The Marauders Begin (I)

Lily's Birthday

January 30, 1972

Outside in the West Courtyard, snow is heavily falling as LILY, MARLENE, and MARY run through the thick layers. MARLENE quickly scoops up a pile of snow, squeezes it into a ball, and hurls it at LILY.

MARLENE: You're going down, Evans!

MARY: (throwing a snowball at LILY as well) Yeah, just because it's your birthday doesn't mean we're gonna go easy on you!

LILY pulls out her wand and quickly produces a Hot-Air Charm that causes the snow around the other two girls to immediately melt. She then picks up her own snowballs and throws them.

LILY: (laughing) Losers!

LILY runs into through the entrance corridor, removing her cloak hood. MARY and MARLENE quickly join her.

MARY: This isn't over, Lily.

MARLENE: Yeah, we're restarting this as soon as I get some hot chocolate.

LILY: I'll still win.

They make their way to the Great Hall. From the staircase, SEVERUS descends to the lower level.

SEVERUS: Lily!

LILY: (waving to him) Hey! (to MARY and MARLENE) Go ahead, I'll catch up with you.

SEVERUS: (approaching her) Happy birthday!

LILY: Thanks. It feels like ages since I've seen you.

SEVERUS: Yeah. Oh, this is for you. (He produces a small package wrapped in colorful paper).

LILY: Oh, Sev, you didn't have to.

SEVERUS: Go ahead, open it up.

LILY rips open the paper to reveal a brand-new copy of "The Tales of Beedle the Bard".

LILY: Oh, Sev! I've been meaning to get around to reading this forever, but I've been so busy.

SEVERUS: Well, hopefully you'll get some time to give it a go.

LILY: (smiling) Of course. (She hugs him briefly) Thanks again, Sev. I'll see you around, okay?

SEVERUS: (wistfully) Okay.

LILY hurriedly makes her way into the Great Hall, while SEVERUS looks after her and slowly walks down the adjacent corridor by himself.