32

Chapter 32 "Friends"

Although Lily had made up her mind, she was nervous. She had scrapped this plan the morning she saw Black's marriage announcement in the Sunday paper. Lily was afraid Severus would be thinking that if Sirius Black could marry, why not him?

On Sundays, many students slept late so they were two of the few students at breakfast early. They could never go back to that room that Rosier and Wilkes used. It held too many memories of Helen.

He had been continuing to keep her company, and Mary was due back late this afternoon. On the whole, Severus had been very good to her. He didn't press her about marrying, which seemed to be the only thing Lily could argue with him.

Since the one time Lily insisted he hold her breast, she had been limiting her physical affection to no more than snogging. It was still bloody brilliant snogging, but the fact that she had not reciprocated the couple of times that Severus had … well, she didn't like to think about that because it got her all hot and achy, and ready to fall on her knees and beg Severus to do it to her again.

Lily Evans would not beg because she had willpower. There.

Now at last, she would pay Severus back for totally undoing her sanity. If this went well, maybe they could do sneak off every Sunday, and maybe Saturday mornings too. Mary liked to sleep late when she didn't have class.

Once they were outside the Great Hall, Lily took Severus's hand in hers and led the way to the second floor.

He asked, "What did you have in mind later with Mary? I could wait in the library after dinner, if you two wanted to join me there."

"I don't feel like talking about Mary now, Sev."

Severus frowned. He didn't want Lily locking herself away with MacDonald. If she wouldn't let him make the effort to be 'friends' with her friend, they would not miss him. No, Lily would not miss him at all.

Noticing that they had reached a girls bathroom, Severus let go of Lily's hand to wait for her.

She grabbed his hand and said, "Come on," while opening the door.

"But it's the girls -"

"Don't worry about it. I'm a prefect, and this one is out of order." To the room in general, Lily called out, "Hello?"

Severus stopped in the doorway. This lavatory was poorly lit with dirty mirrors, chipped fixtures and was overall rather dreary. For all the time girls spent in the ladies, he was rather underwhelmed. It looked rather like the gents', except for the lack of urinals and graffiti on the walls naming Hogwarts girls and their charms, or lack of them.

After a second call from Lily to verify they were alone in here, she urged Severus to follow her into the last cubicle. It looked rather plain to him. There was a toilet, as expected. Lily pushed up against him to get him inside, and then latched the door with both of them inside.

Lily looked up at Severus who was looking around everywhere but at her.

Severus did not see anything at all that looked interesting. There was not even a wall sconce, concealing a secret lever. Was it the flush mechanism of the toilet? That would be too obvious because anyone using this commode would flush.

He turned to look at the inside of the door. There was nothing written there either. He found Lily to be looking expectantly at him. Since when was he a natural at finding secret things in lavatories? He asked, "What?"

Suggestively she responded, "We're all alone, Sev."

"In a girls toilet."

"An unused girls toilet." With a jerk of her head and a downward glance at his trousers, Lily hinted, "Could you please take it out for me?"

Severus blinked, understanding which 'it' she meant. "I don't need to go, Lily."

"No, I don't mean that, Sev. I want to look at it."

He snorted, "Well, what was I supposed to think when you lock me in a toilet with you?" This was rather fortuitous, considering the changes he made in one runic charm. With consensually and mutually coaxed orgasmic fluids from both of them, it would make it very strong. He thought he'd have to wait till at least the Christmas break before Lily plucked up the courage to go further since she seemed scared of letting herself enjoy what he offered.

Severus also needed to confirm that Lily was a virgin. He was almost positive she was, but this would not work otherwise and be a waste of time.

Lily had been prepared to argue with Severus, but he simply unzipped his trousers, reached in with his fingers and pulled it out.

The green had faded more from that area of his body. His fingers were much greener.

She swallowed when he let go of it.

"Did you want me to do something with it? Or did you mean 'look' as in Lily looking with her hands?"

Hesitantly she asked, "Uh, would that be all right?" Her hands already had a mind of their own as they reached for it. Oh gosh, she really was out of control.

"Would you allow me to deny you, Lily?"

"No," she breathed as she tentatively touched it, and then caressed with both her hands, to figure out how she wanted to hold it. This time Severus was awake. This could become so embarrassing. At least it was pointed the right way this time, and now she knew that this meant he wasn't sexually excited. At least not yet. It felt sort of like before. The skin was soft and sort of velvety over a core of something more solid. It was flexible and somewhat heavy, she thought as she turned it upward to look at the business end.

She looked at his face, his dark eyes looked back into her green ones, he slowly slid his gaze downward and hers followed.

"Lily?" he asked.

Looking back up, she replied, "Yes?"

"If you want, you can do what you like with your new toy, and perhaps then I could kiss your bare skin?"

She noticed Severus's gaze drop to her chest, before he looked back up into her eyes.

His smoldering dark eyes staring into hers were too much. "Um ..."

"I'll show you. Move your hand up here and then pull this back," he murmured, while guiding her hand to pull his foreskin back.

He kept his hand on hers and indicated that it could slide a bit under her hand, imitating the movement that Helen had tried to teach her a lifetime ago with her broom.

Lily's mouth dropped open and she could no longer look up into Severus's face. She was mesmerized by what she was doing to Severus, especially when he removed his hand and allowed her to continue on her own.

She could see and feel a change as it twitched and seemed to pulse to life within her hands.

Severus tried to stay relaxed and allow his body do what it was supposed to. It was bizarre, and somewhat maddening, to have someone else touch him. Unlike some other boys, he didn't find touching himself to be an ideal way to pass the time. That might be good since if he was to fantasize about Lily fondling him, it wouldn't have been in a girls toilet, and she might be a bit more verbal and look at his face occasionally, rather than … oh no, she was bending down further, she wasn't going to … Parkin had been a swallower. Rosier was rather proud of that. Severus needed his spunk, at least this time. If Lily wanted to use her mouth in the future, he'd give it a try. He doubted it could be worse than what was currently going on.

When liquid oozed out, Lily leaned down to look. Was that it? She stopped moving her hand. She wanted Severus to scream, not just stand there.

"What's wrong?" he asked. If Lily thought this was funny, he might just go Marauder and shove her into the toilet.

"Oh, aren't you done?"

"Hardly."

"What's this stuff then?" She touched the clear liquid with her finger.

"Don't ..." Severus held himself back from insulting Lily. Calling her a dunderhead was not going to get this any closer to done with, or get him into her knickers. "Don't worry about that, Lily. You'll know. There's a big difference."

"Should I do it differently?"

"Can you do that and kiss me at the same time?"

"I could, but I'd like to see -"

"I'll let you know."

"All right. You better," Lily threatened as she stood and tilted her head, allowing the long kiss to begin as she resumed moving her upper hand and tried to squeeze him gently with the other.

Severus still couldn't tell if Lily was playing games. If she wanted to see anything, why was she starting an argument? That wouldn't get him any closer. It might take longer with her kissing him, but she wouldn't be distracted by studying his crotch like it was a disgusting specimen of bug. It would also keep her from talking and asking stupid questions. And why the bloody hell was she wearing trousers, he thought as his hands grabbed and kneaded her arse. How was he supposed to be in the right frame of mind for this sort of thing when Lily was such a bloody pain?

It was unusual for Severus to shove his tongue in her mouth.

His snogging was rough, and Lily wasn't used to him grabbing her bum.

His fingers dug in as he pulled and lifted her against him.

She was puzzled if he was angry that this was taking so much longer than it took her. If she was doing it wrong, he should say something. Lily felt like she got it right this time because she could barely tighten her hand around him now, it was so hard and inflexible.

To encourage Lily, he moaned into her mouth. Severus did not want her taking a break to ask questions; those could wait. Getting closer, he moved his hands to her waist. He intended to let her watch, but didn't want her stopping too soon. He also wanted her eager to let him do what he wanted to her. With that, he could finish the salve he needed to trace runes on their bodies while he said the charm.

Lily opened her eyes as she felt Sev's breathing hitch after he had so deliciously moaned into her mouth. His eyes were closed as he was kissing her. This was good, right? She felt his hand join hers.

His eyes opened, his tongue retreated and he quickly urged her, "Don't stop, but look."

Fucking hell. This shuddering and twitching were intolerable to a person who preferred to stay in control of himself.

He was certain he did not instruct Lily to get closer, but apparently she did from her defiled and gobsmacked face.

Must not laugh. Must not. Or she will not let me in her knickers. Look concerned. Yes, concerned.

It would help if her beautiful eyes were not so wide in shock, and she could close her mouth.

Shit. Make it seem all right, or better than all right, or even much better than all right.

Softly Severus crooned, "Lily."

Steeling himself, he put his hands up to her face, and with one of his thumbs wiped the fluid off her lower lip.

"You were wonderful," he purred as he brought his lips to hers to snog her senseless.

Oh my God! Why didn't someone warn her about that? Was that even normal to shoot out like that? She was about to scream as she pulled her face away from getting hit, when more came out and shocked her by flying into her open mouth. What the heck?

She pushed that out of her mind as she watched Severus's face. He was beautiful, and then he was so happy with her. Why couldn't he be like this more? At least just with her. Lily would keep it their secret that Severus Snape could sometimes be happy … deliriously happy. She'd definitely have to do this more with him, except maybe she could stand behind him next time. And maybe he could be more forceful like this when they snogged. She preferred putting her tongue in his mouth, but this was almost as bloody brilliant, especially this new thing with him clutching at her bum. They'd have to snog more standing up. Actually, they just needed to snog a whole lot more.

