The Prince's Tale

"Sometimes I think we are Sorted too early…" That is what he said to me. This is the story of I, Severus Snape, and all that I have kept secret, yet wish others to know. [DH SPOILERS RUN RAMPANT THROUGHOUT

Chapter One: Out of Hiding

As the yells and screams continued on what should have been a happy summer morning, I ran from the house, unnoticed. Probably they wouldn't care, they never have before. Hands jammed into my pockets, I walked on in a determined fashion. For once, I was actually thankful that my mother had started throwing things at my father—it gave me an opportunity to do what I had been planning to do for three weeks.

I was finally going to talk to her.

A small smile crept to my lips as I rounded the corner of Spinner's End. The playground was only a block away now. I knew she would be there; every day this summer after lunch she would go there with that annoying sister of hers and they would play…and I would watch.

Of course they never noticed me there, I made it a point never to be noticed by anyone, even my family. But today would be different. I would reveal myself to her and I was certain that nothing would go wrong. After all, I had taken some time to think about it. It's not like I had much else to do.

Finally I got to the playground. I felt my stomach contract when I saw there was no one by the slide or the jungle gym. I was about to turn around, crestfallen, when a shrill giggle reached me. I whipped around and saw two girls, one blond and one with hair of the most vibrant red swinging in the back on the swing set. My heart quickened as my eyes locked onto the red-haired girl. Lily was her name, from what I gathered.

She and her sister were having a sort of contest on who could swing the highest. Lily was obviously winning—her head was above the top bar. I moved to the side around the bushes, crouching behind them as I watched the scene before me.

I heard the shrill voice again. "Lily, don't do it!" The elder sister's eyes were wide as she watched the other. I held my breath as Lily let go. As if in slow motion, she soared through the air, doing a flip before settling on the ground like someone had gently placed her there. A broad grin had come across her features. I could not help but feel a small twinge of jealously. Even I couldn't do that and I had my mother's genes in me!

The older sister, Petunia I think was her name, got off of her swing and stood there with a livid and scolding expression on her face. Something else was there too, envy perhaps?

"Mummy told you not to!" She scolded in an almost hissing voice.

Lily laughed her off, skipping around and showing Petunia her arms and legs, as if proving she were all right. "But I'm fine," she giggled. "Tuney, look at this. Watch what I can do."

"Tuney" looked around in a panicked way. I did too for a moment. Mother had always told me to never use magic in front of Muggles, no matter how tempted I might be. I often did have the awful habit of letting my emotions get the better of me and let something slip, but who didn't? But there were no Muggles here now, so it was a fine chance for the girl to show off, and for me to do so as well.

She looked at the bush, her eyes resting on me for a split second. I knew she could not see me, but for some reason I could not breath. Her eyes were of the deepest emerald green, full of kindness and inner beauty. I knew the moments she broke eye contact that I would tell her, now. She needed to know anyway before that letter showed up on her front doorstep. So why couldn't I move?

She had picked up a gardinia off the ground and laid it flat in her hand. The thing began to open and close rapidly in the way a morning glory would. A smile had come to her face at the sight of what she was doing, but a look of intense anger had spread across Petunia's in contrast. She snatched the flower out of Lily's hands and threw it to tehe ground, scolding her. Instantly I felt pity for the younger. She had no right to be mistreated like that, with all the talent she had. She needed to know that she was not a weirdo, and I would be just the person to do that. Mustering up my courage, I leapt out from my hiding place.

"It's obvious isn't it?" I yelled out, grinning. Petunia shrieked and fell over, scuttling back. Lily jumped as well, but remained where she was. I felt her eyes travel over me and immediately I felt embarrassed. The coat was the only thing I had at the moment for outer cover. My family had not brought me any clothes for a few years now. My mother had also not washed laundry in a while, so I sought the cleanest thing possible before I left the house. It was such a contrast to Lily's perfect orange sundress and yellow bow in her hair, groomed and cared for by those she loved; so opposite from me. Why would she even want to talk to a person like me.

