A/N – I know. I know I said weekly. I lied. I have been busy, that's true, but also I have been lazy, and just not in the mood to write a lot of the time. So I'm sorry about that, but just think, this chapter might have been worse (if that's possible) had I forced myself to write it earlier.

"I know it's still a few months until Christmas, but we didn't want to wait," James' mother smiled at her only son.

He looked up at her, his two front teeth missing. He looked almost angelic, although anyone who spent more than five minutes near the boy would know this was not the case. His fingers twitched excitedly as he tried to peer round his father's shoulder at the package behind.

"Go on then, my boy," said his father, smiling as James propelled himself towards the broomstick-shaped package.

"I wonder what it is," said James with a smirk.

He knew his subtle dropping of hints last week in Diagon Alley would work. His parents couldn't resist giving in to his every desire. Well, apart from the time he asked for a dragon. Still, he could wait until his next birthday for that…

His parents watched as he tore the brown paper off the broomstick. Despite still working, James' parents were older than the average wizard. Their hair was now greyer than its original shade and their wrinkled faces and his father's stick let on that they were not quite as young as they liked to think. They exchanged smiles as their son's face lit up with happiness as he swung a leg over his new broomstick.

"James, honey, not in the house," his mother said in a resigned voice.

James responded with a wave as he flew up the spiral staircase.

"Let him have his fun," his father smiled, rolling his eyes at his son. "He'll be at Hogwarts before we know it."

"Wreaking havoc, no doubt," his mother replied ruefully. "Merlin only knows how many owls we're going to get from Dumbledore."

"At least he'll be happy," his father said, slipping his hand into hers.

A loud crash from upstairs caused the pair to look up again.

"Wasn't me!" A loud voice hollered from upstairs.

"Of course," his father rolled his eyes at his wife. "Just like that small explosion in the kitchen last week wasn't him either."

"It was all okay in the end," his wife reassured him.

"Despite Toddy no longer having any eyebrows," he said pointedly, raising his eyebrows for emphasis. "Speak of the devil…" He muttered as the elf appeared with a resounding thud.

"Master, Mistress," the elf said with a deep bow. "Dinner is almost ready."

"Thank you, Toddy," Mr Potter said, glancing again up the stairs as another loud crash was heard. "That boy… Toddy, would you mind…" He once again noticed the elf's lack of eyebrows. "Actually, don't worry, I can fetch him."

"Thank you, sir," the elf said, bowing much more deeply and hurrying from the hall towards the kitchen.

"James!" Mr Potter called loudly.

"It's not broken!" His son yelled back. "Well… Much."

"I…" His father shook his head. "I don't even want to think about it," he muttered. "Dinner!"

With a whoosh, James shot down the stairs again, almost knocking his mother off her feet.

"I'm here," he said, with an unabashed smile. "Have I missed the treacle tart?"

"This time next year we'll be at Hogwarts," Severus said happily, crouched next to Lily under the large oak. "There's a big feast and everything. Dumbledore will do an amazing speech and there will be pumpkins. Not just normal ones, magic ones."

"How do you know so much?" Lily asked.

"My mum," Severus shrugged.

"But she went to Hogwarts..." Lily's nose crumpled as she thought quickly. "...Seventeen years ago? How do you know? It's not like your dad went..." She trailed off at the stony look on his face.

"Sorry, Sev," she said anxiously. "I didn't think." Looking around desperately, she caught sight of the pumpkin they had carved earlier and hurriedly changed the subject. "You want to see what I've been practicing?" She smiled softly and Severus smiled back.

"'Course."

Lily narrowed her eyes and stared at the pumpkin intently. Severus waited patiently.

After a moment his face split into a grin. As did the pumpkin's for that matter. Its spiked mouth smiled and frowned, even sticking out a cheeky tongue of fire. The pair laughed as Lily continued to give the pumpkin more amusing faces.

"Witch." A familiar voice sounded from behind them. Severus flinched and turned quickly, positioning his body protectively in front of Lily's. Lily turned more slowly, her heart sinking.

Her sister stood in front of them, her faced curled in a sneer of disgust. Looking Lily directly in the eye, she spoke again.

"Witch."

Sure, the statement was true enough, but the hate in Petunia's voice still struck Lily deep. She was ten; she was only supposed to have arguments about toys and other petty matters. Her sister wasn't supposed to hate her.

Sev was looking at Petunia with a look of derision rarely seen on the face of someone his age. His fists were clenched tightly and his eyes were cold. They stood still, glaring at each other.

"Witch." Petunia said again.

Without warning, the pumpkin burst into flames.

Lily gasped and Petunia screamed, running back towards the house. Severus watched silently. When Petunia finally entered the house, he relaxed. His fists uncurled, his jaw unclenched and the flaming pumpkin died out, leaving a smouldering pile behind.

"Sev..." Lily said softly. "She didn't-"

"She did," he interrupted, his eyes dark.

Lily walked back a few steps, glancing anxiously at the house.

"I should go and check..." Lily trailed off.

"Check what? Check if she still hates you?" At Lily's flinch, his face softened. "Sorry, I didn't-"

Lily shrugged, a forced smile on her face. Much as she wanted to protect her sister, she found it hard when she just made it worse. Severus was unforgiving of Petunia and she didn't want to lose her best friend, but she didn't want to lose her sister either. Her eyes flickered towards the house again.

"Go in," Severus offered. "In just a year, we'll be there. She won't be."

Lily smiled, properly this time. Whatever her sister said, it wouldn't change the fact that she would be in Hogwarts next year. She would be learning magic.

A/N – Thank you for reading. Again, reviews would be appreciated, but are not required.