Never Ending Surprises (Marauders era love story)

Make believe

I had to knock on the door three times before it opened and I was met with a broad smile and a sweeping cloak. 

"Afternoon Miss Hennessy, what can I do you for?" 

"Hi Professor" I cleared my throat, tapping anxiously on the doorway, " Well, I was just wondering, because of my, um, lacking grades, if perhaps I could get some extra tutoring?"

"Ahh yes" Professor Slughorn nodded his head solemnly, "Of course, Professor McGonagall was just down here in fact! Telling me you wanted to be a doctor? Yes yes, what a fine choice, well what about Thursday afternoons, you have free periods during that time do you not?"

"Yes, yes I do, thank you sir" I smiled and he waved me off down the hallway. Getting my grades back up part 1. I mentally crossed it off and headed towards the Gryffindor commonroom, where Professor McGonagall's office lay. 

I barely touched the door when it swung open to reveal beady green eyes watching me closely.

"You look better" She said bluntly, letting me in and closing the door behind me. 

"What can I do for you Miss Hennessy?" She sat down and leant forward on her desk chair, her beady eyes almost perpetually narrowed.

"Well um, since I need to be getting better grades and such before the end of the year, I was wondering if you could maybe give me some extra work"

"Some extra work?" She raised her eyebrows and went quiet for a moment. Finally she reached beside her and opened an old wooden drawer, placing a stack of papers in front of me.

"Due next week, is that all?" I nodded my head and smiled widely at her pursed lips before walking out of the office, mumbling about not being able to close the door cause no hands. 

I walked down the corridor, leafing through the mountainous amount of work she had just given me when I suddenly hit something hard. I looked up too late as I began to fall but two arms grabbed me and pulled me back up to a more stable position. I blinked a few times before I realized that I was staring into the eyes of none other than Severus Snape. 

"Um thanks" I muttered, averting my eyes to where my papers had fell, sitting down to pick them all up. Snape didn't move or speak as I gathered my things and stood up again. 

"What are you doing around here? You are literally asking to be hexed by Sirius or James you know" 

"I was looking for you actually" He drawled, eyes unmoving. I narrowed my eyes.

"Why..." I spoke slowly, suspicious of his motives. It wasn't that I particularly disliked Snape, though future him treats Harry terribly, but I couldn't quite bring myself to trust him.

"Professor Slughorn has assigned me to be your tutor, it appears that you are... behind..."  He smirked and I scowled at him.

"Glad you seem so enthused about it" 

"Yes well, thursday afternoons, potions room. And don't be late" and with that he was gone, sweeping down the hallway and out of sight before I could put in another word. 

I sighed slightly, stepping backwards and back towards the portrait of the fat lady, collapsing on the couch, the fire warming me up from the inside out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~James~

"I just want to help" Lily muttered softly into my side, her head resting softly on my shoulder. The courtyard was almost empty, littered only with few moving back into the castle and others whispering softly in corners, sleeping on benches. It was a cold day. A sharp breeze blew through me and I shivered involuntarily, smirking slightly as Lily moved in closer in response.