Prologue
July 15, 1967. (Saturday)
In the only park of Cokeworth, Petunia Evans was playing with Lily, her sister, while watching the paved road, waiting for their parents to return. They were with their last child, Ivy Evans, consulting with the doctor. Sitting in the waiting room was boring, Petunia knew. But she could settle to read while waiting. Lily, however, could never sit still. So, they were playing to pass the time, anxiously awaiting their parent’s and sister’s return.
Lily was on the swing, begging Petunia to push her more. When she was high enough, she let go of the ropes, giggling, and jumped in the air. Petunia felt her heart in her throat, afraid for the tiny redhead who was like suspend in time and space.
“It’s like I’m flying, Tuney!” She exclaimed, smiling widely.
The young girl of seven years old was light like a feather, slowly falling gently until her feet were touching the grass.
“More like you’re floating, Lils.”
Laughing, Lily launched herself at her sister, hugging her tight. Petunia hugged her back just as tight.
“Can we do it again?” Asked the redhead, her brilliant emerald-green eye shining in the sun, begging her to respond positively.
“You frightened me, Lils. You could have fallen harder. You could have died!”
“Pleeeeaaaase,” she begged, tears starting to well up in her eyes.
Sighing, Petunia rolled her eyes.
“Fine. But if you are hurt, we don’t do it ever again, alright?”
Laughing now, Lily bounced up to the swing, taking her place back. Petunia hid her smile and started to push her sister again. She reassured herself that, even if Lily failed to do her trick again, there was some thick bush facing them to absorb the fall. Maybe there was some brambles in it, but it wouldn’t kill her sister.
Once again, when she was high enough, Lily let go of the swing. And, once again, she floated gently in the air until landing softly on the grass. But this time, there was a small boy facing them. He looked like he was the same age as Lily.
“You’re a witch,” he blurted out suddenly, causing Lily to frown.
“That’s not a nice thing to say!” She yelled furiously, backing away from him. “You’re just mean!”
“No! No, it’s not a bad thing, I swear! I’m like you, I’m a wizard.”
Petunia came behind Lily, scoffing.
“Magic doesn’t exist. You’re not a wizard; you’re weird, unwashed, and mean. Lily is not a witch; she is just light in the air. Now, shoo. We don’t want you here.”
The boy was frowning now, and Petunia could see anger in his eye.
“Well, you, you are just a nasty muggle. You are just a jealous bint.”
“Hey! Don’t call my sister names!” Lily said, just as Petunia was narrowing her eyes at the boy.
“That’s the truth! Just as we are magical, she is clearly not. She’s just jealous of you and I.”
A hand on her sister shoulder, Petunia scoffed.
“Yeah, yeah. Think what you want. But elsewhere. You’re just a little creep. We don’t like your sort here.”
“Tuney! That was mean!”
Lily’s wide eyes were turned on her, almost stunned. Petunia side-hugged her, comforting her.
“This is just what he is, Lils. Come on. I’m sure mum and dad will be here soon. Let’s go back waiting for them and Ivy, okay?”
“But…”
Lily turned back to the boy, resisting Petunia taking her away.
“Hey, what’s your name?”
“Severus. Severus Snape. You?”
“I’m Lily Evans. This is my sister, Petunia. And she can be mean, too, but she is extremely sweet otherwise. I’m sorry she said what she had. You’re sorry, too, right?”
“Y-Yes. Sure. Whatever.”
Petunia didn’t turn around to watch, but she was sure the sad little prick was far from convincing with his apologetic look. She brightened when she heard a child voice babbling, coming their way.
“Lils, let’s go! I can hear Ivy!”
“Oh, alright. Bye Severus, see you later!”
And the two sisters, hand in hand, were running toward the couple coming down the street, swinging their hands with a giggling little girl of two between them.
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