Author's note.

Hello, everyone!)) I have always wanted to write Snily, so here it is. I think, that Lily can't just fall in love with someone, whom she hated for more than five years. Someone so arrogant and bullying. And by the way Severus had SO hard time in canon, it's just seemed unfair. He just fell into the wrong crowd, as he didn't have real friends, except for Lily. This is my version of events.

English is not my native language, so sorry for mistakes. PLEASE READ AND REVIEW:) And thank you for reading!

Chapter 1. The afterlife.

The life was leaving his body through the bloody wound at his neck. He could feel Nagini's venom, running through his veins, bringing him the great deal of pain.

It was strange enough, that Voldemort decided to bring Severus to him in the middle of the battle. But even then Severus had a bad feeling about the reason of so urgent call.

Of course Severus knew about the existence of the Elder wand, the most powerful wand in the world, also he was aware, that his "Master" was trying to find this wand recently, and that he somehow succeeded. But yet until this "nice" talk Severus was blissfully unaware, who was the previous owner of the Elder wand. That meddling old man did not even feel the need to tell him, Severus, the person he trusted the most, about such an important issue as the Wand of Destiny.

Ever since Voldemort told him, that he had taken it from Dumbledore's grave, the meaning and the end of this meeting became obvious to Severus. He immediately understood, Voldemort thought, he processed the Elder Wand now, because he killed Albus Dumbledore. But unlike Voldemort Severus had heard from Bellatrix about Draco disarming Dumbledore before his arrival. Nevertheless the further fate of the wand was unknown to Severus. Still Severus was absolutely sure, that he didn't have the Elder wand.

But in any case Severus wouldn't let Lily's murder to go around hunting down her son with so powerful weapon, if he could prevent it. Without defeating its previous master this wand was no more powerful, than any other wand. So if he didn't say anything and let Voldemort kill him, Voldemort would think, that he owned the Wand of Destiny. But in the right moment the wand would fail him.

Of course Severus was certain, that he would die before the war was over one way or another. At least he hoped, that his death would be quick and painless. But Voldemort decided to kill him one of the most cruel way possible. The Head of Slytherin House killed by the snake in the place, where he was almost once killed. Yes, Voldemort certainly had dark sense of humor, if it could be called that.

Severus was lucky, the boy found him. Therefore for one thing Severus could be sure: the boy received all information, he needed. There was no need in giving the boy his memories about Lily and some others. Severus just had to show the boy Dumbledore, telling him, that Potter had to die. It was the last moment decision to give Potter more memories. Severus wanted, maybe unconsciously, for others to respect him, to know, what he had really done, to understand, he wasn't that evil traitor, others thought he was. Severus also didn't want his love to die completely forgotten.

"Look… at… me…" Severus whispered. The last thing he saw was Lily's emerald green eyes. But there was no loathing, hatred or anger in the depths of these eyes. On the contrary they were shining with compassion and forgiveness. And then Severus was enveloped with darkness.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHP

There was no pain anymore. He was floating in the darkness, and it was very frowzy and hot.

"Here it is. The Hell. The price for my mistakes." Thought Severus bitterly.

The minute passed, maybe an hour. Severus didn't know, there was no time there. So a long time later, or maybe no time at all, it came to him that he must exist, as he stood (it looked like he had a body) in a bright mist, though it was not like mist he had ever experienced before. His surroundings were not hidden by cloudy vapor, rather the cloudy vapor had not yet formed into surroundings. The ground, on which he stood, seemed to be white. Convinced as he was of his total solitude, this did not concern him at all. And he was filled with such an unknown and unexpected sense of hope.

Everything materialized around him. And with the surprise Severus released, that he stood now in a small thicket of trees. He could see a sunlit river glittering through their trunks. The shadows cast by the trees made a basin of cool green shade. It didn't look like hell at all. And it was something painfully familiar in this place. Severus recognized the place, where he and Lily had spent so many summers together. But he had not been here for many years, not since their friendship ended. As Severus remembered why it ended, he felt familiar pain in the chest. It was his greatest regret, his worst memory.

By the way Severus made his way toward the small river, streaming among the trees. He looked at his reflection in the water, and was shocked to find out, that he looked like in his early twenties. So there wasn't a hint of wrinkles on his face, and his skin so sallow, it was just pale. He was wearing his usual black robes. With fear Severus lifted his left sleeve and found... smooth, pale, unmarked skin. There wasn't an abhorrent Dark Mark. Severus sighed in relief.

"Welcome to the afterlife, Severus." Said the voice behind him. Severus spun around. Albus Dumbledore was walking toward him, sprightly and upright, wearing sweeping robes of midnight blue. Severus always couldn't fathom the clothing style of the old wizard.

"Dumbledore?" Severus asked surprised and a little uneasy as it was Severus, who killed the man in front of him.

"Severus" He spread his arms wide, and his hands were both whole and white and undamaged. "You brave, brave man. Let us walk."

"Where am I?" Younger man asked, ignoring the suggestion.

"Let us walk. And I will explain you everything." Dumbledore repeated with the smile.

Reluctantly Severus followed Dumbledore, striding among the trees. Severus was not particularly happy to see his former master. He didn't trust the old man, not after all those years and certainly not after Dumbledore asked Severus to kill him.

After a few moments of silence Severus asked impatiently "So where are we?"

"You see, Severus, you are between the world of alive and the world of dead." The older man replied.

"But why not in the world of dead, then?" Severus now was truly surprised. "I died, right? Voldemort killed me." After a few seconds Severus released, that he had called the evil wizard by his real name without fear. And was really pleased with that fact.

"You are right, my boy." Dumbledore responded sadly. "And I am truly sorry, that you had to die so young and such a terrible death. You finally could life to yourself, finally get free."

