Pulling themselves out of the mythical world of Avalon, Lily, Severus, and Myrtle exchanged glances. Lily and Myrtle were positively beaming, their faces alight with excitement, while Severus wore a more reserved expression. Yet, even he couldn't entirely hide the faint curve of a smile at the battle's conclusion.
"That was brilliant!" Lily exclaimed, throwing her arms above her head in excitement. "The duel, the battles, Helga, Rowena, Salazar—everything!" The words spilled from her in an enthusiastic rush.
"It was absolutely amazing!" Myrtle chimed in. "Godric with his sword, Salazar with his spear—swish, swoosh!" She mimed the movements with exaggerated enthusiasm, complete with sound effects.
Severus rolled his eyes, though there was a glimmer of amusement in his dark gaze. "You two are so easily impressed," he muttered. But then, almost reluctantly, he added, "Still…" His fingers tapped thoughtfully against his chin. "Those spells—they're unlike anything I've ever encountered. Ancient, potent… Could they be somewhere in the Restricted Section?"
"Severus, don't even think about it," Lily warned, her emerald eyes narrowing sharply. "They're restricted for a reason."
"Not just the spells," Severus continued, undeterred. "Salazar's… abilities." His voice lowered, tinged with curiosity. "Everyone knows about Parseltongue being common among his descendants, but the power to control snakes? To compel others to obey him? That's something else entirely—I've never heard of such a gift."
Myrtle's eyes widened. "It's like he was a character straight out of one of those ancient hero tales. All that charisma, that control…"
"Or a tyrant in the making," Severus remarked dryly, a subtle edge of thoughtfulness lacing his tone. "After all, we all know how that story ends, don't we?"
Lily shook her head, caught between amusement and exasperation at her companions' musings. "Regardless of everything, I'm just happy they won. Godric and his friends won, and Raine is finally safe."
"And Volg got exactly what was coming to him," Myrtle added with a smirk. "Not to mention Creepy Creedy. That slimy git deserved every ounce of it."
Severus let out a low chuckle. "Makes you wish the same fate would befall Filch, doesn't it?"
"Severus!" Lily shot him a disapproving look. "You don't mean that. Filch may be a bit… off-putting, but wishing someone to be made a slave? That's crossing a line."
Severus folded his arms, unconvinced. "Fine, I'll concede, but the story raises so many questions. Helga being half-Norse and descended from giants, Rowena adopted into the Ravenclaw family…"
"And married to her brother," Myrtle interjected with a shiver. "I can't stop thinking about that—it's so unsettling!"
"Well, they weren't blood-related," Lily said, defending the situation. "It was more of a formality after all, and back then, things were a lot different."
"Doesn't make it any less disturbing, Evans," Severus countered, giving her a pointed look. "What puzzles me is why none of this is in the history books. Why keep all of this hidden? The battles, their origins—it's as if they wanted to erase their own legacy."
Lily tilted her head, pondering his words. "It does seem odd, doesn't it? These are the Founders, for Merlin's sake. Their stories should be known."
"Exactly," Severus said with a thoughtful edge. "The feats they accomplished, the power they wielded—it sounds fantastical, but why would anyone want to hide it? What purpose does concealing the truth serve?"
Lily sighed, closing the heavy leather-bound book with a soft thud as the aged pages settled beneath the weight of the cover. "Well, whatever secrets the Founders may be hiding, we'll have to unravel them another time." She glanced up at the wooden clock mounted on the wall, its hands pointing to eleven. "It's late, and we've got classes in the morning."
"Agreed," Severus said, pushing back his chair and rising to his feet. "We can pick this up tomorrow."
Lily arched an eyebrow at him, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "Wait, you actually want to continue this?"
A faint blush crept up Severus's cheeks, his ears turning a telling shade of pink. Before he could respond, Myrtle floated beside him, her expression brimming with mischief. "Oh, look at him! Don't bother denying it, Severus. You're hooked! The brooding boy's gone and fallen down the rabbit hole."
Severus shot her a glare, though it lacked real malice. "Oh, for Merlin's sake, wipe that smug grin off your face. It's purely academic curiosity, nothing more."
