A/N: Myself and Lord Sam (who can be found in my author favourites) came up with the idea for this one shot while we were on holiday this summer. Therefore, I must give her a huge amount of credit for the idea and the laughs it gave me.
Oh yeah, and I don't own Harry Potter. That belongs to J.K. Rowling. (Until I find away to steal it of course...)
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So I heard...
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The afterlife wasn't that bad, in fact it was very peaceful. In the afterlife, everyone got their own place to stay. He wasn't sure if someone had perhaps put in a good word for him, or whether he was just damn lucky, but his house was extremely nice. It was a nice, simple size with a large front and back garden. Opening the front door, Severus Snape set foot into his new home for the first time.
Inside was not extremely spacious, but it was not too clustered. It was very bright, the colours very simplistic but complimenting. He took the door on his left to a kitchen. Did you eat in the after life? He picked up an apple, lush and fresh and cautiously took a bit. If he was alive, he would of died. It was bliss. He glanced out the window as he ate. A nice view as well. There were a lot of trees and the neat rows of other houses. People he knew lived in them. He'd avoided visiting anyone right now.
Tossing the core into a bin, he stepped back into the hall and proceeded to explore the house. He wanted to find a fault, something to change but it was all so perfect and he'd never felt so relaxed or at home. Snape opened a very large door at the end of the hall and entered a very welcoming living room. He walked over to a book shelf and inspected the impressive literature collection. He selected a book and turned to a comfortable arm chair, admiring the view from this window as well.
He froze as he heard a clattering sound from what sounded like his new kitchen. Cautiously, he crept along the hall and peered into the open doorway. Surely, he shouldn't have to worry about crime in the afterlife? It appeared so. He pushed open the door, not thinking about the fact that he was unarmed or that there could be a lunatic on the other side.
James Potter looked up at him half way through placing and arranging a vase of flowers on the kitchen table. "Severus." He said, nodding. He half smiled.
Snape gripped the handle tightly. This was the last person he wanted to see. "James."
After a few tense minutes James spoke again. "I thought I'd bring you a house warming gift."
"How sweet." Snape muttered.
James smiled. "Listen, I am really grateful for what you did for Harry. Despite the fact that it was your fault Lily and I were killed in the first place." He added.
Snape gripped the handle harder. "Are you here to thank me, or make me feel guilty?"
"To thank you." James said hurriedly, eyeing Snape's fist and stiff posture. "What I said there, I'm sorry. Old habits die hard."
Snape relaxed a little. "Well, thank you."
James smiled warmly. "Don't forget to water them." Snape nodded. James walked to him, shook his hand and stepped outside to the front door. Snape was beginning to feel his old hatred die away, when James turned around. "I heard you liked lilies. You do, right Severus?" A mischievous gleam glinted in his eyes but the warm friendly smile remained.
Snape paused, his heart thumping. God damn you Dumbledore...