I really hate the portrayal of Lily Evans as mary sue and Severus Snape as creepy stalker, because no doubt Lily would've griefed just as bitterly if Severus was the one assassinated.
They spent roughly eight years together & assumingly every summer together in boring Cokeworth. That sort of adjacency birthes the kind of friendship that makes you feel like your souls are intertwined, but also resent with no rhyme or reason.
Lily & Severus who have stupid inside jokes. Who can read each other's expressions. Who revert back into their eight-year-old selves around each other. Who argue over the tiniest things and go back to normal without even thinking of apologising or talking things over.
Lily, who taught Severus how to rollerskate, and Severus, who taught her how to cast dark spells.
Before Hogwarts, they would've had their own magical brotherhood that had nothing to do with muggle-borns vs Death eaters but what was most entertaining to do together.
LIly & Severus who both had awful tempers and might've fed off of each others cruelness. Like, little ten-year-olds loitering and committing small rebellions of shoplifting and arson and dark magic around Cokeworth - all before Lily gets told "No, you can't do that," and Severus gets told "No, you can't do that with her."
Lily who pretends to be nicer and Severus who pretends to be meaner.
And then there's all this social structure and expectations, and they're both bending under the pressure. Their friendship on the rocks. And then, summer comes, and they are back again to their stupid mischief. They spent every day together and feel at peace again. They don't talk about Hogwarts. They both hope the other wouldn't act so differently when they get back to school, but they always do.
Lily & Severus who both want the other to stand up for them.
Lily & Severus both feeling like they are the ones being cheated.
Then, Severus calls Lily a mudblood. Absolutely neither expect it. His temper alights hers, and suddenly it's just over. Very quickly and unsatisfyingly. It doesn't feel good enough. Eight years and just that? So Severus begs for either forgiveness or an argument, he's not really sure. And Lily isn't as sure about what she wants either, but she's adamant.
They see one another the next summer, before sixth year, in an ordinary public setting. They look at each other, Lily looks away and Severus keeps glaring. Nothing happens. They keep this up until graduation.
Lily who rants to all her friends about Severus being a dick and Severus who allows his friends to call Lily a mudblood - each do it for a twinge of satisfaction.
Then Lily dies and everything is forgiven. Lily is an angel and a saviour, as everyone is remembered posthumous. Severus is so hateful and loathing to everyone ever, but melts at Lily- and Lily's stupid kid. Because that's almost his kid, 'cus he and Lily are one in the same
- And if Severus were the one who died, it'd be the (mostly) same. No one could talk shit about Severus ever again. Says that James doesn't get it, and puts all her resent into him. Just him. Back then it'd felt good to get with the guy who not only idolised her, but also tormented Severus like crazy. Now she's ignorant to how she's been since.
They both mourn maliciously because that's what they had best in common.
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