always, and forever
Lily put on her best dress, today was the reaping. It was her very first time. She had just turned twelve that summer. Her best friend Severus was now thirteen. He had explained everything to her. Lily was glad she had a friend like him. They were very different from each other. They had been best friends for as long as Lily could remember. Petunia, her sister was now fourteen. Lily was nervous for the reaping. She didn't know what she would do if one of them would be picked.
A knock was heard on their dor, it was Severus. He came to pick Lily up just like he promised. She swung open the door and gave him a small wave. She told her mom they would be off and headed out. They chatted a bit about anything but the reaping. Lily knew this was Severus his way of coping with stuff, just avoid the actual topic at all cost.
They arrived at the square. First they have to give off a sample of blood. "Name?" The man behind the table said. The sound of his voice made lily nervous. "Lily Evans," She muttered with her head hanging low. He grabbed her arm with a hard grip. He poked the little needle in her arm, it stung. Lily wanted to pull back her arm but she knew that wasn't a choice. She snapped her eyes shut until the needle left her arm. When that was done she walked over to Severus who was waiting for her. She gave him a small smile but he didn't smile back. Together, in silence they walked the last part towards the town square where the reaping would take place.
They both went different ways. Lily stood to the left with all the girls and Severus to the right. Eventually as everybody piled in she lost sight of her best friend. Petunia, her sister came to stand beside her. They held hands, Petunia's hand was warm and sweaty. At the front on the platform stood a woman. Her name was minerva. She was from the capitol and every year she picked the tributes out of the big glass jars. Minerva never seemed too happy to do the job but she went with it anyway. Lily found that weird, couldn't she just find another job? Maybe the capitol forced her too.
She tapped the microphone, everything fell silent. It was almost like the birds also stopped with their singing for a bit. "Welcome boys and girls." Minerva started. Her voice was dull. "Today the two tributes for the 73th hunger games will be picked." Petunia squeezed Lily's hand and gave her a small sad smile. "As you all know one male and one female will be picked, they will represent district twelve in the hunger games." Lily swallowed, a little voice in the back of her head told her something bad would happen. She told the small voice to be quiet.
Minerva walked over to the girls side. She slowly lowered her hand into the big bowl. She pulled out one of the many pieces of paper. She closed her fist around it and waked over to the microphone. She opened the paper, she spoke a name Lily didn't recognize. Lily was secretly relieved, her and her sister were spared for another year. Minerva called out for the girl to come to the stage. A girl slowly shuffled towards the front. People were screaming and crying. The girl stared in shock at her shoes. "Our first tribute, now for the boys." Minerva called through the microphone.
She pulled another piece of paper out of the bowl. I searched the crowd for Sev but he was no where to be seen. She walked back to the microphone. She slowly folded the piece of paper open. "Sever-"
Lily didn't hear the rest of the name. She screamed out. She screamed and cried. Slowly Severus came into her vision. She pushed everyone aside and ran towards him. She hugged him tightly and was planning to never let go. "Lily," He whispered into her hair. "Stay strong, make sure my family is safe." He continued. "NO!" Lily screamed when two strong arms grabbed hers. Two guards pulled her away from him. He gave her a small teary smile. He slowly walked towards the stage, those seconds felt like hours.
Petunia pulled Lily back into the crowd and hugged her tightly. She shushed her lightly. "And our male tribute Severus Snape. Let the hunger games begin and may the odds be ever in your favor." Sev and the girl were pushed inside the building behind them. Lily sobbed into Petunia's dress. Soon their mom came to guide them away from the town square. Only family was allowed to say good bye.
Lily had never felt that pain that she had felt in that moment.