IX

There had never been a more unusual day. The sky was a sickly green tinted grey color, and, yet it did not storm. The castle moaned with anticipation, and, yet it had nothing in store for it. The morning sun had not risen that day, but no one thought of this to be odd. They continued on with their lives, completely oblivious to the world around them. Was everyone ignorant or was Severus over-analytical?

For the past three days Severus had checked up on Potter, only to see if he was still alive. He had made progress, just as Severus predicted. He had saved his enemy's arm for the woman he couldn't stop loving. He hated himself for it, because Potter never deserved any of it, but would he have, if he were in the same position. People like them weren't worth a penny to their names, nor worth the love of a woman, and, yet he was the only who was like this. The world had all kinds of people, but only few people had gotten what they deserved. He had gotten more than his fair share.

Every time he had gone to see Potter, Lily was there. He ignored her, and afterwards he would avoid her. He didn't want to upset her even more. When the time would come, he would try again, over and over, until he was finally sure which way she would lean. But for now he couldn't waste his time. He had to focus on an education, sadly.

He looked up at Professor Slughorn, who was teaching class in an inebriated bliss. To the entire class this was normal, to Severus, this was unreasonable. After the class had stared at Slughorn for long enough for him to realize that he was supposed to teach the students he sat up. "Today, I will partner you all up in groups of two. We will be working on Polyjuice potion. It takes two months to brew. So the partner you have today will be stuck to you for quite a while. You two will be inseparable." He laughed at his own pun. "Now, later in the year we will work on more complex potions, and you will work with the same partner I assign to you now." Surprisingly, his speech wasn't slurred. He began to walk around the class swerving around the desks, barely walking around without falling over himself.

He began to pair students together according to skill level. It was ridiculous. His N.E.W.T's potions class was half full of idiots. Severus would never have let these idiots into his potions class, but he was no longer a potion's professor. He had paired Remus together with Mary MacDonald, which was only to torture the poor, undeserving werewolf. Slughorn was more focused on the floor tiles than the actual pairing of partners. His drunken stupor had annoyed the entire class. "Severus…" he heard his name and faced Slughorn immediately, "you will be partnered with…Oh, I know…Ms. Evans! You two will certainly make the best pair. My two best potions students! This is bound for success!" Lily had made her way to Severus smiling at him.

"Hello Severus," she whispered as Slughorn had begun to explain the potion. "How are you? You don't look too well." She was concerned. It touched a part of him, causing his heart to flutter.

When have I ever looked good? What a ludicrous statement. "I'm fine, I'm just tired. I have to check up on Potter in the middle of the night. Once he's healed I'll be able to sleep well." He lied.

She nodded, knowing he wasn't telling the truth. She was the only person that knew when he was lying; everyone else could be a pawn in his hands. "Yeah, I forgot about that." She said it only to fool him into thinking she believed him. "I'm happy you're my partner." When he heard her say those words he thought he was hearing things, but if he wasn't, he swore he would do cartwheels. Well, he wouldn't per say, but he would probably smile, just like he was now. He's smiling. He has such I nice smile when he chooses to stop scowling. It's nicer than James'…She shook her head quickly trying to get the thought out of her head.

"We better get started on the lacewing flies." He said plainly. They both went through the process of checking if they were undamaged and still fresh. After they sorted through them Lily turned on the heat source of the cauldron. He used a special liquid, which only he knew the name of and poured it into the cauldron. After it had reached a simmer the both of them had added lacewing flies while Severus stirred.

"Severus, can we talk after class? It's important."

"Yes, I suppose that's fine." He looked up at Lily who beamed at his answer. They were both overjoyed. The minutes passed slowly as they waited for class to end. Luckily, this was the last class of the day, so they wouldn't have to rush through a conversation. Severus had begun to tap his fingers against the desk, it was an annoying habit. The clock had struck 3:15 and Lily stood up quickly.

"Before anyone leaves I need you to put your cauldrons in the back. They will be kept safe there. Put the remainder of the lacewing flies on my desk. After that you may leave. Have a great rest of the day!" Slughorn had finally sobered up enough to talk to his class cognitively. Severus had walked the cauldron over to the back, while Lily put the lacewing flies on Slughorn's desk. Before any student could make his way through the door Slughorn spoke up. "We shall check the lacewing flies daily. Aside from that, we shall learn more about the effects of the Polyjuice Potion. You may all run through the door now."

They walked out of the classroom together. As they made their way to a private corner of the school a teacher had caught sight of them. "Mr. Snape, the Headmaster would like to have a word with you." Professor Flitwick had appeared out of the corner. "He said it was urgent."

"Meet me at the Black lake in an hour." Lily whispered it into Severus' ear, her cold breathe on his skin made chills run down his spine. He nodded as she left. Dumbledore ruins everything. He had never let me have a great moment in life. He never could allow it, could he? He quickly walked through the halls to the middle courtyard. He hoped that Dumbledore wouldn't prolong the conversation too much.

A large gray gargoyle appeared before him. "Password," he said roughly.

"Pepper Imps." The gargoyle spun around revealing a large grey staircase leading up to Dumbledore's office. He walked up quickly. His Hogwarts's cloak had flowed behind him, just as his well-worn frock had when he was older.

