Chapter Text
Severus and Lily became a thing over summer between the fourth and fifth year. It started out a bit awkward, but that's what expect of two fifteen-year-olds who are just only discovering themselves in life. They both needed time to adjust and figure everything out.
They just had a mutual crush on each other, even if they showed it completely differently, they understood one another like nobody else could. It all started on a sunny day on the start of their break. It was all initially by Lily, she was always the confident one, as Severus himself would never dare do anything of that sort on his own accord.
They were lying under their usual tree in the park near Spinner’s End, the grass warm beneath them, the air smelling faintly of river water and sun‑heated stone. They talked the way they always did: about classes, magic, Petunia, what shops and places open while they were stuck at Hogwarts, basically everything and anything. Just enjoying their time together.
But Lily kept drifting closer.
It happened slowly, Severus for once relaxed enough that he didn't even notice she was inching towards him, until her shoulder brushed his as well as her knee knocking his. In a span of a second he became hyper aware of how near she was. In an instant he just froze. He didn’t dare move. His eyes were observing her closely now.
Eventually she scooted close enough that she was pressed to his side. The raven hair didn’t know what to do with his hands. He didn’t know what to do with anything, and here was Lily just smiling. Leisurely she rested her head against his shoulder, looking up at him with her bright green eyes, her gaze full of warmth and a bit of mischief.
She slipped her arm around his waist, gentle but sure, like she’d already decided something he hadn’t caught up to yet. Severus swallowed hard, terrified of moving, terrified of not moving, he was a bit of an anxious mess.
“Sev,” she said softly.
“You can relax, you know.”
He let out a shaky breath, trying to follow her order. Trying to relax even if his heart was racing from the proximity.
Unlike Severus, the girl looked unbothered by the lack of space between them. They stayed in this position for a longer bit of time, in a peaceful silence.
But then Lily lifted her head, looked at him, and spoke calmly with confidence “I think I like you.”
Severus looked bewildered at those words. Was he hearing stuff? Was he just dreaming?
He gasped out quietly. “What?” Surely he misheard, Lily, his one and only Lily clearly didn't just say that
She chuckled, a bit amused at his reaction “You heard me Severus. I like you.”
Lily just leaned forward, pressing her lips against his.
It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t practised. It was clumsy and warm and real. Their noses bumped. Their teeth clicked. Severus forgot how breathing worked.
But Lily laughed against his lips, and Severus felt like his heart might jump out of his chest. He couldn't believe it was all real, but at the same time he was overjoyed.
Nothing changed dramatically. They still spent their days under the tree and at her house. They still talked about everything and nothing. They still argued about magic and teased each other, just with a new fresh label. They were still best friends and now lovers at the same time.
They didn’t decide to hide their relationship overnight. It came from a dozen quiet conversations, shared worries, and the reality of who they were in the world they lived in.
By the end of summer, Lily and Severus had sketched out rules for their relationship as for when they will be back in Hogwarts. Both of them wanted to keep it on the low, basically acting like they always were, just close friends with nothing romantic going on between them.
Severus had explained to Lily about how some the Slytherin might potentially behave if they found out he was dating a muggle-born, he already told her what struggles he has to endure because of his background and blood status. He himself could handle the hardship, but didn't want anything happening to her, she was in a better position then he was, however he wasn't about to risk her being a target just because she chose him.
Evans had her own concerns with the Gryffindors, they always tried to talk her out of the friendship with Severus for multiple reasons, and she wasn't about to give them another excuse to pry into her choices. Since if they knew, they would just assume the worst about him, most likely trying to convince her that she was somehow manipulated into it, despite being the one who indicated it all.
But the biggest concern the girl had was James and his friend group. She didn’t trust what the marauders would do if they knew. They were already horrible to Snape, and she couldn't do much about it. She feared that if one of them figured it out, it would only get worse for her Lover. Potter was always pining after her, not taking no as an answer, he even said that if she goes out with him he would leave Sev alone. In what universe she would willingly be with someone like that?
