8 Chapter Eight - Brunette vs Redhead

Lily Evans finished getting ready to go to Hogsmeade with her classmates. She was a bit annoyed. In the past few days, she had had to turn down James who had constantly sought her out to apologize for their altercation as well as a chance to resume their relationship. However, there was something else that bothered her more than she was willing to accept: the messy brunette in the library.

Mrs. Pince's assistant had struck up a sort of "friendship" with her best friend to whom she dared to give a smile whenever he appeared, as well as a knowing look that Severus reciprocated. Lily had noticed this when she had accompanied the Slytherin to the library. Also, she had seen him on more than one occasion on the shore of the black lake with the brunette, talking for hours about who knows what.

Lily sighed, she knew herself well enough to know that she was jealous. She never thought she would feel that way about Severus, though. He was her best friend and she always thought there would be nothing else. So... "Why did it make me sick to my stomach to see him with others? Why did I want to go and tear that brunette's hair out to get her away from the Slytherin as soon as I saw them talking VERY TOGETHER for the first time?" She took a breath to calm herself, it made her angry just remembering how very close they were in that hidden corner of the library, whispering confidentially.

While she had seen Sev with other girls in a friendly way, the case of the brunette was different; for starters, she wasn't a student, she was older and her physical development was noticeable, secondly, they treated each other with too much confidence, as if they had known each other for a long time; thirdly, Severus and the brunette were looking for each other.

'She's a drag,' - Thought the redhead. - 'Severus has to concentrate on classes and homework. That woman only distracts him and that can hurt him? Of course, that's why I don't like her being around him! It's a simple best friend protective instinct! After all, I'm in love with James... Aren't I?'

- "Ready?"

- "Sure, Francheska," - Lily replied. - "Let's go. Julia?"

- "She's waiting for us at the entrance."

Hogsmeade was the best place for Hogwarts students to clear their minds and enjoy a stress-free day. One of the busiest places was the Three Broomsticks, a cozy atmosphere where you could have a couple of butterbeer in good company. It was there, at a secluded table, that a brunette and a black-haired man were resting after a brief tour of the bookshops.

- "Well, here are all the books that might be useful to us," - Said Hermione as she placed a pile of five thick books on the table. - "I'm hoping to find something in them, I read the indexes and... Are you listening to me?"

- "No," - Said Severus simply, earning a dirty look from the brunette. - "Granger, Granger, Granger, Granger... relax."

- "Relax? Relax! I don't know if you're aware, Professor, but there's a war going on! I can't stay here. I have to get back!"

Severus took a long swig of his butterbeer.

- "Have St. Potter and your friend the Carrot infected you with a certain degree of stupidity?"

- "Don't you dare offend them, not in my presence," - The brunette-haired woman threatened.

- "For Merlin's sake, calm down Granger. I'm not offending anyone because they literally don't exist yet," - Hermione rolled her eyes at that. - "Besides, for an insufferable know-it-all you're rushing unnecessarily. If you ever find a way to travel back in time, you can choose to come back at any time you want, so... r.e.l.a.x."

Hermione picked up her butterbeer and downed it in one gulp.

- "Point in your favor, Professor."

- "Could you call me by my name? Anyone listening will think it's a fetish game between an abuser of innocent young girls and her victim."

- "What?" - The brunette looked at him indignantly, the black-haired man simply smiled and took another sip of his drink. - "You know, Professor... Severus," - She corrected herself when she saw the look on his face. - "It's not how I imagined it."

- "What do you mean, Granger?" - He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Hermione smiled, it was a characteristic gesture she had noticed in her professor after years of attending his classes. "He's had that look since he was young. For some reason, it was somewhat amusing."

- "To be honest, prof... Severus," - She corrected herself again. - "After everything Harry told us about you, I had come to imagine you as a young bookworm, insufferable know-it-all, book-eating, scruffy, lonely student. But now that I see you..."

- "Don't get confused, Granger," - The black-haired man interrupted her. - "I used to be like that, but now I've got a second chance, I'm not going to live with bitterness. You know, goodbye to my hated life, hello to my new one to come!" - He frowned when he saw the brunette looking at him with great attention. - "What?"

- "I don't remember seeing you smile like that," - She said without thinking. - "That adds to your attractiveness."

Hermione's cheeks flushed red a second after she had uttered those words and became aware of them. Severus had been silent and staring at her.

'Does she appreciate my attractiveness? Does that mean that she already thought I was handsome?' - He honestly didn't believe it.

- "Forget what I said," - Hermione finished her bottle in one gulp.

- "No need to be embarrassed, Granger. To be honest, I'm very much in demand by the opposite sex these days," - He encouraged with a smirk. - "Are you joining the club?"

Hermione opened her mouth soundlessly. 'Where's his bitter, serious professor bastard who tortured me for years?'

- "You already talk like Malfoy!"

- "I'm what?"

