Embers

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Timeless...

Severus held Lily tightly as they stood together, her back to him, just enjoying her sweet presence. He bent down to brush another kiss along her neck. He stiffened.

Harry?

Lily twisted her neck slightly to look at him. "Sev?" she questioned, her voice full of concern.

Dad? and he could almost hear the desperation of his son's shadowed storm.

"Harry," Severus breathed, his heart plummeting as he heard the ghost of his son's pain.

Lily turned fully around, her eyes wide. "Harry?" she repeated excitedly, seeming to be searching behind Severus. But Harry wasn't here with them. Severus closed his eyes. What had he done?

"No," Severus shook his head, feeling almost weightless again. Lily looked up at him, her gentle eyes crinkled in confusion. "He's calling me," he explained, his heart twisting as he gazed down at his wife.

Lily sucked in a harsh breath. "What?" she cried, sounding somewhat panicked. "But, you shouldn't be able-" she brought her hand abruptly to clench her fingers in his robes, obviously coming to same wretched conclusion he had.

Harry was waiting for him to come back.

"He will never forgive me this," Severus whispered. Lily's eyes darkened with sadness and Severus couldn't bear to see her pain. He had disappointed her again.

"He loves you," she told him fiercely.

Pain filled Severus' chest. "He should not. I hated him...my own son. You died, Lily and then I buried our son with you..." Severus paused as the remorse cut off his words, and then on a whispered breath, he murmured, "And now I've left him again."

Lily brought her small hand to rest against his cheek. "But you haven't left him, Sev." Severus stared down at her. Lily smiled, looking radiant. "Don't you see? If you can hear him, a part of you is still there with Harry. You can go back," she told him excitedly.

He could go back? To Harry? The blossom of hope immediately shriveled as he gazed at Lily. He would have to leave his Lily. But how could he not? Harry was searching for him. Harry wanted him. Severus felt a warm glow at the thought, even as the chill overtook him.

"Lily," he whispered, gathering her to him as the name choked on his decision. "Forgive me," he begged. Lily's arms tightened around his neck.

"He's our son. He needs you," she said simply and then she pulled back a little, spearing him with her emerald eyes. He tensed. "And you do deserve to be loved, Severus Snape," she scolded fiercely. "Let Harry love you. He needs to love you just as much as you need to love him."

Severus opened his mouth, but Lily pressed a finger against his lips. "No, Sev. Let the past go. He's already forgiven you...I've forgiven you," she assured him softly.

Severus' throat was dry. He hadn't realized how much he'd needed to hear that. "Thank you," he whispered.

She shook her head, her eyes glinting. "Just take care of him."

Severus nodded, afraid to speak through the emotions that were permeating every part of him, but he needed to. "I will, Lily," he promised as he felt the unfamiliar tingling of tears in his eyes...and yet somehow, the tears felt right.

Lily's eyes sparked in surprise, though she looked pleased. She brushed away one of the tears that had fallen from his lashes, something she had never been able to do before. Emotions ripped through Severus again at the delicate gesture.

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