Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Weeks fell by like the leaves off trees, and soon the castle was buzzing about Halloween. Severus's routine hadn't changed all too much; he was still hanging around his friends during free time, though he would spend Friday afternoons in the library with Lily Evans. Their study sessions had been going well, and he found the girl to be a fountain of knowledge when it came to key aspects of Muggle history.

"So the Reichstag fire was an inside operation," Severus muttered as he peered down at a Muggle history book.

"Yes, the culprits pinned it all on another group and used their power to install their own ruthless dictator," Lily explained.

"But I don't understand," Severus's face screwed up as he continued to peer down at the text. "The president disliked the chancellor, yet he signed away all power to him."

"Fear," Lily muttered. "It is, unfortunately, a great motivation. The chancellor played into everyone's fear and gained all the power."

"And when he gained power, there was no one there to stop him."

Lily nodded. "My dad told me that all it takes for evil to triumph in the world is for good men to do nothing."

Severus felt unnerved. He had always thought that the Muggle world was more tame than their own; after all, they did not need to deal with the volatile elements of magic and all that came with it. However, since learning about this World War, he wasn't too sure. They were insane enough to have two devastating wars, and Lily had recounted stories she had heard from her grandparents and other family members about that time.

Severus decided it was best to call it a night and shut his textbook. Letting out a sigh and rubbing his eyes, he wasn't sure if he would be able to pass this class.

"So, want to compare potion notes?" Severus said, watching as Lily smiled back at him.

"I thought you'd never ask."

The duo spent the next hour going over key potions and suggestions for new dynamic methods of producing them. Severus pointed out techniques he had picked up from experimenting, all the while making snarky remarks about how outdated the school textbooks were. As they finished their session, Lily brought up the upcoming Slug Club Halloween party, and Severus let out a groan.

The Slug Club was an out-of-hours dining and social club made up of Professor Slughorn's most well-liked and sometimes famous students at Hogwarts. His own skill at potions had landed him a spot during his third year, and he would never forget how he had stuffed himself with sweet treats that night, after which he was sick on Professor Slughorn's shoes soon after. The tale amused Marcus and Thomas to no end, but it caused Severus to dread every Slug Club get-together.

"God. Why'd you remind me?"

"What? Severus Prince is not a party guy?" Lily mockingly said.

"Oh, I'm glad you find amusement in this," Severus muttered.

"Come on, it can't be that bad," Lily said. She had joined the club last year and seemed to fit in well.

"It's just so... tedious," Severus rolled his eyes. "Listening to this idiot boast about this or that idiot boast about that."

"And you don't boast?"

"Ah, you see, that's the thing," Severus smirked. "I'm not an idiot, though."

Lily chuckled and shook her head. They would pack up their stuff and make their way out of the library. Severus offered to walk Lily back, but she declined. Severus acted offended, which only garnered a light-hearted laugh. He bid Lily goodnight before turning on his heels and marching toward the dungeons.

He didn't get far. Severus came to a quick stop when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He peered around the empty, dark hallway; he couldn't shake the unnerving feeling that he was being watched. His hand reached into his pocket and grasped his wand as he began to speed-walk back to the dungeons.

As he was heading down a flight of stairs, he was suddenly hit with a stunning spell out of nowhere. He felt his muscles tense, and then he fell. Mercifully, he had been closer to the bottom of the stairs, and his fall was short-lived. Cursing, he attempted to move any part of his body but failed.

"Good shot, Prongs," came a voice.

Severus couldn't see anyone; it was too dark, and he could only move his eyes. He knew that voice, though; it was Black, and that meant Potter wasn't far. But where were they?

Severus was ripped from his thoughts when he was suddenly launched into the air. He hung upside down and peered into the darkness.

"Where is it, Price?" he heard the voice of Potter hiss. Severus frowned.

"What the fuck do you want, Potter?"

There was shuffling, and suddenly Potter, Black, and their weasel sidekick Pettigrew appeared. Severus frowned; it had been no spell that hid their presence from him. How had these three idiots appeared out of thin air?

"You know what I want, you snake," Potter closed the gap and was now peering at the floating boy. His jaw was clenched, and his brown eyes narrowed into deadly slits.

"Frankly, I have no fucking clue what you're talking about," Severus retorted. "I have to say, three against one— is this the legendary Gryffindor bravery I've heard about?"

"Shut up, Prince," Black barked, and Severus smirked in return.

"Or what, Black?" Severus hissed.

Smack.

