The next morning was a particularly busy one and when Severus and Lily arrived separately on Platform 9 ¾, they were surrounded by other students dressed in Hogwarts robes. Many were wearing the simple robes that Severus and Lily were wearing but most of the students were wearing black robes with the insignia of their houses on them and colored ties.
Everyone was talking and chattering away about Hogwarts, their summer holiday or where to sit after boarding the train. Many were excited but some looked a little nervous. Parents were standing with their first year children and holding back younger siblings that wanted to board the train but couldn't yet.
Severus looked about and hardly paid attention to his mother; a sour looking woman with an expression of petulance. She was standing squarely on the platform looking at everything and seeing nothing.
Severus spotted Lily and the elation inside him began to build. She was with her parents who were gazing in awe at their surroundings. Petunia stood angrily next to them but her eyes were fixed squarely on the ground. She was standing much like Severus' mother- stern and almost in anguish. Severus noticed Lily: she was begging and saying something to her sister.
"Tuney-Tuney please!" Lily tried to grasp her neurotic sister's arm but Petunia just jerked herself away from Lily's grasp.
"No!" Petunia said crossly. She stood there beside the train looking nervously at her surroundings. "You're a freak Lily! A freak!"
Tears swam abruptly to Lily's pretty green eyes and she tried to hide her pain. "No, I'm not. That was a horrible thing to say."
"Well, it's true!" Petunia said sourly. She turned away from her sister. Severus watched tears course down Lily's cheek. Hastily, she brushed them off.
Severus wanted to help her, he hated seeing her so sad. She was just like him. Whenever he cried, he would wipe away the tears, try to conceal his anguish, sorrow and often his fears.
The train whistle blew and Lily tried to smile brightly when she noticed Severus. She gave him a little wave then turned to her parents. After saying her goodbyes she turned to board the train.
Petunia didn't look at her, her sour face in a twisted scowl. Lily felt the tears coming again and hastily she boarded the Hogwarts Express.
Severus followed rapidly, his mother nodded to him- her form of saying goodbye, and Severus began searching the cars for Lily.
…
Lily gazed out the window as the train pulled away from the station. She could see her sad and even lonely expression in the pane of the window.
The compartments in the train were comfortable and the sound of the sliding car door made her turn to see who was entering the car. She rapidly wiped away her tears as two boys entered the car. They hardly paid any attention to her and for this she was grateful.
The first boy who had entered was taller, leaner and he had jet black hair. His eyes were fixed with a pair of round spectacles and he wore a boyish grin. The other boy was shorter and his face had more character to it. His hair was bushy and rather tasseled and his smile was bright and friendly.
They sat down opposite each other leaving Lily at her place by the window.
"Hey," said the taller boy.
"Hi," Lily replied
The bushy-haired boy and taller boy exchanged glances. Before they could say anything else, the compartment door slid open and Severus Snape walked in looking at Lily with sympathy.
Lily looked at him, trying to stop the tears from flowing. "Tuney h-hates me," Lily said trying not to stutter.
Severus shook his head simply. "No she doesn't."
"Yes, she hates me," Lily replied.
Her expression was so sorrowful that Severus tried to think of something to say that would cheer her up. He looked into her eyes that were now meeting his own. "This is it! We're off to Hogwarts!"
It worked. Lily's expression brightened.
Severus pressed on; this was a good subject change. "I hope you're in Slytherin."
Lily tilted her head slightly her expression looked bright and curious. "Slytherin?"
The boy sitting adjacent to Severus scoffed, "Slytherin? I think I would rather be a squib, wouldn't you?" The boy's gaze turned to his friend. The bushy-haired boy looked serious, "My entire family has been in Slytherin."
The taller boy shrugged, "you seemed alright to me!"
The bushy-haired boy grinned, "Maybe I'll break the tradition. Where would you want to go? Given the choice."
The taller boy looked goofy as he raised his arm as if he was holding a sword. His expression was one of snobby pride. "Gryffindor! Where dwell the brave at heart! Like my dad."
Lily smiled and looked down at the floor. It was obvious she was trying not to laugh at the odd gesture. Severus, however, couldn't stifle a snort of laughter.
The taller boy looked at Severus expectantly, "Got a problem?"
"No," Severus said. "That is if you don't mind being brawny instead of brainy."
Lily smiled again this time her gaze shifted between the two boys. The bushy-haired boy just smiled at his partner.
The taller boy tried to think of something witty to say, "Where are you planning to go? Seeing as you are neither." The two boys howled with laughter but Lily stood up and glowered at them."Come on Severus," she said in a haughty tone. "Let's find another compartment, preferably one that doesn't contain immature whelps."
"Ooooooo," the two boys cooed.
Lily took Severus by the hand and led him out of the compartment. A tingling feeling coursed down his spine.
The taller boy stuck his foot directly in the path Severus was going. Nearly falling, Severus stumbled and the bushy-haired boy said in a nasty tone, "See ya, Snivellus!"
