APoE chapter 8

[fabricatedemons]

All right, so here is the rough draft of Chapter 8. Enjoy...or, at least, try to. Oh, and the Ballad of Ricky Bobby was hilarious. I loved it.



Shaken by Violence

Severus felt his wand tug against his pocket as it was summoned away from him, though he was in no state to react. The back of his head had contacted the wall with such force that his ears were ringing and he felt nauseous and lightheaded. Clutching at the back of his head with his hand, he tenderly felt around for any sticky, wet signs of blood. There seemed to be none, which was a small relief.

“I don’t know what your friends think they’re doing,” the voice said, “but it needs to stop.”

Severus's vision was finally returning now that his eyes had stopped tearing, and he blinked at the figure in front of him in astonishment. It took him a moment, but he was finally able to place the wide-set build, dark complexion, and aquiline nose. He’d half expected to be Potter, or even Black, but was wholly unprepared to find himself face to face with a Ravenclaw. “Rookwood?” he grunted, torn between surprise and fury. He’d never spoken to Rookwood a day in his life. “I have no idea what you’re on about.”

“Don’t you?” Rookwood’s eyes glinted in the darkness. “I find that hard to believe. The entire Slytherin Common room is probably laughing themselves silly over their rubbish idea of a joke.”

Completely flummoxed, Severus shook his head. The action made his vision swim once again, and his stomach lurched disapprovingly. He took a deep breath before speaking. “I’m telling you that I haven’t any idea what you’re talking about.” Rookwood’s audacity was beginning to make his blood boil, especially since he had no clue what his ‘friends’ had done. “Now if you would kindly give me back my wand,” he added with as sinister a note to his voice he could manage. He wasn’t about stand there idly and take threats.

“Not until I’m finished,” Rookwood replied sharply. He jabbed his finger into Severus’s chest, hard, looking untroubled when Severus swore at him. “Someone,” he continued flatly, “thought it would be funny to sneak into my dorm room and plaster the Mark on my wall.”

This momentarily distracted Severus from his throbbing head and sore chest. “The Dark Mark?” he asked, surprised.

“Do you think I’d be this upset if it were a peace sign?” Rookwood snapped. “It was on my wall, plain as day. I found it when I returned from Ancient Runes.” He stepped away to peer out into the corridor, and Severus could tell from his stance that he was extremely agitated; Rookwood's fists were clenched and the muscles in his jaw working hard. “I don’t even want to think about what would have happened if one of my roommates had seen it.”

For once, Severus was completely unaware of what his housemates were up to, having heard no whispers, rumours, or anything of the sort. It made him absolutely livid that Rookwood had decided cornered him when he clearly had no involvement in their little prank. “What does this have to do with me?” Severus asked jadedly.

“You,” Rookwood replied sharply, “are going to tell your mates that they’d best not do it again.” He raised an arm, brandishing Severus’s wand, and prodded it into the same spot he’d jabbed his finger. Severus winced involuntarily. “I don’t want to be involved in that sort of bollocks,” Rookwood continued. “I don’t give a rat’s arse if they’re doing it to every pureblood student in the school. I don’t need the association hanging over my head.”

Rookwood could protest all he wanted, Severus thought sardonically, but Severus was quite aware of his confidential meeting with Bellatrix. He’d use the information against Rookwood in a heartbeat, if he needed to. Narrowing his eyes, he lifted his hand and wrapped his fingers around his wand, which was still digging into his chest. “I’ll pass that along,” he said testily. “May I go now?”

Rookwood dropped his grip on the wand and stepped back. “Go,” he grunted. “But make sure they know that I have no qualms about retaliation.”

Severus managed a derisive snort even though his pulse was pounding heavily in his ears. “I’ll let them know.” He gave Rookwood a very dark look before straightening up and walking out of the alcove. He didn’t bother to turn back around. He could feel Rookwood’s eyes searing a hole into the back of his head.

Five minutes later, he stalked into the Slytherin Common Room and stopped dead in his tracks, taking a quick surveillance of the Slytherins present. A handful of first years were by the fireplace, huddled in a circle and whispering in hushed tones about the Bloody Baron, who was hovering in front of the bookcase and looking quite menacing. A few other students were lounging about on the furniture, gossiping lazily and flipping through textbooks. The Slytherins Severus was looking for, however, were grouped around a game of wizard’s chess between Barty Crouch and Julius Carrow. Wilkes and Lestrange were seated in opposite chairs so that they had a full view of the board. Regulus and Rosier flanked Carrow, standing at his elbows, and Florence and Hope Burke, another sixth year, were curled on either side of the leather couch, like bookends. He approached the group silently.

