~ Dum Spiro Spero ~

The world I see sideways is unexpectedly new. -Dir en Grey, "The Blossoming Beelzebub"

- Track 2: The Blossoming Beelzebub -

It was the end of their 4th year at Hogwarts. Severus and Lily got off the train together.

Lily's family was waiting for her on the platform. No one was waiting for Severus.

Lily rushed to embrace her scowling sister. Severus trailed after his friend, uncertain as to what he should do. He didn't want to go home yet, didn't want to leave the magic that was Lily's presence... but he also didn't want to intrude on her time with her family.

After receiving a half-hearted pat on the back from her less-than-enthusiastic sister, Lily had moved on to be hugged by her parents.

Petunia was standing slightly apart from the rest of her family, looking pointedly away as her parents fussed over their little witch. Severus stopped a few steps away from her.

"Hi," he awkwardly greeted his childhood enemy.

"Hello," she replied warily.

Why was that weird Snape boy even speaking to her?

She didn't have a chance to find out, because at that moment a crowd of boys approached and hijacked Snape's attention.

"Who are you talking to, Snivellus?" one of the boys asked, throwing an arm around Severus's shoulders in a mock-friendly gesture.

"Ooh, Snivelly has a girlfriend!" another one crowed.

"Get off me, Black," Severus snapped as he pulled away from Sirius. "And shut up, Pettigrew! She's not my girlfriend; she's Lily's sister."

James, who had been staring at Lily rather than taking the opportunity to tease Snape, perked up at the sound of that.

The fourth boy, who had been hanging back with a faintly embarrassed expression until this point, stepped forward and - with a weak smile - introduced himself as Remus Lupin and shook Petunia's hand.

Following Lupin's lead, Peter also introduced himself politely. His hand was sweaty and Petunia made no attempt to hide her disgust as she wiped her own hand on her dress after shaking with him.

"It's nice to meet you, Petunia. I'm James Potter, your future brother-in-law."

Hearing him introduce himself this way, Petunia couldn't help but laugh out loud - and she looked straight at Severus as she did it. Lily's future husband, was he, this Potter? Snape scowled back at her, which only set her off laughing harder.

Her laughter died in her throat as James pulled her into a hug. She'd been expecting him to shake her hand, like his other two friends had, not... not this! She was being hugged - in public - by a wizard.

James turned Petunia loose, and promptly began an argument with Severus which sounded as though it might escalate into a duel. As those two attracted the rest of her family's attention (as well as that of many bystanders in the train station), Petunia found herself unexpectedly swept into an embrace for the second time in as many minutes.

"I don't think we've been properly introduced," the boy holding her murmured, his lips against her ear. "I'm Sirius Black, James's best friend."

Somehow, Petunia did not find herself objecting to being held by him. Out of all the teenage wizards in this group, Sirius was easily the most handsome. Possibly also the most charming - although the quiet one (Rembrandt?) did have a certain charm about him, as well.

"I'll be the best man at their wedding," Sirius continued, "and Lily will probably want you as her maid of honor, so you can be my date to the wedding."

"Alright," Petunia found herself agreeing. "If she she ends up with Potter and not Snape, I'll be your date to their wedding."

Three years later, he held her to that promise.

~ end of track 2 ~

A/N: Reviews are always appreciated.