Marauder era oneshots

Boy in a Billion

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It had been two years since Severus and Lily had fallen out. They had been closer than siblings but now Lily wouldn't even spare him a glance. All Evans acted as if he had never been in their life at all except Charles. Charlie had always loved his sisters endlessly, but he had been a slightly bit jealous of Lily and Severus' closeness. After they had fought, Charlie still maintained close contact to the other boy. Whether it was by sending him letter using Lily's owl or by sneaking out to see him in summer. He had wanted to tell Lily but was afraid of her reaction. Not to the fact that he liked a boy, rather to what boy he had laid his eye on. Lily and Charlie used to tell each other everything. They had been so close to each other until Lily left for Hogwarts. Then there started to be things she didn't think were important enough to tell. But these things happened to be the little details that mattered. Charlie didn't know about the rivalry between James and Lily until after they had started to get closer. And even then, he was told by Severus. He hadn't believed it at first, that the sister who he was so closed with was keeping things from him. He had been wanting to tell her about the little fancy (hardcore crush) he had on Severus. So, he decided to pursue his hearts desire and tell his sister when he absolutely had to, so, hopefully not soon.

Severus and Charlie have been meeting up in the park every morning when Charlie has gone out for his "run". Lily and Petunia are totally in the dark about their little brother's endeavours. Today is one of those days. Charlie approaches the bench under the large willow in a relaxed jog. Severus is already sitting there, nervously fiddling with his hands. He is worrying his lower lip with his teeth. A habit Charlie has noticed and finds extremely endearing. "Hey Sev!", he exclaims, pulling the other boy out of his thoughts. "Oh, hey Charles.", Severus replies. Charlie shudders. "How many times have I told you to call me Charlie?" Severus just shrugs and pats the bench. Charlie rolls his eyes and sits down. "So, what's new?", he asks the other boy. "With me?", Severus asks the ginger, "Nothing." Charlie just looks at him and tries to read in his eyes. Severus has always been a secretive person and, lately, he seems to be a bit off. "Sev, is something wrong?", Charlie asks cautiously. "Uh, no...Yes, ok. I...", Severus stutters his uncertain response. Charlie just lays a hand on the other boy's shoulder. "Sev, you know you can tell me anything right? So go ahead.", he encourages. Severus just shakes his head energetically. "Severus Tobias Snape. I can't help you if you don't tell me what's bothering you!", Charlie says. Severus looks up at him, shocked at the vehemence in hi voice. "You want me to tell you? Ok! Here goes...well, you see, I really like you. But I understand if you don't feel the same and even if you did, we couldn't be together because I wouldn't want to come between you and your sister. And even if you were willing to risk it, I am not even good enough for you. I know I should have kept it to myself and just tried to get over you. Now I don't know...", Severus rants. "Sev, you're rambling. Please catch a breath and listen, okay?", Charlie interrupts. Severus looks up and sees that Charlie is smiling and hasn't removed his hand from his shoulder. The older boy starts to get hopeful at this small display of affection or at least understanding and companionship. "Look, I like you too, okay? In fact, I love you.", Charlie responds. Severus goes to say it back but Charlie lays a finger over his lips. "Don't say it back until you really mean it okay. 'Love ain't something you can rush.'" Severus nods. That is when it hits them. "How are we going to tell Lily!", they say at once. They look at each other and start giggling before all the mirth leaves as quick as it has come. Charlie seems to consider the issue at hand for a second. "I think I just have to talk to her.", he says. Severus nods. Charlie takes a glance at his watch. "Goodness gracious!", he yells, "I'm going to be late." He squeezes Severus into a tight hug and starts to run back waving goodbye. Severus waves back with a small smile on his face.

Back at home, Lily is sitting in the living room going over her homework for the summer. "Hey Lils, can I talk to you?", Charlie asks carefully. "Yeah sure.", she says without taking her nose out of the book. Charlie shuffles over to her. "Lily, this is kinda important to me, so, could you put the book down for a second?", he asks. "Oh, yeah, sorry.", she says before snapping the cover shut and turning to face Charlie. "So, well, uh, I think I am gay.", he says. He looks down at the floor. Let's see how she reacts to the first part of his big announcement. If she doesn't accept him, there is no need for him to go any further. Lily just looks at him and laughs. "I'm glad you finally realised. Just so you know, you are the last one to know!", she giggles. Charlie looks at her. "What?" Lily just keeps on giggling. "Charlie, you were never interested in any girls. I mean, you couldn't have cared less. I saw the way that one girl from your school, what was her name? Chloe? Threw herself at you. And you didn't even spare her a glance." Charlie looked like he had just seen a frog fly by. He knew Lily was observative but not this much! "Soooo, anyone catch your eye?", Lily asked wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. "Yes, actually. That was the other thing I wanted to tell you. You see, I am not sure you are going to like this.", he started. Lily just slightly cocked her head to the side. "If you like him, I am sure I can get along with him.", Lily says. "I think I'm in love with Sev.", he drops the bomb. Lily just looks at her brother. "Him! Seriously.", she asks. Charlie just nods. "Why him. Out of all the boys! 'He's one in a billion'.", she says. "Lily, I know you had a disagreement, but can you try and work with me here?", Charlie pleads. "It wasn't just a disagreement. And you might be forgetting how close we were before that. 'It's hard to call him stranger after that.'", Lily counters. "Well, now he loves me.", Charlie says. Lily just shakes her head. 'I hate how he's one in a billion. How he loved ME a million times again.' Lily says. "Lily, he loved you as a sister. A best friend! You always said that. Has that Potter twisted your opinions or something!", Charlie yells, slightly annoyed at his sister's behaviour. His sister looks taken aback. "That's right, I know about Potter. And do you know who had to tell me?! My own sister won't tell me something like that!" Lily just smiles sadly. "Look, Severus, he... 'I'm glad I loved someone who loved the way he did.'", she says. Charlie sobers up a bit. He walk towards his sister and hugs her. "I'm sorry Lils, it's just, I wish you would trust me more. And, I don't understand why you can't forgive Sev." Lily hugs her brother tightly and answers. "'Although some days are bitter', I made my decision and 'I would never be a quitter.'" Charlie looks at her. "'Not for him?'" Lily shakes her head. "He made his decision and I made mine." Charlie looks lost for words. "Charlie, I will not tell you to stop dating him or something or to get over him. I am here for you, and I always will be. I just can't forgive him, okay? I accept your relationship and I'm fine with it.", Lily explains. Charlie just hugs his sister. He pulls back. "'It's just my beginning.'", Charlie says. "I will still be alive even if it doesn't work out. Lily looks at him. "Remember 'at the end of the day, he's just a boy in a billion'." Charlie smiles at her. "'But it could never be a mistake.'", Lily just nods. "Charlie, love is never a mistake. Never, ok?" Charlie nods and smiles at his sister. "Let's order some pizza and watch a movie, ok?", Charlie suggests. Lily grins and nods. Her little brother knows her too well. In the Evans family, after every successfully overcome argument, a celebration is in order. Whether it be a fancy family dinner after a huge fight with the whole family taking sides or a movie night after a little disagreement. So, Charlie calls the little Italian Pizza restaurant in town and asks for two pepperoni pizzas one with jalapeños. He grabs two cokes out of the fridge. When the doorbell rings, he gets up and pays the delivery guy, making sure to give him a generous tip. He sets the two pizzas on the coffee table and hands Lily a coke. "What movie do you want to watch?", he asks her. "I don't care you choose.", she replies. They end up watching Titanic. Every argument is best forgotten with a slice of pizza in one hand, a soft drink in the other and the mind totally focussed on a movie.