“Check,” murmured Barty, smiling down as his knight captured Carrow’s rook and threw the limp piece from the board like a rag doll. Carrow made a face, and the surrounding group tittered in amusement. Barty’s chess skill was something of a novelty in Slytherin house. He was virtually undefeated, and the students who chose to play him were really merely brushing up on their own skills. Rosier had been talking about an Inter-house Chess Championship for months now, though everyone knew that he didn’t care whether or not Barty gained any real status from it. Severus was fairly sure that Rosier wanted to place bets on Crouch and make a nice, little profit.

“I’d move my queen if I were you,” Wilkes muttered from his armchair.

“No,” argued Regulus, scrutinizing the board with furrowed brows, “don’t do that. He’ll capture your queen.”

Wilkes sat up in the chair, squinted at the board, and harrumphed in acknowledgement. “Right. Well, do something, or else he’ll have you in checkmate.”

Florence, looking utterly bored by the chess game, cocked a brow at Severus. “Hello, Snape,” she simpered. “Where’ve you been? Having a chat with Slughorn about how talented you and Evans are?” She made an obnoxious face at him, attempting a false smile.

The others turned to look at him, and he sneered at her spitefully. “Jealously doesn’t flatter you, Florence.” Her smile quickly faded away into a bruised pout, but he ignored this, glancing around the group. “I don’t want to interrupt,” he announced quietly, “but I just had a charming encounter with Augustus Rookwood in the corridor.”

Regulus, Barty, Julius, and the girls stared at him blankly. Wilkes, on the other hand, looked mildly amused. “Oh?” he said.

“Yes,” Severus answered flatly. “He mentioned something about a rubbish joke.” Staring down at Wilkes, he folded his arms across his chest. “Do you know anything about it?”

“I might,” replied Wilkes, settling back in his chair. “What did he say?”

Severus didn’t know if everyone present was aware of Wilkes’s little stunt, so he decided to be cryptic. “He said, in so many words, that he did not appreciate it.”

“Did he?”

“He did.” Severus’s words were clipped and impatient. He found it difficult to control his temper, especially when his head was pounding intensely. “What were you thinking? Suppose one of the professors was to hear about it?”

Rosier, who’d observing their conversation quietly up until this point, scoffed loudly. “Oh come off it, Snape,” he said. “You probably would've joined had you not been in Potions.” He shrugged. “Besides, Rookwood is a Pureblood. It wasn’t going to scare him.”

“Maybe not,” Severus replied, “but it obviously struck a nerve.”

“Oh, really?” Wilkes perked up, giving a triumphant smile. “Well, serves him right.” His fingers tapped the arm of the chair and he shrugged a shoulder in a casual manner. “Arrogant arse.”

Severus thinned his lips. He wasn’t sure what Wilkes and the others had against Rookwood, if they even disliked him at all. In fact, he was beginning to doubt that Rookwood had been the only target. He turned to address Rosier. Rosier wouldn't blink an eye before bragging about the stunt. “How many marks did you put up?”

However, before Rosier even opened his mouth to answer, Wilkes leaned forward in his chair and eyed Severus shrewdly. “What do you care?” he asked with a frown. “You weren’t involved.”

“I think I became involved when I became the messenger,” Severus replied flatly.

Wilkes raised his eyebrows. “So you know we did Rookwood’s room. Maybe that’s it.” He gave the other Slytherins a superior smirk.

“Somehow I don’t think that’s it,” retorted Severus in disgust. “Who else?” He started thinking of pureblood students who wouldn’t completely balk at the sight of the Dark Mark. “Peasegood?” he guessed, and then ticked off a few more names. “Shingleton? Brewster? Fraser, perhaps?”

“Hm,” Rosier made an impressed face. “We should have asked you for help.” He grinned and ran his hand through his hair to rake back his fringe. “You forgot McKinnon, though.”

Carrow, clearly distracted from his game now, put a hand over his face. “I’m not hearing this,” he moaned resolutely, and then, staring threateningly at Regulus, added, “and you’re not hearing this, either. She’s labelled us with a bloody stigma as it is.”

Regulus shrugged.

Snape pressed his lips together so furiously that he doubted they were even visible anymore. “You did not go into McKinnon’s room,” he said.

“No,” Rosier admitted with a grin, “but imgaine what she'd have done if we had!” Carrow let out a small sigh of relief.

