Lily Potter…..

The name sounded perfect on her lips.

So much better than Lily Evans.

Lily was not one of those girls who had dreamed about her wedding day since she was a child. She supposed at some strange lurking place in her mind there had been fuzzy pictures of herself in a dress, with the love of her life, but Lily was never really inclined to think about it. She had always had her mind on more important things like what she wanted to do in the wizarding world. No, Lily had not really thought about marriage until James asked her four years after they had left Hogwarts.

Those four years had been some of the most beautiful of her life. They traveled the world together. France, Australia, Germany, Romania. They had shared everything, snuggled together under blankets til all hours of the morning, applied for jobs together, and finally, one cozy autumn night, James asked her to marry him. Her ring, a simple diamond on a gold band. The band of the ring was perhaps even more extraordinary than the pure diamond that sat upon it, for the edges clutching the diamond were shaped in the likenesses of a tiny doe, twisting her head around a stag's horns. Their Patronuses.

Of course she said yes.

There was never a regret in saying yes to James' proposal.

How could there be?

He was the love of her life.

No, no regret whatsoever.

So on this day, she stood under a giant gold colored tent before her new husband. Their hands were intertwined, wedding bands glistening under a gorgeous red sunset.

Her dress was perfect. A strapless waterfall of white silk cascading to the floor catching the light to subtly reveal the gold tints in the fabric. Her hair drawn partially up and beaded with pearls. Shimmering ornamental dragonflies danced in her veil, a gossamer sheen over her face.

James looked radiant in a black suit and gold cape draped over one shoulder.

"You may kiss your bride," the little man said, standing on tiptoes to see above Lily and James' hands.

In one fluid motion James lifted the veil, stooped, and kissed Lily. She was in bliss. She was so excited, so ready to start a life with her husband forever and for always. Breaking apart from him, Lily looked out at the enormous crowd cheering and whooping. She spied Hagrid bawling into a tablecloth, Minerva McGonagall looking disdainfully at him in a very awkward looking green dress, Sirius, their best man grinning and clapping, giving James the thumbs up, Remus Lupin smiling happily at a table next to Peter who looked more nervous than usual. Looking around more she eyed Mad-Eye Moody, leaning heavily on his cane, slapping the table with a flagon of something vile in his hand, Arthur Weasley, his hand on his wife's pregnant belly, Albus Dumbledore clapping quietly in the corner next to Aberforth, his brother, and Fabian and Gideon Prewitt, Kinglsey Shacklebolt looking happy, Mundungas Fletcher partaking in some kind of drinking game with Doris Crockford.

All of their friends.

All of their loved ones.

Lily was about to turn back to her husband when she spotted someone else in the crowd.

The smile left her face.

Standing at the very back of the marquee, wearing a traveling cloak was Severus Snape. He looked as though he had just arrived. His greasy hair was swept back and his eyes bright, as if he had come out of the cold. His face was so pale, and it seemed to grow paler as he met her eyes. Lily gave him a tiny nod, and turned to James.

After the ceremony, everyone sat down to eat and drink and toast the new couple. Lily sat next to James and Sirius, her foot tapping impatiently under the table. She was still keeping her eye on Severus, who seemed to be missing again. Maybe he had just stopped in to drop off a gift, or say hello and then was called away? She hoped so. She really did not want to talk to him on this day of all days. He had had forever to talk to her, and now, at her wedding he just decides to show up? This was her night. Her life. He had missed his chance. She was apprehensive, looking all over for a sign of him as toast after toast was made.

Just as she was becoming fairly certain that he had indeed left her in peace, she saw him. He was standing in the door of the marquee, a dark shadow against the vibrant colored clothes of the wedding guests. She slowly rose.

James caught her arm

"Anything wrong?" he asked, his eyes wide with concern. Her face must have looked horrible.

"No." she pulled off a laugh. "Just going to the bathroom. Would you like more information?"

"I'm good, love." Winked James.

She excused herself and walked slowly through the crowd of dancing, happy people towards the entrance to the marquee.

Severus gestured outside into the cool night and she followed.

There was silence for a moment, as he looked at her. He seemed to be drinking in every detail of her, her dress, her tiny gold shoes, her flushing face. She said nothing, her face stony.

"Well….you look…..well." Severus said through gritted teeth.

"Thank you." Said Lily coldly. "You look horrible. Hanging out with Death Eaters again?"

Severus' face blanched.

"You have no idea where I have been or what I have been doing." He snarled.

"You're right, and I really don't care." She snapped back. "Why are you here? To spy for Him?"

Severus' face went even paler.

"No." he muttered. "No I'm not…"

"Then why are you here?' she demanded. "How did you even know where to find us?"

"You didn't invite me to your own wedding." He said quietly. "I thought we were friends."

"We are…" Lily began, her voice faltering slightly. "I wanted to, Sev…but after what I had been hearing…about you joining him…I couldn't. And it's not like you would have come anyway…" she said, her vice rising again. "You hate James. And James is my husband now."

Severus looked sadly at Lily. He did not deny what she had said, but instead clasped his hands together and backed away.

"If you would like me to leave…."

"No.." Her words shocked even herself. Severus stopped. Lily beckoned him. He came closer.

"You still haven't told me why you are here." She said, looking at the ground. He took a deep breath.

"I heard you were getting married. I wanted to make sure it was true." He muttered, looking at a spot above her head.

