*J.K. Rowling owns all of the characters.*
**~~~~~~~ 1 ~~~~~~~**
THE AIR AROUND THEM WAS both humid and cold, the wind making James's messy black hair ruffle in all sorts of directions. The four wizards (and witch) were transported under the shade of a large Yew tree, its humungous form keeping them safe from the sunlight's intensity. A far-reaching lake proudly centered the expanse of landforms and grass, having waters so deep James was sure a Giant Squid inhabited the—wait. Something was familiar about this detail—this...area.
"Alas, this was where it all started." Remus murmured, lost in memory. "Might as well end it here, too."
James looked around. The gleaming, ancient structures of Hogwarts were staring down at his tiny, wizard form, marvelous and breathtaking all at once. Its many turrets and massive towers loomed above the Great Lake, as if to show off its mere existence. I am here, it seemed to say. He could also see the bricked bridge and Great Hall and imagine the many staircases he had grown so accustomed to over the years.
Snape was not getting the least comfortable. He played with a leaf which had fallen off the tree, lost in thought. His mouth twisted into a frown when he saw James looking at him, directing his attention somewhere else. James ignored this and rolled his eyes. It seemed as though they were students again, picking petty fights and messing with each other. Well, the Marauders mostly picking on ol' Snivellus, anyway.
He thought about this. The teasing and pranks were fun at first, but James soon realized that people, no matter how awful, should never be treated that way.
Not that he blurted it out loud.
As someone who's had a crush on beautiful, brilliant Lily Evans for Merlin-knows-how-long, James had been jealous of the witch and Severus's initial closeness, and expressed what he felt through the many pranks and jokes they pulled on Snape, though Lily had hated him more because of it. He now knew why, and felt a bit guilty.
Severus loved Lily as well. Was it so wrong for a chap to feel affection toward another?
Well, James thought, it depends solely on how he acted to show it.
If Snape hadn't insulted Lily during the course of their Fifth Year, they would still be friends up to this day (or decade, really, depending on how you look at it). Was Severus silently smacking himself in the head, regretting what he had done all those years?
Lily laughed as Sirius shared one of his infamous jokes, enchanting green eyes reflecting everything she'd felt right then and there. Her auburn hair was being highlighted by the bright morning sunlight, her warm smile making James feel as breathless as he did the first time he realized his feelings for her.
Of course Snape had regretted it—every bit of it.
"We should probably start this talk of ours." Remus interrupted, magicking cups and tea out of nowhere. "It gets worse the more we make an effort to delay."
"Psh. What are we even going to discuss, Lupin?" Severus said with a sneer. "If it weren't for Dumbledore, I—"
"Wouldn't be here, blah, blah, blah." Sirius cut him off, sitting next to Remus as he regarded Snape in a thoughtful manner. "Well, you're here now, aren't you? We might as well drink tea and have a decent conversation like those muggles I see in the teh-lee."
James let out the sliver of a smile as he noted Sirius's (still) awkward pronunciation, even though Lily had let him watch various shows upon visiting the Muggle world. Fascinating, those muggles, he thought. Their imagination and clever hands make them as magical as we are.
"Try pronouncing it a bit faster next time." Lily suggested, taking James's hand as they both went near the others. "It just needs a little improvement, 's all."
Cups and saucers were passed around as the makeshift picnic setup took place, and a plain red cloth was placed underneath the food. Tea was poured generously, what with Sirius and Remus doing most of the serving. James took a sip of the drink as it warmed his body. Small conversation took effect, and almost all of them were laughing within seconds, reminiscing on their time as humble students of Hogwarts.
"I never wanted to return here."
The four of them turned. Snape fiddled with the leaf he'd found earlier, avoiding all sorts of eye contact. It was the first thing he said during the past few minutes. His greasy black hair remained in place despite the strong wind, unbothered. If he was even getting cold at all, he betrayed no sign of it.
"Well, technically, this is the WWA's version of Hogwarts," Remus supplied, unable to think of any other reply. "The real Hogwarts is still out there, in the real world, but you get the idea."
"So many memories..." Severus murmured, ignoring Remus's initial remark. When he turned to look at James, his expression turned foul. "Then there's you. The ever-mighty, 'think-I-can-have-it-all' James Potter."
"Do not talk to my husband like that." Lily said firmly, her stare unwavering. James almost smiled like an idiot if not for the intensity of the atmosphere engulfing them.
"Why, Lily?" Snape asked, hurt present in his voice. "Why do you always pick him?"
"What happened to our friendship was never defined by anybody, Severus, not even James." Lily replied quietly. "It's just that he's there, a comforting, warm presence I have come to love and cherish—that I still and will love, always. He has never left my side, and I have never left his." she looked at him, sadness present in her eyes. "But you did. Insulting me, calling me a Mudblood in front of all those people...I could tolerate almost everything else, but that? Was it the kind of friendship you'd cherish yourself?"
"I never...I was..." Snape struggled to find the right words.
James watched as Lily's tears flowed out, one by one, streaks of it dampening the sides of her face. He wanted to reach out and wipe it off, but his wife did not make an effort to move. She allowed the tears to stream down, hard, and stared. Stared at Snape in sadness and disappointment and guilt all at once. Why? her green eyes seemed to question. Why, Severus?