Wilkes nodded in agreement with Rosier. “We only did three rooms, Snape. Rookwood, Peasegood, and Brewster.” He stretched his legs out and gave a large, exaggerated yawn. “Only people we knew wouldn’t go running to Dumbledore.”

Snape shook his head in disbelief. Sometimes he wondered whether his housemates ever thought of the consequences of their actions. Painting Dark Marks on the walls of dormitories seemed like a very immature stunt. Then again, most of the Slytherins were a little reckless since classes weren’t fully in swing and their time wasn’t yet occupied by studies. Hopefully Wilkes would have better things to do by the end of the week, and Rosier…well, Rosier would have no trouble finding something-or someone, more likely-to busy himself with.

Severus was curious as to how they got into the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw houses, and decided to ask as much.

“That was all Evan,” Wilkes said, nodding towards Rosier. “He lays on the charm, and the birds flock to him, willing to give him whatever information he wants to know.” He waggled his eyebrows at Evan, who raised his shoulders indifferently.

A girl’s voice piped up from the couch. “Oh, that’s just brilliant.” Everyone turned to stare at Florence, who quickly stood up and gave Rosier an icy stare. “Chatting up girls for passwords, are you?” she snapped accusingly. “Bet it’s an added benefit if you can get into their knickers too, eh?” She withdrew her wand, looked as though she would have dearly enjoyed cursing Rosier into oblivion, and then stalked off, red-faced and curls bouncing.

“Cor,” muttered Regulus. Carrow elbowed him in the side.

The rest of the boys turned to Hope, as if she could explain Florence’s behaviour. Hope was a round-faced girl with nothing terribly remarkable about her appearance save her hair, which was waist-length and the colour of gold. The boys didn’t usually pay much attention to her, and Severus could see her visibly wilt under their inspection. She blinked her doleful eyes at them and shook her head helplessly. “She’s a bit upset from Potions, maybe,” she offered, hopping off the couch and running to catch up with Florence.

“Did you get into someone’s knickers?” Lestrange asked once Hope had disappeared. Up until this point, he’d been watching the action with a smile twitching at his lips.

“No.” Rosier shook his head, glancing over his shoulder to make sure the girls were out of ear-shot, Severus presumed. He lowered his voice. “Not yet, anyway.”

“Oh?” Lestrange asked. “Out with it then.”

“Please tell me it wasn’t Bertha Jorkins,” Julius added. Wilkes let out a sharp laugh at this, and even in the dimly lit common room, it was evident that Rosier’s ears were turning pink.

The entire group surrounding the chess table groaned loudly, causing the other, younger Slytherins in the room to turn and stare. Even Severus grimaced; Bertha lacked most attributes that most men found desirable, perhaps most importantly, common sense.

Rosier shook his head and held out his hands. “No, no, no,” he said loudly, trying to talk over their jeers and smart remarks, “it wasn’t like that with her.”

“But she was trying, wasn’t she?” Wilkes chortled. “Good Merlin, it was all I could do to keep from doubling over.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Rosier grumbled dismissively.

“He’s always been the lucky bastard, that way, hasn’t he?” Lestrange said. Regulus and the Barty snickered appreciatively.

“I’m not lucky,” Rosier argued.

Wilkes got up out of his chair and clapped Rosier on the back. “But you are a bastard.” His teeth gleamed as he smiled down at Rosier. “At least, I’m sure Florence is saying that right now.”

“I’ll talk to her later,” muttered Rosier. “She’ll come round, eventually.”

“I bet she will,” muttered Snape. This comment earned Rosier a lot more hair ruffling, catcalls, and rude comments. For once, he didn’t seem to be basking in the glory of all the attention.

“As long as I don’t have to silence your bed curtains later,” said Julius. “Some of us have classes early in the morning, you know.” He chuckled lightly, sighed, and turned his attention back to the game. “My turn?” he asked Barty, lifting an eyebrow. It had been so long since his last move that some of the pieces on the board were snoring, wheezing and whistling as they breathed.

The younger boy grinned broadly. “Er, sorry, Julius.” He nodded down to the board with a significant look and prodded Julius’s snoring king in the belly. “Checkmate.”

The king, looking groggy eyed, muttered an expletive and threw down his crown before falling back into sleep.

* * *

Severus was running late to Defence Against the Dark Arts class. He hadn’t intended to sleep in; in fact, he rarely did such a thing. He attributed the need for extra sleep to the knot on the back of his head and the headache throbbing in his temples. In any case, he showered quickly, grabbed his things, and hastily made his way to the classroom.

