Whoo! Two chapters in one week! I'm so proud of myself ^^
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Chapter Eight
October 29 1977
“It’s just strange, is all,” Severus alisema cautiously, avoiding Lily’s eyes as he perused the bookshelf. “I mean, Potter hasn’t alisema two words to wewe so far this year. It’s not like him. What’s he up to?”
Lily chuckled and the sound sent chills up Severus’ spine. Despite his desperate attempts (and despite her claim at the end of fifth mwaka that she didn’t have romantic feelings for him), Severus had been unable to shake his feelings for Lily. If anything, the feelings intensified.
The summer had both simultaneously dragged and rushed to an end. He’d convinced his parents to let him apply at the apothecary (he secretly thought that the only reason Tobias relented was because Severus had stood up to him, but there was no way he was going to say that theory out loud). He’d gotten the job (as Jeebs had hinted he would when Severus has first talked to him during a Hogsmeade trip) so he hadn’t been able to spend much time with Lily. However, as much as the isolation from his best friend had hurt, it had been nice to have some extra money on hand. For the first time in his life, Severus had been able to buy new clothes and he hadn’t had to worry about there not being chakula on the table. It had also served to get him out of the house, away from Tobias.
On juu of that, Severus loved his job. Jeebs’ Apothecary was a small store, with a small inventory, and a small group of loyal clientele, but it was probably the best job Severus had ever had. Jeebs was a quiet, older man who was the only person Severus had ever met who loved potions zaidi than him. Although his store sold the essential, common items in every apothecary, it also had a pretty nice selection of rare ingredients and, in his spare time, Jeebs brewed up some rare potions as well. zaidi than once, Jeebs had asked for Severus’ assistance in his brewing. Severus had probably learned zaidi in the few weeks of summer than he had in seven years at Hogwarts.
“I think he’s just growing up, Sev,” Lily said. Although Severus couldn’t see it – he was still turned away from her – he could hear the smile in her voice. “And it’s about time, too.”
“Yeah, au he’s changed tactic,” Severus muttered, reaching up above his head for the book he’d been looking for. Although last term, Potter had been zaidi than willing to break the agreement he and Severus had made, this term he hadn’t. The werewolf that had attacked the girl hadn’t been caught, but Severus thought Potter’ sudden change in attitude had little to do with protecting his friend and zaidi to do with impressing Lily.
“What?”
“Nothing. C'mon, let’s sit down.”
Lily sighed irritably, like she'd been doing every night since the beginning of term, as she took her seat. Every night, she and Severus would meet in the maktaba and study. They always took the meza, jedwali farthest from the door, the one wedged between a book case and a corner. Although Severus had never told her exactly what had happened the night he apologized, she had her suspicious. Suspicious that intensified when Severus stayed later and later in the library; when he sat farther and farther back; when he was the first one out of the classroom, only to bata into the bathroom and wait until the very last moment to come to class. She’d put up with his behavior last term, but this was, apparently, going to be a term of change and Lily’s patience was the biggest change.
“Severus - “ Lily began, but a shadow on the meza, jedwali cut her off. She turned her head and looked up curiously at James Potter and Sirius Black.
“Hey,” Potter alisema softly, offering a small smile.
“Hello,” Lily alisema cautiously. Although she and Potter had been friendly last term, Severus was here now and she wasn’t exactly certain how this meeting would turn out with the two of them in such close proximity – even with James’ sudden change of heart.
“Are wewe busy? I kind of wanted to talk to wewe about something . . . important.”
Lily raised an eyebrow and eyed Potter speculatively. After a few moments, she came to some conclusion that satisfied her, and gave her fellow Gryffindor a faint nod. “All right,” she said, rising from her chair and following him to a meza, jedwali a few feet away. She shot Black a stern glare over her shoulder and Severus gritted his teeth at her over protectiveness. But he let it go when something strange happened right after: Potter had aliyopewa Black the same look.