As I felt myself getting red and the silence continued, Lily decided to speak. "What's obvious?"

At last I was going to be the first to tell her what she was. I had waited for this moment ever since I first laid eyes on her. Her sister didn't want to know—didn't need to know—so I leaned in closer and whispered, "I know what you are."

She looked at me quizzically so I continued, "You're a witch."

She backed up, clearly offended. "That's not a very nice thing to say to somebody." With that she turned around and started walking to her sister. MY heat plummeted. I was losin my chance and would probably never speak to her again.

"No! Wait!"

She turned, looking at me with scrutiny and her sister with utter contempt.

"You are," I continued," You are a witch. I've been watching you for a while, but there is nothing wrong with that. My mum's one and I'm a wizard!" I spoke rather hurridly, wanting to get everything in before she decided to leave.

The other sister laughed. "Wizard?! I know who you are! You're that Snape boy! They live on Spinner's End by the river. Why have you been spying on us?"

"I—I haven't!" I said, appealing to Lily. Petunia's glare incited me, made me angry. "Wouldn't spy on you anyway, you're a Muggle!"

Petunia grabbed her sister's hand. "Come on Lily! We're leaving." She spun around and Lily turned up her nose as well, the two of them marching off.

I was crushed. I had blown it, missed my chance, and now she hated me. I would never speak to her again, even at Hogwarts. Trying to keep the tears from coming, I stepped onto the mulch of the playground, sitting in one of the swings. Head hung low, I stared at the ground.

Something shiny caught my eye. I got off and got to me knees, digging in the mulch. There was a gold bracelet, with the word Lily etched on a flower charm that hung from it. I picked it up, turning it over in my hand. She would miss this and want it back. I didn't want her to be sad and go looking for I, so I might as well give it back.

I turned left instead of right, following the path they had taken. I had no idea where they lived, but I knew I would find it eventually. The sky was darkening, so most likely they wouldn't be outside. I slowly walked down the street, peering into the lighted windows but seeing no one I knew.

She should be somewhere, so I walked on, desperate now to find her. In every house I looked, but could find neither Lily nor Petunia. At the last house on the culdesac, I looked in the window. It was dark by now and I could see four figures around a table eating and talking over dinner.

There she was! I saw her, but she was not eating. She was crying. Her mother leaned over and patted her on the shoulder. The windows were open slightly, and I heard the woman say, "I'm sure it will be there tomorrow."

Lily snatched her shoulder away, sobbing, and moved out of my sight. I was halfway thinking of going to the porch and ringing the doorbell, when it opened and I saw her sit dejectedly on the steps, arms hugging her knees to her chest as tears silently fell down her cheeks.

Once again I felt my heart race. Tentatively, I stepped forward and into the light of the porch. She gasped and stood as I came up, backing away. Seeing the startled look on her face and feeling rather sorry that she hated me, I held out my shaking hand, palm outstretched. She looked and gave a squeal of delight, taking the bracelet and putting it on. She then looked at me with that same piercing emerald gaze again, then ran forward.

I thought I was going to fall down as she crashed into me. At first I thought she was angry, but then I saw that she was in fact, hugging me. Startled by this sudden change of events I stiffened, arms clamped tight to my side.

"Oh thank you so much! Thank you thank you! I really missed this, my Gran gave it to me so it's special. Thank you!"

She pulled back, looking me over again. "What's your name?"

I looked at the ground, still embarrassed about before. "Severus Snape," I murmured quietly, determined not to make eye contact.

She came forward and hugged me again. As she released me, she held out her hand. "I'm Lily Evans. Want to be friends, Sev?"

At first I couldn't believe what she said. Her hand was held out, her warm smile inviting. No one had ever said this to me before, but she was now. I grinned broadly, shaking her hand.

I knew this would be the beginning of a great friendship.

[A/N: you like it? IF you did, please review and say so. Oh yeah, almost forgot.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is not mine, nor is the character of Severus Snape. Some of the dialogue isn't either, it belongs to JK Rowling.