Time Turned: The Snape-Evans Paradox

Chapter Two: Summer in Cokeworth

Severus Snape hated the marauders, each and every one of them, especially Potter. He was the worst of them, tormenting him every single day since he arrived at the castle five years ago. He disliked the guy at first but now he was sure it was pure hatred. The worst part was that Lily, his best friend, still could not see what kind of monster Potter was and he was afraid that she would never see it. He knew that Potter had a thing for her, who wouldn't? Lily was the most beautiful girl in the school, not only because of her looks but because of her intellect and personality. Her hair, red like fire and her freckles as numerous as the stars. He would be lying if he would deny that he loved her, he really did and he always would, even though she would never see him in the same way.

''What's wrong, Sev?''asked Lily in a worried voice, always so interested in his well-being, always so kind, ''has something happened at home?''

''Not at all, Lils'' he said, trying to forget about his thoughts. Every time he would think about Potter, inevitably he would think about Lily, and his paranoia would tell him how Potter would take her from him forever.

It was the end of the summer and classes were about to start in a couple of days so they were hanging out in a park by the river in Cokeworth, a town in the English Midlands, it was the same park where they had met many years ago. That part of the town was dingy and run-down. Most of the people that lived there, including Severus, were very poor. It was obvious from the oversized and tattered outfits he wore, that his family could not afford to buy him clothes of his own. His outfits were almost exclusively hand-me-downs from his father, so they sat awkwardly on his spindley frame. Like most of the kids from Spinner's End, Severus was malnourished and thin; the only times he would have full meals was when he was at Hogwarts or whenever Lily would invite him over, which was often. Lily's parents were also very kind towards him, the only one that wasn't was Petunia, Lily's muggle sister. He did not like her either, she was very jealous of her sister's magic and talent and could not hide it.

''I'm excited about going back to school, this year we will be presenting our OWLs!''said Lily excitedly. ''I know you will probably excel at potions so you won't mind helping me, right?''

''Why do you need my help? You're already good at potions and Slughorn adores you'' muttered Snape. It was true, Professor Slughorn had said more than once how talented Lily was.

''You know he always exaggerates, if I'm any good it's all thanks to you'' said Lily, then she took his hands and looked at him with a pleading expression, ''C'mon, Sev, say that you'll help me''.

''I'll help you''.

Of course he would, he would do anything she'd ask him. Even though she really didn't need his help. They were there for a while talking about endless topics, as his conversations always were, they talked about the courses they were excited about, the situation in both of their houses, Snape told her a little about some spells he was creating and Lily showed him drawings she had been working on throughout the summer. Lily was very good at drawing and charms, however, as she came from a muggle family she could not do magic out of Hogwarts, Snape's case was different because his mother was a witch so he could practice it at home, as long as his father wasn't around.

''Did you know Thomas Nott?''asked Lily suddenly.

''You know I did. He was in my house and friends with Mulciber. Even though... well, he was not really himself for months before he got expelled'' said Severus as a fact. However once he saw Lily's face he knew he had messed up by mentioning Mulciber's name.

''Are you still hanging out with them?'' she asked coldy.

''What do you want me to do? Ignore everyone in my house? It's already hard... look, let's not talk about this, alright?'' He really did not want to fight with her.