Black raised his hands in submission and flopped into Lily’s vacant seat. Severus eyed the boy with dislike. Potter and Black had been joined at the hip their entire school career, but it was Black, zaidi so than Potter that Severus really hated. With his big, dark eyes, rebel grin that someone managed to be both charming and smug at the same time, and dark curly hair, Black had walked into the school and wrapped everyone (sans the Slytherins, of course) around his little finger. He seemed to pass every test with little effort and went through girls – on the rare occasion Severus actually paid attention – at a dizzying rate. And yet, he had the nerve to complain about how bad he had it. His life, if wewe believed Black’s ranting, was utterly miserable – no one had it as bad as he did. And if anyone argued, well, that was just zaidi proof that no one could possibly understand the utter torment of what Black supposedly went through on a day-to-day basis. It made Severus sick.
Lily gave a small laugh at something Potter said. Normally, the sound would make Severus’ moyo swell with happiness, but this time it made his stomach drop painfully. It was not a “you’re- not- really-funny-but-I-feel-bad-or-you’re-just-irritating-me-so-I’m-going-to-laugh-to-shut-you-up” laugh. This one was high and airy – a laugh of genuine pleasure. Severus glanced over at the pair and felt his heat twist; Lily seemed to be enjoying herself.
The laugh faded away, but a small smiled remained on Lily’s face. She studied Potter carefully and, apparently feeling satisfied, nodded her head. Potter grinned hugely and alisema something that made Lily laugh again.
Black, who hadn’t taken his eyes off the pair since they sat down, made a small whooping noise under his breath. “I knew you’d come around, Lils!” he exclaimed as they approached. Lily blushed faintly and Severus felt his moyo stop painfully.
‘Knew you’d come around?’
“Well, she hasn’t exactly come around yet,” Potter said, still grinning broadly. “She only alisema yes to one date.”
The world stopped. There was no sound, no movement, au air. Severus felt like his chest was imploding – the oxygen had been pulled from his lungs very quickly. He couldn’t breathe, think. He couldn’t… It was Potter! James Potter! The man who humiliated him, embarrassed him, made fun of him, bullied him. The man whom hung him upside down in front of jeering peers. The man whom found every way to point out how painfully odd Severus – her supposed best friend – was. This was the man she wanted? [/i]This[/i] was her choice?
“Severus?” Lily’s voice echoed dimly in his brain.
“What was all that?” he asked numbly, vaguely aware that Potter and Black were leaving.
“Well, he asked me out. He alisema that he really liked me and that he’d been trying to change into the man I deserved.”
“And wewe alisema yes.” It wasn’t a question, and the statement came out harsher than Severus intended.
Lily blinked at him, obviously taken aback kwa his tone. “To one date.”
“Unless things go well, of course.”
“Well… Yes. I suppose. Even wewe have to admit Sev, he’s different this year. There’s no harm in going out on one date.”
“Unless it’s Potter! Merlin, Lily! wewe honestly think he’s changed? He’s playing you! As soon as he gets what he wants, mark my words, he’ll be right back to his “old self”.”
Lily blushed and narrowed her startling green eyes. “I cannot believe you, Severus Snape! wewe know, once upon a time, people alisema that about you! And they were wrong, just like wewe are now!”
“That’s not the same – “
“Yes it is! It is the exact same thing! wewe don’t know him anymore than they know you. He’s changed, Severus. He’s completely left wewe and me alone all year. That counts for something.”
Severus clenched his jaw and glared right back. Normally he and Lily didn’t fight, but Severus refused to back down on this subject. He’d worked too hard and too long to lose Lily to Potter. “Oh, well, everything’s all fine and dandy then! I’ll completely forget about all the curses he’s thrown at me, all the times he’s humiliated me. All better!” Severus scoffed nastily.
“You know what?” Lily snarled, clenching her hands into fists. “It is none of your business! wewe are not my father au my brother! wewe have no say in who I date!”
Severus bared his teeth. “I may not be your father au your brother, but I am your friend – or, at least I thought I was. My opinion should matter. Especially when alisema tarehe is with the biggest arse in the school!”
For a few moments they simply glared at each other. And then Lily made a frustrated noise in the back of her throat. “I thought you, of all people, would understand.”
