Grey
A/N: This fic was written for the Potions Club on the Diagon Alley II Forum. Ingredient: Fairy Wings–Write about youthful beauty.
Word count: 594 words
I realise that the whole Snily trope has been done to death, as well as the first time Severus sees Lily. I also realise the whole picking flowers thing has also been a bit overdone. Nevertheless, I hope that you enjoy reading this fic.
Grey—everything was grey. The clouds above, the tall, windowless buildings, the pipes running along the dingy creek, the murky water running through it. Grey.
Severus walked across the meadow, not sure where he was going. All he knew was that it had to be anywhere other than his house and the constant bickering of his mother and father. So what if he was a Wizard? Shouldn't his father be pleased that at least he had another avenue for his life? That his magic would at least give him a chance that his father never had? Honestly, it wasn't like he was going to suddenly forget where he came from when he left for Hogwarts.
He was distracted from his thoughts by the sound of giggling. Heart thumping, he ducked into the tall grass, careful not to be seen by the source of it. Was it Mason Holdy and his gang? No, the voice was much more angelic, female, if he wasn't mistaken.
The sound echoed around the meadow again, light and airy. Taking a deep breath, Severus pushed the grass apart and peeked through. He could see a small figure kneeling, long hair cascading down her back in fiery red tangles. The colour shone despite the lack of sunlight, little bronze specks glittering.
His breath caught in his front as the girl suddenly stood up, hair swinging. Turning to him, he was met by the greenest eyes he had ever seen. Greener than the grass around him, greener than the sparkling emerald of his mother's only ring. Framed by thick, black lashes, they seemed to dance with mischief and curiosity. The owner didn't see him, however, bending back down. Severus watched as a smile played on the girl's lips, her face glowing, as she stood back up, a flower in her hand. Her smile widened when she examined the white daisy, another giggle escaping her lips.
It confused him, watching someone find so much enjoyment in something so simple as a flower. Daisies were everywhere—even in this bleak world he lived in—given the amount of rain they suffered through. It didn't stop the young girl from smelling the flower before holding it out and twirling around, her pale blue dress swishing around her ankles.
Swallowing, Severus wanted to walk over to the girl and ask her why she was so happy. To find out her secret to being so carefree. Perhaps she could help him achieve it.
Before he could move, however, another voice—female, yet not quite as innocent or beautiful—cut through the air. "There you are! Mother told me you are to come home out of this weather."
The girl stopped spinning around, eyes narrowed at the speaker whom Severus could not quite see. He realised too late that this would probably be the last time he would see her, for though the girl slumped her shoulders and pouted, she soon followed the voice. He watched as the red hair disappeared with her, as well as the blue dress and white flowers, not daring to follow. It was probably for the best.
Standing up, Severus turned around and walked back across the meadow. Back past the grey buildings, over the grey pipelines separating Spinner's End from the rest of the town. The clouds overhead drifted closer together, blocking out any sunlight that might hope to break through.
Still, as he pushed open his steel front gate and headed towards the front door with its peeling, grey paint, he couldn't help thinking of the girl. Maybe, just maybe, the world wasn't so grey after all.