AN: Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
It was rare that Dismas didn't know what emotions to expect from another. In life, he had expected fear and terror from his victims, and friendship and comfort from his companions. For almost two millennia, the afterlife was predictable, until this program began.
Now he didn't know if he was delivering the best news imaginable, or the worst news any soul could hear.
Dismas straightened his posture. There was no point in standing on this cloud, staring down at Paradisio Books. It was time to visit Purgatory and let the chips fall where they may. With a simple thought, he materialized in the room.
"I never said I thought Harry was pleasant."
A smile tugged at Dismas' lips. The afterlife was going to be interesting when these two reached heaven.
"But you didn't say he was unpleasant." Sirius leaned against the right armrest of the sofa. "Which in Snape means you like him."
"Like?" Severus raised his voice. "You think I like him?"
"Yes." Sirius smirked. "You like him."
"Tolerating someone is not the same as liking them."
"For you it's close enough."
Severus rolled his eyes.
"Seriously, it's not such a terrible thing to make friends with someone."
"Harry is not someone."
"But he'll make an amazing friend, assuming you don't blow it."
"I am hardly friends with Harry."
"Well, I'll just have to help you be a good friend to him."
"I have enough friends without Harry. I hardly need another."
"That's not a very good attitude to carry into heaven," Dismas interrupted. "All one knows is friendship up there."
The spirits turned to Dismas.
"I suppose I should've given some warning before entering." He gave them a sheepish grin. "I'm sorry for forgetting that again."
"Do not worry," Severus' glow was a light yellow. "We've learned to expect you to drop in at unexpected times."
"Can he drop in at an unexpected time if he's timeless?" Sirius asked.
"Excuse me?" Severus raised an eyebrow.
"I've been thinking about heaven…"
"You can think without hurting yourself?"
"Yes, I can." Sirius frowned.
"My my, I'm impressed." There was a playful gleam in Severus' eyes.
"Anyway," Sirius drawled. "I was thinking after Purgatory has concluded we will be free from the constraints of time. I was wondering what it was like."
"Hopefully it will not be too unpleasant," Severus replied.
"It won't be unpleasant at all," Dismas assured them. "At least it hasn't been for me."
"Good to know," Sirius said.
"Yes." Severus smiled. "I am actually quite pleased to see you."
"Oh?" The saint cocked his head.
"I wanted to discuss a few matters with you, namely what to do now that I've reconciled with Harry."
"You reconciled with Harry?" Dismas' glow was a dandelion yellow.
"Indeed I did." Severus' glow was brighter.
"How do you feel?"
"For the first time in my existence, I feel at peace."
Dismas turned to Sirius. "How do you feel about Severus reconciling with Harry?"
"Pretty good all things considered," Sirius answered.
"Do you feel as if you've accomplished something by aiding him with Harry?"
"I do."
"That's nice to hear," Dismas' glow dimmed. "Very nice to hear."
"What is wrong?" Severus' glow became white.
"Nothing. I believe the news I'm bringing is quite good, or will be seen that way in a few centuries."
"What news?" Sirius asked.
"Why isn't the news good right now?" Severus became paler.
"The program is completed." Dismas knew the spirits would appreciate him being too abrupt rather than too opaque. It didn't make things any easier though.
"What?" Severus' voice was barely above a whisper.
"The program is over," Dismas repeated, his voice gentler. "The Trinity believes you two have completed your mission, so they've ended the program."
"We did?" Sirius' glow was whiter than most heavenly clouds.
"Yes, it's over."
"What does that mean for us then?" Severus asked.
"It means your time with Hermione has concluded," Dismas answered. "You've helped her and Harry achieve eudamonia. There's nothing left for you to do."
Severus glow went blue.
"No!"
Dismas turned to Sirius.
"It can't be over." He stood. "The program can't be over!"
"It is."
"No, it can't end like this!"
"I know you're upset about the prospect of looking at a TV for the next few centuries…"
"Forget the TV! Hermione needs Severus. She's happy because of him."
Severus' glow was almost as black as his cloak.
"He makes her happy." Sirius pointed to Severus. "She makes him happy. The Trinity can't just take that away, not if they're love like they keep telling people they are."
"The mission was never meant to last the rest of her life. At some point, Severus' time with her would end. Everyone knew that going in."
"But does it have to end now?"
"If the Trinity decrees it, then yes."
"Can't the Trinity reconsider, unless." Sirius' eyes grew. "Did Metatron talk them into stopping the program?"
"No, he had no impact on their decision."
"Are you sure? If he did have something to do with it, we can argue against his influence, give the Trinity a counterargument, show them Severus and Hermione need each other. We can tell Theresa what happened. She'll solve this problem!"
"Metatron has nothing to do with the Trinity's decision, and Theresa has no power to change their mind on matters such as this."
"But, but Hermione…"
"I desperately need her." Severus' expression was enough to make Dismas wish he could cry. The Good Thief had only seen souls reunite in heaven. He had never seen them when they were first broken apart from each other.
"Please." Sirius folded his hands. "You have some pull with the Trinity, I know you do. You were there when the Redeemer died. He'll listen to you. They'll listen to you! Use some of your influence to help change their mind."
"First of all, nobody changes the Trinity's mind. Once they've made a decision such as this, it is final."
Sirius raised a finger.
"Second of all, they are preparing to hand down their final verdicts as we speak."
"How long will that take them?" Severus asked.
"Just long enough for me to fulfill a promise."
The spirits stared at the saint.
Dismas turned to Severus. "I promised you that you would get to say goodbye to Hermione. The Trinity has decided to honor it."
"How long will I have to say goodbye?" He asked.
"One night."
"Just one night?"
"Yes."
"Is there any way it could be for longer?" Severus' glow pulsated.
"Sadly, no," Dismas replied. Sirius opened his mouth. "And there's no way to negotiate more time. I've already tried."
"Oh," Sirius muttered.
"I suppose one more night is better than no time at all," Severus muttered.
"You'll find a way to make it count," Dismas said.
"What would you do if you were me?" Severus asked. "What would you tell Hermione? How would you tell her you were leaving?"
"I can't answer that. I don't have the kind of relationship with her that you do. Only you know what to say."
"I need help." Severus' voice grew louder. "I don't know how to do this." He approached the Good Thief. "You have to tell me what to do."
"I can't do that."
"But you always know what to do. You have to tell me what to say!"
"I can't tell you what to say."
"Then who can?"
"Only you know what to say. I don't."
"Don't you get it? I've never said goodbye to anyone I cared about!" Severus' glow was crackling. "I don't know how to do this!"
"Neither do I."
Severus' glow was almost nonexistent.
"I wish I could provide you with more guidance, or make this less painful, I truly do," Dismas said. "All I can do is advise you to make the night count."
"Can I not have two nights, one to tell her what's happening and one to say goodbye?"
"The Trinity said one night. That's all I can do for you, I'm afraid."
"I suppose." Severus paused. "I suppose it is better than me just disappearing."
"It is."
Silence fell again.
"Thank you for everything, Dismas." Severus' glow was beginning to grow, though it remained blue. "You have been more than kind to me. I truly appreciate all you've done for me."
"I was happy to help you." Dismas held out his arms.
Severus fell into them, his essence reaching for any comfort the saint could give.
Dismas held him as tightly as he could without fully fusing, feeling as if he'd just damned him to hell.