Disclaimer: I go to public school. Nuff said. (but if it isn't...I don't own anything.)
Just a little FYI: Severus is 11. An age where, even if you do love someone, you aren't always consciously aware of it.
XXXXXXX
Potions had been awful...no...the entire day had been.
"Hey, Lily!" A voice called.
And it just kept getting worse.
"Not now Potter," she complained. "I'm looking for somebody."
"Oh? Who?" James prodded, falling into step with her as they walked towards the Great Hall.
She cast him a sidelong glance. "Severus."
"Why?" he halted, sounding disgusted.
Not even bothering to stop, or even look back, Lily kept going. "Why not?"
And with that, she left the sputtering brunette to himself. Not realizing that beyond the doors ahead awaited nothing but trouble.
XxXxXxX
Loud. One word which pretty much summed up the Great Hall. It was always so lively. The avid chatter almost made it seem like the outside world didn't exist. That war wasn't looming right around the corner, or the fact that tomorrow's enemy could be sitting just a stone's throw away.
Amidst all the chatter, food, and chaos; Lily noticed one thing. Severus was nowhere to be found.
She huffed. Didn't that damn little bugger know better than to make her worry? He could have at least sent her a message or something...
A letter suddenly fell out of the sky. Well, at least he wasn't thoughtless.
The smile that had wormed its way onto her face dissipated. It read 'URGENT' in a bold, hastened, familiar scrawl. Something was clearly wrong at home, Mum hadn't ever written like this before. It was frightening.
She clumsily tore open the envelope. A note and news article spilled forth...
XxXxXxX
A slamming car door caught the attention of all of the three males present. The voice that followed striking one of them especially.
"Sev!"
Lily was running towards him, her parents following in a much more sedated pace. They had a that look in their eyes, one he hated. Pity.
"Sev..." Lily called again. Her hand reached out, grabbing onto his forearm.
Dumbledore stepped back, giving the two some space. The other adults followed his cue. Father Arnold excused himself indefinitely, offering Severus a farewell and a comforting pat to the boy's curtain-like locks.
"God's guidance is always available to you Severus," he said before walking away.
Once the priest left, Severus turned to Lily. Clouded Obsidian orbs seemed to stare into green for the longest time. After a while, his stormy eyes cleared.
"Lily?"
Her lips twitched slightly. "The one and only."
"Why are you-?" he tried to ask, confused.
"Your parents died, Sev," Her arms squeezed his comfortingly. "What kind of friend would I be if I wasn't here for you?"
Once again, Severus found the urns at his feet more interesting. "I'm fine."
"Don't close yourself up."
"Lily, I-" he tried to protest
"Sev." She said, gazing at him sternly
"Fine," he relented. "Just don't stand there expecting a big emotional explosion or something..." he trailed off as the wind blew hair into his face.
Lily pursed her lips. Not exactly the answer she was hoping for, but it could have been worse.
"Its not a crime to cry, Severus," Mrs. Evans interjected, coming up to the grave stones. A bouquet was placed between them, and prayers were uttered in respect. Mr. Evans had followed right after her, and they both came up to him after that.
A flash of pity crossed their faces once again. Severus hated it. Guiltily, he wished they hadn't bothered to attend. It was one thing to have his parents die, but another to have the epitome of parental success attend the funeral.
Just their presence made his heart constrict.
The woman's motherly hug burned his skin.
Soothing, fatherly, pats to his shoulder hurt more than any beating he had ever received.
Suddenly, he found himself on his knees. Face to face with those that brought him into this world. They were encased in a protective silver, shielding them from the world. He felt vulnerable, defenseless to the universe.
Where was his protective silver encasing?
"I..think I need to be alone," he managed to croak.
The rustling of the grass and fallen leaves told him they had stepped back. All of them.
It didn't help, he still couldn't breathe.
Trembles wracked his body, urging him to fill his lungs. He tried to listen, really he did, but his brain wasn't giving off the right signals. Wires must have been crossed somewhere, that was his only reasonable explanation.
The wind had stilled, and the ground was coming closer and closer. His hand reached out to stop the descent, but instead of soft grass, it landed on precious metal.
For a moment, air found the ability to reach his lungs.
And the wind howled.
It blew like a raging hurricane, and the sky had darkened considerably through it. A perfect image of gloom.
Seeing the impending storm, Dumbledore corralled the Evans' back towards car. Lily protested vehemently.
"Professor, Severus isn't done yet!"
"I know, but he asked to be alone," he paused staring her straight in the eyes. "Please respect his wishes, Miss Evans."
Her own gaze was bordering on a glare, but it softened seeing the concern behind the aging man's spectacles.
"Sorry," she apologized. "But I don't think Severus should do this alone..."
"Lily," her father called. "Severus has the pride of a man. He wouldn't want anyone to see him cry."
She looked startled. "You don't think he's crying do you?"
"Actu--" he was cut off as the sky gave a thunderous clap.
It was enough of an answer for the young redhead. She bolted for Severus.
Mrs. Evens chewed on her lip as she stared at the sky, it would start raining any moment. "Let them be." she said. "Frankly, if anyone can get through to Severus, it'll be his best friend." She ushered the two men into the car.
Dumbledore tried to wave off her offer. "A little rain never hurt any--."
"--Best do as she says, Headmaster," Henry warned him. "My wife can get a little vicious when people don't let her play mother hen." he chuckled.
As a wizard, Albus, eyed the muggle contraption speculatively.
"It won't bite, Sir."
"Oh, I know that, but it still isn't an everyday occurrence for a wizard as old as I," his eyes twinkled a bit as a smile spread. "By the way, only students should call me 'Headmaster'. I find Albus more appropriate, don't you?"
XxXxXxX
Haggard breaths escaped Severus. Each one hurting more than the last.
"Sev..." he heard a soft voice whispering.
Lily.
Slowly, he tried to compose himself. "M'fine, Lily."
The lie was as transparent as glass. His eyes were red, but the tears hadn't formed yet.
"Hippogriffs arse, Severus," she grumbled.
He blinked owlishly. "W-what?"
"I know you, Sev," she said, kneeling down next to him. "And if I started treating you like fine china, or something, you'd probably just go ballistic on me." Her lips curved a bit. "Which, I'd rather you not."
Really, Severus almost smiled at that...almost. "Thanks, Lily," he said, finding it a bit easier to breathe. "I think I needed that."
"I know you did," she smiled. "And I know that you need a hug," she paused, seeing him stiffen, "but I also know that you're not ready for it. So I'll wait 'till you are."
So together they sat, many moments passing in comfortable silence. The wind continued to howl, and the sky kept giving out threatening roars. It didn't bother them in the least.
And finally, Severus let his shoulders slump, letting the tension go. He felt a trickle pour down from the sky as the clouds cautiously released their burden.
Slowly, Severus turned to Lily. And Lily turned to him, expectantly.
"I..I think I need a...hug," he admitted softly, barely above a whisper.
Arms enveloped him without hesitation. The smells of wildflowers assaulting his senses. Severus welcomed it all, and with trepidation, he returned the embrace.
"You didn't even need to ask, Sev," she whispered into his ear. "It's what I'm here for."
In the distant future, one would ask Severus Snape if it were tears streaming down his face when Lily Evans had hugged him, but he would vehemently deny the claim. It was a surprisingly rainy November day after all.
XXXXXXXXXX
Hmmm...this would make for a good ending. Don't think I can stop now though...
Theres a lil' green button down 'ere. Click it if you think I deserve a review.
-Lou.