They had already shut their eyes, hearts slow and breaths raspy. Gradually, the mist came out of their eyes, mouths, ears and noses, showing friendship and love.
    Now they were brothers, and could die in peace.

    Severus Snape looked up at the Fat Lady portrait, who was eyeing him warily.
    “Uhm… Draught of Living Death?”
    “Nope.” She furrowed her brow. He looked around, as though he could find some sort of clue. “No password, no entry.”
    “I get it, old lady.” He tried to think. “Flabberworms?”
    “No.”
    “Godric?”
    “Nope.”
    “Gryffindor?”
    “Why would I choose something so obvious? I’m not an idiot.”
    Severus thought a moment longer. “Sorry. Maybe the password is… Beautiful Portrait? Sweet Singer? Uhm… Great and Gorgeous Protector of the Gryffindor Common Room?”
    She blushed, then swung open. Never underestimate the power of kissing butt, Snape thought slyly, strutting in.
    Lupin looked up. “James… are you sure you’re alright?”
    “…yes. I just… I’m just taking a sick day from classes.” This was the truth, as Madam Pomfrey had ordered them to stay in their common room and rest for the entire day.
    “…and you’re just going to do that?” Lupin looked astonished. Snape knew James was no one for following teacher’s rules, and after thinking a moment, he spoke.
    “Yep. I’ve decided to change myself, Remeus.”
    “…really?”
    “Yes. I’ve decided to stop misbehaving and start focusing on exams. Actually,” Severus took a moment to savor the proud look on Lupin’s face, “I don’t think I can go on our silly werewolf adventures anymore, either.” And watched Lupin turn downcast in an instant.
    “But… James, are you sure…?”
    “Positive. You know, I think I’m also going to start hanging out with the Slytherins more, too. Their so intelligent and kind… especially Snape.”
    “Maybe you should go back to Madam Pomfrey.”
    “No, no, I’ve never been better. Yes, I think I’m going to befriend Severus. I could learn a thing or two from him.” Snape had to keep from laughing at Lupin’s shock, “Well, ta ta!” And he walked up the stairs, lay himself in the bed, and felt completely satisfied.
    Then curiosity came over him.
    What kind of things did Potter have? Darned invisibility cloak, of course, but what else…
    Some really nice looking dress robes. Potter must be rich. Severus snorted and continued to pull things out of the trunk. A photo book of him and the Maurders… Snape thought he’d vomit again. There was that idiotic broom Potter always used… and a snitch. A piece of glass that showed darkness… why did Potter need all this stuff? Was he spoiled?
    Severus sat back on the bed, looking at all the Quidditch posters around him. He suddenly realized that this might be a very long day.

    James had a ginormous stomach.
    By the time lunch rolled around Severus felt nearly starved to death. He ran to the dining room, always enjoying his new strength and speed, and sat at the table. Soon after Black joined.
    “…Prongs?”
    Severus did not look up.
    “Prongs…?”
    “…oh. Uhm, hello Sirius.”
    Sirius wrinkled his forehead. “You’re acting really strange today, Prongs.”
    “Didn’t Remeus tell you? I’m changing my ways.”
    “…No, he forgot to mention it.” Sirius hesitated, then continued, “Changing to what?”
    But before Severus could answer someone very, very familiar walked up. “James, I heard you were sick today! Are you ok? I’m so sorry!”
    “Uhm…” Severus felt himself loose his breath, “No. I mean, yes. Yes, I’m ok.”
    “Aww… is it contagious?”
    “No, I don’t think…” Lily kissed his cheek. “…so.” And Severus then felt very dazed and hot.
    “Your face is red. Do you have a fever?”
    “No. I’m fine. It’s just… you’re… you’re really pretty, Lily.”
    Just then Lily herself grew pink. “…aww thank you!” And she sat next to him.
    For a moment Severus felt very, very, very happy.

    James watched in disgust. Snivellus was stealing his girlfriend.
    But James was better than that. He would stay faithful to Lily. In a sort of defeat, he ate in silence, as did the rest of Snape’s friends.
    “Severus,” James looked at Wilkes, who had a sly smile, “I’ve been thinking.”
    James stared back for a moment. “Bout what?”
    “When do you think your initiation will come?”
    James blinked. “I don’t really know.”
    “The dark lord is very pleased with you lately…”
    James stopped in his tracks. Surely Snivellus wasn’t… but it fit really well… James sat for a moment, caught up in shock and fear. “What?”
    “Don’t act like a fool.” Mulciber joined in, “We hear talk that he’s ready… to make you one of us…”
    “…is he now?” James’s reply was very meek and tired.
    “Of course… and you’re very young, aren’t you? But he brings us good word of you. Says you seem faithful.”
    “…right. I have to… I have to go…” James stood, and slowly at first, then with a storm, ran up to the Gryffindor table. Lily was curled around Snape’s arm. James jabbed his enemy in the back of the head.
    “…yes?”
    Then James was able to do it. He punched his own face, right in front of his girlfriend.
    He stood for a moment, feeling satisfied, when Snape stood. Lily was looking at him in worry.
    Sirius stood. “Get out of here, before I…!”
    “Before you what?”
    They all looked up at once to find their ginormous gamekeeper. In one quick motion he grabbed James and Snape by the collar. “I’ll handle this, Black, don’t you worry.”
    With one of them in each hand, he dragged them out of the dining hall and outside, and dropped them to the grass. “What was that about?”
    “I’m a part of the death eaters!” James cried out, and Snape’s jaw dropped.
    “No! I’m a law breaker! I’m an unregistered animangus and I sneak into Hogsmead every full moon with Lupin, who’s a werewolf!”
    “You stupid little…” James held out his fist again, but Hagrid once more picked them up, and this time shook them. It felt like an earthquake.
    “Is either of this true?”
    “No.” Snape declared, “No, check his arm! He doesn’t have the dark mark yet!”
    “Both of you have grown quite a bit, haven’t you?” Hagrid spoke suddenly, but still menacingly. “You, Snape, what happened to you visiting me with Evans every weekend?”
    James furrowed his brow. Snape blushed, looking slightly ashamed.
    “And you, Potter! You used to ride the broom for the heck of it, didn’t you? Then I saw you hanging out with those girls, always stealing the snitches… yes, I know it’s you.” Hagrid dropped them again.
    “No more fighting. You’re lucky you saw me in a good mood. Do it again and I’ll drag you through the Forbidden Forest…” With that the half giant walked off. Snape and James looked at each other.
    “If you tell anyone about me and the dark lord…”
    “If you tell anyone about Lupin…”
    Snape furrowed James’s brow. “Deal.”
    “Fine.”
    And they were able to walk into the dining hall with a sort of peace.