Chapter Text
Lily was walking down the corridor when she felt the unmistakable presence of Severus Snape trailing behind her. She stopped abruptly, causing him to bump into her. She rolled her eyes as she turned around to face him. They were friends, yes, but did he have to follow her everywhere?
“Oh, sorry Lily”.
“No problem. Where are you going?” she asked.
“I was trying to find you, actually. I wanted if you managed to finish your potions essay” he said.
“Yes, I did”.
“That’s good! I told you I could’ve helped, though”.
“Severus, it’s fine, I got an O”.
“Wow, that’s wonderful!”
“Are you surprised that I got an O writing it myself?”
“Well, Slughorn has always liked you, so I guess not”.
“Excuse me?”
Snape realised what he’d said, and stumbled through his words trying to explain it.
“I mean, erm, you’re a really good student, so he… has reason to like you, you know?”
“Sure. I have to get to class now, see you later”.
“Yeah”, Snape said, slouching his shoulders. “See you later”.
Lily walked away, not looking back. She had transfiguration next. She found Mary sitting on a bench by the classroom.
“Hey”, Mary said. “Where have you been?”
“I was talking to Sev”, Lily replied.
“Oh, not again” Mary whined.
“What do you mean? He’s my friend”.
“He’s awful, Lily. To you too, just less. I can’t believe you haven’t noticed it by now”.
So maybe he was annoying sometimes. A bit rude. But he was still a good person, and Lily’s best friend. There was nothing wrong with talking to him.
“I think you’re wrong”.
“Lils, he goes around calling people mudbloods!”
“What?” Lily gasped in astonishment.
“All the time. He calls me that, too. He doesn’t say it to you because he likes you, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s horrible”.
Lily’s face fell. She didn’t have a retort to that – if it was true, there was nothing she could say. If it was true, her best friend was a bad person. If it was true, he hated her, she hated what she was. A terrible feeling rooted itself in her stomach.
He was hanging out with the other Slytherins too much, they were having a bad effect on him. Yeah, it was just that. A simple explanation. She would talk to him, and it would be fine. He didn’t actually believe those things – it wouldn’t make any sense.
Lily sat next to Mary in transfiguration, and although she has seemingly forgotten about the conversation, Lily had not. It was illogical – why would Severus be friends with her if he believed in all that pureblood nonsense?
***
That evening, Lily sat next to Remus at dinner. She had known about his “condition” since fourth year – they were now in sixth, and her knowing about it had brought them closer. She considered him one of her closest friends, now.
“Hello Lily”, he said as she sat down. “Had a good day?”
“Yes”, she lied, smiling.
He smiled back and turned to his plate – he was always hungry around the full moon.
Lily caught Severus staring at them from the other table, his eyes fixed on Remus. Lily got a falling feeling in her gut – did he know? Or was he staring for another reason? She decided to push the questions down. Even if he knew about Remus being a werewolf, he wouldn’t do anything rash.
Towards the end of the meal, Lily asked Remus to pass her a treacle tart. His fingers brushed briefly over hers as the dish changed hands. At that moment, Lily felt Snape staring again. What was his problem?
He stood up and began walking over to the Gryffindor table. Remus didn’t seem to notice and continued talking to Lily – they had been chatting about the homework McGonagall had set them. She smiled and nodded along, the words not quite reaching her as she saw Severus approaching.
“Why don’t you leave her alone, prick”.
“Severus!” Lily called, astounded. “We’re just talking”.
Snape ignored her, gaze set on Remus.
“Stay away from her you weirdo. Don’t want her getting infected by anything you may have”.
Remus’ face went from annoyance to fear in a split second.
“Don’t you dare”, he said in a low tone.
“Come on Lily, you should sit with me”, Snape said, scowling. I can see he’s being pushy”.
“He isn’t!” Lily insisted. “What is your problem, Sev? You’ve been so weird recently”.
“Well sorry for looking out for you!”
“I am completely fine over here. If anyone should be sitting somewhere else, it’s you. Those Slytherins are having a bad effect on you”.
“You’re joking”, Snape scoffed. “You’re being brainwashed by these tossers, Lily. Come on, sit with me”.
“No!”
At that point, Barty stood up. He had apparently been watching the whole exchange from the Slytherin table.
“Oi, Snape, leave her be. Come back here, I need your potions homework”.
“But she’s-”
“Leave her alone. You’re the one being a creep now”.
Severus sighed quietly, shoulders falling. He stalked back over to the Slytherin table.
Lily nodded thankfully at Barty. He saved her from a conversation she really didn’t want to have. He nodded back, a slight smirk wandering over his lips.
As all of the students were filing out of the Great Hall, Lily felt a hand catching her shoulder. She swatted at it, thinking it was Severus bothering her again, but as her hand hit the other person’s she felt a cool piece of metal under her fingers. A ring. She turned, knowing that Severus didn’t wear any. She was standing face to face with Barty Crouch jr.
“Oh. Hi?” she said, unsure of what he wanted.
“Hey”, he said, lowering his hand. “I noticed Snape has been being weirder than usual recently”.
“Yeah”, Lily scoffed. “That’s thanks to you”.
Barty’s face twisted. “No, I don’t think so”.
“Oh really? He’s been more of an ass, a trait you just happen to possess”.
“Fair. But he’s not just being mean, he’s being controlling and creepy”.
“So?” Lily asked. “Get to your point, Crouch”.
“Well, I think he fancies you”, Barty said, “and it’s just manifesting in the worst way possible”.
Lily looked at Barty blankly. She had always been somewhat aware of Severus’ feelings for her, but it had never affected their friendship.
“And what do you suggest I do about that? Go out with him?”
“Oh Merlin, no. Of course not. I think you should go out with someone else. Show him that you’re not available”.
“I’ll take that into consideration”, she said. “I’ve known him for a lot longer than you have, though, so I suggest you stay out of it”.
Barty grinned. “Sure. Have a good day, Evans”.