Disclaimer: All rights to JK Rowling.

Halloween had arrived, and along with it came a sudden buzz throughout the castle. Severus frowned. He never understood the hubbub around Halloween.They lived in a castle and were part of a secret world that had ghosts, vampires, goblins, and other various mythological monsters. Marcus called him a spoiled sport, and Thomas agreed.The truth was that Severus wasn't too keen on taking part in the Slug Club this evening. He would have much rather spent his time practicing his Patronus charm.

It had been a few days since he had been able to finally summon white mist from his wand.Though he had not produced anything corporeal, he was sure he'd be able to by Christmas. In the meantime, lessons dragged on, and Severus watched as the workload piled up. Luckily for everyone, today was a half day due to festivities and the fact that the big Quidditch games were happening.They only had Ancient Runes, Muggle Studies, and History of Magic.The afternoon was designated as study periods, though most students used it as time to hang out with their friends.

Severus supposed he was in no state to judge. After all, he had spent the precious time he could've been using for studying sneaking through the castle halls alongside his friends. The trio had agreed that it was high time they got Potter and his goons back for their attack on Severus. Using the map to track their movements all around the castle, they were able to plan a course of action.

Three against four were not the best odds, even if the fourth was Pettigrew. As such, it was agreed that they would pick off the Gryffindors one by one, starting with Pettigrew.

They had found the chubby boy in the hall leading to the kitchen. He had snuck off alone to get some snacks for himself and his friends. Though from what Severus could see, he had eaten the majority of it.

"You alright, Petie?" Marcus called out as they came around the corner and came face to face with the boy. "What ya got there?"

"Uh...uh, snacks," Pettigrew's watery eyes darted at each Slytherin in front of him.

"Snacks...mmm," Marcus snickered. "I have to say, I think you've had more than enough snacks. What do you think, Thomas?"

"I do believe you're right, my friend," Thomas said as he pointed his wand at Pettigrew.

The pies, cakes, and various other sweet treats that were held in Pettigrew's arms exploded and covered the boy in a mess. Severus threw his head back and let out a deep laugh. Despite years of joining in on his friends' bid to torment Severus, it appeared that when the shoe was on the other foot, Pettigrew was not able to take it.

"You fucking wait till I get James and Sirius," he hissed as his face turned red.

"Oh no, whatever shall we do?" Severus muttered as he wiped away a tear.

"I am terrified," Marcus stated in a deadpan tone.

"Quaking in my boots," Thomas muttered as he mockingly shook his knees.

"You snakes are only tough when you're in groups. You fuc—" Pettigrew was cut off when Severus hit him with Langlock.

Pettigrew appeared in shock when he could not pry his tongue from the roof of his mouth. Severus had to admit that out of all the spells he had developed, Langlock was probably one of his favorites. Marcus hit Pettigrew with a stunning spell that caused the chubby boy to soar across the hallway before crashing back down.

Satisfied with their work on Pettigrew, the trio peered down at the map and noted that the other three members of the Gryffindor gang were hanging around the third floor. Severus spied the names MacDonald, McKinnon, and Evans alongside the boys.

Severus groaned. Of course, they'd be with a group of girls. No doubt Potter was harassing Evans while Black attempted a move on either McKinnon or MacDonald. They made their way to where the Gryffindors were congregated and hid behind the corner.

Severus listened in as Potter prattled on about his Quidditch skills and how he was ready to whop Hufflepuff. His main lapdog was spending his time split between arse-kissing Potter and what Severus assumed was an attempt to woo the other two girls.

Lupin, on the other hand, had been silent. Severus had never known what to make of Remus Lupin. He was clearly far more impressive academically than his friends. However, he seemed stuck to dunderheads like Potter and Black like glue.Severus initially suspected that Lupin kept them around for his own amusement, much like Malfoy and Wilkes had their own cronies. But that wasn't it.

The boy didn't act as the leader of his group; rather, he was as subservient to the wills of Potter and Black as Pettigrew had been. And then there was the odd fact that Lupin disappeared once a month. It was said that he was visiting his very sick mother, but he often returned extremely haggard and disheveled. That boy was an oddity.

"You'll see those Hufflepuffs don't stand a chance," exclaimed Potter, and Severus watched as Lily stared off into space.

Clearly, she had long ago left the conversation and was now in her own world. Severus smirked as an idea crept into his mind. Striding out from where the trio hid, he began to make his way to the group of Gryffindors. He heard his friends trying to get his attention, but he paid them no mind.

"Evans!" Severus shouted. "Just the person I've been looking for."

Heads turned, and there was a collage of different emotions: anger from Black, disgust from Potter, and MacDonald, while Lupin and McKinnon shared a look of distrust. Lily's eyes suddenly shot to him, and he could see that she was in shock. Was she that deep in thought?

"What do you want, Sniv-?"

