AN: Harry Potter is still not mine. And it's still cold here in Missouri. :(

I owe each and every one of you a big fat Thank you! I think this might be the only story of mine to get so much attention in a short time. For following, for reviewing, or for adding to your favorites - Thank you!

I did mention that this was going to start off sad. But, like I told several of you - this is going to be a fluffy, happy story. I have things all planned, I promise. Just please don't shoot me in the meantime. LOL!

So, I promised Ch2 fairly quickly, and here it is. The wait wasn't too long, was it?

Enjoy!

Warning for this chapter: Mentions of domestic/child abuse

Thursday evening - 6 PM - Hogwarts - Severus Snape's office

Sighing, Severus reached for yet another essay, immediately knowing it, too, would be a disappointment like all the others he'd read so far. Reading the first line, he was right.

'Belladonna is most commonly used in afrodeesiak potions like amortensha, since its known as the plant of love. I'm from Italy and we call everyone bella, so I should know.'

"Idiot." he mumbled, scribbling a T at the top of the paper in bold red ink. It seemed that even after five years in his class, Alfonso had learned next to nothing. After all, with the belladonna plant being extremely poisonous, he covered that in his ingredient review every year.

Setting the awful paper in the corrected pile, he once again reached for another essay, expecting nothing better from Alfonso's twin, Carlotta.

'The nightshade plant, or Nightus Shadeus, as it's commonly known, is called such because it grows only at night and gives shade to the littler plants during the day.'

"Not even close." he sneered, marking another bright red T in the corner. "I get the feeling your father's going to demand a refund on your tuition after you and your brother flunk out, you daft dunderhead." he growled, slamming the paper on top of the corrected pile.

Disgusted and not wanting to read anymore drivel, he threw his quill down and walked over to stand in front of his window, staring out at the murky green hue of the Black Lake. Though many of his charges in Slytherin tended to find the views under the lake nauseating, it was one of the few things that brought him comfort.

'Is this what I came back for? Teaching a bunch of dunderheads something they don't want to learn? Escorting them to and from Hogsmeade like a sheep hoarder? Making sure that in between lessons nobody gets pregnant? Spending my nights making sure they're where they're supposed to be instead of spending it with a good book in front of a roaring fire?'

With a sigh, Severus turned away from his window and walked into his quarters. Tossing his cloak over the back of the sofa, he stomped over to his liquor cabinet, pouring himself a snifter of brandy, and downing it like a shot. Reaching for the bottle, he refilled his glass before kicking his signature dragon-hide boots off, settling himself comfortably in his leather chaise lounge. Taking a slow sip this time, he leaned his head back against the headrest, his mind drifting as his eyes closed.

He knew when Lucius informed him the Dark Lord was wanting to speak with him that his time was almost up. Too long he had walked the fine line between life and death, and death was tired of waiting to collect him. As he lay, bleeding and dying, not to mention alone, on that dusty floor, he couldn't help but think of Lily. How he had failed, once again, in his service to her. Her son wouldn't know the things he needed to know before that final showdown, and would likely die.

Once the aptly-named Golden Trio had left, his memories with them, Severus gladly accepted death. He was in pain, and he had no strength or will left to continue on. As he felt his life fading, he couldn't recall being happier in recent memory.

He found himself in a void, a white mist everywhere except for the darkness of his cloak. Expecting to find himself instead surrounded by fire, he nearly wept with joy upon seeing that face topped with the familiar shade of red he adored so much running toward him. If he was being greeted by Lily, this had to be heaven.

'Severus!' Lily had exclaimed, jumping in his arms like she had so many times when they were younger.

'Lily.' he sighed, smiling as the scent of jasmine, her favorite lotion, invaded his senses.

'Oh, it's so good to see you, Sev.' she smiled, pulling away from him. 'I've missed you, you thickhead.' she said fondly.

'And I've missed you, Lils.' he said absently, taking in the sight of her. She was still as lovely as she'd always been, with her flaming red hair and porcelain skin. Her green eyes shining with unshed tears, and her perfect white teeth on display as she smiled. 'I'm sorry, Lily. So very sorry.' he breathed out.

Lily shushed him, placing one hand over his mouth.

'I know you are, but don't be. I've had some...let's say enlightening...conversations with Albus over the past year, as well as some time to think about things, and I have a few things to say.' she said. 'First off, I'm the one who should be apologizing to you, Sev. I know you didn't mean to call me a 'Mudblood', and I should have given you the chance to explain. I should have listened to what you had to say. We'd been best friends for so long, and I just...I just threw that away over one mistake.'

'Lily...'

'Let me finish, please.' she sighed. 'And, I want you to know that nothing that happened to me was your fault, Severus. No matter what you had done, or were going to do, I was destined to die that night. That was my fate, Severus. I accepted that a long time ago, and so should you. I'm just thankful my Harry survived.' she said, her lower lip trembling as she gave him a watery smile.

'I tried, you must know that.' he pleaded, grabbing her hands in his. 'I begged for him to spare you, and he promised he would, but it was just a lie. I tried to get Dumbledore to protect you, but it was too late at that point.'

'I know you did, Sev.' she said softly. 'Just like I know you've done brilliantly at protecting my son.' she smiled.

