Letters from the Half Blood Prince (Maurader Era)

Ok..this is my first attempt so please be gentle and I hope you like.
Disclaimer:Of course all the characters belong to JK Rowling and I only wish that I could be so talented.

Gulp here goes:

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Chapter ONE:
Evans
This week you will be making the Draught of Living Death.
I’d suggest crushing the Sopophorous Bean with flat side of the silver dagger, it releases juices better than cutting. Also add a clock-wise stir after every seventh counter-clockwise stir.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

HBP

Lily read through the note again in disbelief. Her second day back at Hogwarts for the sixth year and she is getting notes – a prank from the insufferable arrogant idiot James Potter perhaps? She turned around at the breakfast table looking for his mop of black unruly hair.

“Alright Evans,” he caught her gaze and smiled cheekily.

She blushed.
“What are you up to James Potter?”

“Nothing. Have a good holiday? Changed your mind – want go out on a date? "He sipped his pumpkin juice while his eyes danced awaiting her reply.

“Oh Merlin James! Am I going to get another year of this? Just…focus your attentions else where please; perhaps on work for a change.” She hadn’t meant to sound so bossy, her voice faltered when she realised.

James had not taken notice of the tone of her voice.
“Lily Evans, you are my sole focus this year, I will get you to date me.”

“Give it a rest!’ She scrambled to her feet and stashed the letter inside her backpack.

James Potter watched her walk out of the Great Hall, her red hair shimmering behind her. As he turned back to his bacon and eggs he caught Severus Snape’s eye. He laughed and mouthed “Alright Snivellus?”

Snape’s eyes narrowed and then he turned away abruptly. He gathered his belongings and walked out.

“Hurry up Prongs, looks like Potions is first – old Sluggy” Sirius’ voice jolted James back to reality.
They both leisurely made their way down to the Potions’ classroom in the dungeons.

Students had gathered in front of the classroom awaiting Professor Slughorn to open the doors. Snape was leaning against the door frame, frowning and immersed in reading his “Advanced Potions” text. Others were laughing and catching up with all the gossip from the holidays. Lily was chatting with Miriam Somic and kept stealing glances at Snape. She wasn’t sure she had forgiven him for calling her a ‘mudblood’ last year but she always wondered why he never had any friends and why he never bothered to talk to anyone. He glimpsed at her and caught her eye, she could hardly see his face through the black curtains which dramatically covered most of his eyes.
She attempted to smile; he pursed his lips and looked back at his book.

The door creaked open and Slughorn jovially greeted his students. After a brief introduction to what was excepted for the NEWTS, a flashy display of some potions that he expected they would need for the final NEWTS the Potion Master asked everyone to open the books to pg 398 ‘The Draught of Living Death” and gather the ingredients to commence making the potion.

“This is a difficult potion, but I know you are all up to the task. Please commence, you have an hour and a half to inspire me!” Slughorn’s voice boomed throughout the classroom.

As Lily commenced gathering her ingredients, she cast her mind back to the letter she had received his morning, delivered via owl. She decided someone was hoping she would fail as the instructions were different that mentioned in her textbook so she disregarded it and got on with getting the potion started. She looked around her; other students had already commenced yet James and Sirius were laughing as they were throwing Sopophorus beans at each other. Sirius nudged James, who looked sideways at Lily. He grinned and put his left index finger to his lip as Sirius threw a bean at Snape’s head. She suppressed a giggle as Snape tugged the back of his hair and leant over his misty cauldron. She shook her head and rolled her eyes at James and commenced on her work.

The 90 minutes passed by very quickly.“Time to bottle up please” Slughorn chuckled as he looked across the room. Lily sighed; her potion had failed to make the final colour change. It was resolutely purple. She glanced around, the only person’s potion that was pale pink was Snape’s. She watched as he bottled the potion with care and handed it to the Professor.

“As always you never fail to deliver the goods - Good work Severus”

“Thank you professor” he answered.

Great, Severus always seemed to outdo her in Potions! She shook her head as she tried to work out what instruction she had not carefully followed.
She walked over to the Professor’s desk and offered him the vial of her purple potion.

“Professor I made the potion as per the instructions in the text, I can’t understand why it didn’t turn out!”

“Never mind my dear” Slughorn examined the bottle closely “I can not fault your technique, I am sure it was something minor. I shall be commencing my parties again in the next few weeks I will let you know as soon as plans come into fruition. He smiled and clasped Lily’s hand “You are an exceptional witch Lily Evans, if you have any further thoughts as your future as an Unspeakable I can help you. I do have connections at the Ministry of Magic.”

“Thanks Professor. I didn’t think about career options over the holiday break. I will be discussing this with Professor McGonagall this year. I’d like to keep my options open; I had also thought of teaching or perhaps Healer. I better get to Transfiguration class.” She smiled apologetically and made her way to the door ‘Miriam, wait up!”

The remainder of the day passed uneventfully. Lily was content to be back studying and seeing all her wonderful friends.

I just realised I spelt Marauder wrong in the title (due to nerves) Sorry guys.

Chapter 2.

The first couple of weeks raced by, Lily had organised a homework timetable that she and Miriam tried to follow religiously. Most nights and Sunday mornings were spent at the library. Insofar Lily had received a note from HBP at least every morning before a Potions class. She tried not to dwell on the contents and decided that James Potter was definitely not the author. She suspected that perhaps Professor Slughorn was sending the notes to her (who else would know the lesson plan?) as she knew she was a favourite of his but she determinedly decided not the follow the suggestions as she didn’t want the advantage over fellow students.