"The Dark Arts was something I held on to after you and I had started drifting apart, even before Fifth Year." Severus admitted, his head bent low. "I was sorted in Slytherin, and you in Gryffindor. You started having new friends, new bonds and relationships." he continued, his voice cracking. "You were happy, Lily.
"So I figured, if you had your friends and new life and all that, I would keep to myself, alone. The Dark Arts served as a distraction, a thing I could actually amuse myself with. But I got better, and my skills were recognized. When we were in Fifth Year, I was starting to loathe how the Marauders seemed to make fun of me all the time, and I snapped.
"I made friends with the wrong sort, and associated myself to people closer to the Dar—Voldemort. I shut out everyone else and didn't care about anything at all. I became a Death Eater—but I tried to make up for that, too, didn't I?" Snape's voice almost begged, tears blurring his vision. "I became a spy for Dumbledore, and devoted almost half of my life to protecting your son, though it was difficult because he looked so much like James. But he had your eyes—those ever green eyes." he choked down a sob and looked at Lily guiltily. "I am sorry, Lily, if I haven't done enough; but please consider everything I have done to make up for each wrongdoing, for each word that hurt you."
Silence ensued. Lily's tears were still streaming down her cheeks, which were puffy and a bit red. Snape wiped his eyes with his robes, but they came out a bit swollen around the edges as well, meaning that he did cry, but made an effort to control it. The others were also silent, taking in the sudden confession and seeming a bit guilty, too.
"I know it may seem late, but I'd like to apologize." James cut in through the silence, his voice lined with guilt. He looked at Severus, saying, "You may not accept it now, but that's fine. I realized the severity of my actions years ago; nobody deserves to be treated that way." he said truthfully. "So I'm sorry as well, Severus, and I hope that, someday, you can look at my face without any trace of hate."
Remus and Sirius followed with their own sincere apologies, and promised to make it up to Severus some other time. James also agreed with this prospect. After all the drama died out, Lily reached out and hugged Snape tightly, her arms encircling him in a friendly embrace. Severus, albeit surprised by this gesture, made a quick effort to hug Lily back, grateful. James couldn't help but smile. Finally.
"So, if you'd like to catch up, just know we'll always be here." Lily was saying as she let go, a small smile plasetered on her face. "I believe that people can change, if they have the heart to. Welcome back, Severus. I've missed my best friend."
"Thank you, Lily." Severus replied. He smiled rather awkwardly, as if he had not done it in the past few years and lacked much-needed practice. It was still a genuine smile, nonetheless. Nodding, he looked toward the three Marauders. "All of you."
"I think we can now go back to Godric's Hollow." Remus said, a peaceful look upon his face. "After all, the Headmaster might still be waiting."
**~~~~~~~ 2 ~~~~~~~**
"AH, ISN'T IT FULFILLING, SEVERUS, what forgiving and forgiveness does to a person?" Dumbledore inquired with a pleased smile as he and Professor Snape exited the Potters' abode, embarking on a journey of their own outside the simplicity of Godric's Hollow itself.
"I must admit that it is, Headmaster." Severus replied with a hint of peace. "I have never felt like this for a long time."
"Ah." Dumbledore chuckled, stroking his beard. "So, have you forgiven them, then? James and the others, I mean."
"Not yet," Severus admitted, though he didn't say it with anger or hatred. It was just a fact. "I think through time, it will be possible, like how Lily has forgiven me despite everything."
"You still love her." Dumbledore stated a matter-of-factly, hearing the softness in Severus's voice as he muttered Lily's name.
They were nearing the end of the small village, where cottages and small pubs were seldom seen, built far away from each other. The street was still as jolly as ever; it never seemed to run out of people, young or old. Here, in the outskirts of Godric's Hollow, they would apparate to Merlin-knows-where, off to enjoy some of the pleasures of Wizarding Afterlife.
"I do." Snape replied, lost in thought. "But I am willing to move on, for her and my own sake. I love Lily, and I want her to be happy, even if I can't fully grant that happiness." he smiled sadly, as if the realization had just hit him. "I think, bit by bit, I will be able to find my own version of peace. I'm content at the moment, Headmaster." Severus said sincerely, his eyes reflecting bits of genuine happiness. "I really am."
Dumbledore smiled. The two infamous professors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry joined hands. Severus Snape scanned Godric's Hollow one last time.
"Apparate!" he shouted, his wand glistening in the air.
There was a flicker of light, and then they were gone.
A/N:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Sorry for the lack of updates during a span of exactly a year and a month :(
I have been thinking a lot about this book, and how I would end it; I almost lost motivation if not for the support of notable readers and each one of you. A lot has happened within 13 months, including ANOTHER set of major adjustments here and there. However, I am happy to announce that this book's final chapters have been finalized, and we're down to our last 6. Don't worry, I'll make sure they're of good quality, so as not to disappoint any of you.
Anyway, I'm deeply sorry. This author has been going through a lot of serious life challenges. I missed writing, and hopefully our next chapter won't take long. The succession of the story has already been finalized anyway :D .
So hey, I hope you still stick with me despite the long hiatus, and here's to fresh new chapters!
A new character will be featured for the next chapter.HINT: He's a really big fan of Harry Potter!
Sending lots of love,
E.J. Marin