It was close to dinner, and everyone was told to go to their common room and wait there until dinner while James was sent to the hospital wing and the culprits were identified. Lily was sitting in the common room when McGonagall came in and asked if Peter and Sirius would follow her to the infirmary. After she collected the boys, she told the prefects to escort the rest of the students to dinner. She told Remus to come to the infirmary after leading the boys down. Lily collected all the girls, and they started walking to the great hall.
"Do you think he's okay?" Lily inquired.
"James is tough he'll be fine, it was a nasty trick though, whoever did it. No doubt it was a Slytherin."
"What makes you say that? Not all Slytherins are bad." Lily stated.
"I know that, but James does not have many enemies, the ones he does have are in Slytherin. You know like Sniv..er Snape." Remus said embarrassed.
"I reckon you underestimate his arrogance and his talent for pissing people off. And they're only enemies because the prat doesn't leave him alone." Lily stated rolling her eyes. "Anyways I'm sure he's fine, let me know how he is, okay?"
Remus nodded but went on saying, "You know I didn't see Snape at the match, you don't think he-"
"I know what you're insinuating Remus and no. Snape is not like James just ready to hex someone over anything like a stupid quidditch match."
"You seem sure about that…I was just curious. Just trying to figure it out."
"I am sure. It wasn't him."
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have assumed-"
"It's fine. I can take the boys from here, go see James."
"Thanks, Really though, sorry I struck a nerve." Lily just nodded and Remus headed to the infirmary.
Lily felt unnerved at the prospect that Snape could have done this. It's not like he would join in on what his Slytherin friends practice…would he? No, she trusts in who Snape is enough to know he wouldn't do this, no matter how much he hated James. However, he very well could know WHO did it as it is highly likely it was a Slytherin. She'll talk to him at dinner like he said. Walking into the great hall was a vast difference from this morning. It was much quieter like everyone lost their spirit. However, the Gryffindor table was reveling in the fact that they won the quidditch cup this year and they were celebrating. Lily scanned the Slytherin table for Severus so they could discuss the match. However, when she looked at the table Snape wasn't there. Lily did a double-take because she was sure her eyes were failing said we'd talk at dinner… she thought in her head and rolled her eyes. She was getting a little bit more worried, was the fact that he wasn't here a sign? He wouldn't hex James, in front of the school no less, would he? Lily sat next to Alice Fortescue, whose boyfriend Frank also plays quidditch, and Marlene McKinnon who was one of Lily's closest friends. As Lily approached, she noticed Alice trying out some spells on a plant and Lily figured she should try and get her mind off these negative thoughts. She sat down trying to immerse herself in the conversation.
"Great match huh? What a close call. Still, it's a shame what happened to James. Such a nice bloke. Frank and he are friends ya know." Alice said focusing on her plant.
"It was a good match and yes, I suppose it is a shame. What are you trying to do with that plant?" Lily asked.
"Oh. I am trying theHerbivicus Charm. I want beautiful flowers to grow from it. Of course, it's not as easy as Professor Sprout makes it seem. I like plants, they bring a calming presence to a chaotic world. Once I master this I'm going to see if I can get it to do what I say. That would be something."
"Sounds like theimperious curse," Lily stated as somewhat as a joke.
"Except I wouldn't abuse that power and do something cruel," Alice stated seriously. Before Lily could answer Dumbledore came up to speak before dinner could begin.
"Before you all dive into our magnificent end-of-term feast, I wanted to update you all on what happened earlier. As you all saw Mr. Potter was hit with a series of spells and is currently recovering just well under Madame Pomfrey's care. I would like to note, however, that the culprits have not been identified and if anyone has any information, they are to tell me or their head of house. With that let the feast begin."
As the food appeared in front of them and everyone started eating Lily couldn't take her mind off the fact that Severus was not there and maybe he did have something to do with this. Lily thought maybe she should go to the dungeons or ask one of the Slytherins. But then an idea hit her. "Pardon me. I'll see you guys back in the common room, okay?" Marlene nodded but Alice and Frank were too immersed in what Alice was doing. Marlene was another one of Lily's close friends, being half-blood they bonded quickly over their muggle similarities and their families. Lily went up to the head table where the professors were eating and stood in front of Professor Slughorn who was in deep conversation with Professor Flitwick who was not really listening.