Eventually their faces parted to allow them to breathe. Severus drew his wand and asked, "May I clean you up?"

Lily blushed and responded, "Please do."

Wordlessly he cast and secretly collected what he needed to fill an empty vial in his pocket, then disappeared the rest. He then asked, "Is it all right if I straighten up my trousers, or do you desire to hold me in your hands while I take my turn pleasing you, my love?"

The way Severus suggested it made Lily's stomach flutter. What she desired? She desired everything right now. "Do you want me to?" she asked, staring at it. It was pretty much like it was at first. Severus's dormant snake. Hanging down, and shyly hiding its sightless eye from her view.

"You were so magnificent, Lily, that I doubt I'd be able to think straight and be able to serve you properly," he replied as he put himself away and zipped up.

He knew what he wanted to do, but they were still in a toilet. Even if it was out of order, it was still a toilet.

But if he didn't do this this morning, Severus may never get another chance. MacDonald would be back, and she could keep Lily away from him.

He flicked his wand decisively at the toilet, before stowing it away also.

Reaching down, he started unfastened Lily's trousers, asking, "Did you wear these on purpose to tease me today?"

A little dazed by Severus saying she was magnificent, she was startled,"Huh? What are you...?"

"Shhh. I want to worship your body, Lily. Let it be my temple. Please let me."

"But what are …?"

"It'll be better than it's ever been before," he said, before pulling her trousers and knickers down in a quick motion. "Sit down," he insisted, while pushing against her with one of his shoulders.

"It's ..." Lily started, before realizing he had transfigured the toilet into a padded chair with arms.

As soon as she sat, Severus pulled off her shoes to finish getting her disrobed from the waist down, except for her socks. He was kneeling between her legs now and began kissing her knee, while sliding his hand along her calf.

Lily was worried. If he turned his head, he'd be able to see everything. When she asked to see his, Lily didn't think he'd reciprocate by looking at hers.

He kissed her bare skin so sweetly, alternating between his lips and little bites. His lips were working their way up her thigh, and his hand had reached her ankle. He then massaged her foot and raised it up so her calf was on his shoulder.

Lily's anxiety increased as his mouth reached her upper thigh, but then with a obvious lick of his tongue first, he switched to her other knee and slowly repeated the process on her other leg.

It was agonizing. She leaned away from her torturer and the chair's back slowly lowered so she reclined.

Severus smirked as he reached his goal. Lily definitely did not need a lust potion. She allowed him to pull her bottom closer to the chair's edge as he slid his shoulders up her legs so her thighs were now resting on them. Although he had heard a lot of disparaging comments about a woman's body, Lily's wasn't bothersome to him.

Once she started with her moans of 'Sev', he snaked his little finger into her. Yes, she was a virgin. Good.

Lily could not believe how this felt. How did he even think to put his face there? And his tongue … oh, his tongue, what was he doing, especially kissing her there?

Even after she finished screaming and trying to catch her breath, Severus continued feasting upon her. Was he trying to drive her mad?

He heard Lily start to weakly protest as she came crashing back to earth. Rather than acquiescing, he intentionally misunderstood and upgraded his assault on her flesh with his fingers. He was careful to avoid broaching her channel now that she was so sensitive to what he was doing, but he was not opposed to using the surplus lubrication she was leaking to slide it around and downwards, and then get her attention by teasing her with how wizards did it among themselves, since she desired some education in this area.

What was Severus doing? From where he was, he should have realized that she had reacted positively to his worship at her temple and she wanted it to stop now. She tried to tell him, but with her thighs against his ears, she guessed he couldn't hear her.

Lily tried to kick her legs free, but in this position, they were rather trapped, along with the focus of Severus's attention.

The involuntary muscle contractions began shooting through her legs again when she felt Sev doing something rather strange and then felt him slide his finger into her … oh my. No. She … no.

Severus continued teasing Lily's body repeatedly to more orgasms. Apparently she liked any kind of stimulation in this area from the way she was twitching on his fingers, and moaned in disappointment when he removed them.

Without him, she'd be a wanton whore. He had to get this charm onto her before some other fellow found out how libidinous his beautiful Lily was.

They were interrupted by a sudden coldness and a nasty sing song female voice mimicking, "Oh Sev. No. No. Oh Sev. Stop. Don't. Sev. You two make me sick. Bblllllaaaaugh!"

It was a ghost. Severus had the presence of mind to draw his wand and collect his other ingredient, while Lily struggled to right herself and failed miserably, while explaining, "Myrtle, we looked for you."

Severus looked at the ghost of a Ravenclaw student while assisting Lily to her feet.

He had heard of her, but had not seen her before. She did not socialize with students like the others, and he guessed this was the toilet she haunted.

Apparently Myrtle was talented, since there was an ectoplasmic puke puddle on the floor. Actually, it was squarely on Lily's trousers, knickers and shoes.

They had to rendezvous in this toilet again. He didn't know if he found the ghost's puking on Lily's clothes funnier, or Lily's current crazy dance in her socks while she held her hands in front of her nudeness.

Having gotten his fill of Lily's dancing, Severus drew his wand and levitated Lily's items. The ectoplasm existed in a slightly different plane so her clothes were untouched.

Hastily, Lily said, "Thanks, Sev," and grabbed her knickers.

Once those were on, Lily tried to act normal and talk to the ghost. "Myrtle, uh, remember how I had stopped by and we talked about my dragonpox and the bullies?"

Myrtle was picking at a ghostly zit on her chin, rather than paying attention, but did respond, "Vaguely."

"Well, uh, this is the other student that had dragonpox, Severus."

"You were befouling my cubicle," Myrtle nastily clarified.

Severus restored the aged commode to its original condition. He rather liked this ghost. Lily couldn't bamboozle her with her innocent Gryffindor act.

"We were simply passing the time till you returned."

The ghost snarled, "Passing the time? Don't get me started. Do you want to hear how I pass the years, while floating in my U bend?"

Severus glanced at Lily. Did they really need to hear about a ghost's plumbing problems? Of course, because she tried to soothe the spirit with, "Myrtle, it … we were here a while, and it's not easy for us the way we are both picked on. You know what that's like. And anyway, well, he was inspired by what I told him about you and we got carried away with forgetting about those horrible other students and comforting each other."

His lip curled. Comforting each other?

The ghost nodded and started crying. "There was this one boy I had a crush on, but thanks to Olive Hornsby, he thought I was some weird girl stalking him."

The toilet overflowed behind Lily. Severus retreated by unlocking the cubicle door, but it was too late. All the toilets disgorged water along with a couple of the sinks.

At least he had his shoes on.

He stopped at a sink that was still working, scrubbed his hands, rinsed his mouth out and quickly cleaned up his face. He saw Lily in the mirror scrambling out of the stall, slipping on the graying tiles with moldy grout in her very wet socks, clutching her trousers and shoes.

He took hold of her elbow so she didn't suffer an actual injury and escorted her to the door, commenting, "This toilet was a brilliant idea, Lily."

"Oh ha ha, Severus. And you're going to dry all my stuff, funny guy."

"That's going to have to wait a moment, Lily," he commented, as they exited into the quickly flooding hallway. "Water flows down, so how about we head up?"

Once they had climbed a couple stairs, Severus sorted Lily's clothes, including her soaked socks, and held her shoes while she pulled on her trousers. He schooled his face into a look of patience, even though he was laughing on the inside.

James was rudely awakened by his mother smacking him in the head with a newspaper. Merlin's beard! He still had one more week of this imprisonment.

"Get your arse out of bed!"

"What?" he complained.

"Your father's apoplectic. To have the Potter name in the paper regarding this werewolf attack is going to kill us, James."

"What? No, it was Sirius Black."

"Did you and Pettigrew know and then laugh about it?"

"No."

"Well?"

"No."

"Don't lie to me, James. Ever since you met that horrible Sirius Black, it's like you are a stranger to me. What happened to my sweet little Jamie boy?" she cried.

"Mum!"

"Just because you were born privileged, does not give you the right to ruin other people's lives. And that includes muggles, muggleborns, and half-bloods. I am so ashamed of you."

"What?"

"Why would you ruin people's lives for fun, Jamie? You find that entertaining?"

"What are you bloody talking about?"

"This article in today's paper about how the dead girl and the one that was infected were to be betrothed."

"Let me see," James said, snatching the paper. His mother had it folded open to a photo of obviously acting Slytherins, Wilkes and Rosier. Evans was not the one working on a betrothal!

Smack! "How dare you smile."

"Uh, it's Slytherins, mum. They're liars. And these two are definitely Death Eaters."

"How many times do I and your father have to tell you that all Slytherins, that's one-quarter of witches and wizards in Britain, are not Death Eaters!" She gave him another smack on the cheek. "It is no excuse to attack them or any ladies that catch their fancy, young man. With that attitude, we might as well ship you to Azkaban now."

James's mother dashed from the room, crying aloud.

Rereading the article, James muttered, "Stupid Slytherins."

Sirius may be onto something. Slytherins and Gryffindors? Never.

He got out of bed, rubbing his aching face to go to his trunk and pulled out the map. Good thing he had it last, instead of Padfoot or Moony. He wasn't sure he could recreate it on his own.

Only troublemakers would be skulking around the castle this early on a Sunday. Why did his parents have to wake at the crack of Merlin-loving dawn?

Rosier and Wilkes were down in the dungeons. Stupid pissheads, making his mum cry. Mulciber and Avery were down there too. Sirius's younger brother was turning in circles in their common room.