Hermione craned her neck so fast she made a small sound. Lucius Malfoy, hand in hand with Narcissa Black, was standing very close to her table. The brunette examined the pair from head to toe. She was surprised to see that the blond was a replica of Draco Malfoy with shoulder-length hair. They even had the same grey eyes, although Draco's skin tone must have been inherited from his... Her thoughts stopped as she met Narcissa Black's lethal gaze. Lucius' young partner seemed to want to throw an Avada at her with her gaze. Why... it took her only a second to realize that she had been examining Lucius closely as she searched for similarities to her natural enemy.

- "Well, well, Severus," - Lucius took a few steps closer and greeted him cordially. - "You look in good company. A pleasure, Miss Anstrong."

- "You know my name."

- "Of course, I also visit the library," - Lucius said smugly. - "Although we haven't formally introduced ourselves," - The blond held out a hand.

Hermione took it with some hesitation, expecting a handshake, but instead, the young Malfoy kissed the back of her hand. Narcissa's gaze increased in intensity.

- "Lucius Malfoy," - He introduced himself. - "It's a pleasure to meet you."

- "Susan Anstrong, my pleasure."

- "Lu, there's a free table over there, let Severus continue with his date," - Narcissa interjected, taking the blond's arm possessively.

- "Oh, right, I must be disturbing you. See you later, Severus. Goodbye, Miss Anstrong."

Hermione huffed in relief as the pair walked away. She frowned in annoyance as she watched Severus laugh in amusement at the situation. Apparently, being murdered in Narcissa's mind was somewhat comical. With that thought in mind, Hermione did something she only did with Harry and Ron. She wiped him on the shoulder.

- "Ouch!" - Severus complained. - "How violent, Granger."

- "You're over the top," - Snapped the brunette. - "Now let's focus on the important thing, how do we get back?"

- "And bossy too."

They began to spout theories and compare them.

Meanwhile, a redhead at the other end of the room, in the company of her friends, watched the pair with a growing grumpiness.

'Come on, Lily, she's just a friend of Sev's, what do I care? I have no romantic interest in him. So it wouldn't be a problem if he told me he had a date with her, instead of declining my invitation to go out today, claiming he had important business to attend to.' - She kept repeating this to herself. Deep down she was hurt since her best friend had lied to her to flirt with the brunett-haired girl.

- "Slytherins have no scruples," - Said one of her friends who had followed the trajectory of her gaze.

- "I beg your pardon?" - Lily asked.

- "I'm saying that Slytherin is on a date with an older girl, Madam Pince's assistant. Can you believe it?"

- "They seem to be getting on well," - Commented her other companion. - "Do you think they're in a relationship?"

- "I don't think so, they haven't kissed or hugged," - Said Lily.

- "Maybe, and besides, I don't think the school would allow a relationship between an adult and a student."

- "That!" - The redhead jumped in. - "The Headmaster wouldn't allow it!"

- "Why so cheerful, Evans?"

Lily was about to answer when her classmate stepped forward.

- "I know why," - She pointed to the entrance of the room.

There stood the marauders, looking around for a table. When Sirius exchanged glances with Lily's friends he smiled brightly, both Gryffindors blushed and giggled. James spotted Lily at the same time as Sirius was looking at Severus. Seeing him with the brunette, he wondered why the woman had agreed to go out with the Slytherin when she had turned him down on two occasions. The last time was when he invited her to Hogsmeade today. On impulse, the brown-haired man approached the couple's table and placed both hands on the table.

Severus and Hermione watched him expectantly.

- "I thought you weren't going to have time today," - He complained to the brunette.

Hermione furrowed her brow. Sirius was aware that she didn't have to explain herself to him, but his ego had been bruised. Something in him prevented him from accepting that they would prefer his house rival to his company.

- "Excuse me, we're in the middle of a conversation," - Hermione said.

- "Don't worry, I assure you nothing is interesting for you to talk about with this bore."

- "Looking for a fight, Black?" - Severus' voice had a tone of harshness in it.

- "I'm not talking to you, Quejicus," - He replied gruffly.

- "Didn't they teach you any manners?" - Hermione was annoyed.

- "Maybe I need a refresher, would you give it to me, it could be in Madam Pudipié's drawing room. Everyone loves that cheesy place."

The brunette took a deep breath. She couldn't believe Sirius was so immature at that age.

- "Looking for a table, Black?" - Severus interjected, watching Potter exchange words with Remus and Peter in the doorway. - "You can have this one, we're done."

Severus put the books in Hermione's bottomless bag and left money on the table.

- "Let's go, Susan."

The black-haired man took the brunette's hand and walked past Sirius. That action did not please two Gryffindors; a brown and a redhead.

- "It was to be expected that snakes would flee in the presence of a lion," - Sirius said. - "Cowardice must be a Slytherin quality."

Severus stopped just as James Potter stood in front of him (he hadn't moved from the doorway) and the blond was looking at him with a grin of disdain.

Hermione watched her companion's face: he was annoyed but still calm. However, she supposed it wouldn't do any good if there was a conflict. She squeezed his hand.