Severus jerked as if slapped. But Lily didn't notice - she'd turned on her heel and walked out. She didn't look back.
***
Severus wandered for a few hours after that, his head buzzing and his moyo throbbing. Potter. James Potter. Lily would be going out with James Potter. Of all the guys she could choose from, of all the arse’s she couldn’t have liked, she had to pick that one! He just couldn’t understand it.
And then there was Potter himself, who had sworn to leave Lily alone. Sworn it to protect someone who was, supposedly, his best friend. Severus snorted in disgust. So much for loyalty. He should have known better than to take the word of a Gryffindor! His fists clenched.
It was almost curfew, if the darkness outside was anything to go by, Severus realized irritably as he passed kwa a window. He turned on his heel and stalked towards the dungeons, for once hoping that Avery wanted to pick a fight. Severus wanted to fight too. He wanted to scream, punch, kick, anything really. Anything that would get rid of this chilling darkness – that felt an awful lot like betrayal – that was seizing his moyo and squeezing. Squeezing tight, choking, twisting –
Someone behind him laughed. Out of habit, Severus glanced over his shoulder. Potter and Black – again, without Lupin – were walking toward him, completely oblivious to his presence.
Perfect.
Severus stopped walking and just waited, crossing his arms over his chest. Eventually they’d have to notice him.
And they did. “Snivellus!” Black called cheerily, waving his arm in a mock greeting. Severus didn’t respond.
“Aw,” Potter said, sounding put-out. “You’re not still upset about earlier are you? That thing with Lily? ‘Cause, she didn’t have to say yes, wewe know – “
“We had an agreement.”
Potter stopped and Black looked between them curiously. “Agreement?”
Severus nodded once. “Yes, we did. And I kept my end of the bargain. How interesting! A Slytherin being able to keep his word when a Gryffindor can’t.”
Potter shrugged, nonplussed. “There really wasn’t a time limit. I kept my part last year.”
Severus narrowed his eyes. “And that’s it? Well, I guess I don’t have to keep silent anymore then, either. I’m sure Dumbledore would be very interested to find out wewe all sneak out while Lupin’s a werewolf.”
Potter grinned maliciously. “You could, but it wouldn’t do wewe any good. That’s old news. Besides, wewe really think if Remus was guilty, Dumbledore would have just let it fly? He’s a kind man, but he’s got a school full of students to worry about.”
Severus bared his teeth and Black laughed. “Looks like wewe lose, Snivellus!”
“Not hardly,” Severus growled. “It’s not going to take Lily long to see right through you.”
The grin slipped off Potter’s face. “And I bet you’d just upendo that, wouldn’t wewe Snivellus? Finally get your chance to be ‘her man’? Of course, you’d have to wait for her to go through every other living, straight male first – “
BANG!
Potter flew backwards and then up into the air, hanging upside down. He looked surprised for a moment, as if he wasn’t entirely sure where he was au how he’d gotten there. Then his face cleared, and he glared at Severus. “Put. Me. Down. Now.”
There was another bang and a flash of light – Severus flew backwards as well, slamming into the cold, stone ukuta behind him. There was a dull thud as Potter hit the floor.
Severus waved his wand instinctively, not even fully aware of what he was casting. There was another bang followed kwa a yelp. Severus opened his eyes just in time to see Black land heavily half-way down the hallway.
Potter jumped forward, wand suddenly at the ready, and Severus cast Levicorpus at him, feeling a sense of sick satisfaction as Potter’s legs were swept from under him.
“Well,” was all Severus said.
“Put me down, Snivellus. Now!”
“No,” Severus alisema airily, twirling his wand between his fingers. “No, I don’t think I will.”
Potter snarled and cursed and thrashed, but it did no good. Until Severus cast the counter-spell, he was stuck. Grinning to himself about this fact, Severus began heading towards the dungeons again.
“Oi! Where wewe going?”
“To bed,” Severus called lightly over his shoulder. “I’m beat – long siku wewe know.”
Potters outraged sputters were enough to keep the grin on Severus’ face long after he’d fallen asleep.
