"Going to the park mum, be back before night!"
The deafening thud of the kitchen door slamming into its metal frame resonated throughout the otherwise quiet neighborhood, as the slender witch made her way down the wooden steps of her front porch, and unto the uneven pathway that lineated a narrow deserted street. Dressed in clothes that castled her ample frame, she walked briskly, a small bag clutched firmly to her bosom. Rays of July cascaded upon her ruby tresses and they danced, enthralled by the slight summer breeze. She bowed humbly as she mused of the summers of Cokeworth, onwards, as familiarity pushed her past hollowed homes and vacant driveways. A quiet afternoon of reading awaited her, and the mere prospect of relaxing under the old beech tree was as promising as the evenings were long. The witch walked as if on a mission, making just a short stop to pluck a weed protruding from a fissure in the sidewalk. Summers in Cokeworth were often hollow, but she preffered it to the hustle and bustle of earlier times. Serenity, the embodiment of her character expressed itself so vividly in the calm. The calm is what soothed her, the calm she enjoyed. The usual cacophony present during earlier seasons had accompanied vacations elsewhere, and she smiled inwardly, humming a sweet tune. Nothing, not even the foul stench from the nearby landfill could tear from such a happy, content place.
It wasn't long until she reached her destination, a small abandoned playground near Spinner's End. Swings burdened with age shifted in the warm gust, their rusted ductiles a sweet melancholy song that haunted her childhood memories. As she spotted the shade beneath the ancient Beech, she opened her bag and extracted a rather thick black book.
Moby Dick
Her features lightened as her fingers grazed the silver words imprinted. Her father had recommended it upon a spur of the moment trip to the library. She was hesitant at first, preferring to stick to her mystery novels, but he had been nothing if not persistent.
"I know what's best" He told her smiling "Try it, you might be surprised."
"Well we will see about that" She said as she flipped through the first pages "I hope you're right dad."
Time lapsed; seconds into minutes, minutes into hours, and yet the witch read on, forgetting time, forgetting space, forgetting present. It wasn't until the wind picked up and rattled the swings' chains did she look up. A sense of longing washed over her features as she gazed on, transfixed in another time, another dimension. Perhaps she gazed for hours, perhaps even days; however, it wasn't long until a thin figure appeared behind her. Dressed in dark clothing, it stood a stone's throw away from her, sorrow enveloping its features. Memories burdened its brow as it too gazed forlornly at a spot just beyond the swings. Minutes passed before it finally spoke.
"I'm Sorry"
The witch nearly jumped from her skin as she shot up from her seat. She spun around quickly nearly knocking herself off balance, the book flung and discarded near the tree's trunk. "Bloody Hell!" She shot. "How long have you been standing there?" Frightened and confused, she gazed bewildered into a familiar face. "What are you doing here?" "Are you following me?"
The figure shifted restlessly from one foot to the other, "I'm sorry"
"Were you following me?" She asked again as if it had trouble hearing.
Moments passed before a meek voice escaped those thin, trembling lips.
"I've been watching you"
The witch took immediate offense, her temper spiking to blow steam through her ears.
"WHY!" She barked, her green eyes ablaze with anger.
Silence,
and then such sweet melancholy songs from those ancient swings.
The figure lowered its head. "I'm not sure, I've been watching you for a while now, been wanting to say something." "Not having the courage to do so I suppose" "Please don't be upset." The last words it uttered in a barely audible whisper, an afterthought that raised her suspicion.
"You lost the right to say anything to me!" She snapped. "Besides, what could you possibly have to say to me now, you made it pretty clear what you thought the last time we spoke!"
"Lily I diiidnn..."
"Save it Severus, you can't undo what you've done!" She made haste to gather her belongings, reaching for her book against the trunk. Snape stepped forward and her eyes widened. "Don't come near me, I won't have you hurt me again!"
"Pleeeass…"
"…And I won't have you following me around, I like my afternoons to myself-"
"I wasss ashhhamed" He interrupted looking up to face her. "…Eeembarrassed."
"Excuse me." She had gathered her belongings. "I've stopped making excuses for you; I suggest you do the same." She turned to leave and he reached forward, his hands grazing her shoulders.
"I was wrronnng to say those things to you."
Time passed as she stood rooted to the earth, perhaps unsure of what to say.
"I knew I had hurt you." He continued. "I never wanted to, you were my closest friend."
"So why did you!" She shot as she turned to face him. Pain residing in her emerald eyes expressed itself in tears, and she fought hard to keep them at bay. "I defended you when my friends spoke ill of you, I saw the good in you when other's didn't…."
"I know."
"No you don't Severus!" "I fought hard to keep what little friendship we had left." "YOU" she jabbed a finger at him. "Fought your hardest to muck it up by keeping company with your Slytherin cronies!" "You've known how they felt about me and others like me!"
"How about Potter and his gang!" He replied defensively. "It's no secret how they've felt about…"
"SAVE IT!" She spat, venom pouring from her. "There is no excuse for your actions!"
"I know" He said gravely. "I don't know what came over me, I don't know what happened."
"I DO" She advanced on him slowly, her eyes thin angry slits. "I DEFENDED YOU AND YOU LASHED OUT IN THE MOST HURTFUL MANNER, JUST TO APPEASE YOUR SLYTHERIN PALS!" "THE EMBARRASSMENT OF a MUDBLOOD DEFENDING YOU WAS TOO MUCH FOR YOUR SENSELESS PRIDE TO TAKE!"
Her words stung and he stepped back flabbergasted, unsure of what to say, unsure of where to take the conversation."
"I'm…"
"You've ignored me for a year and now you see it appropriate to waltz back in and offer apologies for your inexcusable actions!" She was seething now, her face as crimson as her hair. "You've gone mad if you think I'll let you hurt me again!"
"I don't want to hurt you." "I love you."
The last words passed soundlessly from his lips, He dared not utter them. "It's just the world is changing Lily, these are dark times…things are happening, bad things, and I don't want anything to happen to you."
I love you
Her eyes widened, and she chuckled mercilessly. "You mean bad things such as you calling me filthy names?" "Save it!" she scoffed. "I don't need protecting!" She brushed an errand strand from her lovely face. "I can take care of myself!"
"Lily"
"I've had enough." She said calmly. "You've chosen your side Severus and I've chosen mines."
Gloom settled as the witch departed.
"Just let me be at peace."