It was the shock that Severus registered first, followed by a sharp pain that started in his left cheek and soon spread. The second punch landed squarely on his right jaw and caused his head to snap back before swaying. Potter's fist didn't give him time to rest, landing a third and then a fourth. Severus tasted blood in his mouth and watched his vision blur as tears welled up in his eyes.

"Where the fuck is my map?" Potter hissed. "I know you have it, you thief."

"Fuck off, Potter," Severus was damned if he was giving this smug bastard anything. He pooled the blood that was in his mouth and launched it at Potter's face.

Splat.

The spit hit Potter's face, covering his cheek and staining his glasses. Severus took some pleasure in seeing the pompous prick scramble back. His joy was short-lived; however, as Black flicked his wand and sent him flying.

"You filthy bastard," Black sneered as he marched over to where Severus lay.

"Who goes there?" A sudden voice came down from the far end of the hallway, and Severus watched Black's eyes widen.

The boy peered down at Severus before looking at his friends. Planting a swift kick into Severus's side, he rushed back and hissed to Potter that it was time for them to leave. Potter sneered at where Severus lay before turning and running off with the other two boys.

"Prince?"

Severus slowly turned, and his eyes met Jane's. Alongside her was a Ravenclaw prefect, Clifton or something. Severus did his best to rise to his feet, but a sharp rise of pain in his side caused him to slump into a sitting position. He peered up at his fellow Slytherin prefects as a look of concern formed on her face.

"What the hell happened to you?" Jane's eyes didn't once leave Severus.

"Nothing," Severus muttered. The last thing Severus needed was for everyone to find out about his incident with Potter's gang.

"I see," Jane didn't look all too convinced, but she knew when to drop a topic. "Let's get you to the hospital wing then, and get you sorted out."

"I'll help you up," the Ravenclaw went to reach for Severus's arm, only to be swatted away.

"I don't need your help," Severus hissed as he slowly rose, wincing and clutching his side.

"Right... well, we should get going," the Ravenclaw said before marching off.

There was a moment of silence where Jane's eyes stayed glued on Severus before she too disappeared into the darkness. Severus followed the duo as they led him to the hospital wing.

Despite all the best efforts of Severus, the news of his attack spread through the school like wildfire. After a discussion with Slughorn, in which he reaffirmed that he didn't see his attackers, it was agreed that the matter would be dropped. Severus was to remain in the hospital wing, where he would be treated and was given a pass for missing lessons until he was fully recovered. His friends had come to visit soon after word first spread, and despite his best efforts, they were able to squeeze the truth of the matter out of him.

"Man, this wouldn't have happened if we were there," Marcus said as he slouched in a chair beside Severus's bed.

"Well, you weren't, so there's nothing you can do about it," Severus said in a flat tone.

Severus hadn't really been in the best mood since the attack. He was angry at the fact that word got out. He was angry at how little of a fight he put up, but mostly he was angry that he was even in this situation. He had been careless, and next time he might not be lucky enough to have Jane come to his rescue.

"So you mentioned that they appeared out of nowhere," Thomas said as he stood on the other side of Severus's bed.

"Yeah, there was no incantation," Severus said. "I doubt they were using a spell."

"Maybe they figured out our wordless spellcraft," Marcus added, but Severus shook his head.

"This is Potter's gang we're talking about here. The smartest among them is Lupin, and I doubt he's figured that out."

"Maybe another thing, like an item, like how they made the map," Thomas suggested. "If they enchanted some object to conceal them, then they can easily sneak around."

"They weren't concealed; they were invisible," Severus pointed out, and then it clicked. "Fuck."

"What?" Marcus leaned forward.

"The bastard has an invincibility cloak," Severus said, annoyed he didn't figure it out sooner.

"You sure?" Thomas asked, seeming not all too convinced. "They're fairly rare objects."

"But if anyone could have one, it'd be Black or Potter," Marcus jumped in. Pettigrew was disqualified from the conversation; his family was nowhere near as old as his friends'.

"We've taken one of their precious items they use to sneak around," Thomas pointed out. "No doubt it was vital in dodging Filch and the prefects."

Severus fell silent. They wouldn't stop until they got that map back, and they all knew it. Peering at the other two boys, there was a silent agreement to be on the lookout; they were not to walk the halls alone. The good thing was that with the map, they could see Potter and his gang of hooligans coming a mile away. Perhaps they could repay the Gryffindors in their own bloody coin. The idea made Severus smile.

"You alright, Pace?" Marcus called out, and Severus's eyes shot up to see the girl marching towards his bed.

