(Untitled)

[halfbloodalways]

Who: Severus Snape and Lily Evans
What: Severus is working on his potions and Lily, keeping to her word, pops by to see him - some things never change
When: Today, afternoon-ish
Where: Up at Sev's little hideout
Warnings: PG for now given the angst factor that is likely but I'll notch it up if it gets too much
Status: Complete!

Comments

[hexywitch]

Severus really shouldn't be so pessimistic. Lily is always true to her word. She's a Gryffindor, mate. It had taken her a bit of time to get settled into life here, but now that she felt a bit more oriented Severus was her first priority. She had a sense that he didn't get out much, and she intended to brighten his life a bit.

So she's brought him a vase of flowers. Tiger lilies. She knocked on the door gingerly, hoping that she wouldn't be interrupting anything.

[halfbloodalways]

Call it a protection he wore - pessimism. Still, the knock oh the door startled him and he nearly tumbled from the stool he was perched on. He wasn't expecting anyone and no one knew where he lived save Lily. So - it was either Lily or it was someone far less welcome.

Drawing out his wand as he approached the door he called out. "Who is it?"

[hexywitch]

"Severus?" she called, "It's me! Lily."

[halfbloodalways]

Well, that caused his heart do a back flip. Casting aside any fears or precautions he pulled open the door wearing a look of both surprise and... an usual look for him - happiness. He just stood there a moment, eyes falling on the vase and then darting back up to her gaze.

When he finally snapped out of his daze he broke eye contact with her and stood aside. "Right. Come in, come in." He waited for her to pass through the door and closed it behind her.

[hexywitch]

Lily sauntered in as if she owned the place and set the vase down on a relatively clear surface.

"I'm sorry it's taken me so long to drop by. It's required a bit of an adjustment, this place. How are you?"

Because I'm evil

[halfbloodalways]

Severus just stood and watched her for a moment before realizing he had to look a right twit staring at her. "Yes. This place does that - takes adjusting to that is." He was having a hard time thinking of conversation with his heart pounding, delightedly, in his ears. Just by entering the room she made the place seem brighter - lifted the gloom that so often resided within Severus.

The unfortunate thing about having an unexpected - while thoroughly welcome - guest was that Severus was not exactly dressed for company. He'd been working most of the morning with liquids and fire he didn't dare wear a long sleeve around. As a result, the coat he usually wore under his cloak was hanging on the back of a chair and he had rolled up the sleeves of the white shirt underneath - leaving his forearms in full view. He was too busy being happy to think about it, to realize what those rolled up sleeves revealed.

"I've been fine." A more or less truthful statement.

[hexywitch]

Lily noticed the rolled-up sleeves and the mark that was visible. She flinched when she realized what it was, and turned to rearrange the flowers, to hide that moment of distress.

"Brewing potions, I see," she said, leaning in to smell the blossoms. "Anything good?" She turned back to him, the smile back on her face.

[halfbloodalways]

"Yes. Mainly antidotes and some medicines. I might as well do something useful here." He idly rolled his wand between his fingers and was about to set it down when he realized what he had done. "Sorry," he mumbled, pulling the sleeves back down. "What have you been up to? Aside from adjusting to life in our fair city?" Severus asked, hoping to smooth over his misstep as he buttoned the cuffs of his shirt.

[hexywitch]

"You're always so thoughtful, Severus." She brushed off his apology. She still hadn't completely reconciled everything that he had told her the last time she was here, and maybe she had been putting off this visit just a little bit.

She shrugged. She'd been...with James. "I met an Angel earlier today. Via my pocketwatch. How odd."

[halfbloodalways]

"A word I am fairly sure only you have ever used to describe me," he smirked, busying himself with putting the kettle on.

Of course she had been with James. He wasn't stupid - he knew that. However, he appreciated her not talking of it. James's existence here was a fact of life but that didn't mean Severus had to like it or talk about it.

He paused in his brewing of tea to turn and quirk his head at her. "An Angel? Really?"

[hexywitch]

"I very much doubt that. You're a very internal creature, Severus. You get lost in thought right in the middle of a conversation all the time."

She stepped out of her heels and curled up on his couch. "Yes! At least he told me he was an Angel. His name is Aziraphale. I think he's brilliant. And he's British."

[halfbloodalways]

He opened his mouth to protest but stopped. She was right. Lily was the person who knew him best - always had been, always would be. "Yes. Well. If you say so."

Severus pulled down some proper cups this time from a shelf. He had put some effort in despite his usual cynical outlook. As he poured the tea and handed her a cup the wizard nodded. "You think he's the real thing then?"

[hexywitch]

She laughed. "See? Just then, you were thinking three or four things that you didn't say."

"I don't know for sure, as I've only spoken to him with our little communication device this once. But he seemed very genuine. I'm usually good at reading people."

[halfbloodalways]

"I've always found it prudent," he replied as he took a seat next to her on the couch, "to speak only when there is something worth saying."

Severus took a sip of his tea - a definite improvement over his last attempt. He might even be willing to call the tea a success. ...good at reading people. Hmm.

"So is he from Heaven or some variant there of?"

[hexywitch]

"I'm sure you think of many things worth saying that you just choose not to. Thank you for the tea." She took a sip and sighed happily. Yummy.

"That's what he told me. Although he's been on earth since the very beginning. Eden."

[halfbloodalways]

Knowing he was merely proving her point, Severus paused to consider her observation. "I revise my previous statement then. I find it prudent to only speak that which I think is appropriate at the time to say."

He favored her with a pleased smile at her reaction to the tea - a rare thing for Severus to give anyone. The wizard may not have her heart as James Potter did but at least he could give her some comfort and that was enough for now.

"Ah, the biblical Eden - paradise lost. Interesting. So he would be, if he truly is an Angel, possible proof of a life after death." That could be good news or bad news for Severus considering the life he had led despite his efforts at redemption. "Why was he placed on Earth? Why does he remain?"