Pairing: James/Severus, Sirius/Remus plus others?
Rating: R or NC17
Archive: Yes, just ask first.
Feedback: Would be fantastic.
Disclaimer: I am just playing with them, no one is giving me any money. (Well not for this anyway). Everything you recognise from the Harry Potter books belongs to whomever it is that owns them nowadays. J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Publishing, Warner Bros etc etc.
Warning: This is SLASH! That means men intimately involved with men. If you don’t like it shoo and if you read it and think it is sick and twisted don’t come crying to me.
Dedications: To my wonderful boyfriend Christian, who put up with me trying to bounce ideas off him and hogging the computer when he wanted to use it.
Summary: The backstory to Beyond Good and Evil and Beyond Love and Hate, the story of the relationship between James Potter and Severus Snape.

Anyway enough of this drivel and on with the story.

Chapter One

How It All Began

Potions Class –1976

It was all Sirius’ fault – it usually was of course but this time he had gone too far.

Potions had never been his favourite lesson, he had always preferred Transfiguration even if Professor McGonagall wouldn’t know a joke if it jumped up and bit her and thanks to Sirius that had actually happened!

 It was down to Sirius that James was spending the lesson sitting next to the odious Severus Snape, the slimy git was always sucking up to the Potions Professor, in fact James would not have been surprised if one lesson in the near future, Snape’s greasy head actually disappeared up Professor Finlay’s backside.

‘Who needs enemies when you have friends like Sirius Black?’ James thought ruefully as he attempted to slice his daisy roots neatly.

He sneaked a sideways glance at the sallow-skinned boy next to him.  Snape was bent over his desk completely engrossed in his task, his usually greasy hair looked surprisingly clean and shiny and James couldn’t help noticing how much better Snape looked as a result.  At that moment Snape looked up, his eyes meet James’ and James found himself colouring under Snape’s intense gaze.

“Did you want something Potter?” Snape asked snidely, James shook his head and turned away, his cheeks burning.

Severus Snape couldn’t help but notice the high colour in James Potter’s cheeks and as he took in the redness in his adversary’s face he couldn’t ignore the jolt in the his stomach and the stiffening in his groin.  He was pleased that his colouring prevented him from blushing – he had managed to hide his growing attraction to James Potter thus far and he wasn’t about to let the veneer of hate slip.

However, James reaction to his altered appearance was an interesting one.  Maybe James did find him attractive after all – but no it was too much to hope for, James and his friends ‘The Marauders’ all hated him and he them. There was no way that James Potter would ever find him – Severus Snape, potions genius and expert on curses and hexes attractive.

Severus shook his head sadly and tried to concentrate on the task in hand and not on thinking about the tousle-haired Quidditch champion sitting next to him, all long, muscular limbs and striking blue eyes. Sighing, Severus picked up his knife and resumed slicing his roots, determined not to think about James Potter for the rest of the lesson despite the fact that he was sitting next to him.

Across the other side of the classroom a pair of chocolate brown eyes had observed the entire interaction and their owner was frowning as he ground his scarab beetles into a fine powder.

“What’s wrong Sirius?” Remus rich, gentle voice cut into his thoughts and Sirius turned to face Remus, his face stony.

“Snape, that’s what. Look at him, he obviously has a thing for Jamie, he’s even bothered to wash his hair for a change, probably trying to impress him.”

“So?” Remus looked at Sirius. “I don’t understand why it bothers you so much?”

“It doesn’t bother me, I just don’t like the thought of a slimy Slytherin like Snape fawning over Jamie.” Sirius scowled and resumed grinding with renewed vigour.

“Oh right.” Remus said doubtfully, he took in Sirius’ annoyed expression together with his relentless pounding of his already well ground beetles; it was as if he were imagining the beetles were the face of a certain member of Slytherin house.

“Do you have a thing for James?” Remus asked Sirius. Sirius looked up sharply.

“What makes you say that? You know how I feel about you. I just care about James, I don’t want to see him pestered by slippery Snape that’s all.”

“Oh I see, so if was Peter you’d be just as concerned would you?” Remus raised his eyebrows questioningly.

“Yes of course.” Sirius snapped and turning away from Remus’ gaze he continued to prepare his ingredients.

Remus sighed, it wasn’t that he didn’t trust Sirius, he just knew him well enough to know when he was lying.  He knew how close James and Sirius were, they had known each other for years, far longer than he had known them. Plus he had been in love with Sirius for long enough to understand every facial expression, every nuance, Sirius was jealous and that realisation hurt Remus deeply. Why was Sirius jealous? James didn’t even like Snape and even if he had done why should it matter to Sirius, he and Remus were an item, they had been for ages – James was young, free and single. Plus James wasn’t exactly short of female attention or indeed male attention, why would he go for Snape, when he could have his pick from the all the schools most eligible candidates. (Well apart from Sirius) Why did it matter? What was making Sirius so angry? Nothing was even going on! James did not like Snape. James liked, well actually Remus didn’t know whom James currently liked – he hadn’t mentioned anyone for a while.  Remus looked over to the desk where James and Snape were sitting working together, Snape had his back to James and Remus could see James watching Snape as he worked. Then when James wasn’t looking, Snape watched James. It was suddenly clear, James and Snape fancied each other; Sirius’ concern was not without foundation. It also occurred to Remus that both Snape and James were probably both completely unaware of each other’s interest.

The bell rang signalling the end of the lesson.  The class of Gryffindor’s and Slytherin’s gathered up their belongings and made for the door.

James hesitated at his desk until he felt Sirius’ hand clap him on the shoulder.

“Coming Jamie?” James nodded and picked up his bag.  As he reached the door of the classroom, he turned slightly, his eyes met Snape’s for a brief moment and then he left the room.