Heya there!! Sorry sorry it took me so long!! But I thought this fic wouldh ave no success... actually there's nosuccess at all *lol* Only few people read it ^^ So here it is, just for you!!!

This chapter goes to Kat and Isilme ^^ Thanks for being there girls! I really love ya!

To Syd: mwahaha did Kat blackmail you? *lol* I hope no! Hope you really like it ^^ Here's the next chap... lemme know what ya think ^^

Booky: well, sorry for my lateness heehee Hope you like this one ^^

That's all. R&R please!! Otherwise I'd be very very depressed!! *lol*

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Chapter 3 – Dark Night

"Where are you? You can't hide now... I'm here to find you... and you know I will... I can see everything... I'm feeling you. Oh, there you are..."

* * *

Severus made his way back to his dungeon in silence. He was feeling weird and had many things to think about. First of all, he had been talking to Sirius Black and Remus Lupin as if they were old friends; and secondly... there was Potter... James Potter.

"Why, of all the people in Hogwarts, did I have to see him? Why me?" He thought.

Something caught his attention: a silvery shadow in front of him. Snape stopped as he saw the shadow moving towards him, and passing through his body. Severus trembled. He felt a mixture of sensations inside of him: hate, fear, rage, pain, joy, love. He looked back, slowly, shaking still, and saw the shadow going up the stairs.

He didn't doubt it. He followed the shadow, which was leading him to the castle's gardens.

Once there, Severus looked up to the sky: there was no moon; there wasn't any stars. Everything was dark, so Snape couldn't see anything. He could just hear the tremors in the water, and the air passing through the trees, leaves falling...

"Don't you like it?" Asked a voice.

Severus shivered. There was nobody around, only the shadow. A silvery shadow in front of him, and now it was shining. But that voice...

"Who are you?" Snape asked, his voice trembling.

"You know who I am," the voice said. "And you could see me if you weren't so scared."

"I don't want to see you..."

"Oh, yes, you do. Don't lie to me, Snape. There is no need now. I can read your mind".

"Stop talking to me!" The man screamed, almost begging. "I'm going mad," he whispered, covering his face with both hands.

"Severus, look at me," the shadow ordered.

Snape obeyed. As he lifted his eyes, he stepped back. The shadow was gone and instead of it, there was...

"James?" Severus asked, sounding desperate. The other man nodded. "You've come for me, haven't you?"

"I'm not going to answer that, Snape," James said, smiling. "You'll know soon, very soon..."

"Who is it then?"

"What makes you think it's not you?"

Snape bit his lip and remained silent, looking at James. He didn't dare move, not even to breathe.

"There's a word to describe the way you're feeling right now, Severus," said James. "Because I felt it when I knew I was going to lose..."

"Harry?"

"Yes."

"That's why you are here then..."

"He's the main reason," James confessed. "But I have three other ones... But this is not the time to talk about that. You don't need to know the other reasons. And... You know what? It's time to think about me..."

Suddenly James disappeared. Severus boggled when he saw Potter vanishing, and shivered when he heard the ghost whispering on his ear.

"Scared, Snape?"

"STOP THAT!!" he yelled. "STOP MESSING WITH MY MIND! You are not real! It's just... some trick that Black and Lupin have played on me!"

James frowned. "Is Sirius here?"

"Shut up!"

"Answer my question", ordered James.

"Yes..."

"Where is he?"

"Upstairs, in Lupin's room."

James looked down, smiling sadly. His hands covered his eyes, but Severus had the sudden feeling that the ghost was crying.

"He doesn't know it, does he?" James asked,

"Knows what?" Severus said, puzzled.

"Never mind... he'll find out anyway..."

"Who's he? Black or Lupin?"

"I've said never mind..."

"This is not a trick..." Snape muttered to himself. "James... why... why are you here?"

James looked up. Silver tears were wetting his cheeks, he tried to smile.

"I didn't say goodbye..."

Severus knelt, looking in James' eyes, with his own full of tears.

"I... I don't understand..." he said. "You're here... just to say goodbye?"