He ended up bumping into Lupin at the doorway because he was so engrossed in making up for lost time. Lupin paused grimly and nodded at Severus, implying that he go in first. Severus didn’t bother acknowledging Lupin’s small courtesy, sliding past him and looking for an open seat. There were only two, he noted dismally, and they were both at the same table, in the very front of the classroom. Attempting to be as inconspicuous as possible, he made his way to the table and slumped down into a chair. Lupin slouched down next to him a moment later.

It could have been worse, Severus decided. Lupin was studious, at least, and he wasn’t as boisterous or irritating as his friends. There wouldn’t be any idle conversation, either. Neither Lupin nor Severus liked each other very much, for obvious reasons. Unlike Potter or Black, however, Lupin was capable of being tolerant. Severus, in turn, was capable of returning the gesture.

“I do not stand for tardiness, boys,” Professor Kennicot sang out, pausing in her dictation long enough to give them a stern look.

“Sorry, Professor,” Lupin replied. Severus echoed this, sighing inwardly.

“Don’t let it happen again,” she replied, and then turned back to the class. “As I was saying, for this scenario, I’d like you to explain how you might be able to disguise yourself using various spells. The information you possess must also be passed on clandestinely.” She turned, and Severus blinked bleakly at the bun in her silvery hair. He had no idea what he was supposed to be doing and cursed himself for being late. He passed a sidelong glance in Lupin’s direction. The boy’s brows were knitted together seriously; he was probably as bewildered as Severus was, though Severus hardly found it comforting.

Professor Kennicot raised her voice to stress her words' importance. “Make it a foot and a half of parchment, please. You may use this time to discuss your options with your neighbours.” She waved a hand in their direction and shuffled over to her seat, where she promptly sat down and took a large sip from the china teacup on her desk.

The room was filled with sounds of rustling as students retrieved their rolls and quills from their satchels. Severus took a moment to look at the board, hoping there would be some clue as to what Kennicot expected. She was an odd teacher, though most students attributed her behaviour to her age, which was estimated to be about ninety or so. Rabastan kindly referred to her as “older than dirt”. Perhaps it came with her many years of experience, but she really did know what she was talking about in terms of methods of defence. Unfortunately, she wasn’t sprightly anymore, so she often discussed theory, letting the students make practical postulations themselves. He had to admit, they learned quite a bit that way, though it wasn’t always easy.

Someone spoke up from the table behind him. “Remus!”

Severus glanced over at Lupin, who’d turned to look over his shoulder, smiling weakly. “Lily,” Lupin replied, “how are you?”

“Better than you, it seems,” she answered. Severus tried to engage himself by writing down Kennicot’s notes on the board, but it was hard not to listen in on their conversation. “Peter said you had food poisoning,” Lily continued. “Are you all right?”

Lupin paused. “Er, yes, I’m fine.” There was another pause, then, “You’d think I’d have a strong stomach by now, what with all the food James and Sirius force down my throat.”

Lily laughed. “Well, you do look like you could use fattening up.” Lupin exhaled out his nose in amusement. “And at least being ill didn’t affect your sense of humour,” she added. Snape shifted in his seat so that he could see her out of his peripheral vision. She was sitting at a table with Patrice Midgen, another Gryffindor. “Do you understand what we’re supposed to be doing?”

“No,” Lupin admitted ruefully. “But that’s what happens when you’re late, I suppose.” His gaze flickered over to Severus for a moment, and he added, “Do you mind filling us in on what exactly we’re supposed to be doing?” Severus merely blinked at him, not exactly appreciating his inclusion. He hoped Lupin didn’t think he was doing a favour.

“Not at all,” Lily replied. “I think, and correct me if I’m wrong, Patrice, but I think what Kennicot means for us to do is create a scenario where we’re placed in a dangerous position.” Her green eyes moved from Patrice to Remus. “Sort of like being surrounded by bad guys, and we have to make it through unscathed.”

Severus snorted in spite of himself. “Bad guys?” She sounded ridiculous. Defence Against the Dark Arts wasn’t exactly a spaghetti western or a cops and robbers game.

Lily flushed. “Well, you know,” she said, shrugging. “Evil wizards or witches.”

“I understand,” Remus said supportively. “Are we conveying some sort of information? Did I hear that right?” He moved to scratch his chin and the sleeves of his robes slipped back to his elbows. Severus noticed, with mild interest, a long, silvery scar on the back of his hand. Remus, catching Severus’s eye, put his arm down quickly, as if to hide the scar from sight. “Sorry for asking so many questions,” he apologized hurriedly, turning back to the girls.

