A/N

Written for Chaser 3 on Holyhead Harpies for Round 4 of the Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition.

Prompt: Hotel.

Word Count: 1917

Thanks to The Cinder Crown and MissyAndTheDocs for beta-ing.

Optional Prompts: [character] Severus Snape C3, Priority C3, Clock C3

Severus Snape was a Slytherin. He was sly, cunning, and most of all, not a Gryffindor. He had one main priority: self-preservation. He did not rush into situations without considering the possible consequences – Merlin-forbid he let his emotions control his behavior. Once he arrived at Hogwarts, the walls he had begun building as a child were fortified quickly – being one of few half-bloods in Slytherin meant that he had to shape up fast.

However, one thing could send those walls crashing down at the flick of a wand. That thing, more specifically, was a person. A person with a temper as fiery as the red of her hair.

Severus considered himself quite articulate, yet he could not find the right words to adequately capture the spirit of Lily Evans. She was the type of person who brought life to those around her. You'd think you were living, but then she'd come into your life and it was like you'd been sleeping the whole time. When she smiled, Severus couldn't help but smile too, and the terrible parenting of Tobias Snape and all his other worries seemed minuscule. Her voice – it was like a drug he couldn't resist; it could be sweet and comforting, light and teasing, or so passionate when she got worked up. And when he looked into her shiny green eyes, so filled with hope and optimism, he couldn't resist her. No one really could. But if you got on her bad side – you'd better watch out. Unlike the Marauders, she'd come at you and you wouldn't even know it until it was too late. She never got caught and was never suspected. She stood up for what she thought was right, and if you got in the way of that...

Severus could count with two fingers the number of times he had let his emotions completely rule over his one priority of self-preservation – little did he know the third would come soon. The first was when he called Lily a mudblood, that damned word. The second was when he had begged Voldemort to spare Lily's life.

The third… well…

The letter arrived on a chilly summer night. Severus was still weak; not completely confined to his bed, but still worn out from Nagini's venom. It was weird, not really having a purpose in life. He went from two masters to none; he was no longer needed. He hadn't even been asked to return to teach those dunderheads - not that he wanted to anyway. After he had been discharged from St. Mungo's, no one had even thought to reach out to him.

So when the brown owl swooped through the open window, Severus was surprised. He slowly pushed himself up to a sitting position, his muscles straining at the small movement and, scowling at the owl, he grabbed the letter.

Unrolling the parchment, he felt like a knife had stabbed him in the heart as his eyes scanned over the first line.

Dear Severus,

That handwriting was unmistakable – over the first few Hogwarts' summers, staring at that handwriting would be the only thing getting him through the break and bringing him comfort. The distinctive way Lily added a swirl on the S in Severus and the occasional switch between cursive and print writing all were ingrained in his head from years of studying her handwriting. This handwriting was Lily's – but how?

132 Blackbird Lane. Sunday. 7 pm.

Tomorrow was Sunday. Severus knew that without a doubt he would be there; Lily wanted to see him. Perhaps she had forgiven him, and would hug him tightly when she saw him. He would perhaps return the hug this time, as opposed to standing there stiffly as he had done in years past. His mind was so weak and tired that, although the thought that Lily was dead had crossed his mind, it'd left just as quickly. For there was no way that note was written by anyone but Lily. And she wanted him.

His heart clenched in his chest as he longed for Lily. He had not felt like this in a while, and it felt so unfamiliar. Tomorrow at seven could not come quicker. He looked up at the round muggle clock that hung above his bed. It was a simple, black clock with silver hands that read nine o'clock. 22 hours until he would see those eyes again.

Severus traced his fingers over the ink before reverently placing the parchment on his bedside table. Lowering himself back down, he watched the second hand slowly tick by. As he laid in bed, he wondered what he would even say. How could he express how much he's missed her? Tell her everything that she'd missed, that he's wanted to tell her? How do you even talk to someone you haven't seen in over a decade?

When Severus finally escaped picturing all the possible scenarios his brain could imagine of meeting Lily in his head, the clock read 10 pm. 21 hours.

Sleep came quickly to Severus for once that night. Finally allowing himself to imagine Lily's voice soothed him quickly and he fell into his first nightmare-free sleep.

Soft lips pressed upon his slightly chapped ones – it was not a passionate kiss full of lust; rather, it was comforting. It was everything Severus had imagined and more. He closed his eyes once she leaned in and, when he felt her lips withdraw from his, he kept his eyes closed, savoring the moment.

"Severus – " her soft voice murmured.

