A/N Hope you enjoy!. Also, there is a part in this chapter that's similar to the book, it's not a direct copy but not mine fully either because it is the same scene as JKR writes about in The Deathly Hallows :0

Chapter 2

Summer quickly becoming Severus' favorite time of the year, he began to dread when autumn approached, for with it came the return to school. Severus found the simplistics of muggle school boring and the children abhorrent. Their crude and humorless comments always focussed on what Severus wore that particular day. Teasing him for his unkempt hair or grimy skin. He hated the place with a deep passion. Each new day passing, he often found himself dreading the next day more than the last. Never letting their gibes on him show, Severus did his best to keep a level head, knowing any outbursts would be reported back to Eileen. Or worse, Tobias.

Though he'd never dare share it with Lily, knowing how she'd react, he regularly questioned the purpose of muggles. The parents of his schoolmates constantly whispering to one another, it didn't take much for Severus to know that adult muggles were just as awful as their kids. The kids repeating their parents' comments in the school yard boastfully so that Severus would hear from the corner. No; school, muggles, were not something Severus thought he would ever like. All his experiences with them ending badly, the only muggles he didn't despise were Mr. and Mrs. Evans.

Relishing in his time by the creek, he and Lily had fallen into a consistent pattern of spending their days laying in the grass as they talked near the water. They'd talk about their home lives, or school, about Hogwarts. That was a regularly brought up subject, Hogwarts. The wizarding world Lily knew nothing about. Often finding himself discussing silly things like how one is sorted into Hogwarts, or about the different Houses, Severus only humored her because of the joy it seemed to bring her. Always hesitating to tell her about things as somber as Azkaban and Dementors, those were his least favorite things to tell her about. Not because it bothered him, but because it didn't bother him. At least, not like it bothered Lily. Lily would shudder and coil at some of the answers he'd give her, making Severus feel guilty for no palpable reason. Trying to steer the conversations in lighter directions, coddling her with the thrills of how curses and hexes worked. He'd entertain her with his own fascination for the deeper workings of the power. He'd tell her what she asked, no matter how foolish it seemed.

It was one in particular day, the sun already beginning to sink down, that Severus and Lily sat higher up on the grassy hill. Taking shade under a large bending tree, the sun was warm as it radiated down on them. Sneering slightly as Lily explained how a girl in her class, at muggle school, cheated on a test by copying off Lily's sheet, Lily was hysteric. Having been so focused on her own sheet, she hadn't even known until the teacher had called the two of them up towards the end of class. Severus not surprised to hear that Lily had freaked out at the accusation, the teacher hadn't settled the discussion until the girl who had cheated had seen how upset Lily was at the accusation and came clean. Shaking his head, Severus couldn't help but think this only supported his theory that all muggles, in reality, were no good. Lily, figuring he was just shaking his head at the girl who'd cheated, nodded in exclaim, "I know!, what could she have been thinking?. And now she's going to get the answers wrong because of me!" Severus looking up confusedly, repeated, "Wrong?, how do you know you got them wrong?"

"Well….I mean, I don't. But, come one, how likely is it that I get them right?" Chuckling at that Severus replied, "Very likely, Lily. Very." Pressing her lips together, Lily went quiet for a moment, saying after awhile, "I hope so…" Rolling his eyes at that, Lily gave him a remote glance. Not arguing nor agreeing. Severus wondered if she really didn't think she'd got the questions correct. Although Severus and Lily didn't attend the same school, he was fairly certain she got high marks. How could she not?, she's Lily Evans, he thought to himself with a small smile. She was, by all standards, perfect.

A sudden rustle of leaves pulling Severus once again out of his thoughts, he looked up as a crunch of leaves sounded, both turning with speed at the sound only to find a blushing Petunia peering at them from the near tree. Glaring, Severus jumped to his feet right with Lily. Lily didn't seem bothered by her sister's presence though as she exclaimed, "Tuney!?" Failing to bite his tongue back, Severus derided with speed, "Now who's spying?!" The color only rising in Petunia's expression as she stumbled for words before settling on another insult towards his frock-like shirt. Color now tinting his own skin, Severus scowled, a sudden crack resonating. Petunia staggering backwards as the branch fell, scraping her shoulder on its fall down. Petunia, looking shocked, looked between the two as tears began to well and pour over her still flushed cheeks. Turning and leaving instantly, Petunia ignored her sister's calls as they echoed throughout the space.

Turning on Severus, Lily eyed him suspiciously as she asked, "Did you do that?" Shaking his head a little too much, Lily's eyes widened. Not believing her friend could do something like that, she gave him one last disapproving look and comment before chasing after her sister. Severus watching as the redhead caught up to her sister; who was fast to shake Lily off, leaving her to stand alone sadly.

The next few weeks, Severus spent alone. Waiting everyday by the creek for Lily for a half an hour, Severus would then wander through the narrow streets of Cokeworth. Deep in thought, people would stare, some undoubtedly thinking he was homeless. Not even paying attention to where he wandered, he'd look up some hours later and find himself blocks from his home.

