Chapter Text
“So, are you coming?”
James Potter glanced at Severus Snape with a strange look, and the Slytherin couldn’t help but reply with the same kind of glare. It was two in the morning, and he was not expecting Potter in the Slytherin common room.
“How did you enter?” Severus asked again. It was -at least- the third time. He had to close the book he was currently reading in order to pay attention to the Gryffindor, and the annoyance adorning his pale (and sleepy, thought James) face was more than evident.
“I’ve already told you!” James exclaimed impatiently and made a striking gesture, “So?”
“I’m not,” Severus replied simply. He was not going to spend Christmas Eve with Potter and his stupid friends, not after six and a half years of throwing curses at each other, “Now, please, if you excuse me…” Added in a monotone voice, looking extremely stoic, he was about to open his book again when he heard James’ dreary sigh.
The boy was trying to think of something that would make Severus change his mind. Still, he had already tried everything, from “It’s not a trap!” to “I really want to make up for all these years, come,” but each explanation made Snape more reluctant. However, when James was about to leave, an idea shined in his mind, making him smirk. Severus grabbed his wand promptly, unsure of Potter’s actions until he heard him.
“Lily’s there too. She wants to see you.”
Severus’s wand fell onto the floor without him noticing. The room’s coldness didn’t seem to matter anymore.
“I’m serious,” James repeated, trying not to sound too bitter but failing miserably for looking between itchy and hopeful.
“Really?” Severus asked, anxious, “If you’re lying to me, I swear to Merlin, Potter, I’m really going to become a death eater and kill you and all your fucking friends.”
“So you are…!”
“No, I’m not! But I will if you keep pushing me!”
They were quiet for a moment. Severus knew that thanks to Potter’s arrogance and perseverance, he had talked too much.
“I’m going. But if this is a lie...” Severus kept a wary expression as he talked.
“It won’t be, I promise” The fire from the fireplace was lighting James’ face, and Severus couldn’t help but stare at his smug smile.
Severus followed James through the castle until they finally reached Fat Lady’s portrait. Then, after mentioning the password, he eventually encountered Gryffindor's common room.
He had never been there before; everything seemed so full of color, so warm. The dim light from the fireplace was over them, and it took him a second to finally register the marauder’s presence. Black’ eyes were examining him entirely, and he noticed how Remus was trying very hard to smile and keep a good atmosphere despite Sirius’ look. He was starting to regret his decision when Lily appeared from the girl’s room, and they both stared at each other for a long moment. Nobody spoke a word, not even Sirius, who had wanted to say something since Severus arrived.
Lily dared to speak first.
“I’m glad to see you.”
She smiled a little, it was almost not visible, but Severus knew it was there.
“Me too” He relaxed a little.
“WELL!” Jame’s voice sounded too harsh for himself, “We’re all here to play truth or dare so--”
“Wait, you told me it was just a meeting,” Severus interrupted.
“Oh, did I?”
“You fucking--”
“Guys, guys!” Lily shouted quickly to stop any fight, “Listen, Sn—Severus, I know this is an idiotic game,” She said, looking over Sirius and James with a frown, “but I lost a dare, so…”
Severus wanted to disappear as soon as possible. The whole situation hurt his stomach, but seeing Lily there-- after so many months of isolation, how could he?
“No… I’m… staying,” He said quietly, reconsidering every word.
“Great!”
Sirius wanted to punch his friend right away.