Ties of Friendship, Bonds of Fate

Title: Ties of Friendship, bonds of Fate

Pairings: Future JamesxLily and RemusxSeverus

Rating: K to start but future M.

Notes: Bound to you Pre-quel. Pre-Harry Potter Era Hogwarts, Marauder era AR/AU.

Chapter two- A talent discovered

It was his first day of classes; the books mother had left to rot in the library were full of curses, jinxes and hexes. There were others that fostered his love of Potions, though clearly written for brewers with years of experience he had devoured them. It was his first Potions lesson and he was sure it would become his favourite lesson.

No sooner had he entered the classroom did he hear his name.

"Severus!"

He looked up and smiled, it was Lily.

She sat in the middle of the first row; she'd clearly arrived early and saved him a seat on the Slytherin side beside her.

He hurried to claim the seat.

"It's just not right a snake keeping company with a lioness."

Severus stiffened.

"Leave them alone James. You can't end a childhood friendship over House Rivalries. Would you have stopped being Peter's friend if he'd been Sorted into Hufflepuff?"

Severus felt a shiver up his spine, as he sat.

"No…" Potter's voice was thick with annoyance.

Lily squeezed his hand, "Don't listen to that toerag. He wouldn't know true friendship if it bit him in the rear end. You've been my friend for far too long to let jeers and jibes of prejudicial gits bother me. Besides, how could I turn my back on the first person to know I was special and accept me?"

Severus relaxed and gave her a true smile, "Thanks Lily, you're the best."

"We've got all the same classes this year. I asked. Prefect Prewett assured me that the lessons were exactly the same as were the homework assignments. That means we can still study together."

Severus pulled out a dreary looking quill and a roll of cheap parchment. He used a sticking charm to hold it flat to the desk before pulling out an inkpot. He'd bought twice as much of the ingredients as Professor Slughorn had recommended when he took him and Lily to Diagon Alley with her parents. Petunia had refused to go, his mother had been 'ill' and his father 'out working' when the day arrived.

They'd both been in love with Flourish and Blotts…all those books…

"Can I sit here?" came a small shy, girlish voice.

Severus turned to see a short bit of a girl who had dark brown roots but blonde hair. She had the same eyes as that obnoxious Gryffindor.

"Narcissa, why would you want to sit with him?"

"Do be quiet Sirius. Bella says I'm not to talk to you but Annie said that I should be nice to Severus. He can't have many friends in our House. If the Queen and the Prince say he's alright I can be nice. Besides, you abandoned me by becoming a Gryffindor. I don't know anyone aside from you and James."

Lily said with a lit of laughter in her voice, "It's quite alright if you join us. I'd hoped to be in the same House as Sevvie but I'm in Gryffindor. I'd be so much happier if I knew he had a friend."

Narcissa gave her a tiny smile, "I don't know about friend but I can be friendly. You are?" holding out her hand to shake it.

"Be careful Cissa. If Bella finds out you're keeping company with the likes of her she'd curse you black and blue."

Narcissa dropped Lily's hand as if she'd been burned, "You're a,"

Lily frowned, "I'm a Muggleborn."

Narcissa turned sharply to the front, "I see." Her voice had gone cold.

Lily turned to face Sirius, "What is your problem?"

Sirius Black shrugged, "I've got to look out for my Fiancée. I maybe in a different House but I certainly don't want her crazy sister to use her for spell practice."

Lily's jaw dropped, "Fiancée?"

Narcissa nodded, replying coolly, "Sirius and I have been betrothed from the cradle. As have Lucius and Annie. Bella is betrothed to Rodolphus. It's customary for purebloods to arrange their children's future Bondings from the cradle, at least amount the wealthy ones "

"Always thought that was weird, the betrothal between Bella and Rodolphus." Sirius put in, "He's what nearly three years older then her? Why not Rabastan?"

Narcissa laughed, "Why? That's a silly question. It's all on account of Rodolphus being the Heir to the Lestrange Family. Rabastan is a second son." The smile on her face died, she busied herself with readying to be lectured.

Severus wondered why Narcissa Black would bother to be friendly to him when she couldn't bare to touch Lily's hand on account of her blood. It is was clear that neither Sirius nor that Bellatrix would countenance her being either of their friend

Slughorn arrived and the lecture portion began, to Severus' dismay the lesson was over too soon. They wouldn't have double Potions until Wednesday. It was a pity, because he wanted to brew…

Lily clasped his shoulder, "It's alright. We'll brew soon. I know you're excited. I am too."

Severus reluctantly packed up; at least his next Lesson was Herbology.

Lily packed up, "What do you have next? I have Charms with Ravenclaw."

Severus said drolly, "Herbology with Hufflepuff."

Lily clapped her hands, "That sounds exciting. You get to learn about the plants we'll use in Potions."

Severus nodded; it was hard not to smile with her. Lily had always been able to cheer him up.

Lily hugged him impulsively; "I'll see you later. I've got Intro to Magical Theory after lunch."

Severus grinned, "Me too."

Potter scoffed, "That's such a Muggleborn class. Those raised in the Wizarding World already know that sort of thing."

Severus glared, "Then I shall join you in disgust with my mother for her failure to see that that I was properly educated. However, I bet I have a firmer grasp of numbers then you have."

James looked speechless.

Severus caught Lily's eye, "Got to hand it to Muggles, they teach a mean maths."

Lily giggled and checked her watch, "We'd better hurry. The Greenhouses are pretty far and you've only got a few minutes."

Severus reluctantly joined his Housemates in the exodus from Potions…

What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds Expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?