'Oh, Lily, could we talk about that later? For right now, can we just...' he said, stopping when he noticed her head was turned to the left, and she gave somebody a nod before turning back to him.

'You have to go back, Severus.' she said, giving him a sad smile. 'You don't belong here yet.'

'What?' he asked, confused. 'But...no!' he shouted, turning to look where she had before looking back at her. 'No, I want to stay here with you, Lily.'

'I know, but it's not time. You still have so much to do with your life, Severus.'

'No!' he shouted again, shaking his head as panic settled over him. 'There's nothing left for me down there, Lily.'

Giving him a sad smile, Lily lifted her hand to cup his cheek. 'Yes, there is. You just have to open your eyes,' she said before moving her hand down to his chest, 'and open your heart.'

'But...Lily, I...'

'Make the most of your second chance, Sev. You've spent twenty years living for me, but promise me you'll start living for you. Do what makes you happy, and find yourself a nice witch to settle down with.' she said. Letting out a bark of laughter, she smiled. 'I'm looking forward to seeing you with your own children, you know.'

'There will never be anyone but you, Lily.' he said, shaking his head. 'I will always love you.'

'I know, and I'll always love you, too. But you need...you deserve...to find someone who can love you in ways I can't, and never could.' she said, squeezing him tightly in a hug.

Severus wrapped his arms around her, determined not to let go. If he didn't let go, they couldn't force him to leave.

'It's time, Sev.' she said, moving out of his arms.

Feeling himself being pulled away from her, he reached out for her once more. 'No! Lily!' he cried, tears running down his cheeks.

'Goodbye, Severus. Be happy.' she asked, waving as he drifted away from her.

Even though he can't prove it really happened, and he wasn't just hallucinating, talking to Lily once again in the afterlife was one of his most cherished memories. It was a very freeing experience, as well. Being able to apologize, Severus was finally able to put his past infatuation with Lily behind him. She was no longer his everything, instead she was now simply Lily, his childhood best friend who made his miserable existence a little brighter.

The only thing he still carried with him now was the feeling of withering away at Hogwarts. A feeling he'd had since he started teaching there.

Friday- 6 AM- Hogwarts - Severus Snape's private quarters

After his trip down memory lane, Severus had resolved to improve his life. If he was being given a second chance at life, it was time he started making the most of it. Still wearing his pajamas, Severus sat at his desk in his private quarters and did something he'd always fantasized about - writing his resignation. It was time for him to leave Hogwarts. What was the point in getting a second chance at life if you spent it teaching snot nosed brats who didn't really want to learn what you were trying to teach them?

The answer - there wasn't one.

Signing the bottom of his resignation with a flourish, he sat back and looked it over, an uncharacteristic smile forming on his face at the feeling of accomplishment. He had only decided just a few hours ago to resign his post and strike out somewhere else on his own, and he was already ahead of his own schedule. Dragging his newly created list toward him, he scratched off 'Resign from Hogwarts', his eyes roving down the list of things to do.

The next thing on his list was to find a new home. Unfortunately, he still owned the hovel that was Spinner's End, but that was no place for a fresh start to begin. The house was long past being in a livable condition, having been derelict for decades. Being barely held together by magic, it should have been demolished long ago. It didn't really matter, though, most of the time what condition it was in, as Severus spent most of his time at Hogwarts and had no need for the house.

But now, it was time to offload the old place. And why not? It's not as if Severus held many happy memories of Spinner's End. His father, Tobias, had been a pleasant man until the factory went out of business, then he became the brute he was remembered as. He was never what would be called overly warm toward his family, but once he was out of work, he spent most of his time getting pissed at the pub, or beating his family. Neither Severus nor Eileen were immune to his brutality, no matter how quiet, or obedient, they were. Tobias found reasons to beat them, Severus mainly just for existing, and Eileen for breathing.

It was beyond time to sell it.

'Well, looks like I'm off to Manchester.' he thought. 'But first, a trip to Minerva's office.'

Following Thursday - Diagon Alley Estate Agency

Jacob Harper watched with wide eyes as Severus Snape - the Severus Snape - wrote out a Gringott's draft for the full amount of the newly on the market building just a few doors down. He had handled a lot of sales over his thirty year plus career, but never...absolutely never...had anyone paid in full after just one showing. Most of the time, clients had viewed a property multiple times, and even if they ended up purchasing it, they never paid all at once.

"Mr. Snape, are you sure..." he started, a glance from Severus silencing him.

"Quite sure, Mr. Harper." he said, signing his name before tapping the draft with his ebony wand to encode it with his magical signature as well. "It fits with what I require, and I see no need to wait." he said, handing the draft to Mr. Harper.

"W...well...al...alright, then." Mr. Harper nodded. Reaching into his robe pocket, he extracted the key to the building, and handed it to Severus. "There you are, Mr. Snape. I wish you prosperity in your new business venture." he said.

"Thank you, Mr. Harper." Severus said, pocketing the key. With a firm shake of the hand, Severus turned and left the office, his impressive cloak billowing around him.

Review please.

I know it seemed like Severus acted a bit hastily in his decision, but I think once he knows what he wants, he's the kind of guy who goes after it.

Oh - the spelling errors in the first few sentences - the student essay, that is, - is intentional.

Til next time!

XOXO - Onyx Obsidian