He entered the large circular room, walking on an old red and gold colored carpet. Vast bookshelves inhabited the walls. There were small round tables with silver objects placed on top of them, each of them had a very important purpose, but few were known to him. The Pensieve was in one small hidden corner, with bottles of countless memories placed on shelves next to it. The portraits of all the headmasters, before him of course, were placed on the walls.

He waited for Dumbledore. If things were so urgent then why wait so long? Dumbledore had made his way down the staircase and greeted Severus. "Severus, my boy, it's good to see you. I'm glad that you made it here so quickly." He had his genuine smile on while his blue eyes sparkled from the light emitting from the large windows. "Come sit down. We have much to talk about."

"I prefer to stand. Thank you." He was aloof. He wasn't a fool. He knew Dumbledore better than most people, though most people didn't know the man much at all. Dumbledore felt sad for the lonely Slytherin boy. He was talented, but he knew the boy was drifting toward the wrong path. He watched Severus stand there in his usual position.

"Very well. Would you like a lemon drop?" He had always asked his students if they one wanted one, but no one had ever agreed. He lifted the bowl towards him.

They're always laced with Veritaserum. I'm not a moron. What does he take me for? "No thank you. I don't have a taste for…sweets."

"Ah, yes, I should keep that in mind." He stirred his tea as silence swallowed the two of them. "How are your studies come along? You must be doing well; your Professors are quite taken with you. Slughorn particularly praises you for your skill with potions. He says you're bound to be one of the greats. Madame Pomfrey had also mentioned something quite interesting. She said she witnessed you performing a spell—a very interesting one."

"Yes, well I have forgotten it since then. It seems to have just…slipped my mind." He was cold and distant.

"Great spells are never forgotten. You see, one can never truly forget a spell. The moment you use one correctly it implants itself into your mind."

"Are you insinuating that I wouldn't know that? Dumbledore, we both know that we aren't going to get anywhere with this. Why do you need the spell so badly?" he placed his hands on the desk. He was the interrogator now.

"You are not privy to that information. Good things come from those who seek it. I only want what is best. The spell you used is quite extraordinary." Severus smirked. "Who invented it?"

"Yes, well." he turned away. "Some spells are created anonymously. We both know that the greatest were always kept in secrecy."

"Severus," he was clearly aggravated. "Are you not telling me because you fear for the consequences? Does your loyalty lie, perhaps in the wrong place? It does no good to dwell in the darkness too long. Light will not save you, even then."

Severus rolled up his left sleeve. "You can't trust a student—how pitiful. Well, we all know that nearly all Slytherins end up Death Eaters one way or another. Isn't that right Dumbledore? I thought you of all people, the man with a seemingly golden heart would finally give a slithering snake a chance."

"I'm mistaken then. I apologize for doubting you."

"I have no interest in them." He looked at Dumbledore's sincere eyes. "I must talk to you about something, something of vast importance."

He lifted his eyebrow, intrigued by what Severus said. "How can I trust you? Not everyone in the world is to be trusted, even if you are not associating with Voldemort." The man had no fear to say his name. It was the way he could spite him, without dueling him.

"I will show you when the time comes." You trusted me once. "But for now, I think it's best if things remain unsaid."

"Very well, thank you Severus. We shall meet again soon."

He slowly walked away, before reaching the steps he remembered something. He didn't turn around. "The spell is Vulnera Sanentur. It can heal most wounds, even some cursed. It must be chanted, almost song like. It takes three times for it to take maximum effect. As for the inventor, you should stop second guessing yourself. You know who he is." He left before Dumbledore had gotten a chance to thank him.

He walked out of the school through the south entrance. Colorful fall leaves filled the yellowed grass. His feet threw the leaves away, leaving a trail behind him. Most trees were bare, but some still had leaves to lose. The scene outside was dreadful, but it didn't matter, even if it wasn't a perfect day, because he would talk to Lily.

The lake in front of him was magnificent. There was no telling what secrets laid within its darkest depths. Even when there was a lack of sunlight, the black water shimmered. Small waves undulated toward him, stopping at the barrier of mud before his feet. He had many memories of the times he spent here with Lily, talking, reading, studying and sometimes they would sneak a friendly peck on each other's cheek. He wished that life were like that now.

He couldn't know what to expect from Lily. She was spontaneous. He never knew what she was thinking, until she would tell him, as she always had when they were younger. But now that everything had changed he half-expected her to break of anything and tell him to never talk to her again. Life was no longer easily predictable. Things could take a turn for the worst in a matter of seconds.

He sat down by the lake against a black barked tree. The cold October air nipped at his skin, causing his teeth to clatter every now and again. His right hand shook as the anticipation ate at him. He pulled out a book from his pocket and tried to read it, but it only annoyed him. He placed the book on the ground next to him and stood up. Time always passed the slowest when you couldn't wait for anything.

