I wrote this after Deathly Hallows so there are very minor spoilers in it, but still, if you have not read it, it would be wise to stay away.
Many thank yous to Elaine, who fixed my numerous typos and made this one-shot a lot better.
Disclaimer: I own the ideas, not the characters. Those belong to the amazing JK Rowling.
Here we go!
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The water splashed up into the boat from the lake, the breezed kissed the back of her neck. The mixture of the two cooled her nerves and restored her confidence.
Someone tapped her shoulder, she turned around to see Severus looking at her, pointing to the castle. "See?" he said "It's just like I told you." The boat drifted closer and Severus gripped her fingertips. "This is the beginning of the rest of our lives, Lily." A scraggly haired boy, the same boy who had been in their compartment on the Hogwarts Express, caste Snape a look of utter disgust.
Lily smiled back to Severus. She could tell that he knew the sincerity in her face was lacking because he recoiled his hand from her. Lily couldn't help it, even after he had apologized on the train about what he said about Tuney, he still had said it. Lily looked away from him. A look of satisfaction crept onto the face of the straggly haired boy, and he started into a deep conversation with another boy next to him.
The boats came to a halt on the edge of the water. Both boys, Severus and the boy in the front of the boat, jumped out to help Lily out of the boat by offering their hands. She hesitated for a moment than took both. The scraggly haired boy swung her around as soon as her feet touched the ground. Severus stood there in shock when he saw Lily's smile of delight. He stalked off toward the front of the line of students filing into the Great Hall.
The boy spun her around again and held her in his arms. "I don't believe we've met."
Lily shook him off. "No, I don't think we have." she said, laughing.
"James," he said, bending down low. "James Potter."
Lily looked at him for a moment. "I'll keep that in mind." She started walking after Severus.
James called after her "What? No name?"
Lily stopped at the entrance and giggled. "Lily Evans!" she screamed back at him before skipping into the Hall.
The other boy in the boat walked to James' side "Damn..." he said rummaging in his pockets.
James smirked at him. "I told you I could get a name, Sirius."
Sirius slapped a Galleon into James' hand. "Double or nothing?" He asked.
James laughed and thumping his new found friend on the back "Why not?" he said "There was more than one boat on this lake." The two boys laughed and walked together up to the Hall.
***********
The night happened too fast for Lily to remember. The only snippets of the night that she could remember was that she had been sorted into Gryffindor, much to Severus' dislike, and James had tried to catch her eye all night until he succeeded and winked at her. Then Severus had grabbed her in the hall after the feast and yelled at her for 'jeopardizing their friendship' by talking to James. She had been so mad that she screamed back that it was his fault if their friendship was indeed in trouble because of the way he treated her sister. Severus had no defense and Lily had stormed away.
It was nearly a week after that night now, and Lily had still not spoken to Severus, even though he had tried to talk to her in the halls before and after class and at lunch. Lily had always managed to slip away.
There was a more pressing matters on her mind, so Severus could wait.
She had remembered one other thing about her first night at Hogwarts, Dumbledore had stood up and told them that if they ever had a problem, his doors were open. Lily had taken those words to heart.
Lily felt obligated to try her best to get her sister in, even if Petunia didn't want it and Lily didn't believe in her chances of success. She still had to try, she said she would.
She found Dumbledore after lunch and he had told her to come to his office at 6 o'clock PM.
At 5:45 Lily wondered up to his office, the gargoyle that was normally there had already moved to the side.
She climbed up the stairs and knocked on the door.
"Come in, come in!" called a voice from within.
She opened the door and saw him sitting behind his desk "Hello, sir." said Lily as she closed the door behind her.
Dumbledore smiled at her. "Good to see you, Lily. Take a seat." He motioned to the chair in front of the desk.
She walked forward and sat down. Dumbledore put his paperwork away and leaned forward to give Lily his fullest attention. "Good first week of school?"
Between the trouble with Severus, deciding on her feelings for James, and getting taunted about both from the other Gryffindor girls, it had been horrible. She contemplated her answer. "Well, I've had better weeks."
Dumbledore laughed in understanding. "Hogwarts will grow on you." He said "I'm guessing that it's been so bad, you had to come to me?"
"No," said Lily "no, actually. I'm here because of my sister, Petunia."
Dumbledore just looked at her for a moment before responding. “Did she not tell you about the letter I sent her?"
Lily felt like he knew what had happened between her, Petunia and Severus. "I... well... no. But I know you sent her one."
"Glad you decided on honesty." Dumbledore said, inclining his head. "Petunia and I have talked about it and I think she would prefer to stay where she is rather than come to Hogwarts. She didn't tell you that either?"