"It's no problem, Remus," smiled Lily, and Patrice nodded enthusiastically. “And to answer your question, the,” Lily paused, gaze reverting to Severus again, “the evil wizards shouldn’t be able to intercept and decipher your message.”

Remus sighed. “So what you’re saying is that I have to go spend hours in Madam Pince’s company and research every concealment spell I can think of.”

Patrice giggled and gave a nod. “At least you won’t be alone.”

Lily shook her head sympathetically. “No, you certainly won’t.”

“Well, Remus, you know what I’d do?” another voice piped up. It was Potter. He’d approached the table and was standing next to Remus, grinning like an idiot. “I’d become an Animagus, meet my conspirator under the guise of oh, say, a titmouse, and pass along the information without anyone even blinking in my direction.”

Remus snorted. “I’m sure you would, James.”

Lily raised an eyebrow. “Well, that sounds nice and simple, but considering your reckless nature and heavy appetite, I think it would turn out differently.”

“Oh?” Potter blinked at her curiously from behind his spectacles. “And how is that?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” she said, smiling innocently. “You’d see a piece of cheese on a mousetrap somewhere, convince yourself that you’re much too agile to get caught up in it, and end up breaking your neck the second after you realize that you, in fact, are wrong.”

“Wow, Evans,” James replied, ruffling his hair lazily, “you’re very morbid. I didn’t know that about you.”

Patrice snickered, and Lily cracked a grin. Even Remus’s mouth was twitching, though he had bowed his head in an attempt to disguise his amusement. Severus remained quiet, not wanting to elicit Potter’s attention. He thought Lily was spot on about Potter, and had the sudden urge to crunch a mouse underneath his foot.

“You wouldn’t even get a proper burial,” Lily added with a laugh. “Someone would find you and sweep you up into a bin.” She brushed the palms of her hands together. “That’s that.”

James clutched his heart. “A tragic ending for our young hero,” he replied easily. “Anyway, I just came over to make sure Remus was feeling well.” He lifted his brows at his friend. Thus far, he had completely ignored Severus, which Severus found both relieving and suspicious.

“I’m fine, James,” Remus replied, waving a hand dismissively. “I’ll talk with you after class.”

“Right,” James snapped in compliance. He turned to go, but stopped in his tracks, turning to address Lily again. “Do me favour, Evans.”

“Yes?” she said expectantly.

“Don’t ever tell that story in front of Peter, all right?”

Everyone looked at James strangely, except Remus, whose shoulders began to shudder with contained laughter. Lily simply shook her head, obviously perplexed. “All right.”

James nodded gratefully and left to join Black and Pettigrew.

“Lily,” said Remus with a cough, apparently having composed himself after James’s interruption, “did Professor Kennicot mention anything about demonstrating our scenarios?”

Lily flipped her palms in the air. “No, but you know her…” She drifted off and shrugged. “It would probably be in our best interests.”

“Yes,” agreed Patrice, “You know what she’ll say.” She pursed her lips and made a face that was much like Kennicot’s, raising her voice to mimic the professor’s. “What good is using the Imperturbable Charm, Mr. Lupin, if you are unable to perform it properly?”

The three Gryffindors laughed together, and Severus took that as his cue to turn around and start researching potential spells that would be effective. He worked in silence, ignoring the occasional distraction from his peers. Nearly a half an hour later, he had a list of at least a dozen spells that he could develop into the type of scenario Professor Kennicot expected.

He was working so hard, in fact, that he did not notice Professor Kennicot approach the table. She cleared her throat and he started, nearly recoiling upon the realization that her face was inches from his own. She was much more wrinkly from this vantage point.

She addressed him curtly. “Mr. Snape.”

“Yes, Professor?” He tried not to stare at he many lines in her dry, parchment-thin skin.

“Professor Slughorn asked that I relay a message to you.” Her watery, blue eyes gazed at him, unwavering. “You’re supposed to go to his office after class today. He didn’t impart any more information than that, so don’t bother asking.” She pursed her lips in a way that gave credit to Patrice’s impression and hobbled over to Evans’s table.

“Thank you professor,” he muttered, beginning to roll up his parchment. Professor Kennicot didn’t pay him any attention though, as she was relaying an identical message from Professor Slughorn to Lily. Severus frowned, stuffing his things into his bag. Rosier and Lestrange nodded at him as they walked past towards the door. He didn't bother to tell them where he was going; they wouldn’t wait for him, anyway.