And so Lily had ended another Potions lesson with an almost perfect Strengthening Potion. The note sent to her by HBP had suggested powdering the Elettaria fruit and adding it to the pomegranate juice before mixed the solution with the salamander blood to allow it to mature. Screwing up the bit of parchment that had been sent to her she threw it into her bag and glanced around the Potions classroom. Once again, Severus’ potion looked perfect, she eyed him bottle the potion and hand it in to Professor Slughorn. Slughorn nodded affirmatively towards Snape and then looked at Lily expectantly “Well, Lily how did it go?”

“Hmmh, Professor I have had better days” she handed the colourless liquid to him “perhaps it will still mature perfectly?”

Slughorn did not answer her, his attention now directed at Sirius and James who were pocketing some of the dried elletaria pods.
“Boys! Potter and Black!”

James turned and flashed a dazzling grin at Slughorn and shrugged, “Sorry Professor! Thought we’d try to make our own batch of strengthening solution”

“….for the quidditch game coming up,” added Sirius sheepishly.

“Tut!Tut! Hand it over! I admire your ingenuity but I must protect Slytherin in the upcoming game. ”

As James sauntered towards Slughorn, he winked at Lily. She scowled and walked out as quickly as she could.

On her way to the Great Hall for lunch Lily pondered why NEWTs Potions had become more difficult for her and why she wasn’t content with her performance; she had to admit to herself -SHE was doing better than most people in her class and only Severus Snape was performing better. She debated whether she should approach Severus and ask for some guidance however her pride got the better of her, HE had called her a mudblood last year – that she could not forgive yet.

All comments welcome :tu: or :td: -please see clicky thingy in chapter one

Chapter 3

Sunday morning Lily had to force Miriam out of bed to meet her in the library to catch up on Charms and Transfiguration assignments.

“Just give me a few more minutes,” Miriam kept her eyes absolutely shut, her golden hair shunning her exasperated expression and pulled her quilt closer to her face.

“Fine, I’ll see you in no more than 15 minutes. Corner table as usual.” Lily tapped on her watch.

As she walked towards the library she glimpsed through the passing windows. The sun was illuminating the tree tops, the sky crystal blue and there seemed to be magenta birds dancing effortlessly in the skies - the Gryffindor quidditch team were out practising. James Potter was diving to the ground - Lily caught her breath as she watched him pull up smoothly – the Wronski Feint –his voice echoed in her mind. She couldn’t believe she knew the quidditch terminology. She shook her head in distaste – James was obviously showing off again.

Lily was surprised that she wasn’t the only student in the library today. Normally the library was a quiet place on Sunday mornings, most students slept in or spent time outside before the season changed and it got colder. Severus Snape was sitting on his lonesome at a tablet, his black hair streaming on either side of his face, a thin aquiline nose jutting out almost touching the text book he was scrawling on.

“Severus..”, Lily faltered.

She said his name before she had thought of the implication. She was still angry that he had called her a Mudblood and she certainly didn’t want him thinking that she had forgiven him.

The text book snapped shut with a heavy thud, Severus glanced up at Lily, his hair masking his eyes. He closed his arms around the book, his black robes covering it.
She waited for him to talk to her and she watched his demeanour carefully. After a few moments of utter silence she whispered, (despite her better judgement) “Well…..”

Severus glanced around nervously “I’m...sorry” he croaked.

She looked hard at him, waiting for more of a reaction.

“Do you mean it?” she said agonizingly, “I never expected YOU to behave that way! Is it because you are in Slytherin that you think it imperative to call people names and hurt them?”

Severus scoffed “James Potter is worse, he is the one that always starts it! He has the audaci..”

“I’m not talking about James Potter, I am asking you. Do feel proud to have called me that name?”

“No” The answer was simple. “I’m sorry, I…have no reason.”

Severus stood up still holding his book close to his chest. He jerked a nod to Lily and walked out of the library

Lily prided herself for being a good judge of character and she was exasperated as she could not figure him out. Last year they had said hello to each other occasionally in Potions and DADA classes, she had sometimes seen him looking at her but she had noticed the natural animosity between James, Sirius and Severus. Those two gryffindor boys could be prats but Severus always appeared to bite back.

“Lily ..snap out of it”, Miriam’s disgruntled voice pulling her back to reality. “I can’t believe I got out of bed for this. What’s going on?”

“I finally spoke to Severus, this thing has been bugging me all through the summer. He apologised, he is such an enigma and..”

“Why DO YOU bother Lily? Honestly that guy is the lowest of the low. Firstly he is a prejudice slytherin, he hates muggles and he’s a freak. He alwa...”

“Give it a rest Miriam. There is something going on with Severus Snape and I am going to find out what it is”.

Miriam dropped her books onto the table and set down into the chair, Lily
heard her mutter “Whatever”.

“Lets get started on Charms Miriam”

Miriam nodded and flicked open her book, unrolled her parchment and whispered a enchantment to keep it open. Lily laid out the ink bottle and paperwork and launched into reading chapter 26 on Disillusionment charms.

“So did you see how lovely it is outside? The Gryffindor quidditch team are practising for the first game against Slytherin. It would be nice to get out there and show a little of support.”

“Oh yeah, on the way to the library I saw James Potter doing a serious move, it looked good” Lily said offhandedly.

Miriam chuckled.

“What?”

“Come on Lily, he likes you, you like him..what’s stopping you from dating him?”

Lily scoffed ‘I don’t like him. End of conversation.”

Miriam smirked and hid her smile as she commenced re-reading chapter 26 for the fifth time.

Chapter 4

Evans
I have it on good authority that the magical Aminadverto Noctis potion will be made in the Potions class today. If you squeeze the myrtillu into the rutaceae solution after adding the Phoebus leaves you will get the desired effect.

