Title: Innocent Ideas
Author: Nesma
Disclaimer: I, obviously, do not own Harry Potter or the characters, all that goes to JKRowling.
Summary: It's hard to predict the results of words and actions at such a young age. It's difficult to fathom that an idea formed without much logic or reasons at a young age will carry on through to adulthood. It's terrifying and exhilarating that the ideas and stories from childhood have such curious results in adulthood. And this could be no truer than with the case of Lily and Petunia Evans and Severus Snape.
A/N: Awesome day. Glad people liked the last chapter, I thought some would hate it. Leave a review if you like (or dislike!). And share the story and all that jazz.
It was all so innocent. Severus was simply waiting downstairs for Lily as she went to fetch her cardigan. Which Severus rolled his eyes multiple times, a technique he picked up from Lily, because honestly; it was the middle of the summer. There was no need to have a cardigan, even if there was a chance that it would get 'chilly'.
On the front table, there was a stack of letters but one poked out from the pile. It looked heavier than the others… as if it was written on parchment rather than paper. Sneaking a peak both sides, he went over and gently pulled the envelope from the pile and his eyes widen as it was from Hogwarts but for Petunia Evans.
If his curiosity was ever high, now would be the moment. He played with the envelope between his fingers and hardly noticed Lily bounding down the stairs.
"What's that?" She asked, and rather than wait for Severus to answer, she merely plucked the letter from his hand and gasped.
"Do you think… she's a…"
"It can't be! She's older than 11…"
"But why else would she get a letter?"
Severus was stumped. He couldn't imagine why plain and awful Petunia would ever get a letter from Hogwarts. And if she was magical… well, that just couldn't happen.
"Let's open it." He said quickly, trying to yank the letter away from Lily but she held the letter behind her back, her eyes wide with fright.
"We can't do that!" She protested weakly.
"Aren't you curious? Even a little, itsy bit?" He asked, taking a step forward as she took one back, hitting the wall as she did.
"Look, we can easily steam the letter open and then reseal it with magic tape or something." Severus implored, and he could tell that Lily was contemplating the whole thing as she bit her bottom lip.
"It would only take a few seconds. Aren't you curious?" He pushed again, biting back a smile as he realized that he had won.
Scrunching up her face and shutting her eyes, Lily passed the letter. "But we'll be quick?" Lily asked as they made their way to the kitchen and started boiling water.
Lucky for them, the steam was quick to loosen the wax on the envelope, and they hunched over one another to read the contents.
Severus merely skimmed the lines to understand that Petunia Evans had actually written to Hogwarts about getting a spot. He knew how important she was to Lily so he fought back his laugher as Lily's face was filled with sadness.
"She didn't get in…"
"You thought she did?" Severus asked, almost too nastily but Lily hardly noticed.
"I would hope she got in." she said, "Oh! No! Severus! Now I feel so guilty!" Lily exclaimed, letting go of the letter and envelope and sitting on the kitchen stool.
Severus, at a complete lost at a sad and dejected Lily hastily stuffed the letter back in the envelope. He stood there, awkwardly staring at Lily who had her face in her hands. Severus sighed, and felt something like guilt for exploiting Lily, and wondered on over to her and sat on the ground next to her.
"We can easily seal the letter again. Petunia never needs to know – "
"What don't I need to know?" Severus' blood went cold. He refused to stare any further then the patterned kitchen floor tile in front of him because he was terrified of what stood in front of him.
When the two didn't respond, Petunia made a few steps towards the kitchen island, Severus hung his head as Petunia gasped and let out a shriek.
"YOU!" She yelled, pointing a finger at Severus. "Get. Out." She snarled and Lily started to cry and Severus couldn't think of anything else but to run out of the house.
Lily and Severus didn't speak for two days after the fight. Two agonizingly long days in which Severus wondered if he sacrificed his friendship with Lily in order to fulfill a stupid, whimsical desire.
When he finally saw Lily again, the fire in her was slightly out. This fight with Petunia was serious and perhaps, that was the first real rift in the sisters' relationships; all thanks to Severus Snape.