A change in Perspective

Every evening, Lily and her father, Christopher Evans, take a stroll outside their home - a tradition that began when Lily returned for the holidays during her first year at Hogwarts. On some days they would walk down to the market to buy bread and flowers. On other days they would walk down the neighborhood street, greeting the neighbours they meet along the way. During the first few summers, they made it a point to step onto the street and walk towards the right so that they could pass the dingy hut nearby. If they saw a scrawny figure lurking outside, her father would give a rambunctious shout, "Come along, my boy!" Severus would raise his head, his face stoic, but his eyes full of mirth, and then he would dash over to join the father and daughter.

Last year, Mr. Evans had begun to notice his daughter's hesitation every time she stepped out of the door. They had taken up a new route, one that started by going towards the left. Everyday, he would see her body stiffen, as she would ponder upon her dilemma for two to three seconds. They would begin their walk once she came to a decision. On the days that they walked towards the right, they rarely saw Severus outside his house.

Mr. Evans cannot help but recall the one day that they managed to spot Severus and he had coaxed him to join them. Seconds turned into minutes, but neither of the teenagers spoke. Mr. Evans could sense the discomfort in the air. He began to tell them about his day at work and asked them about their year at school. Lily informed him that Severus too had been chosen as a prefect. Mr. Evans congratulated him, and Severus simply nodded. When the silence persisted, Lily had suggested that they cut their trip short and return home.

The next time they saw Severus outside his house, Mr. Evans called out. Severus pretended not to have heard him, and walked back inside his house.

Dear Mary,

You don't need to thank mum again, she misses you already. You left some of your things on my bed side table, so I'm packing them in my trunk. I hope all is well with Mar, I'm sure her siblings are keeping you entertained. We'll be back to Hogwarts in almost a month. I'll see you folks in Diagon Alley.

All my love

Lily

Dear Marlene,

Thanks for the chocolates you sent last week. Mary and I managed to finish the box in one night. I hope everyone from your family is safe and well. I read your brother was admitted to St Mungo's after a run-in with some death eaters. It must be emotionally taxing to have aurors in the family. Keep faith, he is young and should recover soon. Don't venture out too much, your risk appetite worries me a little.

Now that Mary is no longer here, I'm mostly alone in my room. Tuney is always off with her friends for tea parties. Can you imagine? Teenage girls meeting for tea and discussing matrimony? Sometimes I wonder if she even enjoys these get togethers, but she never wants to discuss her life with me. I'm even willing to listen to her talk about her new awful boyfriend. Anything is better than all that is going on with our world. Anyway, it is pointless.

It was really sweet of you to invite Mary and myself to live with you, and I apologize for turning you down over and over again. I'm worried about Mary, though. She seems to be doing better on the outside, but she is still grieving and possibly in deep shock. She doesn't sleep well and she never feels hungry. I don't know if one can ever recover from such circumstances, but we will have to try our best to help her. Take care of Mary and take care of yourself. See you soon.

All my love

Lily

Dear Remus,

Mary left last evening, she'll be staying with Mar till term begins in September. You and the boys should visit them, I'm sure it'll cheer her up.

Don't think of me as frivolous, but I'm sick of the morbidity in all our letters, so I'm going to leave out discussing the Daily Prophet in this one

As abrupt as this may sound, someone has to say it - Can you believe Nancy Perkinson, that tart from Ravenclaw, has been chosen as a prefect? She caused us so much trouble all through last year. I'm scandalized by all broom cupboards thanks to her and Black.

Alright no, I can't do this. Perkinson is actually quite bright, and there is no escaping these dark times. Maybe things will be better once we are back at Hogwarts.

Keep writing to me Remus, it keeps me sane. Give my regards to Black and Pettigrew whenever you see them. Smack Potter on the head on my behalf, because his existence is annoying me. I hope all of you stay safe.

See you soon at Hogwarts. We'll find a way to make the life of all new prefects miserable. (Do not tell Potter and Black I said that).

All my love

Lily

Her quill staggers over the last few words as her name appears in broken ink. With the rate at which she has been writing to her friends, she is draining her ink bottles faster than ever. The nibs of her quills have begun to screech as she drags them over the parchment. She'll have to resort to good old muggle pens and papers if she continues like this.

"Lily dear!" She can hear her mother call out from the kitchen. She wipes the ink stains off her desk and rushes down to the hallway.

Rose Evans looks quite frazzled. She has fiery red hair, just like her younger daughter, which are currently glued to her face with sweat, partly blinding her. Both her hands are covered in the sticky dough she has been kneading, and her apron looks like a food bowl exploded over it. Lily eyes her mother from head to toe and bursts into fits of laughter. Inspite of her current state, Mrs. Evans tries to give her a stern look. The sauce smeared on her face however, doesn't allow her to look very menacing.

