Both Lily and Snape knew very well that the happy times they were enjoying would come to an end sooner or later.
In order to gain stronger power and have the confidence to protect himself and his loved ones in the visibly turbulent future—
Joining the Black Eye Society to obtain those out-of-print Dark Arts books from their collection, thereby using his superb talent in Dark Arts to create a minor hex and initiate the plan of harvesting experience on a large scale, was a process Snape had to go through.
Such precious books didn't exist in Knockturn Alley, nor were there traces of Dark Arts in the Restricted Section of the library. Obviously, this knowledge, dangerous enough to deviate the user's mind, had long been unknowingly removed.
The Black Eye Society was the only shortcut Snape had access to so far that could help him create his minor hex!
Therefore, both of them understood.
At least until Snape truly tore off his mask with the pure-blood faction of Slytherin, he had to keep his distance from Lily and pretend to have broken off relations with her.
Whether for the purpose of protecting Lily or meeting the requirements for joining the Black Eye Society, this was the best choice after weighing the pros and cons!
However, saying is one thing; when this day really came, even Snape couldn't help but feel a little reluctant, let alone Lily.
Although they could still meet in private—
For a long time in the future, they could no longer walk side by side in Hogwarts, nor could they even openly communicate in the eyes of others.
It was precisely because of this realization that Lily cherished the opportunity to be with Snape more and more recently, unwilling to miss every minute and second.
Night fell.
The door to the Slytherin common room opened silently, and a concealed figure quietly stepped out from behind the door.
"Guess who I am?"
A faint fragrance wafted by.
A pair of soft, warm little hands suddenly covered Snape's eyes, and a mischievous voice asked in a whisper.
Snape, who was always on high alert, did not react aggressively to this surprise attack. Instead, he relaxed with a hint of a smile and said:
"Anyway, it can't be Filch. Hmm... maybe it's that cat of his?"
"Hehe, Mrs. Norris can't cast the Disillusionment Charm, and neither can you."
Letting go of her hands proactively—
Lily emerged from her invisible state, revealing a brilliant and proud smile to Snape.
She was genuinely happy to be able to help Snape and enjoyed the wonderful time belonging only to the two of them under the night sky.
Snape ruffled Lily's fiery red hair, instantly eliciting a small scream from her. She glared at Snape with dissatisfaction, like a cat whose fur had been rubbed the wrong way.
"Let's go. We won't go to the Room of Requirement today. I'll take you to a good place."
"Really?"
Her eyes lit up slightly.
Lily skillfully cast the Disillusionment Charm, covering herself and Snape.
Night wandering in Hogwarts felt wonderful.
This historic school only lost the hustle and bustle of the day at this moment. Quiet became its main theme, and in the threads of silence, the ancient temperament of this castle gradually precipitated.
Like an old man who had worked hard to take care of a group of naughty children during the day.
The arrival of night meant rest, allowing this hardworking and happy old man to finally close his eyes and rest properly. The wrinkles carved on his face reflected the wisdom the old man had gained over the years, no longer that old urchin scrambling to change diapers.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this peculiar charm unique to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, invisible during the day—
That in every batch of students, there would always be someone who enjoyed night wandering tirelessly.
Treating the act of disturbing the old man's sleep as an adventure to satisfy their still childish and impulsive hearts!
And whenever this time came—
Filch, serving as the caretaker at Hogwarts, would engage in a battle of wits and courage with batch after batch of little wizards. From time to time, he would backstab Gryffindor's house points, making Professor McGonagall dizzy, with a complimentary week-long detention package included.
Snape and Lily were by no means the only guests tonight. Encountering other students during their night wanderings was nothing unusual.
The invisible duo held hands, ensuring they both knew each other's location.
From the corridor behind them came the sound of panting running.
Snape calmly pulled Lily close to the left wall, his black eyes glancing silently in that direction.
He saw a sweating James with an excited smile on his face, followed by Sirius on the left, who was laughing loudly but desperately covering his mouth.
Lupin was clearly running the fastest, but because he had to pull the panting Peter, he fell to the third position.
Turning his head nervously to look behind him from time to time, the sharp meows and Filch's angry curses were following closely, unwilling to give up the prey in hand!
Obviously, the Marauders were the peers they encountered most often.
It was just that while both were night wandering—
Thanks to the Disillusionment Charm and their own vigilance, Snape and Lily had never been discovered by Filch or the four of them. The Marauders, however, would from time to time cause Gryffindor to lose a sum of house points due to various incidents.
Watching the Marauders rush past, busy escaping, completely unaware that two students were standing by the wall less than an arm's length away, watching them silently.
Snape was already accustomed to this.
He couldn't be bothered to trip them up, nor to appear in front of them and create unnecessary trouble out of thin air.
Until the relentless Filch also rushed past, only Mrs. Norris slowed down as always, twitching her nose and peering in the direction of the two.
Prepared long ago, Lily squatted down.
Taking out a dried fish only the size of a thumb from her pocket, she offered it to Mrs. Norris as a bribe, incidentally stroking its curved tail.
"Shh... Don't tell Filch."
She whispered.
It was unclear whether Mrs. Norris understood or not. After swallowing the dried fish in a few bites, she stared at Lily, meowed with a prolonged sound of unknown meaning, and then chased after Filch, who had already run some distance away, in quick bounds.
"Do you want some? It tastes pretty good."
"No thanks. I suggest you eat a little less now; otherwise, you'll regret it later."
Facing Lily's generous invitation—
Snape lost interest after just one glance and offered a word of advice.
"Just one more. I secretly got this from the house-elves in the kitchen. I wouldn't give it to just anyone!"
Lily ate with relish.
In just a moment, she threw the promise of eating only one to the back of her mind, happily humming a song in a low voice while following Snape.
Winding left and right all the way.
After encountering the Marauders, they met no other accidents on their way.
A peaceful atmosphere filled the space between the two, but it didn't feel awkward; there was only the most natural ease of being together.
Walking through the corridor—
Led by Snape, they wound their way up the stairs. The pale white walls reflected the cold moonlight.
Finally, arriving in front of a wooden door, Snape calmly raised his wand, his lips moving as he chanted:
"Alohomora!"
The lock turned, and the wooden door opened silently.
Lily had known for a long time where Snape was taking her.
After all, they would also come to this towering Astronomy Tower during Astronomy classes on ordinary days, so it wasn't unfamiliar.
Doubt appeared in her eyes.
Lily wanted to ask Snape why they came here.
However, immediately after pushing open the wooden door and following Snape under this beautiful starry sky dotted with countless stars, she was speechless with surprise, unable to believe what she saw!
Honey cakes shone with an enticing luster in the dim light.
Even from a distance, Lily could already smell the sweet scent of honey.
And this was just the appetizer.
Freshly baked beef pies emitted tempting heat, undoubtedly carrying a temptation greater than ever on this slightly cold night!
Pale red raspberry jam was placed on the picnic cloth.
Next to it were fresh, crisp lettuce and toasted bread slices. Not to mention the well-deserved protagonist—steaks occupying the very center, with charming barbecue sauce carefully drizzled on the surface, enticing yet coy!
Gulp.
Swallowing uncontrollably, Lily couldn't believe everything she saw.
However, when she turned her head and saw Snape gazing at her, the corner of his mouth was curling up in an imperceptible smile!
Unprecedented regret welled up in her heart.
If I had known earlier, I wouldn't have eaten so many dried fish! Ahhhhhhh!!
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