Disclaimer: I don't own harry potter.
Thanks to: Michelle, Professor Radar, DesirePassion, LillieGhoul, flame55, Kate Evesden, Estringe, and Eclaire Stones for reviewing!
Special thanks to Ranma's girl1 for her excellent advice! Also to Kate Evesden, who asked if the story will go on after 5th year, as of now I plan on ending THIS story at the end of 5th year. I will however write a sequel to this story that spans 6th year and beyond through the war, especially if enough people are interested. But let's finish this one first! Now on to the next chapter…
Severus woke the next morning feeling surprisingly refreshed. He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and took in the sleeping forms of his friends. He turned and gazed out the window next to his bed and could just see the tip of the sun rising over the horizon, casting a beautiful glow over the countryside. Orange, blue, and pink all burst from the tiny sliver to create a wonderful sunrise. Severus smiled at the sight, and pulled his warm, cozy blankets around him. Punching his pillow into a more comfortable shape, he decided to get another hour of sleep in before breakfast when he glimpsed a flash of copper hair from outside on the patio. He scrambled to the windowpane and saw Lily, wrapped in a fluffy crimson robe, and settling into a patio chair with a cup of steaming tea.
Severus put a pair of slippers and silently opened the door, making his way down the creaking stairs and onto to the patio. Lily was sipping her tea thoughtfully, her back turned to him, with her long cooper hair glowing in the soft light. Severus padded his way over to her, wondering how someone could be so breathtakingly beautiful.
"Good morning Lily," he said softly. She jumped, and almost dropped her mug.
"Goodness, Sev, you gave me a fright! I thought no one else was awake," she said, blushing.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," he said, slipping into the chair next to her, shifting it so he could talk to her more comfortably.
"It's okay. Did you sleep alright?"
"Yes, it was surprisingly nice despite the thunderous snores bursting from a certain blue eyed boy."
"Try to be nice, Sev, you already ate his cookies from last night," she said scoldingly. Severus shifted guiltily in his seat.
"I meant to make it up to him," he asserted.
"Really? How so?" she asked cheekily. Severus pulled out a package of Pepper imps and placed them on the table in front of her.
"My mum got these from Diagon Alley for me. Her boss, Mr. Pendle, was giving them away. Seems only right to give them to Peter now."
Lily smiled radiantly at him. "He's going to have fun with those! Don't they allow you to breathe fire?"
"Indeed they do. Let's hope he doesn't burn himself." She swatted at him.
"Have a little more faith in Peter! He's quite smart you know, he just lacks confidence."
"Believe me I know," he said, remembering their tutoring sessions from last year. "So, anyway, what has you up so early? The crack of dawn isn't exactly an ideal time to be awake."
She frowned, and stared at the ground. "It's nothing really…"
"Lily, you can tell me anything. What's wrong?" he asked, extremely concerned. It wasn't like Lily to be so upset, her lower lip was trembling and her eyes were misting over. He reached across the table, took her small hand into his, and gently lifted her chin up, so her brilliant green eyes met his. "What's wrong?" he asked again worriedly.
"It's only Petunia. I thought that by the time I came home from school she might have gotten over me being a witch, but nothing's changed." A rouge tear rolled down her cheek and she brushed it away with the sleeve of her robe. "I miss my sister Severus. I miss all those times we would play together, and tell each other secrets. I miss how we would laugh together, and say that we loved each other. She hasn't said that since I got back. Not once. I don't think she loves me anymore! I'm just a freakish girl who lives in the room down the hall to her now! Petunia hasn't said one nice thing to me since I came home from Hogwarts and every time I try she slams the door my face!"
"Lily, you are not a freak," he told her forcefully. "You are an amazing, and talented person, and Petunia is only jealous that she doesn't have your abilities. She wants to be as special as you, but that is impossible, so she's lashing out at you. I don't know if she'll ever be the sister to you she once was, but please know that you did nothing, I repeat, nothing to deserve this kind of treatment."
