Chapter 5 – Mail

Even after months of being friends, Lily hadn't once asked to come to Severus's house. He had been to her house countless times, but he guessed by the way he never liked to talk about his home or family that she decided not to bring it up anymore.

Early December, Severus and Lily were chatting about Christmas when Lily suddenly said, "Severus, I was wondering if you wanted to come to my house for Christmas dinner because I remember you saying that your father doesn't even notice when you aren't there and that you just wander the around streets, anyway so I thought maybe you wanted to have Christmas dinner with my family and I already asked my parents and they said yes."

What. Well, she was right; his parents wouldn't notice or care… maybe he could go? Why not?

"Ok," he said.

"Yay!" she shrieked and threw her arms around his shoulders. She let go and sighed.

"What's wrong?" Severus asked.

"Well," she said sheepishly, "I know my birthday is still over a month away, but I don't know if I'm going to get my letter or not," she confessed.

"Lily! Why do you always have to doubt yourself? Of course you'll get your letter."

"Are you sure?" Her emerald eyes bore into his and she looked genuinely worried.

He turned towards her and held her soft, tiny hands.

"Yes, Lily. Yes I most definitely am," he said.

She looked at him for a moment longer, before a grin that reached her ears took over her face. He smiled back.

Christmas morning brought hope and excitement for young Severus, feelings that had never before been evoked by such an event. The previous day, he had taken a stroll to the shops to find something for Lily. With every penny that he found on the sidewalk, every note lying around at home, Severus had collected a decent amount of money, enough to buy Lily a decent present. Upon finding a fancy golden chain with an 'S' pendant, he returned home and found his mother standing in the kitchen with an envelope. Severus's eyes widened. Could it be?

"Severus, darling, this is for you," she said, handing it to him.

He took the letter and turned it over, revealing the scarlet Hogwarts seal. He gasped, hurriedly opening the envelope and unfolding the parchment.

Dear Mr Snape,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…

Severus practically flipped. He knew he would be going to Hogwarts, but now, holding the letter in his hand confirming it all, Severus just felt a whole lot safer and happier. He sprinted up the stairs and stashed the letter in his wardrobe.

Today he was spending the afternoon at Lily's with her family, and he wasn't sure how that was going to go. He was unsure how he would be around Petunia; they didn't really get off to a good start, what with Severus 'accidentally' dropping a branch on her. Whoops. And he wasn't sure if Lily's parents would like him either.

Turns out he had nothing to worry about. He arrived on time, talked with Lily's mother for a few minutes before Lily and Petunia came downstairs to join them. Lily was wearing the green dress she showed him a few months back, but this time her hair was in a high ponytail on the right side of her head, her gorgeous red curls framing the side of her face.

The evening went surprisingly well; they chatted, ate dinner (a larger meal then Severus ever had in his life: roast beef with baked potatoes and vegetables, followed by chocolate fondants with vanilla ice-cream and a fruit platter), and Severus and Lily took a walk afterwards. This was when he told her about receiving his acceptance letter. She squealed in joy and flung her arms around him, burying her face in the crook of his neck. That hug was probably the highlight of his day.

It was not until his birthday that Severus saw Lily after that day, for she and her family took a holiday over New Year. On the day of his 11th birthday, Lily wore the necklace he gave her, along with a cute purple, floral dress which Severus thought made her look very pretty. But Lily could have worn track pants and three sweaters and he still would have thought she looked beautiful.

"Happy birthday, Severus!" she shrieked when she saw him, flinging her arms around him once more. She then pulled a small, soft wrapped package out of her coat and handed it to him. "For you," she said.

As he opened it, Severus could sense that Lily was bursting to tell him something. Or maybe she was just anxious to see his reaction to his gift. It was a scarf, in Slytherin colours; green and grey. Severus and Lily had once talked about the houses at Hogwarts and Severus must have mentioned that he wanted to be Sorted into Slytherin. Lily had said she would be in Ravenclaw. Severus agreed.

"Well…?" Lily asked.

"Well, I think it's wonderful, and," he pulled it completely out of the wrapping and put it around his shoulders, "I think I'll wear it right now."

"Aw, I'm so glad you like it,' said Lily.

The two spent the rest of the day talking about Hogwarts, guessing how the professors and classes would be like, and even pretending that they were already at Hogwarts and attending classes. As the sun went down, the young witch and wizard went home and met up the next day, repeating the activities of the previous day, and they did so for the next two weeks.

On the morning of Lily's birthday, Severus arrived at the park early to surprise her, only to find her sitting by the tree already. Lily's arms were around Severus before he realised she had left the ground.

"Severus!" she squealed. "Guess what!?"

"What happened?"

Lily reached into her coat and pulled out a parchment envelope.

"I GOT MY LETTER!" she shrieked.

Severus was overjoyed and lifted Lily up, spinning her around before setting her back down.

"I knew you would," he said.

He had. He knew she was magical from the moment he laid eyes on her. Not quite in the same way as this, but magical nonetheless. Severus hoped that he and Lily would stay friends throughout their time at Hogwarts, and he was determined to make that so.