“Oh my, you must be Lily.” Eileen smiled warmly as she welcomed the young girl into the house.
“What a lovely child.” She tilted her head in confusion.
“But why do you look so exhausted?” The moment she heard that question, Lily shot Severus a resentful glare.
Severus calmly looked away, pretending he hadn’t noticed anything.
His reaction only made Lily grit her teeth in frustration.
Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do about it.
Not while his parents were watching.
Tobias, who was sitting comfortably on the sofa with a steaming mug of coffee, also looked over.
Compared to the gloomy, worn-out man he had been two years ago, he now appeared much more relaxed.
He smiled kindly at Lily.
“Welcome.” After exchanging a few pleasantries, Eileen walked over to the fireplace.
She took a pinch of Floo Powder from a flowerpot on the mantel and stepped into the grate.
“Watch carefully.” “If you pronounce the destination clearly, there’s nothing to worry about.” “And even if you make a mistake, I’ll come and find you.” The emerald flames burst to life, swallowing her figure.
A heartbeat later, she vanished.
Lily stared at the fireplace in amazement.
Although she instinctively felt nervous about stepping into the flames herself, her curiosity far outweighed her fear.
Seeing her hesitate, Severus said calmly, “Go ahead.” “I’ll be right behind you.” Lily nodded obediently.
Taking a deep breath, she scooped up a handful of Floo Powder and stepped into the fireplace.
“Diagon Alley!” Whoosh!
The green flames surged upward.
In an instant, Lily disappeared.
Severus watched expressionlessly for another moment before turning toward Tobias.
“I’m heading out, Dad.” “I’ll probably be back a little late.” Tobias nodded without looking up from his coffee.
“Have fun.” After saying goodbye, Severus stepped into the fireplace himself.
A familiar sensation of spinning overtook him.
The fireplaces connected by the Floo Network blurred into a long tunnel of green flames until, moments later, solid ground returned beneath his feet.
He stepped out inside the familiar entrance of the sweet shop connected to the Floo Network.
Lily was already waiting near the front window.
She stared outside with wide eyes, completely captivated by the bustling magical street beyond.
Every passing witch and wizard, every colorful storefront, every strange magical object was enough to hold her attention for several seconds.
Severus smiled faintly.
“Come on.” “I’ll show you around Diagon Alley.” After thanking Eileen, who had arrived moments earlier, he casually bought two pieces of Screaming Candy.
He tossed one to Lily while popping the other into his own mouth before leading her into the crowded street.
With Severus acting as both guide and narrator, Lily’s eyes hardly stopped moving.
Everything around her was new.
Everything was magical.
It felt as though she’d stepped into a dream.
After wandering for a while, Severus pointed toward a narrow old shop.
“First things first.” “Let’s buy your wand.” “I’m sure Mr.
Ollivander will be delighted to meet you.” The moment she heard the word wand, Lily immediately forgot everything else.
Her excitement returned in full force.
The tiny brass bell above the shop door gave a clear chime as they entered.
Almost immediately, the familiar figure of Mr.
Ollivander emerged from between the towering shelves.
“Ah…” His pale silver eyes immediately recognized Severus.
“Mr.
Snape.” “I trust your wand has served you well?” “It has.” Severus nodded.
“It has exceeded every expectation.” “Your craftsmanship truly lives up to Ollivanders’ reputation.” A trace of satisfaction appeared on the old wandmaker’s face.
Only then did he turn his attention to Lily.
“And you’ve brought me another young witch.” “Excellent.” “Let’s see what wand has been waiting for you.” A measuring tape leapt into the air of its own accord, wrapping itself around Lily’s arm, shoulder, height, and fingertips while she squeaked in surprise.
After trying several different wands…
One finally chose her.
Willow.
Ten and a quarter inches.
Dragon heartstring.
The instant Lily grasped it, golden sparks burst from the tip.
A warm breeze swept through the shop, gently rustling the shelves.
Mr.
Ollivander smiled knowingly.
