Lily rushed through the house to her husband's office. "James, have you paid the bills? I've got to meet the lawyer about the accident the other day."

James frowned. "Uh- no, sorry honey. I haven't gotten my paycheck from Dumbles yet."

"James! These are late! Deal with them! And get Sirius to come over to take care of Harry- I've got to leave."

"Lily, Sirius is recruiting help in America from the werewolves with Moony." James rolled his eyes.

"Well- then-oh, I'll bring him with me!"

XXXX

Lily arrived at the meeting place the lawyer had called to meet her at. "Are you Mr. Tomsan?"

"Yes."

"Where's my usual lawyer? I've heard of you, and we can't possibly pay-"

"My check has already been filled, Mrs. Potter." The man nodded professionally. Lily blinked.

"But who-?"

"Anonymous, ma'am, now- onto the issue at hand."

XXXX

"Lily, I can't explain it. I just called the businesses we owed to apologize for the lateness, and they said everything has been paid off, and more!"

"And an amazing lawyer has been put in the place of old Mr. Sangdore!"

"A babysitter certified by the ministry offered to help out with Harry for free!"

Lily shook her head in amazement. She and James had wanted a new start, without the help of James' family finances. They'd soon sunk under debt, and as newlyweds at such a young age, they didn't have much money of their own. And suddenly they were whisked off their feet and were free again?

"It seems suspicious." Lily told James.

James laughed. "I bet it's just Dumbledore or our friends helping out anonymously."

That was the end of the conversation, but as they went through life, she questioned little lifts that helped their little family out and filled up the bank. No one could possibly be this generous with money- and no one could possibly be rich enough to help them out so much.

XXXX

After a busy day of work and taking care of Harry, Lily slipped down into her brewing room- she enjoyed making experimental potions for fun. A small card sitting next to a large pile of rare ingredients caught her attention. Dread filled her body as she settled into a comfortable chair to open it.

Her fears were answered with the letter's address. Severus Snape.

"Why is he writing me?" She thought angrily. Severus used to be a good friend- in fact, she used to have a crush on him. Her young love was crushed when he called her a mudblood. It was- unforgivable. But she forced her shaking hands to flatten out the paper and read the cramped, slanted handwriting of the one and only Severus Snape.

Dear Lily,

I hope you will forgive me, for everything. I have forever loved you. I am in an inescapable situation at the moment, and I may not come out of it alive. I do not expect you to return my feelings. I know I do not even deserve you to accept my letter. But please, just let me see you one last time. Meet me at the King's Cross Station where we first gathered to go to Hogwarts- our salvation from the cruel muggle world. For the sake of old times, please meet me so I can properly apologize for all these years.

Yours,

Severus

"Why now, Severus, why now?" She murmured. She loved James, very dearly, but- there was still a hole in her heart from Severus leaving her. Could she meet with him without tearing that hole further? No, she couldn't. But to honor his request... a pain gripped her chest, digging deeper. Cruel words had hurt her forever- she could not meet with her former love. But she couldn't leave him hanging, for what they used to have. And for the pain he must be in.

She gathered a pen and quill and wrote below it,

Severus,

I cannot meet you, but live in peace knowing your apology has reached me.

Lily.

She breathed a calming breath, gave the letter to her owl, and walked upstairs to see Harry, the solace in her pain. Life would have to move on.