Lily smiled weakly at him. Severus opened up his arms and Lily hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest. "Thank you Sev," she whispered.
"Anytime you need me, Lils, I'll be here. Always," he said earnestly.
Remus woke up to the sounds of laughter. He groaned and literally rolled out of bed, landing with a thud on the floor of the bedroom. He moaned and sat straight up, rubbing his shoulder where it hit the floor. "Pete, wake up," he grunted, throwing a pillow at the tangle of blankets that was Peter.
"Oof!" Peter sat up and wearily rubbed his eyes. "That hit me right in the nose, how can you have such good aim?" he asked, annoyed.
"Just one of my many talents," Remus smirked, unknowingly echoing Lyra from last night. "I'm going to wake up Lyra, be right back, and don't fall asleep again!" Peter nodded and flopped back onto his mattress. Shaking his head, Remus opened the door and ventured into the hallway, stopping at Lyra's door. Wondering what her room would be like, he knocked on the door and walked in. The walls were painted a light shade of lilac, and all the furniture was white. An open closet overflowing with clothes stood on the right wall, and a dresser with a large standing mirror was directly across him. On the left was her bed, with a sleeping Lyra inside it, and various Gryffindor banners were draped across the wall over it.
Remus waltzed over to her, and went over to shake her shoulder. He was just reaching out, when she suddenly jumped up and tackled him to the floor.
"Hey!" he yelled out in protest.
"Sorry, it was too good of an opportunity," she said sneakily.
"Yeah, yeah, just help me up," he said grumpily. She held out her hand and helped him to his feet. "Well, I'm certainly awake now."
"Good, because we're going out on the lake today!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. After everyone gathered together for a hasty breakfast they put on their bathing suits and trooped over to the boathouse to board the Miller's sailboat. It was a marvelous boat, with huge, white sails, and a cabin below with couches and a few tables to relax in while out on the water.
Severus, Lily, Remus, Peter, and Lyra were lazing around on deck when Severus suddenly threw a small package at Peter. He caught it and looked at Severus quizzically.
"I may have eaten something that belonged to you, so this is me making it up to you," he explained. Shrugging, Peter looked down at the package and grinned.
"Pepper imps!" he shouted out excitedly. "I love these!" He ripped it open and popped a handful of them into his mouth.
"Err Peter, you better watch out, you don't want to eat too many at once," Lyra warned him as he continued to eat them enthusiastically."
"Don't worry, I know. Watch this!" he began to smoke profusely at the mouth and ears, and with one last grin at the rest of their uneasy faces, took a deep breath and blew out an enormous pillar of flame. They all jumped back, startled, but laughed it off and applauded.
"Thank you, thank you," Peter said happily, taking a bow. "There's more!" He ate another few pepper imps and after chewing thoughtfully for a moment, burped, and out flew a burst of green fire which swirled around for a moment before taking the shape of a lion's head and vanishing in a puff of smoke.
"Wow Peter, that's amazing, how did you do that?" Lily asked admiringly.
Peter turned pink at her praise. "My dad taught me how. He's quite good at doing things like that. He says that all you ever need is a little imagination and determination."
"Blimey Peter, can you do anymore?" Remus asked. With the encouragement of Lyra, Remus, and Severus, Peter did a few more tricks with the fire, which included making it swirl into different shapes and come out his ears instead of his mouth, all to a wonderful round of applause.
At around noon, when the sun was beating down on them, they decided to go swimming. Lyra immediately did a cannonball off the deck, pulling an unsuspecting Peter down with her. He came up sputtering and she playfully splashed him with water. The two began chasing each other through the water, laughing hysterically. Remus, not one to be left out, jumped overboard and joined the fun.
Lily and Severus dived after him and joined the water fight. Severus and Remus ganged up on Lyra, splashing her over and over again.
"I need backup!" she yelled, and Lily jumped onto Remus's back and pulled him underwater.
