Chapter Fifteen
Severus and Lily decided that it would be easier to just shrink down their luggage and Apperate to Platform 9 ¾ this year. They said their good byes in the living room. Mrs. Evans gave both Severus and Lily a kiss.
"Study hard," said Mr. Evans. "It's your last year at Hogwarts. Make sure you both behave."
"Dad," said Lily, "since when have me and Sev ever misbehaved?"
Mr. and Mrs. Evans just smiled and gave them on last hug before they Apperated to the Hogwarts Express.
The scarlet steam engine was just as beautiful as ever. Severus and Lily walked around, saying hi to friends that they didn't get a chance to see over the summer. With being so busy with their own wedding to plans and Petunia's, they never had a chance to even send an owl.
Severus and Lily, unlike many of the other students, had already put on their school robes before they had left the house. There was no need to travel into the muggle world as they were both over seventeen and knew how to Apperate. Severus kept fiddling with his robe.
"Sev," said Lily after five minutes of him fastening and refastening the clasps on the front of his robes. "Stop. You look great."
Severus smiled and took her hand again as they climbed onto the train. They found an empty compartment and sat down, waiting for the train to finally leave the station. They could hear mothers telling their children to behave.
"Can you believe it, Sev?" Lily asked. "Our last year at Hogwarts? It feels like yesterday that you had told me that I was a witch."
"Yeah, I know," responded Severus. "It feels like yesterday that I met the girl of my dreams."
Lily blushed and sat closer to Severus. "Sev," said Lily softly, "when did you decide that you loved me?"
"It was when we were growing up," he told her. "When you and Petunia were playing in the park, jumping higher and farther than any of the other kids from the swings, that's when I fell in love with you. Even if you didn't show any magical talent at all, I would still have fallen for you."
"Oh, Sev," whispered Lily. "How did you get to be such a romantic?"
"Definitely didn't learn anything from my old man," Severus chuckled. "I think it must have been when I was hanging out with Lucius Malfoy all those years ago. He was swooning Narccissa Black for a long time. And I heard that they were going to get married this winter."
"Wasn't there a rumor about him becoming a Death Eater?" Lily asked.
"Yeah. I think he is too," sighed Severus. "Poor Lucius. He was always such a great friend too. A prefect and a nice guy. I hope he will see the error of his ways soon. Before it's too late for him and his family."
"I would hate to be the ones who have to track him down. Wouldn't you, Sev?"
"Especially since he was a friend of mine," Severus responded. "But that's fine. It's you and me, now, Lil."
Severus held Lily all the way to Hogwarts. He found it rather interesting that Potter and his friends never stopped by to say hi. He guessed that Remus had told James and Sirius to leave Severus and Lily alone this year. Or maybe they decided to Apperate to Hogsmade and just wait there for the train to arrive with the rest of their class mates. Severus had tried to convince Lily of this idea but she was determined to travel to Hogwarts on the train for one last time.