I do not own Harry Potter.

"Childhood is like being drunk. Everyone remembers what you did, except you."

(∩'-')⊃━*.*.*.*

After the Diagon Alley trip, they had a good three weeks before the term started and both Petunia and Lily were looking forward to going through their books with Severus.

Unfortunately, Severus didn't appear the next day as they'd planned. Or the day after that. Or even the day after that day.

The two sisters had spent a week waiting at the park for Sev to show up until Lily fed up with it all quit coming.

Petunia, who was quite annoyed as well, was inclined to agree with her sister but something about this was bothering her.

Severus Snape was extremely attached to Petunia and Lily (more so Lily) as they were, Petunia surmised, his first friends. He'd been a right ass in the other timeline but he wouldn't give up Lily's friendship (and now hers) for the world.

With these thoughts in mind, Petunia decided it was about time she paid a visit to Severus' place.

So waving goodbye to Lily (who was helping Ivy with lunch), the blonde-haired girl grabbed her old (not so old now) red bike, placed some sandwiches and drinks in the basket and peddled her way to Spinners' End.

The farther she went, the more the neighborhood got dilapidated and streets lined with old brick houses and broken street lamps began to appear.

Soon Petunia reached what she remembered was the Snape home.

Ignoring the odd looks a neighbor threw at her, Petunia made sure to wedge her bike throughly between the pickets of the old fence so that if someone attempted to steal it, they'd have a hard time and she'd hear the struggles.

The woman-turned-girl eyed the eerily silent house before making her way to the door and knocked.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

She waited.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Hmm. Perhaps they weren't here.

Knock. Knock. Kno-

"Alright! Alright! I'm comin'! Keep yer bleedin panties on! Goddamn!"

Petunia startled at the loud, rude tone and stepped back as the door open revealing a large man in overalls glaring down at her blearily.

"Well! What do you want?!"

Petunia blinked. "Er, I was wondering if Severus was in. I'd like-"

At the mention of Sev's name the man's face twisted into an ugly scowl and he leaned toward Petunia,

"Severus, huh? You're not one of his freak friends are you."

The words hit Petunia hard. Freak friend. Freak.

God, in the worst way possible this man reminded her... of herself. Hadn't she called Lily freak all those times and had broken their relationship into tatters. Hadn't she disliked Lily's son merely because he was on of those freaks.

She took a deep breathe to calm herself down. No, no. She wasn't here to lament over past mistakes She was here to fix them. Starting with figuring out where Sev was.

Forcing herself to smile politely at Mr. Snape, she replied. "Freak, sir? I don't think so. Where is Severus?"

Tobias eyed her closely. "Where you going to school this year?"

Petunia smiled tightly. "I'm starting at Coketown High this year, sir." she lied.

Mentioning the local school seemed to cheer the man up.

"Good. Good. Maybe you'll get rid of the freakishness that thrice-damned woman gave him."

Petunia resisted the urge to throttle the man as he turned toward his house.

"SEVERUS! SEVERUS! GET YOUR SCRAWNY ASS DOWN HERE, NOW!"

He turned back to Petunia and gave her what she assumed was an attempt at a smile.

Unfortunately, while he must have been a handsome man long ago (he had strong jaw, what once had been an angular face, and thick dark hair) years of drinking and smoking had turned him into a fat slob and had ruined his teeth. As it was the resulting smile was one out of a horror story.

Petunia made the effort to grimace back.

Severus appeared behind his father and widened his eyes in shock when he saw Petunia.

Noticing his son, Tobias grabbed rather roughly by the arm and placed him next to Petunia.

"Listen here, boy. I want you to go with this young lady here, she's looking for you. Hopefully she'll get rid of your freakishness."

With that he lumbered back into the house and slammed the door behind him.

Petunia and Severus stood in silence before Sev turned to her.

"Young lady?"

Petunia shrugged. "He thinks I'm a muggle and that I'm going to Coketown High. Thinks my 'normalness' will get rid of your freakishness."

Severus looked down, ashamed and Petunia nudged him with her elbow as she walked past him toward her bike. "Rather hard to do, since I have the same 'freakishness you do but there's no need to tell him that."

Ignoring Severus' surprised face she went on to the sidewalk and called out. "Well, come on then. Get on to the pegs. We're going to the park."

Severus looked hesitant but at Petunia's insistent look. He got on the pegs and placed his hands on her shoulders.

Feeling a rare bout of childishness, Petunia pretended she was in a race. "On your marks-"

"What are you doing?"

"Hold on Sev! And... Go!" She was rushing down the streets, picking up speed as they went downhill.

Petunia nearly started as she heard Severus' delighted laughter and his cheers.

"Faster!"

"Be careful on that corner!"

"Watch out for that pothole!"

"WHOO!"

Soon the two children came to a stop at the park and hopped off the bike.

Severus turned to her with a huge grin, startling Petunia who had yet to see him so openly happy.

"That was brilliant!"

She grinned and nodded as she pulled the snacks she'd packed and pulled Severus down next to her.

"Come on and help unpack the food. Lily's going to be joing us soon. Though I gotta warn you, she's a bit peeved with you."

Severus looked a bit disappointed. "I know. I'm sorry. I wanted to come but I couldn't."

Petunia frowned. "Sev... was it your father? Is that why you couldn't come?"

Severus hesitated unsurely before nodding his head. "He's not pleased that I'm going off to Hogwarts. He thinks if he keeps me locked up it'll bully me into staying."

"Of course, I wouldn't stay here even if my life depended on it." he added furiously.

Petunia nodded sympathetically. "Don't worry, Severus. Your dad thinks that I'm 'normal' remember? When school starts Lily and I will come get you and make up something."

He smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Petunia."

Looking around, Petunia was forced to conclude that Lily was likely not coming and decided to portion out the food she'd brought.

Giving Severus three sandwiches and two colas (don't be ridiculous, Sev. I packed for more than two people. Save them if you want) and the two enjoyed a long conversation on the potions book Petunia had read.

To Petunia's astonishment, Severus knew most of the potions in the book and had created easier methods of doing it. The boy was Potions genius and Petunia made sure to tell him that. The dark shade of red he turned was a hilarious bonus.

The rest of Petunia's afternoon was spent pleasantly before she dropped Sev home and went home to a contrite Lily who had forgotten about their meeting.

Making sure to tell Lily about Severus' dilemma, Petunia was pleased to note that her sister was just as displeased as she was and the two spent the night looking up the meanest hexes to use on Mr. Snape.

(∩'-')⊃━*.*.*.*

Enjoy and remember to tell me what you think!

Thanks,

ShaSha