Petunia fled.
No matter how loudly Lily shouted behind her, she showed no intention of stopping for even a moment.
"...I'm sorry. My sister isn't usually like this."
Lily spoke softly, her voice timid.
She carefully sized up Snape, as if she were about to open the door to a whole new world.
Her heart was filled with curiosity and excitement, but also inevitably with worry and fear.
But in the end, the girl summoned her courage and boldly walked forward, stopping only when she was two or three steps below where Snape stood.
"So, magic and all that isn't my imagination? It really exists, right?"
"Naturally."
Snape gazed at her and spoke methodically.
"There are indeed wizards like you and me in this world. Our traces are everywhere, yet unknown to ordinary people.
Actually, in just a few years, you will receive an acceptance letter from Hogwarts.
That is a famous school dedicated to teaching magic.
You can find hundreds of wizards there, and learn magic just like you would learn in ordinary schools you know about. There are even exams and such."
"...That sounds so reassuring. I was always worried I was the only freak in the whole world."
Lily was visibly relieved, yet she asked again as if still not entirely convinced:
"So we won't be hunted down or burned at the stake, right?"
"Caw—"
A shrill cry rang out again.
It interrupted what Snape was about to say and startled the tense Lily!
Looking towards the sound, she saw a handsome raven standing on a branch of the willow tree. She hadn't noticed when it got there.
And perhaps it was Lily's illusion.
She felt that those crystal-clear purple eyes held a human-like mockery, its raucous laughter ringing in her ears.
"This is my pet, and also a messenger used to deliver letters between wizards. Though most people choose owls rather than ravens."
Snape glanced at Juliet.
After conveying a subtle threat with his eyes, the Violet Raven quickly quieted down, silently praying that tomorrow's dinner would still include delicious dried mice.
"What you described might have happened in the distant past, but nowadays it only appears in literature."
Snape explained patiently.
Since the interaction had already happened, he wouldn't be stingy about saying a few more words.
"The wizarding world is heavily protected by secrecy statutes and spells. The vast majority of people, like your sister, simply won't believe, or are unwilling to believe, that magic really exists. Even if they wanted to burn wizards, they wouldn't find the chance."
Hearing Snape's words, Lily obviously let go of the biggest rock weighing on her heart, her whole expression relaxing considerably.
"That's great! Luckily things aren't that bad, otherwise I really couldn't find any other way besides running away from home."
"Running away from home?"
"Yeah. The books always say that besides the wizard being burned to death, their family would also suffer cruel punishment.
I thought, at the very least, I couldn't let Mum, Dad, and my sister be implicated because of me."
Snape couldn't help but take another look at Lily, who was still rejoicing, slightly marveling at the pure and immense courage she held.
A girl less than ten years old, yet able to make such a difficult decision!
In countless unknown nights.
Surely, with her immature mind, she must have been deeply afraid of her unknown abilities, worrying that the miserable future depicted in books would befall her.
But in the end, the choice Lily made was to protect her family, even willing to accept the fate of being burned to death for it!
She was very young.
Yet a precious bravery was already shining in her soul.
Perhaps this was why the Sorting Hat would undoubtedly place her in Gryffindor in the future, becoming a member of the reckless and courageous lion pride.
Snape was a bit distracted.
Habitually planning ahead, he subconsciously began to think: what would he do if it were him?
First, never expose his identity. He should guard this secret deep in his heart, telling no one, and practice secretly until he mastered this power of magic.
Then find a scapegoat working in a government agency.
Preferably the kind of scumbag with bad character, disregarding human life but holding a high position.
Use magic to obtain evidence of his crimes, forcing the other party to complete transactions while ensuring his own safety, gaining some worldly influence and money.
Then use these connections and magic to infiltrate the middle and lower levels of the government.
Support a bright, eye-catching target to attract fire, while hiding behind him to tentatively corrode the upper levels and cultivate forces, striving to achieve the condition that 'even if magic is exposed, someone will actively cover it up.'
His own research into magic couldn't stop either.
Ensuring that even if the previous plans failed, he could achieve the baseline of 'great power belongs to oneself; even if magic is exposed, no one dares to touch me'!
Even putting aside the information gap, if Snape completely replaced Lily's position.
He wouldn't let himself fall into such a passive situation from the very beginning. Developing in secret and planning for the future would be the means he was most likely to use!
"Snape? Did you hear me?"
Lily's probing words awakened Snape's mind, bringing him back from his wandering thoughts.
"Sorry, what were you saying just now?"
"I was asking you, what is a wizard's life like?"
The brief conversation dispelled her original scruples.
Lily took a few steps forward on her own initiative, her emerald eyes widening expectantly.
Some sunlight penetrated the dark clouds.
It shone on the edge of her fair face. Her pale skin seemed to glow under the sun's favor!
After thinking for a moment, Snape sat down on the roots of the willow tree on the hill.
While stroking the feathers of Juliet, who had flown down voluntarily, he signaled Lily to sit beside him. After organizing his thoughts for a moment, he spoke:
"It is a magical world, Evans. Because of magic, our wizard lives differ from ordinary people's in every aspect."
"Just call me Lily. Can I call you Severus?"
"...Severus, or Eric is fine."
He took out his wand.
Under Lily's curious gaze, Snape suddenly waved it.
Ink-like colors rose out of thin air, condensing without dispersing.
Bookstores, pedestrians, signboards, pubs, paperboys...
The entire Diagon Alley appeared vividly within the sand table. Although the facial features of the tiny people rubbing shoulders couldn't be seen clearly, their joys, anger, sorrows, and happiness could be distinguished clearly, as if they were really there!
"Wow..."
Lily couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
And while her eyes were glued to the scene, unable to look away, Snape's narration began slowly beside her.