Ch 3 rants and altercations

IMPORTANT NOTE: hi people it's been a long time since I posted any kind of note and I am requesting you help to support me on P_A_T_R_E_O_N. i know it may be too much to ask but as you all know I have not been able to upload for a few months, it's because of my college and that makes it much hard for me to upload new chapters and I really hope to get some support from u guys because it would be really helpful to me and in the P_A_T_R_E_O_N you guys can also vote which novel should I post next or help me in noval editing works and stuff, I will also do my best to upload at least two chapters a day of any novel which i am uploading, so please support me guys thank you guys 🙂.

https://www.patreon.com/Tony_stark_3000?fan_landing=true&view_as=public

This is my P_A_T_R_E_O_N link please support me.thank you guys

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Because of the vast amount of homework piled on her by her sixth-year teachers, Lily couldn't muster the time to answer Perseus' letter for a few weeks. During the duration, a couple unusual events happened...or rather, didn't happen.

James Potter had been acting strange in the sense that he wasn't doing anything too annoying. He had stopped trying to obtain the record for the biggest prankster (or bully, in Lily's opinion), and he had been surprisingly attentive (if not quiet) in all of his classes, but particularly Potions class. He claimed to have matured a lot over the summer as a result of having to deal with Black's 'familial crisis', which was something that neither he nor the Black boy were willing to discuss.

Still, Lily knew that he would eventually crack; Potter might be able to play the 'mature' card for a few weeks, but Lily doubted that he would ever really mature. It just wasn't in his character, from what she could tell.

Meanwhile, Severus had become fairly annoying himself. Oh, he wasn't going around and teasing her like Potter always did-heck, he hadn't even talked to her since their final argument at the end of last year-but he was driving her mad nonetheless. He had pretty much commandeered the Potions classroom for a series of 'projects', with Slughorn's permission. The aged professor was glad that Severus was making something of himself and had given him the ability to do whatever he wished.

The only problem was: this made avoiding Severus a more difficult task. In addition to the room, he had claimed many of the ingredients in said room for his work. Although Slughorn had told him to make sure that he left enough for their classwork, the difficulty was in the fact that Lily needed some of the ingredients for her projects.

Slughorn's response to Lily when she brought up the problem had been less than helpful:

"It shouldn't be that difficult to come up with a compromise satisfactory to both of you, should it? Besides, the two of you really should talk out whatever's going on with you; you were thick as thieves for the past five years, yet this year you haven't spoken two sentences between each other. Really, did something happen that was truly that bad?"

Slughorn did have a point about the ingredients, which Lily could admit with ease, but he couldn't understand what talking with Severus would be like for her. Talking to the boy at all was a chore, for she was constantly reminded in a painful manner of how Severus was no longer the beloved best friend that she remembered. Instead, he had become just another future-Death-Eater, out to conquer the world in Voldemort's name. As such, she had put off the conversation concerning the potions ingredients for the moment, instead ordering what she needed for her research by owl.

In the meantime, with her projects for the moment halted while she waited for said ingredients to arrive, Lily found herself with a bit of free time on her hands. As such, she decided to write that response to Perseus that she had been planning on sending.

Dear Perseus,

If it is merely passable, then you must have seen and done a great deal of impressive Potions-work...haven't you? You CAN do better, can you not? Or are you just too COWARDLY to admit that I am the superior Potioneer!?

Alternatively, merely tell the truth and say that I am one of the best that you have ever seen...if admitting that you were wrong isn't too HARD for you.

As for your housemates and their endorsement of You-Know-Who's disgusting ideals, if you don't agree with them, then do something about it! Stand up and declare that you don't support them and encourage those around you to do the same! After all, as one of our greatest Muggle Prime Ministers said, 'All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing'...or something of that nature.

If you don't agree with them, show them that you don't agree! Don't just mention it in short letters to anonymous strangers; shout what you believe to the heavens! After all, if people like you don't, then maybe others will be coerced into following those scumbags! Imagine, you could be a leader...

