1977

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns the Harry Potter franchise, don't sue us :(

"So, what are you doing this weekend, Sev?" Lily Evans chirped, leaning on her best friend Severus Snape as they chatted under a small myrtle tree.

"Nothing. As usual, Lily," he sighed. "Homework. Brooding. Potions. Avoiding Avery and Mulciber."

Lily frowned, her emerald eyes darkening like clouds going over the sun. But she still looked so beautiful-

No! Bad thoughts, Severus! the Slytherin growled silently. You will not think about your best friend like that- and ruin what might be your only true friendship- even if she is pretty and nice and sweet...

"Severus!" Lily pouted, poking him in the side. "I said your name five times, Severus! What are you thinking about so deeply?"

"You- I mean Potions! Your skill in Potions!" he blurted, pale face darkening to a deep red. 

"Severus..."

"I was! Really! Like really really!"

Lily sighed. "Severus, come on! You keep on stuttering and denying things when you talk to me lately. What's wrong?"

"It's sensitive, Lily," he snapped. "Please... just stop."

"Why?" she challenged, emerald eyes sparking with defiance. "I promise, Sev, I'll still be your friend. I swear it, on my honor as a witch."

"Really? After all I've done? After all this time, you still like me?"

"Always."

Severus let out the breath he hadn't known he was holding. He was trying not to break down, because what he was going to do would make him or break him. "I..." 

He swallowed the fear he had, and blurted out with a flash of very Gryffindor courage, "I like you a lot and think you're pretty and sweet and nice and clever and amazing and please don't kill me for thinking so-"

"You like me?" Lily repeated faintly.

"Yes..." he trailed off. Great going, Severus! Now you've done it!

"I was hoping that you would say so!" she squealed. "Honestly? I've liked you since third year. Three whole years, Sev. Years!"

His eyes widened, jaw dropping almost comically. 

"Come on, Sev! Let's go to Hogsmeade! It can be our first date!" Lily cheered. 

Severus allowed himself to be dragged off by the overenthusiastic Gryffindor, still gaping in disbelief.

Did I just get a girlfriend?!

-Line Break-

Lily Evans was having the time of her life. Finally, finally, Sev had said he liked her! Her Sev, with raven-black hair, his dark eyes with so much depth to them, even a too-large nose which made him all the more imperfectly perfect.

Gods, she loved him so much.

Severus Snape, the boy who had consoled her when her sister called her a freak. The boy who she had grown up with. The boy she had grown to love.

The only one who understood her- her best friend, her boyfriend, her Severus.

She put her head on his shoulder, mumbling, "I love you." She had dragged him to the Three Broomsticks, the Book Wyvern (her favourite bookstore), even Honeydukes (because chocolate).

 That was worth a thousand Butterbeers to her, and also Severus.

Of course, did it last? No.

She had just pulled Severus into a little corner, and was about to kiss him when-

Jason Avery and Abraham Mulciber, considered two of the most bigoted bigots in Hogwarts, turned a corner and saw them, their eyes lighting with a cruel gleam as they stalked over to the new couple.

"Oi, Snape," Mulciber snarled, almost childish in his brash cruelty. "Hanging around with your ickle Mudblood girlfriend again, are you? A little... muddy, aren't we, widdle Snapey? How freakish. But I wouldn't put this past your sick little mind."

"Like you're one to talk, Mulciber," Lily retorted, not missing a beat as she snorted in disbelief. "You're the one being snogged by Avery at least ten times a day- that does show a problem with your brain, you know, an addiction to pleasure. You've been caught by McGonagall at least a thousand times, for gods' sake!"

"Shut your dirty mouth, you Mudblooded excuse for a real witch!" Mulciber snarled back, spittle flying from his mouth as he bared yellow teeth. "I'm going to bloody kill you-"

"Scourgify!" Severus roared. "I think you need to wash your mouth a little, filth- courtesy of James Potter." He smirked, internally laughing at the idiotic Slytherin who was literally foaming at the mouth.

Avery gasped girlishly at the sight of his choking boyfriend, then dragged Mulciber away before the furious boy could retaliate and do something illegal... although he did hiss, "This isn't the last of it, filthy Mudblood! And you, Snape, you traitor to Salazar Slytherin... watch out!"

As soon as they left, Lily collapsed into Severus' arms, silently sobbing, even as her boyfriend murmured sweet reassurances into her ear. "W-why?" she asked in a choking whisper. "Why?"

Severus growled at the mere thought of the two. "It's just the way they are, Lily. Ignore them. They know nothing," he hissed. "If they ever hurt you, Lily, just say the word and I'll murder them. Slowly and painfully!"

Even as she cried, she threw her arms around him, crying from happiness or anger or sadness or pain, she didn't know. Their lips met in a desperate kiss, leaning into each other with a painful need, passion and love and pain and rage meeting all at once.

Even after the kiss, they stayed in the embrace, just standing there and soaking in the feel of the other. A perfect little picture of love.

Well, for that moment, anyway.

Because their lives were messed up. But that was fine. Just fine.

They had each other, after all, and that was all they needed.

A/N: YES MY WRITING IS SAPPY OKAY DEAL WITH IT Y'ALL