Chương 42: Chapter 41 - Lily Evans 02.

[Chapter Size: 3500 Words.] 

Third Person POV 

Hogwarts. 

... 

... 

After helping the last of the students, Lily was immediately approached by her Gryffindor friends, who practically dragged her toward the carriages. 

Lily had no choice but to let herself be pulled along. Mary and Marlene held her arms while the others laughed. Together, they pushed their way through the enormous crowd of students gathered outside. 

One of the first things she noticed, while watching the Marauders laughing and joking around as the center of attention, was a rather strange scene. 

She saw a Slytherin student talking to a little girl. Beside him stood two Hufflepuff girls, clearly older students in their seventh year. 

Hufflepuff and Slytherin were a very strange combination to see together, and it certainly did not look like they were there out of obligation. 

That also caught the attention of all her friends. 

Their gazes immediately landed on the Slytherin boy at the exact moment they saw him saying goodbye to the girl, who was heading toward the place where Hagrid was gathering the first-year students to begin the boat crossing. 

If that was already strange, the fact that her friends began letting out small exclamations upon seeing the Slytherin's face made the whole scene even more bizarre. 

But Lily could not deny it. That boy was... handsome. And unfamiliar. 

Two factors that made her friends practically go into heat and start behaving in a way she knew all too well. 

After all, there was one thing they liked talking about more than any magic lesson or research assignment. 

And that was... boys. 

Lily could not help feeling embarrassed when they simply started staring at him without the slightest shame. 

The young man turned his green eyes toward all those pairs of eyes fixed on him. They were already being excessive with their staring. And she knew that, as a woman, her peripheral vision was excellent. She could notice everything around her without having to look directly at it. 

That was why, when her friends started watching him like that, it became obvious to her that they were all interested in him and wanted to get his attention. 

Lily could not help finding that a little ironic. Internally, she wondered where all the disdain they usually showed toward Slytherin had gone after seeing a handsome face with green eyes like those. 

Weren't they the ones who were always commenting that there were plenty of handsome and wealthy boys in that house? Weren't they supposed to stay away? 

Now they seemed to have completely forgotten about that. She practically mocked her friends in her thoughts as she walked past. 

Even so... she also could not help looking. She had green eyes herself and could recognize beauty when she saw it. 

That single thought returned to her mind. Handsome. Very handsome. More handsome than any other Hogwarts student she had ever seen. 

Those green eyes settled on her for a brief fraction of a second. The kind of green that matched her own eyes. 

But at that moment, Lily had the impression that hers seemed completely ordinary compared to those brilliant eyes. 

It was the kind of gaze capable of leaving any girl speechless. And she could see exactly that reaction in her friends. 

Some looked as though they were about to let out little squeals. As soon as they passed by him, they immediately started whispering and gossiping about the mysterious Slytherin student. 

"It's him! It's really him, the one we saw in Diagon Alley!" Mary and Marlene immediately began whispering excitedly, making all the others raise their eyebrows. 

Whoever that new student was, Lily could not deny the reason her friends were practically throwing themselves at him with their eyes. But something bothered her. 

When their gazes met, the student did not seem to show any interest in her. 

But it felt strange. Lily was used to receiving all kinds of looks. 

Some filled with admiration. Others with desire. And many with disdain, especially from pure-bloods who saw her as inferior for being Muggle-born. She hated the last two. 

She did not like those who saw her as nothing more than a pretty face, and even less those who considered her inferior. 

But those green eyes... They had been different. They did not care about her beauty, yet there was no disdain. No arrogance. No desire. There was absolutely nothing. 

Only indifference. 

That bothered her more than it should have. It was not because she liked to think of herself as special. But she was popular for a reason. Even so, something stirred in her heart at that moment. 

There was that strange feeling. 

Familiarity. 

As if she recognized something in that gaze. 

Lily immediately identified that feeling. But at the same time, it made no sense. 

She had never seen that boy before. And yet, he seemed strangely familiar. 

When she started paying attention again, she saw her friends practically freaking out in a corner. They were talking so loudly that even the Marauders had started paying attention. 

The four of them turned their eyes toward the Slytherin, who stood apart from the rest of the students while everyone slowly began filling the carriages. Of course, seeing all those Gryffindor girls paying attention to a Slytherin student deeply irritated the Marauders. 

Lily could practically imagine the idiotic plans they were already coming up with to try and humiliate the boy. All out of pure jealousy. 

