Nobody hugs like Lily. Severus had been convinced of that for a long time. Although to be honest, he hadn't shared the gesture with many others.

For the first time since he left his house that morning, Severus was glad he chose to pack a small library in his bags. A typical Lily hug involves a full arms-length around the shoulders leaving her ear pressed next to yours. Thanks to his temporary hunchback Lily could only reach her arms so far and the beautiful result was a cheek to cheek hug.

The world stopped as she blinked and Severus received a feathered eyelash kiss. The butterflies already fluttering in his stomach turned into owls as she giggled, "Your cheeks are so warm!"

Feeling her breath on his neck, he was glad he was already overheated for his deep blush would not have been concealed otherwise.

He breathed out a sigh of contentment and thought, "I missed you so much. These two weeks were really hard without you." This as well as many other feelings he had did remain just a thought. He knew too well that she needed his friendship more than, well, his truth. So for the millionth time Severus repressed his emotions and chose instead to say, "I can't believe this is our fifth time doing this!"

Lily pulled away to face him. "I can't believe it either." She smiled and her emerald eyes sparkled softly. A moment passed and those sparkles started to dance as she took him all in. Severus knew what this meant. She was about to tease him about something.

"Sev," she began, "you didn't carry all of this by yourself did you?"

He couldn't help but chuckle. Severus knew she was talking about the huge mountain on his back, which was really starting to hurt by the way.

"You know me," he said as he peeled away the straps that had found a home in his skin. "It's just my large pile of over achievement. I wanted to make sure I had everything for our OWL courses. "

"I would tease you about it if I didn't have my own pile right over…ALICE!" Lily had turned around to point out her abandoned bags only to find her best girl friend in the world standing over them. If anyone ever doubted the bond between these two, they were blind. Sadly twice now Lily's bags were left behind as Alice bounded across the platform.

Strawberry blonde curls blended into bright red locks as the two hugged. They acted as though it had been a year of separation rather than just a few months. Alice was slightly shorter than Lily with a very pleasing round face covered in freckles. Although she could be incredibly shy, her positive and angelic nature was infectious. And not only did she never question Lily's friendship with Severus, she accepted him into her life as well.

Alice sent a peaceful smile his way. "Hi Severus!"

He smiled back. "Hi Alice."

"Lily, how was your vacation? I was so excited you were able to go. Please tell me all about it! It must have been amazing."

Lily missed how thoroughly sincere Alice is. "Italy was a beautiful place for our family vacation but there was one problem."

Alice giggled, "And what could that be?"

"Petunia is a part of my family."

Concern swept over Alice's face."Oh, Lil, is she still being impossible? I thought she would have grown out of it by now and realized how special you are."

Lily just shrugged. "Well, it doesn't look like that is ever going to happen. I'm ok with it. I just wish it didn't hurt my parents so much."

Alice's eyes widened with compassion as she nodded, "Oh, absolutely."

That thought was interrupted as a loud whistle pierced through the ear. It was time to get on the train.

"No! All of the good compartments will be taken!" Lily always looked forward to sitting in the middle of the train.

Alice beamed. "I already saved the three of us a compartment. I'll help you carry your things on!"

Severus followed the girls back to Lily's pile and then onto the train. He happily observed as they chatted on the subject of the past summer. He blushed when Lily answered one question, "Sev and I spent almost every waking moment together."

He was relieved the conversation had turned away from the topic of Petunia. He could not be happier that Alice was in Lily's life. Alice was an only child and with a sibling like Petunia, Lily was as good as one. So together, they really were like sisters.

Severus was happy to play the brother for both of them…most of the time.

They found their way to the reserved compartment right in the middle of the train ("Well done, Alice!") and were happy to collapse on the seats after a long morning of carrying.

This was perfectly perfect. Three good friends on their way to the best place on earth. Nothing could ruin th….

…"Hey Lily Flower."…

….

…except that.