"See you next month, Mrs. Potter."

"Thank you! And Happy Christmas!" Lily called again as the boy left her shop, the bell tinkling softly as he opened the door to the wintry elements. She admired the package she'd just been given – twenty vials of pure lavender essence, a prime ingredient in her infamous Amortentia. She'd already ripped off the tape when a shadowy figure stepped lightly from behind a shelf. Lily looked up with surprise to find Severus Snape there, garbed in his usual thick, woolen cloak covered lightly with a powdery snow. He looked oddly out of place among her cheery holiday decorations; holly and tinsel adorned the shelves while a giant Father Christmas poster was pinned up behind him.

"Severus! Well, whatever brings you back to my humble shoppe?" Lily asked kindly, stepping out from behind the cashier bar.

"Well, you didn't honestly think I would neglect to bring you a Yuletide gift now that I know where to find you again, did you?" Severus took his hands from behind his back to reveal a present wrapped in a shiny, red paper with a handsome emerald bow on top.

"Oh, Sev," she said softly as she accepted the gift.

"'When green and red actually get along'," he said, gesturing to the wrapping.

She gave him an impressed grin. "I can't believe you remembered that." It was something she'd said long ago, when they were at Hogwarts. That their houses never got along was something that had constantly bothered her for some time. Back before she understood the need for the separation. Before they, too, had gone their separate ways. But he said nothing, and the only sound was the light whirring of the fat, red man behind him and the rustling of her unwrapping her gift. Beneath was a flower pot filled with soil, sealed with a clear wrapping. One sniff made her smile fondly.

"Mint?"

"Well, they won't grow until you open them, so you can always give them to someone else, if you want."

"Why would I do that?" she chastised softly. He could be so sensitive at times. "I'll be right back," Lily added, and she disappeared into her brewery.

While she was gone, Severus glanced around the shoppe. It was quite different from the last time he'd been there. The previously blank wall behind the counter had a calendar now, the picture one of a frozen lake in the middle of a wintry white wood with snow falling lightly around a sole couple, skating together on the ice's surface. Just the sort of romantic, sentimental thing my Lily-Anne would like, he thought to himself. It also didn't move – a Muggle picture. He wondered how many customers decided not to return when they noticed that.

Beside the calendar was a poster advertising how to order more time-involved potions in advance and a list of competitor potion makers with empty slots that read 'Price', 'Quality', and 'Manners'. Severus smiled as he looked closer and noticed that Morticia Mayberry's 'Manners' slot had 'TERRIBLE!' scribbled in in hasty letters. He'd heard of these charts, entitled 'Getting the Best Price for Your Galleon?' They gave you comparisons to other competitors that good businesses could use to keep customers. He noticed with a grin that his own name wasn't on the list, and wondered what his 'scores' would be like when put up against Lily's creations.

Behind him, the On-Sale items – peppermint and holly scented candles, a potion for "keeping your evergreen forever green!", empty bottles and vials with holiday-themed decorations – were displayed as gifts from a jolly, red-faced Father Christmas. He nearly jumped when the display cried, "Ho ho ho!" in an overly cheery manner.

Severus glared at the cardboard face, but it only winked at him in return.

"Sorry about that. He's a right old sod, but he amuses the kids when they come in with their parents."

Severus turned back to Lily as she placed his gift – now full of mint leaves and adorned with red tinsel – on the counter beside her "Comments" box, another new addition. She grinned up at him as she took her seat behind the register.

"And thanks for the chocolate," she added, as she waved the peppermint bark that had been buried with the plant, charmed to pop out as the leaves did. "Did I ever tell you I adore peppermint bark?"

"Only about seven hundred times," he answered dryly. Like, every single Hogsmeade trip. Or if Honeydukes were mentioned. Or chocolate. Or peppermint. Or Christmas. Or winter in general, really...

She grinned and started to unwrap her present. "So, what's up with you?"

He shrugged. "I'm a bachelor and I have no life. Need I say more?"

She laughed lightly, and for a little while, they could forget there was a war going on outside – one they'd been fighting for years, and some of it, on opposite sides. "You probably need this chocolate more than I do. Piece?" She held out a piece of the treat and he took it.

