Disclaimer: the characters belong to J. K. Rowling.
Author Note: This was originally going to be a Snupin set in PoA, but MyMoony already wrote that brilliantly in The Teacher. If you haven't read it, you should. Still, I was a little proud of what my first try at HP Fan Fiction produced, so I figured I'd publish it. Hope Remus and Severus aren't too OOC. Please review!
Kindred Spirit
Chapter 1: The Wedding
James Potter, ever the eager show-off, initially wanted a big wedding. It was common knowledge to he and Lily that their romance was considered unlikely back at school, and he wanted to prove to everyone that he had beaten the odds, that Lily Evans had agreed to spend the rest of her life with him. But Lily had put her foot down and insisted the wedding be small and private. She reminded James that there were few witches and wizzards who would leave their families and homes to see two old acquaintances marry. There was too much fear and uncertainty in the air. Besides, they didn't have a space big (or safe) enough to hold a large and boisterous party. Eventually, James agreed and a guest list of some twenty people was made.
Lily was content with the guest list. It covered her closest family, his closest family, and a handful of mutual friends. She stood at the back of the marquee that was set up in her new backyard and watched as twenty faces turned to see her walk down the aisle. She recognized Remus, Peter, her parents, and a few new relatives she was just coming to know. Filled with pleasure that only a wedding day can bring, she felt incredibly fond of all of them. But as she began her careful steps to her fiance, a face she hadn't seen briefly came to mind: a thin face with dark eyes and a hooked nose, framed by thick black hair.
She hadn't spoken to Severus in almost three years. In fact, she hadn't spared him much thought since he called her "mudblood" on that summers day. Though she knew she had done the right thing and decided things would never change between them, she couldn't stop the twinge of regret that reminded her that her childhood best friend would not be there on the happiest day of her life. But further thoughts of him were driven out of her mind as James came into full view, looking more handsome than she thought she had ever seen him.
She had no way of knowing that Severus was there, hidden from sight and taking in every detail of her radiant joy.
Snape still couldn't believe he was here, at Lily Evans's wedding. He stood perfectly still among thick foliage, facing the side of the marquee that she would come from. The disillusionment charm he had performed on himself was enough to ensure his concealment, but the circumstances of his presence made him hyper vigilant, and he would not risk anything that would take away this forbidden treat.
The day before, an unexpected owl had arrived at Spinner's End, carrying a single sheet of parchment. Snape had to read it several times before he believed his eyes. The message was brief: "Lily and James getting married, Sunday evening, Godric's Hollow. Backyard woods will provide an excellent concealed view." There was no signature, and the handwriting was none Snape recognized. It wasn't delicate enough to be Lily's, and too precise to be Potter's. So this was not an offer for reconciliation as he had initially hoped.
The only reasonable explanation was that it was a trap by the Order of the Phoenix. That idea had filled him with rage that Dumbledore would stoop so low. Then he realized that Dumbledore would not stoop so low. Besides, Snape wasn't valuable enough for him to abandon his benign nature, anyway. He had barely been a Death Eater for a year. He finally decided to find out if there was in fact a wedding. He had flown over to Godric's Hollow that evening, and was satisfied to see Potter's little clique setting up a marquee and seating area. Then, he saw her — Lily. Even from so high in the air, her red hair stood out. That was when Snape truly was trapped. He couldn't turn away from the chance to see her so beautiful and happy, even if it was for Potter.
So here he was, peeking through branches and waiting for his best friend — his only love — to appear. His breath caught in his chest when she did. She looked exquisite. Her dress was traditional and white, just a shade lighter than her creamy skin. It made her dark red hair and lovely green eyes stand out magnificently.
The note hadn't lied. Snape was facing Lily full on as she came down the aisle, right at him. Gazing at her smile was like beholding the most breathtaking sunrise. Her eyes shown like the purest emeralds, reminding Snape of times in their childhood when she had looked at him with trust and friendship. For several peaceful moments, there was only the two of them, and Snape imagined that he was the man at the end of the aisle, that it was him her eyes were fixed on with promises of a shared life.
But then she turned away to face — him. Snape ground his teeth as Potter took her delicate hand in his. He couldn't hear the vows that were spoken, and perhaps that was a good thing, though he would have liked to have listened to her voice. He watched her for several minutes more, until a survival instinct made him turn away abruptly. He didn't think he could take the sight of Potter kissing his Lily in matrimony (it had been painful enough to watch the two of them prancing around Hogwarts, glued at the hip). He closed his eyes and focused on the sight he had just basked in, the last moments before she became Potter's. ... The last moments that she might have given him another chance for forgiveness.
A long time passed before Snape became aware of his surroundings again. Risking a glance at the backyard, he saw that the reception party was in full swing, with guests milling around a dance floor. It was time to go. He tucked the note back into his pocket, made sure his wand was secure in his belt, and prepared to apparate.
A hand closed around his shoulder and a familiar voice spoke. "Oh, good, you came."