11 year old Severus Snape and his best friend Lily Evans stood in front of Olivanders Wand shop, with apprehensive expressions on their faces. Severus smiled as he felt a warm hand slip into his. He glanced to his left and saw Lily smiling shyly at him.
"Ready?" He asked.
She nodded and squeezed his hand.
"We'll get ice-cream after," he said, "my treat."
"You don't have to do that."
"I want to, and I insist." He said, as she opened her mouth to protest again. He didn't have much money, but he wanted to spend what he had on her.
She smiled. "Thank you very much."
"You're welcome, now come on."
He led her up to the door and into the shop, their fingers still entwined.
Ten minutes later, they emerged with their wands. Lily's 10ΒΌ inches long, swishy and made out of willow. His own was 9 inches, supple and made from ebony.
They headed straight for Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour and ordered large Vanilla ice-creams with strawberry sauce, wafers and sprinkles. They savored every mouthful and talked and laughed. They were just finishing when Lily asked a question.
"Sev?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you promise me something?"
"What?"
"That you'll always be there for me. Because you're the best friend I've ever had."
He smiled, feeling suddenly more elated. "I will Lily."
"Thank you Sev." She said quietly, smiling shyly once more.
He took her hand and held it across the table.
"Always."