"Thanks." He nibbled it gently. "So, how about you?"

She shrugged. "Can't complain. Well, I could, but I'm sure you don't want to hear of a married woman's woes, eh?"

"As attractive as the idea may sound, I'm sure I don't want to hear about Potter's underwear, no."

She giggled. She placed the half-eaten candy bar to the side and placed a hand on the box on the counter, which Severus had been eyeing curiously. "Would you like to help me stock this?"

He shrugged. "I've got no plans for the immediate future."

She beamed. "Great. I just got this huge order of lavender essence." She jumped down from her stool and grabbed the box carefully as she made her way out from behind the counter, spinning around to avoid hitting Severus, who watched, a little confused, as she made her way to the Love Potions section.

Severus let out a whistle as she opened the package, and knelt down with her. "You think you've got enough there?" he snarked.

She smirked. "I got this for two sickles a bottle."

Severus widened his eyes. "Wow. That's, like... dirt-cheap. Is it any good?"

"Oh, yeah... only the best. I did do more than steal your potions recipes, you know..."

He gave her a smirk and they began to shelve the small vials.

"So, how is that husband of yours?" he drawled.

Lily shrugged. "What's to say? We have our spats here and there, but we survive."

He gave a sneerish grin. "If they're anything like those spats you two had at Hogwarts, you must have one hell of a sex life."

Blushing bright red, Lily gave him a glare. "Well, I'm afraid I'm more of a fighter, to be honest."

Severus chuckled at the confession, but his expression softened. "Even still, he's lucky to have you."

She gave him a curious smile. "Thanks, Sev. That's really sweet."

"I mean it," he answered, looking into her eyes with sincerity, something he hadn't had the chance to do in a long time. "You're very precious to me, and he's very fortunate to have you. Arguing is fine, but you're supposed to make-up afterwards by using that fire for something more... productive." He ended with a curl of his lips. Lily face went as red as her hair.

"Can you promise me to work on being at least as good a lover as a fighter?" Severus prodded, teasing now. "I can't say I shan't be jealous, but you deserve a good marriage, after all."

Lily grinned evilly. "Even if it's Potter?"

"Especially Potter. You're going to need to distract yourself and him from his pomposity."

Lily laughed. "You still use the word 'pomposity'?" she asked, beaming.

"But of course!" Severus answered arrogantly. "I'm not going to take Black's word for it being incorrect. Hell, even if it's not listed in any dictionary. Etymologically speaking, it's a sound word. Not to mention it's very amusing to say," he added with a wink.

Lily only rolled her eyes and continued shelving. "Oh, Severus..."

Once again, they fell into a quiet routine. He picked from his side, and she from hers. He managed to avoid touching her this time, and let her put away the last vial. Last time... had been wonderful. But she was a married woman, now, and he couldn't fight the Unbreakable Vow she'd bound herself with. It wasn't right, and it wasn't fair. He wasn't going to do anything untoward, he told himself. Just... visiting a friend for the holidays. She thanked him, and they stood.

Severus took the box with him. "I suppose this will need disposal?" he asked. Least he could do was make himself useful.

Lily nodded. And she smiled. "I do like these visits of yours," she said. And her eyes went sad. "Even if it's the only time I see you."

Severus looked down at the box. "I... do want to apologise about the wedding." He couldn't bring himself to go. He'd been so close... but he couldn't. He'd made it to Hogsmeade, but that was it. Hiding in the Boar's Head, drowning in glass after glass of wine. But it didn't give him courage. He waited out the three hours, and slipped home to mourn the loss of his love in private.

"I didn't honestly expect you to come."

He looked up at her in surprise. Her face was hard, but accepting. It reminded him far too much of their... last day as friends. A lump grew in his throat, and he couldn't quite dislodge it. He looked down at the box once more.

"I... I don't want to be a bother," he said quickly. "You... have your own life. You don't need me coming to ruin things for you."

She sighed. "Sev..."

And then she stopped. Curious, he looked up at her. A smile was tugging at her lips, and he followed her eyes.

Above them hung a batch of mistletoe.

He closed his eyes, pursing his lips. Could the moment get any more awkward?

