Jasmine Petals

*Author's note: JK Rowling own Snape and Lily. Lucky her!*


It was nearly midnight when he gathered up his cloak and leather bag. The moon was a fingernail crescent, barely above the trees as he made his way down to the herb gardens. The castle was quiet and the only other creature he met was Mrs. Norris. She was busy giving herself a bath near the headmaster's office, not paying him any attention.

Severus wanted to collect the night-blooming jasmine at just the right time. After all, potions was an exact science. Gathering the blooms too soon or too late could ruin the entire batch.

The light perfume of the flowers greeted his senses and he knew he was just in time. Kneeling down, he began to collect the fragrant blossoms into his leather bag. But then, he had a feeling he was no longer alone.

Using only his eyes, he picked out a shape crouching near the spicebush. A gentle breeze wafted across the garden, bringing the scent of.... strawberries?

"Who's there?" he asked, reaching for his wand.

Guiltily, the shape rose to its feet and stepped out into the feeble moonlight. By then he knew who it was.

"Hi, Severus", she said. She was holding a basket behind her back.

"Lily?" He tucked his wand back into his sleeve.

"I wasn't trying to spy on you, really. In fact, I was already down here getting a few jasmine flowers myself. Then I heard you coming...." she trailed off, her fingers twiddling with the basket's handle.

Severus was willing to bet she was blushing too. He bit back a smile.

"So you were just waiting until I left?" he supplied.

"Yes, you could say that. I know how you value your privacy and all. Just trying to give you your space-"

Severus frowned slightly.

"Do you think I'm still angry about you acing Slughorn's test last week?"

She looked down at her feet abruptly, her face lost in shadows. "Maybe."

At her quiet reply, he had to smile then.

"Ah, Lily. You silly girl. Didn't you guess that I let you win that time?"

She snapped her gaze to his.

"You what?"

"I was being but a gentleman." He bowed lightly, grinning all the while.

Lily narrowed her eyes and one auburn brow raised delicately.

"Oh, really?"

Just before her palm made contact with his cheek, he caught her wrist and pulled her in close.

"I suppose that wasn't the right thing to do, eh?"

His breath was warm and it tickled her skin.

"No, it wasn't." He was distracting her and she knew it.

His grip turned into a caress as his thumb rubbed circles on her wrist. It came as no surprise that she forgot what she was angry about. The sensation of his lips on hers chased away any misgivings she had left. His hand skimmed the nape of her neck and became lost in her thick auburn tresses.

She leaned into his wiry body, delighting in the delicious warmth he was building within her. They stood there, nibbling lips for what seemed like hours. Time no longer mattered.....

Only the sound of approaching footsteps brought them back to reality.

"Someone's coming!" Lily hissed. Her heart was still beating madly.

Severus grabbed his bag full of jasmine blooms. Then he whispered, "Quick, you go first!"

She bent down and picked up something shimmery near the spicebush.

"I have a better idea!"

With that, she tossed the invisibility cloak over the both of them. He soon appreciated her quick thinking.

They made it back inside the castle unseen. Back in the garden, Filch was talking to his cat.

"You said you saw him come out here?"

Mrs. Norris could only meow.

~~~~~~~~~

Only when they reached the entrance to Slytherin's common room, did Severus speak.

"Thank you, Lily. Where did you get this fabulous cloak?"

She grinned mischievously.

"It's Potter's."

Severus returned her grin.

"You are a naughty minx."

Her reply was another soul-searing kiss. Which didn't last long enough to suit either of them.

"Good night, Severus." She had hidden herself under the cloak and her disembodied voice echoed down the corridor.

He stood there until he was sure she was gone. Then he composed himself and donned his usual poker face before entering the common room.

After all, he could never be too careful around his fellow Slytherins. Luckily, none of them were as well-versed in Occulemency as he was. Blocking his mind against them was an easy feat.

Unfortunately, Mulciber was waiting up for him. He was sitting in one of the overstuffed chairs by the fireplace, eyes gleaming in the reflected flames.

"I heard you two. Out there."

Severus forced his face to go passive and blank. He decided to keep silent.

"Well? Who was she? That disgusting little Mudblood everyone says you're in love with?" He spat out the word as if it tasted vile.

Instead of rising to the bait, Severus pushed past Mulciber and headed for the boys' dormitory. But the other boy grabbed his shoulder hard, spinning him around roughly.

"Didn't you hear me, Snivellus? I asked you a question! Our kind don't associate with filthy creatures like her!" he fairly yelled into Snape's face.

But Severus held his tongue, though he badly wanted to hex Mulciber into oblivion for saying such awful things about his Lily.

"I'm going to bed. Let me go," he said quietly.

For a tense moment, he thought his fellow Slytherin was going to escalate the situation. Then he abruptly changed his mind and let Severus' arm drop.

"I'll let it slide this one last time. But don't you ever forget, I'm watching you." With that, he pushed Severus hard on the back, forcing him to stumble forward.

With as much dignity as he could muster, Severus went on to his room. Later, after he was settling down to sleep, Mulciber's words kept circling in his mind. Somehow, he'd have to find a way to keep seeing Lily. No one, especially a clod like Mulciber, could keep him away from her.

His last thoughts, before slumber claimed him, were of dancing green eyes and long auburn tresses. And so his sleep was peaceful.