Snape ran as fast as he could, but he was already too late. He could feel it as he entered the house. He could feel the coldness in the air. The icy chill of death. He stepped into the house with a sense of dread, his mind flashing back to his memories of her. Of the love of his life.

He met lily when they were children. He introduced her to magic, explained how she was a witch and that she was special. They shared a train car on the Hogwarts express, walked side by side as they entered the school for witchcraft and wizardry for the first time. They had been best friends for years. He loved her.

His most cherished memory was from their fourth year. It was after potions class. He was walking through the corridors on the way to the courtyard. He'd picked out her favorite flower for her birthday. It wasn't much. He wanted to get her something better, but he couldn't afford it. He found her under a tree, clearing his throat as he approached. "Happy birthday" he smiled offering it to her.

She smiled back as she accepted it. She was so beautiful. "Thank you Severus" she said.

"So, what do you want to do?" He asked her, referring to a party later or something.

Lily, however, had a mischievous glint in her eye. "You want to know what I really want for my birthday?" She whispered to him. She beckoned him closer and whispered it in his ear. His eyes widened staring back at her. "Seriously" she said when he asked if she was joking. "So…you want to join me?"

"Me? Wait, really? Are you sure?" He asked nervously.

"I'm sure" she nodded taking his hand. "Come on. We've got about thirty minutes before our next class. The classroom should be empty."

The defense against the dark arts classroom was locked. Alohamora opened it, but Snape was quick to lock it again before anyone caught them, ensuring they wouldn't be disturbed. The two students checked the coast was clear before embarking on the most dangerous quest any student of Hogwarts had ever encountered. Snape was hesitant, but he wanted to be able to give Lily the best birthday present she could ever ask for.

The next ten minutes were the best ten minutes of Snape's life. He got to share in his first time with Lily as they stripped out of their uniforms and made out in the middle of the classroom, lying down on the polished wooden floor to have sex. Snape was curious enough to find a blanket to cover themselves with just in case someone came in and found them. He wanted Lily to retain some dignity if they were discovered. But she was the driving force behind this opportunity. She wanted this as much as he did, if for slightly different reasons. For her she was simply losing her virginity and doing it in the most exciting way possible. For him it was a dream come true.

He didn't care if this was only a once in a lifetime thing. He didn't care if it turned out she didn't love him back. He was just happy to share this moment with her. Happy to be lying on top of her, blanket draped over his shoulders, elbows either side of her body staring into her eyes as his hips rocked against hers. She gazed back up at him, her hands combing through his hair, her breath soft against his cheek moaning quietly, her naked body pressed against his. It was slow and passionate, the moment treasured as they made love for the first time. And when they finished it was heavenly. It was incredible. It was magical.

Snape paused as he came down from his first orgasm, memorizing Lily's stunning face as she sighed in pleasure, leaning down to kiss her on the lips before rolling off her body afraid of crushing her under his collapsing weight. They lay there side by side basking in the afterglow, breathless and exhausted. Who knew sex could be so tiring. They had to clean up and get dressed and back to their next lesson soon, but they could enjoy the moment a little longer.

"Best birthday ever" Lily said smiling, kissing Snape on the cheek. "Thank you."

"You're welcome" he said smiling back at her, immortalizing this moment in his memory forever.

That was the memory he wanted to preserve as he burst into the bedroom and found her lying on the ground, cold and still and lifeless. He feel to his knees and screamed as he cradled her body, weeping uncontrollably. He held Lily in his arms wishing they could be kids again, that they could relive their childhood again. That they could go back to that moment in the classroom lying naked side by side gazing at each other, hand in hand, the happiest they'd ever been.