"How can I help?" Lily asks politely, her lips quivering with the effort to not laugh.

"For starters, you can turn on the tap for me so that I can get rid of everything that is sticking to my skin." Lily promptly follows her mother's instructions and then begins to clear up the kitchen counter. She pulls out a fresh apron and hands her mother some hairpins.

"You know, once I'm seventeen, you won't have to do any of this", Lily says clicking her tongue. "We can manage our dinner for four with just a few flicks of my wand".

"Aren't you the one that keeps saying some things are done better the muggle way?" Mrs. Evans inquires.

"I do. I never said cooking was one of them," Lily smirks.

"Has Mary settled in at Marlene's house?"

"She would have. I just wrote to both of them. Marlene's family is quite big, so it should help to have people around her."

"Hmmm", Mrs. Evans purses her lips. "I didn't ask then, because I didn't want to be insensitive, but how did Mary's parents die?"

Lily hesitates and then steadies her voice, "I didn't tell you? It was a car crash."

"That's unfortunate. I'm surprised it wasn't reported in the papers. Poor Mary would have had to deal with the hospital and the police all on her own."

"Yes, it was very difficult" Lily says avoiding any possible eye contact with her mother.

"Does your school provide any help in such situations? I mean, she probably would not have the means to support herself."

Lily is unsure about what her mother is trying to get at, but she picks her words very carefully.

"They are as supportive as they can be. Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall were present at the funeral. They were the ones that suggested Mary should live with us for a while. Mary was an only child. Her parents have left everything to her. So she should be alright till the time she can start earning for herself."

"That is good to know, but money isn't everything..."

Lily cuts her off, "As I said mum, Marlene, Alice, and I are there with her. We are all like family. So she has loved ones to help her through this difficult time."

"Ofcourse dear," Mrs. Evans says with a forlorn smile. "I was just wondering, if something were to happen to us, we should make sure that you and Tuney would be alright too."

"Must you talk about such things?" Lily sighs.

"I'm just saying", her mother presses on. "I think Tuney is serious about this boy she is seeing, Vernon, though she hasn't said much. She never has allowed men in her life, even as friends. This one seems to have caught her fancy. You..."

"Mum, I am sixteen. I'm not finding a boy to marry, if that's what you're suggesting," Lily mutters with a small laugh.

"No silly girl, obviously not. You said you have your friends and they will be there to take care of you, so I trust your judgement."

"Right, because I will marry someone if I love them, not because I need them to take care of me."

Mrs. Evans continues, "For the longest time, I was sure Severus was the one. Your father and I even wagered on this. Your father said he wasn't the right boy, but I don't think he'll ever approve of anyone for you. I paid up once Sev stopped coming over."

"Well friends drift apart," Lily says, now scrubbing the utensils to distract herself from the conversation.

"I never understood why."

"It's complicated." Lily's head is now throbbing. "And I'd appreciate it if you don't think about marrying me to any boy that I talk to."

"Lily, please, Severus wasn't just any boy. You two were inseparable!"

Finally, Lily snaps. "We were kids, we were friends", she says through gritted teeth. "Now we are growing up, and we have new friends."

"You don't have to take that tone with me, Lily", Mrs Evans says firmly. "Although, I'm sorry if talking about Severus bothers you."

"It's okay, mum. I'm sorry too.

It's almost 11 PM when Petunia Evans reaches home. Her parents are already asleep. Lily reluctantly gets out of bed to open the door for her sister.

"Did I wake you, Lilbunny?" Petunia giggles as she stumbles through the doorstep. The use of her nickname throws Lily off. She stares at her elder sister, unable to remember the last time she had as much as looked at her. Her blonde hair are spilling out of what probably once was a neat taught bun. The pink dress she is wearing is nicely complementing her pale skin, and she is wearing more make-up than usual.

"No, it's fine. Had a good evening?"

"It was wonderful. Vernon introduced me to all his friends from work. I think I was prettier than all their girlfriends," Petunia giggles again, collapsing on to the sofa.

She is drunk. Lily assesses her sister's state of intoxication and grins to herself. Perfect Petunia is stumbling and giggling. This isn't something we see everyday.

"So, this Vernon is a nice bloke?"

"He is the best. He works so hard and he calls me pretty."

"So you like him?" Lily asks, deciding to get a little cheeky.

Petunia blushes and buries her face in her hands as she lets out a squeal of acquiescence.

"Shh Tuney, you'll wake mum and dad up."

She isn't very optimistic about her parents reaction to a drunken daughter. Tonight, she must cover for her.

"Oh! I will hush" Petunia says in a childlike voice putting a finger to her lips.

