a/n: I don't really understand why people post that they don't own Harry Potter. Since this is a fan fiction site, wouldn't that be a given?
I hold it true, whate'er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all.
Alfred Tennyson
A View to Death
He stood there in the impending darkness. The only area of this concentration was focused on the Elder Wand. It swished, but nothing happened. Severus let some air escape from his lungs. Maybe the Dark Lord had decided to spare him after all. Maybe the wand just wouldn't work for him. Maybe he could find Harry Potter and tell him what he had to do before he was gone.
After a split second of relief he saw it. The snakes cage flew through the air and landed on his head. A hissing sound was coming from Voldemort's mouth. Severus had never been the screaming type, but when he opened his mouth it erupted out. Nagini had bit his neck.
"I regret it.' said Voldemort, but Severus knew he was lying. The snake was collected, and the Dark Lord had walked into the night.
This was the end. Severus felt it throughout his body. He heard footsteps. The crate in front of him was moved, and Harry Potter and Hermione Granger appeared. Severus was trying to hold the wound, but he felt darkness coming over him every second. Harry was bending over him. Severus saw the face of the man he hated. Looking up, he saw the eyes of the woman he loved. He grabbed Harry's robes and stared him full in the face.
"Take…. It."
Harry glanced around in confusion.
"Take…. It."
His voice would have been more forceful if he could have managed it. Harry finally understood, and Hermione gave him a flask. Severus' eyes followed the boy as he filled the flask with his memories. Severus was feeling weaker by the second. He felt his grip loosen.
"Look at me." he said in a barely audible tone.
James looked at him without a sneer to his lips. Lily looked concerned. Within the green every emotion came back to him in a rush.
"Hey Sev." said a cheerful youthful voice.
"Yeah, Lil?" Severus answered.
They had been practicing patronus charms all afternoon by the Hogwarts lake. Severus hadn't been that successful. Once he had produced a small vapor from his wand that disappeared. Lily had already produced a real patronus which had the shape of a doe. Severus was now sure that the doe was the most beautiful animal in the world.
"Sev, you know the Yule ball is coming up."
"Mhm."
"Well d'you think that.."
"Yeah!"
"You think Remus would go with me?"
"Well, um.."
Severus was lost for words.
"Thanks Sev!"
Lily kissed him on the cheek, and began to walk off.
"Wait! Lily!"
"Hmm?"
Severus felt words bubbling up in him.
"I…I…I well…"
Lily had a look of confusion on her face.
"Never mind."
"Alright then."
Lily left him standing there. The sun was setting. The sun was setting on him.
Lily's eyes were boring into his black pits of eyes. He fell into them, and the heart that beat only for her stopped.