A/N: Sorry it's been so long. Enjoy! Reviews are greatly appreciated =]

Dear Lily,

I know you're probably not used to getting mail by owl, but this is how wizards do it. A little odd, isn't it?

I wanted to write to let you know that I won't be able to meet you at the park tomorrow. My mother and I left Spinner's End because my father... well, I'm staying with my grandfather now and it's awful.

I'm going to try to sneak away so I can come see you and we can talk more about you being a witch. If you want to, you can reply to this letter. Just write a reply, and attach it to the owl's leg. He'll know where to take it.

Hopefully I'll be seeing you,

Severus

Severus folded his letter and put it in a small envelope. He peered through his window to see the grounds were pitch black. Afraid that if he didn't send the letter tonight it wouldn't get to Lily in time, Severus tip-toed down the stairs to find someone that could help him get across the massive grounds to the owl barn that housed the Prince's many owls.

Severus was not familiar with the layout of the mansion. It took him a frustrating twenty minutes just to find the kitchen, and another twenty to find someone to help him. In a cramped room off the kitchen, no bigger than a coat closet, were five house elves.

"Excuse me?" Severus interrupted their bickering. The house elves turned and grimaced at him. "Could one of you take me to the owl barn? I'd like to send a letter."

One of the house elves stepped forward. "Blood-traitors are not permitted to send letters from the Prince household, says Master Prince," the elf squeaked and let out a snicker.

"Blood-traitor? I-" Severus was taken aback. "Fine! I'll just go myself."

As Severus made his way out the door, he heard a loud crack, as though someone had Apparated. His step quickened as he tried to make his way across the grounds to an owl barn he didn't know the location of.

Not much time had passed when there was another loud crack, and the sight of a round, peeved man standing directly in front of Severus. He stopped dead in his tracks.

"Now, now, Severus. What exactly are you doing?" he asked.

"I-I just wanted to send a letter to my friend..." Severus whimpered under his grandfather's powerful gaze.

"To whom, I wonder?"

"My friend, Lily. I told her I was going to meet her tomorrow..." he stared at his feet.

"Your friend Lily," he repeated. "Severus, I think we should go back to the Mansion and have a little chat. What do you say?" He started walking in the direction Severus had come from. Sev reluctantly followed him back to the house.

Severus was led into an unfamiliar room with a large fireplace and plush looking furniture. Everything was a dark, forest green, except the wood that was a dark mahogany. Victor Prince pulled out his wand and lit a fire in the enormous fire place. He gestured for Severus to sit on one of the couches as he poured himself a goblet of fire whiskey.

"Tell me about this Lily person," Victor said as he sat in a throne-like chair across from Severus.

"Well, she's a witch. I just met her today. She can already do extraordinary magic and-"

"What is her last name?" he sipped his drink.

"Evans. Lily Evans," Severus sighed, thinking of her eyes and how glorious the day had been spending it with her.

"Hm. I'm not familiar with that name, Evans. Certainly not a pure-blood in any case..." Victor trailed off.

Severus was reliving the earlier part of the day when he had first met Lily. They talked about everything, including her Muggle parents. Severus was wise enough to know his grandfather would not approve of this, so he did not mention it.

"Let me see the letter, boy" he insisted.

Severus knew that the letter would give away Lily's blood status. He couldn't let his grandfather see it.

"I... I don't have it with me!" he lied feebly.

"You were going to the owl barn without the letter you intended to send? Honestly Severus, do you take me for a fool? Now hand it over!" He outstretched his arm, waiting.

Defeated, Severus pulled the letter from his pocket and handed it to his grandfather, who read it feverishly. When he was done, he ripped it to pieces and threw it in the fire.

"Severus, is this girl a Mudblood?" his voice cracked with anger.

"Don't call her that!" Sev yelled.

Victor stood from his chair, ran at Severus and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. "I'll call her what I want! Is this girl a Mudblood? She's filth! A disgrace to the Wizarding world!" He screamed.

Severus let out a yelp, and with that, he was released from his grandfather's clutch.

"I know you're only half-blood, Severus, but we do not associate with Mudbloods in the Prince family. Blood purity is the only thing that is untainted in this world. Do you understand me?" He said, almost completely calm again.

"Yes, sir," Severus murmured.

"It would be best to put this Mudblood out of your mind, Severus. You are not to even attempt to contact her, am I understood?" he asked, walking back to his chair.

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Maybe during your stay here we can sort you out and make you a proper Prince," he chuckled. "You may go to your room. Be up bright and early. Since you were so eager to go see the owls, you can be there to clean their mess in the morning. Chores build character."

Victor Prince was perhaps the most cruel man Severus had encountered, apart from his father. He sat and stared at his and had grand visions of punching him in the hooked nose.

"Get out of my sight, boy," He spat, breaking the angry tension.

Severus climbed the stairs to his bedroom crying silently, trying to forget about Lily Evans in vain.