Severus cut Potter off. "I'm sorry to disturb you, Evans, but I was wondering if we could go over some notes."

"I... uh," Lily seemed still dazed, and Severus smirked.

All the while, he ignored Lupin, Potter, and Black, which seemed to infuriate the latter two.

"If this isn't a good time, I could—"

"No," Lily cut in. "I mean, I was just heading to the library to get some work done. I'd be happy to help."

"Ah, excellent," Severus held back a smile as he watched Potter gape at Lily.

"Evans, you can't be seriously thinking about being around this greasy git," Potter hissed, and Lily frowned.

"Who I spend time with is none of your concern," she snapped, and Severus watched as Potter's gaze fell to the floor. This was going better than he expected.

"Will your friends be joining us?" Severus's dark eyes drifted over to the two girls who stood next to Lily. MacDonald seemed to shrink under his gaze, but McKinnon held it, uncertainty flickering through her eyes.

"Appreciate the invite, Prince," McKinnon muttered, not looking the least bit appreciative. "But I've had my fill of textbooks today; I need to prepare for the match later."

"Yeah, I can't either. Sorry," MacDonald said softly.

Severus shrugged. He was well aware of the outcome before he asked, but he supposed it couldn't hurt to ask. Continuing to ignore the death glares from Potter and Black, Severus turned and peered down the hall to see the confused look on his face.

He supposed it was a disappointing result. They didn't get to hex the arrogant prats, but they'll get other opportunities. Severus contented himself with stealing the attention that the boys seemed to crave so much. Severus flashed Potter a little smile as he walked past the pack of Gryffindors and joined Lily.

The bespectacled boy's eyes flashed with malice, and for a split second, as Severus passed by, he thought Potter was about to go for his wand. But his hands didn't move; instead, they balled up into a tight fist.

Severus wanted to laugh but held it in. Storing the whole scenario in his mind, he amusingly thought that the joy from terrorizing Potter could help with his Patronus.

"Thank you," Lily whispered, and Severus frowned.

"For what?"

"Saving me from bashing my head against the wall to avoid having to listen to any more of James's drivel," Lily said, and Severus smirked.

"I couldn't refuse a woman in distress," he said softly. "Besides, it would be awful to lose such a talented witch on account of Potter's ego."

Lily burst into laughter, her voice ringing like a melody in the quiet library. She peered around to make sure Madam Pince wasn't nearby to reprimand her for making noise. Luckily, the small corner table they usually sat at was often abandoned. The scent of old paper and leather bindings filled the air, creating an atmosphere of calm and concentration. Lily flipped through a thick book titled "Muggle History: An Overview." Severus had mentioned that they were assigned a paper on Muggle inventions.

Severus peered down at his parchment and then towards his book. His dark brows knotted together as he read.

"Did you know that Muggles invented a machine to transform sound into waves in the 19th century?" Severus asked, raising his brows. Lily smiled.

"A telephone," she pointed out. "I know all about that since my older sister Petunia is always on it."

"Petunia? Lily? Were your parents botanists or something?" Severus asked, a playful smirk spreading across his face.

"Do you, of all people, want to make fun of other people's names?" Lily mockingly raised her auburn brow, and Severus threw up his hands in mock surrender.

"You got me," he scoffed as he shook his head before tilting it. "Your sister, what's she like?"

"It's a bit complicated," Lily sighed. "She thinks I'm too caught up in my freak school."

"Sounds like a git if you ask me," Severus muttered, and Lily frowned.

"Don't call her that," she snapped, annoyance bubbling up, and Severus glanced at her.

"Sorry," he muttered half-heartedly. She wasn't too sure he meant it, but she let it go.

She knew he meant well and was probably just trying to support her. But her sister, no matter how mean-spirited and foul, was still her sister. The same Petunia who gifted her the doll she held so dear when she was four. The same Petunia who would push her on the swings when they went to the local playground and would kiss her grazed knees after she fell. The same Petunia who now wanted little to nothing to do with her.

"Family is... complicated," Severus muttered. His dark eyes met hers, and she felt that he was sincere. He was trying to connect, and she smiled softly at him.

"Enough about me, let's get back to work," Lily said, pushing her thoughts of her sister out of her mind and peering at the work before her.

"Ah, yes. The contraption that allows you to hear someone's voice without being in the same room," Severus muttered. "What a revolutionary way to avoid actual conversations. I like it."

Lily giggled and shook her head before turning back to her work.

A comfortable silence settled between them, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of pages or the soft scratching of quills on parchment. Lily, despite the quiet, felt a sense of contentment. She enjoyed the company, the shared space, the quiet hum of the library around them. She found Severus's presence calming, his quiet intensity a welcoming addition to her day. They had only started to get to know each outside of classroom setting fairly recently.

