The snakebite came abruptly, though Severus could not truly say he was surprised. Whether through venomous fangs or a flash or green light, his death had been inevitable. Still, the pain as the poison burned through his veins was excruciating. He could only recall such a feeling of pain once before in his life…
He watched her from across the Great Hall with the same look of longing on his face as when he watched her at the playground when they were eight years old. Lily Evans might move on, might make new friends or lovers, but she would always be his. He had branded her, through games of make believe in childhood and years of steady albeit tentative friendship at school.
Most of the Slytherins were clustered around the center of the table, listening to Lucius Malfoy boast in a hushed tone about the new dark spell he had been experimenting with. Severus chose solitude, hunched over in a side chair as if he was hoping to become invisible. From here, he had a clear and undisturbed view of Lily as she sat surrounded by friends.
Never had he been jealous of the girl's popularity. He had even felt a strange sense of pride as he watched Lily blossom like the flower that shared her name. Always, no matter how many glowing admirers Lily obtained, he had filled the role of best friend. Now, all too suddenly, he realized how easy he could be replaced.
But where would he be without Lily? He would wither like an oversized weed deprived of its sun.
Suddenly, his vision flashed crimson as Potter drew near to Lily, his Lily. Scrambling for his wand, Severus muttered a series of spells that would sharpen his hearing.
"…didn't know it would go so far. Really, Evans, we meant no harm. Sirius and I, we just get a bit out of control at times, that's all…" Severus felt a rush of satisfaction at the fact that Lily refused to even turn and acknowledge Potter's presence. "And I know Snape is your friend…" Potter muttered, clearly unable to understand why, but he was cut off as Lily whirled around.
"He's not my friend!" Her words cut like shards of glass through the air; Severus wouldn't have been surprised to feel hot blood spilling from his ears. Lily turned back around before he could pretend he wasn't watching her, before he could even mask the expression of shock and betrayal that was stamped across his face. Her vivid green eyes, normally so full of life and laughter, now only burned into his with intense dislike. Breaking her gaze from Severus, she gathered her books, pushed past a bewildered Potter, and fled the Great Hall. It was the last time they ever met eyes…
…Black-red blood poured freely from the twin wounds on his neck. Standing above him was the spitting image of James Potter, and even in a moment so close to death, that was enough to tighten his fists in hatred.
But something more precious than blood was pouring from his damaged body. "Take it… take it…" Through heavy-lidded eyes, he watched as Lily Potter's son knelt to collect the ghostly silver memories.
"Look… at… me…" Severus's last desperate request rasped from his throat. Never mind that Harry was identical to his father, never mind that he and Harry had shared a mutual dislike for seven years. The boy had inherited his mother's eyes.
Black meeting green, Severus stared into the eyes so like Lily Evan's. Letting out a last, shuddering breath, he let himself sink into an emerald sea.