"Of course it is," Myrtle drawled, smirking. "So deep in the rabbit hole, you've practically set up house."
Lily stifled a laugh as she slipped the book into her bag. "Alright then—same time, same place tomorrow?"
"Where else?" Severus said with a shrug.
"And it's not like I've got anywhere else to be, you know," Myrtle chimed in, her translucent form hovering above the table.
Severus groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Oh, for heaven's sake, Myrtle, the dead jokes are older than you are."
****
As Severus and Lily bid farewell to Myrtle, they made their way out of the dungeons, the echoes of their footsteps soft against the cold stone floor. Severus, ever the cautious one, insisted on walking Lily back to the Gryffindor common room. "For appearances' sake," he'd said, in case they encountered any unwelcome company.
It was late enough for the hallways to be mostly deserted, save for a few lingering students, professors, and patrolling prefects. Though curfew hadn't fully taken effect, the occasional wary glance cast in their direction made Severus keep his hands firmly tucked in his pockets, his expression as guarded as ever.
The cool autumn air wafted through the corridors, carrying with it a faint chill that danced across the flickering torchlight. Shadows stretched and shifted along the ancient stone walls, their dance illuminating rows of glass cabinets filled with trophies, artifacts, and accolades. Lily clutched the bag containing the journal close to her chest, her steps light but steady beside Severus, whose silence seemed more pensive than usual.
After a stretch of quiet, Severus cleared his throat. "So…" His voice was soft but deliberate. "Ancient magical journals aside, how's life treating you?"
Lily blinked in surprise, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "Severus Snape, making small talk? What's the occasion?"
His cheeks tinged pink as he glanced away. "It's not small talk," he muttered defensively. "Just… genuine curiosity, that's all." He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Honestly, I've been falling a bit behind in Transfiguration. Professor McGonagall's been rather relentless lately."
"Really?" Lily tilted her head, intrigued. "I've always thought Transfiguration was fascinating. Though, if I'm being honest, Potions has been giving me trouble. Professor Slughorn keeps hinting that I'm not 'living up to my potential.'"
Severus perked up slightly. "Well… if you'd like, I could help with Potions. It's not exactly difficult for me."
"And maybe I could help you with Transfiguration," Lily replied, her emerald eyes glinting with amusement. She paused for a moment, her smile growing mischievous. "Hold on, is this your way of asking me out on a date?"
Severus stumbled slightly, his face heating. "P-perish the thought!" he stammered. "It's purely academic! Nothing more."
Lily chuckled, her laughter light and melodic. "Oh, Severus, you boys are all the same. You know, there's no shame in just asking a girl out, right?"
Severus, thoroughly flustered, looked straight ahead, refusing to meet her gaze. "You're impossible," he muttered under his breath, though the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"What in blue blazes?" came a voice from further up the staircase.
Both Severus and Lily turned their heads sharply to see a group of boys descending the steps—James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter, their expressions a mix of surprise and suspicion. Within seconds, wands were drawn, Severus and James locking eyes with deadly intent. Sirius, Remus, and Peter followed suit, their wands ready and pointed.
"Fancy meeting you here, Snivellus," James sneered, his lips curling in disdain. "Out for a bit of skulking, are we?"
"Potter," Severus spat. "Still prancing about like you own the place?"
"Big words for someone who spends half his time hiding in the shadows," Sirius quipped, his trademark smirk firmly in place. "Or skulking about greasy cauldrons."
Before the situation could escalate further, Lily stepped between them, her arms outstretched. "Enough!" she shouted. "What's the matter with all of you?"
"Step aside, Lily," James said firmly, his wand not lowering an inch. "This doesn't concern you."
"Doesn't concern me?" Lily rounded on him, green eyes flashing. "You're about to hex someone in open, and you think it doesn't concern me?"
"I'd lower that wand if I were you, Snivellus," Peter piped up. "Unless you fancy a repeat of last time."
Lily's brows furrowed. "Last time?" She turned her glare on James. "James, what is he talking about?"
James faltered, his confidence flickering. "It's nothing, Lily."
"Oh, it's something, Evans," Severus interjected, his lip curling. "Your precious Potter and his gang have a lovely habit of ambushing me. Real Gryffindor bravery there."
