The Pensieve of Severus Snape

Episode II: Friend to Foe

The black dog pounced on him, pushing him onto his back and now was standing above his limp form. The cold of the wet grass was penetrating through his second hand robes. The dog was holding a wand, pointed at him, which Severus knew wasn't possible. Non-magical creatures weren't allowed to possess wands, and canines certainly fell into that category. He reminded himself it was only a dream and forced his eyes to remain open to bear witness even though drool was dripping into them from the cavern of teeth above him. It stank like raw sewage and caused him to retch, an action that only dug dog claws further into his bony chest.

Then the dog did something it never had before. It shook him and called his name, so loud in fact that he woke.

"Severus? Severus wake up!"

He opened his eyes to see dark rows of books not far away. He blinked several, revealing dim moonlight as it shone through the tall windows and lit up the room in melancholy tones of gray. The only other light was from a small brass lamp a foot away. In it's polished base he could see his startled reflection and several indentations in his pallid face that closely resembled a hand, a quill and a book. Behind him stood a girl. Severus inched his right hand closer to his wand and gripped it tight.

When he turned to face her he met penetrating green eyes.

"Hi," she smiled kindly. "I was just doing rounds. If one of the Profs catches you here..."

"What time is it?" he heard himself croak in a sleepy voice.

"Nearly three... Ah..." she said, looking down at his things. "Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.Ls tomorrow." She reached inside her robes, pulled out a wad of paper that was folded neatly and waved it in the air proudly. "I can relate. I've been studying while patrolling."

"Er... Right."

Severus stood and began to quickly put his things in his tattered satchel nearby. It was only a matter of time before one of the Professors came into the library and the last thing he wanted going around school was that he'd been here with her.

"You don't have to go. I won't say anything."

"Sure you won't," he replied sarcastically under his breath. He knew who she was, Lily Evans, top in their class at everything except Defense Against the Dark Arts where he had managed to excel farther than anyone else in school. Even worse than that though, she was a Gryffindor Prefect.

"I really wouldn't," she said softly. "In fact if you want, we could study together."

The words incensed him like no others she'd ever said. Foul girl, he thought to himself. Blackmailing him, threatening to turn him in if he didn't share his notes with her. He was used to this tactic, but not from... Mudbloods.

"I'm tired and need to get back to my dormitory," he managed to say instead of the horrid words he wanted to throw at her.

"I'll walk you, then, you know in case Peeves finds you or something."

Incredulous. Why wouldn't she just leave him alone? What was she setting him up for? He knew exactly what was going to happen. They would get halfway to the Slytherin entrance and then run into her partner in crime, Remus Lupin. Next thing he'd know, Slytherin would be down fifty points and out of the race for the House Cup. It was a brilliant plan, and he had to give her credit for that.

He looked deep into her eyes, really wondering if that was it, though. And he wondered if he could do it like his father had taught. His wand arm rose, armed, and pointed in her direction. She backed up slowly, the expression of confusion on her face.

"Or not..." And the impending look of fear on her face was enough for him. He didn't even need to use a spell to make her confess, she wore the answers on her face.

"I'm more than capable of handling Peeves," he muttered as he walked away.

"I didn't mean to imply."

He slammed the door to the library as he left.

* * *

The dog. Again. Two nights in a row wasn't unusual, but it startled him nonetheless. It wasn't all that surprising really, given what a day he'd had; little sleep the night before, the humiliating incident after his O.W.L exams. But tonight the dog wasn't chasing him, it was standing calm and still and on its back was perched a child, a girl. She was about six years old, or so Severus thought. Her hair was black and had been chopped off short in a messy manner. Black spectacles hung off her nose; they were too big for the face they adorned.

"I will never believe you meant it," she whispered, in response to which the mongrel beneath her growled and looked ready to pounce on him. Tiny fingers reached down and clenched a hold of a handful of black fur and skin; the beast calmed under her touch.

Severus woke with a start and found himself in a replay of the previous night's events.

"It's past curfew," she said haughtily this time. "You'd better get back to Slytherin before I report you." He knew she meant it this time. There would be no more friendly encounters with Lily Evans after what he'd said to her in front of the school, and surprisingly he felt no remorse. He knew why he'd done it: the gang of Slytherins that were standing behind her.

It took him mere seconds to put all his belongings back inside the leather satchel and make for the door.

"I don't get you," she called out after him. "I was only trying to help you. What is it with you people and all this Mudblood madness?" Severus turned to find her cheeks were lit up with anger. It made her hair seem all that much more red.

"I told you. I don't need any of your help," he growled.

"Right. I suppose it was all part of your grand plan to let Potter yank your skivvies down in front of the entire school? Well executed I say! Don't know when I've seen a better plan!"

"You don't know anything about it, so just mind your own business." He pulled open the door and made for the dungeons quickly. When she caught up she was panting and had to run beside to keep up.

"I know more than you think. I know why you went to live with the Malfoys."

That was it. She had done it. He stopped and pushed her against the wall, getting into her face and pinning one hand on her shoulder.

"You'll be wise to never mention that to me again."

But instead of the intended affect, which was to scare her, Snape found himself pushed inside an empty classroom. Baffled he stared as Lily peered out the door. Seconds later she closed it, leaving them all alone in the dark. He was half horrified at the prospect of being found here with her, and baffled as to why she would trust him.

"It's Potter!" she whispered. "Those idiots! I can see their feet!" She went silent for a few moments then started again, this time sounding quite mischievous.

"Up for a bit of Potter baiting? He and Black are under an Invisibility Cloak, probably out looking for trouble. All you have to do is make your way quickly down to Slytherin. No doubt they'll follow you. I'll be close behind, but they won't see me. I bet you anything as soon as you reach the dungeons they'll try something and then I'll get them. Oh yes I will! It will be midnight tea with McGonagall for them and if we're lucky a week's worth of detention. What do you say?"

Enticing, he thought. As much as he loathed Lily Evans and her nosey ways, the chance to land Potter and Black in a heap of trouble was beyond tempting, it seemed downright necessary. Plus, McGonagall always took points off for breaking curfew. If he was lucky this might give Slytherin the lead for House Cup.

"Fine," he muttered curtly not wanting to appear overly obvious.

And sure enough her plan worked perfectly. What idiots those two were, he could hear them scuffling after him through the corridors. When he reached the stone entrance to Slytherin, he heard several incantations and felt magic hit him in the back, but he had been ready. Apparently so had Lily Evans because she was now standing feet away pointing her wand at James Potter and Sirius Black. Their wands, she tucked into a pocket.

"Out of bed? Again?" she said triumphantly. They eyed her with a horrified look.

"Lily... we were just uh..."

"Breaking curfew? Using magic in the halls? In possession of an illegal item, namely that handsome Invisibility Cloak?"

"You forgot picking on smarmy morons," Potter replied playfully. "Who, by the way, also looks to be breaking curfew." Potter grinned nastily in his direction.

Lily looked around the hallway with a confused look on her face and turned back to them.

"Funny, Potter, I don't see anyone else here but the three of us. Perhaps your cockiness and stupidity are slowly being replaced with dementia. You should really have that looked at. It sounds like the work of a Dark Wizard to me."

Severus had to give her credit for the on the spot thinking. He felt his lips curl into a sneer.

"Honestly! You're going to take sides with a git that called you a Mudblood today over a guy who has been in love with you for years?" Sirius bellowed out. Severus noticed James go several shades of red darker and give his friend an incredulous look. The comment had its affect on Lily and she looked stunned, unsure of how to respond.

Severus ducked behind the door to the Slytherin common room, assuming whatever came afterwards could only mean trouble.