"Err... I kind of guessed that, but I still had to try."
"Love for your sister and her well-being, even after she's fought with you." said Dumbledore "An admirable trait Lily, very admirable indeed."
Lily wasn't sure where the complement had come from and was befuddled. "Thank you?" The expression must have read on her face.
Dumbledore smiled. "Love, Lily. It's a very complex, but powerful thing. It takes many people a lifetime to understand. For your age, you are far ahead of most people in the understanding of love. I applaud you, it's hard to deal with the power of love, Lily. You understand what to do with it very well. That trait will serve you well, do not lose it or underestimate it."
Lily was still unsure of what Dumbledore was talking about. "I will try, Professor."
Dumbledore grinned. "Petunia will be fine, I would not worry about her. She is jealous, yes, but she will get over it with time."
Lily felt reassured and stood up. "Thank you for your time."
Dumbledore stood up as well and shook her hand. "You may have it whenever you need it." he said.
Lily walked out of the room and wandered through the hallways. Her head was not sure where her feet were taking her. She was thinking of what Dumbledore had told her. She had gone to him because of her sister and he had told her something completely random. What did he mean by it? What did he know?
She snapped back to reality and looked up, there was someone in front of her. "Remus?"
The boy in crossing in front of her with a slight limp turned around.
"Lily," he said. "what're you doing here?"
"I was talking to Dumbledore." Lily fully looked at Lupin and realized his clothes were ragged and he looked terrible and sickly. "Something wrong?" she added.
Lupin grasped the wall for support. Lily ran to his side, afraid he would collapse. "Come on, Remus, I'm taking you to the hospital wing."
Lupin was breathing heavy and clutching his side in pain. "No..." He said in between gasps. "Must go... outside... to... Womping Willow..."
Lily was scared. She didn't know what was wrong with him. "Remus, no. You're not thinking right. You're sick, come on."
"NO!" Cried Lupin, still through rasping breaths. He was getting weaker by the second. "The Willow... quickly... no questions... I'll explain... later..."
Lily was caught between her instinct to take Lupin to the hospital wing and Lupin's desperate desire to go outside, which was crazy. "Remus..."
"QUICKLY!!" He screamed at her.
Lily struggled with herself. He seemed sane enough to decide this. She had to trust him. "Alright, fine." She went as fast as she could with Remus draped on her shoulder. He had begun to shake by the time the reached the foot of Hogwarts. Lily could barely support him.
"Remus," she said, longing for a response. "Remus? Talk to me, Remus." Lupin shook his head and started running as fast as he could away from her. Lily tried to follow. He looked back at her and shrieked "NO! STAY WHERE YOU ARE!" His eyes looked insane, mad. Lily was frozen in fright. Lupin pointed toward the sky and continued on his warpath toward the willow.
Lily looked to where he pointed. It was a full moon.
"Oh my God." Whispered Lily. "He's a werewolf."
She stood where she was for a very long time. She just stood there in shock, she couldn't believe it.
A howl struck her out of her trance and she realized she was out of bed after hours.
She ran back to the castle and made her way into the Great Hall.
"Lily?" The whisper was as low as a hiss.
Fearing the worse, she jumped backward.
A greasy haired boy stalked out from the shadows. "What are you doing down here?"
Here heart was racing. "Severus! Don't scare me like that!" Lily would've yelled the words at him, but she was fully aware of her circumstances and had to settle for a harsh whisper.
He just shrugged. "Look, Lily," he said "the reason I wanted to talk to you before was because I wanted to apologize. I should not have said those things."
Lily was surprised, this wasn't what she would've expected from him, but felt gratified that he had said it. "Thank you, Severus, I'm glad you think that. I want to apologize to."
Snape half-smiled when they heard footsteps coming down the hall. "Quick!" he hissed at her. He grabbed her and and she followed.
The nearest place to hide was a broom cupboard, Lily jumped in first and Snape squished in after her and closed the door.
They were so close that Lily had to rest her head on Snape's shoulder. Severus could feel how afraid she was, but nothing scared him anymore. They stood there, Lily frightened and scared of whoever was on the other side of the door, Severus calm and collected.
The footsteps died down and Lily managed to look up at him. "I think they're gone." she said.
Snape looked down. "You better get back to your common room then." he whispered softly into her ear as he opened the door to let her out. "I'll see you in the morning."
Lily hopped out and smiled. "Yes, yes you will, Severus." She started walking back to Gryffindor Tower.
Snape was satisfied.
The End.
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