May 9, 1968 - Little Park and Evans Garden, Cokeworth

They'd promised to meet Lily the next day, though when Severus snuck out to the playground, Cassiopeia was not there. He weighed his options, but knew he'd feel bad if Lily was waiting for him and he didn't show up. Especially 'cause unlike Cassie he was free to spend time with whoever he wanted to.

So he wandered up the hill and to Lily's garden, finding a comfortable place to sit on a tree. Swinging his legs, he looked out and examined Lily's house.

Her family was much wealthier than his, that was obvious. Their house was a two-storey, a bit larger than most of the ones he and Cassie had seen yesterday. It was made out of brick, like his, but the bricks were mostly unchipped and still bright red. There was also a small balcony, and of course the back garden, which opened up to the park.

It was then that he noticed Lily walking towards him, and slid down the tree.

"Hello, Lily."

She smiled and greeted him happily, before deciding that she too wanted to see what the view was like from the tree, having never climbed up it before.

They settled on the thick branch, and Lily sighed happily. " Severus, will you tell me some more?"

He did, though was fleetingly curious why she did not mention Cassiopeia.

"Well, an owl will come to your house on your 'leventh birthday, and it'll deliver your Hogwarts letter a–"

He was interrupted by Lily's excited squeal. "An owl?"

"Yes," he nodded. "They're use' by wizards to communicate."

"That's amazing," Lily sighed. "When will I get to get one?"

"I was gettin' to that," he muttered darkly. "The letter will also have a lis' of supplies that' you need to buy in Dia'gon Alley, but since you're Muggleborn someone's gonna take you."

"I'm gonna meet a full grown witch?" Lily asked excitedly, her red hair fluttering about her.

"Y–Yes."

He'd been about to tell her that she could come and see his Ma, but he realized almost immediately that Lily would not be comfortable in his shabby home.

And a possessive part of him wanted to keep it for his and Cassie's eyes only.

"I can't wait!" the redhead exclaimed. "Do you have any books that I can study?"

"Yes," he answered reluctantly. "Me an' Cassiopeia are learning all we can 'fore going to school, and we brin' each other books, an' study 'em and practice the spells."

"Oh! That's great, can I join?"

Severus figured it wouldn't be too bad to have another person to practice with, and Lily seemed nice enough.

"Sure."

"Thanks. I'll be glad to be out of the house for a bit, Tuney's just being so awful, you know," Lily complained.

Well, Petunia hadn't given Severus the best first impression, so he couldn't help but agree. The rather plain, horsey-looking older sister of Lily seemed to have an awful habit of shrieking, and a penchant for jealousy.

"I understan'. Me da isn't the most pleasan' to be 'round, either."

"Doesn't he like magic?" Lily asked incredulously.

"He doesn't like anything, much."

•••

Apologies for such a short chapter, I promise that the story will start picking up very quickly in the next chapter, which should be out either tomorrow or the day after. Thank you for reading!