The Half Blood Prince

Lily smiled -So HBP stood for “Half Blood Prince”? Could it be a seventh year that liked her? Anyone with the surname Prince? Some kind of royalty at the school? Lily racked her brain – Jacob Winter, Moses Mopples, Lancaster Soels? – hmm. No princes here. Cute guys - but she was sure she had never spoken more that 3 words to any of the older students and she never had any one of them approach her. Lily studied the parchment intently, perhaps she would recognise the slanty spidery writing if she looked at it long enough. She now realised that it wasn’t Professor Slughorn’s writing as the last invite to his social club she noticed his writing was curvy and generous.

Lily had decided that today she would follow the Prince’s instructions as her past attempts at following the ‘Advanced Potions’ text had been fruitless. So Lily tucked the note behind page 264 of the text and carefully added the directions in as instructed to her by the Prince. Occasionally she stole glances around the class – James and Sirius were mucking around as usual, Severus was bent over his cauldron the pink mist dampening his hair so that it looked stringy, and Slughorn was snoozing in his chair. Although she felt racked with guilt that she was not using the suggested text directions Lily was glad that no one had noticed anything different about her demeanor. With 10 minutes to spare Lily’s Aminadverto Noctis potion looked wonderful. She bottled the yellow solution carefully and made a label for the directions to put on the vial.

“Right 5 minutes people, I would suggest that you commence bottling the solution and putting them on my desk” Slughorn’s called through the classroom.

He got up from his chair and walked among the pupils. He stopped in front of Lily delighted that hers was already bottled and looked perfect.

“Lily Evans, Bless you – what a perfect potion,” Lily felt her cheeks redden considerably. She dropped her head and flicked her hair in front of her face. “This is a particularly difficult solution and I had not expected any of my students to master..”

CRASH.

Lily looked up. Severus Snape’s bright yellow solution covered the desk, his black smock and vials were shattered on the desk and floor. Lily heard the class burst into raucous laughter. Sirius Black was bent over howling in laughter and tears while James had commenced hiccupping from the laughing. Severus seemed to shrink into his robes as Slughorn wrestled his way through the students to get over to him. He slapped Severus on the back causing him to fling forward slightly.

“No harm, no foul Severus. These..accidents happen to the best of us.” Slughorn put his arm around Severus’s shoulder as Severus tried to shrink away from him.
“Right, everyone leave those potions on my desk and off to lunch. I can trust you to clean up this mess and put away your ingredients Severus. I have a very important lunch date”

With that, Slughorn directed the students forward and made his way to the door. Stifles of giggles and murmured taunts passed Severus as the students filed passed him out the classroom.

Lily watched Severus as he stared at the mess on his desk. She tentatively made her way over to him.

“Need some help?”

“Umm..Lily..I..,” he paused and shook his head. “No”
“Perhaps Mrs Scowers Magical Mess Remover will help? I think there is a bottle in the ingredients storeroom. I will have a look”.

Lily set down her belongings and went in search of the product. When she returned most of the desk looked normal again however there was a faint yellow stain covering it. Snape had removed the smock so that he was wearing his flimsy black robes and Lily noticed a small tear in the shoulder that revealed his pale almost luminescent skin.

“I guess there’s only so much that Evanesco will do” he said quietly. He reached out for the bottle in Lily’s hand. She felt a powerful shock reverberate inside her when his hand brushed hers. She slid her hand away and cradled it in the other hand, she tilted her head, her flowing red locks falling to the side and she watched him as he poured some of the mess remover on the desk.
As he reached into his bag for a cloth she said “Severus, please let me” Lily whispered an incantation under her breath and a scourer appeared brushing furiously on the desk.

“Thanks”

“No problems. Your potion looked great, I’m sorry for what happened”

“Yours looked good too. Any secrets?” He cocked his head, his lips curled into a smile.

“No. No secrets… just plain lucky this time I guess”

“Oh. ..Ok”

The scourer had disappeared and the desk looked cleaner and newer than it ever had before. Snape gathered his belonging and motioned towards the door “I guess we should get lunch before the next class.”

“Ok, let’s get lunch”

“Oh…I mean…I don’t think we should have lunch together”

Lily’s blood boiled as she snapped back to reality - this was the boy that had called her a filthy mudblood. Her green eyes flashed dangerously as she whispered in a resentful tone “That’s right! How could I forget? You wouldn’t want to be seen with a Mudblood right?” Lily fled the potions classroom leaving Severus pondering for an appropriate answer.

Chapter 5

The Gryffindor common room was clouded with red and yellow smoke; the remainder of the fireworks that someone had undoubtedly purchased from Zonko’s joke shop in Hogsmeade. Gold and red streamers, red balloons with golden Gryffindor crests decorated all the corners of the octagonal shaped room and the new 'Brothers of Wolf' tune was blaring resonantly from the wireless. The common room was packed with students ranging from the first to seventh years celebrating the quidditch victory of Gryffindor against Slytherin earlier that day. Butterbeer was flowing freely and all sorts of sweets such as Bertie Botts every Flavour Beans, Licorice Wands, Peppermint Humbugs and Chocolate frogs were generously being passed among the students. Lily was sharing a seat with Remus Lupin; a fellow prefect, on the lounge next to the blazing fireplace. As they were sipping their butterbeer they were discussing the current line-up of the new Gryffindor team and the particular advantage of having the new third-year keeper Rose Litisa.

“Rose was great. I really think she won it for us!” Lily enthused.

“Not to mention Potter, right? He’s quick on the broom”

“Yeah, OK. Pity he can’t deflate his head a bit” she answered dryly as she watched James; who was leaning against the portrait of the three-headed tenor, tousling his black hair while talking to a couple of third year girls (who appeared to be fawning over him!)

Lupin became very serious “Lily, James is a good friend. I wish you could know how generous he is with me”

“Remus, if he is such a great friend why doesn’t he listen to you?”

Lupin shrugged. “It’s a guy thing.”

