Author's note: This is the second fanfic I wrote, but I posted it first because it runs before "The Black Mirror".

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Just copies of the books.

Summary: Ten months has passed since Severus Snape fled from Hogwarts after killing Albus Dumbledore. He now sits in his mansion while waiting for the arrival of Harry Potter. As he waits, Snape falls asleep and begins to dream about his past he had long forgotten.

Chapter 1: The Birth of His Flame
"You should smile once in a while. You always look like you're angry with that frown upon your face," a teenage girl said with a laugh to her friend. "It's not that you aren't attractive, it's that stupid frown that you always wear scares people away."

Her friend grunted and continued to stare down at his potion's book. He tried to study, but could not deny the fact that he enjoys her company. But he could not let that show. He let his long oily hair cover the fact that he was blushing from her last comment. He continued to pretend to ignore her.

She turned to look at her friend and only saw a patch of his oily hair blocking his face. So she stood up from her seat next to him in the grass, walked before him and leaned down to look her friend in his eyes. As she was about to speak, she noticed the red glow on his cheeks that he had tried to hide. "Your face isn't red is it? Because it looks like you're blushing!" she teased with a wide grin.

"Shut up, Mudblood!" he screamed as looked up at his friend. She had grown beautifully in the five years he had known her. He loved her beautiful emerald eyes. They glimmered whenever he looked into them. Then, he wondered how soft and gentle her dark red hair looked. He fought the urge to brush his hands through it. A gust of wind blew and, for a moment, her hair almost looked like a flame. Like she is. She burned brightly wherever she went. No one could resist her charms. No one could resist her looks. Not even him. What was he thinking? He wondered. You never look her in the eyes!

He quickly lowered his gaze towards his book, but stopped midway. If his face was not red, it was now. There was no mistaking it. His friend doubled over and laughed as she rolled on the ground. "Shut up, Mudblood! That's not funny!" he shouted as he slapped his book shut and stood up. His friend still rolled around on the ground. It looked as if she wanted to say something, but was laughing too hard. "You're almost just as bad as Potter."

That statement hit the spot. "Take that back!" she shouted as he turned around to walk away. "I'm not James! Take that back, Severus!"

He was smiling. This was not a mischievous grin. This was a genuine smile. He had few smiles in his life. This was one of the best. "Fine, I take it back."

"Hey!" she called out realizing something. "You never meant that in the first place! Just like you never mean 'Mudblood'!"

"Finally catching on, Lily? Weren't you supposed to be the brightest in Hogwarts?" He was still smiling. It felt good to smile. But he had to stop soon. He could not let others see him like this. Especially Lucius and Potter. "And just a suggestion if you see Potter. Don't lean over like that. He might take advantage of the view. If he dies of bliss, all the better though."

"What!" Lily called back before realizing what Severus was pointing to. "WHAT!" Now it was her turn to blush. Now she really looked like a flame.

So Severus did the only logical thing to do. He ran. While he ran, he was laughing. How long has it been since he last laughed? It didn't matter. He was laughing now. He was having fun. He was with Lily Evans.

After a short distance, he noticed Lily had stopped chasing him. He turned back and looked at his friend. She had a shocked looked on her face. "Did you just laugh?" she asked.

"Laugh?" Severus grunted nervously. "Me? Laugh? You must be delirious!" He turned and walked as fast as he could.

"You just laughed!" Lily cried out as she chased after him.

"Did not."

"Did too! Stop denying it!"

Severus just kept on walking and denied his laughter at every turn. He was smiling though. He was smiling…

Suddenly, Severus jolted awake in his chair. It was just a dream. He realized. He lifted his hand and rubbed his eyes. How long had he been asleep? Or rather, how long has it been since he had that dream last? It has been far too long.

Severus looked over to the fire that burned in his fireplace. It reminded him of a past he longed to return to. Had it not been for the mistakes he made along the way, he would have been actually happy with his life. But no, he made the mistakes. They were in the past. There was no way to return to fix them. Now it was the present. He had one last unfinished business to take care of.

He turned when he heard the soft footsteps of his apprentice. "He's coming, Master," his apprentice informed.

"Thank you. Are the preparations complete?"

"Yes, Master."

"Good." Severus turned back to the fire. "Is there something on your mind, Draco?"

At first, his apprentice was unsure how to respond. It had been over a year since his master called him by his name. Severus had always called him 'Apprentice' or 'boy' when he was mad. "Um…"

"I have taught you all the knowledge I possess. You are no longer my apprentice, Draco. You are now my equal and you may address me by my name."

"Ma—Severus," he began with great difficulty, "must it end like this?"

Severus did not turn to meet Draco in the eyes. He had expected Draco to ask this question sooner or later. "Yes. It should end like this. I have longed for peace, Draco. I only wished to teach after the Dark Lord died the first time. Because of his return, things have gone terribly wrong."