"…and I found out that those two do not interact well. Not the easy way I might add." He started to laugh at his own joke and just then he noticed Lily. "Oh, Miss Evans. Good to see you. Is..is there something I could do for you?"
"Oh, sorry sir, I didn't mean to interrupt. I was just wondering if you knew where Severus was…er Mr. Snape was."
"Oh yes. Madame Pomfrey had informed me he would be in the hospital wing this evening."
The worst crossed Lily's mind. "What do you mean the hospital wing, sir? Is he alright?"
"Oh no need to fret my dear he is quite alright, just helping her restock some basic potions. He wants to be a potions master you know."
"Yes, I'm aware, thank you, sir." With that Slughorn quickly turned his attention back to Professor Flitwick as Lily went out of the Great Hall and briskly walked through the corridors to get to the hospital wing. Upon entering she noticed the three boys surrounding James Potter joking around with him,
"You look like you got bitten by a bunch of licorice snaps mate," Sirius laughed at James.
"Still better looking than you padfoot!" James laughed back.
"Oh, look who's here!" All four boys turned to look at Lily walking in the infirmary. Noticing them all staring at her she figured she should say something to him.
"How are you feeling?" Lily asked, not really caring.
"Aw, I knew you cared about me, Evans. Do you check on all your "troubled students" as much as me?" he said smirking.
"Just answer the question, Potter."
"I feel fine a bit sore and clearly my good looks have been tainted slightly."
"Oh yes, what will your adoring fans say? You went from average to mediocre. Pity. I am glad you are okay though. Nasty trick someone pulled." Just as she finished her statement Snape walked out of Madame Pomfreys office sleeves rolled up and just as he got a towel from a shelf, he looked at Lily.
"Yeah, and I reckon I know who did it…" Sirius growled at the three boys.
"Sirius you don't know that" Remus chimed in.
"Don't I moony? Only one person hates James enough to curse him" Sirius said with an eye roll.
"Maybe you should stop pissing everyone off and people wouldn't curse you," Lily stated matter-of-factly already walking towards Snape.
James turned to his friends. "I don't see how she can be friends with Snivellus. She's a beautiful and intelligent girl and he's a moody ugly greasy git." James stated. Looking at Lily, Remus just smiled and hummed in response.
"Severus," Lily said angrily.
"You're mad at me? My how the tables have turned. To save us both the uncomfortableness of me prying inside your brain perhaps you could just state-"
"Enough cheek. Skipping dinner without telling me? You knew we were going to meet up and talk! You didn't even leave a note. I had to ask Professor Slughorn where you were. What an awkward time Severus." Lily stated kind of laughing at the mention of asking Slughorn. Severus couldn't help but laugh.
"Apologies I don't mean to laugh, but I find you asking that dunderhead where I am funny."
"What are you even doing here?"
"Well, I may not have prefect duties like you, but I have other hobbies I pursue." With Lily just glaring at him Severus continued, "Sometimes I help Madame Pomfrey brew basic potions for the infirmary stocks. You know pepper up potions, calming draughts, ones like that."
"And you just thought it would be a good idea to not tell me?"
"I do not always have to tell you my whereabouts, Lily. Besides, when would I have gotten the chance?" Severus stated matter of factly.
"When we have something planned you do, but never mind that. When are you done? We leave tomorrow, but I have prefect duties most of the day."
"I'm finishing up now. Go to the library and I'll meet you there."
"You better actually meet me there. At least try to hurry up, I must be back in the common room by curfew to make sure no one is skipping out from the dorms."
"You mean like we did our first year?" Severus said half smiling.
"Exactly," Lily said smiling. Turning to walk away, she looked at the boys, nodded at Remus, and left the infirmary. Severus had just finished cleaning up and saying bye to Madame Pomfrey and started walking out when of course the arrogant prick had to stop him.
"Someone explain it to me because I don't get it," James stated loudly clearly talking to ignore it, Severus,Snape kept thinking. He was almost at the door when James spoke again. "You have no friends so now you're going to the teachers for friendship? That's a new low even for you Sniv."
Snape who was just at the door whipped around. "I warned you not to call me that."
