"Salazar," Severus cursed under his breath as the potion came to a bubble. He turned down the fire with a flick of his wand, long black hair falling in front of his eyes as he stirred the green concoction slowly, three times clockwise and five counter-clockwise.
"Sev?" The voice immediately snapped him out of his concentration, and Severus' head snapped up, black eyes widening as he took in the sight before him. Lily was there, in all her glory, red hair shining and falling in soft waves to her slender shoulders.
Immediately, Severus put the potion under a stasis charm and moved from behind his desk, moving towards the door. Suddenly, he stopped, standing a bit awkwardly, head held down as he waited for her to say something. To break the dreadful silence that had fallen over them.
She slowly stepped forward, and Severus lifted his head just as she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a gentle, warm embrace. Severus was stiff for a moment, but she didn't move, and he gradually relaxed, wrapping his arms around her waist and breathing in her feminine scent.
"I'm so happy for you, Sev. You're a Professor now. You have what you've always wanted." Lily smiled as she broke away from him slightly, but her arms were still around him, and his around her. Severus gave her a small, strained smile, but he thought that he didn't have everything. He didn't have her.
"Severus. You hurt me, back then." Lily said softly, her green eyes focused on his intensely. "It took me a long time to understand. But you are my best friend. I'm getting married to James in a month... and I want you to be there. I want you to be there for me, Severus, as my friend. Will you?"
Severus looked into her eyes, felt her warmth seeping into his very being, and decided that was all he had ever wanted. To own a small part of her heart... and he did. He always would. Severus smiled and kissed her forehead chastely.
"Always."