Draco cringed understanding fully what Severus was referring to. Over a year ago, Draco had planned the attack on Hogwarts. It had succeeded with the death of Hogwarts beloved Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. He was supposed to be the one who cast the spell, but Severus did it in his stead. Since then, he had become an apprentice under Severus.

Draco was taught many things. Things he never understood before. Things he was always told was bad. It was thanks to his ma—Severus that Draco learned to cherish life. It was a hard journey, but a worthwhile one.

"You should rest, Severus," he advised to his former master. "He won't arrive until several hours later. I will inform you of any changes."

"Thank you, Draco."

Draco walked up the stairs to his room. When he reached the top, he looked down at Severus. He looked at the man who was his master, his mentor, his friend, and most importantly, the only real father figure he had. Severus was asleep again. Draco smiled as he turned away. Master must be dreaming of his happier and more peaceful days, he thought as he entered his room.
James Potter. He hated that name. It belonged to the person he hated most at the school. Sirius Black was right up there besides Potter. They were the dynamic duo that rampaged through Hogwarts. Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew were also part of the crew. They called themselves the Marauders. Those two weren't as bad. Remus was the quite one sitting in the side. He tired to stop the two sometimes, but it hardly ever had any effect. Peter was just the tagalong. He followed the others around wherever they went.

Severus hated the bunch. They were a bunch of arrogant idiots. Especially Potter. He was the ringleader. They had pulled pranks day after day on hundreds of students and staff, but Severus had been a target of a majority of their stupid pranks. He was also the first one they pulled a prank on.

He remembered that day quite vividly. Who wouldn't? It was his first day at Hogwarts after all. Severus was called forth to the sorting hat. As he stepped up the stairs, he felt a sudden pull. Then his robes were torn off suddenly revealing him half naked in his underwear. Everyone laughed. James laughed the loudest. The teachers had come to his aid, but the damage was done. He was publicly humiliated just before he reached the sorting hat.

Severus hated James after that incident. Several others also fell into his various traps that day, but Severus was the first. He swore revenge as he walked to the Slytherin table. Good, he remembered thinking, he was not in the same house as that annoyingly arrogant prat. Years have passed since that incident. Yet, the pranks just got worse. That was because of Sirius Black who just doubled the trouble they caused.

As Severus turned to walk up the stairs to the Slytherin dormitory, he met face to face with Black. Of all the people he could come across, it had to be Black. Potter would be worse, but Black was not that much better. He tried to walk past Black, but he was stopped. "What do you want Black?" he asked cautiously.

Sirius grinned. "Well, you know that notebook you always write your notes in?" Severus raised an eyebrow at Sirius. "The one with all the spells." From his back. Sirius took out a small booklet.

Severus's eyes shot open and shouted, "Give that back!" He reached out to grab it, but Sirius was faster. Sirius turned and ran and Severus chased like every other game of cat and mouse. The only difference was who the mouse was. It alternated between James and Sirius. They headed back out of the magical stairwell and into the wide corridors of Hogwarts.

Severus did not know how long he chased Sirius, but he was running out of breath. For some reason, Black never tired or slowed down during the chase. He wondered where that prat had gone. Then, he saw the shadow of Black run into a wall. He ran over there to investigate.

Severus found nothing and it confused him. Then, he placed a hand on the wall and realized what happened. The wall was just an illusion, he thought as he passed through. Severus found himself in a corridor. At the end, he could see a figure turn right. He drew his wand and followed. This was one of the secret corridors that led outside of Hogwarts.

When he reached the end of the corridor, he looked around for Sirius. Then he noticed a full yellow moon hanging over his head. The curfew had passed, but Severus did not care. He needed his notes back. Who knows what the Marauders would do with it once they got their hands onto his secret book of spells.

"Where are you, Black?" Severus shouted out. There was no answer. He waited a bit longer until he saw some shadows up ahead. He started walking over when he recognized the lone tree that stood before him. It was a Whomping Willow. Severus knew exactly how dangerous one of those was. He noted to himself to avoid it at all cost.

He walked further and reached the tree. Severus stayed clear out of the range of the branches. Then, another shadow flew by. He looked up and saw the one person he did not want to see at the moment. "Go back, Severus!" James shouted as he touched the ground. "Get out of here!"

Severus narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Why should I listen to you, Potter?" he asked as he pushed passed his nemesis.

However, James would not let him pass. James grabbed Severus by the arm and pulled him back. "I said go back, Severus," James warned again. Severus sensed there was a trace of fear in his voice so he turned to face his most hated enemy.

James had taken off his glasses and stared at Severus. This was one look he had never seen. This was one side of James he had never known. The serious side. "What happened to the Gryffindor courage, Potter?" he sneered.

James remained calm as he replied, "Go back to Hogwarts, Severus. I will get your notes and return them, so please just go back."

