Today was the day that her father would be in a bad mood even if Slytherin won all the House Cups for the entire eternity, Minnie got absolutely best grades in the entire world and Britain won all the Quidditch World Cups from now to the end of times. By now Minerva knew what was the reason behind the sour mood. Of course, he would never admit that there was even a bad mood to begin with, but from last year's screams and shouts, Minnie figured out the reason behind the short yes or no answers, "I am not hungry, thank you-s," "I don't have a problem, Lily, I am just busy-s" "These potions will explode, if I continue this conversation-s" or "why don't you all go out today and have some fun, while I finish my book, I am sure Potter and Black would be happy to accompany you girls"

This was the anniversary of wedding between Minnie's mom and Uncle James. And Minnie's dad was fuming, of course. It was decades ago, it was all in the past, she was married to Minnie's dad for sixteen years and still this August day was able to make the man absolutely miserable and quite frankly, dangerous to be around. The last thought was not even Minnie's idea, it was her mom's, because she got dressed up and told Minerva that they should go to Uncle Siri's because things are not going to get better with Dad today, as far as she can tell.

"Mum, you go ahead. I will stay with him."

"Min, darling, he is very angry. And it feels like my presence gets him even more angry. He gets like this every year. All jealous of imaginary things, and then turns to his moody self the entire day, imagining things that are not there. He is torturing himself in that lab of his, reliving old miseries. And everytime I go in, he just look at me, like I haven't been his wife for all these years. I got all serious there, didn't I? Well, anyway, sweetheart, I will be back in an hour or two." Her mom smiled a bittersweet smile at Minnie.

"If it becomes too much, I will join you guys."

"Make sure he does not blow up too much stuff and if you could get him to eat something.. I know.. I know.. He is not hungry. Of course he is hungry. He just does that because he is mad at me and he would much rather blow cauldrons up. Oh listen! I have an idea. I am going to leave a memory in his Pensieve. If I tell him to look at it, he won't, but if you do, maybe he will?"

Fine! Now I am the go-betweener for you two. It's like a kindergarden here, nothing more. Of course Minnie didn't say this aloud. She just smiled and said

"Of course, Mom, don't worry. I'll make Dad eat and will try to get him out of his lab even."

"That's my girl. I will be back shortly. What do you want from Diagon Alley? Don't say nothing, I am getting you something. And for your moody Dad as well, he can sulk all he want. I will get him candy, that should cheer him up. "

"Whatever you want, Mom, just come back soon, or he will go mad. Madder than usual, I mean."

Minerva heard her mom to go to dad's Potions lab to tell him she will be out for an hour. No answer.

"Severus, I am repeating, I am going Grimmauld Place, and then to Diagon Alley, you are more than welcome to join me."

Mumble-mumble.

"I see you are very busy, but it appears that you might have an underlying problem as always with this day."

"I have absolutely no problem with anything and anyone today. You see things that don't exist, Lily. Have fun."

"You are not coming? Are you sure you don't have a problem with me going out?"

"I don't own you, Lily. Go out, stay in, your choice. I plan to catch up with my research today, if Ministry or Black don't bother me today, it would be a success."

"Be careful and eat something."

"I am not hungry, thank you."

"We went over it in the morning. I have left you and Minnie lunch. And I charmed it, you don't even have heat it up. Just eat something, please."

"Isn't Minnie with the rest of the rascals?"

"She wants to stay with you. I think she is afraid if she leaves us alone, we will hex each other to the next year."

"Why would she think that?"

Why? Minnie thought to herself. Because you behave like a madman every year this day. That's why. And all that curt answers go to prove my point. It's like I am the adult here, and you two are the kids, I swear.

"What is this? Severus, what is this potion? Do not pretend like I am crazy or worse, than I am average at Potions."

"I wasn't going to do anything with it. I swear!"

"Oh really?" "Yes! I was just... Didn't know what else to do with my time."

"Severus! You are impossible! You wanted to know if I will figure it out, didn't you?"

"Well. You clearly did."

