Something Worth Leaving Behind

The pair instantly separated as a vehemently red James Potter came closer.

"Snivellus!"

For a moment, Remus was stunned, as he followed James' attentions to the unfortunate Slytherin he'd just shooed away. Naturally, Snape had gravitated to the other pretty potions mistress at the ball - it was just his misfortune that it was Lily Evans.

Olivia growled beside him. "Mophead's starting crap again. Why can't he just leave Snape alone?"

"Leave my girl alone!" James seethed, fists clenched at his side. Lily turned to him with a look of fury.

"I don't need you to be my lord and protector, Potter," she hissed, her voice laced with venom. "Besides, technically I'm here with Frank. If you want to go pick a bone with somebody, go do it with him. I'll visit you in the Hospital Wing later." Behind her, Snape's eyes were narrowing dangerously, a prideful anger welling up inside.

Remus groaned. "I need to be the voice of reason..." he quietly pleaded to Olivia, and she grudgingly let him leave. He slipped around the crowd, trying not to attract attention to himself, but came up behind James.

"Why I oughta curse you to - "

"James, what is going on here?"

James turned and looked up at him, and his anger softened, but only slightly. He turned back to Snape. "This snake is what is going on here. He's ruining the entire party just by being alive."

At that, Severus drew his wand with a violent and stepped around Lily with a growl. "You're on, Potter."

James also drew his wand, and Remus froze with a fright. A duel? In the Great Hall? Oh, this was bad...

"Stop it, both of you!" Lily screamed, stepping in between the two. "Potter, get over yourself!" she spat at her housemate. She then turned to Severus. "And Severus, you ought to be ashamed of yourself." She looked between them both. "Both of you are not only seventh years, but a prefect and Head Boy! Get a hold of yourselves!"

As she spoke, the teachers finally made their way to the confrontation, McGonnagal immediately aghast at what she'd missed, Slughorn very much confused.

"Severus? Lily?" he asked. "What is going on here?" Lily fought to take on a business-like composure while Severus growled, sheathing his wand, looking away from his Head of House.

"A potential fight, but I believe it's been avoided - right, boys?"

Severus gave a weak grin, death still simmering in his eyes while James scowled.

"Of course," he managed, sheathing his own wand.

McGonnagal was frazzled, a cup of punch in her hands. "I-it better right have been!" She nodded to them and then quickly turned away, doubtless to find a wall that didn't spin. Remus coughed lightly, and even James' lips curled a bit.

Lily looked between the two of them. "Honestly. Such children." Severus' glare returned, but this time it was on Lily. She turned to James. "Rest assured we will talk about this tonight." She stormed off, and he rolled his eyes, until he noticed the loathsome look Snape saved for him was once more on him.

He smirked. "That's right, Snape. We will talk about this tonight. Rest assured."

Snape clenched his fists and let out his fury by grabbing an end of his costume, and turned violently away. Behind James, Remus let out a breath.

"James, did you have to start something? It is graduation in but another day..."

"Are you kidding?" James answered, that charming grin on his face once again. "And miss a chance to Snivelly? Not a chance in the world." He spotted Sirius watching behind Remus. "How'd I do, Pads?"

Sirius shrugged with a "meh". "It could have been a lot better. Although, I must say, McGoogles is an amusing drunk." He giggled at that, and the two clapped each other's shoulders, at peace once more with the world. Remus let out a deep sigh as his two friends walked off, and shook his head. Those two were more trouble than he'd expected - as usual. He turned about, hoping he could find Olivia before one of her girlfriends stole her away.