Chapter 3

My friendship with Severus didn't change the other children's disdain and isolation towards him. Despite my support, no one openly called him a freak anymore, but their faces clearly showed they didn't want to be near him.

Older kids made their hostility more obvious, using their height advantage to block his path with menacing expressions that barely concealed their fear. Perhaps, in the eyes of other children, these older ones were heroes bravely driving away the "monster."

I found it all rather ridiculous. Since my popularity wasn't enough to protect him, I decided to leave with Severus.

I pulled Severus away from them. Once we were out of sight, he stopped and looked down. "You don't have to walk with me."

"I'm not that kind of person. We're friends." I rolled my eyes, pulling him along. "They're just cowards, really."

Severus looked up at me, a smile lighting up his eyes.

"Forget them. Let's go to my house. My mom made some delicious snacks this morning. Do you like books? I never went to kindergarten; my parents taught me to read at home. I love reading, and I have lots of picture books you might like. I'll be six in September and start school next year. What about you?"

I babbled on, as Severus was too quiet and someone had to keep the conversation going.

He seemed puzzled by my chatter. "I might not go to a Muggle school…"

"Muggle?"

"People without magic. My mother is a witch, and she teaches me at home. When I turn eleven, I'll go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to learn magic."

"A magic school? Can Muggles go there?"

He looked at me nervously. "No, they can't."

I felt a pang of disappointment. A world I couldn't enter. But I quickly smiled. "That's a shame. I'm really interested. You'll have to tell me all about it since I can't see it myself."

He nodded firmly. "I will."

Seeing his serious expression, my mood lifted. Even if I couldn't access the magical world, having a wizard friend was pretty cool.

From then on, we became inseparable friends.

I often invited Severus to my house. My parents were very kind to him, and Mom always prepared extra portions of the nutritious meals she made for me when he visited.

Over time, Severus looked healthier than when we first met, though he remained quite thin.

Since we no longer played with other kids, I developed a habit of morning runs and dragged Severus along. He initially protested, having never exercised before, but I'd put on a world-weary face and say, "A healthy body is the most important thing. You can't understand what it's like to be bedridden for years."

He'd look at me skeptically, as if to say, "Do you know what that's like?" before I forcibly dragged him outside. The daily run wasn't long, and he got used to it over time.

Occasionally, I'd visit his house and see his mother, Mrs. Snape, who remained somewhat gloomy but was friendly towards me and didn't oppose our friendship.

One evening, I went to his house and met his father. He was drunk.

I couldn't talk to Severus that evening. Before he went inside, I asked him to come to my house the next day. He didn't respond and went in.

He didn't come the next day, which worried me. I told Isaya, who came with me to check on him. We found Severus and his mother bearing signs of domestic violence.

Isaya was furious and discussed it with Hughes for a long time. Eventually, they talked to Mrs. Snape and Severus about their situation. Finally, Severus's mother, Eileen Prince, divorced his father, Tobias Snape.

When I later mentioned the divorce to Severus, he said grimly, "I've wanted to get rid of that monster for a long time."

I was speechless. It seemed my parents' persuasion for Mrs. Prince to divorce was the right decision.

When I asked about their livelihood, Severus proudly said his mother's family was renowned for their potion-making skills. She could make potions at home and sell them in the magical world, enough to support them.

This outcome was indeed positive. Our families grew closer, and since they stayed in their house on Spinner's End, visiting each other was convenient.

Time flew by, and I was nine. One day after school, while reading in my room, Severus came to find me.

He was excited, pulling me outside without explaining where we were going. On the way, he whispered mysteriously, "I've found someone. She's a witch! I've been watching her for a while. I'm sure of it!"

My curiosity was piqued.

Following him to a nearby playground, we hid in the bushes. The playground was empty, but soon two girls arrived.

They went to the swings. The smaller girl swung higher and higher until she let go, soaring through the air with a joyous laugh. Her beautiful deep red hair flamed as it flew.

