Hogwarts Hallways, September 11, 1973.

"I swear I'll make him regret it!" James muttered softly to himself.

Yesterday's defense against dark arts class didn't seem to be real, James wanted to wake up and find it was just a nightmare.

But the truth was undeniable and he remembers every minute and second of that humiliation. From that day on, James made a promise to wipe that smug smile off Severus' face.

Walking through the corridors an absent-minded James didn't see a group of students on his side.

"Hey, look here!" said a 4th grade Slytherin.

Turning his head James sees four Slytherins, one of them holding a mop and putting the side of the fiber/cloth over his head, mimicking hair. The Slytherin mimics James' voice saying:

"Look at me! I'm the mop Potter and my dream is to clean and sanitize all of Hogwarts."

Students who were nearby laughed. Even a small group of scattered Gryffindors tried to hold back their laughter and some failed.

James and the Marauders antagonized many people with their pranks. Of course, the biggest target has always been Severus. But the Marauders also harassed many Slytherins. Now that they had some reason to tease him, his victims wouldn't leave him alone any time soon.

James saved the faces of each of them, as many of them would be the target of his future pranks. And as for those Gryffindors who laughed... Quidditch season approaches and when James shines like a star and they come to flatter him, they'll get no for an answer.

Ignoring the mockery he withdrew and went back to the dorms.

'When I win at Quidditch, all of this will be in the past. Evans will see how brilliant I am and agree to go on a date with me,' James thought hopefully.

...

Hogwarts Library

Sitting at the study tables, Severus looked at his companions.

"Seriously, I don't know how you can remember so many things... I study so hard and I still forget so many details," said Navi, a little discouraged.

Severus explains, "When I read a book I always try to read things calmly. Better to learn a little slower and not have to revise all the time."

"Stop being pessimistic, Navi," Steve said.

"Ohh sure! Talking is easy when you two have like a super mind in your heads. I'm just the old and poor, Navi. The boy who has to read everything 10,000 times just because he's old and lapsed," he said melodramatically.

Rolling his eyes at his attitude, Severus continued his homework. Since his fight with Potte yesterday, the treatment of other houses with Severus has given a significant improvement. Of course, there are still a lot of those who don't like him due to being a Slytherin, but that's irrelevant for now.

A step was taken and now it was necessary to know how to reap opportunities at the right times. His plan to make friends with Regulus hadn't worked out yet, Severus tried his best to gather the information that would help him get closer to the boy but so far nothing. Regulus is a real recluse, the boy has a very closed personality and a sullen countenance.

He still couldn't say why his clairvoyance told him to befriend him. But there would probably be some recourse coming from this, although Severus doesn't know what.

"Sev, I hope I'm not late. I took the liberty and brought Mary with me. I hope that's not a problem," says Lily jovially.

Severus opens his lips with a smile and says: "No problem...", Turning to Mary he smiles and greets, "It's a pleasure to see you again, Macdonald. Feel free to join us", concludes Severus waving his hands towards the chairs.

"Nice to see you too, Snape. Thanks for having me." Says Mary as she sits down and complements shyly, "Yesterday's duel was...a spectacle. You could give us some tips sometime."

"Sev, you really were impressive yesterday. Why didn't you ever tell me you knew how to duel like that?" asked Lily anxious to know the answer.

With a grateful look Severus said, "Thanks for the compliments, I can help someday... Although forgive me if I'm not a very suitable teacher..." Fixing his gaze on Lily he replied, "Well Lily... Me I've kind of been exercising to get more fit and that was my first duel after my training. So I didn't know either."

Looking at Severus' figure, Lily wondered, was it the exercises? But what about those reflexes? Well, there was no point in her wondering. However, one thing was getting more and more on her mind...

Why has Severus moved so abruptly in recent months? He changed not only physically, but also his... Actions. She couldn't help but blush at the thought that she was the cause of this, she had her suspicions that Severus liked her...

But she wondered, why did he never say anything?

And worst of all, she didn't know how she felt about him. Last year, she would say firmly that what she felt for Severus was just friendship.

But now...

Looking at Severus silently, Lily wondered about many things.

His appearance took a qualitative leap. Of course, he still wasn't handsome, he still had a hooked nose and crooked teeth. But more and more it was becoming obsolete because... He carried a mystery with him, more and more Lily realized how little she knew Severus. Her heart fluttered thinking about what other surprises Severus would give her.

Not to mention his baritone voice that always sent shivers down her spine.

The four continued studying together and talking. Sometimes they played with each other until...

"Mr. Snape. Dumbledore sent me to fetch him so you can talk to him in his office," said Filch, the janitor.

Severus looks at the janitor and nods in agreement. He turns around and says goodbye to everyone.

Severus worried about his meeting with Dumbledore, didn't notice a Lily with distracted eyes towards her back.