Lily helps her off the sofa and half drags her elder sister to her bedroom. It's been a while since she has entered this room, usually Tuney does not like it if Lily touches any of her things.

"Now Petunia, change into your pyjamas and go to sleep", Lily says in her best stern-prefect voice.

"Your nose is so cute Lily" Petunia giggles, completely disregarding Lily's orders. "I've always envied you for it."

"Wow, that is probably the nicest thing she has said to me in a decade", Lily mutters as she pulls out the first pyjama set she can find in Petunia's cupboard.

With some difficulty, Lily manages to get her sister changed into her night wear and is now tucking her into bed.

Just as Lily turns off the light and is about to leave, she hears Petunia murmur, "I like him."

"Who?

"Please don't tell him, Lily."

"What are you on about Tuney?"

"He likes things to be ordinary."

"Are you talking about Vernon?"

"He'll run away if he knew what you were. Don't ever meet him."

"Goodnight, Tuney"

Lily's heart breaks. Drunk Petunia is nice to her younger sister, but she still resents her for her who she is. By tomorrow morning, Petunia won't remember any of this, but Lily's heart won't mend.

"Ready, Lily?"

"I'll be there in a second."

Every evening, Lily and her father, Christopher Evans, take a stroll outside their home - a tradition that began when Lily returned for the holidays during her first year at Hogwarts. On some days they would walk down to the market to buy bread and flowers. On other days they would walk down the neighborhood street, greeting the neighbours they meet along the way.

They no longer invite anyone to accompany them.

She carefully tucks her wand in the back pocket of her jeans, hidden from her father but well within her reach.

They set off together as she hums along the summer breeze. Sometimes she forgets how much she loves her neighbourhood. This is where she grew up, before she knew anything about witchcraft and wizardry. There are very few people her age in the area. Most of the houses are inhabited by elderly couples whose children are elsewhere. As children, Petunia and Lily, would often visit the neighbours. Lily was too shy, so Tuney would always take the lead. Petunia was born to be proper in her manners. They were always treated to freshly baked cookies, berries, sandwiches, and tea.

"I spoke to your mum. I heard she tried to talk to you about Severus," Mr. Evans breaks her out of her reverie.

"Dad", Lily starts of exasperated, "please.."

"I'm not going to talk about him", he placates her. "And I also told Rose to not bring him up again."

"Thank you," she says gratefully.

"It's because you're the younger one."

"What?"

"Parents always see the younger child as a baby. Even if they've grown and have magical powers. You'll always be a baby to your mum and me." He says, putting an arm around her shoulder.

"Even when I'm sixteen years old?"

"Even when you'll be sixty years old. In our eyes, you will be a baby."

Lily chuckles.

"Forgive your mother for pushing you. She wishes for you to have someone dependable in your life."

"Why are we talking about all this now?"

"Because sweetheart, you will be done with Hogwarts in a few years. After this, you will be out there on your own. And we know so little about your world. Even if we want to, there will be little we will be able to do to help."

"What does Severus have to do with any of this?"

"Well, he was your guiding stick into your world, wasn't he? He knows more than we do. Naturally, your mother feels he would be able to do more than we can to support you."

"Who says I need support?"

"You dont. But we want you to have someone to fall back on." Mr. Evans squeezes her shoulder. "Before you say anything else, I know Severus is not that person."

"How do you know?" Lily asks, looking at him suspiciously.

"Because you don't just let go of people in your life. You fight for the ones you love. And if you let go of him, I'm sure you must have your reasons."

"He isn't a very nice person." Lily says, looking at the ground.

"Did he hurt you?"

"We are talking about him now" Lily responds weakly.

"Alright, we won't talk about him. As far as I'm concerned, Marlene can be your person. It doesn't really matter, as long as you're happy and safe. Okay?"

"Yes, okay."

They stop at a small cafe and order two cups of coffee.

"Your sister was in a right state last night", Mr. Evans smirks.

"You saw her?" Lily gasps.

"Ofcourse! Do you think I can sleep knowing that one of my daughters isn't home at night."

"What do you do for the ten months that I'm gone dad?" Lily asks, feigning a solemn tone.

"I don't sleep. Which is why it is important I catch up on all the sleep I can get while you're still at home."

"Very funny dad. You're not mad at her?"

"Do you want me to be mad at her?" He asks, raising the coffee mug to his mouth.

"No!"

"Tuney is too uptight. I'm glad she is trying to have fun. As long as she stays out of trouble, I'm not going to bring out the guns"

"If you really want to scare Tuney, you should take my wand."

Mr. Evans chokes on the coffee he is sipping, spitting some of it right out, as he begins to laugh. Lily joins right in.

They walk back home, amicably gossiping about neighbours and relatives. They pass the dingy hut and see a scrawny figure lurking outside at the porch. No one calls out.