Snape was lying on the floor of the shrieking shack. Starring into Lilly's eyes, he had given potter the missing piece of the puzzle. His job was done. He had finally made peace with his inevitable death. He had known it was coming for months now. Since he figured out that Potter was looking for ways to destroy the dark lords soul. He had finally paid his debt to Dumbledore he had protected the boy for Lilly. Now he waited for his death to take him completely, he would finally see Lilly again and tell her all things he should have said from the very beginning.
Snape found himself slowly opening his, he was surrounded by a white light and an odd warm feeling hugging his body. He felt extremely comfortable. Part of his mind noted he should be dead but in this place he felt very alive. He sat up taking in the white around him. A gentle haze shimmered around him, he found himself sitting by the lake at hogwarts on a beautiful summer day. Not a soul in sight, Snape got to his feet and began walking. If this is heaven I got screwed, I need someone to talk to he was enjoying the peaceful feeling he got from this place for this first time in his life. The gentle breeze blowing his black hair, his soul was enjoying the calm. His mind wandered back to the battle. He wondered if Potter had finally succeeded in killing his false lord. Snape settle himself down near the lake to watch the sunlight dance on the surface of the water. He wasn't sure how much or how little time passed. He was too caught in the tranquility of the place to care. A hand touch his shoulder and he jumped alittle
"Oi snape" the voice called, Snape shuddered he hadn't heard the voice for twenty years. Yep I got screwed, wonder what the bastard wants he thought coldly lifting himself up from his place and turned to face the man who had called him, he took in the black messy hair, and the deep drown eyes hiding behind the black rimmed glasses, and the small taunting smile playing on his lips. He sighed heavily of all the people he wanted to see in heaven, he didn't want to see James Potter.
"What do you want Potter" he sneered, keeping his face impassive of all other emotions. He was preparing to punch the specky git if he pushed him too far, he had just died so he had every right to be pissed off, and another thing he had died protecting his son, he should be bloody grateful. But this was Potter after all.
" My wife wanted me to keep you company while she took care of something, and you know as well as me you can't deny that women anything" James replied indifferent to snapes coldness.
Snape did indeed know that you couldn't deny Lilly Evan's anything, once that witch wanted something done. you did it, no questions asked. Otherwise you feel her temper at the end of her wand. He almost smiled to himself at the memories he had of her temper.
"Well don't expect much conversation Potter, I have, I still and will always hate you" Snape said allowing a little of the hate he felt slip into the words. James laughed a warm laugh, and walked to the edge of the water.
"you know Sev, I never really hated you, even when you were trying to steal Lilly from me, in fact I envied you, you had something with Lilly I would never have" he paused for a minute, Snape was completely stunned by Potters confession, but didn't speak. He just moved to stand next to his school enemy.
" you and Lilly had something I could only dream of, you guys had memories of better times, she had your complete trust and love, and you had hers in return, and you didn't even have to work for it like I did, she gave it to you freely. When Albus told us that you warned him about Voldemort's attack she cried for hours and hours, regretting not forgiving for calling her Mudblood, she knew you never meant it, and you only said it out of pure frustration with me and the boys. On the day we got married she sent an owl to me, she said in it that she would always have love in her heart for you Sev. She asked me if knowing that if I still wanted to marry her, and I did. I knew it was part of what made Lilly who she was. And I knew deep down she would always love you. You were her best friend who was I to stand in the way of that. Anyway back to the point. When harry was born she wanted to name him Harry Severus Potter, but she knew if she did that you would be in danger from the dark lord, so we decided to use James. If you were to look at the ministry records you would see his name is actually Harry James Severus Potter. But we dropped the Severus part for safety." James took another little break here, he knew he was giving Severus a lot to think about, and how his relationship with Lilly had effect her whole life.
Meanwhile Severus was confused, conflicted and grateful for Lilly and still damning Potter to hell for making his regret slide away.
" Is that all? " Severus asked, his voice was a little shaky now his emotions were getting the better of him.
" No Sev it isn't, when we died protecting Harry and we made our way to the afterlife she watched over you. She watched you every day, she saw the things you did in her memory. She was so proud of you when you agreed to spy for Dumbledore and to keep her son safe. She has been watching over you all these years. She had been guiding things in your favor. She is still, trying to give you a second chance at happiness. I know I was a arrogant git at school Sev, but I have seen everything you have done for my son and wife, and I can't hate you anymore, if anything I admire you, for the choices you made, and the danger you put yourself in for them. "he said his voice had smoothed into one of friendship and acceptance. James Potter extended his hand to Severus Snape.