"It smells like summer. Like the grass, near our playground. And my mom's cookies. It smells like the dungeons leading to Slytherin Common room and like your hair when you just get out of shower. I hope you are satisfied! Because I don''t think I am drinking it." SPLASH! SMASH! Sound of broken glass. Minnie was sure, her Mom just smashed the freshly brewed Amortentia to the wall.

"I didn't mean for you to drink it! Lil. Wait. Stop smashing everything! Lily! Stop! Please! I was just.."

"You were WHAT Severus?"

"I.. Lily, at least don't aim at me!" SMASH! "Lily, that was poisonous! LILY!"

"Severus, what the hell is your problem?"

"My problem? MY PROBLEM?"

"Yes! Your problem! Amortentia? Freaking Amortentia? You think there is an urgent need to give me a love potion?" SMASH! SPLASH! SMASH! Glass breaking, metal clinging.

"Lily, stop! I didn't.. I am sorry. I really am!"

"Are you, Severus? Are you? Really?Or are you just saying this, because you think that's what I want to hear?"

"I said don't AIM at me!"

"Severus, I assure you, if I was aiming at you, you would be covered with at least five different potions!"

"Then thank you for not aiming at me!"

"Which one of these barks you are using for Wolfsbane?"

"You don't remember?"

"We weren't taught it! And I advise you, you answer quickly, because there is so long I can wait for Remus's sake!"

"Alright. Alright. Don't touch these ones. I will replace the others." SWING!

"Lily, you have lost your mind."

"Why don't you make a potion for it!"

"You really think I intended this for you to drink?"

"Then why on Earth would you brew a love potion? Unless.. It was for someone else?" Another SMASH.

"Alright, time for you to go. Now you are actually going insane. "

"Severus, I am going to ask this question once. For whom did you brew the Love Potion?"

"I can't believe this! You are actually jealous of me? ME?"

"You didn't answer, Severus. What are you doing? What is that potion?"

"Veritaserum."

"Why on earth did you down Veritaserum?"

"So, you would believe me. Ask your question, Lily."

"I won't."

" What did you want to know?"

"I didn't want to know anything under Veritaserum."

"Ask. Your. Question. Now."

"For whom did you brew the Amortentia?"

"For you Lily."

"Why?"

"I wanted to see, if you still love me."

"It wasn't for me to drink?"

"Never for drinking. I just thought if you would smell just one thing reminding of me.."

"Why did you need a reassurance like that, Sev?"

"Lily, I thought, after all this time, you couldn't possibly still love me."

"Surprised?"

"Relieved."

"You still get jealous, Sev? Over my first marriage? Isn't it time to give it a rest?"

"I can't. Don't you think I tried? I keep imagining him holding you in his arms, and I just see red."

"Severus, that was years ago! The man is married with a child. I am married to you, with a child!"

"I know, Lil. It's completely irrational. There is no reason for it. But.. I just can't. When I imagine anyone else sharing your bed..Anyone else having your love.." SMASH!

"Severus, do not destroy your own potions."

"Why? You can, and I can't?"

"Alright, wreak havoc. See, if I care."

"Tell me something, Lily. Whom did you love more, me or him?"

"I am not having this conversation! Goodbye Severus. I will be back shortly, when the desire to strangle you goes away."

"C'mon, Lily! Don't let good Veritaserum go to waste. Ask me anything!"

"Severus Snape! I do not need Veritaserum to ask you a question. Believe it or not, I trust you enough to not resort to Potions!"

Lily stormed out of lab, went to the fireplace, and grabbing handful of floo powder, disappeared in the smoke. Severus ran after her out of the lab, but stood by its door. He just muttered.

"I was just.. It smells like our playground to me as well..And the lilacs around your house.." Then noticing Minerva, he composed himself and said. "Minerva, stay out of my lab for the next hour or so."

And went back in to the smell of the playground.. How playground smells anyway? Minerva laughed at the two. She should have extra allowance for babysitting two adults.

Minerva went to check out the Pensieve her Mom left on the table in front of the TV. Minerva decided that since Dad is so busy, she will just look just a bit into it, before handing it to him. Afterall, Mom didn't explicitly say to stay away from it, right?