Hmm, I'm getting carried away again, aren't I? Still, don't just complain to me about their foolishness; do something about it!

In regards to your interest in the dark arts, I have to ask: is it being a silly little girl to want less fighting in the world, less killing, less pain and less suffering? Is it really!?

Don't make excuses for what you are doing; all your reasons for using the Dark Arts may sound nice...but excuses are all that they are! You admit that you want to harm others, just for the sake of making them suffer! Don't try to cover it up with pleasant justifications. Just because we cannot stop all death and suffering in this world doesn't mean that we shouldn't do our small part to limit it.

After all, you expressly stated that you have built two spells for the purposes of hurting others. Haven't you at least tried to make amends with them, haven't you perhaps tried to become friends instead of enemies? If you used the time you use for making Dark Magic to help others, then this world would be a far better place, I believe.

At least consider my words.

Lily was trying to figure out if she should include anything else when a hand reached out from behind her. It grabbed the letter that she had been writing and pulled it away from her. Turning around furiously, she saw Potter there, a mischievous grin on his face.

Lily glared at him. "What is it, Potter? In case you haven't noticed, I'm busy with something...something that doesn't involve annoying Quidditch jocks! Like you!"

"Aw, that's a shame, Evans. We were hoping that you'd want to come outside with us; you know, come out for some sunlight, fresh air, and the like," said Potter with a laugh. He smirked as he held the letter just out of Lily's reach. "You shouldn't be spending all day on your homework and stuff!"

Lily glowered at the aggravating prat. "That's not for homework, you lout; that's my letter to my pen-pal. You know, for the assignment that the headmaster gave us, the one you've been avoiding!" Indeed, ever since Potter had found out that he had to actually write ten separate, real letters (not just his planned one-line queries) to his assigned partner, Potter had been procrastinating. Lily didn't think that he had even written the person at all.

"I'll have you know," said Potter in a tone of condescension, "The person I've been assigned is a moronic twit of a girl who doesn't even like Quidditch. How could I possibly relate with her without a great deal of time to consider how to translate cool into Twit-ese?" As he spoke, his eyes twinkled madly, indicating his enjoyment in teasing her.

Although it was horrible, insulting and immature, Lily had to suppress a snort of laughter at Potter's remark. Even more annoyed now by the fact that his rudeness had amused her, Lily glared hatefully at the boy. "The girl doesn't like Quidditch, eh? Clearly then, she must be some sort of sub-human... Oh wait, that's you."

Potter was about to reply when Black shouted to him, "Come on, Prongs, let's shove off already! We were supposed to be in the air five minutes ago. Stop flirting with your 'girlfriend'!"

"Whoops, got to go I guess. Make sure you have a kiss for me when you return, Evans!" said Potter jovially. He left the letter on the table Lily was sitting at, then walked away with a confidant strut, his laughter following him.

Furious, Lily continued to write:

Speaking of IRKSOME companions bothering you, I'm forced to deal with this truly abominable, arrogant prat of a half-man! He never leaves me alone, and is COMPLETELY obsessed with me, even though I despise the lout; I wish he would just take a hint and leave me be! Just now he came waltzing into the Common Room and took this letter from me, refusing to allow me to write to you until he'd finished subjecting me to his own stupidity. Argh!

What's worse is how all my friends think that I should go and date the toerag, even though I can't stand him! And he's SOOO arrogant; he's like one of those Quidditch jocks you described...or worse, YOU! I wouldn't date him in a million years!

Do you have anyone like that you know? Someone who just refuses to take a hint and stop bothering you!? Merlin, it's so annoying! What would you do!? I can't 'dump' him, since we're not together, and EVERYONE I know is crazy about him, even the teachers!

Ugh, just thinking about him makes my skin crawl...but I'm sure you don't care about girl problems like that, do you, Perseus?

Whatever.

