The Hogwarts Express
The Hogwarts Express was just beginning its journey when Lily, feeling a pang of longing for her sister Petunia, playfully teased Severus about his behavior toward her. Before the conversation could develop further, James Potter and Sirius Black entered the compartment and joined them.
For James, Lily was like a fiery fairy—her vibrant red hair, sparkling green eyes, and vivacious personality captured his attention instantly. Trying to impress her, James asked Lily about her family and which Hogwarts house she hoped to join.
Lily replied, “I’m Lily Evans, and this is Severus Snape.”
James, in his usual bold manner, responded, “Oh, you’re both Muggle-born, then. Welcome to the magical world!”
At this, Lily’s temper flared. “How presumptuous! Severus is a half-blood from the Prince family, and as for me, I’m technically a pure-blood, descended from the Macmillan, Prewett, and Shafiq families.”
Sirius Black, ever the skeptic, interrupted with a grin. “So, either you’re a pure-blood or you’re not.”
Lily, unfazed, clarified, “I’m a descendant of the squibs in those families.”
James, who had been listening intently, piped up. “Wait, so you’re telling me you’re not exactly a ‘pureblood’ pureblood, huh? That’s interesting.”
Lily sighed, her patience wearing thin. “I’m a witch, Potter. Doesn’t matter if my great-great-grandfather was a squib or not. My blood is just as magical as anyone’s.”
Sirius burst out laughing at the thought of how his own family would react to that revelation. Severus, misinterpreting the laughter, assumed it was aimed at Lily, and a subtle tension began to build between the two boys.
Curious about their house preferences, James asked, “So, which house do you both want?”
Without missing a beat, James answered, “Gryffindor, of course. It’s the best one to be in.”
Severus looked between the two, noticing how Lily defended herself with a quiet fierceness. He gave a slight nod of approval before turning to James with a defensive air. “There’s nothing wrong with Slytherin, Potter. It’s not about blood. It’s about ambition. And perhaps intelligence, as Ravenclaw would do just as well.”
James raised an eyebrow at that, clearly curious. “Oh, so you’d be happy in Ravenclaw, then? Slytherin’s not for you?”
Severus glared at him, but his words remained calm. “I have no issues with Slytherin, but Ravenclaw would suit me just as well.”
Lily watched Severus, her thoughts momentarily shifting from the heated conversation about blood status. Her mind wandered to the Sorting, wondering where she might end up. “The Prewetts usually go to Gryffindor, the Macmillans to Hufflepuff, and the Shafiqs to Slytherin,” she said slowly. “I don’t really know where I belong, to be honest.”
Sirius, who had been staring out of the window, turned back to them with a grin. “Anywhere but Slytherin, right? I’d rather be in any other house. I’m not about to end up like my family.”
Lily gave him an understanding nod. “I get that. You want to be different.”
Severus, still focused on the conversation, quietly added, “There’s nothing wrong with Slytherin. It’s a house of ambition, of intellect. There’s no shame in it.”
James, eager to shift gears again, asked, “So, what about your sister, Lily? What’s she like? I take it Petunia’s a Muggle, right?”
Lily’s face softened at the mention of her sister. “She’s not a Muggle,” she corrected. “She’s a witch. But, she... she didn’t start her studies at Hogwarts with us. Petunia’s a year older, and her magic was only recently discovered, so she’s going to Mahoutokoro instead.”
Severus, who had been listening intently, added with a slight edge to his voice, “Mahoutokoro in Japan is one of the most prestigious magical schools. Petunia’s magic is rare. It demanded a different path.”
Sirius raised an eyebrow. “If she’s a witch, why isn’t she here with you? That’s odd, isn’t it?”
Lily hesitated for a moment. “It’s complicated. Petunia... she’s always been different from me. And she has her own path to follow, one that takes her far away from Hogwarts.”
James, sensing that the topic was making Lily uncomfortable, quickly changed the subject. “Well, enough about family drama. I’m just glad we’re finally on the same train to Hogwarts! I’ll bet we’ll all end up in Gryffindor, anyway.”
Lily smiled faintly. “Maybe. We’ll see.”
The conversation shifted again as the train chugged along toward their magical destination, each of them contemplating what awaited them at Hogwarts — a new world, new friendships, and for some, new rivalries.
Severus, his sharp eyes catching the subtle shifts in Lily’s mood, couldn't resist asking the question that had been lingering in his mind for a while. He studied her carefully, noting the way her expression softened when she spoke of her sister. “What house do you think Petunia would’ve been in at Hogwarts?”
Lily paused, considering the question for a moment. She let out a small sigh, eyes clouding with memories of Petunia’s stubbornness, her fiercely independent nature, and that air of confidence that always seemed to hover just out of reach. “Petunia? Hmm... I’d say Gryffindor,” she said thoughtfully. “She’s got the stubbornness, the determination. Always had to prove herself to everyone, especially to me.”
She gave a small, teasing smile, one that was more playful than bitter. “She probably would’ve made a lot of trouble for you, Severus. I can already picture you having to battle all the other Gryffindors to keep her for yourself.”
Severus’s face flushed immediately, his usual defensiveness rising to the surface. He glanced away quickly, hoping to hide the small, guilty thrill that ran through him at the thought. He had never been particularly open about his feelings toward Petunia, but there were times, when no one was looking, when his eyes lingered a little too long on her.
“W-What are you talking about?” he stammered, quickly adjusting his posture and looking out the window, his cheeks still burning.
Lily’s grin widened, a knowing gleam in her eyes. “Oh, don’t act so surprised, Severus. I’ve noticed the way you look at her when you think no one’s watching. It’s not like I don’t see the way your eyes follow her, even when she’s not paying attention.”
Severus turned even redder, his discomfort palpable, but he was determined to recover his composure. “I—well, I haven’t made any decisions about her,” he muttered, then added, “Maybe it’s better that she’s not here, actually. It’s not like I’d have any chance anyway.”
Lily raised an eyebrow, leaning in slightly with a teasing look. “Really? You don’t think she’d be interested? Maybe she’d surprise you, Severus. Who knows, maybe you’d have more of an opportunity than you think.”
Severus, trying to regain control of the conversation, quickly shifted his gaze back to her. “Well, maybe I’ll find that opportunity in Japan, won’t I?” he said, his voice soft but firm. “Nobody knows what could happen there. Things are different. I won’t have to deal with anyone else... and maybe she’ll see things differently, too.”
Lily’s teasing expression softened, and she looked at Severus more seriously. There was something in his voice, something not entirely playful or defensive. He sounded almost... hopeful.
“You really think she might see you differently?” Lily asked, her tone a little gentler now, the teasing fading.
Severus nodded, though his expression remained guarded. “I don’t know. It’s hard to say. I just...” He trailed off, as if unsure of how to explain his feelings, or perhaps unwilling to admit just how much hope he had.
Lily considered him for a moment, sensing the rare vulnerability in his voice. “Well, whatever happens, Severus... I think you should try. Maybe it’s better to see what could happen than wonder forever.”
Severus looked at her, his usual dark and guarded expression softening slightly. He didn’t respond immediately but gave her a small, almost imperceptible nod. For a moment, the conversation hung in the air, as if both of them were acknowledging something unspoken, something deeper than their usual bickering or teasing.
As the train continued its journey, the quiet understanding between them lingered, a brief moment of honesty in the midst of their usual dynamic. And though Lily continued to tease Severus, there was something more than mockery in her tone now—perhaps a bit of sympathy, or even curiosity about the quiet possibilities that lay ahead for both of them.