Eager to change the subject, Remus called over to Sirius to join their conversation. Sirius nodded and pulled James away from the two adoring third years. Lily blushed furiously as the boys made their way over to her.

“Alright Lupin? Evans?” Sirius asked. James nodded and smiled at both.

“Great game!” Lily answered.

Sirius tugged Lupin on the cuff of his sweater “Come on mate, lets go change the music – perhaps something a little more intimate”. He winked at Lily and pulled Lupin in the general direction of the crowd leaving James standing over Lily.

James sat down beside Lily; Lily rolled her eyes at him.

“Don’t you start!”

“Start what?” He answered with a cheeky grin. He went to put his arm around her shoulder.

“Come-on James, this is too much.”

He lent forward and whispered gently, she felt the warm breathe on her face. “Too much what?”

Lily closed her eyes for a moment and felt James warm breath grazing her forehead. She opened her eyes and saw Miriam - raised eyebrows - standing behind James.

Lily shook her head before James could move in closer, she pushed him back and looked him squarely in the eyes.

“Get over yourself! You think you can have anyone - I don’t like you James Potter, you are a conceited so-and-so”.

The music had stopped. Lily realized the room had gone adequately quiet that most people had heard her comment and that she had become the centre of the room’s attention. She got up from her seat and whispered “Please excuse me..” her face matched the colour of her hair. The room swirled as she dashed up the winding stairs to her dormitory, Lily closed the door with the strongest ward she knew and flung herself onto her bed trying to block the last five minutes from her mind. Tears started to well up in the corner of her eyes. Great! Don’t be such a baby. Lily reached for the tissues she kept in her backpack and inadvertently picked up one of the notes the Half Blood Prince had left her, she smoothed out the parchment and re-read the contents and smiled to herself. This was one person that she knew she liked and she knew liked her. Why couldn’t she find out more about this Prince?

Rummaging through her backpack Lily found a blank parchment and her quill. She decided there was only one way to find out more about this Prince; she was going to ask him!

Dear Prince

I need to find out more about you. Who are you? Why do you want to help me in Potions?

Lily

Lily folded the parchment carefully and wrote ‘HBP’ on the front. She would wait for her next delivery from the Prince and then send this one back to him.

Hi :) I know its been ages but if anyone is interested please read on. All comments welcome.

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Chapter 6

Lily received a letter with instructions from the HBP at the breakfast table on the Thursday morning, she slipped the letter she had written that weekend into the owl’s claw and whispered gently “Please send this back to the Prince.”
The owl hooted, clicked its beak affectionately against her cheek and soared off. Lily quickly scanned the Great Hall; most students were eating breakfast while talking and laughing, others frantically finishing off homework due that day -would the owl reveal who the Half Blood Prince is? No. It flew out the windows opposite the Gryffindor table. Only Miriam seemed interested in what Lily was doing.

“What’s that all about?” Miriam asked inquisitively, pointing at the letter in Lily’s hand.

“Oh, nothing”, she answered nonchalantly. “Come-on, it’s Charms with Professor Flitwick first.” Lily rose from her seat and gathered her belongings, stashing the HBP letter into her backpack without reading it. Miriam was Lily’s best friend but she wasn’t ready to share her princely secret with her yet. She had begun to feel a connection with the Prince and didn’t want logical questions and comments from her friends.

Lily and Miriam walked past James, Sirius, Peter and Remus at the breakfast table; heads bent over they were in a deep conversation oblivious to the other students.

“Regulus says it’s a new curse..” Sirius whispered.

“How can he sure?” Remus interceded.

“Shh..” Peter nodded to the girls walking by.

The boys looked up, Sirius smiled and nodded. Remus waved. James however scowled. Since the post-quidditch match party James had chosen to keep his distance from Lily (was his ego bruised?) – and although she was relieved he wasn’t embarrassing her every time she turned she really did miss his morning greeting of a wink and smile.

Charms passed uneventfully, Lily was itching to get some time alone to read the letter the HBP had sent to her. As soon as Flitwick had dismissed the class, Lily dashed past Miriam, mumbled an excuse that she had to get to the library to check something about the Aguamenti charm before the next Potions class and raced to the girl’s toilet on the second floor – she was sure for some privacy here. Lily ignored the “Out of Order” sign on the door; she set down her belongings on the cold, tiled floor and searched for the note.
Lily heard clanging and banging in the pipes then a gush of water.

“Oh hello! Fancy seeing someone here!”

“Oh..Hi Myrtle…You alright?”

“How could I be alright? If you haven’t already noticed I’m lonely and I’m DEAD. No-one ever comes to visit me” She raised her transparent eyebrow under her glasses “So what are you doing here then?”

Lily sighed.

“Nothing”

It seemed like it was going to be difficult to get to read this letter before the Potions class.

“I have a Potions class I have to get to.”

She grabbed her belongings, checked her watch and rushed to the dungeons as she was already 10 minutes late.

Sorry its taking ages for the story to develop. I promise Lily and HBP will be talking soon :)

Chapter 6 cont.

After a gentle admonishing for being late and 5 points deduction for Gryffindor from Professor Slughorn, Lily apologised and launched as quickly as she could into making the Everlasting elixir as directed from the Advanced Potion-Making text. Flustered and distracted Lily never seemed to catch up to her classmates; she stumbled through the directions unable to find ingredients in the cupboards, dropping vials and adding ingredients at the wrong time. The dungeon was thick with a green-tinged smoke which was rising from the cauldrons, Lily was at least a couple of steps behind the others when Professor Slughorn asked the students to bottle and label their potions. Lily was relieved there was no more ways to destroy her potion. As the students filed out of the classroom for lunch Lily commenced her clean-up, Miriam offered to stay back and help but Lily told her to go enjoy her lunch as she needed some time to herself.