At first, Lily was admittedly hesitant. Severus seemed aloof, his gaze often pricing, as if he could see into the crevices of your soul. She heard how her friends spoke of him and his group of Slytherins, and while she knew not to take heed of idle chatter, Lily would be lying if she said she didn't have her own reservations about the Slytherin boy.

But as they worked on assignments and projects in class together, she began to see a different side to him. He was curious, insightful, and surprisingly funny.

Lily couldn't help but smile as she snuck a glance at Severus, who was writing some notes on parchment. There was a budding friendship forming between them, a connection that felt effortless and natural. She wasn't sure where it would lead, but for now, she was content to simply enjoy the quiet moments shared with Severus, surrounded by the comforting silence of the library.

The crisp air of the Scottish Highlands whipped at his face, carrying the faint scent of pine and the roar of the crowd. His heart was a frantic drum solo in his chest, and his clammy hand clutched his broom tightly, the sleek mahogany broom a comforting weight in his hand.

Marcus glanced to his right at a sixth-year named Braxton Winchester, who stood beside him, his face a mask of icy calm. Braxton, with his platinum blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, was a naturally talented player. Marcus peered to his left and found Jane; her eyes looked into his, and she gave him a curt nod.

A whistle blew, and the Slytherin team surged onto the field, their emerald green robes a blur against the backdrop of the grey autumn sky. Soaring into the air, the wind whistling past his ears. He felt the thrill of flight, the world shrinking beneath him as he ascended, the pitch a green carpet unfurling below. He was free, a hawk soaring above everything, his focus laser-sharp on the game ahead.

The Ravenclaw team were already weaving through the air, their broomsticks a blur of blue and bronze. Marcus, with his keen eyesight and lightning-fast reflexes, could see the glint of the Quaffle in their hands. He was ready. Marcus felt the familiar thrum of adrenaline coursing through his veins. He'd been practicing for this moment, and he would be damned if they lost today. The second whistle blew, and the game was on.

He darted toward the nearest rival chaser, a small brunette girl whose eyes widened at his rapid approach. In any other situation, Marcus would have had strong reservations about hurting a girl. But Quidditch was one of the few exceptions, and he found himself smashing into the Ravenclaw girl. She, in turn, let out a scream, and her grip on the Quaffle loosened. Marcus ripped it from her and darted away. Marcus, with his lean build and lightning-fast reflexes, was a blur on the field. He weaved through Ravenclaw players, their blue and bronze robes a blur in his peripheral vision.

He knew this was his chance. He faked left, then right, the Ravenclaw chaser scrambling to keep up. Just as he was about to shoot, a Ravenclaw beater, a fierce boy with a wicked grin, sent a Bludger hurtling towards him. Marcus barely dodged it, the wind whistling past his ear.

He had to act fast. He saw a gap in the Ravenclaw defense, a sliver of opportunity. With a powerful flick of his wrist, he sent the Quaffle soaring towards the goalposts. It was a perfect shot, a clean goal. The Slytherin stands erupted in cheers, their green and silver banners waving wildly. Marcus smirked and raised his fist in victory.

Jane had tossed in several goals, making Slytherin take the lead. Every pass, every dodge, every dive felt perfect. Marcus passed the Quaffle to Braxton and watched as the older boy was hit by a Bludger. The Quaffle was soon in that Ravenclaw girl's hands, and she darted past.

Once. Twice. A third time.

Before Marcus realized, the scores were tied. Marcus caught the Quaffle mid-air, his heart pounding in his chest. The Ravenclaw Keeper, a tall, lanky boy with a determined spark in his eyes, was ready. Marcus knew he had to be quick. Time was his enemy. He faked a shot to the left, then whipped the Quaffle around, aiming for the right goalpost.

The lanky boy dove, but it was too late. The Quaffle whizzed past his outstretched arm, a perfect arc of orange against the darkening sky, and landed squarely in the goal.

The whistle blew soon after, and Marcus was beyond exhausted. The Slytherin crowd erupted in cheers, a wave of green and silver washing over the stands. As Marcus walked off the pitch, his teammates swarmed him, their faces beaming with pride.

"Fucking brilliant work, Addams!" To Marcus's surprise, Regulus Black was the one to exclaim his praise.

Severus and Thomas had come down to see him, and he gave them his best grin.

"What'd I say?" he muttered as he reached them. "This is our year."

Across the castle, Slytherin reveled in its own victory. Its green and silver banners hung with an air of quiet confidence in the dungeon halls, and their victory over Ravenclaw was a testament to their cunning and skill. The Slytherin common room hummed with a more subdued energy, a sense of quiet satisfaction radiating from the students.

Not even the news of Gryffindor's victory against Hufflepuff could dampen the spirit of Slytherin. They were at the top of the table, and across the castle, the house of the serpent reveled in their victory.