"That's rich, coming from you, Snivellus," Sirius snapped. "Or have you forgotten what you did to those First Years?"
"They were imitating you lot, you mangy mutt," Severus shot back. "They thought I'd be an easy target. I made sure they learned otherwise. And now, it's your turn."
"Careful, Snape," Remus said coolly, his gaze steady. "Wouldn't want to ruin those robes of yours."
"Oh, don't worry," Severus smirked. "By the end of this, it won't be my robes covered in blood."
"Enough of this!" Lily barked, stepping closer to James and Severus. "You're all behaving like children. Put your wands away!"
"Stand aside, Lily," James said sharply, his eyes not leaving Severus. "This is between me and him."
"And what exactly do you think you're proving, James Potter?" Lily snapped. "That you're just as petty as you claim Severus to be? Because if that's the goal, congratulations—you've succeeded."
"Potter's right, Evans," Snape said with a sneer, his black eyes narrowing. "This is between me and him, and maybe this time, I'll put him and his little band of sycophants down for good."
James and Snape squared off; their wands raised. Lily, standing between them, drew a sharp breath and made her move. She flipped open her satchel, pulling out the journal with deliberate care. Her wand was out in an instant, the tip glowing with an ominous red hue as she aimed it squarely at the ancient book.
"Right, if you're both too pig-headed to listen, then it seems I'll have to speak your language." Her words cut through the charged silence like a blade. "Stand down, now, before I set this journal on fire!"
All eyes snapped to Lily, their expressions morphing from fury to horror in an instant.
"Lily, what are you doing?!" James cried, his wand dropping slightly. "Stop!"
"You gave her the book?" Remus hissed at James, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. "Potter, you brainless git!"
"Oh, trying to woo her with the book, were you?" Sirius smirked, elbowing James with mock approval. "Smooth, very smooth."
"Shut it, Padfoot!" Remus snapped. "If she torches that thing, we're all done for!"
"Now, now, Evans, let's not be hasty," Snape said cautiously, his hands raised in a rare show of diplomacy. "No need for rash decisions."
Lily's grip on her wand didn't waver. The glow intensified, flickering brighter as her emerald eyes narrowed. "Put. Those. Wands. Away," she said coldly, brooking no argument.
There was a tense pause before James and Snape slowly lowered their wands, their gazes locked in a silent battle of wills. Remus and Sirius exchanged wary glances, while Peter cowered slightly behind them.
"Good." Lily exhaled sharply, extinguishing the glow at the tip of her wand. "Honestly, you lot are worse than toddlers."
James sucked in a sharp breath, his jaw tightening as his eyes lingered on Snape for a moment longer. "Fine," he muttered. "We'll call this even. For now." He then turned to Lily, his expression softening slightly but still laced with frustration. "Now, since you're here…" He extended his hand. "The book, Lily. We need it back."
Lily's emerald eyes narrowed. "Do you now?" She held the journal closer to her chest. "Well, I think I'll be keeping this."
All four boys froze, their eyes widening in collective disbelief.
"You can't do that!" Remus exclaimed, stepping forward. "That book isn't yours to keep!"
"Oh, really?" Lily arched an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I don't see your name on it, Remus. Come to think of it, I don't see any of your names on it. And something tells me this wasn't exactly borrowed through proper channels, was it?"
James swallowed hard, his confidence faltering for a moment. "That's beside the point—"
"Is it, though?" Lily interjected. "Knowing you lot, you probably nicked this from the Restricted Section, didn't you?" She glanced at each of them, her expression scathing. "What do you reckon the professors will say when they find out? That not only were you sneaking around in there, but you decided to keep a book that clearly doesn't belong to you?"
"Lily, that's not fair!" James protested. "I lent it to you. It's mine, and I want it back."
Lily's glare hardened, her grip on the journal firm. "That was before I realized you and your friends are nothing but a pack of bullies," she spat. "Just like Volg and the Calishans."
The comparison hit like a slap, and all four boys flinched, their bravado visibly crumbling.
"You've all read this book, haven't you?" Lily pressed. "You know what Volg and his cronies did. You know the kind of pain they caused, the lives they destroyed. And yet, you still think it's acceptable to act like them?"
