Severus clutched his sweater close after coming through the barrier. For some reason, rushing through the wall to Platform 9 ¾ always gave him the chills, like running through a windstorm on a December day. He had his smallish cart with him, piled not-very-high with his almost-empty trunk.

He scanned the busy platform, looking for familiar faces. He caught the shining blonde hair of Lucius Malfoy and his waving hand as the older boy stepped onto the train, which was already whistling.

Of course. Just like his father to get him here late.

He handed his cart to one of the attendees, who proceeded to wheel it towards the back of the train. Now Severus was alone in this sea of people, holding onto only his small knapsack which contained an apple and the flagon of firewhisky he had stolen from home.

Well, there wasn't really anything else to do besides hop on the train. He started to make his way when all of a sudden he heard a scream, a flash of red, and was knocked over.

"Oh my god!" he screeched, shoving off the limp body that had fallen on him. Several people had turned to watch, and Severus began to panic. "What's going on?!" He struggled quickly up and whipped out his wand, pointing it every which way. "What happened, who's hurt?"

But no one was moving. Severus was completed prepared for some sort of attack, for Death Eaters to begin swooping down on Platform 9 ¾ , but all he heard was the rumble of the train and the small giggles of the person who was still lying on the ground.

At the sound of that laughter, Severus felt his heart stop. He looked down.

There she was. As beautiful as ever, Lily Evans was rolling on the ground with laughter, clutching her belly and pointing at him. Severus felt his face grow red. Every bit of drama from the previous year came flooding back to him, but it wasn't like he had ever forgot it.

"You—!" Lily gasped, still laughing. "So—funny—ahh! You were so—hahahaaha!" Severus couldn't be freaked out for much longer, not when Lily Evans was lying on the ground next to his feet. She was still laughing as she stood up.

"That was the funniest thing!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Severus. Apparently, unlike her friend, she had forgot about their problems. Severus didn't mind.

"Hey, Lily," Severus said quietly, returning her friendly squeeze.

When she heard him say her name, Lily stopped laughing, but her smile didn't go away. Her voice got quieter, and she asked, "How've you been?"

"Smashing."
"Good."

There was a slight awkward silence. "Where's your mum and dad? And your…Petunia?" Severus had certainly not forgotten Lily's atrocious older sister.

"They just left."

"Oh."

"Ah! I'm so excited for this year! It's going to be just me and you!" Lily exclaimed, grabbing his hand a pulling him towards the train.

Severus smiled, even through glares from Potter, Black, Lupin, Pettigrew, and Lily's friend on the train. Now he was excited, too.