She stacked the ingredients away in the stock cupboards and then gathered her belongings.

“Lily”

Lily looked up; James was looking at her, with his trademark unruly hair and brown eyes inquisitive and kind.

“I’ve been a jerk; I’ve thought about the other night, I’m sorry I made you feel uncomfortable.”
Lily was speechless, she stood there gaping at James for what seemed minutes, and then she slowly answered “It’s Ok. I was unkind as well. I’m sorry if I embarrassed you”.

He reached out and touched her hand, his hand warm and soft, and a small smile playing out on his face “I hope you know it’s because I really like you.”

Lily felt her cheeks redden considerably; she withdrew her hand and touched her cheeks unconsciously.
“I like you too…when you’re not being a prat” She smiled, “Can we be friends James?”

“I’d really like that”. He reached for her hand again, she allowed his fingers to wrap around hers, and they shook hands firmly and smiled at each other.

The sound of Professor Slughorn clearing his throat unlocked their hands; they both looked to the door.
“Pardon me..there is a text here I wanted to show Severus.”
Standing behind the rotund and short Professor Slughorn was the other man that kept popping into Lily’s thoughts. The expression on Severus’ face was impenetrable. His black eyes were indissoluble yet expressionless and his raven hair sticking to his damp skin on his neck (a by-product of labouring over the steaming cauldrons in the Potions class). His fingers clenched tightly over his Advanced Potions text, Lily could see faint blue veins stretched against the white skin of his knuckles. Severus was biting his thin lips, as if chewing over a thought.

“Right Professor, we were just….leaving,” James sheepishly answered. Severus’ eyes narrowed and shifted from Lily to James. His expression changed from fathomless to pure hate.

“Yes Professor, we were just leaving,” Lily's faint voice echoed James', grabbed her backpack and shot out of the classroom before James could catch up.

Chapter 7

Lily finally had found some time to herself in the library that night- the day had passed at a frantic rate; apart from running from class to class during the day she also had prefect duties to attend to after dinner. The library was quiet and dimly lit by candles in antique ornate silver candelabra scattered around the large room on the worn mahogany tables. The librarian Madam Pince was hovering near Lily; effortlessly returning books to the shelves that students had taken out during the day. Lily had all her school books sprawled out on the wooden desk as she was researching the Fidelius charm for the next Charms class. As she was pouring over the library books she found the note that she had received from the HBP that morning; it was tucked into her Potions text. As she scanned her eyes over it- a note with secret formulations and recipes for the potions class of the day Lily realised that the Prince would have received and read the letter she had sent him that morning. Would she have to wait long for a reply?

“It’s well passed bedtime young lady; I would advise you to bed” Madam Pince’s sharp tone interrupted Lily’s thoughts.

Lily packed up her belongings into her backpack and walked out of the library as Madam Pince was gliding from table to table putting out the candles one by one. As she walked down the third floor dark corridor lined with armoury and statues she heard low urgent whispers from a classroom. Lily stopped outside the door straining her ears to satisfy her curiosity.

“This is becoming far to dangerous, do you know what happens to me every time they suspect me of even talking to you..”

“For God’s sake, we are brothers! What bollocks are those idiots telling you? Have you started believing everything mother says along with those Slytherin idiots? Without you on my side I have no one; not one Black on my side.”

“Sirius, stop being a fool! You were the one to leave the family home! You betrayed the name Black…not I. And I still speak to you, can you imagine mother’s face if she knew we talk?”

“Regulus, for once don’t do the easy thing. Can’t you see where all this superiority for pure bloods is leading?’

“I am proud to be a Slytherin as you are to be Gryffindor. You are using me…I am the only link to Gryffindor and this is becoming dangerous for me.”

“Where’s your courage? Your pride?”

“I know what I am doing! These are dangerous people and they are my friends. You chose your path and I have chosen mine.”

Lily quickly fled to behind the statue of the goddess Diana opposite the classroom; watching Regulus briskly walked out of the room. He looked like Sirius but his features were colder and darker – probably an effect of being part of Slytherin. Sirius sauntered out a few minutes later; it appeared he was talking to thin air.

“I think its safe now; take off the cloak.”

“Hang on..let me check the map.” Lily heard a muffled whisper out of nowhere.

Lily bit her lip and held her breathe as she waited to see what would happen. The corridor was dark, no natural light flooded through the stain glassed windows as the moon was but a slither. Suddenly she felt a tug at her hair and her name “Evans..” then.....his head appeared to be floating midair.

“James Potter?” Lily surprised, flashing her green eyes over him. ”I was just walking back from the library..I heard a noise and hid..”

“Right.” His eyes dancing flirtatiously, ”You were listening weren’t you?” his tone light.

“Whatever James, I wasn’t intending to listen, I just happened to walk by...Anyway,” she shifted her eyes from James to Sirius “I didn’t hear anything I shouldn’t of; have I?”

“It depends. Got any Slytherin friends? Snape perhaps? We can’t let them know that Sirius and Regulus are still talking.”

“Like I would” she snapped back. “What do you take me for?”

“It’s okay Lily,” Sirius interjected. “My brother and I have a tenuous relationship; I have been trying to keep an eye on him but’, he sighed, ”…Let’s go back to the dormitory.”

They silently walked back to the Gryffindor tower, their minds full of the recent events. Lily tiptoed up the stairs to the dormitory after saying goodnight to the boys. She flopped down on her bed and started to get ready for bed quietly as the other girls were already asleep. Outside her window was a tawny owl perched on the sill with a letter attached to its claw.

Ok this is a short addition; hopefully you will find exciting.
Please leave comments/criticisms on the feedback.