He waited half an hour. A lot of time had passed since Lily said she would be there. He had lost all hope. Why do I hope when in the end there is nothing to hope for? He glanced at the lake one last time before he started to turn around. Maybe she forgot…I'm an idiot for trying to be optimistic. Falsely trying to reassure yourself only leads to things worse than hopelessness. Tomorrow I'll talk to her. Then, I'll know why I waited so long for nothing.

A flash of red appeared behind an evergreen tree. Severus felt a pair of arms hold him. He wrapped his arms around her. Lily's shaking body was in his arms now. It was what he always wanted. She was crying into his chest. He stroked her hair lovingly. "What's wrong?" he whispered gently and warmly. He was concerned.

There was no response, but stronger sobs. Minutes passed before he heard her sweet voice. "Sev." She used the name he hadn't heard in over two decades. His heart filled with warmth. "You're back. You're finally back." She repeated it several times. She was clearly elated. Finally, he understood that she had cried tears of joy, not sorrow. She was so happy to hold her old friend in her arms. He was truly back. I should never have doubted you Sev, not even for a moment.

"I was never gone Lily." He held her tighter. "I'll always be here Lily. Always."

She starred into his deep charcoal colored eyes and smiled happily. Finally she felt closure. If only she had known that this was the type of closure she had wanted in the first place she would have fought for it. Too much time had passed, but she was happy that it worked out in the end. "I missed you Sev."

"I missed you too." Much longer than you know Lily. I love you. The three words screamed at him. He wouldn't tell her. She was clearly in love with Potter. He would tell her one day. But that one day would have to wait, because he wanted to make this odd day into something perfect. The three words would only hinder him from doing so.

They lied on the grass holding hands, just as they had on the day they met. Their feet were at the water's edge. "Do you remember the day I met you?" Lily asked.

"Of course; I could never forget. It was the best day of my life." He turned toward her. He was one that had never shared his thoughts, but he felt as if he had to, so he could keep Lily.

"It's mine too." She said. Was his morning pumpkin juice laced with Felix Felicis? "Sev, I'm sorry about the past two years."

"Lily, you have nothing to be sorry about. I drove you away. It was my mistake. I shouldn't have done that. I hurt you."

"Yes, but I hurt you more. I never knew…" She trailed off into something imperceptible. He wanted to hear what she said, but she was glad that he couldn't. "I'm sorry I gave up on you. I shouldn't have done that. After all, no Slytherin ever chases after a Gryffindor."

"Stereotypes," he muttered at her sarcasm. Then again, it is true. The relentless hate between two houses is preposterous, but completely and utterly real. It took me long to learn that everyone has a bit of each house inside of them. Dumbledore helped me learn that. The only problem is no one realizes it until it's already too late. Lily and I defy that somehow. She's partly a Slytherin, and I a Gryffindor. Only if people could see passed the classification…

"Sev, what are you thinking about?"

"It's nothing important Lily." He knew the more he refused to tell her the more she would ask him. So he changed the topic to something of his interest. "Lily, are things back to the way they were, or am I mistaken?"

She looked up at him surprised by the question. She wanted to say the right words to him, but words cannot express anything carefully. "I think time has to do its thing here. So much of it has already passed. But I can tell you that we are friends." She hoped it would satisfy him, instead of hurt him. She knew he was particularly sensitive about the subject, since it was the only thing that was constant in his life, up until it took a hiatus.

"Thank you." he smiled at her, like he hadn't been able to in years. It was broken, pitiful, but the most beautiful smile she had ever set her eyes on. If only he could smile more, and let other people in he would have real friends. He needs to be around more people. I can't be his only friend. It doesn't work that way.

"Sev, I need you to promise me something." She didn't wait for an answer. "You can't go back to them. If you step one toe out of line I will drop you faster than you can catch yourself. I don't want to see you immerse yourself in the dark. You're better than that. You can make new friends. I just want you to follow the right path."

If only she knew what I had done. She would hate me. Or would she? Could she really hate me after everything I had done for her in my previous life? I wish this were easier. It used to be so easy to keep secrets from people, but they were never Lily. I wonder how long I will be able to keep silent… "I won't go back to them. I never will. I promise you with my life." She was happy with his answer, and she hoped he meant it.

Lily put her hand in Severus' hair. It felt like silk. It wasn't the texture you thought it would feel by looking at it. He had such nice hair. "You need a haircut."

"I suppose I do." He had never cut his hair much. He had gotten used to it being long. He could never imagine it short. It would probably look terrible on him anyway. He had liked the way she put her hand through his hair. He had never fully felt human touch until that day. He was fully alive.

"It's a Hogsmeade weekend on Saturday. James will be in the infirmary. I was thinking that maybe we could go together as friends. I wanted to catch up. A lot of things change in such a short time."

"I'll go with you…as friends." He wanted it to be so much more, but it was only the beginning. Beginnings were never great, but everything afterwards would always lead to greatness. They would just have to let the story be written with its own twists and turns until it would end all too soon.

They looked up at the grey sky as they held hands, yearning for time to stop so they could indulge in the moment. It was flawless.

A/N: Please review, it would be greatly appreciated. Also, feel free to PM me with any questions, as I will not be answering them in any Author's Notes.

Sorry for the wait. I promise I didn't forget about you.

-Elaine