What Might Have Been-Severus/James

[lilyevans]

The witch took a deep breath. She was going to be doing rounds in just a little while. And she was grateful for the distraction. There had been alot of things going through her mind in the last few months. She and Severus had been as close as ever and she was thrilled about that. But memories of that night in the classroom between her and James several months back, still occassionally entered her mind though she’d never cop to it.

Severus had asked her to meet him on the roof, and she wondered what that was all about? She had no idea why Severus would ask her to meet him there of all places, but she would soon find out. She went to her dorm room and got ready. She had her emerald green cloak with her as night would soon be falling and when it did, she had to be prepared. She looked good, in a little black number that she'd never worn before, and ready to tackle the world.

She wasn’t a fool as she knew that neither Severus nor James would ever be able to relax and stay still around eachother without wanting to hex the other. But that night with James in that classroom had changed alot of things, like how she saw him for one. They talked now and again, although not nearly as often as she and Severus did.

Whether Severus was yet aware of the fact that she spent any time with Potter was another story entirely.

She had warned James to leave Severus alone and to not hex him intentionally and she had warned Severus of the same thing. Because she was point blank tired of having to be in the middle of everything. She couldn’t explain the feeling she had in the pit of her stomach, it was something she wasn’t used to.

She never dated anyone, not even at home. Her priorities were about her schoolwork and being there for her friends. Dating just didn’t seem like it should matter. Because what was the point anyway?

When she finally was ready she took a deep breath, she made her way up the stairs to the roof. It wasn’t that she was doing anything different but she always made sure she looked her best so it wasn’t about impressing anyone, and anyone who knew her would know that. She just liked to look her best and didn’t like the idea of going out of her dorm room looking like she just rolled out of bed as her big sister would have said.

She hoped they wouldn't fight tonight. After all he knew well enough with how she felt about his new friends, from his own house. She didn't trust them or the influence they had over him.

Despite what he'd always said, she knew that sooner rather than later he might succumb and become just like them and that would kill her. It would hurt more than anything Potter or his mates could do.

"Hey Sev. You wanted to see me?" He was looking good-well better than usual. Was he trying to impress her? It made her question things but she didn't say anything else. She wanted him to talk-to explain himself.This Dress is what she had chosen to wore for tonight's meeting.

[severussnape]

Sev had been furious that Lily was hanging around Potter more and more. It seemed Potter had done something to get Lily's attention. Maybe it was a love potion? Or maybe a spell that James had put on his friend? Well he would find out some how. Maybe not tonight but some day he will find out the truth.

He knew about the kiss the two shared,knew that Lily had kinda liked it. Which made him mad. Mad that he wasn't her first kiss. Mad that it was sodding stupid Potter who one upped him. Mad that Potter knew his secret crush on Lily.

So tonight he was going to impress her. Show her that he was the better man to be with. Regardless of the cost of their friendship. Though losing Lily would rip his heart out he was willing to prove to her that James wasn't a good choice.

He had asked her to meet him on the rooftops which was not that long ago. He being the ever ready one was there a half an hour early,blue roses with lilies in his right hand,a box of chocolates in his left hand. Staring out at the grounds he sighed. He hoped she would like the gestures.

When he heard her voice he turned slowly,his eyes locking onto her dress with a emerald green cloak.His eyes then traveled to her lips then over her nose to her green eyes. "Yes I did...You look Lovely Lils"He said stepping closer to her.

Bringing the flowers and chocolates out in front of him he smiled."These are for you Lils"He said as he held them out. Looking out at the grounds again a smile graced his features."It's beautiful out isn't it?"He asked while looking back at her. Small talk went a long way did it not? He wore This tux tonight to impress her.

[lilyevans]

She couldn’t help but know that if Severus knew as much as she did about what went on that night between her and Potter, it kind of would be a bit well disasterous. The fact was she did her best not to talk about that night in question. Figured it’d be safer if she didn’t. It wasn’t easy to hang around him when there was tension in the air, although she didn’t understand why. It wasn’t like she’d done something deliberately to hurt him.

The truth was the kisses she’d shared with Potter had been all the more on her mind despite the fact she did everything she could to erase that from her memory. She never spoke about it, to anyone, not even James himself. That night was different. And yet the more time she spent around Potter these days the more she questioned her decision.

