With shaky hands, Severus Snape tied the scroll onto his owl's leg. His letter read:

28 October, 1981
Lils,

I know you don't want to hear from me, but I thought it wouldn't hurt to just tell you one last time that I am sorry. And I miss you more than you can imagine. You have no idea how much it kills me when I wake up to know that I won't be seeing you. We used to be best friends. Remember when you told me that no matter what anyone else said about me, you knew who I really was and nothing anyone ever said could change that? You believed in me, Lils. And I am so sorry that I ever made you doubt me.
But now it has been over three years since we have seen each other and five years since we have spoken, and I just need to talk to you. I want to try to repair the damage I have done, and frankly, I need you.

Yours always,
Sev

Three days later, on the night of the 31st, Severus was startled by a scratching at his window. It was his owl. She was back. And there was a thin scroll attached to her leg. Throwing the window open, he grabbed the piece of parchment and read it.

30, October, 1981
Sev,

Lets meet on November 1st. Give this note to Peter Pettigrew and he will know what to do.

Lily

Severus could not believe what he was reading. He was going to get to see Lily. Tomorrow. He stood there paralyzed with disbelief and incredible joy. He stood there for what felt like hours, his mind swirling. What would he say to her after all this time?

Just then, another owl swept through his still open window. It bore the dark mark and a message:

The Dark Lord has fallen. James and Lily Potter are dead, but the boy survived.

Severus collapsed.