But the girl had let go of the swing at the very height of its arc and flown into the

Air, quite literally flown, launched herself skyward with a great shout of laughter, and

Instead of crumpling on the playground asphalt, she soared like a trapeze artist through

The air, staying up far too long, landing far too lightly.

“Mummy told you not to!”

Petunia stopped her swing by dragging the heels of her sandals on the ground,

Making a crunching, grinding sound, then leapt up, hands on hips.

“Mummy said you weren’t allowed, Lily!”

“But I’m fine,” said Lily, still giggling. “Tuney, look at this. Watch what I can

do.”

Petunia glanced around. The playground was deserted apart from themselves and,

Though the girls did not know it, Snape. Lily had picked up a fallen flower from the bush

Behind which Snape lurked. Petunia advanced, evidently torn between curiosity and

Disapproval. Lily waited until Petunia was near enough to have a clear view, then held

Out her palm. The flower sat there, opening and closing its petals, like some bizarre,

Many-lipped oyster.

“Stop it!” shrieked Petunia.

“It’s not hurting you,” said Lily, but she closed her hand on the blossom and

Threw it back to the ground.

“It’s not right,” said Petunia, but her eyes had followed the flower’s flight to the

ground and lingered upon it. “How do you do it?” she added, and there was definite

Longing in her voice.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” Snape could no longer contain himself, but had jumped

Out from behind the bushes. Petunia shrieked and ran backward toward the swings, but

Lily, though clearly startled, remained where she was. Snape seemed to regret his

Appearance. A dull flush of color mounted the sallow cheeks as he looked at Lily.

“What’s obvious?” asked Lily.

Snape had an air of nervous excitement. With a glance at the distant Petunia, now

hovering beside the swings, he lowered his voice and said, “I know what you are.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re…you’re a witch,” whispered Snape.

She looked affronted.

“That’s not a very nice thing to say to somebody!”

She turned, nose in the air, and marched off toward her sister.

“No!” said Snape. He was highly colored now, and Harry wondered why he did

Not take off the ridiculously large coat, unless it was because he did not want to reveal the

Smock beneath it. He flapped after the girls, looking ludicrously batlike, like his older self.

The sisters considered him, united in disapproval, both holding on to one of the

Swing poles, as though it was the safe place in tag.

“You are,” said Snape to Lily. “You are a witch. I’ve been watching you for a

while. But there’s nothing wrong with that. My mum’s one, and I’m a wizard.”

Petunia’s laugh was like cold water.

“Wizard!” she shrieked, her courage returned now that she had recovered from

the shock of his unexpected appearance. “I know who you are. You’re that Snape boy!

They live down Spinner’s End by the river,” she told Lily, and it was evident from her

tone that she considered the address a poor recommendation. “Why have you been spying

on us?”

“Haven’t been spying,” said Snape, hot and uncomfortable and dirty-haired in the

bright sunlight. “Wouldn’t spy on you, anyway,” he added spitefully, “you’re a Muggle.”

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 671