The kisses were passionate and she knew that James loved her, as he’d admitted as much himself. Although she hoped that there would be fewer feuds, she knew the chances of that were slim to none. She had always expected that when the time came for it, Severus would understand that it was for their best interest not to fight Potter and his misfit crew. Though she had smiled softly when she had seen Severus on top of the roof. He had always known how to make her smile.

“Thank you, Sev.” She replied when he spoke about how she looked. It wasn’t so much the compliment that made her happy but he just had that affect on her, which made her want to be around him more. She gave him awarm smile. Truth was she knew that things were changing and they weren’t two simple kids anymore. She chuckled lightly when he stepped closer to her.

“They’re-they’re beautiful. Thank you and I love the chocolates. But may I ask what the occassion is?” She said with a smile. His smile made her happy. Those moments were so few and far between especially at home.

But it got her to thinking, if James had made the same gestures, would she feel the same as she did just then? And why was she thinking of him? When she had a good man right there in front of her? Someone who clearly had always been there for her.

She had always been there for Severus, supported him in almost anything he had done, except in one vital area, and that was his choice in friends. She did not condone the fact that the ones he now hung out with were as treacherous and could kill someone just because they were different. She didn’t like it. He was her best friend, how could he not see how this bothered her?

But aside from that one aspect their relationship was close, stronger than ever and she was grateful for it as she did not know what she would do if she ever lost it, if she ever lost him. When Severus approached her, she felt as though she couldn’t breathe, not because she was in love with him but because she was surprised. As she had no idea to what extent that Severus would go to, now. He was full of surprises tonight.

“You, you look great yourself, Sev. What inspired the turnaround? ‘Cause no offense but I don’t think I’ve ever-ever seen you get all dressed up for no reason before.” She said as she was curious. She’d be more than willing to take the flowers and chocolate from him. But on some level, she knew there had to be more than what he was saying. But what? “You seem different tonight. What aren’t you telling me?” She asked.

[severussnape]

If Sev knew the whole truth behind what has been happening between Lily and James he would be beyond pissed. He wouldn't think straight. He would go straight up to James at close range,use some hexes and curses before using the spell he created all on his own. He wouldn't have cared if James died if he knew the full extent of it. All he knew was that they kissed nothing else and it should remain that way for the good of their friendship.

His choice of friends wasn't exactly his fault. He was friends with them out of sheer fear. Sure he was smart enough to hurt them in many ways but if it came down to a hand to hand combat he would surely lose. Maybe even a duel he would lose then too unless he used his special spell on them. He never told Lily this because he didn't want her to think of him as weak.

His smile widened when she thanked him.He loved how he could always make her happy."Your welcome Lils"He said before hearing her question. Stepping even closer to her he was just close enough to move a few strands of hair behind her ear so that he could see her face fully."No occasion,can't a friend be nice enough to buy her flowers and chocolates?" Yes he wasn't going to tell her just yet. Soon though but not right at the moment.

"Thank you...Have you...."His words cut off as he cleared the distance between them,one hand moving to rest on her hip while the other cupped her cheek briefly before moving to the small of her back,Pulling her up against him."Have you ever been friends with someone so long that you grow to love them more then just a friend?"He asked before leaning down to place his lips on hers. Softly at first before becoming more firm yet still somewhat soft.

The kiss from a glance was intense and passionate. Which was not entirely true. The kiss was more like a romantic. Slow,careful and just plain loving poured into the kiss in one. He kissed her until they both needed air before ending the kiss.Looking into her eyes he waited for her reaction.

[lilyevans]

She wasn’t a fool by any stretch of the imagination and knew well enough that if Severus knew quite the extent of what had happened between her and James, well she couldn’t even imagine what he’d do with that bit of imagination. Their friendship had always been an easy one, to a certain extent. But his choice of other friends was going to cause a strain in their relationship and she could see it coming. Although she wanted nothing more than to keep him away from them, she knew she could only do so much.

The closer he got to her, the more she was getting nervous. She chuckled lightly as he moved a few strands of hair, and moved it behind her ear. “Well yes, I suppose so, but this is not what-what you have done before. So it only begs the question.” She sighed briefly before speaking once more.