"Nooooo!" he screamed as he was dragged under, until only bubbles remained. Severus, now alone in his attack, gulped and retreated to the boat.
"Oh no you don't!" Lyra said, tackling him. He easily turned and caught her mid jump, scooping her up and throwing her five feet away. Remus and Lily emerged nearby giggling madly, and turned on Severus.
"Traitor!" Severus yelled accusingly at Remus, who dove under water and yanked him down by his ankles. Severus kicked him off and splashed him in the face, and Remus retaliated by squirting water out of his mouth at him.
"That's disgusting!" Severus hollered. Remus just smiled evilly and swam away. Severus suddenly felt an enormous amount of water splash on his head, and he looked up, where Lyra had dumped a bucket of water onto his head from the boat.
"Now that's just cheating," he said indignantly.
"Well I had to have the last word," she said gleefully. "It's time for lunch!"
At the word lunch, Lily, Peter, and Remus abandoned the fight and climbed back onto the sailboat. The group of friends munched on sandwiches and chips and talked away to their hearts content, enjoying each other's company. They sailed back to shore late in the evening, and collapsed into bed exhausted, but happy.
The rest of the week was spent exploring the countryside around Lyra's home. For days they wandered the woods and fields, and it was their playground. They played games and invented new ones, and got lost a number of times, only to return late in the day when one of them had climbed an exceptionally tall tree to determine which direction the house was in. The last day of their visit came, and Lyra suggested one last excursion into a nearby field for a bonfire. They packed a good amount of wood from the woodpile, some matches, a gigantic bag of marshmallows, and set off with Stephen in tow.
They walked a good distance away, chatting amongst themselves before finding a good spot within a mile from the house.
"Okay, here we go," Lyra said, stacking the wood together and striking a match. Soon a cheery fire was blazing away and the friends had settled around it.
"I don't suppose I'll see any of you before September?" Lyra asked the group at large rather miserably.
"I don't think so, but don't worry, we can write to each other," Remus assured her, although he also looked gloomy.
"Hey, no long faces guys. The summer's almost over anyway. Only a few more weeks and we'll be at Hogwarts again!" Lily said, trying to cheer everyone up. "We'll be back at the castle with all its moving staircases, ghosts, and feasts. I for one am very excited for our second year."
"Your right, it's going to be amazing. I can't wait for classes to start!" Remus said, perking up.
"Nerd," coughed Peter. Remus threw a marshmallow at him. Peter picked it up and popped it in his mouth.
"You're not going to breathe fire again are you?" Severus asked lightheartedly. Peter just grinned mischievously. Looking suspiciously at him, Lyra scooted a few inches away towards Severus.
"At least you all get to go, it sounds so cool!" Stephen said wistfully picking at the grass, "But I'm not magical like you Lyra, just normal."
"Hey there's nothing wrong with that," she said to him encouragingly. "You're going to do great things Stephen, and you don't need magic to do them."
He smiled at his sister, and reached for another marshmallow. Severus, meanwhile, was spearing one at the end of a stick and roasting it in the fire. He pulled it out while it was on fire and blew on it gently to put it out before munching on it.
"You have one gigantic sweet tooth Severus," Peter said, watching him eat it enthusiastically. Severus just shrugged and speared three marshmallows on his stick at once.
Soon the fire burned down to a dull orange glow, and they all laid out on the grass in a circle to stargaze.
"Look, there's Orion, the hunter!" Remus called out, pointing up to it in the dark sky.
"And there's Leo!" Peter said to Lyra, "According to legend, it had an impenetrable skin, but Hercules was able to kill it with his bare hands."
"Well, good for Hercules for thinking outside the box!" she said, amused.
"Hey guys, I hate to break this up but we should probably be getting back home. It's getting really dark out," Stephen said.
"It's always a bad sign when he's the voice of reason," Lyra said, "but he's right. Time to go everyone." They all sat up and stumbled through the dark back to the house.
