Dumbledore had called her to his office.
But when she entered, she only found Snape there, with Dumbledore nowhere in sight.
His greasy black hair framed his stern, sallow face. And, of course, Snape was scowling. When was he ever not scowling about something?
"Where's Professor Dumbledore?" Lily asked.
No matter how bravely she behaved, there was always something unnerving about being in Snape's presence. The air was always lifeless, yet brewing with pent-up anger. In other words, it was difficult to be in his presence without gaining access to the inner workings of his tormented heart.
The corner of his mouth quirked up into a vindictive smile. "That man is ten minutes late. He's up to his usual tricks again." He stood up, heading for the door. "And I would prefer not to play any part in it."
Lily could have said anything in that moment. But out of everything she could have said, it was, "I'm happy to be graduating today. Do you know why?"
Snape stilled, his jaw hardening, his black eyes boring into hers. She quickly looked away, knowing of his skill with legilimency.
"Because it means that I'll never see you again." The cold words were spoken so casually, so heartlessly, and yet Snape didn't blink, didn't show any sign of emotion.
His lip curled into a sneer. "I see. Is that all?"
Lily had grown tired of arguing with and defying Snape over the years. There was little point in trying to lighten the darkness in a broken man's twisted heart. But even so, she couldn't stop herself from uttering her last words to him. "Somewhere deep down, you're sad to see me go."
Maybe it was true, but maybe it wasn't. It was possible that Snape had always appreciated her and her brothers' presence at Hogwarts for the simple reason that Snape was inherently intrigued by any descendants of her grandmother, despite the hatred he'd always displayed towards the three of them. Her breathing quickened in anticipation.
His stare didn't waver. "Foolish girl."
Those final parting words stuck with her for the rest of her life.
…..
Author's Note:
So . . . that's the final chapter! It was an incredible experience writing this story! When I wrote the first chapter so long ago, I never imagined this story gaining so much success. So, thank you to everyone who's decided to read, favorite, follow, and review "The Potter Children."
I've also begun writing a Girl-Who-Lived fic called "Beneath These Stars," if that intrigues you.
In terms of fandoms other than Harry Potter, I have several Hunter x Hunter fics. But if you're not familiar with that anime, I really think the 2011 version of the anime will really appeal to Harry Potter fans, so I encourage you to check it out.