"Answer my question, old man." Severus said irritatedly. He did not need Dumbledore's or someone else's pity.

"You have so many regrets and so strong willingnes to redeem yourself, by the way the fate was terrible unfair to you. You and Lily were meant to be together." At these words Severus stiffened and muttered to himself "No, we obviously weren't."

"So it was decided to give you the second chance to live your life. But it, of course up to you to decide. You can take your chance and return to life, or you can go to the world of dead." Dumbledore explained, while Severus listened bewildered. He always wanted this chance, and he had to be happy, but for some reason he sensed some sort of trick.

"But to what point of my life I will return, if I choose to relive?" Younger man finally asked.

"At the beginning of your seventh year at Hogwarts, more specifically the first weekends after the term starts. But I must warn you, you will not remember anything about your first life." Here it is, the trick. Severus first was depressed, but then suddenly the anger at the old man rose inside him.

"Then I don't want to return at all. And tell me, what the whole point of it then!" Severus practically shouted. "If I do not remember anything about my first life, I will make the same mistakes, go the same wrong path! By the way I have already called Lily that horrible name! I will become a Death Eater again, tell the bloody prophecy and lose my dear Lily again. I will live that abysmal, hideous life of mine again! It is very cruel of you, even I don't deserve it." Severus said the last phrase quietly, as Dumbledore patiently waited while Severus finished his rant.

"You are right, Severus, you didn't deserve it, on the opposite you deserve so much more, a long life, a happy life. But let me finish." Dumbledore said, seeing Severus was ready to interrupt again. "As you said, I would be terribly cruel to just return you to live without any knowledge and let you follow the wrong path, so that is why this time some change occurred immediately after your return, change, that is not connected with you." The older man explained.

"What change?" Severus replied cautiously.

"Love potion will wear off." Dumbledore answered simply.

"What? What loved potion? What are you talking about, old man?" Severus was completely dumbfounded, he expected any answer but that.

"Love potion, that James Potter gave Lily Evans in their sixth year at Hodwarts." There was a long silence, in witch Severus was trying to process, what he had just heard.

Slowly burning anger started to rose inside Severus. But this time his anger wasn't directed on Dumbledore. Potter! James BLOODY Potter! He had ruined everything. The only reason that Severus began diving more into the Dark Arts was because Lily had left him. Without her, he had no one to pull him away from the edge. Of course it was mainly his mistake, that drove them apart, but Lily could forgive him later and she certainly would have tried to turn Severus to the Light again. And her dating Potter was the last blow, that Severus couldn't bear. He wanted revenge, and besides he needed something to divert him, so he started reading Dark Arts books more. Without her, his only real friend, he had only future Death Eater 'friends' left, who began to have a great influence on him. He dove straight into that stupid Death Eater club. Everything could have been DIFFERENT! He might not be a Death Eater, he might have told Lily how he felt about her… bloody hell, he could have MARRIED her! Severus clenched his fists at his sides and ground his teeth together.

"I want to kill him, to strangle him with my own hands!" Severus shouted, he desperately wanted to kick something. His infamous Occlumecy did not help. So he took a stone from the ground and threw it far away beyond the river.

"Severus, I understand your feelings, but calm yourself. You can't kill James, as he already dead." Dumbledore smiled faintly. "But, as I said, you can return to that time, so you and Lily can have another chance without love potion. And again I repeat myself, you both are meant to be together."

Severus calmed a little, as he said sternly "Then I am taking my second chance."

Dumbledore opened his mouth to say something, when Severus asked suddenly "Did Harry Potter win?"

"Oh, yes, he finally destroyed Voldemort."

"So he didn't die?" Severus replied with surprise.

"No, my boy, he sacrificed himself to Voldemort, but Harry never died, as Tom Riddle killed only the peace of his own soul in Harry." The older man explained, and before Severus could say something, he continued. "And you will be happy to know, Harry consider you the bravest man he ever knew."

"What? Of course that cannot be true, you are only saying it to please me. The boy thought, I was a coward and a traitor."

"But it is crystal true, Severus. Harry even named one of his children in your honor: Albus Severus Potter." Severus was speechless. "You was awarded the Order of Merlin, the First Class, also there is now your portrait on the Chocolate Frogs (it's the most pleasant thing in my opinion). And, of course, your portrait was hung in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts among others portraits, which took Harry a great deal of time, as you had left your post before you died."

"But how... how is that possible?" Severus suttered. "I mean I have never revealed my true identity, except..."

"Yes, Harry told everyone what a hero you was." Dumbledore said happily.

An unusual warmth spread across Severus' chest. He was finally recognized. He had stayed in history as a hero, not a traitor. Thanks to Potter...Harry. Despite Severus being a total git toward the boy all those years, Harry found in him forgiveness. He forgave Severus for all his snide remarks and comments, for all his unfair detentions, for all his unfair behavior toward Harry after all. He was truly the son of his mother. Severus couldn't believe he didn't see it in Harry. He was so much concentrated on seeing James in Harry, on his outside appearance, that Severus had never understood, Harry had the character of Lily, her great forgiveness, compassion to others. She always saw the best in people ... just like Harry.

"I think it is time for you to return." Dumbledore's voice pulled Severus out of his thoughts. "And the last thing, I am truly sorry about bringing such a hard burden on your shoulders."

"Apology is accepted." Severus responded. He really didn't know, what made him said that. It was so much sadness in Dumbledore's voice, it seemed truly sincere.

"I am taking my chance."

"Let it be." Was the answer. Everything around Severus began to fade: the trees, the sunlit glittering river, the colorful flowers on the clearing, the green grass under his feet...

"Goodbye, Albus." Was the last thing Severus said before all went black again.