Chapter 2

Petunia Evans had always known who Severus Snape was—or at least who he would become. As a voracious reader and lover of the Harry Potter books in her past life, she couldn't forget the tragic role he played. Severus was both a boy who loved her twin sister and the man who sacrificed everything for Lily. He was the reason Harry survived. He was the boy who fell into darkness and the man who found redemption.

Yet, the Severus Snape Petunia now knew was not the bitter and broken man from the books. He was a thin, pale boy with greasy black hair, sharp features, and a haunted look in his dark eyes. His clothes hung loosely on his malnourished frame, patched and frayed, a stark reminder of the neglect he endured at home. There was an air of desperation about him, as if he was clinging to something unseen, something fragile.

Petunia and Severus had already formed a tentative friendship under the sprawling branches of the garland tree. From their first meeting, Petunia had seen past his rough exterior and into the lonely boy desperate for a connection. She understood him in a way few others could.

The garland tree became their secret haven, a place where Severus could escape the misery of Spinner's End. She always came prepared, carrying sandwiches or biscuits in her basket. Severus never asked for food, but she noticed how quickly he devoured it when she offered.

"You need to eat more," she told him one day, watching him wolf down a slice of bread. "You're too thin."

"I'm fine," he muttered, but the flush in his pale cheeks betrayed his embarrassment.

Petunia smiled, pulling a small apple from the basket. "Take this too. And don't argue."

He hesitated, then took it with a quiet "Thanks."

Their conversations often revolved around magic. Severus was a fountain of knowledge, and he loved to share what he knew about Hogwarts and the wizarding world. Petunia, despite her foreknowledge, listened eagerly, letting him take the lead.

"One day, I'll be in Slytherin," Severus said confidently as they sat beneath the garland tree. His dark eyes gleamed with ambition. "My mum was in Slytherin. She used to tell me all about it."

Petunia leaned back against the tree trunk, her hands resting on her knees. "Tell me about her," she said softly. "What was she like?"

Severus hesitated, then began to speak. "Her name was Eileen Prince. She was a pure-blood witch, but her family disowned her when she married my dad. They said she brought shame to the family name." His voice grew quieter. "She gave up everything for him, but he… he wasn't what she thought he'd be."

Petunia reached out and touched his arm. "I'm sorry, Sev."

He shrugged, his gaze fixed on the grass. "It doesn't matter. She's still my mum. And one day, I'll show everyone that being half-blood doesn't mean I'm less."

"You will," Petunia said firmly. "You're brilliant, Sev. Don't ever let anyone make you think otherwise."

Petunia often brought small gifts for Severus, like hand-me-down clothes his dad had outgrown that she altered to fit severus . At first, he refused, his pride prickling at the idea of charity. But she insisted, her smile warm and genuine.

"These aren't charity," she said, pressing a neatly folded sweater into his hands. "They're from a friend. That's what friends do, Sev."

He stared at her for a long moment, then took the sweater. "Thanks," he muttered, his cheeks reddening.

Petunia tilted her head, studying him. "Are you sick? Your face is all red."

"I'm fine!" he snapped, turning away.

She laughed, the sound light and teasing. "If you say so."

One evening, as the sun dipped low on the horizon, Petunia and Severus sat beneath the tree, their conversation turning to the future.

"Next year," Severus said, his voice filled with excitement, "we'll get our Hogwarts letters. You'll see, Petunia—it's everything you could imagine and more."

She smiled, pretending to be surprised. "You think so?"

"I know so," he said firmly. "I'll show you everything. Diagon Alley, the Great Hall, the common rooms… you'll love it."

His enthusiasm was infectious, and for a moment, Petunia allowed herself to forget the weight of her knowledge. She laughed, the sound bright and free. "I can't wait, Sev."

As they talked, the sound of Lily's voice echoed up the hill. "Petunia! Mum says it's time for dinner!"

Petunia stood, brushing the grass off her skirt. "I have to go," she said, turning to Severus. "See you tomorrow?"

He nodded, his dark eyes watching her with an intensity that made her pause. "See you tomorrow," he said softly, standing beneath the garland tree as she ran down the hill.

"Who was that?" Lily asked when Petunia caught up to her.

"Just a boy I befriended," Petunia replied with a smile, glancing back at Severus, who still stood under the tree, waving. For a fleeting moment, she thought of the man he would become and vowed silently to change his fate, to make sure he never fell into darkness.

As the two sisters headed home, the beginnings of a deep bond were forming—a bond that would shape not just Severus but Petunia herself in ways she could never have imagined.