"I can't wait until tomorrow!"

Severus rolled his eyes. "I know. You've only said it eight hundred times already!"

The girl giggled, plopping down in the grass next to him. The ground was still damp from the rain the day before, but neither child seemed to care. The sky was a dreary overcast, but Lily Evan's smile seemed to brighten the day.

"I just can't believe it's finally happening! Tomorrow morning we leave for Hogwarts!"

A small chuckle escaped him. Her laughter was contagious.

After a moment, their laughter passed. The only sound was the wind rustling through the tree branches above. Severus watched her hair swaying hypnotically in the breeze.

"Hey, Sev. Will you promise me something?"

His eyes snapped back to attention, noticing her expression had sobered. "Anything," he promised.

"Promise me" Lily began, "that no matter what happens, no matter who we're friends with, that we'll always be best friends."

"Of course we'll always be best friends. Why wouldn't we be?" he asked in confusion. He couldn't imagine a time when he wouldn't want to be around Lily anymore. It was impossible.

Her smile returned instantly, lighting up the sky again. She held out her pinky to him, and, once he had grasped it with his own, she said, "Okay. Best friends forever, Sev."