"Not too bad," she muttered as she stood at the foot of Severus's bed. "How are you, Prince?"

"Ribs are healing, and my face wasn't too bad," Severus muttered, and Marcus snickered.

"Honestly, I didn't notice your face was injured," he chuckled, and Thomas joined in.

"Get fucked," Severus retorted, but a smile graced his lips.

Even Jane seemed amused, a smile of her own now slowly spreading as she shook her head. She turned to dig through her school bag before pulling out several scrolls and thrusting them into Severus's face.

"These are for you," she quickly said, and Severus frowned as he peered at the pieces of parchment.

"You made notes for me?"

"Well, I know you're technically exempt from classes until you're better, but I thought you'd ought to have some idea of what you missed," Jane said as she shrugged her shoulders.

"I appreciate this, Pace," Severus muttered as he peered at the girl, and she seemed to shrink under his gaze.

"You utter buzzkill," Marcus grunted as he shook his head. "The man is out of commission, and you come not with chocolate, but with homework?"

"Excuse me for caring about my... housemate's education, Adams," Jane hissed. "Why would I bring chocolates anyway? You'll probably end up stuffing yourself with them."

"True, true," came Thomas's voice, and Marcus frowned over at him. Thomas simply threw up his hands and Severus smiled as he began reading through the study notes.

Despite his current situation and his own annoyance at how he had gotten here, Severus found some respite in the group of friends who surrounded him.

Lily was not smiling. Her friends had been chuckling about how Marlene had caught two fourth-year Hufflepuffs in the broom cupboard after Quidditch practice. The girl had been doing a mocking recreation of the fourth years and their time making out while Mary chuckled at the display. Lily, however, was peering down the common room where Potter's gang was sitting in a corner.

The news of what had happened to Severus had spread, and there was a buzz among the Gryffindors. Severus Prince was never a popular guy among the house of lions; his rivalry with Potter meant that most Gryffindors were obligated to dislike him out of house loyalty.

"Lils, you alright?" Marlene's voice cut through her thoughts, and Lily peered back at her friend.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine."

"Really? 'Cause you were staring daggers at Potter just now," Mary added, and Lily frowned.

"I...I was just thinking," Lily's voice wavered, but she cleared her throat. "Odd, isn't it, that they got back so late last night?"

"What are you saying?" Marlene frowned, and Lily shuffled in her seat.

"Just odd that Severus gets attacked and they came back late on the same night it happened."

"So? I don't get why you care about that snake," Mary said rolling her eyes.

"Well, because he's..."

Lily hesitated. What was Severus to her exactly? A study partner? Lily had other study partners, and she was sure whatever was between them was more. Perhaps friends, but they had not once called each other friends. She didn't know if he would call her a friend; she certainly hoped so.

"Besides, you don't have any proof," Marlene mentioned. "Prince could've easily been in a fight with one of his housemates, like in the past."

Marlene was right. Severus had a tendency to get into altercations with some of the more dark pure-blood Slytherins. Lily supposed Mulciber, Avery, or even Wilkes could've attacked Severus.

It was at that moment she heard the roaring laughter of Sirius Black, and her eyes snapped back to the group of boys. James joined in with Sirius and threw his head back to laugh while Peter tittered alongside the larger boys. The only one not laughing was Remus. He had the resigned look on his face—the one he wore every time his friends did something that he didn't approve of.

Lily had a gut feeling, but like Marlene said, she had no proof.Lily turned back to the potions book left open on her lap. She had agreed to help Marlene and Mary with their potions assignments, but she made a mental note to visit Severus as soon as she had the chance.

Madam Pomfrey sought to make sure Severus was fully fit to leave. So they spent the early morning of Sunday running some tests, much to Severus's annoyance. His friends had come to visit once again, and he would spend some time listening to Marcus talk about the upcoming game against Ravenclaw while Thomas read a book titled 'Wizards Most Foul'.

Madam Pomfrey would declare that he was fit to leave, though she would give Severus a lengthy statement on how to look after himself better. Severus thanked the kindly matron for all she had done for him and began to leave alongside his friends.

They had decided to head towards the main hall for breakfast before returning to the common room. Sundays had always been a quiet day in the castle. Most students chose to sleep in and come down in the early afternoon. That made the hallways oddly quiet, and Severus found himself enjoying this brief period of peace.

The trio would join a handful of students who had been having breakfast that morning.A variety of foods were laid out on the long table, ranging from eggs, sausage, toast, and porridge. Severus felt his stomach growl as he began loading up his plate; Marcus was still rattling on about his upcoming match and how he was going to do.

