A small light split the darkness. A red-haired teenager was sitting at her desk, staring at a piece of paper. It was blank, save for two words: Dear Sev. Lily Evans really didn't know what to say to her Slytherin friend.

Ever since she was nine years old, Severus Snape had been her best friend. Now, eight years later, they were still the best of friends. Well, that was until about two weeks ago. . .

Flashback

Lily had caught a glimpse of Sev's left arm and just about screamed. There, in black, was the dark mark burned into his skin. Sev, having heard Lily's gasp of terror, turned to see what was wrong, but he was too late. Lily had already left in a bundle of tears. Sev went after her. Not knowing what was wrong; he found her in a compartment all by herself, crying tears of agony.

"Lily, what's the matter?" asked Sev cautiously.

"How could you?" she asked in a hushed voice. Severus just stood in the doorway with a confused look on his face. He had no idea what she was talking about, for he hadn't seen what she'd seen.

Lily got up and yanked up Snape's left arm, and just stared at him with hurt in her eyes. He finally figured it out. Sev paled. He had joined the Dark Lord the previous summer and had hidden it from Lily for a year.

"Lily, please, I can explain. . ." Sev began, but Lily cut in.

"You lied to me!! Not only that, but you betrayed me!! I hate you!!" she yelled. That was all she said as she pushed past Sev.

End Flashback

Those were the last words she had spoken to Sev. She didn't mean any of them. Sure, he lied to her and betrayed her, but she didn't hate him. In fact, it was just the opposite. She loved Severus Snape with all that she had. Her boyfriend, James Potter, was then pushed aside. James was nice and handsome and played Quidditch, but Sev was more of a man then James could ever be. James and his gang (Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew) picked on Sev and, try as she might, Lily could not get them to stop.

Lily just sat there staring at the unfinished letter, thinking on what she should say. Should she admit her love for him? Should she invite him over? Visions of Sev visiting flew through her head. Thoughts of his reaction when he received this letter came next. He would tell her that he wouldn't be caught dead in a muggle household, and it was torment enough just hanging out with her anymore.

Lily was jerked out of her thoughts by a knock at the door. "Lily, are you in there?" asked her father in a caring voice. Lily quietly got up and opened the door. Her father stood there with a letter in his hands. "This just came for you," he said kindly. Lily took the letter and looked at the front. It was from Sev. Tears formed in her eyes. "Lily, is something wrong?" her dad asked. Lily just shook her head. "Nice try, Lil, but I know when you're upset." Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. She quickly hugged her loving father around the neck and cried into his shoulder. "Lily, you haven't even opened it yet. You don't even know what it is."

"Really, I don't care. Just the fact that he dared to drop me an owl is surprising after what happened on the train," explained Lily.

"I'm not gonna ask about the train, but you better open that just incase it's a howler."

"Sev hates howlers."

"That doesn't mean he doesn't know that you love them. Now I'll go away so you can enjoy your letter." Lily's Father walked away. Lily closed her door again. As she sat down at her desk again, she glanced at the two-word letter. It would have to wait.

Lily stared at the letter for a while before she opened it. Satisfied it was not a howler and it was indeed from Sev, she carefully opened it.

Dear Lily,

I'm sorry I lied to you. I should have told you. You mean more to me than any lord, Dark or Light. I don't know what I was thinking joining the Dark Lord and his forces. I knew it would upset you, and that was a risk I shouldn't have been willing to take. No matter how much you say you hate me, I love you, Lily Evans.

Whenever I've just been beaten up by James and his gang, your smile warms my heart. Cloudy days always seem sunny with you around. You make me happier than any one else ever has. I really don't know when it happened, but I fell in love with you. I just wanted you to know, even though I know that I'll never measure up to Potter. I know you will reject me, and I don't blame you. James Potter is good for you. He'll be strong for you, I can't give you anything.

Now I'm just rambling and wasting your time. I just wanted to apologize for scaring you.

God, damn it, I hate the Dark Lord. There is no way in Hell that I could obey him. I quit the Dark Lord. Not just for my sanity, but for you.

Oh, God, I'm back to rambling again. I'm sorry. For everything.

Your friend,

Severus Snape

Lily had to read the letter a few times in order for the meaning to really sink in. She had always thought that the Dark Lord took priority over her in Sev's life. Now he was quitting partly for her. He loved her? She didn't really know what to say to that one. She always had loved him, but thought it would be a little awkward for him to date her. Now, he had poured his heart into the letter. It was official; she was breaking up with James. She grabbed a piece of parchment and wrote "Dear James," on the top.