James's eyes scanned the map looking for the worst of them. There he was up on the first floor with Evans. Sodding Severus Snape. What was he up to, getting Evans off on her own like that? Where were they anyway? James looked at the surrounding area, and then when his eyes returned to the two little sets of footprints, he saw Moaning Myrtle with them. What was Snape doing in the ladies? Was Evans sick after breakfast? She needed someone like James to look after her, not Snivelly.

If Evans was a werewolf, James would let her know he was an animagus and then he'd keep her company in the Shrieking Shack, like he used to do with Remus. Remus … why, oh why, did Sirius do that?

Mary returned to school that afternoon.

Lily had gone to their room after lunch to make sure everything was perfect for her, or at least as perfect as it could be until Lily figured out the truth of what her girlfriend needed help with.

Lily had spent a while lying atop her bed thinking about Severus. If they were married, Severus could do things like that to her every night, every afternoon, every morning when they woke up.

She wouldn't get anything done, and probably not give a hoot. Hmm, no, Sev had things he wanted to do, and with both of them working, they'd make money faster. They couldn't keep each other in bed or on other furniture, the floor, against the kitchen counter and out in the garden all day, every day.

Lily had difficulty moving onto her next thought because she kept visualizing Sev kneeling before her. She'd probably give up wearing trousers and knickers for that.

She was still lost in a daydream, thinking about Myrtle not returning to that girls room, and Severus continuing till she either drooled herself drier than the Sahara, or passed out from exhaustion, when Mary entered the room with Prof. McGonagall.

"There you are, Miss Evans."

"Uh yes, Prof. McGonagall. Welcome back, Mary," Lily said aas she got off her bed. She wasn't doing anything wrong, so there was no reason why she couldn't act like normal. She gave Mary an embrace.

Prof. McGonagall took care of setting out Mary's trunk in front of her bed. "I'll see you both at dinner then. Welcome back, Miss MacDonald."

After their head of house left, Mary sat down on the edge of her bed with a huff. "So here we are, Lily. Are you all right?"

"Yes, I was just laying there wondering when you'd be back. At least here, I knew for certain I'd catch up to you."

"Is all your homework done?"

"Sure is."

"You used to take all weekend, even if you just wanted to write it over one last time."

Lily shrugged, "With Sev checking it over, I don't feel there's any need. My grades are good, and in the end, it's only the NEWTs that count now."

"Yeah, that's the only reason I came back. Darned NEWTs. Now I'm going to have to find some kind of job once I graduate."

"That won't be bad, Mary. Taking control of your own life is good."

"I won't be in control as long as my body is ruled by the moon, Lily. No regular work is available for someone that's laid up sick for one week a month."

"Don't be so negative."

Mary sighed. Lily the optimist. She wouldn't be so chipper when she couldn't get her healer apprenticeship or a husband to take care of her. At least Mary's parents would live much longer than Lily's muggle ones. Growing old with her parents, she felt like a failure already in her first hour back at school.

His parents visited him in Azkaban. They claimed Remus had only been here two weeks. He felt like it had been two years, or maybe two decades. The dementors were relentless. Remus had killed. He allowed those who allowed him to kill send him victims. Remus knew they'd send victims to him and he wanted that. He was a killer. A killer of young ladies full of hope and dreams. That is why his had been taken away.

Since he had no memories of how he killed Helen Parkin, or attacked Mary MacDonald or Lily Evans, his mind furnished gruesome images starring Fenrir Greyback. That's who had infected him.

Remus also thought about his speedy trial. His parents had paid for a good defense, but the Ministry and the Black family's solicitor were not on his side. Every time some explanation was submitted as to why Remus had become a danger during the full moon, that solicitor objected or asked for some witness or proof. It sounded like Remus was strolling the halls of the school on a rampage, rather than hiding in an out of the way spot, off the school grounds. The falsehoods brought the full weight of justice down on him.

Besides Sirius's hostile solicitor, his friends were not present at all. Not in person or spirit. Remus wouldn't ask James or Peter to support him against Sirius, but all their talk of lifelong friendship, the camaraderie of the unstoppable Marauders, or even the principles of honorable Godric Gryffindor meant nothing. Not in the face of such a betrayal.

After a week of classes, Mary was feeling better over returning to school. She had known she could count on Lily, at the very least. The other Gryffindors, even the boys, were well-behaved and offered to help her whenever she needed it.

Evan and Malcolm did greet her in passing, but the special spark that had existed between her and Malcolm Wilkes had been extinguished. He had written her a very polite letter, letting her know that his family would never approve of his marrying a werewolf, but in her heart, she dearly hoped that he would defy them as soon as he set eyes on her again. Sadly, that was not the case.

Although she had been aware of Severus Snape before, as Lily's good friend, and that he occupied one of the six seats at their short-lived library study session, Mary had thought it would be just Lily and her. Like it was the three girls, including Helen, for their first five years at Hogwart's together. However, after noticing that she and Lily were frequently in his company, she started to notice that he was seeking them out, outside of Gryffindor tower.

Severus was polite, for him, and had not insulted her once. Even when she had totally cocked up a Defense essay, he pointed out the right section of the text and asked her to reread it.

His behavior caused an absolutely mad idea to hatch in Mary's brain. She'd have to check with Lily first though. Sisters before misters.

Lily returned to the tower after an early morning snog session with Severus. They were going to Hogsmeade later with Mary, and Lily was thinking about how to suggest how they could split up for some shopping.

With Lily staying at Hogwarts for the holiday, this December trip to Hogsmeade would be her last chance to shop, unless she ordered by owl. Planning with Mary would get her mind off the full moon in a few days.

At first, Mary didn't want to come with them to Hogsmeade, but Lily finally convinced her yesterday that she would be terribly lonely there without her company.

Entering their room, Lily found that Mary was already up and had taken a lot out of her trunk, and had hung up at least ten outfits and matched up different shoes, cloaks, scarves, hats and gloves with them. Evidently, her feelings about Hogsmeade had changed dramatically, rather than just caving in to Lily's nagging.

"Did you already have breakfast, Lily?"

"Yes, I did. I didn't want to wake you."

"That's all right. It's just that I didn't see you down in the Great Hall."

Lily's eyebrows raised. Mary was up early on a Saturday. Did she have something special planned?

As far as Lily knew, she had been with Mary most of the week. She didn't want to bring it up, in case Mary had nothing in mind. "That's a lot to choose from, Mary."

"I'm so undecided," she fretted, while digging into her trunk for a pair of plum-colored tights that she knew she owned. Once she found those, and a pair of lovely olive ankle boots with dainty silver buckles and toe caps that she almost forgot she had, Mary asked, "What's Severus's favorite color?"

Lily answered without thinking, "Green." She stopped with her mouth still open. Was that his favorite color? Sev said his favorite color were Lily's eyes, but he may have just said that to be nice.

Mary shrugged and muttered, "Slytherin." All that digging for the tights was a waste of time.

Feeling that Mary might think she wasn't getting into the spirit of things, Lily began to search through her trunk for a Hogsmeade outfit. Severus didn't have problems like this. He'd just wear black trousers and a white shirt, part of his school uniform. He didn't know how lucky he had it.

"Lily?"

"Huh?"

"You and Severus are best mates, right?"

"Yes, but you're also my best mate, Mary."

"You're mine too, Lily."

"Thanks."

"So you're only best mates?"

"With Severus?"

"Well yeah, I mean I've seen you give him a quick peck on the lips and put your arms around him, and then there was that one time when you had been drinking at the Hog's Head, but I wanted to be sure that this 'just friends with him' thing was still the case."

"I guess," Lily replied. She didn't want to flaunt that she still had Severus when Mary lost Malcolm, and both Mary and Helen didn't think Severus was good enough for Lily so she didn't want to reopen that argument when they had a lovely day ahead of them so close to the full moon.

"Good … so uh, you wouldn't mind if I sort of set my cap for Severus then?"

"Set your cap?"

"Well yeah, Lily. Wouldn't you like that if your two best friends got together?"

"You and … Severus?"

"Sure. It makes perfect sense. Don't you see? I know about him from you and Malcolm, so that life debt I owe him will help. He can't think I'm pretending to fancy him to stab him in the back or something. And speaking of that, I already know that he's has scars and stuff, and he knows that I do too, so that's another thing out of the way. He's also friendly to me, even when he knows I'm a werewolf. And if there's someone who would make a terrible father, it's got to be him, so no children's not a problem either."

"Uh …." Lily said, trying to think of where 'perfect sense' came into Mary's logic at all. Not that Mary's scars were her fault, but Severus didn't deserve his either. And terrible father? Where or what did that come from? Just because Sev's father was terrible didn't mean Lily would allow him to become that way. "Um … I don't think he'd be interested, Mary."

"Why not? I know he may act like he's not interested, but everyone wants someone to love them, Lily."

"But Sev's uh ..."

"What aren't you telling me, Lily? Does he fancy blokes?"

"No."

"I didn't think so. What's the problem?"

"He's …" Lily wanted to say the truth, but what was it? Snoggalicious friend who had wicked fingers and a tongue that Lily didn't want to ever share with anyone? Her future husband didn't sound right either. Was she afraid to let someone know that her and Severus were a couple? No, they weren't a couple like that, but – it was complicated. "... he's uh, very reserved, Mary. I think you might be too much for him to handle."

Mary rolled her eyes at her roommate, "I'm not suggesting that I sashay over to him in the Front Hall and snog him senseless while attempting to tame his dragon dick with both hands, Lily."