Best Wishes,

Medusa

Still angry, Lily stalked out of the common room; the owlery might be rather smelly, but at least it was somewhere else.

This time, Perseus responded very quickly to her letter; barely two days had passed before his reply arrived, whilst Lily was busily working on some of her Transfiguration homework.

Although she would never admit it, not to Perseus or anyone else she knew, she was starting to have some difficulties in the subject. While it had been one of the subjects she had passed, it wasn't one of her better ones, and the course had grown vastly more difficult this year. It was at the point that Lily was having some mild difficulties keeping up with her usual 'E' or 'O' average.

Presently, Lily was hard at work, attempting to transform a pincushion into a porcupine. While it was certainly a pointy little bugger now, the pins hadn't quite turned into spines, instead remaining metal.

It was quite aggravating. Lily was just beginning to consider giving up for the night when Perseus' owl flew in through the open window of her bedroom. Much like she imagined his owner would, the owl looked snootily down its beak at her as she removed the letter and gave it a treat.

After the tawny owl flew off, Lily sat down on her bed and began to read:

Medusa,

I will admit my fellow students and teacher would be hard-pressed to compete with the quality of your work...not that such a thing is particularly impressive, considering most of them are complete dunderheads. Do you really need the acknowledgement of a complete stranger to be satisfied though, really?

I considered your proposal, however I then dismissed it as the most inanely naive set of ideas I have had the misfortune to overhear in years. Although I may disagree with the ideals my dorm-mates spout, that doesn't mean that I care enough to confront them in a useless philosophical battle; they wouldn't understand it anyway, nor would any such argument persuade them. Also, I have a use for them, in addition to what friendship they offer me.

Unlike some people, I see little point in stirring up trouble for myself with no benefit.

As for your comments on Dark Magic, I think that perhaps I could make use of your ideas after all; if my enemies hear your blithering cries for peace, then perhaps they would be halted by your sheer level of idealistic foolishness. Somehow, I doubt it though.

If one lacks weapons for war, then only their enemies will have them.

I have no wish to continue discussing this topic, and will merely say that I believe that your naivety will get you killed one day. You would likely get involved in some silly Wizarding duel and die, simply because you have nothing to defend yourself with, knowing you.

I consider this topic finished; if you wish to argue, please do so with the nearest wall, as only a wall would be able to match your stubbornness.

In regards to irksome companions, there is unfortunately very little one can do about them given YOUR disposition, unless you would be willing to consider a hex or two.

No? That's a shame; a few good tongue-tying hexes would probably do wonders in getting him to shove off.

Your best bet is to do as I do: expect nothing of him and never be disappointed. I've found that it works quite well when it comes to your truly-pathetic, idealistic nonsense.

Speaking of which, I have ZERO interest in hearing your blather about anyone, so next time ask SOMEONE ELSE for advice!

I can hardly wait for the day, seven letters from now, when I can finally bid a permanent farewell to you!

Sincerely,

Perseus

Lily's eyebrows rose constantly as she read Perseus' letter, her lips pressing tightly together as she did so.

She was less than impressed by Perseus' back-handed compliment, but she was far more annoyed by what else he had written. He had not only insulted her, he had mocked the very ideas she tried to stand for. By saying that Muggleborns weren't worth fighting for, he was effectively saying that Lily and those like her weren't worth fighting for, that Voldemort's ideas of 'putting the Mudbloods in their place' weren't worth combating.

How could a person as intelligent as Perseus be so foolish when it came to the truly important issues? Was he just an idiot...or worse, was he like Severus: pretending to be her friend, but secretly a traitorous Death Eater, just like his friends? Frightening thoughts filled her mind; Perseus liked Dark Magic just like Severus had, and he might just be pretending to object to them...

Lily's glare intensified as she started to write; she was going to give Perseus a piece of her mind, and persuade him to give up his foolishness, like she had failed to with Severus.