Before she could continue, the clock struck 7 am and, like clockwork, Severus opened his eyes. He smiled softly, touching his hands to his lips. They were very dry. Removing his fingers, his heart dropped: it had all been a dream. He quickly shifted up, urgently feeling for the piece of parchment in the darkened room. He felt a sigh of relief when he felt the old paper - at least that had not been a dream. It was okay – he could kiss her tonight. 12 more hours.

Severus put down the potions journal he was reading to check the time. 6 pm. One more hour.

It was time to get ready. Pushing himself to his feet, he slowly made his way to the bathroom where he put on his favorite pair of black robes with a casual black t-shirt and dress pants underneath. Looking into the mirror, he adjusted his hair, brushing it until he was satisfied. It was just Lily, he told himself. Straightening his robes, he observed his reflection. It would be enough.

Severus checked the parchment for the address, even though he had already committed it to memory. He had no idea where 132 Blackbird Lane was - perhaps Lily's home? Forgoing his old priorities of self-preservation, he quickly apparated to the location. Normally, he would scope out the place, perhaps think twice before meeting anyone anywhere, but his mind was only focused on meeting Lily.

Severus appeared in front of a tall, run-down hotel. It was a brick building, perhaps ten stories high. A few bricks seemed misplaced, but Severus paid them no mind as he strode through the doors that squeaked as he opened them and let them close behind him. His eyes searched across the lobby as he looked for the green eyes he missed so much.

An old sofa was at the far side of the lobby. Not seeing Lily anywhere, he walked quickly there, avoiding eye contact with everyone else. A few hotel staff sat at the other side, and he scowled at them.

His foot bounced as he anxiously waited. He checked his watch every few minutes. When 7:15 came and she had yet to show up, Severus was worried. Lily had always been punctual.

Severeus stood up. Surveying the lobby one last time, Seveerus scowled as he made his way over to the hotel staff. He walked up to them, enquiring after Lily.

The man seemed to recognize who he was talking about, and over-enthusiastically gave him directions to a room in the back. She had been waiting for him. He tried not to roll his eyes at the man's cheer, but proceeded to the room.

He paused at the door, nervous, but pushed through it. The room was empty. He closed his eyes in resignation. When he opened it, a red-headed figure was there. She looked different than he remembered her – more at peace, more calm, more pale.

He rushed towards her, about to envelop her in a hug, but he felt a force pushing back at him as he neared her. "Lily," he breathed out, almost in astonishment.

She stared back at him, her expression unchanging. His head swam, overwhelmed at seeing the love of his life. "Lily… I've missed you so much. I can't believe that you're here."

He swallowed, not sure what to say. She looked at him, forlornly. He heard her respond, "Severus. It's been a while."

He nodded, "How have you been?"

He moved once again to approach her, but felt the force once again. "Why can't I approach you?"

Lily finally made some movement - a small chuckle. "Severus. We need to talk."

He stopped in his steps. His voice lowered to a whisper, "We do. There's so much I need to tell you about these past years. How much I've missed you."

She held up a hand. "I've seen everything, Severus."

He gulped, "I've looked after your son, Lily. Just like I promised."

Lily assumed a hardened expression. "I do owe you a thank you for saving his life multiple times."

He curved his lips in a semblance of a half-smile, nodding. "Like I promised."

She cut him off, "I'm ashamed of you, Severus Snape. You're no better than James back when he bullied the first years as a third year, but at least he matured. You're a grown man in a position of authority still attacking defenseless children because of a childhood grudge-"

Lily's rant was tuned out by Snape, only her words, "I'm ashamed of you, Severus Snape," repeating in his head over and over again.

He could hear the anger flowing through her voice, but the words all blended into I'm ashamed of you, Severus Snape.

When Snape finally got the words to stop repeating in his head, she was gone. He hadn't notice her leave. "Lily!" he let out an anguished cry, falling to his knees.

I'm ashamed of you, Severus Snape.

"I'm sorry, Lily!"

His head hit the ground, and his world went black once again.

A steadying hand was placed on his shoulder, "You, okay, son? Nasty fall you had there."

Severus blinked. He was in the hotel lobby. "What's your room number, son? Let's get you back there." suggested the staff member.

Severus shrugged. "I… I need to go."

Severus raced out of the hotel, apparating back to his home. As fast as his feeble body could move, he made his way to his bed stand, searching for the letter he had left there. He scrambled, looking desperately for that letter.

After what felt like an hour of searching, sobs began to wrack his body as he overturned each inch of his space. It never occurred to him to use Accio, and eventually, he was sure that the letter could not be there. He finally settled in the middle of his room, distraught, and surveyed the disarray he had produced. She had never been there.