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Chapter 8 Part one

Lily unlatched the window and the owl ruffled its wings as it settled into the perch inside the dormitory. It offered its claw for Lily to untie the rolled-up parchment then waited patiently as she made her way back to her four-poster bed. Lily looked around the bedroom; her heart beating wildly – Miriam, Angelina, Clara and Beatrice were all asleep; the curtains drawn around the wooden posters of the beds. Quietly and carefully Lily unrolled the parchment as she lay back onto the cushions on her bed.

Beyond myself
Hidden in the blackness of my lie
The weight of reality
Can I trust you with my fragile truth?

A royal name
betrays
Humble beginnings

A rigorous name
reveals
The nature

Little more I can give
Show me a piece of your heart
And eternal friends we can be

Lily traced her finger over the spidery writing on the thin parchment as she re-read the words over and over trying to ascertain what the Prince was trying to tell her. The words whispered over and over in her head; Lily laid back on the pillows and closed her eyes. A piece of my heart.

Digging into her backpack Lily found her quill and a small parchment, She scribbled an answer in a hurry,

HBP
You can trust me. I trust you implicitly.
A piece of my heart only for you
A charm
You will find behind the 4th greenhouse
Near the forbidden forest
At sunset
The message will be clear.
Lily

She tied the note hurriedly to the owl and whispered “Go”. The bird took flight as Lily closed the windows and went to bed.
Tomorrow would be a very revealing day.

Thanks for the comments. More welcome please :)

Chapter 8 part B

Peering through the stained-glass windows as she walked through the seventh floor corridor, Lily caught glimpses of reddish pink sky struggling with swirling purple and black heavy clouds. It was almost sunset -although the sun was not in sight through the windows, the pink light shining through the dark clouds betrayed the time. Skipping dinner (as the grumbling in her stomach suggested) had been no easy feat as Lily had to convince Miriam and Angelina that she had some very important duties for Professor Slughorn that she had to attend to. On the way towards the spiralling staircase to the tower Lily had to hide twice – once to avoid the poltergeist Peeves; who loved taunting the students and the other time to forgo the wrath of the caretaker Argus Filch who was mumbling angrily to himself as cleaning up the remnants of dung bombs (undoubtedly a Peeves joke).
Reaching the tower steps she walked up the narrow steepness of the winding staircase; hands on the wall to steady herself; once she reached the last step Lily pushed open the thick, wooden door to the stony exterior and walked out onto the ramparts to take in the beauty of the scene. Feeling the cool caress of the wind whipping gently through her strawberry red hair made her feel alive, Lily could now catch a hint of the sun descending to the west; the Forbidden Forest already looked foreboding – she swept her eyes over to the greenhouses; would the Half Blood Prince already be there waiting for her sign?
A modest amount of light was peaking through the darkness of the forest as the sun was falling out of the sky in the distance, now Lily’s heart began to beat fast as she had only ever practiced this charm on her own. As far as she was aware she was the only sixth year student who was able to perform it as it was a deeply complicated charm- Professor Flitwick had insisted on theory and wand practice only. Holding the thin, willow wand tightly, she flicked and swooshed a couple of time while mouthing the words slowly.

Okay, think of something happy!

The memory of first getting accepted into Hogwarts floated into her mind. The delight of realising that she was truly special and that she had received this wonderful gift of magic. The first letter sent from Professor Dumbledore with the request that she attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; her hands and voice trembling as she showed the letter to her parents; the joy and happiness her parents had expressed.

“Expecto Patronum!” Lily whispered as she flicked her wand, a small white light flashed out briefly.

Okay. Try again. Happy thoughts.

Lily steadied her eyes onto the horizon and a mixture of thoughts flooded her mind as she pointed her wand again – meeting Miriam on the Hogwarts Express while choosing some Bertie Botts every flavoured beans from the sweets cart; the first time she held her wand and it glowed in her hands; the feeling of anticipation of waiting for letters from the Half Blood Prince; a potion maker’s calloused long, white, thin fingers; James Potter’s running his hands over his thick, rumpled, black hair while smiling flirtatiously –

“Expecto Patronum”

Flash. Lily stumbled back gripping her wand firmly with both hands, her hair thrashing around her face as a silver light discharged from the tip of the wand and formed into the shape of a butterfly.

“A piece of me,” she whispered breathlessly; the perfectly formed shimmering creature nodded, turned and soared rapidly disappearing into the distance as darkness enveloped the sky.

Tucking her wand into the back pocket of her jeans Lily’s knees buckled, she groped the stone wall and rested her head against the coolness. A low rumble tumbled out of the murky sky, lightening flared around her as the heavens broke and water plummeted heavily around the grounds. The large rain drops cool relief against the perspiration film on her skin, Lily closed her eyes - Severus Snape..no..James Potter had been the last thought before she used the spell – which one was really starting to get to her?

She was soaked through; her tee and jeans stuck to her skin; her crimson hair plastered thickly onto her face as breathing slowly Lily allowed her heart to return to its normal pace. After what seemed an eternity, but probably no more than 10 minutes, the stars started to shimmer in the sky as the clouds dissipated – Lily decided to make her way to the Great Hall for some well deserved dessert.

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Ok, some may not like my version of Lily's Patronus. Please insert whatever you may imagine to be her's. I have a few different ideas what I would like it to be but I thought the more fantastical the better.


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Thanks to wandaXmaximof for suggesting a Snape POV in answer to Lily sending the Patronus :tu:
The ending seems to stop abruptly but I hope the message is conveyed ok.
Hope eveyone likes it
Please leave comments, it makes me very happy :)
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Chapter 9 Snape's POV


In the dimness of the Slytherin common room; out of the direct radiating fire of the hearth and the scattered candles on the mantle pieces around the dark room Severus sat in an old, velvet, emerald armchair. Obscured by the corner’s darkness he was watching the fellow students with mild interest – some younger students were sprawled in front of the fireplace playing gobstones; others at the desks doing homework, and some fellow sixth years – the buffoons Goyle and McDrury - had just successfully taunted a first year student into handing over some sweets and…now making their way over to him.