Lily gasped. If Mary grabbed Sev's anything, Lily might hex her faster than Severus himself.

"What?" Mary asked. "I can control myself for a bit, but knowing the size of that broom has me salivating to go for a ride."

"Mary!"

"What? That's what's great about this life debt. He knows I won't bite it off."

"Bite?"

"Well, that would be a risk wouldn't it? He has no reason to trust anyone. Severus has been the target of half of Gryffindor and maybe most of Slytherin since he set foot in this school, and his Head of House treats him like rubbish. Maybe you and Helen are hoodwinked by Slughorn, but I'm not one of his favorites either, but unlike Snape, I know I'm not brilliant."

Mary talked so fast and jumped through subjects so quickly, Lily's head was spinning between biting, everyone attacking Severus, and Slughorn being a git. "I don't think you'd be happy, Mary. Sev's got nothing. I mean, you deserve better. You love your clothes and the kind of house that would make you content, is well beyond his means. He doesn't even have house elves."

"Happy? What would make me happy is to not be a werewolf and get my hand back from that foul Lupin. I've had to rethink everything, Lily. I want someone who will love me. Love me and protect me. I don't want to go to Azkaban. I don't want to be a killer. What good is stuff when I'm sitting in a cell for the rest of my life with dementors as my only company?"

"I just can't see the two of you together, Mary." Lily couldn't. Mary talked too much and about nothing Sev cared about. "There's plenty of others, and the fellow for you probably isn't even a student at Hogwarts right now. You have time, and I'm sure your parents will help you find the man that is meant for you."

"Nevertheless, I still think Severus is worth trying for. I mean, if not me, then who does he have? He hardly says anything to anyone else but you and me. He doesn't have any reason to even allow someone close enough to give him a chance to trust them. For all he's done for us, Lily, he doesn't deserve to be left alone with no one."

"I'm not leaving him," Lily protested.

"You're his friend, Lily. He deserves to have more than someone who drops him a letter every month or so to let him know how her husband and children are."

"I wouldn't do that to him."

"You'd want him to … live next door? What if your husband couldn't stand the sight of him?"

"Why would I marry someone that didn't like my best friends? That's crazy, Mary."

"There's hardly anyone that likes Severus."

"Well … well, you didn't like him so much either," Lily argued childishly.

"That's before I got to know him. He's in a different house, Lily. How was I to know? Especially with all that crap about all the Slytherins being Death Eaters."

"That was the only thing they could say to make them look like the good guys. Gryffindors idolize heroes, not bullies."

"That's why we're all idiots," Mary darkly replied. She turned to look at her clothes. Severus wasn't an idiot.

Severus passed through the Slytherin Common Room very pleased with himself. Besides the potions ingredients he needed to complete his special project from the student store, he was able to take his pick from Slughorn's unlocked cupboard since he had unsupervised favorites working on their personal pet endeavors. The fool even left felix felicis in there. Severus only took one bottle. That would be all he would need to complete this. He didn't want to leave anything to chance. Once Lily was no longer a virgin, there would be no second chance with this method. Everything else seemed so hamfisted. Severus didn't want to change what was Lily, except maybe to swab out her ears so she'd hear something other than her own voice.

He hoped Malcolm Wilkes didn't end up as Head Boy. Not that Severus didn't enjoy a challenge, but it was so easy to impersonate someone he shared quarters with, especially a rich boy with too much stuff to keep track of it, he thought as he removed the spare prefect badge from his robes before the Polyjuice wore off.

Regulus sat in the common room, thoughtfully biting his lower lip and waiting for Barty. At least Barty was dependable as a friend, even if all his studies made him as squirrelly as a runespoor with all three heads.

Regulus could talk himself blue in the face claiming that Sirius was no real brother of his, and would readily agree that he had no style, wit, panache, or the least scrap of cunning. He's off in France or wherever screwing his little brain out with a half-veela french trollop, and Regulus was left at Hogwarts to uphold what little family honor and dignity remained.

Sirius had to attack the two Gryffindors that the Slytherins liked – Parkin and MacDonald. Stupid ass thug waving around a sign for months saying how much he hated Parkin. Now the Slytherins thought Regulus was too weak-minded and simple to understand much of anything unless it began with 'once upon a time'.

Oh no, it was Wilkes again. He left for breakfast with Rosier not even thirty minutes ago.

Regulus slid down in his seat. Wilkes was too much of a gentleman to simply jinx him in the face, but the sneer he gave indicated that he better not catch Black in a dark, dungeon corridor alone. Reg was relieved he wasn't seen this time. Merlin. If Regulus could, he'd hop a portkey over to France right now and give his brawny brother the arse kicking of a lifetime, right in front of his wife too.

When Severus came up the dungeon stairwell, he found Evans and MacDonald waiting for him to go to Hogsmeade. They both looked angry. Against his better judgment, he asked, "Is something wrong?"

Simultaneously they both answered, "No."

They were fighting with each other? Crap. Why? Why? He'd still have to be nice to MacDonald because if he snubbed her, he'd be the bad one when Evans made up with her in a couple hours.

Lily took hold of his left arm and insisted, "Let's get going." She even pulled him along to make her point.

He resisted and stopped when MacDonald grabbed his right arm. "Release my wand arm."

"All right," Mary responded, and smiled at him as she slid her hand under his cloak and ran it over the back of Rosier's transfigured wool jumper towards his waist.

"Stop it," Severus said, pulling his other arm from Lily to twist around to get MacDonald off him. "If you two are playing some game, I don't want to be part of it. You can do whatever between yourselves. Stop touching me."

Lily's eyes narrowed. Where did Mary touch Sev after she let go of his arm?

Mary shrugged at Lily, and followed Severus who had lost his patience and walked out to avoid any scenes in the Front Hall.

It was doubtful anyone would think girls were fighting over him, but he was sure to get at least a detention if a fight broke out around him. A fight might also force him to take sides in their petty girl squabble. After years of Lily and Petunia, he wasn't falling for it.

Both Lily and Mary jostled each other on his left. Severus stopped. "Is this something I should know, or would you prefer I mind my own business?"

"Uh … it's … I don't know, Sev," Lily explained, or didn't explain.

He jerked his head, "All right. Did you still want to go to Hogsmeade?"

"Yes."

"Yes, let's," Mary added. "We were being silly. Sorry."

"That's fine," Severus replied, resuming their walk. "Sometimes it seems I'm expected to know things, when the clues aren't clear."

"It's not you, it's us, Sev," Lily muttered, and then gave his upper arm a quick pat.

"I'm sure they have plenty of Sugared Butterfly Wings at Honeyduke's, Lily. There's no need to fight with Mary about them."

Lily made an outraged shriek, while Mary laughed, "You like those? Eewe."

"They're not really butterfly wings?"

"You could ask. I always thought they were," Mary commented. "They probably transfigure objects to get them nice and pretty, rather than catching them. But still, they don't taste so good to me."

"It's like a piece of wet paper on your tongue," Lily complained.

"Exactly. Do you like those, Severus?"

"No."

"What are your favorite sweets?" Mary asked.

Lily filled in the growing silence by answering, "Ooh, I'd have to say dark chocolate, but I don't think I've tried everything yet. What about you, Sev?"

"What?"

"Sweet foods you like?"

"Oh, that's what I thought you were asking, but …" he sighed, then said, "fruit, I guess."

"With some kind of coating?" Mary asked.

"Coating?" Severus repeated. "No, just plain."

"They can dip it in things other than chocolate, Sev," Lily added.

"I don't think I'd care for that."

"Do you like some of the more exotic things like cockroach clusters or blood pops?"

Although Lily knew Mary was directing the question to Severus again, he remained silent. Lily said, "No, neither of us like those. Do you?"

"Heck no. So uh ... what caused you to develop such a strong will power against sweets, Severus? Strict control over your weight or your teeth?"

He turned his head to look at MacDonald. What was her problem? Her questions were worse than Lily's. "Not at all. The area I live in is dangerous so children are warned away from people offering sweets, and that led to a dislike of sweets in general."

"Even from your parents and relatives?"

"I don't recall candy being in the house," he answered vaguely.

Lily could believe that. Well, there might be a big wad of living cockroach cluster, but they'd starve to death at the Snapes unless they could live on gin. She frowned, that was not a nice thing to think of. Severus obviously was fed something, other than boiled faux chicken hopefully. His father certainly had a well-fed appearance.

Mary did not feel things were going in her favor. Lily and her had annoyed him from the start, and even though he had brought up Honeyduke's, Severus did not eat candy.

Seeing Mary raise her eyebrows at her, Lily attempted to restart the conversation. "Did you have a lot of shopping that you wanted to get in, Mary?"

"Uh, well um, maybe a few things for my immediate family so they don't see what I get them for Christmas. We'll probably be back to Hogsmeade once I'm home for Christmas. There's a few days before, I think."

"Oh, not Diagon Alley?"

"Hogsmeade is so much nicer this time of year. There's no snow yet, but when there is, it's so lovely. It really gets me in the spirit. I remember you're staying at the school this year, Lily, because of your dragonpox. Are you going to buy something today and owl it home?"

"I suppose. I really had my fingers crossed that I'd look better, but I'm just going to have to accept it. I really enjoy seeing my family at Christmas. You covered that in Muggle Studies right?"

"Oh, I think it was back in fourth year. It's sort of similar right, with trees, singing, and presents?"

"And food," Lily added.

"Are you going to miss your family celebrations too, Severus?"

"My family does nothing for Christmas. Besides I stay at the school all year, except for the summer holiday."

