atelophobia • {HP universe} (BOOK 1)

~ four ~

Lily slept in a guest bedroom that was rather dark and cold, and reminded her slightly of Knockturn Alley. In fact, all that she could dream about that night was what happened in Knockturn Alley, or, what could have happened if Severus wasn't there.

She tried to rid her mind of the dreams, so she opened her curtains that were blocking the morning sun, and looked out at the trees, and the mother and daughter crossing the street. She listened to the morning birds, and it was very peaceful, until she heard a slow voice.

"How late are you planning on being? There is breakfast downstairs, and you must get dressed. Now." Snape said, and left the room with his cloak billowing behind him. Lily wondered to herself if he ever changed out of that thing, as she put on some old jeans which ripped in the right knee, and an insulating, loose plaid button down she had stolen from one of her previous guardians.

The sound of Snape moving around, and gathering his own Hogwarts equipment could faintly be heard upstairs, and reminded Lily to bring her trunk down to the front door.

She jogged down the stairs, excited to see the breakfast that Severus had made for her, only to be greeted with a black bowl, a spoon, milk, and a cereal box labeled, 'MAGIC O'S.' A small smile appeared upon Lily's lips, as
Snape stared at her, waiting for her to eat.

"Thank you, I was planning to get up early and make us both breakfast, but I didn't have the best sleep so I was tired." She said with thankfulness, and Snape nodded in return, triggering the faintest hint of a smile.

As Lily prepared her food and started eating, Snape stood in back of the chair across from her.

"Liliana, I have informed headmaster Dumbledore of the current situation, and he has informed the rest of the staff. Although the staff know that you're my... offspring... it is probably best for the students not to know, for your sake. I'll give you permission to tell your closest friends, but avoid telling everybody." Lily was very confused, but nodded in agreement anyways. She then remembered something which she was meaning to ask Severus.

"When I was getting my cloaks fitted yesterday, I was talking to Draco and another boy about Hogwarts houses. Draco told me about each one, and their names. Gryffinclaw, Ravenpuff, Huffledor, and Slytherpin, correct?" Lily asked, and Snape's expression was so confused and astounded at what she'd just attempted to say, that he almost looked amused.

"Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Yes, what about them?" Severus replied, as Lily shoved another spoonful of Magic O's, which were very delicious.

"Well they all seem to go along with different characteristics about a person, and I know you probably don't get to choose which one you want to be in, but is there any specific one that you'd rather me be in? Draco seemed to only favor Slytherin." Lily said, and shoved more cereal into her mouth.

"Well in all honesty, I'd be most happy if you got Slytherin, since it was the house that I was in. I wouldn't despise you for being in a different house, though. I'd just much prefer you to be in Slytherin." He stated. He looked at the clock impatiently.

"Are you almost ready?"

-

The trip to Kings Cross station was quiet and awkward. Neither Snape nor Lily said a word, so Lily's heart jumped with relief when she saw that they had arrived.

"Which platform do we go on to reach the Hogwarts train?" She asked, and Snape simply replied with, "To her to the Hogwarts Express, we go on platform nine and three quarters."

Lily opened her mouth to question him, but as the smallest sound of the beginning of a word came out of her mouth, Snape quickly added, "You'll find out."