Oddest Couple

Lily Evans was in love for the first time in her life. More than that, she was in love with someone that no one would ever expect to see with her. It's not to say that they weren't made for each other. They were meant to be together; even Remus Lupin, who still fancied Lily, could see that. But honestly, most anyone who knew Lily and Severus would tell you that they were the last people imaginable to fall for each other.

'Severus,' Lily said as they sat in the Room of Requirement one night, 'I think we need to make a decision.'

'About what, Lily?' Severus asked curiously.

'About...us,' Lily said delicately.

Severus pulled away from her to evaluate her expression. 'Is there something wrong?' he asked nervously.

Lily immediately knew what he was thinking about. 'Oh! No! It's nothing like us breaking up,' she said hastily.

He breathed a sigh of relief and put an arm around her again. 'What is it then?'

'Well, I'm just not sure if we're going about this the right way,' Lily said, biting her lower lip anxiously.

'What do you mean?' Severus said, shifting uncomfortably.

'I don't think we should keep this a secret anymore,' Lily said, shutting her eyes and waiting for him to argue.

Much to her surprise, Severus did not say a word. He was rather silent which led Lily to believe that he was not so sure about her idea.

'I know you think we should keep it a secret, but I really think that if we're together and we're happy, we should let the world know about it,' Lily explained while she had the chance.

'Lily, you know that Potter will hex me into oblivion,' Severus said calmly. 'It's just not a good idea.'

Lily sighed unhappily. 'Severus, I hate trying to keep up this act,' she said impatiently. 'I hate making Remus cover for me constantly and acting like I'm dating him so no one suspects us.'

'I do too, Lily,' Severus replied. 'But just think about it; it's not a safe idea.'

'Safe for whom?' Lily said huffily.

'What?'

'Is it unsafe for me or for you?' Lily asked clearly.

'For both of us!' Severus said loudly.

'Severus, I can handle myself. I've put up with Potter's crap for four years. I don't need you to keep me safe,' Lily stated very clearly.

'Lily, I just don't want you to suffer because of me,' he said, lowering his voice.

'It wouldn't be because of you,' Lily said, shaking her head. 'This is both of us, not just you. I'm willing to take the blame for it if it means being with you.'

Severus didn't say anything for a few moments, leading Lily to believe that he was thinking over this thoroughly.

'Are you sure about this?' Severus checked one last time.

'Positive.'

Severus kissed her on the forehead. 'OK. No more lying,' he agreed. But Lily could still sense that he wasn't as keen on this idea as she was.

'It'll be fine,' she assured him once more. She stood up. 'We'll deal with it tomorrow after our Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.'

'I love you,' Severus said as she opened the door to leave.

'I love you, too,' she said before leaving.

*****

It was the day of their Defence Against the Dark Arts O.W.L. Lily had taken her Charms exam on Monday and she thought she did rather well, with especially high marks on the practical, where was asked to change a red rose white. On Tuesday she sat her Transfiguration exam but had a bit of difficulty changing a rabbit into a candle. According to her examiner, a bit of hair was still visible poking out of the wax. Herbology, which happened to be one of Lily's worst subjects just because she lost interest too quickly, went rather well.

And now, today Lily would sit the theoretical portion of the exam, which she knew she would ace.

Lily sat down at the desk and glanced over at Severus, who was muttering to himself absentmindedly, most likely memorising the last bit of information that he could manage.

'OK now,' Professor Flitwick said in his abnormally squeaky voice. 'Time to start the exam. Stop talking, please!'

The Great Hall went quiet and Professor Flitwick announced, 'You will have an hour's time to complete your exam. Are there any questions?' He looked around at the students and nodded to himself. 'You may begin.'

Pieces of parchment, a quill, and a bottle of ink dropped at each desk.

Without wasting any time, Lily picked up her quill and began writing. She breezed through the beginning of the test, having to suppress a laugh at question ten: Give five signs that identify a werewolf. She looked over at Remus, who must have been on the same question, because he was grinning to himself as he scribbled down an answer. Lily then looked at Severus, who was in deep thought. His nose was just inches from the parchment and his dark hair was covering most of his face.

Lily returned to the test, scribbling down facts and spells, including a rather lengthy explanation on the boggart and how to repel it.

Lily finished the test just as Professor Flitwick walked down the aisle past her, shouting, 'Five more minutes!'

She looked up to see that James, too, had just finished. He ruffled his hair the way that made Lily want to throw something at him and, out of nowhere, he shot a thumbs-up at Sirius.

Lily rolled her eyes at his foolishness and looked at Severus. He was still hunched over his paper jotting things down. At last, just before Flitwick announced the end of exams, Severus set down his quill and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.

Lily got up and headed out of the Great Hall, out to the grounds, where she and Severus had agreed to meet. Little did Lily know, Sirius Black and James Potter had another thing in mind, and it involved one Severus "Snivellus" Snape.