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Chapter Eight
October 29 1977
“It’s just strange, is all,” Severus alisema cautiously, avoiding Lily’s eyes as he perused the bookshelf. “I mean, Potter hasn’t alisema two words to wewe so far this year. It’s not like him. What’s he up to?”
Lily chuckled and the sound sent chills up Severus’ spine. Despite his desperate attempts (and despite her claim at the end of fifth mwaka that she didn’t have romantic feelings for him), Severus had been unable to shake his feelings for Lily. If anything, the feelings intensified.
The summer had both simultaneously dragged and rushed to an end. He’d convinced his parents to let him apply at the apothecary (he secretly thought that the only reason Tobias relented was because Severus had stood up to him, but there was no way he was going to say that theory out loud). He’d gotten the job (as Jeebs had hinted he would when Severus has first talked to him during a Hogsmeade trip) so he hadn’t been able to spend much time with Lily. However, as much as the isolation from his best friend had hurt, it had been nice to have some extra money on hand. For the first time in his life, Severus had been able to buy new clothes and he hadn’t had to worry about there not being chakula on the table. It had also served to get him out of the house, away from Tobias.
On juu of that, Severus loved his job. Jeebs’ Apothecary was a small store, with a small inventory, and a small group of loyal clientele, but it was probably the best job Severus had ever had. Jeebs was a quiet, older man who was the only person Severus had ever met who loved potions zaidi than him. Although his store sold the essential, common items in every apothecary, it also had a pretty nice selection of rare ingredients and, in his spare time, Jeebs brewed up some rare potions as well. zaidi than once, Jeebs had asked for Severus’ assistance in his brewing. Severus had probably learned zaidi in the few weeks of summer than he had in seven years at Hogwarts.
“I think he’s just growing up, Sev,” Lily said. Although Severus couldn’t see it – he was still turned away from her – he could hear the smile in her voice. “And it’s about time, too.”
“Yeah, au he’s changed tactic,” Severus muttered, reaching up above his head for the book he’d been looking for. Although last term, Potter had been zaidi than willing to break the agreement he and Severus had made, this term he hadn’t. The werewolf that had attacked the girl hadn’t been caught, but Severus thought Potter’ sudden change in attitude had little to do with protecting his friend and zaidi to do with impressing Lily.
“What?”
“Nothing. C'mon, let’s sit down.”
Lily sighed irritably, like she'd been doing every night since the beginning of term, as she took her seat. Every night, she and Severus would meet in the maktaba and study. They always took the meza, jedwali farthest from the door, the one wedged between a book case and a corner. Although Severus had never told her exactly what had happened the night he apologized, she had her suspicious. Suspicious that intensified when Severus stayed later and later in the library; when he sat farther and farther back; when he was the first one out of the classroom, only to bata into the bathroom and wait until the very last moment to come to class. She’d put up with his behavior last term, but this was, apparently, going to be a term of change and Lily’s patience was the biggest change.
“Severus - “ Lily began, but a shadow on the meza, jedwali cut her off. She turned her head and looked up curiously at James Potter and Sirius Black.
“Hey,” Potter alisema softly, offering a small smile.
“Hello,” Lily alisema cautiously. Although she and Potter had been friendly last term, Severus was here now and she wasn’t exactly certain how this meeting would turn out with the two of them in such close proximity – even with James’ sudden change of heart.
“Are wewe busy? I kind of wanted to talk to wewe about something . . . important.”
Lily raised an eyebrow and eyed Potter speculatively. After a few moments, she came to some conclusion that satisfied her, and gave her fellow Gryffindor a faint nod. “All right,” she said, rising from her chair and following him to a meza, jedwali a few feet away. She shot Black a stern glare over her shoulder and Severus gritted his teeth at her over protectiveness. But he let it go when something strange happened right after: Potter had aliyopewa Black the same look.