"Why would someone like Lily want to be friends with someone like you? I just don't get it."
"Jealous Potter? It really is not a surprise that you do not understand something." Snape spat.
"Hardly. Just curious as to when she's going to walk away from you like everyone does." James said with a slight scoff while his friends laughed.
"I would be careful if I were you, Lily is the only reason I hold back from ruining you."
"Is that right? Let's have a go then shall we, Snivellus?"
"Prongs, what are you doing, you need to rest" Remus whispered to James.
"Oh, come off it Moony it'll be fine, James can take him," Sirius stated and Peter just stepped back behind everyone.
"If only you were worth my energy." Snape stated and opened the infirmary door to leave when James egged him, "Ha. Wuss."
All of a sudden Snape turned back and came into view again and shouted "Serpensortia" and a snake shot out of Snape's wand and started crawling its way over to the three boys, teeth showing. Peter ducked behind James's hospital bed, while Sirius shouted at Snape "Rictumspempra" who had already left the infirmary. The snake was crawling up towards the bed about to bite James until Remus pointed his wand at it and shouted, "ViperaEvanesca" and the snake vanished as quickly as it came.
"Wow g-good one Moony" Peter stated coming out from behind James's bed.
"Oi! When did you learn that Moony!?" James inquired.
"Unlike you thickheads, I am continuously studying and I do the work." Remus laughed.
"I'm going to get that git if it's the last thing I do. He'll get what's coming to him. I just need to prove it was him who hexed me." James stated anger rising.
"Later perhaps, but now you need to rest. We all do." Remus said feeling more exhausted than usual.
"How are you feeling with the full moon coming up?" Sirus asked Remus.
"I feel better knowing I'll be home away from here so I can't hurt anyone," Remus stated. "Are you still going home with James, Padfoot?"
"Well considering I'm a disappointment to my entire family, I figured I'd go somewhere I'm not." Sirius attempted to joke. "Although you transforming around students does give me an idea for a solution to our Snivilius problem..." Sirius looked over at James and smirked while Remus looked up at the moon.
Snape started walking towards the library when Lucius Malfoy (who was a Slytherin prefect) and Narcissa Black caught up with him. "Hey, Snape!" Snape stopped walking at his brisk pace and turned around.
"Malfoy, Narcissa."
"Where are you going in such a hurry Severus?" Narcissa asked in a gentle tone.
"Just trying to get some last-minute studying done."
"You know you could always come study with us during the term. We have better insight than…some." Narcissa smiled at Severus causing Lucius to scowl.
"Not going to study with that Gryffindor mudblood we see you always hanging around, are you? Her filth and incompetence might rub off on you."
"You watch your tongue, Malfoy. You know nothing of her." Snape sneered.
"Watch YOUR tongue Snape. I am still your prefect. You care too much for things that do not matter, like that girl. I would advise you to figure out what side you are on. You might, like Potter, find yourself on the wrong side of the wand." Narcissa looked at Lucius and slightly shook her head.
"What do you mean," Snape asked looking at the interaction between Narciss and Lucius. Snape knew James went to the infirmary but wanted more information and knowing Lucius, he'd provide it.
"Oh, you didn't hear? After the match, Roldolphus and Bella took it upon themselves to offer their "congratulations" to the Gryffindor seeker. And impressively didn't get caught." Lucius laughed.
"Intriguing. Bellatrix Black and Roldolphus Lestrange hexed Potter." Luious nodded. "Consider me impressed. Offer my congrats to your sister will you Narcissa?" Snape retorted while Narcissa just stared at Snape.
"Regardless, that's what I'm saying about making sure you're on the correct side of the wand. Choose your side wisely. Come along Narcissa." Lucius started walking away and Narcissa was about to follow.
"Have a good holiday Severus. See you next term." Narcissa smiled at him once more and followed after Lucius. Snape stood alone in the now empty corridor trying to process what he'd just been told. He never thought that they would be crazy enough to use such spells in front of everyone. Never again would he underestimate his fellow Slytherins, that's for sure. Walking into the library felt weirdly intimate. An uncomfortable feeling for Snape. No one was in there besides the librarian and Lily and a few other students wrapping up studying for the term. The candles were pretty much out as it was almost closing time. Looking around Snape spotted Lily immersed in a book at their usual table. Snape walked up quietly and pulled out a chair to sit making Lily jump.