“Excellent.” “I believe you’ve found one another.” Just like Severus had done two years earlier, Lily couldn’t stop admiring her wand.
She carefully ran her fingers over the polished wood, reluctant to let go even for a moment.
After paying seven Galleons and thanking Mr.
Ollivander, the two of them continued shopping.
They purchased three sets of plain Hogwarts robes, a pointed hat, dragon-hide gloves, all of the required first-year textbooks, an owl, and the rest of the supplies listed on Hogwarts’ acceptance letter.
Once everything had been bought, Severus temporarily stored their growing pile of packages at the sweet shop connected to the Floo Network before continuing their stroll through Diagon Alley.
There was no reason to hurry home.
Today was meant to be a celebration.
Passing by an ice cream shop, Severus bought two large cones.
The cool sweetness spread pleasantly across their tongues.
Lily had barely taken her first lick when— Poof!
Her bright red hair suddenly exploded into a fluffy mass of curls that surrounded her head like a giant puffball.
“…” Severus stared silently for a moment.
Then, despite his best efforts…
The corners of his mouth slowly began to rise.
Lily turned around to look at Severus, her face full of confusion.
Before she could ask what had happened, her eyes widened.
The very next second, she burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Severus’s neatly combed black hair had somehow transformed into an outrageous spiky mohawk.
For a brief moment, he simply stood there expressionlessly.
Then he caught sight of his reflection in a nearby shop window.
“…” A moment later, even he couldn’t suppress a smile.
The two of them stood in the middle of Diagon Alley laughing so hard they could barely breathe, completely ignoring the curious looks from passing witches and wizards.
It wasn’t until another chuckle joined theirs that they finally stopped.
The laughter hadn’t come from either of them.
It belonged to someone standing nearby.
Severus quickly composed himself, his expression returning to its usual calm just as the magical prank wore off and his hair returned to normal.
His sharp gaze shifted toward the source of the sound.
It was a young boy standing beside an adult wizard.
The moment their eyes met, the boy visibly tensed.
He looked as though he regretted laughing aloud.
Severus paid little attention to the nervousness.
Instead, his eyes settled on the faint scars crossing the boy’s face.
A flicker of recognition flashed through his eyes.
So it was him…
The man standing beside the child immediately stepped forward.
His face carried obvious signs of exhaustion, as though he had spent years burdened by worries that never truly faded.
After noticing Severus and Lily looking their way, he offered an apologetic smile.
“I’m terribly sorry.” “I didn’t mean for us to interrupt your happy moment.” “We’ll be on our way.” As he spoke, he gently reached for the boy’s hand, intending to leave.
“It’s all right.” Severus shook his head.
“You didn’t interrupt anything.” After a brief pause, he asked, “If I’m not mistaken…” “Your son will be starting Hogwarts this year as well?” The man looked at him in surprise.
Severus extended a hand with a calm smile.
“If that’s the case, we’ll be classmates.” “I don’t think it’s a bad idea to become acquainted before school begins.” Throughout the exchange, Severus quietly observed the boy’s expression.
The moment Hogwarts was mentioned…
Those timid eyes lit up with unmistakable longing.
The man noticed it as well.
Whatever hesitation remained in his heart quietly disappeared.
A warm smile finally appeared on his weary face.
“That would be our pleasure.” “I’m sure the two of you will make wonderful friends.” He crouched down beside the boy and whispered a few words of encouragement.
Only then did the child slowly step forward.
Lily immediately smiled and greeted him first.
“Hello!” “I’m Lily Evans.” “It’s nice to meet you.” “Severus Snape.” Severus gave a slight nod.
The boy nervously looked back and forth between the two of them.
He appeared gentle by nature, with an almost instinctive timidity, as though the slightest fright might send him retreating behind his father.
Encouraged by Lily’s warm smile, he finally took a deep breath.
Gathering every bit of courage he could muster, he spoke in a quiet, slightly trembling voice.
“My…” “My name is Remus Lupin.”