Disclaimer:  duh, hp isn't mine.  I don't get money from it.  I'm a college student.  Having money in college is a sin, isn't it?

Author's Note:  This story takes place during year five.  Btw, this chpt took a hell of a lot out of me, so I doubt I'll update for a little while.  Prolly this coming weekend.

1971, Platfom 9 ¾

            Just great… I'm standing here with an ugly owl and a House Elf and no one will talk to me.  What did I expect?  When did anyone ever talk to me.  Suddenly, I was nearly knocked over. "What the hell!?!"

            "Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you!"  A petite girl with bright red hair, cheeks and nose peppered with freckles stared up at him with large green eyes.  She seemed a bit uncomfortable with the setting:  her hat had slipped over one ear, and she tripped on her too-long robes.  I've never seen anyone lovelier.

            "Don't worry about it.  Red hair?  Are you a Weasley?"

            "What's a 'weasley'?"

            "Nevermind.."

            "Hi, I'm Lily Evans.  What's your name?"

            "Severus.  Severus Snape."

            "Wow, what an awesome name!  Everyone in the wizarding world has such groovy names.  I'm just stuck with plain ol' Lily Evans."

            "Don't say that.  Lilies are my favourite flower."  Great one Sev'.  Why don't you just lean down and kiss her feet while you're at it.

            "Aww, that's sweet.  Hey, can I sit with you on the schoolbus?  Heh, I mean train?

            "Sure."

[…]

            Evans, Lily.    Ravenclaw!

            Please put me in Ravenclaw.  PLEASE put me in Ravenclaw!!!

            Snape, Severus.  Slytherin!

            Sonofabitch!  Why did I even hope?.  What other house had a Snape ever been placed in?

[That Night…]

            "Severus, I wish I had gotten into Slytherin."

            "It's probably better that you didn't, Lily.  Slytherin's don't like muggle-borns…"

            "So does that mean you can't be my friend now?"

            "Of course not, Lily"

And I've never regretted sitting with her that day.  It was that day that I learned that Mudbloods were not the scum of the earth that my parents had raised me to believe.  Lily was nothing like any person I had ever met…

1973, Hogsmeade

            "Sev, over here!"

            "Oh, hello Lily.."

            "What's wrong?"

            "Oh nothing, just that stupid Potter and his mates.  I wish they'd leave me the hell alone."

            "Yeah, I've noticed how horrible they are to you.  I wish I could make them stop!!"

            She's so beautiful when she's like this.  When she's defending another human being.  Suddenly, she reached over and gave me the most tender hug.

            "They better leave you alone, because I don't know what I'd do without you."

            "I don't know what I'd do without you either, Lily"

            We stood there together, holding each other for what seemed like forever.  I don't know how she felt at that moment, but I could have stood there for the rest of my life.  If I'd known then what would happen to her, I never would have let go.

1975, Forbidden Forest

            "Severus, we are going to get in SO much trouble!"

            "The only person that will be able to tell we've been here is Hagrid, and you know how much he loves you"

            "But still, Dumbledore says every year that we're not supposed to go in here…"

            "Lily, it will be ok, I promise!"

            "Ok Severus"

            We spent the whole day together building our treehouse.  James and Co. still hated me, especially James because I had Lily. The incessant pranks would have driven me mad if not for Lily.   With the rising anti-Muggleborn tensions in Slytherin, it was becoming increasingly difficult for Lily and I to spend time together.  The Treehouse was the only place we ever felt safe after that year.  With all of her Charms skills, Lily hid the Treehouse from the public's view.  The centaurs could still see it, but they did not mind us.  We respected their forest, and they respected our friendship (and my love).  We spent hours there talking, studying, laughing, sleeping, being…

1976, Treehouse

            I was shaking like a frightened child.  Had that really just happened??  I had long suspected that there was something odd about Remus Lupin, but certainly not THAT.  And James?  James saved my life.  But why?  Why indeed…  I began to cry.

            Lily climbing the rope ladder.  Lily by my side, hair mussed, clothes wrinkled, rubbing sleep from her eyes.  Lily looking more radiantly lovely than I ever could have imagined.

            "Severus, I waited up as long as I could in the library.  Why didn't you come?  The moon came from behind a cloud, and she saw me.  SEVERUS!  What happened?"

            Again she was in my arms.  She began wiping my tears away with the sleeve of her robe.  I began to cry harder.  I clung to her, sobbing.  I had never cried in front of her before, and I was ashamed.  Suddenly, Her hand was in my hair, her thumb stroking my temple.  "Shh, Severus, shhh.  It's ok.  It's ok, I promise.  Whatever it is, it's ok.  I'm here.  Shh.  Severus, please, stop crying.  Shh, there there.  Shh.."  She drew my head towards hers, looked at me with the moon reflecting in those glowing emerald eyes, and softly kissed me. I had loved her so many years, and there she was, kissing me.  I cupped her face with my hands, and just looked at her, memorizing the contours of her cheeks with my fingertips, the light in her eyes with my heart.  I cradled her head against my chest, absently stroking her hair.  Then, "I love you Severus" came from her lips.  Kissing her again, I told her I loved her too.  We stayed the rest of the night holding each other .  She never asked me what happened that night, and I never told her.

1996, Edge of Forbidden Forest, 10:01 PM

            "Good Evening, Mr. Potter"