Author's Note: I'm sorry for the delay with getting this out! The past several days have been very busy for me, but I hope to update at least one more time over the weekend.

Chapter Forty

After Tobias left, Severus stood in the entrance to the sitting room for a while, simply staring. His eyes rested upon the couch where his father had spent years passed out after another drinking binge, and as his eyes travelled across the floor, he could easily imagine bottles strewn about it. When his eyes finally came to rest on the old television, Severus frowned. He had been meaning to dispose of the ridiculous thing for months now, so he decide first thing in the morning, it would be going to the dump heap.

With nothing else to do, Severus sighed and headed up to bed. He left his bag on the floor, too tired to deal with it. After changing into his nightclothes, he dropped onto the bed, welcoming its softness and familiarity. Even though his home had been the place of many unpleasant memories, his own bed was the one thing he could find solace in, for there he could fall asleep and pretend the troubles around him didn't exist... at least for a short while.

In the last moments before sleep overtook him, Severus thought about his father. It had been an unexpected conversation, to be sure, but he wasn't sure what to feel about the situation and about the man who had made both his mother's life and his life miserable for years. Should he forgive him? Could he forgive him?

Thoughts of Tobias broke the shortlived happiness Severus had felt lately. He wondered if his father's life was in danger now because of his own outward defiance of Voldemort. Severus knew no one was really as safe as they deluded themselves into believing, but his father was a Muggle. Severus had a wand and knowledge of how Voldemort and the Death Eaters operated, the latter of which gave him an advantage few possessed.

And then there was Lily. He seriously began to worry now that they were no longer at Hogwarts. Dumbledore had afforded them no protection, not that Severus had expected him to, but Severus was now realizing more fully the consequences - or possible consequences - of his actions. Even though Lily was a powerful witch in her own right, her family were Muggles... and even that snooty-nosed Petunia didn't deserve to die at the hands of Death Eaters.

Severus frowned, remembering how Petunia had been the only one to survive before. How cruel life could be. Lily's parents, he recalled, had been targets mere days before her life had been ended. Having not known them as well in his past life, Severus hadn't given it as much thought. Only Lily had mattered to him then, but things had drastically changed now. The very thought of Mr. and Mrs. Evans...

He shook his head. There was little to be had by driving himself mental with worrying. So, Severus reached for a tiny bottle of a sleeping draught on the bedstand and downed it. Otherwise, he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep, and Spinner's End didn't have hoards of hallways for him to restlessly roam like Hogwarts. There would be plenty of time to figure out solutions to his problems in the days to come.

x x x x x

The following morning, Lily awoke early, hoping to catch Petunia before she had a chance to leave. Lily didn't fool herself into thinking Petunia would hang around any longer than necessary now that she was back for the summer.

Going to the bathroom for her morning ablutions, Lily wasn't surprised to find it was already occupied. The door was locked, and she could hear the sounds of someone getting ready.

"Tuney?" Lily queried, leaning against the door.

"What do you want?" Petunia's grouchy voice asked through the door.

"Can we talk?"

"What would I possibly have to say to you, and what do you have to say that I would want to listen to?" Petunia asked nastily.

Sighing, Lily said, "Petunia, open up."

There was a pause, then, "Like hell, Lily. Now, go away."

With a groan of frustration, Lily reached for her wand and aimed it at the lock. A quick Alohamora and the door opened.

"What the- ?" Petunia exclaimed, stepping back in shock. Seeing Lily's wand, Petunia shrieked, "What do you think you're doing, you- you freak?! Put that away, or I'll-"

Lily was already returning his wand to her pocket as Petunia ranted. "Calm down," Lily said, annoyed. "I'm not going to do anything to you. Since you wouldn't let me in, and I'm tired of putting up with your insolent attitude, I kindly opened the door for you... saved us both some trouble."

Narrowing her eyes at her sister, Petunia mumbled, "I would have opened it if you'd asked decently."

"Decently?" Lily demanded. "And how did I ask? Undecently, I suppose, because I'm a witch?"

Petunia jumped at the mention of "witch." "Well, that's one thing you understand correctly, then," Petunia muttered, trying to resume the application of her makeup.

With a sigh, Lily stepped into the bathroom. "Look, Petunia," she stated pointedly, "I'm really tired of every attempt at a conversation being nothing but an exchange of insults. We need to work past whatever it is that's come between us."

"I'll tell you what's come between us, Lily," Petunia said rudely. "First it was that Snape boy-"

"His name is Severus," Lily interrupted hotly. "Stop referring to him that way."

"And when will he stop calling me a 'Muggle?'" Petunia inquired, planting her hands on her hips.

"A Muggle is just a person who can't do magic. That's not an insult," Lily argued.

"Well, excuse me if it sounds like one," Petunia snapped. "You know he looks down on me because I'm not like you."

"That's rubbish, and you know it. Maybe Severus was a little nasty toward you when we were kids, but that's because he didn't know any better. The only example of a Muggle he'd had was his abusive father. You see how he is toward Mum and Dad, though. He respects them. They wouldn't treat him like one of their own if they felt ill toward him."

