The beginning of a new era at Hogwarts: the first year of the Marauders.
When James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew arrive at Hogwarts, none of them are prepared for what awaits them in their first year. For each of them, this...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
London, England.
Summer, August 1971.
The morning was warm and fresh, the unusually blue sky stretching serenely over the working-class neighbourhood of Cokeworth. Two children sat on the front steps, barely sheltered from the sun. Lily's house, in contrast to Severus's, exuded a sense of calm; and though her front garden was just as small, it was free of weeds and dirt, looking neat and tidy.
Lily was absorbed in one of the books she'd bought in Diagon Alley. She didn't want to go to Hogwarts without at least a bit more understanding of the world that Severus already knew so well.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"I can't believe it's only a few days until we go to Hogwarts!" Severus exclaimed, searching her gaze.
Lily looked up and gave him a mischievous smile.
"And why didn't you come with us, Sev? It was so much fun!" she said, carefully closing the book so it wouldn't get damaged. "You've got to see my wand! It's beautiful."
"I already told you. I couldn't." Severus shrugged, adjusting the worn-out coat he was wearing despite the summer warmth. There was something in his expression, a hesitation to explain why.
How could he have gone with them? His mother had managed to get him the wand after promising Ollivander himself that she'd pay it off in time. It would have been humiliating to ask for a discount in front of the Evans.
"But I've got my wand now!" he added with a spark of satisfaction. "Mum had to make quite an effort to get it. My father wanted nothing to do with it, of course."
"Oh..." Lily replied, sounding interested. "And what's it like?"
Severus raised his chin with a hint of mystery.
"It's hawthorn. Mr Ollivander says it's a complex and intriguing wood." He paused, letting the words sink in. "My mother's got a hawthorn wand too, and she says it's excellent for healing magic... although it's also powerful with curses."
"Curses?" Lily exclaimed in surprise, her green eyes widening.
Severus half-smiled, though there was a shadow of worry in his gaze. He wondered if, once they were at Hogwarts, Lily would still be surprised by the things he told her. It was clear she was bright, and she'd learn quickly. Perhaps, in time, what he knew would no longer interest her—and that thought saddened him a bit.