The next morning Lyra hugged them all goodbye, and waved as one by one they stepped through the fireplace and disappeared back home. Severus and Lily were the last to leave.
"Goodbye Lily, I'll see you on the express. Don't forget to write!" she said, letting go of her reluctantly.
"And you too Severus!" she hugged him tightly. "I fully expect at least a few more letters before the term starts."
"No need to worry Lyra, I'll tell you about every waking moment of my life if you want me too," he said teasingly. With that Severus and Lily stepped into the fireplace and disappeared in a burst of green flame.
When Severus was thrown back into his living room, he certainly didn't expect the sight he beheld there. Albus Dumbledore was nonchalantly sipping a cup of tea on his couch.
"Severus, you're back!" Eileen said brightly, rushing over to embrace him. He hugged her back, but the moment was ruined by Dumbledore's unexpected presence.
"The headmaster was jus stopping by to have a few words with me about school before the term starts," she told him.
"That's wonderful," Severus said in a neutral tone. "I need to walk Lily out, I'll be back in a moment." He quickly took motioned to her, and she followed him outside to his front steps.
"This is a little strange, I've never heard of the headmaster going to student's houses before. Do you think this is a good thing?" Lily asked curiously.
"I'm positive it is not," Severus said grimly. "I'll tell you about it when it's over, goodbye Lily." She said farewell, and Severus checked his occlumency shields before stepping back into the house.
"Have a seat Severus," his mother said, motioning towards the armchair. "Would you like a cup?"
"No thank you," he said politely, keeping his eyes on Dumbledore who was buttering a crumpet.
"Now, I believe it's time for the more illuminating part of our chat Eileen," Dumbledore said kindly. "I have told your mother about the wonderful progress you're making at Hogwarts, and of your advanced studies."
"Something I had not been told," Eileen said, pointedly looking at her son.
"I apologize mother, I should have told you. It honestly just slipped from my mind with everything that has been going on since I arrived home."
"It's quite alright, and do believe Dumbledore has something to tell you."
"Ah yes, to put it simply Severus you have performed well with your accelerated workload, and I think we should continue the arrangement into this year, as well as the rest of your school career at Hogwarts. If the situation changes at all, then we will re-evaluate when the time comes. Is this agreeable to you?"
"Of course Professor," Severus answered coolly.
"Marvelous! However, if there are any problems at all Severus, I want you to inform me immediately. You are a brilliant boy, and I want you to feel comfortable in this arrangement,"
"I will, sir."
"Excellent. I will take my leave then," Dumbledore said, standing up.
"You won't stay for lunch headmaster?" Eileen asked, a little disappointed. Severus prayed he would refuse.
"I'm afraid I cannot. I promised the house elves I would dine at the castle today, they are preparing something special for the staff. It was a pleasure, Eileen. Goodnight!"
He vanished with a slight pop as he apparated. Severus let out a sigh of relief.
"Well, mister, care to explain why you didn't inform me of this development in your education?" Eileen asked, glaring at Severus.
"I really did forget, it seemed unimportant," he responded uncomfortably.
"Your education is always important Severus. Now if have to hear another thing like this from anyone but you I will be very disappointed. You have a gift, honey, and I don't want you to squander it."
"Trust me, I won't," Severus said.
"Alright then, go on and unpack. Your school letter arrived yesterday morning so I picked everything up for you on my way home from work." She gestured at a small pile of packages at the foot of the stairs.
"Thank you," Severus said appreciatively.
"Yes, well I have to go now. Wesley wants to open the shop early today," She picked up her wand from the coffee table and proceeded towards the door.
"Wesley?" Severus asked, alarmed. "Who on earth is Wesley?"
Eileen let out a laugh. "Just my boss, see you at dinner Severus," she kissed the top of his head and closed the door behind her. Severus groaned and threw himself on the coach, rubbing his head. Just one more thing to worry about, he thought exasperatedly.
Hope you liked it! Please review!