She shook her head, her disappointment cutting deeper than any hex. "I'm ashamed of you. If Godric and his friends were here today, do you know what would happen? You'd find yourselves on the other side of a Bellum Inter Duos."
"A Bellum Inter—what?" Peter repeated, scratching his head in confusion.
"I take it they haven't read that far yet," Severus muttered to Lily, leaning in close as he whispered.
Lily cleared her throat, straightening her posture. "The point isn't whether you know what it means," she said sharply. "The point is, Godric wouldn't have approved of any of this. And he certainly wouldn't have been friends with any of you." Her piercing gaze locked onto James. "I thought you were different, Potter. I'd heard the rumors about you, but I didn't believe them. Now?" She shook her head. "Now, I'm appalled."
James' face fell, his eyes wide as his shoulders slumped. "Lily… I…" he started, but the words faltered.
Without another word, Lily tucked the journal back into her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and turned on her heel to ascend the staircase. Severus moved to follow, but she stopped him in his tracks. "Don't. Follow. Me." She shot him a glare. "I can find my own way back."
Her hand tightened around the bag as she paused on the stairs, casting a withering look at the four boys next to her. They flinched collectively under her gaze. "If any of you want to know what happens next," she said coolly, "you'll meet us at detention tomorrow at eight. And I expect every single one of you to behave. If I so much as see a wand being drawn, I'm going straight to Professor McGonagall and handing this over." She patted the bag for emphasis.
"What?" Remus snapped, narrowing his eyes. "You wouldn't dare."
Lily arched an eyebrow, leaning in slightly. "Try me," she said icily before turning and stomping up the stairs, disappearing into the shadows.
Sirius let out a low whistle, turning to James with a grin that was equal parts amused and impressed. "Well, well, Prongs, looks like you've landed yourself quite the firecracker. Still think she's the girl of your dreams?"
"Brilliant, simply brilliant," Remus muttered darkly, throwing a glare at James. "Remind me again why we're still friends?"
Peter sniffled, his eyes wide and almost teary. "Does… does this mean we'll never find out how it ends?" he asked. "But I have to know what happens!"
Remus groaned in frustration, turning on his heel and heading back up the stairs. "That's it—I'm done. Perhaps next time, Potter, you'll use your head instead of your bollocks!" He grabbed Peter by the back of his collar and began dragging him along. "Come on, Wormtail."
"Hate to agree with him, but Moony's got a point," Sirius said with a sigh, clapping James on the shoulder. "You've got yourself into this mess, mate. It's up to you to fix it. And if we lose that book…" He smirked, his tone turning teasing. "We'll chuck you off the observatory like Matthew Garetty."
With that, Sirius turned and followed Remus and Peter up the stairs, leaving James and Severus alone. The two boys exchanged one last heated, hateful glare before silently turning in opposite directions, their footsteps echoing in the empty halls.
****
The following night, the four boys found themselves once again in the familiar confines of the detention room, each seated in their well-worn chairs. James' gaze drifted across the cold stone walls, ones he and his friends had come to know almost intimately during their frequent stints of mischief. Opposite them sat Lily, the journal open before her as she recounted the events they had missed. Severus hadn't yet arrived, leaving Myrtle to hover beside Lily, her translucent expression amused as she cast glances toward the boys.
Peter leaned forward; his face twisted in anger. "Blasted Creedy," he muttered, popping another crisp into his mouth. "I always knew he was a slimy git, but I never thought he'd stoop that low. I'm glad he got what was coming to him in the end."
"You and me both, mate," Sirius said, his arms folded tightly across his chest. His usual cheeky demeanor had faded, replaced with a rare solemnity. "Poor Raine, though. And the Mills…" He shook his head. "By Merlin's beard, what an absolutely wretched place. Stripping people of everything—treating them as if they weren't even human. Forced to…" His words trailed off, caught in his throat as he struggled to finish the thought.
"I'm just glad that nothing like that exists anymore," James chimed in. "At least not in our world."
