Severus, good to finally meet you
After our eventful first week back, the rest of January was pretty average. We had lessons, my brother and his friends released pixies in the dining hall, I received perfect marks, and the weather was icy and cold. The last day of January was special, however, it was Lily’s birthday.
“Finally another one of us is twelve!” Mary sighed “I spent months as the only twelve year old around here!”
“Sirius is twelve, you could’ve hung around with him.” Marlene said, unimpressed. Marlene was born in August so by the time Mary was twelve, Marlene was barely eleven. Mary rolled her eyes.
“Ok so I know you guys have planned things for tonight.” Lily started, her tone was nervous, I could tell this was going to be bad. “But I told Sev that he could join us.”
None of us spoke. I was surprised Marlene didn’t yell over my dead body! But she couldn’t, it was Lily’s birthday.
“We will have to move the celebration out of the common room then… I’m not sharing the password with him.” Marlene said.
“We can have it in the astrology tower, then we’ll be able to see the stars!” I said.
“That sounds romantic! We should invite your brother and his friends!” Mary said. I looked at her both confused and astounded. Lily also looked grossed out. “Or.. it can just be us and Snape… yay.!” She said very unenthusiastic, unfortunately Lily took it as a win.
And so the three of us marched on to the astrology tower to decorate. We put up blankets and pillows, Marlene got the house elves to prepare food and cake, Mary did last minute touch up on the presents: we had gotten her new shoes, a book bag, and way too much chocolate.
It was twenty minutes before we told Lily to arrive that Severus showed up. Even more unfortunate, I had to greet him.
“Severus, so good to see you. I can’t believe you made it even though we didn’t tell you about it. Please put your gift over there.” I said dryly, we both knew I didn’t want him there and he didn’t want me there.
“Potter.” He scoffed. I saw my opportunity. I stuck out my hand like I was going for a handshake.
“Hi Im Hazel Potter nice to meet you.” I said, I even smiled. He looked very confused, it was fun to mess with him.
“What?”
“I realized we’ve never actually met. And since you’re such good friends with Lily, I imagine we’ll be spending loads of time together. Just think the five of us hanging out every week for the next seven years! Im already envisioning a mix Slytherin and Gryffindor party! You can hang out with my brother and I!” I said excitedly, I could see the horror in his eyes, it was great. He left me and went to place his gift. Mary and Marlene ran up to me.
“How did you do that?” Mary asked
“He looks terrified! Tell me your secrets!” Marlene had fire in her eyes.
“It was great I just told him we’d could spend more time together and be friends! I meant none of it but I guess it’s more scary for him than for us! Who knew all we’d have to do is be nice to him!” I said, we all laughed and Lily walked in.
“This place looks amazing!” Lily gasped.
“Hi Lily!” Severus said in the weirdest, kindest most normal person way I could never imagine coming from him.
“Lily we were just becoming friends.” I smiled at Severus, he looked like I was torturing him. This was great. Lily looked confused but she didn’t ask about it.
We spent the night eating, talking, eating, watching Severus whisper to Lily and not talking to the group.
“Look! It’s a full moon!” Mary ran to the edge, we all followed her, even Severus. The moon was so pretty, I always liked seeing the stars and the moon. Especially full moons, they were mesmerizing to look at. It was so pretty I almost didn’t notice the sounds, by the forbidden forest there was something like screams, howls, scowls. It was a little scary.
“Rumor has it,” Severus started out of nowhere, we jumped. “There’s a house that recently became haunted. My dad was telling me all about it. Turns out a bunch of ghosts inhabited it and just scream.” He looked excited about it. Only a screen would A: know this much about distant screams and B: be excited about it.
“That’s horrible.” Lily said staring at the forest.
“Uh… cake anyone?” Marlene asked and we nodded leaving the house of ghosts and hopefully the screaming.