"Lily... it's me, Severus..." Snape's lips trembled. As the words left him, he realized how hollow and useless they sounded. His fingertips gripped tightly, his shoulders beneath the black robes tensed into a rigid line, and even his breathing was labored and cautious.
"I know it's you," Lily watched him calmly. The initial distance and distaste in her eyes slowly faded, replaced by a trace of fleeting pity that vanished like a stone cast into a lake. "I thought I'd never see you again."
Snape opened his mouth. The words he had polished through countless midnight dreams, practiced a thousand times in his heart, now felt as though they were under a Silencing Charm, stuck in his throat. He could only stare blankly at Lily, his dark eyes swirling with guilt, humility, and helplessness.
"I know I'm dead," Lily broke the silence first. Her tone remained calm, though a hint of curiosity peeked through. "I don't know how you brought me back, but... tell me, what happened afterward?"
She knew Snape too well. This man, who always hid his emotions beneath black robes and indifference—if she didn't speak first, he might just stand there frozen, unable to utter a single coherent sentence.
"After... after the Dark Lord killed you, he went after your son, Harry." Snape's voice finally found a measure of fluency, though his tone remained heavy. "But his curse backfired. Dumbledore said it was an ancient protection you placed on Harry out of love while protecting him. The Dark Lord fell, the war ended, and your son... he survived. He just started at Hogwarts this year." Lily's eyes lit up instantly. Her joy was genuine and vibrant. She whispered, "Thank you, Severus. This is the best
news I've heard today."
Snape was completely stunned. The words 'Thank you' echoed in his ears... he had actually heard Lily thank him. But the surprise lasted only a moment before being replaced by heavy self-derision. The light in his eyes dimmed rapidly.
He knew perfectly well that Lily's gratitude was only because of the news about Harry, nothing to do with him or his past sins. Furthermore, very few people knew he was the one who leaked the prophecy to the Dark Lord. The Order of the Phoenix only knew the Dark Lord had learned of the prophecy and targeted Harry Potter, but they never knew the informant was Severus Snape.
If Lily knew the truth... Snape's heart sank, and his breathing turned heavy.
Lily sighed softly, her voice thick with regret. "I wanted so much to watch him grow up, to buy his robes, wand, and books myself... to see him through the gates of Hogwarts... but I missed it all."
That regret pierced Snape's heart like a needle, striking his softest, most guilt-ridden spot. Intense remorse enveloped him. His shattered heart felt as though an invisible hand were crushing and kneading it, the pain making it nearly impossible to breathe.
Snape remained silent for a long time, long enough for the mist to nearly swallow his silhouette. Finally, he squeezed out three words, his voice as rasping as sandpaper: "I am sorry..."
This apology, which he had turned over in his mind through countless nights, was finally spoken to Lily's face.
He took a deep breath, as if summoning every ounce of strength. "I shouldn't have obsessed over those dangerous Dark Arts. I shouldn't have followed that monster... and I certainly shouldn't have been so stubborn about your choices."
He intentionally apologized for his past bigotry and mistakes first, pointedly avoiding the matter of the prophecy...
If he told her the truth about the leak first, would she still have the patience to listen to this belated repentance?
As expected, Lily didn't interrupt. She stood there quietly, her gaze peaceful, as if listening to an explanation many years overdue.
Suddenly, a gentle smile touched her face—faint but real, like the sunlight of Godric's Hollow, falling softly upon Snape's heart. "I'm glad you eventually found the right path."
"You... how do you know?" Snape looked up sharply, eyes filled with surprise. Lily shouldn't have known about him being Dumbledore's spy.
"Since the war ended, those who followed the Dark Lord would surely have been purged," Lily shook her head slightly, her tone knowing. "Yet here you are, standing before me. Doesn't that say enough? Severus, don't let the sins of the past haunt you forever."
Lily knew she had been dead for a long time—long enough for the old resentments and bitterness to fade under the wash of time. Hearing that Harry was safe and growing up well was enough for her.
Seeing the bone-deep remorse on Snape's face, Lily softened. The remaining traces of resentment melted like snow under the sun. If Snape had spent half his life seeking her forgiveness, what was the harm in granting it?
But Snape could not let go so easily. The guilt buried deep in his soul was like a mountain, crushing the life out of him. Lily's current kindness hurt more than any accusation.
If Lily would only curse him or scream at him, he might feel better. At least then, his sins would have a place to land.
"I forgive you... Severus..."
The words he had dreamed of hearing reached his ears clearly. Yet, instead of relief or joy, he snapped his head up, eyes full of agony and resistance. He roared, "No! You shouldn't forgive me!"
Tears instantly blurred his black eyes. He choked out, repeating over and over, "I don't deserve it... I don't deserve your forgiveness at all."
Lily froze, looking at him with confusion, not understanding why he was reacting this way.
Hadn't he been desperate for her forgiveness?
"The Dark Lord knew nothing of the prophecy! It was me! I told him!" Snape shrieked almost hysterically. "It was because of my stupidity, my obsession, that he chose your family as the target! Your home was destroyed, James died, you died, and Harry became an orphan... I am the one responsible for everything! How can I deserve your forgiveness?"
Lily went rigid, staring at Snape in disbelief. She had considered that Snape might have had something to do with her death, but she never imagined the truth was this... that he had personally pushed her and her family into the abyss.
"When I learned the Dark Lord decided to go after Harry, I knelt before him and begged for mercy. I begged him to spare you," Snape's voice dropped, filled with endless despair. Tears tracked down his pale cheeks, dripping onto the floor. "But I knew he didn't care for my pleas. So I went to Dumbledore. I told him that as long as he protected you, I would pay any price—even my soul."
