For the Love of Lily

Chapter 12

The next day after breakfast, the Slytherins and Gryffindors made their way to Professor Drake's second floor classroom. As soon as everyone was seated, Professor Drake began class.

"As you all know, today we are going to practice deflecting curses. Do I have a volunteer pair?"

Severus put his hand up and volunteered himself and Potter.

"Very good, Misters Snape and Potter, if you would please step up front. I will whisper a curse or spell in Mr. Snape's ear, and then Mr. Potter, you will try to deflect it. Then you will switch roles. Understand?"

Both boys nodded.

"Good. We're ready to begin." Professor Drake leaned over and whispered in Severus' ear, "Expelliarmus."

"Furnunculus!" Severus bellowed, and almost instantly, James broke out in boils.

Shocked, James yelled back, "Tarantallegra!" and Severus started doing a wild dance around the classroom.

"Gentlemen! Gentlemen! Stop!" Professor Drake shouted.

Lily was sitting in the front of the room and yelled, "Severus! James! Stop! Please!" She knew this was all her fault. They were fighting over her.

The cheering of the Slytherins drowned out Lily and Professor Drake's shouts. Narcissa Black was seated on Lucius' shoulders so she could get a better view, and many of the other Slytherins were standing on desks.

"Densaugeo!" Severus shouted, and James' teeth started to grow to the size of rabbit's teeth.

Before James could do anything else to Severus, Professor Drake pulled out his wand and yelled, "Expelliarmus!" Severus' and James' wands flew out of their hands and into Professor Drake's out stretched palm.

"Lily, I'm putting you in charge while I take these two to Madam Pomfrey," Professor Drake said as he headed out of the classroom.

*************

Downstairs, in the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey was running around trying to undo the damage Severus and James had done to each other.

Well, I think Potter learned that you NEVER mess with Severus Snape, he thought as Madam Pomfrey bandaged the foot that he had bruised while dancing around the room. Look at Potter over there. Covered in boils that keep breaking open. Lily could never love him looking like that!

"Ok, Mr. Snape, you're free to go. You don't have to stay. Or better yet, you can't stay. Leave!" Madam Pomfrey commanded.

Good! I don't want to hang around and listen to Potter moan and groan. And with that, he got up and limped out of the hospital wing.

As he turned the corner, he saw Lily walking down the hallway. Her hands were covering her face, but Severus could hear that she was crying. She looked up briefly when they passed, but she didn't say anything. She just gave him that look that said she was never going to forgive him.

So I almost got expelled for nothing. Potter still has Lily, and I'm left all by myself.

Severus turned around and watched Lily disappear into the hospital wing. Then he turned on his heel and made his way back to the Slytherin common room.

*****************

James could feel new boils popping out all over his body, and then five minutes after they appeared, they exploded, leaving a puddle of puss behind. He ached all over. Madam Pomfrey hurried over to him and gave him goblet full of a foul-tasting liquid. Unwillingly, he drank it. As he gulped down the last mouthful, Lily entered the hospital wing. Her hands were covering her face and she was sobbing into them.

"Lily, I'm so sorry about what happened in there. Severus started it and I don't know what happened. I just had to fight back, and I guess it got a little out of hand. Please, stop crying," he pleaded.

"You could've gotten expelled, and it would've been all my fault. You guys were fighting over me!"

And with that, she burst into a new round of tears. James put his arm around her and pulled her to him and held her close to him until she stopped crying.

"I probably should be getting to my next class," she said.

James nodded and watched her get up and walk out the door. I probably shouldn't have fought back, but Severus hurt Lily. At least all I have to do is serve detention as soon as possible. Madam Pomfrey came back in with goblet of another liquid.

"This will help you get a good night's sleep. Drink it all, dear," Madam Pomfrey directed.

James started to feel the effects right away, and within minutes he was asleep.

For the Love of Lily