Remus raised a hand, his brow furrowed in curiosity. "Hang on a moment. So, let me get this straight. The Congregation—the student-run organization—has its own laws? Proper rules for duels and settling differences between Clans? And Godric and his friends took Volg on, won Raine back, and walked away victorious?"
"That's the long and short of it," Lily replied, flipping through a page of the journal. "The Old Ways and the Old Laws—it's all so fascinating. Who would have thought that something led by students could be so meticulously organized? Laws so ironclad that even the most audacious wouldn't dare break them."
"I think the whole thing sounds absolutely wicked!" Peter burst out, his eyes alight with excitement. "Like something you'd see in a proper action flick. The duel, the drama—it's all brilliant!"
"Exactly!" Myrtle chimed in, her spectral form buzzing with energy. "If these stories were in our History books, I might've actually enjoyed History class." She let out a laugh.
Sirius smirked. "Forget History class. These stories make our adventures seem downright tame. Godric and his lot had it rough—proper heroes, that lot."
"They certainly were," Lily said, her tone softening as she closed the journal for a moment, glancing at each of them. "And they didn't just fight for themselves. They fought for each other, for something greater. That's what makes them different."
Remus leaned back in his chair, folding his arms as he arched an eyebrow. "Right, are we just going to ignore the dragon in the room?" he asked dryly, his gaze drifting to Myrtle. "The fact that 'Moaning Myrtle' is here? Honestly, Evans, I've always thought you were a bit eccentric, but keeping a ghost as part of your little club? That's a twist I didn't see coming."
Myrtle smirked, floating a bit closer. "What's the matter, Lupin? Jealous, are we?" she teased, her voice laced with mischief.
Lily grinned, leaning in with a glint in her eye. "Well, Remus, as Salazar Slytherin puts it, considering the company you keep, I'd take that as a compliment."
Remus' cheeks flushed a faint red, and he cleared his throat awkwardly. "Touché, Evans," he muttered, trying to compose himself.
"Ooh, burn!" Peter chimed in, laughing as he munched on another crisp.
"She means you too, you dolt!" Remus snapped, throwing Peter an incredulous look.
Peter froze mid-bite, blinking. "Oh… well, that's just rude!" he huffed, crossing his arms as the others broke into laughter.
"Still… don't you feel just a tad sorry for Volg?" Sirius said hesitantly, drawing all eyes to him. The others looked at him as if he'd sprouted antlers, their expressions appalled.
Sirius quickly waved his hands in protest. "I'm not defending him! It's just…" His expression grew solemn. "It's just that Volg and Laxus… they remind me so much of Regulus and me. The way Volg felt about his brother—all that darkness, all that hate—it hit a little too close to home." He looked down; his usual bravado gone.
"Paddy, mate," James said gently, placing a hand on Sirius's shoulder.
Sirius let out a shaky breath. "I'm scared. I know Regulus—he'll never be like Volg—but…" He hesitated. "A part of me worries. Worries that he might go down a path just as dark. Our father, well… he's not exactly father of the year, is he? He's left scars on both of us, ones that still sting. And if I ever learned that Regulus had done something like Volg…" He trailed off, shaking his head as if to clear the thought. "I don't know what I'd do."
The room grew heavy with silence as sympathetic eyes fell on Sirius; his vulnerability laid bare in a way that was rare for him.
"I pray that day never comes," Sirius continued. "But I understand where Laxus was coming from. You don't turn your back on family, no matter what happens. Not ever."
His words lingered in the air, weighty and sincere, as the others nodded in quiet agreement.
"It's frightening, that… Nova," Myrtle said. "We all know about potions, and we've heard of Muggle drugs. But to think there's something that potent, something that powerful…"
"To think there's a substance that can enhance magical powers," Remus mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "It lets you wield spells far beyond your own capabilities. It's fascinating… and utterly terrifying."
"At what cost, though?" James interjected, crossing his arms. "Sounds like Volg bit off more than he could chew. Didn't that goblin warn him? It's all fun and games until you end up destroying yourself, all over a grudge."
"Reached an epiphany, have you, James Potter?" Lily cut in, her green eyes narrowing. "And how exactly is that any different from what you lot do to Severus?" Her words like a slap in the face.
The boys collectively reeled from her accusation, exchanging guilty looks.
