Chapter Two: Owl Post

Chapter Two: Owl Post

Severus Snape looked darkly down at the roll of parchment on his desk, which contained the list of the first years soon to be coming to Hogwarts. It was one name in particular that made him glare: Harry James Potter. He didn't seem to see the Harry of the name (or maybe he ignored it), but more of the James Potter. So, Potter's insufferable spawn was going to be at Hogwarts for the next seven years, which seemed to Severus as a long never ending road. 'Ah, but he is Lily's child too,' said an annoying voice (which sounded suspiciously like Dumbledore's) in the back of his head. 'Shut up!' Severus said to himself, screwing his face into a scowl. Thinking of Lily made his head hurt, and thinking of Potter's kid as Lily's made it hurt even more.

Severus hadn't talked to Lily Evans (he refused to refer to her as a Potter) in person since their graduation at Hogwarts, back in June of 1977, and nothing had pained him more. It wasn't fair that he, who had really cared for Lily, had to lose her while that bullying toe-rag Potter, who (he believed) only cared for her looks, got her. Potter didn't know Lily like he, Severus Snape, did. Potter didn't know how to discern Lily's sensitive heart; how to make her smile while she was put down, or even yet, how to make her laugh. A small smile came to Severus's face when he remembered Lily's sweet tinkling laughter; how the ends of her mouth always quirked up whenever she laughed, and the images of flowers and candy came to one's mind whenever she did. Hers was a golden musical laughter, brightening up any room she entered. What pained Severus out of all was that Lily was actually happy with Potter. He had seen photos of the family in the Daily Prophet regularly, and she looked as if she had no care in the world, and that her children and husband were her very life. Had she forgotten him, Severus Snape, her childhood friend who in his heart of hearts loved her like no other did?

The entire time Lily had worked at Hogwarts as a Muggle Studies Professor (she had resigned a year ago), not a word had been exchanged between the ex-friends, other than a required hello or goodbye in the faculty room. It was as if they hardly knew each other. In the secret solitude of his study, tears came to Severus's eyes as he looked at the photo frame of Lily on his desk top. They had been in their fifth year, and the photo had been taken only three days before the unforgettable OWLs incident. Lily had been particularly happy that day, because she had finally gotten an O on her Transfiguration Exam. "Oh Sev!" she had exclaimed, "You know Transfiguration is my worst subject! And do you know what's better? Potter got an E, and he always does better than me in Transfiguration!" Severus hadn't known if Lily had been happier over getting an O in Transfiguration or beating James Potter.

With a heavy heart, Severus sighed and started on his way to Dumbledore's office. He had been summoned by the wise headmaster, who perhaps knew why Severus had been looking very dull the past few days. "I won't let Potter's green eyes affect me," Severus said out loud, "And I don't care if he is Lily's child!"

"Really?" the annoying voice inside his head said again. Severus told it to shut up, but this time he did so aloud by accident, thus earning strange glances from passing professors.

-One Month Later-

June 23, 1991

"Happy Birthday Dudley!" was the sound that greeted Dudley Evan's ears when he came downstairs for breakfast. The whole family was gathered around the dining room table, and right in the middle of the presents surrounding it, was a delicious looking chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, Dudley's absolute favorite. He ran up to Lily and James and gave each of them a big happy hug.

"Thanks Aunt Lily, Uncle James!" he exclaimed with a bright smile. Lily and James, both laughing, hugged him back. After his sister and cousins wished him a happy birthday, Dudley got ready to blow out the candles on his birthday cake, when Lily whispered, "Don't forget to make a wish!"

Dudley had no trouble choosing what to wish for. He knew in his heart of hearts that he wanted nothing more than his poor mother with them. After that talk with Mrs. Bathilda Bagshot one month ago, Lily had told Dudley, Diana, Harry, and Anne about Petunia, and what had happened to her. Will and Emma were too young to hear such things as affairs and what not, so all they were told was that their Aunt Petunia had been badly hurt, and they were currently looking for her.

When they had heard the news about their mother, Diana had burst into tears, but Dudley had stayed silent. It had been hard for him to digest the news about what his father had done to his mother. He had realized long ago that Vernon Dursley hadn't been the best of people, but to have been this evil, it was just hard for Dudley to absorb the news told to him so suddenly. Of course, his aunt and uncle had been very supportive, and his uncle had even given him a heart to heart talk about everything that happened, but it was at least two weeks before Dudley had started accepting everything. And in the meanwhile, no news of Petunia had reached them. In the past month, James had often stayed very late into the night in his office, trying to trace Petunia, but it was to no avail. Many Aurors working under him had been sent out all over Europe, but it seemed as if Petunia had disappeared off the trace of the Earth (not a very pleasant thought). There was not one charm the Auror Office hadn't used to trace her.