"I didn't say that. I have a job to do here, I told you before, and I'm sure you knew about it."

"You're here just to take somebody with you... up there?"

"Yes."

"Have you done it yet? Telling him or her their time has come?"

"Shhh... that's a secret."

They remained silent for a moment, James looking up at the sky.

"Love takes two..." Severus said, all of a sudden, still looking down.

"What?" Asked James, confused.

"And you left me..."

Snape stared crying silently. James knelt in front of him, and took Snape's face with both hands gently.

"What makes you think I left you?" James asked softly.

"You married Lily..."

The ghost smiled slightly. "How was I supposed to marry a man and have children?"

Severus stopped looking at James and moved away from him, standing up.

"But that doesn't mean –"

"Don't say it... it hurts, don't you know? I was only a toy for you... that's what I was... And even knowing that... I loved you..."

James stood up, sighing.

"You weren't a toy... and no, it wasn't a game, if it's what you're thinking."

"Then did you love Lily?"

"Of course I did."

"And did you love me?"

"Don't act like a girl."

"Tell me! Did you love me?"

"More than I ever loved Lily, but stop acting so dramatic. You are like a weak girl whose boyfriend has just left her. I don't remember you like that... you're not the Severus I fell in love with..."

"I'm... I'm the same..." Snape whispered painfully. "I'm the same... but I'm hurt... and every time I see your son... he's so much like you... and those green eyes..."

"Don't blame Harry, and don't blame Lily... don't even blame yourself because it's no one's fault. It was fate."

"Such an unfair fate."

"Some things are destined to happen... you'll realize why..."

"When?"

"Sooner than you imagine... maybe when I'm gone again".

Snape looked up, frowning. He wanted to say something, but the words didn't come out.

'It's stupid,' he thought. 'He's dead... you know he is, everybody knows... why am I feeling like this? So vulnerable... like... like I'll die if he leaves again...'

"Stop thinking those kind of things, Severus," said James softly.

"Take me with you then."

James' face went serious. He didn't show any emotion, and that was what made Snape shiver again, this time full of fear. James didn't say a word. He just came closer to Snape and held him tight. Severus froze. He had been dreaming of this moment for so long... but then, did it mean...?

"Is it me, the one you're going to take with you?' He asked slowly.

"I told you before", James answered. "I won't tell you. Not yet. Actually, I won't say a word. You'll see by yourself".

"James..."

"Shhh..." said the ghost, with one of his fingers on Snape's mouth. "Stop."

"I know it's me..."

"You're impossible, Severus," said James, moving away from him. "I won't say a word, keep that in mind. And, as far as I've seen, you are embittered... you hate everybody, and of course, the rest of the world hates you."

"I'm not sour..."

"Yes, you are."

"That's because you're not here..."

James froze, glaring at Snape in a curious way.

"Because I'm not here?" He repeated.

"Yes..."

"That's why you torment Harry? Because he's here and I'm not?"

Severus stubbornly remained silent.

"Things wouldn't be better if I were here."

"I know what you mean, but still..."

"That was sweet... I think... but, it's not a good idea to bother my son. I can take revenge."

"I try to protect him... in my own way."

"I know," James admitted, smiling. "Severus..."

"You know the things Harry could see if, by any means, he finds my pensive?" Snape said, thoughtful. James opened his blue eyes.

"Don't let him, please..." he said, almost embarrassed.

"Do you regret your past?"

"Never... I have to do something before leaving..."

"What?"

"I have other things to do, besides visiting you, Sev," James murmured.

"I see..." uttered Snape, almost frightened.

"One last kiss before I go?" James asked, grinning. Severus smiled slightly, motioning James to come closer.

"But you're just a ghost..."

"Don't underestimate me, Sev..."

They stood there, mouth against mouth, tongue against tongue, caressing each other... for at least 10 minutes.

Snape again felt the passion he had forgotten, and tasted his favourite flavour for the last time, it seemed. Slowly, James moved a bit away from him.

"Severus", he said, before leaving.