Chapter Text
In our palms flowers grow, in our heart tulips bloom, all in harmony we live together–
Sadly this is not happy nor peaceful.
A burly hand raises to slog Severus across his pale face. With a cry, Severus’s small frame darts out of the area of attack. Tiny legs carrying him as fast as he can, the boy sprints outside. The clouds cover the sky in a mucky grey, the air thick with fog as Severus’s feet speed up until he’s pounding on his neighbours door. “Lily! Lily!?” The boy called out, trembling as the chilly wind thrashed into him. As the door creaked open, Severus quickly slid inside and kicked off his trainers with two distant thunks. A middle aged woman with tired yet kind eyes kneeled down to the younger one with a frown, “What is all the matter, Severus?” She asks softly. The greasy haired boy sniffles from the cold, his blouse falling over his hands as they cling to her sleeve, “He’s drunk…” He whispered, hands going to brush his noir strands out of his face. His face was too severe for his age with a pointed chin and cheeks, his face was rather pale and had little marks. Dark brown eyes too wide for his face, looking rather cartoonish. The boy quickly scurried between the woman’s legs to embrace a girl his age. The girl was pale, freckled with auburn hair down to her shoulders. Severus’ arms wrap around her, the same to him with her arms. “Lily…” He breathed, sniffling slightly. Lily’s lips tug downward into a frown. Softly she spoke up, “What’s going on?” She asked, tucking the boy’s greasy hair behind his ear. Before the boy could respond, the woman spoke up, “Nothing to worry about. Go up to your room. I’ll make dinner.”
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After a warm meal the two children race upstairs, both giggling and clambering the carpeted steps. Stopping at the top step, Lily peers into her sister’s room. With a sly grin, she turns to Severus, “Wanna see my sissy’s room? She has cool stuff.. We could bounce on her bed.” Severus tilts his head, hesitant, but not wanting to upset Lily he nods. Lily grabs his hand and drags him towards the bed. Severus allows himself a small smile as she helps him onto the soft mattress. Speaking in a small, kinda shy voice Severus asks, “Sissy?” Lily turned to him, “It’s what I call my sister–you can call me sissy, Sev. I’ll be your sister.” She said with confidence. Severus lit up, “Sissy!” He exclaimed which made Lily giggle. Lily put a hand over his, swinging her feet lazily. “Sev… Has a ring to it, doesn’t it?” Severus nods, repeating the word ’ring’ under his breath, liking the way it sat on his tongue.