'I want mum to be found, and for her to stay here, so that we all can be together,' Dudley wished inside his head. Then, taking a deep breath and hoping against hope his wish would come true, he blew the candles out, and the family cheered, Will and Emma being the loudest.

"And now…presents!" Lily declared cheerfully.

"Yay! Open mine first!" Emma cried out happily.

"No! He's gotta open mine!" Will argued. Dudley laughed.

"Why don't I open Emma's first, Will, since she's younger, and then I'll open yours, alright?" he suggested. Will pouted but gave in.

"Oh, alright!" he said, mock glaring at Emma, who stuck her tongue out at him. Emma's present turned out to be a book of magical short stories called Tales of Beatle the Bard and More. Although Dudley didn't read a lot, he promised Emma that he would start it that very night, and she squealed with delight. Next, he opened Will's present, which was a box of magical candy and sweets. "Oh wow, thanks Will!" exclaimed Dudley, who was secretly relieved. Coming from Will, he had been expecting something more 'dangerous'.

Harry had gotten Dudley a book called Famous Beaters and secret techniques. Ever since staying with the Potters, Dudley had taken a liking to Quidditch, although not as much as Harry and James, and did best in the beater position. He thanked Harry too, and although his hands were itching to start the book, he managed to finish opening his other presents, which were: new expensive robes, a gold wrist watch, a stationary kit with bludgers on the edges of everything (from Anne), and…a TV!

Dudley's mouth fell open at the sight of the 24" wide and 36" long television set complete with a DVR.

"Is that…is that mine?" he stuttered in astonishment. Lily and James beamed at him. "Of course! We knew how much you still yearned for a television, and I'm partial to it myself, seeing as I grew up with one, so we got one for you! We hope you like it!" Lily said.

"Like it, I love it!" Dudley exclaimed, "Thanks a lot, Aunt Lily, Uncle James!"

"However," James began, "We'll have to put it in the living room, because Emma's dying to see Cinderella in 'real life' as she's only ever heard the story."

"That's alright" Dudley said, "This is still too good to be true!" Everyone laughed at his expression.

"Well, we might as well have some breakfast in all this excitement," Lily said, calling Isabella the House Elf to please serve the breakfast out in the patio in the back yard.

Breakfast was an elaborate affair, with everything delicious on the table. Dudley was having the time of his life, discussing Quidditch with Harry and his Uncle, but the best part came when a large barn owl swooped through the backyard and dropped a thick envelope on Dudley's plate. Lily and James exchanged secret smiles, while Dudley looked at the letter with confusion.

To Mr. Dudley Evans

#121 Godric's Hollow, Potter Manor

2nd bedroom on the 3rd floor

"A letter for me?" questioned Dudley, "And why does it have my room number on it? That's kind of creepy!"

"Open it," James prompted, and Dudley did so. There were two sheets of parchment in the envelope, and Dudley picked up the first one.

Dear Mr. Evans,
We are pleased to inform you that you've been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

Dudley's mouth had fallen open after reading the first line, and he quickly gave the letter to his Aunt and Uncle. "Why…why didn't you tell me it was my Hogwarts letter?" he asked. "It nearly gave me a heart attack. I didn't expect it so soon!" But Dudley's face had broken into a grin, and Harry said, "Lucky you! I still have to wait until the very end of July before getting mine!" James laughed.

"Don't worry Prongslet," he said affectionately, using Harry's nickname that Sirius had invented, "You'll get yours in no time, and then the two of you will be shipped of to Hogwarts, where soon you'll forget your old mum and dad!" James faked brushing off tears, and Dudley and Harry laughed. Just then, two pops were heard in the living room, and in a few seconds, Sirius and Remus came through the doorway, both with a present in their hands.

"How's our little Dinky Duddydums?" exclaimed Sirius as a way of greeting. Remus rolled his eyes behind him and warmly wished Dudley a happy birthday. "Thanks!" said Dudley, who had long ago learned to ignore 'Uncle' Sirius when he was "weird".

"Hey!" protested Sirius, acting offended. "I so kindly greet my "nephew", and I get ignored?"

"Padfoot, shut up," James said calmly.

