What can I say? I own none of them… it all belongs to JKR. There are NO spoilers for HP7. This is just my own idea of what could have happened.

Rating: K+

Pairing: Lily/Severus

The Most Magic Place in the World

Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.— Norman Cousins

Chapter 1 - Potion Partners

September, 1973.

As always, Professor Slughorn's classroom was filled with a variety of vapors and billows of fumes. While large, bubbling cauldrons spun on fires, the sole purpose of some others was to awaken the students' curiosity.

Instantly reminded that she would be learning more advanced magic this year at Hogwarts, Lily Evans walked into the Potions classroom behind a couple of her fellow Gryffindors. There was a lot of animated chatter, the predominant topic of conversation being the summer holidays that had just ended. Personally she was simply thrilled to be here again, and she had a feeling that Potions would remain her favorite subject this year.

It was definitely a good omen that they started with a double-period, and not even the sight of the Slytherins entering the classroom at the same time as the Gryffindors altered her good mood. True, the rivalry between the two houses was legendary − and their year was no exception − but it wasn't her main concern at the moment; peering at the diverse cauldrons as she walked in and sat down was far more intriguing.

"Good morning, good morning." Slughorn started the lesson jovially. "Now close the door, that's it, thank you," he said as one last Slytherin showed up. "Has everybody arrived?" He took his time looking at them in turn, winking slightly as his gaze stopped on Lily and on a couple of other students he was quite fond of.

Lily couldn't help exchanging a knowing glance with one of the girls who shared her Dormitory, and who had also attended Slughorn's so-called parties the previous year. It seemed more adequate to call them reunions, and to say that Slughorn wasn't interested in the meetings themselves but in the benefits he would later make from the ones he had influenced was unnecessary. It didn't really matter anyway; Lily had come to appreciate the professor's talents. He was, after all, the best potion maker she'd ever met.

"Well then, let's get going," Slughorn began. "I could of course ask you to take your brand new books out," he chuckled slightly as he caught sight of everyone's disillusioned expressions, "But I doubt you'll appreciate it if your first hour of Potions consists in reading. Therefore−" he said in a theatrical tone, "Please take out your potion ingredients and get paired. Today we shall be brewing a blood-replenishing potion. Now listen carefully, you must pay extra care to the instructions because Madam Pomfrey just informed me that she only has a couple of bottles left." He lowered his voice in a very melodramatic manner. "Therefore your actions will be crucial."

Everyone hastily bent down to retrieve their ingredients from their bags. "Oh, Lily," Slughorn called.

Lily looked up hurriedly. It wasn't the fact that she was being called by her first name that surprised her− she was quite used to that− but what did Slughorn want with her on their very first hour of Potions?

"I'd like you and Severus to share a table together. You're the best potion makers here; we'll see what you can come up with. Both your talents put together should do wonders, and Madam Pomfrey will be happy to know she can count on students for a bit of help."

It took a good five seconds before Lily understood what Slughorn had just asked her to do, and one glance at her horrified friend was enough to convince her that she had indeed heard right

Lily knew who Severus was. He was excellent in Potions, which inspired a certain amount of respect − but he also happened to be one of the most disliked Slytherins at Hogwarts. She had heard the whispers: the pallid, skinny, greasy-haired boy knew a lot about the Dark Arts.

There were a few snickers after Slughorn had spoken; he ignored them and started giving out instructions for brewing the potion. Lily watched as Snape reluctantly seized his schoolbag and made his way toward her table, averting his eyes. Meanwhile her friend moved a couple of rows toward the front and shared a table with another girl Lily knew fairly well; she was one of the few Slytherins she had come to be acquainted with.

When she gave a glance over her shoulder, Lily saw Peter Pettigrew and Remus Lupin both drinking Slughorn's every word; further behind, Sirius Black was muttering something to James Potter.

She frowned slightly at the sight of the latter, and even more so when he ran a hand through his messy hair. She didn't know who she'd rather have as a partner between popular arrogant Potter and unpopular skillful Snape. Not that she had a choice. Well, at least, there was one good thing about being paired up with Severus Snape. On the contrary to James Potter, he wouldn't end up asking her out.

tbc...