Hogwarts 70's: The Adventures of the Marauders | Headcanon

Autumn, September 1969

Autumn had arrived in Cokeworth, dragging the wind through the park's entrance and carrying away the dry leaves falling from the trees. Lily was there, alone, sitting on the old merry-go-round. Each time she stopped to push herself, her feet sank a little deeper into the damp earth, making the spin slow and lazy.

She kept her eyes fixed on the ground, until suddenly, she saw two old shoes in front of her. She froze for a moment, holding her breath before raising her head. There stood the strange black-haired boy who had called her a witch. That word hadn't left her mind for weeks.

"You again," said Lily, with little enthusiasm, and pushed herself on the merry-go-round without even looking at him.

"Hi," he replied, somewhat hesitantly. "Er... I wanted to apologise for the other day. It didn't go as I expected."

She said nothing, ignoring him as the merry-go-round turned slowly, as if Severus weren't even there. He remained silent for a few seconds, watching her, before gathering the courage to speak again.

"My name is Severus Snape," he finally said, his voice barely a whisper.

Lily glanced up just a little, feeling a pull of curiosity. For several nights, she couldn't stop thinking about what that strange boy had said: witches and wizards? However, she decided not to give him the satisfaction of a response. With a small push, she tried to make the merry-go-round spin faster, though it didn't do much. It was old and heavy.

Suddenly, the boy moved his hands, and the merry-go-round stopped right in front of him. Lily looked at him, now a bit more interested.

"May I?" he asked, gesturing to the merry-go-round.

With her lips slightly pursed, she nodded, but watched him with curiosity when he sat facing the centre of the merry-go-round, crossing his legs as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

"I'm pretty sure that's not how it works," she said, raising an eyebrow and brushing a strand of red hair away from her face.

"Of course it is, if you're a wizard," Severus replied with a slight smile, now more confident. Then he added, looking towards the centre, "Although, if you think you'll make it spin with both of us sitting on it, good luck."

Lily looked into his eyes for a moment, evaluating him. Then, with an amused sigh, she turned around in her seat, resting on the merry-go-round's bars to sit facing him.

And just then, the merry-go-round began to move on its own, smooth and steady, without either of them pushing it. She looked around, surprised at first, but then they both looked at each other, and for the first time, they smiled.

"My name's Lily Evans," the girl introduced herself, now a bit more willing to talk to him, extending her hand towards the boy, who took it awkwardly.

"I know. I've been watching your family. You're the only one with magic," Severus said with mock seriousness, as if he had reached that brilliant conclusion after a great deal of work.

"Magic?" Lily repeated, surprised, but then frowned. "Hey! Why are you spying on us? That's really rude!"

"Sorry," Severus said, blushing slightly, although he didn't actually feel any guilt. It had been the only way to find out she was a witch. "It was just curiosity. I was surprised that you had magic... and that your parents and your sister didn't. They're just... Muggles," he quickly excused himself, regretting mentioning it. Then, he added hurriedly, "I won't do it again, I promise."

"You'd better not," Lily replied, still somewhat irritated. "Muggles? What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, the word sounding strange, and not very kind.

"A Muggle is a normal person. Someone without magic, like you and me," Severus explained. Lily nodded, though she still seemed a bit confused, as if she didn't fully believe it.

"You said your mother was a witch, and you're a wizard, and if I'm a witch... How is it possible that my mother isn't? How can you be so sure there aren't any more wizards or witches in my family?" Lily asked, frowning.

"That's not how it works, sometimes it just happens," Severus replied. "I don't know what it depends on. A witch or wizard might be born in a non-magical family. Or, on the other hand, a squib might be born in a magical family, and they don't have any magic."

Lily looked at him carefully, processing the information.

"Oh, so a Muggle is like a squib," she said, with a look of understanding.

"No, well, it's a bit different..." Severus said. "Squibs can see magic and magical creatures. A Muggle can't do that."

"MAGICAL CREATURES?!" Lily exclaimed, covering her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide open with surprise.

Snape smiled at her reaction.

"Yes, like dementors and things like that."

"Dementors?" Lily repeated, frowning.

"Yes," Severus said, leaning forward. "They're dark creatures that feed on people's happiness and happy memories, leaving only sadness. I've even read that they can suck out your soul," he added, without thinking about what he was saying.

Lily's eyes grew wide with fear.

"But don't worry," Severus hurriedly added, realising his mistake. Even though he found them fascinating, he thought perhaps he should have mentioned unicorns or mermaids instead. "They're far away, guarding Azkaban prison, so you won't run into any."