"So not to give me best wishes, or anything?" she asked coolly. "I'm not really surprised. I guess I hoped you would come around and realize that some things can't be changed."

"Can't they?" asked Severus, a longing in his eyes. "Lily, I came to see you….I just…I haven't seen anyone in so long….He has hold of me….night and day I can't escape it…."

Lily backed away quickly. "You chose that life." She said. "You chose to follow Him. We chose our sides long before now, Severus. You knew that. Surely you can't ally with Him after what he did to the McKinnons?"

"The McKinnons…." He began

"Were innocent people! With families! And he killed them! How could you stand for him! How could you wear that mark on your arm like a badge? He is a monster, Severus. And I will never be a part of it." Snape took a step towards her, anger in his eyes.

"I would never expect you to. I don't even know why I came here. I had to see you. I have missed you…..so…..much." He exhaled painfully. "You look beautiful." He said, his voice shaking.

Lily came closer to him. She touched his face. He was cold.

"I have missed you too, Sev. I'm sorry it has to be this way. We were best friends. You deserve better than Him, but you also made the choice. I wish I could help you."

Severus looked up at her shining emerald eyes.

"Lily….I won't be back for a while. I have…things to attend to. I just came to say…." He looked as though he was about to be sick. "Congratulations. And I hope you find happiness."

Lily was taken aback. Severus was shaking, tears streaming down his shallow cheeks. He looked like a tortured animal standing out in the cold night air. Looking closer at him, she saw how thin he was, how bony, how hollow. But in those black liquid eyes, the boy she had loved as a child. Suddenly guilt washed over her in great pounding waves for not inviting him. Her happiness was gone. Something else was replacing it.

She took his cold hand in her own. They were large hands, like James' but thinner, more skilled, like those of an artist.

"I…I wish the same for you." She whispered, as alarm bells started going off in her head. Strange feelings were engulfing her….secrets hidden behind book cases in the Hogwarts library, things shared under the clock in the clock tower at night, the only time she had ever gone into the Slytherin common room…these feelings were resurfacing with full force and her head was tilting back.

Not on your wedding night. What are you doing? Not on your wedding night. A voice was screaming in her head.

Green

Silver

Red

Gold

James

Severus

I love you.

And she was kissing him.

Her lips touching his, and to her surprise they weren't cold. They were warm, as if a fire had kindled there seconds before. His hands…those thin skilled hands were working their way through her hair…brushing aside the enchanted dragonflies. She draped her arm around her shoulders and kissed him back, passionately. This was wrong. This was right. This was….

"Severus…" she whispered.

He looked at her.

"Do you still love me….? The way you did?" She asked this hesitantly.

He was silent.

Then….

"Even more." He looked longingly into her eyes, and for a moment, Lily did not want to return to the party.

"I'm Lily Potter now." She said distantly.

"You'll always be Lily Evans to me." Snape said fiercely. "I will come for you if you ever need me."

"Sev….I….." she broke off. James would be wondering where she was.

"I know…" he said. "We can't be together. But, I want to give you something on your wedding night. I don't know when I'll be able to see you again." He reached into his traveling cloak pocket and pulled out a small box. He handed it to her and she took it in shaking hands. Severus' lip curled as her gold wedding band flashed in the light.

Lily opened the box and inhaled softly. Inside, on a cushion of black velvet was a silver charm. It was the finest, most lovely thing she had ever seen. It was very small and crafted in the shape of a doe, running freely. Underneath was a silver chain.

"Severus…" she whispered.

"It's goblin-made." He said brusquely. Lily took it out, and fastened it around her neck. It was so fine, it barely showed.

"Thank you." She whispered, and she buried her head against his shoulder. He held her tightly.

"Please keep it." He begged quietly, tears once again beginning to appear on his cheeks. "Please. You can lie about where you got it…just….keep it."

"Of course I will." She said. And then she smiled. "Thank you for coming to see me…Will I see you again soon?"

For the first time all night, Severus smirked. "We'll see."

"I have to be getting back…."

"I know." Severus wiped his eyes on his sleeve. "Good night, Lily."

"Good night, Sev."

She turned and walked back towards the marquee. When she turned, he was gone.

Lily made her way back to the large table that held the wedding party. James was looking concerned.

"Are you all right?" he asked, rising.

"Yes, I'm fine." Said Lily with a smile. "I just needed some air." She sat down next to her husband and sighed.

Two years later….

The house lay in ruins. James lay dead in the hallway, his glasses askew, wandless. Upstairs, the baby cried in his crib. Lily lay dead on the floor, her red hair splayed over her face. The Dark Lord was about to cast the killing curse on the tiny child, when he noticed something shimmering around Lily's neck.

Knowing he had a job to do but caught off guard by curiosity, The Dark lord stooped and lifted her head. Around her neck was a tiny charm of a doe running. Her Patronus. Silly, he thought. Didn't do her much good in the end did it? He thought to himself as he ripped it off of her neck. Goblin made too. He needed goblins. Could be a bartering chip furthur down the road. Pocketing the necklace in one fluid motion, he pointed his wand at the baby.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" he screamed.

The curse went flying towards the baby…then rebounded. In a flash of green light, the curse hit the Dark lord with the force of a small tsunami. He felt his whole body decaying, screaming, exploding with some horrible force, some horrible feeling….it was…good….but terrible to feel. Something was at work here, more powerful than he could have ever believed. He was burning. No... freezing. No…dying…

And then he was gone.

And the silver necklace fell back upon Lily Potter's chest.