After a brief self-introduction.
The three of them searched for interesting things all around Diagon Alley, where magical wonders were displayed to the fullest!
In this small team, Lily was the one loudly full of energy most of the time, while Lupin's behavior still inevitably carried a sense of restraint.
But as time passed, after trying one interesting activity after another.
Mutual laughter soon dispelled some of the unfamiliarity, and Lupin's face gradually showed a heartfelt smile.
Snape observed everything silently, not saying much.
According to the original plot development.
After enrolling in Hogwarts, this kind boy yearning for friendship would become a member of the Marauders!
He was also the only one in the entire four-person Marauders group who could be called a good person from childhood to adulthood!
Unlike the arrogant and self-centered James in his youth, Sirius who aided and abetted tyranny, and Peter who bullied the weak but feared the strong and eventually became a Death Eater.
From beginning to end, due to his unfortunate childhood experience, Lupin held great sympathy for the weak.
Perhaps the only thing that could be called a shortcoming that wasn't really a shortcoming was that because he valued friendship too much, he dared not step forward to stop James and others even when he saw them bullying other students with his own eyes.
But no matter what, Lupin was a friend worth making!
As someone who probably knew Lupin better than Lupin knew himself, Snape naturally wouldn't give up such a good opportunity to get close.
Because his relationship with Lily was unpredictable, and he was very likely to join Slytherin, which would lead to hostility from the Marauders.
Although the formation of the Marauders was not yet even on the horizon.
However, to eliminate threats, Snape didn't mind building a good relationship with Lupin in advance, burying a hidden nail within the Marauders ahead of time!
If James still tried to put his hostility into action as in the original story, it would be hard to say what decision Lupin, caught between two friends, would make.
After all, if other classmates were bullied, so be it; Lupin and they couldn't be considered true friends.
But as one of the only two partners who had shown kindness to him first, could Lupin still stand by and watch like he did with others, letting the Marauders attack Snape?
This was just an idle move.
But since it had value, Snape didn't mind investing a few chips.
"That's *Rainbows Beauty Salon*, an asset of one of my pen pals. Come on, I'll take you inside to have a look. I guarantee the goods inside won't disappoint you."
Pointing to a grand-scale shop with many beautifully dressed women coming in and out of the door.
Snape led the two of them inside.
Many goods placed in the glass display cabinets opened their eyes!
For example, a salve that could wipe away belly fat like dirt, and rainbow pens that could change the color of pupils.
Even a little girl like Lily couldn't help but show a somewhat longing expression. Obviously, it wasn't without reason that Lavinia's beauty business had become more and more prosperous over the years.
"Oh, look who's here? Dear Severus, have you brewed any good beauty potions recently? The treatment Big Sister gives won't shortchange you."
"Hello, Ms. Lavinia."
Seeing Lavinia, who possessed Veela blood, again, Snape would no longer lose his composure like he did at first.
Instead, it was Lily and Lupin seeing this scene for the first time.
For a moment, they more or less revealed expressions of intoxicated infatuation, which Lavinia was obviously accustomed to.
Actually, if her subordinates hadn't notified her of Snape's arrival, Lavinia generally wouldn't appear here to avoid attracting unnecessary attention.
After exchanging a few words with Snape.
This charismatic lady bent down and whispered in Snape's ear with a teasing smile of watching the fun:
"I've already entrusted my little Sunflower to take good care of you after school starts. Don't let Big Sister down with your performance then."
Raising an eyebrow.
Over these two years of correspondence, Snape had long known that Lavinia had a daughter about to become a third-year student also studying at Hogwarts.
Although he didn't think he needed to be taken care of, Snape still politely expressed his gratitude to Lavinia, making her expression even more satisfied and affectionate.
"Take whatever you need in the shop. Big Sister won't stay here any longer."
Rubbing Snape's head.
Before more people cast their attention here, Lavinia decisively chose to leave.
And after receiving her promise before leaving, Snape didn't stand on ceremony.
Taking the fat-removing worms and rainbow pens that had attracted Lily earlier wasn't enough; subsequently, amidst Lily's excited words, he picked out several other items she was very interested in.
Finally, when passing by the area selling *Scar-Be-Gone*.
Snape took one with the most exquisite packaging and placed it with a smile into the bewildered Lupin's hands.
"I don't know how your scars were caused, but I think no matter what the reason, no one would be willing to let such scars stay on their face.
I may not be able to help you much, but giving you a *Scar-Be-Gone* is something I can do.
I hope you can walk out of the shadows soon.
No matter what happens, please remember that you still have two friends standing behind you."
"...Thank you."
It was clearly just an insignificant gift, but Lupin's voice carried a choked sob.
The care of friends brought waves of warmth.
It made his eyes moist, and he had to try his best to stop the tears from falling.
Lily understandingly noticed Lupin's strangeness, unhesitatingly put down the beauty products she had originally treated as treasures, and came to Lupin's side to comfort him softly.
Until he readjusted his emotions.
Only then did Lupin show an apologetic and grateful smile to Snape. The relationship between the three seemed to suddenly become much closer because of this.
Spending a wonderful day lingering in Diagon Alley, many magical items imbued with wonders opened Snape's eyes, and laughter never disappeared among the three for a moment.
Until the sky grew dim.
Snape and Lily finally bid farewell to the reluctant Lupin. Seeing Lupin's long-lost smile, his father also showed a gratified smile and nodded gratefully to the two.
"Does the Lupin family seem to have some difficulties?"
Returning to Cokeworth through the fireplace.
On the way Snape walked Lily back, the girl couldn't help but ask.
"Is there anything we can help with?"
Glancing at Lily, Snape said calmly:
"Take care of yourself first. School is about to start, why don't you hurry up and learn a few more spells to preview your homework?"
"...Hmph, fine if you don't tell me!"
Lily wrinkled her nose in dissatisfaction.
Instinct told her that the partner walking beside her definitely knew something she didn't understand.
But immediately Lily discovered in frustration that no one could make Snape say what he didn't want to say, even if that person was herself!
Walking back to Spinner's End in low spirits all the way.
Although somewhat annoyed that Snape kept his mouth shut, Lily still politely said goodbye to him before pushing the cart full of bags big and small to walk home.
And after Snape returned to his own home, he held a copy of *The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection*, which he had read countless times, and read it with rapt attention.
Although he had already made all preparations and was convinced that his start after enrollment would be countless times more solid than other students.
But Snape didn't mind reading through it again, just to check if there were any unnoticed loopholes in his knowledge.
The bright crescent moon shed silver moonlight, magnificent and beautiful.
Under the equal illumination of this moonlight.
There was a kind girl with hair like fire, resting her chin on her palm, thinking about how to help the friend she just made today;
There was a handsome boy with black hair and black eyes, with a mysterious temperament, flipping through profound and obscure books at an almost constant speed;
There was a poor child raising the *Scar-Be-Gone* with trembling hands, carefully wiping away the two faint scars on his face;
There was also a flawless girl listening absently to her mother's nagging, her eyebrows moving slightly with infinite charm;
Among them, of course, there were also two boys who were birds of a feather.
Using a two-way mirror, they exchanged spiritedly about things after school started, fantasizing about their wonderful life at Hogwarts, swearing to make all students remember their names!
And the moon calmly watched all this, silent.
And so, amidst the eager anticipation of all students, the last month quietly slipped away.