“You’re welcome.” She had a feeling that there was someone else there.

And yet she had no idea who it was. It felt strange when he put one hand on her hip and the other was cupping her chin before it was suddenly moved to the small of her back. And as soon as that happened, he mentioned how being friends could cause someone to love them as more than that, and before she could even answer the question, his lips were on top of hers.

As soft as it was, it was still firm in the same way. It wasn’t intense or passionate, although it may look that way. Although it lacked the intense passion, it was romantic. Slow and cautious were just two words to describe it. The kiss lasted quite a while until he pulled himself away in order to breathe. For a minute or two, she didn’t say anything as she was allowing it to process through her mind as to what exactly had happened. She was too stunned at first to react, and so when she finally was able to breathe, she pulled herself away from him, and slapped him. This was not what she had expected.


What kind of fool did he take her to be anyway? He still hadn’t let her completely move away from him and so she pulled out her wand. She watched him very carefully as she managed to get to the other side of the room and had her wand steady, ready to use it at any given moment.

“What the hell was that? You’re supposed to be my best friend....and yet you’ve clearly lost your mind. You think getting me roses and lilies and chocolate gives you permission to snog me like that? Have you gone daft? You ever pull a stunt like this again and you’ll be wishing for a bed in the hospital wing, are we clear?” Normally she would not speak to him in such a manner but he had completely crossed a delicate line. She glared at him, as she was quite unhappy with him at the moment.

[severussnape]

It happened way to fast to react correctly. She had slapped him. Him her best friend. Before she could move away he brought his hand up and back handed her cheek. He didn't mean to as he wasn't thinking clearly. The shock of getting slapped made him back hand her in defense. When he finally realized what he had done he stepped back,his back hitting a wall.

His expression turned from anger to shock to sadness all in mere seconds. Looking away he slowly moved along the wall til he was sitting on the roof floor.He opened his mouth but nothing came out,he closed it,swallowed and opened it again."Lils I...I'm sorry"He said with so much emotion.Looking up to look at her with her wand raised he nodded his head.

"Understood...I'm really sorry Lils I just"His words cut off as he choked back a sob.Tears streaming down his face. He could have and most likely ended their friendship. After so long of planning this moment to show his feelings to her it all backfired in his face.This is probably why his friends told him to not pursue his crush on Lily. He didn't listen to them because he knew Lily would understand. But was he wrong? Did he hold onto the hope of getting with Lily too long that when he showed his emotions it would just break his heart?

"I've had a crush on you for the longest time and this was the only way to show you my feelings..Maybe I have lost my mind..Loving you seems to you that I have lost my mind I guess they were right weren't they?"He said with some anger and sadness mixed together.

[James Potter]

James had spent the whole day bored with nothing to do, and found a bottle of firewhiskey to pass the time. When that bottle ran out, he'd headed, drunkenly, along the secret passage to Hogsmeade to get some more. Now, he was returning to the school with 3 more bottles tucked safely inside his cloak.

He'd been introduced to some silly Muggle song a week earlier, and he had it in his head now and he stumbled back along the passage. "Off to see the wizarddddd!" he somewhat slurred, waving one of the bottles in the air.

It was still early in the evening to be as drunk as he was, but James didn't care about that. He had taken the Marauder's map and the invisibility cloak with him though just to be safe. Pulling them out, he looked over the map. "A Lily, a Lily... and a Snape? F*ck it."

James hiccuped and stuffed the map away, throwing the cloak over his shoulders and climbing out of the tunnel behind the statue. "Dun dun dunnnn to the roof!"

James half ran half stumbled, laughing at nothing in particularly, the alcohol numbing his mind and leaving little logic in anything he did. The climb up the stairs to the roof was a long one, but he heard the voices as he got to the top. 'Lily sounds pissseddddd off.' he thought to himself. "But notttt at meeee." He swigged another mouthful and rounded the corner onto the roof as Snivillus spoke.

James sighted his tears and spluttered a laugh. "Am I seeing things or are you blubbering like a baby?" He looked to Lily. "What he do to get you to- to make you hex him?" He stumbled over his words.

Being drunk around Lily probably wasn't the smartest thing.