This is dedicated to Alan Rickman. God bless his soul.

~o0o~

When Severus Snape opened his eyes, all he saw was white. Nothing but extensive whiteness in every direction. He blinked a couple of times, trying to figure out what happened. He remembered Potter gazing down on him, and telling him something. What he had told the young Gryffindor, however, escaped him. He stood there, in that one spot in the endless sea of purity, mulling over his thoughts when he heard a voice.

A very familiar voice.

Severus turned his head to the direction from whence the noise came. His eyes widened. Standing maybe two hundred meters away, was James Potter. His archrival. Beside him were Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, and Fred Weasley. Severus stared.

"OI SNIVELLUS! OVER HERE!" James called waving his arms. Severus, as much as he didn't want to, walked over to the group of mischief makers.

"What is it, Potter?" He asked upon reaching his destination.

"Welcome to heaven, Snapey-poo."

Snape blinked.

"Excuse me?"

"What? No Snapey-poo?"

"That's not what I meant and you know it, Potter."

"Severus."

Severus turned to face Remus. "Yes?"

"You died, Severus. Just like the rest of us."

Snape looked around. He would have remembered dying, wouldn't he? That's when it hit him. He died with Harry James Potter trying to save his life.

But it was too late.

It was too late.

Severus couldn't think. He couldn't breathe.

"Severus? Severus, can you hear me?" He could hear the voice, but he wasn't listening to it. He was in complete shock.

Severus Snape was dead.

"Severus?" A different voice asked, a voice that Severus knew all too well.

Lily.

He bolted up ramrod straight and looked her dead in the eye. After all these many years, he was seeing the love of his life. Lily.

"I know it's a shock, Severus. Please, please don't be afraid. Everything will be alright. It'll be okay, Severus." She comforted as she enveloped him in a hug. His arms subconsiously wrapped themselves around her, holding her close. He didn't want her to leave him again, not after finally getting her back, even if the circumstances were less than pleasant.

"Lily…" He breathed, dropping his head on her shoulder. "Lily… I missed you."

"I know you did, Severus. I've been watching over you from here. So many times I wanted to tell you that I was there, watching you teach and look after Harry. I wanted to tell you so badly, but I couldn't. I couldn't."

Wetness trailed down Severus's face, but he didn't notice it until a hand wiped at the fallen tears. Severus looked up to see James brushing away the tears from his face. Why, though? Why would James of all people be helping him? As if reading his thoughts, James answered.

"Because, even if I didn't show it then, I care, Severus. I care about you. Even if we were in different houses, even if I never said it to you, I considered you my friend. I still do."

Severus blinked again.

"It's true, Sev. We all did." Sirius stated, speaking for the first time since Severus got there.

"I can verify that, Professor. The Marauder's Map would talk about you. Good things." Fred chimed in, one hand in his pocket.

In that one moment, for the first time in many years, Severus Snape felt happy. Truly happy.

Happy to have friends.

Happy to be reunited at last.

Fin.

~o0o~

Rest in peace, Alan Rickman. You are the greatest man I've ever known and you will always be in my heart.