Hermione was drawn back to the Headmaster's study. She peeked in and exhaled when she saw Snape was missing from his frame. I wonder where he has another portrait.
She stepped inside and swiftly shut the door, then sat down in the ornate desk chair. The scrapbook was on the desk, untouched since her last visit. She longed to know more about the secret letters of Snape and Lily. It was as riveting as any book she'd ever pored over, in part because it was a true tale. She gingerly picked up a piece of yellowing parchment, a response to the first note she'd encountered.
Lily-
First week's been all right. Potter and Black seem to have taken an instant hatred to me. Not looking forward to flying lessons with those gits, though I'll finally get to see you. Transfiguration will get better though, hardly anyone can turn it into a needle on the first try.
-Severus
She flipped through the notes, reading the responses passed in class or sent by owl. Lines from certain notes stuck out in her mind:
I've become friends with a few other Slytherins: Avery, Nott…—Are you going anywhere for the holiday, Sev? —I'll think I'll just stay here, I'm sure my mum doesn't want me to burden her—Well I'll miss you at home—I'll miss you too, Lily.
Hermione read through what seemed to be an entire year of writing before she stumbled upon a single page ripped from a journal-Lily's journal.
5 June 1972
It's nearly the end of first year. It's gone so very fast! I've met so many people and I learned so many things! (I can make a pencil do somersaults—Professor Flitwick even says that's a bit advanced for my year). My dormitory has been great fun, with Emmeline and Hestia, Marlene and Alice. I couldn't be in Sev's house but I'm just glad I get to see him. He understands so much. I hate it when they make fun of him, Potter and Black. I can't bear it. They don't see him as he really is: kind and caring. If only everyone could see it as I do. They're such gits, jinxing anyone passing by just to prove they can. I've had enough of their egos, all four of them, though Lupin's not nearly as bad as the rest. I'll head down to the end-of-term feast now, Ravenclaw has won the cup thanks to all of the points Potter and his lot lost for us. I'll catch up with Sev on the train; we've still got quite a bit to talk about! And the summer holiday will be just the two of us. I'm looking forward to it, though Sev's new friends aren't the kindest of people.
—Lily
Hermione put down the entry, understanding why he'd nicked it. She noticed the sunlight flooding through the windows and realized the others must be wondering where she was. She stepped out onto the spiral escalator and descended from the office, then headed towards the common room.
Should I ask Harry? she pondered. I have so many more questions.
Hermione kept up a running debate in her mind, trusting her legs to know where they were going. She sighed as she reached the Fat Lady, knowing she couldn't possibly ask Harry yet.
"Password?"
"Carpe diem."