That sort of threw Mary off-track. It sounded rather bleak. Undeterred, she asked, "What's it like at Hogwarts when everyone's gone?"

"Quiet. It's not as if I'm the only one still there. There's other students, and many of the staff are here for either all or part of the days off. More students stay during the Easter break, especially fifth and seventh years."

"I guess you can get a lot of reading in," Mary commented, trying to sound positive. She knew he and Lily had started the year with seven NEWT level classes. Absolute madness.

As they entered the village, Lily asked, "Did you want to go to the Three Broomsticks first, or meet back there in an hour or two?"

"Do you really need two hours?" Severus asked. He only had one destination in mind without Lily, and either it would be successful or not very quickly.

"You could come with me, Severus, if you don't think it would bore you too much," Mary suggested.

"Let's decide as we walk to Honeydukes then," Lily countered. "Maybe we can loosely stick together?" She couldn't tell, but knowing Severus, bored was not the likely emotion he would feel trapped with Mary in Gladrags. Actually, Lily didn't want Severus in Gladrags at all since that's where she would be shopping for him. She also did not want Mary's company because she'd get the wrong idea if she caught Lily buying Severus undergarments for Christmas, and Lily had no intention of discussing what was wrong with his current items.

Severus decided to be a wise ass in Honeyduke's and handed her a box of sugared butterfly wings to look at. The box looked so innocent with its sky blue background covered with different colored butterflies. She turned it over, and it contained two ingredients: butterfly wings and sugar. Wow. She really ate a butterfly wing. She said, "All right. I am now educated on the dangers of the headmaster's tea. He'll eat anything coated with sugar."

Hopefully, capitulating to Severus in this fashion would end this discussion. He was right. For once. It happened so rarely that Lily supposed he was entitled to his moment. No need to be so smug and smirking. Really. He acted so childish sometimes.

She picked out a selection of the tamer, but magically exotic items to send home, based on her parents' previous likings. Petunia did not like anything magical, or so she said. Somebody had been chewing Droobles in the loo because the bubbles were still in there on Boxing Day when Lily went to take a shower. Hiding them in the shower enclosure wasn't so bright because Lily found them. Ah ha!

The emerged from Honeydukes without a plan. Lily tried to take charge, "Well, um, there's Zonko's that none of us will admit we're going into, Dervish & Banges, Gladrags, and Scrivenshaft's. So with three possible destinations left and three of us, can we rotate through them individually? Maybe fifteen minutes each, unless there's a terrible crush?"

Sarcastically, Severus exclaimed, "Isn't it always in Scrivenshaft's?" He was referring to the quill and stationery store. He wasn't heading to any of the three. "How about I wait outside the Three Broomsticks until one of you joins me, then the two of us will grab a table and wait for the third before ordering any food?"

Lily thought her idea was better and was about to say so, when Mary interrupted while Lily drew breath to let Severus know what she thought.

Mary said, "That's sounds fine." She had every intention of beating Lily there and immediately headed off to get to Gladrags first.

"Sev, I need to tell you something." Lily grabbed at his arm.

"What?"

"Mary fancies you."

"That's crazy."

"I know, but she does."

"Why would she when we're together?"

"She doesn't know that."

"Couldn't you say something, rather than let her act like whatever she's doing right now?"

"No, I didn't want to hurt her feelings."

"You want me to hurt her feelings instead?"

"No, I … I didn't think she would get serious so fast."

"I wouldn't call her questions as serious as trying to kiss me or something, but do you want me to go back to the castle?"

"No, then she'll think she offended you."

Severus sighed. "Do you want me to do anything, or try to ignore her?"

"Play dumb. Like a boy."

He gave Lily a half-hearted sneer, and muttered, "It might be best to tell her the truth. Won't she become angry with you later?"

"If she knew the truth, she'd be heartbroken."

"Heartbroken over me, when I barely speak to her? I think it's you who's going to break her heart, Lily."

Lily bit her lip. "You may be right. Let's see how it goes, and then if it looks bad, I guess you can tell her."

"Me? You could have already told her."

"I don't know what to say. She'll take it better coming from you. She trusts me too much."

With exasperation, he replied, "Then continue to keep that trust, rather than being deceitful."

"I'm protecting her feelings, Sev."

"If you waste too much time here warning me, I'm going to have to spend enough time with her over drinks that it will force me to say something, if Mary starts to tell me of her feelings for me. Perhaps you got it all wrong."

"No, she said she wanted to set her cap for you."

"What's that?"

"When a lady pursues a gentleman."

He shook his head in disgust, "Let me get going. And don't think I'm not considering that you put some mad idea into her head for your own amusement, Lily."

Lily followed him, hissing, "I wouldn't do that."

"Mary better not show up with blue and pink toothbrushes."

"I thought that was rather clever."

Severus stopped and turned to her. "Do you ever consider that I easily accept your suggestions because I love you, Lily?"

"Since when do you accept my suggestions?"

"I know you crave to make the mundane into adventures along with solving mysteries that don't exist because to you that's fun. I enjoy you sharing that with me, Lily. Not everyone else understands that. When you try to make things more exciting, you could be making their lives more complicated at a time when they aren't seeking something out of the ordinary."

"I'm not being cruel," Lily responded.

"No, and I know it's more for your personal entertainment than to make fun of others. I'm not accusing you of being mean to Mary, however the truth might be kinder in the long run. I'll tell her something if she gives me some indication. Perhaps in a way that will make it seem like a big misunderstanding."

"Tell her what? That you prefer wizards?"

"Why would I tell her a lie like that?"

"I don't know. Mary had asked me earlier."

"Did you tell her I did?" Severus asked incredulously.

"No."

"Then why did you just suggest it to me?"

"I have a lot on my mind, and you're picking on me."

"Then stop following me."

"Where are you going? That's the Hog's Head."

"Why it is. Maybe I need a stronger drink than what they offer at the Three Broomsticks to students."

"You're not. Don't. You're not even seventeen. Even if you were, that's too young for strong spirits."

"So you plan to stick to me like glue until I meet up with Mary?"

"No, I got shopping to do."

"In the Hog's Head?"

"Of course not."

Severus waited.

Lily stared at him, then said, "I'm not in the mood to goof off around here. I'll see you in the Three Broomsticks and you better not reek of … whatever."

He tilted his head rather than responding with MacDonald's name. Lily was an absolute idiot setting her friend on him. Unless she was kidding him for fun to get him staring at MacDonald and interpreting her every gesture as an overture to get his attention. That had to be it. Lily wasn't cruel that she'd trick a girl that had lost her possible fiancé due to a werewolf bite. Severus certainly was not comparable to Malcolm Wilkes in looks, wealth or status. He might not even be good enough for Slughorn to get him a job cleaning Wilkes' loo.

She was only teasing Severus. She wouldn't do that to MacDonald.

Fixing his mind on the absolute fact that he was indeed seventeen, Severus entered the Hog's Head and went to the bar. He inquired, "How much is a bottle of Meddyglyn mead?"

The barkeep studied Severus carefully with his blue eyes, before replying, "Twelve sickles."

"May I purchase two bottles please?" He had expected it to cost more, but it may have been a joke to get the girls drunk on inexpensive swill during their last visit. With the way they were guzzling it, Severus probably would have chosen to do that himself.

He paid for the bottles and shrunk them down to carry inconspicuously, and headed back through town to wait at the Three Broomsticks.

Severus was not outside long when he noticed MacDonald headed his way with a smile beaming in his direction.

He raised an eyebrow in reply. Perhaps her and Lily were having a laugh on him to improve MacDonald's spirits? Lily told him that crazy tale and now Mary was going to act like she fancied him? Gryffindors. They wouldn't be so lighthearted this week with the full moon. He may as well humor them. That was going to be painful. Neither of them deserved that.

"Why so crestfallen, Severus? You wanted Lily to beat me here?"

"It's fine. I was merely thinking."

"Let's go in and grab a table then."

"All right," he agreed and followed her into the building.

The pub was loud, but not as dark and smoky as the one his father frequented. Didn't smell as bad in here either. There were a lot of younger students inside enjoying warm butterbeers, but they lucked out because a group vacated their table as they worked their way inside.

He purposely let her sit down first so he could seat himself opposite her, rather than allowing MacDonald to sit next to him.

"Did you already finish your shopping?" she asked.

"Since only Lily sends me a gift, it stays simple."

"Did you get her something nice?"

"I strive to gift her with something personal. She has many nice things already."

"What kind of personal?" Mary asked suggestively.

"Something between us. That shows thought."

"Like what?"

He shrugged at her. His gifts were always inexpensive, but he did make an effort to make them one of a kind and for Lily alone. They weren't to impress her friends.

Mary ordered a butterbeer, while Severus requested water.

"Was it hard growing up not celebrating Christmas?"

"Not really. I noticed the decorations and lights, but it wasn't until I started talking to Lily and her sister that they explained to me it was to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Their mother tried to tell me more about him, but there's too much to it that they've learned since they were practically toddlers."

"Is that some muggle thing?"

"I don't think so because his death is just before Easter, and we have that holiday off of school also. That can't be a coincidence."

"Christmas is about getting presents. Easter's about candy."

"Then there's really no point to them at all," Severus replied. He had no interest in candy. Other than Lily, he received no presents, and given the means, he would want to give Lily presents even when there was no occasion to do so. Why limit it to one day other than her birthday?

Mary consider with Severus saving her life, she doubted her parents would put up much of a fuss if she asked them to invite him to their home, but then Lily would be left alone at school. Mary could invite Lily too, but her roommate would be in the way of things.

