Regicide
Sinister Spiders
FOUR
"Mum!" You yell as you rush through the front door. You skid to a halt to slam the door shut, shoes still wet and slippery from the damp grass at the park, before continuing your headlong bolt into the kitchen. "Mum!"
"Severus?'' She turns to face you, pale face taut with shock as she takes in your flushed yet ecstatic appearance. Her normally bleak eyes quickly gloss over with a sheen of delight and you can't help but grin from ear to ear.
"Mum! I made a friend!" You tell her, and even though it hurts, you know she is as shocked as you are.
"Really? Tell me about him!"
"Her." You correct, her thick black eyebrows disappear into her hairline.
"Her?"
"Yup." Your mother motions to the kitchen table and chairs and you make your way there slowly, now you have stopped running your breath is coming in heavy puffs. After all- you did just run all the way from the park.
"Her name is Lily Evans and she is great!She always goes to the park. I have seen them there for the past few weeks. Her and her sister Tuney. Although I don't like Tuney- she's not very nice. Grumpy, really. And she never likes anything… Sort of like Da." You speak in a rush, the words tumbling out of your mouth in excitement. However you stop when you realize what you just said. You freeze and expect your mother's face to wrinkle with frowns, but she just keeps smiling.
"Really? And what does she look like?" Your mum asks, a high pitch to her voice that makes your smile even bigger.
"She is about the same height as me. Same age too! She has red hair- like a fire engine! No… Like a fire! And she smiles a lot. She is always smiling."
"And why don't you like her sister?" your mother asks, and you realize that she truly did ignore what you said earlier.
"She is nasty. And mean. And she calls Lily a freak!" You feel your face fall and your lips stretch as your face pulls into a sneer.
"A freak?" Your Mother's face crinkled in confusion.
"Yeah… Because Lily is…" You peer around anxiously, you know that Da isn't due home for another few hours, but it never hurts to be careful. "Lily is a witch!"
"A witch?" Your mother whispers, the temperature in the room falls significantly and she is no longer smiling.
"Y-yeah… I saw her doing some magic. She made a leaf flutter like a butterfly and then she jumped from a swing and flew down to the ground as graceful as a swan!"
"A witch?" She repeats. Even that lovely shine that her eyes had has dulled. Your stomach drops.
"Yeah. But her parents are both muggles." You explain slowly, not sure what the problem is.
"Does she know?" Your Mother asks.
"Yeah- I told her. Her sister called her a freak! She's not a freak she's a witch. I reckon she'll be a good one too!" Your Mother's face turns hard and her hand comes up to cover her eyes as she shakes her head.
"Severus, you are never to see her again." Your mouth falls open and your Mum gets to her feet quickly, chair scraping as she does so. The sound makes you shudder but that is nothing compared to the anger welling up in the pit of your stomach.
"Why not Mum?" Your voice is smaller than you meant it to be, barely louder or more confident than a squeaky mouse. Your mother turns her back to you and makes her way to the kitchen sink. She turns the tap on as much as she can and the sound of the water cascading into the tub echoes through the room.
"Severus, we do not associate with magical folk. You know that. You are not allowed to speak to her ever again."
"But Mum-" You begin to protest but she cuts you off.
"No buts Severus! You are never to see Lily again and that is the end of that! Go to your room."
She drops a heavy pile of plates into the sink with a loud crash and begins to scrub them angrily. You turn slowly and make your way to the stairs, feet dragging loudly on the floor as you go. Your eyes are stinging and every ounce of happiness has bled from your body. You had one friend. For one hour. And now you are never allowed to see her ever again.
You shouldn't be so surprised.