April 8, 1968 - Snape House, Spinner's End, Cokeworth

"Cassiopeia," Severus began asking tentatively, "Would you like to go visit me ma?"

Cassie glanced at him in surprise. "I though't your da wouldn't want me 'round."

Severus grinned bashfully. "Don't worry, he's off drinking with the neighbors, he won't be back 'till tomorrow."

Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear self-consciously, Cassie nodded. "I–I think I'd like tha' Sev'rus."

Severus nodded and they set off together. He felt unwelcome thoughts swirling in his head, knowing that his house was old and poor, and his room almost barren.

"I hope you don't mind that it's not the nicest," he stated preemptively when they arrived.

"Sev'rus," Cassiopeia told him seriously. "I don't mind. Anything's better than being stuck in my home."

He nodded in understanding and they slipped into the house, to be greeted by Severus' mother.

"Hello, dear," Eileen greeted his friend, "I'm Severus' mum, Eileen."

Cassiopeia was quite tense but shook her hand politely. "I'm Cassiopeia. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Snape."

"Call me, Eileen, dear. Why don't you two go upstairs while I finish making dinner, hmm?"

"Okay, E-Eileen," Cassie replied, stumbling over the name a little. Blushing, she turned to Severus, and asked to see his room.

He agreed reluctantly, leading her up the rickety stairs and into the dimly lit hallway. Even though it was the middle of the day, there were no windows to provide light, and the two of them were silent for a moment before he opened the door.

He held it open, and gestured for her to come inside.

"This is my room," he stated, then blushed furiously. He hated when people said obvious things, and now that he had a friend he was starting to turn into one of them.

Cassiopeia patted his hand absently, admiring the room. It was a bit barren, true, but she found she quite liked it. The walls were a shade of off-white, and the floor was made of a dark wood which she didn't recognize. There was a small, frayed rug placed in front of his bed, which was tucked in at the back of the room. It was a typical four-poster, and when she sat on it she found it to be a bit lumpy, but overall quite comfortable. Opposite her was a a small bookshelf, made of the same dark wood as the floor, filled almost to the point of bursting. Squinting a little, she recognized some titles from her own library, but there were many books which were completely new to her.

"I like it," she declared finally, laying down on her back and gesturing for Severus to do so as well.

He did, albeit seeming slightly uncomfortable. They stared at the ceiling for several moments before Severus couldn't take it anymore.

"Why are we starin' at my ceiling?"

Cassie turned her head towards him, her wavy hair smushing into her face. "Don't you ever jus' sit and think how wond'rful it'll be at Hogwarts?"

Of course I do.

He shrugged, though it was a weird motion to make while laying down. "Sometimes."

There was a dark spot on his ceiling that he hadn't noticed before.

"I think 'bout it all the time. 'Specially when I'm missing Ma. It's 'cause of her I'll be able to go."

Severus was curious. "How's it 'cause of her?"

His friend turned back to look at the ceiling. "When she died, she left a letter, tellin' da that he'll get extra money if he sends me to school. And, well, Da doesn' have much money, so I'm goin'."

"And if he wasn' getting the extra money, then he wouldn' let you go? Why?" Severus asked confusedly.

"No," she replied sadly. "I think it'd be 'cause he's jealous of me. He can't do much magic, you see, and his parents didn' let him go to Hogwarts 'cause they were embarrassed tha' he was almost a Squib."

Severus frowned. "He shouldn' be jealous, it's not your fault."

Cassie turned to him abruptly, and he could see tears pooling in her eyes. "Sometimes," she whispered, "sometimes, I wish I didn' have magic. I think maybe Da'd like me then."

He was stricken. "Don' say that! Magic is wond'rful and if you didn' have magic, then we wouldn' be able to go to Hogwarts together."

Her tears quieted down and she looked at him hopefully. "Will you promise to be my frien' in Hogwarts, Sev'rus?"

Nodding solemnly he answered. "Always."

"Thanks, Sev'rus," Cassie sniffed, then hugged him hard, staying in his arms for several minutes.

They broke apart when Eileen called out for them, both slightly grateful for the interruption, as they hadn't known what to say after such a heartfelt declaration.

Walking downstairs, they smelled a delicious soup, and both of their stomach growled in hunger at the same time. They shared embarrassed grins, and then helped set the table for dinner.

"Thank you for helping, dears," Eileen said, placing three steaming bowls of tomato soup on the table.

Cassiopeia stared at the meal in wonder, before remembering her manners. "You're welcome, Eileen. Thank you for makin' me dinner."

Severus' mother patted her hand before sitting down and starting to eat as well.

The soup burned her tongue, but it was the most delicious thing she had eaten in many years, and it was quickly finished. She stood from the table, muscle memory causing her to grab everyone's bowls and spoons and bring them to the kitchen to wash.

"Thank you, dear," Eileen said, and helped her wash the dishes while Severus cleaned the table.

When they were all done with the washing up, Cassie looked outside the window, noticing that quite a lot of time had passed by, and that her da might be looking for her.

"I'm sorry, Sev'rus, Eileen, but I have to go now," she told them, "Da's expectin' me home soon."

"Go on then, darling. And you can come back with Severus anytime you like."

She smiled brilliantly at her friend's mum. "Thank you lots, Eileen. Bye, Sev'rus! Bye!"

Severus waved at her tentatively as she left his home, and unknowingly to her, watched her walk back home through his window. He needed to know that she would be safe.

Finally, he couldn't see her anymore, and he rushed upstairs to pick out some books for their next meeting.