"We saw him in Diagon Alley!!" Mary was practically jumping with excitement. 

"When we were outside one of the bookstores, he came out and walked right past us! Professor McGonagall was there too. Maybe she knows who he is! We need to ask her!" Mary sounded like a detective trying to solve a great mystery. 

"Hey, hey, hey! I know we've just found practically the most handsome student in Hogwarts, but did you see his robes? He's already been sorted into Slytherin." Dorcas interrupted the others. 

That made all of them calm down a little. 

"That's true..." Mary admitted. 

"But look closely. Why is he so isolated? And why is he with two Hufflepuff students? He doesn't seem to be like the other Slytherins." 

"Besides, why did he have a Sorting Ceremony earlier? He should have been sorted together with the first-year students." Marlene crossed her arms. "Maybe we should have shouted for the Hat to put him in Gryffindor." 

She paused before continuing. "I wish I knew more about him. Do you think he likes Quidditch?" 

"Stop acting like a lovestruck fool, Marlene. He's just a pretty face. You'll get used to it soon enough." Dorcas rolled her eyes. "Besides, Iris Scamander is practically glued to him. Look over there." She pointed toward the group. 

Everyone's eyes followed her gesture. 

The Slytherin boy continued talking calmly as he walked beside one of the carriages alongside the two Hufflepuff girls. 

Lily could not help being surprised when he began touching the air in front of the carriage and rubbing his hand against something invisible, drawing several curious looks. 

She was not foolish. She was already in her sixth year, so she knew very well what kind of creature pulled the carriages. She still felt a chill whenever she remembered the truth about Thestrals. 

It had been Severus who explained their meaning to her during their second year. 

But even he could not see them. And the price for that was far too high. One had to have witnessed death. 

He knew death... Everyone thought the same thing together. Immediately, several students sighed at the sight. 

Lily could not look away. Her gaze remained fixed on him almost magnetically. 

That was when she saw Iris approach. The young man began talking to her and then took her hand, guiding it to the same spot where he had been stroking the invisible creature. 

"Wait! I know who he is!" Emmeline Vance suddenly spoke up. 

"Isn't he Iris's fiancé? The one who studies at the Durmstrang Institute?" All the girls immediately widened their eyes. 

Lily joined them. She had no idea that Iris Scamander was engaged to someone. 

Seeing the confusion on her face, Marlene answered, "She's been engaged since fourth year, didn't you know? But her fiancé never studied at Hogwarts. He studies in Scotland, at the Institute." She spoke with satisfaction at finally remembering. 2

Meanwhile, they watched the two of them. There was something quite intimate in the way they talked and touched each other. 

Something definitely... romantic. 

"But wait..." Mary murmured. "I've heard plenty of gossip saying she was always talking about how she didn't like her own fiancé! She never mentioned he was this handsome!" 

The girl watched them for a few more seconds. "And look at them. Do you see a woman who despises her fiancé?" Mary commented while hugging her book against her chest. 

She seemed torn between disappointment at discovering the boy was already taken and satisfaction at finally solving the mystery. 

"But he's from Slytherin..." Alicia also joined the gossip. 

"Why wouldn't he be from Slytherin?" Dorcas mocked. "Isn't it obvious? At the Durmstrang Institute they openly practice the Dark Arts. In every possible sense. Of course he's evil." She cast a suspicious glance at the young man. 

"Well, he's a Slytherin. Any Slytherin is evil." Marlene let out a disappointed sigh. "What a shame. I'd already planned how I was going to approach him. I was going to ask if he likes Quidditch. We could start a romance because of that." 

"Sometimes you're really foolish, Marlene." Emmeline muttered as she looked at her friend strangely. 1

"Oh, come on. I'm already tired of the same boys as always. I wanted to enjoy a new pretty face." Marlene crossed her arms. "And a very pretty face." 

"Don't let Sirius hear you say that. He's already going to be upset enough." Dorcas started laughing. 

At the same time, the Marauders really did seem a little unhappy. With the exception of Remus, who did not appear to care in the slightest. 

But everyone there knew the story. Especially the little romance Sirius and Marlene had shared the previous year. 

In any case, Frank appeared at that moment. "Lily, we need to go. It's time to help the professors so Hogwarts can receive the first-year students." 

Lily nodded. 

"See you at the Gryffindor table, sweetheart." Frank leaned over and kissed Alicia. 

He went back to talking with the other prefects while she prepared to leave. 

