Always and Forever

chapter 3

Lily's pov-
I finished unpacking and went down the spiral staircase and into the common room. Potter was already sat there, in the middle of the couch, just sat staring at the roaring fire.

"Hello Potter"

"Evans!...hey" He visibly jumped so I raised an eyebrow at him quizzically and he shook his head in response. "Ready to go then?" he asked me and I nodded and began to walk towards the portrait hole. He followed me closely and sped up to match my pace when the corridor was wide enough to walk together.

"So, good summer?" Small talk. Bloody brilliant.

"You already asked me that" I pointed out bluntly. His cheeks turned pink and he looked down at the floor. I felt a sharp pain in my gut, not guilt. Why would I feel guilty? This was James Potter, he could handle some bluntness from the girl who had insulted him endlessly for 6 years, right? I had no reason to feel guilty, right? I glanced over at him, to see him still staring at the floor. I definitely felt a twinge of guilt that time. He looked up at me, just as I managed to tear my eyes away from the birds nest on his head that he called hair. I felt his eyes scanning me, searching for some kind of emotion. I kept my face hardened. I wasn't scowling but my usual smile was nowhere to be seen.

"oh...erm" James Potter, lost for words? Surely not? I looked over at him, his deep brown eyes were pooled with hurt and confusion. I decided I felt maybe a little bit guilty.

"How was your Summer?" I asked, trying to salvage the conversation and escape the awkward silence.

"Good, Sirius was loud and annoying, but he can be good company and he kept my holidays from being boring." He smiled and my features involuntarily softened. How could I stay annoyed with him?

It never seemed to be a problem before my subconscious piped up.

Yes well, he was-is an arrogant toe-rag. I defended myself to my own head.

Alright, if that's they way you want to see it.

I was snapped out of my trance by a muscular arm grabbing my own. I tensed at the touch, but when I was met with the pools of honey, I relaxed slightly.

He chuckled lightly next to me, his hand still on my arm. "You almost walked into the wall, Evans". I snatched my arm away haughtily and he continued, "can't go round ruining that pretty face of yours, can we?" I felt my cheeks redden and I looked over at him, searching for inspiration for an insult. His face was not smirking, he did not look at all sardonic. He just looked at me gently, the speck of longing returning to his eyes. I muttered my gratitude and walked through the grand doors, into the great hall. The hall was lit up with laughter and chattering students. Excited for the new school year. I slid into my seat, in between Black and Marlene. Potter slid in opposite me, next to Alice and Lupin.

"So Lils, hows it goingggg?" Marlene asked, nudging me in the ribs as she dragged out the "g".

"How's what going?" I returned, her eyes sparkled and I regretted the words instantly.

"Oh, you know, just my favourite people sharing a room," I shot daggers at her and returned to my mashed potatoes. James laughed from over the table, I stared sourly at my mash, not willing to pry my eyes away.

"Yes Lilikins, how does it feel to be in such close proximity to Prongsie all the time?" I turned to Black, giving him a sharp kick under the table. When I didn't respond, Potter did.

"It's good, the common room is really nice. You guys are welcome anytime" Everyone seemed satisfied at his answer and it had diffused some awkwardness for me. I shot him a small smile, which he returned, before immersing myself into a conversation with Alice.

We were talking about Frank when Mcgonagall came to hand us our new timetables. We all thanked her and I turned to the girls to epot the classes we had together. I had DADA, potions, charms and transfiguration with the marauders and the girls. I had ancient runes with Remus and herbology with Alice. Lessons started on Monday and it was now Thursday. We had four days to get settled in. I looked round to the girls as they chatted about boys. Mary kept looking wistfully at Remus and I made a mental note to ask her about it later. I stifled a yawn and announced my departure.
The girls all said goodnight to me and the boys smiled at me.

I turned and walked away from the bustle of the hall and down towards the kitchens. You had to pass through the dungeons to get to the portrait hole, so I felt for my wand to make the darkness go away. I tapped my robes, gradually getting more and more forceful when I couldn't locate my wand. Oh merlin, I'd left it in the common room, or maybe it was in the great hall. I continued to walk towards the common room, the darkness consuming me. I saw a flicker of light at the end of the corridor, and recognised it as someone's wand. I walked towards it, grateful to be able to see where I was going. As I neared the light source, I recognised the face behind it. Severus.

"Lily, I need to talk to you" I glared at him and opened my mouth to retort, when he added "It's important". The urgency in his voice made me stunned for a second, he took advantage of this by grabbing my wrist and pulling me into a broom closet. He locked the door behind us. I snatched my arm away forcefully, not caring about the hurt behind his eyes.

"What do you want Se-Snape?" I sighed, rubbing the wrist he had grabbed pointedly. He noticed and grimaced slightly.

"It's about Potter"

"What about him?"

"I know that you're spending more and more time with him in that common room of yours, but you can't do that." I stared at him, shocked. It was the first day, the total amount of time i'd spent in my room was unpacking.

"Lils, hear me out," He stated, I flinched at the nickname.

"You lost the right to call me that when you said what you said" I sneered at him. I looked into his dark black eyes and recognised a longing in them. It was not the same look James had, he looked greedy. Like he wanted me all for himself.

"Lily listen. Bad things will happen if you go there with him. He's bad news Lils. He's not what he appears to be. He hasn't changed." I stared at him open mouthed, he continued "Lily, the more time you spend with that arrogant git, the more danger you are putting yourself in. Come with me Lily, we can be together forever, we can be safe if you just come with me." He was almost begging now, I turned away from him, crossing my arms over my chest defensively.

"Never" was all I said before his face contorted into something different. He looked menacing now.

"I tried to stop you getting hurt, Lily. If you won't listen to me this way, maybe we'll have to make you." I glared at him, waiting for his next move. I braced myself for the slimy lips that I thought were about to come crashing into mine. He looked at me distastefully and twirled his wand between his fingers. "Crucio" he whispered.

The pain overtook me, knives twisting and turning at every point of my body. I bit down on my lip, drawing blood but not allowing the screams to escape my body. I fell limply to the floor and he bent down beside me.

"Change your mind yet?" I shook my head, unable to speak. He sighed and said, more confidently this time "crucio".

I couldn't stop the screams escaping my bloodied lips now as the pain attacked my already weak body. I screamed and thrashed, trying desperately to find a release from the torture.

He knelt down, placing a hand on my thigh. I couldn't speak, I didn't have the energy to remove his hand as it slowly edged closer to the top of my leg. He moved his face so his lips were just centimetres away from mine. His hand was still roaming, almost reaching my knickers. He kissed me roughly, his wet lips colliding with my chapped ones. Adrenaline kicked in and I managed to slap him across the face roughly. His hand was on my knickers now, his other one place strategically on my chest, stopping me from moving.

"Get away from me" I whispered helplessly. He shook his head, murmuring something about not wanting it to get to this. He looked into my face one last time, before pointing his wand at me.

"Sectumsempra" he whispered, closing his eyes in focus. I screamed a final time before I blacked out, in a broom cupboard with Snape's hand on my bra. He had removed his other hand in order to cast the curse. That was the last thing I remembered.