The life and Death of Lily Evens

Chapter 6

June 9th 1970

The crisp air was invigorating as Lily Evans and Severus Snape ventured out of their homes, the promise of an adventurous day ahead. The estate was a hive of activity, and the sunlight glinted off the windows of the row houses, casting dancing shadows on the pavement.Both Lily and Severus ready embraced the chance to escape their homes.

Lily adjusted her woolen scarf, its bright colors clashing slightly with her red hair. "So, where to today?" she asked, her voice full of enthusiasm.

Severus tugged at his worn jacket and adjusted his threadbare scarf. "How about we just wander? I've always liked observing people," he said, his gaze scanning the street.

"Sounds good," Lily agreed, her green eyes alight with curiosity. They set off down the street, their footsteps crunching softly against the gravel. Lily chattered away, pointing out the little quirks of the people they passed: the elderly man who always wore mismatched socks, the woman who walked her dog in a fur-lined hat despite the mild weather.

Severus, while quieter, observed with a keen eye. He made a few comments about the things Lily had missed-such as the way the children's laughter seemed to echo off the brick walls of the estate or the way the local shopkeeper always waved at the same time every day.

As they wandered, Lily spotted a small bakery with a display of simple, homemade treats in the window. "Ooh, let's stop here," she said, her excitement evident. "I'm starving."

Severus hesitated, his fingers drumming nervously against his side. "I don't have any money, and I'm not sure if we can afford anything."

Lily looked at him, realizing the implications of what he said. Her own pocket money was non-existent, given that her father squandered everything he could get his hands on. "Let's just go inside anyway," she suggested. "Maybe we can find something interesting to look at."

They entered the bakery, and the warm, sweet smell of baked goods enveloped them. The shopkeeper, a kindly old woman, greeted them with a nod. Lily wandered around the shop, examining the various pastries and cakes. She noticed a tin of leftover cookies near the counter.

"Hey, Mrs. Johnson," Lily said, her voice full of the casual familiarity she'd built up over years of small talk. "Do you mind if we take a look at those cookies? They look a bit stale."

Mrs. Johnson chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Of course, dear. Help yourselves. We're about to throw them out anyway."

Severus looked at Lily with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. They took a couple of cookies and sat at a small table by the window, savoring the simple treat. The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over them as they ate.

After their impromptu snack, Lily suggested they continue their exploration. "Let's head to the park. It's such a nice day. I want to see if there are any interesting people around."

They strolled through the park, Lily's gaze darting from one sight to the next. She pointed out the peculiarities of different park-goers: the man who always jogged with a ridiculously oversized hat, the young couple who seemed to argue about everything and nothing at once.

As they walked, Severus's face took on a thoughtful expression. "You know," he began hesitantly, "I've been thinking about something we talked about before. Hogwarts."

Lily turned to him, curious. "Yeah? What about it?"

Severus's eyes lit up with a mixture of excitement and earnestness. "Well, Hogwarts isn't just any school. There are four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each one has its own characteristics. Gryffindor is all about bravery, Hufflepuff is about hard work, Ravenclaw values intelligence, and Slytherin values ambition."

Lily frowned slightly, skeptical but intrigued. "And you want to be in Slytherin?"

Severus nodded firmly. "Yes. I feel like it suits me. But more importantly, I believe you'll be there too."

Lily raised an eyebrow. "How do you know?"

Severus shrugged, a shy smile on his lips. "I just have a feeling. It's like... like we're both meant to be there"

Lily's interest was piqued. "I'm not sure sev it all sounds to good to be true"

They continue to sit in silence for around another 10 minutes. Until Severus nervously looked at Lily and said "promise me you're always be my best friend"

Lily felt a wave of emotion as she looked at Severus. "I promise. You're my best friend , your my only Friend""

Severus's face softened with a mix of relief and happiness. "I didn't realize how much I needed a friend like you."

Lily smiled, feeling a sense of warmth she hadn't felt in a long time. "Me too. It's nice to have someone who really gets me."

As they continued their walk through the park, Lily found herself reflecting on the day's events. The simple pleasures of the afternoon-the cookies, the conversation, the promise of Hogwarts-felt like a balm to her troubled soul. For the first time in a while, she allowed herself to hope for something more, something beyond the confines of her everyday life.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the park, Lily and Severus made their way back to their respective homes. The day had been a welcome escape from their worries, and the promise of a special handshake gave Lily a new sense of connection and anticipation for the future.

When they finally parted ways, Lily walked home with a lightness in her step, her heart buoyed by the strength of her friendship with Severus. Severus, too, felt a renewed sense of hope, looking forward to the adventures that lay ahead and the continued bond he shared with Lily.

The evening settled in, and Lily lay in bed, replaying the day's moments in her mind. The special handshake, Severus's promises, and their shared laughter all felt like pieces of a greater puzzle falling into place. For the first time in a long while, she felt a genuine sense of belonging and excitement for the future, all thanks to her unlikely but cherished friendship with Severus.