Severus Snape sat alone in his study, paperwork forgotten. An old dust covered album lay closed in his hands. He had found it in search of a old text book, it had been buried deep in the drawers of his desk. His heart ached, as he touched the old leather cover. Memories. Painful memories, ones he relived everyday. One's he had tried to forget. Long, shaking, pale fingers opened it slowly. Dark obsidian eyes afraid, afraid of what they might see.

Photos.

Identical 11 year old grins as a camera flashed under the Hogwarts Express sign at the station.

Laughing teenagers at the Great Lake, the boy soaking wet, while the red headed girl shrieked as he tossed water at her.

Sunlight filtering through the canopy of the trees as the same pair lay on the floor of the forest.

Outside in the moonlight, serious and quiet as they walked around the grounds.

Then…

Photos of the girl, alone, studying in the library.

Laughing with her friends by the lake.

A torn graduation photo of the girl holding a rolled up piece of parchment and someone's hand while grinning wildly.

A year book picture with her giving her sly smile to the camera, her eyes shining.

There was no dark haired boy in these photos.

Snape closed his eyes against the memories. Severus loved once. He knew no one would believe that a cold, heartless, dungeon bat could love. But he had. Her eyes were imprinted in his mind, those emerald gems that sparkled, the eyes he loved so much. It had hurt to see those eyes filled with disgust and hate.

Especially when it was directed at him. Her hair, like fiery silk. He had always wanted to trace his long finger through her hair, her beautiful hair. Her laugh was a melody he could never get enough of. She was an addiction.

He had envied James Potter. Toe-rag Potter, with his good looks and Quidditch skills.

She deserved someone like that, not him. No, never him.

All he could offer her was darkness.

What a fool he was. Loving an angel like her. He was the darkness, and she was his light. Something he craved, but could never have.

The last photo was torn in half. It showed a young woman, smiling and laughing, her delight evident in her eyes.

Tears splashed on the last photo.

Her words echoing in his grief stricken mind…lot's of love…Severus Snape huddled in his chair, letting the salt water fall from his eyes as he looked at the one thing in his life that he had ever loved.

Lily Evans.