She looked into the Pensive and immediately, she was back in old day. What year it was? Hard to tell, but Mom was there and she was just a bit older than Minnie herself was. Maybe 19-20. Not older than that. She was such a beautiful girl, her mom, Minnie noted. She was still a beautiful woman and Dad had every reason to be jealous. Whenever they were out, Minnie could see everyone look at her. Of course Mom was saying that everyone wanted to see Dad, but Minnie was not buying it. Yes, Dad was famous, but Muggles were looking at them as well, and let's be real, they had no clue who Dad was. But as a teenager, Minnie could judge her looks better and if she was in Hogwarts, oh man! Guys would go insane!

She was running towards a car, careful to stay out of anyone's attention. Now she was in some building, probably Police station. She did not belong here. Too young and too innocent. She was asking something from the old man behind the glass. Everyone was looking at her, wondering why a girl like that was here in this old police station with robbers and murderers. They gave her something to fill out, then she got out a pack of money and without counting gave it to the old policeman. He counted it, gave some back to her, and the rest he put away.

She was waiting for something, no, someone, and she abruptly stood up, when she saw two policemen come out behind the back door. They unchained a thin young man, who cursed at them, tried to walk away, fell on one of the laughing policemen's outstretched leg, got up, cursed at the policemen again and stood away, just in case. Minnie looked closely and yes! of course! she would never mistake that voice! Her dad. Barely twenty years old maybe. He looked very thin, unfed, unwashed, with longer hair than now, of course in black suit, and so angry at everyone. He looked around to see someone familiar, someone who bailed him out. And then his eyes stopped at Minnie's mom. The cleanest, nicest person that place had ever seen, probably.

"Mrs. Potter, what are you doing here?" He sounded so angry, but his eyes.. They told whole different story. It was as if his biggest, the most improbable wish just came true.

"Severus, out, right now." She whispered to him.

"I am sorry officer, you did a mistake. I don't know this woman." he said to the officer.

"Son, I am ready to break your bones after knowing you a night. If there is a girl that is willing to put up your bail for you., you better accept it. In either case, you better do something else, as incredibly stupid as the last stint to get here. I am not taking you in."

"I am not coming with you."

"Severus, please..." She looked at him with eyes that were ready to well up with tears. He saw them too, as Minnie did, because he didn't say anything back, but followed her outside to the London morning. "My car is just around the corner. Tell me where to take you."

"Does your dear husband know about your little adventure?"

"No, but he said that he heard that muggle police got couple of Death Eaters and you were among I figured., I will slip out, pay my dear friend a visit."

"You know that you are not saving anyone here, right?'

"Of course not, get in the car."

"I am too dirty for your precious car." He made it sound like an accusation, like it was Lily's fault. But deep inside, he seemed to be embarrassed by the state of his clothing.

"Severus, get in the car. Neither James, nor Sirius know about this. I can't get caught aiding a known Death Eater." Lily pushed him in and closed the door. "I got you some food. Also clothing if you want to change into something muggle-looking."

"I am not hungry, thank you." Minnie thought that this passive-aggressiveness was apparently nothing new to her mom. She has been dealing with it, longer than Minnie expected.

"Bullshit! You are not hungry! Eat these sandwiches, drink this tea, or I am gong to drive you right into Dumbledore's office."

" You can't drive to Hogwarts."

"Yes, now correct me! Like I am not mad at you enough. And I am very-very-very mad at you! Is that clear?" Minerva had never seen her mother that angry. Her dad was scared of her too, because he just nodded and bit the sandwich Lily shoved into his hand, and started the car. "Where should I drop you off?"

"Anywhere you want."

"In other words you have nowhere to go."

"Don't assume things, Mrs. Potter." He looked defiant. Strange, though, Lily just got him out of prison, the least he could do is to say thank you.

"Don't make my name sound like an accusation, Severus!"

