I'm writing this story mainly for my own enjoyment. It has been hanging in my head for several years. I've tried reading various fanfics on this topic, but none of them satisfied me for various reasons. Many were excellent, but there was always something that didn't quite sit right with me. So, I decided to write my own version of this story. Maybe someone else will like it too, not just me. That's why I'm sharing it, and I'll be grateful for any reactions. I'm open to constructive criticism as well.

And what will it be about? Severus gets a second chance, he finds out what has happened. He will know that Lily died, that he died on the floor of the Shrieking Shack... Almost like he went back in time. Will he correct his mistakes, or will he follow almost the same path, and the story will end up as it already did?

I don't know where the story will lead, but Severus will certainly be the main character. The story is primarily for those who like this character. I just don't know yet if Lily will be able to come back this time. Whether they will be friends or lovers, or if she will end up with someone else, and Harry Potter will simply be born...

Maybe Severus will be gay and end up with Remus. Maybe not. I'll see where the development of the story takes me.

It definitely won't be a short story, and not everyone will immediately start jumping like horny rabbits. I want there to be relationships, but I don't want to write just about them. I simply want to create my own version of the wizarding world during the first war with Voldemort, and I'll write about more than just Lily with James/Severus/Lucius kissing :-).

I'll see :) I'm going to write the next part; so far, I'm enjoying it a lot, a lot :)

Awakening from a Dream

In the middle of the night, a strange student – Severus Snape – woke up from a peculiar nightmare in one of the Slytherin dormitories.

He stared into the absolute darkness, sitting up abruptly. Incredulously, he touched his neck, while the other hand fumbled for his wand. "Lumos!"

The tip of his wand faintly illuminated, and he gazed at his hand, damp but not with the expected blood, just sweat, yet his stomach churned. He looked around the room as if just now becoming aware of his surroundings. Slytherin common room, his bedroom, and his roommates peacefully slept in other beds. It didn't make sense; he was supposed to be lying alone on the floor of the Shrieking Shack with a torn throat.

A wave hit him again, attempting to stand, but his head spun. He had to sit down again. After a few attempts, he tried again, cautiously holding onto the nightstand, then the walls, and on unsteady legs, he made it to the common bathroom, just barely.

He rose from the toilet seat and slowly approached the sink to splash water on his face. He raised his head and stared at his reflection in the mirror. At first, he saw the usual image of a skinny-faced teenage boy with a prominent nose and wide-open dark eyes. In a moment, the image changed, and Severus saw the face of an exhausted man with blood-soaked throat.

"I killed her, I killed... It was my fault, I killed her," the boy began whispering to himself. "For Merlin's sake, I am..." he started to sob, tears streaming down his face. It seemed like there hadn't been enough tears shed before bedtime. He began to tremble, perhaps from the night's cold, perhaps from the surge of emotions. Trying to make sense of what was happening, he couldn't concentrate. Reality blended with a strange dream; he tried to sort his thoughts, but they changed so quickly. His mind was a wild mess, jumping here and there. He remembered the humiliation James Potter subjected him to earlier today, only to be replaced by thoughts of Potter, whose green eyes matched Lily's. The last thing he saw. "Look at me," he whispered. Guilt overwhelmed him; he hadn't saved her or her son. He failed his task. Unfulfilled debt.

"No. It won't happen! She won't die!" he suddenly shouted angrily. "I'll prevent it, it won't happen, do you understand?" His fist hit the mirror, a large shard broke off and fell into the sink. Blood flowed from the joints of his hand, but he paid no attention to his injury. He only stared at the broken mirror; the image of the man disappeared, now only his own face looked back at him. He swallowed, understanding what he had to do to stop this confusion, to halt the constant waves of guilt and helplessness. He lifted the broken shard, gazed at it, clenched it in his palm, and ran out of the bathroom.

Through the silent Hogwarts castle, the distraught boy ran barefoot, wearing only a nightshirt, worn and too short. He paid no attention to paintings and statues, just ran and ran. To the entrance of Gryffindor Tower, to the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Is Lily okay? Is she in the common room?"

The Fat Lady yawned, "She doesn't want to talk to you! She's already told you-" "Is she in the common room? Is she okay?" Severus repeated his question. "She's okay?"

The lady rolled her eyes, "Yes, she is. She's fine! And now get back to your common room before I alert the professors that you're running around the castle!" The Slytherin student breathed a sigh of relief, "She's alive, alive, there's hope..."

He bowed his head and again looked at the sharp shard, his entire palm cut, but he ignored the pain. Physical pain was something he had long become accustomed to. The pain in his heart, his soul, was much worse. Slowly, he walked away from the mirror. There was only one way he had to go. He had considered it several times before, but he always had hope, which he now lost. If he joined Lord Voldemort, he would indirectly become Lily's murderer. And that hurt much more than his father's beatings or the bullying from his classmates. But not joining the Dark Lord's followers would mean more and more suffering for him. He had no money or connections. Therefore, there was only one way. He lifted one of the tapestries, knowing there was a small alcove behind it. He often waited there in his first year for Lily until Potter and his gang discovered his hiding place. He leaned against the cold wall, his legs gave way. He extended his left hand, gazing at the spot where the Death Eater mark should be, holding the shard tightly in his right hand...