Lily walked happily thought Diagon Alley with Severus at her side. She stopped frequently to stare at things in a shop until Morris gently reminded her that they had to be done by a certain time. Severus was less amazed by Diagon Alley. He had been there with his mother a few times. Moris would occasionally stop to point something out to Mr. and Mrs. Evans, such as, "Oh and this is the wizard's bank! The money in our world is different from Muggle money!" Severus's mother looked rather bored. She also glanced jealously at Lily's parents who obviously did not have problems with money.

Morris directed the group to Madam Malkin's so that Lily and Severus could be fitted for their robes. Lily and Severus stopped to gaze into the window of the Quidditch shop.

"Why is there a broom in the window?" Lily asked.

"It's for Quidditch. It's the most popular sport in the wizarding world. All the players fly around on broomsticks and they all try to catch the red ball called the quaffle. Once they catch it they throw it into one of the three hoops for ten points. Everybody except for the seeker. He looks for the golden snitch, which when caught, is worth 150 points and signals the end of the game." Snape explained. His older self felt jealousy bubble up inside of him as he reminded James Potter, the amazing Gryffindor seeker and big Quidditch hero.

"Oh, that sounds interesting." Lily said.

"It's a rather stupid sport, I think." Severus said coldly. This thought came from his older self, who only said this in hopes that Lily wouldn't become too impressed with James Potter later. His younger self had always had a fascination with Quidditch.

"Come along now, we must get going!" Morris reminded them. They proceeded to Madam Malkin's. Getting their robes was the last thing they had to do.

"Oh Severus this is all so exciting!" Especially getting our wands! I think it's really fascinating how the wand chooses the wizard, don't you think?" Lily gushed.

"Yes." Severus replied half heartedly. As a younger teen he had thought that the wand shop was the most interesting, but he was most thrilled just by being there with Lily. "How is Petunia?" Severus asked. He didn't really like her, but he thought it would be nice to ask.

"Well, Morris said she has no magical abilities, so she won't be able to come to Hogwarts with me. She's really disappointed about that and I think she's mad at me for being able to go. Last night she was busy writing a letter and I think it was to the Headmaster at Hogwarts." Snape's expression was one of shock and amazement.

"A muggle? Contact Hogwarts? No, no that can't be possible. You said you didn't have an owl, so there is no way she could contact anyone in the Muggle world!" Lily frowned.

"Well she must have found some way. After all, I did get my Hogwarts letter in the mail.

"Yes, but that wasn't from Muggle post. It was most likely dropped into your mail box by an owl."

"Oh. Well, I guess we'll see. If there's no reply within a few days then we'll know she wasn't able to do it." Their conversation ended just as Madom Malkin finished their robes. They took the robes up to the counter and paid for them. When they walked outside Morris said,

"Well all our shopping is done, so I'll be taking you out of Diagon Alley." He looked at Severus and his mother.

"Come on Severus, we still have shopping to do." His mother took her sons's wrist and led him towards a shop.

"Goodbye!" He called over his shoulder. Lily waved to him and then Morris led her ands her parents back to Tom's pub and out of Diagon Alley. Once they were out of the pub Morris handed Lily's mother a train ticket.

"The train for Hogwarts leaves September first at 11 'o clock." Morris stated. Lily thanked him for taking her to get all her supplies. He smiled at her in return.

"Mum, may I see the train ticket?" Lily asked. She needed to make sure this was real, and that she hadn't dreamed it. When she saw the ticket she frowned. There was no Platform 9 and 3/4. "Morris, you must have made a mistake. There isn't a-" When she looked up Morris was nowhere to be found.

"C'mon Lily, we better head home. Petunia will be back from her friend's house soon." said her father. Lily nodded but she was only half listening. She still couldn't figure out Platform 9 and 3/4.

One week later Lily was at the park with Severus again. This had become their usual meeting spot, and Petunia had given her sister a disapproving look when she heard Lily ask if she could go to the park, but she had not followed Lily there. Lily found Severus sitting behind the swing set. She ran over to him and sat down.

"Hello Severus," Lily greeted him with a smile, "How are your parents?"

"They're still fighting like always," He sighed and pulled at the bottom of his dirty, overly long grey shirt, "So has your sister been able to contact Hogwarts?"

"Oh yes, there was a letter in the mail today with the Hogwarts Symbol on it, and it was addressed to her."

"What!?" Snape exclaimed, "No, that's impossible!"

"Well it can't be, because she did it." Lily said casually. She didn't see what was so hard to believe about her sister contacting the magical world.

"Can I look at the letter? I just can't believe she could do it!"

No, I'm afraid we can't."

"Well why not? Where is it?"

"It's just in our room. I saw it on Petunia's dresser this morning."

"Well then let's get it! Please Lily, we won't look long, just glance at the letter." Severus pleaded.

"Oh alright, but we'll have to be quick. Petunia is just a block away at a friend's house and I don't think she'll be gone for too long." They both got up and walked to Lily's house. When they walked through the door they saw both of Lily's parents sitting on the couch watching TV.

"Hello Severus." Lily's mother said to him. She frowned slightly at his beat up sneakers, holy jeans, and long dirty gray shirt, but she waved politely anyway. He was alright, but she hoped Lily would find other friends who were better cared for. Severus and Lily walked up to the room that was half Lily's. Severus could easily tell which side was Petunia's. It was neat and orderly, it seemed she cleaned it every day. There was nothing on the floor aside from the furniture and her spotless sneakers. Lily's side however was only slightly more orderly than the average teen's room. The bed was unmade, there were a few birthday cards still left on the nightstand, and shirts on the floor. While Severus was looking around Lily had grabbed the letter off of Petunia's dresser. Severus glanced over her shoulder at the letter. It read,

Dear Petunia,

I received your letter concerning your sister's placement at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I understand that you wish to attend the school as well, but I'm afraid that simply can not happen. You do not possess any magical abilities so I think you would feel rather awkward at Hogwarts. You are a very bright girl, and I'm sure you will do wonderful in the non magical world, much better than you would have ever done at Hogwarts. It will do you no good to wish to be at Hogwarts. I hope this letter, however disappointing, may be of some condolence to you.

The headmaster's signature followed the end of the letter. Lily put it back on the dresser where she had found it.

"Hn. She should have known better. Of course she can't get into Hogwarts. She's a Muggle! Honestly, what was she thinking?" Snape said shaking his head at Petunia's foolishness.

"Severus! I probably would have done the same thing if I were her. I was so excited the day I got my letter, and Mum and Dad were so proud! And here she is having to hear about how wonderful this whole thing will be, and she doesn't get to go!" Lily said firmly.

"Well that's just too bad! She's going to have to accept that she's a Muggle and you're not!"

"Why can't you understand Severus, she's-

"Only a common Muggle!" Snape finished.

"She is my sister! Now get out!" Lily demanded angrily.

"Lily I didn't- didn't mean to-" Snape stammered quickly.

"Just leave, Severus." Lily said quietly. Severus glanced sadly at her and left the house. He hadn't meant to offend her. He was only trying to help by convincing her that she did not need to worry about Petunia. He sighed as he opened his bedroom door and flung himself on to the bed. Maybe things would go better next time he saw her.