Lily drove in silence, as Severus ate his sandwich and drank the tea. Minerva was sitting in the back seat and watching this memory, completely mesmerized. They were so young, not a lot older than Minnie. Her Mom was right about her Dad being hungry. He was hungry, he was just too proud to admit it. Lily gave him another sandwich and looked at him in a way, that made all protests pointless. He bit the sandwich and looking at her with half- amazed , half- amused expression, asked.

"And how on Earth did you get the money to get me out?"

"Not your concern, Severus."

"Surely, you didn't ask your rich wonder boy for it?"

"I said, drop it, Severus." Lily wasn't looking at him.

"Stop right here. I am getting out."

"If I stop here, are you going to get yourself arrested by that constable?"

"That's my plan, yes.I don't need Potter's help to save my life. " Minnie disagreed. Uncle James was supernice, why not? So he was rich, but so was Dad now. To hate someone just because they have the means to help you..

"Don't be stupid. I just got you out. You have a long life as a Death Eater ahead of you. Don't waste it away." She said with sarcasm, but didn't stop. And then as if finally making a decision, said. "When you marry a pure-blood wizard, you get a lot of fancy jewelry at your wedding. And some of them can be accidentally lost."

For a moment Minerva didn't even understand why her mom was talking about jewelry, but then looking at her dad, she understood how the money for the bail came about. He was trying very hard to look very tough and strong. He was a kid, absolutely a kid. Too young to be in a mess he was in. He looked out of the car window and said.

"Lily.. You should have not done that." Minerva realized, it was the first time he called her mom by name.

"Nonsense, it's just shiny rocks on shiny metal. This does not change anything. Absolutely anything. And I don't want to know why you got arrested in a first place." Severus nodded. "Now. I am going to find a quiet street, and park there. You are going to try to sleep a little. Then we each go to our lives. None of this is going to be mentioned, is that clear?"

"Yes, Lily. But you better obliviate me. You know, the people I hang out with... I am learning Occlumency, but I am not good enough yet to keep you safe. "

"Of course. A Death Eater in the car with a Mudblood! Unacceptable."

"Don't call yourself that!" Her dad actually raised his voice on her mom, Minnie noted.

"Why? You did."

Severus took his head in his hands and didn't answer.

"Just.. Obliviate me, Lily, that's all I am asking for." he sounded absolutely defeated by life. Minnie's mom's voice softened as well.

"Alright. Now, sleep a bit, Sev. I am not sure when was the last time you slept in peace."

He did as he was told. He tried to find a comfortable position and soon was asleep. Lily waited until he was deep in sleep before moving him in a way, that his head was on her shoulder. She hugged him tightly, almost waking him up. He just whispered.

"Thank you, Lil. Thank you. You were the only person in the world that gave a damn about me."

She waited till he was asleep again, before saying.

"I still do, Sev. And always will."

They sat in the car for couple of hours more, in a complete silence. Minnie's Dad was peacefully asleep leaning on Minnie's mom's shoulder and she was thinking about something, as she was absentmindedly running her fingers through his hair. Finally, Lily levitated Severus's sleeping form from the car to a park bench, got the bills that the policeman gave her back, put them in his suit's pocket, and covered him with a heavy blanket, planting a kiss on his forehead, obliviated him and looked at him for along time, wiping her tears away. Then she quickly turned away, got in her car and drove away.

Minerva got out of the memory. Now that is real love, not the things she saw in the movies. So they fight, so what? And Dad gets jealous of anyone that looks at mom. An Order member going on her own to a police station, harboring. feeding and clothing a Death Eater... A Death Eater sleeping on a shoulder of an Order member, that could have easily given him up to Aurors..Two people from absolute enemy camps.. Trusting each so much, as to have 3 hours of absolute peace in the middle of First Wizarding War. Minerva looked around. Dad was still in his lab, blowing stuff up. Mom was with Uncle James and others. Right. Being stubborn, aren't we? She got into the lab.

"What are you doing here, Minerva?Can't you see I am busy?"

Minerva realized that if she behaves like her Mom was in the memory, maybe he will actually listen!

"No, dad. You don't look all that busy to me."

