Written for the Quotes for All Occasions Contest.
Quote:
Forgiveness: "You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well."- Lewis B. Smedes
Summary: Before Snape's death he must resolve issues he has with James and Lily.
A/N everything you recognize is J.K. Rowling's.
He stood at a crossroads. There were no signs.
He closed his eyes rubbing his temples. He saw a flash of green eyes. What? His own eyes flew open.
Oh.
Potter. Those eyes belonged to the Potter boy. He felt an overwhelming sense of relief. With his last breath, he'd know he'd been forgiven; therefore he could die in peace.
His last breath. He was dead, wasn't he?
So why was he here? Wasn't he done with games, with betrayal and lies? He kicked at the road and fell to his knees, a guttural sob rising into the musty air.
"You know, Sev, destroying the road won't help you." A lilting, sweet voice came from behind him. It was familiar, oh so very familiar.
"Lily?" Looking up was like a scene from a dream. She was exactly as he remembered. Her perfect, curling red hair. Her green eyes regarded him curiously, not as they had before, with a reproaching look he'd despised himself for. Just curiosity.
She wasn't alone, either. At her right side stood James Potter, tall and lean.
Again, Severus noticed again how much his son looked like him. Except for his eyes of course. James Potter had warm 'puppy' eyes as many of the girls in school had called them. The boy's eyes had been Lily's, the way no other eyes could be.
At Lily's left stood Albus Dumbledore.
He wore silver robes and smiled at Severus, as if he hadn't been responsible for his death.
As if he hadn't watched him tumble off of the Astronomy Tower.
As if he hadn't held the wand that murdered him.
"Severus," his voice was strong, if quiet. It commanded respect, even in a place where it should have no reason to. "You must choose. A wizard must always choose, of course, but this time, it's a little different." He smiled his crooked smile, looking up at him over his half-moon glasses. "You died being forgiven, but not yet quite acknowledging that you yourself forgave. You still have not acknowledged to yourself that you do not still hate James Potter. Wish them well, and then you may go." His task being done, Albus turned and walked into the distance, slowly fading away, not before shooting them all another crooked smile, wth a knowing glint in his eye.
Severus turned to James.
"Potter-" he started, only to be cut off by the owner of the name.
"James." The man interrupted firmly.
"…James, then." Severus nodded curtly. "James, you got everything I had ever wanted. You got a life, a child – I couldn't help my jealousy. But, of course, that's the way it goes, doesn't it?" he smiled bitterly. "Yes, I loved Lily, but you – you worshipped her. Anyone with eyes could see that."
He felt a huge lump in his throat, and swallowed. He looked down, a curtain of black hair falling over his face. When he looked up again, James was regarding him with a strange expression. Then he smiled.
"Sni-Severus," James corrected himself. "You aren't the only one who needs to apologize. I was a git. A horrible, narcissistic, arrogant arse who-"
"James!" Lily cut off James rant, and he looked up as if surprised that the two were ther.
"Well, anyway, Severus…" he rubbed the back of his neck. "Thank you."
"Goodbye, Severus." Severus closed his eyes as the musical tone of Lily's voice settled over him as they, like Albus, started to fade.
"Goodbye," he croaked, but they were already gone. With them, the second road to the left of the crossroads faded, leaving only one road to travel. Knowing what he had to do, he started up the road, a little at a time.
One foot in front of the other.