"Bloody hell..."

"No, no..." she corrected, looking up at it with amusement. "It's quite alright. I am the one who put it there." He watched her give him a wink as she shook her hips temptingly. Very temptingly. "I mean, it is the love potions section, after all."

He had the scarcest thought that perhaps she'd... plotted that out. Possible. He wouldn't have put it past her. It'd surprise him, but only a little.

"I suppose that means that... I have to kiss you now," he said softly, trying to sound dramatically world-weary. It wasn't too hard – he already felt he'd compromised her virtue too much for a lifetime. Last time... had been too much kindness from her. He'd taken it gladly, but he oughtn't have.

"I suppose so," she replied. There was a glimmer in her eyes, and she took a step forward.

It was a bit terrifying, having her in this space with him. It was disturbing. He felt like he was cheating, like he was stealing something. Something he'd lost rights to a long time ago.

And yet... He was selfish. And a little desperate.

He closed the space, his mouth coming open, tentative, and her soft lips met his.

It was sweet. Sweeter than he'd remembered. Or perhaps it was nostalgia. She tasted of peppermint bark – chocolate and mint, and he was certain he did, too. It was lovely, and he did his best to capture the taste of it in his mind for the lonely nights that would follow...

He scarcely heard the box fall at his feet. Her hands were on him, touching his cloak, and his fingers dared to touch her. Her arms, first, and she gave a little sigh and melted into the kiss, leaning herself against him.

The sound was intoxicating. His fingers trailed up, his head turning slightly – he debated tongue, but she sighed into him again, and decided to try.

A testing offer. His tongue was met with hers, and she traced his lower lip.

It was heart-wrenching.

He couldn't help but think of her husband, whom she'd doubtless learned that delightfully nasty little trick for, and then the look of righteous fury on his face if he could see them now. Snivellus, making out with his wife. But it didn't deter him – in fact, it made him smile, made him pleased, amused him darkly in a way that made him want to make the most of it, just so he could shove it in his face later.

He invaded her with that tongue, and she let out a soft murmur. Yes, let's see Potter try this, he thought. Oh, he could see the look on his face now, it was delicious, delicious victory –

"Sev..."

His heart caught. His breath stopped. Even his lips paused. Hers were soft, and kissed him again, and he didn't respond for a scarcest moment.

What was he doing? Thinking about Potter? Of all the blessings he'd been given in life, this moment was surely one of them. And he was thinking of Potter? The man who'd won?

Severus Snape, you have failed. You've lost the woman you truly loved, and even when you're given the chance to make up for it, your pride stands in your way.

He wrenched himself away from her. He didn't deserve this. He'd pushed it away so many times, he held no rights to it. It was his punishment. This is what he'd done to himself. It wasn't right to take advantage of his oldest, dearest friend. His first, and only love...

"I..." He bowed his head, forcing his hands to stay where they were. "I'm sorry, Lily. I've..."

But she silenced him with a kiss. He looked to her eyes, which were closed. It... it didn't make sense. She should hate him. He'd thought she did hate him. It would have made more sense if she did.

Her brilliant green, almond shaped eyes looked up at him. She broke the kiss with a smirk.

"Damnit, Sev, it's my mistletoe. I get a snog," she said, a sharp tone of voice that she would surely use on her children in years to come. She leaned up to kiss him again, and he obeyed.

She tasted so sweet. Her lips were soft, but sure. Not demanding, or needy, but knowing what they wanted. And for some inexplicable reason, they wanted him.

Really, why? It didn't make sense.

But why question? I mean, really? What nice things did he have left in life? This quaint little shop wouldn't last very long. Not with the war the way it was. Especially not if she had Muggle paintings behind her counter. Many would avoid her for attracting trouble, and eventually trouble would find her.

How much longer did either of them have?

He returned her kiss, and wondered how far he dared to follow this selfish moment of hers. What was it about him that let her forget the fact that she had a husband at home? That they were from the opposite sides of the tracks? Both growing up in a Muggle neighborhood, so far away from here, and even at Hogwarts. She at the top of Gryffindor tower, and he in the dungeons of Slytherin. Now, they were still opposites. Red, and green. She fought for the Order. She must. He knew she must. There was no way she didn't, it was well known that Potter and his friends were. She had to be. And he...