Lupin spoke up. “Special project in Potions, eh?”

Severus turned to snap at Lupin for being meddling, but realized in the nick of time that Lupin was actually addressing Evans.

She shrugged. “I never know what I’m needed for until I’m there,” she sighed. “Half the time it’s just for a cup of tea or some mead.” Remus raised his eyebrows in wonder. “I know,” she said ruefully, “but trust me, it makes the time go by much more quickly.”

“Do you want me to walk you down there?” asked Remus, looking concerned. “I heard someone was giving you troub-“

“-I’ll be fine,” Lily interrupted with a fleeting glance in Severus’s direction. “I’m a prefect,” she reminded him, offering a faltering smile. “Just think of it as patrol duty.”

“If you’re sure,” Remus replied uneasily, but she waved him off with a hand.

Severus grabbed his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and rose out of his seat to leave. At that same moment, Black, Pettigrew, and Potter joined Lupin at the other side of the table.

“What’s Evans sure about?” Black asked with a sly grin. “Her animosity towards James, here?” He cuffed Potter lightly on the arm.

“Oh, it’s not only me, anymore,” Potter said, sounding pleased. “She dislikes mice, too.”

“Oh yeah?” Black’s voice rose with interest. “Well you can't blame her. They're titchy little things." His grey eyes glittered humourously. "How do you feel about dogs, Lily?”

“I like dogs,” she answered simply, rising out of her seat.

“Did you hear that, James?” Black announced proudly. “She likes dogs.”

“Congratulations,” replied Potter, looking peevish. Severus abstained from making any comments under his breath, but he truly thought they were the biggest bunch of dolts he’d ever encountered. Their conversations were absolutely meaningless.

Lily’s patience also seemed to be wearing thin. “Yes, Sirius. I like dogs, and cats, and owls, and tigers, and-“

“-Rats?” Peter offered helpfully.

Lily pulled a face. “Yuck,” she groaned. “Definitely not rats, Peter, sorry.” He frowned, but said nothing. Lily continued walking; Severus could see her red hair out of the corner of his eye. “It was lovely chatting with you about my favourite animals,” she said, “and perhaps next time we’ll discuss why my favourite colour is lavender, but I’ve got to go meet Slughorn.”

“Now?” asked Sirius.

“Yes, now,” she replied impatiently.

“Do you want us to walk with you?” Potter asked, and Severus had the distinct feeling that he was being watched.

“No, I’m fine,” she assured them.

“Even with him two steps in front of you?” Black asked. The tone of his voice indicated a distinct implication of unpleasantness. It wasn’t hard to guess who the comment was truly directed towards.

Severus, genuinely irritated now, stopped in his tracks and turned to give Black an icy look. “Me?” he asked slowly. Lily, who was directly behind him and not expecting his abrupt stop, bumped into him.

“Sorry,” she muttered, but Severus ignored her.

Black was eyeballing Severus hostilely. “I don’t trust my brother in your presence, let alone a Muggle-born.”

“Sirius,” Lily warned, “don’t start this…”

“He’s right, Evans.” Potter narrowed his eyes in concern. “I don’t trust Snape further than the length of his nose.”

Peter ogled Snape. “Oh, I don’t know, Prongs, it’s fairly large.”

“Peter,” Lupin said, warningly.

Pettigrew, however, paid Lupin no mind. He sniggered and added, “You could fit a lot of trust up those nostrils.”

Enough was enough. With an indignant grunt, Snape withdrew his wand and pointed it at Pettigrew.

“Sectum-“ he began to hiss, but Lily grabbed his arm. The shock of her contact distracted him momentarily, and he looked down at her, eyes blazing.

“Don’t do it,” she pleaded. Her fingers squeezed his arm. “Not now, please.”

Snape’s muscles were shaking with fury, but he bit his tongue and stared at the Gryffindor boys in a way that would put Medusa to shame.

“You touch him now, Lily?” Sirius asked, looking revolted. “Merlin.” Lily quickly released her grip on Severus’s arm, but she didn’t look any less defiant.

Potter was staring at Severus and Lily with a peculiar look on his face. “You must see that you can’t trust him, Lily,” he said, gesturing to Snape with a hand. “Who knows what he was about to do.”

“You provoked him,” retorted Lily. She looked at Lupin for confirmation. “Remus, you know they did.”

