"Remember, feed your minds as much detail as possible, the sharper the better," said Professor McGonagall.
The task was to transform an inanimate object into a goldfish.
With the precise movements of her wand, Lily pointed to a petal on the surface of an aquarium and said, "Piscifors".
"Excellent work, Miss Evans! 5 points to Gryffindor," says McGonagall, pleased by her talented student at the house.
Happily, Lily thanks the teacher and then sit down. Seeing the opportunity, the others in the room congratulate her and ask for tips.
"Merlin, you look natural for this spell, Lily!" comments Mary.
Severus who was sitting at the table behind her looked at Lily's back proudly and smiled.
"Thank you, Mary." answers the redhead.
At the table in the back left of the class, another student successfully achieved the transfiguration. Professor McGonagall seeing that couldn't help but say, "Nice job, Mr. Potter. Another 5 points for Gryffindor."
Except for the Marauders, no one had congratulated James. In potions class yesterday, another prank happened and the targets were Slytherin students and some Gryffindors. The cauldrons exploded one after the other, sending reeking smoke across the room. By 'coincidence', the Gryffindors who were victims were part of the students who were attacked in the Gryffindor dorms.
"It's not fair that they treat us like that," Sirius said of the students who ignored them. "What are we going to do, Prongs?"
Even though he pretended not to mind the cold treatment, James gave a little thought and replied, "We have to find out who's behind these setups."
In a low voice so that the others in the room couldn't hear him, Remus questioned James, "But how? It could be anyone to blame,"
There are many students at Hogwarts, there are many possibilities and the marauders have many enemies in Slytherin.
"Hey, we could take the Prongs cloak and try to find the culprit," Sirius said excitedly at the sudden idea.
Shaking his head in disagreement, Remus folded his arms and said, "We need to rest! We've got classes, detentions, homework, map building, and lots of other things."
The other 3 marauders keep their heads down by perceptive.
"Don't even remind me of detention," shudders Sirius and then goes on to say, "I stopped eating chicken after that day."
Although they didn't reach the same point, the others shared Sirius' sentiment and would never again see chicken meat with the same eyes.
Determined, James looked into their eyes and said, "Even though we're tired, we can't let this go on. I vote for Padfoot's idea!"
Before they could vote, one of them interrupts...
"Look at yourself Prongs. You look terrible!" Warns Remus, worried about his friend. "Besides detentions and stuff--- You still have Quidditch practice and the dark circles on your face can be seen from afar."
When it came to appearance, James was concerned. Every morning, the pompous boy combs his hair several times in front of the mirror. Used to admiring his reflection, James was upset to see his new dark circles from him. Hearing this from Remus was just the final hand.
"He's right Prongs," said Sirius before continuing, "We need our Quidditch Star rested to beat those snakes."
Reluctantly, James nods his head and asks, "What do we do then?"
After some thoughtful time, Remus proposed, "How about we wait for the map to be completed? That would make it easier to investigate and by then our detention will be over."
"Are the detentions going to end? You're being naive, Moony," Sirius said before elaborating. "Whoever's setting us up --- this guy wants to screw us up and he won't stop anytime soon."
James couldn't help but look suspiciously at the back of his hated enemy, but he soon gave up. Few would believe the fact even if he lawsuit Severus. His hated enemy was one of the victims of the prank and he stopped chasing the marauders if he wasn't provoked.
"Er --- So what do we do?" Asks Peter who joins the conversation for the first time.
After much thought, James concluded and said, "Maybe it's better in public to walk apart, but in secret to meet and finish the map."
Not understanding the point of walking apart, they continued to listen to James.
"If people see us apart they'll get the impression that we've stopped our pranks and that the marauders are breaking up," James said disgustedly at his own words.
Remus and Sirius looked shocked at the proposal but continued to listen.
"Even if new setups come up, we can claim innocence because 'we've finished the marauders,'" A pained expression crossed James' face just at the thought of pretending to shut down the marauders. "After finishing the map, we catch the culprit and prove our innocence."