"Oh, come on, Evans, you're being dramatic," Remus said, shaking his head dismissively. "Sniv—Severus, would never resort to something so drastic. He's too clever for that."
"That may be true," Lily countered, "but despair often breeds desperation. You've seen what happened to Volg. Push someone hard enough, and they just might do something you'll all live to regret." She let her words sink in before adding, "I have faith in Severus. But perhaps it's time you lot learn to be better."
The weight of her words hung in the air as the boys exchanged glances, heads bowed slightly in shame.
"Speaking of which," Myrtle said, breaking the silence, "they mentioned Nova is just one type of Shimmer. It's part of a whole family of these drugs. Makes you wonder who's behind it all."
"Probably some kind of syndicate," Remus speculated. "Underworld dealings, like the drug runners in the Muggle world."
"Ooh, that sounds dead mysterious," Peter said, popping another crisp into his mouth. "Do you think we'll end up diving into that in the story?"
Lily rolled her eyes, though a faint smile betrayed her amusement. Before they could continue, the door to the detention room creaked open, and Severus strode in. All eyes turned to him, four pairs of narrowed gazes following his every step. Severus met their icy stares with an equally cool demeanor. He carried a bag in his right hand, moving to the table with calm indifference, and took the seat beside Lily.
Sirius broke the silence first. "Just so we're clear, we're not friends," he said curtly. "But for the sake of the story, we'll call a truce."
"Agreed," Severus replied smoothly. "And out of respect for that, I too am willing to call a truce."
Peter wrinkled his nose, shooting Severus a suspicious glance. "Don't expect any of us to suddenly warm up to the likes of—"
"I brought snacks," Severus interrupted the rising tension with a calm, deliberate gesture, pulling several bags of crisps from his bag and laying them neatly on the table. Peter's eyes lit up like a child on Christmas morning.
"Oh, by Merlin's beard! These are from my favorite shop in Hogsmeade!" Peter exclaimed, practically bouncing in his seat. "And look—he's got all the flavors!" He tore open a bag and immediately stuffed a handful into his mouth, crumbs tumbling as he mumbled through the crunch. "You know, maybe he's not so bad after all."
Sirius rolled his eyes, folding his arms. "Typical Wormtail—always bought off by a bag of crisps. Nice try, Snivellus. It'll take a lot more than a few snacks to—"
"And I brought butterbeer," Severus cut in smoothly, reaching into his bag once more and producing a large jug along with several glasses. He placed them on the table with a flourish. Sirius froze, his arms falling to his sides as his gaze darted to the jug.
"Pfft, butterbeer? I'm not that easy to—" Sirius began, his tone dismissive, until Severus turned the jug slightly, revealing the unmistakable emblem of The Three Broomsticks.
Sirius blinked, his bravado crumbling. "... Straight from The Three Broomsticks?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of awe.
"Freshly delivered," Severus replied with a faint smirk, pouring himself a glass.
"All is forgiven!" Sirius declared, snatching up a glass and filling it to the brim.
Remus rolled his eyes but couldn't resist reaching for a bag of crisps himself. "Brilliant. We've been reduced to food bribery," he muttered, though a small smile tugged at his lips.
James glared daggers at Severus from across the table, his expression a mix of irritation and begrudging admiration. The boy merely smirked back, lifting his glass in a mock toast before taking a deliberate sip.
"Well, now that we're all here," Lily said, looking between them with a hint of amusement. She opened the journal, the pages crackling as they turned. "Shall we get on with it?"
"By all means," Severus replied, casting a sideways glance at James. "Unless, of course, Potter has any objections?"
James clenched his jaw, forcing a tight smile. "None whatsoever."
"That looks absolutely divine—crisps, butterbeer, and a story to top it off," Myrtle said wistfully, floating a little closer to the table. "Pity I can't indulge myself, on account of…"
"You're dead! We know!" the boys chorused in exasperation, cutting her off mid-sentence.
Myrtle chuckled, her ghostly form shimmering with amusement. "Oh, you lot are so predictable. I don't know why I bother sometimes."
With that, Lily opened the journal to the page where they had left off. The group leaned in as Lily's voice carried them back into the mythical world of Avalon.