“Ah, well,” Remus said, looking down at his shoes, “they did, but…”

“But you figure it’s all fine as long as none of your friends gets hurt,” Snape finished flatly. “Well, you can thank Evans for asking for Peter’s mercy, but next time,” he glared down at Pettigrew with all of the menace he could muster, “I hope he isn’t so fortunate.”

Pettigrew blanched, and Remus looked torn between anger and embarrassment.

“Let’s go meet Slughorn, Snape,” Lily said, tearing her eyes away from the Gryffindor boys. “He’ll wonder where we’ve gotten to.” With a loud sigh, she continued down the corridor towards the staircase.

Severus paused, not wanting to turn his back on Potter, Black, and even Pettigrew. Though they boasted of their gallant conduct, he wouldn’t put any of them-Pettigrew in particular-past shooting a hex at his back. Lupin, however, looked up and nodded, as if he was reassuring Snape that he wouldn’t get cursed from behind. Severus gave him a dark look before reluctantly following Lily, wishing he had been the one to leave the situation first. It felt like he was trailing after her like a lost pup.

“Evans.” Potter called after them, “Lily, come on.” There was a pause, and then, “You can’t really trust him.”

Lily, whose back was still turned to the lot of them, answered loudly, “It doesn’t matter, Potter. I can’t trust you, either.”

They descended the stairs in silence, brushing past some of the younger students as they went. Lily finally paused long enough for Severus to catch up on the ground floor. He was sulking because she’d interfered, yet again. He felt like he had to say something.

“They’re right, you know,” he finally announced. He didn’t bother to look at her and see her reaction. “It isn’t safe for you to wander around in the dungeons alone.”

Lily blew out a long breath of air that sent strands of her hair flying. “That may be, but I’m not going to wander around with friends flanking me like guards every minute of the day, either.”

“No,” he admitted, risking a furtive glance in her direction, “that won’t do you any favours.”

Lily nodded. “If I can’t protect myself, I’m not going to be able to protect anyone else.”

“Mm,” he replied, fingering his wand thoughtfully. “You certainly try to protect everyone else in spite of everything.”

“Well, I’m not sure what curse you were going to use, but it didn’t look like it was going to be nice.”

“It wasn’t.”

“I thought so, yes.” She readjusted her bag on her shoulder. “You had that look about you.”

“That look?”

“Mmhm,” she replied. “It’s the same look I get when Petunia is acting like an old cow.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Your sister?”

“My sister,” she affirmed. “Sometimes I feel like hexing her and making all of her hair fall out.”

“You’re familiar with balding spells?” he asked in astonishment. He hadn’t expected Lily to be an expert on hexes.

To his further surprise, she burst out laughing. “God, no,” she replied. “Is there really one? I just made it up off the top of my head.” She covered her face and shook her head. “I don’t know why these things surprise me anymore.”

He nodded seriously, though he was slightly amused. “I could write the incantation down for you.”

“Are you serious?” she asked, blinking at him.

“No,” he admitted, “unless you really want it.” And he seriously doubted Evans would be interested in turning someone bald. He tucked his hair behind his ears, feeling a bit more relaxed. “Women come up with some of the nastiest curses there are, you know.”

“No, I didn’t.” She sounded interested.

“They definitely have a knack for the curses that drastically affect your appearance, anyway.” His mind catalogued some of the spells he’d researched, and the strange pattern he’d noticed. “They have a knack for getting even in ways that are emotionally scarring rather than simply violent.”

“Oh,” Lily murmured. “You speak of that like it’s admirable or something.”

“It is, in a way,” Severus replied. The spells were always most impressive.

Her cheek dimpled. “Is that what you look for in a woman, then? Cursing skills?”

That wasn’t what he’d meant to imply at all, and the thought of Lily trying to figure out what attracted him to women made him flush. He did not like being put on the spot, even if she was taking the mickey out of him. “Why is it you’d assume I’d look for that in a woman?” he replied resentfully.

They were approaching Slughorn’s door now, and he paused, unwilling to meet her eye.

“Oh,” she replied lamely, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean-” but whatever she was going to say was interrupted by Slughorn’s booming voice.

“Severus! Miss Evans!” Professor Slughorn’s rotund figure blocked the doorway as he greeted them with a broad grin. “Professor Kennecott passed along my message, I see. Lovely, lovely.” Waddling out of the doorway, he signalled for them to follow and have a seat on his plush sofa. Severus and Lily sat down stiffly, and Severus was suddenly keenly aware of the distance that separated them.

“I wanted to speak to you about an idea that came to me last night,” the professor said. “Because of your success in brewing the Draught of Living Death, I thought it might be interesting to see how you might work together.”