Mary felt a strange sense of wrongness from Severus. His experience of life was so drastically different than hers with candy meaning danger, and having Christmas happen around you, but not celebrating it. She'd have a lot of work ahead of her with this one. He did have the most important quality, that's what was essential. Severus did not step over her prone body to run out of the Shrieking Shack. St. Mungo's said what he saved her life and it was not a quick spell to cast. The caster needed to concentrate on her wounds while there was a werewolf loose in the room. If Severus left, she would have been eaten up like Helen.

What's inside a person counted way more than how he looked.

Once Lily completed her purchase of male underwear for 'her brother' at Gladrags, she didn't know what else here to get for Severus. He definitely needed these new underpants and undershirts, however he might be in a rotten mood Christmas morning and would not appreciate anything.

This would be the first time in years that she saw him on Christmas day. Actually, would it be the first Christmas that she saw him on the 25th? Maybe. After she met Severus, they sort of met by arranged rendezvouses, less in the winter when it was too cold outside. They also exchanged notes that he would leave on her back porch under a rock.

For those two or three years before Lily and Severus attended Hogwarts, she probably was too busy to see him till at least the 26th or 27th. Her family came first. It still did, but now Lily was sure her mum would let Sev in the house for a short bit to say hello to her.

However since they started school together, he was at Hogwarts every year because of the cost of train fare to get home from King's Cross. Next year, they could apparate. Then Sev would finally get to taste some of the wonderful food her mother made only for Christmas. Even he would like her mum's pudding. Lily sniffed. She hadn't been home for Stir-Up Sunday in years, and had already missed it this year. Were students over seventeen allowed to apparate home for weekend visits? She'd love to do that next year.

Lily took a quick spin around Dervish and Banges to see if anything caught her interest for herself or Severus.

She frowned. She used to think Severus lied about doing nothing for Christmas. Lily remembered she was mad at Severus for telling her that in an attempt to make her feel sorry for him. She asked and he answered with the truth. He didn't elaborate with some story. Severus said his family did not do anything special. What an idiot she was. A Christmas tree at the Snapes? Lights? She wasn't even sure they had electricity.

She was madder at herself than Severus. Whenever she thought her best friend was trying to tell her something crazy to take advantage of her, it turned out that he was pretty much right whenever it was something factual. Like sugared butterfly wings were butterfly wings. Then he'd tease her, but only about the silly things, like the wings. She wasn't in any danger from eating those. He didn't dance around around her, laughing and screaming 'I told you so' about serious things. Actually, Severus didn't get out of hand like that. Lily had seen enough of that in the Gryffindor common room. There were some real buttwipes in her house.

And what about Mary? He might be right. Lily could have at least said she was interested in her best friend in a romantic way too, rather than letting Mary think that Severus was free for her to sink her hooks into.

What if Severus liked the attention Mary gave him? If Mary turned on the charm, she'd listen to him, and not call him a liar or something else insulting. That response might be heady to someone like Severus. He wasn't used to that sort of thing. Would he decide he preferred Mary? That would be so wrong. She didn't love him like Lily did. Mary wouldn't even try to understand Severus, she'd just want to mold and train him into what she wanted.

Entering the Three Broomsticks, Lily was determined to take immediate action, if the situation warranted it.

There they were, sitting opposite each other. Not laughing, not smiling, and not holding hands across the table. Good.

Severus looked up when Lily barreled into the side of him as she pulled out the chair next to him. He had been thinking that if he got Lily's explanation of holidays wrong, Mary would have a laugh telling her later, and then Lily would be quite cross with him for not paying careful attention to what she had said. He must have gotten it wrong for Mary to pretend she didn't know what he was talking about.

"Everything all right?" he asked.

"Fine," Lily replied, looking at Severus's water glass. She hadn't meant he couldn't have anything to drink.

After he took a deep breath, Severus confessed, "I may have made a total hash out of what you told me, Lily."

Lily's eyes widened, then she looked at Mary.

Mary didn't look upset.

She looked back at Severus, who continued, "Was the name Jesus, and he was born on Christmas, then he died and came back from the dead on Easter?"

She blinked. If Mrs. Evans were here, she'd probably hug Sev tightly and plant a smacker right on his lips. That's what got Severus into the Evans' house. When Petunia came home and told her mother what a little long-haired, unwashed heathen that Snape boy was for not knowing anything about who Jesus was, her mother surprised her and from that day forward, Severus became 'that poor boy'. "Yes, Severus. That's correct."

"Is that some muggle thing you told Severus?" Mary asked.

"What do wizards say about Christmas?" Lily responded, thinking about the all the Christmas trees. There were stars on theirs at Hogwarts, and weren't the live fairies fluttering around supposed to represent angels?

"It's a holiday when you exchange presents and spend time with your families."

"Why?"

"Why not? It's tradition."

"Didn't they mention why they celebrated Christmas in Muggle Studies?"

"The same reason as us, Lily. I think the religion stuff is next year. Muggles have so many different kinds to explain what they don't understand."

Didn't understand? Lily may be a witch, and not going to church every Sunday while she was here at school, however she was not going to give up her faith. Without God, where did all this come from? Knowing Severus, he probably had some crazy notion, but the rest of the wizards? She was surrounded by so much stupidity at Hogwarts, they probably thought the universe came out of Merlin's arse. That's why so many of these toerags had no sense of wrong or right. As long as they weren't caught breaking the law, they thought they didn't have to answer to any higher authority.

Lily readied her rant in her head, when she was asked a question by the waitress. "Yes, I'll have a warmed butterbeer please." She then looked over the menu she was given to choose something hot, meaty, and dripping with gravy for lunch while her mind grumbled about wizards being idiots.

"What are you going to order, Sev?"

"I'm fine."

Lily frowned at him. "We're eating, so get something."

"I need to pay for my apparition class. Ministry's charging each of us twelve galleons."

She gasped and exclaimed, "I forgot to pay you back. I'm so sorry, Sev. At least let me buy you lunch." Lily started digging into her purse, "How much was it? Why didn't you remind me?"

"It's not important," Severus muttered.

"I wouldn't have been able to get the paper while in the hospital, and that woman was unbearable. You saved me the embarrassment of her yelling at me at the very least."

When Severus made no move towards the sickles she had put on the table, or to look at his untouched menu, Lily picked hers back up to scan it for suggestions. She silently read some of her favorites to herself … and found they no longer appealed to her. Lily wanted bloody meat, rare, red, and warmed to body temperature.

"I'm getting the roast. Why don't you get that too, it sounds absolutely delicious, Severus," Mary suggested.

"It's bad enough we're both going to be eating that at the same table as him," Lily grumbled. "I can't help that either, I'm sorry. I want meat. Badly"

"I understand."

"They don't really have much of a good selection. It's meat, potatoes and desserts. Did you want some of my potatoes?"

He leaned over to look at what Lily was pointing at. "I'll order my own. Gravy's um … nice with meat."

Lily laughed, and then the waitress was back to take their order. After their order was taken, Lily sobered at the thought that Severus could have been cursed to crave meat, just as easily as her and Mary. What would that be like? Craving food that disgusts you. Lily wasn't even interested in fish which used to be her favorite, and when she thought of pork or poultry, well, what she desired was rather unsanitary. Those needed to be cooked to a certain internal temperature to kill bacteria, but Lily imagined the taste of poorly cooked meat would be worth every minute she spent in the loo being ill. If she was a werewolf, Lily would not catch food borne illnesses? Was that the sure sign that she really was one?

She realized that Mary was trying to engage Severus in more frivolous conversation, and wouldn't leave off when he replied he had no familiar, and was not interested in owning an owl.

Lily interjected, "I find my owl to be useful during the summer holiday to carry messages, but she's not very interesting. She's also a bit stinky when she's inside too much."

"I agree. The Owlery is positively disgusting," Severus replied.

Lily's lip curled involuntarily. Even with a horde of house elves, the Owlery was out of control.

Mary looked at the two of them. They were about to eat, and had to bring up Hogwarts Owlery? Her disgust was short-lived when the fragrant roast, mashed potatoes and the barest acknowledgement to green in the form of a tiny mound of mushy peas, all drowning in gravy was placed in front of her. She attacked the beef without hesitation, and then started to enjoy anything covered in the greasy gravy.

As she slowed on the peas, she took note that Severus had a potato, plain and served uncut, as he requested. He had dissected it thoroughly and precisely before he began eating the pieces. Plain. With no butter, sour cream, cheese, catsup or whatever it is muggles used on potatoes. No wonder why he looked like a skeleton with a skin suit stretched over him. Mary's house elves could fatten him up. Keep him locked in the bedroom till he got some meat on them bones. Perhaps even shackled to the bed so he didn't get any exercise. That was the one of the saddest things about losing Malcolm. No more shagging. Mary loved shagging.

Rather than watching MacDonald inhale her food, Severus concentrated on looking over his potato. To the side of him, Lily had also begun with the beef, though at a slower pace. He had thought it safe to look up once he his entire serving reduced to bite-sized pieces, however MacDonald was drooling while she looked at him. How could she be that hungry that she'd be longing for his food too? It wasn't the werewolf thing because he had no flesh on his plate, sodding Gryffindors were that openly greedy? At least Lily's parents were decent people that instilled a sense of restraint and manners into their girls. Lily would be unbearable if she behaved like the rest of her house.