"Well, I never!" Sirius said, looking offended. Harry and Dudley rolled their eyes at his behavior while Anne and Diana giggled. Will was ignoring everyone and munching on a muffin while Emma was daydreaming. Dudley, unable to resist himself, opened their presents. Remus had gotten him a photo album filled to the brim with photos of his last two years at the Potter Manor, and as Dudley flipped through them, he couldn't help being amused at himself and his expressions in the first few pages: moody and angry.

"You changed a lot," Lily whispered to him. She had been standing behind him while he was looking, and a smile was on her face.

"Thanks, Aunt Lily," Dudley said, smiling back at her. He then turned to Sirius's present, which happened to be a large box full of prank items.

"Make Hogwarts think the Marauders came back!" Sirius said. Dudley laughed.

"Thanks Uncle Sirius."

One Month and eight days later

July 31, 1991

"Will, I'm going to kill youuuuuuuuuu!!" was the voice that greeted everyone's ears that morning. Harry came thundering the stairs, chasing after little Will. He was drenched with water from head to foot.

"Harry, why are you chasing Will?" James asked, "On the other hand, don't answer. Knowing him, he probably poured water on your face or something."

"More like all over me," Harry grumbled before entering the kitchen.

"Happy Birthday, Harry!" greeted his dumbfounded eyes.

"Huh?" he said, "Oh yeah, it's my birthday!"

"Don't tell me you forgot!" Sirius remarked incredulously. Harry blushed with embarrassment and everyone laughed. Harry entered the kitchen happily and let his mum give him a big hug.

"Oh, Happy Birthday, sweetheart!" she murmured, giving him a kiss on his forehead.

"Mum, everyone's looking!" he complained, and laughingly, Lily let go of him. His dad then ruffled his hair and said proudly, "It's becoming more and more like mine everyday!"

"Open your presents, Harry!" Emma cheered.

"This time, he's opening mine first!" insisted Will, and Emma stuck her tongue out at him.

Harry spent the next hour cutting the cake (designed as a Quidditch Pitch) and opening presents (most of which were Quidditch books) and when he finally got to the last one, he said, "There's no label!"

"No label?" Lily questioned anxiously, "Who could it be from? You don't think it's cursed or something, do you?"

"No, there's a charm around our house that won't let cursed objects inside," said James very calmly. Lily looked suspiciously at him. "Are you hiding something from me?" she asked.

Just then, Harry exclaimed in delight, "A Nimbus 2000!" Lily narrowed her eyes and James looked guiltily at her. "It just came out in the market," he said, "Come on, Lills, a boy's gotta have the latest broom at all times!"

"You got him a Nimbus 1000 only two years ago, James, and it's perfectly in good shape!" Lily argued, exasperated.

"So I can't keep it?" Harry asked with a puppy face he had learned from his Uncle Padfoot. Lily's heart melted.

"Oh, I guess it can't hurt," she said.

"Harry, can I have your Nimbus 1000?" asked Will excitedly.

"No, you are way too young to fly," Lily said strictly.

"But mum…" Will whined.

"No Will, and that's final." Will made a face behind her back and James looked apologetically at him.

"And James, you are not to take him flying behind my back," said Lily. This time, it was James who made the face, and Dudley and Harry snickered.

"Harry, I think you have a visitor," Remus observed, looking towards the window.

"My Hogwarts letter!" Harry exclaimed, running towards the window excitedly. Taking the letter from the large barn owl, he tore open the envelope and read the letter eagerly.

Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you've been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

While Lily was scribbling a reply to McGonagall saying both Harry and Dudley were going to attend Hogwarts, Harry was receiving congratulations from the family.

"Your letter looks exactly like mine!" remarked James, glancing at it. "They didn't change a word all these years!"

"When can we go to Diagon Alley?" Harry asked excitedly.

"Today, if it's okay with everyone," said Lily, looking at the group.

"Fine with me," said James, "since it's a Saturday. How about you, Padfoot, Moony?"

"Let's go!" Sirius cheered, while Remus agreed. Dudley and Harry were nearly giddy with excitement, and were to first to wait in front of the fireplace.

"Must we floo, mum?" asked Harry, who hated using the fireplace to go anywhere.

"We're a large group, so yes," said Lily.

A.N. (I hope you all liked this chapter. Yes, I know, nothing interesting happened, but I do have to get all the boring stuff over with before I can send Dudley and Harry to Hogwarts, don't I? The next chapter won't be on for a time yet, so please bear with me.)