Later that afternoon, Severus and Harry were sitting outside of Severus’ house eating some brownies when a girl with bright red hair and green eyes approached the house. She was smiling brilliantly and looked happy to see Severus. Just by looking at her eyes, Harry was pretty sure he knew who this was and his stomach flip-flopped with excitement.

“Sev!” she cried as she pulled Severus into a hug.

“Lily!” Severus cried, hugging her back with just as much enthusiasm. “How was camp?”

“It was great; we spent every day outside, and we spent the nights studying the constellations. Who’s your friend?” Lily asked kindly, looking at Harry with a bit of recognition.

Harry couldn’t stop the large grin that had spread across his face as he looked his mother in the eye for the first time. He almost wished he could hug her, too, but she might find it a little weird from a strange kid.

“This is Harry Potter, he’s staying here because…”

“Is that a time turner?” Lily asked, pointing to Harry’s chain. 

Harry hadn’t realised that the pendant was showing, but sure enough, when he looked down, it was hanging out of his shirt between a couple of buttons. 

“Yeah, it is,” he said, quickly tucking the pendant back into his shirt. He made a mental note to put it in his trunk when he went to bed tonight, to prevent this from happening again.  

“Are you staying here because of that?” Lily asked, pointing to the time turner, and Harry could see that she was already putting the pieces together in her mind.

“She’s the brightest witch of our year,” Severus told Harry, his eyes shining. 

Harry had no choice but to agree; it was scary how fast she was figuring things out. Clearly Aunt Petunia had been lying when she called Lily dumb.   

“What house are you in?” Harry asked, hoping to change the topic, but Lily just crossed her arms and gave him a look that said “’Nice try, buddy”.

“Look, Lily, you have to promise not to tell anyone, but Harry found that time turner and accidentally brought himself back here from 1991,” Severus told Lily, blushing. 

Harry almost found it amusing how quickly Severus spilt his guts for Lily when he seemed so guarded with everything. Did he have a crush on Lily? If so, Harry wondered why he didn’t end up with her, because Harry was willing to guess she liked him, as well.

“Oh my! And now you can’t go back home, can you?” Lily asked. 

She looked at Harry sadly, but once again her gaze turned curious as she studied his eyes. Harry wondered if she was on the brink of figuring out who his mother was when the front door opened and Mrs. Snape wrapped Lily in a tight hug.  

“Lily, why don’t you stay for supper?” Severus asked hopefully. 

Lily’s face brightened and Harry almost hugged Severus for saying something that took her mind off his eyes.

“Sure, I just have to ask my mum. I don’t think she’ll mind since Petunia’s having a sleepover tonight,” Lily said. 

Harry’s hopes of Lily not noticing the way he flinched at his aunt’s name died when she gave him a questioning glance. He shrugged and quickly excused himself to the toilet before Lily could ask any more questions. At this rate, Lily was going to figure out the truth by the end of the month.

When Harry finished in the bathroom, he went downstairs to join Severus and Lily at the table. Severus’ mother gave Harry extra servings of veggies and a tall glass of milk.

“We’re going to have you healthy before you go to Hogwarts,” she told him. “Make sure you eat everything, dear.”

“Yes, Mrs. Snape.”

“Please, call me Eileen,” she said softly as she looked at Harry with a motherly expression. 

Harry had never had anyone look at him that way and it made his heart feel warm. A smile broke across his face. “Yes, Eileen.”

His smiled widened when she patted his shoulder. It was nice to eat at a table with other people, and now his real-life mother was sitting across from him. Harry would have to be careful not to slip up and mention his aunt’s name, or even his uncle’s name.  

“What are your favourite classes?” Harry asked young Lily. He wanted to know as much about his mother as possible.

“I like charms and transfiguration. Potions is great too,” Lily answered happily, causing Severus to smile at the mention of his favourite class. “You’re starting Hogwarts this year?”

Harry nodded and smiled at the reminder that he was going to Hogwarts. He couldn’t wait to start learning magic. “Yeah, we just got my supplies yesterday. I’ve officially bought the same supplies twice,” he told Lily with a small laugh.

When Lily went home, Harry asked Severus to tell him some things he’d need to know for potions class. Severus began explaining about different cauldrons and different cuts and herbs that would be helpful. Severus also gave him some tips that weren’t found in the book. By the time bedtime came around, Harry was exhausted.  

“You’ll be fine; you already show a firm understanding, and the skills you obtained from cooking will definitely be helpful. Besides, I can give you an assist if need be. Professor Slughorn lets me use his lab on weekends sometimes,” Severus had told Harry before he went off to his own room for the night. 

Harry was glad to know he’d have at least one person helping him out; he had to adapt to the magical world, and do it ten years before he was even born! As he lay in bed that night, he reflected upon the day. He’d met his parents! His mother had been beautiful, smart, and funny. His father had been a real tool—a spoiled, arrogant brat. He couldn’t believe it, but his father was just like Dudley! Okay, hopefully his father wasn’t quite that bad, but he was obnoxious. Harry found himself almost relieved that he didn’t have James as a role model growing up, but maybe he wouldn’t be as obnoxious as an adult.

Before Harry went to sleep, he began to think about Hogwarts. He wondered about the things he’d be learning, the people he’d be meeting, and the spells he’d get to do. He couldn’t wait to dive right in and start. And no matter what time period he was living in, he was just happy to be away from the Dursleys. With any luck, he’d never have to see them again.     

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