His Birthday
As the year went on, Lily and Severus would spend nearly every day together, each telling each other parts of each of their worlds. Lily had plenty of stories from her school, where she would continue to get bullied, and Severus had plenty to tell her of the wizarding world. He knew that he could get in trouble for it, but he was certain that she was a witch. Lily had tried more tricks with magic, but she could only really accomplish moving the flowers, because wandless magic was obviously not that easy. The leaves on the weeping willow came and went, and the weather got warmer and cooler, until it was finally January of 1971.
“Happy birthday Sev!” Lily exclaimed, very excited to be celebrating his birthday for the first time in their friendship.
“Aww, Lily, thank you so much!”
“Of course, I’ve been so excited for weeks now! I got you a gift!” she said with a wink. She had been working on this ever since that day months and months ago when he told her what his birthday was. She knew that it would be hard to top the crystal flowers that he had made for her the previous year, but she was sure that this would at least come close.
She handed him the box, eager for his reaction. He unwrapped it and opened it very slowly, which made Lily very tense. He looked up at her and smirked, which let her know that he was doing it intentionally.
“Oh my gosh, Sev, just open it already!”
“Oh, fine,” he said with one final smirk.
He opened it to find a book, fully written and illustrated by Lily herself. At first he looked confused, which frightened her, but once he started reading through it, he smiled. It was a book going through their adventures at the weeping willow tree together. The crystal flowers, the tree branch falling, the countless magic flowers, the stories, everything. Every evening, Lily had written an entry for what they had done that day, and had tried to illustrate it. She was a very gifted artist, so this came easily for her. The past two weeks, because she had gotten a paint set for Christmas, she had worked tirelessly on finishing and painting every illustration. She had even gotten her father to bind the book for her in leather. At the end of the book was a page explaining how Severus was the best friend she had ever had, and how happy she was that she had met him.
“Wow, Lily, this is extraordinary! I have never seen anything like it. I love it so much!” he said, and then he ran up to hug her. They had never hugged before, even though they had been friends for almost a year by then. Lily didn’t mind though, she didn’t overthink it. She loved hugs, and she loved that he was happy with his gift. The hug didn’t last long though, Severus had broken it. He seemed a bit awkward, but Lily didn’t pay this any mind.
“I’m so happy you like it! I’ve worked on it almost every day since you’ve told me when your birthday is.”
“I really truly think that this is one of the best gifts that I have ever received,” he said.
They then sat down together, a good energy in the air. Severus was being quiet, obviously lost in thought. Lily was observing him, but at the same time she was wondering what she would make him for next year. Would she make the same thing? Would she have to think of something better? She ended up deciding to think about it later.
After a while, she said, “Are you okay Sev? You seem to be lost in thought.”
He smiled slightly, still looking out at the pond. Then he took a deep breath and said, “It came. This morning. The letter.”
Lily gasped, knowing exactly what letter he was talking about. “You’re… You’re going to Hogwarts?”
“Yes! I have been so excited for this day all of my life, but now I’m not so sure. I mean, you’re my only friend. I would never want to go to Hogwarts without you.”
“Well, Sev, I’m sure that I’m going too! I just haven’t turned eleven yet! I’m sure as soon as I do, a letter will come flying in for me, too!”
“Yeah, I guess so, but I don’t know. Hopefully,” he said.
“Well I’m happy for you. You’ve been dreaming of this your whole life. Anyway, on another note, are you doing anything special for your birthday?”
“Nope. I mean, I guess my mother is making me one of my favorite dinners, so that’s something.”
“Well, that’s good.”
By this time, the mood had shifted. For the first time in a while, there was awkwardness lingering in the air. They were both silent for a while, until Severus broke the silence.
“You know, this has to be one of the best birthdays I have ever had.”
“Really?”
“For sure.”
“Why?”
“Well, I’ve never told you this, but do you want to know why I have all of these bruises?” he asked.
“If you’re willing to tell me,” Lily answered unsurely.
“It’s because of my father. He’s not too fond of me and my mother. He beats us when we do anything wrong. That’s why I try to spend so much time away from the house, here at this tree, with you.
I know that that is a lot to process, but just know that I’m fine. I will be fine. I just want you to know how grateful I am for you. You have made my life so much better, I just want you to know that.”
“Aww, Sev, you're so sweet. I am so sorry that that has happened to you, and just know that I am always here for you,” she said, and then she went in for the second hug of the day. No wait, the second hug ever.
This hug lasted much longer than the first. She could feel Severus start to cry, and they just stood there for a moment, letting out so many emotions with so few words. It was then, at that moment, that she knew she would be there for him. Always.