"Well, I'm off. See you later." Lily said as she could not help giving one last look toward the hill with the carriages. That student entered one of the carriages shortly afterward, accompanied by three Hufflepuff girls. 

She also noticed how several Slytherin students discreetly pointed at him, exchanging silent questions and surprised expressions. 

So he really was a new student. At the same time, her eyes could not help searching for those black, greasy hair strands among the crowd of green and black robes. 

She was surprised not to find them anywhere. Even so, it did not take long for her to put that aside and head toward one of the carriages. 

The Great Hall was, as always, filled with magic. 

The enchanted starry sky. 

The floating candles. 

Professor McGonagall helping the students alongside the prefects. Lily joined the others in helping the students find their seats at the Gryffindor table. 

When everything was finished and all the tables were occupied, she finally sat down beside her friends at the Gryffindor table. 

Their eyes immediately turned toward the Slytherin table. Once again, they were looking for the new student, and he was nowhere to be seen. 

That caused the girls to start exchanging quick questions and confused glances. Some even searched the Hufflepuff table, wondering if he might be sitting beside Iris. 

But they did not find him there either. 

Lily ended up noticing something else. She could not see Severus either. Not that she was looking for him—she would never admit that. But curiosity got the better of her. 

She even checked the Slytherin students one by one. That was when she realized he was absent as well, along with another student. 

Soon, the first-year children arrived in the hall. Lily immediately turned her attention to them. 

She could not help smiling as she watched them. It reminded her of the days when she had entered Hogwarts alongside Severus. 

She continued watching as Professor McGonagall called student after student. The Sorting Hat made its choices, and the tables erupted into applause with each new sorting. 

Then something unexpected happened. 

"Slytherin!" 

The hall fell silent for a moment. The little girl named Heloísa had been sent to Slytherin. 

Lily and her friends were bewildered. They had all liked her immediately, commenting on how she was one of the cutest among the children. 

When her name had been called, the girl had seemed adorable, and Lily's friends had quickly begun speculating. Hufflepuff? Ravenclaw? Or Gryffindor? 

Any of those houses seemed more likely. Marlene commented that she did not know of any members of her family in the wizarding world. So she was probably Muggle-born. 

Even Professor McGonagall seemed to have swallowed a lemon when she heard the Hat's decision. When the name of the house was announced, the Slytherin students looked confused as well. 

The applause was polite, but rather modest. There was no enthusiasm. 

Only curious looks and silent questions about who the Vittorinis were, the family that girl belonged to. 

"I can't believe it." Dorcas widened her eyes. 

"She's clearly Muggle-born. How did she end up in that rat's nest?" Emmeline protested. 

"There must be something wrong." Mary murmured. 

Even Potter muttered from the other side of the table, looking toward Slytherin with an incredulous and resentful expression. 

They watched the girl make her way to the Slytherin table until she found a seat among the fourth-year students. Someone had called her over there. 

Everyone was surprised when they finally saw the mysterious student appear. 

"Wait... he wasn't there before!" Marlene murmured. "I made sure to check every seat myself. It was hard not to notice someone like him." 

"It looks like they already knew each other," Mary commented. "She was the one that new student was talking to when we got off the train... So she must be someone close to him." 

"Wait... do you think he would do something that cruel and bring a Muggle-born into Slytherin?" Emmeline asked. 

"Maybe she's not a Muggle-born from Britain," Marlene replied. "Maybe she's someone who came along with him." 

The theory quickly became popular among the girls. 

"I just hope she'll be okay..." Lily said as she looked at the girl, who seemed happy as she smiled at the student. She had liked that scene, seeing him smile at her after a few questions. He did not seem like a bad person... 

"Well, I hope Iris's fiancé takes good care of her," Mary also shared Lily's gaze, though she still looked worried. 

Their eyes returned to that section of the Slytherin table several more times throughout the rest of the evening. 

Lily could not help observing a few times as well. Or discreetly looking for her former friend. 

In any case, the rest of the evening passed without incident. Soon everyone headed to their dormitories. 

The Marauders immediately organized a party among the older students, but Lily was far too tired to take part. So she simply went to sleep. 

The following morning, she headed to the Great Hall after greeting a few people in the Gryffindor common room. 

She sat down with her friends and began listening to the first gossip of the day. Even so, she could not help casting another glance toward the Slytherin table. 

And looking for Severus once again. Once more, he was not there. 

