A/N - This was inspired by the scene in Deathly Hallows 2 where Severus goes to Godric's Hollow after Lily and James are killed. I realize that it is not strictly book canon.

Also written for Bernie Bott's Jelly Bean Bingo at the Hogwarts Fair with the prompt Peach.

Rating: T

Word Count: 780

Peaches. She always smelled of peaches.

It was her shampoo she said, Muggle shampoo that she used even after she started at Hogwarts. Even after she had been to Hogsmeade and visited the shop next to the hairdresser that sold all manner of beauty products. She always brought plenty with her to school in the fall and stocked up again at the Christmas holiday. Severus used to tease her about it sometimes, but she would just shake her head and tell him that she loved her shampoo and she saw no reason to change now, witch or not. He had never really cared much for peaches as a child, but he grew to love them after he met Lily.

He raced up the street and stopped at the destruction wrought on the small cottage. He stared, mouth agape, his heart beating in sync to the mantra running through his head. 'No, no, no, no, no, no.' He wanted to rush into the house, tear up the stairs and find her and keep her safe with him. He wanted to take her away from this place, where he knew that death had already visited, but he pushed those thoughts down deep inside, not allowing them to gain hold.

Pausing for a mere moment, he drew his wand and peered around the open front door before he stepped quickly inside. He heard the baby's cries and followed them. The acrid smell of dark spell residue clung to the air, but he ignored it, refusing to acknowledge the implications and continued on.

When he came across Potter lying dead at the foot of the stairs, Severus leaned heavily against the wall. The smell was stronger here, but there was something else underneath it. Years of brewing potions had made him adept at teasing out the subtle layers of scents and it was no different here. Peaches, he could smell them.

He hurried past Potter's body and continued up the stairs. The wailing of the child grew louder and Severus almost stopped. He didn't want to turn that final corner, didn't want to see what he was almost sure he would. For surely she would have calmed the infant by now if she was able. He took a deep breath and took the last few steps toward the room.

When he caught sight of her lying on the floor, he slid down the wall, his breath leaving him completely. He tried to convince himself that it wasn't what he thought, but the blank-eyed stare on her face pointed to only one thing. The baby had quieted, perhaps thinking that Severus would be his savior, but Severus had eyes only for Lily.

He moved forward and gathered her into his arms, crying her name and rocking her. The smell of peaches surrounded him, but now it seemed overpowering and cloying, instead of sweet and light. It clung to him as he buried his face in her hair, wormed its way inside and made him want to gag.

He needed to leave, this he knew, but he could not bring himself to let her go. To never see the dancing light in those eyes of green again. To never see her smile or hear her bell-like laughter. He turned and looked at the boy in the cot and his eyes nearly tore Severus to pieces.

Gently, he laid Lily back on the floor. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead and then her lips, the green eyes dull and lifeless. He rose on shaky legs and left the room. He stumbled down the stairs, the smell of peaches following behind him. When he reached the outside, he fell to his knees and retched.

Swiping a hand across his lips, he rose and stared at the house for one more minute before turning and disappearing.

He had been back at Hogwarts for two days after his short stint in Azkaban and his trial before the Wizengamot. He was cleared of all charges, all thanks to Albus, who had convinced them of his role as a spy. He sat now, at dinner in the Great Hall, looking down at his plate, hair hanging down and obscuring his face. He hadn't eaten more than a few bites of anything, mostly moving his food around on his plate. The dinner disappeared from the table to be replaced by pudding.

He smelled it before he saw it, the pie that had appeared near his left hand. Peach. He stared at it for mere seconds before he stood and ran from the Hall. He managed to reach the front steps before he lost his meager dinner.

Peaches. She always smelled of peaches.