Severus and Lily exchanged apprehensive looks, and neither responded. Severus didn't like the idea of having a partner, especially when he could do well enough on his own. What troubled him more was the fact that his partner would be Evans, partly because she was a Gryffindor, partly because of the company she kept, and mostly because he was dreading the reactions of the other Slytherins. He and Evans had an interesting history thus far, and most people didn't even know the half of it. He didn't want to take any more risks,either.

“There is a particular potion I’d like you to undertake,” Slughorn continued. “Veritaserum. I trust you both have heard of it?”

Snape nodded.

Lily cleared her throat. “I have, sir, but isn’t it very complicated?”

It was complicated, and needed to brew for a complete lunar cycle before it was ready. It took Severus a moment, but he realized that that was why Slughorn had asked them to his office today. There had been a full moon the night before, and if the brewing started soon, the Veritaserum would be ready on the night of the next full moon.

Veritaserum was an invaluable potion. However, if Slughorn expected them to work together, it meant spending a lot of time in each other’s company. Severus didn’t know how he felt about that.

Slughorn’s bushy eyebrows rose in disbelief. “Why Lily,” he replied, “I’m surprised you doubt your skills. I would never have asked you here had I not possessed complete faith in your abilities.” His gaze flickered to Severus. “And you too, of course, Severus.”

“I’d like to try it, sir.” Severus finally decided. Veritaserum was extremely fascinating. One tiny drop of the potion, and a person would spill his or her entire life’s secrets. The potential for extracting all sorts of information was infinite. He'd be a fool to pass this kind of opportunity up.

“Lily?” Slughorn prompted.

“Yes, sir,” Lily said after a moment, and Severus twitched. Lily appeared not to notice. “When are we supposed to begin?” she asked.

“I’ve actually done the first few steps,” Slughorn answered. “However, ingredients must be continually added as the moon goes through its phases. I will supply you with what you need during next class period.” He fingered one end of his moustache thoughtfully. “There's probably no need to remind you, but taking on this project means a lot of brewing in the evenings. I hope neither of you has a problem with that.”

“Oh, no,” Lily replied with a sigh, “I’m only taking N.E.W.T. level classes. I have loads of time. It shouldn't be a problem at all.”

Slughorn chuckled at her thinly veiled sarcasm. “As I said before, Lily, I have much faith in your capabilities.”

“You haven’t seen me when I’m drowsy,” she joked. Snape shook his head at her cheek. Slughorn certainly adored her; in fact, he seemed endlessly amused by her. It was odd, especially since he was the head of Slytherin house and she was a Muggle-born Gryffindor.

“Lily, Lily,” Slughorn sighed, pushing himself up onto his feet. “I’d love for you to stay and chat, but I have a class full of first years to attend to.” He raised his arms and waved them out the door. “I’ll see you in class soon, Severus. Lily, do stop by if you’re on patrol, will you?”

“Of course, Professor.”

They were practically swept out the door and bumped aside as Slughorn hurried to meet his first year class. Standing in his wake, Severus and Lily watched his round figure disappear and then turned to look at each other.

“Well,” Lily said with a shake of her head, “that was interesting.”

“Indeed.” Severus turned in the direction of the Common Room. He felt an odd sensation, like impending doom. “I should probably get going.”

“Me too,” she said, surveying the corridor. He nearly asked her why the Gryffindor boys were so worried about her being alone in the dungeons, but in the end, decided to say nothing. It wasn't any of his business, and he didn't want to appear concerned. She had said that she needed to be able to protect herself, anyway.

“I’ll see you later, then,” he said slowly.

“Bye, Severus,” she said with a hint of a smile. She turned and started walking quickly in the opposite direction. Her behaviour struck him as tentative--intimidated, even--though he didn’t know why. Lupin had mentioned something about her encountering some trouble, but if that were the case, and a Slytherin had been involved, Severus hadn’t heard a word of it. Of course, that seemed typical, lately.

Something made him pause to watch her, until she reached the staircase leading to the Entrance Hall. When she was halfway up, he called out to her.

“Evans!”

She turned around. “I have a first name, you know.”

He shrugged, but decided to oblige her. The sensation of her name flicking off of his tongue made him uncomfortable, but he managed. “Lily, then.”

“Yes?” She cocked her head expectantly.

“I’ll get you that spell.”

Even from this distance he could see the white gleam of her teeth as she broke into a grin. “I look forward to it,” she replied, skipping up the last few steps and disappearing into the Entrance Hall.