Promises Kept
Challenge Seventeen: Messages From The Heart
Title: Promises Kept
Author: redvelvetcanopy
Wizard/Witch: Severus Snape/Lily Evans Potter
Rating/Warnings: PG-13/R
Genre: Romance/Despair
Word count: Exactly 750
Prompt: #19, perfumed note from her
Summary: Frustrated by James Potter’s son, Severus Snape seeks out the one person who can remind him of the importance of his task.
With his cape swirling behind him, Severus Snape charged down the shadowed passageway toward his quarters. He slung a spell at the door so strong, it split down the centre as it crashed open.
“Reparo!” The thick oak sealed itself with a splintering sound. Furiously, he slammed it shut again. “Incendio!” he shouted as he passed in front of the mantle. The fire leapt to life on the grate as Severus poured a large measure of brandy and tossed it back.
Brooding, he sank into his arm chair. That sodding, arrogant, foolish prat! I’ll find out how he did it! Sirius Black did not escape from that room on his own accord! He flung his snifter into the fire, where it shattered.
Every time he looked at Potter, he saw James’ arrogance. From the tips of his unruly hair, to the mocking curve of his lips, to the thin fingers that gripped that wand with injustly granted talent, Harry Potter was his father through-and-through.
Except for his eyes. His conscience always assumed the lilt of Lily’s voice, haunting him and quenching his anger.
Yes, except for his eyes. Severus rubbed his temples. He could never meet the snivelling dunderhead’s eyes if he wanted to remain angry. Oh, he’d tried many things over the past three years-focusing on his scar, his chin, the corner of his glasses-but whenever young Potter caught his gaze, he was viscerally reminded of his guilt-and his duty to repair his past wrongs.
Severus leaned forward, sighing deeply. Blast! How I wish I could forget you!
He walked into his bedchamber and cast a series of complicated charms at the paneled wall behind his bed. One of the panels swung open, revealing a hidden niche. Severus reached in and removed a plain wooden box from which he withdrew a scroll of parchment. Raising it to his nose, he inhaled the faint remnant of a girlish perfume. The scent made his pulse quicken.
Severus placed the letter on the floor and aimed his wand at it. “Integro!”
Blue streams burst from his wand and pooled onto the letter, and concentric circles of light rippled over it. A figure emerged from the aura.
“Lily,” Severus whispered.
Neatly dressed in her school robes, Lily Evans materialized exactly as on the day she’d penned the letter begging him not to take the Mark. Disdainfully, he’d tossed the letter aside. Now, as he did occasionally since she’d died, Severus resurrected the Lily of that day, just so he could speak with her.
“Oh, Severus! I’m so glad the owl got to you in time!” Lily rushed toward him, reaching out for him. The revenant took no notice how old he appeared. Her eyes-those eyes-of emerald beheld him with so much affection, Severus gasped for air.
He reached out and held her cool hands. “Yes, Lily, it found me. I…I won’t do it.”
Lily hugged him, tucking her head beneath his chin. Her body was so soft, it felt ethereal. He buried his nose in her auburn hair, and her perfume, stronger now, assaulted his senses, sending him reeling.
“I told James you wouldn’t!” she said, looking up at him.
Severus knew that simply recalling Lily’s spirit wouldn’t satisfy him. He could direct this fantasy in any way he wished, and so he said, “No, I didn’t, Lily. Does that please you?”
“Yes, it does. You’re my dearest, oldest friend, Severus.”
“Yes. For that, I’m glad.”
“Are you in any danger, Severus? Because you refused?” Lily asked.
“I suppose I will be.” He reached out to cup her cheek with his palm.
“What can I do to help?”
Leaning close, he tipped her chin up with the tips of his fingers and looked into her eyes, demanding, “Run away with me, Lily. Leave all this behind. You have no idea what danger awaits you!”
“Of course, Severus,” Lily murmured. Her eyes flicked over his face, and she raised up on the tips of her toes to brush her lips against his.
Severus kissed her desperately, one hand wound into her hair and the other at the small of her back, crushing her against him. When he broke the kiss, his voice cracked when he said, “I love you, Lily.” He backed away and took aim. “Perficio!”
Lily’s visage swirled into a mist and vanished.
He retrieved the parchment from the floor and sniffed it again. He closed his eyes and prayed to Lily for the strength to endure.
Author's Notes: From Latin, I translate integro as “to make fresh” and perficio as “to finish or end.”
Proof-reader: My enthusiastic seaislewitch.