Black raised his hands in submission and flopped into Lily’s vacant seat. Severus eyed the boy with dislike. Potter and Black had been joined at the hip their entire school career, but it was Black, zaidi so than Potter that Severus really hated. With his big, dark eyes, rebel grin that someone managed to be both charming and smug at the same time, and dark curly hair, Black had walked into the school and wrapped everyone (sans the Slytherins, of course) around his little finger. He seemed to pass every test with little effort and went through girls – on the rare occasion Severus actually paid attention – at a dizzying rate. And yet, he had the nerve to complain about how bad he had it. His life, if wewe believed Black’s ranting, was utterly miserable – no one had it as bad as he did. And if anyone argued, well, that was just zaidi proof that no one could possibly understand the utter torment of what Black supposedly went through on a day-to-day basis. It made Severus sick.
Lily gave a small laugh at something Potter said. Normally, the sound would make Severus’ moyo swell with happiness, but this time it made his stomach drop painfully. It was not a “you’re- not- really-funny-but-I-feel-bad-or-you’re-just-irritating-me-so-I’m-going-to-laugh-to-shut-you-up” laugh. This one was high and airy – a laugh of genuine pleasure. Severus glanced over at the pair and felt his heat twist; Lily seemed to be enjoying herself.
The laugh faded away, but a small smiled remained on Lily’s face. She studied Potter carefully and, apparently feeling satisfied, nodded her head. Potter grinned hugely and alisema something that made Lily laugh again.
Black, who hadn’t taken his eyes off the pair since they sat down, made a small whooping noise under his breath. “I knew you’d come around, Lils!” he exclaimed as they approached. Lily blushed faintly and Severus felt his moyo stop painfully.
‘Knew you’d come around?’
“Well, she hasn’t exactly come around yet,” Potter said, still grinning broadly. “She only alisema yes to one date.”
The world stopped. There was no sound, no movement, au air. Severus felt like his chest was imploding – the oxygen had been pulled from his lungs very quickly. He couldn’t breathe, think. He couldn’t… It was Potter! James Potter! The man who humiliated him, embarrassed him, made fun of him, bullied him. The man whom hung him upside down in front of jeering peers. The man whom found every way to point out how painfully odd Severus – her supposed best friend – was. This was the man she wanted? [/i]This[/i] was her choice?
“Severus?” Lily’s voice echoed dimly in his brain.
“What was all that?” he asked numbly, vaguely aware that Potter and Black were leaving.
“Well, he asked me out. He alisema that he really liked me and that he’d been trying to change into the man I deserved.”
“And wewe alisema yes.” It wasn’t a question, and the statement came out harsher than Severus intended.
Lily blinked at him, obviously taken aback kwa his tone. “To one date.”
“Unless things go well, of course.”
“Well… Yes. I suppose. Even wewe have to admit Sev, he’s different this year. There’s no harm in going out on one date.”
“Unless it’s Potter! Merlin, Lily! wewe honestly think he’s changed? He’s playing you! As soon as he gets what he wants, mark my words, he’ll be right back to his “old self”.”
Lily blushed and narrowed her startling green eyes. “I cannot believe you, Severus Snape! wewe know, once upon a time, people alisema that about you! And they were wrong, just like wewe are now!”
“That’s not the same – “
“Yes it is! It is the exact same thing! wewe don’t know him anymore than they know you. He’s changed, Severus. He’s completely left wewe and me alone all year. That counts for something.”
Severus clenched his jaw and glared right back. Normally he and Lily didn’t fight, but Severus refused to back down on this subject. He’d worked too hard and too long to lose Lily to Potter. “Oh, well, everything’s all fine and dandy then! I’ll completely forget about all the curses he’s thrown at me, all the times he’s humiliated me. All better!” Severus scoffed nastily.
“You know what?” Lily snarled, clenching her hands into fists. “It is none of your business! wewe are not my father au my brother! wewe have no say in who I date!”
Severus bared his teeth. “I may not be your father au your brother, but I am your friend – or, at least I thought I was. My opinion should matter. Especially when alisema tarehe is with the biggest arse in the school!”
For a few moments they simply glared at each other. And then Lily made a frustrated noise in the back of her throat. “I thought you, of all people, would understand.”