"Sev! Jeez. Make your presence known next time, you frightened me."
"Apologies. I did not mean to…frighten you." Snape stated while chuckling slightly still standing by the chair he pulled out.
"Sod off, I just meant you startled me." Lily retorted with a smile. "Are you going to sit?" Lily asked as Severus was just standing there. Severus set down his things and was about to sit down when he noticed Lily was reading a herbology book.
"Do we have a Herbology exam coming up that I don't know about?"
"No." Lily laughed "Alice was talking about something she was trying to do with a plant, and I was curious."
"Alice Fortescue?"
"Yeah?"
"Hmm, interesting. Remind me to cheat off her for our herbology OWL." Severus joked.
"Wow. Severus Snape made a joke. More of those and I'll think you've gone soft." Lily joked.
"Hardly. I'm just trying to, as the muggles say, "dot all my I's" and then maybe I have a chance at being a better wizard than you." Severus smirked.
Lily looked shocked jokingly. "Two jokes in one conversation? I must be special." Lily smiled looking at Severus who looked back uneasy and he cleared his throat as Lily continued talking "So, what took you so long? I know I did say to hurry. Curfew is in 30 minutes."
"Oh, yes well I got caught up with some things," Severus said with his usual non-expression face as he sat down in his chair. Lily looked at him with a skeptical glance.
"What kind of "things"?"
"Nothing you need to worry about. What did you want to discuss?" Severus stated trying to move the conversation away from his tardiness. Snape always wanted Lily safe and the less she knew the safer she was.
"What did I want to discuss...why do you sound so formal, like I'm about to get disciplined? I wanted to possibly discuss the quidditch match. Is there something wrong with that?"
"I didn't mean it like that. I simply meant you seemed eager to talk, so I wanted you to begin before curfew." Snape sighed rubbing his head. "How was the match? I have not heard much."
"Do tell me if I'm stressing YOU out. I'm not being sneaky". Lily accused.
"Lily I am not stressed by you nor am I hiding anything. And as you so adamantly reminded me not 5 seconds ago, we do not have a lot of time, so I will ask again. How was the match?" Lily huffed but conceded because she did enjoy talking to Severus, and she needed more information on who hurt James.
"It was pretty intense, good, but totally bonkers. I'm sorry you missed it." Lily paused and looked at Severus trying to gauge any sort of reaction from him. Snape noticed this pause and made eye contact with Lily and even though he tried, he couldn't always control reading people's minds. Just a learning curve when you are training inOcclumency. This was one of those instances, he sensed she was holding something in, and he nudged a bit into Lily's mind to see what she was holding back.
"Well go on. Ask what you're dying to ask." Snape asserted as he rolled his eyes angrily.
"How did you know what I wanted to- did you read my mind? I told you to stop usinglegilimenson me!" Lily looked away pissed off crossing her arms.
"Your thoughts were simply too loud to ignore, and I can't always control it. So go on. Ask, you want to know if I-" Snape was cut off by Lily.
"Potter was hexed after the match. The person who did it wasn't caught, almost like they weren't at the match. They came, hexed Potter, and then slipped out. I don't suppose you know who did it?" Lily asked, trying not to sound accusatory this time.
"Why would you think I would know anything about that prick getting hurt, are you assuming it was me? You know despite what you Gryffindor's think, there are students at this school who do not enjoy the tedious atrocity that is quidditch."
"I'm not saying I think that it was you and I know not everyone enjoys the sport but you and some other Slytherins have a strong hatred for James and the rest of Gryffindor. I'm just curious and quite frankly a bit concerned."
"Concerned for Potter? How sweet to know you care about him" Lily rolled her eyes. "I personally feel like he got what was coming to him," Snape said sitting back and crossing his arms.
"Don't talk like that."
"Like what?"
"Like one of them, you know you're not-"
"Oh, but am I not one of them, a Slytherin? That's what you're insinuating by asking if it was me who hexed Potter or if I know which "friend" of mine did it. You think I, coming from that house, am capable of dark spells and can't wait to use them. Believe me, Lily, if I had hexed Potter, he certainly would not have ended up in the hospital wing..."
