Third

Lily Evans, tall, pretty, and thirteen, is growing up, a fact Severus Snape is acutely aware of. At this moment in time they are sitting in the shade of a willow by the lake talking about their new classes. "You really should have taken Muggle Studies, Sev," Lily is saying. "Then maybe you wouldn't look so ridiculous when you visit me over summer."

"I much prefer wizard fashion," Severus replies. "Simply remembering to put a robe on in the morning is much easier than remembering which shirt will go with which pair of pants."

Lily giggles, her freckled cheeks rising up to meet her eyes, her dimples putting stars in his. "Sev, why do you have to be so serious all the time? You need to learn how to laugh." She giggles again, the sunlight dancing in her eyes, and Severus thinks that if Lily Evans could teach him how to laugh, everything would be just fine, indeed.