Chapter Text
OBSCURUS: Before wizards went underground, when we were still being hunted by muggles, young wizards and witches sometimes tried to suppress their magic to avoid persecution. So instead of learning to harness or to control their powers, they developed what was called an Obscurus. An Obscurus is developed under very specific conditions: trauma associated with the use of magic, internalized hatred of one's own magic and a conscious attempt to suppress it.
OBSCURIAL: An Obscurial is a young wizard or witch who has developed a dark parasitical magical force, known as an Obscurus, as a result of their magic being suppressed through psychological or physical abuse. No known Obscurial recorded in history has ever lived long, and there is no known cure. However, it has been theorized by Albus Dumbledore that an Obscurial could possibly be healed by replacing their feelings of alienation, which ultimately created their Obscurus, with a sense of belonging.
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Obscurial Flower (Rewritten)
Chapter 1: A Different Path
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“You have no idea what it’s like on the other side! Where nothing’s in control, nothing makes sense! There is just pain and hate and nothing you do means anything.”
- Faith Lehane, Angel the Series
Cokeworth, England, 1969
It was just a normal day like any other. Lily and her older sister Petunia were playing in the playground in the town of Cokeworth where they lived.
They were by themselves when a boy, the same age as Lily, appeared from out a bush while she was showing her sister a trick. Lily was opening and closing a flower's petals as her sister looked displeased but awed. That was when another path for her life had opened for her.
Severus Snape told her how she was a witch and used magic. At first, Lily took offense to it and walked away from the strange boy, following her sister's command to leave.
But something brought her back to this same playground and she soon warmed up to the boy who told her of the magical world. He talked of Hogwarts, the school they would both be attending once they were eleven. She was so excited to be part of this magical, new world.
It wasn't to be though. The very next day after learning of Hogwarts, Lily went to meet Severus and told him the news. The Evans family was moving to America as Mr. Evans' job was being transferred there.
"Do you know where you will be moving? Maybe we can keep in contact?" Severus asked her, trying to hide his sadness.
"I don't know exactly, but somewhere in Salem, Massachusetts. My father just told us and we've started packing. Maybe you could give me your address and we can write letters to each other. Tell me all about how Hogwarts is! It would have been nice to go to a wizarding school together." Lily said, smiling at him sadly.
Severus nodded, scribing down his address on a paper and handing it to her. "There are other wizarding schools in different places. Not just Hogwarts. Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is the most popular one in America."
"Will they still give my parents the letter?" Lily asked hopefully.
"Yes. The headmasters of the school will come to your parents and explain it just the same." Severus told her.
"Alright. Thank you Sev and...goodbye. I’ll write to you when I can." Lily took him into a surprise hug, making the young boy blush as he sadly watched her walk away for the last time.
He wouldn't forget the girl with bright auburn hair and green almond eyes who had touched his life with her kindness, becoming his first friend.
Salem, Massachusetts, 1970
The Evans family had arrived at their new home in America in a nice, quiet little town. Petunia was mad about leaving her friends behind and Lily was sad about leaving Severus, but this was their new home now. Lily decided to breathe it in and go with it.
Besides, she couldn't wait for the letter from Ilvermorny. Only Petunia knew of her magic, and though Lily might have given little bursts of her magic around her parents, she didn't think they knew of her abilities.
Until then, she would survive muggle school as usual with her sister.
It was a pleasant afternoon as Lily sat on the porch, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Ilvermorny headmasters who would come to tell her parents that their daughter was a witch and she would be attending their school.
The auburn haired girl rocked her legs back and forth in unsettled excitement and looked around for a sign of them, perking her head up at whoever walked past.
Petunia came outside to join her little sister, wondering why she was sitting outside. "Who are you waiting for?"
Lily looked up at her. "Who says I'm waiting for someone?"
"Because you've been running around, looking out the windows like you're waiting for someone to arrive and you've also been saying "Today's the day! I'm so excited!" ever since you woke up." Petunia stated.