Then the rumors began. Something had happened in Slytherin. Lily was surprised to hear that someone had challenged Lestrange. 

Everyone knew that Rabastan Lestrange would naturally assume leadership of the Slytherins, guiding the house down even darker paths. 

Lily knew how Slytherin House was getting worse. It had already left a disturbing impression when the house had fallen into Lucius Malfoy's hands. 

And Rabastan was the brother-in-law of none other than Bellatrix Black, or rather, Bellatrix Lestrange now. Whenever Sirius spoke that name, he did so with a dark look in his eyes. 

As though he were talking about a maniac. 

When they left the Great Hall, the first class of the day was Defense Against the Dark Arts. It was a shared lesson with Hufflepuff. 

Once again, there was a new professor whom Dumbledore had introduced the previous night during the announcements. 

Lily was already used to it. Since her first year, they had never had a professor remain in the position for more than a single year. 

Something always happened: an accident, an illness, or even a premature death. 

She had actually been surprised when she heard that this foreign professor had accepted the position. That post was publicly known to be cursed, and no one wanted it anymore. 

In any case, the class passed smoothly. The professor was not bad, Lily had to admit that. 

But she was still not used to him and probably would not have time to get used to him. After all, if the tradition continued, he would be gone by next year. Even so, she tried to take advantage of everything she could learn from the lesson. 

When it ended, they headed to Potions. That was when Lily began thinking about Severus's absence again. 

It was truly strange. If he were at Hogwarts, he would certainly appear at the next class. 

Even if she no longer cared about him... Even if their friendship had ended... She still wanted to satisfy that nagging curiosity that insisted on bothering her. 

She looked toward the old place she used to share with Severus, but soon shook her head and walked alongside her friend Mary. 

Potter and Sirius immediately headed for the desk behind them, undoubtedly planning to annoy them throughout the entire lesson, as they usually did. Now that she was no longer with Severus, it was quite possible that Potter would be even more persistent. 

Professor Slughorn finally arrived with the charisma Lily adored. 

She noticed that all the students were already in the classroom, and her eyes drifted toward where the Slytherin students were seated on the other side of the room. 

No sign of Severus. 

That made Lily wonder whether he was really at Hogwarts at all. 

She had never heard of the Marauder's Map, of course, so she had no idea how the Marauders managed to find people throughout the castle. 

Part of her wanted to simply ask the professor. Even knowing she should not, she still wanted to understand why Severus seemed not to be at Hogwarts that year. 

However, as the professor began speaking and was already praising her, saying that he expected great potions from her that year, her eyes drifted toward the Slytherin table once again. 

Then her expression changed to confusion. 

"Where is Mr. Snape?!" The question immediately caught Lily's attention, along with the entire class's. 

There was something in the professor's tone that she had never heard before when it came to Severus. He seemed genuinely... worried? 

Lily had expected irritation or disappointment. But not that. There was only concern. 

The professor looked back at the Slytherin students. "Where is Severus? I spoke with him this morning." That made Lily raise an eyebrow. 

'So Severus really is at Hogwarts.' 

"It seems he stayed behind in Charms to speak with Professor Flitwick, Professor Slughorn," Mulciber replied. 

His tone was irritating and full of disdain. Lily could not help noticing the looks on the Slytherin students' faces. 

They seemed uneasy, confused. Exchanging silent questions among themselves. 

She had never seen them like that. Not when it came to Severus. 

'What was happening?' Even more questions began to arise in her mind. 

In any case, Severus did not appear in class. So she decided to focus on Potions. 

And that was exactly what she did for the rest of the lesson. She tried not to think about anything else. Meanwhile, Mary was clearly struggling with the subject. Lily had to admit that working with Severus had been much easier. 

Even so, everything proceeded normally. 

Until the professor simply froze at some point... 

Everyone noticed when his gaze became fixed on the last desks in the classroom. 

"What is this?!" The exclamation made every student turn toward the back of the room. Lily included. 

Everyone saw that same new student. And he did not even pay attention, buried in that book and writing with that bizarre sight before him. 

"Mr. Snape!" The professor's shout was louder. 

Everyone froze, and under the gaze of the entire classroom, the student looked up. 

"Yes, Professor?" he asked in a calm and natural tone. Completely different from the rest of the room. 

The instant Lily looked at him answering the professor's call, her eyes met those of her former friend. 

She froze. 

'Severus?' Lily stammered internally. 

Was that Severus, sitting there? 2

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