He collapsed weakly to his knees before Lily, his back hunched as if all strength had been drained. These secrets, which had weighed him down until he could barely breathe, left him without even the strength to stand once spoken.
"Dumbledore turned your home into a safe house. I thought everything would finally change for the better," Snape's voice cracked. "But that fool Sirius Black... he and James decided to switch the Secret-Keeper to Peter Pettigrew—that cowardly rat!"
"They didn't know the rat had already betrayed you, had already joined the Dark Lord..." Snape choked. "The Dark Lord got your address easily. When I rushed to Godric's Hollow like a madman, there was nothing left but ruins and the cold bodies of you and James..."
Lily remained rooted to the spot, her mind in a whirlwind. Snape's betrayal pained her, yet it didn't entirely surprise her.
At that time, Snape was fully committed to Voldemort. Perhaps when he informed him, he hadn't realized Voldemort would target her family.
But Peter Pettigrew... he had betrayed them voluntarily?
Lily didn't doubt Snape's words. James had told her about the Secret-Keeper; they had indeed switched to Peter. If Peter hadn't revealed the secret, how could the Dark Lord have found them?
When Voldemort had found them, she and James had briefly suspected Peter, but they assumed he had been captured by Death Eaters and broken under torture. They knew Peter too well—his cowardice and weakness—so even if they felt bitter, they blamed it on bad luck and never truly condemned him.
But now, Snape was telling her that Peter had betrayed them by choice... The friend they had grown up with, treated like family, and protected so carefully had personally pushed them into hell.
Compared to Snape's tip-off, this betrayal from a close friend cut far deeper.
"You still had a chance to be saved..." Snape muttered, head bowed, voice thick with self-blame. "Victor Wick, he was Dumbledore's mole among the Death Eaters. He had already sensed the Dark Lord's plan and was preparing to inform Dumbledore. But I... at the time, I was so consumed by guilt and panic, I was in such a foul mood that I used him as a punching bag, causing him to miss the best window to deliver the message."
"It's all my fault... Lily, it's all my fault..." he murmured repeatedly, looking as though he might shatter at a touch.
Victor Wick, who had been watching the drama unfold, silently put down his slice of watermelon. He was starting to worry that Snape might actually die of guilt right then and there.
Lily gradually pulled herself back from her grief. Looking at the pathetic, broken man kneeling before her, her heart was a mess of emotions. To say she didn't feel resentment would be a lie, but what had happened had happened. What could resentment change now?
"It's already happened, Severus," Lily's voice carried a hint of raspiness, her eyes filled with sorrow. "James and I are already dead. We can no longer look after Harry ourselves... so, help me watch over him, alright?"
Nothing could be undone; the regrets were set in stone. Dwelling on past grudges would only bring more pain. Now, her only wish was for Harry to grow up healthy and safe.
Snape slowly raised his head, meeting Lily's sorrowful yet expectant gaze. He instantly understood her meaning. She might not have truly forgiven him, but she was giving him a chance to make amends—a chance to protect Harry and repay his debt.
Tears fell again, but this time they carried a sense of relief and resolve. He nodded forcefully, his voice hoarse but solemn: "I promise you, Lily. I will protect Harry, always..."
*Thwack!*
A sharp sound rang out as Victor Wick, who had been watching for a long time, reached out and smacked the back of Snape's head. His tone was a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Protect him? Have you forgotten why we summoned her today?"
Snape's whole body stiffened, and most of the sorrow drained from his eyes. The intense remorse had almost made him forget the actual purpose of summoning Lily's soul... they were going to resurrect her.
Lily looked at Victor Wick in surprise. She had never seen anyone dare to be so disrespectful to Snape, nor had she seen an insulted Snape fail to show even a hint of anger.
"Ahem, allow me to introduce myself. I am the Victor Wick that Severus mentioned." Victor dropped his teasing tone and gave a slight nod to Lily.
Realization dawned on Lily. From Snape's words, she gathered that this young man was the mole who almost saved her family—the hero who had been hindered by Snape. No wonder Snape tolerated his behavior.
"The reason I'm here today is probably because of you." Lily was sharp. From Victor's posture and casual tone, she could tell he was the true master of this place.
"Precisely." Victor smiled confidently. "Severus and I are preparing a project that will shock the entire wizarding world—I plan to resurrect you. You and James will be able to look after Harry yourselves, so you don't have to leave him to this messy, gloomy old bat who scowls all day."
He paused and added, "Successfully summoning you is only the first step."
Snape didn't care about Victor's teasing. His heart was filled with relief and hope. Although Lily hadn't explicitly said she forgave him, his internal knot had been unraveled. He had decided to spend the rest of his life making up for his mistakes.
Besides, if Lily could be resurrected, he would be willing even if it meant that annoying James came back too. As long as he could see Lily alive and healthy, watching Harry grow up, any grievance or bitterness meant nothing.
"Resurrection?" Lily's eyes widened, filled with wonder and disbelief, along with a hint of undeniable hope. "Can... can that really be done?"
If she could live, if she could watch Harry grow into a man, how could she not want it?
"It absolutely can." Victor's voice was firm. "By the way, I heard you mention being with James in that world. Can you tell me what it's like there?"
In truth, Victor's desire to resurrect Lily and James wasn't entirely out of the goodness of his heart. There were a few people in his life who had always been regrets. Resurrecting them would help him perfect his ritual, clear his conscience, and prepare him for resurrecting those close to him in the future.
This was a win-win situation for him. Because of this, he was just as eager and enthusiastic about the resurrection project as Snape.
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