"But does it need to come to that, Prongs?" Sirius asks.
"If we don't do that, it would just take longer to finish the map the detentions get in the way," explains James.
"Very good class!" draws students' attention, Professor McGonagall. "In the next class, everyone should bring me 2 scrolls summarizing your experience with today's transfiguration spell. That's all for now and you're excused!"
Grabbing their belongings, students begin to leave the class. James, who still hadn't left, looked hopefully at Lily's back in perspective that things would get better when he was cleared.
...
With the end of the class, and now in the hallways. Mary says almost laughing, "You had to see Marlene's face when you did the first transfiguration, Lily."
"Ohh? This one I wanted to see!" said Lily imagining the scene and then laughed in revenge.
Mary laughed along with it, but soon she heard a voice interrupting.
"My belated congratulations, Lily! A beautiful transfiguration you made," she praises Severus who walks side by side.
Although he was happy for the compliments, Lily didn't mind being the center of attention. But hearing that from Severus had caused a great surge of emotions inside her.
Opening a smile, Lily said, "Thanks Sevvy! You soon got the hang of doing the spell and you deserve praise too. You were amazing."
Severus looked into Lily's eyes and smiled gratefully.
Mary was suspicious to see their behavior, but she soon rejected it. Lily and Severus had been attached to each other the first year and yet they were just friends.
"It's good to see you, Severus," says Mary.
Severus looks at Mary and repeats the formalities. Continuing the journey through the corridors, the three friends talk to each other...
But with the stairs close, Mary turns to Lily and asks, "Will you come with me, Lily?"
Seeing her friend's question, Lily replied, "I'm sorry Mary! Professor Slughorn needs help with some Pepper Potion Shipments. Severus and I volunteer."
With winter approaching, the hospital wing would need extra pepper potions. Madame Pomfrey asked Prof. Slughorn in this endeavor, but being 'busy' the teacher offered his best students to help him.
"Alright then --- I'll see you later, Lily," said Mary before turning to Severus and saying with a wink, "Take care of Lily for me, okay?"
"Of course!" Reply Severus amused.
Shortly after separating from Mary, the two find the classroom they asked to work in. Slughorn promptly authorized Severus and Lily's request to have a private place so that no one would disturb them.
Entering the room, Lily closed the door while Severus watched the room's contents. Set of cauldrons available, some tables and chairs. The lighting was okay and it looked like a nice environment.
While Severus seemed intent on checking everything out, Lily's heart began to pound at the prospect of being alone with her 'friend'. In public, the redhead managed to calm down knowing that Severus would hear her request to keep their relationship a secret.
But alone...
"Looks like Professor Slughorn left the ingredients for us," comments Severus.
Lily saw the ingredients positioned and said, "Thank Merlin for that, it saves us some time."
"Shall we get started then?" Severus asks as he starts to stir with the wood from the cauldron.
Lily looked slightly annoyed about something, but quickly suppressed it and nodded.
"Thank you," said Severus as he took the container of salamander blood that Lily had handed him.
The redhead had chosen to be an auxiliary, the two are together in potions since the first year and that's why they act in sync. Almost as if they communicated only with gestures and looks.
Time seemed to run in unexpected ways, almost all the ingredients had run out and the last batch was heating up inside the cauldron...
"What happened?" asked Severus.
"What?" Lily asked not understanding.
"You're angry," points out Severus.
"Hmph! Who said that?" said Lily obstinately.
"You told me," said Severus as he approached Lily and left the cauldron alone. He reaches for the redhead's lips and says, "When you're nervous, you pout."
Lily blushed furiously at the intimate contact, but quickly suppressed it and defended herself: "I don't pout!"
"Yes you do," said Severus as he nodded as if it were obvious and smiled mischievously.
Lily wanted to hit that rascal, see that same annoying smile again... she couldn't stay like this!
"Ohh? I thought it was your policy to focus only on potions?" sneered Lily pointing to the cauldron alone. "You told me the other day that this could blow up in our faces."