"Oh no?" an amused smirk.

"Dad, I got to show you something. Mom left it for you."

"If it's food, I swear.."

"It's not food. I think you might like it."

"Let me guess.. Some sentimental thing, that will make me angrier that I am already."

"But you told her you are not angry." Minerva just loved her Dad's expression. Outwitted! There!

"Why would I be angry?"

"How would I know? C'mon, Dad, your potions will wait." She held his hand and dragged him out.

"No, they won't.. But, alright. Let's see what is it that is so urgent, that my dear wife had to leave before going to celebrate her anniversary with her husband." he mumbled under his nose.

"What?"

"Nothing, Minerva, show me what it is so I can go back."

"Dad, it's in this Pensieve. There is a memory, mom wanted you to see."

"Alright, let's see what it is."

Finally, when Severus was done looking at the memory, he got up to see that Minerva had left the room and now was in the kitchen, humming some song. Smart girl. Knows when to leave people alone in their misery and happiness. He wiped his eyes with his sleeve and went in the kitchen.

"Dad, you hungry?"

"Yes, please. Whatever it is that mom left before going."

"C'mon. Help me with the plates. I am not mom, I am not going to do all the work alone."

"No, of course not, tell me what to do." He chuckled under his nose. The girl was all Lily in looks, but her character- there was definitely Severus' lashing tongue there, for sure.

They ate in almost complete silence. Her dad of course with excellent manners, and Minnie eating and doing acrobatic tricks on the chair just to annoy him. But it wasn't working. He was just smiling at her the whole time, instead of at least once saying that she is going to choke on the food or to sit up straight.

"Hey, Dad?" She was hanging upside down from her chair. Let's be a bit childish and annoying, shall we?

"Yes, darling?"

"If you are a wizard and you have loads of money, does that make you a rich wonder- boy as well?"

"I am too old to be a rich wonder boy." Severus answered, not being able to stop from smiling.

"Then a rich wonder man, huh?"

"No, never. I just inherited money from your grandmother's side. It didn't make me a spoiled brat. It is definitely not something that defines my entire existence."

"Hey, Dad?"

"Yes, darling?"

"Did you like the memory?"

"Obviously."

"Was she always that beautiful? "

"She still is. But there are things that are more important than one's looks."

"I know, Dad. She is beautiful inside and outside, right?"

"Precisely."

"I think she loved you even then, Dad."

Severus smiled.

"I think I am not going to have this conversation with my daughter."

"Dad, I look like Mom, right?"

"Mirror image of the girl I went to school with."

"Dad, you had quite the competition, I bet, back at school."

Severus was trying hard to not take the bait.. But the question made him.. nostalgic?

"Yes.. Quite.."

"How "quite" are we talking?"

"Enough to make me absolutely miserable."

"I have candy for everyone who is miserable!" Mom got in, with a big bag of candy in her hand.

"Mom!" Minerva ran towards her mom.

"Did you bring chocolate frogs?" She gave her a kiss on a cheek and was already getting a candy out of the bag.

"How could I not? I have two kids home, who love them. Kids were asking why you weren't with me, Minnie."

"Not true, you have one. Dad's not a kid."And then she mouthed, without sound, so Mom would be the only one to see. "Pensieve-done!"

"Really?" She smiled. "Sev, catch!" And to Minnie she whispered "Thank you" and kissed her cheek. "Thanks, Lil. oh c'mon! Really?"

"Who is it?"

"Godric Gryffindor. Now my appetite is gone. "

"And you are telling me he is not a kid. You can have mine, Sev, it's Harry." Lily said laughing. "C'mon, Sev, here, have some Jelly Slugs. I know for a fact, you love them."

"Thank you, love."

"Oh, now love, huh? You are definitely in a better mood than I left you." Lily hugged Severus, who standing now by the table, looking at his Chocolate Frog Card.

"Your daughter, who took off to Grimmauld place without asking for permission right now, might have helped."

"I am glad someone did. I was getting tired of "I am not hungry, thank you-s. I think she had enough of us for one day."