Prof. McGonagall finalized her notes at the end of the brief staff meeting with the headmaster and heads of house. She had an event penciled in, however she had been waiting for information since one of the invitees was a muggle. The Ministry was willing to hold it at Hogwarts for the students, but a muggle would not make that possible.

"If there's nothing more …" Albus started.

"There is," Minerva interruped. "Horace, what response did Eileen Snape return?"

"Snape?"

"Yes, Severus's mother … Mrs. Snape. His father is a muggle."

"Oh right, well, you know I've been thinking about that -"

"Did you even write?"

"Well that's the thing-"

"Horace, Snape is your student, and his mother was also. You said you'd handle it."

Prof. Flitwick tsk'd, "Really, Horace." He shook his head. It was bad enough that Horace slipped out of dealing with the horrible, heart-wrenching tasks, but when one of his students was going to receive an award he'd rather correspond with quidditch players. Mr. Snape was a bright, talented student who showed a great deal of initiative, and would surely go far with a bit of encouragement.

"Why don't we just press on without them?" Horace suggested. Eileen Prince had been even more sullen than her son. She drifted through the school like a black cloud as a student. Her only friend was a spotty and equally moody Ravenclaw, and when she was killed by Slytherin's monster, Prince gave up on everything. She even went and married a muggle. For every sterling, exemplary student Horace hoisted out of the muck, there was another one just digging themselves deeper into their own droppings.

Albus frowned at Horace's continued disservice to one of the Slytherins. He would have given anything for his parents to watch him receive his Order of Merlin. Although Mr. Snape's was only going to be third class, it was quite an accomplishment for a sixteen-year-old. Horace's grumbling notwithstanding, the incident in the Shrieking Shack could have been more deadly, if that Slytherin had not acted quickly and more importantly, correctly. He suspected that Mr. Snape could cast the Killing Curse, but didn't, even when Miss Evans was in mortal danger. The students also took particular care to protect Hogsmeade when they escaped, rather than letting Lupin free to terrorize the village during the night.

"I'll take that address, Horace, and pay a personal visit," Albus said, his mind made up. "I'm growing rather fond of Mr. Snape and his quiet protest against the wrongs around him. That article in The Quibbler still gives me a warm feeling in here." He thumped the center of his chest with his hand. Snape had also been the only student to successfully and repeatedly stand up against the four Gryffindor Marauders. Repeatedly, when the Headmaster himself discouraged it, allowing them to terrorize the rest of the students. If only Severus Snape had been sorted into Gryffindor where he belonged.

Prior to returning to school, James spent his spare time alternating between trying to reach Sirius with the mirror and looking at the map of the school. Padfoot had to have been joking. A very poor joke, but joking nonetheless. Christmas after next in Paris? He'd have a date with James's fist first.

The map. Well, the map was becoming an increasing obsession with James. So he noticed Evans with Snape in a ladies' room. But then he saw them together in the library. And then in Ravenclaw tower. They were together all over the school, and a lot of the time they were alone.

Over the past week, James began to take notes. He forgot about the other Slytherin Death Eaters. It was Snape he wanted.

Snape was luring Evans into using the Dark Arts with him, and maybe MacDonald too. Those poor girls. They might be werewolves, but there was no reason that they had to turn evil like Snape.

Just look at Remus. He was a great guy. Decent and a true friend … Jamess' eyes welled up. Remus was a true friend, and he had let him down. Sirius too, but James could have told Filch. Demanded to see the headmaster. Something. Anything.

Remus was in Azkaban now.

James got a hold of himself and blew his nose. He had to pull himself together and help Evans and MacDonald. Remus would want him to do that. Once someone started using the Dark Arts, there was nothing nor no one that mattered to them anymore. Sure, they could seduce others into trying them and to be their accomplices, but if Evans or MacDonald thought Snape even liked them, they were in for a rude awakening. He'd betray them in a heartbeat.

After a last failed attempt to take the invisibility cloak back to school, James was ready, although he continued muttering that he would waste away to nothing unless he could sneak down to the school kitchens for a snack whenever hunger pangs overtook him during late-night study sessions.

His parents flooed with him to the Headmaster's office. They were invited to sit until Peter arrived, and the Pettigrews did not keep them waiting long.

Peter's eyes immediately lit up when he saw James and he rushed over to him, "James, my good friend. You don't know how much I've missed you."

James was a bit surprised by how strong and heartfelt Peter's embrace felt. To be truthful, Peter had hardly been on James's mind at all during the suspension. He knew he was at home, but he wasn't in any trouble like Remus or Sirius.

The night finally arrived when Lily would know once and for all whether she was a werewolf or not. She hadn't told Severus or anyone about her desire to eat raw chicken. Rare beef was bad enough, but her mental denial that she could get terribly ill from it made her sure that she had to have lycanthropy.

At first, it was only going to be Prof. McGonagall and Mrs. MacDonald inside with the two of them. Mary and her had separate cages.

Once they were out of their clothes and covered up with blankets, Mr. MacDonald, the headmaster, and Severus were allowed in. P

rof. Dumbledore had given his assent when both Mary and Lily assured him they would not mind Severus being present. Lily did not mention that Severus had already seen all her sights.

Severus gave a nod to MacDonald when he entered, and took the chair closest to Lily, sliding it up against the bars. He could move back during her transformation. Quietly he asked, "Did you want to see a clock with the time left till moon rise?"

"I don't know if I could bear that, Sev."

"It's up to you."

"Uh all right, but keep it small and low. I don't want to get Mary worried."

Severus took out his wand, gave it a subtle and wordless wave, and there was now a countdown on the floor between them. He kept his wand out, in case Lily wanted the clock gone or anything else.

Albus noticed the timing charm. When Atlas said his student improvised, it was a gross understatement. Wizards did construct timepieces that measured various movements of the celestial bodies, but the rising of the moon with respect to Hogwarts by incorporating the apparition coordinates of this spot, if one could apparate here, was incredibly precise.

They looked into each others' eyes like they did so often, with increasing glances at the time left. After nervously checking that her blankets were securely covering her, Lily placed her hands on the bars.

Severus stood, placed his wand on the chair and put his hands on the bars of their protective enclosure around the door. No more than eight feet separated them.

Severus and Lily did not take their eyes off the other. The countdown stopped at 0:00:00 and began to flash in a blinking effect without any sound on the floor between them.

Mary MacDonald screamed loudly before making tortured noises that deepened in pitch.

Lily swallowed, then blinked and resumed breathing.

Her eyes dropped to the clock on the floor, then back to Severus before she let her eyes, then her head turn slowly towards Mary. Silently at first, Lily began to cry.

The following evening, Albus apprarated, feeling a bit selfish and greedy. He missed when he used to visit families of students. Sadly, it was Minerva who now had the privilege of visiting the homes of newly admitted muggleborn students to explain Hogwarts and the magical world, and how special their children were.

After he visited with the Snapes, he would go to the Evans, who lived nearby, to let them know that Lily was not a werewolf. It would be an immense relief, he was sure. He'd also let them know more details about her cursed wounds and her craving for different foods, notably rare steaks.

Albus looked at the sluggish river that emitted a foul odor even in winter, and got his bearings. He turned away from it and headed for a gap in the low iron railing that separated the cobbled street from the river.

The narrow streets were warren-like due to the attached brick housing, but Albus's superb sense of direction got him to the sign indicating he had found Spinner's End. There was more than one house here, and none of them bore an identifiable number on its exterior, or a mailbox with a last name. He took the parchment out of his pocket to refresh his memory. It simply said Spinner's End.

He took a slow turn around while stroking his beard. No one appeared to be visible, and the one street lamp that was in operation was sputtering. Some windows had light within, but all were rather dim.

Someone should pass shortly since it was approximately dinner time, and he assumed people would be returning home from their jobs. Hmm, for a muggle street, there were no automobiles. It was narrow, but surely it was wide enough for one to pass through it.

"Oi! Ya duffer! What da fuck are ya lookin' to buy?"

Albus blinked, trying to focus on the lad, who couldn't be older than a first year, that had yelled at him so boisterously from the shadows. "Thank you, young man."

From the number of young laughs, Albus realized his compatriots were near, but rather good at hiding.

"I am in need of directions to the Snape household."

All laughing stopped. "He ain't sellin' nuttin'. Ya lookin' to take a trip?"

"I've recently arrived here."

"Shoot up?"

"No thank you, I'm only interested in finding the Snape household."

He could hear a scurrying of feet, rather than see the lads run away. They might have gone into that alley. Perhaps he could explain, he had a rather good rapport with young children. Unafraid, Albus entered the dark narrow alley and could hear something ahead. It didn't sound like children, he approached, calling, "I say there -"

Someone growled, "Fuckin' wait your turn."

"Oh pardon me," Albus replied, backing up. It was a couple fornicating against a brick wall outside in December in a refuse strewn alley. That was rather unexpected.

He approached the front doors of one of the homes. One with lit windows and the sounds of children inside, and knocked.

The door was ripped open violently, "I told ya … Waddya want?"

Before Albus stood a woman who had obviously fallen upon hard times. She had a lit cigarette hanging out of her mouth, her hair in rollers, many layers of cosmetics on her face, and her oversized dress was hanging off her emaciated frame, openly exposing more than was decent, with a large purple and yellow mottled bruise upon the top of her breast.

Tipping his hat respectfully, he said, "Pardon me, madam. Perhaps you could assist me. I am looking for the Snape household."