"Well, after all these potions I'm kind of tired --- how about you stir the cauldron a bit for me?" Severus asks with a sincere smile.
Needless to say, Lily was furious! Taking over the cauldron, the redhead starts muttering to herself: "That rascal ---"
Stirring the cauldron as if she wanted to 'destroy' the potion and not mix it, Lily was startled by the sudden arms that hugged her from behind.
"Must be smooth movements, Lily," Severus takes Lily's hands as he hugs her from behind and rotates the spoon.
Lily shivered as Severus' breath tickled her neck. Though he couldn't see this cuz his eyes were on her back... A deep red on Lily's cheeks appeared to rival her red hair. Recovering herself, Lily returned to her Angry State and began to fidget in Severus' arms.
"Let me go!" said Lily as she intended to push Severus away.
"Calm down, Lily," whispered Severus in her ear. "I promise if you don't want me here I'll let you go immediately."
With his whisper in her ears, the tight embrace, the feel of their bodies glued together… Lily blushed furiously.
"If you don't want me here it's okay, I'll let you go! --- but first, tell me if you don't want this" Severus puts his lips to Lily's neck and kiss.
Millions of electricity have passed through Lily's body and she felt weak. Joining forces, she starts to defend herself: "Who said---"
Another kiss on the neck interrupts her lines on the way. Lily wanted to be angry at him, but the redhead couldn't help but be impressed by Severus' ability to provoke so many emotions in her.
Waving his wand to put out the cauldron's flames, Severus pulls Lily back and turns her around making her sit at a table. Looking into her eyes, he sees a glimmer of various emotions. Shyness, Anger, Euphoria, Anticipation, and Challenge.
As if to get revenge, Lily didn't allow herself to be defensive. She leaves no escape for Severus and wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him into a heated kiss.
Severus can finally taste those soft lips he loves so much. All of Lily's emotions were conveyed by the kiss, the black-haired boy felt her desire and challenge.
The challenge was accepted and both did not allow themselves to lose.
A while later, Lily couldn't do it anymore and stepped back to catch her breath. This only lasted a few seconds, as she kisses him again when she sees that irritating smile of victory come over him.
The two were lost in those fights, in some moments Severus lost, and in others Lily. Honestly, neither of them knew what the score was and nobody cared.
Both engaged as if this were the last battle. The passion of their kisses was clear, their bodies pressed together and Severus' hands on her waist. Taking advantage of Lily's slight distraction, Severus makes the final move to win...
"Whmm--" moans were heard as Severus invades Lily's mouth with his tongue.
Both were inexperienced and had never heard the term 'French kiss'. Severus on inspiration, his instincts guided him on what to do next and sent a 'Vive La France'.
"Whmm--" Lily starting to lose the war, her shy tongue seemed to want to duel. But Severus seemed to anticipate her every move and just do what he wanted with her.
'Merlin, why does that rascal have to be so good?' Lily's thoughts clouded.
With hormones at the limit, the two wonder if they should test a few more things. Maybe a few groping here or there... But soon Severus walks away and admits defeat.
"*Sigh*, my lose," admits Severus reluctantly.
Lily, who still hadn't balanced herself, recovered and then realized the situation. Looking at Severus, she understands what he's done and can't help but like him even more.
"Er --- I th-think that for today will be a draw," she states with rosy cheeks.
Severus knew that Lily wasn't prepared, or rather... Both weren't! They were barely 14 years old and should take things more slowly.
Lily started to like Severus even more because he controlled himself for her, the rumors of being much more difficult for the boys in this requirement are something she had heard. And if the bulges in his pants were any sign, then yes! These rumors appear to be true.
"Let's go then?" asks Severus about leaving the site.
Lily responded, but not before standing on her tiptoes and placing a chaste kiss on Severus' lips and saying, "Yes, let's go!"
Severus couldn't help saying in his mind:
'Merlin, have I ever told anyone how much I love that redhead?'
