been right to keep me in the dark. Maybe he really did have a legitimate reason for skipping rounds on Thursday.

"It's okay," I say quietly, before any of them speak again. "You don't have to say anything." Three pairs of eyes fix on me. "Sorry for prying," I add.

Sirius tips his head thoughtfully. "You're all right, Evans," he says.

"All right?" I ask.

He smirks, the intensity of the moments before blowing over. "You know. If you wanted to keep hanging around James. Oh, sorry... hang around us."

I feel my cheeks go red as Peter laughs, though Remus has drawn back in his chair, more reserved than he'd been earlier. I turn my back on the boys just in time to see Carol lean in for another hug from James before walking away, Mary trailing behind her.

James turns to look at us, taking us in: Sirius and Peter still laughing at my expense, me determinedly ignoring them, Remus staring pensively at a spot on the floor. "What'd I miss?" he asks.

"Nothing," I mutter, watching Carol hip-swish out the door. "How was your conversation?"

He shrugs. "Fine."

"Just fine, getting to see your girlfriend for the first time all day?" I say.

James's eyebrows nearly shoot off his forehead, he raises them so high. "Again, Lily, I have to ask... what in the name of Merlin are you talking about?"

"That's what I'm talking about!" I exclaim, waving my hand in the direction of the door Carol had just exited through. "All the hugs and the laughing and the... you know!" I grimace.
"She's all over you, it's like watching last year all over again." I wrinkle my nose, remembering all her flirty laughter and touches. "She wants you back," I say, matter-of-factly. "She says you guys are basically already back together as it is." I'm not sure why I'm doing this, why I'm pushing the Carol issue so much. Do I just want a reaction from him? See if he'll get defensive or irritated or, Merlin forbid, flustered?

But instead, James actually laughs. "Is that what she said?" He grins, looking at me. "That's what's bothering you?"

Oh shoot. Can't have him thinking anything of that. "I'm not bothered," I mumble. I clear my throat and clarify. "I just don't think you two make a good match," I say, parroting Black.

"Yeah, no. That's never going to happen again." He pauses. "I don't like her, not like that." He looks down, one hand fiddling with his hair. It drives me crazy the way he can never leave it alone; bored, irritated, embarrassed, anxious, even excited... he can't keep his hands from messing up his hair. It sticks up a hundred different directions one hundred percent of the time, and it drives me crazy. It makes me want to reach out and smooth it down or catch his hand before he can ruffle it up. "I... I don't think I ever did."

I look at him sharply. "What about last year?"

"It was only a few months. I..." He trails off then shakes his head. "I don't know. Like, it was fun or whatever, but I didn't... we weren't... it wasn't serious, I guess."

I look at him. Frown. "Well, I don't think she knows that," I say.

"Look," he says. "If it bothers you so much, I'll let her know the next time she's overly friendly like that. Though I still think she's just being friendly. But I'll do it if you want me too." He smiles at me now, and it's full of mischief. His words are a challenge: do I admit to Potter that it does indeed bother me that Carol's all over him like she is? That feels just as much of an admission as calling him 'James' would.

"Well, I think you ought to tell her off, Prongs," Sirius says loudly, butting right into our conversation and saving me from having to answer. James turns to him with an exasperated look.

"Yes, I know very well how you feel about Carol," James says.

"How all of us feel," Peter chimes in. "Just ditch her, James!"

"Moony?" Potter looks to Remus for support. He grimaces.

"Sorry, Prongs," Remus says. "I'm with the rest of them."

"Fine!" James says. "Next time, I will make it very clear that we will not be getting back together. But only if she's being blatantly obvious that's her end goal. We are friends, after all."

"Don't know how much more blatant she can get," Sirius mutters, and I refrain from throwing my hands in the air and shouting, "Thank you!"

Instead, trying to appear more neutral about the whole Carol situation than I am, I nod to James. "That seems fair."

He nods back. "Thank you." He looks at the Marauders. "And you lot?"

"Fine," Peter mumbles, but Sirius looks to Remus, who's gone back to staring at the ground. "Moony?" he asks.

Remus rubs his eyes and sighs before tilting his head to look at Black. I can't read the look that passes between them, but Remus gives a tiny nod after a moment, then looks up to James, nodding again, a bit more definitely. Sirius growls, "I don't like it, but fine. Just remember who you're messing with, though, Prongs."

"She didn't know," James says, sounding sharp for the first time in the conversation.

"She knew enough," Sirius says, his voice still more a growl than anything else. I watch the exchange with wide eyes. We've left the realm of what I understand. Knew what? And since when do James and Sirius disagree on, like, anything?

Remus clears his throat. "It's fine, Padfoot. Leave it," he says quietly. His eyes flick to me, just for a moment, and Sirius shuts his mouth, looking a little contrite.

The group falls silent. I dart my eyes around the table, feeling uncomfortable. James and Sirius won't look at each other, and Peter shifts in his chair. Way to go, Evans, I tell myself. I've somehow managed to stir up conflict amongst the Marauders, who I don't think I've ever seen experience any kind of drama. Whoops.

"Well, I suppose I'll just... go..." I say, slowly rising out of my seat when the silence stretches too long.

"Oh, no, Lily, you don't have to do that." To my surprise, it's not James that speaks up, but Remus. I pause and look at him.

"I feel like I... caused trouble somehow," I say carefully, glancing at James, who's still avoiding Sirius's eyes. And mine too.

"It's not your fault these two have unresolved issues," Remus says, also looking at James and Sirius. When neither of them says anything, he snaps, "Oh lighten up!" At his tone, they both look up in surprise. Remus is definitely not one to raise his voice like, ever. "It's a Hogsmeade day! And Lily is with us! We're NOT spending the rest of the day moping."

James and Sirius finally look at each other. "Truce?" James says.

"Maybe if you take some giggle powder," Sirius says.

"Together?" James asks.

"Cheers," Sirius says, letting a grin slide across his face. He digs an envelope out of his pocket and James holds out his hand for Sirius to sprinkle some of the cheery yellow granules into.

"One, two, three!" Sirius counts off, and together he and James dump the giggle powder into their mouths.

"Ooh, that's going to kick in so fast, the amount they just ate..." Peter says, watching them in delight. Remus shakes his head, but he's got a small smile back on his face, I suspect because he's relieved his friends are no longer frustrated at each other.

"Are you lot always so chaotic?" I wonder aloud.

"Evans, you don't know the half of it," Sirius says right before he and James dissolve into inconsolable laughter.