Severus Snape's eyes were closed before his head hit the down throw pillow in the darkened living room of his childhood home in Spinner's End. The once gloomy residence had gone through quite the transformation-that is to say, looked quite inhabitable by humans. There were flowers in a vase on the coffee table, which Transfigured themselves to fit the season, and the furniture was much more comfortable and inviting. The old house was much cleaner as well, now that it held occupants regularly during the summer holidays.
Snape's body may have been yearning for rest, but his mind was buzzing. Keeping up a job as a triple agent was no easy feat; he had to hide the truth from the Dark Lord and pass on all information to Dumbledore, as well as pretending to betray his true allegiance. This, as well as teaching mediocre students at Hogwarts, left him exhausted. Of course, Apparating home at the end of the day had made it all worthwhile.
Heaving a mighty sigh, Snape tried to go to sleep. He'd be more comfortable in his own bed, but he was by all means too tired to stand and make his way to the bedroom. He'd just spend the night here, curled up on the sofa.
Snape's mind began to wander, as minds often do before they are overcome by sleep. He pictured many things, but mostly a vision of a redhaired maiden smiling at him with emerald eyes. He wished to reach out for her, hold her, but he found himself much too fatigued to do anything about it.
"Severus?"
He heard a familiar voice softly say his name, and he allowed a soft moan to escape his lips. That small sound asked 'why?' for him, and hopefully told whoever it was waking him that he didn't wish to change his current state.
"Severus," the voice repeated. Now, Snape felt a soft hand touching his shoulder, shaking him gently, trying to rouse him when he so desperately wanted rest. He heard a faint giggle, and he could feel a line form between his brows as they furrowed slightly. Reluctantly, Snape's onyx-coloured eyes opened, peering at the face above him, framed in a curtain of deep red hair. Even in the dim light, he could discern the eyes, beautiful green, looking down at him with amusement and love.
"Sev," said Lily softly. "Sweetheart, come on, let's go to bed." She took his hand in her own small one and gently pulled him up into sitting position, then brought him to stand. Her arm, clad in the sleeve of her silk dressing gown, wound around his waist as he was led into his and Lily's bedroom.
Snape couldn't help but smile.
A/N: ...Well? I do have another bit to this, in Lily's PoV...you want it? Tell me in a review.