"And that's another thing, Lily," Petunia interrupted. "He's not their son! He just suddenly started showing up for holidays and dinners left and right this past year, and oh, look, he's now a part of the family! How delightful!" Petunia shrieked sarcastically.

"You know he has no family of his own to go to," Lily said, trying not to get too worked up. "We're blessed to have the parents we do, but not everyone is so fortunate. I'd think you'd be a little more appreciative."

"Enough!" Petunia exclaimed, throwing a tube of lipstick down in a huff. She balled her fists and made to leave, but Lily was standing in the way.

"Move," Petunia said between her clenched teeth.

"No, I'm not going to move until you've heard what you need to hear," Lily said in a falsely-calm voice. "You've been jealous for years now, and look what it's done to you. Petunia, you are my sister, and nothing is ever going to change that, but the more you choose to go on this way, the more it's going to drive a wedge between us... and I don't want that to happen. I'm sorry you couldn't be a part of the world I've come to know and love, but that's not my fault, and it's not Severus's fault. He just shared it with me and continues to, but that doesn't mean you and I can't be friends."

Petunia wasn't even looking at her sister as she spoke. With her eyebrows arched toward her nose in anger, Petunia hissed, "And what makes you so sure I'm the one who's going to drive a wedge between us? Don't you think maybe you're responsible, too, Lily?"

Petunia shoved her way past Lily, leaving a downtrodden young woman standing alone in the bathroom. Lily's shoulders sank, and she closed the door.

Maybe Petunia was partially right.

x x x x x

Later that day, Severus and Lily were sitting among a copse of trees near the playground, the spot they had usually occupied as children. The green canopy above was filtering the sunshine through, leaving pockets of brightness on the soft grass. Severus was leaning against a tree, and Lily was lying with her head in his lap, gazing up at him as he spoke.

Playing idly with Lily's long red strands, Severus said, "I saw my father last night. He was rather pleasant for him, and our conversation was meaningful. He... he wants to reconcile, I think."

"And how do you feel about that, Sev?" Lily gently asked, searching his face for his emotions regarding the situation.

"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. I'm still surprised he has kept to his word, but what's to say he won't go back on it the moment I show him a sliver of forgiveness?" Severus's brow creased, thoughts of greater concern creeping back into his mind.

"It won't be like before," Lily said reassuringly. "He can't hurt your mum anymore... I mean-" Lily stopped, feeling recklessly insensitive for bringing up his mother. "I didn't mean-"

"I know what you meant, Lily," Severus said quietly. "Yes, you're right. I have the advantage of magic that he doesn't, so I guess... I guess it might be worth trying."

Severus was trying to convince himself more than Lily. He could become angry and bitter like he had before, but he knew what that path led to, and he didn't want to become that cruel, jaded man again. Instead, he chose, as difficult as it felt against his worse nature, to take a chance and grant others second chances. If anyone knew about second chances, it was him. If he was being given another chance at life, then the least he could do was bestow the same compassion upon others. What would the purpose be of keeping everything to himself?

Severus's mind gaped at these thoughts. Was his cynical mind truly formulating them? Foreign visitors though they might have been at first, those thoughts were now inhabitants in his mental territory. They had settled and made a home for themselves.

"It's worth it if you feel it is, Sev," Lily replied.

Then, the hopeful look on her face fell, and Severus grew concerened.

"What's wrong?" he questioned.

"Petunia," Lily sighed. "At least you and your father are actually talking some sense to each other. I tried to talk to her this morning, and my attempt just blew up in my face like a bad brew in Potions."

"What happened?"

Shaking her head, Lily said, "I don't know what I can say to convince her that it doesn't have to be this way... this rift between us. Sev, if only she really knew who you are, if only she could see that you're a good person..."

"Is this really all about your friendship with me?" Severus asked. "I think some scars go deeper than that, Lily."

"Maybe," Lily sighed. "She seemed to think it was my fault, too. What have I done? I've been nothing but nice to her!" she defended herself, now sitting up.

"Maybe she doesn't know how to react to kindness?" Severus pointed out, for he knew he was guilty of that. How many times had he lashed out at people who had meant him no ill?

"She's impossible!" Lily insisted.

"She's not impossible, Lily," Severus said exasperatedly. "She's just difficult. Come on, now. Calm down."

Lily looked at him incredulously, then burst out laughing. "Well, this is certainly a change! You're the one advising me to calm down. Am I not usually trying to calm your nerves, Sev?" she teased.

Severus pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her waist, and kissed her. She readily returned the kiss.

"I thought that might shut you up," he said with a smirk. Sobering, he added, "But I know what you mean, Lily. You taught me the value of giving people time and several chances to change. Your sister isn't a lost cause. Maybe my father and she are really the least of our concerns."

Casting him a quizzical look, Lily asked, "What do you mean?"

"There's a war going on, Lily, and while I try not to let it consume my thoughts, it's there nonetheless, slowing eating away."