"forgive me, please" he said, Snape looked at the hand, and decided that he could finally put it rest his hate of the man standing in front of him. He grasped the hand and nodded.
The silence, that surround them was not uncomfortable, and finally Snape could let go of his past feud with James Potter and his little friends. because of Lilly. Just as he though her name, he heard another voice he hadn't heard in twenty years call out
"SEV" she called, the joy in her tone sent his heart pounding, James looked at him and nodded in understanding. James knew all along that Severus loved his Lilly, and he had just made peace with that. He couldn't blame Severus from being overjoyed at seeing the only woman in his live that really loved him. James had expected to feel jealous but instead found himself feeling quiet happy, that his wife had her friend again. Severus nodded to James and stepped forward to the lovely vision of a woman who had captured his heart long ago.
He scooped her up in his arm and whispered " hey morning flower" the tears slowly falling from the deep black eyes, that showed every emotion he had hidden for twenty years.
She pulled back from the hug to really look at the man she had lost all these years ago, her first and only best friend. Her green eyes taking in every inch of his time worn face. Her heart gave a little leap to finally see him after that had passed. She brought up her smooth, elegant ivory hand to his cheek and rested it there for a minute, Snape closed his eyes enjoying the pure delight of her touch, she gently ran her thumb over his skin to scoop up the tears that had left his eyes against his will.
"Oh Sev" she breathed "what on earth am I going to do with you?" she asked giggling lightly Snape couldn't and didn't want to speak he just wanted to listen to her angels voice. He opened his eyes to finally take her beauty. A chuckle behind them reminded them both that James was still there. Snape reluctantly stepped away from Lilly. And turned to look at James he stepped up to the two of them and placed a friendly hand of Severus shoulder.
"So love did you get it sorted?" he asked with a smirk on his face. She laughed at him
"James Potter, do you doubt me that much?" she asked a playful warning in her tone. Severus was completely confused by the exchange and stepped away to allow James his place with his wife, after all she was his, and all Severus was, was her friend he had no rightful claim on her.
James knew better than to push his adorable wife any further and shook his head still smiling. Snape felt like he was intruding in a very private moment and turned to walk way. When two hands stopped him.
"Not so fast mate, the missus wants to talk to you, and no doubt you will have a few questions." James said at that moment three chairs sprung up out of the ground in a haze. They settle in to the seats, silence fell for a few second.
"So this is the afterlife then? Not what I was expecting but I will take what I can get" Severus started off
"Sev this isn't the afterlife as such, it's a waiting room, see the thing is right now you are between life and death. Nagini's venom is still working in your system, but you aren't dead yet and if my dear husband here gets a move on you won't be dying at all" she explained giving James a meaningful looked.
"right you are love, I best be off. Be back soon Sev" he placed his hand on his shoulder then turning to Lilly placed a kiss on her cheek.
"so Sev" Lilly started after James had left them. She gave him a warm smile that melted his stone cold heart. She looked at him seeing the questions forming in his coal black eyes.
"Its so good to see you, you haven't really changed you know, just got older" she running her hand over his hair. Severus felt like he would melt away under her touch. It was invoking emotions he had long buried away. Years of being alone, and years in the dark lords presence had taught him that emotions only hurt in you in the end. And now here he was with his morning flower, his Lilly and she was breaking down every defense he ever had. The tears started falling again. He fell out of his chair to kneel in front of her and wrapped his arms around her she stroked his hair for a long time soothing him.
" Lilly I'm so sorry, I was horrid and mean to you, I should never had broke your heart like that. I was cold and cruel. All I ever wanted to do was to love you. "he sobbed out Lilly felt a few tears fall from her emerald eyes.
"Sev, its fine, I forgive, I forgave you along time ago, and you did the best thing in the world you protected Harry when I couldn't. All I ever wanted was for him to grow up happy and strong. And now he is a man. You have watched over him while he was at school; Worked for his safety without any regard for your own. You saved him. Severus you are a good man, but you have cut yourself off from life. And now it's time to start living it" Lilly explained to him. The pure strength of the emotions in her words gave his heart and soul peace. He knew he would have to accept his fate now, no matter the cost.
Ok so this is the first chapter of my new story, would love to know what you guys think and if you want me to keep going with it. i have another three chapters done. my other stories are on hold at the moment. Thanks Valfreya