- "You can't abuse them, they're just kids and you're an experienced wizard," - She said quietly, moving a little closer to him. - "It wouldn't be fair."

- "I think you forget that they are four kittens with delusions of grandness."

- "Why Snivellus," - Said Potter. - "Don't you want to look bad in front of your girlfriend?"

- "She's not my girlfriend," - Severus clarified.

- "Ah, good for you," - Potter said, turning his attention to the brunette.

- "Step aside, please," - Hermione requested.

- "Good manners, now all that's left is for Quejicus to do the same."

Remus snorted and grabbed James to pull him away. Severus nodded his head as Potter claimed to his friend.

Severus opened the door to the shop and stepped outside when Sirius' voice reached his ears.

- "It was more fun when you had balls, Snivellus, pity you abandoned what little manhood you had left."

- "Severus, no," - Hermione whispered.

The black-haired man turned and gave Sirius Black a withering glare. Before letting go of Hermione's hand and walking outside with wand in hand.

- "I'll get my revenge at last," - Sirius spat as he walked past the brunette.

The street was deserted, much to the luck of the house rivals. Severus snorted as it all seemed like a waste of time. Sirius came out to face him, wand in hand. He was followed by James, Petter, and Remus.

- "I don't think that's a good idea," - Petter whispered. - "Last time he messed them up."

- "Shut up, Wormtail," - James snapped.

Lily had come out when she saw the altercation.

- "Let's make this quick, Black, I'm in a hurry."

Sirius tried to make a surprise attack. Severus was already expecting it and was blocking his opponent's attacks with ease. At one point he countered by unbuttoning Sirius' belt and causing his trousers to fall, revealing a pair of red boxers.

- "Agh, such a Gryffindor," - Severus spat in disgust.

Hermione shot him an irritated look and he simply winked at her. Surprising the brunette. Severus was about to cast another spell to immobilize Sirius who was struggling to tighten his belt. James hesitated and attacked the black-haired man. Black joined in a second later, starting a two-on-one battle.

- "That's unfair!" - Hermione complained indignantly.

'Sorry, Harry, but your father and godfather were bullies.'

Severus fought both Gryffindors without much fuss.

'Wow, the Professor is good at dueling.'

- "Pett! Pett!" - James called. - "Come here!"

Wormtail pulled out his wand and joined the attack.

- "Hey! That's cowardly!" - Exclaimed Hermione, pulling out her wand.

- "Don't you dare."

Hermione turned to see Lily Evans pointing her wand at her. 'Are you serious?'

- "Isn't Severus supposed to be your best friend?" - Hermione questioned bitterly.

- "There are other ways to stop this," - Lily defended herself. - "Remus, you're a prefect, stop them."

Remus ran a hand through his hair, looking hesitant.

- "Remus...?" - Insisted Lily.

- "He's not going to stop them, besides, three against one is unfair," - Hermione was disappointed in her old teacher Remus Lupin who, despite his position, did nothing but watch the confrontation. She pointed her wand at James. - "I'm going to..."

She didn't finish speaking as she went flying a meter away. The blow to the ground had hurt. When she got up she saw that it had been the redhead who had attacked her.

- "I'm sorry, but you were about to attack a student and..."

In a fit of rage, Hermione cast a spell that sent the redhead flying. As she did, she hit the ground and was up in pain almost instantly.

'How dare you,' - Thought Evans. - 'You know I'm at the top of my class.'

- "How dare you!" - Exclaimed Lily.

- "I could ask you the same question, you attacked me for no reason!" - Hermione countered.

- "You were going to attack James!"

The redhead's attack was blocked by Hermione. It was then that she realized that the spell had been powerful. If it had hit her, she would have been passed out on the tarmac. That annoyed her and she returned the attack. That was how the redhead and the brunette started a duel in the middle of the street.

Evans was surprised to see that the library assistant knew how to defend herself. The brunette was gaining ground on her and she felt her strength waning. Remus had shouted more than once for them to stop. Predictably, no one paid any attention.

Hermione had to admit that Harry's mother was very good, she supposed she would be the best in her class. But she couldn't beat her, she had trained for a war and had probably been in more magical combat than the redhead who was trying to take her down by mindlessly casting spells.

At one point, the brunette saw an opportunity and cast a quick spell that hit the redhead dead on, knocking her unconscious on the pavement.

Remus rushed to the aid of his housemate.

- "What have you done?"

Severus' annoyed voice made Hermione shiver. She noticed that Snape was fine. Behind him, James seemed to be in an uncontrollable fit of laughter, and Sirius stood frozen like a statue. Petter, on the other hand, had his hands up in a posture that indicated surrender.

- "I only defended myself," - Hermione excused herself.

- "That was wrong, Granger."

That mention did not go unnoticed by Remus who stood nearby, trying to get the redhead to react. 'Granger?'

Hermione watched as the patrons of the Three Broomsticks came out to browse what was going on. She took Severus' hand and made her way back to the castle.