Disclaimer: They aren't mine. I used bits of the book to fit in with my plotline.

Summary: AU. What if he had never called her Mudblood? A short story about the relationship between Lily and Snape, beginning with his worst memory. LilyEvans/SeverusSnape.

Tagline: What if… what if he had never said the cursèd word?

The Prince, the Toerag, and the Lily

Chapter Three

Owl Post

Severus-

Mulciber and Yaxely have agreed to join me for the weekend. The Lestranges will be in town for a few days, and Narcissa is Bellatrix' sister, so she has asked them to meet us. I hope that you can arrange to travel this way for a few days. This meeting could lead to some new connections and some interesting prospects.

Sincerely,
L. Malfoy

P.S. I hear from some people that you're spending time with some questionable company, particularly that Evans girl, and I'm hoping the gossip isn't true.

James,

I just wanted to say again that I'm sorry about that night at Hagrid's. And I'm really sorry about the night of the Gryffindor party after we won the Cup. I don't know if you've seen or heard from any other Gryffindors, but if you have, will you let me know what that lot has been up to? I haven't seen much of anyone, since I've been living with my parents in a Muggle town for now.

Sorry for bothering you,
Lily

Lucius-

I appreciate the invitation, but unfortunately I won't be able to make it. I've been spending some time with old friends, and I'm afraid I must get a job as soon as possible.

But do tell me all you can about the meeting. I regret not being able to meet the Lestranges, I have heard much about them. Send Mulciber, Yaxley and Narcissa my best. Have you heard from Avery at all lately?

Sincerely,
S. Snape

Dearest Darling Lily,

I wouldn't mind accepting that apology of yours only if you accompany it with another date or two. Deal?

I haven't seen much of anyone but Sirius, who's being doted on by my dear parents right now (they're buying him a Nimbus One Thousand for his birthday, can you believe it? Spoiling him rotten, they are). That, and Mary owled begging me to take you to Brazil, so that you'd spend less time with Snivellus. I was disappointed to hear you've been with such poor company.

I'm set to leave Saturday and if you don't owl a 'yes' to me soon my parents may force me to take Sirius instead. You wouldn't want me to suffer so terribly, would you?

Nothing but the Loveliest for THE Loveliest Lily,
from,
James

James,

I suppose I would have to rescue you from spending a month or two in foreign places with your best friend. If the offer still stands, I think my parents will let me come along, as long as they think you're called Janie, not James. How are you travelling, and where shall I meet you?

Thanks,
Lily

Sev,

I know we said we'd look for jobs together, but I think a nice holiday would be good before I keep the search going. Since the St. Mungo's idea didn't quite work out the way we hoped, I thought it'd be nice to have some time off to think about our possibilities a bit more before we go off looking for other jobs.

I should be back in a month or two, and then we can keep looking. I hope you mum doing alright. I'm sorry I didn't tell you in person, but it was all a bit last-moment, unexpected. I'll be back soon and tell you all about it.

Love,
Lily

Lily,

I suppose you should be enjoying yourself, taking a holiday. I'd be doing the same thing if-well, anyway. I wish you'd let me know a bit sooner, but I suppose it was unexpected. Who are you going with? Not your parents, I saw them today. Well anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing you again. I think we ought to talk when you get back.

Love,
Sev

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