Oh Great, the dynamic Duo!

“Severus, look what we just got,” McDrury stuffing sweets into his mouth as Goyle hungrily showed Snape the spoils of his ill-gotten victory.

“Goyle, McDrury”, he nodded slightly towards them “Good for you,’’ it was hard to disguise the disdain in his voice. “What do I owe the pleasure?”

“Got a message for ya,” McDrury answered between chewing.

Severus waited.

“Gluggy, I mean Sluggy said to say…what did he say again? Oh yeah…the dungeon is free at ten tonight…I think that’s what he said? Goyle is that was he said? Did I say it right?”

Goyle nodded dumbly.

Severus sighed. “Thanks.” He looked around the room and noticed the ‘other Black’ sitting in the armchair across the room; although his book was held close to his face Severus had noticed his eyes flash up towards them then back down.

“Oh, almost forgot, this is for you,” Goyle had reached into his robes and handed a folded piece of parchment to Severus, then wiping his sticky hands on his robes he grunted “Good luck!’

Severus eyed the parchment suspiciously while trying to wipe away the sticky remnants of the big ape’s fingers. There was the red wax seal of a majestic eagle sealing the paper.

Malfoy.

Without hesitation Snape opened the parchment and read the note.

Snape,

Further to our recent discussion I have made your aspirations and concerns known to….our glorious and almighty friend. He assures me that wonderful things are in store for people with your talent and determination. However I need to know how far you are in the little experiment? I understand you have many facilities provided by fellow friends at your disposal.

Waiting in anticipation for your reply.

Lucius Malfoy

He contemplated the guarded wording of the letter. “Facilities provided by fellow friend” – Of course. Slughorn is on the payroll. That’s why I have unlimited use of the Potion’s classroom at night.

Scrunching the parchment in his thin, veined hands Severus watched the students making their way out of the common room, undoubtedly it was almost dinner time and people were going to the Great Hall. His eyes flashed upon Regulus, who was making his way over to him.

“Snape, are you coming down for dinner?” The inquisition in his voice richer than he intended.

Snape arose from the armchair and their obsidian eyes met.

“Black. I have some errands to attend to,” dislike was apparent in the sleek voice, “I am sure you can cope to eat your dinner without me.”

Regulus smirked.

“Severus, I can understand your dislike for my foolish brother,’ Severus flinched, “…but the ancient, noble house of Black has high rank in the wizarding world and my words have weight among common friends..”

“Keep your nose out of my business”, he cut in before Regulus could finish; “…and tell your brother I have him, Potter and those other hanger-ons worked out. Others may think that you and Sirius are foe but I know better.”

Gathering his black cloak, he bushed past Regulus and out the common room into the dungeon corridor.

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

Due to the events of the last half an hour Severus had forgotten that he was nervously awaiting sunset; the feeling just dropped back into his stomach.

This is daft. How did I let it get so far?

The exasperated ideas raced through his mind as he donned the thin, woollen cloak, pulled the hood up and made his way to exit the castle.

I shouldn’t have answered her; I should have left it safe; she hates me anyway. She was talking to that imbecile Potter yesterday for God’s sake! What am I doing? Stupid ideas about trying to be nice – it never works!

Trudging out into the dampness of the early evening, Snape drew his cloak around his thinness to comfort the chill he felt in his body. He realised that the freeze wasn’t from the air but from the feeling of sickness that was starting to envelope his body. Trying to quell the shiver that was rising from his bones he broke into a quicker pace to make it to the greenhouse.

Ok if she turns up and…I’ll just nonchalantly say I was passing by. Ha! Suave, I couldn’t fool Lily Evans…not those penetrating green eyes.

Reaching the row of glass greenhouses he stopped and waited. Looking up to the west, the sun was almost out of sight, flickers of crimson battling against the dark outline of the heavy clouds. There was stillness in the air - not a soul in sight; the only sign of life was the faint light peaking out through the curtains of Hagrid’s hut. He looked back and forth around the grounds, awaiting the sign.

If she doesn’t turn up; that’s great. I can handle…who needs these stupid feelings, she is making me sick, I want to die, is any person worth this feeling…uurgh…lightening strike me now, swallow me into this very ground and make me disappear!...Hmm…How ironic, only half an hour ago I was being courted by powerful people and look at me now, I’m pathetic.

The thoughts raged incessantly, he sighed and leaned against the moist, cool glass of the greenhouse; he reached into his cloak and grabbed his wand holding it firmly-Better be ready; this could be a very sick joke…

Out from the western-most tower Severus thought he saw a flash of white light. Murmuring “ocularis magnificum”, he squinted and looked again at the tower top – now it appeared clearly – he could just see Lily. Her red hair thrashing her pale face, both hands on her wand and a deep look of concentration resulted in a fierce silvery white light to expel from her wand.

Aghast, Severus took a step back.

What kind of trick is she playing at?

Holding his breathe, he watched as the light formed into a body, it was making its way towards him.

Is that a Patronus? Lily Evans can perform Patronus?

A silver perfectly-formed butterfly stopped in front of him; he tightened his grip on his wand, trying to step back yet not lose his footing; never in his life could he admit to seeing something so fragile yet so powerful. Severus was grounded to the spot, unable to move as Lily’s voice echoed in his mind – “A piece of me” as the silvery form disappated into the air
– he didn’t like this feeling; being overwhelmed like this did not suit him; he collapsed to the damp grass, tears trinkling out of the corners of his eyes as he bit his lip hard to taste the blood. He had never received a gift like this, Severus clutched his eyes trying to drive the feeling away.

