Zipping... Soaring...Gliding...and now floating. They were decreasing in speed as they descended from the sky, slowly, ever so slowly. As they softly touched down on solid ground, Severus quickly withdrew his hands from the cane as if it was a burning hot piece of coal. He stared at his ghostly guide in growing hatred.
'He's kidnapped me!' Thought Severus. 'Probably came back just to try and finish what he started twenty years ago... he wants me dead! That's what he meant by 'redemption'... he's got to carry out my murder... no Ickle-Jamesey to save either of us now...' yet he was abruptly knocked back into thinking along the lines of sanity when Sirius gave him a rude jab in the back with the walking stick.
"Ouch---Sirius, what in the blazes-"
"...Aww, sorry there, had to make sure you were awake..."
"Need I ask why, Sirius? I daresay you do not realize that I am onto you?... You've come back to kill me... OWWW! NOW WHAT WAS IT FOR THAT TIME?"
"That one was for making sure you're still alive," Sirius retorted sarcastically, then turned toward an obvious distraction-an elegant homestead with many bright glowing lights in the windows-but Severus was so wrapped up in his insane theories that he saw nothing but 'that foul, nasty, freeloading traitor' in front of him... It took yet another prod from the cane to get his attention once again.
"THAT'S IT, BLACK!" roared Snape, now losing control of his temper, once again. "IF YOU PLAN ON TORTURE METHODS INVOLVING THE CANE AND MY NOW-DEFORMED BACK, YOU HAD BETTER-" But Sirius never found out what he had 'better do'. Because at that moment, Severus caught his first sight of the mansion-and his attention immediately was thrust full-throttle towards it. He drew closer to it, stepping in a light and almost graceful way, very much unlike his usual approach. For something deep back in his memory file drew him towards this house-and then he came close to it, and remembered.
"Lucius..." came Severus. "This was Lucius's house..." Way back when Severus had attended Hogwarts as a student, he had been looked down on, pitied, and even feared by others due to the abuse he had taken in the past, and the attitude he had taken in the present... but Lucius Malfoy was his only true friend; the only one who ever gave a damn what happened to him. They had grown to be inseperable over the years; they were soon known as the Slytherin equivelants to Prongs and Padfoot, as far as their terms of brotherhood went, although quite unlike the Marauders, Snape and Malfoy were seen as freaks, scoundrels, slimeballs, and got to be a quite unpopular duo, especially due to all the rows they lost with the Marauders, all the times they were outwitted then laughed at... Severus tried in a hurry to forget those times... all that mattered was that Lucius had been there.
"But you weren't always there for Lucius, now were you?" With a start, Severus turned around and stared.
"Are you sticking up for him? He assisted in your death, and you still-"
"I'm very well aware of what he's done, thanks," said Sirius, voice threateningly rising. "The point is, well... take a look for yourself." He gestured with his hand toward the large bay window and moved aside. Severus took a tentative step toward it, but drew back. Sirius let out one of his usual barklike laughs.
"There's nothing to worry about, they can't see us..." Still not so sure what exactly was going on, Severus at last stood before the window and took a good look inside, and gasped at the sight. There were people inside, dozens of people, and they were all dancing elegantly across the floor, looking like they were having the time of their lives. Bright waxy candles of every shape, size, and color imaginable were placed all around the room, lighting up the lovely silver curtains that sparkled continuosly. There were long wooden tables at each end of the room, sporting sparkling champaigne and fancy appetizers. Numerous house-elfs scuttled madly about, trying to serve as many guests as possible while trying to look professional at the same time. Folks were all wearing fine fifteenth-century clothing, from lacy elegant gowns to tuxedos made of fine silk. This all just added to Severus's disgust.
'How could they be having such-fun?' he thought. He was utterly revolted. And still, he didn't know where the hell he was-he knew it was his old friend's house, yes, but during what time? Was it possible they were somehow in a Pensieve of some sort? He re-focused his attention on the party that was taking place. It was obviously a rich affair... but he couldn't recognize anyone he knew. Just as he was thinking this, the party inside fell silent; everyone turned to the stairway. He could hear violins softly playing a gentle tune as two people, a man and a woman, appeared at the head of the stairs, locked arms, and gracefully glided downstairs together, moving as one. Once they reached the landing, the people on the dance floor quickly exited; these two people obviously were of great importance. As soon as the pair made it to the floor, they set off like a top, twirling around and around in perfect uniform motion. Not only were they excellent dancers, but they were one of those rare couples who looked like they were truly in love, and it could be seen in their young and joyful faces. Suddenly, Sirius spoke.
"Pity I wasn't invited, eh Severus? Look at how funny life can be-you get to be the star of the show for about half an hour here, but then one tiny mistake, and you become a miserable old clod for the rest of your life, with everything you once had, lost. See?"
Severus apparantly did NOT see, and frankly had no idea what this man was talking about. In fact, all he wanted to do now, more than anything, was to go home, crawl into bed, fall fast asleep, and forget about this torturous nightmare he was living. The very last thing he wanted to do was to stand here and play guessing games with the ghost of an ex-murder convict, so he did not even question the other man. Though he didn't need to-for as the young couple in the house glided closer to the window, the man in the pair's face became visible--and Severus stared in shock and sudden remembrance. For he had been that man.