He had that accursed thing on his arm.

It was so many kinds of wrong. But if she would give him a chance... even for an afternoon...

She had last time. Maybe she secretly wanted him, even still. After all these years. She was too patient, too kind. He could use that to his advantage...

It was getting heady, and all he could think of was her, and how delightfully demented she was to do this to him, with him, for him, and how wonderful it was. He found his fingers going under her shirt, and his cloak was hanging off his shoulders when something happened.

The tinkling of a small bell.

The pair of them froze. Well, Severus froze. Lily rubbed her nose against his, and blessed him with a last kiss. He watched her go, wiping her mouth on a sleeve, while her shirt fell like it ought to have.

He felt his legs threaten to buckle as she greeted the customer. They didn't need help, but she voiced her presence, if they had questions. Severus readjusted his robes, regretfully wiping his own mouth, wondering at what wonderful chaos Lily Anne Marie Evans – no, Potter – was. How she still managed to drive him crazy, even though there was no reason for her to look at him with anything more than absolute loathing. All the reasons she should hate him on her husband's behalf.

He wondered, then, if she'd ever found out about Remus.

It was such a random thought, but... He peered around the shelf, where she had taken her post at the counter again. She looked over at him, and caught his eye, but then looked away.

Severus cleared his throat. It... it might make sense. That... that she would know...

That she would know. That Potter saved his life. Because of Black. And Lupin. And what he was.

Suddenly, his mind was full of loathing. How dare he tell her? No... he would. She was his wife. And as his oldest friend, she would have to understand why they hated each other so. Besides the obvious. Doubtless she would know.

The bitch pities me, he realised, snarling. He couldn't... Well, he could believe it. He could believe it very well. She had a fondness for compassion. Which is what pity was – compassion. But... he didn't want her pity.

He wanted her love.

But he couldn't very well have that, now, could he? Of course not. That was Potter's, now. That was why she had taken on his name, after all.

And she had the nerve to do that to him... The whore was two-timing him! Going home to her happy husband, but playing bitter wife for his benefit. Bloody mudblooded –

And he caught himself.

...This. This is why. This is why you can't have her.

He looked down at the box, which had held the lavender a short time ago. He picked it up, imagining he could smell the flowers. He glanced back to the end of the aisle, but ducked out the other way. He slipped out the door, and didn't look back at her.

She wasn't his. Would never be. And she was much safer that way. But she surely didn't quite understand that yet. But she would. In time.

Lily heard the bell, but he was gone so fast... She couldn't call after him.

Severus... She bit her lip. She was reckless, it was true. But, that was a Gryffindor fault, right?

And his... his was pride.

He's so sensitive.

She wondered what it was he was thinking of as he left, without giving her a chance to say goodbye. To explain. To... finish? Something. Watching Severus Snape run off on his own was a terrifying thing. You never knew what it was he was planning on doing.

She looked to the mint, and touched it. He did love her, that was for sure. Demented and mad as he was... he really adored her.

And that kind of love... had its own power.

xxxxx

Before you lot get pissy... I remind you, Snape is not a very nice person. Tragic, yes, but as Jo says, the thought of Snape being in love with you would be terrifying. Have you ever had a stalker? It's... it's not terribly healthy. He has quite a temper, and I was a bit pleased at how well that quick debate about Lupin came out. Lily... I think Lily's a little reckless. Perhaps she's a bit curious about him, too. I mean, you Snape girls can appreciate that, right? She has some feelings for him. She can't do much on them, but... If you catch her on a good, daring day... I dunno. I think Snape is a special case, at any rate, and I am curious what happens when he gets what he wants. And Lily – in my books, anyway – is just daring enough to test her limits. I'd written somewhere else where she was joking that she dated James because James was nice enough (read: not too selfish) so that she could run off with Remus, who was the one she really wanted; because Lupin has commitment issues, and James has generations of gold stocked up. It was a joke, but I definitely see her as the 'best mate's girl' who can hold her own in the crowd, and she's got to be fiesty to keep up with the Marauders!