"Phew... that's a relief," Lily said, letting out a long sigh. "Azkaban prison?"

"Yes, it's where they lock up wizards who do bad things," Severus explained. Lily nodded, intrigued. As she listened, her eyes fell on Snape's tattered coat, and for a second, she wondered if wizards weren't paid very well.

"Your mother's a witch... So, are you from a family of witches and wizards?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Well, not exactly," Severus replied, becoming a bit uncomfortable. "My mother is. She went to Hogwarts, just like the rest of her family," he said with a touch of pride, though his expression changed when he added in a lower voice, "But my father... he's a Muggle. He works in one of the brick factories."

"So there are witches and wizards living among us?" Lily asked, having noticed his reaction.

"Yes, but it's not common. Most prefer to live in magical places or away from Muggles," Severus explained, shrugging.

"Oh, I see... What did you say your mother's school was called? Hog...?" Lily asked, her head filling with all these new ideas. Everything seemed so incredible. If Severus was lying to her, she would find out.

"Hogwarts? Hogwarts will be our home, Lily!" Severus said excitedly, his eyes shining. "It's the school of magic. We'll go there to learn spells and all sorts of magical things. I'll be a great wizard, and you'll be a great witch!" he added, as if he couldn't wait another minute to go.

"We're going?! Me too?!" Lily exclaimed, clapping her hands. "Am I going to learn magic? Really?"

"Of course, Lily, we're both special," Severus said, smiling.

"Tell me more about Hogwarts, Severus!" Lily asked, and for the first time, she used his name. He smiled, pleased.

"Hogwarts is the best school of magic in the world. There are four houses where the students are sorted. Slytherin, where the most cunning and determined wizards go. Merlin himself was a Slytherin. I want to be in that house, and I think you could be, too, Lily—you're very talented."

"Merlin was a real wizard? He went to Hogwarts?" she asked, astonished.

"Yes," Severus replied, enjoying how she looked at him with admiration. "Then there's Ravenclaw, for the wise and intelligent ones. After that, there's Gryffindor, where the brave go, although I think they're all just arrogant and muscle-bound. And finally, Hufflepuff, where the hard-working and loyal go. That's the one I'm least interested in," Severus said.

"Do they choose you based on how much magic you know? I don't know any magic, Severus!" Lily exclaimed, worried. "What if they don't choose me for any house?!"

"Don't worry, Hogwarts is meant to teach us. I'm sure you'll learn loads," Severus said with a smile, trying to reassure her. "Besides, they sort you with the Sorting Hat. You put it on and poof! The hat decides which house you'll go to."

"A hat? A talking hat?" Lily asked, incredulous.

"Yes, my mother says it's very old," Severus added. "It put her in Slytherin."

"And where is Hogwarts, Severus?" Lily asked, intrigued.

"Honestly, I don't remember exactly where it is, but it's hidden from Muggles. I've seen pictures of the castle, but..." Snape began, but was interrupted by an excited Lily.

"A castle?!" she exclaimed, amazed.

"Yes, it's huge, there's even a sky in its dining hall," Severus added importantly. "I've seen it in an album my mum has."

"I want to see it, Severus! You'll show me, won't you?" Lily said, her eyes shining, and Severus nodded.

"Yes, I'll show you," he said. "I'll show you everything."

"I hope you're not lying, Severus. That would be really cruel," Lily said, somewhat sceptical of everything Severus was telling her about Hogwarts and the magical world. She wanted to believe it was real, but it sounded too fantastic.

"I'm not. Soon, you'll see it for yourself," Severus responded with total confidence.

"When?" Lily asked, excited.

"When we turn eleven, or a little before, we'll both receive our Hogwarts letters."

"Eleven?!" Lily exclaimed, suddenly sad. "That feels so far away."

"Yeah, that's the age to start at Hogwarts," Severus said, shrugging.

"I wish Tuney could come with us," Lily said with a spark of hope. "She'll be eleven soon. Maybe you're wrong, Severus. Maybe she'll get a Hogwarts letter!"

"I'm sure she won't get anything," Severus said with disdain, not hiding his lack of sympathy toward Petunia. "I already told you, you're the only one with magic."

"You can't be that sure, Severus," Lily scolded, frowning.

Severus decided not to continue talking about Petunia, realizing it was a sensitive topic for Lily. The girl finally got off the playground ride, her brow still slightly furrowed.

"See you later, Severus," she said before taking off running, her feet kicking up a flurry of dry leaves in her wake.

Severus stood there smiling, watching her as she disappeared into the distance.