The weather was finally starting to clear up. The rain had turned into a drizzle; beams of light shone from in between the clouds. It was pouring as Snape had walked down from Spinner's End to the forest. He was completely soaked. But he did not even notice. His black eyes kept scanning the trees, searching for her.

After Snape finally dragged himself out of the Forbidden Forest the day before, he did not go back to the Slytherin dormitories; he headed straight toward the Gryffindor tower. He stood before the portrait of the Fat Lady and waited. He had tried this in the past and it did not work, but this time he was going to try something different.

After nearly an hour of waiting, the portrait hole swung open and out walked James Potter. He was alone. The second he saw Snape his eyes narrowed as he drew out his wand from his robes and pointed it right at the Slytherin's neck.

"You," James spat, as he glared at Snape with absolute contempt, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm looking for Lily," he replied calmly, keeping control.

"She doesn't want to see you, Snivellus," the Gryffindor leaned in closer, "Youdisgust her."

"I have to see her!"

"Is that how you ask someone for a favor?" James responded, his wand now beneath Snape's chin, "Scum!"

Snape's hand plunged into his robes, but it was no use. The as soon as he had it in his grasp, it flew in the air and landed ten feet away. James was serious.

"If you lay one fucking hand on her," James hissed, barely an inch away from Snape's face, "I swear, you will regret it."

He pulled his wand away and stormed back into the portrait hole, frightening the Fat Lady. Snape did not know what to make of it. But he kept his ground, not even bothering to pick up his wand; he was not about to run away again. This afternoon was a mistake. And he would not repeat the same mistake twice. Even though he felt dead inside, even though it seemed futile, he had to at least tell her. At least that way, she would know the truth…

The portrait hole creaked open for a second time, more gentle than before. A red-haired girl stepped out. She was wearing a white nightgown that fell mid-calf. Snape felt as though he had not laid eyes on her this closely in ages. He began to blush as he took in Lily's full figure; she had become more of a woman since the last time he stood this near to her. As her brilliant green eyes landed on Snape, her face contorted into a look of pure loathing. He winced a bit at the sight of her; she really hated him.

"What do you want, Snape?" she asked, folding her arms across her chest, "I haven't got all night."

"I… I…" the words became stuck in his throat. He had wanted to scream it: Lily Evans, I love you! But his pride stopped him.

"C'mon, spit it out!"

"Lily, meet me at our secret place," the Slytherin boy said quickly, "right when you get home… please?" She looked at him suspiciously.

"The secret place?" Lily asked, "That place disappeared two years ago, along with you." Snape stood in silence, staring at the ground.

"Whatever you have to say," she continued, "say it now."

"I-I can't…I don't want anyone else…"

"Then forget it," she interjected, "Deal's off." She turned on her heel, her nightgown and long, red hair swishing with her, to go back to her dormitory.

"Lily," he begged in a soft voice, "Lily, please… I'll never bother you again… I promise… please…"

She glanced back and as she saw Snape truly suffer, an emotion hit Lily. It was a combination of sorrow and sympathy: pity. This would be his final chance, Lily decided to herself. There was a long pause.

"Fine."

Snape looked up, eyes wide. He nodded and walked away.

Lily watched him go, brow furrowed in confusion. Why would he bother her after all of this time? After she and James were married, there would be no more of it, so she might as well allow him to speak his mind. But something troubled her as she went to sleep for the last time in the Gryffindor dormitory: what did Severus Snape have to say?