The day of our departure to Hogwarts arrived, and excitement buzzed in the air. Mom and Dad drove us to King's Cross Station, their chatter filling the car as they gave last-minute advice and reminders. When we arrived, the hustle and bustle of the station was familiar yet magical as ever. The sight of families with trunks and pets heading toward Platform 9¾ filled me with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation.
Once we reached the barrier, Dad looked down at Lily and me, his eyes soft with emotion. "You two have fun this year, alright? Work hard, but don't forget to enjoy yourselves."
Mom smiled, cupping Lily and I face gently. "And write to us often. We'll miss you so much."
Lily and I promised we would, and after hugs, forehead kisses, and reluctant goodbyes, we turned to head toward the platform. I could hear Mom reminding Dad not to linger too long, her voice cracking slightly with emotion.
As we emerged on the other side, the scarlet engine of the Hogwarts Express stood proudly, steam billowing into the crisp morning air. Students and parents swarmed the platform, creating a symphony of laughter, chatter, and excitement.
"Let's find Severus," I said, grabbing Lily's hand and weaving through the crowd.
It didn't take long. Severus was standing with his mother near one of the farthest corners of the platform. His back was to us, and he seemed deep in conversation with her. I smiled mischievously and tugged Lily along.
"Sev!" I called out, running the last few steps and throwing my arms around him in a hug.
He stiffened in surprise, clearly not having noticed our approach. But the shock melted away as he turned his head, a wide smile breaking across his face. "Petunia!"
Lily greeted him warmly as well, and then I turned to his mother. "Mrs. Snape!" I said brightly, pulling away from Severus. "It's so good to see you again."
Eileen Snape's sharp features softened as she smiled at me. "Petunia dear, and you must be Lily, it's lovely to see you both. And thank you for being such good friends to Severus."
"Of course," I said with a grin. "He's my best friend."
At that, Severus averted his gaze, his pale cheeks tinged with a faint pink." Are you okay sev are you sick?" i asked with concern
Eileen noticed and chuckled softly. "It must be the weather," she said, winking playfully at her son.
I laughed along, though I didn't miss the warmth in her tone. Eileen Snape had always been kind to us, but today there was a certain glow about her—a pride and happiness that spoke of a mother who had fought hard for her child.
"Oh! I almost forgot," I added, suddenly feeling sheepish. "I still have your book, the one Severus lent me two years ago. I was planning to send it back over Christmas break."
Eileen waved her hand dismissively. "Keep it, dear. Consider it a gift."
"Thank you!" I beamed at her.
As the final call for boarding sounded, Eileen gave Severus a tight hug, murmuring something softly to him. He nodded, and after a heartfelt goodbye, the three of us headed toward the train.
As we walked down the corridor of the train, searching for an empty compartment, I couldn't help but notice the changes in Severus. He had grown taller, his black hair neatly trimmed and shining in the sunlight streaming through the windows. His dark eyes held a quiet confidence that had been absent before, and his pale skin seemed healthier, glowing with the vibrancy of youth.
This wasn't the Severus I remembered from canon—a thin, sallow-skinned boy weighed down by neglect and insecurity. This Severus had a loving family, a childhood filled with care and support, and a chance to truly be himself.
He caught me staring and raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
I smiled warmly. "Nothing. I'm just glad you're happy."
He blinked, surprised by the comment, and then gave a small, confused smile. "Thank you?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "Come on, let's find a compartment before they're all taken."
Grabbing his arm and Lily's hand, I led them down the corridor. My heart swelled with pride as I glanced back at Severus, who was chatting easily with Lily. This was the boy I'd always wanted him to be—strong, confident, and full of life.
Once we found an empty compartment, we settled in, chatting as the train began to move. The excitement of returning to Hogwarts was palpable, and the hum of conversation from other students filled the air.
When the trolley lady came around, I jumped up enthusiastically. "Anything from the trolley, dears?" she asked with a warm smile.
"I'll treat us!" I declared, pulling out a shiny Galleon from my pocket.
Lily's eyebrows shot up. "Where did you get a Galleon?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.
I grinned, holding the coin up. "This is the Galleon Mom and Dad gave me last year," I said proudly. "I saved it. Didn't spend a knut of it the whole year, even when I really wanted to. So now, I'm using it to treat us!" which is a lie it was the money i get from the vault
Lily blinked in surprise before smiling warmly. "You're so thoughtful, Petunia."
Severus smirked, shaking his head. "Very strategic saving," he teased.
I laughed, feeling a little shy from their praise. "Well, it's worth it."
I bought a whole assortment of treats: Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Licorice Wands, and Pumpkin Pasties. I piled them onto the small table in the center of our compartment.
"Help yourselves!" I said, unwrapping a Chocolate Frog.
As we snacked, the conversation naturally turned to our summers. Severus, his dark eyes sparkling, shared his news first. "My grandfather got me the latest broom for Christmas," he said, a rare note of excitement in his usually calm tone.
"Are you planning to join the Quidditch team?" I asked, leaning forward.
He smiled and nodded. "I am. I heard the Seeker position is vacant since McLaggen graduated. I thought I'd try out."
"You should absolutely go for it!" I said, my voice full of encouragement.
Lily chimed in, her face lighting up. "Yes, Sev! You'd be brilliant as a Seeker. You're quick and focused—it's perfect for you."
Severus's cheeks flushed faintly as he smiled. "Thanks. That means a lot."
"And what about you two?" he asked, shifting the attention to us.
"Well," I began, "we had a trip to America. You've been there, right?"
Severus nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Yes, we visited the magical community there a year ago. It's... interesting."
Lily jumped in, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "We did the trip in a Muggle way! We visited Disneyland and spent days on the beaches in California. It was so much fun—completely different from anything magical."
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Disneyland?"
"It's this amazing theme park!" Lily said, launching into an animated description of the rides, parades, and fireworks. Severus listened intently, though he looked amused by her excitement.
We continued chatting, swapping stories and laughing, until the rhythmic motion of the train and the warm sunlight streaming through the windows lulled us into a comfortable silence. One by one, we drifted off to sleep.
I woke up with a start, noticing the train had begun to slow. The familiar landscape of the Hogwarts grounds was coming into view. "Wake up!" I said, nudging Severus and Lily. "We're almost there! We need to get ready."
We scrambled to put on our robes, the excitement of arriving at Hogwarts kicking in. As the train came to a stop, we joined the throng of students disembarking onto the platform.
I stepped off the train and took a deep breath, the crisp evening air filling my lungs. A smile spread across my face as I whispered to myself, "Welcome home."