The heavens growled heavily above, the rain came splattering down as if to take the tears away from him ; it invaded his every pore.

Chapter 10

Lily wandered slowly into the dark cave, out of the falling snow. She shivered; it was cold and damp and offered no relief to the frostiness outside. She flicked her wand out of her overcoat and murmured Lumos as she infiltrated deeper into the shadows of the cavern. Her wand-tip illuminated her path as she explored the internal walls – there was mildew sprayed along the black walls and odd, little mushrooms growing out of the rocky crevices. This is where the Half Blood Prince had wanted to meet her. She had waited almost a month for a reply from the mysterious stranger; during the first few days after she had sent her Patronus she had waited patiently in her dormitory in the mornings and she also lingered at the breakfast table before morning classes in hope of seeing an owl deliver her a letter. She had almost given up hope as it was Christmas week and most students would be leaving Hogwarts for the break but this morning as she was preparing to visit Hogsmeade with Miriam and Beatrice for some last minute Christmas-gift shopping she received a very short note from the Prince that stated he would be at the cave behind the hill outside the village of Hogsmeade at ten in the morning. Without explanation (except a quick “we’ll catch up later in town” much to her friends disapproval) Lily dashed out of the Gryffindor common room, across the icy school grounds and town’s high street into the woodlands on the hill arriving with three minutes to spare.
She could hear the ticking of her watch and the erratic beating of her heart as she waited in the dimness, watching the cave mouth with much anticipation. A thin silhouette appeared at the shady entrance; a black thin hooded cloak and shadow concealed his face; he stood there for what seemed an eternity while she noticed he was scanning within the cave; then suddenly he noticed her and she could feel his eyes on her but she still couldn’t see his features. Lily trembled as he started to walk with deliberate purpose over to her; her eyes flitting over his concealed form trying to distinguish who this person in front of her was and then she noticed those pale, thin longer fingers that she had memorised in her dreams –
“Severus,” she gasped.

His silence was deafening. With her wand raised she moved slowly towards him and reached to remove the hood that was concealing his face. His hand snatched up, encircling her wrist, holding it tightly. She winced.

“Severus you are frightening me.”

He raised his face slightly, his eyes glinting in the reflection of the light from her wand.

“Lily. I’m not trying to frighten you,’ his voice cracking with emotion.

“You couldn’t have fooled me. What’s going on? Are you…are you who I think you are?”

Severus motioned to the rocky ground; he murmured a charm and blankets appeared on the floor. Lily sat down and commenced a fire with the incendio charm to keep them warm. When he joined her on the blanket she noticed he had removed the hood; his face sallow and eyes burning blackly. She waited for the answers to all the questions that were consuming her.

He sighed and then it all tumbled out - “I’ve been sending you the letters, don’t ask why because I don’t know why and it’s not that you aren’t good at Potions, you ARE brilliant; maybe it’s because I feel a kinship with you…with Potions…or maybe its because of what happened last year…it’s all messed up in my mind and I can’t explain what –“

“Severus,” she reached for his cold hand and held it tightly; her warmth emanating into him, “I don’t understand. Are you saying you are the Half Blood Prince?”

“When you say it like that it sounds conceited and idiotic, it wasn’t meant like that as you can surely see I am no Prince,” he laughed harshly and bitterly, “It’s…a name…my mother gave me when I was little.”

“Your mother?”

“Yes my mother,” his tone miserable. “My mother’s maiden name was Prince. She married a muggle called Tobias Snape – hence her little play on words – half-blood Prince.”

“You’re half blood?” The information was filtering into Lily’s mind slowly – here was the guy that everyone hated at school because he was a weird, loner Slytherin; the guy who knew a lot of curses and hexes, the guy who called her a filthy mudblood –

“Lily, you can’t tell anyone.”

Why? What do you mean?”

“Well, I suspect most of the teachers know…I think Dumbledore and Slughorn know I am but I don’t want any students finding out. There is a very fine balance and if…it could impact on everything.”

“They don’t sound like good friends then,” she responded stubbornly, “All this blood treachery cr@p is so annoying anyway, why make it more important than it is? Why let others govern the way we should behave?”

“Because. It’s dangerous. And since when have you met a Slytherin that isn’t looking after his own skin? Lily I have to protect myself.”

“Ok. I don’t really understand this logic but I don’t want to argue with you. So why are you telling me all this? Why let me know your secret.”

“You wanted to know,” his obsidian glittering eyes met hers. The simplicity and truthfulness of this statement overwhelmed her. As the fire cast shapeless light and shadows on the cavern walls silence feel between them; Lily processed all the information she had just received. She looked over at Severus; his black, stringy hair pushed behind his pale countenance he was staring directly at the dancing flames of the fire.

She ventured to speak “Where do we go from here?”

He shrugged.

“I like all your suggestions with Potions, perhaps you can show me…what you do? Maybe I can help?”

He looked away from the fire and directly into her emerald eyes, the intensity of his stare gripped her “You’d like that?”

“Yes. There is someone who can help us-“

“Lily. NO. No one must know-“

“Don’t be daft, Severus. I understand what you said before. You see, Professor Dumbledore once told me about this special room that becomes what you want it to be, it is completely safe. With a little convincing perhaps I can find out where it is,” a smile played out on her face, “After Christmas vacation. Are you going home for the break?”

“No. I have no reason to.”

“How about seeing your parents?’

Severus gathered his cloak and stood up shakily, “Lily. That’s a whole another story I just don’t want to talk about, just suffice to say that I will be spending Christmas here. Send me a note when you return. Merry Christmas.”

He left the cave as mysteriously as he had arrived leaving Lily puzzled by the termination of the conversation.


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Sorry it ended kinda abruptly. Hope its ok



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