Dear Perseus,

Oh sure...I'm sure that you really disagree with them…NOT! If you really disagreed with them, then how could you possibly consider them to be your friend!? You're probably just as disgusting a human being as they clearly are, you toerag!

Even if you were telling the truth though, have you even considered what you are doing by not standing up to them, you fool!? Have you considered what lies you are allowing them to perpetuate by letting those friends of yours spew their disgusting ideals to anyone around them!? By letting them go around like that, you've probably caused just as many vile, disgusting things to happen as they have. You make me SICK! You're nothing-

"OUCH!"

Lily was interrupted by a sudden pain in her posterior. Leaping up, she saw that the porcupine that she had used to practice her transfiguration had apparently slipped away, and had just now impaled her bum with some of its needle-spines.

Cursing profusely, Lily transfigured the animal back into its prior form before returning to her letter. Unfortunately though, when she leapt up, she had apparently ripped it in two.

About to repair it with a simple spell, Lily paused, eyeing the letter thoughtfully. While it certainly got her thoughts across...perhaps it wasn't quite what she was looking for when it came to persuasion...

Tossing the letter in the nearby trash-bin, Lily picked up a fresh sheet of parchment and began to write...

Several weeks seemed to fly by in an instant. In what felt like mere days to Lily, cool October turned into icy November. That was far from the only change though, although the truly important changes seemed far more glacial to the Gryffindor girl than the weather.

She had exchanged a couple more letters with the mysterious Perseus Evans, mostly consisting of rants about how stupid the people around her were, especially since the 'get Lily and James together' brigade had only seemed to grow as time passed. It was nice having someone to talk to who didn't either hate her or want her in the sack with Potter.

Unfortunately, he had made it quite clear that the topics of Dark Magic and his refusing to stand up against those who supported the Death Eaters' ideals were completely off-limits. Any time Lily mentioned either of those two subjects, Perseus would simply not mention them in his replies.

That was a shame, as Lily had started to find the arrogant genius she spoke with to be rather...interesting. Sure, if she happened to encounter him in person, the two of them would probably hex each other senseless within minutes, in spite of the fact that she disliked fighting in general. Nonetheless, although he clearly didn't care much for her or her opinion, he did 'listen' to her rant and gave (sometimes-useful) advice, albeit with pointed requests to not bother him about her silly 'girl problems' in the future.

It was nice to have an outlet for dealing with the Marauders, that was for sure...

Speaking of James, he had maintained his 'maturity' plan for far longer than Lily had expected, and it was going on nearly two months now with no end in sight. Although Lily had asked around out of curiosity, none of the usual targets of his bullying had mentioned him attacking them, although there was still talk of his rivalry with a certain Slytherin going on. Lily didn't have the courage to ask that particular boy though.

Hell, she still had yet to confront Severus about his monopolizing of the Potions ingredients, as the monetary expense had been far easier to bear than talking to him...

Suddenly, the noise of cheering and clapping filled her ears, echoing down the stone halls.

Frowning, Lily strode toward where the sound was emanating from, the shouts slowly growing more and more audible as she did so. She felt a sinking feeling of disappointment as she heard the cheers, and knew who they were referring to...

"Get him, right in his oversized conker!"

"Yeah, show that wanker who the real man is!"

"Ooh, that had to hurt! Nice one, Potter!"

Breaking into a run, Lily quickly arrived on the scene. The first thing she saw was Potter, along with Black and Pettigrew, and the trio was surrounding a robed figure. All three of the Marauders had wide grins on their faces as they fired hexes at a wild-haired figure in the center. The robed figure struggled to defend himself against one of them, only to get hexed from behind by one of the others.

Meanwhile, a small crowd surrounded the fighting boys, consisting of all four houses. Most of them cheered the Marauders on, not one person even trying to stop the fight. Potter crowed as he hit the struggling boy with another hex, sending him crashing to the ground, his dark hair growing and attacking him until he was completely entangled in it.

