It was a cool, rainy night late in November when James Potter was awoken by what sounded like piano music. Piano music? Startled, James sat up on his elbows and listened hard. Sure enough a soft, sad tune, rising in tempo before quieting down could be heard, though only slightly. It was muffled by the thick stone walls and floors, but due to the cracks and displaced mortar, James could just make it out. He sat and listened for awhile, his curiosity growing as the song played out it's story of woe until at last he couldn't take it anymore. He had to know who was playing the piano at such a late hour. To hell with curfew. Damn the rules. Throwing caution to the wind, James got up, slid on his shoes, and grabbing up his invisibility cloak, put it on before going to go investigate, hoping and praying he could catch whom ever it was before the caretaker ran them off.
Severus Snape sat at the piano in the ballroom, posture near perfect, head bowed, long bony fingers gracefully moving over the keys as he played yet another sad melody, tears streaming down his face in thin silvery rivulets. Every now and again he sniffled, but didn't bother pausing to wipe his nose. In truth, the young Slytherin was too enthralled with what he was doing to even take note of the fact that he was indeed crying. It wasn't until one of the warm tears dripped onto the back of his hand that Severus finally acknowledged this fact and stopped playing long enough to dry his eyes on the sleeve of his house coat before resuming the song, completely unaware that he now had an audience.
James watched amazed as his rival's fingers danced gracefully over the keys. He couldn't believe it. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought of Severus Snape, the greasiest most revolting git to ever grace the halls of Hogwart's, being such a talented pianist. It was amazing. Absolutely incredible. And gods if the guy didn't look so much like an angel right then. The moonlight cascading through the windows played upon the contours of Severus' face, making him appear more handsome, and caught his raven hair in such way that it brought out his natural blue highlights, something that James had failed to notice until right then. He quietly sighed.
How on earth could I have been so blind?
All that time of thinking Severus as hideous when in truth he was an angel. An angel of darkness, sure, but still, an angel none the less. Just then the music stopped, and Severus got up and fled the room, just as the caretaker entered through the servant's entrance. James held his breath and slowly back towards the main entrance as the old squib walked further into the room. After performing a quick sweep, the man left, muttering something about damn noisy ghosts. Once he was sure he was gone, James relaxed and made his own quick escape, vowing never to speak of what he had witnessed to anyone.