Severus jerked as if slapped. But Lily didn't notice - she'd turned on her heel and walked out. She didn't look back.
***
Severus wandered for a few hours after that, his head buzzing and his moyo throbbing. Potter. James Potter. Lily would be going out with James Potter. Of all the guys she could choose from, of all the arse’s she couldn’t have liked, she had to pick that one! He just couldn’t understand it.
And then there was Potter himself, who had sworn to leave Lily alone. Sworn it to protect someone who was, supposedly, his best friend. Severus snorted in disgust. So much for loyalty. He should have known better than to take the word of a Gryffindor! His fists clenched.
It was almost curfew, if the darkness outside was anything to go by, Severus realized irritably as he passed kwa a window. He turned on his heel and stalked towards the dungeons, for once hoping that Avery wanted to pick a fight. Severus wanted to fight too. He wanted to scream, punch, kick, anything really. Anything that would get rid of this chilling darkness – that felt an awful lot like betrayal – that was seizing his moyo and squeezing. Squeezing tight, choking, twisting –
Someone behind him laughed. Out of habit, Severus glanced over his shoulder. Potter and Black – again, without Lupin – were walking toward him, completely oblivious to his presence.
Perfect.
Severus stopped walking and just waited, crossing his arms over his chest. Eventually they’d have to notice him.
And they did. “Snivellus!” Black called cheerily, waving his arm in a mock greeting. Severus didn’t respond.
“Aw,” Potter said, sounding put-out. “You’re not still upset about earlier are you? That thing with Lily? ‘Cause, she didn’t have to say yes, wewe know – “
“We had an agreement.”
Potter stopped and Black looked between them curiously. “Agreement?”
Severus nodded once. “Yes, we did. And I kept my end of the bargain. How interesting! A Slytherin being able to keep his word when a Gryffindor can’t.”
Potter shrugged, nonplussed. “There really wasn’t a time limit. I kept my part last year.”
Severus narrowed his eyes. “And that’s it? Well, I guess I don’t have to keep silent anymore then, either. I’m sure Dumbledore would be very interested to find out wewe all sneak out while Lupin’s a werewolf.”
Potter grinned maliciously. “You could, but it wouldn’t do wewe any good. That’s old news. Besides, wewe really think if Remus was guilty, Dumbledore would have just let it fly? He’s a kind man, but he’s got a school full of students to worry about.”
Severus bared his teeth and Black laughed. “Looks like wewe lose, Snivellus!”
“Not hardly,” Severus growled. “It’s not going to take Lily long to see right through you.”
The grin slipped off Potter’s face. “And I bet you’d just upendo that, wouldn’t wewe Snivellus? Finally get your chance to be ‘her man’? Of course, you’d have to wait for her to go through every other living, straight male first – “
BANG!
Potter flew backwards and then up into the air, hanging upside down. He looked surprised for a moment, as if he wasn’t entirely sure where he was au how he’d gotten there. Then his face cleared, and he glared at Severus. “Put. Me. Down. Now.”
There was another bang and a flash of light – Severus flew backwards as well, slamming into the cold, stone ukuta behind him. There was a dull thud as Potter hit the floor.
Severus waved his wand instinctively, not even fully aware of what he was casting. There was another bang followed kwa a yelp. Severus opened his eyes just in time to see Black land heavily half-way down the hallway.
Potter jumped forward, wand suddenly at the ready, and Severus cast Levicorpus at him, feeling a sense of sick satisfaction as Potter’s legs were swept from under him.
“Well,” was all Severus said.
“Put me down, Snivellus. Now!”
“No,” Severus alisema airily, twirling his wand between his fingers. “No, I don’t think I will.”
Potter snarled and cursed and thrashed, but it did no good. Until Severus cast the counter-spell, he was stuck. Grinning to himself about this fact, Severus began heading towards the dungeons again.
“Oi! Where wewe going?”
“To bed,” Severus called lightly over his shoulder. “I’m beat – long siku wewe know.”
Potters outraged sputters were enough to keep the grin on Severus’ face long after he’d fallen asleep.