A small blush came to Lily's cheeks. "Well, maybe."
Petunia's eyebrow raised a bit watching her reaction and gave a sneer. "Is that Snape boy coming all the way from Spinner's End to visit you? Are the two of you finally past just sending letters to each other?"
Surprised at first, Lily's expression became a bit sad. "No, he can’t make it."
"Did you get a boyfriend then?" The older sister asked warily. Lily was only 10 and too young to have a boyfriend.
"What?! No! Since it seems you won't stop asking until I tell you, I'm waiting for a professor."
Petunia chuckled. "A professor? Did one of your professor’s tell you they were coming over to the house because you're in trouble?" She paused a bit before continuing. "You aren't in trouble, are you?"
Lily laughed. "No Tuney. Remember the tricks I can do, the magic?"
Petunia's blue eyes became wide. "There are freaks here in America as well?"
"Tuney!"
"So they're coming to take you away?"
"Yes...as a student! The wizarding school here in America - Ilvermorny - will have professors from that school come greet mum and dad and tell them I'm a witch. They sent me a letter saying they would be by today."
Petunia crossed her arms and sneered. "How do you think mum and dad will take your news?"
"I'm not quite sure to be honest. I'm hoping well. Sev said they will explain it to them in a way they understand." Lily replied, trying to hide the hesitance in her voice. She hoped they would react in a good way at least.
"Well, you will find out right now then because I think that's them." Petunia said standing up straight and tall as a woman and man holding briefcases walked up towards them, appearing out of nowhere.
Lily jumped up happily, smiling brightly.
"Miss Lily Evans?" The woman asked.
"Y-Yes that's me!"
"We're from Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We've come to inform your parents of your enrollment in our school."
Lily's parents listened quietly while the headmaster and the woman, who was a professor there, informed Lily's parents their daughter was a witch. They seemed skeptical about it, remaining silent and their faces full of confusion and shock.
"Lily is a special girl and I know this must come as a shock for you, but it would be best if she comes to Ilvermorny to learn how to control her magical abilities and use them properly." The headmaster said.
"You can't be serious…" Mr. Evans finally replied. "How do you know our Lily is a witch? Where is the proof?"
The headmaster and Lily exchanged looks before the young girl took the flower from the vase and levitated it right in front of them, making its petals move as she did with Petunia back in Cokeworth.
"See what I can do dad! I have magic, I'm a witch!" Lily declared happily.
Mrs. Evans looked at her daughter with narrowed eyes. "And how long has this been happening?"
Lily glanced at her sister, which Petunia shrugged. "Since I turned seven I think. I've been able to do more and more."
Her parents remained silent, thinking this over. Lily noticed and felt a cold feeling take over her, trying to explain herself to her parents. "I know I should have told you about this sooner, but I wasn't sure of what was happening. I didn't even know I was a witch or that it was magic I was doing until my friend back in Cokeworth told me. He's just like me! Severus Snape, the one I’ve been writing letters to."
They remained silent, but she persisted. "I would love to attend Ilvermorny. It will be a great experience and help-"
"ENOUGH!" Mr. Evans barked.
This shocked not only Lily, but Petunia as well, their eyes going wide. They could tell from the tone that their father was not happy. This had to be the first time Lily had ever seen her dad angry with her.
"Dad…"
"I think it's best if you leave now. Thank you for the offer, but she will not be attending."
The headmaster knew the man was shocked, but continued to press on, knowing the importance of having Lily attend the school and the consequences that would follow if she didn't learn how to control her magic. "Mr. Evans, please reconsider. If this is about money for her enrollment or supplies, it won't be that much of a problem-"
"Leave. NOW!" He was beginning to lead them to the door.
Now it was the professor's turn to plead. "Mr. and Mrs. Evans, your daughter needs to learn how to properly control her magic in an environment perfect for her-"
"Goodbye!"
"It isn't healthy for her...the consequences…"
Before they could finish, Mr. Evans slammed the door in their face and turned to Lily, giving her a stern look.