A little later, after Severus had his fill of merriment and Marcus's boasting about his game-winning shot, Severus found himself fixing his tie in the mirror, the silk a stark contrast to the grimy, dusty surface of his dorm room. He was dreading Slughorn's dinner party. The man's obsession with "promising young witches and wizards" was suffocating, and Severus preferred the company of his books to the grim, self-important charm of the potions master's circle.

Severus ran a hand through his hair. It was pulled back into a ponytail, and he was pleased to see that the shampoo Marcus had given him had done wonders.

"Well, well, well, lookie here,"

Severus spun and saw Rosier slide in, with Avery following behind, sneering.

"May I help you, Rosier?" Severus hissed as his hand crept into his robe pocket. His finger wrapped around his wand, and a spell was all but on his lips.

"Relax, Prince," Rosier threw his hands in the air. "We mean no harm. I'm just surprised at how well you can dress. And we want to talk."

"Planning on sweeping me off my feet or something?" Severus sneered. "What is it that you want, exactly?"

"We know we haven't always seen eye to eye, Prince," Avery said, and Severus scoffed.

"That's putting it lightly."

"But we have come to... respect you," Rosier said with a glint in his dark eyes. "Despite your pedigree, you have shown yourself to be a stronger wizard than anyone could expect."

"Get to the fucking point, Rosier," Severus snapped. He was tired of hearing the boy's voice.

"We're in a little group, something a bit more…exclusive than the Slug Club," Avery said, and Severus rolled his eyes.

"Not interested."

He knew what they were trying to do. They were trying to recruit him to bring him into their little circle of power. He had seen what they were capable of, the ruthlessness they wielded with such casual ease. He didn't want any part of it.

A flicker of annoyance crossed Rosier's face. "You're sure about that? We could offer you a lot, Prince: power, influence, connections..."

Power, influence, and connections. The words lingered in Severus's mind, and he felt his muscles tense. Had those things not been what he desired? He peered at Rosier, and the boy's smirk widened.

"Are you deaf, Rosier?" Severus snapped. "I'm not interested in your little Knights of Walpurgis. Now excuse me."

Severus barged past the two and walked toward the door, leaving them standing there, their faces a mixture of surprise and anger. He could feel their eyes on his back, burning with a silent threat. He knew that they wouldn't let this go. They would be back.

Severus walked out of the Slytherin common room and into the cold dungeon hallway. His mind raced as he strode down towards the agreed-upon site for Slug Club. The gang of pureblood boys that had so often spent their days belittling or harassing him had recently changed to a cordial demeanor. His mind fell back to when he had asked Pace to keep an eye out for Wilkes.

"I don't know what you've got yourself into, Prince, but I'd be wary of Wilkes and his goons," Pace's warning came back, and Severus remembered smirking playfully and reassuring her that it would be fine.

Wilkes was working for someone. Severus wasn't sure who this "master" that he served was, but he suspected that his antics had gotten him noticed.

"Damn," he muttered.

"Damn what?" A voice came, and Severus almost had a heart attack.

A flurry of curses left Severus's mouth as he spun around. He blinked, surprised to see Jane in the hallway, even more surprised by what she was wearing.

She was in a sleek black dress; a silver necklace hung around her neck. Her athletic body, usually clad in Quidditch robes, was on full display, and Severus felt his mouth go dry. He couldn't help but notice the way the fabric clung to her curves. He looked away, his mind flooded with thoughts he did not need right now.

"What the hell are you wearing?" Severus hissed, and Jane rolled her eyes.

"A dress," she answered blankly, and Severus felt his face heat up.

"Yes, I am aware," he said softly. "The question is, why are you wearing it?"

Jane sighed. "Because I'll be joining you."

"Slug Club?" he asked. "I didn't know you were invited."

"Yeah, well, I was," she said, her voice a little strained. "Apparently, all the Slytherin Quidditch team got last-minute invites after our game, but I'm the only one going." She shrugged, a hint of defiance in her posture.

"Oh, I didn't think this was your type of gathering," Severus muttered, and she smiled.

"It isn't, but it is a great chance to get good favor with old Slughorn," she pointed out. "Getting that captain spot next year is worth listening to an hour of drivel, that's for sure."

"I see," Severus retort. "If the drab conventions get too much, you know where to find me."

Jane smiled. "Oh yeah. Where's that?"

"In the hallway, having a smoke and wondering where I went wrong," Severus muttered, and the duo chuckled.

As they walked down the hallway together, Severus couldn't help but feel that he might enjoy himself tonight.

A/N:

Firstly, I want to say thank you all for the favs and follows, and a huge thanks to those who leave reviews. Please, please, please keep them coming in.

Secondly, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. It was supposed to come out earlier, but things came up. However, we're here now. It's fun how I've written Severus and Lily's friendship to start in the same school year it ended in canon.

There might be a wait for the next chapter, but rest assured that it is in the works. Thanks once again for reading, and I'll see you soon.

:)