She didn't crash onto the asphalt but glided gracefully, like an acrobat, before lightly landing on the ground.

Wow! I was stunned and a bit envious.

I glanced at Severus, who wore a look of excitement and longing.

The older girl started arguing with her, and Severus seemed ready to rush out. I quickly held him back. "You'll scare them if you just show up!" I whispered.

He snapped back to reality, looking embarrassed. I quietly led him out of the bushes, away from the girls' sight and hearing. "Do they come here often?"

"Yes, every day around this time except weekends."

I teased him, "You've been observing closely, haven't you? She is quite pretty." Such a precocious boy.

Severus blushed. "She's a witch… the first one I've seen besides my mother."

His blush amused me.

"Let's meet her tomorrow. Dress nicely! Wear the outfit we gave you for your birthday this year; it looks great!"

It was a simple child's outfit: a knitted pullover, black jacket, and jeans. Simple and suitable for Severus.

He blushed even more and muttered an agreement, suddenly quickening his pace.

Watching him flee, I laughed and ran to catch up. Teasing him was too fun.

The next day, he arrived in the outfit I suggested, and we set off to meet the little witch.

"Aren't you going to change?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at my boyish attire. "She'll think you're a boy. Everyone does at first."

I was taken aback.

"I suppose I do look like a boy… Okay, more than a bit." Seeing his raised eyebrow, I quickly amended.

With my short hair, androgynous features, and boyish clothes, I was a tomboy. Even Severus didn't realize I was a girl until the second year we knew each other when our families celebrated Christmas together and I wore a dress.

My family teased me for ages. That innocent dress became a symbol of my refusal to wear it.

Isaya persistently bought me more girl clothes, determined to turn me into a "normal" girl.

Reluctantly, I compromised, wearing more girly clothes and occasionally dresses, as long as they weren't pink or lacey.

After changing into something more acceptable, Severus and I headed out.

He looked presentable, healthy, and though still thin, he seemed more robust. His short black hair was cut at my insistence. Walking together, we looked like siblings. I was three months older and a bit taller.

At the playground, the girls hadn't arrived yet. We sat on the grass, and I gave Severus some pointers.

We were deep in discussion when the girls arrived and headed for the swings. Our plan began.

Pointing to a large rock under a tree, I loudly asked, "Sev, can you move that big rock?"

Severus played along, evaluating the rock. "Hmm, I think so. Let me try…"

I glanced at the girls. They were watching us, curious.

The rock slowly floated towards us. I stopped him. "Not now, people might see."

Severus pretended to be startled, the rock dropping with a thud and raising dust.

The younger girl, excited, ran towards us, ignoring her sister's protests.

"Excuse me, did you just… Can you do that too?" she asked.

"Too?" Severus caught the keyword.

"Yes, sometimes I do strange things, like making things float. Can you do that too?"

Severus couldn't hide his excitement. "Yes, it seems we're the same!"

"The same how?"

"We're wizards," Severus said matter-of-factly. "That's magic. We have magical powers."

Watching them chat, I was pleased. I turned to the older girl, who was watching with envy.

"You don't need to envy them. We non-magical people have our own world. We live just fine without magic." Comforting her, I shrugged, "Though I do envy them a bit."

She smiled.

She told me only Lily, the younger girl, had such powers in their family. I was curious if Muggle families could have magical children.

Lily, the little witch, introduced herself and her special friend to her sister. Up close, I noticed her beautiful green eyes.

Severus responded coolly. Besides me and my family, he was aloof and even hostile to others. He hadn't made any other friends over the years. Lily was the first stranger he showed interest in.

After introducing Lily to me, it was nearly dark. We arranged to meet again and went our separate ways.

On the way home, despite Severus's efforts to stay calm, I could see the excitement in his flushed cheeks. I found it amusing and had a strange feeling of pride, like a parent watching their child grow. Shaking my head, I dismissed the thought.