"Why?" Severus asked. It was a stupid question to ask. He heard a howl of a wolf and turned towards the direction of the sound. Fear and panic began to swarm him. He turned back to James who still had the serious look and the calm, emotionless face. Another howl rang through the air. He turn and saw the Whomping Willow swing a branch at a figure next to it. The figure fell, but got back on its feet again. It pounced at the tree once more, but was once again batted down. It retreated and let out a howl.

Severus stared wide eye in horror when the figure shot a look at him. It was a werewolf! The werewolf leaped again and threw out a claw. It came dangerously close to Severus, but James pulled him back. The Whomping Willow slammed one of its branches onto the back of the werewolf pinning it to the ground. "Go," James said as he handed Severus a broom. "Get out of here." His expression remained unchanged as the werewolf sneered and struggled to break free. Severus just snatched the wand out of Potter's hands and flew away as quickly as possible.

When Severus returned to his room, he searched frantically for his booklet of spells, but could not find it. "Here," an unexpected voice startled him. It was James bloody Potter. How in Merlin's Beard did he get in here? "I must apologize for Sirius. He often does not know how to restrain himself." James chuckled at that statement.

"It's not like you can do the same, Potter," Severus sneered the obvious. "Why didn't you just let the werewolf get me? Afraid to lose the object of your pranks? Or was it because you actually feared expulsion?"

James returned Severus's cold, resentful stare with his emotionless hazel eyes. "Neither. I just had a feeling someone would be sad if you were hurt." Severus was taken back by this statement. And it showed. James bloody Potter the bloody arrogant prat that was the bloody ringleader of the bloody Marauders said something like that to him? To Severus Snape? He must be delusional. "Yes, there is someone here at Hogwarts would be sad to see you gone."

Was that true? No. Severus is a nobody at this school. He was an outcast even for a Slytherin. Nobody cared for him. He looked into James's eyes and wondered how true his statement was. "Here's your spell book. I brought it back like I promised." James held out the small booklet Sirius had stolen.

Severus took it back and whispered, "Thanks."

Then, in just one moment, James's emotionless face turned back to his normal arrogant face with his mischievous grin. How Severus hated that look. "Did you just say what I think you said?"

"Get out you bloody prat!" Severus shouted, and for once, James did just that.

"See you around, Severus," James said as he disappeared.

Maybe James wasn't such a bad guy after all, Severus thought with a smile. Then a dung bomb hit him. "JAMES BLOODY POTTER YOU ARROGANT BLOODY PRAT!"

Draco walked out of his room after he packed his belongings. This would be the last day he would be in this house. He knew this for a fact. He walked out to look at his former master and smiled. Severus was still asleep with a wide smile across his face. "He is finally getting the peace he deserves," Draco stated as he turned back and walked into his room.
Severus sat in the garden of Hogwarts studying alone. He was in a fowl mood today. Potter and Black had dangled him upside down with one of his own spells! Oh how he hated the duo! At least he saw Lily Evans. She had been the one to stop the two.

Suddenly, someone fell out of the tree above him and landed before him. "Potter!" he said with full disgust and glared at the boy.

"I'm sorry, old buddy," the arrogant boy said as he brushed his hair back with one hand. "That spell said, 'A nice trick to play on someone.' I couldn't help it!"

"So you decided to test it on the creator!" Severus sneered.

"You know me!"

"Unfortunately I do," Severus responded as he closed his potions book. His anger had subsided. "Something you want to discuss, James? It is not often that you would search for me and apologize during the day."

"If you're worried about Sirius, you can relax. I got him tangled up with his fan club." Severus grunted to hide his laugh. He looked into the eyes of James Potter and knew James had something important to discuss with him. "But now to the real reason why I came." James removed his glasses and returned Severus's stare with his hazel eyes. "Do you love Lily Evans?"

This was a bit unexpected, but Severus did not show it. This conversation was serious, he thought. "Do you love Lily Evans?" he asked in response. By then, they both knew how each other felt. But they never said a word.

They knew the rest of the conversation would be somewhere along the lines of: "Who ever wins, the loser will step aside." "The winner will protect her with their life. If you die, I will raise you just to kill you again." "If you hurt her, I will kill you." "If you look at another girl, I will kill you." "After I kill you, I will take your spot." "We shall call a truce until this is resolved between us."

Severus stood up from his seat and James straightened his back. They glared at each other and put forward their right hand. They shock it signaling their unspoken agreement. Then turned and walked in different directions.

Severus woke up once more in his chair. He had dreamed again. This one was about a memory he had long forgotten. He had forgotten that there was once a time where he did not hate James. James was not as bad as a person Severus had made him out to be. When did he start hating James this much? They were friends at one point in their days at Hogwarts. It was unknown to everyone including Lily.

Then Severus remembered something from the first of his two dreams. Perhaps James knew that Lily cared for him. That was why James had warned Severus not go and stopped him that day. If that was true, then that explained why James had always used him as the target of all his pranks. They were rivals for Lily Evans long before they knew how the other felt.

Severus let out a little chuckle before falling asleep once more.