It wasn’t difficult to maintain. They had always been inseparable, staying close didn’t raise suspicion. They simply kept their touches accidental, their whispers quiet, their smiles small enough to pass as friendship. Anyone watching would see what they’d always seen, just two best friends who understood each other better than anyone else.
They decided to pretend to still just be best friends while at Hogwarts. Secrecy was the safest thing for them.
They would keep it quiet, just their own little personal secret.
The library was quiet and mostly so late in the day. Lily and Severus had tucked themselves into one of the forgotten corners, as this was the best place to avoid being bothered by their housemates, and just have a moment alone, to just do schoolwork and catch up. It had become a ritual, books open, quills scratching, a quiet conversation drifting between them.
Somehow the conversation topic turned to, Evans complaining about Potter
“He won't just leave me alone. I thought maybe this year would have been different, but no. He keeps offering me stuff, quills, chocolate frogs and more.” She was frustrated. “He's even saying that if I go out with him, he’ll leave you alone.”
“If words don't work, why don't you just keep hexing him?" Severus murmurs quietly, raising his eyes away from the book
“You know I already did some light ones, but I don't want to go too far. I don't want it to somehow backfire on me. Especially because he’s Dumbledore's favourite, he may go easy on me as I'm a Gryffindor myself, but either way I’d rather not risk it.”
She went silent for a moment, just thinking. Lily's expression changed, her brows had furrowed. And she spoke again.
“You know what… I might have an idea.”
“Lily…” He put his book down, focusing his whole attention at what his girlfriend was saying.
“What have you come up with now..?” He asked, with fright in his eyes.
“I love you Sev, and I don't want to be near James more than absolutely necessary. But no matter what I try, he remains a stubborn twat who doesn’t understand the word ‘no’!"
Severus never had much money to begin with, Tobias, his abusive father, always spent most of it on his addiction. Even if in some universe he wasn't an alcoholic he hated magic, he would never spend it on a wizard. Eileen, his mother, was trying her best for their boy, but as much as she wanted him to have a good life, she couldn't go too far against her husband’s will, without risking him unleashing his rage.
Evans' family weren't poor but they weren't really rich either, they were able to support themselves just fine. Most importantly they didn't just have one daughter. They had to support both Petunia and Lily financially, even if one of them was a witch. School supplies and textbooks weren't cheap, especially the magical ones. After all the expenses, they didn't leave Lily with much money for her own purchases, she didn't mind, she just accepted it.
But at this moment, she came up with an idea. James Potter wouldn't leave her alone, no matter what. He always was (and will) remain an insufferable, spoiled brat. However his persistence might turn into something useful for both her and her boyfriend. Unfortunately, to get those benefits, she would have to cross a line she never wanted to.
Lily took a breath. “He won’t leave me alone. And he won’t leave you alone. He’s used to getting everything he wants, and he’s determined.”
Severus nodded stiffly. “That’s obvious. Potter has always been a spoiled brat.”
“Right.” Lily leaned closer, keeping her voice quiet “So maybe… we can use that.”
He was quiet, just blinking trying to figure out where she was going with it. “Use… Potter?”
“Yes.” She nodded her head. “We can use his determination for our own benefit.”
Severus stiffened, he was getting a bit anxious. “Lily, are you out of your mind? Its Potter we are talking about, not-”
Lily cut him off.
“Hear me out Sev. I know it sounds crazy.” She grabbed his hand to calm him down and took a breath before she kept going. “I assure you- I haven’t fallen for any of his charms. But if he’s so eager to waste his money on me just to try and win me over, maybe I’ll let him. Perhaps it’ll help us both out.”
She rests her hands in his, “I know this isn’t what you’d ever want to ever hear come out of my mouth.” and was gently rubbing her thumb over his hand, trying to soothe him and keep him listening.
“We, well- technically you, have been getting free sweets ‘cause of it already if you think about it…”
Lily didn't have a big sweet tooth, so all of the chocolates from James were immediately passed onto Severus.