"The memory definitely helped, as well." He kissed Lily, remembering the memory.

"Did you eat something, before we unleash this bag of sweets upon us?"

"I did. Honest. I did. And I am not locking myself in the lab today."

"So, the research waits?"

"The research waits. My lovely Gryffindor is home, how can a research on potions ever compare? You know I always wondered how did I end up from police station to that bench without one recollection. And whoever covered me with a blanket? In the middle of London."

"Your guardian angel?" Lily gave him a cheeky smile.

"My guardian angel indeed." The hell with what day it was and that she was married to Potter at one point. Lily was his wife now!

After couple of minutes, once they were on the couch in front of TV, Severus' long legs on the table, Lily on his one side, the bag of candy on the other, he said casually.

"Lil, you know that whoever stayed in that police station ended up in an asylum, right? Before Voldemort sent someone to get them, they all looked crazy enough to be drugged and taken to a hospital. He got them all out, but you could tell, Muggles had their drugs pumped into them well enough to cause permanent damage. Want sugared butterfly wings?" He said getting some candy out of the bag.

"Thanks.I didn't even think of that, actually. I just thought you didn't belong in the police station. Sev, what's with your hand?"

"I cut myself, cleaning up the mess. I scrubbed and scrubbed, but just in case, keep Minerva out of there. She might start smelling Grimmauld Place. "

"Where did you cut yourself? Let me have a look. Sev, why didn't you tend to your hand?"

"You are better at it. And I was hoping to score some sympathy points. Sorry about Amortentia. "

"Absolutely not! You are not going to be out of trouble that easily. But for now, let's see your hand. It's quite deep, too. Severus, did you sit there and bleed the whole time?"

"It stopped after a while."

"A while? Severus, I am going to beat you up, one of these days. Sit still, I am going to try some healing charms, that won't leave scars. I think you have enough of those."

He sat still. Lily took his hand in her own and with her wand sealed the scar on his left hand, without one scar. He whispered a quiet "Thank you" which sounded a lot like an apology. She looked at up at him with a sad smile.

"You are welcome. Sorry for destroying your lab. I lost all control over there."

"You and me both. You didn't at least brew a love potion."

"No, I did not. I just smashed it all over the wall."

"That's allright. I will work with the smell of your hair in the air. If anything, I should be thankful. You know I smell the playground as well?"

"Really? Remember in the spring? All those flowers blooming?"

"My last spring there was the year before Hogwarts. I never once went back after that year. I was always at Hogwarts."

"Well, except on our wedding."

"Except on our wedding. How was the zoo called Grimmauld Place?"

"The zoo was fine. They were asking about you. Remus even volunteered to come talk to you, if need be. But I told them I can handle my silly Slytherin."

"What do I do to get out of trouble of Amortentia?"

"Make out session on this couch. Like teenagers. No excuses, Minerva is gone, we are all alone."

"Your wish is my command, madame."

After the first time they had to stop kissing to breathe, Lily said still panting.

"If you promise me to not behave like a total git next year this day, I will tell you a story. And promise to not brew Amortentia for me."

"I will try. Promise. I will at least try. What is it?"

"When we were on the run from Voldemort, I could not sleep at nights, I was so afraid that Harry was in danger. So Jamie and I went to get a Draught of Peace. And as it happened.. Sev, are you even listening?"

"Mmm." He was busy kissing her. "I can multitask."

"Right. Anyway, when we went to the shop, someone was buying a bottle of Amortentia. So they opened the vial."

"And you smelled dirty Quidditch uniforms? " Severus smirked. "No, silly. Why would I tell you a story about Jamie, in the middle of this?"

"Wait.. Wait. wait. wait. Severus actually stopped kissing. "You.. "

"I thought I would smell something Quidditch related. But it smelled like it did today. Of you and of our playground. Back to making out! We don't have much time."

"Right...You know.. I am starting to like this day a lot more.. And I am not quite sure, but the floo network might be down for the next 2-3 hours."

"Oh, you sneaky Slytherin! I am liking this day as well, Sev."