The old whore's eyes rolled wildly as she took in the sight of the elderly gentleman in front of her. An eccentric bloke with grey hair down to his arse and a beard equally as long, wearing a purple pin-striped suit with a lavender shirt with matching handkerchief in the breast pocket, and a bold, orange flower with red and yellow spots, in the buttonhole. Although she did not use the word codger often, this fellow with spats and all was definitely a codger. Without removing her cigarette from her lips, she aggressively asked, "What for?"

"I only wanted to talk to them about their son."

Albus got a sudden flash of memory from the woman's eyes. Severus lived next door and she watched him urinate in the back garden … frequently. She thought he was disabled in some way, like his mother, and he went to a government school.

The woman gasped angrily, "How dare you? Fancy faggot like you comin' round here lookin' to take poor boys in."

Albus backed away from her doorway when she picked up a length of metal pipe and came after him with it. "You reekin' poofter, ya better run. I hope ya tonker falls off, ya filthy child-touchin' tosser. Lousy toffs comin' down here after our childrens. I'll get the law on ya. They lock up your kind now. Not like them in the old days."

He barely got around the corner and disillusioned himself when she came around it, waving the pipe wildly with her house slippers slapping loudly against the cobbles.

Windows and doors opened as some of the residents investigated the racket she was making.

While sticking to the shadows, Albus investigated the exterior of the unlit and apparently uninhabited Snape house here at the end. No doors or windows were open, even in response to the commotion. The back of the house was equally dark and lifeless.

Still at work, out for the evening, not living here, hiding from their neighbors … all possibilities. Perhaps he should go to the Evans' first and inquire. Albus had thought it would be a nice surprise, but supposed he could always ask Severus directly where his parents were, if the Evans did not know.

The other home was within walking distance so he struck out in that direction. Although he had failed so far, that had been rather exhilarating in a sort of brush with muggles sort of way.

He had no idea what the lads and most of what that woman had been saying, except that she suspected he was involved with some illegal activity with children, but that neighborhood certainly was … feisty and colorful in a way. Perhaps that's where young Severus got his questioning attitude. Not a single person answered his simple question of which was the correct house. His mouth quirked thinking about a spy novel he had enjoyed. Information was given strictly on a 'need to know' basis. He did not pass their test.

As he strolled along the more spacious streets, with houses nicely spaced with neat gardens surrounding them, Albus noticed some of the muggles had set out their outdoor holiday decorations. They were so inventive. Later in the month, this neighborhood would be a real feast to the eyes.

Once again, Albus found the correct street with no difficulty. This area had the houses clearly numbered in a consecutive fashion. What a relief. Though he was reconsidered that lad's offer of a trip. He should have inquired what destinations were available.

He found the correct house, including young Petunia who had written him that lovely letter. Obviously she did not appreciate his kind reply since he heard her mutter 'freak' at him multiple times.

She flounced up the stairs while Albus discussed Lily's fortunate turn of events with her parents over tea, but he saw her shoes clearly standing on the top step.

"Lily is most fortunate to have a friend like Severus Snape by her side," he continued, after a not so subtle snort came from the top of the stairs. "She and her classmate, Miss MacDonald, could easily be dead now. He was resourceful and also gave consideration to those living in the area, by not loosing the werewolf on the nearby village when they made their escape."

"Severus is a good boy," Mrs. Evans said with genuine appreciation.

"Resourceful doesn't begin to describe him," Mr. Evans agreed. He may not have cared for the image his Lily gave while traipsing about town with the Snape boy every summer, but he had absolute faith in his wife's judgment of his character. Living by the river did not mean one would grow up to be a vagrant or criminal. That's what made Britain one of the greatest countries in the world, hence his little joke of why it was named Great Britain.

"There was to be a little award ceremony, but the school's been having difficulty reaching his parents."

The response to Albus's statement was polite silence. If he didn't know better, he'd think there was some conspiracy to hide these two people.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans seemed like forthcoming muggles, and if they were the type to ask a lot of questions like the denizens of Spinner's End, they surely would have many more during his explanation of Lily's attack, her injuries, and the fact that her wounds were cursed to not heal completely and that she'd crave rare meat and perhaps some other food items. He continued, "I thought I had found their residence by the river, but no one was in."

"Oh," Mrs. Evans replied, "yes, they live in Spinner's End."

"Yes, that's where I was."

"Hmm," she said while nodding, giving a small glance to her husband.

He joined her with nodding, and also agreeably replied, "Hmm."

A snigger burst out at the top of the stairs, so Albus tried, "Is there some information you could give me to help locate them?"

The snickering got louder.

Mr. Evans glanced at the stairs first, then sighed. "I suppose this early in the evening, Mr. Snape may still be out."

Mrs. Evans nodded.

"I can give you the direction of where he may be."

"Couldn't you show -" Mrs. Evans began to suggest.

"No, uh," Mr. Evans gave Albus's attire a very pointed look, "I'm sure he can find it on his own." He also did not want to be seen leading such … a personage … straight to Tobias Snape. They didn't move in the same social circles so the explanation may not … well, he didn't like the man, and frankly he was somewhat scary, had a flash temper and was prone to violence, and not only towards his son.

Mr. Evans gave Albus clear directions on how to reach this pub.

Albus rather imagined something like the Hog's Head from his reluctance to escort him here. Everyone knew the Hog's Head, but not everyone wanted to be seen there. It was rather silly. Aberforth wouldn't hurt a fly. Most of the time, he corrected himself while rubbing his nose.

Albus entered the pub. It was wonderful. So … so exciting. There were a lot of people in here, and they were all watching the same sporting match on the uh … tel … tel boxes?

He became mesmerized by the rolling black and white ball and was amazed when it was announced this game was being played live in another location. Absolutely incredible what muggles could accomplish.

He noticed some of the patrons giving him stares. No one had a beard as prodigious as his. That must be it.

He had also been informed that Severus's father did not look like his son, so this was going to be a bit of a challenge, but he had the general description. A big fellow with very short, greying black hair.

Hmm, quite a few men fit that description. He was studying them a little more closely when he noticed the fellow behind the bar, wearing a stained apron was beckoning in his direction.

Albus raised his hand questioningly to his own chest.

The barkeep nodded.

Deciding he had nothing to lose, Albus went over and with a smile held out his hand. The man shook it, and asked, "I noticed you were dressed sort of like the insurance adjusters that were here over the summer."

"Insurance adjuster?"

"Yes," he answered with an obvious wink. "When those lads came in here and vandalized the place."

"Oh, yes," Albus answered. This was that pub. The one that Black and Potter had attacked muggles in.

The man insisted with a wave of his hands at the bar, "Everything is good and works fine."

"That's wonderful to hear. I'm not with uh, that insurance company. I work at another firm and I was wondering, could you point me in the direction of Tobias Snape?"

"Tobias?" the owner repeated, quickly thinking through possibilities, but he stayed cool. These wizard folk were rather dull, even with their posh, uh, nancy boy clothes. "Yes. Would you rather use the store room over there," he indicated by pointing his finger, "to talk to him? It's a bit loud in here with the match on. When Manchester scores, you'd think their yells were loud enough to blow the roof off this joint."

"Oh, could I, or we, please use your storage room? That would be lovely."

"Sure, just let me see if I can get his attention."

Albus looked in the direction that the man was gesturing in. There were a lot of big men over there. All with haircuts so short that they barely had any hair left.

When a man finally turned his head to look at the bartender who now yelled, "Tobias," Albus knew it was him. The way he sneered in their direction was just like an expression he saw on Severus's face in the Great Hall daily.

To him, the barkeeper said, "You go head in. He's coming."

Albus went around to the side to get to the store room. He glanced over his shoulder and saw that Mr. Snape was exchanging a few words with the kind proprietor before following him.

Tobias entered the store room and closed the door, studying the elderly wizard before him. He was easily recognizable by his eccentric clothing and their fondness for long hair and beards, which easily exceeded the disgusting hairstyles of hippies and beatniks.

The man's blue eyes were similar to his own father's when he was angered, Albus thought in passing, before beginning to introduce himself by warmly extending his hand and saying, "Mr. Snape, you're rather hard to track down."

"Really?" Tobias replied in his deep voice.

"Well, here we are. I'm Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts."

Tobias took his hand briefly and strongly, and simply said, "Yes."

"Your son attends my school."

"I know."

"Severus and some other students were in a perilous situation. He showed remarkable bravery and saved at least two lives that night. His quick thinking probably prevented other injuries also."

"Was Severus injured?"

"No, he's fine."

"All right. Is that all?"

"There's going to be an award ceremony. I can arrange for you to attend."

"What do I care for awards? I have a drawer full of them. They never did me any good. How will it do any good for Severus?"

Albus opened his mouth to reply when he accidentally got a horrifying image in his mind of muggle warfare. Men screaming, smoke, bodies torn apart, the whistling of some sort of high velocity, incoming ammunition with a younger Tobias Snape dragging another soldier to safety while the earth around them erupted into towering plumes. It rendered him momentarily speechless.

He swallowed and took a deep breath. "Severus is an extraordinary student, Mr. Snape."

Tobias sneered at him, "Don't lie to me. I know he's not a prefect. Out of five boys, he's not the best. That is not extraordinary. It's ordinary."

"Oh no, he's very bright and talented. Severus is taking seven advanced classes."

"That means nothing to me. Good evening."

Albus asked as Tobias opened the door, "What about your wife, Eileen?"

"She won't be attending either." Tobias glanced back, and asked, "What is the name of this award? I'll let her know."

"Order of Merlin, Third Class."

"Third Class?" Tobias repeated with a smirk, and exited to go back to watching Manchester defeat West Ham.