Okay, even though I said in my Profile (if anyone read it) that I wouldn't be working on fics for a while as I work on my art instead, I could not resist the inspiration that made me write this one. I plan on making a next chapter (which shall be called SUMMER AFTER), but for now, a one-shot would suffice. I shall update it when I can. Hope you like it!

DISCLAIMER: JKR owns HP

SUMMER BEFORE

"Come on, Sev! What's taking you so long?" she called back to me from at least 4 yards away.

"Wait..." I panted. "I need a moment to rest..." I clutched at the stitch in my side, gasping for air. I went closer to a tree and leaned against it, cursing my lack of endurance.

Ahead, Lily giggled. "Aw...," she mocked, looking at how pathetic I was being. "Is this too much for the old man?"

"When I get there, Evans...," I said, trying to sound threatening and obviously failing at it as I felt blood rush to my cheeks. Can I get more pathetic than this?

She, however, didn't seem to be taking me seriously, for she laughed once again, with more mirth this time. Why was it that with just the sound of her laughter, my irritation would vanish? It did not make any sense to me, none at all.

"Bring it on, Snape," she replied, even raising her dainty hands into two fists in front of her face. "The Sorting Hat didn't put me in Gryffindor by accident, you know."

"Don't remind me," I muttered, grimacing as I looked away from her. It was cruel. Even after 4 years I still can't get over it. How could the Sorting Hat have placed her in that House. Moreover, with him?

Having his repugnant face flashing through my mind made my irritation resurface in more amounts than I felt previously. However, she laughed once again and just like that, it vanished. Fascinating.

I turned to look at her and saw how truly beautiful her face was when it was filled with joy and stretched into a radiant smile. Her almond-shaped eyes had crinkles in the sides and were a bit teary as her enjoyment made them wet. Emerald gems shone in them and twinkled stunningly.

I must've been staring at her for quite a while, possibly managing to look even more idiotic, for she giggled again and said, "Well, what are you waiting for, slow-poke? Day's a wasting!"

She looked at me expectedly and waited. I sighed and moved away from the tree, trudging as I labored to catch up with her. She gave me an encouraging smile and nodded. Then, her auburn hairwhirled behind her as she once again turned her back on me and walked forward.

I lumbered behind her, growing more and more tired with every step. Although it was almost sunset, the summer heat was still scorching me, making me sweat like a dog. Yet, for some reason, I could not bring myself to hate the fact that this sweltering temperature was caused by this sunny season. Summer is probably my most favorite season for many years now. Of course, it wouldn't have been so if not for her.

A grin spread on my face as I once again thought about how only I can spend time with Lily during this season, about how only I can see her almost every day outside school, about how only I can enjoy her company without the watchful and disapproving eyes of anyone especially Gryffindors and Slytherins. But most importantly, I delight in the fact that that spoiled brat, good-for-nothing Potter would never be able to be alone with her for hours and hours, being the closest friend she has. Now, that made my day.

I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't notice I had caught up with her until my nose bumped into her back.

I staggered behind, blushing furiously as I spluttered, "S-Sorry…"

Her giggle filled the air once again. "Sev, do you need glasses or anything?"

"'Course not…" I mumbled.

"Anyways, come on! We're almost there!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me through branches that obscured the path ahead of us.

It took a while for me to answer her as I was very much aware of the feel of her hand holding mine. All logical thought seemed to evaporate and the only thing in my mind was joy. Pure, utter joy. Take that James Potter.

When composure came back to me, I asked, "Where exactly is there?"

"Someplace magical, you'll see!"

After a few more moments and through even thicker branches, she finally stopped. "We're here…," she whispered.

All around us, wild flowers of almost every color were scattered throughout a meadow. The tall trees surrounding it made a makeshift roof that would most likely give shelter when it rains. It was a breathtaking sight to behold.

"Hey, Sev," Lily called my attention quietly as if she was afraid to disturb the peace in the place.

"Yeah?" I smiled timidly at her.

"Do you think I'll get expelled if I use a spell here?"

"Why would you use magic here?" I asked, confused.

She looked worried. "I wanted to show you something, but I'll need a little magic to be able to."

I looked around us, making sure no one else was there. Then I turned to her and squeezed her soft hands a little. "Go ahead. I don't think it would be bad seeing as there aren't any Muggles around to see it." I gave her a reassuring smile.

Her answering smile was lovely. "Thanks, Sev."

She took a deep breath and then took out her wand with her free hand. "Aguamenti."

She sprinkled the water she made throughout all the flowers she could reach. After that, she looked at me again and smiled.

I smiled back although confused again. "Watering the plants?" I asked teasingly.

She laughed. "That wasn't the only thing I was doing. Don't worry. You'll see it in a while. Any moment now, in fact."

We waited silently for whatever it is she wanted me to see, our hands never disconnecting. After a few minutes, the day was coming to an end and it was twilight.

And just as the sun went down, the flowers caught its light coming from an opening between trees yards away from us. The droplets of water on them twinkled. It was like small diamonds were embedded on them, making them sparkle and glisten. The effect she created made the place even more enchanting than it already was. The entire thing looked as if it was a picture that came from one of the Muggle's fairytale books. And though these stories were often ridiculed by witches and wizards, the scene before me was something I could never have made fun of.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Lily whispered.

I looked at her and almost gasped out loud.

She was beautiful, now more than ever. The light coming from ahead of us shone on her face making the emerald in her eyes shine just like the diamonds on the flowers. The only difference was that her green gems were more elegant, more striking, more magnificent than any other. She herself was the most breathtaking image I would ever see. She belonged to this fairytale place.

Eyes still on her, I replied, "It is…"

She turned her face to me and once more, smiled her beautiful smile. How could you not bring yourself to smile back?

We made our way to a large tree and sat down on its roots. We talked for what must have been hours and hours about almost everything from our upcoming O.W.L.s, how and when she found this place, things at home, events in the school and almost anything we could think of.

When it was almost too dark for us to see the way home, we reluctantly left the meadow, still hand in hand, thinking about the next time we'd visit the place.

Nothing could have ever ruined that time, a time only the two of us had shared. Being with her in that magical place, I was made to realize how much I truly loved her. I was astounded about how much I cared for her. It made me wonder if I would ever be able to make her truly and wholly mine, if I would ever be able to tell her how I feel. But for now, I was content in the fact that I was hers.

If I had known it was our last summer together, would I still have been content on how things were? If I had known it was our last summer together, would I have told her then?

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Thanks a lot!