Tears were at the edge of her green eyes. "Mum...Dad…"
"Our daughter will be no witch!" Mr. Evans yelled. "You're not going to that Ilvermorny school, and that’s final!”
"What will we do honey?" Mrs. Evans asked her husband, looking at Lily in fright.
"I know exactly the place Lily needs to go. A place known for treatments that will help fix her right."
Lily was sobbing now as she looked at her older sister. "Tuney...tell them...there is nothing wrong with me! Right!?"
Petunia had her fist balled and looked hesitant. She didn't know how to reply. She cared for her sister, but yet, she knew the abilities Lily had weren't right. She even remembered telling her that herself. If they were suggesting Lily get a treatment that would help cure her and they seemed confident it would, maybe it wouldn't be bad. After all, their parents wouldn't do anything to hurt or harm her sister, right?!
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland, 1976
Severus often thought back on Lily, his first and only true friend he had had, wondering how she was doing. Wondering how different things would have gone if she didn’t move away and ended up following him to Hogwarts. Would she have ended up in Slytherin with him? Would she have been able to make being at this school and the troubles he went through tolerable?
Ever since his first train ride to Hogwarts at age eleven, he was constantly being bullied by the likes of James Potter and his friends. He had to start inventing his own spells and coming up with tactics to out smart them.
Would she have helped him in stopping them, being on his side?
Getting up from his bed, Severus magically opened the box from under his bed, pulling out a collection of letters exchanged between him and Lily before coming to Hogwarts. Despite it only being six years since he had last received her letter, or that they had contact, he held onto them dearly.
Pulling out her last letter to him, he decided to read it over once again, still trying to figure out the contents behind it.
Dear Sev,
I don’t have much time. I need to write this quickly. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to respond to your letters you sent me. The headmaster from Ilvermorny came to tell the news to my parents. However, Mum and Dad…they didn’t take it so well.
They’ve asked me to stop writing to you. I don’t want to do that. You’re my only friend, and I think the only one who accepts me for who I am.
Signed, Lily
What happened to Lily? Even if her parents didn’t take the news well, it’s not like they could stop her from attending wizarding school anyway. There had to be some law against that.
He only hoped that wherever she was that she was safe and happy. He wanted to let her know he felt the same way about her too, but couldn’t find the right words to say it.
For now, he was waiting for the moment until he turned seventeen and left Hogwarts for good so he could use magic outside of school and go to Salem, Massachusetts, and reunite with her once again. No restrictions.
Classified Location, England, 1979
“It appears a Muggleborn witch has ended up killing her muggle family in a fire,” Lord Voldemort explained, chuckling with amusement, “According to the ministry, she was supposed to attend wizarding school, but her muggle parents rejected the idea.”
All of his followers either shouted or gave chuckles in response.
“Because of this, she’s an Obscurial. I know she’s a Mudblood, but think of what a wonderful weapon she would make at my disposal. I want all of you to keep an eye out for this girl and capture her before the Ministry does. I wish to recruit her to the cause.” No one dared to question Voldemort’s decision despite not agreeing with it. “Her name is Lily Evans,” Severus felt his breath hitch at the mention of her name, “You are all now dismissed!”
His old childhood friend. It couldn’t be that same girl, but yet, the description fit her so well. Severus felt he was almost going to be sick, but instead masked his emotions with Occlumency.
After graduating Hogwarts, he had apparated to her residence in Salem, looking back on the old letters she had sent him. However, when he got there, all he found was an empty place where her house should have been. He wasn’t sure what happened, but now this news explained it all.
He had to find her before anyone else did.
He had to make sure she was alright.
The only question was: where would he begin to find her?
She was on the run, trying to avoid detection. But if there was anything he learned about Obscurial’s from Hogwarts, it was that despite being rare for a valid reason, they would always leave a trail in their wake.
However, Severus knew Lily, and he decided to start with his guesses first on where she would be trying to keep low.
And with that, he apparated away.