Of Blood and Serpents
Part Two
Prologue: To Diagon Alley
Lily grew like a weed. becoming a slender quiet young woman. After her fever had passed under Severus's care their relationship became at first a quiet polite tolerance, then a comfortable companionship. She no longer needed to sneak downstairs in the dead of night to read books, nor to sequester herself secretly in her room. No, now she and Severus often sat in his living room, both with book in hand and tea sometimes which Lily was fond of making fresh from the garden that had flourished her care. Sometimes Lily and Severus spoke of what they read and eventually he even bought her a potion set that she had become ardently set on. He no longer thought she was a brat, just stubborn, and she no longer thought he was cruel and hateful, just prickly at times.
When she was at Hagrids she found herself exploring the dark forest more often than not, sometimes retrieving special samples for her and Severus , as she would sometimes request to use the potion lab. Bee the kneazle became her constant companion when no one else was and she was even allowed to bring her to Severus's home during the summer months of her stay. Firenze was also a companion to her, although more rare and infrequent sometimes they found each other at dusk, when the crisp fall air made mist of their breaths. They spoke of stars and watched the night blooming flowers reveal themselves. One those night that she stayed late he would often follow her out, although he never said it she knew it was to keep her safe.
Although she never really knew when her birthday was suddenly it was her eleventh year and she was no longer to be the strange girl in the outskirts of school anymore, she was going to be going to classes with those who she had seen in the distance so often.
It was time to go to diagon alley.
Hargrid had taken her before when he ran his errands, but it would be her first time going with Severus. 'I'll have to call him professor now.' she thought amused and chewing the inside of the her cheek as she dressed. Her t-shirt and pants were hand-me-downs, quite a few of them clothing left by students at the end of the year. she chose her favorite outfit a green t-shirt and a courderoy jumper. she combed her long black hair and tied her bangs back (you'd be amazed how often girls left their hair ties all about).
The sun seemed to have broken through the normally overcast industial town and smiled at them. perhaps a good omen for their trip. Lily was content to think so and smiled at her reflection breifly before leaving the bathroom.
"Severus!" She called, more exuberant than usual. She could barely contain her excitment really. It showed, as her steps down the stairs were hurried and she nearly ran into her dark clothed keeper. "Sorry!" She blurted as she stopped, beaming up at him not looking at all apologetic. Severus witheld a smirk and crossed his arms.
"Already becoming a ruffian like all those other brats?" She seemed to only grin wider, having finally sussed out when Severus was joking or insulting (usually it was some combination of the two). This time she figured mostly joking.
"I should act a proper Slytherin female, hissy fits an all shouldn't' I?" She teased still smiling.
"I decidedly will hope not." he stated curtly, " Ready?" Lily nodded surprising herself when she grabbed Severus's hand to lead them to his fireplace. Severus tensed for a moment then allowed it, an odd feeling shooting through his hand.
"Lets go." She said.
then they were off.
A/N: this is something of a teaser for a glimpse at Lily and Severus's relationship. for now I'm just wanting to get some chapters out there then I will be working on length and the meat of the story. For now enjoy the mini fluff!