Disclaimer: All characters, as well as part of the dialog, belongs solely to JK Rowling. I am editing parts to fit my own story purposes.

Chapter 1

A sunny wednesday afternoon found Severus Snape hiding behind a hydrangea bush, watching as two girls played on a swing set. One girl, who he knew to be Lily Evans, was showing off to her sister: she got the swing to go as high as possible and jumped, falling softly back to the ground. Her sister, Petunia Evans, watched in horror every time she did this. Repeatedly, Petunia begged her to stop, but Lily was having too much fun to care.

Severus watched as Lily once again fell lightly to the ground, the sun shining in her dark red hair.

"Lily! Stop that! Mummy said not to! How are you doing that anyway?"

"I don't know. I've just... always been able to..."

She stopped as Severus stepped out from behind the bush.

"Isn't it obvious?" he said, allowing a small trace of a smile to form on his lips.

"Isn't what obvious?" Lily asked him. Petunia was eying Severus with distaste. Glancing at her, his pallid face flushed with color. She was looking him up and down, a pronounced smirk on her face. His flush deepened.

"I know who you are," Petunia sneered. "You're that Snape boy from Spinner's End. What do you want?"

With a great effort, Severus looked once again at Lily. She was simply looking at him, but curiously, as if waiting for him to sprout wings and fly.

"You're a witch." Severus said excitedly. Lily stepped closer to her sister, looking mortified.

"That's an awful thing to say to someone."

"No, I'm... I'm serious! You're a witch. Like my mother. And I'm a wizard!" His flush further as Petunia looked him up and down once again in distaste. She grabbed Lily's hand and pulled her away toward the house. Neither looked back.

Severus watched the girls leave, wondering how he had said it wrong. He looked down at his overly large jacket and baggy, stained tee-shirt, cursing himself for ruining his one chance. She would never speak to him now.

He walked over to the swing which Lily had just abandoned, removed his jacket, and sat down. He sat there for a few minutes, dreading returning home. He eventually lost track of just how long he'd been there.

A noise from behind him woke Severus from his thoughts. He jumped up from the swing and turned, looking for the source of the noise.

Lily had returned. Severus froze, looked at Lily, and turned away. He began walking home. But Lily caught up with him a few steps away.

"Hey, you... you left this." She held his jacket out to him. "Umm... what you said before... Why'd you say that? Tunie says you were just being mean, but... I don't think you were trying to be."

Severus stopped and looked at Lily. He hated himself for the flush returning to his face. His realization of the jacket in Lily's hands further darkened the color of his cheeks.

"Seriously! If you've got an explanation for... for these... these things I can do..."

Severus looked away agian. "I... I meant what I said. I could see it." He looked again at lily, trying to sense her reaction. "That's how you can do it all. I've... I'm sure because... I've been watching you. That's how I knew."

"You've been... watching me?"

He turned away again and began walking again, this time much faster, however.

"Don't go! Please! I... If it's true... If I'm a... Please don't go!"

Lily ran to catch up again. She grabbed his arm lightly, but he flinched away, looking at her again, this time with a look of fear mingled with shock. Their eyes met briefly, and Severus dropped his gaze to the ground. He turned from her again with the full intent to run home and never look back. This was not how it was supposed to happen.

"I'm sorry, Severus." She reached out again, this time taking his hand. He attempted to pull back again, looking at her as if she'd struck him. She held fast, not allowing his escape. Something popped into his head, and he looked at her again.

"How'd... How'd you know my name?"

To his surprise, Lily smiled. "You can't live with Petunia Evans and not know the names of everyone in the country." Her laugh was unlike any sound he had heard in his life. He couldn't help smiling in return.

"So... what were you saying about... about me being a witch?"

Lily, still holding his hand, led him to a small thicket of trees, which he knew to be her secret place. She released his hand and sat on the ground, looking at him expectantly.

"Well... It shows because... Because you can do all these things. I've seen you. The swing, the flowers obeying you... all of it. All things muggles can't do. Like when you..."

"Wait." She cut him off. "Muggles?"

"Oh. Non-magical people." Severus sat beside Lily and told her everything he knew about his world. About their world.

Lily lay back onto the pavement looking up at the stars. Severus looked down at her and stopped speaking. She looked so happy. She looked back at him questioningly. She grabbed his arm again and pulled him down beside her. This time, he didn't pull away.

Severus looked at Lily again, but she pointed to the sky. There was a shooting star directly over them. After it passed, the two looked at one another again. Severus sat up quickly, though still looking at Lily. She followed suit and glanced at her watch.

"Hey, I've got to get back. Mum'll be worried. Can you... Will you meet me by the swings again? I mean you don't have to of course, but..."

"Of course... If you want me to... I will." A small smile brightened the boy's face, and Lily beamed at him. The two stood and walked together back to the playground. After another glance at one another, and a whispered "good bye," the friends separated.

Severus walked as slowly as he dared home. With any luck, his parents would be asleep by the time he returned. He slipped his jacket back on as he walked up his driveway. He paused at the door, listening and, upon hearing nothing, he opened the door. A noise behind him made him jump, but there was nothing there. Probably just a stray cat. He walked through the doorway and soundlessly closed the door. He made his way through the dingy house to his own bedroom. Every shadow seemed to belong to his father, every noise seemed to be his footsteps approaching.

He opened the door to his room, the only available light coming from the streetlight just outside his window. He lay down on his bed and stared at the ceiling, wondering how many times he'd be able to sneak out to see Lily Evans without his mother realizing he had feelings for a muggle-born.

Where is this going? Read the Harry Potter books and you'll know the end. I think. Haven't entirely decided yet. Otherwise, read on and, of course, review!