"Alright there, Snivellus? That's what you get for hexing me! And look, I've even improved your hair for you!"

Lily, who had been in the process of opening her mouth to shout and put a stop to the madness, stopped in her tracks at the sound of Potter's taunt, feeling her throat deflating. It was Severus they were hexing?

Suddenly, Lily wasn't sure if she wanted to go out there. She knew she should stop this, but then she would probably have to speak to him. Maybe he would even call her the same word as last time, 'Mudblood'. She didn't know if she could take that...

Lily started to walk away, afraid of speaking with the boy who had betrayed her so...but then she stopped again. Was she going to allow this...travesty to go on, just because she was afraid of talking to some scumbag of a former friend? Was she going to just look away, doing nothing like Lupin? 'No...I won't do nothing... I will never do nothing.'

Marching back in as Severus collapsed to the ground, twitching as the students around him laughed, Lily said in the cold tone of voice she had perfected in her time as a prefect, "What do the three of you think you are doing!? LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

Potter whirled around, his expression a perfect example of the proverbial 'hand caught in the cookie jar'. Meanwhile, the rest of the Marauders blanched, but kept their eyes and wands focused on the battered Slytherin. The watchers seemed torn between leaving the scene and watching the drama unfold. Lily glared at them all.

Quickly setting a grin back on his face, Potter waved a hand at Severus and spoke in a jovial tone, "This isn't what it looks like, Evans. Honestly!"

"And what is it supposed to look like, Potter? Because to me, it certainly looks like you're attacking Severus Snape again, in a lovely bit of bullying," said Lily sarcastically, crossing her arms and marching up to the delinquent. "Or am I mistaken?"

"Yeah, but he started it!" growled her fellow Gryffindor, pointing at Severus as he did so. "He just up and hexed Peter in the back! I'm wasn't going to take him hexing my mates lying down. Sure, I might have gotten a little carried away, but it's his fault to begin with!"

Lily rolled her eyes at Potter's attempts to deny the blame once again. He had always done it in the past, so why not today? Clearly, he hadn't changed... "Sure Potter, sure... Now, for bullying, you and your 'mates' get five days of detention-"

The students around them interrupted with indignant shouts, at least the non-Slytherins did. The Slytherins had left the scene at some point without Lily's notice. All of the remaining witnesses started calling out in Potter's defense.

"Hey, he's telling the truth, Evans!"

"Yeah, I saw him hex that Pettigrew from behind, right as he was telling a joke about some witch in a bar!"

Frowning, Lily glanced at Severus, who had just then gotten up from where he was laid out on the floor. She really didn't want to speak to him, but... "Severus Snape, is this true?" The other students stopped speaking, seeming more interested in what the boy had to say for didn't even look at her, saying nothing. Lips thinning, Lily pressed on, "Is what Potter claiming true? Did you attack Peter Pettigrew first?" Severus didn't say anything to this, ignoring her completely. "Is this true!?"

As Severus once again failed to respond, dusting off his robes without even muttering a word in his defense, Lily found herself sighing. Finally, she said, "Very well, one day of detention to Severus Snape as well."

The indignant shouts broke out again, but Lily quelled them with one stamp of her foot and a heated glare. Her frown deepening, she said coolly, "Even if Severus Snape started the fight, Potter's actions clearly went far beyond the bounds of a simple schoolyard tussle. The punishment will stand. Now, get going before I report the rest of you too!"

As the other students quickly fled the scene, Potter and his Marauders in the lead, Lily let out another sigh. Giving Severus one final look to see if he was all right, Lily said quietly, "I'd suggest going up to the Hospital Wing. Some of those hexes could be pretty painful..."

He didn't reply, instead limping off toward the dungeons, apparently not having any inclination of seeing Madam Pomfrey.

Shaking her head disgustedly, Lily started to walk away, only to be stopped by the sound of Severus' voice. In a flat, emotionless tone, the Slytherin boy said only one word:

"Thanks."