Apothecary's Rose

AN: I've been mulling over Severus' death, trying to find a way to justify it in my mind, when this idea popped up. I need him to have a happy ending. I hope you like it! The first sentence of this is taken from HP:DH, from the chapter The Elder Wand. Therefore it belongs to Mrs. Rowling and not me. Just to be clear.

****Also, an important thing to point out with this chapter is that it starts out the same as 'Lily of the Valley.' I see both chapters as alternate endings, one because I couldn't let Snape go without some kind of happy ending and the other because I need there to be romance in said happy ending. I hope that clears up any confusion.****

"The hand holding Harry thudded to the floor, and Snape moved no more." He heard their footsteps across the rotted floorboards, and his chest heaved up with the force of his intake. Everything seemed break and as the light poured through the cracks in the walls the dust motes began to dance above him. His eyes grew heavy as the dust motes started to take form. When the figure’s outline solidified, the flared and all he saw was the bright light of new day.

When the sun’s light dimmed and he could see again, Severus noticed that he was sitting on a swing at the playground near Spinner’s End, the place where he and Lily had first met. Chains rattled next to him and he had to wonder if this was going to be anything like Dickens’ Christmas Carol. It was Marley who had started to swing beside him though, it was Lily. She didn’t look like the girl that he had a glimpse of at their graduation; she was older with the glow of motherhood around her. Her wedding ring flashed in the sun. Their eyes met and they both started to talk.

"Sev – "

"Lily – "

Pausing, Lily started again. "Sev, I’m sorry for being such a rotten friend. I was to see what you were going through. After I died I’ve kept an eye on you, and I’ve seen everything you’ve been put through, everything you’ve done for my son." Tears welled up in her eyes at the memories of what he’d endured in her name. "I’m so sorry, Sev. I should’ve been there for you."

Severus remained silent, listening to the voice he thought he’d never hear again. "We have enough time to talk about that later I think. I’m glad I’m able to see you again, Lily. I – I wasn’t sure I’d be able to see you in the end." She leaned over and hugged him, pressing the chains between them.

"You’re right, Sev, we have all the time we need to talk. There’s someone else who’s been waiting for you, you know." Startled, Severus looked around the playground. A woman sat on top of the jungle-gym swinging her legs back and forth. He’d been so focused on Lily that he hadn’t noticed anyone else. Lily spoke lowly, her head bent towards his. "Her name is Rose Minette, she died during the first war. A few weeks after James and I died she found us and we’ve become friends. I think you’ll like her. Go say hello." She smiled impishly and shoved his shoulder.

He stood and straightened his clothes before walking over to her. Severus stopped when he reached her and had to look up to see her face. Her hair was long and blonde with a hint of a wave at the bottom. Her eyes could match the color of the sky with flecks of green. She smiled at him with slightly crooked teeth and Severus felt his chest heat up.

"Hello, Severus. It’s nice to finally meet you." She said it so simply that he couldn’t find it in himself to doubt her.

"Hello… Rose." He liked the way his mouth formed her name. She moved to jump down from the bars and he instinctively reached up to help her down. Her hands braced on his arms, and when he felt her weight bear down on him, the sunlight she had been blocking blinded him. He felt her arms move around his shoulders and in the warm light, he smiled.