When Snape opened his
eyes he was moderately surprised to find himself standing at the edge
of a muggle playground that he instantly recognized. Everything was
exactly the same as he remembered it. Two swings swayed side by side
in the light breeze, the sand underneath spilling out onto the sharp
green blades. Bright sun glinted off of the brightly painted
surfaces, slightly chipped by both the weather and too many
children.
Moving hesitantly, Snape stepped slowly towards the
swings. He brushed the tips of his fingers over the metal chain. He
looked down and could see that his fingers were touching it, yet he
couldn't feel anything. There was no cold, no warmth, no smooth
metal texture; nothing.
He was able to feel it though when a firm,
hot pressure came into contact with his shoulder. Letting out a short
yelp, Snape spun around, wand in hand, and found himself face to face
with Lily Potter whose green eyes were so bright that his own eyes
began to water…or at least that was what Snape told himself.
She
smiled sweetly at him and opened her mouth, speaking quietly, just to
him.
"I missed you, Severus."
Snape was so shocked by her
appearance that the wand he was holding, or had thought he'd been
holding, dropped from his fingers and vanished before it hit the
ground.
"I'm sorry things went so wrong between us. I wanted
to mend things, to talk to you, but I couldn't do it, Severus. I
apologize, I just…I couldn't ignore your prejudices any longer.
You probably thought I hated you, but that would be wrong. I lost my
best friend."
Snape, who was having trouble speaking, managed to
stutter out a few words and reached a hand out toward her, hoping to
see if she was as real as she seemed, or simply some very vivid dream
he had somehow conjured.
"Li-Lily? Is it really…?"
She
nodded and took his hand in hers.
"You were amazing, Severus.
You did everything you were meant to do. Now you're finally free.
Severus, do you trust me?"
"I do."
Lily tugged gently at
his arm and began to step backwards, away from the playground now.
Snape tried to see what was behind her, but the sun seemed too bright
now and he couldn't make anything out.
"Come on then, let's
go together."