"Check this out," Thomas cut in as he continued to peer down at his book while eating. "Herpo pioneered two of the darkest magical techniques known to wizardkind, being the first known wizard to successfully breed the Basilisk and successfully create a Horcrux."

"Wow... That's so...intresting," Marcus added, clearly not interested. "Anyway, Pace thinks we have a solid chance if we get a few more days of practice."

Breakfast proceeded as usual, and Severus traded the typical level of banter with his friends. His eyes scanned the hall; Slytherin had a small group of students scattered across the table. At the far end, his gaze landed on Wilkes. The older boy was talking to Rosier and seemed to notice that he was being watched. Severus frowned as Wilkes peered over at him and produced a small smile. Rosier, noting where his superior was staring, gave Severus a nod.

Severus peeled his eyes away from the boys, but that seemed to encourage them. Severus noticed the two head down the table before coming to a stop at where Severus sat.

"I was saddened to hear what happened to you, Prince," Wilkes's smooth voice came. "Nasty work; no doubt it was those fools in Gryffindor."

"I would appreciate it if you stayed out of my business, Wilkes," Severus muttered before taking a sip of water. The older boy's jaw clenched, but he maintained a smirk.

"Oh, but this is my business as well," Wilkes said. "You see, a Slytherin being attacked in our own territory by Gryffindors doesn't look good."

Severus couldn't argue with that.

"That's why I suggest we put all this animosity behind us," Wilkes added. "We need a united front, and that means looking out for all snakes."

To everyone's surprise, the older boy reached out a hand towards Severus, the same smirk plastered across his lips. Severus raised his brows. Wilkes was not known for displays of kindness; the boy had all but hated Severus since day one, and now here he stood, wanting to put it all behind them? Severus's lips curled, and his eyes narrowed into deadly slits.

"You want to be friends? Is that it?" Severus sneered. "How about you get lost, Wilkes? I don't need or want your help."

"Listen, Prince—"

"You heard him, Wilkes." Thomas slammed shut his book and pulled out his wand from his robe.

"Yeah, kick rocks and take your pet with you." Marcus peered over at the brooding Rosier.

Wilkes appeared to want to continue but snapped his mouth shut and clenched his jaw. The older boy then sped past the trio and out of the Great Hall, his younger minion following after and shooting Marcus a deadly glare.

Severus watched them leave before finishing his breakfast. The lads were making their way, all the while discussing the odd proposal from Wilkes, when a flash of red and gold came barreling at them. Four sets of cries erupted, and Severus felt anger rise as he slowly got to his feet.

"Watch where you're going, you damn fo—" Severus stopped as he peered down at Lily Evans, of all people.

"Aw, shit, I'm so sorry," she muttered as she rubbed her head before looking up. "Oh! Severus, hello."

"Uh, hello," Severus replied as he stared at her before offering a hand. She took it, and he dragged her up.

"Yeah, hello, Evans," Marcus hissed as he rose. "What's got you in a bloody rush?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Lilly sheepishly said. "It's just that I came from the hospital wing looking for Severus, and Madam Pomfrey said you were let go. So I assumed you went to have an early breakfast."

"Aw, that's sweet," Thomas said in a mocking tone as he began to walk off, dragging Marcus along with him. "We'll give you two some space."

The space in question wasn't that far; the two boys could clearly keep their ears on whatever was being said between Severus and Lily. Severus let out a sigh as he shook his head.

"So, are you alright?" Lily's voice was soft, and her eyes were fixated on him, as if looking for injuries. Perhaps she could one day run the hospital wing when Madam Pomfrey was gone, the thought occurred to Severus.

"I am. Thank you for asking," Severus stated. "Try as they might, they cannot keep Severus Prince down."

Lily smiled at that, and a moment passed where they both peered at each other. Severus had never noticed how green Evans's eyes were. They shone when the light hit them at the right angle, and he found himself becoming entranced. He would quickly peer away, and a rush of shame came over him.

"Uh, so I suppose I'll be seeing you on our next patrol," Severus said.

"Yeah, I suppose so," Lily replied, the same gentle smile upon her lips though she looked away. "I'm glad you're okay, Severus."

The red-haired girl swiftly made her way past Severus and into the Great Hall. Severus spent some time watching her, and he didn't know what to make of her. She was one of the few in this blasted castle that he seemed to like. A small smile crept across his face: a snake and a lion, friends?