"Severus that's not what I mean. All I'm asking is if you know who did it. I'm trying to investigate something that happened to one of my housemates and could potentially happen again to any of one of us."
"I can assure you, nothing of what happened to Potter will ever happen to you. Why have you made this your responsibility? I'm sure that is beyond the prefect duties. It is not your job, but the professor's job." Severus said.
"I know it's not my responsibility. But I look out for my house, my friends, the people I care about. And if you're involved… and even worse hiding it from me? You're important to me too and I'm just trying to look out for you as well."
"Why is it, you always think I need you to look out for me. Because you're a prefect?" Severus retorted annoyed.
"What does that have to do with anything? Don't be so daft. I'm just hoping you're not involved because I know you're better than that." Lily stated calmly.
"How do you know I'm better than that? You can sit there and look at me and truly believe I'm better than all the other Slytherins? I'm sure you're aware many of the dark wizards in history have come from my house."
"Stop being so dramatic Severus, honestly. As I've said before I don't care if you're in Slytherin and never have. You are not going to be a dark wizard, you're far from it. Yes, I can sit here and truly say you are better than them, and before you ask again how I know that it's because I know you. I believe in who you are. Now stop being such a dunderhead." Lily rolled her eyes but looked at Severus and slightly smiled. They stared at each other and paused for a moment. Snape was taken aback by her 're not a dark wizard far from it. To him, he felt closer than ever to being a dark wizard, just like many other Slytherins before him and even the ones in his house now. He loved that Lily saw the good in him, it made him want to see the good in himself. If Lily believed in him, he'd never become evil, he would never be known as another dark wizard who came from Slytherin. He desperately wanted to be the person Lily saw. After a few minutes, Severus broke the silence.
"It would so happen that I have no knowledge of who hexed Potter. So I am asking you to drop it."
Lily just stared at him not believing him. "I have known you my whole life almost. You may be able to lie to everyone else, fool them even, but not me. I can tell when you're lying." Lily pushed.
"I said drop it, Lily," Severus said getting angry.
"Seriously? Why are you lying to me and shutting me out..AGAIN? The more time you spend with them, the more you act differently than the man I know. Since when have you felt comfortable lying to me?"
"Them? Yet again we are back to questioning my house and me." Severus was about to get up and leave but Lily reached out and put her hand on top of his hand.
"Please Sev." Severus paused and looked at Lily's hand on his then sighed, sat down again, and conceded
"Fine. If it will ease your mind and stop your incessant nagging." He looked at Lily as she nodded her head for him to continue. "Alright, I am aware of who hexed Potter and why, however, I will not tell you any more than the fact that I know who did it and the reasoning. It's better if you know nothing, so do not ask. Now I beg of you…please. Drop. It." Snape urged trying to keep Lily safe and to stop prying. He made a face almost pleading with Lily to listen to him. After a few moments Lily debated whether she should listen to him or not, she still trusted Severus and knew he was intelligent so if he wanted her to drop it, she knew it was best.
"Alright, alright. I'll drop it. But can you at least promise me you're not involved in it or at least you won't get involved in it?" Lily begged.
"I cannot promise you that, and you cannot ask me to do so. What I can promise is that I will keep you safe no matter the circumstances. I can promise you I will strive to be the person you see, the one who will not become dark and that needs to be enough for now." Lily sighed. She had to think about it, but after a few moments, she decided that for now, it was good enough because for now he was safe, and he was okay.
"Whatever, that's as good as it gets with you. I will drop it. But if you lie to me again, I will charm everything you own a nasty bright shade of pink." Lily smirked, standing up and collecting her things.
"The cruelest torture. I'm surprised you could be so vile, Evans" Severus slightly smiled back.
"And stop going into my mind. You may be good atLegilimencyandOcclumencybut it's an invasion of privacy and I don't appreciate it. I will see you tomorrow."
"I do apologize for that, as I am still learning how to control the spell and power. I will see you then. Goodnight Lily." With that, Lily left the library leaving just Severus there staring at where Lily had been seated. He kept repeating Lily's words in his 're not a dark wizard far from it, promise me you won't get involved in sighed, rubbed his hand over his face, and got up to leave as well.I promise Lily, I will keep you safe and protect you at all costs, thought as he left the library.