Chapter 4 - Meeting
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Severus quickly realized he had made one of the biggest mistakes of his life by pledging his allegiance to Voldemort.
Having held a curiosity for the Dark Arts since he could remember, he discovered he absolutely despised seeing what that foul magic was actually capable of.
The burning buildings.
The mutilated corpses.
The sinister joy that seemed to overtake each and every one of Voldemort’s followers who had fully and completely committed themselves to slaughtering anyone in their path.
Entire nights passed during which Severus spent the hours vomiting in response to the sickening traumas he had witnessed while forced to stand at Voldemort’s side.
As the semester began, any anxieties he felt about teaching his own group of students quickly vanished.
His worries had moved on to far more serious matters than how to deal with his new pupils.
If he and Lily hadn’t continued their exchange of letters, Severus very well may have lost his mind during those first agonizing days spent in his new positions.
One Friday evening, after a painfully long week and a grueling essay grading session that followed the afternoon’s last class, Severus blinked as a tawny owl swooped in through the open dungeon doorway with a letter in its beak.
Late mail usually arrived directly.
He scowled as he took the parcel from the bird before it blinked and flew away.
Severus frowned as he slit the envelope and pulled out the letter from within.
His dark eyes narrowed as he read over the written lines:
Hey Sev,
Sorry it’s a bit short notice. I understand if you’re busy, but I’ll be in Hogsmeade tonight for a job interview. I thought I’d drop by the Three Broomsticks around nine…..If you’re able, would you like to share a Butterbeer and catch up? I feel like it’s been ages since we’ve seen each other.
Your friend,
Lily
Severus held his breath.
Piles of work remained waiting to be completed, but classes were finished and he had the entire lonely weekend ahead of himself to finish his many tasks.
Lily’s letter fluttered to his desk as he stood from his chair and rushed past the empty tables of the Potions Classroom, his black robes swishing past the neglected benches.
As he hurriedly prepared himself to see his darling that very evening, he glanced at the time.
With less than thirty minutes to get to Hogsmeade and find a seat in The Three Broomsticks, Severus wasted no time in leaving his chambers and hurrying out of the castle.
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Lily couldn’t help but feel guilty about lying to her best friend.
There had been no job interview, only a sly excuse to come and see Severus without revealing her visit’s true purpose.
As she stood at her vanity and ran a brush through her long, red hair, she smirked to herself as she imagined the joy she would feel at seeing Severus again.
She blinked as she laid her brush down and began to cover her lips in the red lipstick she had come to favour over the last few years before she applied a bit of black mascara.
What did it hurt to look her best?
Although Severus may never feel the way she did for him, maybe he could at least…….
A pout formed on Lily’s lips as she stopped suddenly.
He would think she had gone mad.
She stood to remove her dress and settle back in for the evening, certain Severus would decline her invitation.
He had always hated surprises.
Her fingers had barely touched the cold metal of the zipper when a sudden tapping on her window prompted her to glance towards the glass.
Cautiously, Lily stepped over and opened the window to retrieve the envelope from the owl who stood perched on the outside sill.
Her emerald eyes lit up as she scanned over the answer it contained.
As her fingers fell away from the zipper, she giggled to herself as she sprayed a single burst of her most expensive perfume before she took her wand in her hand and gladly apparated away.
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Lily’s cheeks had pinkened with anxious excitement by the time she arrived at The Three Broomsticks.
The woman who stood at the front of the crowded pub stared at Lily as she raced up and gladly let her know, “I’m meeting a friend here! I-“
“-There’s still plenty of room this evening.” The hostess interrupted her as she gestured inside.
As soon as Lily rushed past her, the hostess rolled her eyes.
The last thing she wanted to hear was another lengthy explanation about how and why a table was needed.
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Lily combed the entire restaurant with a frown before she ended up on the second floor.
A sigh escaped her lips as she feared Severus may have been delayed.
Determined to secure a decent spot for their rendezvous, she checked the last unsearched corner of the ancient building’s second floor before a happy smile brightened her fair face.
“SEV!” Lily beamed.
Seated at that last table, close to the back, Severus’s mouth fell open in silent awe as she happily walked over and sat down across from him.
It pained him to realize he had not acted quickly enough to stand and pull her chair out for her.
“Thanks for coming!” Lily chirped as she scooted towards the table.
“Of course.” Severus nodded, “I trust the interview went well?”
“Oh…..” Lily blinked, having momentarily forgotten her own lie, “......Yes. What about, er, how have classes been going?”
“As well as can be expected.” Severus cryptically replied.
He would have spurred their conversation on if he hadn’t been so busy memorizing every detail of his exquisite flower, from her tousled, red hair to the sparkling glow that lighted her impossibly green eyes.
“So…….What’s it like being a professor?” Lily chuckled.
Severus replied with a slight shrug, “Perhaps I’ll be better able to answer after I receive my first salary deposit.”
“They still haven’t paid you?” Lily blinked.
“It’s monthly.” He replied, “Week three now, so it should be soon.”
“Ah, well…….Hopefully I’ll be employed before too long.” Lily smiled.
“I’m surprised you aren’t continuing your studies.” Severus frowned.
“I could say the same of you.” Lily playfully chided.
“Hogwarts requires a certain amount of research hours to be completed each term by every active professor.” Severus replied with a frown, “......One could say my studies will never end.”
Lily laughed quietly as Severus’s lips threatened to twitch into something that looked reminiscent of a smile.
“Are you hungry, Sev?” She asked as a server entered the second floor of the establishment and walked towards them.
He forced himself not to sigh as he listened to his familiar nickname leave her beautiful lips.
“My appetite is at its usual minimum. However……We can order whatever you like.” Severus mentioned.
Lily nodded as an uncomfortable silence settled between them.
For the first time in seven years, they found themselves back at the beginning of their friendship.
No more house politics, no gossip, no games, all matters of danger and social acceptance discarded in that single second.
While they sat together in Three Broomsticks, Severus and Lily had become Severus and Lily once more.