The streets of Cokeworth were cold and dark, each new one seemingly identical to the last. The tall terraced houses lining either sides, each next one was just as perfected as the last. It sickened Severus, how none of them were different, all the same. All predictable. The grey bricks only adding to the melancholy feel of the town, he couldn't imagine who would want to live in a town so doleful. The only coloring to the houses were the moss laced sides that came unwelcomed by the town as nature continued to plow on. His thoughts drifting, he thought of Lily and when they'd make up, to Tobias and Eileen, to just being able to escape the bland, unbearable town of Cokeworth. Severus was, once again, friendless, it seemed and that meant his only escape was Hogwarts.

Making a point to walk back so that he had to pass Lily's home, he would try to act casual as he did so. Looking from the corners of his vision towards the residence and sometimes, very infrequently, he'd spot her. Reading in the kitchen nook, nose deep in her book; walking into the house. It was one night that Severus found himself passing the house at an earlier hour than usual, Lily sitting out front as he did so. Sketch book in her lap as she looked between the paper and a near Lily flower. The irony, Severus mused. Her eyes catching a glint of him, looking up she narrowed her gaze. Squirmily looking away, Severus continued on. Feeling her gaze follow him till he turned on the next street over.

Coming home only minutes before curfew, Severus entered the house unwillingly. They were at it again, or, more like it, he was. Even from all the way back in his office, Severus could hear Tobias' voice carry through the house. He didn't hear his mother, but knew that was because she knew enough not to speak over him. Going into the kitchen, Severus found leftovers from what his parents must've eaten that night on the shelf level with his vision. Pulling them out and serving himself a plate of the pasta salad, Severus wondered what the occasion had been to make such a fresh meal. Seeing wine out as well, his eyes slimmed. Now sensing an uneasiness, Severus put the leftovers back and took a seat at the table. Thinking it was a rather trivial rule that he couldn't eat locked up in his room just because his mother wanted to seem normal, Severus had to endure through the yelling drifting into the kitchen as he ate. Subconsciously humming to himself, Severus tried to drown out the sound in his head. Finishing his food as quickly as he could, Severus grabbed a cup, filling it with water before running up to his room with the glass staying level in his grip as he did so.

Door locked, it was late when a knock on it vibrated. Lifting his head up, Severus said, the surprise evident, "Who is it?" If Severus was surprised then, he was even more surprised when someone actually responded, "Severus?, it's me." Creasing his brows, Severus stood, opening his door with a click of the lock. Eileen standing before him, looked...happy?. Seeing where the bruises from tonight's fight would darken the next morning, Severus couldn't believe the smile she had. But she did, without a doubt, look happy. Or as happy as she could, he imagined. "Can I come in?" she asked rhetorically, already stepping into the room. Severus, moving back into his room, bewilderment imprinted in his expression followed her lead.

What could she want to talk about that would make her look so happy?. Maybe they were leaving?, he thought hopefully. That might be a bit of a jump though…..Eileen clearing her throat, Severus sat himself on the edge of his bed facing her as she spoke, "I've been talking with your father, and we decided that tomorrow you and I will be going to Diagon Alley to fetch your school stuff and perhaps some cloths?" Severus' eyes enlarging, trying and failing to hide the excitement, he replied, "Diagon Alley?"

"Mhhmm"

"Whe-When?!"

"In the morning," Eileen answered, squatting down in front of her son so her gaze matched his, "We'll get your robes, and a cauldron, and new quills?" A small, childish grin spreading, Severus nodded enthusiastically. Smiling softly, Eileen responded, "Good."

"He….dad, he said it was oka-"

"Yes, don't worry about your father. We talked and came to an agreement," Eileen explained, not meeting his eyes at these words. Closing his lips, Severus finally exhaled with another nod. Seeing his look, Eileen whispered, "Severus, this is how it works and that's okay. I want...I want you to enjoy this experience, like I did when my mum took me. Can you do that?, for me?"

Looking to the floor just passed her, Severus contemplated his mother's request before replying, "Yeah." Her lips opening into a smile, Eileen took her son's hand in hers with a small squeeze, releasing her grip as she stood. Looking up at her, she said justly, "Be up and ready by nine," as she closed the door. Feeling an excitement that rarely ever occurred overcoming him, Severus didn't bother suppressing the smile on his lips that would carry out over the following day.

Now Severus understood, now he got why his mother had made the fresh meal and bothered to buy good food with what little money they had. Now he understood why she'd popped the wine, purposefully. Tobias Snape had two moods when he was drunk, angry or happy. Eileen reinforcing the emotion with a good meal and company, Tobias had reluctantly given in.

Having an urge to share this with Lily, he felt his chest tighten as he remembered they weren't speaking. He knew she would've been over the moon for him, she'd tell him all the things she'd read about Diagon Alley and where to get what. Maybe she would've even suggested they go with her and her mum?. Sighing and knowing that was to much to ask for, not even mentioning that they weren't even speaking anymore, Severus let the idea go. He couldn't be selfish, a win like this came once in a blue moon and he planned on enjoying it.

A/N I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter!, the next chapters pick up in pace a little. I just wanted to establish Severus and Lily's relationship in the first few before adding more complex layers : /