“If he wants to waste his money trying to win me over. Why don't we just ‘let him’? I can just ‘give in’ and try to get us the stuff we want, and potentially get us a break from him and his moron friends if he’ll keep to his word of leaving you alone for me to agree on going out with him.”
Snape was just eyeing his beloved, unsure what to think. The idea sounded nonsensical. His voice was quiet, filled with underlying worry. “Lils… I- I don't think that is a good idea. That seems like a line that once crossed, can never be uncrossed.”
“I know… But don't you think that might be the best bet?” She was looking at him with a gentle gaze, trying to calm her partner's worries. “He hasn't given up after all this time, maybe me being proper naggy or something alike would discourage him, or maybe not, but then we’ll just get something useful or just more chocolate frogs for you. It’s a win-win either way!”
Severus didn’t respond immediately. She was right in some way, but that didn't make it any better. He spoke quietly, his voice filled with apprehension.
“Lily, dear… Are you sure you want to do this? We managed the past years just fine with that brainless idiot and his friends' antics, we’ll manage, I’m sure.”
She squeezed his hands, holding them tightly in hers.
“Trust me, I don't want to be anywhere near him. But he won’t stop, we both know it.”
She shifted her chair closer to his.
“I can assure you, you are the only one who matters to me.”
He was sceptical, uncertain what to think. The closeness was comforting, as well as the warmth of her hands, but this felt wrong. His entire world was literally suggesting to ‘agree’ to go out and basically pretend to date James just to stop his pestering. It all felt so surreal, he was inclined to trust her as he loved her so much, but her going out with that wanker who had been tormenting him all this time even if it would be all for show wasn't something mundane, it was a pretty big deal.
“I want to trust you, I really do, but…” Snape squirmed.
“It will be fine. I'm not planning to do anything really with him, It will be more of me allowing him in my presence without ignoring him or walking away.” She herself wasn't keen much on this idea, but what other choice was there?
James was a rich pure-blood heir, handsome, a chaser on his way to become a captain of the Gryffindor’s Quidditch team as well, and overall popular. She could see where people’s appeal for him came from, but his personality was far too rotten to look past for her. But many did not care that his behaviour was cruel and unjust, they were fine with turning a blind eye to it because of who he was, therefore he remained being seen as the ‘golden boy’ who can do no wrong.
His character repulsed her, even if she wasn't with Severus, James wouldn't be anywhere near the top of people she might consider being with.
Lily glanced around making sure nobody was there, just as extra precaution, and pressed a kiss to his lips.
“I obviously won't throw myself at him, just the next time he bothers me I might present him with a few rules and we’ll see. Since he wants to go out with me, he has to be on my own terms. And if he gets carried away and tries to go too far, I will break it off myself.”
Severus' worries remained, but he felt a bit calmer about it. Although he wasn't necessarily happy about it- he trusted her completely.
“If you are sure… Just.. don't keep it up for too long…” He said mousily.
“He will realise I'm not who he thought I was, and break it off, and it’ll be like it is now. If he won’t, as I said already, it could provide some perks. I’ll ‘give in’ just enough to get us the things we need, and peace for you.” Lily was fairly content that they came to an agreement. It wasn't the best idea, yet it was the only one she really had that could go somewhere.
”I don't want to lose out on our already limited time with each other, it may not be too pleasant for you to be around Potter, but I think I will have to include you in this as well.”
“..You want me to be near-” He cut himself off as he realised it might not be as bad as it sounds. As much as he did despise Potter, if he stayed close, he could guarantee Lily's safety and protect her. He could make sure Potter didn’t push boundaries. He could ensure this pretend-dating-thing didn’t spiral out of control.
“You know what, I suppose it won't be the worst thing in the world.” A faint smirk tugged at his lips. “I can keep an eye on you. And guarantee his stupidity won't kill you.”
“Come on Sev, I don't think his intelligence is that deadly.” She giggled softly, shaking her head.
“Well it's getting late… I should head back to the dorms before I give the girls another reason to question my choices."
She started to pack her stuff into her bag.
“You should get going as well. We’ll see each other in class.” She took a quick look around the room, before she pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“Goodnight Sev”.